Disclaimer: I dont own fairy tail
Celestial Spirits vs Etherious Demons
Igneel could hear the thunderous clashes as he flew away from zeref and chronos. When zeref explained his plan before all of this chaos he did not believe it was worth it. It was very risky bringing all the warring factions together and he had no doubt all the fighting would draw in their true adversary.
With that worrying thought Igneel pushed himself to fly faster, dodging any stray attacks that came near him and firing a few breath attacks at the surface. An enemy dragon tried to attack him, aiming to stab him with their horns but he was able to barrel roll to the side, letting the enemy fly past. With quick actions he was able to sink his claws into the dragon, grappling it. He then bit down hard on their wing, tasting blood as he sank his fangs furthur. With tremendous force, Igneel reeled his head back, ripping off the dragon's wing and sending him plummeting to the surface. He took off again towards the hordes of demons spitting out the wing as he flew.
Upon getting closer to chaos, Igneel could see a massive flying airship launching attack after attack from its starboard cannons at the giant cube demon which was screeching in pain. The ship was smaller than the demon but could easily hold a few villages worth of people. When he first saw the ship he was astounded, five large masts ran down its middle with large sails unfurled and rigging all around. There were a few smaller sails along the sides and near the front that were also unfurled. On both sides of the hull, rows of oars jutted out from portholes, moving in unison. Above those were rows of cannons delivering volley after volley into the demon.
Just then the cube demon roared and swung a tentacle at the ship. Igneel watched as a gale of winds came out of nowhere, filling the sails and propelling out of the way. upon getting closer Igneel flew around and he could see quite a few people running around on the deck. A majority of the people wore blue and gold robes and had blond hair and Igneel recognized them as members of the Heartfilia clan. There were many more people dressed more simply, rushing about moving crates, tying ropes and other sorts of things. Igneel let out a sigh in relief at seeing his allies, as he flew along the ship to find an open landing area on the deck. He watched as the clan members were moving about and one man with blonde hair he assumed was a heartfilia noticed him before he pointed towards the end of the ship.
Igneel looked where he was pointing and flew over to find an open space big enough forhim to land and moved around. The ship's crew cleared the way for and upon landing Igneel could see a blonde haired woman coming towards him. She had her hair tied back into a ponytail and wore blue and white robes, and a frown on her face.
"Igneel! Please tell me that Zeref has completed his goal already." the woman said with exasperation. The dragon just sighed, feeling the same exasperation she did.
"Well, Anna, Zeref is handling it quite well…." a large explosion of light happened in the distance. Igneels back was to it as he looked Anna right in the eyes. Ana was facing towards the explosion and gave Ingeel a blank face. Igneel just sighed again " He's working on it"
"He better work on it faster, we left the children alone so we could all attend this battle. Not to mention my magic is draining quickly having so many spirits summoned. I'm glad I'm not the one who had to summon the Argo Navis. Plutogrim would be wreaking much more havoc if Carina, Vela, and Puppis werent here to keep him at bay."
Anna turned away from igneel moving over to the port side rail. The airship's cannons continued to fire into the cube demon blowing apart one of the tentacles it swung towards them leaving a bloody mist in the air. Ana glared at the carnage going down on the surface.
"MOTHER!" A call rang out as Igneel and Anna turned to see a beautiful white horse with a golden mane and angelic white wings coming to land on the deck. On its back was a young man with blonde hair wearing similar robes to anna.
"Luke! I thought you were dealing with the demons on the surface, are you hurt, do you need a healer?" Anna said as she took the young man into her arms and began to check him over for injuries.
"Im fine mother, Nyx's flames will heal any injury, he wouldn't let anything happen. But pegasus and I came to inform you how the battle is progressing and its not good" luke states, taking his mothers hands.
"Its true lady Anna" the winged horse pegasus says "Even with every celestial spirit being summoned we can only hold off the etherious for so long. Our contracts allow us to currently be summoned by any member of the Heartfilia clan even if they are not our specific key holder and despite their large magic pools they are running out quickly."
"The etherious are incredibly strong and the ones called the demon gates require a zodiac spirit to combat them. We haven't even been able to get close to the leader. I'm tempted to summon Draco, mother." Luke said as he held a shining metallic key hanging around his neck.
Anna frowned at this as did Igneel. Luke proposed a viable option if the battle was almost done for, Draco the celestial dragon was an incredibly powerful spirit with his gate key being the only one to be made of platinum. To summon him requires tremendous magical power, which both Anna and her son had but he was very strict with the use of his power.
Draco was ancient by dragon standards and spirit standards, Anna herself had found his key in an ancient temple she believed was built some time in the VII age of earthland during its sixth century, nearly four millennia ago but even earlier records suggest that the gate keys were first used in the IV age of earthland. This would make draco the most ancient dragon to ever exist and his power would be on par with that of a god.
But again, there are limits. A spirits power is based on how strong their summoner is and the contents of their contracts. Anna and the Heartfilia clan have always made their contracts as equals with their spirits, allowing them to take their true forms and use their true power. The contract with draco was negotiated to where they could only summon him once a year to get the most out of his power.
"It's tempting but Draco's contract is clear in its request. We may need him later, he's the only one that can reliably fight the black dragon to a stand still." Anna said
Luke looked down and sighed as he placed the key underneath his robes. "What do we do then, mother?"
Anna bit her lip as she began to think before coming to a decision. Whipping out three glowing golden keys from her belt, Ana spoke with a firm voice.
"Celestial Spirits of the astral sea i call upon you, Open gates of the maiden, lion and seagoat, Virgo Leo and Capricorn"
Directly in front of ana three glowing circles form in the air, each one having a glowing symbol corresponding to the keys in her hand. After completely forming the circles split down the middle, each side swinging outward, opening the gates to the astral sea. As they open glowing white light emerges preventing them from seeing the otherside. Anna watches as three clouds of star dust emerge from the gates before they condense into different looking beings.
The first cloud condenses and shines revealing the form of an attractive woman. She wears a long white skirt with a black sash wrapped around her waist. She wears heeled boots with silver shin guards and black metal pauldrons over her shoulders. Covering her chest but not completely was a white cloth dress top revealing her skin from her belly to her inner breasts. Her hair was pink as well but her most prominent features were the pair of large white wings emerging from her back.
The second figure was a man standing at 6 foot with a long mane of orange hair. He was wearing black leather armor and had long white sleeves. His left arm was covered in silver and gold armor, with his gauntlet shaped like a claw and the pauldron shaped like a lion's face. Over his right shoulder was a small cape. His more prominent features were his legs which were not human but more animal like and the lion tail he had as well as the cat ears on his head. On his back was a large great sword.
The final figure stood taller than the lion at 7 feet, taller with the horns upon his head. The man looked like a humanoid goat with white hair covering his body. He wore nobles' clothes, a set of black pants and vest and a long white sleeved shirt underneath. On his hard are white gloves and where his feet should be are hooves. From his behind extends a large white scaled fishtail. Finally a pair of black shades cover his eyes.
Anna immediately felt the drain on her magic levels, as she grew dizzy and slumped a little before being caught by her son. She had a few other spirits out already, running around the ship to provide when they could. Aquila the eagle and volans the flying fish were taking out any flying etherious that got too close to the ship.
"Mother be careful, the equal contract may use less magic on our part but summoning too many at once still isn't recommended." luke said as he scolded her
"Sorry dear but we need them"
"Lady Anna, what is your command?" Capricorn asks performing a bow
"Capricorn, virgo, leo the battle is quickly growing out of control, if we had control to begin with, the etherious demons must be held back. All members of the heartfilia clan have already summoned as many spirits as we can. Leo, Virgo, I need you to stall Mard Geer"
The two spirits simply nod before turning to leave. Leo sprints towards the edge of the ship before jumping off, into the battle while Virgo flaps her wings and flies after him.
"Capricorn i have something important to discuss with you" Anna says seriously
Leo was currently plummeting through the air as he took in the state of the battle. On the surface many of his spirit friends were fighting by the side of their summoners, members of the Heartfilia clan, anna's family. He watched as Taurus performed a mighty leap towards the demon known as deliora and delivered a devastating punch to the monster's jaw, knocking it down. Leo focused his attention to the cube demon, plutogrim, and atop its head he could see the figure of a man with long dark hair holding a tattered book. Leo glared at the figure before extending an arm upwards as Virgo came flying past him, clasping his arm and carrying him towards the man.
"Mard geer will be difficult to deal with, do you have a plan of engagement leo?" virgo asked
"We hit him hard and fast, ill engage at close range while you from afar, his curse won't affect me as much as you."
"Very well"
As they got closer to the man he seemed to notice them and sneered before extending his arms towards them. From the ground around large vines covered in thorns burst forth, shooting directly at them. Virgo took evasive maneuvers, weaving around the attack, taking special care not to let even one scratch her. As they got closer, she spun mid air and threw Leo towards their foe with the force of a rocket. Leo was quick to strike the man, sending him backwards as Leo landed.
"Mard geer, call off the etherious" Leo commanded. Mard geer chuckled as he dusted himself off.
"Leo the lion, the shining paladin of the stars and leader of the legendary zodiac, It seems ill get to have a fun fight after all"
"You treat this as a game but it is one you will lose." leo said as a golden light surrounded his fist.
in a burst of speed leo charges and closes the distance between them. "Regulus impact"
With the force of a cannon leo punches mard geer, who skidded backwards.
Quickly recovering, Mard Geer summons multiple thorn vines, "Demon thorns" he shouts as they rush towards Leo who takes a defensive stance. As the thorns near leo smirks before shouting "Regulus Armis"
A golden light surrounds Leo's body, taking the form of glowing translucent armor. The vines simply bounce off or vaporize on contact, as mard geers attack shows no effect. The demon growls at this and stops his attack.
"How annoying, the invulnerable light of regulus, the magic that made you one of the strongest spirits in the astral realm. A fitting power for the zodiac's leader."
"You know the best thing about being a leader. I got a wonderful team to back me up."
Mard Geer's eyes widen as the ground beneath him shoots up into a massive pillar, throwing him into the sky. He turned his head to see Virgo hovering mid air.
"Well, well, the earthly maiden herself, shouldn't you be tending to your master?" he growls.
"The mistress trusts me to tend to the minor stuff, to serve her, it is something I'll gladly do," Virgo says, lifting her hands upward.
Mard geer looks side to side to see two giant slabs of rock levitating in the air, then to Virgo who crosses her arms to form an X, the slabs following the movement. A resounding boom is heard as the slabs collide crushing mard geer between them. Virgos doesn't let up though, clasping her hands together as if praying, she lifts them to the sky and magical glow surrounding them before slamming them down ward. The slabs, surrounded in the same magic glow, are sent plummeting downward at a great speed.
"SPICA HOLE"
Leo jumps backwards as a giant crater and a deep hole is formed into plutogrims body. Leo smirks at the hole before schooling his features, their fight isn't over yet. Drawing his greatsword from his back it begins to glow a golden light. Virgo floats down beside him staying just off the ground.
The two watch as a sickly purplish light explodes from the hole and rising from the center is not a human man, but a black skinned demon. It had long black hair and a metal jaw that looks like it could easily tear flesh. It flaps the wings on its back as it rises, still holding the tattered book in its arms.
"I see your starting to take this seriously" Leo quips
"You both know you cannot win this fight, the astral spirits are strong, especially the zodiac, but only as strong as your contracts allow" mard geer says before he instantly appears in front of them aiming a claw at virgo.
Leo reacts just as fast, jumping in front of the attack and being launched across the ground and slamming into a rock which is destroyed when he hits it. Virgo uses the moment to take to the sky again putting distance between her and the demon. Mard Geer extends his arm towards her, transforming it into a thorn vine that chases after her. On the tip of the vine a small flower pod rapidly grows and reveals a large mouth with sharp teeth dripping with purple ooze.
"Demona venus"
Virgo flapped her wings as fast as she could to escape the plant's maw as it took bites at her. She summoned multiple boulders into the air, throwing them at it but they didn't do much damage. On the ground mard geer watch carefully as he neared his prey, he barely needed to scratch her and she would be removed from the fight. Right as he was about to catch her, an arc of gold light appeared in front of him severing his vine arm.
Mard geers eyes burned of hatred at leo who severed his arm with his sword. Leo continues his advance making wide arches with his blade as mard geer doges each with great agility, regrowing his severed arm as he does. As they engage in battle Mard geer grows large thorns from his unoccupied arm using it as a sword of his own and begins to push Leo back with a ferocity.
"I must say it was smart of you to be the one to engage me, Lion star"
"GRRRR" leo growled as he was put on the back foot from the demon's attacks.
The two continued to clash, parrying each strike as they began to speed up. It was then that leo was able to perform a tripping maneuver, catching the demon's blade in his cross guard and pulling each other into their personal spaces. Mar geer was thrown off while leo got a leg behind mard geer's and swiped it from under him, causing the demon to fall. As Leo made to stab down on the demon it flared its wings and shot out from his prone state and into the sky. Mard Geer quickly shot four vines from his arm, wrapping around leo. Leo's magic armor flared, preventing him from being scratched as he was dragged into the air. Using this to his advantage the demon flew close to the ground dragging Leo along.
Virgo flew behind them, launching attacks at the demon in an effort to release leo. Mard geer spun mid air using the momentum to swing the tangled leo into virgo sending both into the ground. In the collision the vines wrapped around Leo managed to scratch virgo.
"AAAHAHHHHAHAHHH" vigor screamed as immense pain filled her body as she began to spasm and writhe.
"VIRGO" Leo yelled as he untangled himself and ran to her. As he touched her, the virgo let out another intense scream of pain causing him to recoil.
"The curse of thorns can cause a variety of painful effects. When a mortal is so much as scratched it can cause a very painful death, the toxin my thorns secret causes intense pain from the inside and essentially paralyzes them until 10 minutes have passed and that is just from one scratch. After the time is up they are given a sweet release in death." Mard geer stated as he floated down towards them.
"Its effect on immortals however, they cant die, so instead they will be subject to eternal pain. Only lord zeref has discover a cure to my curses toxin"
Leo grit his teeth as he tried to think, he had minor healing abilities with his magic but it would do no good for virgo. He rose from his knees as he took his sword in hand. As leo charged he activated the telepathic link with his key.
'Anna, I need help, Mard geer was able to scratch virgo. I need you to send Aries as quickly as you can.'
Back on the airship, Anna had just finished discussing her plan with Capricorn when Leo's message came through.
"That's not good, capricorn get into position while I send aries to help Leo"
"Yes my lady"
Pulling out another golden key Anna imbues her magic to summon the spirit. Luke's eyes widened.
"Open gate of the golden ram, Aries"
Anna would have collapsed if Luke did not catch her.
When the gate appeared its symbol looked like a V with curves on the top ends. Emerging from the gate appeared to be a heavily armored woman. Her armor was a mixture of yellow and white leather armor with pink wool trim along the edges. She also wore a mantel over her shoulders that also had pink wool trim. Finally she wore a silver helmet with ram horns coming off it.
"Mistress anna, you need my help?" Aries asked as she removed her helmet, letting her pink hair fall to her shoulders. As she did the horns were revealed to be connected to her head rather than her helmet.
"Aries you must go help leo, virgo has been afflicted by Mard geers curse"
"Right away" Aries said as she ran for the edge of the ship before jumping off. As she did she also summoned a floating cloud of wool for her to ride. Aries took off for the battle leaving a trail of golden light behind her.
Anna watched the zodiac leave as she felt her magic take another dip from summoning a spirit. She turned her attention to Capricorn who has been channeling all of his magic around him and forming a large complex magic circle beneath him.
"My lady, i've finished channeling all of my magic for the summoning, all you need to do is say the words."
Luke took this moment to interject. "Mother, while I agree this may be the only option if we can't summon draco, you're too weak to go through with this with so many spirits already summoned."
Anna couldnt even stand without her son's help and her breaths were becoming staggered. She looked him in the eye with a face filled with determination and Luke knew his mother would not stop. He sighed before helping her towards capricorn saying "very well, but i'm helping with the summoning"
As they approached Capricorn looked over Anna with concern. "My lady are you sure you can do this" "I am" "Very well this is goodbye"
"Thank you capricorn, no matter how long it takes I will find the necessary materials needed to reforge your key. I will see you again, my friend." Anna says, placing a hand on his cheek.
"It has been an honor to serve you my lady," Capricorn says, his body trembling and pulsing with light. Anna and Luke stepped back from the spirit just outside of the circle.
"Alright let's begin," Anna said, taking a deep breath and lifting Capricorn's key before speaking again. " I call upon the stars and in their light I make this request. By the approval of Capricorn the sea goat, one of the legendary zodiacs, I seek an audience with the lord of the astral sea."
As Anna began speaking she began channeling her magic into Capricorn's key, she felt her body shake as she poured every bit of magic she had left into the key. Luke kept her standing as he too grasped Capricorn's key and imbued it with his magic as well.
Aloud bell tolling is heard as the magic circle around capricorn glows brighter.
"I, Capricorn of the zodiac, do vouch for the summoner Anna Heartfilia. Her word is her promise as your word is law, she is worthy in the eyes of her spirits."
Another bell toll is heard but much louder as it rings across the battlefield. Catching the attention of many, the celestial summoners on the surface feel a boost in their magic power as their spirits fighting by their side begin to glow.
Across the fields new power is let loose as a massive tidal wave of water appears drowning any demons in its way leafing a blue haired mermaid sitting atop a pillar of spiraling water. A
"About time" she says before releasing jets of water from a floating silver urn next to her.
On the field a large minotaur is combating the demon of destruction Delioar, with a human man with blond buzzed hair and buff physique. The man felt the surge of celestial magic as the minotaur began to glow.
"He he he, guess big sis is pulling out the big guns ay Taurus" the man says as he wields a chain with a spiked ball on the end.
"Heheheh, it seems the king approves," Taurus says as catches the fist of deliora. Back on the airship, those aboard have surrounded Anna and Capricorn to bear witness to this once in a lifetime event.
"Lady Anna, you may proceed," Capricorn said. Anna took another breath in preparation and held capricorns key towards the heavens.
"With thy permission I call upon thee, ruler of the celestial spirits and lord of the astral sea. Open the grand divine gate and come forth, God of the stars and bearer of the Heavens, Astraeus the celestial spirit king"
With those words the magic circle releases a pillar of light into the sky blowing away all of the clouds to reveal a clear night sky. Capricorn, who was in the middle of the circle, dissolves into stardust and travels upward into the sky as the key is anna's hand shatters. In the sky a massive magic circle forms, with the symbols of all the zodiacs around the edge. The symbol of capricorn glows be fading and the circle splits open allowing a giant figure to come through. The figure wears regal looking armor and has gray stone like skin. The armor had silver and green coloring and he had a deep blue cape over his shoulders. In his hands was a large jagged sword.
"Anna Heartfilia, I am Astraeus"
"Greetings astraeus, I have summoned you to hear my plea for help. The demon Mard Geer stands in the way of our goals and if he continues his rampage with his demons, we may not succeed in our plans."
"I am aware of the plan you, zeref and your dragon allies have conceived and though I do not agree his actions, zeref's plan to deal with the black dragon of the apocalypse may be the only viable option left, if he truly does plan to seal away all the gods from the mortal plane."
"WAIT, WHAT" anna yelled in surprise. Astraeus simply floated away while Anna and those around started to freak out.
"If you'll excuse me I will go help my old friends" the spirit king shot off like a comet then a massive explosion was heard along with a blinding flash of light. Anna and Luke rounded on the igneel whose eyes were wide with surprise.
"IGNEEL, did you know about this" anna yelled
"NO, OF COURSE NOT, you think that bastard tells us anything?!" Igneel shot back
"Damn that bookworm, Igneel we need to go, now that Astraeus is here we can leave it to his hands"
"Agreed"
Luke helped Anna on the dragon's back while he mounted the pegasus again before they took off in Zeref's direction.
—-
Minutes earlier, back on top of plutogrim, Leo was doing all he could to fend off Mard Geers attacks while trying to protect virgo as well.
"We can go on like this for ever lion star, you can't beat me so why don't you give in"
"Grrrrrr, never bastard"
As mard geer was about to continue his attacks a large war hammer struck him from behind sending him flying into a rocky outcrop. Leo looked up in relief to see aries standing atop her wool cloud. She quickly ran over to him and virgo.
"Leo, im sorry im so late, i should have moved faster, im sorry" she said tears forming in her eyes
"Its fine aries just heal virgo, quickly"
"Yes, im sorry"
Kneeling next to Virgo, who continued to writhe in pain, she extended both of her arms over her. Beneath virgo golden wool forms beneath her forming the softest bed one could ever imagine. A golden light shines from the wool as Virgos body stills relaxing into the comfort. Leo and Aries watch as the poison fades from Virgo's body completely. Opening her eyes, Virgo looks at aries.
"Thank you, sister"
"Im sorry, sister, your welcome"
Virgo begins to get up from the bed feeling rejuvenated. The three of them didn't exchange any more words as they turned towards where mard geer was throwing rubble off of himself.
"Well well that was unexpected, Spirit of the ram, wonderful of you to join us."
The trio didn't bother to respond as Leo and Aries brandished their weapons and Virgo lifted herself into the air. It was silent as the four stared each other down before they all rushed in. Mard geer launched into the air summoning hundreds of large thorn vines to emerge from the ground.
"Corpse garden"
The three spirits reacted quickly dogeding the initial attacks but the demon took control of the vines willing them to thrash around. Virgo was already in the air as leo and aries danced around. The thorns scraping off of Leo's armor and any scratches Aries took were quickly healing before they could affect her. Mard Geer simply floated in the air as he watched them scamper.
Virgo took the moment to even the field, she dive bombed the area, landing hard and breaking the field and up rooting the vines. The force of her landing caused large cracks to spread causing large chunks of rock to lift into the air. Then flying back up she exerted her magic to take control, making all of the rocks levitate and create floating platforms that Leo and Aries now stood on.
Now a floating array of rocks surround mard geer, leo and aries leaping from one to another and virgo flying freely their battle picks up pace. To any normal person the fight would look like multiple blurs that would create shockwaves when they clashed. Leo and aries engaged mard geer at close range with Virgo proving foot holds and leaching some of the rock to break his guard.
Despite their incredible teamwork the demon held his own, with every hit they made he landed five more. If something did not change they would lose. But things did.
DIINNGG DOONNNG
At the sound of a bell, the three spirits felt their power renew as they began to glow a golden light. Disengaging from the fight, Aries and Leo jumped back towards virgo who provided a rock for them to stand on. With the two out of the way, Virgo made her move.
"Spica lock"
As if shot from cannons the remaining rocks enclose around Mard geers form, crushing and compressing around him, forming a stone prison. Virgo continued to compress the rock staring as she could feel Mard geer trying to break out. Eventually the demon's power was too great, he exploded from the prison, with a look of anger he charged them and just before he reached them.
FWOOSH, a giant jagged sword cuts the demon's path before striking him with its flat, sending crashing down atop of plutogrim, but it did not stop there. The pure force behind the strike caused plutogrim to crash into the surface, crushing any etherious beneath it.
Three zodiacs look towards the being that struck down the demon and bowed. Aries and leo dropped to one knee and virgo bowed at her waist.
"Old friends, raises your selves up, for you have proven once again why i made you the zodiacs" the celestial spirit king said
"Thank you, sir" leo responded
"Return home, old friends, recuperate your strength, I will take care of this"
The three spirits bowed again before vanishing in a flash of light. Turning too faced the downed demons Astreaus watched as Mard Geer emerged. The demon flared his wings in anger. Astreaus watched as the demon carefully set down the tattered book in his arms before he flew up to hover in front of him.
"Mard Geer Tartaros, I am here to put and end to your rampage"
"If you think you can, I'd like to see you try" Mard Geer said seething with rage
"I am the underworld king, and I will show you hell"
"Like the stars themselves, I will illuminate the darkness, at the request of a dear old friend" Astreas said as he readied his sword.
The kings of heaven and hell stared one another down as the magics flared. Over the centuries this battle will be carved into legend, and once again in the far future a daughter of the Heartfilia clan will call upon the king, to save her family and save the world from the same demon he faces now. But that is a story for another time, for legends are only just beginning.