Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail.

WARNING: THERE WILL BE SPOILERS! Read at your own risk. There's still original stuff in here, but if you haven't gotten to this point in the anime/manga, then some things may be ruined for you. I advise catching up to the anime/manga if you haven't already (for more reasons than just reading my story)! Thank you and enjoy!

Fairy Tail—The Master and the Dragon

Chapter 85

"Great. This guy again," Ash spat.

"So you guys are here too then," Natsu growled.

"But how?" Sky asked.

"Samuel filled us in about the story in Key of the Starry Heavens," Dan explained while stepping down the incline towards the Fairy Tail wizards. "So naturally we know there's a clock part in this location, yeah!"

"It looks like you haven't found the part yet either," Coco added.

As Dan stepped closer, he noticed blonde hair hiding behind Natsu. He leaned slightly to the left and gasped. "Is that you my Looy-loo, yeah?"

"Don't call me that!" Lucy cried, her head peeking over Natsu's shoulder like a prairie dog before quickly retreating back to cover. "Every name you come up with is seriously embarrassing!"

Dan was seeing sparkles as he blushed. "Crossing paths again like this…what else could it be but destiny? It's a sign that a thread of fate ties us together, yeah!"

"Don't say stuff like that!" Lucy cried.

"L-O-V-E!" Dan shouted.

"That's it!" Natsu roared as he charged Dan with fire enveloped fists. He threw a punch that was easily blocked by Dan's shield. Nevertheless he continued his assault. "Even if there is some thread tying you to her, I'll burn it away!" He leapt backwards. "FIRE DRAGON ROAR!" A column of fire shot towards Dan, but the flames simply bounced off of his shield. Smaller jets of flames went off in different directions, forcing the other Fairy Tail members to dance out of the way.

Dan looked away. "I don't have any time to waste on you." A large grin then split his face. "A major turning point in my life is taking place, yeah!"

"Shut it!" Natsu roared as he continued his attack.

"Natsu, cool it!" Ash shouted. "You trying to burn us along with him?"

"I ain't quitting!" Natsu replied as he descended towards Dan. He once again threw a flurry of fire-packed punches onto the shield, but it wouldn't break. Instead, small balls of fire flew in all directions, crashing into the ground and the walls of the broken buildings.

"Oh, shit!" Ash cried as large pieces of rock began falling down towards them.

"Run for it!" Lucy shouted as the group began to run for cover. The large pieces of rock began to hit the ground, creating a large smokescreen of old dirt. Natsu even took the opportunity to leap into the smokescreen and disappear from Dan's sight.

Dan snickered. "You can't run from me, Loo-loo!"

The Fairy Tail group continued to run. Sky looked quickly behind them. "I don't see them," she panted.

"Maybe we lost them?" Michelle offered.

"Just as I planned!" Natsu cackled.

"Liar," Happy said matter-of-factly.

"Ignoring your recklessness for now," Lucy said, "let's just find the clock part and get out of here!"

"Not so fast!" Dan cried as he leapt in front of the group from his hiding spot behind a building. The group halted and Lucy shrieked. "First we need to form a bond of love Looy-loo! Yeah!"

"Stop calling me that name!" Lucy demanded.

"Dan!" Coco called out as she landed beside him. "Finding the clock part takes priority right now. We've been given a very important task to accomplish!"

Dan looked at her and shrugged. "I understand that. But love is important too, yeah!"

"In other words you don't understand," Coco sighed.

"L-O-V-E!"

Natsu was seething. "I'm getting sick of you now!" he snapped as he took a deep breath. "FIRE DRAGON ROAR!" The attack crashed into Dan's shield and exploded, leaving Dan unharmed and the group running for cover. "Damn it!"

Dan spun his lance over his head. "You're getting in the way of our love! I'm gonna slice you up, yeah!" He lowered his lance and pointed it at Natsu. "Now you will feel the might of my magical spear, the Habaraki, yeah!" He thrust his lance forward rapidly over and over, sending green bolts of magic power towards Natsu and the Fairy Tail group. Natsu did everything he could to dodge every blast.

"Be careful, Natsu!" Michelle begged.

"If he hits you, you'll shrink again!" Happy reminded him.

"I know that! There's no way I'm gonna let you stomp on me anymore!" Natsu called out, his eyes trying to predict every blast.

"I'm just getting started, yeah!" Dan roared as he increased his attack speed. However, this decreased his accuracy and before he knew it a stray blast of magic struck Lucy in the bottom. She cried out before disappearing in a puff of smoke.

"LUCY!" Natsu shouted.

"Big sister!" Michelle cried.

The smoke cleared and there was a miniaturized Lucy, sprawled out on the ground. She groaned as she rubbed her head and slowly opened her eyes. However, once she saw a giant blue paw in front of her, realization hit. She screamed as she looked over her tiny self. "What is this?" she wailed.

"I messed up, yeah!" Dan cried in anguish as he dove for Lucy.

However, Natsu quickly beat him to it. He scooped Lucy up into his hands and held her away from him. "You psycho! Look what you've done to Lucy!"

Dan was on his knees, reaching for Lucy with tears pouring down his face. "Please forgive me! I never meant for this, yeah! Oh, I can't believe I did this to my love! I…I'm unfit to be your boyfriend, yeah!"

"I'll only forgive you if you turn me back to normal!" Lucy cried.

"Oh, of course," Dan said softly. "I would be glad to."

Lucy huffed while crossing her arms. "That's more like it. Natsu, you can put me down." Natsu was uncertain, but begrudgingly nodded. He gently placed her onto the ground. "Now fix this," she demanded.

Dan began to reach out with the tip of his lance, but right before it touched her he froze. He then drove his lance and shield into the ground and sat down, staring at Lucy's tiny frame.

Lucy slightly turned away. She felt very uneasy under his gaze. "What? What are you waiting for? And why are you looking at me like that? Stop it."

"You know, this ain't half-bad, yeah!" Dan smiled.

"Say what?" Lucy asked in disbelief as she was suddenly being lifted into the air by Dan. "Hey, put me down!"

"Tiny Looy-loo has an enchanting charm too, yeah!" he said. "I can carry you around as a strap charm or something."

"Screw that!" Lucy barked. "Just fix me, you jerk!"

"I'm just gonna keep you like this for a while. When I get home I'll display you on my desk and enjoy looking at you all day, yeah!"

"I'm not a figure for display!"

Dan took out a red string and tied it carefully around Lucy's belt. He then tied the other end of the string to his belt, letting Lucy dangle by his side. "Now we'll always be together."

Lucy tried to free herself, but found she was unable to get loose. "Somebody please help me!"

Dan picked up his weapons and strode towards Natsu. "My beloved and I are now one. I've nothing to fear anymore, yeah! Time to pick up where we left off!"

A thick vein throbbed in Natsu's forehead as intense heat began to radiate from his body. "You're gonna turn Lucy back to normal and give her back right now before I melt that fancy armor of yours with you in it!"

Dan snickered as he drew back his lance. "I'd like to see you try, yeah!" He thrust his lance forward rapidly over and over once more, sending the green bolts of magic power towards Natsu.

Natsu dodged every attack, but found it impossible to counter. "I won't let you keep Lucy!"

Coco cupped her hands around her mouth. "Dan! Save the fight for later! We need to focus on finding the clock part!"

"A little busy at the moment, yeah!" Dan replied without turning around. He was smirking as he watched Natsu dance about. "You go on ahead."

"Eh? But Samuel didn't tell me any of the details!" Coco complained. "I can't look for it without you!"

Happy turned to the group. "Actually, what should we do? We need to be looking for the clock part, too!"

"But we can't leave big sister like that," Michelle sobbed.

"So then what do we do?" Ash asked.

"Lucy, a Celestial Spirit!" Sky called out.

Lucy, who was spinning in circles due to the excessive fighting, nodded. "Good idea, Sky!" She whipped out one of her keys. "OPEN! GATE OF THE ARCHER! SAGITTARIUS!"

In a flash of light, Sagittarius appeared before Lucy. "You called, milady?" He then noticed that there was a giant cat standing near him who he recognized as Happy. It was then that he realized he was small. "What…What has happened to me?"

"Wait, being small makes my Celestial Spirits small, too?" Lucy gasped.

Sagittarius shook his head and drew back on his bow, aiming an arrow at Dan. "Well, it's no matter. Once a Celestial Spirit has been summoned, they must fulfill their duty. Take this! The full force of my might!" He released the arrow and it stuck into Dan's cheek like a thorn.

However, Dan barely felt it. He noticed the small arrow sticking in his skin and pulled it out. He then proceeded to use it like a toothpick. "Perfect timing! I've had little bones stuck in my teeth since breakfast."

Sagittarius fell to his knees in despair. "The…full force of my might…was completely powerless?"

Dan chucked the arrow and faced down Natsu once again. "Now that I feel refreshed, I'll really be able to eliminate you!"

"Bring it," Natsu growled.

Lucy sighed. "Sagittarius, you can go ahead and leave."

Sagittarius sniffed, but saluted. "Please forgive my uselessness, milady." With that, he disappeared.

Sky wiped her eyes. "Poor Sagittarius. He tried his best."

"Still, the fact of the matter is that we're getting nowhere," Ash shrugged.

Michelle snapped her fingers. "I've got it!"

"What is it?" Ash asked. Michelle then proceeded to whisper her plan into Ash's ear. She grinned. "Ho? I like it."

Michelle strode up to Dan. "Say, Mr. Dan? What would you say if we held a wedding ceremony for you and big sister Lucy right here and now?"

Lucy was speechless.

Michelle motioned to the surroundings. "This is a sacred place full of history, right? I think it would be perfect!"

"OH! THAT SOUNDS LIKE A GREAT IDEA, YEAH!" Dan exclaimed excitedly.

"This is a tomb, right?" Ash whispered to Sky.

Sky nodded. "Creepy for a wedding."

"Let's get started with the planning!" Michelle clapped.

"Right! You can count on me, yeah!" Dan said while pumping his fists.

"Now wait just a damn minute!" Natsu bellowed. "You can't just…"

Michelle interrupted Natsu by putting a hand over his mouth. He struggled against her grip, but she held firm. "Now let's see…we'll invite friends and family, perhaps 50 in all."

"Sounds lavish, yeah!" Dan cheered.

"Your honeymoon will be a trip around the world!"

"Romantic, yeah!"

"And after a life spent together, you'll decorate the night sky as the constellation of a legendary lovebird couple!"

"Stupendous! The dawn of my life is close at hand, yeah! L-O-V-E!"

Lucy groaned. "These two are too much. Michelle, what do you think you're doing?"

Michelle squatted by Dan so that she could speak with Lucy. "It couldn't be that bad, right?"

"But I have Natsu. I love Natsu."

"He'll understand."

"No he wouldn't and neither will I!"

"Just be patient, big sister."

Lucy raised an eyebrow. "Patient?"

Michelle stood back up and giggled.

Natsu's whole body was ablaze. "If you think I'm just gonna sit back and let you marry Lucy, you've got more ice chunks in your head than that bastard Gray!"

Michelle walked over to him and put a hand on his shoulder. "Natsu, just calm down."

"The hell with calm! You're basically pimping out my girlfriend to this jackass!"

"Just watch," she winked.

Before he could ask what she meant, Natsu heard Dan yelp in pain. He looked to see Dan running back and forth, a fire burning within his armor. "What happened?"

Ash snickered. "Setting a small fire in a desired location is only too easy a task for Sky and I. All we needed was for him to stand still so that Sky could discreetly move an ember down his back. Great plan, Michelle!"

With Dan's excessive running, the string attached to his belt snapped and sent Lucy flying. Dan froze. "No! Our thread of fate!"

Sky caught Lucy with a soft breeze. "Safe."

"Way to go, girls!" Happy cheered as he summoned his wings and flew under the hovering Lucy. He let her land gently on his back and flew her away.

"Give my wife back!" Dan demanded as he tried to pat out the flames in his armor.

Lucy released a heavy sigh. "Thanks for getting me out of there, Happy. Now let's get out of here."

"Aye sir!" Happy said as he flew higher into the air.

Dan, now flame-free, chased after the flying blue cat. "Oh no you don't!" he cried as he leapt high into the air. Once he was about level with Happy he began to rapidly thrust forth his lance. Green bolts of magic shot towards the two. "I'll make you big again so that your weight plummets you both down to the ground, yeah!"

Happy did his best to evade, but to no avail. Both he and Lucy were struck by a bolt of magic. They fell through the cloud of smoke towards the ground.

Once it had cleared, Lucy slowly opened her eyes and looked around. With a smile, she stood up. "Alright! I'm normal again! Guys, isn't it…" She paused upon seeing the looks of disbelief on the faces of Natsu, Michelle, Ash, and Sky. Even Dan and Coco seemed surprised. "What is it?"

"Holy crap!" Ash exclaimed.

"Scary big," Sky breathed.

"Hey!" Lucy cried. "I'm not that big!"

"Not you, big sister," Michelle said softly while pointing. "Look."

Lucy turned and once she did her face mirrored the expressions of the others.

Standing behind them was a massive, towering Happy. He easily stood at 20 feet tall.

"Oops," Dan muttered. "My hand slipped again, yeah."

"H…Happy, you're huge!" Natsu sputtered.

"YOU SUCK AT THAT!" Happy's voice boomed as he scolded Dan.

"Hey dude, can't you figure out how to use that thing properly?" Natsu shouted at Dan.

Happy tried to move around, but found himself wedged between buildings. "I'M STUCK!" he cried. With each movement, pieces of buildings broke away and the very ground shook. And of course, without meaning to again, he accidently stepped on Natsu. "SORRY! I SQUISHED YOU AGAIN."

"Shut up," Natsu rasped as he tried to escape from under the massive weight of Happy's paw. "You're totally doing this on purpose."

Happy wailed as he summoned massive wings from his back and took to the skies. He flew in circles as he cried, sending out powerful gusts of wind with each swoop and flap of his wings.

"Happy, stay still," Ash shouted over the wind, "before you blow us all away!"

"I CAN'T!" Happy called out as he continued to crash into buildings, breaking them apart with his paws and tail. "FLYING IS THE ONLY WAY I WON'T SQUISH ANYONE!"

"Ah! Stop!" Coco cried as rubble rained down upon her. "This place is a priceless piece of cultural heritage. We must not wreck it!"

Dan clicked his tongue. "This is getting annoying, yeah." He leapt at Happy and fired a laser of green magic from his lance's tip at point blank, striking Happy in the face. The blue Exceed shouted before disappearing in a cloud of smoke. Once it had cleared, Happy was seen continuously flying around but back to normal.

"Finally everyone is the right size," Michelle said happily.

"Now that that nonsense is settled, let's go look for that clock piece," Lucy said.

"Quick question," Sky breathed while raising her hand. "Where do we look?"

"Sky is right. This place is huge," Ash nodded. "It could be anywhere here. Where would we even begin to look?"

"Don't worry," Lucy said while whipping out Key of the Starry Heavens. "I brought the book for this exact reason. I'm sure that we can figure out something based on this."

Ash sweatdropped. "Where the hell were you keeping that thing?"

"Hey! I bet with that book I could find that clock piece myself!" The group turned towards the voice to see Coco and Dan standing atop a building. Coco then began running down the vertical wall with incredible speed towards Lucy. "Give me that book!"

Ash and Sky leapt in front of Lucy. "We won't let you near her! Right, Sky?"

Sky nodded and disappeared into the wind. "Right," she breathed. A sudden strong gust of wind picked Coco up and suspended her in the air.

"What is this?" Coco panicked as she tried to break free but to no avail.

"Guys, get out of here!" Ash said as she kept her eyes on Coco. "Find the clock piece. We'll keep Speedy here in check."

"Thanks, girls!" Lucy said as she, Michelle, and Happy took off in the other direction.

Dan leapt down from his perch. "Get back here!" he demanded. He was about to go after them when a certain Dragon Slayer stepped into his path.

"You're not going anywhere," Natsu smirked. He then shouted over his shoulder. "Go find the clock piece, Lucy! I'll take care of this guy."

"Right! Count on us!" Lucy replied. "Just be careful, Natsu!"

"And don't get squished!" Happy joked.

A tick mark appeared on Natsu's forehead. "Without you around I couldn't be safer!"

Coco gasped. "No! I won't let you escape!"

"And I already told you," Ash chuckled, "that I'm afraid you're stuck here with us. But don't worry. We'll show you a good time."

Coco glared at Ash. "I don't have the time to deal with you!" She started to move her legs faster and faster as if she were running. The speed of her legs created a strong wind that pushed against Sky's wind. With the two pressures pushing against each other, Coco was able to create a pocket just large enough to slip through to freedom. She landed on the ground and took off at maximum speed after Lucy, Michelle, and Happy.

Ash watched her go and clicked her tongue. "She got away? Well that's a first. After her, Sky!" She took off running as fast as she could after Coco.

Sky reappeared on the ground, her head spinning. "That felt funny," she muttered before shaking her head of her dizziness. Her legs became one with the wind, she caught up to her sister, and she scooped her up. She rocketed after Coco to stop her interference.

Dan pointed his lance at Natsu. "You're really getting on my bad side. You really insist on interfering, yeah?"

Natsu lit his hand on fire. "You bet. I'll finish this once and for all right here right now!"


Lucy led Michelle and Happy further into the tomb. Her face was buried in Key of the Starry Heavens as she read its contents. However, Coco was on their heels and fast approaching. And Ash and Sky were right behind her, Ash shouting profanities at Coco to stop.

"Big sister Lucy, where is the piece?" Michelle asked. "That girl is gaining on us!"

"Let's see…," Lucy said as she read as quickly as she could. Her brain was trying to analyze the deeper meaning at a rapid pace, but it was a challenge. However, she was so focused on that task that she didn't see the large statue blocking her path. She crashed into it and fell to the ground with a yelp. "Ouch! Damn it, that hurt!"

"Big sister Lucy!" Michelle exclaimed with concern as she stopped by Lucy's side.

The statue's eyes began to glow red as the ground began to shake.

Lucy gulped. "Please don't tell me…" However, her fears were correct. The floor disappeared and the girls fell down into darkness. Coco, whose momentum was going fully forward, squealed in fear as she, too, fell down into the darkness.

Ash and Sky stopped above the hole and Ash sighed. "Can something different happen in this death trap of a place?" she complained. "Hey! You alright down there?"

"We're okay!" Lucy replied. "We were all able to find hand and foot holds on the side of the hole! Even Coco!"

"What a time to run out of magic power," Coco complained from the darkness of the hole.

Ash leapt down from Sky's arms. "Hold on, we're coming! Sky! Happy!"

"Right," Sky breathed as she flew down the hole.

"Aye sir!" Happy said as he joined Sky.

"Sky! Take the book!" Lucy pleaded while holding it out with one hand.

Sky nodded and took the book. She flew back up to hand it off to Ash before flying back down. However, upon reentering the hole she found Lucy reaching for Coco. "What are you doing, Lucy?"

"What does it look like?" Lucy replied. "I'm trying to help Coco."

"Isn't she the enemy?" Sky asked.

"What does it matter? Just help Michelle, okay?"

Sky was silent for a while but then nodded. "Right." She then wrapped her arms around Michelle and slowly lifted her up and out of the hole with Happy's help.

Lucy continued to reach for Coco. "Take my hand!"

Coco shifted away. "I'll never accept mercy from an enemy."

"Stop being stubborn and hurry up!" Lucy scolded. However, she didn't wait for a response. She reached out a little farther and grabbed hold of Coco's wrist. However, as soon as she did, her own foothold broke off from the side of the hole. She fell down the hole, taking a screaming Coco down with her.

"Lucy!" Ash cried down the hole.

"Big sister Lucy! Are you alright?" Michelle called down.

Lucy rubbed her head, hearing the echoing voice of Michelle from above. "Somehow!" she replied as she sat up.

"Just hang on! We'll come and help you!" Ash shouted.

"Don't worry about me!" Lucy said while standing. "Just go find the clock piece! I'm sure we'll meet up soon!"

"Are you sure? You're with the enemy," Sky's breathy voice echoed down softly.

"Yes, I'm sure!"

"Aye!" Happy said. "You do have your Celestial Spirits if things get tough."

"Exactly!"

"Fine, we'll do what you say," Ash said.

"Just promise me you'll be careful!" Michelle begged.

"I will! Same to you guys!" Lucy could hear the sounds of footsteps running away from the hole. She sighed as she looked around. She and Coco had fallen into a strange hall with an uneven slate floor. Rocks were piled along the walls. Her gaze then fell to Coco who was rubbing her backside. She offered her hand. "Need a hand?"

Coco swiftly batted her hand away while jumping to her feet. "Just mind your own business already! You're the whole reason I fell. I would have been able to climb out of there no problem if it hadn't been for you!"

Lucy got right up in her face. "Don't talk to me like that! I was trying to help you!"

Coco threw it right back. "I never asked!"

Lucy backed away slightly. "You really have no charm at all, do you? I know someone who looks exactly like you, only she was kind and gentle."

"That's because this person is someone else, not me," Coco huffed. "Haven't we been over that?" She turned her back to Lucy. "Now stop confusing me with her." She walked away, completely ignoring the angry glare Lucy was giving her.

Lucy scratched her head in irritation, but still followed Coco down the hall. "So what exactly is your goal? Why are you looking for the clock parts? And what's this 'holy war' and 'chaos' stuff all about?"

Coco groaned. "God, you ask a lot of questions. It's so irritating." She stopped walking and put a finger in Lucy's face. "You should already know that I can't tell you anything about that. And besides, I should be asking the questions here. Why are you guys trying to stop us?"

"We just don't understand what's going on so we're trying to figure it all out."

"Just accept that anything you try is pointless!" Coco looked away with a smug look on her face. "Half-rate wizards like Fairy Tail can't possibly stop us." She continued to walk on with the same smug look.

Lucy sighed. 'Yup. No charm at all,' she thought as she continued to follow.

The two continued down the hall in silence for a while, neither having much to say to the other.

Lucy examined the walls as she walked, almost waiting for the inevitable trap to spring into action. She didn't like the way that this Coco had spoken to her, but she still felt she should warn her. "Be careful. Traps could be hiding anywhere."

"I know that," Coco said dismissively with a wave of her hand. "They were planted to stop treasure thieves like you guys."

"What we're doing is no different from what you're doing!" Lucy snapped.

And then with her next step, the stone beneath Lucy's foot sunk. Stone spikes shot up from the ground and Lucy was doing everything she could do dodge them. However, with her balance upset by the stone below her, there was no way for her to avoid them all…

Coco dove for her, knocking her backwards just before a stone spike impaled her through the chest. They both fell to the ground with a thud.

Lucy gulped as she looked at the large spikes that almost skewered her. "Th…Thanks, Coco."

Coco rose from atop Lucy. "No need to thank me. I just repaid you for trying to help me earlier, that's all."

Lucy blinked at her. "Right." She stood up and brushed herself off. Coco did the same and the two continued once more down the hall.

Soon, the hall opened up to another large room of the tomb. In appearance it was very similar to the first large room they were in only a little darker. They found a staircase and began climbing up, the candles that lined the sides guiding their way.

"You really aren't friendly at all," Lucy muttered. "And yet you're exactly like Edolas's Coco, even down to her face, body, and speediness."

"This person you keep talking about," Coco began, "is really that similar to me?"

"Yeah. You're practically the same person."

"Huh?"

"Never mind. It would take too long to explain. The only important part is that we started out as enemies, but in the end we were friends who fought together."

The two reached the top of the stairs and Coco stopped. She huffed and shrugged. "Then that's nothing like me because I will never be friends with you." She started walking again with her head held high.

Lucy sighed as she followed. "Listen, we're not actually trying to stop you guys. All we want to do is prevent disaster from striking everyone."

Coco looked at her. "That's all your goal is?"

Lucy nodded. "Yeah. Well, in my case, I also want to know what my dad was thinking."

"Mr. Jude Heartfilia, right? They say he was a first-rate entrepreneur."

Lucy smiled sadly. "I never really understood him even though I was his daughter. I mean, who hides clock pieces in crazy, complicated places like this? What was going through his mind when he chose to do that? I just wish he considered our perspective."

"For once we agree." Coco heard Lucy giggle and she frowned at her. "What's so funny?"

Lucy shook her head. "Oh, nothing. Just thinking about what a silly girl you are."

"That sounds like you're insulting me."

"I promise that's not what I meant." Lucy then noticed that the path they had been walking reached a dead end. A statue of a winged woman sat in front of the wall. She and Coco stopped. "Did we go the wrong way? Maybe we should head back and try a different way."

Coco gave a snort of derision. "Not very observant, are you? Places like this always have a secret to them." Coco started walking towards the statue.

But Lucy knew better from her party's excursions through the tomb as well as decisions she had made. She waved her arms in a panic. "No! Don't touch that!"

Coco didn't acknowledge the warning. She gingerly touched the chin of the statue and the area immediately began to shake. The ceiling suddenly collapsed and large chunks of rock fell. With a shriek, Coco was buried and a large cloud of dirt erupted around her, concealing her from Lucy's sight.

"Coco!" Lucy called out. The dirt cleared and Lucy could see Coco lying on the ground, unconscious. She seemed relatively alright, but large rocks had fallen on her legs, trapping her. She ran to the girl's side. "Coco! Say something!"

"Lucy!"

Lucy looked up to see Happy, Michelle, Sky, and Ash looking down at her from the new hole in the ceiling. "Everyone!"

"Thank goodness you're alright!" Michelle sighed with relief.

"Hang tight! Sky will come pick you up!" Ash said.

"Right," Sky breathed as her legs became one with the wind.

Lucy looked back to Coco. "Just one second!" She carefully removed the rocks from on top of Coco's legs so as not to further injure her. Once she had safely freed her, she could see her legs were scraped and her left calf was bleeding slightly. Without a second thought, she whipped out a small pink cloth and wrapped it tightly around Coco's wound. Satisfied with her work, she walked over to where Sky was waiting and allowed herself to be lifted out of the hole. Once she was safely on the ground, Michelle hugged her.

Ash put a hand on her hip. "Why'd you help her? Why not leave her?"

Lucy smiled and shook her head. "Don't worry about it. Let's just find the clock piece."

"Right!" they all replied and they took off running through the tombs.


"FIRE DRAGON ROAR!" Natsu bellowed as a pillar of flames erupted from his mouth towards Dan.

Dan easily repelled the attack with his shield and leapt towards Natsu. "Here goes!" he cried as he rapidly thrust forward with his lance, shooting out hundreds of magic bolts.

Natsu leapt high to dodge and landed safely away. The entire area was filled with dirt and smoke from the intense fight between the two. He wiped some sweat from his cheek and smirked. "You missed."

Dan groaned. "I don't have time to keep messing with you, yeah!"

"You took the words right out of my mouth," Natsu said as his smile disappeared.

"It's time to finish you, yeah!" Dan said as he charged forward. He thrust forward with his lance and sent out hundreds of magic bolts yet again.

Natsu charged forward as well, managing to evade all of the attacks. He then leapt up with his fist ablaze and descended upon Dan. "You can't beat me!"

Dan leapt back and out of the way just as Natsu's fist was about to hit. The attack left a small crater and small chips of rock flew up. He snickered as he reached back with his lance, allowing the tip to gently touch a stone statue. Gradually, it grew to tremendous size. "Looks like my feint worked, yeah!" The statue began to topple over towards Natsu.

Natsu quickly turned on his heels and ran with all of his strength, but there was nothing he could do. The statue was too large to outrun in any direction. It hit the ground with a mighty crash, sending up a large smokescreen of dirt.

Dan chuckled victoriously, but it was short lived as Natsu shot out of the dirt. "Whoa!"

"You're gonna have to do better than that!" Natsu yelled.

Dan grinned. "Now this is a fight, yeah!"

Natsu ran towards Dan with fists ablaze. Dan tried to swat him away with his lance, but ended up only hitting stone pillars and buildings. They all broke and collapsed, creating a shield of dirt. He ground his teeth in frustration. "Did he plan that?" He scanned quickly around, trying to find the Dragon Slayer. He couldn't see, but he did hear the sound of shoes on stone. He whipped around to see Natsu high in the air, head drawn back as he inhaled deeply. He readied his shield for an attack.

"FIRE DRAGON ROAR!" Natsu cried as he unleashed a pillar of flames from his mouth. However, he wasn't aiming for Dan. His attack hit the base of a stone pillar, breaking it just right to have it fall towards Dan.

"Crap!" Dan exclaimed as he realized he couldn't run away. He held up his shield as a defense. The stone pillar crashed down and burst apart on his magic shield, creating another thick cloud of dirt. "No way. It was a ruse, yeah!"

"FIRE DRAGON…"

Dan whipped around upon hearing Natsu's voice coming from behind him, but it was too late. He felt a powerful punch connect with his stomach. Even through his thick armor, he could feel pain shoot through his body. The air from his lungs was pushed out.

"…IRON FIST!" Natsu roared.

Dan was sent flying from the hit, but quickly regrouped. He landed on his feet and breathed deeply. He then burst out laughing.

"What are you laughing at?" Natsu asked.

"Your magic power, yeah," Dan replied. "It's really nothing special."

A vein in Natsu's forehead throbbed. "What was that?"

"I've been thinking it for a while, actually. Your offensive power is more bark than bite, yeah."

"Oh yeah?"

"Samuel mentioned you guys were frozen in time for seven years, yeah." Dan lifted his lance and pointed it at Natsu with a smirk. "Which means your magic power's at the same level it was seven years ago."

"What's that matter?" Natsu barked.

"While you were frozen in time, I improved myself like crazy until I reached the level I'm at now. So there's no way I'd lose to a guy from seven years ago, yeah!"

"Enough of your nonsense!" Natsu growled as he lit his hands on fire. "None of what you're saying has anything to do with this fight! I'm always at my full power!" He put his hands together to form a massive flame. "FIRE DRAGON BRILLIANT FLAME!" He fired the massive fireball at Dan.

Dan lifted his shield. The fireball connected with the shield before it was dispersed outwards as multiple smaller embers. He smirked. "It's pointless, yeah!" The embers hit the stone buildings, breaking them apart. And some even came back with enough force to hit Natsu and send him flying backwards. He fell onto the stairs and started rolling down.


Coco turned towards a strange sound she heard to her left. She was using a walking stick as she climbed a set of stairs after regaining consciousness. She had been surprised to see her leg tended to and she'd be lying if she wasn't slightly touched. There was only one person who could have done that for her and that was Lucy. She could have just left her be, but she helped her anyway. She didn't have to show that kind of kindness. It changed the way she saw her, but only a little.

She noticed someone rolling down some stairs in the distance. She squinted her eyes. "Isn't that…?"


"Is this really the place?" Happy asked.

Lucy, Michelle, Happy, Sky, and Ash were all standing in what appeared to be a church. Light poured in from the outside through windows. Rows of fairly good condition pews lined the aisle. Steps led up to an altar that they were currently standing in front of. Behind said altar was a large carving of the Zentopia insignia.

"I certainly think so," Lucy replied as she opened up the book in her hands. "There's a line in Key of the Starry Heavens. It reads 'Silently the key rests, embraced by the sound of prayer'."

"Prayer, huh?" Ash repeated.

"It certainly does suggest a chapel," Michelle agreed.

"But where in here?" Sky asked while looking around.

"I'll take a look from high up!" Happy offered while flying towards the ceiling.

"Good idea," Lucy said. "We'll investigate the ground floor."

The girls split up to look for anything that could hint to the clock piece while Happy searched from above for a different perspective.

Suddenly, like a comet, something crashed through the ceiling and hit the floor hard. Everyone turned to see what it was and needless to say they were all surprised.

"Natsu!" Lucy exclaimed as she ran to his side. She helped him to slowly sit up. "Are you okay?"

"How did you get all the way over here?" Sky asked while pointing out the hole he had created. "We left you way over there."

"Long story," he grumbled while rubbing his head.

"Oh, Looly. I found you, yeah!"

Everyone looked up towards the voice to see Dan smiling down from the new hole in the ceiling.

Lucy felt her skin crawl. "Not him again!"

Dan leapt down and landed gently. He held his hand out to her. "Come on, yeah! We've got so much to decide for our wedding."

Natsu was filled with newfound energy and anger. "I'm getting so sick of you and your bullshit!" He leapt at Dan with his fist cocked back.

"Enough of your interference!" Dan shouted back while striking out with his lance. The tip touched Natsu's knuckles and, in a puff of smoke, he was tiny again. Dan cackled. "You never learn, yeah!"

"Damn you!" Natsu squeaked.

Dan looked at Lucy. "Now then, Loopsy," he began while walking slowly towards her.

"Stay back!" Lucy cried while backing away. Sky and Ash leapt in front of her. "You guys!"

"We won't let you touch Lucy!" Ash declared. Her hair burned brightly like wildfire and her eyes glowed orange.

"Consent is key," Sky breathed. The wind whipped around her and her eyes glowed light blue. "She loves Natsu!"

Dan chuckled. "Look, I get that you two hotties want me for yourselves," he said, completely ignoring the shiver that ran through the twins, "but you should learn that there's nothing you can do, yeah!"

Ash chuckled. "Oh? You think Sky and I haven't learned? Well you sure do think poorly of us, don't you?" She cracked her knuckles. "The way we grew up, it was adapt or die. We did what needed to be done to survive. So figuring out how to beat you and that shield of yours is like second nature to us."

"Very simple," Sky agreed.

Dan lifted his shield and smiled. "Show me!"

"As you wish. Sky! Combination Omega!" Ash called.

"Right," Sky breathed as she disappeared into the wind.

"Be careful, you two," Lucy said. "We don't want to destroy this place."

"Don't you worry, Lucy. Just take care of Natsu. We don't want Happy stepping on him again," Ash said.

Happy sobbed. "That was mean."

Lucy nodded and scooped Natsu up, letting him sit on her shoulder.

Ash charged Dan, her arms lit up in flames. "Let's do this, you creep!" She threw punch after punch, but Dan easily dodged each one. Some were blocked by Dan's shield, sending small flames out in all directions.

Dan sneered at Ash. "This is pointless, yeah! You can't land a hit."

Ash didn't stop smiling. "I'm not supposed to land a hit…well, not yet anyway."

Dan was confused by the riddle, but didn't have much time to think about it for he soon felt a fierce force push against the back of his legs. It lifted him slightly off the ground so that he was airborne and falling back. With the mix of surprise and lack of balance, he was wide open.

That was exactly what Ash was waiting for. She quickly leapt forward and, with a fierce battle cry, landed a sharp punch to Dan's face. He crashed into the ground. Ash leapt back to safety as Sky reappeared beside her.

"That was incredible!" Michelle said with a clap.

"They're so coordinated," Lucy marveled. "Ash moved so quickly without knowing exactly when Sky would make her move."

"They've already got the Fairy Tail spirit," Natsu laughed.

Dan sat up and rubbed his face where a burn mark had appeared. A large bruise was quickly forming there as well. "I definitely didn't see that coming, yeah. I give you credit, ladies. You two are something else." He stood back up and spat blood off to the side. "But nothing will keep me from having my love! Now come, Loopsy! Let's continue our wedding ceremony in the presence of God!"

"Oh, come on!" Lucy wailed as she took off running.

"Wait!" Dan cried as he ran after her.

A tick mark appeared on Natsu's small forehead. "I'll take care of you!" he cried as he leapt at Dan. However, Dan easily swatted him out of the way considering his small stature.

"Natsu!" Lucy said worriedly, but quickly refocused on running.

"He's relentless," Ash sighed. "I gave that punch everything I had and he's still coming!"

"Disappointing," Sky pouted. "That was our best option."

Michelle put a hand to her chin. "Perhaps violence isn't the way to deal with him. We just need to focus on getting him out of here since he doesn't yet know that the clock piece might be in here."

"That does sound like our priority," Ash agreed.

"But how do we do that?" Sky asked.

"I have an idea," Happy whispered, Natsu now sitting on top of his head.

Michelle squatted down and whispered, "I think I may have the same idea."

Ash and Sky squatted as well. "What is it?" they both asked.

"I wanna know, too!" Natsu begged.

Happy and Michelle nodded at each other. "First, Sky and Ash, can you distract Dan for a second? We need to go over things with Lucy."

The twins nodded. "You bet!" They then ran after Dan who was running after Lucy. Sky became one with the wind and swiftly swept Lucy up and pushed her towards the group. Meanwhile, Ash tackled Dan from behind, slamming him to the ground. She then rolled over him so that his attention and direction would be away from the group.

Lucy landed in the group and Sky rejoined her sister in holding off Dan. Lucy sighed. "Thanks for finally helping me!" she hissed.

"Big sister Lucy, we have a plan," Michelle whispered, waving her hand down to signal her to come closer.

Lucy squatted down. "What? You have a plan? Well what is it?"

"Act as bait," Michelle and Happy said simultaneously.

"Hell no!" Lucy and Natsu said simultaneously.

"But Lucy, the only one who can distract Dan is you!" Happy explained.

"Nope. Denied. There's gotta be another way," Natsu refused.

"What kind of bait?" Lucy asked warily.

"For a wedding!" Happy replied.

"Why?" she wailed softly. "Why that of all things?"

"We have to use his feelings to our advantage," Michelle said.

"But…," Lucy began while looking at Natsu.

Natsu stomped his foot on Happy's head. "I can't believe I'm going to say this, but…alright! Fine! Be bait, Lucy. It might be the only way. Just no touching, got it?"

Lucy gulped. "Fine. I'll do it."

Meanwhile, Dan had gotten back up and brushed himself off. He glared at the twins who stood in front of him. "Stop getting in my way, yeah!" He charged the twins with his lance at the ready. "Here goes!"

"Dan!"

Dan froze immediately upon hearing Lucy's sweet voice call his name. With a cheesy smile he turned towards her. "Yes, Loopyloo?"

Before his very eyes, Lucy was dressed in a white bikini. She was wearing white arm-length gloves and a white veil was atop her head. Her hair was down instead of in the pigtails. Her arms were crossed underneath her breasts to draw focus there. She smiled at him as she bent over. "Please come here," she purred.

Dan looked on with a frozen, blank stare. Sky and Ash, bewildered by what they were seeing, did the same. Lucy, embarrassed by her outfit enough as it was, began sweating from the lack of reaction.

"What happened?" Happy whispered.

"Maybe it wasn't stimulating enough," Michelle offered.

"I guess it was kind of weak," Happy agreed.

"What are you talking about? How could anyone not react to that?" Natsu asked irritably.

"I think you're biased, Natsu," Happy said.

Dan continued to stare at Lucy half naked and posing before him. A heavy blush began to form on his face as he felt his heart beat faster than ever. "YEAH!" he roared suddenly as steam erupted from his nostrils. He began running towards Lucy. "Love," he muttered softly.

Lucy giggled as she ran away from him. "Catch me if you can," she teased.

"I will, yeah!" Dan said cheerfully, his lance dragging on the ground after him. "Get back here, yeah!"

"He fell for it!" Happy exclaimed.

"It worked like a charm!" Michelle agreed.

Sky tugged on Ash's sleeve. "Um…sister?"

"Yeah?" Ash said with an even tone.

"Was this their plan the whole time?"

"Looks that way."

"It's kind of strange."

"Yup. That's certainly one word to describe it."

Natsu tapped on Happy's head. "Alright, let's get to the part of the plan where I don't feel like hurling already! Go, Happy!"

Happy took to the air. "Aye sir!" He picked up Natsu between his two paws as he flew towards Dan. Once he was in the right position, he hurled Natsu right towards Dan—or, more specifically, the tip of Dan's lance.

Dan was chasing after Lucy happily when suddenly he felt his lance stick somewhere and refuse to budge. He turned in confusion only to see a normal-sized Natsu standing on top of his lance with a smirk on his face. "What?"

"Doesn't matter if my strength's seven years out of date or not," Natsu said. He lifted his fist and lit it on fire. "When we all work together, we can overcome anything!" He cocked back his fist. "FIRE DRAGON IRON FIST!" he roared as he unleashed his punch, connecting squarely with Dan's face. The man was sent flying backwards where Ash was waiting for him.

"Nice one, Natsu!" she complimented as her right leg turned to fire. "Here I come!" She lashed out with her foot, kicking Dan in the small of his back. The wind was pushed out of him as he coughed and was sent high into the air.

And now it was Sky's turn as she hovered in the air, her upper body still solid. "We win," she breathed while lifting her arms. They disappeared into the wind as she swung her arms across her body, slamming into Dan's side and crashing him into the wall behind the altar. Dan fell from his indent in the wall and landed face down onto the ground.

"How'd ya like that?!" Natsu shouted, but he got no response. Dan had been knocked out cold.

"He's finally down," Sky cheered quietly.

Lucy sighed as she walked over to Natsu. "Things are finally quiet again. I'm going to take this chance to get out of this get up."

Natsu blushed as he looked her over, but nodded. "Yeah, that can't be too comfortable."

"Natsu has pervert eyes," Sky said softly.

"I do not!"

As Lucy went to change her clothes, the group reconvened.

"That went splendidly," Michelle giggled.

"So you meant for all of that to happen," Ash stated for clarification.

"Of course," Michelle said with a smile.

"Well I'm just glad it's all over," Lucy said, now dressed back in her blue skirt, blue jacket, and blue and white tank top with a heart shaped neckline. Her hair was back in the pigtails as well. She squirmed in place. "I couldn't imagine being touched by him. The thought of it makes my skin crawl."

Suddenly, the large Zentopia insignia behind the altar began to glow brightly.

"The wall is shining!" Michelle marveled.

The wall began to seemingly melt away as the light slowly faded. Once the light had completely vanished, everyone could see that the entire wall where the insignia was had vanished. And in its place was a massive clock piece.

"It's huge!" Natsu exclaimed.

"Holy shit," Ash breathed.

"That's it! That's the clock piece!" Lucy cheered.

Sky lifted a fist into the air. "Yay!"

"So this is where it was hiding this whole time?" Natsu asked rhetorically.

"I wonder if Dan crashing into the wall revealed it," Michelle pondered.

Lucy clasped her hands together. "We finally have one!"


Peeking around the corner of the broken ceiling, Coco watched the whole ordeal play out. She narrowed her eyes. "I've finally found it! But how do I go about getting it?"


"I have to admit I was expecting smaller," Ash said while crossing her arms. "You know, something we could easily carry out of here."

"That will definitely be tricky, but we'll figure it out somehow," Lucy said.

Suddenly, Dan hopped to his feet with a mighty cry. Everyone turned towards him in surprise to hear him moving again.

"You still haven't had enough?" Natsu growled while getting in a fighting stance.

Dan crossed his arms and then took a seat on the ground with crossed legs. "No, you win. I admit total defeat, yeah."

"If that's the case, then can you tell us what the Legion Platoon's goal is?" Michelle asked.

"Yeah! Like who you guys are and why you're after the clock pieces," Happy chimed in.

Lucy put a hand on her hip. "I'd like an actual explanation myself."

Dan leapt to his feet with a renewed look. "Alright then! I'll accept defeat gracefully and explain in full, unadulterated detail, yeah!"

"Great," Ash said. "Get started then."

"Very well! So you wish to know who I am and what my goal is?" Dan asked for clarification.

"But that's not what we asked," Sky said, but it fell on deaf ears.

"Here's my explanation, yeah!" Dan began. "I, Dan Straight, was born in the city of Cedar. In that city was a dependable band of knights that protected the town and its church. My own family came from a long line of these knights. As a successor to this family line, I lived a happy, pampered childhood."

"I hate this guy even more," Ash hissed as she shook with agitation.

"But!" Dan continued. "Those tranquil days did not last long. At one point, a civil war erupted and split the city in two."

"There we go!" Ash cheered.

Michelle began to sob. "So your family was dragged into the fighting and had to struggle to survive?"

"No," Dan replied. "The fighting ended in half a day, so we didn't suffer at all, yeah! And everyone else reconciled right away, too!"

"Son of a bitch!" Ash shouted.

"That sounds more like a quarrel than a civil war," Lucy observed.

"But I haven't gotten to the real issue yet!" Dan cried. "At the time, I was head over heels for my first love. She was a beautiful girl who went to my school. However, once the fighting ended, I couldn't find her anywhere!"

"So she got caught in the fighting," Lucy theorized.

"Did the poor thing…die?" Michelle asked as more and more tears fell.

"This girl also looked a little like Loopyloo," Dan added.

"It's so sad!" Michelle wailed.

"And that's why you fell for Lucy at first sight?" Happy asked.

"I guess there's no telling what kind of circumstances someone has unless you ask, huh?" Lucy asked, turning to Natsu whose eyes were closed.

"Still doesn't explain why he had to fall for you," Natsu huffed. "So what actually happened to that girl of yours?"

Dan's eyes shone. "The next day…"

"Yeah?" Michelle asked with anticipation.

"I found her perfectly okay, yeah!" Dan exclaimed. Everyone nearly face faulted. "My daily marriage proposals and whispers of sweet nothings in her ear apparently brought her so much happiness that it frightened her, yeah! She must've thought that she wasn't worthy of my love. Her grace was truly charming."

"I don't think she could stand you," Sky noted bluntly.

Dan continued, paying no mind to the verbal jab of the young girl. "She ended up rejecting my marriage proposal and I cried my eyes out for three days and three nights. I then set out on a sentimental journey to soothe my sorrow. During my aimless travels, I crossed paths with many different girls…"

"Excuse me," Michelle interrupted. "So then you aren't out to find someone who looks like your first love?"

Dan scratched his head. "No, nothing like that! To be frank, any ol' girl will do, yeah!"

Sky turned away slightly. "I feel unsafe now."

"However, due to unavoidable circumstances," Dan continued with tears streaming down his face, "I was always forced to part ways with every girl I met. Love and peace…these are things that knights are forbidden to have, yeah."

"Oh this is crap. They dumped you!" Ash spat. "What delusional world do you live in? Seriously."

"At some point, I eventually joined the Legion Platoon and am now gathering the clock pieces at Lord Byro's behest, yeah. So that's who I am and what my goal is! The end, yeah!"

A tick mark appeared on Ash's forehead. "For the last time, that's not what we asked."

"We want to know about the Legion Platoon and its goal!" Lucy stated.

"Well I can't tell you the Legion Platoon's secrets, yeah," Dan refused while turning his head. "Lord Byro would punish me if I did that!"

"Then what was the point of that story just now?" Natsu snapped.

Dan was suddenly right in front of Lucy, his arm around her waist and holding one of her hands. "So that you could learn more about me of course! Now let's get married, Loopyloo!"

Lucy shrieked from the sudden contact and tore herself away. She then, once again, started running away as Dan chased after her.

"Hold up there, buddy," Natsu growled as he grabbed Dan by the collar of his armor, effectively holding him in place and lifting him slightly off of the ground. Dan's legs still ran in place, however. "You need to stop now before I melt your dick off."

Dan glared at him. "You would stand between me and Loopyloo again?"

"Damn straight! She's my girlfriend, ya hear?"

Dan blinked. "Really, yeah?"

"Really!"

Dan hummed while putting a hand to his chin. "Well that could make our wedding awkward. You should probably break up with her so that I can be there to mend her broken heart, yeah!" He continued to struggle in Natsu's grip. "Loopyloo!"

"Like hell!" Natsu shouted with an agitated expression as he held Dan back.

"So now what do we do?" Ash asked. "I don't like the idea of waiting around here."

"We don't have much choice," Michelle said. "We can't leave since we're supposed to meet the rest of the guild here."

"So we relax then," Sky sighed as she took a seat in a pew.

"I am confused, though," Michelle said. "I wonder where the other Legion Platoon member went?"

"I hope she's alright," Lucy said worriedly.

"Seriously, why care? She's an enemy," Ash said with a wave of her hand.

"She may be opposing us, but she's a kind and thoughtful girl deep down. I'm sure of it," Lucy said.

"Just like me!" Dan cried.

"Shut up," Natsu demanded. "No more talking from you."


From behind her cover, Coco heard everything. She was touched my Lucy's clearly honest words. "I'd like to avoid hurting her if possible." She shook her head. "No! What are you saying, Coco? You're a member of the Legion Platoon! You need to accomplish your mission!"


"Hey, Dan. I've gotta question for you," Happy asked while flying up to eye level.

"Ask away!" Dan replied happily.

"You said in your story that any girl would do, right? So then what about Michelle? Or Ash? Or Sky?"

"Watch it, cat," Ash spat as she wrapped her arms around herself. "I don't want you giving this creep any ideas, got it?"

Dan turned to Ash. "She's cute, but she's a little too fiery and flat."

Ash clenched her teeth together and shook her fist at the knight. "What did you say to me, punk ass?!"

"Easy, sister," Sky said soothingly. "You can be a very angry person sometimes."

Ash's whole face turned red. "That's not the point!"

"Oh," Sky said. "Then you're upset because he said you have no breasts?"

Ash whined and fell to her knees, hugging her chest. "It's not like I asked to be so flat," she mumbled.

Dan turned to Sky. "She's definitely extremely hot with a phenomenal body, but she hides it too much. Plus she seems like a bit of an airhead."

Tears started filling Sky's eyes. "An…airhead?"

"You're one to talk," Natsu shot back at Dan.

Dan finally turned to Michelle. "And she's definitely very pretty, but I like my girls to have more life to them."

Michelle didn't reply. She just looked sadly at the ground.

"I guess you're right. Lucy is more of a tomboy," Happy nodded.

"Thanks for the casual insult," Lucy sweatdropped.

In a sudden puff of smoke, Virgo appeared. "Shall I punish him, Princess?"

"Virgo? What are you doing here?" Lucy asked.

"I thought you could use some help, Princess," Virgo said with a small bow.


Coco gasped at what she had just heard. "She's a princess? Like in a castle in a foreign land?" Stars filled her eyes. "So that's why she's so pretty!"


"What would you like me to do, Princess?" Virgo asked.

"Actually, there's nothing really to do anymore," Lucy admitted. "We've settled things here I think."

"Hey, that's a maid outfit! You're a maid?" Dan asked excitedly. "Hey, I have a request. I'd like you to prepare a meal that will kindle the love that Loo-nyan and I share, yeah!"

"Don't you quit?" Natsu asked harshly.

Virgo turned to Dan. "I'm afraid I'm not ready to prepare a meal, but I can perform an enjoyable dance." She then began to perform a very strange dance, the chains on her wrists jingling with each motion.

"Not that again," Lucy groaned.

"What a lovely dance!" Dan exclaimed. "It reminds me of my hometown's traditional dance!"

"This is the first time I've been praised for this dance," Virgo noted.

"They have the same taste in stuff," Lucy said in disbelief.

"They are both really strange," Happy added.

Virgo stopped dancing and turned to Lucy. "I hope I was helpful. Call for me again anytime." She then disappeared in a puff of smoke.

Lucy groaned loudly. "I'm still not sure why you even showed up in the first place."

"Well well," came a deep voice that echoed throughout the tomb. "I come to check on your progress and what do I see?" The church that the group was in began to shake as pieces of the roof began to fall.

"That voice…Lord Byro!" Dan exclaimed.

"The octo-jerk?" Natsu asked for clarification as he released Dan.

Suddenly from beneath the church a giant octopus sprang from the ground. Atop its head was a tall man with white hair. A staff was clutched in his right hand and another object was in his left. It was Byro. "It would seem that you're having difficulty, Dan. Coco."

Coco ran out from behind her hiding spot to address Byro. "Our deepest apologies, Lord Byro!"

Dan lifted his fists. "I'm ashamed to admit that I temporarily lost sight of our objective, yeah. However, this holy ground is also where I met the girl of my desti…" He was cut off, however, as a large chunk of rock collapsed on top of his head. He fell to the ground, unconscious.

"It was like divine punishment," Coco said softly as she looked at Dan's sleeping face.

"You two will fall back and reflect on your worthlessness," Byro said coldly.

Lucy squinted her eyes at Byro before realizing what he was holding. "Look! That's it!"

"Mr. Jude's…," Michelle began.

"He brought it right to us," Ash said as her hair became wildfire.

Natsu pointed at Byro. "That clock hand belongs to Lucy, jackass! Give it back or I'll beat you senseless!"

"That's right!" Happy echoed.

"We'll make you pay," Sky said as she wiped the last remaining tears from her eyes.

Byro's expression revealed nothing. "Very well then. Give me your best shot."