Team Natsu had finally made it to the small town where Hoshi was last seen in. It was a good thing to, considering that Natsu had almost fallen into a coma because of his motion sickness. Now that they were on foot, they were hoping to catch up with Hoshi. A quick look at the map, showed that she was getting closer to the lake.
"We need to pick up the pace a little. If Hoshi gets the Dragon Key first, there's no telling how much power she'll have," Lucy breathed loudly. She was very concerned. The guide-book had told her that a dragon could work well with a snake, but being a rabbit she would need to work even harder than when she made a contract with Cheng.
"Not good, dragons have been considered to be signs of authority and dignity. To possess one is to have everlasting luck," Wendy added as they continued down the street passing shops, people, and cars along the way. She shivered remembering the power and the overwhelming fear she felt when the seven dragons attacked the Grand Magic Games. They hadn't been able to defeat a single dragon, now they were going up against an immortal spirit dragon. That was sure to cause problems.
As they were running Gray started to feel something warm against his side. He tried to ignore the heat, but it didn't work. Now it felt that pins were pricking him in the side. He grunted trying to ignore it, but soon the pain became too much. Letting out a snarl he stopped in his tracks. "What is pricking me so bad?" he demanded causing everyone to stop in their tracks. They looked at him, wondering what he was talking about when Happy exclaimed, "Why is your pocket bulging like that?"
Gray looked down seeing that his pocket was glowing. He pulled out a lacremeia flower that was expanding and growing as it pulsated with color. The flower would bloom then retract as the message started and stopped again. As the message tried to play they could catch a few words that were being said.
"I think you bro."
"Would you stop ye…?"
"Give that thing to me, I'll make it…"
"Frosch think that…"
"Why did she give us this stupid…"
Erza's eyes narrowed as she snatched the flower from Gray's hands. "Sting, Rogue is that you? How did you come into possession of one these flowers? Tell me now!" she shouted into the message so loudly the flower cracked in the side and the orb of light to grow smaller. They could hear the stunned voices of the Dragonslayers. They started yelling and asking how they were in touch, when they heard something hit the ground, the message fizzled out. "It appears that we need to get our answers directly. Natsu, can you scent them?"
Natsu nodded, he could smell them not too far away. He took off with everyone following him. It was barely ten minutes later when they stumbled across the destruction and the members of Sabertooth were arguing with one another, a partially destroyed lacremeia flower was being held in Frosch's hands, he appeared to be crying while Lector told him to get a grip. "Okay you knuckleheads, you have two seconds to explain why you have that flower and tell us where Hoshi or so help me I'll burn you to the ground!" Natsu shouted, flames spitting out of his mouth.
Sting gave him an exasperated sigh before pushing Natsu down to the ground. "You're strong Dragneel, but you still don't know how show anyone respect," he commented with a little smirk. Natsu started yelling at him as a fight was about to break out when Rogue and Gray stepped between the two, telling them to both calm down. Now wasn't the time to fight amongst themselves. As the two Dragonslayers were told to take a breather and calm down Erza took charge.
"What happened here? How did you come in possession of that item? Considering it belongs to Lucy's rival, are you helping her in an attempt to delay us? Start talking!" she demanded grabbing Rogue's coat only for him to yank himself free. "Do you really think we'd help the person that we were trying to capture for the Council?" he retorted.
Taking a seat on a nearby ripped up piece of rock, he let Frosch jumped into his lap. The others settled down on the grass as they waited for an explanation. "As I'm sure that as you suspected, Sabertooth took the job to track down the rogue Celestial Mage."
Lucy nodded, they were the only other guild she knew with a strong Celestial Mage. Looking around she didn't see Yukino anywhere. She did spot a blue feather caught in a nearby bramble. She also saw footprints in the shape of Hoshi's boots. Shivering she knew what happened here. "You engaged Hoshi in battle? How many spirits did she use?"
"She used three spirits that were unfamiliar us. We tried to surround her and bring her in without a struggle, but she was prepared for that. She distracted us so her hair ornament could prevent us from attacking, before summoning; I think their names were Scutum, Andromeda, and Monkey?" Rogue responded tilting his head as he tried to recall for sure what she called them. He blushed as he remembered how he fell so easily for Andromeda's enchantment, embarrassed that he let a spirit get the better of him. "Each spirit attacked someone different, while Hoshi went after Yukino. I ended up with a bigger challenge then I thought against Andromeda. She was not what I expected."
Natsu, who along with Sting had joined the group, started laughing. "No way! You let a girl spirit get the better of you? What did she do, swoon so you get close for her to punch you?" Seeing his expression he started to laugh more before Sting shoved him into the ground.
"Don't laugh at us, those spirits were strong, even if they weren't Zodiac," he hissed. Lector then corrected his friend telling him that the Monkey spirit told him that she was a Zodiac with shape shifting powers. Sting looked surprised at that asking his Exceed, why he hadn't mentioned this sooner, only to be told he didn't ask about, causing Sting to hang his head.
Carla pursed her lips. Her tail twitched as she thought over what the Twin Dragonslayers were telling them. "It is to our advantage to know what spirits she has, but we've still haven't completely identified each key she has. None of us have gotten close to see. Still, we know more about her Animal Zodiacs, so that's helpful." Wendy nodded in agreement; the more they knew about their foe, the better. Even learning that she fought hand to hand helped.
Gray was still puzzled. "So what happened to Yukino and how did you end up with that flower?" Sting and Rogue explained what had happened. As they described the fight, he paid attention to the details, especially the wording of the deal struck. Looking up he clenched his hand for a few minutes before speaking in nonchalant voice. "It appears that we gave Hoshi some ideas about the value of teamwork. If the Dragon Key is in the middle of a lake, then having Pisces and Libra could be a big help."
"It a logical way around the quest rules. She can't summon gold spirits, but if Yukino did, then she's not disqualified, similar to what happened to Lucy," Erza said. As Erza explained the details of the quest, Lucy opened the book she been reading about the Starwatcher Village. Using some form of ancient magic, the book seemed to be able to update some of its information. Including family bloodlines.
Observing her friends discussing ways to work together, she turned her back on them reading the pages again. The Starwatcher village was founded nearly seven hundred years ago, three hundred before this book was written. Yet the entries in here were only about seven to eight years old. According to the book a powerful Star Maiden; TÄHTI, along with twelve founding families, had created the village to protect the key and books in their possession, while at the same time, finding ways to be closer with the Celestial Spirits. If the multiple family trees were any indication; then the descendants of the founders had gotten more skilled and powerful as the years went on. At the bottom she found the entry for Hoshi. Her mother, Haruko, was a member of the Supernova family. She had a familiar line connecting her to another woman, Aiday, who had married into the Comet Trail family, who had a daughter a year older than Hoshi named Hoshiko.
The family trees ended there, making her wonder what had happened that would leave an entire generation missing from the book. Hearing the others calling her she quickly closed the book. "I'm starting to get worried for both Yukino and Hoshi. Something bad happened in Starwatcher Village, something so traumatic that it has caused some instability in her mind. If Yukino doesn't cooperate or turns on her, then I think she might actually try to kill her." Lucy said told them, her hands clutching the book tightly, as her facial expression showed fear and determination. With no time to lose they all started heading for the lake hoping they get there in time to prevent a tragedy.
Hoshi was super excited as they arrived at the lake via her spell. Looking at the sparkling clear blue water filled with koi and warmth of the sun tanning her skin she felt so alive. "I'm so glad that the spell worked so well. I haven't had a lot of practice with that one, nor trying to do it for two. Still, you have to admit it was fun being stardust," she told the girl standing next to her. Yukino frowned slightly, looked away before giving a stiff nod. "Why are you gloomy? This is a once in a life time opportunity. You'll get to help secure a platinum key, to meet in person an Animal Zodiac. This is a rare opportunity, much like seeing Orpheus in person."
Yukino bit her lip, she felt confused about this. The link connected her to Hoshi and forced to help her, but she had chosen to let her take her from her guild. Sting and Rogue were both willing to fight for her safety, but she had overrun them. The memory she received watching her sister fighting Lucy, was burned into her mind. She had to find out more.
"Let's get this business over with. The sooner your quest is over, the sooner you'll give me information about Sorano," she commented. Moving towards the land bridge the girls made their way down the sandy path until it stopped halfway to the middle of the look. Glancing down she swore she saw giant koi gulping down smaller fish. Shivering, she turned to her companion. "So what is your plan exactly? The city sank to the bottom of the lake. It's too deep to swim to. We'll never make it down there."
"That my dear is why we're bringing the city up!" Hoshi stated happily. Seeing Yukino looking skeptical she explained the plan. "My guidebook told me that there was secret mechanism in the city's foundation. Originally it was to help them with the water flow, but now it's stuck allowing water constantly in, but never draining. If Pisces can flip the switch than Libra can raise the city, purging it of the remaining water, so the bridge can connect to the city."
Yukino thought it over, it was smart, they had to stop the water flow so when they raised it, the waters wouldn't wash them away. Still, she was scared of the giant koi. There was also one little problem. "You seem to forget an important fact. Pisces needs to be in human form to manipulate the mechanism, but if they're touched by water, they go back to eels."
The other mage waved her hand dismissively. She'd handle the small details, right now she needed to summon them. It would be tricky to resummon the same spirits in the same day, she was willing to try. Raising the key she called for mother and son return in human form. At first the gate didn't want to open, fearing that it wouldn't work. The gate was collapsing when Hoshi placed her left hand on the badly formed gate. Concentrating, she let out a pulse of celestial energy stabilizing the gate as mother and son appeared in their human forms.
"Mistress Yukino, how were you able to summon us once more today? Your power should have grown weak," the mother inquired. The son commented on how fast they healed after returning to their world. It was then they spotted Hoshi. The son held his trident at Hoshi neck, water already swirling around it as he threatened to drown her. "You're going to pay for what you did to us! No one makes a fool out of us!"
Hoshi rolled her eyes, "Geesh, now I understand why Quing told me your to boneheaded for your own good." Looking down he saw the platinum keys. He was not expecting to see them. With him distracted she pushed the points from her neck. Doing a low sweep kick, she knocked him into the ground snatching the trident and spinning it around. He thought she going to impale him and he could hear his mother gathering water, when surprisingly, she placed the weapon in Yukino's hands so she could help him stand. "Still think I'm making a fool out of you or are you doing that yourself?"
"Mistress Yukino, what is going on? Why aren't you fighting this girl anymore?" Then the mother noticed the shackles around the girl's wrists understanding what was going on. Getting her son under control she asked how they could be a service to the two or them. Yukino looked at both promising this would be a temporary alliance. As long as they cooperated nothing bad to any of them. She explained, while pointing to the water and using gestures, what they being asked to do. It was a real good plan except for the obvious.
Hoshi's hands whirled in a complex pattern as the magical energy wrapped itself around the two of them changing and altering their outfits until they were wearing scuba gear. Satisfied she brought her hands down to her side. "Astronauts train in underwater to learn to deal with the pressure of moving through space. The gear will keep you from getting wet. Watch out for the koi, they'll try to stop you," she told them pointing to the monstrous koi in the lake diving deeper. "When you're done signal us so Libra can bring the city up."
They nodded asking if their summoner would be fine. Hoshi swore she protect her with all her magic. The duo dove into the water using his trident to form a protective sphere around them as they dived for the depths. Soon they couldn't see the sunlight from above. "Keep an eye for trouble. The lights on our gear don't penetrate that far," Mother warned her son, who nodded. As they continued their descendent they caught glimpses of other fish, but no signs of the koi making them wary.
"Look mom! I see a road, no its moat! The switch has got to be near here! Which way should we ahhhhhh!" Out of the depth a giant koi torpedoed to the surface knocking the boy back, nearly causing him to lose his trident. Trying to get his bearings he saw the shadow of the koi rushing back down to him. Using his trident he created an underwater whirlpool sucking the koi in and then sending him far away smacking into an oncoming koi. He took a stab at it, ripping its gills open as blood poured out. He felt something biting his fins so he flipped them back and force using water bullets to force his attacker to let go. His mother was in the same trouble, he started to swim towards him, but she shouted that he needed to find the mechanism.
Mother was in danger, but she knew how to protect herself. She swam circles around the fish; going up and down, even going sideways and twisting about. Some of the fish got their tails tied, but others weren't fooled. Undisturbed she gather watered all around her as she started to punch, kick and otherwise melee with the fish. "These koi need to respect their betters!"
Up on the surface another fight was underway. Giant turtles had crawled out of the water, morphing into monstrous kappas. Hoshi, was casting a variety of spells some working better than others. Yukino had called out Libra, who was using her gravity to mess with the kappas. As the threat multiplied she tried to move beyond the range limited, but was being zapped too hard. "I need to be able to move!" Her band glowed as she felt a surge through it. She heard Hoshi yell she had a five hundred foot radius and to get her butt of the ground and help.
A kappa leapt on her, its teeth covered in slobber as it tried to bite her. Pushing with her legs, she flipped the creature over her body into the sand. She watched as the water in the bowl in his head drained out. The kappa screamed in terror already drying up as it quickly dove back into the water. "Make them lose their water!" she shouted, suddenly remembering the stories her sister read to her. As the beasts charged her she started to bow causing them to lose their water. Hoshi and Libra followed suit until all the kappas were gone. A column of water erupted from the middle of the lake, it was the signal! Libra strained, but eventually brought the city backup as Pisces got rid of the remaining water. Latches buried in the sand pushed through connecting the land bridge.
The spirits had to return to home which they did with Yukino's blessing. Looking up at the architectural wonder before her eyes was unlike anything she had seen before. It was a square pyramid. Each layer smaller than the last until you reached a towering mansion, at the base there was a wide circle with roads and underneath the drains of the city. Etched on the worn walls were signs of dragons. "Incredible," she whispered so softly she was unaware that Hoshi heard her.
"I know isn't it?" she replied her eyes sparkling in delight. As they crossed the land bridge to the city she continued to talk about the history of this magnificent place. "In the far distant past, this lake used to expand all over the forest here; these trees actually once grew underwater if you can believe that. They called the lake, "Loch an Dragons Damhsa" it literally translates as the lake of dancing dragons. (Irish). This place not only loved Celestial Spirits, but also worshiped and protected dragons." She paused in the middle of her narration. They had just passed through an ancient garden spotting what appeared to be the remains of ornament near a row of plants. She gently picked up the broken piece handing it to Yukino.
The other mage examined it curiously. As she looked it over she couldn't help, but feel as if this piece was familiar. Like she'd seen the living version of this dragon. After turning it over a few times she realized why it looked so familiar. Even broken and chipped the dragon face looked like one of the seven dragons that had made it out of the Eclipse Gate before attacking the town.
"If the humans here worshipped dragons, were they not worried about the ones that sided against humans learning their magic?" she asked innocently. Truly, she was curious, but at the same time she wanted to get this over. Having already faced the guardians of this particular place, it was now time to deal with deadly traps before getting to the real prize; The Dragon Key.
"This place was built almost two hundred years before the Dragon Civil War happened. The people here were able to use the Dragon Key, to summon the Animal Zodiac: Mushu Dragon. This Celestial Spirit was stronger than any known dragon on Earthland. With his protection it was the spark that turned some dragons towards peaceful coexistence," Hoshi explained tugging her along by the invisible string that connected their bands. She had her eyes open wide and her other senses alert. Her first core was depleted and her second was only half filled. It was taking a lot of magic to keep the Binary Link going, but it was worth it.
"Be on your guard, the platinum keys are protected by guardians, then a series of traps, before a final test," she warned Yukino. It was left unsaid that if she attempted to take the key for herself there would be horrible consequences. Yukino was tempted to, but the knowledge about her sister was more important. With a gesture she motioned for them to get going.
They started to climb the steps to the top when they heard a load click. All of a sudden the stairs changed to slide sending them to empty abyss at the bottom. Hoshi gathered her magic in her hands driving them into the rocky slide. Feeling Yukino slipping away she called out, "Use your magic to grip the slide. Merge your energy with your surroundings, it will keep you from slipping!"
Yukino did what she told. She drove her hands into the slide, but kept slipping. Focusing her energy she finally managed to stop right at the limit of their range. Unsure how to move she was surprised when a length of rope dropped in front of her face. Looking up she saw that Hoshi had already tied the rope around her waist waiting for her to do the same. Once she was secured Hoshi used her magic to create secure climbing line, so they started to rock climb up the slide using Yukino as the bilayer. It was slow going, a few times Yukino started to fall, cutting off the slack, but finally they made it to the fifteenths level. Once on the level they carefully undid the lines and put the gear back in the travel pack.
"That wasn't too bad now was it?" Hoshi joked earning a glaring look from Yukino. Sighing, she admitted it could have been worse. Not many Celestial mages would have the muscle power to make it up the slide by themselves. So far, they were tested on their intelligence, wit, and strength. One more trap and then the final test. She was ready to go, when she noticed Yukino rubbing her shoulder. Concerned she asked the girl to sit down as she treated the sore muscle with a potion,
Yukino winced as the cold potion was rubbed into her skin. She was not happy to be showing weakness again, but she was also surprised that her captor was healing her. Sure, she needed her help to get the key, but did it matter if she was in one piece? This girl was confusing her every minute. Taking her hand she got to her feet as they started searching for way to the top. There were no more stairs and she couldn't see anything that would get them to the top. Leaning against a wall to catch her breath she let out a yelp as the wall dropped back putting her in a secret tunnel. Hoshi jumped in right before it closed.
"Isn't this a bit cliché? It feels like were in a lost treasure movie," she stated bitterly in the dark. Her pupils tried to adjust, but there was literally no light. The right before her eyes a glistening gold light appeared hovering in front of her conjured by Hoshi. "How did you…?"
"It's a simple spell. Any Celestial mage can pull it off with the right training. You just need to learn to mold your magic inside you, then use a caster technique instead of a holder, to create something. We can't always be dependent on our spirits correct?" Hoshi remarked as they started to transverse the corridors. Yukino stayed silent observing the girl trying to create her own light.
As they made their through the tunnels, Hoshi would stop periodically, holding her keys up. They would shake then twinkle indicating the direction they should go. It felt as if they were going in circles with all the turns and twists they took and everything looked the same. Finally up a head they could make out a door. Cautiously they approached when something fell from the ceiling attacking them. "Ahhhhh, they're bats! How can there be bats here?!" Yukino whined angrily dropping to the floor and rolling to the side so not to get bit.
"They're not real! It's an illusion!" Hoshi insisted. Instead of bats she was dealing with miniaturized dragons. One bit her as she used bolts of magic to obliterate two only for three more to attack. Even as they bit and scratched her, she couldn't see the injuries. The pain was an echo, not real. "We need to do a unison raid to get rid of these illusions and open the door. Trust me, it will be okay."
Unsure if she should trust her, let along combine their magic, Yukino hesitated as she used her cloak to catch and release the bats in different directions. Seeing more coming she abandon her cloak grabbing the other girls hands they focused their magic together. Yukino felt her magical energy merge with Hoshi, who was crafting a star in her hands. The attacks merge taking new life as they called out: Unison Raid: Celestial Starburst!" The star burst in the air causing bolts of celestial energy to strike down the illusions. Once gone the door opened and they saw the key standing upright in a piece of rock.
Slowly Hoshi approached it, waiting for a final test. As she got nearer the room filled with a roar. A painting of a dragon on the wall ripped itself free pouncing on the key. He hissed letting out another roar as he sized up the girls. "Impressive humans, you managed to display traits worthy of a dragon, but there is a final test. Quester, are you ready?" Hoshi nodded, this had been what she was waiting for.
"There is a story in a faraway land. The land itself was on the verge of collapse as the emperor refused to help no one, but himself. His daughter called on the great guardian dragons to help end the drought, fertilized the land and heal the sick. Once found out they were to be punished by transforming into rivers as did the princess into something else that would protect them. How many dragons were there, what are the names of these rivers, and what did the princess turn into? One guess."
Hoshi bit her lip pacing back and forth. She mumbled the story a few times going over it piece by piece. Finally she smiled. "There were four dragons, two ended the drought, one to fertilize and the last to heal. The rivers names are Huang He, Xi, Chang, and Yellow Rivers, after the color of the dragons. The princess transformed herself into a mountain to keep the rivers safe and feed them the water from her melting snow."
Yukino's jaw dropped, how had Hoshi come up with that answer? Shocked the dragon acknowledged her saying she was right letting her take the key. Yukino stood in disbelief as she summoned a medium size red and yellow dragon with blue horns. It was true, there was another Zodiac and they looked powerful. So amazed by what she saw she didn't realize the door on the other side of the room burst open revealing her friends and Fairy Tail.
The allied group has spent the last hour and half trying to play catch up. After getting to the lake it was easy to cross the land now that the koi and kelpie had been dealt with. When they got to the city though, they had been turned all around getting lost amongst the different levels. They had to rescue Gray and Natsu when they accidentally fell into the abyss opening because they hadn't been watching where they were going. It didn't help that Natsu kept yelling it was all Gray's fault, while said person, chose to ignore his ramblings.
At last they had rescued the two of them, noticing the marks in the now normal stairs, making them stop for a second to consider going up on them. Happy had volunteered to check the steps out. He was lucky he could summon his wings when the stairs switched to slides. After that option was taken away they had to get a little creative. Erza had used her telekinesis to lift Lucy, Gray, and Wendy, before using it on herself, to the next level. The male Dragonslayers had used their own powers to get to the top. After that, it was the simple matter of trying to find their way to the center only to witness Hoshi summoning the Dragon.
Upon stumbling upon the first summoning, Natsu opened his big mouth and said, "NO FAIR! The first star based dragon and you had to get it. Give to Lucy, she needs one so she can experience the joy of being with a dragon!"
Hoshi put her hands on her hips, Mushu increasing his size slightly as he wrapped around his mistress. Letting out a grunt, they could see bits of fire hit the ground. The dragon snapped its jaws as it lunged for Natsu only to have an ice wall shoot up protecting the boy. "Don't insult my mistress! She has earned my trust so I will serve her throughout the quest. Afterwards, I wish to be called upon Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Now my lady, what shall I do for you?"
Raising her hand she scratched his muzzle asking him to hold off for a bit. Tugging on her shackle, Yukino moved towards her until they were side by side. She made a gesture at Gray, who dissolved the ice. Looking at Lucy, she smiled and said, "Glad that you've got a handle on that resonance reaction. It must have helped that you had time to prepare."
Lucy nodded, "I took your advice about learning more about the quest plus the related material." She held up the book. Hoshi's skin paled considerably at seeing that book. Her magic flared up as she took a step back. Her teeth gritted against one another. "What…are…you…doing with…that book?" Rouge, who had kept an eye on her soul, got really nervous as the blackness in her was getting bigger blotting out her light.
Everyone tensed wondering what she was going to do next. Lucy stood in front of the group. Hands held high, her keys clearly visible along with her whip. She moved slowly in towards her, when the green mage started to get angry, Yukino clutched Hoshi's wrist whispering to her. Whatever it was she calmed down. Lucy took the chance to speak up. "I got this book after I left the town near the Sacred Beast Jungle. It was a gift intended for my mother, but she never had a chance to claim it. I've read it and its revealed a lot."
"Zornista magic book. Able to view the events of the world and record them in its pages, especially related to my home village. Find anything interesting?"
"The book told me some things, but it doesn't explain everything," Lucy said, holding the book against her chest. She looked at the ground and then behind her. The others were counting down the minutes until they could attack. Lucy and Yukino, would only have that time to convince Hoshi to put the quest on hold and submit herself to the council. "I just don't understand. I've had visions of you as child and then there's the way you act ,so cold one minute the next hot. Did you really steal something from the Council?"
Hoshi snorted rolling her eyes. She turned to her "partner" asking her instead, "How is it stealing, if the books on the Lost Space Magic, belonged to my village in the first place?" Yukino started to answer her question only for pace around. Mushu, who had been hovering, turned into his human form, a Chinese General, held her in his arms, stroking her hair, and asking her to calm down. Hoshi took a few deep breaths and settled down.
"If the books belonged to your village, why were they taken by the Council?" Yukino asked. "It is not like the Council to act without a reason. Where they afraid of these books?" She heard stories about the Council confiscating magical items and locking them away so no one misused their power. How effective this was after running into so many mages practicing lost magic was up to debate.
"They were afraid; afraid of what could happen if the quest was ever completed. Those old boneheads are super strict about keeping records from all eras of time. Including incidents when early female mages misused the powers of space to conquer Fiore, before the King, Queen, along with Star Maiden Estrella put an end to it," she said her. Looking at gloved hands she spoke softly. "Those books were the property of the Celestial Spirit Priestess. I was the last one to earn that title, therefore the books should belong to me! So what if I spent a couple months pillaging books and reading sealed reports. It's not like they knew it was me until I stopped."
Yukino and Lucy were thinking the same things. The Council at the time hadn't wanted to be public knowledge that someone had stolen from them. They must have tried to track Hoshi down, but couldn't find her. While searching for her they must have learned about the quest along with details about her. Once they learned Lucy was on the quest, then they acted to prevent anyone from completing it.
Yukino gave the girl her best glare, standing tall and proud as she could. "Maybe you had justification for the books, but it doesn't explain away the rumors about you. From your recent actions the gossip seems to be right." Holding up her hand she started counting off her bad deeds. They ranged from endangering the lives of questers, taking keys as spoils of victory from defeated mage. Absorbing magic from objects and kidnapping her to force her to help.
"You think you have the right to judge me? None of you know what I went through! My childhood wasn't as easy or happy as you think it was. How agonizing it was to wait seven years for Lucy to return? I've made mistakes, which yes, resulted in unforeseen consequences, but I'm not evil! I'm trying to prove that they were wrong, that this was my destiny, that I'm the True Star Maiden!"
Sting interrupted them declaring if she had no remorse for her actions, then it was time to take her in. Ignoring the protests from the other Celestial Spirit mages, Fairy Tail and Sabertooth sprang into action. As Yukino was compelled to act and Lucy got ready to fight, they knew this would end badly for someone
Mushu blocked the Dragonslayers by springing in front of them using his sword. By drawing it faster then they could attack he create an energy backlash that sent them backwards crashing into the door, wall, and floor leaving large indentations where they landed. Following up on his first attack, Mushu struck in precise order. He slammed both feet into Natsu's back, then grabbed Sting's oncoming arm flinging him high into the sky before doing a low sweep taking out Rogue's feet before landing a crushing fist into Wendy's face. Hearing wings flapping he blocked, struck, and stabbed at the flying Exceeds.
"Leave our Dragonslayers alone!" Happy shouted, he twisted under the blade before smacking Mushu in the face with a fish. He had to jump backwards in midair to avoid being grabbed by the Zodiac. Carla flew above the human smacking him with her tail. He yanked her from the sky whirling her around so she struck Lector and Frosch causing the three Exceeds to get tangled up. "Pathetic, I was hoping for more of challenge."
"Try this one on for size. Fire Dragon's Crushing Fang!" Natsu had both clawed hands blazing as he got ready to burn shreds of skin off Mushu. The warrior just stood there taking the attacking as an explosion rocked the room. Natsu slid backwards grinning. "I took out a Celestial Dragon, I'm awesome!" he laughed and grinned. He was laughing so hard he didn't even see the oncoming attack, a burst of condensed silver starlight hitting him the chest causing him to light up and flail like he was having a seizure. Flopping to the ground he twitched as the smoke cleared.
As the other Dragonslayers picked themselves up they halted in shock. Mushu was completely unscratched from the attack. His eyes narrowed as he sheathed his sword. "You dare to try and harm me with Dragonslayer magic? I am the Animal Zodiac Dragon! I practically invented this style! Now you shall pay!" At the moment he reverted to his dragon form only larger until he was almost the size of the room. Too late, Natsu remembered exactly what they were dealing with.
The star dragon let out a roar twisting around in the sky, snapping his jaws and reaching out with paws. Wendy and Rogue fell flat to the floor to avoid having the heads taken off by the flicking tail. Seeing the spirit gathering energy for an attack, Sting bent his right arm back clenching his fist as the left moved slightly forward releasing, "Dragon Slayer's Secret Art: Holy Nova!" He pushed himself off the ground as fired in order to aim higher as Mushu dove downward for a strike, calling out his own attack. "Cosmic Energy Blair!"
The two lights, one white and one silver, twisted about in the air above. Both connected at once, there was a burst of dazzling light for a few seconds. Sting was confident that his attack was stronger. Out of the light came a crackling sound as the Mushu's attack obliterated the Holy Nova and struck the man with such force it sent him down through all the floors of the city, the moat, before stopping at mid-depths in the lake. Lector couldn't believe his partner would be defeated so easily. Racing and dodging among the rubble he nearly reached the hole when something picked him and dragged him to the side to avoid being hit by tail sweep.
"You have to be more careful Lector," he heard Happy whisper. "That Celestial Spirit still has magic to spare." Lector tried to shove him off insisting he needed to get to Sting. Happy nodded then flew them both down the hole after Sting, Natsu following suit promising to come back.
Rogue and Wendy along with their Exceeds held their ground. They had witnessed a great power and the devotion he had for his mistress. Why else would he be fighting this hard? "Be careful," Rogue said, pushing Wendy a bit behind him. A quick look at the dragon showed that delicate wings made of cosmic energy hung around his back as they started to solidify. "It appears his special power is drawing on the cosmic energy to his will."
Wendy nodded her head in agreement. She let her senses go trying to learn all about the dragon as they were pushed back and dodging more attacks. "He's a strong spirit, but he's got limits to how long he can tap into his power. All the spirits need to recharge and since this isn't his year, then his powers should get weaker after continuous use." The little girl pulled the older boy behind her as the slipped behind a partially crushed dragon statue. Frosh was cuddling Rogue as Carla peeked behind the statue. The Spirit couldn't find them at the moment, but he would soon.
She turned to Wendy, brushing the dirt off her face, before saying. "You need to work together. A double attack might return him through his gate. Hopefully that will work."
Rogue nodded as he removed Frosch from his leg. "I need you to stay here and protect Carla. We'll be okay I promise," he said rubbing his friends costume head. Frosch cried, but agreed to stay put. The two humans dashed out from their hiding place as they got ready to unleash their most powerful attacks.
Mushu spotted them, channeling the power from his wings to create a miniature galaxy. Twisting around and around he built up momentum before roaring his attack from his mouth. "Cosmic Galaxy Spin!"
"Secret Dragon Art; Shattering Light: Sky Drill!"
"Secret Dragon Art; Destructive Sphere: Shadow Ball!"
The two Dragonslayers merged into a unison raid attack. The combined efforts shredded Mushu's attack, before razing his body forcing him back through his gate. Unfortunately, the two Dragonslayers fell to the ground in exhaustion after using so much magic. It was a Pyric win all around.
While the Dragonslayers had been busy fighting Mushu, simultaneously the others had taken on Hoshi and a semi reluctant Yukino. While she was linked with Hoshi, she was compelled to fight to save her own hide, another part of her was fighting on her own accord. Hoshi obviously knew something about her sister and she was determined to get that information no matter what the cost.
Yukino jumped backwards before ducking under an Ice Sword before slamming her left palm into his pectoral causing him to stumble a bit. She snatched the sword from him holding it out as her own, fusing it with her own celestial magic. The ice lit up shining bright as a star as she held it in the air before using two hands to perform a downward strike only to be blocked by Gray's Ice Shield. She pushed harder trying to break through the frozen shield.
"Why are you doing this? We're trying help free you." Gray demanded, bewildered by her actions. He was already creating a second sword as he used his superior strength to throw her off him. She landed several feet away with scrapes and cuts. He slammed his foot on the ground sending an icy flow towards her as it covered the floor. With eyes widening in fear she placed her palms on the floor. Sweat appeared on her brow as she tried to mold her magic. With a yell her magical energy spread across the ground, covering over his ice floor before covering his ice weapons dissolving them. "How in the world? You're a Celestial Mage, how do you even mold your magic?"
"There are some advantages to being a hostage," Yukino replied in calm yet sad manner. Already she was forming a barrier around her to protect herself. "I don't wish to harm you, but I have no choice. The link compels me to aid her." She was reaching for her third key to summon Ophiuchus, when her shield was shattered by multiple icicles slicing it. As the shield shattered and icicles flew by several of them came towards her face. She covered up to protect it, ending up with cloak shredded and her arms bleeding. Tossing the ruined cape aside she grabbed her key holding it out. "If you're trying to free me, attacking me isn't a good idea!"
"I know, but I'm trying to break the link between you two!" Gray told her. He pushed off the walls getting behind her before twisting her arm backwards. She thrashed about trying to kick him. "Stop struggling, I think I can freeze your shackle and free you! Calm down oooooowwwww!" He let her go after she kicked him in the groin. Yukino whipped around ready to deliver another kick, only to find her legs frozen and arms stretched out to the side. "What did you do?"
"If you're not moving I can get that shackle off. You won't have to fight us anymore," he told her as he created tools to undo the shackle. "You'll be free from Hoshi."
Yukino shook her head furiously no. "I made a promise with her, I'm obligated as a Celestial Spirit Mage, to follow through that deal. If I don't then I'll never learn about my sister. Worse, no spirit would trust me to make a contract," she said looking at the ground with worry. Turning her attentions to Hoshi she felt her legs started to bleed because of the link. Oh this was bad.
Hoshi was doing her best to keep up with the incredibly fast and durable Erza. The Knight had requiped herself in her Sea Empresses Armor. Revealing and nautical themed, it was still an impressive armor. With an entire lake just outside the building she called forth a massive amount of water using her sword to swirl it all around before thrusting it forward creating a massive whirlpool. At that moment Hoshi had felt the pain from Yukino's scrapes and cuts. Pushing through the pain she jumped into the water.
Erza saw her coming and redirected the water towards the sky forcing the mage upward. She slammed into the ceiling. Breaking free she created another star shape to glide on maneuvering around Erza's whirlpool pattern. Getting closer she got ready to use a spell. Her first core and the remaining magic in her second was drained, but the remaining magic in her third core was enough for some high level spells.
Erza was prepared charging her weapon. Using her amazing reflexes, she got into the perfect position for her attack. Charging her blade she whirled it around over her head before using a Water Slash intent on severely harming the girl. "No one, can survive this attack, unless they have fire on their side!"
"I guess I'm lucky like that huh," Hoshi's voice laughed. Her star platform was gone and she was hovering in midair, sustained by her manipulation of gravity. A glance around the room made frown at all the damage and destruction of this ancient city. If one thing she hated it was desecration to the Celestial Spirits sanctuaries. "What you've done to this place is nothing less than full scale desecration and mockery of this site. I'll make you pay!"
Erza gave her a challenging look. "How do you expect to do so? You're cores are drained! Your physical body is damaged from the fighting and your link. There's nothing you can do." Erza requiped to her normal attire with two twin swords in her hands ready to use them. Analyzing the situation she started to run in circles fast and faster before jumping in the sky and taking strikes at her target. She could hear cries of pain from both in the air and on the ground. Lucy was begging her to stop. Erza landed on the ground making an indentation and sheathing her blades upon hearing a loud thud behind her. Standing up she declared the battle over and to collect the girl. Turning around she was caught off guard when the body dissolved into stardust.
"Space Magic: New Moon Phase!" Before she realized what was happening a dark invisible shadow of the moon wrapped around Erza trapping her in the shadow as she dragged through the floor below. Hoshi stepped out of a half moon shape before flinging several crescent shaped moons towards Gray pinning him to the wall. Yukino let her magic flare up, melting the ice, before joining the other girls forming a triangle.
Lucy was still clutching the book in hand and her Horse Key in the other. Eyeing the girl's she started rambling. "You have to stop this; both of you. The more times we fight each other, the less of a chance we have of finishing this quest honorably."
Hoshi rolled her eyes hearing that word. "Honorably? Please, I've tried to play honorably, but obviously you friends don't see it that way. They're really starting to bug me!"
"Ms. Supernova, please listen to her. There is no reason for us to fight like this. With only two keys left shouldn't you work as a team? Then perhaps this final fight won't be so bloody."
"Yukino, please don't talk right now!" Looking at the mess around her Hoshi lifted her hand in the air mumbling her Solar Winds Gathering spell. The two standing girls witnessed as stray bits of magic flowed into her refueling her cores. "Impressive, the first time I used this spell I accidentally took someone's entire magic and put it in me." She could feel the shock coming from the two girls. "Don't worry, I've gotten better at this spell since then."
"Hoshi, you really need to review the ethics of magic. You can't just steal magic," Lucy protest angrily. Her hair was sticking up and her body was covered in dust and stuff, but this was important. "Do you think this right? What would the spirits think?"
Instead of answering Hoshi pressed the star on her shackle, causing both to vanish. Confused, Yukino wondered what was going on when she felt a throbbing pain in her abdomen. Her two Zodiac keys floated up towards Hoshi who gently took them. Kneeling down she petted the blue haired girl on the head. "Don't worry, I am sincerely only "borrowing" a bit of your magic and keys. Looking at how injured you are, you can't continue on with me, so your spirits will. Once the quest ends I'll personally give Libra and Pisces back. You have my word."
She placed something in Yukino's hand as Lucy knelt next to the girl. Lucy was confused and scared. Her rival had "borrowed" Yukino's power, but hadn't drained her dry. She was still following the promise she made. Before she could question her further Hoshi vanished leaving both guilds in pain and confusion.