The mountains erupted with the wake of dust and debris scattering everywhere. The shockwaves were so strong they gave Jellal no choice but to use his Heavenly Body Magic to create a shield in front of his comrades. When the dust cleared, the shield lifted.

They saw the golem's free hand ball into a fist, aiming for them directly.

"Poison Dragon's Scales!"

Erik unleashed a constant barrage or scale-like projectiles made entirely of poison. The attack was closing in, but when it came to be so close, the vague shield on the golem shined bright red in the eye. Suddenly a hexagonal barrier enveloped the fist, causing it to overpower Erik's attack. His eye widened as the fist closed in quick.

"Meteor!"

Jellal moved in a golden blur to get Erik and his Arbok out of the giant fist's path. He made it just before impact. As he skid along the ground, Erik and Arbok rebounded.

"Thanks for that." Erik bluntly said, with Jellal and Bellona reconvening near them. He looked at the golem as he lifted his fist off the ground. He couldn't hear the golem's voice; it was like he was drowned in silence. Instead, his ears filled with pain, and demands. 'I can hear it's pain alright. But it's not taking any.'

"Let me try something." Bellona created swirling nebulas of darkness around her arms. "Nebula Hold!" She threw the disks at the golem, but the core of the shield on the golem shined brightly. The radiant energy shield appeared in front, dispelling the attack.

"What is that barrier…?" the sky blue-haired woman wondered anxiously.

Not willing to waste ganders, Jellal raised his arm up as he took a stance. In the air, several golden twinkles could be seen over his head.

"Pleiades!"

Six rays of golden light shined brightly over the golem as its third atop its head saw the many beams coming straight down for it. The beast looked distracted as Erik smirked. "Arbok, Crunch!" With an opening, his Arbok slithered after the golem with glowing fangs.

With the several lights coming down and Arbok closing in, the golem seemed certain to either pick one or the other. However, when the shield on its forearm glowing, that wasn't the case when the golden forcefield appeared, blocking the light rays that radiated above. The top of the shield was engulfed in golden explosions that fizzled out, and Arbok's fangs were repelled by the shield as well. As the dust was clearing, three red eyes flashed inside the smoke cloud as it dissipated, revealing the golem as it let out a loud roar.

"It's no good. That shield he has is taking all the magic we throw at it." Jellal examined.

"I'm afraid that isn't the biggest issue on our part." Bellona countered. "It appears Erik's Arbok's Glare hasn't slowed it down upon its regeneration."

"So it can heal almost immediately, with an impermeable defense." Jellal's observation delved into his internal thoughts. 'This magic presence given off, does it mean that it's a Celestial Spirit as well?'

Erik darkly smirked. "Well if the shield's the problem, I say we rot it." He held up a hand of poison.

Bellona nodded. "Then we better move fast. At this rate, our magic as well as our chances will be gone before we know it."

As the golem glared down at its opponent, there was a golden twinkle in Astral far away. The light shined onto the golem and the shield, causing their eyes to brighten into hot red. "GROOOAAAH!" The monster released a battle cry as its entire body and the shield were swelling in a golden magical aura. The ground around it shook haphazardly as the magic of the Celestial King was reaching far and wide.

"What's the meaning of this?" Bellona questioned, feeling a sudden surge of pressure from the hulking foe. "Was he just amplified?"

His hearing picking up, Erik got on his guard. "It's coming! Get back!"

The golem roared out as the fist with the shield on it smashed into the ground, breaking apart the earth and sending shockwaves that Crime Sorciere was repelled against. They covered up as ground sundered, as well as their chances as the monster let out a fading shout.


Not much higher up, the quakes echoed into the peaks of the mountains. Sophie and Duncan, as well as the former's Pokémon and Spiritomb, were glaring at Tophet as he hovered over their heads. After a long period of silence, the first to break stance was Duncan.

"You…"

Tophet looked at Duncan, his aged glare as gloomy as can get. "Thou meet again, young one."

Duncan subconsciously gripped his metal pole tighter, his anticipation arising. He remembered what happened inside the mist that Tophet created. He was getting flashes of that same voice that made his feel stiff.

"Duncan…find your strength. Find it…for me…"

His grip on his staff tightened so much that it looked as though it was about to break. Before it could snap, he reminded himself of his control and calmed a little. But this didn't escape Sophie's suspicions before.

Tophet turned towards the blonde. "Thy young maiden…and friends…thou are greeted humbly by you again."

Dewpider crouched as he stood in front of his Trainer. "Hey pal, back off! Or you're gonna have to learn a thing or two about territory!" Beside him, Kadabra and Finneon were ready.

"Do show patience. Thou can see your plight."

"I believe that is an understatement." Sophie rebuffed, unwilling to drop her guard. "You're a member of King Seraph's advisors, aren't you?"

"Thou was inducted by his majesty's insistence." He answered. "His celestial figment has been under my watching eye, as was all of Astral. There is no star that thou cannot see."

Sophie furrowed her brow. Something about what he said didn't sound right. Was he intending to fight them? She looked into his eyes, but they were filled with ambiguity that even her Memory-Make was drawing a blank.

Breaking the silence, Duncan stepped forward. "Your magic rom before." He started. "Tell me. I've been thinking about that for a while, exactly what was that? Was that a psychic trick to make our memories come to life?"

Sophie looked at Duncan, her green eyes widening some. 'Wait a minute…was that the reason he was so spaced out from before?'

"Memories, you say." Tophet repeated, lowering towards the ground. "Thou understand thy skepticism. But alas, that is partially so. You see, my powers are to hear the hearts of man that seek the light of the stars that shine over us."

"What?"

Sophie had to ponder over his sentence for a minute before she started interpreting it. "Hold on…light of the stars…? Do you mean Celestial Magic?" She was met with silence, seemingly getting her answer.

Tophet looked up towards the red stars still somehow visible in the morning sky. "Tetrabiblos…he is disappointed…very much so…"

His glare sharpening, Duncan found his chance to attack. "Shadow Sneak, let's go!"

His Spiritomb grunted before her shadow extended towards Tophet. In a flash, the attacks shot up, but Tophet vanished, much to their shock. "Where did he go?" Duncan looked around quizzically to find his adversary.

"Thou haste is a sign of temperance." They all felt a chill behind and turned towards the hill's trail. Tophet was floating like nothing happened, his body materialized from thin air. He looked entirely unfazed at Duncan and Sophie as their guards got up.

'His body, it moves and acts like a ghost.' Sophie sensed his magic, but something about felt twisted. 'What is he?'

"If thou insist on violence, do so if you feel pleased." Tophet paused. "But, I believe that your wish is to seek the path of Wyscan Hill, do you not?"

Sophie narrowed her eyes at the accurate assumption. "How did you know…?"

"It's as thou proclaimed, thou sees the hearts of man. You wish to save your 'friends', as you say." He turned around, floating up the hill. "If the answer you seek is beyond this point, then I shall show you the way."

"What was that?" Duncan asked stunned. "You mean you're just gonna show us willingly?"

"Yes. That is thy idea."

"Not that we aren't grateful, but why should we trust you?" Sophie interrogated harshly. "Aren't you apart of Melchior's ambitions?"

Tophet could see their denial, their trusts less than reasonable. But he persisted. "Thou sees your plight. Choose to do so, but remember…the matter of time is ever-flowing, and lives are not." He floated away. "Thou seeks answers to thy solutions. Press forward, and there lies clues to your quest."

They didn't trust this guy for second, it was clear something was wrong here. Why would the enemy be guiding them to the place they seek otherwise? They looked at each other, the inquiry in their eyes shared in balanced harmony. But he also brought up a point. Time wasn't on their side. If they didn't act, their friends would pay the price.

They heard loud explosions from afar. They looked back, seeing Crime Sorciere in trouble. There was no turning back at this point. They had to hurry.

Duncan nudged forward. "Ladies first."

Grunting, Sophie proceeded up the path with Kadabra, Dewpider, and Finneon watching all the angles. Duncan followed with Spiritomb.


The sun was at eye-level across the red, starry sea. The Celestial World's illuminating essence could be seen clearly now to all. Along those shores, along the top of the hill, Nic and Greninja south, while Melchior was northward. A wind blazed across the ground as around them, an immense magical pressure surfaced.

"Your majesty." Nic calmly glared. By his tone he almost meant it in sarcasm.

Melchior politely grinned towards his foe. "Nic Pularis, and friend." He started, "A pleasure to meet you again. I trust that you're feeling well."

Just one look from Nic and anyone could tell he wasn't here to play around. He looked towards Oberon to see him crippling beneath Libra's gravitational force. His mouth was gaping in agony and pressure turned on him.

"What happened to your advisor?"

Melchior looked back at Oberon, seeing him gasping like a Magikarp out of water. "Oberon? Yes, I'm afraid he's being educated as of now. His wish was to feel no oppression, but…he didn't count his blessings." He saw Oberon trying to move, but it wasn't going to well for him. "I suppose that I have helped my enemy in one instance. Isn't that right, Sir Pularis?"

"You've got a funny way of treating your allies as you do your guests." Nic retorted. "You've tormented with Lucy and Yukino's hearts like music strings until they played a tune you liked."

Melchior sighed. "It's as I have said before, this is all for the sake of the world's strongest magic to be realized. The path to the future is by means of war and violence. It always has…and you're no different."

A long silence paused between them. Nic could feel the tension around them stirring haphazardly. In truth he was thinking back to what the king said the last time they were face to face. He's been pondering about that for a short while now, and until now he never got to voice that opinion.

He sighed out deeply, relaxing his muscles. "Yeah, I know that. To be completely honest…I wouldn't think true peace ever exist. Some people probably think it's best the way to understand someone is through their actions, not just their words."

Melchior raised a brow. "How sagacious of you."

"But…what gives you the right to prosecute all of Earthland as uneducated that you'd go so far as to shed blood? If this is what you're really after, then maybe you need to be educated on what we Pokémon Trainers know."

"And that would be…?"

Greninja stood beside Nic, arms folded with a glare. "To see others in a synergistic manner; to connect with each other as equals and work alongside one another as partners. Those spirits you're controlling, they're only puppets that you don't respect. You say they're getting their freedom, but really they're shackled by a tyrant dragging along others by chains."

Melchior calmly scoffed. "There you go, thou speaking of equality." He frowned. "There you go, speaking on behalf of the inferiors. You propose they learn to work together on their own terms, but if that's so, then why did the Celestial King decline when he understands my intentions? Do you truly think creatures you know deserve freedom that don't act on it, that they know what's best? They need a leadership figure, someone who can bring them to their golden times!" He pointed accusingly at Nic. "And as such, Pokémon now infest this world and you don't rise up…because you wish to be amongst your inferiors. Soon you will have to learn that you must in order to move forward."

Nic could see it in his eyes. He wasn't going to budge from his position. There was no sense in telling him his faults if he refused to acknowledge them. They were all the same. Maybe Nic shouldn't run his mouth too long telling them his ideals…but, at that instant, he recalled the handshake he and Ajeel had, the person he changed in Alvarez through his words in battle.

Perhaps there is a silver lining somewhere…but he'll need to get there the long road first.

"You ready, Greninja?"

The ninja frog stood besides Nic, adjusting his scarf. "More than ever."

"Gemini." The king's crown shined once, making the Gemini twins appear out of the blue.

"Piri-Piri…" the twins hummed hypnotically.

Nic's eyes narrowed at Gemini. He had a bad feeling of what's coming next.

"I'm sure that you're aware of the Gemini twins' ability to copy a person that is close, do you not?" At the king's snap of finger, Gemini turned into a puff of smoke, turning into an exact copy of Nic himself. His eyes were closed shut, held in suspense.

Nic gazed into his faker, somehow getting a very disturbing case of déjà vu. As unbelievable as it was, this wasn't going to be the first time he had to beat himself up.

Greninja looked up at the sky. Standing above him, the Celestial King's glare was fixated heavily on him, sword already unsheathed.

"Man and Spirit. Spirit and Pokémon. I wonder…just whom holds the better judgment. Go!"

Nic-Gemini opened his eyes, his eyes completely red. "Piri…"


"Staryu, use Minimize!" Lucy called out, trying to fight the urge to yawn. Staryu beeped before its body shrunk down, the cells shrinking to make a red aura, indicating a sharp evasion increase.

Vita yawned loudly again, bags under her eyes blossoming. "Pikachu, use…Nuzzle…" she drowsed. Pikachu got on all fours as her cheeks crackled . She zipped in zigzags and raced for Staryu, but ended up passing it since the shrunken star glided around the electric mouse.

"Now, Psywave!"

BEEP! Staryu returned to normal size, charging up its core and fired a multicolored beam at Pikachu.

"Electro Ball!"

Pikachu raised her tail and spun around. The tail batted the sphere of electricity into the Psychic-type attack, creating an intense burst of smoke between. Staryu beeped again, while Pikachu had cheeks sparking. Unbeknownst to them, Klefki was still crackling with paralysis by Lucy, making herself unable to react.

"C'mon, Klefki, snap out of it." Lucy pleaded tiredly. "Staryu is…*yawn*…weak to Electric attacks."

"Puuun." Plue agreed, holding up a paw.

Klefki grunted as her guard was dropped from that last blow. She still held onto Lucy's Celestial Keys, and those were heavy enough. But she wasn't gonna lose them to the likes of some pipsqueak and some bastard king, that's for sure. "Must…protect…keys." She insisted, composing herself.

"C'mon, why do you *yawn* have to make this so difficult…" Vita tiredly grumbled. "All I want is a Celestial Spirit to play with, is that too much to ask?"

"It is when you're stealing from someone else." Lucy barked, standing in front of Plue. "Besides, Plue is my Spirit. He doesn't belong to you anyway."

"Aw, but he's just the cutest thing~." Vita swooned over cheekily. "Besides, I don't see your name on him."

"Don't even think about it!" Lucy pointed forward. "Staryu, Swift!" Her Staryu beeped again as its body spun in place. Many golden stars shot across the battlefield towards Pikachu. This time, the mouse wasn't able to dodge or miss when the attack struck her, sending her tumbling.

"Oh no…Pikachu…" Vita almost fell over groggily.

"Yeah Staryu, wait a…go…" Her praise for the starfish was shortened when her senses were getting hazy. She was so tired, and not just from the fact she had to stay up all night. Staryu also felt tired, Vita's magic getting to it as well.

"Guys…?" Klefki asked. She saw Pikachu get back up, her cheeks sparking. 'Oh no. Not good!'

"Pikachu…Quick Attack!" Vita lazily pointed. With a blue outline around the body, Pikachu dashed across the field in a headbutt into Staryu's core. A critical hit caused airwaves to pulse around until the starfish went sliding on its back.

"S-Staryu…" Lucy grumbled. Her head throbbed from the mental stimulation it was taking to stay awake. 'It's no good. Whatever she's doing, she's making us too tired to react fast enough. She's gonna wear us down till were standing still.'

Vita let out another yawn as she groggily stared ahead. She could see Lucy and Staryu barely able to stand, let alone think clearly. She was too tired to care at the moment, but once she finds her chance, she was gonna make sure Pikachu deals with her swiftly.

"C'mon Lucy! Staryu! Snap out of it!" Klefki insisted. She whirled around, seeing even Plue was getting sleepy.

Then something came to mind that caught the key-enthusiast's attention. 'Wait, why aren't I feeling tired?'

"Pikachu, Quick Attack again!" Pikachu rushed after Staryu once more, the starfish barely able to process the swift running mouse getting towards it.

"Star…yu…" Staryu's core was dimming and glowing weak as Pikachu was closing in. However, at the last second, Klefki stepped in front, her body taking the attack instead. "Klefki?"

Klefki lurched her body as she felt the attack. Thanks to her being part Steel-type, the damage wasn't as bad. Her face darkened unleashing a dark shockwave with her Astonish up close. The impact from up close created a critical hit that sent Pikachu on her heels backwards.

"Hmph, stupid meanie key." Vita pouted with puffed cheeks.

"Klefki, are you al…right?" Lucy had to break a yawn before it could stop her entirely.

Klefki cringed from the paralysis she ascertained. "Y-yeah, I'm okay…" She winced, turning around towards Staryu. "Staryu, are you listening?"

BEEP It blinked

Assuming that was a yes, Klefki continued. "O…kay? But I have a plan…"

She started whispering to the starfish, their closure making Vita tiredly raise a brow. Her adolescent brain wasn't good at keeping track of what to hear.

"Puuuun." Plue, having the hearing of a dog, seemed to be understanding though.

Once they were ready, Klefki stepped off to the side, with Staryu trying to embrace the new idea. "You got all that?"

BEEPBEEP! Staryu blinked.

Lucy looked at her Pokémon as they were interacting. She could tell something was going on between them. 'Is Klefki…actually thinking about her comrades for once?' She saw the Key Ring turn towards her, giving a no of confidence. She nodded back. 'Guess I have no choice. At this rate…I can't even think straight…gotta…get this done and fast…quick…ugh.'

Vita lazily pointed ahead. "Pikachu…Nuzzle." Pikachu gathered electricity in her cheeks and started towards Staryu. Staryu stood its ground and watched the attack head its way.

"Staryu…what…?" Lucy was perplexed of what it was doing. Klefki braced herself for what would happen.

Pikachu ran head-on into Staryu with cheeks first. A paralyzing shock ran through the Water-type upon impact. It was hardly any damage, but the attack still stung like hell. Pikachu pulled away, sliding in front of Vita. Meanwhile, Staryu was engulfed in paralysis, its numbness kicking in.

"Staryu!" Lucy panicked.

"Oh my, look at that…" Vita lazily chimed. "Are they…giving up…?"

The starfish's body cringed from the new status condition it had, making it a little hard to move around. However, the grogginess it was feeling was completely gone. It was feeling lively ironically, save for the damage accumulated. Its sleepiness was no more.

"Staryu?" Lucy confusedly groaned. Her eyes slightly widened at the realization. 'Wait…did they figure out…?'

Vita raised her arm again. "Pikachu, sweetie…use Electro Ball." She mumbled. Her Pikachu jumped into the air and a sphere of electricity gathered on the tail. She whipped her tail around, sending the harsh sphere at Klefki and Staryu.

Unable to dodge efficiently, they braced for what could've been the finishing blow. Suddenly a whip of cosmic water lashed into the electrical sphere, causing it to explode in midair.

"What…?" Vita's brows furrowed as her saggy eyes turned towards Lucy. She was holding her whip with a sloppy stance, but nonetheless she used what little strength to give Vita a small scare.

"I think I get it now. That's why you took the attack Staryu." Lucy realized. "I think we may have just found a weakness."

"What are you *yawn* talking about?"

Lucy gave Vita a hazy glare. "Your magic allows you to have an opponent feel the same energy you feel. If you're tired then so are they…but the whole time, Klefki wasn't groggy…*yawn*…because she was paralyzed. Which made me realize…your magic doesn't work on opponents who are affected by a Pokémon status condition!"

Vita flinched. To be honest, she never realized it until Lucy pointed out the reason. She was wondering – weakly – why Klefki wasn't sleepy. She was slow, sure, but not at all was she thinking her Pokémon's attacks could backfire. Her grogginess turning to frustration and annoyance as her chances felt plummeting.

Feeling some of her energy back, Lucy took a deep breath and pumped her fist. "Right, then let's finish this quick! Klefki, Metal Sound!" Klefki's key-like top turned metallic as she ascended into the air. She let out a loud, ear-piercing soundwave that traveled towards Pikachu. The harsh rattling of chimes caused the mouse to cover her ears as a blue aura signaled her Special Defense drop.

The ear-splitting shrieking was reaching Vita as well. The harsh rattling was forcing her to cover her ears, her nerves jolting as well.

"Pun?" Plue's grogginess was being removed. A lot of it was turning to a small headache, but Vita's lack of necessities to sleep caused the dog to uplift.

Feeling this energy as well, Lucy powered through the headache and pointed forward. "Staryu, Bubble Beam!"

The starfish openly readied its attack, but suddenly electricity crackled around the appendages. It flinched, unable to follow through the whole way.

Trying to fight through the aching Metal Sound, Vita kept an eye open to see Staryu paralyzed. This was her chance. "Pikachu, let's win our doggie back! Use-Ow! Owowowow!" Something sharp was poking her leg. "H-hey, what's going on?"

Looking down, Vita was seeing Plue jab her knee repeatedly. With his small yet sharp nose, Plue was prickling at her like a woodpecker.

"Puuuun!"

"Hey stop that, that hurts! Yeow! Ouch! Ouch!" Vita was getting frustrated as Klefki's ringing was causing immense distress. She didn't know how much more of this she could take. 'I gotta take her out now!' "Pikachu, Electro Ball!"

Pikachu opened an eye and grimaced through Klefki's annoying attack. She gathered electricity in the tail and spun around, sending a sphere of lightning at her foes again. With a battle cry, Lucy lashed her whip again, this time with a little more spunk. The whip snapped into the sphere, making it explode.

A surge of smoke layered the battlefield, causing confusion and annoyance for Vita and Pikachu.

"Klefki, now!"

"Okay!" The Steel/Fairy-type broke through the smoke, charging after Pikachu. Thankfully due to her intense obsession with keys that she had great Speed to begin with. Even as paralyzed it was still well enough to get her close.

Pikachu didn't realize it until key jangling was getting louder. Klefki suddenly appeared above her. "Where did you-?!"

"Now! Draining Kiss!"

Dipping her head down, Klefki took a deep breath and gave a light peck on Pikachu's forehead. The mouse was feeling flustered as red went up the body up to the part where Klefki kissed. She felt so much of her strength disappear as dizziness overcame her. A sphere of light was drawn out as Pikachu fell backwards and transcended towards Klefki, giving her some health back.

Pikachu laid on her back, swirls in her eyes. She was down for the count.

"Pikachu, no~!" Vita whined. She angrily looked towards Lucy. "Gnnngh, oh, you are so gonna pay for that! Ow!" Plue's jabbing made her angry. "And stop that! Bad dog!" She went to reach him, but Plue was smart enough to jump up and off her head, sending the girl to the ground.

"Ow!" She landed on her butt, clutching her head. Looking up, Plue was freestyling as Staryu came swooping out of the blue thanks to the evasion increase. The starfish spun through the air with Plue hanging on. It was slow going, but Vita was wide awake with shock as Staryu came swooping down.

"Alright princess, you wanna see stars, we'll give you stars!" Lucy shouted. "Staryu, Swift!"

"Pun. Puuun." Plue pointed forward to attack.

BEEP! With a loud shout, Staryu spun in midair, unleashing a spiraling mesh of golden stars that rained down on Vita. The adolescent's eyes widened as she saw nothing but glittering rays that funneled after her. The dazzling – not to mentioning painful – attack closed in fast. She was slammed with stars repeatedly, her cries of pain heard loud and clear.

Staryu landed besides Klefki, with Plue getting off the back. They looked ahead and watched the dust clear away, revealing Vita with her entire dress tattered. She was wincing bad, an annoyed look in her eyes.

"You…meanies…" she whimpered.

"Lucy Kick!"

A harsh kick to the cheek completely knocked the wind out of the girl. She fell over after Lucy's heel stamped as hard as it could, leaving a sizzling mark on the cheekbone. Vita was devoid of pupils, her face broken into an unconscious smile.

Lucy pulled back, her energy livelier than ever. "Sorry, but if you ever threaten to take something that doesn't belong to you, better think of the consequences first." She chided. "Sweet dreams, little sunshine."

Vita laid on her back, her eyes blank as little imaginative Mareep were running over her head. By the drooly look she had she was having a sweet dream indeed.

Lucy wiped the sweat off her forehead, sighing. "Glad that's taken cared of." She turned towards Klefki and the others. "You guys okay?"

"Pun." Plue shakily raised a paw, confirming he was well.

BEEP Staryu meekly beeped.

Lucy sighed in relief. "That's good." She turned towards Klefki, her smile widening. "Klefki, thank you so much."

Klefki happily smiled, seemingly satisfied with her work. "Teehee, it was nothing-ow!" The paralysis stung her body, causing her to twitch. "Owie!"

"Oh, right. We'll fix that." Lucy rushed over, carrying Paralyze Heals. She started spraying her Pokémon, getting the status condition to heal. As she was doing so, her brow furrowed at one foe taken down. 'We're one step closer to freeing the Zodiacs and everyone else. Just hang on a little further guys, we're coming.'

"Lucy!" A voice called from above.

Lucy looked up at the sky, seeing a blue cat race towards her. "Happy!"

The blue cat descended towards her height, looking down to see Vita taken down. "Looks like you've taken care of her." He said. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'll be fine." She answered, facing the defeated foe. "But she was a really nasty piece of work. It was a good thing you guys told me when we planned this all out." She turned towards Happy. "Anyways, where's Natsu?"

A flaming explosion raced across the battlefield's horizon, blowing apart any structures that stood in its way. The last soldiers able to stand were charred and blown away as the flaming blast charged straight ahead.

"Doing the usual Natsu shtick." Happy deadpanned. "You surprised."

"Yeah, somehow I'm not." She turned towards Happy. "Happy, take me to the closest spirit. We've gotta stop them fast!"

"Aye!" Happy picked up Lucy, with Klefki floating up and Staryu spinning sideways towards her. Together they all raced in Natsu's direction of destruction to help.


A large dust wave rushed across the battlefield as Vanessa's long hair was caught in it. She and Krookodile managed to catch their second wind after that last attack. But for the Pularis woman, the shock she had was written all over her face.

"Thy maiden are very persistent." Bion stated. "However, this will be the last time."

'I never would've guessed it if I hadn't realized it sooner.' The Aura Mage furrowed her brow. Now it was making sense, why Bion hadn't used many spells back then. This sudden spike after returning from the Celestial World connected the dots for her, and that's what made her tick.

"Tell me, Bion."

"Yes, what is it?"

"This magic you have, I can certainly tell that you were a Celestial Mage, right?"

The knight calmed his composition, looking at the girl with compassionate eyes. "Yes, thou was in fact a Celestial Mage. There was a time when many Celestial Mages were free amongst Earthland. I'm sure that thou are familiar with the curse of the Infinity Clock perhaps?"

Memories of the Zentopia incident came flooding back for them. It was a hard time for the Fairy Tail Mages, especially with how when one thinks about it they were at the dead center of that catastrophe. Vanessa didn't even want to think about her and Erza's fight against Erik at that time.

"I take it that by thy expression that you do, but allow me to remind you of recent events. After the Infinity Clock was destroyed, it's true that the curse that befell the Celestial Mages has been lifted. However, the century-long acceleration has caused all our magic to fade away. You ask yourself why I'm here talking about this. Well…I was one of those unfortunate victims."

Vanessa narrowed her eyes as Bion continued.

"You see, thy majesty saw my penniless worth, and the plea that I had." He raised his clutching fist. "My powers were all that I had. Without them, I was nothing. But then, King Melchior granted me the honor of being by his side. He promised me that I can regain my powers if I swore my allegiance to him and I stars. And now thanks to him, my powers are back."

The Aura Mage pieces it together. She thought it was strange how he felt so desperate in their match earlier. 'So that explains it.'

"With this armor that I adorn, I can conduct Celestial Ethernano and use it as magic." Bion explained the glowing lacrima on the joints. "They take the Celestial energy from the Celestial World and gradually feeds it to me. Now that I have my fill I can now use my power to help thy majesty in his wish to make the world regain its lost celestial glory. And that's why I am here."

Hakamo-o snarled, rattling his scales at Krookodile. However, surprisingly, Krookodile was calm.

Bion swung his blade around, crusted in a golden energy-like saber. His prominent stature could give anyone shivers. "So…has thou realized her faults?"

Vanessa glared into Bion calmly, her relaxed disposition masking the annoyance that anyone around could feel. Over the past few years that she's been a part of Fairy Tail – since coming back to Nic – she's seen a lot of mages out there. Many of shapes and colors; some of species apparently. And a lot of them are all just the same…self-minded. She closed her eyes, not bothering to hold a need for ire.

"I see. So you are willing to throw away your morals for power, is that it?" she stated calmly. "I must say, I'm very disappointed."

"Come again?" Bion asked, offended by her accusation. "Who is thou to accuse me of no morals? Are you saying thy obligations are more so?"

"Perhaps Krookodile would be better at explaining." Vanessa offered, glancing at her tempered reptile.

The crocodile stepped forward, pointing accusingly at his opponent. "Let me tell you something Bion, Celestial Mage dedicated to Melchior Seraph, tyrant of Celestial Spirits, Krookodile has beaten down, chewed up, AND MANGLED CHUMPS LIKE YOU! YOU POWER HUNGRY PEOPLE ARE ALL THE SAME!"

Bion was taken back by the accusation. To some extent they were right, but he couldn't admit to that. "There are sacrifices that must be made to reclaim what is rightfully theirs. The king has made sacrifices that not even the likes of you could fathom. As he's made those choices, so must I." A golden aura enveloped his body. "And now that thou has reclaimed what is lost, thou shall have his glory!"

He slammed his blade against the ground, sending a shockwave of golden energy pass his Hakamo-o towards Vanessa and Krookodile. Instinctively, the crocodile stepped in front and crossed his arms. The attack didn't budge him as it dissipated, leaving a small trench between him and Bion's sizzling sword.

"Thy maiden's eyes are condemning. The stars above us are the rightful ones who judge. His majesty…he now judges the stars, thus I cannot be judged any longer than that of a star."

"In that case, haven't you ever heard of falling stars?" Vanessa chimed calmly, her complexion intentionally aggravating her opponent. "Because if you have lost your powers given to you by stars in the first place, you were beneath them to begin with."

"Silence!" He raised his arm out. "Hakamo-o! Show this maiden her errors! Sky Uppercut!" The Scaly Pokémon took to his heels after Krookodile. The attack was swift as it socked Krookodile in the jaw.

Bion smirked at the successful blow. However, it dissipated as he saw it didn't do much. "Huh?"

Krookodile shook his head and glared down. Hakamo-o went for a second attack, but Krookodile grabbed his wrist with his claws. "You did not just do that! You did not just hit Krookodile in the face!" he snarled. "Let me tell you something Hakamo-o, nobody socks Krookodile's face…WITHOUT A MAJOR BEATING!"

"Krookodile, Outrage!" Vanessa ordered.

The sneer on Krookodile's face darkened. "Ohhh…it's go time now, HUH?!" His eyes gleamed red, a dark red aura beaming up around him. Hakamo-o tried getting away, but Krookodile's grip was intense.

"No! Thy friend, move at once!" Bion insisted.

"GRAAAAAH!" Krookodile let out a primal cry as he unleashed his Dragon-type move in a Mach speed flurry of punched into Hakamo-o. Due to Moxie from taking down earlier soldiers, his Attack was much higher. And with him already so overwhelming, there was no holding back the massive barrage against Hakamo-o.

With one giant tail swing, Krookodile sent a shock through Hakamo-o that made his pupils shrunk. He was smashed into a nearby structure with dense force, creating a deep crater that he was implanted in. He was embedded with eyes swirling, his scales bruised from his adversary's attack.

"No!" He exclaimed. He turned towards his enemies with a glare. "You…this time there will be no one blocking you!"

He aimed his sword at Krookodile, the Intimidation Pokémon's red aura still going on strong. All the lacrima on his body shined brightly with a golden glow encompassing the body.

Vanessa recognized the spell as their surroundings were changing to a cosmic scenery. This time, she was being completely prepared.

"Those stars far and wide that embody the Heavens. By the radiance reveal thy form to me. I implore, oh Tetrabiblos, ruler of the stars. Let your unrestraint rage flow. With the 88 heavenly bodies…shine on!" His eyes glowed with a golden magic seal as his body enflamed in a groundbreaking explosion of gold.

"Urano Metria!"

The small glowing planets around him flourished in a long strand of celestial starlight shooting at Krookodile. The crocodile glared into the light before it all went white around him. Dozens of planetary figment bombarded him, creating bright bursts that caused the ground beneath the cave in. The earth depressed with each flare that engulfed the Ground/Dark-type.

Vanessa watched calmly as her black and blonde hair flared with the shockwaves of the attack, remaining expectant.

Watching the dust clear, Bion calmed his stance. "Is that thou explained. With the fulfillment with celestial power, there's nothing we cannot handle-!" He stopped dead cold with eyes widening at something.

In the dissipating light, the dust was clearing away. Standing in the center of a crater was Krookodile, his eyes glaring red. He looked ahead without a scratch – no, even worse! He looked angrier than ever!

Bion was taken back by the attack failing to do its part. "But…that should've defeated you! How?!"

"Seems as though Pokémon are more surprising than what you expected to be." Vanessa said.

"What's that?"

"I'm not sure how familiar you are with Pokémon yet, but Krookodile is part Dark-type. In my world, Psychic-type attacks have no effect on Dark-types. And some attacks I realized that are cosmic are considered Psychic. So in this case, if the celestial bodies didn't affect Krookodile, wouldn't that mean your magic has no effect?"

Bion stepped back. He was completely dumbfounded by what was happening. Of all the luck he could've had, it had to be this. His eyes shuddered in disbelief. "But…this can't possibly be. Thy Celestial Magic…is stronger than ever!" He gritted his teeth, his frustrations rising. 'No, calm down, Bion. Your majesty cannot see you fail. He entrusted you with this power. You mustn't fail!'

He gripped his sword tightly. "I will have thou head!" His blade glowed and extended into a cosmic saber, charging for Vanessa and Krookodile.

"Krookodile!" Vanessa shouted.

"LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING, BION THE CELESTIAL MAGE DEDICATED TO KING MELCHIOR SERAPH OF ASTRAL! I'M GONNA RIP YOU LIKE PAPER!" Another red aura flared around Krookodile, increasing his Attack even higher thanks to defeating Hakamo-o. He charged for Bion in a blur, his teeth snapping clean through the blade.

The shards of the blade littered the ground around him as time slowed down. The mage's eyes widened in horror as his best weapon was snapped clean in half by something lower than a Celestial Mage. 'No. NO!'

Krookodile violently began his barrage of attacks against his armor. He pummeled Bion's armor to dented bits, his insides and bones bruising with every jolted nerve. He was helpless as tail swings, kicks, jaws, and claws smashed pieces of his armor off, the lacrima embedded in the joints dropping light marbles to the ground.

Once all the armor was broken, Bion fell to the ground on his stomach. His face was in riling pain and bloodied from several knocks to the head. His chainmail was torn to shreds to reveal a black underside. He twitched on the ground and struggled to stand.

Ahead of him, he saw his lacrima that were embedded in his armor before. He desperately tried reaching for them, the plea in his eyes ever so clear.

"I know what it's like. To be separated from something you need in your life."

Bion flinched when he looked up, seeing Vanessa taking a stance.

"I understand how you feel. If I had never met my brother or met my friends and Pokémon, perhaps I'd cling to them as you do to your magic." She frowned. "But…would it really be worth it if you went down the path of immoral blindness?"

Bion gritted his teeth. He couldn't take what she was saying. He had get to his lacrima and get what power was out of them.

"I'm sorry…" Vanessa took a stance and turned around, eyes closed as teal aura enveloped the ground around Bion.

"Nugatory Burst!"

A massive teal pillar struck Bion from below, leaving him completely unable to reach in time. Under the pressure of the attack, the man was still reaching the lacrima, but Vanessa's blast had shattered them. His eyes shrunk as the crystals shattered ti pieces, sparkling, golden energy escaping his grasp. He looked up at the teal pillar, watching it fade into nothing. All that hard work, and all that training under Melchior…reduced to nothing.

'Am I…truly not worthy of being spiritual again?' He closed his eyes, the aura enveloping him entirely. 'Your Majesty, forgive me…I have failed you.'

The teal pillar faded into thin air, with Vanessa still facing away. Krookodile was disoriented with confusion as Bion plummeted to the ground in a crater. His eyes were devoid of pupils as his armor wasn't there to save him when he needed it most.

Though as empathetic Vanessa was with how desperate Bion was, he was still an enemy. Perhaps if she were in his shoes she's do what he did out of desperation as well. But what kind of human being would she be? Instead of worrying about what she wasn't, she tossed Krookodile a Persim Berry.

"Here."

The crocodile murmured with a hazy stare and saw the food. He snapped on it, and immediately upon tasting its texture, his senses were coming back. Vanessa walked up to him petting his snout with a sincere smile.

"Thank you, Krookodile."

Krookodile bashfully eyerolled. "Er…whatever. CAN WE JUST GET TO THE BEATINGS NOW PLEASE!" he shouted.

Vanessa nodded. "Yes, let's get moving."


Sagittarius fired rays of arrows into the sky, numbers greater than what could've been imagined. Corvus gritted his teeth as he created a blast of dusk-like winds to dissipate them, but they beamed through in golden lights, unfazed by the winds.

"NO WAY!" the crow man shrieked.

The arrows spouted all around, making it almost impossible to get close now. Corvus maneuvered the best he could, but bad luck was the symbol of the crow. Several arrows grazed his arms and legs. His torso was nearly punctured if it wasn't for a solid turn. When he barrel-rolled through the air, he came around to attack, two arrows were coming dead ahead. He had no choice but to fold his wings up front and use the plumage to block. The glowing arrows punctured the feathers, as well as his arms. He gritted his teeth and felt intense pain from the sharp impale. But despite what he felt, he was hanging on the best he could.

"Hiyah!" With a grunt, he swatted the arrows off and took off.

"MOOOOOO!" The empowered Taurus brought his glowing axe around and swung mightily. The upward swung created a massive shockwave that caused large parts of the earth to be hurled at Corvus. The Celestial Spirit ascended higher, making sure to evade.

'It's no good, I can't get close.' He grunted, looking on as Sagittarius readied more arrows. 'They're even stronger now because of the crown. Their attack will pierce right through. What am I gonna do?'

Sagittarius fired more arrows, leaving him to sail and fly for his life.


Cancer sped across the battlefield with his twin scissors glowing with power. He lunged with all his might into Volans, who used his glowing forearms to block the attack. Shockwaves raged around them as they fought dominance. Even as his arms shed blood from that last blow, the fishman was able to use them – but the shock was getting too great.

Cancer kicked Volans in the gut, sending him flying into Pisces, where the twin fish hollered as they smashed into each side of him. The crushing force caused Volans to gape wide. The fish pair followed through, sending him spiraling out of control skywards.

Seeing their foe suspended, Cancer's eyes glimmered before locking onto Volans suspended body. The Zodiac sped in a golden light skywards. Volans turned around in midair upside-down, barely missing the razors on Cancer's scissors.

"Abyss Palm!"

Stamping the pressurized force into the chest, the palm strike of water blasted Cancer away, sending him across the ground in a slide. The Zodiac crab flipped and impaled the ground with his scissors to keep himself from grinding his heels.

Pisces circled around with red eyes gleaming at Volans as he was in midair. The fish spirit was losing breath as he was running out of space. 'They can regenerate faster than we imagined.' He thought. 'Nic and Greninja need to hurry. This battle won't end well otherwise.'

Pisces made a U-turn in front and shot with Cancer with his twin scissors crossed. They closed in as Volans raised his bloodied palms, staring them to the face of death.


Lucy flew the air with Happy, her Klefki and Staryu keeping at their own risk. Looking down, they saw countless bodies of men laying down. They were down for the count, that was a given. 'Geez, I almost feel sorry for them.' Almost, but not quite.

"Where are we going, Lucy?" Happy asked.

"We need to get to Melchior and get that crown off him." She said. "That's the only way we know will save our friends."

As they sailed, a massive rush of water rushed beneath them, washing away the men unconscious. They hovered over the raging current as it appeared out of nowhere.

"Water?" Lucy gasped.

"Where did this big rush come from?" Happy asked.

The busty blonde looked down at the raging current, seeing the streams that were flowing all around. Her brows furrowed as she was sensing a familiar magic. There was no mistaking it.

"Happy, follow that current!" Lucy shouted.

"Aye!" Happy flew over the water, with Klefki not far behind. Staryu dove into the water and skimmed across the top thanks his its speed healed.

Lucy's brown eyes were fixed on something ahead, the magical center that was the whole reason she came here. She knew only one person who could flood the whole terrain so suddenly.

At the center of a whirlpool, Aquarius floated several feet within its depths. The Water Bearer was remarkably making a tidal surge so intense that nearby statues and monuments were being wiped out, crumbling beneath the wake of her torrents. The spirit's red eyes glimmered like the awakening of a demon.

Inside the tidal surges, Juvia was using his magic to redirect the currents around her, but it was so much water with Magic Power pushing against her. Her feet could barely touch the ground. It was taking all her manipulation of water to keep the waves from hitting her that she couldn't advance. Anymore force applied, and she'd be washed so far she'll never get to Aquarius.

'This isn't good. Her Magic Power has grown al of a sudden. What's worse, it looks like all the damage I've been doing is being heled up. I'll only end up being slowed down at this rate.'

Aquarius' eyes glowed brighter than before. The torrent she was controlling grew even greater than before. The increase in flood levels made large waves that crashed along the avenues of Astral and businesses alike. Juvia screamed as she was unable to hang on.

"Juvia!" Vaporeon cried out before she was also caught in the flood.

A flurry of stars shot out of nowhere, causing Aquarius to summon a wall of water to block the attack. As the wave subsided, time slow down as an aquatic whip shot through.

In a sleek coil of celestial water, Aquarius was wrapped with her arms and wrists trapped. The lacing stretched far up stream, where the celestial being took notice of Lucy.

"Aquarius…"

The water levels simmering some, Juvia surfaced with Vaporeon. She immediately noticed the water was flowing slightly calmer than before. 'What happened…?'

"Juvia, are you okay!"

Hearing a familiar voice, the blunette saw Lucy with Happy carrying her. "It's Lucy." She gasped.

"You guys okay down there?!" Happy called.

Juvia nodded. "Yes. Don't worry, we're just fine." Using her water manipulation, she made a whirlpool she used to drag herself and Vaporeon out of the currents to a higher elevation on a flat roof. Lucy tried pulling on Aquarius to get her towards her, but a harsh twist of water cut the aquatic whip, causing Lucy and Happy to be blown back across the skies.

"Are you alright, Lucy?" Juvia asked.

The Celestial Mage nodded. "Yeah, I think so." She looked towards Aquarius, seeing the dark visage through the raging tidal waves she was creating. She wasn't anything like she remembered her. This Magic Power, it wasn't just her own. It was the king's.

Her fists started balling, her own disbelief on the rise. 'Aquarius…'

"Lucy, you know what we have to do, right?" Happy reminded her.

Shaking her head to rid of the guilt, Lucy braced for battle. "Yeah, I know Happy. I told you guys we'd get them back, no matter what…even if he have to get a little rough…we have to." Swallowing a lump, Lucy sighed. 'Yes, that's probably what Aquarius would want.' She remembered the dire consequences that were with her and Sophie's time against Jackal, what Aquarius said about it being either all of them or her meant. If she didn't step up, all her friends would pay the price.

This time, Lucy Heartfilia was truly ready to take them down for their sake. "Alright guys, let's go!"

"Yippee!" Klefki cheered, with Staryu beeping.

Juvia nodded. "Right."

Aquarius raised her jug, summoning a greater tidal wave than before at them.


The dust cleared around the debris field where Vigo had hurled all her ricks and stones. The Celestial Spirit's gaze was towards where she was hoping Gray's signature had disappeared. After what felt like a long time, she turned around, ready to go and attack some more humans.

Just as she stood a few steps forward, the red eyes glowed brighter. She jumped out of the way as a massive spike of ice shot up in front, impeding her path. The controlled spirit looked up as the ice shattered, revealing Gray on a knee with Bergmite besides him.

The spirit was visibly patient while the Ice Mage was catching his breath after that close call.

'That was too close. Had it been a second longer…I'd be dead.' Gray wasn't exaggerating when it was a close call. It took all his reflexes to create that much ice thick enough to save him from getting buried alive, let alone pierced. It took even more reaction timing to somehow get his ice underground. That took enough Magic Power to leave him out of breath. 'This isn't good. My Devil Slayer Magic still takes more out of me than I originally thought.' It's true Gray had better control over his Devil Slayer Magic compared to his past attempts. However, it was going to end up futile at this rate if the Celestial King keeps healing them. 'They've still gotta have a limiter somewhere. Guess I gotta take a new approach.' He saw Bergmite was still well, though he seemingly took some damage from a few close calls. "Bergmite, why don't you rest for a bit. I've got another plan."

The Ice-type didn't nod, but the light shake in his body was confirmation enough. "Okay." He robotically quipped.

He recalled the stalagmite to his Poke Ball and looked down. He narrowly dodged a whip made up of chains that slammed into the ice, shattering it to pieces. Gray landed behind Virgo with another Poke Ball all set. "Okay, it's just us. So we're safe." He threw it. "Okay, go!"

The Poke Ball popped open, revealing Snover. "Hi y'all!" he greeted. A mist-like substance escaped his body, fading across the area. Suddenly the weather overhead inexplicably started raining hail.

Virgo felt hail from Snover's Snow Warning effect. She looked up, the top of her head pelted repeatedly.

"Alright Snover, I need you to focus, you ready?" Gray asked.

"I got it!" he quipped. "I can do it…a-at least I hope so."

For Gray that was good enough. "Alright. Use Grass Whistle!" Snover's leafy hands were put up to his face and he started blowing into them. An eerie, high-pitched tune started playing as magical notes were closing in on Virgo.

Completely oblivious to the effects, the Celestial Spirit moved like a jackhammer across the battlefield towards Snover. As nervous he was, he continued playing. Surely, Virgo was beginning to slow down, the need for sleep starting to overwhelm her senses.

"That's right, get nice and drowsy." Gray put his hands together, creating ice. "Ice-Make: Freeze Lancer!" He unleashed large barrages of ice lances directly into Virgo, freezing her in place.

Snover sighed in relief. "Phew. That almost scared me." He sighed.

"It's not over yet." Gray warned, alarming the Grass/Ice-type. "Get ready!"

Swallowing a lump, Snover braced himself as the ice started cracking. The pieces broke apart as Virgo's monster strength got her out in no time. She landed on the ground as more Snow Warning hail pelted her, causing small amounts of damage that she ignored. She charged forward again, with Gray and Snover readying themselves with everything they've got.


To say to always look on the bright side would be a stretch, especially for Cana. However, for the renown drunkard, the bright side is literally all she could see.

Loke's enhanced strength and powers was making it almost impossible to see. The brunette had her eyes shut tight due to Loke's Regulus Magic making his body literally like a sun. It wasn't just bright, it was hot. The Zodiac's prominence wasn't doing Cana any favors.

"Loke, are you in there?! It's me, your friend!" the brunette tried once to ask sense into him, but the stone red look he had made it clear he wasn't recognizing her. 'Great. How am I supposed to get through this? It's so bright I can barely see-!'

That's when an idea spouted. Maybe she could use that!

'Better give it a try while I can I suppose.' The brunette pulled up a tarot card for her defense.

"Reflection!"

The card turned to a reflective mirror that mirrored back the light that was coming her way. It was so bright that the mirror looked like a flash that caused Loke's red eyes to flash as well. The counter light was making the light around Loke fade a little.

"You're up, big guy!" she told Prinplup. "Give him a Metal Claw!"

"You got it!" Prinplup swiped his arm, metallic energy shimmering as he bolted after the blinded Loke with a battle cry.

As Prinplup drew further with his attack, the Alberona girl observed carefully in case something came up. She was seeing the light around Loke had suddenly faded entirely as Prinplup meters away. But the magical output wasn't right. Immediately she regretted calling on that attack.

"Hold on, Prinplup! Wait!"

Prinplup heard his Trainer and wanted to stop, but his reaction in midair was too slow. A magic seal appeared in front of Loke, launching his Regulus Impact at a close range. The roaring lion-shaped light howled into Prinplup as he gaped in horror, the attack enveloped the penguin, immediately grounding him.

"Prinplup!" Cana rushed over to her Pokémon, kneeling down and picking him up. "Hey, stay with me, are you there? Prinplup?!"

The Penguin Pokémon grunted as his entire world was hazy. He looked up at Cana, but all see saw was a blur. "Did I…get him good…?" Before he got his answer, he fell limp, swirls in his eyes.

"Prinplup!" Cana called her defeated friend, but it fell on deaf ears. She was so distracted that she didn't have time to notice's fist encased in light and charged right for her. Her purplish eyes gleamed shock as the attack was too fast for her to trace.

Somewhere in the distance, there was a glint before a jet of searing flames soared across the ground, leaving a trail of embers in its wake. The flamed made a one-way course for Loke as the Celestial Spirit picked up on the flames and pivoted at the last second.

The fist connected with the flames, creating a searing shockwave so intense that Cana almost lost her footing. She covered up as the heat waves pushed her back several inches, as well as produced some sweat. Loke's glasses and eyes were red, but even he would've been showing surprise when the flaming comet revealed a fist that was connected with his.

A toothy smirk could be seen in the flames. "Hey, remember me?" Suddenly a red blur swiftly socked him across the face, shattering the Zodiac King's glasses in the process. Loke stammered back to gather his bearings when the flames dialed down to reveal Natsu and Charmeleon.

"Natsu?!" Cana stammered.

"Cana, you okay?" he asked.

The brunette nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine."

Natsu glared at Loke's stance adjusting, flames surging around him. "You know pal, I always to know how powerful you were as a Spirit. I've always wanted to fight ya to test that." Flames engulfed Natsu's eager expression. "Guess I have an excuse after all."

Loke's light shined brighter in his fist as he rushed for Natsu and Charmeleon. Natsu used his forearms to block Loke's direct punch, which exploded into a blast of light at point-blank. The eruption made the ground shatter as Natsu found himself losing traction fast.

Watching from the sidelines, Cana had to cover up as well. The light was as destructive as it was bright.

Gritting his teeth through it, Natsu smirked. "Charmeleon, Flame Charge!"

In a flaming comet, Charmeleon rushed from the side, crashing into Loke's head and throwing him off balance. As the light dissipated and time slowed down, Natsu brought his fist back as it was shrouded in lightning.

"Lightning Flame Dragon's Firing Hammer!"

He brought his fist around, unleashing a torrential blast wave of flames and lightning that spiraled Loke through the earth several meters away. The impact smashed through ruins, property, and other hard materials that would've been impossible to be slammed through.

Watching the dust clear, Natsu's body was flickering in embers and lightning while Charmeleon was glaring daggers. They watched as the debris sunk in, leaving dust.

"Did we get him?" Charmeleon asked.

Natsu glared at the direction of destruction, his eyes fixated, Something didn't feel right, and his nose was smelling that. After a few seconds, his eyes widened. "Everybody get down!"

As if on cue, a large range of regulus light went in their way. Cana, Natsu, and Charmeleon ducked as the attack went blitzing overhead. Anything the light touched was eviscerated on the spot. The tree behind them was reduced to a stump. They looked back to see it with shock.

"You've gotta be kidding me." Cana stammered.

Natsu looked back, seeing a golden comet mere seconds before it caught up to them. Loke's fist crashed into the ground where Natsu was before he dodged. The Dragon Slayer got to a handstand and spun his legs with flames, causing Loke to block using the forearms, despite it backtracking him some.

Natsu smirked eagerly. Despite the circumstances, he couldn't help but feel his blood boil. "Just you wait pal." He growled. "When this is over, Lucy's gonna be smiling again."


The ruckus from above was causing the ceiling and ground to shuffle constantly. Despite the noise and the Magic Power, Ophiuchus was looking lazily ahead to sleep. It was like this Magic Power level was nothing new to her.

After trying for so long to persuade her, Yukino was sensing the intense rise of magic in the atmosphere. "This Magic Power…is that the others?" she gasped. She furrowed her brow. "…no. Something else. It's those spirits. They're getting stronger all of a sudden."

"What're you mumbling about over there? Are you still trying to bug me?" Ophiuchus grumbled coldly. "I'm trying to sleep here."

Yukino nervously sweatdropped. "Uh, sorry…" she watched Ophiuchus turn away, growing back into silence. The Celestial Spirit's disgruntled demeanor was something that needed to get fixed, but Yukino was too soft-hearted to act on it. 'I wonder, was she always this angry?' It was probably a stupid question to be asked, but Yukino didn't know how to properly understand Ophiuchus if the latter wasn't going to communicate as much as she has. She wanted to help – she genuinely wants to. But if Ophiuchus won't let her, what good is she.

Minior floated close to her to comfort her Trainer. "It's okay Minior, thank you." Yukino smiled graciously. "We'll find a way, I'm sure."

"Tch, good luck with that." Ophiuchus sniped.

Yukino turned back towards the pseudo-Zodiac, her nerves rising. "What is it gonna take to make you realize we need you?!" she yelled.

"Need me? Now?" Ophiuchus flicked her tongue sharply. "That's funny, because nobody needed me for anything in their lives."

"Ophiuchus…"

There was an awkward tension in the air between the two celestials, their opposition affirmed. Things were not looking up for Yukino's case at all.

Minior suddenly turned around, catching Yukino's attention. "What is it, Minior?"

Ophiuchus flicked her tongue in the air, the intricate scent of something original coming towards them. "Someone else is here…" she huffed. "Great, another Ophiuchi."

"Who is it?"

"Yukino~!"

Yukino's ears rung at her name called. The voice was all too familiar. 'This voice…' Her head slowly turned towards the chamber tunnels to find something running towards her. 'I forgot. Her birthday is in early December as well!'

In a garish dash, Sorano was running with a dust trail towards her little sister. "YUKINO~! I FOUND YOU!" she perked cheerfully. "I was so worried about you!"

"B-Big sister…" Yukino nervously quipped. "I-!" She never got to finish as Sorano grabbed her head and pulled her into a collective hug.

"I was worried sick about you! Do you have any idea how close I was to having a heart attack? Are you hurt? Any booboos?"

Her sister's worries were beginning to annoy the younger celestial. While she understood her anxiety, she needed to learn her space. "Uh, don't worry. I'm fine, really."

"Good!" Sighing in relief, Sorano looked around curiously. "So, where are we anyway?" She saw Yukino turn towards something and followed her eyes. To her shock, it was a gargantuan serpent that was spread across the entire chamber. Her massive length made her unbelievably huge. "What in the world?! What is that?!"

"It's okay, Sorano." Yukino assured. "She's a friend…" The term "friend" may have been a strong stretch for her. They wouldn't exactly agree on that term, anybody could tell from the looks she and Ophiuchus had.

Ophiuchus turned her attention onto Sorano, the human entering her space providing no free sleep. "Who's this human? Rather noisy now, isn't she."

"Hey, can't a sister worry about her sibling?!" Sorano comically huffed, a red tick mark on her head.

"Please everyone, let's just calm down." Yukino insisted, providing a mediator. "Sorano, I'd like for you to meet Ophiuchus. She's a Celestial Spirit like the Zodiacs."

"Ophiuchus?" Sorano raised a brow, looking towards the ceiling with a finger to her chin. "Ophiuchus…Ophiuchus…oh! Do you mean the Snake Charmer?" she looked at Ophiuchus, her glare not giving the best impression. "Well I guess the 'Charmer' part is out."

Yukino sweatdropped. 'Please big sister, don't rile her up.'

Sorano walked closer towards Ophiuchus, putting a hand to her hip. "So you're the rumored 13th Zodiac. I've only her myths and rumors about you, big girl, but man, guess they really don't do justice for your size, am I right?"

Ophiuchus flicked her tongue, retorting Sorano's words. "What do you want, human? Do you have business with the girl? If so, do me a favor and see her out already. She's annoying me."

"Is she your spirit, Yukino?" Sorano questioned.

Regrettably, Yukino huffed. "Well…yes."

Sorano's eyes widened at the revelation. She's been trying to find this key herself back when she was part of the Oracion Seis. Who would've guessed her own younger sister would be the one to obtain her instead. If she weren't so changed, she'd be jealous beyond words.

She smirked. "Well, well…who would've guessed it. My little sister's got some big baddies walking in her footsteps. Aren't you such a peach."

Yukino sighed irritably.

"I never imagined that you'd have such a powerful spirit in your arsenal. I can see she's treating you well." She maliciously smirked at Ophiuchus. "Just so we're clear, Yukino is my sweet little sister, okay? So try anything and you'll be getting an earful out of me. Got it?"

Ophiuchus turned her head away, disinterested.

"Don't you ignore me! Do you know who I am?!"

"Uh, Sorano?" Yukino hushed. "M-Maybe you should calm down. Ophiuchus is a little…iffy right now." She shot a look at the uncomplying spirit. "Honestly, I've been trying to convince her to help us all this time. But she's having a hard time. She says she's not morally obligated."

"That so?" Sorano raised a brow. "That's weird. Isn't that the point of a contract?"

"Yes, but we're in her domain. There's a different set of rules when we're here. And…Ophiuchus really doesn't like other rules."

"I said BE QUIET!" Ophiuchus harshly roared, her sudden rise in anger shocking Yukino and Sorano. "Yes, I know. There are laws to the laws of humans and Celestials. But whoever follows both when they're always broken? If you don't like something, then don't bother."

"A rule dismiss, huh?" Sorano walked up to Ophiuchus, her strides quiet, but also composed. She walked up to the snake until she was right beneath it.

"Sorano, what're you…" Yukino trailed off at the uncertainty that Sorano was doing.

There was a long silence between the blue eyes if Sorano, matching the red ones of Ophiuchus. Both eyes were gazing into the other; Ophiuchus with more scrutiny than what Sorano was giving her.

"What're you staring at?" Ophiuchus asked. "It's getting creepy."

From the corner of Sorano's lips, a smirk could've been spotted. "Oh nothing, just thinking of how what I've heard fits your description."

Ophiuchus narrowed her glare. Yukino was equally as perplexed.

"You know, how Ophiuchus are known to be a little sarcastic, think a little too broad with your heart. You're also quite the heartbreaker."

Yukino blinked. Erik described Ophiuchus down to a tee, as well as gave Nic a mild flustered moment. Was it all supposedly true? Maybe so, but she wasn't certain.

"But you know, there is another meaning to Ophiuchus…The Wounded Healer." She smirked, causing Ophiuchus to go completely silent. "You know, how like someone who's hurt actually helps people, without getting anything out of it. Like a grumpy charity with no purpose but to give something they never had from the start."

Ophiuchus' flare was brimming. "Shut up! Quit comparing me to these stupid myths! I have no obligations, do you hear?! Why the hell should I care what happens to them when they never even knew me?!"

Sorano's smirk widened. "Well, isn't that the point?"

Ophiuchus recoiled.

"I don't just look out for my younger sister because I'm just her sister. I do it because I want to, not because she really needs me. Yes, I did so many wrong things in the past, and maybe even now, I still feel guilty that it takes all I have to look at her in the eye, knowing that I'm less than a human being."

"Big sister…" Yukino knew that Sorano had been doing some wrong in her life. She learned thanks to Rufus and his Memory-Make looking up Sorano. Never would she have guessed she'd end up in a Dark Guild and killed people.

"Still, I have given a chance, a chance to make things right somehow. Even if I'm rejected often, even if it ends up me being hated again, I may as well make something of my life that I was lucky enough to have been spared of." She remembered Gray and Dan Straight saving her life in the Infinity Clock incident. Maybe that's where it started. "Just because someone's never reached out to you before doesn't mean you don't exist. That's another thing I think The Wounded Healer means…redemption."

Ophiuchus was caught in a standstill. For some reason, somehow, she was starting to stir with Sorano's words. She knew this had to be completely bogus coming from a human of all people, but another flash came to her mind. Nic's attack that healed her paralysis got her thinking. He was her enemy, yet he helped her? That didn't make sense. Were they actually needing her now?

"Life's never fair. You never know how you'll live or die. But, you might as well live it while you still can. I don't know why you don't wanna help Celestial Spirits, but someone else does. These kinds of chances can really mean something. Trust me."

Ophiuchus looked at Sorano, then at Yukino. They looked into each other's eyes now, with what Ophiuchus was saying rattling inside the iron bars of the snake's mind. The spirits never needed her, but humans do now. Supposedly this the where the term 'beggars can't be choosers" blossoms. The Celestials made the law to abide by, they choose them. And in this case, Ophiuchus was the beggar. She wasn't given a choice, but now stands a chance in disguise.

Sorano snickered as she turned around, shrugging. "Just saying, opportunities to prove yourself useful to others doesn't come very often. Just give a little and in return, who knows…" she thought of her recent pardon from Hisui. "You just might be given more than you've wanted."

A longing silence filled the caverns. Not even the sounds of winds could reach them, nor the drops of water that piled up on occasion. It was all blurred out by the revelation as Ophiuchus fell silent.

The snake turned away, slowly slithering to the corner of her chamber. Her long body moved slightly with her turn, but nothing fell.

"Ophiuchus? Ophiuchus…?" Yukino questioned. "Are you…okay?"

Ophiuchus glared down, staring annoyed at the earth. "…please just go…I've had enough of my space violated. Thank you."

Yukino frowned. She was very disappointed in Ophiuchus shutting herself out. But at this point, all was said that she could've done. "O-okay then…"

Sorano sighed. "Geez, what a big downer." She grabbed Yukino's hand and walked off. "C'mon, little sis. Let's go see what the others are up to, shall we?"

Yukino nodded. She knew others needed her just as much. She had to be there. "Okay." She walked off with Sorano, but didn't get too far out of earshot. "Ophiuchus…please. Don't think too hard about it. Feeling needed by at least one person in your life, is perhaps the biggest purpose you can give yourself."

The Celestial Mage left with her final words, leaving the snake in the den alone. She allowed the two to pass the chamber towards the hill, while Ophiuchus was left to sober in the mounds of her rocky domain.

"Feeling needed by at least one person in your life, is perhaps the biggest purpose you can give yourself."

Her words echoed in her head, the snake closing her eyes to think about it.


"Inferno!" Houndoom unleashed a raging stream of blue flames that surged after Clefable. The fairy conjured energy into the hands and the eyes glowed. Using Psychic, it barely was able to split Houndoom's roaring flames apart, spreading them in various directions around her.

"This is getting really annoying fast." The hound snarled. "I better finish this quickly or else." He took a large leap, flipping overhead with flames engulfing the mouth. "Fire Fang!"

Clefable moved her hands up to create Protect. The forcefield of turquoise energy stopped Houndoom as his attack caused an eruption of fire that blossomed over the barrier. The flames that surged were so hot, but Clefable was able to block them.

With them dissipating and the shield gone. It revealed Houndoom in midair, readying a Shadow Ball. Clefable had another Focus Blast charged up at the last second. Time slowed drastically down as Houndoom was in midair, the embers and dust swirling between him and Clefable for added anticipation.

At the same time, they released their attacks, creating a massive explosion that erupted into a pillar of energy, breaking the ground and atmosphere around them.

Auriol reached out ahead, sending golden beams at Erza. Taking a defensive stance, the Requip Mage held out her shredded Aggron armored-sword and waited for the attacks to close in. With one swing, the iron cleaved clean through, causing the beams to bisect and implode in flames behind her.

Auriol suddenly appeared behind Erza, holding her golden energy blade again. 'At the cost of strong defense, the armor has to be heavy. She can't dodge this!'

CLANG!

Auriol's Heavenly Body blade slashed into Erza, only to be blocked out by a giant magic seal. 'What?'

A closer examination showed Erza still had her back turned, but her left forearm was encased in half of her Adamantine Armor shield. That half was used to block her attack with ease.

'She did a partial assembly Requip?' She saw Erza's blade sing around, making her lean her head back. Time again slowed drastically as one could've seen a few strands of Auriol's hair that her cut off. She doubled over onto a knee, but she didn't have time to register the heavy kick to the gut, sending her sliding into a rock formation.

She gagged loudly as Erza requipped into her default armor. Her Houndoom slid beside her, while Clefable slid back towards Auriol.

The advisor was stammering back up, her composure more shaken than ever. She felt her inside churn and felt something come up. She covered her mouth as she had to gag. She looked at her hand to see saliva, but it was partially red. The offensive liquid was bringing back very unpleasant memories for her.

'Milord…' She stared at her red glove, time seeming to be of little importance.

Violence. Misdeeds. Agony. The very core of humanity as many would've depicted it, or at least, that's what Auriol saw. Her views on the world were as intense as the heated wars of man that she's been accustomed to. Her life wasn't fair to begin with, but who could blame her? Her home was destroyed along with countless others when two nations did battle there. Unfortunately, many were caught in the crossfire…including Auriol's father and brother.

Left all alone, the village was left half-burnt while the better half went on merrily after the fighting stopped. This is where the city was put into a means of districts; the south end safe, and the north the tarnished area. Many attempted to immigrate to the south, including Auriol, but the overpopulation would've dried up what very little resources were available. Only the insured and lucky enough were allowed to move whatever belongings they had to the safer and healthier of the two districts, and she wasn't one of them.

Left alone, Auriol was in a very unkempt blouse and skirt combo. She was dirty, and very worn out. She came home empty-handed with no work offers again. When she looked around the remains of her house, the shattered windows meant something went awry while she was out. The rest of her money was stolen while she was wasting energy walking around.

'At this rate, I'm gonna starve.' She grimaced. 'Winter's coming. If I don't find supplies…' she dreaded of what could happen to her. She knew better than to stop so low as to having herself to the less-than-proud lines of work, but moving out of the unhealthy end of the district was a dangerous gamble. There were bandits and many wild animals that could eat her alive. And she wasn't equipped to handle either.

She looked up through the hole in her roof, seeing into the night sky a lone star twinkling. 'Please, brother, Father. Give me a sign.'

Winter was drawing near. It was getting colder by the day. The crops were all harvested, and the district to the south was doing fine. But alas, like the many who needed their necessities, gimme gimme never gets, as they would say.

In that short of a time, the south end of the city was thrown into chaos with the northerners coming in so suddenly for food and shelter. Their homes still not repaired, their resources were sapped dry. The desperate grabbed whatever they could to cause a stir. Chaos erupted to madness as the streets were filled with riots and looters running away with either children and food, or knives. It became an internal madhouse for the destroyed city.

"Hey! Get back here!" a man shouted.

Auriol ran through the city limits with firewood in her hands. The splinters she was getting were making her grip feel like hell, but it'd be worth it if she could warm herself for the cold night.

"I said stop!" The man pulled out a pistol, letting out a single bullet that went into Auriol's leg.

"AH!" The poor woman cried out as she fell over. The wood she carried before splattered all over. She clutched her aching knee as the blood started oozing out.

Unable to run, a shadow loomed over the teenager. The man raised his pistol to her forehead, glaring with a crude disposition around him. "Hasn't anybody taught you not to steal, you little bitch?"

Auriol had fearful tears in her eyes. She didn't wanna die so soon. She just wanted something to help her get through the night!

The sounds of horses were heard in the distance, stopping the chaos all around them. Many men and women that were scrambling got out of the way of the stampede of men on horsebacks in Roman and Greek armor passing through.

Auriol was spared when the man was seen running away. "What is…how…?"

"Quick! Get the supplies to the needed! Bring the tools in and round up everyone for distribution!" a strong voice shouted. "Ensure that we come in peace and we ask for them to not be armed!"

Auriol turned around, the sunlight gleaming over her face. She covered up from the glare of a horse that stood above with a man with a cape getting off. She blinked once before Melchior came to her aid.

"Young miss, are you well?" He offered his hand to her. Instinctively, the blonde pulled away. "It's okay, I won't harm though…I promise."

Though skeptical, Auriol was hesitating quite a bit. Shakily, she accepted his hand, his strong grip pulling her off her feet.

"Are thou alright?" He looked towards her leg, seeing it run blood. He saw her hand was also covered in blood. Smiling, he pulled out a baby pink handkerchief and offered it to her. "Here, clean your hands with these."

Auriol dumbly nodded with a small blush. She wasn't sure, but her heart was racing at that instant Melchior gave her something to clean herself with. This was the first time in a long while that someone was genuinely helping her. She actually wondered, if what she wished for actually came true.

'Brother. Father…thank you.' She accepted the handkerchief, holding it for dear life.

Auriol calmly stood up, her position affirmed. She calmly reached back for something, which put Erza on her guard.

"You surprise me, I admit." She complimented. "I've never met someone so noble in protecting something as dear as I do. How fate plays with the human spirit." Instead of pulling out a weapon, it was actually a handkerchief, the same one Melchior gave her. Like before, she used it to clean the blood off her hand. "However, I have to ask you. Just because we oppose this world and all its ugliness, why do you continue this never-ending battle? It's pointless. No matter how much you try to fight the forces of evil, there is no way that a human alone can do it. You do not have the capabilities as one, thus you rely on another world's blessing to do so. Is this not the case for the Lysandre and Acnologia incidents?"

Erza glared at her opponent, but she didn't give a response. Instead she started requipping.

"Then tell me…" Auriol's eyes dilated, showing anger. "Why continue this world when you clearly loathe it?!" She swiped her arm, sending about 20 heavy lances of golden energy at Erza and Houndoom. They moved so fast that no one could keep track.

In a barrage of golden blinks, there were endless explosions that engulfed the area. Golden pillars shot skywards, causing dust and shockwaves to flourish. Auriol seethed into the smoke cloud, her anger showing.

"…yes. This world is in fact a dangerous place."

Auriol's eyes narrowed.

"There are many who would wish to take it for themselves, make something out of it only for them, and leave others beneath them. But…that rise to power only separates humans from their humanity." There was a vague flare in the explosive cloud, blinking into a massive flare that blinded Auriol. "That path will only bring you to loneliness. I chose this world because it's the world that Nic chose to protect. He loves both worlds, yet he chose this so-called ugly one you speak of."

Inside the light, Auriol could see the signs of a smirk. "Quite a compliment, wouldn't you say? For someone to live a life amongst here than back home."

The advisor's eyes widened when she saw the light burst apart, an intense wave of heat flaring madly. The eruptive wake caused parts of her already tattered dress to rip off. She took a step back as she felt a heated cry race around the atmosphere. Uncovering, her eyes shrunk at the sight.

Erza was in her Nakagami Armor, her hold on the intricate weapon set, Beside her was Mega Houndoom, the light that exploded earlier being shown Mega Evolution.

"And that's why…I choose to protect this world." Erza declared.

'Her Magic Power, somehow it's changed.' Auriol gasped. 'Was she holding back this power?'

Erza used her left hand to reach forward. "Mega Houndoom, Dark Pulse!" Mega Houndoom let out a battle cry as he craned his head around, jumbled darkness spreading inside. He opened his maw wide and unleashing a ground-splitting blast of dark rings that tore across the atmosphere.

Gathering her bearings, Auriol reached forward. "Protect!" Clefable stepped in front, creating a turquoise shield that took the attack. The air brimmed with darkness that Auriol could barely see through.

In a split second, the shield went down, revealing a slash. The woman used her Meteor and sidestepped, allowing a shockwave of air to slice across the ground into the beyond.

'So much power…' Auriol looked back, seeing Erza stand against her. Her frustrations grew immensely. 'Still, I cannot give up! Not after everything that Milord has saved me from! I cannot lose…to someone unworthy like her!'

"Let's end this now!" Erza reached forward. "Mega Houndoom, Inferno!" The Mega-Evolved hellhound craned his head around again, a swirling mass of blue flames surging into them. The ground around him spiraled blue flames that singed permanent shadows into them. He brought his head forward, releasing a catastrophic wave of blue waves that caught the ground of fire as it traveled after Auriol and Clefable.

"Focus Blast!" Auriol commanded.

Clefable brought her hands together to create a blast wave inside an orb. Once the orb was ready, she launched it with a streamlined accurate blow. It raced across the ground, but Mega Houndoom's enhanced Special Attack made the flames way too strong. The fire erased the energy, continuing towards Clefable. With horror on her face, Clefable was unlucky enough to be swallowed in a maelstrom of explosive fire.

"Clefable!" Auriol shouted, but she saw Erza race after her at blinding speeds. Her heart raced as she couldn't have evaded.

Her entire world went spinning as Erza slashed her halberd with a cosmic cross.

"Nakagami Starlight!"

Erza passed Auriol with a slash wave exploding behind. The ground diced into pieces as Auriol's Heavenly Body blades all shattered that she had on hand. Her cries of pain went hoarse as she went spiraling through the atmosphere, her clothing torn to shreds.

As she was falling from the atmosphere, Auriol was looking towards the sky, seeing a bright twinkling light.

Her eyes widened. At that instant, she was seeing her brother and their father in a series of fond memories they had. To the few birthday cupcakes they had, to the warm fires they shared. Despite being poor, they were still happy.

Her eyes slowly misted, a few tears falling with her. 'Brother…Father…Milord…forgive me.' She went silent as she crashed into the ground on her back behind Erza, her eyes shut as she laid beside her fainted Clefable.

Mega Houndoom and Erza went quiet as they slowly relaxed their muscles. Their transformations diminished in rainbow and glowing lights. Erza went into hakami and sarashi combo, holding one sword that she stabbed the ground with to keep herself up.

'I've used…too much power.' She huffed, out of breath. 'Seems that I still need to train more.'

The ground beside her suddenly broke a hole open. Reflexes kicking in, she turned with Houndoom towards the next target. Their guards immediately dropped when they recognized it as Krookodile.

"You're…"

Besides Krookodile, Vanessa appeared out of the hole next. "Erza?" She reconvened with her. "I thought that was your aura I sensed."

Erza sighed in relief. "Yes. I apologize that I worried you. I take it that means that you handled your fights so far?"

Vanessa nodded, but before she could give a response, an explosion happened close by.

"We need to get to Nic, quick." Houndoom noted.

"Right." Erza said. "Everyone, hurry!"

"Krookodile, Dig!" Vanessa ordered.

"Let me tell you something, Vanessa Pularis! Krookodile is good with digging and all, but wants to stay on course! One person, AT A TIME!" He jumped back into the hole, tunneling further. Erza and Vanessa followed, with Houndoom last.


Nic-Gemini was in Nic's Meadow Form as it had Leaf Blade ready in both hands, which were two glowing green long energy blades. It reappeared over Nic as he turned around in his Flame Form.

"Shell Trap!"

The blades crossed against Nic's back, causing him to feel an intense surge of cutting pain that burst into green. Nic-Gemini smirked, until the green was being replaced by orange. Suddenly an explosion of flames erupted out of Nic's back that engulfed the copying Zodiac.

The point-blank eruption created an intense smoke wave that Nic-Gemini traveled through, but as the smoke faded it revealed it in a Splash Form, taking half the damage needed. Sliding to a stop on a knee, Nic-Gemini raised its arm, summoning pillars of water that surged from the ground after Nic, via Water Pledge.

As the attack closed in, Nic glowed and turned to his Splash Form as well. As the next wave of water came up beneath, his body morphed into water.

"Foresight!"

Nic's eyes widened when he felt a peculiar white shockwave phase through him. With time slowed down still, he realized he wasn't liquifying. He looked at Nic-Gemini, who was in a hybrid Normal/Water combo, smirking as the eyes were glowing red.

'He's using my moves against me.' Taking action, Nic went to Plan B.

"Liquidation!"

As the last pillar of blue water shot up, Nic closed right through it with a water sword. The sprays split everywhere around him as he still maintained footing. He followed through, dissipating all the water in the area. However, his opponent wasn't around.

Glancing off to the side, Nic sensed Nic-Gemini behind and stayed calm. Nic-Gemini was already clad in lightning and maliciously smirked when he swung down, bringing a beam of Thunder that Nic's again didn't move for. The ground flashed before an eruption of lightning made the earth tremble, picking up rock unconditionally and reduced them to nothing.

The lightning dissipated, but through the crackling static, Nic was gone. All there was instead was a massive crater that was as deep as a pond. Nic-Gemini smirked as it knew what must've happened.

Suddenly appearing in front, Nic was clad in a combo of his Fist and Earth Form, the former being the primary while the Earth Form's edging and Poke Ball were on there. Immune to the lightning, Nic threw a Mach Punch so fast that Nic-Gemini went to the ground at the speed of sound. Nic glared at the dust, but knew better than to give an inch.

In a glint, the ground waves split apart, revealing a massive blur heading towards Nic. It was Nic-Gemini, and it was in its Sky Form barreling with Aerial Ace.

"Detect!"

Nic's eyes glinted green and the attack struck him. However, he didn't budge, while the shockwaves went through him towards the sky. A cloud about to form for the day was ripped to vapor.

As Nic was holding off Nic-Gemini physically, they were meeting eyes. Blue VS Red. It was a glare down. But that didn't stop Nic from thinking back to before the battle.

"You sure about this?"

"Yeah. If we're going to end up facing the king, that means that we'll be facing the Zodiac, too." Nic explained. He was with everyone as they were on the beach, formulating a battle strategy. "We need to know everything we can about each of them in case we end up facing them again."

"I don't know about you guys, but I want some payback on that palm guy." Natsu smirked, ramming his fist into his palm.

"Surprise, surprise." Happy groaned.

"Well, we probably should know about those guys we've fought too, I suppose." Wendy suggested.

"Indeed." Erza nodded firmly. "If anything else, they'll most likely be as dangerous as the Zodiacs. We'll need to be fully prepared if anything gets in the way of our objective."

"Or we can wing it, like Nic does." Cana shrugged, earning a raised brow from the mentioned. "What, I'm not wrong."

"At any rate." Vanessa said, getting everyone on track. "Our objective is clear. In order to reach Melchior, we'll have to take in everything we've learned. I'll go ahead and start. My opponent was the knight with the heavy armor." She described Bion. "He seems to battle honorably, and his equipment makes him heavily resistant towards magic."

"So he's like a knight?" Erza questioned.

"How ironic." Cana murmured.

"I haven't seen his magic yet, unfortunately." She continued. "In fact, when we fight, I wasn't able to sense any magic at all…but his aura seemed desperate for it peculiarly."

"Well that's helpful." Gray sarcastically stated.

"Natsu, tell them about that guy." Happy insisted.

"Yeah. Me and Happy fought this really sturdy guy that fights like Bacchus. He's got a lot of power packed in those palms he has." he raised a brow. "Now that I think about it, it's weird. When we fought, he hardly moved much. He just took attacks and nailed me back with them."

"Bacchus?" Nic and Cana asked. For some reason, they recalled the drunkard Quatro Cerberus Mage, bringing back less than pleasing memories for either of them.

"My opponent was Auriol. And just like Jellal, she possesses Heavenly Body Magic." Erza explained.

"You think Jellal would know how to handle her then?" Wendy offered.

"Well at the moment, I'm afraid he's gone with Sophie and Duncan. We can't ask them to turn back now." Erza said. "Lucy."

"Yes?" The Celestial woman said, holding Plue in her arms.

"I understand this may be hard for you, but we need as much detail that you can possibly give us about your Celestial Spirits."

Lucy nodded. "Right, I understand."

Lucy went on to talk about the schematics of the Zodiacs and any other spirits that were going to be a bother. Nic and the Celestial Crew pitched in as well, with their knowledge of the spirits they've fought back in the Celestial World. After about twenty minutes, the details of them were all set in stone.

"That's a lot to take in." Wendy said, slightly worried. "There are so many, and each of their powers have grown more than usual."

Volans nodded. "Agreed. The only way we can be assured victory is getting to his majesty. He holds the key to this whole plan. That jewel in his crown in the true source of this magic."

"So if we take the crown away, that's game." Corvus noted.

"Well I like that." Natsu smirked. "That'll be easy!"

"Were you seriously not paying attention, Natsu?!" Lucy spatted. "We've got a whole army to beat first!"

"Don't worry." The Dragon Slayer beamed with his trademark smirk. "We got this. It's just like you said, Lucy. We'll be ready."

Nic and Greninja looked out towards the sea, seeing the first rays of the sun ready to come forth.

Nic was holding Gemini in midair as he was still in freefall. He started thinking back to what Lucy explained about Gemini. 'Gemini has the ability to copy a person's thoughts and abilities. So that means…it's got my powers, too.' He kicked Gemini's gut, allowing him to fall freely. 'Which means…it's like fighting myself. It's got my moves and form changes.' He somersaulted onto a knee. 'But…Lucy also said Gemini can't maintain that person's form for more than 5 minutes. And if said person has more power than them then it's unstable…' He looked up towards his doppelganger as it flapped its wings. 'Which means, using Legendary Force might make it run out immediately. But if I go into Legendary Force, his majesty will make Gemini surpass that. It's already in bad shape because of the crown.'

Nic-Gemini's attire glowed again to reveal the Sky Form infused with his Mind Form. Reaching for Nic, Nic-Gemini's eyes glowed via Psychic. As the kinetic energy was gathering around Nic's neck to crush his throat, he glowed quickly, turning to his Dread Form. Nic-Gemini glowed and dropped entirely, crashing into the ground harshly on a knee with the Fist Form.

'And what's worse, it changes to any type that I'm weak against.' Nic retained as much calm as he could. 'I'll have to keep it busy until time runs out.'

Nic-Gemini circled around, gathering whirlwinds and slicing with the arm, via Vacuum Wave. Nic took a deep breath and sighed.

"Quash!"

A dark aura emitted from Nic's hands that made Nic-Gemini feel the same. The attack, in consequence, slowed down as Nic jumped off it and ascended above. In midair, he came down with an axe kick, which Nic-Gemini used its forearm to block.

The Celestial King swung his sword downwards, time slowing drastically down for Greninja. His eyes glimmered before the blade swung into the earth and followed through. The blastwave shot straight across the celestial sea into the distance, the trench created allowing matter and debris to pour to the bottom.

As the king followed through, he looked down at the slashed crater where Greninja's body was supposed to be, but he was gone. Unaware, blue feet zipped from the blade's end behind to the exposed king's head.

"Return!"

Kneeing the king in the back of the head with a glowing purple joint, the impact rattled his majesty with force of a ton of bricks. The king would've cried out in pain if it wasn't for his suppression.

His body suddenly erupted in a celestial rage, causing Magic Power around the atmosphere to bloom into a pillar that Greninja was also in. However, due to being a Dark-type, the celestial energy wasn't harming him.

"Sorry your majesty." Greninja flipped, avoiding the king's longsword. As he ducked and flipped, the king jabbed the blade forward embedded with the spiraling celestial energy. Greninja got on his side in midair and rolled along the top of the blade, running atop the flat end with great speed.

He swung his arms, firing Water Shuriken as blue slicing projectiles. Their impact was much stronger thanks to the Mystic Water, and even more so that it was into the eyes. Blue flashes erupted for the Celestial King's face before his majesty went tumbling down like a giant. He crashed into the ground, making the earth shake.

Greninja landed on his heels, glaring at his foe with a serious disposition.

A he watched the battle, Melchior looked back towards the hills. He wasn't forgetting something there. Seeing the massive altar miles away, his lips curved to a smirk.


The winds howled like a thousand wolves in the heavens that were heard by the mortals lucky enough to be so high up. Sophie, Duncan, and their respective Pokémon were all hiking with labored breaths. The trek was becoming unbearable.

"We're…pretty far up…" Sophie acknowledged between breaths. She looked towards Duncan, who wasn't as tired as her. "Duncan, are you feeling well?"

The Trainer glanced at Sophie. "Yeah, what about it?" Being a Pokémon Trainer from Sinnoh, Duncan was used to traveling at different altitudes, especially since he had to go through Mt. Coronet so many times. Traveling towards the top was no exception.

She shook her head. "It's nothing."

Dewpider groaned, his water bubble shaking from each heavy step taken. "So…tired…stupid rocks…" he groaned.

"I understand how you feel." Finneon said, flopping besides him. "Perhaps it would've been better to stay inside our capsules."

"Yeah." Dewpider shot Tophet a grouchy look. "But I ain't having anyone pull a fast one on me."

Kadabra wasn't responding. He was too busy focusing ahead on the problem. As much as he agreed on the subject of precaution, he wasn't going to chatter about it. He stayed close to Sophie as they suddenly stopped.

Tophet floated ahead of them, his cloak going at a constant smooth pace. He slowly turned around, facing the two Fairy Tail Mages.

Taking the hint, they stopped in their tracks to look towards the top of the smooth slope they were going towards. Their eyes cascaded towards the large double set of pillar-like stone that acted like a gate towards a ledge.

The Magic Power they were feeling in the atmosphere had become extremely unsettling, almost to where it felt almost impossible to tell if it were tangible. The shift was making their skin crawl, and not just from Tophet's bizarre nature seemingly akin to this.

'What's this strange feeling?' Duncan begrudgingly pondered. 'This magic, it's twisted somehow.'

"Wyscan Hill." Tophet responded according. "The answers of which you speak of, lies beyond this point."

"So this is where the king came to make his wish?" Sophie questioned with a furrowed brow.

"Many have in the past. There were those who were willing to fulfill those wishes…and others, who weren't. This hill's gift…may very well end up being your curse."

They didn't like the sound of that. Something was definitely wrong with this place and the person guiding them. The bizarre chills running down their spines now felt like waterfalls.

"There will be no going back, once you move beyond this point. The decision is yours alone."

The words he spoke were foreboding, almost borderline tempting. But Sophie knew they had a job to do. She steeled herself, her fists balling for anything that may possibly come their way. Her green eyes gleamed ahead, ready for what may happen.

"We're fully prepared for what may come." She said. "Everyone's counting on us…we need to stop or break Melchior's control over the Celestial Spirits once and for all."

"…so be it." Tophet stepped off to the side. "Thou mustn't say I didn't warn thee."

Gathering air, Sophie and the others walked pass Tophet, the spirit staring ahead and watching them pass without a blink. As they all passed him, Dewpider sneered at him and went along. Spiritomb took one look at Tophet and felt an ominous pressure. She turned towards Duncan and followed him.

Walking up the hill, Sophie was staring at the hill in readiness. No matter what, she couldn't give up; she mustn't. She came too far for her allies. In her head, she was having flashes of the times she had since she joined Fairy Tail. She's grown a lot since joining after leaving her father's merchant business.

"…it's as I said, dear, sometimes life doesn't work the way you want it too. You just have to get by the way you know how."

His words echoed in her head, making her stir inside. 'Maybe not, but you can make use of what you know, and make that into a life.'

Duncan followed close behind, noticing Sophie's nature change.

As they took another step forward, their feet pressed onto the ground as a massive golden light shined. Immediately they pulled away.

"What's this?" Sophie gasped.

"Another trap?" Duncan turned towards Tophet, immediately accusing him. However, the man meagerly frowned. "What're you up to?!"

As the light was getting thicker, Tophet turned his head slowly towards the sky. Duncan's eyes widened as he followed up as well. Something was going very wrong, and even he wasn't dumb enough to think this would end well.


The ground started shaking tremendously before a burst of dirt and rock flew all around. Out of the hole jumped Erza first, then Vanessa, and lastly Krookodile and Houndoom.

"You sensed Nic over here you said?" Erza looked around, confirming if what Vanessa said was true.

"I'm certain." Vanessa looked over, seeing something in the distance. "Over there."

Erza and the others turned towards the standoff, seeing two Nic at once glaring at each other. They looked deathly serious, at least one did. Greninja was swiftly evading the Celestial King, moving evasively all about while slashes erupted pillars of cosmos.

"Nic!" Erza could immediately tell who the real one was. One didn't have the red controlled eyes.

Nic glanced over his shoulder. "Erza!" His reflexes kicking in, he ducked from a Brick Break and slid back, transforming to his default form. "Don't worry about us! Get the crown!"

Erza nodded, knowing what the priorities were right now. "Right, understood." She went to move, but a sudden shift in magical pressure made her stop in her tracks. 'What is this feeling…?'

Vanessa sensed a very strong magical energy, her eyes narrowing. Her aura was picking up a very maleficent force.

Across the battlefield, everyone who was fighting stopped for a moment to feel a sudden increase in magical energy around them. But the celestial force they felt had only caused skips in their heartbeats.

'This Magic Power, what the heck is it?' Gray grimaced.

Wendy barely dodged Scorpio's spear-like sand shots, her mind racing faster than a Rapidash. 'Is this coming from the spirits?'

'Something's really going on here. This is Celestial Magic, and a big one!' Lucy fret.

Natsu looked up, smelling the air. His nostrils took in the scent of a very intense and sharp smell, no doubt magic. It was making his eyes shrink.

The Celestial Crew could feel it as well. They felt the most uneasy because they could clearly tell it was their celestial energy. But this was feeling on a far greater scale than before.

Nic looked towards the ground, feeling a slight trembling from it. He and Greninja backtracked as they looked at their foes, not feeling this power from them. It was something greater.

"So…it seems that my hunches were correct." The king spoke softly. "Seems that Ara and Scutum weren't enough after all."

Nic went to attack, but a Mach Punch thwarted his advances as he used Protect. The turquoise shield blocked the blow, leaving his foe suspended for him to kick Nic-Gemini away.

"I have read fables of this 'divine one', how she was imprisoned for her beauty and power. The bane that was the Seraph family name. I found it in myself to prepare for the worst, and Tetrabiblos behold, it appears that the time has come."

He turned towards Libra, who was suspending Oberon to the ground with great swells of gravity.

"Stop him!" Erza shouted.

Melchior glanced back as his crown shined again. Libra's eyes glowed as she danced in a pivot formation and tipped her body towards Erza and Vanessa. Instantly gravity intensified around them, causing them, Krookodile, and Houndoom incapable of moving.

"Erza! Vanessa!" Nic grabbed the fist of his doppelganger and angrily swung his elbow across the face. 'It's been over 5 minutes. Something's wrong. Gemini isn't losing any power!'

Melchior looked down at Oberon, seeing him form pinned to the crater he was embedded in. His bones must've been fractured at the very least. He was quivering and looking unresponsive. Melchior pressed on the matter.

"Oberon, my old friend." He said. "I believe it was you who went through the archives and told me of her, correct?"

Oberon's eyes widened, he saw Mechior's hand reach out for him.

"If memory serves, the way to thy maiden's freedom is one who has lost his blessings…it seems that in the end, there was a worth to your life. You, too, shall be set free."

"Sire…please…don't do this…" Oberon shakily pleaded, but he didn't have the strength.

Melchior frowned, his glare so serious that it made Oberon shudder. "What was your wish again? To end your oppression? Well then, allow me to grant you your wish. You shall be free…as shall another." Above Oberon and beneath him, there was a golden magic seal, both spinning in the same direction. They all looked back to see what was happening as Oberon was being pulled to his knees by some unknown force.

"The fables are said by the command of Tetrabiblos: To be given thee, you must sacrifice thee. A trade." The crown jewel shined brightly. "Well then, Tetrabiblos, I give to you thy offering."

"M-Milord! Wait-!" The magic seals around Oberon started to spin rapidly like wheels. Their glow intensified to surge into a magical energy that Oberon's body started to reflect. He immediately noticed how light his body was getting.

"This is…" He went wide-eyed, gasping at the realization. 'No, it can't be! I thought I was the only one to perfect this spell! He's really gonna…!'

Melchior's eyes blinked, golden magic seals appearing in the irises with red dotted centers. "Bring her back from Purgatory, thy maiden, thy blessing. Oh Tetrabiblos, let her amongst the 88 Heavenly bodies live again! I implore you, please o merciful savior! Let thy stars bring the chains to surface! For one life to another, thy radiance bless this land again!"

"This spell…is it a Sacrificial Summoning?" Erza realized.

"SIRE! NOOOO~!" Oberon desperately reached out for the king, but his body started to grow translucent. His eyes shrunk in blatant fear of what's to come.

Melchior calmly smiled towards the sky, his eyes glowing brighter. "Now…I summon thee. Come…Andromeda!"

Everyone's eyes widened as they watched the light around Oberon expand brighter. They almost went blind as Oberon's fearful expression was the last thing he gave as the ground shuddered beneath. It was dicing apart as his cried turned to hollow wails as his body was disappearing into the light.

In an intense rupture, a massive pillar of light soared into the skies. Everyone looked towards the massive pillar ascending into the atmosphere with no less shock than what Nic and Greninja felt when they witnessed the human offering.

The pillar of light vanished into the skies, leaving the sound barrier in the atmosphere to diminish. The long pause in the atmosphere didn't last very long as Melchior sighed.

Nic glared at the skies, then back at Melchior "You…what the hell did you do?!"

Melchior looked calmly at Nic, not giving him a hint. A chill went up Nic's spine as he looked towards the skies.

Jellal swiped his arm, sending a beam of Heavenly Body magic into Ara. However, Scutum's red eye glowed, the shield spirit's power making another barrier that blocked the attack. 'That shield isn't faltering. It's getting even more powerful than when it started.'

"Jellal, on your left!" Erik shouted.

Jellal was so focused on Ara that he didn't realized the right fist coming his way. The regenerating rock spirit's attack was fast than anticipated, sending him flying.

"Jellal!" Turning into dark energy, Bellona slipped across the ground to grab him before he hit the ground. "Are you alright?!"

Jellal winced, feeling his entire body sting with aches. "Yeah…I'm fine…" It was a lie. His insides were swelling. It hurt just to breathe due to his ribs being snapped.

Bellona sighed irritably. "You're so reckless."

Arbok hissed in warning. Bellona turned and saw the fist continuing its destructive path towards her. Before it could make impact, a reflective barrier appeared in front of Bellona and Jellal, blocking the full brunt of the attack. However, the shockwaves, still caused Bellona to turn away.

'This is…'

A sphere of water went blasting into Ara's direction, but a golden barrier lit up and took the blast. Water sprayed everywhere, dazzling like rain over their heads. Crime Sorciere gathered their bearings as the attacks startled them.

"Guys, over here!"

"You miss me yet?!"

Turning around, they saw Sorano and Yukino running towards them. Above their heads were Mantine and Minior respectively. They ran up the path to meet with their allies.

"Sorano?" Bellona questioned, het attention drawing towards Yukino. "And Yukino?"

"Are you guys alright?" Yukino's worried were cut short when she saw the spirits towering above. She looked completely baffled. "Wait…is that, Ara and Scutum? The Altar and the Shield Spirits."

"How did they get here of all places?" Sorano questioned. Her wonders were cut short when she and everyone felt an intense rise in magical pressure. "What's that?"

Jellal looked towards the skies, seeing a bright star twinkling an expanding. Something was wrong besides the trap they were in.

Inside the caverns, rocks were turning over from a massive blowout of Magic Power. Ophiuchus raised her head in surprise. 'This magic…don't tell me.' She flicked her tongue, smelling the air. 'Is she really being summoned…?'

"What the hell…? Duncan looked towards the twinkling star in the sky, seeing it getting brighter with the golden magic seal ahead of him and Sophie. They were so distraught with what's going on.

In the sky, the twinkling light had gotten brighter, connecting dots throughout the stars close by, until it made a constellation.

"A constellation?" Sophie murmured through the growing quakes. She looked towards Tophet to see if this was his doing, but the calm look on his face didn't have that possibility in her favor. 'If it's not him, then…the king.' She realized in horror.

Tophet's glare was still towards the skies, witnessing the starry constellation glimmering. "So…it appears his majesty's final act has risen. Andromeda."

A beaming light appeared in front of Sophie and Duncan, causing them to cover up. The light shifted to unleash two robed arms. The light on the wrists were slowly bulging, becoming celestial chains. The chains extended to the ground, clattering harshly. The light rays dissipated slowly, allowing a celestial glow to envelop something.

Uncovering, they all went wide-eyed as their gazes were drawn skywards.

The appearance was a 100-ft tall voluptuous and young woman with deeply tanned skin. Her long mid-back hair was silky and all over the place, as if gravity didn't apply. Around her forehead was a large Greek-like herbal reef with a red jewel in front of it. On her body was a womanly tunic with gold edging that hugged her body tightly. A gold necklace was around the neck area and borderline the large buxom. Her eyes were completely shut, as if she's been dormant and hadn't woken up before.

Tophet looked at the golden woman, staring blankly. But the others were astounded by this sheer level of magic.

"What…is that?" Duncan furrowed his brow, showing some sense of shock for once.

Sophie was completely stiff. She looked at the gargantuan Celestial Spirit, the magic she felt staggering beyond anything else. 'This…is Andromeda?'

Andromeda's eyes opened, revealing bright red.


"HIYAAAH!" Joey slammed Magikarp into a Parasia, sending it careening into the crowd of oncoming siblings. Joey brought his fish around and smacked the next wave, slamming them into the ground.

"Barrier-Make: Board!"

Joey created a flat barrier atop the Parasia that were ground and brought his arm down, splattering them beneath the ground. The barrier dissipated, leaving the siblings of the parasite to trample over the blue stains.

"Guys, cover! Quick!" Joey shouted.

"Okay!" Dereece shouted. "Alright Stunfisk, Mud Shot!"

Stunfisk jumped into the air, reeling his body back. "You lot sure play…dirty!" He smiled as he spat out a barrage of small mud balls that traveled across the area, making brown explosions erupt crazily on the Parasia struck.

"Swadloon, Razor Leaf!"

"Seel, Icy Wind!"

"Get ready, girl!" Swadloon cheered. "We about to rock their world!" His leafy tuft on the head glowed as he summoned a large funnel of glowing shar leaves, sending them at the Parasia.

"Righty there!" Seel inhaled as her mouth glowed blue. She exhaled a blue wind with sparkles. The attack's speed and the leaves spinning only intensified. What's more, the leaves hardened due to the frost inside. The frosted spinning saucers spliced through many Parasia. Any left over were blown down by the cold, shrilling winds.

"We've got their speed down, let's hit them fast!" Dereece shouted. "Captain Joey, what's the plan!"

"This!" Joey reached his hand out. "Quilladin, Pin Missile!" Quilladin took a deep breath fired from his horns. Green streams with white orb-like centers raced downwards onto the enemies that were grounded. They exploded with the oncoming attack, erupting madly with the force of the projectiles.

The Parasia queen let out a loud roar, making the area quiver beneath her massive wake. As the smoke cleared, the disregarded remains of the first wave of Parasia were easily trampled over as more came trudging in.

"We need a larger perimeter, stat!" Dereece insisted.

"Leave that to me!" Joey pointed skywards. "Trubbish, use Toxic Spikes!" Trubbish belched loudly as she faced the cavern skies. Her mouth widened as a poisonous orb was seen expelling slowly out of her mouth. Once ready, it shot skywards, shooting upwards and exploding into purplish-white comets with purple smoke in them. They dissipated into the ground in dark purple ripples around their whole area.

The Parasia stopped in their tracks, unwilling to risk the chance of their slimy bodies getting drenched in poison. The intelligence from the Trainers and those of experience with Pokémon were etched into their minds.

"Figures they'd be smart enough to stop." Joey teased. "This should buy us some time."

The Parasia gurged and howled as they resorted to Plan B of their own. The ones in front whipped their arms back, making their hands into tendrils that shot at the men and the Pokémon.

"Oh come on!" Joey panicked. At the last second, he pulled up another barrier, blocking the attack. "Tranquill, Air Cutter!"

"Yes, Master Joey!" Tranquill spread his wings, unleashing crescents of bright blue energy with each flap. The shredding blades spread across a large area, bombarding with extreme force; some areas exploded completely, reducing the Parasia in those areas to nothing.

'Tranquill's Super Luck can do a lot of damage. We gotta use that to keep as much of them at bay as we can.' Joey pivoted, swinging Magikarp with the back of his hand. The smack through the smoke barreled a Parasia back into the pack around them.

"Keep them occupied guys, we gotta get to Ella! That's the objective!"

Dereece nodded. "Right…oh, but, one question?"

"No time for questions! Trubbish, Sludge!" Joey's Trubbish inhaled deeply before expelling a large glob of sludge at an incoming Parasia, immediately downing it.

"It's just that…which one is Ella? They're all the same."

Joey eyes widened when he realized what Dereece meant. Inspecting the whole army, his expression faltered to a slump. "…oh."

The Parasia Queen expelled a large bellow that echoed through the atmosphere. As the airwaves shuddered, the minions started glowing the same color. Understanding the code and opportunity, they all started morphing their shapes. To their surprise, they all looked exactly like Ella.

Kevin's brow furrowed. "No…"

"Okay, that is so uncool!" Joey yelled.

"Hello, Papa and Uncles." The Ella clones innocently smiled in unison as their hands transformed into the gelatinous tendrils again.

"This is a whole lotta wrong." Dereece groaned. "Captain, watch out!"

The Parasia lashed their tentacles to the humans as attack. Joey again created a barrier to defend themselves with. With them taking cover behind the barrier, they sustained themselves for a while. But for who knows how long.

'This isn't good at all. We can't tell which one's the real Ella. They're all the same!' Joey grunted. 'But…that Parasia Queen, she's controlling them. If we get to her, we can stop them. That's the best option we have so far.'

"We can't hurt them now that they're all Ella." Dereece grimaced. He looked towards his Yanma, an idea popping inside. "…but maybe we don't have to! Yanma, in the air!"

"Okay!" Flapping her wings, Yanma ascended into the atmosphere above Joey's barrier. The Parasia immediately saw her as an enemy vessel and lashed their tendrils at her. Using Detect, the insectoid's eyes glowed and she evaded with deadly precision. Thanks to that, she sped up and soared about as Speed Boost activated.

"Let's use that new move! Use Supersonic!"

Yanma hummed as she sailed around, unleashing a violent soundwave at a high pitch. The attack reached several Parasia at once, making their bodies vibrate and conduct the sound. They all scowled as their mentality got disoriented, making them whip the other violently.

"That should buy us a little time for a plan. What do we do now?" Dereece asked.

"Okay, here's what I think." Joey began. "They're trying to psych us out. They know we're here for Ella, so that means that they have to be keeping the real one somewhere where we can't see her." He put his hand to his chin. "Now, if I were to keep a prized possession from someone, I'd keep it close or hide it, right? So the that means…"

They all slowly turned their heads towards the Parasia behind the trapped battlefield. Beyond them lied the Parasia Queen, her gurgles echoing loud and clear. They all raised a brow.

"Well, guess that's better than nothing." Dereece said.

"There's so many checkmarks to go through." Krabby pinched his pincers. "This is gonna be a long game."

"I'll go."

Everyone turned towards Kevin.

"I'm the only one with a Kite Lacrima. I can get over that army and directly towards the queen. I just need you guys as cover, can you do that?"

Joey looked towards Dereece and saw the serious expression both had. Nodding, they agreed. "Alright, we'll keep them busy." Dereece said. "Just hurry."

"I know." Kevin activated his Kite Lacrima, the large structure forming for him to get down on. "Swadloon, come with me!" he watched as Swadloon waddled towards his side, inwardly chuckling. 'That's what she said.'

"Oh~, my! We gonna be taking a rough ride?" he swooned. "Well I don't mind the view~."

"Krabby. Beedrill. Raticate. Buy us time, okay?"

"I sting yo face!"

"We'll make the pieces go first and we'll strike our turns after."

"This is gonna be so cwazzyyy!"

Kevin nodded. "Alright then. Joey, give me a little boost!"

"You got it!" Joey swiped his arm, undoing the barrier for Parasia to view them entirely. "Tranquill, Gust!"

The Wild Pigeon Pokémon's wings glowed blue and summoned a strong whirlwind through the flapping. The winds raged madly, making the enemy Parasia recoil, and some toppling down. The draft created by the attack was enough to get Kevin's Kite Lacrima a good start and sail overhead, gathering height quickly.

'Okay Ella, I know you're good at Hide-and-Seek.' Kevin looked down, his piercing eyes fixated on all the clones. 'But Mister P finds whoever he wants. And right now, you're on my list.' He sailed towards the back, leaving the others behind.

"Alright Freaks, let get close and personal!" Joey cheered, holding Magikarp in the air. "Attack!"

The Parasia unable to advance due to Toxic Spikes and confused were lashing at one another. Joey let out a scream as he smacked Magikarp into them, knocking them down like bowling pins. "Let's rock and roll, Magikarp!"

"Yes, sir!" The flopping fish gasped. "We're gonna-WAH!" He was smacked into Parasia again as Joey let out an Indian battle cry.


The radiant light around Andromeda was not a very holy one in nature. In spite of her celestial energy, the atmosphere was anything but. Her glow and frame could've been made from the battlefield in Astral.

"What the…what the hell is that?" Gray murmured.

Juvia and Lucy stared at Wyscan Hill, seeing a glow. Staryu stared with its red core glimmering. It suddenly took off without warning.

"Staryu?! Wait!" Lucy called. "Where are you going?!"

'This Magic Power…and this aura…' Vanessa could feel deep swells of strength as she was unable to move.

Erza looked serious. She glanced off to the side. This Magic Power she was taking was terribly immense.

Looking at the glow in the distance, Nic had a straight face. He knew something was terribly wrong. His gut instincts were telling him so badly there should've been something there. His fists balled tight.

In his writhing, Nic-Gemini appeared behind him, ready to kick him with High Jump Kick. Without even looking, Nic stomped on the ground, backflipping overhead. Using Nic-Gemini's shoulders in midair, he jetted his knee into the back of the head, sending the attacker and his move into the ground with crushing results.

As the smoke cleared, Melchior was still grinning. Nic glanced back at him, his eyes narrowing. He was up to something, but a swift glow from the dust cloud shot a fist pass his shoulder. He dodged Nic-Gemini's comeback as it was in default mode as well. As they were copying the other's movements, Nic-Gemini glowed and yellow energy ripples expelled over the body, via Recover.

Meanwhile, Greninja evaded the Celestial King's attack again. Energy shot across the water miles beyond the horizon that split the ocean again. At the end of it, an eruption of celestial energy was seen rushing towards the sky.


Sophie and Duncan were completely dumbfounded. The looks on their faces were priceless as they were at the feet of this entity that was summoned out of the blue.

"Kadabra, archives." Sophie murmured. "Who is she…?"

"Andromeda…" They turned towards Tophet, giving the answer. "A woman blessed with the divine power of Celestial Spirits. After the calamity, eons later, XX64, there rose perhaps one of the most gifted humans before Anna Heartfilia: Andromeda."

"A Celestial Mage?" Sophie repeated, turning towards Andromeda over them. She definitely fit the description, but something was definitely wrong.

"She loved Celestial Spirits dearly. However…that came to be her greatest downfall. Her strength in the Celestial World has been renown for many years. To this day, tales of her lost magic are said to have protected Astral. However, as her magic was overwhelming, so was her condition."

"What happened?" Sophie was fearful of what the answer was. She had a good guess it wasn't anything good.

Tophet looked to Andromeda towering. "At her most prominent age, had fallen ill. Her Magic Power was limited. But, she refused to allow herself to be forgotten. Tetrabiblos granted her wish, however…it was not as she intended."

"What was it?" Duncan inquired.

"To become a Celestial Spirit." Sophie and Duncan's eyes widened slightly from this revelation. "She loved her spirits so much, that as her time was limited, she wanted to stay with them for as long as possible. She came here, and made that very wish…but was given no key."

"No key?" Sophie gasped. 'Just like the Celestial King.'

"Upon her wish granted, her soul was being extracted from her body. This was the greatest mistake. Once the timing was right, fearful of her already immense power, her followers used sealing spells. They were afraid of what would happen if her power as a Celestial Spirit would do, that her already mortal form couldn't. She was dispelled to Purgatory."

Sophie and Duncan and Sophie looked at Andromeda as he continued.

"Tetrabiblos gave her no key; apparently he, too, found the wish to be immoral. With no key and her soul in a seal, she had become a Celestial Spirit that is forever chained. To think, his majesty found that very spell to unseal the spirit."

'A human…turned Celestial Spirit.' Sophie saw the stone look on Andromeda as she towered over them. She was bequeathed with a massive amount of power that was almost making the ground shake. 'If she's also a Celestial Spirit, then that means…' "Duncan!"

Duncan gripped his metal pole, infusing his magic to strike. "Watch it! She's about to make a move!"

With a radiant shine in her eyes, Andromeda raised her chained arms. There was an immensely bright shine coming from beneath. Before Sophie or Duncan realized it, a massive shockwave of celestial energy spread across the entire mountain range.

Over Ara below, a shockwave of cosmic energy erupted. The blast wave was so intense that it made Crime Sorciere and Yukino below cover up. The shockwaves of her power stretched so far that the nearby mountaintops were flatlined.

As the shockwaves dissipated, it revealed dust dissipating, being Tophet the one who wasn't touched. He watched on as he looked down the hill.

Behind two boulders, they all suddenly teleported, thanks to Kadabra using Teleport. Behind two boulders, laboring from the shock, Sophie and Duncan were looking back, completely struck stiff from what could've been their end.

Sophie was breathing heavily, her green eyes fixated on the visage of Andromeda as she unleashed her power. 'That power just now…just what was that?'

'If that was just her flexing…then this should be a challenge.' Duncan narrowed his eyes. He wasn't going to miss an opportunity to better himself, especially not like this. 'If she's this powerful…she could very well measure up to a Legendary Pokémon.'

Tophet watched on as Andromeda's red eyes glowed again. Above Sophie and Duncan, there were dozens – hundreds – of glowing planetary-like hemispheres waiting to be dropped on them. Looking up, Sophie saw the attack and instantly recognized it.

'A Urano Metria without incantation?'

The planetary spheres rained down on them at lightning speed, but Sophie put a finger to her forehead. "Memorized…and Forget!" The spheres all dissipated like nothing, leaving sparkles to glisten in the air around them. She was glad to have memorized that attack during her and Lucy's battle against Jackal.

Pivoting, she turned towards Andromeda, a pained look in her eyes. "She's in pain, but we have no choice. If we're going to have to stop that wish, we'll have to get pass her." She reached out. "Everyone, ready!"

Dewpider hissed aggressively as Finneon flopped beside him. Kadabra stepped up next.

"Hmph. Spiritomb." Spiritomb got to Duncan's side as he shot a glare at Sophie. "You. Make sure you don't get in my way, especially when there's an opening."

Sophie narrowed her eyes, but she wasn't having it right now. "Don't think that you can do this alone."

"I'm not. Just watch yourself."

Sophie scoffed with a smirk. "I can do that. Just practice what you preach." She countered, earning a growl from the annoyed Trainer.

Andromeda's eyes flashed red as it responded to the king's demands inside of her head. 'Go now, Andromeda. Feel free and relinquish those who dare oppose you!' That's what she heard, and her conscience was sealed away. The chained spirit summoned twinkling stars that beamed after them.

"Memory-Make: Mirrors of Cold Retribution!" Sophie created several ice mirrors that unleashed blast of dark magic at the radiant light. The attacks met in the middle, but the twinkling lights exploded straight through to Sophie's path. At the last second, she jumped out of the way as the celestial stardust erupted horizontally across the mountain range.

Duncan reached his arm up. "Spiritomb, Sucker Punch!" Spiritomb conjured an eerie dark fist from the ghastly body she had, suddenly appearing before Andromeda. The attack crashed into her face, causing her to shudder.

Duncan observed her meek struggle, studying carefully what was going on. 'She must have a weakness to attacks like Pokémon. Interesting.'

Gathering her bearings, Sophie tumbled to a knee and glared up, seeing Spiritomb back away from her attack. "Kadabra, Kinesis!"

"Yes!" Kadabra jabbed his spoon forward, causing it to telekinetically bend. The mental strain it put on Andromeda wasn't very clear, but judging by the blue aura around her body it was likely it worked.

"Finneon, Rain Dance! Dewpider, Bubble Beam!"

Finneon hummed as she lifted her frame, making storm clouds appear overhead. As it thundered, it began raining all of a sudden. The droplets poured down, making Dewpider's eyes gleam.

"Now this feels more like home." The water spider opened his beak, unleashing a jet of blue bubble at Andromeda. The rain was supposed to increase the power, especially with his Water Bubble Ability. However, it suddenly traveled back towards Finneon, her body absorbing the attack.

"Ma (What)?" Sophie gasped.

Duncan grunted. "Amateur." His comment got Sophie's attention. "That's Storm Drain. It conducts all Water attacks, including your own."

"I didn't know…" Sophie looked ahead, seeing Finneon unfazed. In fact, a red aura grew around her body. 'It looks like my strategy won't work. I was hoping Rain Dance could power up our Water-type moves. But…if they're gonna be taken in by Finneon, then we'll have to work with that.' Sophie steeled herself. "Everyone, on guard! Now!"

All her Pokémon steeled themselves for Andromeda's advance.

Andromeda's forehead charged up a large sum of golden energy into a single point. Once charged, the attack beamed across the ground, nearly slicing it as it reached them. Sophie and everyone ducked as the attack's trajectory was aimed over their heads thanks to Kadabra's attack disorienting her. Duncan found an opportunity and pulled out his metal weapon. Infusing his magic, he raced as explosions erupted in the distance behind. Andromeda's eyes flashed as she saw Duncan. Duncan sensed magic broiling from above and saw light coming down from the storm clouds above.

"Memory-Make: Baryon Lightning Impact!"

A fusion blast of green energy and lightning blasted across the point of impact, intercepting the light rays beaming down. Duncan's eyes were wide briefly as he looked back, seeing Sophie's glare fixed on him. He could've dodged, but he'd rather not take his chances with the save. He continued charging, evading the few breaks of light that pelted the ground. Twirling his staff overhead, he was able to keep himself safe, even as one stray ray was beaming for the head. The staff knocked it away.

Reaching Andromeda's heel, he swung with all his might into the heel. The impact created a shockwave that made a large airwave.

Andromeda was unfazed as she didn't look the least bit concerned. Her eyes started glowing again, causing Duncan to jump back as the ground lit up.

"Confusion!"

Duncan's body was suddenly pulled back by a telekinetic force just before the ground around him was obliterated in a large cosmic pillar. He was flung back, while passing him a long arrow of dense spiritual energy was projecting ahead. The shockwaves dissipated, while the lance pierced Andromeda's chest, causing a blast to disperse around her.

Duncan slid across the ground back towards Sophie and saw she was the one who used her Spectral Saber Flash. Her Kadabra was the one that pulled him back. He shot the former a scowl.

"I think you had the right idea, attacking her at close-range while she's focused on long-range." Sophie acknowledged. "However, it seems her attacks are larger scale or omnidirectional. Getting close like that won't be easy again."

Duncan adjusted his posture. "Figures now."

Tophet continued observing his stare fixed with expectance towards the Fairy Tail Mages.

Duncan aimed his staff forward. "Spiritomb, Hypnosis!"

Spiritomb floated above Duncan and her eyes glowed red. Hypnotic waves emanated towards Andromeda, but she didn't budge. In fact, her body expelled a golden celestial light that dispelled the Psychic-type attack.

"She can even dispel status moves." He murmured.

Andromeda began charging up her power, the ground cracking with celestial cosmos palpitating.

"Kadabra, Teleport!" Sophie commanded.

Andromeda let out another piercing shriek as she lifted her head, unleashing a crushing shockwave from below that blasted skywards. The air shredded to pieces as a pillar of cosmic energy rushed through the storm clouds and rain.

There was leveled hillside to where Andromeda was. Unknown to her, above, everyone was teleported straight above.

'This is our chance.' Sophie's acrobatics made her flip and find the perfect position to strike. As a chain of memories flourished, her green eyes were flaring. "Duncan, be ready!"

Duncan was skeptical about what she wanted, but he huffed. "Whatever it is, it better work. Spiritomb, Shadow Sneak!" As she descended, Spiritomb's tomb-like base casted a shadow that rushed downwards.

"Kadabra, Psyshock! Dewpider, Infestation! Finneon, Water Gun!"

All three Pokémon aimed their attacks specifically downwards. Purple beams fired from a spoon, while an insectoid swarm buzzed around Dewpider that he expelled. Finneon spewed water, which was a much larger volume thanks to Rain Dance.

The four attacks were coming down harshly onto Andromeda as she looked up. Noticing the attacks, her red glinted as she was bout to dispel them, however, shooting stars passed along her face, grazing it with explosions that kept her busy.

Sophie looked down with shock. Swiftly spinning through the air, Lucy's Staryu was spinning rapidly around. 'Is that…?'

BEEP!

Andromeda was so distracted with the incoming foe that she was unable to keep her eyes above as the attacks dropped. A beam of insects, water, shadows, and psychic power pressed on her upper body, making a scowl emanate around her frame.

As she was writhing in pain of the pillar of attacks, Infestation's effect was swarming her body with insects. They were crawling all around, keeping her from moving. This was the chance.

"Now, Duncan!" A large magic seal appeared around Sophie, as her memory chain began spiraling around like a helix. Duncan continued falling pass Sophie, his metallic rod gathering Magic Power.

Andromeda let out a shrilled cry as Duncan barreled at her face, a loud roar coming from him.

"With all my memories…may they give you strength!" Sophie sent the helix of memories after Duncan. "Memoir Hysteria!"

The vast helix of memories channeled to attack Andromeda as well. Along the way, they were mixing with Duncan's metal pole's tip. The added pressure surprised Duncan as he felt an immense swell of Magic Power at the tip It caused him to feel a tingling but palpable sensation in the forearms. His eyes narrowing, he smashed the helix-enflamed staff into Andromeda's large head, enveloping her in a large shockwave of light and attacks that caused dust to flare everywhere. Staryu circled around the explosion until it stopped on the ground. Suddenly everyone was teleported back to the ground in one piece, thankfully not too winded.

"Did that get her?" Dewpider grunted.

"I sure hope so." Finneon looked up, noticing how the rain was stopping. Rain Dance had come to an end. 'Hope that's the end of it.'

"Are you alright, Duncan?" Sophie asked.

Duncan looked notably well, but the shock from that immense swell Sophie gave him left his body a little shaken. He looked down at his hand, a still stare fixed on what was left of the metal pole he had. The end was fried completely. There was nothing left of it.

"Tch, too much power again." He grunted.

BEEP! Staryu beeped.

"We thank you for the save, dear friend." Finneon thanked regally. "You have our sincerest gratitude."

Staryu beeped again.

The dust ahead was clearing up, revealing red eyes glowing. A radiant glow was still seen around the massive Celestial Spirit as the insects continued to infest around her, But it looked like they weren't doing anything.

"What's this?" Kadabra gasped.

Sophie was equally as baffled. She looked on, unable to make the words. 'Tophet said that she was blessed with celestial power before she became a spirit…I never imagined it'd have this kind of effect. Is Dewpider's attack even working on her?'

For once, even Duncan looked as baffled. He didn't have the words to explain his moral horrors of an attack that strong doing nothing.

As they were stiff in shock, Tophet continued observing, his visage unclear through the shadows as the sun was eye-leveled. "Tetrabiblos…what judgment shall you cast this time, I wonder?"


Natsu turned into a lightning bolt that evaded Loke's Regulus fist. He reappeared behind, a flaming fireball set.

"Lightning Flame Dragon's Brilliant Flame!"

He slammed the fireball down onto Loke, creating large pillar of fire and lightning that rocketed skywards. The heat was so intense that anything close was seen steaming from the power exuded. The pillar suddenly dispersed into light, thanks to Loke. The controlled spirit's increased power made the attack he took seemingly unfazed him.

The spirit enveloped his fist in compressed light and drew it back. Natsu sidestepped out of the way as a beam of light surged pass him like a laser, vaporizing anything in its path. With the wrist in reach, Natsu seized it and pinned Loke to the ground.

"Cana, do it!" he shouted.

"Alright!" Cana pulled out another tarot card. "Sleep Card!"

The card flashed in front of Loke, but the spirit's red eyes shined. Another radiant light cast in around him, blinding everyone and the card's effects. Cana screamed as her retina were almost burnt away, and Natsu could barely see. This gave Loke the opportunity to shove him off and pull back another fist.

"Charmeleon, Dragon Rage!"

Off to the side, Charmeleon opened his maw, expelling a black and blue draconic beam at Loke. The Celestial Spirit forcibly backed away. Natsu suddenly got into Loke's face, swirling fire and lightning surging. Loke countered with light.

With a voluminous roar, the atmosphere raged with an intense explosion that could've been seen for miles away.

Within the shockwaves of the explosion, Cana was kneeling so her weight wouldn't be used against her. She reached back for a Poke Ball, but found her satchel empty with one Pokémon short. 'Where the heck is that last cat of all times?'

It took all of Purrloin's nerves to keep a shudder from running down her spine. The ominous tension she felt inside was too chaotic for another weight to suddenly shift about. She was swinging her tail across the ground kicking up sand, via Sand Attack. She used that to escape the snarling fangs of Canes as a dozen hunting dogs, but many of the dozen pounced through the sand, using their sense of smell to track down the fleeing feline.

"AAAH! AH! AHHHH!" Unable to take the situation, Purrloin pounced across and ran all around; she even slid beneath a hound at barely the cost of a few hairs. Many other Canes trampled the one and snarled as their red, furious visions made them intolerable. Their sense of smells made it clear on Purrloin. A golden glow was around their bodies as celestial light recovered and increased their senses further.

"You've gotta be kidding me!" Purrloin was realizing she was running out of room…and no tree was going to be enough to keep all the hounds away.

"Sonic Howl!" Lupus opened his glowing maw wide and unleashed an ultrasonic howl at Aries and Capricorn. Using her wool, Aries' defense absorbed the soundwaves. Capricorn jumped over the wall of wool and flipped a consecutive number of times before he stomped his foot down, which Lupus dodged by jumping backwards. Capricorn easily followed, using a barrage of swings and kicks to keep the wolf on his toes. Unable to find room to attack, Lupus kept up the evading until he jumped to avoid a punch, which Capricorn seized his leg and slammed him back into the ground, so much force implied that the earth depressed beneath the poor spirit.

"Are you okay?!" Purrloin quipped. 'Wait, why do I even care?'

Gathering his bearings, Lupus back-kicked Capricorn's cut to push him away, then spun on his hands for a swirling roundhouse, but Capricorn parried and sent him doubling over. "Gnnngh…" the aching wolf snarled. "This is getting nowhere."

Behind Lupus, Aries' eyes flashed.

'Oh sh-!'

He was suddenly swamped with a harsh swirl of wool, which was surprisingly firmer than what normal wool felt like. The impact was a massive funnel that sent the wolf skywards in howling agony.

"Aw man, this isn't our day!" Purrloin was so confused right now. She scurried off as Canes continued its advances. The teeth nearly snared her long tail. Thankfully with her small size she was getting around, but her leaps and sprints were intercepted. Finally she was surrounded by the pack, her hopes of getting away dashed. From above, Lupus crashed besides her, startling the cat.

"Where did you come from?!" she yelled harshly.

Lupus was barely in it. He stirred around, but he wasn't having any luck. His body ached so bad that he almost lost feeling in dozens of places. "This…looks bad cat." He looked over, seeing Canes charge. "Look out!"

Purrloin was so distracted that she didn't see one of the dogs rushing from the side. Still on his belly, Lupus seized Purrloin without warning and rolled over, his grip whipping her out of the pack and onto her feet several yards away. Cats land on their feet after all…more or less.

Canes pounced on Lupus, snarling and biting into his fur and toned body. The wolf's howls were hoarse as many chomped on his neck. Purrloin stared in horror as the dogfight was overwhelming her.

As Lupus being incapacitated, time was gradually slowing down as the shadows of the fight were casting over Purrloin. She stood there, watching as her supposed ally was becoming dog food. She was so in shock she couldn't move. Her whole world was spinning madly. This was causing her to see things she almost forgot.

In an alley somewhere in Magnolia, a trash can was stirring. A pointed tail was flicking in and out, speeding up until the can finally tipped over. Out of it Purrloin fell, along with the trash. She grumbled as she was surrounded by banana peels and wrappers. Hardly any luck with food.

"Dumpster diving?"

Purrloin heard a voice and looked towards the light of the alleyway. In it stood the visage of a slightly tanned, voluptuous woman, who was supposedly wearing a bar, if not a bikini top. She couldn't tell.

Purrloin backed away, getting behind the fallen dumpster rubble. "Geez, you make such a mess." Cana huffed.

Purrloin furrowed her brow. "One human's trash is another Purrloin's treasure."

Cana went wide-eyed, hearing her speak. "Wait, did you just talk?"

"Yeah, of course I can talk. What m I, a mute?" the alley cat snapped back.

Cana sweat dropped. "Well, no…" She knew what this meant. 'So then that means…she's a Pokémon. Just like what Vanessa and Joey have.'

Seeing Purrloin squirm around in the litter, Cana crossed her arms. "You know, there's better ways to fine dining than that."

Purrloin licked barbeque sauce off her paw. She looked at Cana, a scowl on her face. "Hmph, sorry. I don't take advice from others. So hard to trust good folk these days~." She chimed. "Now if you excuse me, I have lunch to look for. Oh! A biscuit…how lovely."

Cana curiously raised a brow, not appreciating the tone she was given. But it wasn't the worst tone out there. She's dealt with far worse. Groaning, she pulled out something from her satchel. "Here." She rolled it towards Purrloin, whose tail flicked it into her paw. The feline used her claws to open it, but what was inside made her mouth water.

Inside was a baked rice ball with thick slabs of butter and scrambled egg. The fried rice ball looked so good that it was even making her eyes wide.

"You like that, don't ya?" Cana questioned. "You can have it."

Purrloin looked up to Cana, confused by her intentions. "Wait, you're just giving this to me?" she asked. "Why?"

Cana shrugged. "Beats me. Better than starving I guess."

"But why help someone just because of it? I'm not your friend."

She then saw Cana give her what could've been the toothiest smirk she's ever seen. She watched her drink from a flash of alcohol so easily while the feline waited for an answer. When she finished downing it, she wiped her mouth.

"Just because you hate someone isn't a good enough reason to not help them. Guess you never know until you really think about it."

That memory was how she met Cana. The feline can't deny that she hates dogs. She loathes them, much like Happy does. Maybe Canes was understandable, but seeing Lupus – another dog stick his neck out for her – it was making her realize something. It was like Cana said. She didn't have an actual reason to loathe him. Though it still creeped her out, and more than likely she was regretting hit, she swallowed a hairball.

Beneath the pile of hunting dogs, a massive howl echoed beneath. They were all pushed back as the soundwaves traveled in all directions of Lupus trying to free himself. The hunting dogs landed close by, their focus now on their pack leader. Capricorn and Aries surrounded Lupus as well, and the wolf was on his hands and knees, his body completely littered in scrapes, claw marks, and bruises.

As he was unable to gather his bearings this time, he saw the hunting dogs closed in. He snarled low, but couldn't look them in the eye. He was to low on steam.

'Ah crud…' They all pounced for him, the wolf bracing for the fatal blows.

A sharp purple slash wave blazed across the battlefield, striking the few hunting dogs and giving Lupus room. Realizing he wasn't struck yet, the wolf looked up and noticed several Canes backing up from the sudden attack out of nowhere.

He looked over, seeing Purrloin stepping up in front of him with Assist copying the Sonic Claw. "You…you saved me."

"Call it a tap of the ear." Purrloin said, glaring ahead. "You know, for saving my tail." She meekly sneered. "You know, I still don't like dogs." The comment didn't faze Lupus as much as anyone intended, until she finished. "But I guess there are some good dogs out there. Guess I just had to give it a look after all."

Lupus got up, smirking. "Good to see you coming around, but you think you got what it takes, little kitty?"

Purrloin's smirk widened. "Just watch me." She faced forward, her body beginning to glowing a bright light. The sudden spout of the aura field she had was leaving the hounds and Celestial Spirits in place as her body was transforming.

Lupus uncovered, looking on as the light was morphing the smaller feline.

Purrloin's tail began lengthening to that of a whip. The end started becoming more like a scythe as the bipedal feline was starting to turn on all fours, her body becoming quadruped but slender at the same time.

When the light exploded, it revealed an entirely new Pokémon. It was primarily purple, but had triangular yellow patterns all over the body, like a leopard with spots. She had a pink mask over her green eyes with a well-framed figure with yellow fur along the underside. The leopard-like creature had a paw stuck out as she whipped her head around, huffing pridefully.

"Woah, that's a new one." Lupus commented. "What happened to you, little kitty?"

The feline looked back, her sharp tail swishing about. "I'm flattered that you keep calling me little kitty, but I don't think that describes me accurately anymore. From now on, call me Liepard." She smirked.

The hunting dogs around them sneered at Liepard and Lupus, the feline stretching in a position to pounce. The hunting dogs raised their heads, letting out howls that echoed all around. Their red eyes brightened as their powers were growing more.

"Better watch out, kitty. Canes gets stronger the more they howl." Lupus warned, however Liepard didn't look so threatened.

"Is that so?" she smirked. "Thanks for the tip. I'll make note of that when I try this." She spread her paws, glaring at the head Canes in front of her. "Psych Up!"

A yellow ring of aura appeared in front of her, which began drawing purple globs of energy from Canes. The globs passed through the ring into a vortex into Liepard, fading into her body. The move made her feel a sudden swell of power, so much in fact that her newly adapted veins were rushing with this increase in adrenaline.

'I feel so light…and strong!' she looked forward, her claws clutching the ground. 'This is what their strength is right now?'

She didn't have time to think as the main pack leader rushed for her, but Liepard rushed back. "Pursuit!" With her new, powerful legs, she pounced high above the dogs that jumped for her, her body slamming into the pack leader and sending him to the ground. Liepard slid along the ground, getting momentum to jump and dodged Capricorn. She moved around evasively against Aries' wool, and using Fury Swipes and the enhanced strength she got, she cleaved through the wool like it was nothing.

Lupus watched on, slightly amazed. The little kitty was proving herself very well. He smirked. "Heh…guess she showed me." He huffed. He spread his legs, his strength coming back. "Okay, now it's time to get really serious!" He let out a loud howl towards the sky. His fur was prickling in midnight blue static. His molecules were seeding up so fast that electricity was charging around his entire body.

As Canes attacked, Lupus suddenly disappeared . Held in midair, a sonic shockwave rushed passed him that was the wolf. Hos howls caused deafening quakes that made the hounds quiver and cover their ears. He raced after Capricorn, the Zodiac ready to block.

Suddenly Lupus disappeared again, much to Capricorn's despise. He was suddenly grounded by a monstrous sonic wave in the form of a kick from above, causing the ground to roar with debris flying everywhere.

"YOU'RE ALL GOING DOWN!" the wolf snarled menacingly.

Liepard smirked. She dodged Aries' wool attack and ran along the side towards her.


In the distance there was a large echo and explosion. Corvus looked over with wide eyes. "Is that Lupus?"

"Seems that he has unleashed his inner force." Volans said, his determination brightening his smirk. "Well then, suppose it should be rude to not go full power as well."

Corvus snickered. "Cool with me. Let's do this!"

In their respective battles, both members let out harsh battle cries as the Magic Power changed drastically. Black flames surrounded Corvus while Volans' body and wings layered and morphed into extra large blue scales like shark fins would be. Their Magic Power flowed to higher levels as their glares were fixed on their foes.

Sagittarius fired a large array of arrows, but Corvus spun in place, creating a black tornado with flames in them that surprisingly burnt away the arrows. Taurus let out a battle cry as he swung diagonally into the black typhoon heading their way. When it dissipated, Corvus wasn't there.

A black blitz appeared overhead, but Taurus didn't realize it in time. "Soaring Midnight!"

He crashed his black plumage into Sagittarius and Taurus, creating a black explosion that he shot out of. Ascending into the skies, he spread his wings and soared higher. Sue enough, his evasive tactic worked as Sagittarius' arrows misfired again.

'We can do this. We just need to hang on a little longer.' The empowered crow thought.

Volans returned to the ground where Cancer and Pisces went intercepting him at all three corners. He stayed completely aware as time slowed down for him. With one motion, he spun on his heel and his sharpened wings and elbows generated a high-powered rotation that cut into the scales, and even deflected Cancer's twin scissors for once. Suddenly all three were struck by palm strikes that repulsed them, hardened by sharp scales.

'They will not be our end. Their ends are at the hands of his majesty, and they must be stopped!' Volans confidently told himself.


Nic and Greninja slid back from a massive explosion of energy. Within it, the Celestial King held his blade to his side, while beneath, Nic-Gemini's red eyes gleamed daggers. They were all glaring at their respective opponents, but neither side made an instant move.

Off to the side, Erza was being suppressed by Gemini, watching the scuffle with gritting teeth. She had watched Nic do combat before, but not against a copy foe. 'If Gemini is able to copy everything Nic can do, that includes his knowledge and his attacks.' Her eyes narrowed. 'At this rate, it'll be turned into a battle of wills.'

Vanessa watched with just as much curiosity. However, she knew better than to get in the way. Nic would have to find a way. If she interfered, that could get her in trouble, and the king could target her.

Melchior watched the fight, a smirk on his face growing. "How resilient you are, Nic Pularis. Your counters mean no bounds. However, I do feel that as much as I enjoyed our dance, it's time for us to end this. Gemini. Your majesty."

Nic-Gemini lowers its head, the eyes glistening Nic's figment, via Mind Reader, while the Celestial King raised his blade, gathering celestial energy inside.

Nic and Greninja stared ahead. Their glares were fixed on their opponents as well, but they couldn't ignore the amount of power they were gathering in the sword and forehead. The energy in Nic-Gemini was protruding what looked like a spinning horn. It was Horn Drill.

"Nic, they don't seem to be affected by anything at all." Greninja said. "They're just healing."

"I know. They're countering everything we throw with regeneration and power." His eyes narrowed. "Exactly like Ophiuchus."

Melchior playfully laughed. "So now you understand? Celestial Spirits are the truest, most powerful magic that Earthland ever needs. The other magics are but small spuds compared to what they can do. Do you accept it now?"

Nic wasn't buying the king's faulted logic for even a second. There was always a flaw in someone. Even he had flaws. Not everyone was perfect, but the king was so delusional at this point that it wasn't right to speak anymore.

"Now then, how do you intend to defeat yourself?" his crown glowed brighter. "With the might of the Celestial King's divine power, and your power, who do you think now deserves to sit atop the throne?!"

Nic and Greninja's eyes narrowed. They picked up on something he said just now. 'Defeating myself…' Suddenly it clicked. That was it! They found a way, and judging by the glances the other gave, they understood.

'Greninja, you get what to do?'

'Yeah, we can pull it off. We've been through worse.'

Erza observed her husband and his Greninja. She saw the look in his eye, immediately bringing her to her senses. 'That look in his eyes. I know that look…they're about to do something only they know how to do.' She kept her calm and watched on. 'Nic. Greninja. Be careful.'

Nic stayed completely still, along with Greninja. It looked as though they had ceased their movement.

Melchior smirked. "You wish for me to end this? Very well then." The king reached out wide. "Then I hereby grant you your wish! Gemini, finish them!"

Nic-Gemini went rushing ahead, his head down as the energy horn spun haphazardly quick. His swift movements made it impossible to tell if he'll barrel through or dodge any attacks.

"Remember, we have to stop the Celestial King and get that crown off." Nic told Greninja. "Follow my lead."

Greninja nodded. "Right."

Nic took in a deep breath. "Smokescreen!" He pivoted and blew out a large sum of smoke around him and Greninja. The smoke wave washed everywhere.

Melchior's eyelids lowered some. "Too bad."

Thanks to Mind Reader, Nic-Gemini barreled through seeing Nic clearly. With a cry outwards, the controlled spirit struck something with the power tool-like rotation of his attack. The Horn Drill had struck something, causing an intense white burst that caused winds and the ground to stir. The shockwaves of the knockout move caused Erza to shield up, as well as Vanessa. The earth raged about as the smoke blew into thin air.

From it, a dust trail followed a body into the ground through the straight hillside. The trail stopped as the body skid, then fumbled constantly until it was left in a dust pile.

The king hummed as he watched the dust clear away. Nic-Gemini held its position as its energy in the spinning horn faded away. It calmed itself and stood still as the dust faded, revealing the results.

At the end of a slight trail of dust embedded in the earth, there was a small indent in the dirt and grass where Nic was. He was laying on his back, his body completely covered in dirt and scrapes. His left forearm had an intense blood stain that continued oozing as his eyes were shut. His clothing otherwise seemed okay, though admittedly some tatters were on it. The residual blood seeped through the arm entirely, leaving some stains on the clothes and golden sash.

Melchior looked at Nic, seeing his defeated frame on the ground. "How very…underwhelming of your circumstances, Nic Pularis."

Everyone was completely wide-eyed. Vanessa's eyes were shuddering as she saw Nic's body bleeding and ragged. Erza was silent as well, her bangs and shadows covering the depths of her own surmise. Both were completely silent, unable to make any words form from their frowns.

The air felt tight as an odd sensation fell around the atmosphere. The bloodlust of battle had fallen, as to where silence overcame the atmosphere. While Natsu and Wendy were seen fighting Loke and Scorpio, many others were doing their best to thwart the mind-controlled friends. But even thy felt some kind of bizarre ache in their stomachs.

The shores alongside the battlefield continued flowing though as they brought along red stardust that mixed with the sand, it looked to be overflowing. It looked more like blood. And what's worse, it wasn't ending. The shorelines were almost red, stained like what the rest of the land Melchior intends to infest.

After a long silence, the king humbly nodded. "I humbly respect your opinion of one who blends in with the crowd. However, it's clear that those who don't take their chances to the top, are destined to fall."

Nic laid completely still on the ground, his arm still bleeding. Suddenly he turned into a puff of smoke, fading away.

The king gasped in shock, as did the girls as they saw who was in the smoke.

In place of Nic was Gemini. The duo looked badly injured with blood stains of their own. The twins held their hands as they laid with devoid beady eyes.

"What's this? Gemini?" Melchior snapped. He looked at the wounded Gemini, then back towards the Nic that was looking at Gemini with confusion. 'How did he turn that attack back on Gemini? Did he switch places at the last second?' He saw Nic standing there, his expression off as he looked onwards. 'Still, we can't risk him getting his wind.'

"Your majesty, ready your Meteor Blade!"

The Celestial King raised his blade even higher, his attack charged at full capacity. The red shine in the crown of Melchior was at its peak. 'At this reaction speed, even the likes of he can't turn this attack around!'

The Celestial King brought his longsword down, just as Nic turned around with confusion. All that he saw was cosmic energy before a dense shockwave shredded mile off towards the sea off southward. The cosmic wave cleaved into cliffs and hills, causing them to plummet into the ocean. The land rattled as the attack's seismic shockwave could've been seen from miles far off into the mountains.

Melchior frowned with anticipation as dust and dirt spewed all around him. The Celestial King's sword was still pinned to the ground at the beginning of the long trench.

The sword lifted, the controlled king lowering his guard. The dust cleared, revealing Nic embedded into the deepest parts of the trench, which began taking in some of the celestial water from the sea that was sliced into. His eyes were shut as he wasn't moving.

Melchior looked at the sight, frowning. 'Did we make sure he was hit?'

As water was filling up the trench the king created, Nic's body was being picked up and floated. In another puff of smoke, it revealed Gemini again, their beady red eyes dim and out.

The king gasped. 'Another copy?!'

Though it wasn't noticed, the visage that was Erza turned from a frown to a smirk.

'I don't understand. I thought that was Nic Pularis. If he didn't switch places, then how did he…' The king thought back to the Smokescreen Nic laid out. 'Of course! That's when it happened! But if they're both Gemini, then which one's…' He slowly turned around, only to feel an intense force crash into his face, instantly breaking his nose. The invisible impact sent him midriff, in which a silhouette appeared off to the side, smashing a fist with an energy orb into the chin, cracking the jawline/ The king spilled blood from that gushing blow that sent him across the ground.

The Celestial King didn't realize it until seconds later, a massive blast of scalding water in sheer volume smashed into his body from above. The eruption of mist and the groundbreaking from him getting to a knee from the impact left the earth trembling as both kings floored instantly.

Vanessa and Erza stared with slight signs of moral surprise. However, they sighed contently.

Melchior spat blood from that last blow. He laid on the ground, barely recovering. "How did…you…?" He looked up, seeing two pairs of feet at his front. His eyes widened, seeing Nic in his Fist Form, his body glowing from that Drain Punch.

Melchior's eyes widened as he turned his head weakly. He saw at the end of the ditch, there wasn't a body. The king didn't realize it.

WHAM!

Suddenly Libra went down. The gravity she was creating had stopped altogether, allowing Erza and Vanessa and their Pokémon to rise to their feet.

'Libra?! What's going on?!'

Nic and Greninja stared forward, rethinking what just happened. It all went to plan.

Inside the Smokescreen, Nic and Greninja silently waited as Nic-Gemini closed in. Greninja stayed low as Nic put his right arm behind his back, while he used his forearm to block as Nic-Gemini closed in. A split-second before impact, Nic's body was outlined in a red aura, which was Endure. Just as the attack struck the forearm, a swift light flashed, and the shockwave dispersed everything.

'I see. So that was Nic's plan all along.' Erza grinned passively, showing moral impression over her husband. 'It was reckless as hell, but in the end it paid off. He used one of the few moves that can stop him from getting defeated by a one-hit move. Even though he took immense amount of damage, he was still in. Then, to deceit his opponent, he used Transform to make it look like Gemini was defeated, when really he was making the opponent turn against their own…and strike when their guards were down. Clever fool.'

"I…don't understand…" Melchior grimaced, barely getting to a knee.

"I learned something from a while back." Nic said. His mind flashed to when he fought Emmanuel and his decoys. "You're not the only one who can deceit another."

Melchior gritted his teeth. "Libra, sink him!" Libra got up after being pushed down, but for some reason, she wasn't able to use her magic. 'What's going on? Did he somehow stop Libra's gravity?'

Appearing between Nic and Greninja, something slowly came into view. Fading from her invisibility, Kecleon appeared. Melchior gasped in shock. Kecleon slowly tilted her head to the side, blinking very slowly.

"What…is…?"

"Libra needs her scales to work her magic, right?" Nic snapped his fingers. Kecleon opened her mouth and her pink tongue showed Libra's scales she stole. "If she can't use the scales, her magic is out of balance."

Melchior was stunned for the umpteenth time. 'Impossible. So he knew how to counter Libra as well. But when did he summon that thing?'

As Horn Drill struck Nic's forearm, his right arm reached back, secretly pulling out a Poke Ball. The bright flash that was unleashed was Kecleon popping out, dispersing in the smoke with Greninja. As Greninja fled after the king, Kecleon turned invisible as the smoke dissipated, her target for Libra with Thief.

'So he used Kecleon's Thief to ground Libra while she targeted us, but also to find a way to nullify her magic.' Vanessa smirked. 'Suppose that's my brother.'

"Nice work, Kecleon." Nic praised.

Kecleon kept her head tilted. "Can't wash yourself without soap." She told the disgraced king.

With Libra unable to use her attacks, Melchior looked at Nic as he reverted to his standard form. He was recovering more of his energy with Recover, healing what wounds were made, including the blood on his forearm. Melchior's frustration was showing drastically. His annoyance with Nic's mind games coming to an end.

"Celestial King! Defeat these fools at once!" he ordered.

A pair of red eyes gleamed in darkness. The Celestial King arose from the ground, recovered from Greninja's massively powerful surprise attack. The king raised his blade as Nic and his Pokémon glanced up calmly, the blade drawing down onto them.

"Protect!" Nic shouted.

Kecleon slipped in front, reaching an arm up and creating a turquoise shield. The king's massive blade slammed downwards, encompassing the entire area with cosmic energy that was repulsed skywards. The blazing force of the attack wasn't penetrating the shield, keeping everyone behind safe.

"Vanessa, hurry!"

"Right!" Gathering her Magic Power, Vanessa's teal aura started blooming. Krookodile moved out of the way to allow room as his Trainer's magic flourished with pressure so intense the land was rupturing. Her eyes widened. "Aura Guardian!"

All her magic bloomed into her Aura Guardian. Her ethereal teal manifestation reached through the dissipating cosmic energy and grabbed the king, which stood at the same height. Vanessa got behind and restrained the king, his arms pinned.

Melchior glared skywards, his glare hardening. 'Even with her Magic Power, it still won't hold him down for long.' he smirked, the jewel beginning to glow again.

Nic glanced at Greninja. "Greninja…"

He nodded. "Right. Let's do this."

Their eyes and hearts pulsed at the same time. The air pressure around them did a complete 180 as a soul-like ripple turned everything around them blue and cool. Their bodily spirits matched up perfectly, their eyes overlapping, becoming purple. Nic's edging in his attire returned to normal, and shined bright purple, with purple eyes. Greninja was engulfed in a tornado of water that shot skywards, transforming him into Nic-Greninja. The water infused into his back, covering the scar. A medium sized shuriken of water revealed itself with a thick blanket of dark water as he rushed towards the king.

Melchior's eyes widened as he felt this harsh flow of power. 'What kind of a power is that?!' His crown glowed brighter. "As king, I order you to eliminate them!"

The Celestial King was caught at a standstill. His red eyes looked weak, as if he wasn't responding through Vanessa's hold.

"Did thou not hear me! End them!" He noticed something was wrong. His spirits should be acting on his orders. As he looked at Libra, he was noticing the flicker in her eyes fading. His composure inside was breaking down. 'Hold on, something's wrong here. Why aren't my spirits doing as I say?' He looked at his surroundings, noticing something wrong about the dimensions. 'This is-?!'

It was revealed they were inside a distorted room. There were perfect edges to the area, but the lines and dimension were distorted, like space was bending. Melchior was completely stunned until he turned towards Nic, seeing him in his Mind Form with arms out to both sides.

"You…what have you done?!"

Nic remained silent as his glare was fixed on Melchior. His Magic Room was active, stopping the king in his tracks.

'No…I can feel my hold breaking!' He looked up to his crown, the jewels' glow gone. His eyes shrunk at the horror. 'It can't be! Is he nullifying my crown's effects?! Just what kind of power is he using that is above the rights of Celestials?!'

With the room's effects, the crown's influence was cut off. The Zodiacs all present were losing the glow in their eyes, their powers suddenly vanishing to normal.

Loke blinked. "Where…am I…?" He noticed n incoming flame and lightning spiraling. "Wait, Natsu?!"

Aquarius' vision returned to normal, her levels dropping. "What's going on?" she looked around, seeing her flood levels dropping suddenly. Taking notice as well, Lucy and Juvia looked shocked.

All around, the Zodiacs in combat were returning to normal briefly. Their powers suddenly flatlined as their eyes went back to normal. This was the opening everyone was looking for.

"Sorry guys, but this is for your own good!" Nic shouted. "Everyone, now!"

"NO!" Melchior screamed.

Natsu started swirling flames as Cana used her tarot cards to create fire that she shot at Natsu. The vortex created a vacuum that sucked the energy into his gullet that made the flames around him expand further. Wendy faced Scorpion with black whirlwinds confining them. Lucy and Juvia grabbed the other's hand and a unison glow enveloped them. A crow-shaped black flame swelled around him. The blades on Volans expanded and glowed as he soared after Pisces and Cancer. A wolf-like energy enveloped Lupus' arm. Gray gathered Devil Slayer ice against Virgo. Erza reached for her Key Stone, letting out a battle cry for Houndoom as the hound was swelled in the power, causing him to transform into Mega Houndoom a second time. Flames swelled inside his mouth as Erza requipped into her Flame Empress Armor and gathered flames against Libra.

Nic-Greninja reached for the shuriken on his back, gathering a high-scale vapor that turned into water. The cyclone dissipated, revealing a massive purple shuriken that spun so fast it looked like a saucer that eviscerated anything in its path.

"NOW!"

"Dragon Slayer's Secret Arts Revision – Crimson Lotus: Exploding Lightning Blade!"

"Dragon Slayer's Secret Arts Revision – Shattering Light: Poison Sky Drill!"

"I'm sorry Aquarius! You'll be back to normal soon! I promise!" Lucy cried out. "Juvia!"

Juvia nodded, together they roared. "Unison Raid!"

"Ice Devil's Zeroth Long Sword!"

"Nevermore – Amaterasu Sky!"

"Deep World – Sakratua Pala!"

"Great Wolf – Sound Barrier Fang Crush!"

Mega Houndoom unleashed Inferno that melted the ground along its course, enveloping Erza and her blade as she sped after Libra. 'Nic's recklessness isn't the only on that can be effective!' She reached out her flaming sword, spiraling with the blue flames. "Flame Empress's Soaring Fire Blade!"

"Water Shuriken!" Nic-Greninja threw the shuriken with all his might, rushing through the atmosphere with deeply intense precision and speeds at the blink of an eye towards the Celestial King.

Everyone's attacks rushed pass the spirits and engulfed them entirely. In pity of their confused states, they couldn't afford to have their chances blown by them recovering. Lightning flames exploded around Loke, and a pressurized beam of toxic light enveloped Scorpio without warning, ripping through his weakened sandstorm. Lucy and Juvia cried out as celestial water shot into Aquarius, pushing her back. Lupus' claw snapped down on Aries and Capricorn at the same time, rushing at the blink of an eye. Liepard's Assist copied Sonic Claw, the spell slashing clean through the hunting dogs. Gray's sword slashed Virgo, instantly downing her in ice. Volans swung his blade, splicing into the twin fishes and shattering Cancer's scissors. A massive flaming crow shot down and cawed, incinerating Taurus and Sagittarius in Amaterasu flames. Erza's blade flashed in an uppercut, cutting into Libra and making intense fire swirl that made her scream.

At the last second, Vanessa moved out of the way of the gigantic shuriken and reverted to herself. As she descended, Krookodile shot out of the ground and grabbed her as he burrowed back under to avoid the shockwave out of the area. The shuriken sliced and exploded into the Celestial King's chest. The king's longsword was shattered to pieces as he let out a piercing cry that was muffled by the pillar of purple water and mist that shook the land far as the eye could see.

"Now! Add the chlorine!" Kecleon chirped.

Melchior quipped.

Nic held out his fist that Kecleon's tongue grabbed. She whirled around, dragging Nic in circles until momentum was enough for him to be shot at Nic-Greninja s he descended. Reaching for the other, their hands and fingers intertwined. They spun around and their opposite fists pulled back, glowing bright purple just like their eyes, which brimmed with power.

Melchior stared up, horror beseeching him. 'There's no way…not that power! Not to a celestial!'

Coming down hard, Nic and Nic-Greninja's glowing purple fists shot clean downwards.

"RETURN!"

Their fists smashed into Melchior's chest, making the entire area around him crash and erupt in a violent uproar. The ground depressed altogether, but the debris was vaporized in the explosion of purple energy that bloomed like an atomic bomb.

Melchior's eyes rolled to the back of his head as his cries went hoarse under all the pressure.

All their attacks dissipated soon, leaving echoes of fumbles and roars to fade away. In the far distance, the Celestial King slowly crashed onto his back, leaving dust to rise. All around Astral, where men laid in defeat, so did the Celestial Spirits. They all crashed or laid on the ground, wounded and devoid of pupils. Some were knocked out completely.

Lucy, Juvia, and Klefki panted, all three of them soaking wet. They glared through the marsh that was Astral at their fallen celestial friend.

"I think…that finally did it." Juvia panted.

"Yeah, I guess…Nic stopped the king after all…" Lucy labored. She looked at Aquarius, her eyes misting. "Aquarius…it's okay…it's over now…"

Lupus and Liepard reconvened, the two seeing all the foes down and huffed. Corvus tipped his cap, smirking. Volans hummed and nodded in approval. Gray looked towards Snover as the hail around them stopped, signaling the battle over. Wendy smiled as she returned to normal, Amaura and Carla sighing in relief.

Charmeleon looked at Natsu, smiling. Cana smirked at Natsu. With realization dawning, Natsu raised a fist fight.

"That's what I'm talking about! Yeah! We just kicked celestial butt big time!"

"Yes!" Charmeleon shouted.

Erza sighed in relief, requipping back to her Heart Kreuz as Mega Houndoom walked up to her, reverting to normal again. "Good work." She heard ground churning and looked over, seeing Krookodile arise again. He sat Vanessa down on her feet and she looked over.

"Erza."

Erza nodded and looked over her shoulder towards the area where the distortion dissipated. Fading, it showed Nic and Nic-Greninja still standing over Mechior's body. He was embedded into the ground with a gaping mouth, his crown's jewel not active.

Likewise, in the distance, they saw the Celestial King down. He was also embedded into the ground, his red eyes not glowing. He, too, was down.

Nic and Nic-Greninja nodded together. They looked towards Erza, smiling at them contently.

"Seems like it's over." Houndoom huffed. "About time."

"So it would seem." Erza bemused.

'Looks like it's over…' Nic seemed calm as he and Nic-Greninja thought the same. Even though it looked like they've won, they somehow got a strange stir in their chests something was missing. 'What's this feeling…?' They had that same feeling something was wrong elsewhere. They turned towards the mountains, seeing the golden shine still. 'Sophie. Duncan. You two better be okay…'


A wave of dust faded away as Sophie and Duncan were out of breath. All their attacks they were pulling off weren't getting through, or at the very least, doing very little damage against Andromeda. Even Sophie's Pokémon were starting to wear.

'Just how strong is this thing?' Duncan questioned. 'Are even our magics affective against this thing?'

'If the crown's really giving her all this power, then we have to stop it.'

Andromeda's arms remained spread out, her Magic Power creating the radiant glow around her. Suddenly, the glow in her eyes faded, her Magic Power suddenly diminishing.

Sophie and Duncan looked on in confusion as Andromeda's head lowered, the statue-like woman standing completely still.

"Is she going to attack…?" Duncan murmured.

"I'm not sure." Sophie studied the Magic Power of Andromeda. It was at a constant, but it looked like she stopped moving. 'Her magic hasn't dwindled yet. But this change in pressure, did they finally stop the crown's effects from working?'

Tophet glared ahead, looking at the scene with no emotion.

Duncan huffed as he tapped what was left of the metal rod on his shoulder. "Hmph, so I guess we were saved by the bell."

"Yes. I suppose so…" She looked at Andromeda, seeing something peculiar. "Wait…something's not right here."

Andromeda's hollow eyes were dazed as the chains around her wrists tightened. The spirit's eyes flared red as the ground around her started shaking haphazardly. She was shuddering, and it seemed to be making matters much worse.

Looking around, they saw the ground shuddering like it was afraid.

"What's the meaning of this?" Duncan growled. "Is she still controlled?"

Before Sophie could respond, Andromeda raised her head and screamed loudly throughout the mountain range. Her eyes were still red as her mouth was gaping with a red light inside. Her piercing wails shook the earth, and nobody's ears were safe from this immense cry of agony.

"What is happening?!" Dewpider yelled.

BEEPBEEPBEEP! Staryu yelled out. It knew something was terribly wrong.

"What is it?! Speak words!"

Kadabra looked startled. "Everyone, get back!"

Sophie stared in absolute belief, feeling a greater rise in magic entirely. Staryu beeped in horror.

Andromeda unleashed a cry that echoed in the light that exploded from her body. The shockwaves of her attack spread far, obliterating rockslides and passageways as the light traveled.


Crime Sorciere panted as they faced Ara and Scutum, both their eyes returning to normal thankfully. They were out of breath, and looking very tired.

"It would seem…that they've finally calmed down." Jellal huffed.

"Then…does that mean we win?" Sorano looked to her sister or an answer, but Yukino was equally as confused.

"I'm not sure."

Erik questioned the results as well, but his hearing was picking up large explosions and the sounds of wailing that were closing in. He's hearing so many things, ranging from Melchior's cries of agony, to the Magic Power above. His one eye widened as he went completely stiff.

Bellona noticed Erik's stiffness and raised a brow. "Is something the matter, Erik?"

Erik clutched his fists, the land beginning to shake beneath. "I don't know what the hell her deal is…but you guys better duck now!"

Jellal gasped. "What?"

"Get down!" Sorano squealed, flooring.

Crime Sorciere turned around as the magnitude strengthened as a massive shockwave of light was traveling towards them. Ara and Scutum, completely exhausted and dazed from their experience, didn't have the chance as their bodies were eviscerated in the shockwave of light that vanished into the far reaches of the mountains. Crime Sorciere screamed as they, Arbok, Minior, and Mantine were blown away from the attack.

All across the mountain range, a massive explosion of light enveloped everything. The celestial shockwaves were obliterating everything in the path of the cursed mage's wake. The only things that remained safe were the hill itself, and Tophet, who seemed completely fine through it all.

The entity had a crude visage as he looked on. "The pain of Andromeda's curse is forever unyielding."

Andromeda screamed out in agony as the chains and cuffs on her wrist glowed brighter, her cries echoing louder as the light brightened.


The Parasia Queen unleashed a menacing gurgle that bellowed through the caverns. With each echo, blue waves traveled swiftly, giving new orders to the Ella minions surrounding her. The Parasia on the ground saw Kevin flying overhead with Swadloon. They reached up, attacking with extended tendrils.

"Oh no, they coming in all slimy and wiggly and eewie." Swadloon spat.

"Got it." Kevin braced himself. "Alright Swadloon, use that new move. Use Protect!"

Swadloon beamed as a turquoise energy shield appeared in front of him as he was at the front. The shield blocked and repelled the Parasia tendrils that came after them. They continued on, the lower-half covered by Swadloon's improved defenses.

With the Parasia distracted, this left an opening for Beedrill. "I STING YO FACE!" His stingers glowed bright purple for Twineedle, stabbing an piercing an Ella clone in the face. Some Ella clones moved out of the way of the aggressive bee to avoid his buzzing wrath, but this proved to be fatal as some stepped out of bounds into purple ripples, making poisonous bubbles pop around them.

"Careful where you move your pieces!" Krabby shouted, his claw glowing metallic white with silver outlining. "My turn! Metal Claw!" He swung his pincer, leaving a silver trail that slashed into a few Ella clones, causing them to dispel their forms and drop dead. "King me!"

A Parasia came up from behind Krabby as he turned around, but out of the blue, Raticate jumped and snapped his growing bucked teeth into the neck, causing an explosion of smoke as the Ella fake fell over. "Haha! I feel so CWAZY!" The rat shuddered, full of energy. He dashed pass Krabby, his body cloaked in a blue outline and zipped, via Quick Attack. His force was barreling one Ella into another, piling them up until he pushed them back.

Tranquill swooped pass several tendrils, evading with dexterity. Cawing he spun as his wings glowed for Steel Wing. He got vertical with one wing across the ground as he shot across the earth, smashing the wing into Ella fakes.

Similarly, Yanma was speeding like a lightning bolt thanks to her Speed Boost. Heracross was following behind as she flew deeper into the horde. Her eyes glimmering, her wings glowed as she zipped pass them, dropping Sonic Boom eruptions. The smoke cover was the opportunity for a glint to speed through. Heracross roared as he used Aerial Ace, barreling through unsuspecting Ella clones.

As Yanma's Speed Boost enhanced greater, she looked back at Heracross, smiling chirply. Heracross returned a nod and they continue the Bug-type combo.

Trubbish let out a belch as her flaps glowed bright white, her Double Slap smacking around many Parasia around her. Many weren't able to get close because of how badly she smelled, and she was surprisingly quick to swat. When tendrils barely grazed her, she turned towards the Parasia that shot them and her belly started gurgling. She opened wide, unleashing a Sludge that struck down the Parasia.

"Look alive, people!" Dereece shouted. Using his Elemental Walk, he was high enough out of range for the Parasia tendrils to not hit him. But on occasion, a few close calls almost got his shoes. He yelped in fear.

"Oi, I got this!" Stunfisk ensured. He slammed his fin into the ground, causing the flat fish to ascend to the air. He used his fins to flap repeatedly, gliding downwards. "Ready for some rain, mate?"

"Use Mud Shot, Stunfisk, now!" Dereece ordered.

Stunfisk's beak glowed orange inside and he fired rounds of brown mud from above. The attack peppered across the battlefield below, creating explosions of mud that many Parasia weren't able to get through.

"Yeah, that's right!" Dereece looked around, seeing a random Ella fake glaring at Stunfisk. "Quick, Thunder Shock!" His warning reached Stunfisk as the tendrils snapped at him. Smiling, Stunfisk fired a weak jolt of electricity that burst in midair, making the Parasia recoil.

Unknowingly behind, there was a blue glint. Unable to respond, the Ella fake turned and was slammed with a jet of water that sailed through her. Seel blitzed with her Aqua Jet, flying haphazardly throughout the atmosphere and through Parasia.

"Pardon me, y'all watch out!" She swooped down, her beam into the Parasia army leaving water to spray everywhere.

"Keep them distracted just like that!" Dereece shouted. 'They're slowed down for now thanks to our speed lowering attacks. The ones confused must've been beaten already. Gotta hope Kevin gets to her, and soon!'

Tendrils shot up beneath, longer extensions wrapping around the soles of his feet.

"Gah!" Dereece yelped.

"I gotcha!" a voice shouted from close by. Suddenly a thin but swift barrier swept beneath Dereece, cutting the appendages off. The remainder returned to the Parasia while the rest around his heel wrinkled and dried up.

Dereece shuddered. "Blek, so disgusting." He looked down at Joey. "Thanks, Captain!"

"Don't drop your guard, no matter what!" Joey ducked from a tendril and smacked Magikarp into another fake. He turned around and created a barrier to avoid another tendril launch. With dance-like movements, he pranced around, smacking Magikarp into his enemies.

As he was moving swiftly, he was keeping watch of his surroundings. When one Parasia came up when his back was turned, he swiftly pivoted, slamming the Ella clone across the face. As he watched the creature lay there, he panted. Seeing him strike Ella was heartbreaking, it truly was. But he knew better than to play Mr. Nice Guy. Broly didn't teach him to watch his back for nothing. 'It doesn't matter who the foe is if they're out to kill you.' He reached out his arm creating a large barrier. 'You can't get carried away. Don't let them get to you!'

The Parasia ahead were shooting tendrils with all their might. Joey pushed the barrier with all his might.

"Barrier-Make: Crash!"

He crashed the barrier into the swarm in the blink of an eye. Immediately some were scraped beneath, and many others were blown out of the way. Joey took a sharp breath, looking dead serious. "Man, these guys just don't let up."

Quilladin let out a battle cry as he swung Needle Arm, immediately downing one Ella fake. He turned around and glared at the realization he was surrounded. His eyes beamed left to right, but he didn't falter.

Parasia unleashed tendrils strike at the same time from all directions. When many would think he'd jump to dodge, he actually pulled off a dance move and ducked, spinning on his back like a top. Meanwhile, the tendrils went right over, jabbing the other and hollering in angst.

Quilladin finished the dance move and landed on a knee. "How's that for a spin-off!"

Stunfisk was close by, hearing Quilladin's comment with a chuckle. "Good one, mate." He was saved from an incoming Parasia when Seel's Headbutt rammed in its head, downing it.

"This is getting tiring." The sea lion huffed. "Just many are there?"

All around Trubbish, she was surrounded by Parasia. Steeling herself, she lurched her head skywards, unleashing a toxic orb that went skywards. The orb exploded again, becoming another round of poison ripples in the ground for Toxic Spikes. With distance, she was clear…or so it'd seem. An Ella fake jabbed at her with an extended tendril. It ached, but she took it well. But then another tendril jabbed from another direction. Then another. And another.

Seeing Trubbish in trouble, Joey covered his blind spot with a barrier. He turned around and aimed in Trubbish's direction. "Give her some backup, guys! Quilladin, Rollout! Tranquill, Gust!"

The two eyes glimmered. Quilladin yelled as he curled into a ball and started rolling along the ground. He barreled along, grinding Parasia beneath him. Tranquill's wings glowed as he flapped them. A blast wave of air picked up, blowing away Parasia, but that was just a bonus. The tailwind from the attack made Quilladin speed up so fast that he was a steamroller at acceleration. He zipped clean through the Ella fakes surrounding Trubbish, saving her.

"Awesome." Joey smiled. He heard snarling behind, seeing his barrier's border teeming with Ella clones that growled with devoid eyes. He braced himself. "Alright Magikarp, this is another chance. You ready?"

This time, Magikarp flopped eagerly in Joey's hold. "Yes, sir!" he wheezed.

"Then show them your Splash!" He deliberately threw Magikarp into the crowd of Parasia, making him flop on his side. The Fish Pokémon could be seen flopping around the ground, plopping and going in random directions. The zombie-like movements of the Parasia didn't cope well when they tripped over the fish. They faceplanted, leaving holes in the advancing army.

Joey smirked. "Alright, let's keep the pressure on!"

Dereece reached down at the army. "Yanma, SuperSonic! Seel, Icy Wind!" Yanma hummed as she sailed across, expelling a loud sonic soundwave into the crowd. Some Ella stayed cleared or low so they wouldn't be affected, but they were blindsided by a blue, icy wind that blasted them. The ones confused were unaware as they were covered in frost.

"I sting yo face!" Beedrill jabbed relentlessly with Fury Attack, before he had to ascend to dodge a tendril. "I sting yo face!" he complained.

"Swadloon, Razor Leaf!" Kevin shouted from above. Along the kite, Swadloon's shield came down as he unleashed a spiraling funnel of leaves downwards, peppering the ground and Parasia with shredded angst. Kevin glared at the back, glaring at where Ella might be. 'I'm almost there…almost…'

The Parasia Queen saw the enemy making advances and taking down her babies. Her eye suddenly sharpening, she wiggled her tendrils crazily.

"GrrrOOOoooOOOOHHH!"

Suddenly the caverns began shuddering, stopping everyone in their tracks. Debris was moving about, leaving unsettled terrain for everyone.

"W-what's going on now?!" Joey tried keeping balanced. "Why is the ground shaking?!"

The queen released another ominous howl. The blue waves that went to the Parasia made them all ceased their advances. The cavernous ceiling above began cracking apart, getting everyone's attention.

Much to all their horror, a fissure was breaking through the rocks. It looked like it was splitting in two entirely.

Joey's eyes shrunk in shock. "…oh, you've gotta be kidding me."

"Talk about a crack-up." Stunfisk murmured.

Dereece looked above, his disposition turning to one of horror. 'No way, how is this happening?' He looked towards the queen in the distance, seeing her eye shrunk. 'Wait…how stupid are we?! She can change the terrain to what she wants! She controls this island!'

Swadloon looked up, seemingly calm. "Oh no, looks like they be dropping on our parade."

Catching the hint, Kevin looked skywards. As the fissure opened, the Parasia on the surface were dropping in. Hundreds of them were falling like rain into the underground chamber. Their wails and shrieks echoed like banshees.

"So many…" Kevin was dumbfounded when he saw a Parasia clone land on a wing of his kite, causing the trajectory to tilt downwards. "Crap!"

"Kevin, look out!" Dereece screamed out.

Kevin turned skywards, his horrors reaching unbelievable heights as Pasrasia glopped him. He screamed as they latched on, their tendrils coiling around him. Swadloon wasn't spared as he was snared as well. The kite started dropping, the tendrils from below finally reaching and sticking to it. They pulled the kite down, along with the passengers.

"KEVIN~!" Dereece yelled. A Parsia shrieked as it landed on him, making him scream in panic before he lost control of his magic. He went plummeting below, falling to many more gelatinous beasts.

"Dereece, no~!" Joey turned, but found his arm held back. Slowly turning, he was dumbfounded when a Parasia tendril had extended and coiled around the arm. "Hey, no touching! This coat is very expensive! AH!" Several Parasia landed in front of him, startling the man.

Their hollow faces and blue humanoid figures closed in on Joey, but he was gonna make a barrier until he was pounced on so suddenly.

Magikarp gasped in shock. He flopped on the ground worried for Joey. He went over to help him, jumping in the air and coming down for Tackle on the pile of Parasia, but he merely bounced off. He landed on his side, flailing in a panic.

"Magi…karp…" Joey groaned. The tendrils and jelly-like substance around Joey was draining him slowly. His body was going numb from his Ethernano and bodily fluids drains. He was starting to feel hazy. 'I'm…getting so tired…'

Quilladin was continuously rolling to get after his Trainer, but dozens of tendrils laced around him suddenly, pulling him back. The Grass-type gasped as he was bounced back like a rubber hand catapult, slinging him into rocks.

"I sting yo face!" Beedrill dove for the army, but a Parasia dropped on his back, sending him to the ground too quickly. "I STING YO FACE!"

Everyone was losing ground fast. Regardless of the poisonous surroundings, Parasia were no overpowering with numbers. Trubbish was slowly surrounded by poisoned parasites, and Tranquill was grabbed by the neck and hoisted down hard. Yanma and Heracross fared no better as they were suddenly seized as they sailed over the crowd.

The infestation didn't stop; it was becoming too much. There seemed to be no end. The Parasia Queen watched as her swarm was running amuck in her chamber, her prey – humans – soon to turn to husks. She couldn't wait to get info and more human intelligence. It wouldn't be long now until they were dried up.

"I'm too attractive to be sucked dry of my goods!" Joey panicked, but a tendril jabbed his head, sticking and making his jaw go numb. He floored hard, with many Parasia gathering around for the slow, agonizing feasting.

"Cap…tain…" Dereece grimaced as Parasia coils and tentacles were draining him of his magic and DNA. His head was getting hazy as he could barely tell the ground beneath him from his own hand.

Swadloon was immobile due to coils spread around him. "Swadloon…" Kevin reached fir him, but he didn't have the strength. His arm dropped to the ground as he laid there, Parasia surrounding and trying to drain his life.

Even with his shades, one could see the mist in his eyes. Kevin's blurry vision saw a pile around his friends individually. "Joey…Dereece…" He lazily looked up, seeing blue entities around him. He clenched his teeth, his frustrations rising.

"ELLA!"

The Parasia Queen gurgled at the feast to be finished. Suddenly, a drop touched her head. The queen stopped, feeling another drop.

The Parasia directly in front of her – the real Ella – looked towards the ceiling. It was dripping water, borderline drizzling. Confused, she reached her hand out, feeling it as liquid. "Rain?"

As rain was pouring down, everyone was screaming in agony along with the Pokmon until they noticed it downpouring. Rain kept coming down, and all of a sudden a blast of water shot the Parasia around Joey. They were jettisoned off him, leaving himself soaked.

Coughing profusely, Joey's pale face arose with a dizzy expression. "Uh…man…what just…? Huh?"

The blast of water continued its wake across the battlefield. The water was a lot stronger than anticipated as Parasia were blasted away. Floods were what got them off Dereece, who was in fetal position when he came around. The water sprayed on Kevin as well, pushing the attackers off.

The Parasia Queen and Ella looked on, showing no signs of surprise.

"C-Captain, are you okay?" Dereece coughed.

"Yeah, I think so…somehow." Joey answered. He reached his hand out, feeling water coming down. "Rain?"

With the rain active, Magikarp looked around at the confusion. Taking the opportunity, his Swift Swim Ability activated, allowing him to flop swiftly towards Joey's side. Joey picked him up as Kevin gathered as well. The other Pokémon regrouped as they looked around, feeling an odd sensation in the air.

Kevin looked up, visibly confused. 'Something's not right about this.'

'Is this Rain Dance?' Dereece questioned. 'None of us know that move.'

Joey didn't recognize the move either, but a sound of a light flicker from the hole they made got his and everyone's attention. They turned around, seeing a few figures walk to the cliff overlooking them. They stared in confusion and awe.

Under the visage of darkness, they saw a sly smirk.

Joey's eyes narrowed. "Is that…?"

A maniacal laughter was heard, along with a giddy squeal from the insectoid beside him. The lights came on around him, revealing a Buizel, a Roggenrola, and more importantly, a Venipede. Their Trainer's laughter was clear they knew who it was.

"No way…" Dereece paled. "Is that…?"

"Good job, Buizel." The man said. "Perfect timing and accuracy. Now then…I believe this, my friends, is what you should be calling…a dramatic entrance."

Joey slumped over, his brow twitching from the shock he was experience. Never in a million years would he have guessed someone like him would be here. "Kane…"

Kane darkly smirked, beaming pridefully over his nemesis. "Hello, Joey. Surprised to see me?"


Dun-Dun-Duuuuun! And done. Also…dun! Plot twists everywhere, as you could see. There's a LOT that happened yet again! There were a couple versions of how I wanted Nic to go against the king, but I felt that'd be too straightforward. I wanted to show getting clever with status moves and using his past experiences, so I felt this was a fair draft.

For Sophie and Duncan, they'll have their time to shine next chapter. Regarding Sophie, this arc has been hinting some bits for her a while now, and next chapter you'll be seeing what it boils down to for her.

And as for The Freaks, surprise! You never would've guessed Kane of all people coming to their aid! What is going on? But it'll be explained.

Next chapter is gonna be the conclusion to this arc. You probably can guess that it's gonna be a long one, but I am going to try and be as effective with this conclusion as I possibly can, and make sure the ending on both plots gets perfect fittings. So until then, reviews are extremely appreciated!