Sting was flinging every attack he knew at the giant demon called Alpheratz. Alpheratz let out small energy balls, blowing up segments of the castle. None of Sting's attacks were having an effect. Alpheratz simply kept coming. Sting's Dragon Roars seemed to bounce right off of him. The rest of the Royal Guard attacked the smaller demons, leaving himself and Tomo to take on Alpheratz. Tomo had graduated from pumpkin bombs and gone back to his vine attacks, attempting to weave the vines around buildings then the demon's feet in an attempt to trip him. Alpheratz was undeterred and he continued stalking toward the castle, throwing attacks with devastating consequences as he came.

"How in the hell do we take that thing down?" Sting yelled, "We're doing well with the other demons. The biggest problem is quantity, but the Royal Guards are doing well. That THING is the problem!"

Tomo nodded. Even though they were 3 feet away from each other, yelling was necessary. The war noises were loud. Tomo considered their options, because his magic and Sting's weren't getting them anywhere.

Alpheratz halted his advance a mere hundred metres away from the castle walls.

Sting felt panic course through his veins as he realized Alpheratz was gathering energy. He extended his arms to his side, black energy flowing between his great big palms. Sting had seen the damage small energy balls could do…a larger energy ball could potentially level the castle.

Tomo watched as several other demons decimated the Royal Guard at the foot of the castle, now storming the castle walls. The castle entrance was shut tight. To save time, they climbed like spiders up the sides of the castle.

"Sting, my boy," he said finally, "There is only one thing that will take Alpheratz down."

Sting didn't like the tone in his voice.

"He's powering up!" Sting yelled to Tomo, "Whatever you're going to do, you need to do it soon!"

Tomo closed his eyes. Bright orange light started to glow over his body.

Sting started smashing at the demons now coming over the castle walls, entering Dragon Force as he and several of the Guards began hand-to-hand combat with the intruding demons.

Sting glanced back at Tomo, still powering up. He saw Alpheratz was doing the same. Royal Guards flanked him as he attacked again, and again, and again. He cringed as a demon slashed a Guard right beside him. The Guard fell. Sting threw a Dragon Roar directly into the demon's face, finishing it.

Tomo's eyes were open now, orange light glowing around his body. He spoke his voice calm.

"Sting, thank you for all your years of loyal service. Take care of your beautiful wife and daughter. Please tell my daughter I love her," he said simply.

"Your Majesty – what the hell are you talking about?" Sting yelled at him, eyes wide open in alarm, "What the hell are you going to do?"

At that same moment, Alpheratz let go of his dark energy ball. It came at an alarming rate. Tomo launched himself into the air, bolting at lightning speed through the energy ball. The energy ball split, hitting to the left and right of Sting's position. An enormous explosion rocked the walls of the castle, the East side completely collapsing. Tomo slammed into Alpheratz's body at rocket speed and exploded. The demon let out a roar as his body disintegrated. The explosion reverberated out at an alarming speed, decimating every demon in its' path. It reached the castle walls, exploding the outskirts and everything within its' path.

"GET DOWN!" Sting screamed, diving to the ground.

He felt the force of the explosion envelope him, searing heat wracking his body as it threw him several metres. Pain shot through him as he slammed into a rock wall, collapsing to the ground.

And then there was absolute silence.


Yukino glanced around her make-shift bed at the people of Crocus. It had been days inside the fortress. Some people took leadership rolls, ensuring the rations were equally distributed. Others stepped up to take care of the sick. A violent flu was running through the cavern. Those who helped the sick could not get rid of the disgusting smell. There was nowhere to get rid of it. The other Sabertooth members were getting anxious. Rogue would have been unable to fight, but Orga, Rufus, and Minerva recovered from their injuries somewhat quickly and regretted that they were now stuck inside the mountain rather than outside with Sting. They helped with the distribution of rations and kept order whenever someone got a little too rowdy.

They could hear the loud booming outside. Sometimes it shook the mountain. There was no doubt the Crocus was under attack. And whoever was attacking them had breached the city limits. Citizens embraced each other, sometimes crying out as piles of dirt would shake loose from the cave roof. It was well-built, however. Yukino had no doubt about that.

Yukino tried to play with the children as often as she could. The parents welcomed the break and Yukino welcomed the distraction. Little Sera clung to her wherever she went, unwilling to let her mother out of her sight. That was okay with her. She didn't want Sera out of her sight either. She cried forlornly and nothing Yukino could do would comfort her.

"Fro is scared too," the little Exceed curled up in Rogue's good arm with Lector on the cot beside hers.

"We'll be okay," Yukino said, a lot more confidently than she actually felt.

Sting.

Another boom rocked the mountain.

"Dada!" Sera screamed, hiding her face in her mother's chest.

"He'll come for us soon," Yukino promised.

Minerva sat on Rogue's bed, checking his shoulder. He had lost his arm. They simply didn't have the medical supplies or know-how to save it.

"How's he doing?" Yukino asked.

"I'm fine," Rogue snorted, "It'll take a lot more than losing an arm to bring me down."

A particularly violent tremor shook the mountain. Some people let out screams. Yukino held her daughter close to her chest as the shaking became almost earthquake-like. Larger piles of dirt fell from the ceiling. Sera and many other children started crying. Yukino prayed it would hold as the people were screaming louder.

Then, everything outside was still. There was no more booming outside. Confused citizens glanced around, wondering if whatever was happening outside was finally over.

Yukino glanced to the gate doors. Sting had promised he would come get them when it was safe again. She promised herself to be patient. He had never let her down before.

Rufus and Orga joined Minerva facing the gate, magic ready.

"Is it over?" whispers rippled through the cavern.

Sting.


The Celestial King forced the Seeing Pool to go dark. Spirits murmured amongst themselves as they realized what had just happened.

Loke stared him down as the King started walking away from the Pool.

"That's it?" Loke asked, running to stand in front of the King, "Show's over? Go back to business as usual?"

"You are treading on thin ice," the Celestial King warned Loke.

"And you told me Crocus wouldn't fall!" Loke shot back.

The much larger Celestial King stared Loke down, "I already told you I'll intervene. But it'll be at the right moment. Tomo successfully stopped the attack on Crocus."

"AT THE COST OF HIS OWN LIFE!" Loke yelled, "And Crocus is destroyed! Decimated!"

"You've just crossed the line," the Celestial growled, reaching a hand out, "Guards, take Loke somewhere secure. I don't want to see him for a long while."

Two Celestial Royal Guards ceased Loke by the arms.

"No," a small voice said beside him.

The Guards loosened their grip on Loke, who shook their hands off his shoulders, then turned to listen to Queen Atria.

The Celestial King gazed down at his wife, who gently held his arm, "Loke's right. We need to intervene. The demon army will regroup and start ransacking other cities in Fiore. If Crocus has fallen, the other cities will be easy to bring down. Or at least easier. This isn't just about Hisui and you. All of Fiore is now at risk. Please. Do something."

The Celestial King watched his wife's eyes as they filled with tears. He glanced around at the spirits, all standing still, all staring at him.

"Okay," he said quietly. He glanced at Loke, pointing a shaking finger, "YOU spend too much time with Fairy Tail. Talking back to me like that…"

"I'm sorry," Loke said sincerely.

The Celestial King waved his hand, bringing up a virtual map of Fiore, "Alright, listen up! Here's what we're going to do."


"Excellency," a demon bowed before Andromeda. He was covered in rotting flesh from his wounds, "I bring news from the battle of Crocus."

"How goes it?" Andromeda asked, fully anticipating the news.

"The majority of our army sent to Crocus is gone now," the demon reported, "And Alpheratz has fallen. But you will be pleased with the result. King Tomo has perished and Crocus has fallen as well."

"Well, that's great and all," Andromeda smacked the demon, sending him flying to the ground, "but your mission was to get the princess! Where is the princess?"

"They evacuated the city beforehand, Sire. She's not in Crocus," the demon said, backing away as he realized this would not please his Master.

"Get out of my sight," Andromeda hissed, "You're pissing me off."

Andromeda waved his hand in the air, instantly vaporizing the demon.

An evil smile plastered his gnarled lips as he leaned back in his throne as he turned to the demons surrounding him, the survivors that had attacked Crocus, "So the Princess wants to play hide and seek, hmmm? I think it's time to force my dear brother out of his little sanctuary. Nembus!"

A demon stepped up to the forefront. He was not as big as Alpheratz, but very wide in stature bowed before him.

"You're up," Andromeda told him, "I want you to hit Hargeon. No survivors. Bring me that Princess."

Nembus smacked his fists together, laughing like a maniac, then disappeared as ordered.

"Omicron!" Andromeda bellowed. A tall, muscular demon appeared before him. Beside him, flying around his head, was an orb of sorts, "Your assignment is Magnolia."