ROAR!
The scent of blood and searing pain fully awakened Zirconis's draconic fury. It raised its other claw and swatted violently at Lucy, who was still airborne.
"Aries Celestial Spirit Dress: Wool Shield!"
Pink wool burst forth, forming a flexible barrier between Lucy and Zirconis. It blocked the sharp claws while absorbing most of the force.
Lucy landed steadily in Aries form. Under Chase's hellish training, she was no longer a combat idiot—she could make optimal decisions in an instant!
Zirconis shook off the wool stuck between its claws. It was about to press the attack when it found itself enveloped in a rapidly swirling white storm.
From another direction, Future Wendy, now in her Celestial Spirit World outfit, stood within the gale, her arms raised and palms aimed at Zirconis. An intricate Dragon Slayer magic circle formed before her.
"Dragon Slayer Secret Art: Illuminating Break: Sky Pierce!"
Amplified by the God Slayer Seal, holy air currents converged and compressed into a single point, launching an energy beam at Zirconis.
Zirconis was driven back step by step, forced to abandon its pursuit of Lucy. It turned and tore Sky Pierce apart with raw power.
This is—
Grandeeney's magic?
No, like the blonde woman's attack earlier, there's some terrifying power mixed in!
Feeling the pain in its chest where it had been struck, Zirconis narrowed its eyes at Wendy. It decided it needed to capture this human brat for interrogation.
If she was truly connected to Grandeeney, she could be used as leverage to pressure the coexistence faction's Grandeeney into joining the opposition.
In terms of raw destructive power, Grandeeney might not match other dragons, but her support and healing magic were unmatched—the kind that could instantly turn the tide of battle!
Before it could act, however, its footing gave way. Its massive body crashed into a deep pit.
Virgo emerged from the ground, looking expectantly at Future Lucy. "Princess, I dug the hole as you instructed. Please punish me severely."
"I want to reward you!"
Future Lucy, also wearing the uniform Future Lucy had brought, had no time for banter. Seeing Zirconis beat its wings to fly out of the pit, she shouted to Wendy, who was being carried aloft by Carla. "Wendy, now!"
"I'm on it, Lucy-san!"
"Divine Power Enchantment: Dragon Slayer Magic — Sky Dragon Mode!"
Wendy clenched her fists and took a deep breath, her cheeks puffing out. Golden air currents spilled from her pursed lips. "Heavenly God Dragon's Roar!!"
Her small body unleashed immense power. Just as Zirconis rose from the pit, the storm breath struck its back precisely, sending scales and debris flying as it was pushed back down.
"We're just mere humans! Even if my power is suppressed, you insignificant food can't defeat me!!"
Zirconis roared, erupting with wild magic power.
Its emerald wings beat harder, generating stronger gales. It pushed through Wendy's Heavenly God Dragon's Roar, rising upward and sending both Wendy and Carla tumbling away!
Despite the Thunder Force's weakening effect and the God Seal's enhancement, Wendy's current strength was still insufficient to match a dragon head-on. The base stat gap was simply too large.
Wendy understood this well.
So their combined attacks—hers, Future Lucy's, and Future Wendy's—were merely buying time for the strongest mage on the field to complete her incantation!
"Leo's light shines across the sky! Aquarius's power stirs the river of stars! Second Origin release—"
As Zirconis burst out of the pit, a sacred, melodious voice echoed around it.
The dragon's slit pupils contracted sharply. In its vision, the surrounding scenery had transformed.
Vast rings of water stretched across the sky. Ringed stars drifted within them, as if the entire battlefield had become a starry expanse!
Wearing the Leo-Aquarius Dual Celestial Spirit Dress, Lucy raised her hand. Her eyes snapped open, etched with the God Seal's magic circle. "All-Sky Eighty-Eight Stars, Modified—"
"Star Chart Myth!!!"
Like her two husbands—ahem, like the two Natsus—against a dragon with overwhelming stats, Lucy had gone straight for her strongest attack!
The moment the words left her mouth, all eighty-eight stars blazed with blinding golden light.
The starry river boiled, transforming into a shimmering version of Slifer that pulled all the stars with it. After two loops around the sky, it descended with overwhelming force, crashing into Zirconis!
BOOM!!!
The surging starlight exploded across the field. Ring-shaped shockwaves spread in all directions, shaking heaven and earth!
The terrifying commotion lasted for dozens of seconds. When the area finally settled and Zirconis reappeared—
The emerald dragon was a far cry from its proud debut. Its wings were tattered. Blood streamed from its forehead. Black smoke rose from its scales.
Though it looked battered, the heavy gasps escaping between its fangs showed that Zirconis had survived Star Chart Myth through sheer physical advantage.
Seeing the dragon still standing, Lucy, having released her Dual Celestial Spirit Dress form, stared in disbelief. "How... that was my full power..."
And that was with Chase's card buffs and Wendy's dual support!
"To... to treat this old man like this."
Zirconis's eyes were bloodshot. All its previous casualness was gone, replaced by boundless rage. Its aura turned savage and violent. "I will tear you ants into pieces thinner than noodles!!"
Its terrifying appearance startled Future Lucy, but she still shouted, "You said humans lose their will to fight without clothes! Look at you—without your scales, you're still throwing a tantrum!"
The two Wendys blinked weakly. Just as they were about to say this wasn't the time for rant—
A gale swept from behind. The ground shook. Darkness fell over their vision.
A massive maw exhaled foul air. An ordinary dragon, chased away by Bahamut, had arrived at this battlefield still crackling with residual starlight!
The enormous shadow fell over Future Lucy. Paralyzed by the terrifying pressure, her mind went blank. She stood frozen, watching the descending claw grow larger in her eyes.
"Watch out!!"
A flash of cold light. A gust of wind. Sparks flew as metal clashed.
Taurus Lucy, wielding twin blades and a heavy axe, shielded Future Lucy behind her. Her seemingly delicate frame held against the dragon's claw strike!
"HYAAAAA!!" Lucy roared. A Celestial Spirit magic circle blazed beneath her feet.
Amplified by Taurus's monstrous strength, she actually sent the attacking dragon staggering backward. It crashed to the ground with a thunderous BOOM!
"She's... so strong..." Future Lucy's eyes widened.
Even if this dragon was weaker than Zirconis, it was still a dragon!
"I see a bit of Chase in that Lucy-san," Future Wendy murmured.
In the original story, Future Lucy had given her life to shield Lucy from Future Rogue's attack. Now, Lucy was returning the favor.
Fate worked in mysterious ways.
"No time to be shocked, me."
Looking at Zirconis blocking their retreat and the other dragon closing in, Lucy let out a heavy breath. Then she smiled. "Let's show them what a true Celestial Spirit Mage can do!"
"Yeah!" Future Lucy caught her meaning, her eyes blazing with fighting spirit.
With the two Wendys covering them, the Lucys stood back to back and drew their Zodiac Keys simultaneously.
"Open! Five Celestial Spirit Gates!!" x2
***
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