The Regal Key

===Chapter 11===

A Match Made in Heaven

This is the last chapter for this story. The scene in the bedroom is inspired by a drawing that tohruxkyo100 did for me on DA. Be warned that the chapter goes off on a wild tangent at the end, but I wanted the King to beat someone powerful, and I think I picked the perfect contender.

"This place is fucking weird," Gajeel noted in his impolite manner as they sat around a banquet table straining under the weight of food piled atop it. All of Lucy's spirits were there, the King presiding at the head of the table with Lucy. "I mean, that's meat. And those are eggs. Where the fuck do they get those here?"

"In forgot that you hadn't been here before!" Levy said, her eyes lighting up. "Ah...I lost three months last time. I was already younger than you."

"Yes, but the more mature one is you," Lily put in, dodging Gajeel's lazy backhand.

"Um… I've been thinking… and what I was… what I mean to say is… I think… at least, I think I am… ready to finally… you know… do…it." As she spoke, her sentence became quieter and quieter until Gajeel was practically leaning in to hear the words. As her meaning became clear, he snapped back up.

"Oh. Oh! Are you sure? I mean, there are a lot of people here!"

"Not here!" Levy shrieked, turning red in an instant. "I mean for when we get home!"

"Right, right. That makes a whole lot more sense. Why all of a sudden?"

"I'm trying to think of a reason not to! When I think about how much you've saved me in recent times, it seems that we really care for each other and all… so, why not?"

"I… don't think that's how it works, Shorty. And besides, the way I remember it, you were the one saving me."

"No, you're the one who beat up Ivan."

"But you're the one who broke through his illusions."

"Which was meaningless unless you defeated him!"

"But you also took out the other girl!"

"After which, you blew up the ship!"

"But we were only saved because of the big dude, who you helped Lucy get!"

"You saved me!"

"You saved me!"

"What the hell are you two arguing about!?" Lily yelled. The pair stopped talking, suddenly realising that they were standing up and shouting. They sat back down quickly with red faces and began eating to cover their embarrassment.

===][===

"You have interesting friends, my queen," The King noted from the table's head as he watched the argument unfold.

"You're telling me," Lucy mumbled, trying not to be impolite that the humans were the least bizarre people at this table. She was also a bit worried about the King/Queen thing with her boyfriend right next to her. Not to mention Loke and Taurus' unwanted attentions.

"Surely the male is larger, but the girl seems no less fierce. An interesting species, you humans."

"Yes, we're interesting…" She said to the giant next to the mermaid the sheep and the snake. Who was the interesting species here? "I'm enjoying the festivities very much!"

"We could do no less! It has been a very long time since we had a queen in these halls with us. And you haven't peaked yet."

"What? What more could I…"

"First of all, there is your magical level. The more power you have, the more spirits you can have at the same time. And the longer you can hold me in the mortal plane." He leaned back and let out a very unkingly belch. "And there are other things we can do. For instance, remove your need for those blasted keys."

"What!?" Lucy screeched. "I've just gone on a massive quest for this bloody key and you're saying that it isn't necessary?"

"I wouldn't say that, particularly for my key. The keys are tools. In order to move a spirit between worlds, you need to open their gate. To do that, you must mould your magic into the shape necessary. Each gate is different, much like needing different keys for different doors. A skilled mage familiar with the shapes of the locks does not need the keys; they can shape their magic with their own skill."

"Lucy will do that easily!" Natsu cheered in between mouthfuls. Lucy shakily shushed him. The King chuckled.

"I have no doubt. I will remove your vulnerability from being separated from your keys. Like when you were going to be crushed by a block of ice – Natsu!"

"That was an accident!" Natsu shouted, remembering the beach incident well. Levy and Wendy could've broken it if they'd stopped panicking for a minute!"

"I was scared!" Levy piped up from down the table. "I was just playing in the ocean and then – bam! – there's s giant ice block in the sky!"

"What was that!?" Gajeel shouted, standing. "Did you almost crush my woman, Salamander!?"

"I didn't make the ice! I just… kinda… blew it up!"

"At least apologize!"

"No way! I wasn't my fault!"

"How the fuck was it not your fault!?"

"Because… Gray made the ice!"

By the point, the boys had clambered on top of the table and had their faces pressed together. They turned as the King laughed and clapped.

"I'm glad to see you two so fired up! Now, would you like that duel?"

===][===

The arena was a wide open plateau. Stepping stones floated in the sky on unseen magic, pillars dotting the area. It looked it bit too fancy to be ruined. Lucy, Levy, Lily and Happy watched from a floating platform nearby, the other spirits also watching with interest.

Gajeel and Natsu stood before the King, wringing shoulders and cracking knuckles.

"Gajeel, I don't normally say this, but let's work together and hit him with everything."

"I know what you mean. This pressure… he's strong."

Magic began to rush as Natsu and Gajeel began to power up, aiming for their ultimate attack.

"We're gonna give him the Fire-Thunder-Iron Shadow roar!"

"No, it's the Iron-Shadow-Thunder-Fire roar!" Gajeel objected.

"At least put fire before thunder!"

"Just fight!" Lucy shouted from the distance. With am almighty blast, the two slayers launched their roars upwards at the king. The king disappeared from view under the explosion, but neither slayer was fooled and they both launched forward before the smoke cleared.

Both slayers rebounded as they hit an impenetrable wall. A golden seal before the king, the astrological symbol for Aries at the centre. A defensive spell. As the seal vanished, two more appeared in his hands.

"Seal of Leo! Seal of Aquarius!" He smashed his hands together, sending a giant burst of light saturated water at the slayers. They screamed under the assault and slammed into the floor.

"All of our magic, but stronger," Aquarius noted smugly. "That's our king."

"He's as strong as Atlas Fire," Levy mumbled. "But slaying magic won't work against him."

"Oh? You wanna fight too?" Lucy giggled, giving the smaller girl a little shove.

"Lord, no!"

Natsu and Gajeel sprang towards the king like guided missiles. They lashed out with fists and feet ablaze with magic. The king shielded himself with his forearms before simply smashing them away. Again and again, they came at him, ignoring their injuries. At last, he tossed Gajeel straight up and held a hand up. Sagittarius' seal blazed and an enormous bow formed in his grasp.

He reached up with his left hand, making the Seal of Ophiuchus. He drew it back, an arrow forming out of ebon magic and it shot upwards at Gajeel. The arrow formed a serpentine head as it travelled and slammed into Gajeel with tremendous force. He fell to the ground limply.

Natsu struck up from the ground, managing to punch the king in the face as he was momentarily distracted. The king barely flinched before slamming Natsu right back down into the floor. Making the seal of Taurus with one hand, he drove down with reinforced strength. Natsu lay unmoving in a large crater.

"Well, I better heal them," Ophiuchus stated, shifting into his human form and leaping down to the battle arena.

"I can't believe it," Levy whispered. "Lu-chan, you're so strong now!"

"But that fight lasted seven minutes," Lily responded, checking Horologium's clockface. "Lucy cannot hold the king for that long. Three minutes is an absolute maximum for the moment."

"I-I don't know what to say," Lucy mumbled. She couldn't remember seeing Natsu beaten before. He always got back up. Always. But as she watched the serpent bearer heal him, he was laughing. Gajeel too. They both responded to strength well.

"Alright!" Natsu shouted. "Now we gotta test him against Gildartz!"

"Oh, hell no!" Lucy shrieked.

===][===

The guild was full of noise, cheering and singing and dancing and drinking. Raven Tail had been destroyed and their nakama had returned home. Lucy was becoming somewhat frightened by all of the attention she was beginning to receive. She could see in the eyes of Erza that she wanted to test her strength too.

Every time Gajeel turned away for a moment, Levy was bombarded by concern from Jet and Droy, who shrank back rapidly the second Gajeel noticed. It was amusing to watch really. Like the tide coming in and out with the moon.

"See that, Gajeel!?" Natsu crowed gleefully. "My girl's the strongest! What'cha gonna do about it, huh?"

"What was that, Salamander? My cat's way stronger than yours, so I win!"

"Oh yeah? That means that we're tied! We have to settle this!"

"You're on!"

"Haven't you two had enough of fighting?" Lucy mumbled as the two slayers disappeared into a brawl. She looked around at Levy, who was trying to get her attention, but was clearly embarrassed. "What is it, Levy-chan?"

"Lu-chan… can you help me with… something?"

===][===

Gajeel yawned and stretched on his bed. Goddamnit Shorty, what are you doing in the bathroom? What did girls do in there with all their lotions and creams and shit? At last, the door opened and Levy stepped out. Gajeel goggled.

She was not wearing a lot. She had little pink panties that didn't leave a lot to the imagination. A lilac bustier that clung to her narrow frame and pushed her chest up while revealing her shoulders. Her hair was still tied back by a pink headband. She looked a bit like she was ready to cry under his gaze.

"Is this okay, Gajeel…?"

Gajeel practically choked at the question, failing to form a response. Holy fucking hell! Why was he suddenly so nervous? He'd done it with women before, but this was somehow different.

"Holy crap you're tiny," he said brilliantly, kicking himself mentally as the words tumbled out. Now she definitely was going to cry. "No! No! I mean in a good way! Gah, I'm bad with words at the best of times – you can't expect me to be good while you're being so sexy!"

"Sexy?" Levy murmured.

"Oh holy crap, yes!" Gajeel shouted crassly. Stop saying 'crap'! He stood, towering over her and embraced her against him. "I mean, in better words, you're the sexiest little thing I ever saw. Now stop being so shy and come here!"

"B-be gentle!" She whispered urgently.

"Gihi! Shrimp, you don't get 'gentle' with me!" Despite his words, he picked her up off of the ground and kissed her. "However, I promised to never hurt you again. I'll look after you."

===][===

Lucy was bright and early to the guild the next morning, eager for gossip. She hoped that the clothes they had bought had fulfilled Levy's needs. She had to know! She sat at the bar and watched the door like a child waiting for Santa to come down the chimney.

She waited and waited, and eventually Gajeel sauntered in, Lily perched on his shoulder. You had to know Gajeel to see past his stoic defences, but there was a slight spring in his step. Yes! Mission accomplished, Levy-chan! Levy-chan? Lucy waited, but Levy still hadn't come.

"Oi, Bunny girl, where's Shorty?" Gajeel asked.

"Wasn't she with you?" Lucy asked with confusion.

"Well yeah, but she left really early saying that she wanted to talk to you about something." He looked around, clearly seeing the person missing. He shrugged. "Guess she decided to head home and change first or something."

"Guess so." Lucy smirked suddenly in a very knowing way and Gajeel blushed and made an excuse to leave. What a big softy after all. She turned back to her drink and noticed a little envelope next to her with her name on the front in fancy writing. Huh? Where had that come from? She picked it up and opened it. Her blood ran cold.

I have your little blue-haired friend. If you want to see her alive again, then come to the Denesi lookout. Come alone and tell no one or she dies.

Lucy didn't even stop to think, merely hurried out of the guild hall.

===][===

Denesi lookout was a little plaza on a high cliff that overlooked the city. It was a common place for couples to come and spend time in peace. Lucy frantically looked around. Where was she? She heard footsteps, the hard clack of stiletto heels and span to face her assailant. Her blood froze in abject fear.

Sabretooth's Minerva.

"Hello Blondie, remember me?" She purred.

"I.. I… where's Levy-chan?"

"Oh? Are you referring to this worthless runt?" Minerva waved a hand and a space appeared behind her, containing Levy hung in a crucifix position. Lucy gasped to see the plethora of wounds that she'd picked up. "Well, I was bored waiting for you. So I had to entertain myself."

"Lu-chan… I'm sorry…" Levy murmured, her eyes shadowed.

"In this space I'm constantly draining her magic. It must be excruciating."

"Why are you doing this, you psychotic bitch!?" Lucy screamed.

"Why?" Murder flashed in Minerva's eyes. "My guild has lost all standing. So much so that those weaklings beneath me wanted to change our guild's direction. Your damn slayers have influenced ours so much that they're prattling on about nakama. I had no place in that guild anymore. So I left and became a freelance agent. Want to know who my first client was?"

Lucy blinked, the pieces falling into place. "Ivan. He paid you as a security measure if all else failed."

"How delightful. A job that I look forward to. Hunting down each fairy one by one and exterminating them. I will thoroughly enjoy this." Minerva waved again and Levy vanished back into the spatial pocket that Minerva made for her. "I wonder which if you two will die first. I look forward to re-acquainting you with pain."

"I am so sick of you bastards always hurting Levy-chan! First Alexander and then Ivan and Lyria. Why hurt someone so innocent? She'd never dream of laying a hand on you!"

"She is a worthless creature then, fit only for the entertainment of the strong."

"You!" Lucy barked. She began to reach for her keys, but they were already in Minerva's hands as before. Damn her spatial manipulation abilities! "I'm not the same as I was before! I can beat you!"

Minerva laughed shrilly. "What can you possibly do without your keys?"

I remember what you said, King. I don't need them! I can open the gates by myself! But I've only used your key once! I don't think I can open your gate… but I can open others! Minerva blinked at the sudden tidal swell of magical power in the wake of Lucy's anger. Standing before Lucy were Leo, Aries and Sagittarius.

"How did you?" Minerva snarled incoherently. She tried to rally her wits. "So, you can hold three gates now? Better, but nowhere near enough."

Lucy ignored her. "First, we rescue Levy-chan!"

"Moshi-moshi! I'll do it in one shot!" Sagittarius readied an arrow and aimed for the space that Levy had been in.

"What are you, fools? She's in a different dimension! You can't just-"

The 'centaur' fired, the arrow streaking out across the ground and disappeared in a flash of light. The magic of the celestial mages was the power to cross worlds. Travelling to a pocket dimension was surprisingly easy. With the arrow opening a small crack, Horologium was able to whisk Levy away in the safety of his cabinet, appearing behind Lucy after doing so.

Face alight with anger, Minerva began to generate powerful explosions around Lucy, but they were met one by one by black wool, Aries expertly guarding against the attack. Loke dashed forward through the maelstrom to engage Minerva in hand to hand. Both their hands glowed as they clashed, Minerva's tomoe warding off Regulus' light.

Sagittarius fired a second arrow, like a grappling hook. Despite the swift movements of the combatants he precisely snagged the key holder and drew it back to Lucy. She didn't hesitate for an instant, fearful that Minerva would remove them again if she had a second's respite.

All the spirit's present vanished in a flash as Lucy regained her power, channelling everything she had through the Regal Key. "Open the Gate of the Celestial King!" The sky darkened again as the king emerged behind her. He radiated the same fury as his queen.

"You… you are the woman who hurt my queen during the naval battle. I shall repay that debt a hundred fold."

"Where did Blondie get this much power?" Minerva wondered. "No matter! Yagdo Rigora!" A vast god-like being erupted behind her to match the king. "No one can defeat Yaguma's eighteen Gods of battle! No one!"

"Heavenly Obliteration!" In a single moment, the king vanquished the powerful figure. Minerva staggered backwards a few steps, amazed at her creation's defeat.

"W-wait!" She screeched. The king did not. Lucy only had about forty seconds left before running out of magic, so he blasted the powerful mage with spell after spell, raining destruction from the stars themselves. Minerva was a tough bitch, but she went down, screaming in rage. How could she lose to such vermin? Perhaps she was delirious, but she could see the aura around Lucy. Not vermin. A queen, with the king to match. Then she fell unconscious.

The king vanished as Lucy's magic collapsed. She hurried over to Levy, who was laying still on the ground. There was so much blood. "Levy-chan! Are you okay?" She wasn;t responding, but Lucy could see her chest rise and fall. She drew the key of Ophiuchus, the key that had started this quest so long ago. He appeared in his human form and knelt, healing Levy. Her eyes fluttered open weakly.

"Please be still. You are still very unwell," Ophiuchus said gently.

"Thank you," she replied quietly.

The serpent bearer smiled. "I remember when we first met. You said that we could be friends. I haven't forgotten that. How someone could offer such a thing to a monster like myself."

"You haven't known Levy-chan very long!" Lucy teased. "She seems to like monsters the most of all!"

"Lu-chan!" Levy huffed, feeling better under the healing magic.

"In fact, I wonder how many of these injuries came from last night!"

"Lu-chan!" Levy wailed. She looked shifty. "A few. B-but, wait! Forget all of that! Did you really just defeat Minerva without taking a scratch without having your keys on you!?"

"I guess so…"

"Our queen is truly amazing," Ophiuchus marvelled. "You have reunited me with my kin and become the strongest of your kind. I am indebted to you. Both of you, in fact. I hope that I can look forward to seeing many more adventures. But for now, our Queen is tired. I must retire and you should rest. Farewell."

As he vanished, both girls stood again. Levy looked like she was about to apologize for being a burden, so Lucy pre-emptively hugged her tight.

"I'm so glad that you're safe," she said quietly. "Don't think stupid things."

"I remember telling you not to compare yourself to Minerva's strength in the past. It seems like I was completely wrong to do so. You're amazing, Lu-chan." Levy grinned. "Many more adventures, huh? Seems like you'll just keep on getting stronger!"

"Maybe. But those are stories for another day."