Lucy thought Natsu's idea was utterly absurd.
"No... Humans usually die if they enter the Celestial Spirit World. They wouldn't be able to breathe!" Lucy protested, waving her hands. "Besides, the gate can only be opened where a Celestial Spirit Mage is present."
Natsu wore a blank expression that clearly said, 'Explain it simply, I didn't understand a word.'
Lucy sighed. "In other words, if we want to leave through the Celestial Spirit World, there would need to be a Celestial Spirit Mage waiting outside the station to open the gate. Otherwise, we'd just be stuck there. It won't work."
"That's really troublesome. Why don't you just try it first?"
Lucy spread her hands helplessly. "I told you it's impossible. Also, humans entering the Celestial Spirit World is a serious violation of the contract between humans and spirits, we should take Everlue key back then."
Happy blinked his big eyes. "Everlue's key?"
"AH!!!"
Everyone was startled by Happy's sudden shout.
"Lucy, I remembered!"
Lucy looked puzzled. "Remembered what?"
"That thing I mentioned on the way here! The thing I forgot!"
With Happy's reminder, Lucy vaguely recalled that Happy had been muttering to himself constantly on the Magic Mobile about something he needed to tell her.
"You mean that thing about me that you couldn't remember?"
Happy suddenly fished around in his backpack and pulled out a golden Zodiac Key.
"Isn't this Virgo's key?! No, how could you just steal it!"
"No, Virgo said she wanted it to be given to Lucy herself. Here," Happy said, handing the key to Lucy.
"Virgo actually said she wanted to follow me on her own? Although the request is flattering, isn't this the wrong time to talk about it?"
"But..."
"Stop babbling! A cat should just sit quietly and meow!" Lucy suddenly switched to a devilish expression, pinching and pulling at Happy's cheeks in frustration.
"This woman can be pretty scary sometimes..." Gray watched Lucy "educate" Happy, cold sweat forming on his forehead.
"Aye!"
"Why are you imitating Happy now?!" Gray snapped at himself, not knowing how to react to the absurdity of the situation.
"But... Virgo can burrow underground," Happy mumbled through his stretched cheeks. "I thought that way, we could pass under the Magic Wind Wall to the outside."
"What did you say?"
"Really?"
"Oh right! Happy, you're so smart!" Lucy finally caught on, realizing the brilliance of the plan.
After repeatedly apologizing to Happy, Lucy finally took hold of Virgo's key.
"I am the one who opens the path to the Celestial Spirit World. Please answer my call and cross through the gate!"
"Open, Gate of the Maiden! Virgo!"
"Did you summon me? My master."
Virgo spun up from the ground.
However, her appearance was completely different from when she was at Duke Everlue's mansion—you couldn't say they were similar at all.
She was now petite, with short pink hair and a standard maid outfit.
"Who are you?" Lucy was utterly stunned.
'Was this really Virgo?'
"Hey, Virgo, how did you get so much thinner?" Natsu asked. He could tell it was definitely Virgo just by her scent and greeted her naturally.
"I am Virgo. My apologies for the trouble I caused you last time."
"What do you mean thinner? That's not even the same person!" Lucy's jaw dropped in astonishment.
"How did you end up like this?"
"Because I am a Celestial Spirit very loyal to my master. I dress and appear according to my master's expectations to carry out the tasks I'm meant to complete."
'So Lucy likes maids, huh. Mhm, noice.' Erza thought while pinching her chin, unconsciously nodding in approval.
Natsu compared the two versions in his head and felt the previous form was stronger.
"The previous one looked more imposing and powerful."
"Really? Would you prefer that form?" Virgo asked, ready to transform back.
"NO!" Lucy shouted.
After Lucy explained the situation, she pointed at the Magic Wind Wall.
"Never mind, we don't have time right now. Can we make a formal contract another day? Just take us out first."
"Yes, I understand, my master."
Lucy was somewhat helpless. "Please, stop calling me master."
Virgo glanced at the long whip hanging from Lucy's waist. "Then I'll call you 'Queen Majesty'."
"Rejected."
"Then how about... Princess?"
"Princess..." Lucy touched her cheek, a hint of narcissism appearing on her face. "Princess suits me better."
Hurry up already... Natsu and Gray watched Lucy's self-absorbed monologue with exasperation.
"Then I'll take my leave. Spica Hole!"
After giving a slight bow to Lucy, a yellow magic circle appeared beneath Virgo's feet.
She grabbed the group and dove into the earth, creating a tunnel that bypassed the wind barrier.
....
Outside Oshibana Station—
"Finally out! Let's hurry."
"Impossible. You can't catch up to Erigor," Kageyama, who had been rescued by Natsu and was lying injured on the ground, said weakly.
"Eh? Where are Natsu and Happy?" Lucy asked, suddenly noticing the duo had disappeared.
Ultear looked around and, judging from her understanding of Natsu, deduced he must have taken off first.
"Happy probably flew off with Natsu to gain speed. Let's go too. I'll drive the Magic Mobile this time. Erza, rest a bit—you've used too much Magic Power."
...
Clover Canyon Railway—
"Clover Town, you old fogies... wait for me!"
Erigor was flying along the tracks of the Clover Canyon bridge. The Magic Wind Wall had drained much of his Magical Power, so he wasn't flying at full speed.
"Waaah!!! Happy's MAX Speed!"
"GO!!!"
Happy, carrying Natsu, quickly caught up to Erigor.
Natsu launched himself forward, delivering a massive headbutt to the Reaper's back.
WHAM!
"I can't fly anymore, Natsu..." Happy panted.
He couldn't maintain that speed for long—it had been a burst of extreme potential.
"Thank you. I'll take it from here. We caught up thanks to you."
Erigor was dazed from the impact, recovering his balance in the air.
"You... aren't you from Fairy Tail? How did you escape the Magic Wind Wall?"
"Here to defeat you, of course, wind-boy."
"Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!"
Natsu clashed his fists together, coating them in dragon fire as he swung at Erigor.
He used fire to leap, his fists are wreathed in flames, and his punching power is this strong... What kind of monster is this?
Erigor felt immense pressure after exchanging a few blows with Natsu.
"Storm Bringer!"
Erigor swung his left hand, sending a concentrated tornado along the tracks toward Natsu, blowing him off the canyon bridge.
"Not yet!"
Using the fire shaping technique Macao had taught him years ago, Natsu formed a giant flaming hook with his right hand, latching onto the bridge and pulling himself back onto the tracks.
Erigor had never seen such an absurd Fire Mage. "What?! You can even do that?!"
"Fire Dragon's Roar!"
"Storm Wall!"
This guy is unbelievable—completely unpredictable. Erigor blocked the Fire Dragon's Roar with inward astonishment.
"I underestimated you before. Now I'm getting serious—Storm Mail!"
Whirling winds formed into a condensed storm cloak that wrapped around Erigor's entire body, acting as defensive armor.
"Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!"
Natsu charged and punched, but as his fist connected, the flames were blown out.
"The flames... they disappeared?" Natsu gasped.
"Without the flames, you can't deliver those incredibly destructive punches after all. They're completely useless against me."
Erigor was confident in his judgment—the wind pressure of his armor was blowing the fire away before it could make contact.
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Got a new fairy tail fic where mc can summon digimon and evolve them, what do you think?