Fairy Tail: The Dark Swordsman

73 - Penultimate

[X784, Tower of Heaven]

— Lucy Heartfilia —

"Regulus Impact!"

A brilliant column of light burst from Loke's fists, the air rippling with heat as it shot towards their current foe. Lucy shielded her eyes briefly, peering between her fingers as their opponent swerved midair with an unnatural burst of speed.

The owl-headed man, Fukuro, cackled gleefully as he activated the jetpack strapped to his back, weaving effortlessly through the crumbling stone pillars.

Lucy grimaced as he saw Fukuro digging into a nearby wall with clawed hands before bursting through the roof overhead, raining debris. The owl-headed man had a truly disgusting ability to consume his opponents and take their magic as his own. He had even swallowed Virgo and gained her powers of Earth Magic.

"Regulus Gatling Impact!" Loke shouted, darting after him with blazing fists.

Thankfully, Loke proved to be more of a match for him. The Lion Spirit launched a volley of punches, each one firing concentrated beams of searing light. They tore through the air in an erratic pattern, forcing Fukuro to twist and swerve wildly. Some blasts clipped him, making him squawk and lose altitude momentarily, but the owl quickly righted himself.

Lucy's eyes sharpened. 'He's tough... Did eating a celestial spirit's body boost his endurance?'

"Who-whoo! You're strong!" Fukuro hooted. "I wonder what happens if I eat you too?!"

With a manic grin, he dove at Loke, his fist enveloped in condensed white energy. Loke caught it with a grunt, their magic flaring as the ground beneath them cracked. The Lion twisted his stance and retaliated with a radiant punch straight into Fukuro's chest.

The owl-man was launched back like a ragdoll.

"Now!" Lucy cried.

She sprinted forward, her Celestial Whip flashing out with expert precision. The golden line wrapped around Fukuro's ankle mid-flight. With a sharp pull and a pivot of her hips, she yanked him sideways into a spiraling crash against the stone wall.

A resounding crack echoed through the chamber.

Lucy grinned triumphantly—right before Fukuro recovered faster than expected.

With a mechanical hiss, his jetpack reignited, jerking them both into the air.

"Whoaaaa—!"

Her feet left the ground. She dangled helplessly behind him, clutching the whip tightly as they zipped around corners. The world blurred in a dizzying whirlwind of stone and torchlight.

"LUCY!" Loke roared behind them, giving chase. But even the Lion Spirit's speed couldn't match Fukuro's jetpack enhanced flight.

"Hey! Stop flying like a drunk bird!" Lucy yelled.

"Hoot hoot! We're taking a trip!"

They whipped around another corner at breakneck speed, before suddenly stopping as they rammed something heavy.

Lucy's momentum carried her forward, and her forehead collided painfully with the stone floor.

"Ow—! What the hell, idiot?! Why'd you—"

She looked up to see the wall of solid steel that Fukuro apparently ran into.

Only, the wall of solid steel was 6 '2, had rugged black hair, and was named Gajeel Redfox.

"Guys!" Lucy exclaimed happily, her heart soared with relief.

"Lucy!" Levy said in surprise, rushing over with concern in her eyes. "Are you alright?"