The battle-scarred village was silent for a brief moment before the storm hit. The villagers, already on edge, could only watch in shock and disbelief as the massive, grotesque bucket of corrosive substance descended from the sky. It was their last hope of protection—only a matter of time before it destroyed everything they had.
As the bucket tipped and began to pour its deadly contents over the village, the townsfolk began to scatter in panic. Lucy's eyes widened, her heart racing as she saw the danger. But before anyone could react, Natsu was already in motion.
"Get to the center!" he yelled at the villagers, his voice cutting through the chaos like a flame through paper.
Without another word, Natsu charged forward, flames licking the air around him as he formed a steady stance. He took a deep breath, his body coiling with energy, and in a split second, his fire burst forward in a brilliant surge. "Fire Dragon's Brilliant Flame!"
The immense heat shot from his mouth, a blazing inferno that spiraled outward, engulfing the corrosive jelly as it hit the ground. The substance hissed and evaporated as the fiery surge blew it away, saving the village from utter destruction. It was a sight to behold—Natsu's flames so hot, so intense, that the very air seemed to warp around them. The village was scorched, but the center remained untouched, the villagers huddling together in safety.
The trio of enemies, riding atop their enormous, beastly mount Angelica, hovered in the air, their faces twisted in fury as they witnessed their plan unravel. Their descent from the sky was inevitable; the battle was now upon them.
Lucy, still processing the magnitude of Natsu's attack, took a quick breath before turning her attention back to the action. She saw one of the opponents—riding Angelica—begin to retreat, likely to join the others in the fight. Without hesitation, Lucy sprinted toward the creature, determination in her eyes.
"You're not going anywhere!" she shouted, leaping onto Angelica's back as the giant mouse moved to escape.
The large creature's fur was coarse, but Lucy's grip was firm as she held on. She grinned mischievously as she spotted the rider preparing to strike back. But before the enemy could react, Lucy's fingers quickly found their target: Angelica's sensitive underbelly.
With a sudden flick of her wrist, Lucy began to tickle the massive creature, her fingers dancing against its thick hide. The results were immediate. Angelica's eyes widened in surprise, and the mouse gave an ungraceful lurch, knocking its rider off balance. In a flurry of motion, the creature veered off course and crashed violently into the ground, sending the rider sprawling.
Lucy, still holding on for dear life, laughed triumphantly. "Gotcha!" she said to the giant mouse. But before she could catch her breath, Happy swooped down, circling above her.
"You okay, Lucy?" Happy called out, wings fluttering with excitement.
Lucy gave a small nod. "I'm fine. But I think we need to take care of the others."
Meanwhile, Natsu had already engaged with the remaining two villains, Toby and Yuka. His fiery spirit flared as he faced them down, ready to fight to the last.
Toby, grinning darkly, extended his claws, crackling with energy. "Let's see how well your flames work against my Paralysis Claws," he sneered, lunging forward.
Before Natsu could react, Toby's claws slashed through the air, releasing a wave of magic that shot toward Natsu. The attack was quick and precise, and the claws seemed to shimmer with an invisible force. As the magic hit, Natsu felt his body stiffen, his muscles seizing up. The paralysis hit him instantly, and he fell to his knees, struggling to move.
"Gah…!" Natsu grunted, desperately trying to fight against the numbing sensation.
Yuka, standing nearby with a staff in hand, raised it and pointed it at Natsu. "Wave!" she shouted, unleashing his powerful magic. The vibrations from his spell hit Natsu's body like an unseen wave, disrupting his magic and further hindering his movements.
Natsu could feel his flames being suppressed as his magic flickered under the strain. He gritted his teeth and fought against the immobilizing effects. "Damn it…" he muttered, trying to push through the pain.
"You're not going anywhere," Yuka said coldly, stepping forward with a smirk. "It's over for you."
Toby raised his claws for another attack, but Natsu, despite the odds, managed to break free, his body igniting with fiery determination. "You think you've won?" he growled, flames bursting from his body in a last-ditch effort to regain control. His fire spread outward, burning through the paralysis magic and forcing Yuka and Toby to take a step back.
"This fight's not over yet!" Natsu roared, his flames burning brighter than ever before.
...
From the shadows, watching the scene unfold, Aurelius stood, his clones positioned around the area, hidden and vigilant. His sharp eyes followed the movements of Natsu, Lucy, and the villains, though his mind was occupied with a different matter entirely.
Ultear. The name lingered in his mind as he surveyed the chaos. The illusion around the moon, the ritual taking place—he knew there was something bigger at play here, but what exactly? He had already pieced together the significance of Deliora, but the presence of Ultear on the island raised more questions than answers.
Why was she here? What was she after?
The answers were elusive, but one thing was certain: The events unfolding here weren't a coincidence. He needed to stay vigilant. His eyes flicked to the sky, where the purple moon hung ominously, still covered by the dense illusion he had sensed earlier. Whatever was happening, it would likely come to a head soon.
But for now, he remained an observer. He would interfere if necessary, but for now, this was something Natsu's group needed to handle themselves.
...
As the battle raged on in the village, Natsu, and Lucy fought desperately. The moment of victory was still far off, but with their unyielding determination, there was hope.
Natsu gritted his teeth as he faced Yuka, the tremors of her Wave magic still reverberating through his body. His flames sputtered and flickered, barely able to hold back the overwhelming force of her vibrations. The struggle to maintain control over his magic was immense, but Natsu wasn't the type to give up easily. His body burned with the fire of determination as he stood tall despite the odds.
"Damn it!" he growled, attempting to push through the pain. His muscles were stiff, his flames barely able to respond. Every time he tried to ignite them, Yuka's vibration magic would suppress it, dampening his strength.
Yuka's cold smirk widened. "How long do you think you can keep this up? Your flames are no match for my Wave."
He raised his hand again, the vibrations increasing in intensity. The air around Natsu seemed to hum, the pressure building against him as if a heavy weight was pressing down on his very bones.
Natsu gritted his teeth, fighting to remain on his feet as his flames sputtered weakly. But then, in a moment of clarity, he remembered something. He couldn't rely on his magic alone. His body was his greatest weapon.
In a swift motion, Natsu charged forward, his body agile despite the suppression of his flames. He closed the distance between him and Yuka, who was too focused on maintaining her Wave magic to notice his movement. Without warning, Natsu swung his fist, delivering a powerful physical punch to Yuka's face.
The impact echoed through the air as Yuka's body jerked backward, and she crumpled to the ground, her magic faltering with the hit. Natsu stood over her, chest heaving with exhaustion but victorious.
"Don't think you can just cancel out my fire that easily," Natsu muttered, glaring down at her as she lay unconscious.
Yuka groaned, rubbing his bruised face as he slowly stood up. He glared up at Toby, his expression a mix of frustration and determination.
"Toby," he gritted out through clenched teeth, "Step aside. I'll finish this fight. I'm not going to let this guy beat me like this."
Toby narrowed his eyes but, after a moment's hesitation, nodded, stepping back. "Fine. But don't take too long. I'm itching to get my hands on that idiot."
Natsu smirked, his body still buzzing with energy from the earlier fights but now fully focused on Yuka. "Alright, come on! Let's see what you've got!"
Yuka shot a glare at Natsu and summoned a fierce gust of air, causing the ground to shake as he stood his ground. "This will be the last mistake you make!"
But his confidence was short-lived. Despite his effort to use the Wave to weaken him, Natsu's flames roared to life, lapping at the ground and pushing through Yuka's magic. With a swift and powerful strike, Natsu took advantage of his momentary distraction, knocking Yuka out cold.
He collapsed to the ground with a thud, and Natsu took a deep breath, wiping the sweat from his brow. He turned to face Toby, who was now visibly annoyed.
Toby cracked his knuckles and stepped forward, his eyes locked onto Natsu. "Fine. Looks like it's my turn now. You won't get so lucky with me."
He lunged at Natsu, his claws drawn and ready to unleash their paralytic magic. "Get ready to be crushed!"
Natsu's grin didn't fade. "You sure about that? You're about to find out just how strong I really am!"
Toby's claws swiped through the air with lightning speed, but Natsu was faster, dancing out of the way with ease. The air crackled with tension as Toby's claws came dangerously close, but Natsu was already planning his next move. He feigned a stumble, causing Toby to think he had him on the ropes.
"Gotcha!" Toby roared, swiping down with full force.
But it was a trap. Natsu leapt out of the way just as Toby's claws slammed into the ground. In his haste, Toby lost his balance, and Natsu seized the opportunity. With a well-timed dodge and a quick spin, Natsu grabbed Toby's wrist, pulling him closer.
"Surprised, huh?" Natsu taunted, grinning. "You should've paid more attention."
Before Toby could react, Natsu swiftly twisted Toby's arm, forcing him to rub his own head with his paralyzing nails. The nails made contact with Toby's skin, and immediately the paralyzing magic took effect. Toby froze, his eyes wide with shock as his body went rigid, his muscles locking up.
Natsu stood back with a satisfied grin, crossing his arms. "Looks like you paralyzed yourself, buddy. Way to go."
Toby struggled for a moment, but his body refused to move, and he soon slumped to the ground unconscious.
Natsu let out a breath of relief, wiping the sweat from his brow. "That was too close... but I won."
...
Meanwhile, as Natsu battled the two opponents, Lucy pulled herself up from the rough landing, brushing dirt and debris from her clothes. Just as she steadied herself, a figure emerged from the shadows—Sherry. Her face twisted with fury, her eyes burning with anger as she stomped toward Lucy.
"You!" Sherry snarled, her voice sharp and accusatory. "You ruined everything! I can't believe I failed because of someone like you!"
Lucy tensed, readying herself for a confrontation as Sherry's rage boiled over.
Without hesitation, Sherry thrust her hands forward, unleashing her Doll Attack: Wood Doll. The animated construct lunged at Lucy with surprising speed, its wooden limbs creaking ominously. Lucy, gritting her teeth, quickly raised her Celestial Spirit Key.
"Open, Gate of the Golden Bull! Taurus!" she called.
With a flash of light, Taurus appeared, his massive frame towering over the battlefield. "Mooo! Lucy, leave this to me!" he bellowed, charging at the Wood Doll with his axe raised high.
In one powerful swing, Taurus cleaved through the Wood Doll, shattering it into splinters. Lucy smiled in relief, but her confidence faltered when she saw Sherry smirking from behind her raised hand.
"Impressive," Sherry said mockingly, "but did you think I only control things like that?"
Lucy's eyes widened as Sherry gestured, her magic glowing ominously. "My magic works best on mages like you," Sherry declared. "Now, let me show you how easily I can turn your ally against you!"
Taurus abruptly froze mid-charge, his axe falling to the ground. His eyes glowed with a strange light as he turned toward Lucy, a malevolent grin spreading across his face.
Lucy took a cautious step back, panic bubbling within her as her once-trusted ally advanced toward her under Sherry's control.
Lucy stumbled back, her heart racing as the towering Celestial Spirit loomed closer, his axe gleaming in the light. "Taurus, stop! It's me, Lucy!" she shouted desperately, her voice trembling.
Sherry smirked, watching the scene unfold. "Oh, how touching. But your words won't reach him now. He's my puppet!"
Despite the fear threatening to overtake her, Lucy took a deep breath, clutching her Celestial Spirit Key tighter. "Taurus, you're stronger than this! You promised to protect me!" she called, trying to keep her voice steady. "You swore it when we made our contract!"
Taurus faltered, his axe lowering slightly as a moment of hesitation crossed his features. The strange, glowing light in his eyes flickered, and Lucy felt a faint connection stir within her—a bond formed by their contract.
Her heart raced, but she didn't falter. "I won't let you hurt me," Lucy said, her voice growing stronger with each word. "I believe in you, Taurus! You can fight this!"
For a moment, the glow in Taurus' eyes dimmed, and the axe trembled in his hands as if the weight of his duty was pulling him back from Sherry's control.
Lucy's determination surged. She closed her eyes and focused all of her energy on the bond she shared with Taurus. "I trust you, Taurus. I know you'll keep your promise!"
With a strained growl, Taurus suddenly broke free from Sherry's magic, his axe shaking violently as if fighting invisible chains. Lucy's heart pounded in her chest as she knew what she had to do.
With a sharp command, Lucy invoked the Forced Gate Closure technique. "Close, Gate of the Golden Bull!"
A brilliant flash of light enveloped Taurus, and with a final cry, he vanished, returning to the Spirit World. Lucy stood alone, breathing heavily but relieved, as Sherry's shocked expression mirrored her own exhaustion.
Sherry staggered back, her smirk replaced by a stunned expression. "W-What? You closed his gate? But how?" she demanded, disbelief evident in her tone.
Lucy stood tall, her chest heaving from the effort, but her eyes blazed with confidence. "Because Taurus isn't just a tool for me to use," she said firmly. "He's my friend, and that's something you'll never understand!"
Lucy, taking a deep breath to steady herself, pulled out another Celestial Spirit Key. "Open, Gate of the Canis Minor! Plue!"
A small, wobbling figure appeared—a fluffy white creature with a blank expression and a small nose that wriggled as it looked up at her.
"Plue? Seriously?" Sherry burst into laughter, clutching her stomach. "That's your great plan? A useless dog?"
Lucy smirked. "He's not useless! He's... uh... Plue! Go, Plue!"
Plue toddled forward, his tiny feet shuffling across the ground. But before he could do much of anything, Sherry's hand glowed with her Magic. "Doll Attack!" she called out, her spell taking hold.
Plue stopped in his tracks, turning to face Lucy with his usual blank expression. He raised his stubby arms, but even under Sherry's control, he remained too weak to do any real harm.
Lucy sweatdropped at the sight of Plue awkwardly flailing his arms at her. "See? Told you he's not useless," she quipped, earning a growl of frustration from Sherry.
"Fine! You think this is a joke? Then let's up the stakes!" Sherry snarled. She extended her arms, her Magic glowing as she summoned a towering Rock Doll from the earth. The massive, humanoid construct loomed over Lucy, its stone fists clenched.
"Get her!" Sherry commanded, pointing at the Celestial Spirit Mage.
Lucy's eyes widened as the Rock Doll lunged at her. She turned on her heel and sprinted toward the shore, the doll crashing through the terrain behind her. She reached the water's edge and spun around, pulling out another key.
"Open, Gate of the Water Bearer! Aquarius!" she shouted, plunging the key into the air.
A swirling wave erupted from the shore as the elegant, blue-haired Celestial Spirit materialized, holding her massive vase. "Lucy, you better have a good reason for calling me!" Aquarius snapped, glaring at her summoner.
"I do! Just handle her!" Lucy pointed at Sherry, who smirked confidently.
"Handle me? Don't forget, I can control Celestial Spirits!" Sherry declared, her Magic taking hold of Aquarius.
Aquarius' eyes glowed ominously as she turned toward Lucy.
Lucy, bracing herself, crossed her arms. "Fine. Do what you're going to do, Aquarius. Just remember to aim!"
Aquarius raised her vase, unleashing a powerful torrent of water. The wave surged forward, engulfing both Lucy and Sherry in its path.
As the water subsided, Lucy coughed and sputtered, soaked to the bone. Across from her, Sherry was in a similar state, drenched and glaring furiously.
"What... why?" Sherry stammered, shaking water from her hair.
Lucy smirked, flipping her wet bangs out of her face. "I knew Aquarius wouldn't hold back, so I just let her do her thing. Turns out, she's an equal-opportunity attacker."
Sherry glared at Lucy, her frustration boiling over. "You... you little—!"
But Lucy stood tall, her confidence unwavering. "You were saying something about handling me?" she taunted, ready for whatever came next.
Dizzy from the impact of Aquarius' torrent, Sherry staggered to her feet, her movements unsteady. Her Rock Doll swayed dangerously, its balance as precarious as its creator's.
Lucy, equally dizzy and dripping wet, held her head and tried to steady her vision. "What a mess…" she muttered, blinking to focus on the stumbling figure of Sherry.
"Y-you... I'll still... beat you!" Sherry slurred, staggering forward and abandoning control of her doll, which crumbled into pieces behind her. Without her Magic, she lunged clumsily at Lucy, who instinctively raised her arms in defense.
"What? A brawl? Seriously?" Lucy yelped, sidestepping Sherry's sloppy attempt to grab her. Despite her own dizziness, she managed to trip Sherry, sending the other woman sprawling face-first into the sand.
"I'm not losing... to someone like you!" Sherry shouted, scrambling back up and swiping at Lucy again.
The two clashed awkwardly, their movements uncoordinated and sluggish. Lucy, more by luck than skill, managed to avoid most of Sherry's attacks and landed a fortunate shove, sending Sherry back into the ground.
Breathing heavily, Lucy staggered forward and collapsed to her knees, just as Sherry let out a pained groan. "This... isn't over..." Sherry muttered weakly, her vision blurring.
"Yeah, well... it's over for me," Lucy replied, equally exhausted.
Before losing consciousness, Sherry weakly called out, "Angelica..."
The giant mouse, Angelica, appeared from the shadows, her massive frame looming over Lucy. With a high-pitched squeak, the rodent reared up, preparing to slam down and flatten the powerless Celestial Spirit Mage.
Lucy looked up, wide-eyed and unable to move. "Oh, no..." she whispered.
However, just as Angelica began her descent, a blinding white slash streaked through the air, striking the giant rodent mid-charge. With a loud squeal, Angelica crumpled to the ground, unconscious, her colossal form stirring up sand as she fell mere feet from Lucy.
Startled, Lucy scrambled backward, her heart pounding in her chest. She scanned her surroundings, looking for the source of the mysterious attack. "What... was that?" she muttered, her voice trembling. The beach was eerily quiet, save for the gentle crashing of waves and the faint rustling of palm trees.
She strained her eyes but found no one. "Am I imagining things?" Lucy wondered aloud, clutching her Celestial Spirit keys tightly in her hand.
What Lucy didn't know was that hidden in the shadows, cloaked by an intricate illusion, stood one of Aurelius' thought projections. The projection was still, silent, and invisible to the naked eye, its presence barely more than a whisper in the wind. It watched Lucy for a moment longer, observing her confusion, before it silently dissolved into the air, blending back into the surroundings, leaving no trace of its existence behind.
However, in a further distance, a figure lurked behind a rock formation. Zalty, having witnessed the events unfold, felt a sudden tension in the air as he recognized the mysterious slash. His eyes narrowed, his mind racing as he immediately realized that the attack had been no accident. The Master of Deceit had intervened. Zalty's gaze shifted to the horizon, knowing that the game was shifting in ways that would soon lead to deeper and more complicated events.