Chapter 21

Outskirts of Magnolia

While heading back to the guild, Felix and the others bumped into Princess Hisui and Arcadios. The group confused as the two were wearing the pumpkin heads. Noticing the group were in confusion, the two removed the pumpkin heads and greeted them. "Oh, it's the Princess and Arcadios," Felix said.

"Greetings everyone," Hisui replied.

"What brings you here Princess," Lucy asked.

"We were actually on our way to your guild," Arcadios answered.

"Really," Felix questioned. "Do you know what is happening?"

"Hmm," Arcadios replied.

"The 12 Golden Keys have stated that our contracts have become null and void," Lucy explained. "They are trying to perform a ritual called Liberum, to obtain freedom," she continued as Hisui and Arcadios glanced at each other and nodded.

"It is as I feared," Hisui mumbled.

"I heard that Princess," Felix commented. "Care to explain?" Arcadios and Hisui explained that they knew the events taking place in the Celestial Spirit World through their own investigation. Arcadios that the Eclipsed Gate's great power has had an effect on their world which brought about the various weather phenomenon and in turn, the vast power journeyed across time and space and affected the Celestial Spirit World as well. "So, you got a plan to help us out?"

"Yes of course," Hisui answered as she pulled out a small box.

"What are those," Lucy asked.

"12 Keys I have created to force their gates to close," Hisui answered.

"H-how were you able to do that," Yukino asked in confusion along with everyone else, but Felix.

"Felix, you don't seemed shocked by this," Lucy said.

"Oh...I keep forgetting you've been gone for 7 years, and Yukino never explored the kingdom due to her...circumstances..., but I already knew that Princess Hisui was a Celestial Mage," Felix answered.

"Correct," Hisui replied. "Our plan was t-"

A gust of black wind blew the keys out of Hisui's hand. "What the hell," Felix said as he looked around. "Over there," he shouted as he pointed. The group looked, but was suddenly swept away by a large wave. Coughing out water, Felix commented, "I didn't bring my swimming trunks."

"Not the time for jokes Felix," Lucy replied as she and the others stood up. They spotted a fish-like male joined by a giant female shark. "Who are they?"

"Pisces," Yukino answered.

Guess this is their new form, Felix thought as he examined Pisces. "Hey, they've got the keys," Felix announced as he spotted the keys in Son Pisces' hand.

"Pisces please return the keys to us, we only want to help," Yukino pleaded.

"Like we'll ever listen to you," Son Pisces replied. Looking at Natsu and Felix, he continued, "Mommy, I want to fight those two."

"Then go ahead, I'll take the two ladies," Mother Pisces replied.

"If you want the keys, you're gonna have to catch me," Son Pisces shouted as he fled.

"Come back here," Natsu said as he caught a ride with Happy and sped off.

"You guys gonna be okay," Felix asked as he looked to the others. They nodded and he continued as he followed Natsu, "We'll get those keys back." Catching up to Natsu, he saw as Natsu was smashed into a boulder and began submerging. "Hang on buddy," Felix shouted as he dove in. Witnessing the battle, Felix summoned his Claymore and went into Stream Form. Sneaking up behind Son Pisces, Felix swung his sword, but the Celestial Spirit easily dodged it.

"Too slow," Son Pisces shouted as he dodged. Felix looked at Natsu and they both nodded and began attacking. The three continued their battle until Son Pisces emerged and fled. Happy swooped in and carried Natsu to chase him.

"He-wha-nevermind," Felix said as he followed in his Stream Form. Looking up, he saw Natsu engaged in a mid air battle with Son Pisces.

"Too sloooowww," Son Pisces taunted as he dodged Natsu's attack. "Haha-," he was interrupted as an ice bullet grazed his cheek. Looking down he saw Felix on top of an ice block. "Not even close!"

Not even close my ass, Felix thought as he cocked his sniper rifle. Son Pisces continued to laugh at the mages' efforts to bring him down.

"Natsu, I remember something," Happy whispered. "His weakness is water."

"Water," Natsu asked. "YO FELIX! MAKE IT RAIN!"

"Make it r-," Felix questioned as he scratched his head. "OH. I CAN DO THAT," he continued as entered his Ascended form and leaped into the water.

Ascended God's Hydro Pump!

Sucking up the water around him, Felix loaded his pump and emerged. "Have a splash," Felix shouted as he shot a large stream of water at Son Pisces. Felix witnessed Son Pisces take a direct hit from his attack and shouted, "Alright! We got h-."

"Hahahahaaha," Son Pisces laughed. "Stupid Humans, you think water would do anything to me," Son Pisces continued as he gloated. "My mother and I have out grown our weakness and hav-"

"Shut up already," Natsu interrupted as he stole the keys from Son Pisces and punched him, sending him flying away.

"Nice one Natsu," Felix shouted. "Now let's get back to the others," he continued as he went into Stream Form and headed back with Natsu and Happy flew over head.

Back with the others, Arcadios managed to jab Mother Pisces which angered her. "Stay behind me Princess," Lucy said as she stood in front of Hisui.

"No need Lucy," Hisui replied. "I tend to take part in this battle too," she continued as she stood beside Lucy.

"Okay le-"

"Watch out," Arcadios shouted as Mother Pisces charged towards them.

Mother Pisces had gotten close, but was sent flying when Natsu appeared and punched her. "And that's two for two," Felix commented as he and Happy arrived behind Natsu. "You guys okay," Felix asked as they regrouped.

"Couldn't be better," Lucy said as she gave a thumbs up.

"Alright, we kicked ass," Felix commented as he, Natsu, and Happy high fived.

"So Princess," Yukino spoke as the three continued their boasting. "Now that we have the keys, what is our next step?" The Princess explained that the keys can only be used to shut the Golden Gates after being charged with the Magic of the Mage who has a contract with the Spirits and after the Spirit has lost the will to fight. Suddenly Mother Pisces and Son Pisces appeared again.

"Let's go Felix," Natsu said as he casted his spell.

"You got it," Felix replied as he casted his spell.

Roar of the Fire Dragon!

Ice God's Bellow!

Mother Pisces let out a roar of her own, cancelling the two mages' attacks. "How in th-," Felix was interrupted when the Celestial Spirit tackled them. In the commotion, Son Pisces swiped the keys and the Spirits fled. As the group recovered, Felix said, "God damnit, now we have to go chase them again."

"No need to," Arcadios as he stood up.

"And why wouldn't we," Natsu asked. Arcadios revealed that he had anticipated such an event occurring and had given the princess a dummy set of keys, and took out the actual set of keys from the pumpkin hat.

"EEEHHHH," the rest of the group shouted in unison.

"Well I guess it was wishful thinking and our luck you did that," Felix commented. What a happy coincidence.

"Now all we need is to find the Astral Spiritus," Levy announced as she and the others geared up to head back to the guild.

"About that," Hisui spoke.

Oh don't tell me, Felix thought as he and the others turned.

"Our other reason for traveling to Magnolia was to reveal the location of the Astral Spiritus," Hisui said.

"You know we're gonna run out of luck if things keep going like this," Felix commented. Luck and coincidences..., Felix thought as he followed the others to the Astral Spiritus.

What up guys! It's been like a year since I've updated. Get it? Cause it's the new year? hahahaha...I'm so lame...ANYWAY! here is the new chapter! Sorry I've been totally busy with real life stuff that I couldn't sit down and write. Enough of this babble, ENJOY THE CHAPTER AND THANKS FOR READING! As always, I'll cya in the next chapter!

P.S. the next chapter or 2 will be the conclusion of this Arc since this was technically a filler arc. Don't be mad pls, but I can only do so much as a 'somewhat' normal functioning human of society. After this arc is my own original arc called "The Kidnapped Arc" and boy oh boy. That is going to be a surprise. Then right after that is the Tartaros Arc. Thanks again!