Lyon was running with Ooba thrown over his shoulder, leading the Lamia Scale members toward Magnolia. Sure enough, the demon troops sent to destroy Hargeon took the decoy, chasing them.

What they hadn't counted on was the speed of the demons they were trying to outrun.

It wasn't long before Lyon realized Nembus and his army were completely capable of traveling fast and hard, despite Nembus's outward appearance. He was large and boulder-like. Lyon guessed if he could gain enough speed, he would be like a wrecking ball.

"Such a bright idea!" Sherry yelled sarcastically, "What do we do now, genius? They're not only catching up – they're going to catch us if we don't do something fast!"

Yuka flung an attack behind him, "Not his fault, Sherry. If we'd stayed there, we'd have been annihilated by now!"

"We're going to get annihilated now!" Toby howled.

Lyon groaned, trying not to show the pain he was in between his leg and the weight of Ooba's body over his shoulder.

"Need a ride?" a new voice asked.

They looked around, confused at first, then let out cheers as they realized it was Ren of Blue Pegasus flying in the Christina, directly above them.

"Oh hell ya!" Lyon shouted, "It is good to see you!"

Ren grinned, Eve coming to edge of the ship with a rope ladder. He paused, realizing Ooba would not be climbing a rope ladder anytime soon.

"Ohhh allow me!" Bob said, looking over the edge and seeing the problem. He fluttered his little wings, jumping overboard and took Ooba from Lyon, "Come aboard everyone! I don't think we have a lot of time."

He didn't have to ask twice. The Lamia Scale mages climbed the rope ladder one by one, safely boarding the Christina just as the demons reached their feet. Ren helped Sherry on board personally, his eyes lingering on her face as he greeted her. She blushed, unable to pause for a quick hug as reality crashed back, ruining their moment.

"DON'T LET THEM GET AWAY!" Nembus roared.

The Christina took off at full speed, Hibiki using extra power to get a boost. The demons launched every aerial attack they had and continued their pursuit.

"What are you doing here?" Lyon asked excitedly, slapping Hibiki's back happily.

"We knew that Hargeon was going to be attacked," Ichiya said, joining them on the deck, "Maaaan. It doesn't sit well with us to babysit unattacked towns. At the very least, we can serve as communication between the towns. Maaan."

"Well, we're more than happy to see you!" Yuka agreed.

"Did you see what happened to Hargeon?" Sherry asked, "We ran, hoping to divert the demons from destroying the city, but we have no idea if all the demons or following us or if they split up."

"They did attack Hargeon," Eve said, "But it's minimally destroyed, although there is definite damage. They ran through quickly, realized the Princess is not there, and turned tail to follow Nembus's army."

"I wonder if it's the best plan to continue to Fairy Tail then," Lyon said, "Because if the Princess is there as rumoured, we're basically bringing army reinforcements to the demons."

"That's true," Hibiki said, rubbing his chin, "So what do you say we lead them on a wild goose chase instead? If we keep altering our path by 25° every 7 minutes, we'll miss Magnolia by several hundred miles. They won't catch on to what we're doing until it's too late. In the meantime, we have aerial advantage. We can take out as many of those bastards as possible on the way."

Everyone looked at each other, slow smiles spreading across their faces.

The Christina turned direction, flying off in a different path. The demons followed, not even realizing they'd just been completely duped.


Omicron smashed through the wall with his enormous body, pulverizing it to small rocks. They had made it through all the outside perimeter barriers. The last obstacle before the town lay crumbled at his feet. Demons were already scouring over his feet and into the city.

"We will waste no time!" Omicron bellowed in a deep, raspy voice, "This entrance is unguarded. Destroy everything. Find the Princess. Annihilate anyone who gets in your way."

The demons roared their cheers before spreading out. The destruction of Magnolia had begun…and the unopposed demons were having a hay day, smashing buildings and lighting the city on fire.

"The city has been evacuated, Master," as lesser demon noted.

Omicron nodded, "So I've noticed. There must be a hidden entrance somewhere!" he announced, "It makes no sense that every town is evacuated. I think they're hiding. The demon who finds that entrance will be rewarded."

Again, the demons let out triumphant roars, then spread throughout the city.

Omicron watched, scanning the city for a place that might house the Princess and the people of Fiore. He wanted blood. He craved a massacre.

"Come out, come out wherever you are!" he sing-songed.

He stomped through the city, destroying everything in his path. He paused by a window of an apartment building, wondering what that disgusting smell was. It was stale, but it was there.

Vanilla and Lavender, he realized in repugnance. He smashed the entire building to smithereens.

He came across the large library, close to the centre of town, "Princess Hisui!" he called, "Come out of hiding. Face your imminent death. We promise to make it quick and painful."

He drew back his arms, slamming the library into the ground.

He turned the corner, noting the town hall. In front of it was a little old man. He used a staff to hold his frail body up.

"Who the hell are you, old man?" the demon spat.

The little old man, raised his staff, smacking it on the cement ground, "Someone who's not going to let you pass any further!" he yelled angrily.

"Really?" Omicron said in mocked amusement, "And just how do you plan to stop me before I crush the bones out of your body?"

He reached for the little old man, picking him up with one gnarled hand, "I'm going to squeeze your guts out," he told him, "And then I'm going to paint the town with your entrails."

"Good luck with that," the old man spat, suddenly growing. The demon's hand stretched, then shattered as Makarov grew to his giant attacking size.

Omicron growled. The two were the same height now.

They charged, destroying several buildings all at once. Makarov sighed inwardly. He'd be getting a hefty bill later that month. So much for the 3 year run of not leveling cities.


The Fairy Tail mages were in the throws of battle, destroying demon after demon as they met the demon army. Mira and Elfman had both transformed. Bisca and Alzack sniped demons as they got closer. The Thunder Legion were assaulting every demon they came across – a formidable group, well worth their reputation. Ahead of them, the Dragon Slayers attacked with everything they had, each entering Dragon Force.

Natsu used his newly acquired claws, courtesy of the Dragon Force, to slash opponents as viciously as he could. His anger was getting the better of him, he knew. But so far, he'd managed to keep his resolve and remain calm enough to maintain control of himself.

"Something's not right!" Laxus yelled out, "These are all low-level demons!"

"I agree!" Mira shouted, kicking several demons in the face as she spun rapidly.

Wendy released a Sky Dragon Roar, "There's so many!"

"We're holding the line well," Erik yelled, "We just have to keep going!"

Bisca screamed as one of the demons grabbed her by the hair in a surprise attack from behind. Alzack promptly shot it in the head. Romeo fired an attack at a demon just behind Alzack. Alzack hadn't even realized he was about to be attacked from behind. His eyes wide, he waved his thanks to Romeo, then disappeared into the bush.

Natsu slashed another demon in half, his eyes glowing as red as his fire-lit hands. He agreed. Something wasn't right. He just couldn't figure out what it was…yet.


Lucy and Hisui could hear the booming outside in the town.

"They made it inside the city walls," Hisui said, her eyes widening in alarm.

"Get back!" Lucy screamed, pushing the townspeople further into the cave, "Move away from the walls and stay away from the doors!"

She doubled over in pain.

"Lucy, how pregnant are you again?" Hisui asked.

"Only 6 months," Lucy said, panic in her voice, "It's just stress. Baby Dragneel is still moving on a regular basis."

Evergreen eyed her, "How often are the pains coming, Lucy?"

"It's irregular," Lucy replied, pushing the people as far as they could go into the tunnels.

Evergreen made a mental note of the time of the last pain, praying that they wouldn't be delivering a premature baby in the midst of a battle for their very survival.

Another boom sounded, this one right next to the shelter doors.

The townspeople cried out. Children screamed.

"They're going to find us," Hisui lamented to herself.

Beside her, Lucy turned white, overhearing Hisui's mumble. Kinana covered her face with her hands as another explosion rattled the shelter doors.

"Natsu," Lucy whispered, "Where are you?"