Chapter 44: First Blood!

Celebration was well under way in Ishgar for our friends in Fairy Tail. Although meanwhile, their enemy in the upcoming war, the Alvarez Empire was making their own plan of invasion.

Within the imperial palace of the Spriggan emperor, also known as the immortal Black Wizard Zeref. In her own private quarters, Brandish one of the Spriggan 12 looked out from the balcony of her room. Admiring the stars blinking in the black night sky. The thought of failure in her mission to capture the spies nagging in the back of her mind.

"Ahh, miss Brandish, you will always be a pass in my book." Sensing his master in distress, her pet Marin said in an attempt to raise her mood. Yet unknowingly he only worsened it with his voice sounding creepy in Brandish's ears. More so, Brandish was infuriated that her second in command of her forces turned out to be useless in the battle against the wizards of Fairy Tail.

"Get on your knees." Brandish commanded, and Marin like a loyal dog quickly obeyed sensing the displeasure in her tone of voice. "Marin, remind me again of your skills?"

"Huh? Mistress Brandish, I am a space magic specialist. I command the space of ethernano around us." Marin sweated a bit nervously, wondering if he was in trouble due to Brandish asking that question out of nowhere.

"Is that so? Then tell me this, my dearest pet. How is it that you, a space mage specialist, lost to Celestial Wizard and that frail looking bookworm?" Brandish shot a glare from the corner of her eye as her back was turned to Marin. Feeling the weight of Brandish's gaze, Marin felt small and trembled in fear. Marin feeling small suddenly became a reality, as his very body shrank into the size of a doll.

"B-Brandish-sama! What are you doing?!" Marin whimpered in fear, Brandish responded by slamming her bare foot before him. The force of her foot knocking Marin over. Brandish then tossed him a bottle of nail polish and presented her right foot.

"Make yourself useful and do my nails." Brandish demanded as she looked down upon him like he was a worm.

"Y-Yes! With all my heart I shall paint these nails! Ah, what a wonderful ravishing leg. Again, you pass~" Marin seeing himself out of danger, instantly complied with his mistress order. "But why shrink me?"

"Failure requires punishment, no? Be grateful that this is all I am doing to you." At this Marin grumbled a little under his breath as he began painting her nails.

The doors of her room opened, without any warning or announcement in walked Dimaria, a fellow member of the 12. "Yo, Randi." Dimaria casually greeted and waltzed in.

"Mari…" Brandish barely shifted her gaze in Dimaria's direction, and quickly went back to reading her magazine while Marin painted her nails.

"I heard through the grapevine you and Ajeel both encountered the Emperor's little E project. And that you let him get away." Dimaria had a tiny smirk spread across her lips, her eyes hungrily looking at Brandish.

"I didn't let them get away." Brandish slight angrily pouted.

"Ahh, such a cute looking expression~" Dimaria giggled a bit. "Makes me feel playful."

"Ahhh, miss Dimaria you too are a pass~" The tiny Marin greeted, although the warrior princess didn't even acknowledge him with a glance.

"Turn that poor sod back to his original size. He reminds me of a gross bug. Makes me want to squish him." Dimaria walked towards Brandish, her foot looming over the terrified doll sized Marin threatening to squash him. Brandish smiled a bit and with a snap of her fingers Marin returned to his original size. The sudden expansion causing Marin's back to be pushed up against Dimaria's foot, which almost knocked her out of balance.

"Ahh, this kind of treatment isn't too bad from Dimaria-sama." Marin looked pleased that he was stepped on. Dimaria and Brandish both looked a bit disgusted. And before Marin knew it, he was suddenly sitting outside the room. The door closed and locked behind him. "Eh? D-Dimaria-sama! Brandish-sama! Don't leave me out of the fun!" Marin pleaded, although was suddenly knocked back by an unknown force. Feeling like he had been kicked in the stomach, Marin was sent flying across the hallway and knocked into a brick stone wall. Bumping his head knocking him unconscious.

"That takes care of the bug." Inside Brandish's room, Dimaria is seen dusting off her hands. "Now we're alone, Randi~"

"How annoying." Brandish mumbled under her breath. "Kya!" Brandish suddenly squeals as at blinding speed Dimaria is now standing behind her, her hands having slipped under Brandish top and groping her breasts. Dimaria's soft pink lips move closer to Brandish ear, her hot breath sending quivers down the country demolishers spine. "Hngh!" Brandish groans a bit as Dimaria softly nibbles at her ear.

"I love it when you fight back a bit~" Dimaria whispers in a seductive tone.

"D-Don't mock me, you- Ahn~!" Despite her looking annoyed Brandish is blushing a bit as she tried to muffle her moans. "E-Enough!" Brandish slaps Dimaria's hands away, and the warrior princess merely giggles as she backs away.

"You really are the best, Randi." Dimaria smiles teasingly and Brandish merely pouts at her. "We'll have time to continue later, his majesty is expecting us at the meeting."

Meanwhile, with the wedding party having finished up. And everyone had made a toast for the happy couple. Itachi was standing in the middle of the guild, telling something to one of his crows. "I am counting on you." Itachi performed a reverse summoning, and his crow vanished in a puff of smoke.

The mood quickly shifted as the war was closing in on them. "Before anything, I recommend we make a plan together with the magic council. We'll need an army to counter the Alvarez Empire. Might as well bring the full force of our own nation." Itachi quickly gathered to talk things over with Makarov and Mest.

"Indeed, we don't have much time so we should leave immediately. The council should be able to get word out to the other magic guilds to prepare them all for the upcoming battle." Mest agreed.

"Not to mention to evacuate the civilians." Makarov added. "Mest, teleport me and Itachi to the magic council's headquarters this instant."

In the background, standing there looking rather nervous. Was Itachi's wife Mirajane. She felt like she had a lump in her throat, her legs quivering and nearly about to give in. She had to tell him, she had to tell Itachi she was carrying their child. Bracing herself, Mirajane reaches out to her husband. "I-Itachi, I need to have a word with you…" Mira quickly regrets her wording. 'Oh no! Did I make it sound like I was upset with him?! This is supposed to be a happy moment and I made it seem so deadly serious! I'm such an idiot!'

"Mira…?" Itachi looked a bit puzzled at the face his wife was making, why did she look so nervous? Was it because they were about to go to war?

Just before Mira can say another word, Mest interrupts them. "Sorry, but we have to leave now. There is no telling when the Alvarez Empire will begin their attack."

"Right." Itachi nodded, realizing the seriousness of this matter. "Sorry, we'll talk more when I return." Itachi gives Mirajane a quick kiss before he heads over to Mest and Makarov. And before Mira can even protest Mest teleports them away.

Mirajane stands there in silence, looking in defeat. Everyone too occupied to discuss their plan of defense from the upcoming invasion of the empire. Mirajane holds her hands over her stomach area, soothingly rubbing it as she feels the pure magic power building up inside of her. The magic of her unborn child. "We'll find another time to tell him I'm pregnant." Mira gently and soothingly whispers as if she is talking to her child. The only one in the guild noticing this, being Mira's own younger sister Lisanna.

"Mira-nee…" She quietly whispers, feeling a bit frustrated with Itachi for having to leave so suddenly. Although she understood why, so did Mirajane. It still left a bitter taste in the youngest Strauss' siblings' mouth.

Back within the imperial palace in the capital of the Alvarez Empire. Zeref had gathered his elite squad the Spriggan 12. Sitting at a round table with thirteen chairs, Zeref sitting a bit away from the rest, as if they all were seated like they were gathered around him.

"It seems we're only missing one…" Zeref eyed the empty chair at the table, and across from the other side of the table, August glared at the empty seat in anger.

"Irene…" August growled under his breath.

Expecting Zeref to be angry, they were surprised as Zeref's mood had shifted. "Oh well, at such a short notice this is a respectable turnout." Zeref sighed and merely shrugged as eleven of the twelve were still gathered.

"Irene still shouldn't disobey a direct order from his majesty." Invel interjected.

"It is fine." Zeref assures.

"Quit being a stick in the mud, Invel. Just start the meeting with whoever is here already! I want to quickly have rematch against Makarov's soldiers!" Ajeel leaned back in his seat and put his feet onto the table.

"I'm sure you all have realized, but the time has finally come to begin our invasion of Ishgar." And with that, the meeting had begun.

"Your majesty, I think we should focus on a more significant threat." Brandish voiced out, earning the full attention of the other 12 as well as their emperor. Zeref looked like he already knew what she was going to say. "Unless we deal with him first, our goal to take Fairy Heart will be far more difficult. We need to deal with Madara Uchiha now."

"You know, I actually second that. I would love to fight him." Ajeel smirked.

"I agree as well." Dimaria looked also intrigued at the thought of fighting such a powerful foe. Dimaria also shot a wink at Brandish, to which she blushed a bit and avoided Dimaria's gaze.

"You underestimate Madara. Unless I have Fairy Heart, even if all the 12 team up with me to fight him, we'll fail." Zeref declared earning a few glances from some of the 12 that looked a bit insulted at having their power questioned. In particular, Ajeel.

"Bullshit, we can take him. Even without you, your majesty!" Ajeel loudly declared.

"I think we should also take Acnologia into consideration." A young blond-haired man with upwards spiky hair. A white cross symbol donned onto his forehead. With his sharp piercing red eyes looking confidently, adding with his aura that seemed divine and godly. His clothing consisting of a golden-colored kasaya with a rectangular pattern similar to Natsu's scarf covering one-half of his body leaving the other exposed. A white sash is also tied around the upper part of the garb, that streaks to hip to go on with one around his waist as well. The mark of the empire residing on his left shoulder. His lower body clothed in dark colored capris to go with his dark shoes. And to top it off, a human sized sharp cross hovering behind him with the sunlight reflecting off its surface adding more to this man's divine appearance.

"Larcade, with your abilities I think Acnologia won't prove too difficult to keep at bay." Zeref looked to the divine looking Spriggan member, Larcade Dragneel. Zeref then turns to the possible wildcard of the 12. "God Serena, will it be painful for you to attack your homeland?"

"Painful? Absolutely… Not!" The man rose from his chair, presenting himself in a dramatic fashion with a spotlight shinning over him. God Serena had wavy spiky orange hair that juts out at the top giving them a similar shape to rabbit ears. His eyes brows are slightly thick, and he bears a scar going across the bridge of his nose.

"…"

"…"

"Weirdo." Brandish comments on God Serena's performance.

Unfazed by this comment, God Serena continues to pose and points towards Brandish. "I'll take that as a compliment." This man, was once said to be the strongest man in Ishgar. He is dressed in a fanciful white robe with long dark blue sleeves. With a matching belt and pants. His neck area and shoulders covered by a red cloak with a high collar. And floating around his back is a wheel of blades.

Sitting in silence during the meeting, is a tall bulky muscular figure wearing a black torn cloak with a hood going over his head covering most of his face except for his jaw. Although his jaw resembled that of a skeleton. Underneath his cloak he wears bulky dark and red demonic like armor plates. This beast is named simply Bloodman, his cold breath visible in the air. The beast growled a bit, and underneath his hood one could see his piercing eyes looking up at his emperor. "Your majesty, just give the order and I will execute it to perfection without flaw."

"As always, so loyal Bloodman." Zeref gave an emotionless smile at his servant.

"I should be more than enough to take down Ishgar." A man sitting in the far back, sounding a bit arrogant spoke up. A slender looking man with long purple hair pulled into a ponytail, his purple eyes looking as arrogant as his voice sounded. "With my magic, they all shall perish. I am a one-man army after all~" The man chuckled. He was wearing a suit of green armor over a yellow frilly shirt.

"Neinhart, I have plans for you for this war. You will need to stay away from the frontlines to utilize your magic." Zeref declared, showing great faith in Neinhart's abilities.

"Back off corpse boy, I alone will attack these weaklings in Ishgar!" Ajeel confidently declared.

"No, this is an all-out war. You alone cannot deal with this." Zeref instantly shot down Ajeel's suggestion. "Besides, if I am going to defeat Mavis and her little soldiers… It will be more meaningful if we all do it together."

"Ho? A way of showing respect for your beloved?" A man looking to be around middle aged hummed as he twirled a glass of whisky in his hand. He had short black hair and a stubby beard. On his wide forehead there was a tattoo mark of a death skull. He wore a purple spandex turtleneck underneath a black blazer with matching black pants. His hands were covered with black gloves with oval design of knuckles.

"In a way, I suppose you could look at it that way Jacob." Zeref looked laid back as he hummed at the idea. A smirk creeping up on his lips. "Or perhaps, I wish to crush her resolve and spirit with everything I got… Sometimes I simply cannot decide."

"So bottom line, our target is the body of your former loved. My such a deep sinful act." A voice that sounded almost a bit robotic chuckled at the idea. A tall looking man with an oddly shaped body. His arms were unnaturally long and his face oval shaped and seemingly no nose. A single strand of hair sticking up like an antenna. He was dressed in a long sleeved black high collar open jacket. With a striped shirt underneath and a camouflaged patterned scarf. This was the final Spriggan member present at the meeting, Wall Eehto.

"Fairy Heart is a magic, not a person. Mavis may be the host of this magic, but that is irrelevant. Our objective involves obtaining Fairy Heart, but my desire… Is the complete and utter annihilation of Ishgar. And with it, the very fabric of reality." Zeref's eyes turned red, his malice leaking out from him bringing cold beads of sweat to his own elite force. Even an ice mage like Invel felt a cold shiver at the presence of his emperor's might.

"Humanity, huh." Dimaria hummed seeming rather intrigued.

"We are mere pawns for your usage, your majesty. We'll fight, and throw our lives away if you give the order." August declaration showed his full loyalty to Zeref.

"Quite an interesting explanation… Although it would mean our destruction as well, no?" Wall Eehto didn't sound displeased at this, in fact he seemed interested.

"…" Brandish merely remained silent, while silently thinking to herself. 'With this reality destroyed… I can continue in a new with…' A flashing image of an older looking green haired woman came to Brandish's mind.

"Perfect." God Serena seemed excited at Zeref's declaration.

"Now… All that is left is to decide. Who amongst us… shall lead the first assault?" Invel looked amongst the other Spriggan members, and as expected Ajeel instantly stood up.

"Me of course! I will bury them all!" Ajeel was quick to volunteer, although not the only one.

"I shall also join in." Dimaria stabbed a golden dagger through a map on the table, her blade piercing at the map over Ishgar in particular the port town of Hargeon.

"I shall also join in on this invasion." Wall Eehto declared.

"… I will go." Brandish declared, looking a bit bored. "The quicker we get it done, the better."

"It's been decided then." Invel declared, hearing no objection from the others.

"I will use my time to prepare my own little army~" Neinhart declared.

"I shall keep a lookout for Acnologia, God Serena and Jacob shall accompany me." August declared, the other two gladly willing to accompany him.

"And I shall stand by your side, your majesty." Invel lowered his head as he looked to Zeref.

"Very well, Larcade and Bloodman. The two of you find Irene and inform her of our plan. She will know what to do once the battle begins." Zeref assigned the task of finding their missing member to the divine looking Larcade, and the demonic looking Bloodman. "Then you two will join in on the battle as well."

"It shall be done." Larcade happily smiled as he accepted his task.

"Irene was last reported to be in Ishgar anyway. Suits us perfectly." Bloodman stood tall.

"Splendid, make sure to strike swiftly, before Madara or Acnologia gets a chance." Zeref smiled with glee as the final battle was about to begin. 'I look forward to seeing you again, Mavis… and of course you as well, Natsu.'

On an island devoid of any form of life, with the exception of one. Was a lone man with long spiky messy dark blue hair. His skin tanned and body muscular. His eyes sharp and filled with the look of killer intent. The sides of his face looked like it had dragon scales. He wore a mere torn cloak that blew in the wind, revealing he was missing an arm. His pants were just as torn as his cloak. And around his neck, he had a necklace that looked to be made of dragon teeth.

"My arm tingles… My left arm, the one taken by the flame dragon." The figure stomped his foot into the ground. Causing the very island to explode, the pressure released from him caused the island to break and fall apart. The man's body began to mutate, expand in size. His very shape altering, wings bursting out from his back. The shadow he cast looked less and less human by the second, until it finally took the shape of a dragon. "The Dragon King Festival. I shall devour all. For I am the true king of all dragons! The ultimate creation! I am Acnologia!" His very voice turned deeper, and echoed across the island in a violent roar. As he took flight, the island sank into the ocean.

Once the meeting was over, the confident looking Neinhart walked out with his head held up high. "Did you get all that?" Neinhart spoke into what appeared to be an earpiece in his right ear.

"Well done. As promised, I shall help you become a true master of life and death." The sound of a gentle deep voice responded from the other end. A voice that would have made anyone's blood run cold. "Make sure to use what I have taught you properly now."

"Of course, I am quite grateful for you teaching me how to improve my magic. Although, make no mistake. If the emperor commands it, I shall fight you as well. But until then, I will do my best to make an opening for you. In return I wish to learn the perfect way to control the dead."

"I shall teach you how to use the Edo Tensei if you succeed. As promised. With that combined with your Historia, you shall create a spell that truly exceeds the boundary of life and death. Just make sure to make good use of the imperfect version I showed you first to get the job done."

"Splendid. Pleasure doing business with you, Madara." Neinhart hung up, and crushed the earpiece within his grip to dispose of the evidence.

Neinhart entered a great hall, filled with his own soldiers. "Greetings everyone, you are all about to become a part of a… Marvelous experiment." A snarky smirk spread across his arrogant looking face.

"What?" The knights looked confused, and then quickly one by one the doors around the hall shut themselves closed. And the room was filled with a dark purple glow of magical power, coming from Neinhart. "Historia… Tensei~" What followed were the cries of despair that went like a ghostly echo throughout the palace, although the cries themselves were drowned out by the sound of Neinhart's cackling maniacal laughter.

Later that night, before the invasion would begin. The army of the Empire were resting up, and gathering their strength. In the room of Brandish, the country demolisher laid in her bed, naked as the day she was born. Only covered by her bed sheets. The sound of rustling coming from next to her, holding onto her body was Dimaria also in her birthday suit. "Can't sleep?" Dimaria locked eyes with Brandish, admiring the country demolishers deep eyes and long eyelashes.

"What do you think of his Majesty's plan? To destroy the fabric of reality?" Brandish casually asked, her expression remaining stoic.

"I think it sounds fun. Why, don't you?" Dimaria leaned in, and began kissing Brandish's neck gently and slowly moving downward. Brandish flinched a bit and her face a little flushed.

"… I want his Majesty to succeed. This reality, doesn't have much to offer me anyway." Brandish carefreely sighed, although her voice didn't sound as confident in her words.

"That's kinda cold, Randi. I'm right here." Dimaria gave light chuckle as she planted her lips onto Brandish's.

"We both know what this is…" Brandish looked cold and stoic as usual, although Dimaria did not dislike that about her. "A way to release pent up feelings. If you call it anything else, I will get annoyed and kick your sorry ass out."

"Heh, that attitude of yours is exactly why people dislike you."

"Excuse me, I am the one who dislikes people thank you very much." Brandish coldly glared at Dimaria, whom looked a bit turned on by that answer.

"And that is exactly why we get along." The two cuddled up together for the remainder of the night.

Meanwhile, Ishgar was undergoing their own strategy planning to counter attack. Itachi, Makarov and Mest arrived within the headquarters of the magic council. All the other eight members of the Ten Wizard Saint, nine now that Makarov was present had gathered.

According to plan, Warren back in the guild used his telepathy to contact the entire country. At this moment, the Wizard Saints all heard the warnings every citizen of the nation was getting broadcasted into their minds. All civilians were warned to take shelter and evacuate the big cities. And pleading for all magic guilds, the royal army, the Rune Knights and for the magic council to join the war against the Alvarez Empire.

Itachi calmly stood before the four main leaders of the council. Hyberion, Wolfheim, Warrod and Jura. "Now that you understand the current situation at hand. Surely you will agree to aid us in this battle." Itachi's calm demeanor was baffling for Mest, especially considering the look he got from Hyberion and Wolfheim.

"Oy, brat… You mean to tell me. You started a fight against the Alvarez Empire?" Wolfheim trembled in anger, growing into his monster form and standing tall over Itachi. Yet the young Uchiha wasn't intimidated, unlike Mest whom would have cowered behind Makarov had he not been so short.

"The war was going to start regardless of my actions." Itachi boldly declared as he stared the two Wizard Saints down.

"And what makes you think that? Although our relationship with the western continent has been rather unstable. Even they wouldn't dare to attack-" Itachi sighed knowing they were going to list the various weapons the council had at their disposal to hold of the Empire.

"The man known as the Emperor Spriggan, is Zeref." Once Itachi revealed that, they all fell in silence. It was the exact reaction Itachi had hoped for. He knew that even the Ten Wizard Saints realized their weapons wouldn't even face an immortal being. And if the legends about Zeref served him any justice, they knew he wouldn't care about sacrificing his own soldiers. "Makarov here is a witness. He met the emperor face to face."

The Wizard Saints looked at their colleague, who's stern face said it all. It was indeed true. "The Black Wizard known as Zeref, is indeed the emperor of the western continent. He also told me the reason they halted their previous attack, was simply because it wasn't the right time."

"But what is it he wants? Why build an empire?" Wizard Saint Noel couldn't help but ask a question many of them were wondering. Why would someone who could kill anything that approached him need an army?

"I'm with flatty here. What exactly is going on here?" Mitsurugi rested his arm on top of Noel's head. Whom trembled in anger at the flat comment, so she blasted him with a blast of water knocking him over.

"… Zeref is after something that is in our guilds possession." Itachi revealed, to which Makarov looked outraged.

"Itachi!" Makarov attempted to stop the new master of the guild.

"There is no point in keeping it a secret anymore. The truth will come out sooner or later, best to put our cards on the table now." To this the council members looked intrigued.

"Lumen Histoire. Or rather, Fairy Heart. The oldest secret within our guild, only known to the guilds current and former masters. A source of infinite magic power. That is the what the Alvarez Empire seeks to obtain." Warrod even looked shocked, showing the other council members just how secret, this weapon was.

"Why would your guild have such a thing?! Something so dangerous must be dealt with immediately!" Fiona spoke in outrage. They all could imagine just what kind of level of destruction an infinite source of magic power could bring if it fell into the hands of Zeref.

"How long has this secret existed, Makarov?" Warrod asked, wondering if it dated back to the very foundation of the guild. Which would have meant Mavis had kept him in the dark. Which honestly didn't sit well with the founding member.

"… Since the time of the second master Precht." Makarov didn't have the heart to tell Warrod, that Fairy Heart was the body of Mavis Vermillion. And as long as they asked, Itachi wouldn't reveal it either.

"We must still do something to dispose of this weapon of your guild." Hyberion declared, looking ready to demand Itachi to show him Fairy Heart.

"I won't let you!" Makarov declared using his Giant magic to grow in size, to the point where he towered over monster form Wolfheim. "I don't care if you are the current highest rank amongst the Wizard Saints. I will not let either of you near Fairy Heart!" Makarov declared, obviously protectively to keep the First Master's body safe from harm.

"Not to mention there is no way to dispose it. Destroying it could have dangerous consequences. We are talking about an infinite supply of magic power here. Our best bet is to keep it where it is, and protect it from the Alvarez Empire and any other who desire it." Itachi calmed the situation down a bit with his explanation. They all realized the gravity of the situation. The council knew they couldn't risk destroying Fairy Heart. The only course of action was to keep it sealed.

"Itachi-dono… Surely you realize we cannot allow your guild to keep such a weapon." Jura calmly addressed Itachi, and the real issue the council had with Fairy Heart. The idea of a guild having that kind of power was unthinkable.

"I do. However, I suggest we discuss this matter after the war. After the Alvarez Empire has been defeated, then we can figure things out."

The council members looked amongst themselves, seeming uncertain about their final decision. On one hand they didn't have time to deal with Fairy Heart due to the war with the Alvarez Empire. On the other hand, they couldn't risk gambling the fate of the world shall they lose the war, and Zeref were to obtain the Fairy Heart. "It's fine isn't it?" Walking out from the crowd of the Ten Wizard Saint, was the Amazonian woman Beatrice.

Although, she seemed different. She seemed, confident. The full moon light shining onto her from the windows. She cupped her hands onto Itachi's face, surprising the young Uchiha. "This boy clearly won't accept anything else besides us agreeing to his terms." Her gaze looked, seductive, and hungrily. "I admire a man who takes control~" She reached her hand down, and to Itachi's further surprised, she groped his butt and pushed his face in between her breasts. "Especially one as firm as yourself. And my, such a rich source of energy. You should be able to handle a night with me, right? Cutie~"

Itachi looked confused. 'This is the same woman who was terrified of men, right?' Itachi thought back to his first meeting with Beatrice, her personality had done a complete one-eighty.

"Beatrice, leave that poor boy alone. He's married." Makarov couldn't help but chuckle at this sight, imagining how Mirajane would react to this.

"Ahh, really?" Beatrice pouted, and pulled Itachi out from her embrace. "Such a shame. Oh well, tell Gildarts I said hello." Beatrice winked at Itachi, whom was completely left speechless. What is more what was Gildarts' relationship with this woman? Itachi was probably better off not knowing, although considering Gildarts' personality he can pretty much guess.

"So? Are we all in agreement here?" Makarov looked amongst his fellow Wizard Saints.

"Well, either way they will be attacking Ishgar as a whole. Might as well join the fight." Mitsurugi shrugged and walked over next to Makarov signifying his side in all this. Beatrice followed as well, and so did Jura and Warrod.

"It feels like I'm young again…" Warrod spoke with a hint of nostalgia over getting the chance to fight for the guild he helped build.

"After everything your guild has done, I will gladly aid you. Itachi-dono, Makarov-dono." Jura as well voiced his opinion.

"…" Hyberion as the named leader of the council and the Saints at this moment, was the one who had to make the decision. Seeing that Beatrice, Jura, Warrod, Mitsurugi all seemed to have made their decision and aid Fairy Tail in this battle. "Very well, we are in agreement. We shall discuss the matters of Fairy Heart after the war with Alvarez."

"Tch! Guess we have no choice." Wolfheim shrugged as he, Fiona and Noel agreed as well. "You are a crafty brat I will give you that. Springing this on us now." Wolfheim smirked, his tone carrying a hint of respect.

"Thank you." Itachi bowed in appreciation of them being willing to help in the upcoming war. "Now, I would like to discuss strategy. And how we should divide our forces."

"Itachi may not look like it, but the kid has experience when it comes to war." Makarov casually mentioned as he scratched his beard.

"… What do you propose then? Fairy Tail's Seventh Master?" Warrod broke the silence, everyone waiting in anticipation to hear Itachi's plan.

Itachi looked to Mest and nodded, the mind manipulator mage looking a bit hesitant at first but nodded back and teleported away. "I suggest we divide our forces into 6 groups. First thing we'll need is a headquarters to operate from."

"That shouldn't be a problem, we'll use the Council headquarters." Noel suggested as besides the royal palace it was the most guarded and secured area in Ishgar.

"No, we'll use the Fairy Tail guildhall." Itachi's suggestion was met with a lot of raised eyebrows. After all, the Fairy Tail guildhall contained the main goal of the enemy.

"Why exactly should we use the Fairy Tail guildhall? The enemy will constantly be gunning for it, we'll be left vulnerable." Mitsurugi although not a great thinker, knew battle. And the rest of the council seemed to be in doubt as well of this strategy.

"In our guild, we have a mage named Warren that can use telepathy to keep in contact with the other groups of our forces. And it is precisely because the guildhall is the enemy's main goal that it needs protection. Making it our stronghold is the best chance to defend Fairy Heart. Makarov, Warrod-sama, seeing as none know the secrets of the guild like you. I would like for the two of you to aid in its defense. Along a handful of other capable wizards that are to act as a backup unite, should any of the other groups be in need of reinforcements."

"Of course, you can count on me." Warrod gladly accepted his given task, looking forward to stepping foot inside his old guild again.

"The largest groups will be the ones in the front lines. We'll need two defense squads, and two attack squads." Itachi threw down a marble sized lacrima, the lights in the room dimmed down as the lacrima showed a hologram map over Fiore. "The two defense squads' jobs will be to defend Magnolia from the Alvarez Empire's forces. One squad will be stationed in Magnolia as a last line of defense. The other will be stationed at Hargeon harbor, to hold of the Alvarez warships coming by sea."

The map then expanded covering the majority of the continent of Ishgar. Two arrows coming in from the north and the south side, representing the Alvarez forces. "These are some attack routes that require the highest level of caution. If the Alvarez Empire attack from these sides, Fiore will quickly be boxed in and forced to fight from every side. We'll be exhausted and in a matter of days wiped out. Therefor we require two attack squads to intercept the Alvarez Empire's forces, and prevent them from reaching Fiore. Whilst also pushing them back, and capture any outposts they might have made on some neighboring islands between our boarders."

This strategy was actually provided to Itachi by Mavis prior to them coming to meet the council. The incident on Caracolle island showed that Alvarez had prepared this war for quite some time. They have likely had their imperial navy place outposts on other islands near the boarder between Ishgar and Alakitasia.

"I see, then what about this sixth group?" Fiona asked.

"… Extra reinforcements from a kingdom me and my friends once helped. Let's just say I made contact with an old comrade asking for him to return the favor." Itachi smiled, his thoughts going to a former S-class Wizard from Fairy Tail.

"… Alright then I suppose. One question remains however, who is to lead these squads?" Hyberion asked, it is common knowledge every squad and platoon in war had a commanding officer.

"I'm glad you asked." On que Mest teleported back in, along with Laxus Dreyar. Whom looked a little confused as to why he was brought here. Mest then came back, this time with Kagura Mikazuchi. "I nominate Laxus Dreyar to lead the defense squad in Magnolia. And I nominate Kagura Mikazuchi to lead the defense squad in Hargeon." Both Laxus and Kagura looked confused, they had been slightly briefed by Mest on the way, but they had no idea they would be leading squads in battle.

"Ho? Kagura-chan? An excellent choice." Beatrice looked pleased that the star member of her guild was chosen for this task. Kagura flinched a bit, seeing her master, at night time. And seeing how she was eyeing not only Itachi but now also Laxus with a hungry lustful gaze.

"M-Master Beatrice!" Kagura's panicked voice diverted the Mermaid Heel's master attention to her.

"Not to worry Kagura-chan, seeing how serious the situation is I can restrain myself. A bit anyway." Beatrice licked her lips causing Kagura to shiver. Itachi made a mental note to ask Kagura what was going on with the Mermaid Heel's master.

Mest then returned, this time with Sting Eucliffe. "Huh, what? Why am I here?" Sting looked around confused as a moment ago he was having a drink with Lector and Yukino.

"I also nominate Sting Eucliffe to lead the first attack squad against the Alvarez empire's forces from the north side of Ishgar." Itachi's declaration brought a few shocked looks, but none as shocked as Sting.

"Huh?! W-Wait just a minute here! You want me to lead a squad in the war against the Alvarez Empire?! Why?!" Sting looked baffled, why would someone like him lead a squad. "Why can't you lead the squad?" Sting thought Itachi would be a better choice to lead than him.

"Well, you are the guild master of the second strongest guild in the kingdom. I have faith in your leadership skills. And as for why I won't be leading the squad or any squad in general… I will come back to that later. I need to introduce the final squad leader."

Considering some of Itachi's choices, the council half expected it to be Erza Scarlet. Yet the one who Mest arrived with proved otherwise. All of the council let out a gasp and looked outraged. "Why?" Mitsurugi grinded his teeth in anger, holding onto the hilt of his blade, as he and the rest of the council went into battle stance.

"Why would you bring that traitor?!" Wolfheim howled as he turned into his monster form, staring down at the man standing next to Mest. Jellal Fernandes.

"Because, I nominate Jellal Fernandes to lead the attack squad that will intercept the Alvarez forces coming from the south." Everyone looked on edge over Jellal being here, in particular Kagura. Although she had decided not to kill Jellal, she still wasn't comfortable being in his presence.

"Jellal has led an independent guild for the past few years to take down dark guilds across the continent. He has changed his ways." Itachi insisted, yet the council still protested.

"We cannot trust this traitor to lead one of our squads! He should be thrown in jail!" Noel argued, as Jellal being a former Wizard Saint and Council member they hadn't forgotten his betrayal eight years ago.

Jellal looked uncomfortable and tried to slowly back away. "I will vouch for him." Itachi spoke up. "If he betrays us, then you can hold me responsible for it." Itachi's words touched Jellal a bit, he looked grateful for Itachi showing such trust in him. Although he still didn't blame the council for distrusting him.

"I shall also vouch for him." Jura spoke up, which shocked Jellal even further. "I can indeed say that he has changed. And if Itachi-dono has faith in him, then so do I." Jellal didn't understand, what had he done to earn Jura's trust.

"Indeed, not only has Jellal here taken down various dark guilds. He also aided us last year during the Eclipse incident. I would say we offer him this chance of redemption." Warrod added.

"… If he betrays us, and we survive this war. Prepare to face punishment, Itachi Uchiha." Hyberion gave in, and glared at the young Uchiha.

"Well, thankfully it won't come to that." Itachi said smiling knowing full well that Jellal was trustworthy. "Now, as for why I won't be leading any squads… And a second problem on our hands. Besides Zeref, there is another who seeks Fairy Heart. Madara Uchiha… My own ancestor, seeks Fairy Heart."

The name held no meaning for the council, so they didn't understand the true gravity of the situation and what kind of threat Madara posed. "From my experience…" Makarov spoke up next to confirm Itachi's concerns for the council. "Madara Uchiha is stronger than both Zeref and Acnologia." Now those names the council knew. And hearing such a claim, that there existed another being stronger than the greatest threats their nation has ever faced.

"What can you tell us of this, Madara?" Warrod asked, as the other members of the council also looked curious to know of this mysterious powerful warrior.

"Madara, is the definition of a one-man army. He alone could fight against all our forces, and make it seem like a fair fight. I'm not even sure if I am able to beat him… That might actually be a good thing about this war. Madara will have two armies to deal with, making it more difficult for him." The council could tell Itachi genuinely feared Madara's power and the threat he posed for his family and friends.

"So what? You will avoid the battlefield and search for him?" Jura asked.

"No, I will join Jellal and his attack squad at the south of Ishgar. I will also make clones of myself for every single group. One clone of me at headquarters to aid in strategy. And one for each squad. The reason I cannot be responsible for leading a squad, is because the moment Madara is sighted I will need to intercept him. If I was in charge of a squad, I would be abandoning them on the battlefield. That is my reasoning." Itachi although unsure of his ability to defeat Madara, he knew he was the only one on their side that was able to fight him. They all looked rather understanding, well some at least. Wolfheim, Fiona, Mitsurugi and Noel had a look that could only be described that they deemed Itachi to be arrogant. As it seems he overestimates his abilities and undermines theirs.

Hyberion however, despite not knowing Itachi well did not get the same impression as his fellow council members and Saints. He could tell there was something about this boy, he could see the sincerity and seriousness in Itachi's eyes. This was no child. This was a veteran experienced in the art of combat. "Very well, we will begin making preparations at once." Following the announcement of the current Chairman and the head of the Wizard Saints, they all got to work without a word of protest.

They immediately contacted Warren, and had him organizing the various guilds and rune knights into each of the squads. Going by the chart given by Itachi, Warren had an easy time informing ever guild wizard on the continent what their assignments and posts were.

Hyberion had the Rune Knights begin dealing out supplies and such. Setting up security around Magnolia. Laxus even putting up his Thunder Palace around the city to surprise attack the enemy when they arrived by air. Hiding the deadly thunder spheres within the clouds surrounding Magnolia. Freed preparing an enchantment barrier to defend the entire town. And the army even lending them a set of two Jupiter cannons stationed around Magnolia to use against any enemy airships.

Before the enemy could surprise them, the forces of Ishgar had already begun their move. Each squad already in place for their assigned areas. Within the air, heading to the southern area of Ishgar onboard warships. Itachi and Jellal together oversaw their squad's equipment for the war, going from various airships thanks to Mest teleporting them onto them while midair. "I have done as you asked and divided Crime Sorciere into each of the squads. But may I ask why not bring any of them with our squad?"

"Simple, from my encounter I have figured that each of the Spriggan 12 are equal to members of the Akatsuki in power. The organization me, Kisame, Sasori and Kakuzu were a part of. Therefor having one of them in each squad puts me more at ease, that we have someone who can stand up to one of the 12." Itachi in his mind couldn't help but compare Brandish and Ajeel's level of power to the likes of Deidara, Konan, Sasori and Kakuzu.

"And why am I needed here? I should be back at the guild." Mest pointed out as he wasn't the battle type, and he could be used to move Fairy Heart should the enemy breach their defenses.

"I need you to teleport me to where Madara is once he is spotted. Once that is done, you may return to oversee the safety of Fairy Heart if you so wish." Itachi couldn't afford to waste energy after all, if he had flown to where Madara was using his Perfect Susano'o or his demonic powers it would consume his energy. Not much, but he couldn't be too careful when it came to Madara.

"Alright, but remember I have a limited range and a limited number of times to teleport before I run out of magical power." Of course, there was that factor, but it would have to do. If Itachi was lucky Madara would appear to face him directly.

In the meantime, Jellal's mind was elsewhere. As he looked over at the neighboring warship, his gaze fixated on Erza standing tall by the steering wheel, her blade ready for combat. Her red hair blowing elegantly with the wind. The recent events of some of the magic council members, and his former comrades in the Wizard Saints showing an ounce of trust in him. Made his mind drift into a potential future.

"Captain?" A voice called out to Jellal, yet his gaze remained on Erza. "Captain!" At being called out a second time, Jellal snapped out of it.

"Hmm?" Jellal looked to Hibiki of Blue Pegasus, using his archive to calculate the potential route the Alvarez forces might take.

"My archive is picking up incoming warships in the distance." Hibiki warned.

"Friendly? Or enemies?"

"Can't say. Natsu! Do you mind scouting ahead?!" Hibiki shouted at the pink haired dragon slayer, flying over them thanks to his little blue buddy Happy.

"No prob! Happy, full speed!" Natsu smirked, as Happy picked up his speed vanishing with Natsu in a flash of blue light.

"Captain, although I understand the desire for a woman like lady Erza. Maybe focus on the war for now?" Hibiki gave Jellal a sympathetic smile, and Jellal blushing a bit over having been caught. Especially that Itachi gave a smirk at his reaction.

"Ready the artillery! Formation Dragon!" Jellal ordered, his time in the council gave him some knowledge of the codes used by the Rune Knights navy.

"Max! Nab! Laki! Get the rest of the ground forces ready to depart in the shuttles!" Itachi ordered, and the trio rounded up various Rune Knight and guild wizard onboard shuttles that were hanging on the sides of the ships like lifeboats.

"Ready boys?! Let's get wild!" Bacchus hanged by his leg's upside down from the mast of one of the airships. While everyone from the Quatro Cerberus guild howled at their ace members words. Even their Master Goldmine joined in.

"It's been a while since I was in the fleet, but I still remember the basics." Eve from Blue Pegasus being a former member of the army, was leading another of the warships. In the distance, Natsu had already begun as a massive explosion lightened beyond the clouds.

"Natsu's made contact with the enemy! Let's begin!" Jellal commanded and the warships flew beyond the clouds, and right into a warzone. Magical bullets being fired from the hundreds of Alvarez warships, approaching both by air and sea.

"Base, this Attack Squad number 2. We've made contact with the enemy at the southern isles of Ishgar!" Itachi spoke through his earpiece. "Any reported sightings of Madara yet?!" Itachi had to yell as one of their ships blew up from a fired blast from the Alvarez ships. The burning warship plummeting into the seas bellow.

"Negative! Neither squad has reported any signs of Madara on the battlefield!" Warren called from the main base that was the Fairy Tail guild back in Magnolia. Within the guild, Makarov, Warrod, Kinana, Lisanna, Laxus and Mirajane went through various intel as lacrima maps were flashing red having detected Alvarez forces approaching. "Attack Squad number 1, were detecting a large number of enemy troops approaching from the mountains up north."

"Affirmative." Rufus of Sabertooth responded, as he stood with their squad's captain Sting, and Yukino. All of them seeing a few warships approaching through the storm. "We can't tell the exact number from our end. The snowstorm prevents us from getting a visual." Being the northern continent, the environment was harsh when it came to snow storms.

"…" Further back in the squad, stood Gray along with Lyon, Juvia, Ultear and Meredy. The three ice wizards looking with a somewhat hint of nostalgia, as they all had emotional ties in this part of Ishgar. All thanks to Ur, the master of Gray and Lyon and mother of Ultear. "Feels weird, to be fighting back here…" Gray's mind focusing on memories of a simpler time, both the good and the bad.

"In honor of our master, we shall not let the Alvarez Empire conquer this land." Lyon put his hand onto Gray's shoulder, looking at him with brotherly affection.

"Gray-sama, are you sure you are alright?" Juvia looked concerned. Sure having the three ice wizards stationed at the coldest area on the continent made sense. But Gray still had many traumatizing memories from this place. Where his parents were killed, where he lost his master and despaired.

"Juvia… I am grateful to have you." Gray's sudden words, startled the water wizard, although in a good way. "You're always by my side." Juvia's face looked flushed as she wasn't sure how to answer her beloved.

"After this, I promise I will give you an answer."

"Good for you, Juvia." Meredy cheered in a whisper tone, while Ultear smiled at seeing Gray and Juvia's relationship unfold. Makes her feel like a proud older sister.

"Why did I get stuck out here." Jenny from Blue Pegasus trembled from the cold wind, despite wearing a pink frilly winter coat.

"You couldn't wear something else that wouldn't have made you an obvious target, sweety?" The master of Blue Pegasus Bob, looked concerned for Jenny, seeing as her pink coat stuck out like a sore thumb.

"I didn't have anything else that was cute and warm." Jenny replied, Bob sighed and used his magic to switch the color of the coat into a white color instead. "Ah! M-Master!"

"Don't worry the color will reset itself after a few days darling." Bob smiled comfortingly at Jenny.

"Look sharp." Itachi's clone stepped up, with his sharingan he saw the enemies approaching even through the snowstorm.

"Alright everyone! Let's show these Empire jerks the might of Fiore!" Sting roared and they all joined him in a cheer. Orga, Rogue and Minerva rushed up with an armada of wizards from Sabertooth. As enemy magic mobiles came rushing down the mountains, carrying Alvarez Imperial Knight.

Sasori stood on standby, readying his puppets for an all-out assault. When suddenly he felt someone pulling at his coat. "Huh? Sorano?" Sasori stoically looked at his comrade from Crime Sorciere. Oddly enough Sorano looked on edge, and like she was hiding. Sasori followed her gaze, to which his eyes landed on Yukino whom stood next to Sting. "… Someone you know?" Sasori bluntly asks, but he isn't meet with a response. "Whatever, just don't be pain and fight." Sasori shrugged, and Sorano gave him a mere nod of understanding.

"Geehee! Let's go Lily!" Gajeel charged with the now giant sized muscular Pantherlily. The giant Exceed taking flight, flying alongside an enemy vehicle and slicing it in half with his sword. While Gajeel unleashed a breath attack to tear another magic mobile to shreds.

Rolling out from the magic mobile Gajeel destroyed, was a knight whom flung a lacrima bomb at the iron dragon slayer. "Solid Script: Shield!" Gajeel was instantly surrounded by a magical shield, thanks to Levy. Gajeel turned his head to the knight who flung the bomb, and spat out iron in the shape of a spike, penetrating it through the knight's skull.

"Thanks shrimp." Gajeel gave Levy a thumbs up, even though he probably would have survived he still offered his thanks. As the battle over the northern area of Ishgar also began, both armies were unaware that a third party was watching them.

"Only makes sense to begin my assault from here. After all, this is where I was robbed of the one, that I loved." Standing tall on the mountain top, was none other than Madara Uchiha. His sharingan scanning for any strong warriors on the battlefield. "Ho? Three of the Spriggan nearby… And a few not too bad warriors on Ishgar's side. And it would seem, that a fourth player is approaching." Madara smirked detecting Acnologia's presence, although miles away Madara could tell it was the Dragon King. "Hmm?" Madara's senses tingled, as he detected something. It felt familiar, yet also different. Madara's eyes traced over to Ishgar's side, at this point he wished he had binoculars so he could spot whoever he was sensing.

"… This sensation. A perfect balanced mixture of chakra and ethernano. Unlike myself and that Itachi Uchiha who's chakra remains the dominant source of power… I sense two signatures like that here as well. One is a clone of Itachi, the other probably one of the former members of the Akatsuki." Madara's mind drifted, whoever this perfect balanced power sourced being was. He or she possessed a great deal of both chakra and ethernano. "Then who is it that I am sensing-" Madara halts himself as a massive ice geyser bursts to life on the battlefield. Taking out a great number of Alvarez forces with it. "Ice maker magic?" Madara's mind drifts over to his deceased lover Ur, and a certain photo of her with two young boys. "… Huh, well this suddenly got interesting." Madara smirked.

Back in Magnolia, the defenses around the town had been set up. Alzack and Bisca had each been stationed onto the two Jupiter cannons, ready to blast enemy warships out from the skies.

Within the guild, everyone intently awaited the radars to detect incoming enemy ships. "Are we sure this thing even works?" Macao asked nervously, worried that while they are distracted the enemy will overrun them.

"Of course it works! It is the latest high-tech sensory equipment you know!" Warren scolded, although he himself was also worried.

"I must say young Makarov, being here feels nostalgic." Warrod stood there smiling with joy as he chatted with Makarov.

"We are glad to have you here, Warrod-sama. Although I wish it was under better circumstances." Makarov sighed.

"It is fine, in fact. I can feel Mavis' spirit watching over us. Puts me at ease." Warrod took a deep relaxed breath as he drank some tea. Unbeknownst to him, Mavis was actually watching. Her spirit sitting on the second floor, watching over them. Smiling warmly over seeing her old friend still in good spirit as always.

"…" Itachi's crow clone tapped his foot onto the wooden floorboard, analyzing the sensors. His mind drifting, focused on finding the one he considered the greatest threat, Madara. While his other wood clone was outside somewhere in town, ready to hold of enemy troops along with Elfman, Macbeth, Erik and Kisame.

"…" Mirajane looked at the clone of her husband, a little hesitant. She would prefer to tell the real Itachi in person that she is pregnant. Her sister Lisanna notices this and sighs, almost willing to go to Itachi's clone and make him put his attention on Mirajane thus forcing her to tell him.

"Something wrong, Lisanna?" Kinana the second barmaid of the guild, and the former snake that belonged to Erik when he was a part of Oracion Seis, approached the youngest Strauss sibling.

"Yeah, you look a little mad." Cana and Lucy both also joined in on the conversation.

"Is there something wrong with Mirajane?" Lucy asked, having noticed Lisanna's gaze fixated on her older sister.

"Well… It's complicated…" Lisanna sounded awkward, how was she supposed to casually bring this up now.

"Oh my god, she is pregnant." Cana spoke in a monotone voice, to which Lisanna flinched looking startled. And thus, the other three girls looked in agape as Lisanna's reaction confirmed it.

"N-No way…" Lucy uttered in disbelief. Blushing as a result as it meant Mira and Itachi already had reached that level of intimacy.

"D-Does Itachi know?" Kinana asked.

"No… Mira-nee doesn't want to stress him out more than he already is because of this war." It made sense to them why Mira was hesitant on telling Itachi, as he had been burdened with the role of guild master, on top of there being a war going on.

"Well, I say it is bullshit. She needs to tell him, it can't wait." Cana spoke out, recalling how she withheld information from Gildarts about her being his daughter for so many years. "Hey Mira-" However, right then and there the sensory alarm went off.

"Ah! We got fifty incoming enemy ships!" Warren began quacking with fear at the number of enemy warships approaching. "And not just any warships, fifty giant cruiser battleships!" Warren looked like he was about to cry considering their chances.

"Fifty?! Just one ship that size is enough to fight against a whole guild!" Wakaba like Warren looked frightened. So did Macao, but he tried to remain calm as he firmly held onto his son Romeo's shoulders. While Reedus and Vijeeter both looked like they were about to have a panic attack.

"Hey! Relax!" Laxus' roaring voice boomed across the guild. "Remain calm, let them come closer." Laxus sweated a bit, knowing his Thunder Palace were hidden within the clouds. Once they would go off, Bisca and Alzack would commence firing Jupiter blasts at the ships. And with Freed's barrier they should be able to hold off enemy fire.

Flying within the airspace of Magnolia, were fifty cruiser sized warships from the Alvarez Imperial navy. And in the front, onboard the biggest ship. Was Spriggan member Ajeel. "Dust to Dust! Ashes to Ashes! Fairy Tail, judgment day has come for you!"

The cruiser warships advanced ever so closer to Magnolia, waiting for the town itself to be within range before opening fire. The ships moved in towards the clouds, although Ajeel from the corner of his eye suddenly saw a glimmering flicker.

BOOM!
One of the cruiser ships came into contact with Laxus' Thunder Palace, causing a brilliant explosion of flashing lights. Followed by a lightning strike that tore through the ship itself. "What the?!" Ajeel remembered this feeling, that lightning bastard that stunned him earlier.

However, that explosion was not the last. As by setting off one, they had started a chain reaction of explosions. "They hid bombs in the sky, are you kidding?! Shoot 'em dead!" Ajeel ordered as the remaining ships began opening fire onto the town. Although, the bombardment of fire from the ships were prevented from reaching the town, as a dome magical barrier shielded it. "And now a magical barrier, man they really geared up!" Ajeel smirked with excitement.

Within Kardia Cathedral, Freed was giving it his all to supply his magic power into the barrier surrounding Magnolia. Even having Bickslow and Evergreen supplying him with magic power. "Freed give it your best!" Evergreen supported.

"Take as much magic power from me as you need!" Bickslow poured his magic power into his friend.

Whilst outside, Kisame whistled at the sight of endless bombarding lights blasting into the wall. "Hey, Itachi… Is that one of the Twelve?" Kisame eyed Ajeel, not able to see him but sense his level of magical power.

"Yes, that would be him." Itachi's wood clone confirmed.

"… Judging by what I can sense, I would say he is stronger than Deidara was." Kisame calmly analyzed.

"Indeed, maybe even as strong as Kakuzu." Itachi added to which Kisame hummed, summoning forth his Samehada and hoisting it over his shoulder. "Let's get to work. Since you are a clone, try and not slow me down, 'kay?"

"I will try my best." Wood clone Itachi's body lighted up with the fiery aura of the Susano'o.

Meanwhile, at the first Jupiter cannon. Alzack fired off his first shot, blasting it straight through one of the bigger cruisers in the sky. "Bisca! I can't get a shot of the ship with that guy from the twelve! How about you?!" Alzack called his wife through an earpiece lacrima.

"Yeah, I see the bastard." Bisca eyed Ajeel within her scope, ready to blast that arrogant prick out from the sky. "Bang." Bisca shot the massive laser beam of pure magical power from her Jupiter cannon, and straight towards Ajeel.

Ajeel however smirked at the incoming blast. "Not good enough!" He held his palm forward, generating a sand barrier before him. The blast scattered when it came into contact with Ajeel's sand and blasted into the neighboring ships around Ajeel. Whom cackled like a madman despite half his ships being gone.

"H-He took out his own ships?!" Alzack looked in shock at the cruel treatment Ajeel was showing his troops.

"Wall Eehto better have begun his ground assault soon. Once this barrier is down, I can have my fun." Ajeel cackled.

Back at Kardia, Freed was beginning to breath heavily over having to hold up his barrier against that bombardment of attacks. "Ugh! I-Impossible!" Freed's eyes widened like saucers.

"What is it?!" Bickslow looked concerned.

"Someone put a hole through my barrier…" Freed uttered in disbelief.

They all flinched the moment they heard the sound of clapping. "I almost broke a sweat there. That was quite the impressive barrier." Another of the twelve Wall Eehto had breached and entered Magnolia. "Mine and Ajeel's forces should be wreaking havoc about now.

"How did you… get here so fast? I sensed the breach on the other side of town?" Freed was shaken up, the presence of one of the twelve alone was overwhelming. Bickslow and Evergreen quickly acted as guards, ready to face Wall Eehto.

"I have my ways." Out from the sole of his shoes, blasted out a thin stream of fire. He was wearing rocket boots?! Wall Eehto headbutted Bickslow knocking him over. Evergreen leaps away and readies to blast Wall. But suddenly Wall Eehto's arm stretches to great lengths and grabs onto Evergreen's neck squeezing at her windpipe silencing her from casting a spell. "And now for you." Wall's head turned 180 degrees to look down on Freed, whom looked mortified.

'Is this guy even human?!' Freed couldn't risk moving, or else the barrier would fall apart and Ajeel's ships would bomb Magnolia.

"Hmm? What's this?" Wall suddenly halted in his movements in attacking Freed, sensing his number of forces depleting.

Out in the streets of the Magnolia, Fairy Tail had made their move. Floating before a sea of unconscious groaning Alvarez Imperial knights, was Seilah of Tartaros? No, it was Mirajane. "Satan Soul: Seilah." And standing at her sides were Elfman, Lisanna and Laxus. "This is an order. All present, sweet dreams." Using Seilah's curse power, Mira had knocked out the majority of Wall Eehto's henchmen.

"You! You're pretty good!" A huge bulking muscular man appeared behind Mira, ready to crush her in a bear hug. "I am Bakel of Ajeel's squad!" Bakel was threatening with his massive stature not only to squash Mira, but also the child inside her. And then something within Mira's mind clicked.

Appearing behind Laxus, was a skinny man with a beard wearing a turban. "And I am Kareem, I shall annihilate you and complete my mission."

"Pfft, get lost." Laxus snorted and with a wave of his arm, blasted Kareem with a wave of lightning, frying the man to a burnt crisp. "Wow…" Laxus looked amazed as he turned around to see how Mira was doing.

"N-Nee-chan…" Elfman uttered seeing Mira in her usual Satan Soul, giving an ice-cold glare at Bakel, as her hand had pierced through his chest. And within her grip, was his still beating heart.

"Phew…" Mira dropped Bakel to the floor. She was speechless, she didn't even remember why she acted like that. All she remembers was feeling the life of her unborn child being threatened. She must have acted on instinct.

Back with the Thunder God Tribe and Wall Eehto. "That was surprising. So, you had more of the emperor's toys around, eh? Interesting." Wall was a bit surprised at the turn of events. Guess they really had underestimated Ishgar. "Oh well, once that barrier is down it won't matter." Wall Eehto directed his hand towards Freed.

The fingers on Wall's had divided in half, revealing some kind of machinery, the palm of his hand opened like a secret passage. And out expanded a small cannon, charging up with blue ethernano energy. "Time to die." Wall smirked.

"Aaaghhh… F-Freed…" Evergreen barely manage to wheeze out her words, as Wall was tightening his grip on her throat.

"Oh no you don't!" Bickslow having picked himself up, his helmet cracked open revealing his right eye. Surrounding him, was his puppets moving in a circular formation, generating a source of green dark magical energy.

Baryon Formation!

As his puppets charged up the magical green beam, they suddenly halted in midair and fell dead to the floor. "Pitiful." Wall scoffed at Bickslow's attempt.

"Huh?" Bickslow froze in confusion, his magic had been canceled out? "He uses light magic?"

"No, but he does." Wall snickered.

Behind Bickslow, loomed a dark shadow. The dark magic user of the Thunder God Tribe turned around, only to be meet with a mighty right hook to the face. Standing tall over him, was what appeared to be a robotic armored warrior with small resemblance to Wall Eehto himself.

"My magic… Allows me to analyze people's weaknesses. And make countermeasures in my warriors to intercept them. Meaning, all of your abilities are useless against me."

"Ever! Use your eyes! Turn him into stone!" Freed quickly shouted, and Evergreen quickly gazed into Wall's eyes. Her eyes flashing yellow, yet for some reason Wall Eehto remained unfazed.

"Fool, that won't work on me. After all." Wall's chest opened up revealing a blue lacrima core containing a high concentration of ethernano. His attire and body completely altered into a gigantic mechanical warrior, cladded in armor. "I am not human. I am a Machias. A special designed cybernetic organic metal lifeform. With the ability to use magic."

"He's… a machine?" Freed looked in disbelief that such advanced technology existed in the western continent. Freed looked desperate, Evergreen was still being choked and would soon die if he didn't act. Bickslow was being beaten down by a mechanical warrior wielding light magic. "Forgive me… I need to let down the barrier and fight…" Freed uttered.

"That's right… Hehehe. At least you won't die in vain, human." Wall said as some sort of sickening comfort to his opponent.

"Maximum Power Perfume! Men!" Wall Eehto was knocked over, his grip on Evergreen released as she fell to the floor gasping for air. Freed looked in awe, as body slamming into Wall Eehto was none other than, Ichiya of Blue Pegasus. Looking rather big beefy and muscular thanks to his maximum power perfume.

Wall's body rotated on the ground, his lower body moving like a helicopter delivering a series of kicks to Ichiya whom skidded backwards while pulling Evergreen to safety. "What's this? Another inferior lifeform?" Wall analyzed the big beefy Ichiya, whom quickly reverted to his short troll like stature.

"Men~! Ichiya of Blue Pegasus reporting for duty. Men~!" Ichiya posed, as in between his fingers he wielded a series of perfume bottles.

"Bickslow…" Evergreen got up, looking as her comrade was still getting beaten down by Wall's robot.

Fairy Machine Gun!

Evergreen unleashed a torrent of light energy needles, piercing straight through the robot beating on Bickslow. The sudden leak in its body causing it to malfunction. "Thanks Ever." Bickslow leaped to Evergreen's side, his babies having returned and floating around him.

"Just keep that barrier up, Freed-kun. Men~" Ichiya posed as he stood with Evergreen and Bickslow staring Wall Eehto down. "Bickslow-kun, and Evergreen-kun shall aid me, in defeating this bastard. Men~"

"Defeating? Me? Such bravado, for such a flawed being like yourself. My scanners indicate all your weaknesses… And I must admit, I have never encountered a being with so many flaws as you." Wall looked a little bit stunned, as Ichiya was so flawed he didn't even know where to begin.

"Men~ Thank you for the compliment." Ichiya shot the robot a wink, disturbing the Machia ever so slightly.

"I don't think it was meant as a compliment…" Bickslow uttered, as they all sweat dropped at Ichiya's carefree attitude.

"Ichiya is in a class of his own…" Evergreen commented.

"For a machine to be talking off flaws, you certainly ignore your own." Ichiya stuck two of his perfume bottles up his nose, inhaling them. "Thunder Perfume! Men~" Lightning generated around the little troll of a man. "Gentleman Thunder Strike!" Ichiya pointed his finger towards Wall Eehto, blasting a lightning bolt into the Machia.

Yet within the encased electricity, surging through his body. Wall Eehto merely laughed at the attempt. "Did you honestly think I would have earned the rank of Spriggan which such a weakness? Indeed, normal machinery are weak to lightning attacks. Although I am different, for I have found a way to cancel out that weakness in me! My body is able to convert lightning into pure energy to fuel my body!"

"W-What?!" Freed gasped in horror. 'Then even Laxus would prove to be helpless before him…'

"Kakaka! There is no escape! You all will perish!" Wall Eehto enjoyed seeing the look of despair on their faces. Redirecting the electricity from Ichiya's attack, right back at Bickslow, Evergreen and Ichiya.

"AAARRRRGGGHHH!" The trio cried out in agony, as they were blown back.

"I… I can't let this continue… Forgive me." Freed lowered his enchantment barrier.

Outside, Ajeel cackled seeing the barrier beginning to shrink. "Seems ol' Wall did his job! Now shot them all dead!" Ajeel ordered, and the remaining warships surrounding Magnolia commenced opening heavy fire.

However, raising before the town was a gigantic wall of water. Absorbing the blaster fire from the cruiser warships. "Take it easy, kids. Don't worry about the town, me and Itachi got it covered." Standing on top of the raising tsunami wave, was the shark man Kisame. Speaking through the telepathy link, everyone in town especially Freed could rest a bit easy.

Water Style: Super Water Sharkbomb!

Holding his hands out in the shape of an open jaw, the Tsunami turned into a massive water shark. Its massive jaws open to devour its prey, swallowing up warships of the Alavrez Imperial navy. And crushing the ships within its massive fangs, and from the water pressure generated from within it.

"What the hell…." Ajeel gaped in disbelief, and to further surprise leaping over the massive water shark, was the bright burning Perfect Susano'o from Itachi's clone. The massive blade of the Susano'o, slicing right through the cruiser warships like butter. Ajeel looked around him, seeing his ships dropping like flies and hearing the screams of his soldiers as they abandoned the ships. "Makarov's little soldier, E~ Finally I get my rematch!" Ajeel glared at the clone of Itachi, not realizing it wasn't the real one. From the corner of his eye, Ajeel could see the Jupiter cannons charging up their blasts. "Can't have that, now can we." In order to save his remaining ships, Ajeel raised his hands.

Every grain corn of sand in Magnolia, gathered up into the sky. The mighty force of the wind blowing violently in every direction. All the sand gathered into a massive sandstorm. "Argh! My eyes!" Alzack closed his eyes using his poncho, his sights blinded, same with Bisca. As all of Magnolia was now covered by one massive Sandstorm.

Ajeel cackled like a madman. "Turn to dust! I will turn every single one of you into a mummy! I will dry you all up into mere skin and bone!" There was no shelter to seek cover, the sandstorm had even reached inside every building and apartment in Magnolia, even the Fairy Tail guildhall.

Ajeel's smirk wavered, as he suddenly felt a drop of water fall onto his shoulder. "Huh?" Coming crashing down onto his ship, was a massive wave of pure water. The amount of water almost caused the ship to be knocked out of the sky. Water rained down over Magnolia. The moisture helping people stay hydrated enough to not suffer so much from Ajeel's sandstorm. Ajeel turned his head to the side, glaring at the culprit who had boarded his ship.

"Heh, don't you worry Itachi. I will take care of this sand punk." Kisame stood tall, water flowing around him moistening up his already semi dried skin.

"Ho? And you are?" Ajeel looked intrigued as he felt the sheer power emitting from Kisame.

"Kisame Hoshigaki, or to give you a better understanding. E.K.H." Kisame introduced himself, black demonic markings spreading across his right torso. And coming out from his chest, was the massive Samehada blade.

"One of his majesties demons, eh? Interesting." Ajeel smirked as he generated waves of sand around him to counter Kisame's water.

"Hurry! Get inside!" Laxus ordered standing by the doors of the guildhall. Mirajane, Elfman, Cana, Lucy, Lisanna, Erik, Macbeth all quickly rushing in. Laxus seeing the incoming Susano'o knew he couldn't wait anymore and closed the door to the guild.

Itachi's clone being the only source of protection with his Susano'o, surrounded the guildhall with his spectral warrior. Giving shelter to everyone in town and keeping the sandstorm out. "What do we do? We still have people out there?" Laxus looked to Itachi's wood clone, whom seemed nearly out of energy as he was panting.

"He is running low, the Susano'o consumes a lot of chakra." Itachi's crow clone interjected. "As for the others… Well, let's hope Kisame can manage to defeat Ajeel before they die." Itachi knew it wasn't pleasant, but they had no other option than to put their faith in Kisame. Laxus looked distraught, knowing that amongst the people who didn't make it to the guild in time, was Freed and the rest of his group.

With Ichiya and the Thunder God Tribe as they faced off against Wall Eehto, could barely see the robot through this sandstorm. "That blasted Ajeel… The sand is entering my system… It will slow down my movements…" Wall Eehto grumbled in annoyance over his companion.

"Now is our chance!" Freed declared, his magic flaring around him. "Dark Ecriture: Shadow!" Using his magic on himself, to create an armor of darkness around him. The armor helped with his vision in seeing Wall through the sandstorm, as it shielded Freed's eyes. "Everyone! Attack at full force! Twelve a 'clock!" Freed guided his friends to where to strike, and they complied.

Baryon Formation!

Fairy Bomb: Gremlin!

Maximum Power Perfume!

Evergreen surrounded Wall Eehto with dust magical particles, and ignited them into a series of explosions making tears in his armor. "Argh! Vision blocked! Can't calculate!" Wall growled, cursing Ajeel for putting him at a disadvantage. He was then blasted by the green beam from Bickslow's Baryon formation, the beam cracking his lacrima core at the center of his chest. "N-No!"

"Now, Ichiya!" Freed rushed Wall along with Ichiya.

"Men~!" Both of them raised their fists, and smashed right through Wall Eehto's cybernetic body. Ripping him essentially in half.

"W-We did it…" Freed looked in disbelief, one of the twelve was taken out and so easily. It was almost too good to be through.

"Freed, hurry up and recreate your barrier! We need to keep this sandstorm out of Magnolia!" Bickslow called out, and Freed quickly sprang into action readying himself to recreate his barrier around the town.

However, things were not over. "Error! Error! Unit 1 has experienced critical damage!" A robotic voice rang like an alarm from the remains of Wall Eehto.

"He's still alive?!" Freed questioned in shock.

"Not for long!" Evergreen readied to blast the remains of the robot.

"Commence self-destruct sequence!" This quickly raised the alarm in all of them. "3! 2! 1!" The countdown was even short, Freed quickly jumped at his friends, pushing them down. Although it wasn't enough. Wall Eehto's remains started to glow in a menacing golden light.

"Men~!" Ichiya suddenly in his bulky muscular form, grabbed onto Freed, Bickslow and Evergreen. And leaped to the furthest end of the church, shielding them using his massive bulky body. "Even if it were only for a short time! You all were a part of my beloved Blue Pegasus guild! You are a part of my family! And as such, I refuse to let harm befall onto you!"

"I-Ichiya…" Freed, Evergreen and Bickslow all looked in awe.

"I know you all in Fairy Tail… share these ideals." Ichiya smiled upon them as he held them close, ready to take the full force of the blast if it meant protecting them.

"Ichiya!" They all cried out, although their voices were drowned out by the sound of the explosion. All the windows within Kardia Cathedral shattered, fiery smoke blasting out from the shattered windows and the now broken-down door. Even in the sandstorm, the explosion shined like a beacon of light.

The smoke cleared within the Cathedral. The insides of the church were burnt, a giant black spot where Wall Eehto's body used to be had permanently burnt itself into the Cathedral. The ceiling having collapsed itself, and the pillars holding up this massive structure barely holding on.

And through the sandstorm, the forms of Ichiya, Freed, Bickslow and Evergreen laying under a pile of rubble from the collapsed ceiling came to view. Bickslow, Evergreen and Freed groaned as they laid there alive, although unconscious. As for Ichiya, he still had one eye open. Taking in the sound of their groans with much joy, as he had saved their lives. "Thank goodness… M-Men~" Ichiya himself passed out, his back having suffered burns from the explosion, and bruises from the collapsed rubble. Smoke emitted from his body as he shrank into his short normal self.

Meanwhile, far away from Magnolia onboard an Alvarez cruiser sized warship flying in the sky. A man laid face first onto the floorboard, letting out a sickening cackling laughter. "Ah, they sounded so hopeful. Ahahahaha!" This young man had messy wavy dark brown hair, his expression looked rather furrowed and sported with a devilish grin on his face, exposing his rather sharp pointy teeth. Around his jawline are several silver circles, and in his ears, what appears to be screw studded in them.

"S-Sir… What is our next move?" An Alvarez Knight nervously asked this man.

"Nothin' for now… Ajeel ruined the chances of my unit to kill those small fries. But it seems he's got things covered with his sandstorm~" The man picked himself up from the floor, and looked at the sandstorm covered city of Magnolia in the distance. This young man was dressed in orange coveralls with a harness buckled around his chest in the form of a tunic. He had a black collar, and wore very long black gloves that reached up to his shoulders where he had the Alvarez Empire insignia. And to complete his outfit he wore long black rubber boots. "Hold our ships on standby for now!"

"R-Right! You heard Wall Eehto-sama! Hold the ships on standby!" The knight ordered the crew.

"Let's just see, what this guild of his majesties lover his capable of." The real body of Wall Eehto smirked devilishly.

Meanwhile, within Magnolia, Kisame stood face to face with Ajeel The Dessert King of the Spriggan 12. Kisame wielded the Samehada in his right hand, and coming out from his left was the massive Executioners Blade.

Ajeel smirked and welcomed the charging Kisame head on, as the shark man swung the Executioners blade in an attempt to cut him down. Kisame was caught off guard, as the Executioners blade turned into sand and vanished before his very eyes. "Anything my body touches turns into sand… Nice try tho." Ajeel mocked him, and blasted Kisame away with a wave of sand. The weight of the sand gathering around Kisame's body, strong enough to crush bones underneath it.

Water Style: Water Dragon!

Kisame unleashed a massive water dragon, countering Ajeel's sand wave. The sand taking in the moistening from the water dragon, causing it to crumble. "And water seems to be your weakness, lucky me." Kisame showed his shark fangs as he smirked at Ajeel.

"In your dreams…" Ajeel raised his arms, generating the sand around him into creating a massive sand drill. The sand drill span at an intense speed, giving it so much force that it probably could tear through solid steel. "I will dry up your water faster than you can moisten my sand. There is no ocean nearby, I am within my own element unlike you. And your blades cannot touch me, as any object I touch turns to sand. I have the advantage." Ajeel boasted.

"I wouldn't be so certain of that if I were you." Kisame smirked, as to replace his Executioners blade, he summoned forth a different sword. A massive bulky sword, bandaged up like the Samehada. The blade was double handed. "Hiramekarei, better known as the Twin sword."

"Pfft, like I said, it won't do you any good. Your sword will just turn to sand like the last one!" Ajeel stood confidently with his arms crossed. And with a mere raise of his finger, his sand drill was sent flying at Kisame.

Kisame however, leaped right in, aiming for Ajeel. Kisame swiftly swung the Samehada cutting the sand drill in half, and rushed through the opening it made. Hilting his Samehada onto his back. And grabbing onto both handles of the twin sword. Ajeel shrugged, as it didn't matter to him what Kisame did. However, suddenly the blade of the sword started to glow. Waves of energy moving like water. Then before Ajeel even had time to react, the blue waves of energy morphed into a gigantic hammer head. Looking baffled, Kisame took his opportunity with Ajeel distracted and slammed the hammer head into Ajeel.

Ajeel was smacked in his jaw, blood pouring out from his lips as he was sent flying. 'W-What?!' Ajeel halted himself midair, creating a giant sand hand to catch him and lower him back onto the ship.

Ajeel slowly reached his hand up to his lip, wiping his finger over the blood. Suddenly the air around Ajeel had changed, he looked more serious. Holding his arms out, flexing his muscles to the point where the veins on his arms were visible. "Fine, let's see how well you do against this." Ajeel leaped into the air, glaring bellow at Kisame.

Raml Sayf!

Ajeel enveloped himself with the sand, sending a storm of sand shaped blades raining down around Kisame. The barrage of blades raining down was like standing under a rain storm. Kisame steadied himself and generated the energy within the twin sword. However, before he could even swing the blade, a sand blade sliced his right wrist.

"Ugh! Kisame grunted seeing his wrist cut open, blood gushing out as the cut was so deep Kisame's hand was halfway cut off. A sand blade then jabbed itself into his shoulder, followed by another slice in his lower left calf. Kisame dropped the twin sword and at the speed of lightning formed the hand seals.

Water Style: Water Prison Jutsu!

Kisame enveloped himself within his own water prison, he never thought he would need to use it on himself like this. But with Ajeel's sand blades it was the perfect defense, as they crumbled from hitting the water dome around him. "Now…" Kisame formed another set of hand seals, and aimed his palm at Ajeel.

Water Style: Water Sharkbomb!

Kisame unleased a part of his water prison, turning it into a shark and sending it flying at Ajeel. Ajeel frowned and quickly reacted. Generating a wall of sand before him to catch the blast of the water shark. "Ugh!" Kisame grunted as hands of sand formed beneath him and his water prison, hoisting him up. It was the hands of a gigantic sand golem created by Ajeel. The Golem despite its' hands getting moistened from the water. Smacked its hands together to squash Kisame.

"Like I said, faster than you can moisten my sand." Ajeel chuckled, although his ever-confident smile fading as he suddenly sensed something moving behind him. Kisame stood over Ajeel, with the Samehada cloaked in water raised over his head. Ajeel however, snickered as Kisame's body suddenly came to a halt.

"I-I can't move?" Kisame looked in confusion, his arms refusing to budge. Ajeel calmly stepped a few steps away from Kisame, before turning around to face him. A smirk plastered onto his face.

"You know the thing about sand… it gets everywhere." Ajeel snickered, and Kisame suddenly began screaming in pain and agony. "Right now, my sand is destroying your body from within. You really shouldn't take wounds like that too casually."

Kisame flinched as he realized, the rain of sand blades that cut into his body earlier. Ajeel's sand had entered his body and bloodstream. And was starting to destroy his cells from within. "AAARRRRGGHHHHHHHH!" Kisame roared in pain, veins bulging around his forehead.

"It's my victory." Ajeel declared confidently. "You, and Fairy Tail, will perish."

Within the sheltered guildhall, Itachi's clone had run out of chakra. And as a result, begun withering away into mere flakes of wood. His Perfect Susano'o wavering and losing its armor. "Itachi, hang on!" Makarov held onto the withering clone of Itachi.

"F-Forgive me… I cannot hold on any longer…" The clone smiled as his sharingan even faded away, and the Susano'o with it. And thus, the sandstorm made its way back into the guildhall.

"What are we going to do?! I can't see a damn thing in this storm!" Laxus cursed, he would join the battle to fight Ajeel. If only he could see and locate him.

"Don't fret… have faith… in Kisame…" Itachi's clone uttered before it completely vanished.

Kisame laid there in pain, his mind frantically trying to figure a way out of this. Itachi had trusted him to protect his new home. Itachi had showed him the true meaning of being a human, he could at least return the favor by protecting what Itachi loved. "I'm not done yet…!" Kisame clenched his fists, digging his nails into his palms drawing blood. "I'm not dead yet you bastard!" Kisame snickered.

Ajeel looked confused at this sudden development, when suddenly he felt a chill overcome him. Darkness was oozing out from Kisame. Demonic markings spreading across his wide back. His wounds healing. "He used his demonic darkness to destroy my sand in his body?!" Ajeel looked shocked as he lost control of the sand within Kisame's body. Kisame looked up to him, his fangs stained with blood as he maliciously smirked at Ajeel.

The Samehada on his back, began merging with his body, the darkness still spreading across Kisame's body. And the shark man pounced on Ajeel, a sphere of darkness forming in Kisame's jaw.

In truth Kisame was living up to his title as a tailless tailed beast, as the sphere looked like a biju bomb. Like a tailed beast, Kisame spat out the sphere of darkness. Ajeel reacted by creating a shield of sand, and blocked the blast of darkness. The sheer power of the blast blowing off a chunk of the ship behind Ajeel. Ajeel flinched, seeing the very skin on his right hand from his wrist and down had been burnt off.

"Can you turn demonic darkness into sand?" Kisame looked more like a shark now, having merged with his Samehada. Black demonic marks spread across his back, covering his arms into demonic black claws as Kisame had entered his Etherious form. "Didn't think so." Kisame snickered at seeing Ajeel's expression, and Kisame sliced Ajeel's chest using his demonic claws.

"Wh-What the?" Ajeel noticed tags of paper attached to his scratched chest, noticing Kisame's arm fin was covered in paper bombs. The tags exploded on Ajeel's chest, leaving a massive burning cloud of black smoke. "As a part of my curse, I can assimilate any of the Seven Swords of the mist from my body. Like the paper bombs of the Shibuki blade."

"Nice~ I will keep that in mind." Sand gathered behind Kisame, forming themselves into Ajeel. "Here is a tip from me. I can assimilate my body into sand!" Wielding a sand sword, Ajeel sliced Kisame across the back cutting off his backfin.

Kisame leaped away, dragging his claws across the wooden floor of the ship. From a water pool left from his earlier attack, Kisame summoned forth four live sharks sending them sliding towards Ajeel in a blast of water. Ajeel summoned forth a sand axe, and sliced at the first shark cutting off its head in one strike. Ajeel followed by nailing the other three sharks with sand drill from above, piercing straight through their backs. All in the spam of 20 seconds. Kisame charged forward his fist raised. Ajeel countered his strike with the use of his forearm.

Ajeel quickly acted and elbowed Kisame in the chin. Although the shark man couldn't help but wonder. 'Why didn't he assimilate himself into sand again?' Despite having blocked Kisame's punch, Kisame's punches with demonic power still carried a lot of weight. Too much for a human to take, as evident by the purple bruise on Ajeel's forearm signifying a broken bone. So why did Ajeel take that so called unnecessary damage?

Kisame charged in again, his demonic claw ready to swat Ajeel like a fly upside the head. But before Kisame could blink, Ajeel had assimilated himself into sand once more. Charging like a raging storm at Kisame. Kisame wheezed, his throat feeling very dry all of a sudden. His skin looking dryer, and his muscle mass reduced.

'Crap, I need to think of something fast…' Kisame grunted, his body losing liquid as Ajeel's sand dried it up. 'Wait a minute, he assimilated himself into sand. He is the sand!' Kisame formed a quick set of hand seals, inhaling his breath gathering what water he had left in his body.

Water Style: Super Explosive Water Shockwave!

Kisame spewed out a fountain of water. Ajeel realizing the danger hesitantly solidified himself back into his human form. "Crap that was close! Just how strong is his water affinity?!" Ajeel looked pissed, having nearly died there.

"Heh, even though you can assimilate into sand to avoid physical attacks… If you come into contact with water, it will moisten your body and crumble it. You would never be able to gather yourself back into your human body. And judging by your reaction, you can only assimilate yourself into the sand for so long. Before you die. You are still human after all." Kisame had gathered, figuring out Ajeel's weakness. And it infuriated Ajeel to no end.

"So what?!" Ajeel enraged charged right at Kisame, making a sand tsunami to hoist himself up into the air. "I will tear you to pieces!" His arms behind his back, Ajeel generated spirals of sand into both of his palms.

Sand Dragon Whirlwind!

Clashing his hands together, Ajeel unleashed a massive whirlwind of sand. The sheer size of it was like a dragon, and it even resembled one. And with the appearance, the sheer force and power of a dragon that could bury an entire small country. Kisame quickly had to counter it, or Magnolia and even beyond Magnolia, possibly all the way over to Hargeon would be buried underneath the sand.

Water Style:

'Crap I won't make it in time!' Kisame was on full alarm as the sand whirlwind dragon clashed into him. Kisame could only gasp, as sand was filling his very body, his lungs. There was no escape. 'I can't let it end here…' Kisame's mind was racing, trying to think of ideas. The sand dragon dragged Kisame with it, down to Magnolia. And towards, the lake behind the Fairy Tail guildhall. And, something else Kisame saw looming in the clouds beneath. 'I need to get the sand, out from my lungs… It's a gamble, but…' Kisame raised his demonic claw, making it take the shape of a blade of darkness. Whilst he shielded his mouth and nose with a mask of darkness to prevent more sand from flowing into his body.

"What is he doing?" Ajeel raised a brow, thinking anyone would see the pointless struggle of this battle by now and accept death.

Kisame then did the unthinkable, he stabbed his blade of darkness into his own gut, and dragged it down. He literally gutted himself. 'NOW!" Kisame slammed his palms together, manipulating the current of the lake in Magnolia, sending a wave of water into his open stomach before his darkness closed his gut up again.

Kisame heard his heartbeat, getting weaker and weaker. He couldn't breathe, he couldn't move, and his heart finally stopped. Kisame had died. "Game over." Ajeel laughed from above as Kisame with the sand dragon was about to clash with Magnolia.

The mask of darkness cleared away from Kisame's face, and leaking out from his lips were water. The remaining chakra in his body, moving the current of water around within his body. And with the water, the sand in his body. And at intense speed, the water surged up his throat. And Kisame's gulped up water mixed with a great chunk of sand. Then, his body landed onto a round object, it was a lightning lacrima piece from the thunder palace that hadn't collided with any ships from Ajeel's fleet.

The lightning lacrima exploded, sending a surge of electricity through Kisame's body. And a wave of electricity up the sand dragon, and into Ajeel. "AAGGGGHAAHAHAHHH!" Ajeel cried out as the lightning from the thunder palace stunned him.

"…"

"…"

"…"

The silence was broken, by the sound of a heartbeat. A heartbeat that grew steadier and steadier by the second. Kisame suddenly let out a loud gasp, coughing up some sand stuck in his mouth. The lightning lacrima had jumpstarted his heart.

"I-Impossible!" Ajeel grunted, barely able to move due to being stunned by the lightning lacrima.

"I just managed to see the lightning lacrima hidden in the clouds… just as I was about to despair. I took a gamble, to cleanse out the sand in my body, even if it would kill me." Kisame revealed.

"You will not be so lucky next time!" Ajeel having shaken off the stun from the lightning, continued with his sand dragon whirlwind.

Water Style: Demonic Shark!

Kisame managed to use his time, to counter Ajeel's attack with his strongest attack. A shark made out of dark black water, ten times the size of his Super Water Sharkbomb. The size of it, was so large it swallowed up the sand whirlwind dragon. "Ahhh…. Aaaahhhhh!" Ajeel gasped in terror, seeing Kisame riding on the top of the massive shark's head towards him.

The demonic shark chomped its jaws onto the remains of Ajeel's ship, dragging it away from Magnolia. Along with the rest of what remained of Ajeel's fleet which were only 7 ships. As the demonic shark flew off away from Magnolia, the sandstorm over Magnolia vanished as a result.

Stepping out from the Fairy Tail guildhall, was Laxus. He looked around seeing the sandstorm was gone, and the skies were clear of any ships. "H-He did it…" Laxus uttered. With Kisame's success of saving Magnolia, Laxus quickly rushed towards Kardia Cathedral to check on Freed, Evergreen and Bickslow. Rushing right past the remaining Alvarez Knights of Ajeel, Wall Eehto's knights in Magnolia. Whilst those in the guild rushed back out to continue the battle.

Clashing like a lightning bolt, through the collapsed ceiling of the church. Laxus landed in the middle of the church. "Freed! Ever! Bickslow! Are you alive?!" Laxus quickly noticed Freed, Bickslow, Evergreen and Ichiya buried under rubble with some sand. Their skins a bit dry. "Guys?" Laxus leaned in, listening for a heartbeat in all of them. With his Dragon Slayer hearing, he could clearly hear all their heartbeats. They were alive. "You guys… You have made me proud…" Laxus smiled upon his unconscious friends.

The demonic shark, dragged Ajeel's cruiser ship fleet and collided into an open landscape just outside of the port town of Hargeon. Ajeel crawled out from the broken remains of his ship, his remaining ships having clashed so it looked like he was surrounded by an arena. "Y-You bastard…" Ajeel was winded, that last attack had knocked the wind out of him. He glared up at Kisame whom stood before him, out of his Etherious form. And back to normal with a few demonic marks on the right side of his torso.

'This is bad…' Kisame panted, seeing the knights onboard those ships he dragged with him climbing out from the rubble. 'That last attack consumed a great chunk of my chakra… I barely have anything left to spare.'

Sand World!

In a quick last-ditch effort, Ajeel recreated his sandstorm. Although the magnitude of it, wasn't nearly as great as before. Showing how much magic power Ajeel himself had used up. The sandstorm covered their entire battleground, and nearly reached Hargeon as well.

Kisame moved quickly within Ajeel's sandstorm. Generating water from his already dry skin, and as well as the sand of Ajeel. 'This guy… physical attacks won't work as he can just turn his body into sand. Although he has a time limit before he needs to return to human form. And a 30 second window before he can assimilate himself again by the looks of it.' Kisame thought back to earlier in their fight, where right after Ajeel had assimilated himself into sand and returned back to normal, he was forced to block a strike from Kisame with his forearm. 'I need to be fast. Using a heavy sword like Samehada won't do the trick.'

"Dry up you ol' shark! Your time has passed, old man! Time to turn to ashes like the rest of the ancient relics of the old days!" Ajeel cackled as he generated the sand around him, into a hundred gigantic sand fists smashing after Kisame. Ajeel wanted to win, and kill Kisame. Proving his worth to his emperor. Proving himself to be strong. Kisame threw the Samehada at Ajeel, cloaking the blade in water to prevent Ajeel from turning it into sand. Ajeel quickly converted himself into the sand moving away from the blade, before quickly reforming himself.

"Relic huh? Well, this relic got one more card up his sleeve!" Out from the flesh of Kisame's wrists, stuck out twin blades. The Kiba blades, the lightning fang swords of the mist. Lightning generated around Kisame, as well as a torrent of water gathering around his lower body. "And with that, want to fight to our hearts content? Mighty Dessert King?" Kisame smirked at the frowning Ajeel, moving swiftly admits the storm of sand fists.

"You insignificant fish." Ajeel spat as he increased the amount of sand fists from a hundred to a thousand, and increased the speed of their ferocious bombardment of attacks. Yet Kisame remained unfaced. The lightning, plus the speed of the water, Kisame was bouncing around like a bolt of lightning. Leaving his water to moisten the air and the sandstorm around him, and weakening Ajeel's attacks whilst closing in on him. With his speed, Kisame narrowly avoided countless strikes from Ajeel's sand fists, spraying them with water making them crumble as they flew past him.

Ajeel was blinded by the desire to kill Kisame, that he hadn't noticed the torrent of thousands of sand fists he had created had begun to crumble from the water. "Huh?" Ajeel flinched as what was wet sand dripped onto his shoulder from one of said sand fists. "What?!" Ajeel quickly had to return his focus onto Kisame, whom was inching closer. "Ugh!" Acting quickly Ajeel shot a wave of sand needles, yet Kisame pushed through. Despite the sand piercing into his body, and despite Ajeel manipulating the sand to harm every cell in the shark man's body.

Kisame smirked, as his demonic power began healing the torn and broken cells Ajeel just destroyed, and pushed on further. 'Shit! I won't be able to convert my body into sand in time!' Finally, Ajeel looked alarmed, seeing the sharky toothy grinning Kisame right up in his face. "Fuck you!" Ajeel roared and created a sand battle axe, aiming to behead Kisame.

"Too slow." Kisame smirked as he switched grip on the Kiba sword in his right hand, flinging his arm upward. And in a swift motion, slicing Ajeel's right arm clean off from his elbow and down. The water merged with lightning into the blade, severed swiftly through his flesh and bone, and moistened the sand that surrounded his body like an armor.

Ajeel snarled, and created a second axe in his left hand. Kisame tilted his body to the side to avoid the slash of Ajeel's axe, whilst also in a swift motion slicing off his left forearm. 'No! This is not how it ends!' Ajeel gathers his magic and creates a giant sand golem, the sheer size of the beast towered over Kisame like a giant from the Sun Village. Ajeel also intensified the amount of sand in this miniature sandstorm making the air dryer. It became clear that Ajeel did not care for the safety of his crew. As the sandstorm had already mummified the majority of his men. The Golem in a last desperate ditch attempt, tried to catch Kisame and squash him. "Get buried you piece of shit!" Ajeel gave a war cry.

Kisame wasn't fast enough, as the sand golem gripped onto Kisame's raised left arm. Using its massive strength to crush every bone in Kisame's arm. Kisame quickly acted and released the Kiba sword in his left hand. Catching the hilt of the falling sword into his mouth. And in a swift motion using the second Kiba sword in his right hand, Kisame cut his own left arm off from his shoulder and down.

Kisame flung his body forward, stretching his neck as far as he could. And swung his body down, slicing the Kiba sword that he held in his mouth across Ajeel's torso. And quickly acted using the second Kiba sword in his right hand to slice Ajeel across his torso again.

Blood erupted from Ajeel, as Kisame had sliced the Kiba swords in an X-formation across his entire torso. Ajeel's eyes widened like saucers, he looked angry, angry that he had been taken down like this. Yet he also looked with a hint of disbelief, like this was some kind of nightmare.

Ajeel's body trembled, as he stepped backwards a few steps. He glared down at Kisame, his eyes twitching as his gaze seethed with hatred and anger. "Y-You…!" Kisame spat out the Kiba blade in his mouth, as he glared back at Ajeel. "You…" Ajeel's eyes rolled into the back of his head, as the flesh of his torso was torn open and his body split into four pieces. "Fucking piece of shit…" Ajeel's uttered his last dying breath. His lower body remaining standing for a few seconds, blood erupting from it like a fountain. Then with a mere breeze from the wind his lower half was knocked over.

The sandstorm vanished, and the sand golem crumbled as its master had perished. Kisame took in a deep breath, finally able to breath without getting sand into his mouth. Looking towards his severed left arm, darkness erupted from his bloody stomp, and reconnected with his severed arm. Slowly but surely reattaching itself to Kisame's body. "Heh, looks like first blood goes to us." Kisame fell onto his ass, chuckling as he let his demonic powers heal his broken body.

Out in the southern isles of Ishgar, Zeref flinched as he sensed the death of Ajeel. The Emperor frowned as his anger built up over the failure of one of his pawns. "Invel, Ajeel is dead… Make contact with Neinhart this instant."

"As you wish, my lord. Do you want Neinhart to use his magic to revive Ajeel?" Invel couldn't help but ask.

"No, any who fail me. Doesn't deserve a second chance at life." Zeref harshly declared, besides what would be the point? Ajeel had proven himself weaker than the enemy. Zeref had no use for him anymore.

Unbeknownst to them despite the fall of their general, Ajeel's men still raged on within Magnolia. Explosions erupting around the town at an alarming speed. And in the chaos, the blond Celestial Wizard rushed through a battalion of soldiers. Using her magical energy whip to electrocute and knocking out the Alvarez knight.

"We got you now!" Three knights rushed Lucy from behind, the Celestial Wizard having no time to react could only gasp. What followed was the sound of lightning and the groans of the knights, as they were hit by magic cards containing lightning magic.

"What's the rush Lu?!" Cana came to Lucy's aid, standing back-to-back with the Celestial Mage.

"Before the battle, I put a barrier around my apartment. The alarm just went off, and someone entered it! And I know it's not Natsu or Happy like usual!" Entering her Taurus dress, Lucy delivered an upper cut punch into a knight's chest. Shattering the armor plate protecting him to shreds with her amazing strength.

"What is it in your apartment that is so interesting anyway?!" Cana kicked a knight back, and threw a card stabbing into his armor chest plate. Lighting him on fire with the fire magic within it.

"I don't know! But I'm not about to let it become an enemy base within town! Plus, I have some stuff there…" Lucy's mind going to a certain novel she was working on, as well as the broken key of her former spirit.

They managed to push through, the door leading into the building broken down. And within were three dead bodies of wizards bearing the Fairy Tail guild mark. Lucy and Cana sweated in terror at the sight, it looked like their chests had exploded from within. Blood having splattered onto the wallpaper.

With a short second to grieve those that had died, Lucy and Cana rushed up to the second floor and to Lucy's apartment. 'This feeling… I know it.' Lucy gasped as they ran into her apartment, and the moment she sat foot in there. The same level of pressure she felt on Caracolle island resurfaced, Cana also freezing stiff in terror.

Standing in Lucy's apartment, was one of the Twelve, Brandish. Her attention focused on something on Lucy's desk where she sits to write her novels. "… I knew there was something about you." Brandish uttered, as the room began shaking. And the object on the desk began wobbling as a result. The object being the broken key of Aquarius. "I see… So, the witch is dead huh?" Brandish eyes looked emotionless as she stared at the broken key.

"W-Why did you come here?" Lucy gathered up the courage to ask.

"Why? Oh, revenge I suppose… Is the best way to describe it." Brandish sighed looking rather bored.

"Revenge? I don't even know you!" Lucy pointed out, to which a smirk appeared on Brandish's face.

"True, you don't know me… But I know you, Lucy Heartfillia. Daughter of Layla Heartfillia." Brandish looked over to them from the corner of her eye, the lights in the room began to flicker as the circuits went highwire from all this shaking. "That is all I need, to kill you" Brandish gaze narrowed at them, her killing intent filling the air. Lucy quickly acted, swinging her whip and grabbing a hold of the notes from her novel.

"Run!" Was all Lucy could say to Cana, before she sprinted out of the room. Cana wasted no time and followed. As they ran back down the stairs, the walls were closing in, the stairway getting smaller, the ceiling closing in on them. The two could barely fit through the door, Cana even getting her butt stuck for a second before she managed to wiggle free.

The two fell on their asses, as Lucy's apartment building shrank to the size of a doll house. And standing on top of it, was Brandish looking down on them. With a stomp of her boot, the shrunken building was shattered in an instant. "… Judging by what I sensed earlier, it would seem one of your people managed to kill Ajeel."

Cana and Lucy would look happy, although they couldn't help but look wary that Brandish didn't seem too bothered by it. "You are awfully calm, despite losing one of your own with the same level of power as yourself." Cana pointed out, readying herself for battle.

"Same level? Don't insult me." Brandish shrugged as she glared at the two Fairy Tail wizards. "Ajeel was easily the second weakest amongst the twelve. I'm much stronger than him." Brandish unleashed her power, the level of intensity and pressure made it harder for Lucy and Cana to breath. Lucy also flinched as she noticed, in Brandish's hand was the broken key of Aquarius.

Meanwhile, at the port of Hargeon. The battle was well underway. A battalion of cruiser warships filled with over 10,000 Alvarez soldiers. The defense squad led by Kagura, couldn't do much but hide in the nearby shops. As the cruises unleashed bombardment after bombardment of blaster fire. Many had already been killed in this endless bombardment. The entire port was on fire, and their own warships had been destroyed even before they could use it.

Kagura didn't understand, it was like in one moment the skies were clear. And in a split second it had been filled with warships of the enemy. Several of the Rune Knights stationed in Hargeon had tried to reach their warships docked at the ports to intercept. Although were all blown away along with their ships. Were the enemy ships cloaked? Did they have some kind of teleportation magic going on?

"Kagura-chan! We're outnumbered!" Millianna called out to her as the shore had quickly been over runed with knight of the Empire. Millianna had taken shelter along with Beth, Risley and Arania. Trying to hold of the enemy to the best of their abilities.

A wave of knights was suddenly blown away by a wind blast. And burnt alive by black fire. Coming jumping in was Kakuzu, stretching his limps and wrapping his tentacles onto multiple enemies. Throwing them around like ragdolls.

Flame Gods: Bellow!

Using the power of Zancrow's heart, Kakuzu annihilated another wave of knights. "Now!" Kakuzu called out, and in jumped Itachi's wood clone. Leaping straight into the enemy forces. Kagura looked baffled as she saw Itachi's clone knock away several of the Alvarez soldiers.

Sky Dragon: Roar!

Quickly joining in was little Wendy, along with her friend Sherria from Lamia scale. Using their slayer powers to blow away another wave of enemies. Even Carla using her human form and martial arts skills to fight the knights. Her clairvoyance helping in predicting the enemy's movements.

The ground beneath some Alvarez knight moved, and suddenly twisted itself enwrapping the empire's forces. And another smaller group, were knocked down as a red flash moved in between them knocking them over. Richard and Sawyer, the two former Oracion Seis members formerly known as Hoteye and Racer. "Man, these guys are slow…" Sawyer smirked, as he moved quickly to avoid blaster fire from the warships in the sky.

"Although those warships are a problem." Richard manipulated the ground to create a defensive wall around himself and the others.

"Let's go, Toby!" Yuka and Toby of Lamia Scale charged in. Yuka utilizing his wave magic to cancel out incoming attacks from the enemy. And then Toby used his nails to paralyze them.

"Ready my beloved?" Sherry stood next to her husband Ren of Blue Pegasus. Sherry creating a marionet doll out of some broken rubble to knock away a few knights. While Ren trapped some within a magical bubble, sucking away at their oxygen making them pass out due to lack of air.

"Always babe." Ren blushed a bit at calling Sherry for babe.

'I can't despair now. We still have a fighting chance.' Kagura picked herself up, and launched herself into battle. "Everyone! Charge at the ground troops! I will deal with the airships!" Kagura's bold declaration was met with a few looks of speculation, but her fellow Mermaids looked with confidence.

"Don't underestimate our girl Kagura!" Risely declared, and charged into a battalion of knights knocking them over.

Arania trapped some within her web, while Beth grew gigantic carrots from the ground and fired them like missiles into a crowd of knights. "Millianna! Look out!" The Alvarez Knights had managed to spread too far into town, and were now flanking them from behind. Millianna was about to actually be cut down by a magical sword. Although, suddenly magic circles appeared on the bodies of the knights, all placed at random but at come vital spot on their bodies.

Millianna yelped in shock, when suddenly magical bullets blasted into those magic circles on the knights' bodies. Cubes flew around Millianna, and gathered into a familiar figure wearing a fedora and looking rather blocky. "Dandy…" The man tipped his hat, and shot more of the knights, all headshots. Another wave of knights came at them, although all vanished and in their place appeared magical cards instead.

"Yo, Millianna, been awhile." Millianna looked in awe as before her were some of her oldest friends. "We heard the distress call from Fairy Tail. We thought we owed it to nee-san to help."

"These chumps are about to learn…" Wally looking the same as ever, blocky and dressed like a gangster. "Dandy." And Sho, wearing an open Hawaiian shirt, and sunglasses.

"Sho… Wally…" Millianna was brought to tears of joy over seeing her old friends again.

"How are we going to deal with those ships tho?" Sho looked to the sky, as the ships were in the middle of recharging their blasters. "I can't trap something that massive with my magic…"

"Don't worry, my friend Kagura's got a plan. Nya! Let's get pumped!" Millianna looked excited, seeing Kagura standing alone at the docks focusing her Archenemy and magical power.

Kagura took in deep breaths, her eyes closed. As she went into battle stance and gracefully raised her arms with her Archenemy blade unsheathed above her head. The winds strongly gathering towards her, focused around her blade.

Standing on the top deck of the leading warship of this fleet, was Dimaria of the twelve. Looking rather bored as she yawned at the pitiful struggle. With her magic it was easy to ambush the awaiting forces of Ishgar. And now they had the clear advantage. "Lame, I thought Ishgar had at least some capable warriors…"

"Umm, ma'am… Ajeel's squadron just reported in… Sir Ajeel is dead." One of her admirals shakingly informed the uncaring Dimaria.

"Tch, typical. Ajeel has to get lucky and pick a battlefield with a strong opponent. And all I get are these losers." Dimaria looked disappointed that she missed out on a great battle. In fact, she looked rather jealous of her dead comrade for having the chance to fight a fun opponent.

"B-But, sir Ajeel is dead…" The admiral shakingly said.

"Huh? So? Randi is still in Magnolia, right? This whole thing should be over before supper. Wall is even on standby near Magnolia anyway, no need to worry." Dimaria casually shrugged it off. "Are we done recharging the cannons?" She laid back and rested her eyes.

"H-Huh? O-Oh yes! Just now milady."

"Then open fire already. I wanna see Randi again soon." Dimaria yawned.

"R-Right! All ships resume fire!" The admiral ordered, and the warships once again began their bombardment of the port of Hargeon.

Kagura exhaled, and her eyes flashed open, and with intensity she swung her blade down. "AAARRRGGGHHHHHH!" She cried out, the slash of her blade sending shredding shockwaves that tore straight through ten warships.

Dimaria's eyes shut open as she looked over the edge of her ship. Seeing half her fleet falling into the waters bellow. Dimaria's baffled face was quickly replaced by a sickening malicious smirk. "Ho?" Her interests peeked.

Kagura wasn't done however, a magic circle forming in the skies above the warships. "Ho?!" Dimaria's smirk widened along with her eyes, looking with pure excitement.

"M-Milady!" The admiral was cut off, as his throat was cut open. And in Dimaria's lowered arm as a now bloody dagger. Dimaria began to cackle, her laughter growing more intense as she sensed the magic power building up.

"Good! Good! Someone I can play with~" Dimaria stood on the edge of her ship ready to leap down into action.

The sky darkened in a shade of purple, and from the magic circle an intense pressure of gravity was unleashed from Kagura's power. The blaster fire from the ship exploded under the pressure, before the cannons could even open fire. Black smoke came from the ships as their cannons blew up.

"AAARRRGGHHHH!" Her own soldiers cried out in agony onboard, as the fire from the explosion. Melted away at their armor, and their skin underneath. Yet to Dimaria, it meant nothing. She glanced down as her ship was losing altitude along with the remainder of her fleet. Dimaria's gaze fixated on the harbor, where Kagura stood tall. Her ice-cold piercing glare staring right back at Dimaria.

"Nice~" Dimaria smiled with joy. "I like you!" Dimaria merely laughed as her entire fleet was crushed underneath Kagura's gravity and her ships left immobile in the shores of Hargeon.

In a single move, Kagura had singlehandedly taken out all of Dimaria's warships, and along with them 10,000 of Dimaria's soldiers. Dimaria's remaining soldiers within the town of Hargeon stared in disbelief as their fleet had been crushed. But even they seemed not to despair. "Fools, you've merely awakened the Warrior Princess." One of Dimaria's soldiers chuckled.

Kagura took in a deep breath, sweating a bit. She took in the sight of her own handywork. However, before she could breathe a sigh of relief, a presence appeared out of nowhere behind her. And on instinct, Kagura rotated her body around with her Archenemy ready.

The clang of metal clashing together echoed through the battlefield like a bell. Shockwaves blew across the town tearing nearby buildings apart and splitting some in half. Kagura flinched, her arms wavering slightly under the strength of her foes blade. Kagura glared at her opponent, Dimaria of the Spriggan Twelve. The Warrior Queen of Alvarez wielding a massive black blade with a golden handle.

"You…" Dimaria uttered, Kagura expected a harsh remark and a look of hatred from Dimaria as she had crushed her fleet. But instead, all Kagura saw was the twisted smile on Dimaria's face, beaming with joy. "You're pretty good~" Dimaria giggled with excitement.

Approaching Ishgar in the raging waters of the sea, were several hundreds of warships. All lead by Spriggan 12 member Neinhart, who was on the biggest and the most equipped ship, loaded with cannons. And decorated with roses and head skull paintings. Kneeling before him were one of his knights, holding up a device with a hologram of Zeref. The knight seemed grim, his body trembling with fear making the hologram of Zeref wobble a little. "Neinhart, it would seem Ajeel has failed in his assault. I will give command over his forces to you and Dimaria."

Neinhart smiled at the news, not bothered by the loss of Ajeel. In fact, he was overjoyed. Now he had all the more reasons to continue with his experiments. "I am honored, my Lord." Neinhart gracefully bowed before his emperor and master.

"How is our immortal army coming along?" Once Zeref asked that question, Neinhart cracked a snarky like grin and stepped aside presenting this army to his master. "Finished your majesty. I gathered a lot of powerful warriors from the memories of our enemies. Although… some were too powerful for me to control I am afraid. Such as those from the memories of your demons." Neinhart referred to Itachi, Kisame, Kakuzu, Sasori and Madara even.

"Oh? Is there any way to gain control over these mighty warriors?" Zeref desired these warriors, the stronger his army was the better. Acnologia, Madara and Fairy Tail wouldn't stand a chance against him and his empire.

"Hmm, maybe if I gained a boost from Lady Irene? Although I am afraid that this, Hashirama Senju, was it? Will be impossible for me to control. Even with Lady Irene's power boosting up my magic. And one called Shisui Uchiha, would be able to cancel out my control so he is a lost cause regardless." Although Neinhart despite this didn't seem discouraged, in fact he looked rather confident. "But I am certain, that it won't be necessary. These warriors should be plenty strong enough to annihilate your enemies."

Behind Neinhart standing at the upper deck of his warship, was an armada of undead warriors. Lined up, enemies of the past. The members of Trinity Raven, Ikaruga, Fukuro, Vidaldus Taka. The former master of Oracion Seis, Zero. The master and the majority of the members of Grimoire Heart, Hades, Zancrow, Rustyrose, Kain, Azuma. Members of Tartaros, Mard Geer, Kyouka, Seilah, Tempester, Jackal, Torafuzar, Keyes, Ezel, Franmalth. "Not only do they have mighty foes of the past to face… but also former friends that might make them… emotional." Neinhart sadistically smirked.

Lined up next to the enemies of the past, were old friends. The older brother of Kagura, Simon Mikazuchi. One of the founders of Fairy Tail, and the father of Makarov. Yuri Dreyar. And the third one, to some a master and teacher, to another a mother, and to a broken man a lover, the ice witch Ur Milkovich. 'Don't hate me too much now, Madara… this is a war after all.' Neinhart snickered within his mind, imagining the face of Madara when he learns of this. "Then there are of course, those from another world entirely. Although that Kisame, Sasori and Kakuzu didn't have anyone particular close to them that could be useful and within my control. And in order to save up as much magic power as possible, I limited myself to these three."

Seeing the three figures, Zeref himself couldn't help but give a light menacing chuckle. "Ah, the perfect irony. The past sins of his old family, coming back to haunt him and his current family." Lined up alongside Ur, Simon and Yuri, were three figures that all bore the Uchiha insignia. "Itachi Uchiha's former lover, and a hand-to-hand combatant specialist, Izumi Uchiha. Not all that powerful, but still lived to become as strong as some of the Nine Demon Gates or the Seven Kin of Purgatory. And with an infinite pool of energy and stamina, she should prove to be quite useful. And of course, Itachi Uchiha's own mother and father, Mikoto Uchiha and Fugaku Uchiha." Neinhart sweated a bit, seemingly tired over how much magic he had to use. "Although I must admit, controlling Fugaku Uchiha will prove to be challenging. Especially without lady Irene's enchantments. This man… Is even stronger than I am. And stronger than Ajeel was. Although, I should still be able to control him."

"Hmm? Neinhart, your Historia magic seems different from before…" Zeref pointed out, noticing that the bodies of these warriors looked like they had just been dug up. Their bodies were a bit pale and grey, and their bodies covered in cracks, even their clothing had cracks. And their eyes were empty an hallow.

"Ah yes, I took some… inspiration from this Edo Tensei I learned about from this world of Shinobi. Instead of being mere illusions, they are actually artificial created bodies used from real people. Not only that, I have been able to drag their actual spirits and souls from the netherworld and force them to fight." Zeref looked a bit skeptical, and slightly saddened that the dead had been disrupted from their rest. Although it was worth it in his mind.

"I see… Does it work just like the Edo Tensei then?"

"Yes, but although I couldn't make it exactly alike… I still have much to learn it would seem. Like the Edo Tensei I used bodies of living people to create their bodies for their souls to inhabit. And like the Edo Tensei, I can control them and force them to fight even if they themselves do not wish for it. And they are even granted with an infinite supply of Ethernano, or rather chakra for our three otherworldly friends here. And they have infinite stamina as well."

"And the drawbacks?" Zeref's glare intensified wanting to make sure Neinhart wouldn't fail in his assignment.

"Ah yes…" Neinhart sweated a little nervously facing his emperor's glare, even if only through a hologram. "Well, although their bodies will regenerate if damaged. If their bodies are completely destroyed, I cannot hold their spirits here and they will depart back to the netherworld. So, unlike the Edo Tensei, they can stop this magic even if I am dead. Like I said, this is an imperfect version of the Edo Tensei, but still rather effective." Neinhart gave a reassuring smile to his emperor and looked confident. "But I doubt that will ever happen. I will stay out of the battlefield, but I will need to be within a certain range to control them. It would also help if you can contact Lady Irene and ask her to boost up my abilities… That way I can increase my range, and bring in more warriors to our aid."

"Very well, begin your assault Neinhart. Do not fail me like Ajeel did." Zeref's eyes turned red with anger, and Neinhart swallowed a nervous lump in his throat. The hologram faded, and Neinhart began trembling. Not out of fear, but anger.

"Just you wait… your majesty… Once I become a true master of life and death. Nothing can ever threaten me again." Neinhart with a flick of his fingers spread his magic to his dead armada to which some begun emitting from their bodies. As a result, the cracks on their bodies faded, their skin regained their color from when they were alive. And their dark hollow eyes began to glow. The Alvarez knights merely trembled, some flinched in slight disgust at such a perverse form of magic from their leader. "Now, the real fight begins." Neinhart cackled in a sickening laughter, the islands of Ishgar within his sights.

That's the end for now!

This chapter, was mainly set to focus on seeing how Ishgar plans to fight the Alvarez Empire. And who was placed where on the battlefield. And of course, to focus on the battle over Magnolia against Ajeel and his invasion force.

So, a couple of changes happened in this chapter. Not only did I change the fight with Ajeel and the entire outcome of it. I also divided various characters into separate squads. I changed the initial confrontation with Brandish and Lucy, not that I didn't like the original mind you. I just thought this would have more of an impact considering this is a war. And I want to point out, I am changing some of the twelve's personalities. Like Dimaria for example, with her having the title of Warrior Princess. I gave her the personality trait of a battle maniac whom loves a challenge. As we saw near the end of this chapter. I am not changing the rest that much, just a tiny bit.

I also changed Neinhart's abilities, having Madara teach him a different version of the Edo Tensei that Neinhart calls Historia Tensei. A mixture of his ability and the Edo Tensei. Neinhart can now unlike cannon actually bring the souls of the dead back to this realm. He connects with the memories of his enemies, and finds their past enemies or friends through those memories in the afterlife. And forcefully takes their spirits and into bodies of living human sacrifices. Thus giving them a similar body like those of the Edo Tensei, with infinite energy and stamina. Although a crucial weakness in it, if the reanimated body is completely destroyed the spirit will have nothing to cling to in this realm. And thus, return to the afterlife. So even if someone kills Neinhart, the reanimated warriors would still be here, but they can still be destroyed thus undoing the spell. Now of course, Neinhart has his limits on the number of people he can bring back, and they have to be within a certain level of power for him to control. So, let's say someone as strong as Shisui, would be impossible for him to control. Plus, Neinhart probably has learnt of Shisui's eye from Madara maybe and thus will know better than to bring him back. So, Neinhart also wouldn't be able to control Hashirama for example. But maybe someone else can, hehehe.

Now, the next chapter will continue mainly focusing on the two defense squads in Hargeon and Magnolia. With some of the other squads here and there. There will be deaths, struggles, and emotional traumas for some characters. And some other crazy things happening. I have pretty much planned out this whole arc from start to finish. I hope you all will enjoy, all the way until the finale. And I will try and have the next chapter out before the end of the year.

Remember to leave a review!

-Later!

(Responds to reviews):

springtony: Itachi's reaction will come later about the pregnancy, I have the moment perfectly planned out in my head already.

RHatch89: Thanks!

Shadow Joestar: They sure have their work cut out for them, although things seems to have taken a somewhat good start. More dark things are headed their way.

Red Eyes. B God: Thank you!

keybladelight: Well, looks like he gets to tell his parents the news maybe. And sorry, but some people will die. That is what happens in war.

Emn93: Thanks, and yeah not the best time to tell a general of war that he is going to be a father when a war that could be the death of them is coming. And yeah, I remember that moment. He could utilize it in battle against some foes perhaps.

benjamin13 . pro: Yeah I saw that as well. Don't know what happened, checked my document and saw I had written your name. Yeah, I have a lot planned for the future with this in the sequels with my own original story arcs.

andresskorkiruiz: Thank you!

Mr. Haziq: That is exactly what I thought of when I wrote that scene XD

Titanfall007: Sorry, you going to have to wait to hear more about the kids unfortunately XD.

Ultimatrix bearer: I do plan to do it, like how they all got there and why they don't remember meeting each other and all that.

Matthew Keen: Thanks.

crisjames0421: Glad to see you liked it so much.

devonbumpers21: That is what I had in mind actually, with other things added of course.

Wendel Santana: I will, I am hyped myself over having gotten to the final arc. So, I will try my best to update faster.

DarkReaderSeiin: Thank you, I hope I can meet your expectations as well as the other readers.

Lizardboy22: Sorry, my jobs are taking up too much of my time. And I don't have much free time to write. But I hope to manage a new chapter for this story before the end of 2020.

Last Primaris: Yeah, it's Carla although some translations wrote it as Charle.

Arnav Zaman: Thanks, don't worry I will finish this story and make it to the end.

Good advice: Yeah, I get ya, Lucy did seem kinda annoying sometimes. But I do have plans for her, and I think I have made her less annoying at this point.