Gajeel guided the Dragon Slayers, Exceeds, Gray, and Erza down into the same tunnels he'd come from after Natsu pushed him down the mine. They grew taller the further they went down, and giant crystalline structures and rocks jutted out all around them. Everyone walked unarmed and rather amazed, but there was just a slight bit of tension in the air as they walked toward the Dragon Graveyard.

The air got colder the further down the went. Kai barely noticed it, but Lucy and Wendy started to shiver.

Natsu, Wendy, and Lucy muttered a few things every now and then but for the most part everyone was pretty quiet.

Kai could only wonder why this was here. Why have a great Dragon Graveyard beneath an arena? Had the arena been built before or after the Graveyard's inception? The kingdom had to know about this, too.

Something Wendy said caught Kai's attention: "You don't think…our dragons could be down here, could they?"

Kai shuddered at the thought and they passed the first few sets of dragon bones—huge and white, scattered around the entire place.

Would Kai even recognize if Kairi were among these ruins? He swallowed a heavy lump in his throat. Erza reached out and squeezed his hand, a gesture that, for the most part, did go a ways in comforting him.

"Can't be," Natsu said. "Look how old these bones are. No way our dragons could have decayed this fast."

"And they're not dead," Gajeel said. "Metallicana wouldn't get killed by anything."

"That's right," Natsu said. "Our dragons are still out there, somewhere. They're safe, Wendy."

"Just makes you wonder where these dragon bones came from, then," Kai said. "If they're so old."

His father's words rumbled in his mind. Acnologia's rampage started four hundred years ago. He stood against the great monster, alongside Zeref.

Could they have something to do with all of this? Kairi always intimated to Kai that Acnologia had some sort of vendetta against the dragons. Kai warily glanced at more of the bones as they approached an opening.

Huge crystals surrounded them as stalagmite and stalactites alike. Hulking draconic bodies lay strewn about all over the place. Lucy shivered just at the sight of it.

"This is a nightmare," Lucy muttered.

"Likely a great tragedy," Erza said. "What could have caused all of these dragons to die?"

Wendy stepped forward. "I don't know, but I think I can find out."

"Really?" Gray asked.

"Yes. Ms. Porlyusica taught me a spell that allows me to commune with spirits of the dead, and dragons. Maybe I can use that spell now. Given how old these bones are, I'm not sure how strong of a connection I'll get, but I'll do my best!"

She dropped to her knees and a great green magic circle appeared around her before strong gusts of wind blasted out around her. Everyone took a step back and Wendy brought her hands together, as if in prayer, muttering the incantation necessary.

Kai crossed his arms, glancing around at the other dragons.

"Wonder who she'll speak with," Kai said.

"Maybe someone you know?" Erza asked.

Kai shrugged. "I don't think I met many other dragons. I can't remember."

They refocused on Wendy, who stumbled back after the spell's completion.

A green mist formed in front of them. Everyone braced as it started to take shape: a large, green colored dragon with a bit of a beard stepped forward out of the ether.

He gazed down on them with indifference. "I am Zirconis, the Jade Dragon. One amongst you must possess Sky Dragon magic to have summoned here from beyond the mortal coil."

"Yes, I did," Wendy said. "My name is Wendy, I was trained by Grandeeny."

"Ah, Dragon Slayer are you?" Zirconis chuckled. "Yes, there are three others among you. It's been a while since I've sensed your magic."

"What happened here?" Carla asked. "There are so many decayed bodies."

Zirconis hummed in thought. "Four hundred years ago, there was a Great War that threatened the fabric of our world. A war between dragons."

"A dragon civil war?" Gray muttered.

"Yes. Once, dragons were the dominant species of this world. They treated humans as little more than cattle. But one day, recognizing the magnificence of the human mind, a dragon reached out and befriended the humans. Others joined his side. Others did not care so much for this thinking, and still wished to put the humans down. Thus, the rift was created, and the Great War began.

"Those who allied with the humans started to win, thanks to the advent of Dragon Slayer magic." Zirconis curiously glanced at Erza for a long moment, then continued on with his story, gazing upon the rest of the group. "With Dragon Slayer magic, humans were able to help the pro-human Dragons win the war." Zirconis sighed, and sorrow bled across his face. "But such is the times of war that betrayal and deceit was imminent. Humans used their magic and turned on all of the dragons that had once helped them."

"Why would they do that?" Natsu shrieked.

"Greed," Zirconis said. "With this new power, and the dwindling number of dragons that stood opposed to humanity, the Dragon Slayers forged onward to give humanity the foothold it needed on the world. Our kind's numbers dwindled."

"Those must've been some strong Dragon Slayers," Gajeel said.

"This isn't right," Natsu said. "I don't understand."

"Human nature is a curious thing even the wisest of the dragons could not comprehend," Zirconis said. "But we all understand the primal need to be strong, to be the best. To stand out among the pack and prove ourselves."

Kai shrunk in a little bit. He sighed and stepped forward. "And how does Acnologia play into all of this? He was hunting dragons, wasn't he? He wasn't a friend of anyone's."

Zirconis's illusion flickered, and Kai swore he saw dread fill the dragon's expression. "That beast….he did what no other had ever done. With his incredible magic power, Acnologia bathed in so much dragon blood that his power one day consumed him and he became a dragon."

Kai twitched at this. "And his sister?"

The dread on Zirconis's face dwindled. "Kairi of the Ice. She was Acnologia's twin sister, whose natural born magical skills remained rivaled only by he. She managed to copy his magic and turned to a dragon herself, to add those that stood against Acnologia's terrifying reign, such as the Fire King Igneel or the resilient Metallicana."

Natsu and Gajeel sneered with pride. Kai nodded. So, though Kairi was a dragon, she was also once a human. He wondered if Ichigo knew of this as well.

"But even their combined might was not enough, for Acnologia laid quick waste to the dragons in his path. Such as the bones you see here. Many of the dragons found here were those who stood against humanity. One day, a child of the kingdom got lost and came into these caves. Acnologia found her, and after the dragons killed her, he destroyed us all."

Acnologia standing up for someone's life? Erza stepped forward. "So was Acnologia with the humans or against the dragons? There's a difference!"

Wendy suddenly gasped and the wavering image of Zirconis vanished. She dropped to her knees.

Everyone sighed and refused to look at the bones.

"It was Acnologia," Gray muttered.

"Taht psycho." Gajeel spat. "Killed all the dragons. And he's just been flying around for four hundred years. Explains how he got so strong."

"Kai, your dragon…" Lucy said.

"I know."

Gray turned toward Kai. "Did you know him? Ddi you really know Acnologia?'

"Better than I know some people in our guild," Kai said. "He'd visit us all the time. I don't remember much, but I just remember the feeling I'd get when he was around, as if the monster we're all afraid of in our closet had finally come out."

"That's terrible," Happy muttered.

"What's scarier is what happened to him and Kairi," Carla said. "They turned into dragons because of their magic."

"Could the same thing happen to us?" Natsu asked.

Kai didn't want to answer. He was too afraid to do so. He wondered if the Takeover spell Kairi taught him was somehow in preparation for that.

Erza opened her mouth to speak but a set of heavy footsteps stopped them from doing so. It was joined by lighter footsteps.

Everyone turned toward the entrance of the cave.

A tall, powerful looking knight stride forward, aided by a woman with white hair and a familiar blank expression.

"It was not just Acnologia's magic that created the monster we know today. He was aided by Zeref."

The knight, with puffy black hair and a big nose, stopped. Yukino stood next to him in military gear.

"Yukino?" Lucy asked. "What are you doing with this guy?"

"My name is Arcadios," he said. "I've been watching over this graveyard carefully for years, worrying that Acnologia may return."

"How do you know about Zeref and Acnologia?" Kai asked.

"I make it a point to know about the threats to my kingdom, and Zeref is chief among them. He was the one who helped Acnologia turn into a dragon, who helped Kairi of the Ice become one, too. It's Zeref's fault that the greatest killing machine in existence was created, and I would like to put an end to all of that."

"And what does Yukino have to do with all this?" Lucy asked.

"To enact my plan of stopping both Zeref and Acnologia I need a Celestial Spirit Mage," Arcadios said. "Once I explained myself, Yukino was happy to join me."

"What is it you plan, then?" Erza asked.

Arcadios nodded at them. "Come with me and I will show you."

Everyone exchanged looks, but it was when Yukino stepped up and said, "Please. If we can get Fairy Tail's help, we know we can succeed," that everyone nodded and followed the two royal knights.

Arcadios, on the way, explained a bit more: that while unfortunate, Yukino's banishment from Sabertooth allowed them to accelerate their plans, and that her gifted magic prowess put her at the rank of Sergeant almost immediately.

They made their way into the great castle Mercurius, in the lower parts to avoid any sort of undue detection since members of the guilds were not allowed access to the castle without royal permission first.

Yukino and Arcadios walked at the head of the pack while Natsu followed not that far behind.

"You said you needed a Celestial Spirit Mage," Natsu said. "Right?"

"You're very insightful," Arcadios said. "Yes, it was I who, in haste, sought to kidnap Lucy from you all."

"Why the hell would you do that?"

"Because this year is the year that my plan shall be executed," Arcadios said. "For the last few years, the Games have served no other purpose than to draw in the magic power of the greatest wizards in Fiore. This year, I have what I need in that respect; now, I just needed the keys to activate it."

"Activate what?"

Arcadios said nothing more but picked up the pace a bit more, forcing everyone else to do the same.

They soon arrive at a massive, ancient doorway. Even Kai couldn't help gaping at the impressive structure.

"This thing is huge!" Natsu exclaimed.

"This is the Eclipse Gate," Arcadios said. "But hundreds of years ago with the incredibhle ability to bypass time. To open it, one requires the twelve Gold Keys of the Zodiac. For years, I scoured the earth searching for them, having believed them lost in Fairy Tail's demise. However, this year, with Lucy and Yukino at last in the same place, I could accomplish my plan."

"You still haven't said what exactly your plan is," Gajeel grumbled.

"To travel back in time and defeat Zeref before he could achieve his immortality," Arcadios said. "To kill him and ensure that Acnologia is also never created."

Kai's ears perked up at that. "You really think you can do that with the Eclipse Project?"

Arcadios grimaced. "The gate has been opened once before, fourteen years ago. I'm not sure what happened, but I'm sure that it works."

Fourteen years ago? Kai, Natsu, Gajeel, and Wendy all exchanged peculiar looks. It was fourteen years ago that the dragons vanished. Could it be that the dragons somehow went back in time?

Zirconis knew of Kairi, but, Kairi watched Kai grew up not that long ago. Perhaps dragons just had incredibly long lives—after all, he knew of Acnologia, whom Kai's father four hundred years ago also knew of.

Or, maybe Ichigo used the Eclipse Gate and jumped to to the present…no, but that didn't make sense either. Kai would've been born already.

"On July 7, two days from now, there will be an eclipse that will gives us the proper circumstances to activate the gate with the power of the Zodiac."

There again. July 7, the day that the dragons originally vanished. This couldn't be a coincidence.

"Lucy," Aracadios said, stepping forward. "You hold in your pockets the ability to change history. To destroy the two greatest threats to the entire world. Think of how many lives have been claimed by these two alone. Think of how many you can save—"

"That's enough, Arcadios!"

Everyone spun around, only to be flanked by dozens of armor soldiers headed by a small old man with his arms folded behind his back.

"Darton!" Arcadios exclaimed. "What do you think you're doing?"

"You've made a grave error showing this to outsiders."

"These are not outsiders, they are the ones who will bring forth the Eclipse Plan!"

'This project was a gamble from the start," Darton said, pointing an accusatory finger at Arcadios. "Revealing this to others has only endangered things more. This is the end of the Eclipse Plan, Arcadios. I'll not have you gambling with history and time on the line. Men, arrest he and Yukino for treason!"

The soldier advanced. Fairy Tail did nothing until, "And take Lucy Heartfilia in as well, she's too dangerous."

"Dangerous?" Natsu burst. "I'll show you dangerous!"

He raised a fist to ignite into flame but nothing happened.

"What's going on?" Erza asked.

Kai tried to summon his magic but nothing happened with that, either.

"I can't use my magic!" Kai exclaimed.

Darton chuckled. "The Eclipse has a wide radius of anti-magic. So long as you stand within it, you're powerless."

Kai lowered his hand to his sword. "We'll see about—"

Erza quickly grasped his arm to stop him from drawing the blade.

"Let us leave in peace," Erza said. "We'll go quietly."

"But Erza, what about Lucy?" Wendy asked.

Titania and Lucy shared a look. Erza smiled at her, and Lucy, somehow, managed to calm down.

"We're not here to make enemies of the kingdom," Erza said. "If this is the will of the king, then we'll have to trust them to handle it."

"I don't buy it," Natsu said. "How do we know they won't use this for something else?"

Erza started as the soldiers parted. "Because if they do they'll have made a grave error. Right, Darton?"

Darton didn't even bother looking up at Erza—he was far too afraid the power warrior woman. Instead, he said,

"The King has taken quite a liking to your guild. Should you win the Grand Magic Games tomorrow, I'm sure Lucy's freedom will be arranged. At that time, the Eclipse situation will also have diffused."

"You're making a mistake, Darton, this list he chance of a lifetime!" Arcadios shouted.

"Maybe," Darton said. "So, Fairy Tail, decide. Free Lucy, or fight us and risk changing time forever."

Everyone froze. The soldiers around them tensed. Darton held his hand behind his back. Arcadios struggled against his bonds while Yukino and Lucy did not resist, instead, they waited to see what Fairy Tail would do.

"Let's go," Erza said, and beckoned her guild mates to her, following Titania back out the way they came.

Natsu was the first to burst into a furious tirade once they were back with the rest of the guild, explaining the situation to Makarov and First Master Mavis, who watched him with indifferent eyes. Erza waited until he was done to come in with a bit more of a level head.

"It's a risk either way," Erza said.

"We can't trust they'll actually let Lucy go," Gajeel said. "I hate to say it, but I'm sort of with Salamander on this one. If the King has other plans for Eclipse, they've got everything they need right now."

"So, what, we just march on the castle and attack them?" Gray asked. "That's a great way to get kicked out of Fiore."

"We'd win," Natsu said.

"We did not come to Crocus to assault His Majesty," Makarov said. "But you're right. None of this sits well with me. Give me and First Master some time to think this through."

"I can't sit around and wait like this, Gramps," Natsu said. "Lucy needs our help now!"

"You will!" Makarov shouted. "Natsu, trust in us now, not the kingdom!"

That shut him up pretty effectively.

What was meant to be a day of rest, then, quickly turned to a day riddled with anxiety. Kai sat with some others in the building for basically the entire day as they all muddled around rumors for what was really going on, worrying about what they could be doing with Lucy.

He finally stepped out to get a bit of fresh air for a second with Iggy and they stopped at a small restaurant, though both hardly shared any words. Iggy was probably worried a lot about Erza, while Kai's thoughts continued to dwell on what Zirconis said and trying to pair it up with his father.

He also wondered if Jellal knew anything about this. Could the Eclipse be what Jellal was hunting for all along? Arcadios mentioned that they'd been using it to gather magic from the Games, and Jellal only noticed it around the time of the Games. But, Jellal said it was magic similar to Zeref, not a magic to stop Zeref.

Iggy tried to comfort him and it didn't really work.

He arrived back in the apartment that night to a hesitant Erza. They made love under the moonlight again to try and bring comfort to one another, falling into one another's embrace, drinking in the worry of one another's expression to turn it to hope, that which fueled their blood every day.

In the morning, feeling a bit better, both joined the guild downstairs, where Makarov, at lasts stood before all of them.

"Today marks a momentous day for our guild," he said. "Today, we have an opportunity unlike any other. We can once more reclaim our spot at the top of the totem pole of Fiore...all the while injuring the wrath of the kingdom."

Everyone perked up at that. What'd he mean by that?

"Today, for the Grand Magic War Game, I am sending Laxus, Gajeel, Gray, Erza, and Juvia into battle."

That sent a ripple throughout the crowd. Makarov stepped down and ushered Natsu over to him, who didn't seem all that perturbed. Kai and Erza also met in the corner to discuss.

"Any idea what this is?" Kai asked.

"A good plan," Erza said. "I've a feeling that Natsu is probably going to be sent to save Lucy."

She gestured, and Kai followed it. Mirajane, Wendy, and the Exceeds also stood nearby.

"A prison break team," Kai muttered.

"Everyone's focus is going to be on the Games today, since it's the final event, and it's lasting all day," Erza said. "Nobody will be watching the castle. At least, nobody is major importance."

Kai nodded in realization. "Because you sucked up so much to Darton."

"They believe we'll wait," Erza concluded.

Kai sighed, then, took Erza's hand into his own. "So it's on you to keep up the distraction."

"Our responsibility is doubly important, yes." But there were cracks in Erza's armor. In fact, she wasn't even wearing it, instead wearing more a kimono-style outfit with a katana at her side, one similar in make to Kai's. "But I'm still not concerned about it."

"You shouldn't be. You took out a hundred monsters a few days ago. What's a few dozens wizards?"

They shared a smile and then a kiss.

"Good luck," Kai said. "I love you."

"I love you too." She stepped aside. "And don't do anything foolish, Kai."

Kai nodded and Erza joined her team.

The five contestants headed out while the others snuck out. Makarov led the rest of the guild in a cheer and they all marched out together. Kai snagged Millianna by the arm.

"Come on, we have something we need to do," he said, and she followed him out the back way, the same route as Natsu and the others.

Kai quickly caught Mill up to speed on the proceedings, as well as his theory that Eclipse had something to do with Jellal. Millianna couldn't help smiling at the mention of Jellal, and her smile only got wider when he said,

"I need you to find Crime Sorciere and catch them up on all of this, too. We need to have them watching the castle, not the Games right now."

"And what about you?" Mill asked.

"Erza said the Games will take all day today. I want to use hat to my advantage. I'm going to sneak in and see if I can't find Darton and make sure he isn't scheming something, too."

"Kai, shouldn't I be the one sneaking around?" Mill asked. "You know, the cat?"

"Good point, but, you're also pretty noticeable," Kai said. "I think people would take notice of the guard walking around with a tail sticking out behind them."

Millianna purred out a laugh. "Fine, I'll see Jellal if I have to."

"Don't distract him."

Millianna shook her tail. "I'll do my best." She purred, sensually, then bounded off, away from Kai. He sighed, then, glanced in the direction of the castle.

Dusk arrived faster than he'd anticipated. He did a stakeout for most of the day, listening in on the Games as they proceeded onward. He waited until the right time before strike, taking down a guard and stealing their outfit. He still clipped his katana to his outfit but held his lance like the guard had and approached the others.

There were far fewer guards in the castle, probably since most of them were out at the games or, maybe, dealing with the carnage Natsu and the others were sewing at the games.

Kai passed a viewing lacrima showing Erza squaring off against Minerva. He grimaced, and while butterflies fluttered around in his heart, he knew she would be okay. She would beat that vile woman.

He had his own part to play. He continued on through the castle, getting quite lost until he found another retinue of guard to follow behind. Kai stopped when they did, taking up position outside another room. It was a dreadfully short time before they moved on again and he could continue.

Some raised voices came from the corridor.

A woman with green hair marched in front of another slew of guards, each in much prouder and better armor than Kai's. She was quickly followed by Darton, grabbing Kai's attention and he followed right after Tham.

The woman stopped short and spun around to bark something at Darton, about a Death Squad or something, before she asked the guards to let her be for now.

She slipped into the room and Darton scoffed.

Kai approached as the guards scattered. Much as he wanted to follow Darton and figure out what he was arguing about, this woman mentioned a Death Squad. Did she send assassins after Natsu and the others.

The other guards waited by her door. She had to some someone pretty important. Kai approached, both guards eyeing him.

In a flash he kicked out, taking one down and silenced the other with a jab of the rounded end of the lance.

Kai rested a hand on the door. Unlocked, probably thanks to the guards outside. He checked it just to be sure, then spun into the room, alight from candles.

He stopped and dropped the lance, putting his arms up as the woman with green hair, still wearing her cloak, raised a sword at him.

"Darton sent you, didn't he?"

"I don't even know who you are. I just wanted to see what you knew about the Death Squad."

"For Fairy Tail?"

Kai grit his teeth. "Why would you do that?"

"They're thieves and threats to my kingdom," the woman said.

"Your kingdom?"

The woman, who had a rather regal appearance, was at last identified by Kai. He sighed and removed the helm from the guard, tossing it aside.

"You're the princess."

"And you're sneaking around my palace. Who are you?"

"My name is Kai Hope," Kai said. "I'm a Fairy Tail wizard. I want to follow Darton and see what he knew of the Eclipse Plan."

"You know of that?"

Kai tilted his head and stepped further into the room. Hisui lowered the blade, now curious by what Kai was saying, not doubt.

"Arcadios explained it to us. He wants to use it to defeat Zeref."

"That's…that's not what's going to happen."

"What do you mean going to happen?" Kai asked. "Do you know, somehow, what else the Eclipse can do?"

"I want to use it for something else," Hisui said. "But I won't tell you. You've snuck into my room, my palace you—"

The door creaked open behind them, revealing the silhouette of a man, and a very familiar scent to Kai.

"It's fine, Hisui. We can trust him. He's my son. He'll stand alongside us once we explain things."

From the shadows of the hallway, into the princess's room, walked Ichigo Nakamura. Kai's father.

"We have a lot to talk about, Kai," Ichigo said. "Tonight, we're going to change everything."