The battle in the Inner Domain of the Astral Spiritus continued as Natsu returned and faced Eclipsed Ophiuchus while everyone else tended to Lucy and the others.
"raaaah!" Natsu roared out as he flies down while running Chitetsu's blade across Eclipse Ophiuchus's body, causing the Eclipsed Snake Charmer Spirit to scream in pain as the cursed katana pierce through her scales.
Natsu soon uses a rock formation nearby as a jumping pad to launch him into the air while having Chitetsu in its scabbard. The Salmon haired Dragon Slayer soon draws the weapon out and unleashed multiple fast air slash strikes that barraged against Eclipse Ophiuchus' back.
"aaaghh!" Eclipse Ophiuchus screams in pain as blood started to come out from several large cut wounds around her snake like body. "y-you human!"
Eclipse Ophiuchus' snake head roars while charging up bolts of electricity in its large jaw.
Natsu saw her attempt as he performed several hand signs and took a deep breath before unleashing a cloud of black smoke out of his mouth that instantly clouded Eclipse Ophiuchus.
"Impudent actions!" Eclipse Ophiuchus exclaimed before her large snake head fires a stream of lightning that barrages against the black smoke that has sparks of flames, but it soon exploded. "w-what?!"
Natsu landed on a floating asteroid before squatted down while wielding Chitetsu with both hands as he jumped then went straight for Eclipse Ophiuchus who is regaining her bearings after her attack cause a direct explosion upon herself.
Meanwhile, Lucy and the others tended to themselves while Natsu fights against Eclipse Ophiuchus by himself.
"talk about a one man army." Said Bickslow as he, Erza, and Mira stood guard while Gray and the rest tended to injured group. "he's giving her hell."
"that's Natsu, after all" said Mira with a small smirk.
"he's going for another strong attack" Erza stated as she sees Natsu dashing around the floating asteroids before he sends a powerful slash strike on Eclipse Ophiuchus' large snake head.
"guh!" Mira grunted as she and the others shielded their eyes because Natsu's attack caused a powerful huge gust to blow out. "he's not holding back one bit!"
While the three mages stand guard, we turn our attention to Lucy and the others who are tending to their injured members.
"just how did you guys get here?" Cana asked Gray while the ice mage is cooling down the wounds on Bickslow's arms while Wendy is in the middle of healing Freed and Enra healing Yamika.
"The sky cracked and we saw you guys getting chased by that snake." Gray replied before pointing to a large tear in the sky that is just shattering. "we just went through it."
"so the Astral Spiritus realms are colliding with each other, is it?" said Hisui while in a thinking pose. "The magic that is stabilizing them are mixing together and therefore causing each and every one of the realms to fuse into one."
"does that mean you guys finished up on your ends?" Cana asked Gray who nodded.
"Aquarius, Seiocho, Houou, Aries, Gemini, and Libra, we beat them." Said Gray before he turns to look at Lucy who is beside Eclipse Virgo. "that would leave her to be the last Celestial spirit."
"We should close her Gate now." Juvia propose. "this would put an end to Liberum."
"yes" Hisui nodded as everyone agreed before turning to Lucy who holds the Virgo Force Gate Closure key which she regained back.
Lucy looks at the key before to Virgo, she nodded before she slowly reaches the key to the unconscious celestial spirit whose eyes suddenly snaps open then her hands reach out towards her.
"LUCY!" everyone exclaimed as Eclipse Virgo regained conscious and now has Lucy in a choke hold while the Force Gate Closure Key was dropped to the floor.
"I will not be sealed away!" Eclipse Virgo growled out with a pale face while choking Lucy as hard as she could. "I will gain it! I will gain my freedom!"
"V-Virgo!" Lucy grunted before she gasped in pain when the Celestial Spirit grips her neck even harder to the point that she was suffocating.
"Lucy!" Gray exclaimed as he readied his magic with the others doing the same.
"don't you humans dare to do anything!" Eclipse Virgo exclaimed before she huffs her breathing a few times then glare at them. "if you value her life! Back away!"
"d-damnit! You're playing dirty!" Mira growled out.
"you humans do this all the time, right?" Eclipse Virgo smirks before she looks at Lucy." Using those valuable to others in order to gain supremacy. It's equivalent that I do the same to gain my freedom."
"Virgo, please stop! Liberum will not give you the freedom that you wish!" Hisui exclaimed as Eclipse Virgo just tightens her choke hold on Lucy. "Virgo!"
"silence! You humans know nothing!" Eclipse Virgo shouted with a snarl. "we just wish for freedom! Yet you hinder us! What is wrong with wishing to be free!?"
"you will only be having a life that lasts for 12 hours! After that you'll die!" Gray exclaimed while holding a hand up in gesture. "why do you think we don't want to stop you?! You're going to die, you know!?"
"to live is freedom and to die is also freedom!" Eclipse Virgo retorted while having a smirk. "even if we only have a limited amount of time, the reward of freedom is something that is of a great pleasure to have!"
"are you insane?!" Bickslow shouted. "it's just 12 hours! That ain't something you want to give your life for!"
"you humans have tasted freedom before! Even for if the time given for our freedom is limited! It is still freedom!" Eclipse Virgo exclaimed as she pointed a finger at them. "you have no idea how long we have dream to be free! Free from this eternal accursed world! What you know of our desire to be free?! You humans are humans! We just wish to be free and just that! If we die for freedom! Then so be it! It is our dream!"
"no…" Lucy muttered out. "you don't wish that at all."
"what?" Eclipse Virgo looks at Lucy who is grasping her arm with both hands.
"you don't wish to die at all." The Blonde Celestial Spirit mage spoke out while slowly pulling away Eclipse Virgo's arm from around her neck.
'i-I can't fight back?!' Eclipse Virgo looks in shock as Lucy slowly but steadily pulls her arm away.
"I can hear it….your heart" Lucy spoke out as she turns to face Eclipse Virgo face to face. "you don't want to die, Virgo. You just want to live!"
"what are you blabbering about!?" Eclipse Virgo exclaimed before she sees Lucy radiating a yellowish golden aura around her body. "t-this is?!"
"everyone just wanted freedom, but you all just wanted to live!" Lucy exclaimed while her eyes shines a golden colour. "from your very heart! You just wish to live no matter what!"
'w-what is this!?' Eclipse Virgo looks at Lucy as she unconsciously pulls her arm away from her neck and took several steps back. 'just what is this golden light!?'
"Virgo, your heart and your very own self. Just what do you wish?" Lucy asked while turning to face Eclipse Virgo. "just what do you wish!?"
"i-i…" Eclipse Virgo stuttered out before she made a small gasp when Lucy started to approach her. "b-back away! Back away from me!"
"your very wish is to live…your very desire is to live….your very existence is to live!" Lucy spoke out as she takes slow steps towards Eclipse Virgo while everyone else watches her. "you don't want to die! None of you want to die! You all want to live!"
"w-what are you!?" Eclipse Virgo took a step back before Lucy suddenly grabs her into a hug. "l-let me go! Get away from me!"
"you don't want to die! Nor do you want to hurt anyone!" Lucy spoke out as the golden aura around her body got even brighter. "you just want to live, Virgo! So please! Don't die!"
't-this power….what is this power!?' Eclipse Virgo looks at Lucy with wide shocked eyes while the wounds around her stomach that was inflicted by Eclipse Byakko was suddenly healed. 'w-what is this warm light!?"
The light that is radiating from Lucy glows and shines so bright that Eclipse Ophiuchus saw it.
"d-don't tell me!" Eclipse Ophiuchus exclaimed while looking shocked and frustrated. "I won't allow it! I will purge it all to give power for the Celestial Spirit King!"
Eclipse Ophiuchus' large snake body started to move as it charges energy in its large jaws but Natsu came and sliced off several of its fangs in an instant with Chitetsu.
"aaggh!" Eclipse Ophiuchus screams in pain as she turns to see Natsu crouching on an asteroid before he jumps and then dashes in to deliver a long bloody strike against the Eclipsed Snake Charmer Spirits' eye. "y-you!"
"your opponent is me." Said Natsu as he soon spins around and started to give rapid slash strikes all around Eclipse Ophiuchus' large snake body.
"aaaaghh!" the large Snake spirit screams in pain as Natsu furiously strikes and slashes her.
The golden light coming from Lucy just radiates even brighter by the passing second as Eclipse Virgo's body started to glow into golden sparkles.
"n-no! i-I still haven't obtained freedom!" Eclipse Virgo shouted as she tried pushing Lucy away from her. "My dream! My goal! My wish! I! I haven't obtained freedom! I can't stop here! Get away! Get away!"
"I won't get away! I won't ever leave you!" Lucy exclaimed while holding Eclipse Virgo even closer. "I will save you! Loke, Aquarius, Taurus, Sagittarius, everyone! I'll save every single one of you!"
"get away from me!" Eclipse Virgo shouted as she tried to push Lucy away even harder, but her strength was weakening. "get away from me…please….g-get away from me!...Princess…"
The light started to shine brighter and brighter before it causes everyone nearby to shield their eyes.
"L-Lucy!" Cana called out as the light shines bright like a star before it dimmed away after a minute.
Everyone awaited for the light to disappear as they soon opened their eyes and sees Lucy standing before Eclipse Virgo or rather the real Virgo.
"V-Virgo…i-it's the real Virgo…" Yukino muttered out.
Lucy looks at Virgo with a happy tearful smile as Virgo returned it.
"Thank you, Princess." Virgo stated while shedding a few tears.
"Virgo…" Lucy muttered out with a relieved smile before she suddenly falls back with her eyes closing.
"L-Lu-chan!" Levy shouted as everyone immediately went to catch Lucy but thankfully Virgo caught her first and then slowly yet gently laid her down.
"please do not be alarmed, Princess merely exhausted her magic power." Virgo stated while kneeling beside Lucy.
"That light was from her magic?" Erza asked as Virgo nodded.
"the concept is unknown but Princess' magic and her feelings had synchronized in creating a new power that awakened within her." Virgo explained while providing a pillow that she pulled out of nowhere before placing it underneath Lucy's head. "it drained her magic to the point of exhaustion."
"to be able to reverse the effect of Eclipse with just her magic." Said Hisui while looking at Lucy with amazed wide eyes. "Lucy-san is amazing."
"yes." Virgo nodded with an agreeing smile. "Princess' love and feelings for us Celestial Spirits instantly awaken me from my deep sleep within my heart. Her power of love is truly amazing."
"with this, all 12 golden zodiacs and all 8 Celestial Guardian Spirits have been dealt with, right?" said Bickslow as the masked man brought back everyone's attention to the main goal. "Liberum should stop now, right?"
"no, it has not." Enra stated in reply as everyone look at the Monkey King Spirit. "Liberum is nearing completion."
"it is what?" Hisui spoke out with a surprised face. "Liberum is near completion?"
"yes. It is as Enra-sama has stated" said Virgo with a nod. "as of now, the Celestial Spirit King is accumulating power in the Celestial Spirit World. Draining the magic that sustains it."
"but we didn't close your Gate." Said Hisui. "the Liberum should have been disrupted and stopped."
"yes, that should be the case but as long as I do not return to the Celestial Spirit, the Liberum can be paused." Virgo replied after nodding as she placed a hand to her chest. "but I have a limited amount of time before I am forcibly sent back."
"This would mean that the only way to stop everything is to take down the Celestial Spirit King?" said Gray as Virgo nodded.
"defeating the Celestial Spirit King and restore him to his true form will reset the damage that have been done." Virgo stated as everyone looks at each other.
"then that sums things up really easy." A voice spoke out as everyone turns to see Gajeel along with Laxus, Raikou, and Daichi coming into the scene. The Iron Dragon Slayer is being helped stand up by the Earth General.
"Gajeel!? And the rest of you!?" Levy exclaimed in surprise.
"we got a bit late in taking down Genbu." Said Raikou as he carried Laxus by a shoulder before he placed the Lightning Dragon Slayer down. "but Daichi-san beat him for us."
"what is the situation?" Laxus asked before he caught sight of the big battle between Natsu and Eclipse Ophiuchus. "but seeing how Natsu is fighting a damn snake monster, I'd say that we are almost done our parts here."
"we got to head to the Celestial Spirit World and finish off the Celestial Spirit King." Erza stated to Laxus before turning to look at the others. "as much as we need all hands on the deck, I'd say that we only have a few choices of who can go to the Celestial Spirit World considering the numbers who are injured."
"this is nothing." Said Gajeel while waving his bruised hand. "I'll give it some spit and it heal itself."
"don't be so hardheaded." Levy told Gajeel
"Virgo, you got some of the Celestial Spirit Clothes we need?" Gray asked as Virgo shakes her head.
"I'm sorry, but if I return to the Celestial Spirit World to retrieve the Celestial Spirit Clothes needed. I fear that I might be captured." Virgo replied before bowing a bit. "I'm sorry."
"Enra-sama?" Ayame asked Enra on the matter of the clothing as the Monkey King spirit shakes his head in response.
"at the Southern Celestial Spirit World, we do not possess the attire you need." Enra replied before he grimaced a bit. "and I am sorry, but my time is reaching its limit."
"what?" Ayame looks at Enra who started to glow gold and his body started to become sparkles.
"this is the Astral Spiritus and it is devouring the amount of time I can be in this world." Enra replied as he looks to be in pain. "I am sorry, but I must return to the Celestial Spirit World and regain my strength."
"Enra-sama!" Ayame called out before Enra disappeared into sparkles.
"please do not be alarmed, he merely returned to the Celestial Spirit World." Said Virgo as Cana went to Ayame to calm her down a bit while everyone focus back on the task at hand.
"if Virgo or Enra can't give us the Celestial Spirit clothes." Gray spoke out before he looks at everyone. "then who can?"
"perhaps I can provide them." A voice suddenly spoke out as everyone turns to see Horologium appearing out of nowhere.
"Horologium-sama?!" Yukino exclaimed in surprise.
"I have heard of what had happened and I am grateful that Lucy-sama managed to free Virgo-san from Eclipsed." Horologium replied before handing a big stack of Celestial Spirit Clothing he brought with. "here everyone, I have brought enough clothes for everyone."
"very well. We can also rely on you to bring us to the Celestial Spirit World." Erza stated with a nod before turning back to look at everyone. "those who are injured stay behind with a few. While the rest prepare for the Celestial Spirit World."
"got it!" everyone replied in unison as the team that are heading for the Celestial Spirit World are Erza, Gray, Juvia, Mizuki, Kazane, Daichi, Elfman, Evergreen, Ayame, Yukino, Akari, Mira, Cana, Wendy, and Charla while those who are staying behind consists of Raikou, Laxus, Gajeel, Yamika, Gojin, Freed, Bickslow, Gojin, Lucy, Levy, and Lily.
"please take me with you." Hisui stated while going near Gray and Juvia.
"you sure?" Gray asked. "it'd be better if you stay back. This is about to get real."
"I have to come." Said Hisui while shaking her head. "no, I must come. This is my atonement for creating Eclipse Gate and for causing this whole scenario in the first place."
"but this is something we can't let the Princess of our kingdom to do." Juvia explained as she is with Gray on denying Hisui from following them. "also, the Celestial Spirit World has a different time flow. I'm sure you have already experienced it first hand back at the Grand Magic Games."
"let her come." A voice spoke out as everyone soon hears a loud crash nearby from which they see Natsu landing by while Eclipse Ophiuchus screams in pain as she slowly disintegrates into golden sparkles. "it is her duty that she has to atone."
"you can't be serious, Natsu." Gray told Natsu who looks at him and then to Hisui.
"I can understand her feelings." Natsu stated. "I would've done the same if I were in her position. It won't settle well for her if this goes on."
"Daimou-sama." Hisui muttered out before bowing. "thank you very much!"
Natsu nodded before he turns towards the other.
"give me a pair." Natsu stated as he threw a spit away while sheathing Chitetsu to its scabbard. "I am coming with."
"here" Wendy provided the salmon haired mage his clothes as Natsu nodded in return.
"Virgo, can you take us back to Fairy Tail?" Levy asked the maid spirit. "we need to get Lu-chan and the others some medical attention."
"yes, I can do that, Levy-sama." Virgo replied with a nod before she turns to the other group who are preparing for the Celestial Spirit World. "I wish you all luck."
"yeah" Gray nodded while smiling. "get everyone to safety, you hear that?"
"yes" Virgo replied with a head bow before Natsu and the others started to get enveloped in a golden light by Horologium.
"we are departing!" the clock spirit stated out loud before everyone quickly disappeared in an instant.
"you guys better win." Said Gajeel while Levy and Lily helps him up.
"let us depart as well." Virgo stated before she claps her hands once and everyone disappears just like the first group.
In the Celestial Spirit World that is now in ruins, the galaxy like realm is just in wreak and with no life.
In a flash, Natsu and the others appeared on a ruined planet as they soon see the damage that has been done.
"what destruction.." Wendy muttered out in seeing the ruins of the Celestial Spirit World.
"The Celestial Spirit King did this all?" Gray asked while looking around.
"how awful." Juvia muttered.
"everyone, please be careful." Horologium told the group. "the Celestial Spirit King will soon notice our presence and when he does, everything will be destroyed!"
"not if we don't have anything to say about it!" Elfman exclaimed. "this is a calling for a man to put a stop to this all!"
"you're just saying it without even thinking it." Evergreen told Elfman with a deadpanned face.
Before everyone knew it, a powerful gust of wind suddenly blew out.
"w-what a fierce wind!" Yukino shielded her eyes as everyone could feel themselves nearly getting blown away from the powerful gust of wind.
"e-everyone! T-there!" Wendy exclaimed as she pointed a finger to the sky and towards a large planet floating nearby.
Everyone looks up and their eyes soon widen to see a large humanoid anthropomorphic blob that seems to be having a swirling mouth that is sucking in air.
"w-what is that thing!?" Charla exclaimed in shock.
"c-could that be…" Yukino muttered out. "t-the Celestial Spirit King!?"
"rather than the Celestial Spirit King…it's more like…." Erza spoke while looking bewildered. "a Celestial Spirit….Beast?"
"g-guys! Look up at its head!" Cana exclaimed as everyone soon sees 12 small planets floating around the Celestial Spirit Beast's head.
"stars? No, Planets?" Hisui muttered out before her eyes widen to see the Eclipsed 12 zodiacs in the small planets. "t-the Celestial Spirits!?"
"is this what Virgo-dono meant that she should not let herself be captured?" Daichi asked while slowly wielding his Funsai with both hands. "for fear of that large monstrous creature?"
"just what is it going to do with them?" Yukino asked with a worried look.
Before anyone could speak another word, the Celestial Spirit Beast sucks in more air before all the Eclipsed 12 zodiacs get sucked into its swirling mouth and down its body.
"i-it ate them!" Elfman shouted. "all of them!"
"talk about an appetite…." Mira muttered out.
"w-what should we do?" Cana asked with a nervous face while looking at the group. "as much as we're strong in numbers…that thing…"
"don't start to cower in fear." Natsu spoke out as everyone turns to see him drawing out Chitetsu from its scabbard. "This battle is not over yet. Right now, we can save everyone from that thing if we defeat it. Don't start to lose hope because of fear."
Everyone looks at Natsu for a moment before they nodded with firmed faces.
"Natsu is right, this battle is not over yet." Said Erza as she took a step forward while wielding two swords into her grasps. "we can still win this!"
"Yukino, Cana, Akari, stay with the princess while providing us with supporting fire." Natsu stated while going into a stance with the rest. "everyone else, give that thing hell!"
"right!" everyone replied in unison before going on the attack.
The Celestial Spirit Beast wobbles its body around before it turns to see Natsu and the others coming.
"Ice Make: Lance!" "Water Slicer!" Gray and Juvia went on the first attack as they unleashed rains of ice spears and water blades that barrages the Celestial Spirit King's astral body, but it did not damage.
"not even a scratch!?" Gray exclaimed.
"it must have a high level of defense." Said Juvia.
"Everyone! We cannot use individual attacks!" Erza shouted out. "combine attacks on a single area!"
"let's go!" Mira exclaimed while in her Satan Soul as she is charging a sphere of black energy in between her claws.
"Man!" Elfman shouted while transforming into his Beast Soul and carrying up a large piece of rubble above his head.
Gray, Juvia, Evergreen, Mizuki, Kazane, Daichi, Ayame, Akari, Wendy, and Charla did the same as they charged up their attacks and readied.
"Ice Cannon!" "Water Nebula!" "Demonic Blast!" "Yosei Kiju! Reburahon!" "Suiton! Suiryu!" "Bofuu Haa!" "Gan Zan Geki!" "Tenryu no Hoko!" the group unleashed their long-range attacks that flew and cause a direct explosion upon the Celestial Spirit Beast's body as Ayame, Natsu, and Erza went for the close range attack.
"haaa!" the three roared out as they strike their weapon down on the Celestial Spirit Beast's body and caused a small crack.
"it's working!" said Ayame with a small smile.
"its hand is coming!" Erza shouted as the three soon jumps away before the Celestial Spirit Beast could swat them. "seems that it didn't like our combined attack."
"let's do it again!" Gray shouted as everyone else agreed but not Natsu.
"wait" Natsu stated as he, Ayame, and Erza landed on a planet floating nearby. The salmon haired man looks at the Celestial Spirit Beast that frozes in its place before it hunkers down. "something is not right."
The Celestial Spirit Beast slowly rises before it suddenly let out an echoing growl of a roar that just vibrates the air.
"the heck is it doing!?" Gray exclaimed while holding on to his ground with Juvia.
The roar continued echoing before a crack appeared in the sky.
"h-hey! There's a c-crack in the sky!" Charla shouted as the crack started to spread before it shatters and revealed the image of Magnolia.
"that's…Magnolia!" Cana shouted as to see the home of Fairy Tail. "what does it plan to do!?"
"could it be…" Hisui muttered out before she gasps with her eyes widening in shock. "stop it! Everyone! Please stop it from leaving the Celestial Spirit World!"
"what?" everyone turns to Hisui who looks panicked and worried.
"Liberum needs all 12 zodiacs to be completed, but the Celestial Spirit Beast had devoured all 11 out of the 12 members!" Hisui exclaimed out as the Celestial Spirit Beast turns its head to look at Magnolia then slowly reaches a hand towards it. "right now, it's seeking the last spirit! It's seeking Virgo!"
"you mean that thing wants to eat her next!?" Elfman exclaimed.
"or rather, it wants the complete set" said Mira with a growl. "I don't like how it ate Loke and the others, but I sure as hell won't like if it eats Virgo! Something bad is bound to happen!"
"please! Obstruct it from leaving the Celestial Spirit World!" Hisui shouted as everyone went back on the attack. "if Virgo is devoured by the Celestial Spirit Beast and Liberum is completed! This world, our world, and our very known existence will be in unspeakable danger!"
"you don't have to say it twice!" Gray exclaimed as he started to fire ice lances at the Celestial Spirit Beast's back shoulder with the others doing the same at several areas with a unison attack.
"hit it with everything you got!" Mira shouted while repeatedly blasting black energy spheres at their foe.
The Celestial Spirit Beast stops its advance towards the crack of a portal before it pointed a finger at Juvia who was firing streams of water at it and before long a bright red light shines from the tip of its finger.
"eh? What?" Juvia looks in surprise before the red light flashes bright and hits her.
"Juvia! Look out!" Gray shouted but he was too late as Juvia was sent into the sky and before long a constellation of her appeared. "J-Juvia!"
"w-what happened to her!?" Wendy exclaimed.
"she b-became a constellation!?" Charla stated in shock. "but how?!"
The Celestial Spirit Beast started to fire red beams everywhere as everyone who gets hit by it turns into a constellation.
"take cover!" Erza shouted as she and Ayame hides behind some rubble while the Celestial Spirit Beast continues to fire its red beams.
"aagghhh!" Mira and Elfman were hit by the red beam as they were soon changed into Constellations.
"Mira! Elfman!" Cana shouted out before she saw the Celestial Spirit Beast firing a red beam at her way.
"Akari-dono! Everyone! Look out" Daichi shouted as the red beam flew before it exploded and the constellation of Yukino, and Cana appeared on the sky. "oh no.."
"hey! You two okay!?" Gray shouted as Akari and Hisui are somehow safe from being turned into constellations.
"seems that we are." Akari replied while slowly getting up with Hisui who she managed to save but failed to do the same for Cana and Yukino. The Light General turns and glares at the Celestial Spirit Beast that keeps on firing red beams everywhere. "that beast….it is just blindly firing at us!?"
Before long; Mizuki, Kazane, Wendy, Charla, and Evergreen were hit by the red beams before they were turned into constellations as well.
Now, only Natsu, Erza, Gray, Daichi, Ayame, Akari, and Hisui are the only one who remained in the battle.
"we can't last long like this!" Erza exclaimed as the Celestial Spirit Beast keeps on firing its red beams everywhere.
"move!" Ayame stated as Erza looks at her then turns to see a red beam coming their way.
The two quickly jumped away as the red beam hits the ground and exploded, but just as they were about to regain their bearings, another red beam was fired and heading straight for them.
"c-crap!" Erza exclaimed before shielding her eyes but before she knew it, the red beam was clashed with the tip blade of Chitetsu who Natsu pushes against the attack.
"D-Daimou-sama!" Ayame stated in surprise as Natsu growls while pushing Chitetsu forward as the cursed Katana's blade split the red beam in half before it was swung upwards by its wielder and eradicated.
Natsu huffs his breathing a bit while he glares at the Celestial Spirit Beast.
"h-he stopped it it…" Akari muttered out.
"amazing.." Hisui whispered with a surprised look.
Natsu got down into a stance before he jumps and zooms straight for the Celestial Spirit Beast that swung an arm at him but the salmon haired mage spins and dodged the attack before countering by striking Chitetsu's blade down on its body.
The Celestial Spirit Beast let out a screeching roar as it tried to swat Natsu off its body but the salmon haired mage keeps on dodging while attacking the large foe.
"everyone! Follow up with some support attacks for Natsu!" Erza shouted out while summoning the spear from her Lightning Empress Dress' set.
"right!" Gray and the others replied before they started to go on the attack.
Meanwhile at Fairy Tail, Virgo and the others appeared within the guild as everyone is now treating Lucy and the others.
"in all matters, this all happened because the Celestial Spirit King was Eclipsed?" said Makarov as he received the whole explanation by Levy.
"yeah." Levy nodded in reply. "right now, Natsu and the others are at the Celestial Spirit World and stopping the Celestial Spirit King as we speak."
"Seems that we can only pray for their success." Said Makaria while crossing his arms.
"e-everyone!" Jet and Droy came running in while looking frantic and panicked. "bad news!"
"what's wrong!?" Makarov exclaimed to the two.
"the weather outside just went haywire!" Jet exclaimed while pointing outside. "a-and there's a big crack in the sky!"
"a crack in the sky? What do you mean?" said Makarov in confusion.
"look outside and you'll see it!" Droy replied.
Soon enough, a number of people went outside of Fairy Tail and soon witnessed a powerful storm hitting Magnolia.
"w-what is this…" Makarov muttered out with wide eyes as he witnessed a large crack in the sky that revealed the Celestial Spirit World. "it is as if…..something is trying to reach our world from that world."
"Master! Look!" Levy exclaimed while pointing a finger at the crack in the sky that soon revealed the image of Natsu and the others fighting against the Celestial Spirit Beast. "it's Natsu and the others!"
"they're fighting that beast…" said Makarov in seeing Natsu sending a large flaming sphere that exploded on the Celestial Spirit Beast's head.
"we cannot afford to be standing while they are fighting." Ikaruga suddenly came into the scene as she with Haruka and Haruo and Ikki in her arms watch the battle that Natsu and the others are fighting in. "we must halt that creature from its goal."
"what?" Makarov and the others turned towards the pink haired mother who is watching the battle in the sky.
"they cannot win without our help." Said Ikaruga before looking to the side as a magical transport vehicle came running in, the vehicle having Macao and Wakaba driving at front. "good, they have brought her."
"who?" Levy asked while Ikaruga smiles.
back in the Celestial Spirit World, the battle went up into an intense fight as both sides fought with everything they had.
"Doton Gan Ryu!" Daichi exclaimed as rain of rock spears came falling upon the Celestial Spirit Beast's upper half and cause a dirt explosion.
"Ice Make: Lance!" "Kiriha Shuriken!" Gray and Ayame fired a combination of ice lances and wooden shuriken that bombarded against the back of the Celestial Spirit Beast that exploded before Natsu and Erza came in for another strike.
"haaa!" the two swung their weapons down as it made a crack appear on the Celestial Spirit Beast's back.
"keep it up!" Natsu shouted as everyone keeps on attacking the Celestial Spirit Beast that suddenly let out a loud roar and swung down a fist on the planet where Gray and Ayame were standing on.
"look out!" Gray shouted as he and Ayame jumped away, but the Celestial Spirit Beast swung another fist and hits the two in an instant. "aaghh!"
The Celestial Spirit Beast swings its fist and sends the two crashing to another planet that gets destroyed.
"Gray-dono! Ayame-dono!" Daichi shouted before he quickly raises his Tetsubo and blocks and incoming fist from the Celestial Spirit Beast that clashes against his weapon. "ooghhh!"
The Earth General stood with his might, but the Celestial Spirit Beast overpowered him then sends the monk falling upon where he stands.
"Daichi-san!" Hisui called out before Akari suddenly grabbed her and jumps. "kyaah!"
Akaria gritted her teeth as the planet on where they were standing was destroyed by the Celestial Spirit Beast in an instant.
"everyone!" Erza shouted as she soon saw the Celestial Spirit Beast grabs a planet with one of its hands before throwing it towards her. "what?!"
SLASH!
Natsu came flying in as he cut the planet into two before it shatters into rubbles.
"don't let your guard down!" Natsu shouted as he jumped and went for the attack against the Celestial Spirit Beast that was trying to swat Akari and Hisui.
Natsu jumps in as he soon strikes Chitetsu down on the Celestial Spirit Beast's right leg and left a cut mark on it.
"don't give it time to counter-attack!" Natsu exclaimed but before he could go for another attack, the Celestial Spirit Beast swung a fist straight towards him. "damnit!"
Natsu didn't have time to dodge as the large fist made contact with his left side and soon sends him flying straight through several planets where he crashed upon a large one.
"Natsu!" Erza shouted out as Natsu grunted in pain while his artificial left arm was destroyed in result of receiving the attack.
The Celestial Spirit Beast turns at Natsu before it turns around and looks to the cracked portal of Magnolia.
"We have to stop it from leaving!" Hisui shouted as the Celestial Spirit Beast reaches its hand for the town. "We cannot allow it to complete Liberum!"
"damnit!" Gray growled while preparing another magic attack, but he failed because he was running out of magic after all the fighting. "damnit! My magic!"
The Celestial Spirit Beasts reaches its hand towards the cracked portal, but it was soon stopped by a golden barrier that shielded and obstruct it.
"a barrier?" Daichi muttered out as the Celestial Spirit Beast tried to break the barrier open but the force field holds itself against it. "Is someone protecting Magnolia?"
"Juryoku Henka! 1000X!" a voice shouted out before the Celestial Spirit Beast was forced down to its knees and face slammed against the planet its stands upon while pushing itself even more by a powerful gravity force.
"Gravity Magic?" Erza spoke out. "that type of magic is.."
"shield yourselves" a voice echoed out before everyone quickly saw 8 colored energy streams flying from the south and instantly bombarded against the Celestial Spirit Beast that was engulfed in a huge explosion.
"w-what was that!?" Gray exclaimed while shielding his eyes.
"that!" Akari called out as she saw 8 shining stars appearing from the south.
"took them long enough." Natsu grunted while getting up from his crash.
In spite of the situation, help arrived for the group as Lingyue's 8 Celestial Guardian Spirits arrived at the scene in their original forms.
"Genbu-dono and the rest have finally returned!" Daichi exclaimed as Draco and the others flew into the battlefield before they unleashed a combined energy attack that blasted the Celestial Spirit Beast yet again.
Erza shielded her eyes from the powerful explosion before she sensed someone appearing behind her, she turns and sees Kagura who is wearing a Celestial Spirit Clothes while wielding her Fugutaiten in her right hand's grasp.
"Kagura!?" Erza exclaimed in surprise.
"been a while, Erza." Said Kagura with a nod.
"why are you here?" Erza asked the swordswoman while Draco and the others went on the attack against the Celestial Spirit Beast.
"Ikaruga-san called for me, she said that my power is needed for a battle that must be won at all cost." Kagura replied before looking at the battle between the 8 Celestial Guardian Spirits and the Celestial Spirit Beast. "Although I had a different view of the battle that she had described."
"so the barrier is your doing too?" Erza asked as Kagura shakes her head in response.
"it is Ikaruga-san's doing." Kagura replied with a small smile as Ikaruga is currently sitting in a mediation pose while glowing a golden aura. "She is using all her chi and her willpower in sealing away that creature's attempt to reach to our world."
"I see." Said Erza with an understanding nod.
Before long, Natsu came jumping in as the two turns to see him.
"Natsu/ Teacher.." the two spoke out while flames rages around Natsu's left side and a flaming arm is formed.
"I heard your explanation and everything." Said Natsu while going near and looks at the battle between the spirits. "for now, we have to focus on defeating that thing."
"yes/ right" Kagura and Erza nodded before the two wielded their weapons in unison.
"let's go!" Natsu shouted as he soon jumps high into the air with Erza and Kagura following behind.
That's a wrap!
Bye bye