Chapter Forty-Six
Natsu felt fear hit him and he swore he heard Lucy tell him to move right; so he flung himself quickly aside. He heard Gray swear as something large landed where Natsu had been standing seconds ago. He rolled over and saw the hybrid. It turned its eyes on him and he saw the intellect in the dark eyes.
"Mard Geer!" He swore, jumping to his feet and pulling right arm back as fire erupted along it. The hybrid screeched and its tail swung out. The broad part of it caught Natsu and sent him flying. He flipped in the air; landing against the wall of a building on his feet and kicking off as it fired shurikens at him. He landed beside Gray and winced.
"You lucky Fire Freak." Gray muttered as the hybrid turned on them.
"Tell me about it." Natsu grunted and held his right hand to his left side.
"You okay?"
"No he's not!" Wendy's voice came over the comms and Gray swore while Natsu looks ashamed. "I'm on my way. Stay alive until I get there!"
"Don't come Wendy! It's too dangerous." Natsu objected but he could hear the sound of wind over the comms. It was too late. He shifted and watched the hybrid. Mard Geer knew Wendy was coming. She was making herself a target in more ways than one. It reared back and screeched. Gray and Natsu covered their ears, the ringing taking them both to one knee. It charged and opened its mouth, acid spitting towards them.
"Rams Wool Barrier!" A soft voice called out and bright pink fluff appeared in front of them; taking the hit from the acid. The hybrid spun around and Gray and Natsu looked over and then up. Standing on top of an overturned dumpster stood Aries in her soft sweater dress, her arm flung out towards the Dragis.
"Crab Cutting Claw Attack!" A male voice shouted and slashes appeared; cutting the wings of the hybrid and the shurikens falling to the ground. The hybrid shrieked in pain and anger. Cancer landed beside Aries and shifted to block her from any possible attack.
"Lucy…" Natsu whispered in awe; wondering how she'd summoned two Guards to his location like that. From what he recalled of her instruction by Capricorn she had to be nearby.
"I'm here." His head snapped around and his mouth fell open even as her arms wrapped around his shoulders and pulled him to a standing position.
"Why the hell are you here?! It's too dangerous! That thing is stronger than even the others we took on." He shouted and she tightened her arm around his waist.
"Where you go, I go; stupid!" She shouted back and he felt her worry wash over him in tandem with her relief. He shook his head and looked over at the Hybrid that was watching them.
"I'm fine down here, by the way." Gray muttered as he struggled to his feet on his own. He shook his head to try and clear the ringing from his ears. Natsu rolled his eyes and Lucy offered him a sympathetic smile.
Natsu looked back at Lucy. Her face was still full of worry, her brown eyes bright with tears she was holding back. He didn't like that Mard Geer could see how much she cared for him; or him for her; and at the same time he was thrilled Mard Geer could see it all. So he knew the fight he was going to have to try and take her. He leaned down, nuzzling the side of her head and neck. She nuzzled him back and he felt the soft breath as she struggled to keep from crying.
"I'm sorry I yelled at you."
"Well I'm not sorry I yelled at you." She countered and he grinned against her throat. She shivered and his hand on her waist tightened.
"That's fair. Ready to face this thing?"
"Obviously." She nodded and looked into his eyes. He turned his head and let his fangs lengthen as he summoned more power from deep inside his core. Flames leapt up all over his body; and Lucy's scalut sent the helmet up but left her face bare—protecting her neck and hair. Aries and Cancer joined them on the ground in a blink. Loke also appeared on the other side of Aries.
The hybrid roared and Natsu and Gray braced but the ringing didn't take them to their knees. They lifted their hands to their ears and felt something soft in it. They turned and Aries waved shyly around Cancer. They turned back to the hybrid which had stopped roaring when it realized it wasn't having the desired effect.
"One hit from all of us." Lucy whispered and they all nodded.
"Wait!" Wendy's voice hit them and they watched as she glided down on a draft of air and threw her hands on Natsu's back. The Hybrid had perked up as she'd appeared and was watching intently. Natsu felt Wendy's healing magic hit him; unfiltered.
"Wendy?" He asked hesitantly. Typically she had to use the cord set up to make sure she didn't over extend her magic or hurt the recipient of her magic.
"Trust me." Her voice was stronger, more sure, than he had ever heard from her.
"Always Wendy." He answered and felt his side become pain free almost instantly. "Thank you."
"I'm not done yet." She said and held her arms out behind them. "Trust me. When you attack; I'm going to help."
"Wendy?" Lucy's voice held concern.
"I'm being true to me." Wendy assured her, and Lucy nodded. The flames on Natsu were even hotter.
"Hope you're ready for an asskicking Mard Geer. Curtesty of my mother." Lucy shouted and threw her hand into the air. "Uniform Switch—Capricorn!"
Natsu turned and saw Lucy in a fitted suit; over the scalut. Sunglasses hid her eyes from view and her blonde hair had been braided into a style that mimic horns. She held her stellar whip in her hands, ready to go. He also saw Aries and Cancer look pleased while Loke didn't appear to notice.
"Ice Make Snow Ape Army!" Gray shouted as several large ice creatures popped up behind and to the side of him.
The hybrid roared and charged forward.
"Hold!" Lucy called out and everyone tensed. She took a breath, watching the hybrid. "Hold!"
"Lucy?" Gray watched the advancing monster with every muscle tensed to capacity.
"Now!" She shouted and everyone moved forward; the Zodiac Guards moved behind the hybrid; Gray and his creations moved to the far side; Lucy shifted to the closest side; and Natsu ran for it head-on.
The hybrid moved quickly; its tail taking out most of the ice Snow Apes. Its shredded wings sent Aries flying and Loke broke form and caught her before she hit the wall behind her. Lucy leapt forward and cracked her whip; bringing its head around towards her. As the wing closest to her tried to connect with her; she feinted to the side and kicked out. Her foot; in heavy black boots that were reminiscent of Capricorn's hooves; connected with the hybrid's chin and she flung her arm; the whip whistled. As it connected, the roar was cut off as its mouth was cauterized shut.
It flailed and Natsu watched as it's stomach connected with her and she was sent flying. Before he could adjust from his incoming blow; a streak of blue appeared. He thought at first it was Wendy but then he heard the voice.
"I got you Lushee!"
Happy swopped in and grabbed Lucy by the shoulders of her suit and lifted her into the air.
"Everyone! It's disoriented. Choose your strongest attack!" Lucy shouted and everyone pulled themselves together and stared at the thrashing monster.
"Regulus…."
"Ram's…."
"Crab…."
"Ice Make…"
"Dragon…"
"Celestial…"
The voices rose as light shot around to all of them. And each gasped as power filled them and they moved faster. Their attacks landed with stronger force than any expected. The ground shook and buildings swayed. Everyone landed a handful fo feet away and watched as the chaos of their united attack slowly vanished. Only the claws were left of the hybrid.
"What was that at the end? I felt…"
"More power, right?" Wendy's voice sounded winded and everyone looked over. She was bent over, breathing hard. Lucy ran over, the suit disappearing bit by bit as she moved. She touched the girl's shoulder and the scalut instantly wrapped around her hand.
"Oh my Stars. You are burning up!"
"I'll be fine." Wendy lifted her head smiling. "It's a side effect of the magic I used."
"What did you use?" Loke asked as he looked at the small Dragis in front of him.
"Eve gave me an old Air Dragon spell that was in his archives. It's an enhancement spell. It allows me to help amplify the power of others."
"Don't use that too often. You look pale." Lucy was grateful but also concerned She pulled the girl close and hugged her, Wendy sagged in gratitude. Natsu stepped around Gray and touched Lucy's shoulder. When she looked up and stared into his eyes; she nodded and released Wendy. He picked her up and cradled her close and they all turned and started to head back to the building where they'd previously been. Happy was curled on Lucy's shoulder; and Gray was trailing behind; keeping vigil. Aries and Cancer had returned to their current hideout in space; promising to come if Lucy summoned.
Loke was in the lead, keeping his head on a swivel. When they turned on the street where the building was; Wendy had started to feel better and was trying to convince Natsu to let her walk. But as he was about to give his rebuttal; Loke was knocked off of his feet. Lucy started to scream; but Gray pushed her down, laying on top of her as Shurikens went flying overhead. Natsu threw Wendy into the air and gave a growl. Happy caught her by the shoulders of her dress and flew out of the way.
More hybrids leapt from other abandoned buildings. "How did they get here?"
"They found a hole in Eve's barriers." Habiki's voice carried around the tense air. "We got out of the building but we couldn't get a message out."
"Be careful. These ones are smarter than the other ones." Ren's voice chimed in. "We're still trying to get out."
"Get out of what?" Gray asked as he and Lucy dodged several more shurikens while Natsu and Loke were having to dodge acid attacks.
"Laxus and a hybrid blew up the roof and it crashed down. No casualties but we're stuck in the rubble."
"Help will be there soon!" Lucy shouted and flung her hand out. "Virgo!"
"Yes mistress?" Virgo asked as she appeared and Lucy requested that she go and get the others out of the rubble. Virgo looked around but Lucy insisted so she disappeared.
"Thank you Lucy!" Mirajean's voice came out of nowhere.
"You all just be careful." Natsu ordered and he geared up for an attack. Loke straightened up and collected himself. He prepared to attack as well.
The fighting was brutal. These hybrids were smarter. Able to dodge more attacks than the last ones. Lucy grunted as a flailing tail connected with her side and sent her skidding down the road. She rolled onto her back and struggled to catch her breath.
"Luce!" Natsu shouted as she laid there, barely moving. He tried to get to her but the hybrids had gotten between them and were intentionally forming a barrier. Gray and Loke tried to get to her but were also cut off. And Wendy and Happy were too easy of targets to try and get to her from the sky. She finally rolled onto her side and got to her knees.
"Lucy! Be careful!" Natsu yelled and set out a combo of flamed filled kicks and punches, cutting a swatch through the hybrids to get to her.
Lucy turned her head and looked at them and then around. She froze as a man started walking down the street towards her. She pushed up to her feet and threw her arms out. "Aquarius! Capricorn! Taurus! Gemini!"
"Lady Lucy!" Capricorn wrapped an arm around her waist as she started to fall, her breathing labored. "What's happening?"
"Mard…" Lucy gasped; the use of magic on top of the injury that the scalut couldn't prevent when the tail hit her; weakening her. Capricorn followed her line of sight and tensed. Taurus and Aquarius shared a look and then ran forward in a staggered position and took defensive stances.
"Gemi, Mini you two stay with Lady Lucy." Capricorn ordered and the twins each grabbed one of her arms. She breathed hard and looked down the street. Natsu, Loke and Gray had ramped up their attacks but were still being held back by hybrids; more and more coming out of alley ways.
"Stand down old friends." Mard Geer called out as he got closer. "And let us all rejoice in the unity that will soon commence."
"Stay back you sorry bastard!" Aquarius shouted as she sent water out of the urn under her arm. He leapt high and glared at her. "You attacked our Celestial Mage and her friends and think we'll just step aside?"
"It won't ever happen!" Taurus agreed. "We will never let you anywhere close to Lady Lucy or her rocking body!"
"What the hell is wrong with you?" Lucy shouted and Taurus chortled but tightened his hold on the neck of the axe in his hand.
"Please refrain from such foolishness. I want us all to be…friends…again." Mard Geer tried to coerce them but they both sneered.
"We will not fall for that again. We will never forget what you did to our home….our family…our friends or the countless other worlds and galaxies over the past millennia." Capricorn argued and removed his glasses and put them in his breast pocket. He swept his right leg behind himself and braced for an attack. "Nor will we give you any chance to touch our Celestial Mage."
"Foolishness like yours used to be commendable. Now it's just annoying." Mard Geer sneered and lifted his hand. Hybrids came out of buildings and aimed for the three Zodiac Guards. One very close to Capricorn with its mouth already open and ready to spew acid. But it never got the chance. Lucy's whip lanced across its mouth and sealed it shut; and its head thrashed for a few seconds before it exploded. The body fell over limp and Mard Geer turned his head ever so slowly. Lucy wore a beautiful blue, whiter and gold bikini top and sarong over the top over the scalut. Aquarius smiled smugly seeing Lucy in her Celestial outfit.
"So you are a Celestial Mage who will protect her Guards?" Mard Geer shook his head and looked at her. "You will be harder to bring to heel but if I was scared of a challenge; I wouldn't have conquered as many worlds as I already have."
"Lucy's no pet to bring to heel!" Natsu swore from where he was back to back with Gray and standing knee deep in dismembered body parts of killed hybrids.
"Your pet Gekko is very sweet." He sneered at Lucy whose expression darkened.
"Nothing to say?" Mard Geer rolled his eyes and snapped his fingers. Human men came out from around a corner and aimed weapons at the Zodiac Guards. "How about this then. Come quietly or we'll see if your Guards can handle the weapons of this planet. They are very effective I've learned. Brutal and unsophisticated but effective."
"Remember my threat Brat!" Aquarius shouted without looking behind her. The militants looked at her; extremely captivated by the larger than life mermaid with the dark aura. They could also be heard murmuring about the half animal half humanoid males who also looked extremely large and dangerous.
"No? Oh so you only protect them when its convenient for you? I can work with that." Mard Geer smirked. He lifted his free hand and motioned to the militants. "Fire when you wish."
"Aim! Fire!" One man yelled and several did fire. But there was a flash of lightening and their bullets stopped mid-air and exploded at a safe distance from the Zodiac Guards. Laxus landed beside Capricorn and turned to glare at Mard Geer who had taken a half step backwards.
"Now…I am sure that Blondie back there has been frustrating; it's her natural state of existence. But she would never protect her friends when it was only convent for her. She'll protect them even at the most inconvenient of times. Because she's foolish like that."
"Someone has our Lady pegged." Taurus chuckled and swung his axe playfully.
"Foolish of you to make yourself a target as well." Mard Geer said and nodded for the militants to attack again.
"Fire!" A man shouted and more fired rounds at everyone in front of them.
However they never made it. A wall of light appeared and stopped the bullets. The humans gasped and watched as the wall receded down into runes they couldn't identify. Mard Geer looked around and sneered. Freed stood at the top of a tall light post and flicked his long green hair over his shoulder.
"Good timing Freed."
"It took some time to set up the rune traps in the surrounding streets. Just in case these troublesome humans cause any issues." He called down and the militants shifted uneasily.
"You are making yourselves out to be nuisances. I don't need this headache." Mard Geer grounded out darkly. He made to open his book when Lucy's whip cracked and the book went flying out of his hand. Happy swooped down and caught it. Mard Geer looked up but Lucy was still standing behind her Guards, the whip in her hand. He turned and looked top the side and gasped. Lucy stood there; in a black dress with gold trim and her hair was styled in wild curls.
"That's…Loke's Celestial Suit." Aquarius murmured in awe. Lucy leapt off of the stoop she'd climbed up on silently and twirled her whip. Forcing Mard Geer to leap backwards. He flicked his hand out and a hybrid leapt at her but Taurus caught it with his axe to it's throat and spun it over his head.
"That's my Luce!" Natsu cheered as he watched her move quickly; light at her feet; a trick that came with the suit. She kept flipping her whip and with every crack that echoed around the street; her friends gained more and more ground.
"Enough!" Mard Geer swore and threw his hands up. Happy yowled as he was pulled backwards as the book in his paws pulled towards its owner. He started flapping his wings the hardest he could; trying to keep the book away from the man who was calling for it. Finally Mard Geer snarled and a hybrid leapt up at Happy; using the body of its friend for leverage. Right as it was about to swipe out at Happy; it was knocked out of the air.
Everyone gasped at what they saw.