Makarov had the citizens of Magnolia filtering into the tunnels below Fairy Tail. The wall used to protect the city when Gildarts came home now served as a protective barrier, four more of the same kind of walls surrounding the city. Like Crocus, runes outlined the edges of Magnolia. They had done a good job. Magnolia would put up a good fight if it came to it. Makarov had called the other guilds as the King requested and assumed they were preparing for full-scale evacuations as well.

Natsu lead his wife, Hisui, Renault, and Pheo down the corridors to their basement hideaway in virtual silence. Around them, they could hear citizens panicking, crying, and praying.

"There's no sign of trouble around the perimeter at this time," Warren was reporting to Makarov.

"Very good," Makarov told him, "But your team needs to stay vigilant. When the time comes, we need every capable mage ready."

"Understood!" Warren saluted Makarov, then scampered off.

"Natsu," Makarov greeted him. He smiled at Lucy's ever-growing belly, "I'm glad to see you're all safe and sound.

"Gramps, why are we evacuating now if there's no sign of trouble?" Natsu whispered, hoping Hisui and Lucy wouldn't be able to hear.

"Crocus is under attack," Makarov said grimly, "And when they don't find Hisui there, they will be taking their search to other cities."

"Does that mean…" Natsu's voice trailed off, thinking of his comrades.

"Yes," Makarov replied, "Or at least most likely. They've failed."

Natsu's face went white and he froze, unable to process the information, "Oh Mavis. I should have been there. I should've gone too."

"Don't beat yourself up, boy. There was nothing you could do. You need to protect your wife," Makarov gestured to Laxus, who was herding people inside the shelter.

"Laxus – how goes the evacuation?"

"Going good, I think," Laxus replied, "Almost all citizens are out of the city now."

"Good," Makarov turned to Lucy, placing an uninvited hand on it, "Hello Baby Dragneel!"

He got kicked. A smile lit up his old face, "Oh Lucy…he's a strong one!"

"Of course he is," Natsu snorted, "I'm his daddy! Anyway, Makarov. I assume you want me to safely check Lucy and Hisui in and get my ass out to the defense lines."

"Actually," Makarov turned to Natsu, "I want you to settle the ladies in and look after them. I'm going to take Renault and Pheo, assuming of course that you're alright with that, Princess Hisui."

She nodded.

"Alright then," Makarov smiled, "Godspeed to all of you. Natsu, it will be up to you to protect the people if all else fails. Do you understand?"

Natsu nodded, his fists shoved in his pockets so as to not show how angry he was. Obeying Makarov for now, he herded the ladies into the shelter, looking for a pair of bunk beds together so that they could lie down and try to sleep.

"It's killing you, isn't it?" Lucy asked, noting the expression on Natsu's face.

"What is?" he muttered.

"The fact that no one knows what happened to our friends. The fact that Crocus is now under attack."

He nodded. There was no sense in lying to her.

"All I can say," she said softly, kissing him lightly on the lips, "Is for once, I'm glad you're not in the middle. I need you. Baby needs you. Hisui needs you. Thank you. Thank you for staying."

He nodded again, but didn't feel it. A deep burn coursed through his veins. He'd only felt it a few times before. Gulping, he suppressed the feeling as best as he could, walking ahead so she couldn't read his face.

"Your comrades…" Hisui said, watching Natsu's retreating back, "It bothers him."

"It bothers me too," Lucy admitted, "And in the old days, Natsu and I would be halfway to the dungeons of Hell to rescue them. Or already down there with them because we wouldn't have refused the mission. But things are different now. I need him here with me."

"You know it won't take much to push him over the edge," Hisui warned.

Lucy sighed heavily, "I know Natsu better than anyone else alive," she stated, "I know he'll get to that edge. And I know he'll go. It's not in his nature to sit back and let things happen. Plus, as scared as I am, I know that Natsu has a destiny. I won't interfere with it. When the time comes, I have to let him go."


The demons had forced their way through the main wall after choosing new places to break through. Tomo proceeded with his next attack – a barrage of pumpkin bombs.

Sting watched with interest, impressed with the King's hidden talents. Single-handedly, the King had managed to kill at least three dozen large demons and countless smaller ones. Some of the buildings near the front of the city were destroyed, but if Tomo could stop the attack at the gates, it was a small price to pay.

Waving his hands in a calculated pattern, the King's magic emerged strong vines from the ground, creating a new barrier for the demons to force their way through. The demons were having a hard time dealing with his magic and Sting found himself almost amused. Around him, the Royal Guard held their positions, unwavering.

It was several minutes later when the ground shook, knocking them all off balance.

"What's happening?" Sting asked.

"Playtime is over," Tomo stated.

A horrendous roar shattered several windows in town. Chills went down Sting's neck.

They waited.

The wall broke through in a single smash 60 feet to the left of the main gates. The entire gap was immediately filled with a humongous demon, the demon as large as the 30 foot tall hole he'd just made.

"What the hell is that?" Sting deadpanned.

"That," Tomo said, signaling his men to be ready, "Is Alpheratz. He's Andromeda's largest and most dangerous demon."

They watched as Alpheratz released another blood-curling roar. More windows shattered as he searched the city. Registering that the city was empty, he began smashing buildings as he walked straight for the castle. Lesser demons filed through the wall behind him and Sting had his first inclination of just how many demons were in this army. They had 1000 men. The Demon army was in the tens of thousands.

"Mavis," Sting said under his breath.

"Hold the lines!" Tomo ordered, "Steady!"

He threw another barrage of pumpkin bombs at the monsters, knowing he was going to destroy a part of the city. Demons roared as the bombs exploded on their disgusting, tarry skin. Some demons fell, but the majority kept coming. As good as the King's defenses were, Crocus was slowly being destroyed as the demons made their way toward the castle. They had crashed through miles of city, closing in on the palace from 3 sides.

"Steady!" Tomo called out, "Get ready! Use long range attacks NOW!"

Sting didn't hesitate, unleashing his Dragon Roar amongst the countless other attacks from the Royal Guard. From their perch on top of the castle, Sting was glad they had the higher ground.

It shocked Sting to see that the demons were picking up speed. They crashed through houses and businesses like they were cardboard boxes.

"Why are they picking up speed?" Sting yelled to Tomo.

"They're going to try to crash into the castle," Tomo replied, releasing a new barrage of pumpkin bombs.

Sting threw himself into the long range war, throwing everything he had at the demons. He looked down, noticing the line of Celestial Royal Guards along the bottom of the castle walls. They released their various types of magic, creating barriers and traps.

"We need to take Alpheratz out!" Tomo yelled to him, "Both of us!"

Sting changed the direct of his Dragon Roar, focusing on the gigantic demon.

"This is it, Men!" Tomo yelled, "All out!"

Sting didn't have time to see how his comrades were making out anymore. The battle was now directly in front of him. And now the demons were preparing to fight back. He sent out a silent 'I love you' to Yukino and Sera, took a deep breath, and focused to the core of his soul, unleashing his power in one great burst.