War is coming. Fairy Tail is going to find itself in a great battle. Everyone is pretty shaken by all of it. Nashi stood in a deserted Magnolia with the night sky over. Who can really sleep with what they know is coming.
'I can't believe there might be an actual war.' Nashi thought. 'The citizens of Magnolia have been evacuated because it could start at any moment. Ankhselam will attack just to get to my father. If he gets Dad, he can bring back Acnologia and it could be the end of the world. I hope we're up for this.'
"There you are." Nashi look down the street and spotted Storm heading her way. "Can't sleep either."
"Not really. My parents stayed behind the guild to talk about our plan of attack and I didn't want to be home by myself." Nashi said.
"I hear you." Storm said. "Our parents stayed at the guild to talk about what we're going to do. Sounds like there's going to be a real fight going on."
"I just hope we're ready for this. We've never faced someone strong like Ankhselam before." Nashi said. Storm placed his hand on her shoulder to try and give her strength.
"You don't need to worry. You were the one that said we're stronger now than when we were before." Storm said. He looked in the direction of the guild with Nashi following his gaze. "We've got your uncle on our side. He was one of Fairy Tail's greatest challenges and now he's fighting on our side, helping us out."
"You're right." Nashi said. "Uncle Zeref is quite the strategist and tactician. I'm sure he'll think of some plans that will help us." Nashi and her friends have trusted Zeref before and he really helped them out. I'm sure he will this time too.
...
The Guild
Some members stayed behind to help prepare themselves for war. The older members were still there and were talking strategy with Zeref and much more. Erza was informed about the matter and she seemed well enough to fight thanks to Wendy.
"I see... This is quite the threat we're dealing with." Erza said.
"Are you sure you feel well enough to fight, Erza?" Lucy asked.
"She is and better be." Laxus said. "We're going to need all of our strongest wizards against this enemy."
"Laxus is right. The Duat Kingdom could attack at any moment." Zeref said. "That is why I've alerted others across Fiore about this matter. I've alerted fellow guilds, cities, and the kingdom itself of what's coming."
"Why bother? Fairy Tail can handle this on our own." Natsu.
"Not a chance." Zeref said. "You didn't defeat the Alvarez Empire on your own and you can't defeat this enemy on your own. You're too heavily outmatched. Besides, if we haven't warned others, innocent lives would have been caught in the crossfire. This kingdom will destroy everything if they must to get what they're after."
"Zeref is right, moron." Gray said. "We're talking about this Ankhselam. This guy's got all kind of power. Even you and Laxus had a hard time against him."
"I still don't understand why Natsu is needed so much for his plans." Happy said. "If he needs an etherious, can't he just create one of his own like you did."
"Perhaps he could, but what he requires is a great deal of power." Zeref said. "This is a powerful spell he's using to bring back Acnologia. That means he requires a great deal of power. I was the only one who ever created etherious and after all that has happened with the guild, the etherious has become an endangered species. Natsu and his daughter might be the last of that kind."
"What about Neo Tartaros?" Juvia asked.
"Those guys weren't real etherious. They were regular humans once before. They were like hybrids." Gray said.
"Not that I want Nashi placed in danger, but why is Ankhselam targeting Natsu specifically?" Wendy asked. "He's faced Nashi before. Why didn't he take her when he had the chance?" As soon as she asked that, Lucy seemed to have gotten a little depressed.
"Lucy, are you okay?" Natsu asked.
"Yeah... It's just... Hearing all this talk about etherious involving you and Nashi, I just thought all this stuff was in the past." Lucy said. "I saw the book of E.N.D. disappear, I rewrote it to save you. I thought that would have been the end of all that, but now it just keeps coming back and it's affected our daughter. Why can't things just be simple? Why is it we're always facing some bad guy that wants to destroy lives? I never wanted my daughter or any of our children to take part in something like this."
"I understand your concern, Lucy. We all feel the same." Mirajane said. "None of us want to see our kids in danger."
"However, if we don't step up, who will?" Gajeel said.
"Besides, if he comes near Nashi, he's toast." Natsu said. "It doesn't matter if he comes at me or her. He is going down."
"But there's a distinct difference between you and Nashi that makes you more valuable to Ankhselam." Zeref said. "It's the reason he wants your power." All eyes were on him. "Let me explain since you're curious as to why it's Natsu he wants. You see, Natsu died with both of our parents. So I brought him back to life and made him an etherious. That's what also cursed me. However, Nashi is part etherious, part human. She possess human characteristics and etherious characteristics. Unlike you, Natsu, Nashi was aware of it and accepted it. Her etherious has also become a separate personality. All these traits are of no use to Ankhselam. That's why he wants you."
"So Natsu is Ankhselam's only choice. That's what you're saying." Laxus said.
"That's correct." Zeref said. "That's why we need to be ready. He'll do anything and it could begin at any moment." Now that they know what they're up against, they all need to be ready for when it happens.
...
Nova
Nova stood on a bridge and looked down at the water. She was pretty anxious of this like everyone else. Raio found her and walked right over as he stood with her.
"You okay?" Raio asked.
"Honestly, I'm pretty nervous." Nova said.
"We all are." Raio said. "It sounds like we're going to have a real fight on our hands. At least we got a warning ahead of time." Nova was still nervous about it. "Nova, we'll be fine. If there's one thing I've learned about this guild is that no matter how tough the enemy is, we'll find a way to win."
"I sure hope so." Nova said as she placed her head on Raio's shoulder. He was trying his best not to react. He had to hold strong for her sake.
...
Gale
Gale was at home with his mother and Gia. Knowing that a war was coming, Levy wants to make sure her children are safe and ready for this. Especially since it seems like she has the youngest member of the most recent generation.
"Shouldn't Gia be asleep by now?" Gale asked.
"Maybe, but there might not be much sleep going on for a while." Levy said. "Besides, she's actually too excited to sleep. What about you, Gale? Are you sure you're up for this?"
"You know it. I'm not scared. It's just another punk group trying to take us on." Gale said.
"Gale, you're going to beat the bad guys, right?" Gia said.
"You know it." Gale said. Both of them seemed happy and Levy hopes those two will continue to be like that.
'They're both so young to get caught up in something like this.' Levy thought. 'Wait a minute. I'm sounding like Lucy. I just hope we all make it through this. I know it's war, but I just don't want to see my kids or my friends on the ground.'
...
Simon and Sasha
Simon and Sasha were preparing for battle as well. Both of them were near the woods and Simon was practicing his sword skills.
"So is your father going to help us out? This sounds like something he would take part in." Sasha said. "Zeref did send word all across Fiore."
"Maybe. If the threat is as big as we were told, we're going to need all the help we can get." Simon said.
"It's actually a little funny." Sasha said. "It feels like it hasn't been that long since you followed after me and helped me take on Dantu and bring down the tower that practically ruined my life."
"Perhaps. That's also when you started to change and let us in more." Simon said.
"I wasn't so sure that we were going to make it out of that one. Now look where we are." Sasha said. "You know, I have you to thank a lot for, Simon. You always helped me out even when it seemed like I didn't want your help."
"Oh... It's nothing." Simon said as he tried to hide his blush.
...
Eve and Ul
Ul was keeping her magic sharp. She stood by a river and was practicing her water magic and Eve was standing with her.
"Thanks for coming out here, Eve." Ul said. "I don't want to be alone at the moment if there's really a war coming."
"No worries, but what about your family?" Eve said.
"My parents are in the guild and are getting ready. As for Storm, I think he wanted to go be with Nashi when that happens." Ul said. "That would usually be an annoyance, but that moron needs all the help he can get with relationships. It's so obvious he likes her."
"True. Bet Drake isn't too happy about that." Eve said. "Makes me wonder which one she would go to. Storm is cool and the old friend, but Drake is hot and actually a great guy. If I were Nashi, I have a hard time choosing."
"If you were Nashi, my brother would need a lot of therapy given how our mother is crazy and our dad strips for no reason at inappropriate times." Ul said. Both of them shared a laugh at that.
"Wait a minute." Eve said as she was starting to take that as an insult. With a war coming, it's actually good they're all having good moments because there's no telling when they might get another one...or even IF they will.
...
The Guild
"Freed, how is that radar coming?" Zeref asked. "If we can locate where the enemy is, we can coordinate a plan of attack rather than them coming to us."
"I have it almost done." Freed said. He finished a few things and a map of all of Fiore appeared. "That should do it." However, once he had it set, some dots appeared on the screen and they were close to Magnolia. "Oh no! They're already here!"
"What?!" Laxus said as none of them expected the enemy to be here so soon.
"The enemy is already making a move." Zeref said.
"Look outside!" Mirajane called. All of them hurried and saw about thirty airships up there and coming closer to Magnolia.
"It's happening!" Laxus said.
"All forces, prepare for battle!" Zeref called out as he used telepathy and sent the message to everyone that was still in Magnolia. "The enemy is here and is coming from the west! It's beginning!" This is it. There's no turning back after this. The airships were taking aim with cannons and were going to fire.
"They're going to attack! There's no time for me to set up a defense enchantment!" Freed said.
"Not to worry. I've already got something ready. Now!" Zeref said. Just before the cannons attacked, a shield of light formed around the entire city and blocked the attacks. "Perfect."
"Cool!" Natsu said.
"Hold on. I thought Freed was the only one who could pull something like this off. Who's doing this?" Gray asked.
"Someone with abilities just as powerful if not more." Zeref said.
...
Kardia Cathedral
The Fairy Knights are stationed at the cathedral. Fred was the one using his light magic to form the shield that is covering the entire town. It's taking a lot of concentration, but Fred is a powerful wizard and is able to hold on.
"Hang in there, Fred." Raren said.
"Just hang in there until some members are able to take care of that ship." Bisslin said.
"I've got this." Fred said. 'Of course, a shield of this size is taking a lot of power and concentration. I'm stuck like this. If I move even for a moment, the shield will drop. I must hold on for the guild I swore to fight for.'
...
The Guild
"Fred is doing his best, but he can't hold this shield up for long." Zeref said.
"The Fairy Knights are a royal bunch to the guild. They'll push through." Laxus said. "In the meantime, we need to take those airships out."
"I can tell some members are already one their way. They'll take care of it." Zeref said. As the guild was setting it's counterattack, Freed looked at the map and saw there were other alerts coming all around.
"Oh no!" Freed said.
"What is it?" Zeref asked.
"Three magic signals have been detected IN Magnolia. They're much stronger than anything in the air force." Freed said.
"What?!" Zeref said as he had a look on the map. "This can't be! Three members of The Ten are already here!"
...
Magnolia
Three members of The Ten have already somehow made it inside Magnolia. They're spread out and have taken a different part of Magnolia.
"Hurry, Raio! We've got to help the others!" Nova said as she and Raio hurried to where the enemy was. However, they had their own problem as someone walked in front of them. That person was Reginald.
"Taking an evening stroll? I'm afraid that it stops here." Reginald said. Ul and Eve were on their way as well to help the others. They had to stop when they saw David step out from an alleyway.
"Evening, ladies." David said.
"Who are you?" Ul asked.
"I'm the one who shall bring your story to an end." David said as he opened his book and unleashed some terror. The last member was Bradford. He took noticed of the shield that surrounded the city.
"A shield. Clever." Bradford said as he kept walking through the city. "I'll take care of that." Three members are already in the city and the terror will soon commence.
...
The Guild
"Three members of The Ten are already in Magnolia? You've got to be kidding me!" Laxus said.
"I'm afraid the news is about to get worse." Freed said as he was detecting more signatures on the map. "Enemy forces are coming in to Fiore from the north, south, west, and east."
"The east?! That means they had to have gone through Bosco and more!" Lucy said.
"Ankhselam is using the same tactic I used!" Zeref said as he said this wasn't looking good. 'I didn't anticipate they would move out so soon. They sent three of their stronger fighters out ahead of their vanguard to move past our defenses! This is not good at all. They caught us before they were even ready.' He thought. The Duat Kingdom clearly planned ahead and moved out faster. It's no longer an upcoming war. The first battle has begun. Coming at them from all sides, what chance does Fairy Tail really have?
