Chapter 34: Purging Skya

"The Purge? What's that?" Sting asked.

Edo-Mira sniffed and looked at the ground, still hugging her knees, "It was an order from the kingdom. In Edolas, magic is limited, and the first priority is the Royal City. When magic started to run dry two years ago, the King decreed that all Wizard Guilds must shut down in order to preserve the remaining magic power. And of course, some of the guilds refused. It was our way of life, we couldn't just give it up."

The White Dragon frowned, "So, then what happened? Did he finally convince the others to stop?"

Mira shook her head and buried her face in her knees, voice hoarse and crying, "No…none of us gave in."

The Dragon Slayer tilted his head, "Then how-"

"It was a massacre, Sting. He killed everyone."

Sting's blood froze. The crying girl kept on going, "The King sent the army in to, 'Clean us up' as he put it. All the Captains were there, except Drake. He's just a recent addition to their ranks. Erza was at the head back then, she wiped out entire guilds herself. When it first began, the army sent in a unit to purge Blue Pegasus, so we went to help them."

/

Mira gasped as a huge legion landed on the Blue Pegasus building, crushing it and everyone inside. She couldn't believe it; the army was fighting on the streets in the middle of a city. Civilians were getting caught in the crossfire, wounded were everywhere, and the dead lay motionless where they had fallen.

The white-haired girl almost threw up at the sight of Karen run through with a spear, her eyes frozen wide the same way they'd been before the blade pierced her. Mira cupped her mouth with her hand and turned away.

A hand grasped her shoulder and she spun around with a shriek. She let out a relieved sigh when she realized it was Rogue, giving her a startled expression past the camouflage bandana he always wore to cover the lower half of his face.

The other mage stared at her with concern, "Are you all right?"

She nodded, taking a deep breath, "I'm okay, you just surprised me is all…Karen's back there."

The girl motioned behind her with her hand. Rogue looked over her shoulder and his eyes narrowed at the grizzly sight, "There's nothing we can do, now. The army's got reinforcements coming in, we need to retreat."

Mira stared at him, "But, Pegasus-"

"-Is done, Mira. They're all gone, even the Master. We have to get out of here before they get us." Rogue said.

The girl hesitated, but then nodded, running with him towards their guild. They had transported to a hidden spot by a ravine, and the entire guild ran for it, carrying their wounded along with them.

Mira saw Lisanna run out of the guild with wide eyes. She started towards her sister, "Pegasus?"

Mira shook her head. Lisanna's eyes brimmed with tears, but she shook them off, "We need to go. Come on!"

They ran back to the door, but at that moment, Lucy screamed, "AMBUSH!"

Mira froze alongside Rogue and Lisanna, her head whipped around to see a group of soldiers erupt from the surrounding forest and charge them. She quickly pulled out her sword and shield to fight back, calling out, "Lisanna, get back inside! This isn't a fight you can win!"

Her sister opened her mouth to protest, but thought better of it and ran towards the door, though she hung there and watched the fight as it began. Rogue pulled two black scythes from straps on his back. The guild armed themselves and met the attackers head on. Mira and Rogue fought side by side, slashing and stabbing in unison at their opponents.

The masked warrior beside her kept her relaxed, and unafraid. Rogue was arguably the most powerful fighter they had, next to Lucy and Sting, cutting through the soldiers like a knife through butter. But there was more to her relaxed feeling than him being powerful. Just knowing he was here, still with her and not hurt made her relieved. She blushed to herself, remembering what Lisanna had told her earlier to stay at his side, that she was the only person who could keep him in control.

He was the one she was worried about the most, however. He'd fought on the front lines ever since the Purge had begun, barely taking a moment to rest and recover, he seemed to be constantly fighting. Rogue had been dubbed the Demon in the Fairies by the army, since he took on the strongest of opponents and still cut down every person that met him in battle, like an immortal Demon.

Mira faintly hoped the immortal bit was true. With his seemingly limitless strength, the ruby eyes with black clothing, and dancing scythes, she thought he would never fall. But even the Demon of Fairy Tail had a breaking point.

Rogue was getting slower. At the start of the battle over two hours earlier, he had moved at an unbelievable speed, going faster than Jet's Falcon-Step magic. Any opponent that had seen him then had died soon after they glimpsed the dark, menacing figure. Now, Mira was easily keeping pace with him, and although she was fast herself, she knew that Rogue was reaching his limit once his speed went down.

Mira watched him cut down another enemy, turning and calling to him, "Get to the guild, Rogue! You need to rest!"

The Demon flashed a glance at her before turning his attention to another charging enemy, yelling back, "I can't! There's too many!"

Mira opened her mouth to try again to convince him to go back and be safe, but she realized he was right. The army's reinforcements were swarming the forest, pushing the fairies back towards the ravine and away from the guild.

Suddenly, one soldier, who seemed far more experienced than the rest, lunged at Rouge with a broadsword, separating him from Mira. The masked warrior parried and slashed at him, but the soldier dodged and swung up again. Mira's heart lurched when she saw the broadsword come within inches of Rogue's neck. The soldier must have been a lieutenant, he was too good to be a regular army recruit. He was driving Rogue back towards the forest, away from the rest of the group. Mira tried to shove her way past the attacking soldiers, but they pushed her back and forced her on the defense. She tried to look past them to catch a glimpse of Rogue.

Her breath caught in her throat. The lieutenant had forced him to one knee, and was slamming on the magic scythes with his broadsword in an attempt to break his defense.

The lieutenant's sword suddenly glowed, and then increased in size. Mira's eyes widened as she realized the blade was similar to the exceed Pantherlily's Buster Marm. The huge sword smashed the scythes, which were in an X formation to block.

Rogue cried out at the force and dropped his weapons, too weak to keep the intense blows from raining down on him anymore.

'No, no, no, no, no, no!' Mira thought.

The Demon fell on both knees, just sitting on his heels, unable to stand. He glared at the lieutenant, who shrunk the blade back to normal and pulled back for a thrust. The blade shot forwards and Mira screamed, "NOOOOOO!"

There was a sudden flash of white, and then Lisanna was there. She spread her arms out on either side to defend the fallen warrior, and the blade pierced her chest. The world seemed to freeze for Mirajane and Rogue, who stared up in horror at the girl.

Mira screamed again, "LISANNA!"

Her sister gasped in pain and collapsed as the lieutenant pulled the sword free from her body. Rogue caught her and stared, frozen at the dying girl. The lieutenant held his blade still, in respect for a fallen opponent's final words.

Rogue whispered in shock, "Why did you…?"

Lisanna stared up at him blood trickling from the corner of her lip, "Because..you make my sister happy…I..can't stand…watching Mira sad…"

The Demon hissed in desperation, "You shouldn't have done this! It'll only make her hurt more!"

Her eyes were glazing over, and she smiled, "But you can fix it…you're the only one who can…"

Tears were falling down Rogue's face, but he still said, "You never think of yourself, do you?"

Lisanna laughed slightly, coughing up blood with the strain. The Demon froze, "Lisanna, don't you dare die! You have to-"

"It's okay…It's better this way..hey…keep Mira safe….promise…?" Her face set with a determined look.

Rogue's shoulders were wracking as he cried, but he nodded and whispered, "I promise."

Lisanna smiled again and closed her eyes, letting out one final, soft breath.

Rogue lay her down beside him, eyes stuck on the ground. The lieutenant swung the blade up, with quiet words, "She was a brave girl. Her death will not be in vain, it will help bring peace."

"Shut up…" The Demon growled.

The soldier frowned at him. He didn't sound human. Then his blood froze.

Rogue's eyes met his, twin orbs of blazing red fury, and he roared, "You're a dead man already!"

The lieutenant recovered from his moment of fear and swung down, but the scythes were already in Rogue's hands. He shot past the soldier with blinding speed, even faster than he had started the battle with. The lieutenant froze in shock, his sword dropping from nerveless fingers.

Then he fell to the ground in three distinct pieces.

The other soldiers in the clearing stared in horror, their morale falling quickly. Rogue glared at them with the furious, tear-streaked eyes, and that was enough. They ran out of the clearing without a second thought, leaving the battered guild to themselves.

Mira rushed up to her sister, crying before she even got to her knees. The guild ran forwards, but the Demon shook his head, stopping them in their tracks. Elfman was the only one who continued, crying all the while for his little sister.

The guild stood together in silence, tears falling to the ground like rain.

Then Sting walked up, his usually cheery personality all but forgotten, "We should take her with us. She needs a proper burial…we can't leave her here."

Rogue nodded, too tired from battle and sadness to say anything. Sting walked past him and picked Lisanna up from the ground, before turning back to the guild and going through the door, the others following him. Jet and Droy helped Elfman walk back, leaving Mira and Rogue alone outside.

Mira couldn't stand, could hardly breathe from crying, and tears continued to pour down her face as Rogue walked up to her.

The Demon crouched down, murmuring to her, "We have to go. Can you stand up?"

The girl shook her head, the big blue eyes meeting his as she held her arms out. Rogue got his arms around her and brought her into his chest as she wrapped his arms around his neck. He held her close, whispering to her, "I'm sorry…I'm so sorry…I should have been stronger, then she wouldn't have…"

Mira shook her head, "It isn't your fault. It was her choice, she did what she thought was right, just like she always did. Lisanna never cared about what happened to her, as long as everyone else was ok."

He hugged Mira close to him, whispering into her ear, "I'll fix it…I'll keep you safe, no matter what happens. I'll make it so you never have to cry again..."

The girl sniffed and buried her face into his chest, "Thank you…"

"Rogue."

The Demon looked over his shoulder at Levy, who stood by the doorway with a sad expression, "It's time to go. The other's are waiting."

Rogue nodded, lifting Mirajane up into the air and carrying her inside as the guild transported away from the blood-soaked battlefield, and the unbearable pain that remained there.

/

Sting stared at Edo-Mira in shock before he whispered, "I can't believe that…What the hell kind of king would…"

He trailed off, and Mira smiled bitterly, "He's a monster. Only a monster could cause so much pain and suffering."

Sting frowned, "Hold on, then, what happened to the Edolas Rogue?"

The girl trembled and looked away, "Right…that was six months after the Purge began…"

/

Rogue panted as he was pushed back.

'Damn, she's strong!' he thought as Erza forced him back with incredible power. The guild had transported again, only to be ambushed on the other side.

Erza Knightwalker, now Captain of the Royal Army Third Division, had attacked them single-handedly, crushing several of the weaker members, but not killing any, since Rogue had forced her away from the guild to fight her alone. Now, he was feeling the full power of a Captain, and her powerful magic spear, Ten Commandments, and he couldn't take another serious hit or he'd be done for.

Erza stepped towards him with a smirk, "The mighty Demon of Fairy Tail, falling prey so easily…what a disappointment. I think I'll take that mask as a trophy once you're dead, but I could care less about what you really look like."

Rogue tch'd and swung his scythes again, but the spear transformed and Knightwalker shouted, "Mel Force!"

A burst of powerful wind blew the Demon away, sending him crashing into a boulder.

"Rogue!"

He turned his head as he got on his hands and knees to see Mira and the rest of the guild running towards him. He yelled, "No! Stay back!"

They stopped, and Erza looked at them with a bored expression, "Well, they decided to come and die? How pathetically lame."

She took a step towards them, brandishing her spear, and Rogue growled, "Don't you dare bring them into this!"

He lunged at her, but suddenly she was in his face with a smirk, "Psych. You let your guard down."

Her spear glowed and became two smaller versions of the original, and she swung one with burning fire down on him with a shout, "Blue Crimson!"

The burning spearhead slashed him from the tip of his left shoulder, all the way down to his right hip, cauterizing it instantly as she cut. Rogue screeched in pain and collapsed.

Mira screamed, "Rogue, no!"

She tried to run forward to him, but Lucy held her back. Erza gave them a dark smile and started at them, "Now then, back to business-huh?"

She suddenly stopped, as Rogue grabbed her ankle with an iron grip of a left hand, his right grasping one of his scythes. Erza tch'd and pulled her spear back, "You never learn, do you?"

Mira's heart lurched, "Stop it, please!"

"RUN!"

The guild froze as Rogue shouted, "Get out of here! Go!"

Mira stared at him, shaking her head slowly, "No…"

Sting yelled with an angry tone, "Don't try and be a hero! Just stop now!"

The Demon screeched, "GET OUT!"

The others were shocked at him, but Lucy took the cue with a sad look. She turned, pulling Mira along with her and yelled, "Come on!"

The guild hesitated, but then turned and ran back with her. Mira fought back, trying to get loose and run to the injured warrior, "No! We can't leave him!" She struggled to get away, but Lucy and Natsu pulled her back relentlessly, and wordlessly.

Erza yelled at them as they ran, "Hey! Don't think you can escape!"

She tried to get loose from Rogue's grip, but he wouldn't let her go. He growled at her, "I won't let you…You're dying with me. Crescent Harken!"

The scythe in his hand and the one beside him glowed and rose up, spiraling around him and Erza, who's eyes widened, "What is this?!"

Rogue glared up at her and roared, "Moon Night Bomb!"

The scythes flashed white and exploded in a huge burst of magic power that enveloped the two fighting mages.

Mira screamed one last time before the guild transported away, and she saw the blast destroy everything around it, "NOOOOOOO!"

/

Mira fell silent as she finished.

Sting couldn't believe it, "I..I don't…have any words…"

The girl smiled, "It's okay, it helped just talking a little…"

The White Dragon cast a glance at her, "So..the reason you acted like that towards our Rogue…was because you and his counterpart were…" he trailed off, but the question didn't need to be spoken.

Mira blushed for a moment, but it quickly faded away to be replaced with a sad look, "Yes."

They sat quietly for a while in the dark, unsure what else could be said.

Sting finally broke the silence, "I can't understand what you've gone through losing the Edolas Rogue, but I understand Lisanna. In our world, it was Natsu who died two years ago."

Mira flashed him a shocked look, as the Dragon Slayer continued, "I know what it's like to lose a sibling, and I can tell you that I suffered a lot as well. But I can promise you, that the four of us will take down that bastard King from his throne. We'll make it so that you can stop running, forever."

The girl stared at him for a bit, before she smiled, "Thanks a lot, Sting. Hey, let's go back inside, it's getting kind of cold out here."

The Dragon Slayer grinned at her, "Sure."

They walked to the edge of the roof, where Sting picked up Mira again and leaped to the ground, before putting her down and walking with her back into the guild to sleep for the rest of the night.

/\/\/\/\/\

Wraith sat on the couch in his Captain's room, waiting for him to return with Pantherlily to tell him the verdict of their decision. All of the Captains had large rooms in the castle, their private quarters where only their friends were allowed to visit. Lily had agreed that they should tell the King to send out a squad to capture the Dragon Slayers, admitting that the advantages of having four Earthland mages in the castle outweighed the potential risks. Wraith had voiced his approval. He would follow Drake to the end if it meant they succeeded in stopping the King and saved those precious to them. He owed the Captain his life.

Wraith clasped his hands together and leaned his chin on them, his elbows propped on his knees. He remembered the day he'd been given a second chance to protect those he loved, the day he took his mask off forever and entered the underground battle to crush the ruthless kingdom, and it's cruel dictator.

/

He couldn't move. The blast had been so powerful, and now all the strength had left his body.

His eyes were barely open, staring blankly as Erza stumbled to her feet and growled, "Damn you. They got away from me…"

She walked up with her spear and prodded him, but he was too weak to react. The woman huffed, "Dead, huh? Well, there's no point taking a trophy if I didn't kill you, so just rot there with your damned mask."

She strode off to the legion a distance away, climbing on and flying off.

The fallen warrior remained motionless for what seemed like hours, before he finally regained enough strength to crawl. He inched forward, not sure where he was going.

Suddenly, he heard footsteps and two boots appeared in front of him. He looked up to see a spiky headed white-haired teenager with a long-sleeved black jacket that cut off under his chest, with a high collar that covered the lower half of his face. He had baggy white pants with black stripes, and dark boots. A large sword in wrappings hung from his back.

The newcomer eyed him before speaking, "Looks like you ran into Erza. How are you still alive?"

The fallen warrior managed to talk, despite his heavy injuries.

"You're a member of the army, aren't you? Did you come here to finish…what Knightwalker started?" he hissed.

The teenager shook his head, "No, I didn't. I hate killing. I watched you battle, earlier. You've got my respect for protecting your comrades the way you did."

He was surprised, "You were here, the…the whole time?"

The teen shrugged, "Yeah. I wanted to make sure Erza didn't do anything stupid, but I guess that was pointless. What's your name?"

The fallen warrior was panting, but he kept talking, "Rogue. Rogue Skya."

The teen nodded at him, "I'm called Drake."

Rogue started in surprise, gasping out, "Y-you? The prodigy lieutenant who just came out of nowhere…You're Firedrake…?"

Drake crossed his arms, "Yeah, I am. But I'll be a Captain soon. Gildarts decided to retire, so he told me I'll be replacing him as the Captain of the Second Division."

Rogue was silently grasping this, but he didn't understand, "Why…why are you telling me this?"

The lieutenant was quiet for a bit, "Because…I want to know…If you want a second chance."

The fallen warrior stared up at him, "What do you mean?"

"I mean, do you want to die a hero, or live as one? I saw Mirajane back then, I know what's going on there." Drake answered.

Rogue was surprised, but he still didn't get it, "I don't…"

The lieutenant leaned down and crouched in front of him, looking him in the eye. "Do you want to save your friends?"

Rogue's eyes widened, "Why would you care?"

Drake met his gaze unflinchingly, "There's something big happening behind the scenes at the kingdom, something I'm going to stop that could save your friends. I have friends I need to protect too, you know, and I care because you and I are alike."

The lieutenant held out his hand at the staring warrior, "Rogue Skya. I'm asking you if you can help me save those precious to us. Are you man enough to take off that mask and fight with me to protect everyone we care about?"

Rogue stared in utter shock for a minute. "I'm you're enemy, but you'd still…?"

He trailed off, but Drake nodded quickly, "I would. I'm not alone in this, but I still need help. Fight against the kingdom from the inside with me. Become MY lieutenant, I know you can."

Rogue looked at the offered hand.

'A second chance to keep my promise…'

He looked into Drake's dark eyes and took his hand, nodding silently in agreement.

The lieutenant nodded back, "Well, then let's get you fixed up. Just rest, I'll bandage you and get you out of here. Oh, but one more thing."

He motioned to his face, and Rogue didn't hesitate this time. He reached up and removed the mask from his face, tossing it aside.

Drake looked at him for a moment before continuing, "I'll show you my face, as well." He pulled down the zipper on his jacket and the collar fell away to show the details of his face.

Rogue's eyes got huge and he whispered in utter disbelief, "Y-you're…Nat…su!?"

The teenager grinned, baring unbelievably sharp canine teeth, "Not quite. But I'll explain later, just rest for now. I'll think up a cover name for you…let's see..."

He scratched the back of his head for a moment, but Rogue interrupted, "Wraith."

Drake looked down at him in surprise, "Wraith? You sure? It's kinda dark…"

The fallen warrior nodded, "I used to be called a Demon by the army, now I'll be a wraith to protect my friends from the shadows."

The lieutenant saw the determination in his eyes and nodded, "Okay then. We'll need to remove your guild stamp, as well, but I can do that while you rest. Leave it to me, I won't let you die."

Rogue, now Wraith, nodded, and closed his eyes to sleep as Drake began to wrap his injuries in bandages, repairing the damage where he could. His mind was racing.

'I'll fight to the bitter end to help this man crush the kingdom and save everyone. Sorry guys, but I might be a while…so please stay alive and wait for me…!'

/

Drake walked into the room with Pantherlily behind him. Wraith looked at him carefully, and the Captain nodded, "It's a go. He sent Erza out immediately."

Lily grunted, "Now, let's hope nobody gets seriously hurt doing this."

The lieutenant murmured agreement, "Indeed."

It was a small hope, to say the least.