Lyon collapsed against a rock, crying out in anguish. His leg was badly damaged. He knew he wasn't going to get very far.

Beside him, Sherry was breathing hard. Her back had been melted by one of Nembus's attacks.

"We can't hold them off," Toby said, "The Royal Guard has all but been wiped out. They've made it through our first 2 defense lines. What are we going to do?"

Aquarius had returned. She sent another tidal wave down the field, wiping out more demons. It seemed like every wave took out thousands of demons, but there'd be more demons coming to take their place within minutes.

Pisces soared through the sky, attacking from above. Cancer and Scorpio tag-teamed as they shot off their various attacks. Taurus had charged ahead directly to the demon line, slashing demons left and right.

Nembus was still coming. No matter how far Lamia Scale retreated, Nembus kept up his slow, steady pace. Sherry sent doll after doll after him, her attacks little more than annoying to Nembus. Ooba was still passed out.

Lyon created an ice field, spiking icicles out of it. They were successful in slowing the army of demons down, just not stopping them.

Nembus roared, shattering Lyon's ice field. Lyon didn't hesitate, creating another one.

"We need to lead them away from Hargeon," Lyon said slowly, knowing the residents of both Hargeon and Margaret Town were huddled closer to Margaret Town, "Let's change direction. Let's try to get to Magnolia."

"That's asinine!" Sherry yelled, releasing another two dolls, "We'll never make it! It's too far!"

"We'll be unprotected!" Toby yelped.

Yuka nodded, "No, it's a good plan. We can make it. We'll keep running and the demons will follow. We know the road like the back of our hands. If we can make it to Magnolia, Fairy Tail help us take Nembus down."

Glancing at each other and realizing that it was the only plan they had, the mages changed direction.


Sting moaned, stirring in the cot he'd been laid on upon his arrival to Tenrou Island. He was aware of the acute pain wracking his body first and foremost. It was excruciating. Second, he realized he couldn't open his eyes.

"Sting!" a lovely, musical voice exclaimed.

"Yukino?" he asked, reaching out blindly, "Is that you?"

She grabbed his hand, hugging it to her chest, "It's me, Sting."

"How long have I been sleeping?" he muttered, a hand pressed against his forehead. He had a migraine.

"2 days," Yukino answered, "The longest two days of my life."

Memories flooded back to him, "I survived," he said in wonder.

She chuckled, "Yeah, Sting, you did."

"But I failed," he stated in a low tone, "Crocus…it's gone."

"But we're all still alive," a new voice said.

"Rogue?"

"Yeah, Brother. It's me," Rogue took his other hand, squeezing it.

"Why can't I see anything?" Sting asked, trying to get to a sitting position. He felt Rogue's arm around his back, helping him.

His companions were quiet for a moment, sending Sting's heart racing.

"What happened?" he asked finally, "Where's Sera?"

"Sera's safe," Yukino assured him, "Sera's with Minerva. We wanted to make sure you could rest. She was all over you when she first saw you."

"What happened?" he repeated.

"We're on Tenrou Island," Rogue told him, "The Celestial army moved us here after Crocus was destroyed. No civilian casualties at all, Sting. You did well."

"King Tomo," Sting whispered. One hand made its way up to his eyes. Heavy bandages were wrapped around them, "My eyes."

"We couldn't save one of them," Yukino said softly, tears evident in her voice, "Sting, the Celestial medics did all they could. They saved the other eye, but we're not sure how well you'll be able to see."

"What else?" he asked, figuring he might as well get the full report.

"Your left leg was badly mangled. The Celestial medics were able to straighten it. It will heal. You have some broken ribs and nasty bruises, but overall, you are one lucky bastard," Rogue said.

They'd also been able to help heal some of the pain Rogue was in from losing his arm. They had been amazing.

"What's the status of the war?" Sting asked, trying to get past the bad news he'd just heard. He'd lost an eye…the other was damaged. Would he be able to see again? Could he walk?

"We don't know," Rogue stated, "The Zodiacs and what's left of the Royal Guard have gone to lend their powers."

"We have to go!" Sting tried to get up, desperately ignoring the pain in his body, "Princess Hisui needs our help."

"You're not going anywhere," Yukino told him firmly, "Probably for a very long time."

He collapsed back down to his back. He had no strength.

Her voice choked up again, "I almost lost you."

"Yukino," he whispered, "I'm sorry."

She crawled onto his good side and curled into his body, sobbing lightly, "You can never leave me again," she whispered.

"Okay," he whispered back, stroking her hair, "I promise."


Lucy was resting on her cot, trying to ignore the pains that wracked her belly. She knew it was tension. Baby Dragneel was moving constantly. He was as restless as she was.

Beside her cot, Baby Enna was crying. Evergreen was doing her best to calm Everden and Enna at the same time.

Hisui sat on a nearby cot, reading to the children of Magnolia that had gathered at her feet, including little Asuka, who had been placed in Hisui's care.

She was reading about children who were protecting a village that some bad men wanted to rampage.

"Are we going to die?" Asuka asked Hisui, placing a hand on top of the book and forcing her to pause the story. Hisui put the book down, smiling at the little girl. She picked Asuka up and placed her on her lap, "No, we're not going to die," she promised, "Now how about you go play for awhile?"

The children dashed off to the other end of the cave.

"I wish we knew what was going on with the outside," Kinana sighed heavily, "Do you think the demons are attacking yet?"

"Undoubtedly," Lucy said in a low voice, "It's almost like I can feel the tension in the air. Something huge is about to happen. I don't have a good feeling."

Kinana nodded, thinking about Asuka's question. It was the same question echoing throughout the entire cavern.

Lucy keeled over, holding her stomach again as pain sprang across it again, "Shh," she whispered to Baby Dragneel, "Don't worry. Daddy is out there. He won't let anything happen."

As if the unborn baby could understand, he settled slightly. The pain, however, did not.

Please be okay, Natsu. Please hurry.

Suddenly a bright luminescent light filled the cave. Lucy, Kinana and Hisui shielded their eyes, as did the Magnolia villagers.

The light cleared and Lucy looked up, realizing what had just happened.

"Atria?"

Atria smiled and Lucy was once again reminded of her extreme beauty. Her platinum hair extended down to her knees, a white dress hugging her body.

"Hello Lucy, Hisui."

"What are you doing here?" Hisui hissed, "You're going to scare the people!"

Indeed, the people of Magnolia were watching her, amazed at the vision before them. The children who were playing stopped and stared.

"People of Magnolia," Atria said, extending her arms, "I am Atria, Queen of the Celestial Realm. Do not be afraid. I'm here to speak with Lucy and Princess Hisui."

The people paused, remembering the celebration several months back that the Celestial King had thrown…the Celestial ribbons of rainbow that danced down from the skies to celebrate the return of the Queen.

"What's going on out there?" someone yelled.

"Is the war over?" another shouted.

"Who is she, Mother?" a small child was heard asking, "How did she get in here? The doors are sealed shut."

"The war is not over," Atria told them, "But it will be. As we speak, Magnolia forces are fighting."

She turned to Hisui and Lucy, guiding them to the front of the gates where they could be somewhat out of earshot. The people of Magnolia continued to stare, whispering amongst themselves.

"The King himself is on his way to confront the demon forces," Atria told them, "I came to help Hisui remember. Remember your place, Hisui."

"I know my place," Hisui said quietly, "I am Princess of Fiore. My place is with the people."

"You are the Celestial Princess," Atria reminded, "You may not have grown up where you should have, but that doesn't change who you are. Please stop fighting us, Hisui. Think about your roots. Remember your childhood. Think about your father and I."

"I have no memories of that life," Hisui protested.

"Yes you do," Atria said, fondly running a hand down Hisui's face. She leaned forward, placing her forehead against Hisui's, transferring her thoughts to her daughter.

FLASH

"Like this, Daddy?" Hisui asked. She was holding her hands together, gathering energy.

"Yes, my girl – exactly like that!" The King laughed in delight, "You are a quick learner, Hisui!"

FLASH

She was playing on the floor, a young Loke beside her. He was showing her how to make rainbows with her hands.

"Don't do it like that!" Loke was saying, "Use your fingers!"

"Mooomma! Loke's being bossy."

FLASH

"I love you, Momma."

"I love you too, Hisui."

"Momma, one day, will I be as beautiful as you?"

Atria grinned, "One day, you will surpass me. You'll be the most beautiful being in the universe.

FLASH

Hisui looked up, memories still transferring from her mother to her.

"Why?" she asked, tears brimming her eyes, "Why do you keep pushing yourselves on me? I don't want that life. I have a life and I have my own purpose – to serve the people of Fiore."

Atria nodded, "Yes. That is your purpose. But in order to remember your power, you need to remember your early life."

"I don't understand," Hisui said, backing away, "What are you trying to tell me?"

"You've always known you're a Celestial mage," Atria said softly, "But you've forgotten your power as a Celestial Princess."

Hisui stared at her, confusion and fear clouding her eyes.

Atria ran another hand down her daughter's face, "Protect the people, Hisui. No matter what happens, know that your father and I are very proud of what you've become. Don't deny who you are. Embrace it and the power to save the people will flow through you."

She turned, grabbing Lucy's hands, "Lucy," she said, giving the girl a hug overtop of her belly. She stroked the tummy momentarily, "You should consider naming him Corwyn. It means Friend of the heart."

Atria gave them both a loving smile, blowing kisses to both of them. She disappeared in a flash of light.

Lucy hugged Hisui as she dissolved into pile of emotion.

"I don't know what that means!" she said into Lucy's shoulder.

Lucy was still staring at the light particles, floating down to the ground where Atria had disappeared, "In my experience," Lucy said softly, "Atria does everything for a reason. You'll know when the time comes."

Hisui found it hard to find comfort in the Lucy or her mother's words. She was alone. Crocus was gone. Tomo was gone. The war was heating up and becoming deadlier by the moment. And there wasn't a thing she could do about it. At the moment, she couldn't see comfort in anything.