"Every member of the Oración Seis has a prayer—a wish, if you will."
Roger strolled over to Angel, crumpled on the ground.
"This one, Angel? Her wish is to vanish like a true angel—or soar free in the sky. She's obsessed with the whole 'angel' concept."
Soft white light started glowing from him.
"In other words, she'd trade anything to become one. That's Angel."
He pulled out a prop that could fully convert her power into angelic energy.
A golden halo floated above his head. Massive, pure-white wings of light unfurled behind him.
A milky glow rippled out, turning the whole space holy and bright.
He hovered just off the ground.
Angel stirred, squinting at the blinding light, shielding her eyes.
"Ugh, too bright—where am I? I got knocked out, right?"
"Sorano Agria—prisoner of the Tower of Heaven, one who longs for the blue sky."
A divine voice echoed in her mind.
She froze. Sorano. No one had called her that in forever.
Since joining Oración Seis, it was just her code name.
How does he know my real name?
She lowered her hand and looked up—breath catching.
"Is that—an angel?"
"I'm… seeing a real angel?"
"Tell me—will you wash away your sins and become one?"
Roger floated the Angel Halo toward her with magic.
"If you accept, take this power."
"Angel… power…" Her left hand trembled as it rose.
This was her dream. Right here. Was it real?
She grabbed the halo without hesitation.
BOOM! Blinding white light exploded from her—like a mini sun!
Everyone shielded their eyes. When it faded, jaws dropped.
Her short, pale-blue mushroom cut? Now long, silky hair cascading down.
Her sharp, harsh face? Softened into stunning beauty, like it was sculpted.
And behind her—four pairs of flawless white wings spread wide, glowing softly.
Feathers of light drifted down like glowing snow.
Lucy rubbed her eyes hard. "No way?! She got hot in a second! Did she swap magic—or swap people?!"
Natsu sprouted three giant question marks, pointing. "Why'd the enemy turn into someone else? Did they swap her out?"
Lucy sweat-dropped. "=_= You didn't catch any of Roger's explanation, huh—"
Wendy clasped her hands, cheeks flushed. "Charle, look! A real angel! She's so holy!"
"Uh—" Charle's mouth hung open. "Yeah… that's a big change."
Roger studied Sorano adapting to her new power.
Four wing pairs—matches angelic hierarchy. Power's doubled, half-step Wizard Saint level.
Her obsession with "angel" was deeper than I thought.
Soon, Sorano opened her eyes—pupils now clear sky-blue, pure and determined.
She pressed a hand to her chest, knelt on one knee, voice reverent:
"Thank you, Lord Angel. My lifelong wish is fulfilled today."
"My soul is cleansed. Please let me follow you and atone for my sins."
"Your request is granted," Roger nodded.
"From now on, the Celestial Spirit Mage Angel is no more. In her place: the angel Sorano."
"Follow your heart. Help those in need with all you have."
"Yes, Lord Angel!" Sorano stood, pulled three golden keys and one silver from her belt, holding them high.
"These are my Zodiac spirits. My magic is now fully angelic—the contracts are void."
"I offer them to you. Please accept."
"Just call me Roger. I don't show this form often in the world." He magicked the keys to his hand.
"Yes, Lord Roger," she corrected smoothly.
His phantom clone stepped up. "Come with me first. Rejoin the main body after Oración Seis is done."
Sorano glanced at Roger for confirmation—he nodded—then turned to follow the clone.
At the door, she spun back. "Lord Roger! Every Oración Seis member has a living link to Leader Brain."
"My magic changed—the link broke. He knows I'm defeated. He'll come himself soon."
"Also, if all six are beaten, a seal on Brain breaks. I don't know what it is—be careful."
Roger stayed calm. "No worries. I've got the gist. You're good."
Her last worry vanished. As expected of Lord Angel. She followed the clone into the woods.
Lucy watched her go, curious. "Roger, are you recruiting her for the guild? She's still wanted by the Council—"
She saw that smile. Flashbacks hit. She slapped a hand over her mouth, muffled:
"Sorry! My bad!"
"Oh?" Roger raised a brow. "Thought you wanted another bet. Up for it?"
"=_= Nope!"
"I'm not dumb enough to trip twice!"
"Really?" He jingled the keys—clear, crisp clinks.
"Figured you'd want these. Three gold keys, after all."
Lucy's eyes locked on, swaying with the keys.
"I—I do want them, Lord Roger!!"
"Ara~" Mira sidled up, grinning.
"Want the keys? Gotta meet a condition~"
She held out a hand, palm up, baby-talk voice: "Come on~ Paw."
Lucy: "!!! (口) You think I'm a dog?!"
But for Zodiac keys… she gritted her teeth, shakily placed her hand in Mira's.
Mira's smile deepened, gently squeezing like petting a kitten.
"Good girl~ Now the other~"
Lucy twitched, offered the second hand in defeat.
"Such a good girl~" Mira nodded, ruffling Lucy's hair.
Lucy perked up. "So the keys—"
Roger fought a laugh. "When did I say that was the condition?"
"Huh?!" Lucy froze, staring at Mira.
"But—but you said 'meet a condition'!"
"Yup~" Mira's eyes curved into crescents. "But I never said that was it~ I just thought it'd be fun. You're so cooperative—adorable!"
She winked. "Looks like Lucy's got a lot to learn~"
Lucy's jaw dropped.
I—I GOT PLAYED!! How are these two so in sync with the evil?!
QAQ Erza's way kinder…
Then—whoosh—something flew at her. She caught it. Four keys!
"Aries, Scorpio, Gemini, and… Caelum?!"
She looked up, beaming. "You're really giving them to me?!"
"Yup. But not free," Roger said, thinking—then Erza chimed in:
"How about Lucy grabs limited dishes from Cat House and the cake shop's special cakes?"
"Oh?" Roger grinned, nodding. "Love it. One month's worth, delivered to our place, Lucy-chan~"
Lucy: "(II) ?!"
"But—those places are impossible! People camp three days and still miss out—"
"That's the challenge!" Erza fist-pumped, invisible battle aura flaring.
"Fruit earned through effort is sweetest! Like food after a workout!"
"Lucy'll be thrilled getting keys after hard work!!"
"Plus, snatching food from a crowd? Perfect training!!"
QAQ Actually… good food's delicious straight to the mouth—and I'm not big on "effort" (T_T). I'd take all 12 keys for free, thanks.
Lucy wanted to cry, scream—but feared worse terms. She tearfully agreed, consoling herself with Erza's "effort = reward" logic.
I take it back! Erza's a natural sadist! No wonder these three click—birds of a feather!!
Wendy giggled. "Charle, everyone's so fun."
"That man—" Charle crossed her arms, frowning.
"He's dangerous. Illusions, turning enemies into guild allies…"
"Isn't that great?" Wendy tilted her head. "No one gets hurt, no fighting—enemies become friends. Perfect ending!"
"Not the point—" Charle sighed. "You're too naive, child."
Roger headed for the door. "Time to move. The rest of Oración Seis will come knocking."
"Ichiya and Hibiki's illusions lift in 15 minutes—they'll catch the finale."
"One on the flying carpet uses 'Figure Eyes'—bends light or objects, a space-type magic."
"Downside: can't bend living things directly, and only one spot at a time."
"The pointy-nose has 'Slowing Magic'—messes with speed perception in a zone, makes targets think they're fast."
"You four take those two. The last three? Mine."
"Got it!" Everyone chorused, following him out.
Wendy lagged, glancing at the dazed Ichiya and Hibiki. "Charle, what about them? If we leave, will they be okay alone?"
Charle grabbed her hand, dragging. "Don't worry about them. That guy left them—he's got a plan."
"Priority: watch how they fight. If anyone's hurt—"
She eyed Wendy. "You can show off your magic too."
"Huh?" Wendy hunched, pulled along.
"Wait, Charle! Slow down!!"
Soon, one girl and one cat caught up.
Then—WHOOSH—a green-flame energy beam shot from the side woods, snaking straight at Roger!
"Watch out!" Wendy yelled—but Roger casually raised a hand.
A translucent barrier snapped up. The beam hit—poof—vanished like water in the ocean.
"What the—?!" Charle's brows shot up.
"Why'd the attack just disappear?"
Happy (freshly groomed) bounced over, eager. "That's Wave Magic~ Neutralizes all magic energy in range, creates a temp anti-magic zone."
"The attack got nullified~"
He pulled a fish with a pink bow from behind. "Charle~ Want some? I can—"
SMACK. Charle pawed him away. "Shut it! Explain only!"
Happy's cheek felt her soft paw pads—heart racing, blushing, tail spinning like a prop.
So soft… she's adorable~
Then a deep, oppressive voice boomed:
"Hm? Not bad. No wonder you beat Angel."
Thud, thud—staff on ground. Five figures emerged from the mist.
Leader: dark skin, five black stripes running down his body, skull-topped staff.
His sharp eyes swept the five. A cryptic chuckle:
"Titania, the Demon, Lord of Nightmares, Fire Dragon—"
"All Fairy Tail heavy hitters. No wonder the Council sent just your guild to stop us."
"But three barely-Saint rookies and one S-Class—"
"Think you can beat the Oración Seis?"
"Pathetic."
Lucy: "=_= So I'm not even combat power, huh—"
"←_← Kinda glad he didn't say 'Whip Queen' though—"
Roger ignored Brain, eyes on the orange-haired square-faced guy beside him.
"Hoteye—real name Richard. Oración Seis member, money-obsessed. Your prayer: reunite with your brother."
"You hoard cash to find him sooner."
The detail stunned the Seis—some info even they didn't know!
Brain snapped to the redhead wrapped in a giant snake: "Cobra! What's he thinking?!"
Cobra (hears thoughts) frowned. "Can't hear—wait! Got it!"
"He's thinking: 'Richard's brother is Wally Buchanan.'"
"That's all."
"WALLY!!" Lucy yelped. "This guy's Wally's brother?!"
Wally's blocky face flashed in her mind.
"=_= Okay, yeah—kinda makes sense."
"You know my brother?!" Richard surged forward, emotional.
Roger, calm: "Of course. Wally's in our guild now."
"You love potatoes, right? Wally once said the best food was the baked potato he shared with his big bro as kids."
"Leave Oración Seis, join us—reunite with him. I'll make it happen."
"R-really?!" Tears welled in Richard's eyes at the memory.
He ignored Brain's twisted glare, bolting to Roger.
"I'm in! Take all my money—just let me see Wally!!"
"Don't need it all," Roger smiled gently.
"I'm happy for Wally too."
"WHAT?!" Brain clutched a fading black stripe on his face. "Damn it! Prayer fulfilled—the link's broken!"
Cobra caught Roger's gaze shifting to him—hope flickering.
Can he grant my prayer too?