The Magic Merchant in Fairy Tail

Taurus, Virgo, and Cancer are celestial spirits who rely on physical strength, making them unsuitable for a battle like this. Aquarius could be summoned due to the abundance of water nearby, but against an intangible cloud-like enemy, even her powerful attacks might prove ineffective.

As the fight unfolded, Natsu faced Klaue, the girl-like opponent, while Lucy, with Happy's assistance, confronted a pack of massive wolves. The sight of the beasts alone nearly made Lucy faint.

Fortunately, Taurus lived up to his reputation. Swinging his enormous axe with precision, he felled wolf after wolf, taking out one with each strike, and two when he really exerted himself. Despite sustaining injuries, Taurus persisted until the wolves were defeated, only then retreating to the Celestial Spirit Realm to recover.

With the wolves dealt with, Happy flew over to help Natsu, leaving Lucy behind to observe Klaue's magic and recover her strength. However, no matter how hard Lucy tried, she couldn't discern a way to win against this bizarre opponent.

"You can't win, kid!" Klaue declared with a mocking grin. "Even if my magic has weaknesses, you won't find them. The terrain here naturally suppresses your fire magic while amplifying mine. The more you attack, the more water vapor you create. That just gives me more clouds to control. Your efforts are futile!"

But Natsu smirked, unfazed by her taunts. "You're wrong! Your clouds turn to steam when I attack, which means you have to materialize to fight me. That's when I'll land a hit!"

Klaue blinked, caught off guard. How does this idiot sound so logical? she thought. He's supposed to be a hot-blooded fool!

But her confidence quickly returned. "You think that's enough? Naive little boy! Do you really think I have to get close to win?"

Extending her hands, Klaue conjured a thick, swirling mass of white clouds that advanced on Natsu and Happy, engulfing them like a smothering fog.

"I'll burn it away!" Natsu roared, his flames swirling around him. But to his shock, the flames fizzled out before they could fully ignite.

"What is this?!" Natsu shouted in frustration.

Klaue laughed, her voice ringing out triumphantly. "That's my Sea Cloud! It holds dozens of times the water of an ordinary cloud. Your little fire tricks are useless against it."

Natsu and Happy had no choice but to retreat, dodging the encroaching cloud as it pursued them relentlessly.

The cloud was slow but tenacious, sticking to Natsu and Happy like a predator stalking its prey. Every time they moved, it followed, leaving them no room to regroup.

Then, Klaue raised her hand and shouted, "Rope Cloud!"

The dense mist condensed into thick, tangible cords, binding Natsu and Happy tightly in midair.

"Ahh! I can't move!" Happy cried.

"Damn it! Let go of me!" Natsu struggled against the ropes, igniting his flames again. "Fire Dragon's Flame!"

But even his strongest attack barely singed the bindings.

"It's over!" Klaue smirked, preparing her next move.

Watching the dire situation unfold, Lucy knew she had to act. Pulling out Aquarius' key, she summoned the Celestial Spirit with a desperate plea.

"Please, Aquarius! Help Natsu and Happy!"

Aquarius emerged from her celestial gate, holding her signature water jug. With her elegant, flowing blue hair and piercing gaze, she took one look at Klaue and sneered.

"A demon, huh? How pathetic."

Though Lucy was taken aback by Aquarius' sharp observation, she didn't have time to dwell on it. "Hurry! Natsu and Happy are in trouble!"

Aquarius scoffed. "Don't order me around, Lucy!"

Raising her jug, she unleashed a massive torrent of water. A powerful cyclone formed, its ferocious waves smashing into both Natsu and Klaue.

The deluge broke through the cloud ropes binding Natsu and Happy, sending them tumbling into the cliffside.

"Ouch!" Natsu groaned as he clambered to his feet. Despite being drenched, he gave Aquarius a grateful thumbs-up. "Thanks for the save, Lucy!"

Klaue, however, was less pleased. "What the—?! Who is this? You used water magic to cancel out my Sea Cloud?"

Her sharp eyes turned to Lucy, who had called Aquarius forth. For the first time, Klaue truly noticed her.

"I didn't think much of you before, but it seems I underestimated you. A Celestial Mage, huh?"

Lucy froze under Klaue's gaze. I can't fight her... not directly. What should I do?

"Aquarius?" she called out tentatively, looking around for the spirit. But Aquarius was already gone, leaving only a brief message through their connection:

[I'm on a date with my boyfriend. Don't bother me unless it's important.]

Lucy's shoulders slumped in defeat. "She's gone already?! That's so typical of her..."

"Is she not coming back?" Klaue teased, her voice dripping with mockery.

But before Klaue could attack, Natsu stepped forward. "You've got me to deal with! Let's finish this!"

Just as Natsu prepared for another round, the battlefield was suddenly plunged into shadow. A gust of wind swept through the area, scattering snow and creating an eerie silence.

"What's happening now?" Klaue looked up, confused.

From above, a radiant figure descended. Clad in shimmering white robes with sea-blue ripples and lavender embroidery, Kira's twelve angelic wings spread wide, catching the dim light. The air around him sparkled with falling feathers, each glowing faintly as they floated gently to the ground.

"Kira?!" Natsu and Lucy exclaimed in unison.

The celestial scene silenced the battlefield, even Klaue momentarily stunned by the dazzling sight.

Kira landed gracefully between Natsu and Klaue, his expression calm but commanding.

"Natsu, Lucy, Happy," he said, his tone firm but not unkind. "You've gone too far this time."

Natsu's flames flickered slightly. "What are you doing here? Did Erza send you to bring us back?"

But Lucy, still overwhelmed by the spectacle, felt her fear melt away. With Kira's arrival, she couldn't help but feel a renewed sense of hope.

"You're here to help us, right?"

Kira turned to face Klaue, his wings folding slightly behind him. His gaze was piercing, his voice steady.

"You must be the demon causing all this trouble."

Klaue regained her composure, her lips curling into a smirk. "And who are you supposed to be? Another human coming to fail?"

Kira's eyes narrowed. "Try me."

The battle was far from over, but the tide had shifted. With Kira now in the fray, hope burned brighter than ever.

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