Reminder : This chapter has dark theme, I apologize in advance, if it offends some readers.
June 12th, X524 ( 6 PM)
Lucy's bedroom, Prince Laxus's manor, Magnolia
"No, I don't agree. You can't do this," Meredy shook her head vigorously, "Lucelia-sama, your plan is too risky." The unspoken uneasiness she felt the moment she saw Lucelia-sama's outfit came into reality. The blond-haired princess was wearing white body-fitting armor a pair of black pants and black boots. Which lady would dress like this when she was staying in her manor?
"I need your help, Meredy."
Meredy sighed helplessly. She and Juvia just arrived back from their mission. As soon as they heard what happened, they rushed to Prince Manor. One thing to be at relief was that the news about Princess Consort being grounded in her manor wasn't leaked outside. For the same reason, other nonsense rumors didn't reach to Lucelia-sama.
Nevertheless, a certain celestial spirit mage had her ways. Thanks to Gemini, she gained useful information. She didn't want to stay in the manor without doing anything. She had to capture the impostor.
"I know a way to lure her out," the blonde said, "I don't ask you to take me outside, Meredy. I'm asking you to support me, and follow me so that you can prove my innocence."
"Jellal-sama and Erza-san will definitely capture the impostor. Lucelia-sama, please stay here. If you're bored, I can accompany you," the pinkette looked at her blue-haired friend, "Juvia, please say something."
"Princess's decision is Juvia's decision. Juvia will follow Princess."
Juvia's answer made Meredy in a dull state, "I shouldn't ask you, Ju."
"I don't mean that I don't trust His Highnesses. I just want to solve my problem by myself. Please, Meredy.. Please."
The sensory mage sighed again before speaking, "Lucelia-sama, you said I don't need you to take you outside. Then how will you go outside?" She tilted her head in confusion.
Lucy grinned, "Easy. Let's go."
"Now?" Meredy's pink eyes widened, "No.. It's getting dark, Lucelia-sama. Besides, His Highness Laxus won't let us go easily. He is a dragon slayer," Of course, Meredy objected. She didn't want to be suffered by the hands of the angry blond prince if he found out that she was Lucelia-sama's partner-in-crime. Besides, Erza-sam and Jellal-sama weren't willing to let this matter go easily. They would punish her for disobeying their orders.
"He's not here now," Lucy answered simply. She stretched out her right hand to the front, concentrating her magic gathered. Yellow rays of light surrounded her, "My own gate... Connects to the earthland and the celestial spirit world. I open thee." A magic circle appeared on the floor, in the center of the room.
The celestial spirit mage gestured for her friends to step in. "Let's go."
A moment later, the magic circle disappeared, together with three girls.
• • • • •
Somewhere in Magnolia, another magic circle brightened the dark surrounding, as the girls came out of it. "We'll wait here til midnight."
"Where're we?" The pinkette asked, looking at the dark place. Even though it was still seven in the evening, it was dark inside, she could barely see the surroundings. Moreover, the place was silent and windy.
"Southern Clock Tower," a voice answered, as the area near them was again lightened by two small light spheres, "Yo," the familiar orange-haired guy greeted them, as he walked towards them. The zodiac leader was in his usual black suit. The only difference was his short orange hair, and the absence of his lion ears. As Lucy got stronger in the past week, he also became stronger, which allowed him to transform into a fully human form.
"Who're you?" Meredy asked him.
Lucy chuckled, "Leo the Lion," called her loyal spirit's name cheerfully.
"Call me Loke," the guy replied, as he touched his sunglasses and adjusted them, "We're in the human world, so address me 'Loke'."
"Your human form? Wow, you look like a real human... a really handsome guy," Meredy giggled.
"Don't fall for me," Leo winked at the pinkette. The latter rolled her eyes, "Sorry, I like someone else."
"Okay, let's get serious," Lucy said, "Here's my plan. Based on the information I got, the royal guards' building is in the east Magnolia, downtown area is in the central. The pub where the imposter met the drunkards is in the south. Rumors of me kissing a guy started spreading from the West, so we can assume the imposter did appear in the West. That means the only place that remains is."
"The South," Meredy answered quickly.
"Right," Lucy answered, "Royal guards locked the city down after you guys arrived in Magnolia this afternoon. It means the impersonator is still in Magnolia. The longer she takes, the more difficult for her to take action. Her target is me. There is no suitable time other than tonight."
"Are you planning to lure her out? It might be a trap, Lucelia-sama."
"To catch the tiger, I must enter the tiger den."
"I object," Meredy raised her voice, "Lucelia-sama, I can't let you face any danger."
"Listen, Meredy, the culprit left a flaw intentionally, of course, it's definitely a set-up. Why is she putting so much effort? Her intention isn't just to spread rumors. Her scheme, plus the citizen's objection is to force me to divorce Laxus-kun. Whoever the impostor is, and whoever controls her, they won't stop halfway. To make people believe that I'm not worthy to be a Princess consort, the easiest way is to defame me. To make it more realistic, they need me as a scapegoat."
The pinkette looked at the blond princess with admiration, 'She entered into the trap knowing that it is a trap set for her... To gain something, the risk she takes is too high.'
"Don't worry, Meredy. I've got a plan," Lucy smiled, assuring that her plan would be perfect.
"I'll protect you with all my life, Lucelia-sama," Meredy smiled back before the silence took over the atmosphere. All they could hear was the rhythmic sound of the moving hands of the big tower clock. Four mages stayed inside the dark tower silently, as they waited for the time.
• • • • •
11 PM
It was eleven at night. A blue-haired girl in a cerulean-blue furry dress and a golden-haired girl wearing a pink maxi dress separated their way at the corner of the main street which was located three blocks away from the Southern Tower.
The blond-haired girl passed the building... She was looking for someone to ask for the information. She stood in front of the 'White Hart' pub which was the most crowded pub in that area. Just before she could knock, she smelt something, 'Weakness potion,' she alarmed.
However, it was too late. She was caught by a thick rope. The blonde struggled to loosen the rope.
"Stop, wasting your energy, pretty lady," she heard a male voice. She saw two men who looked like in their early 30s approaching her, "Later, you can scream as you wish. Hahaha," he had short brown hair, and a large diagonal scar on his left cheek which would scare people away at one glance.
"Look at her," another man, who had long dark blue hair smirked, "We're luckky, haha," He looked at her with his desired eyes.
"Let's take her to Madam, first," the brown-haired man said, as he took another rope out, and tied her wrist, before grabbing her waist, and carring her over his shoulder despite the strong protest from the girl. They went into the small storage house beside 'White Hart.'
• • • • •
"Karen, we got her," the brown-haired man said, as he lay down the petite girl on the floor.
"HOW DARING," the blonde shouted, "DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM?" She tried to sit but felt being lack of energy.
"Haha, don't waste your energy, baby," the dark blue-haired man smirked.
"Such a pity, she inhaled the weakness fume. She can't even move now 'cause it is showing the effect."
"Haha, I can't wait."
The girl glared at the men who were lusting for her. Then she looked at the surroundings; it was a small dark room, and it was lightened by a lamp. Three men were sitting on the chairs, and a red curtain covered the right side of the room. She struggled again, still her effort was in vain.
"Lucelia Dreyar," a feminine voice sounded behind a curtain. Footsteps broke the silence, as the elegant figure pulled the curtain and walked in the direction of the captive blonde.
"YOU!" the latter murmured in shock.
Because... the one named Karen in front of her, who seemed to be their leader, was a carbon-copy of her. She was taller than her... wearing a red short tight dress.
Karen knelt and got closer to her, "Yes, I'm you... You're me... I'm also Lucelia Dreyar. HAHAHA" she laughed. Then she reached out to the latter's pocket and took it before she stood up. She took out of a dozen of golden and silver keys, and laughed uncontrollably, "All mine... Your zodiac keys are mine now. Nine Zodiac keys... Princess, you're so generous."
Karen's fingers caressed the helpless girl's face, "I don't want you to suffer but I can't help. This is the job I've accepted," she smirked, "Don't worry, I'll take good care of your spirits."
"Guys, how is the situation?"
"Everything is according to our plan. Noah is captured by the city guards," one of three men said, "He will reveal our location later."
"Now, Karen, can we do our jobs?" the dark blue-haired smirked, as he got closer to the girl.
"Go ahead," Karen smirked, as she retreated and stood at the corner of the room, "You still have time. Enjoy her, guys," she answered before her attention all focused on the celestial keys she just took.
The blue-haired man pinned the girl down, while the brown-haired man caught her legs to stop her struggle.
The former touched the girl's face, "Her skin is so smooth, she smells so nice."
She felt the rough caress on her leg, "Stop," she struggled again.
"Hey brothers, be quick," one of the men who was sitting commented. All of them looked at the play eagerly.
Before one of the men could undress her, a magic circle appeared in the center of the room, followed by a very bright light that lightened the room. The light was so bright that caused people inside the room to close their eyes. As the light went down, all of them were attacked at the same time. Within 30 seconds, the newcomers had already taken down five men.
• • • • •
"Why don't we follow them, break the door and barge in?" Leo frowned, "Why're we waiting for Gemini to summon us? How can she open the gate when she is kidnapped?"
Currently, Leo, Lucy, Juvia, and Meredy were in the celestial spirit world. Even though Leo the lion was strong and could pop up in the human world, his power had limitations. It was still hard for him to transport three girls with his magic power. That was why they were waiting for Gemini-Lucy to open the gate of Lion so that all of them could enter the human world.
"You know, they will change their plan if they spot us spying. Don't worry, opening a gate only needs magic, not strength," Lucy replied, "Gemini will summon us."
"This is a bad idea. Why do we trust them to transform into you? I mean, these twins are so mischievous," Leo sighed, "You know what I mean."
"That is the only way I can think of," Lucy retorted, "Ju and Meredy will definitely send me back if I volunteered to be a captive. Besides, this is Gemini's idea."
"That's their excuse," Leo snorted, "During these days, I've found out that Gemini always loves to transform into a beautiful girl and does a sexy pose. It's freaking gross."
"Haha," she could only laugh at the interactions of her spirits, 'They're cute.'
Learning more about the celestial spirit world and the gates was really interesting. 'A golden key holder can use her magic to transport from one place to another place through her own celestial gates. The stronger she is, the longer distance she can transport within a shorter time. Of course, there is a condition; a celestial spirit mage can't transport to an enclosed room.'
Soon, a gate appeared in front of them. "Ready?" Leo asked. "Yeah," Lucy replied, while Juvia and Meredy nodded before they stepped into the gate.
"Lion Brilliance!" Leo cast immediately. It was perfect timing... As soon as they stepped into the human world, the large amount of light covered a wide range and blinded the people inside for a certain amount of time. This short moment was enough for them for their counterattack. Thanks to Leo's light-repelling spells which were activated on them, the bright light didn't block their vision.
Meredy created two large swords and controlled them to strike two lustful men. The men screamed in agony.
Leo aimed at the nearest man who was sitting on the chair. He punched at the latter's jaw with a glancing blow empowered by his Regulus. Meanwhile, an enormous water sphere captured the remaining men as it was lift into the air. They were drowned mercilessly in the water inside the sphere which was controlled by Juvia til they passed out.
At the same time, Gemini-Lucy sat up and summoned a silver sword. She grabbed the handle vertically as the blade of the sword cut the rope. The moment she was freed, she rotated the sword to penetrate the dark blue-haired man's abdomen totally. Blood spurt out from the stab wound the moment the sword was withdrawn. The red blood stained her dress. Without blinking an eye, Gemini-Lucy swung her sword diagonally upward to cut the throat brown-haired man. It was only one strike, but the incised wound he received was severe enough to take his life slowly. They lay on the ground painfully.
Yeah, there are three Lucelia in this chapter. Don't be confused, hehe. New chapter will be updated on Sunday.