Fissures stretched across the earth, pushing rock formations up on both sides. Countless giant trees lay toppled and scattered.
Lucy, Future Lucy, and the two Wendys walked along the uneven stone path.
"I really don't understand what those four idiots were thinking. We agreed to stick together, and they disappear the moment we arrive," Lucy grumbled, scanning their surroundings. "We should never have trusted them!"
Before crossing the Eclipse Gate, they had decided to team up with Natsu to face the dragons together.
On the surface, it was because familiar teammates coordinated better. The real reason was that staying with Natsu, who was familiar with dragons, meant they wouldn't "die" as quickly—at least they couldn't lose to mages from other guilds!
But in the end, their little scheme had failed.
"Still, isn't Chase a bit too much?"
Future Lucy looked at the shattered landscape in amazement. "He split a forest with one punch..."
Though she understood this sudden "big brother's" power, seeing such unreasonable destruction firsthand was deeply shocked.
It was hard to imagine what kind of terror that punch would have caused if it had landed in the Grand Magic Games arena.
Only now did she understand why the Master from the other world had forbidden Chase from participating in the later matches.
"My idiot brother is probably having the time of his life right now. Being able to destroy without restraint, and all that," Lucy said, shaking her head with a sigh.
"I think Chase did this to help scatter the gathered dragon horde for us," Wendy said softly, her beautiful, lively eyes full of angelic understanding.
"Indeed, we haven't encountered any dragons since we started," Future Wendy agreed.
She had a very good impression of Chase, this reliable big brother who had taught her God Slayer Magic.
"That's true, but the main reason is still that most of the dragons were drawn to that card nerd," Carla said, calmly stating the truth.
Even from this distance, she could clearly sense the massive commotion coming from that direction. Other areas seemed to be starting their own battles too.
Unlike the others who wanted to temper themselves through fighting dragons, Carla and Future Carla had simply come through the Eclipse Gate because they couldn't leave Wendy alone.
"Thanks to him, it's unusually quiet over here."
Future Carla spread her white paws helplessly. "I don't know if that's lucky or unlucky."
After all, the main purpose of coming here was to give Wendy, as a Dragon Slayer, the chance to fight real dragons.
"For this old man, it's extremely lucky~"
A slightly lecherous voice suddenly rang out, putting Lucy and the others on high alert.
The ground shook violently. They looked up to see a massive emerald-green dragon with two long whiskers hanging from its broad chin emerge from the bushes ahead.
It was the very dragon known in the original story as Zirconis the Emerald Dragon!
"This ugly face, and that tone..."
Looking at the giant lizard-like dragon before her, Lucy's eyes widened in surprise. "Zirconis?"
Future Lucy, Wendy, and the others also recalled the dragon spirit they had seen in the Dragon Graveyard two nights ago. They hadn't expected to meet the living original here.
"What a headache. Who should I eat first?"
As if not hearing Lucy, Zirconis stroked its chin whiskers with its claw, its dragon face showing a human-like expression of indecision. "Women, children, and cat snacks—they all look like tender, delicious food!"
"Decided! I'll start with the small, cute little girls for an appetizer. The blonde women have too much fat—eating them first would be too rich!"
Both Lucys were mortified. "Where's the fat?! I've been training all this time!"
"E-Even the dragon can tell..."
"I've reached the point where I'm rejected as food..."
The two Wendys, however, were crushed. They clutched their flat chests, sinking into deep despair.
Just then, Zirconis's expression shifted dramatically. "Wait—you know me?!"
"Your reaction is way too slow! Rude lizard (Mr. Dragon)!!" x4
Far from being offended by Lucy's outburst, Zirconis seemed delighted. "So my fame and legend have reached the future world!"
In the middle of its laughter, its gaze suddenly turned vicious. It opened its mouth and blew out a crimson-glowing gust of wind.
"Even if you know me, I'm still going to eat you all!"
The unexpected magical attack caught Lucy and the others off guard. Before they could dodge, the wind had already reached them.
"Huh? That's not a roar?" Future Lucy blinked in confusion.
Aside from the foul smell, she didn't feel any significant damage.
"Me... your clothes!" Lucy's horrified voice came.
"You too!" Future Lucy shouted.
Their clothes were disappearing at an alarming rate. In just a few words, they were completely naked!
"Eek!!"
The two Wendys were equally startled. They hurriedly followed Lucy's example, crouching down and covering their chests.
In contrast, perhaps because they were "cats," Carla and Future Carla were unfazed. They stared at Zirconis with looks of utter contempt.
"Ahaha! This is my magic—magic that strips humans of their dignity!"
Zirconis laughed heartily, thoroughly pleased with the fear and panic on the girls' faces.
"Lose your clothes, lose your will to fight. You humans are such a fragile species."
"But as food, you're perfect!"
With that, it suddenly extended its claw, reaching straight for the crouching Future Wendy.
In that instant, a Celestial Spirit magic circle bloomed. A sleek training outfit and golden twin-tails swayed in the wind.
Lucy, wearing Cancer Celestial Spirit Dress, leaped out, sprinting up Zirconis's green arm. Her Cancer Twin Blades flashed rapidly.
SHING SHING SHING SHING!
A barrage of blade lights cut through in an instant, carving a path from claw to shoulder, sending shattered scales and blood flying!
Zirconis's expression shifted dramatically.
To a dragon, these were only superficial wounds—but the attacker was just a weak human!
Unlike other hotheaded dragons, Zirconis had immediately recognized Chase's terror after being struck by the Thunder Force Rain. It had even deliberately picked the weakest targets from the mages who had come through.
Never in its wildest dreams did it expect that even the "weakest" could hurt it!
***
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