The ground split open beneath Taurus as violent tornadoes of sand and wind swirled around it, even dragging one of Pisces' twin fish into the maelstrom. When the dust cleared, one Pisces lay injured and vanished back to the Spirit Realm to recover.
Lucy grinned. "Your spirit's out of commission—match over!"
Across the arena, Yukino relaxed beneath Libra's gravity magic. With two Zodiac spirits each, it seemed her victory was assured.
"I admit, I underestimated you—dual-spirit Fusion Magic is impressive," Yukino conceded. "But now the game ends. I'll call the Thirteenth Gate. Open the Ophiuchus Gate… Ophiuchus!"
Yukino raised her purple key. High overhead, a colossal celestial array ignited—and a mechanical serpent, Ophiuchus itself, coiled into view, its gleaming scales bristling with power.
Lucy's heart skipped. "That must be the Thirteenth Spirit!"
"Above all Zodiac spirits," Yukino declared. "Even your two-at-once Fusion can't stand against Ophiuchus! Strike them—Ophiuchus!"
The mechanical serpent lashed out, its tail sweeping toward Scorpia.
"Laser Cannon!" Scorpia unleashed a beam of searing energy.
BOOM! The blast scorched Ophiuchus, but the giant serpent barely flickered—and its tail swept down. Scorpia couldn't evade in time and was yanked away, returning to the Spirit Realm.
"Scorpia!" Lucy cried.
Enraged, Taurus charged, swinging his double-bladed axe at Ophiuchus' serpentine body.
"Call!"
The axe bounced harmlessly off its armored scales. Ophiuchus whipped its tail, striking Taurus with bone-crushing force.
Crack!
Taurus, too, was sent flying back to the Spirit Realm.
"Even your two spirits are gone," Yukino observed coolly. "Game's mine."
Lucy's eyes widened as the massive head of Ophiuchus loomed. "Ahhh!"
BOOOOM!
Ophiuchus slammed into the arena floor, carving a deep crater around Lucy—yet when the smoke cleared… Lucy stood unharmed, holding the handsome figure of Leo by the hand.
"Leo?" she breathed.
The audience erupted. Girls gasped, eyes glittering—Lucy had summoned a man instead of a fish or bull!
"Prince Charming!" Leo bowed with a courtly smile. "I knew you'd need me."
Yukino stared incredulously. "Another spirit intervenes…?"
Leo faced Ophiuchus. "Don't underestimate my master, Lucy." He flashed a grin.
Lucy nodded, then pressed another key. "Open the Gemini Gate… Gemini!"
A third figure appeared: Gray, clad in his signature coat, smirking.
Gasps rippled through the crowd. Two handsome men at Lucy's command?
Gray sputtered. "Wha—Luce, you summoned me?!"
Juvia huffed. "All this drama because Lucy's Gemini is Gray—again!"
Spectators clamored at the unfolding love-triangle more than the battle itself.
Lucy rubbed her temple in mock exasperation. "I just needed spirits I could handle—and two fast-friends who understand me."
Gray grinned and raised his hand in salute. "Ready when you are, Lucy."