A/N: faster, no? Love everyone who reviewed! I just want to point out that I've not kept up well with the current manga, and that this story deviated from cannon a long time ago. Also, much love to my anonymous reviewers, who I can't properly thank in a PM: Derrick, Christina & Shehawah.

I will warn you. This is war. War is dark. You have been officially warned that things may get graphic/brutal/disappointing/sad.

Happy Reading. Let me know what you think, as always!

~OoOoO~

The Wisterian banner whipped in the wind, their armored bodies sleek and ready to strike at the subtlest of commands. Most had remained unscathed by the first barrage, and Lucy had no doubt they were as formidable as Adie shared. She was saying a silent prayer to any and all gods for Virgo's safety as the ground rumbled and quaked, forcing her to stumble backward. She crouched down, watching the confusion murmur through the throngs of fighters. Their eyes widened in shock and fear, but she didn't have time to explain her impetuous decision.

This is war, she reminded herself.

The Mayor of Wisteria made a quick signal with his hand, and his small but lethal army retreated ever-so-slightly. She hoped that the growing vibration under her feet was a sign of Virgo's success. As if answering her prayers, a cloud of dust kicked up from the base of bluffs. The sucking sound of earth tearing apart preceded the violent shaking of the entire canyon and its near-vicinity. Lucy's eyes widened in disbelief as one of the large rock faces began to tremble—a small rhythmic movement at first, but soon evolving into a steady rocking before toppling into the other bluff.

The air escaped her lungs in a low moan of celebration. She hadn't realized she was holding her breath. She really did it! Thank you Virgo, you are truly a wonder!

The second bluff, unsteady under the weight of the first, began to crumble, two large rock formations lurching forward into the confines of the open ground before them. Whispers of awe broke out behind Lucy, who couldn't help but feel pride at Virgo's success. In what seemed like an eternity, the two stony monuments had been reduced to rubble and boulders, a quickly expanding dust cloud hurtling toward them.

Lucy could barely suppress the excited cry that would have been more of a whooping scream had she allowed it. She hadn't heard Virgo's reappearance behind her, and cried out in surprise at the close proximity of the spirit's voice.

"That was fun!" came the chirp as the spirit clapped her hands together in a gesture of cleansing. Her eye gleamed with mischief.

"Thank you," Lucy murmured her thanks as she collected herself, heart pounding. "You've been a great help. That was awesome."

"I don't know if I have accomplished my task as you had intended...you may want to punish me," Virgo began her usual ramble as others began to piece together the events that had just occurred. Natsu was staring at Lucy, his jaw open in shock. Erza wore a slight smile on her lips. She, at least, didn't seemed surprised. The Wisterian mayor nodded his head in acknowledgment, his forefinger tapping his forehead in a sign of respect.

"I think you did perfectly," Lucy quickly cut in, her mind returning to the horror that was awaiting them. The dust cloud was mushrooming outward and climbing higher, blocking out the sunlight in an eerily foreboding manner. "I meant what I said a few minutes ago, you know."

"Don't mention it, mist—" the spirit stuttered before collecting her thoughts, "Lucy!" She bowed, her pink hair falling in her face from the acrobatics. She did the best to hide her uncharacteristic smile that conveyed as sense of pride and adoration. "If you need me, please call again!"

Before Lucy could say any more, the spirit had disappeared. Lucy felt mildly satisfied as Erza cast a knowing look her way—even Natsu seemed oblivious to the fact that his chin was nearly hitting the ground. Lucy refrained from grinning as murmurs began to spread around her. The feeling of respect that was growing deep within her warmed her to the core. She was no longer the weakest member of Fairy Tail.

"Wait!" Erza yelled, her arm held high as some mages prematurely cheered. "We are not in the clear yet, there may be survivors. It won't be that easy."

Lucy felt herself deflate, if only a little. Erza was right, she most likely only delayed the enemy's attack. But, for her, that was a giant accomplishment. She swallowed the growing lump of fear that had suddenly found its way into her throat. The prospect of death lingered over all, gripping them too closely to its breast.

For what seemed like an eternity, every set of eyes stared expectantly at the rubble and fading dust cloud. No no one spoke, everyone waiting with bated breath for whatever would befall them. A lone body staggered through the billowing particle haze, prompting Erza to raise a silent hand of warning as her ghost-white sword glinted in the sunlight. Before any orders could leave her lips, the creature cast one screech, falling over and convulsing a few times before all movement ceased.

"Holy shit, did Lucy seriously decimate all of those creature?" Lucy thought she could hear Gray say from somewhere behind her. She glanced toward and saw Juvia at his side. Her lip was split, and her badly burned arm exposed to the stale air. The two women locked eyes for a brief second, and Lucy recognized a flicker of a smile. It held a tiny bit of surprise mixed with admiration.

A loud braying noise echoed from somewhere in the chasm of the dust and Lucy spun in time to see a large four-legged creature emerge from the fog. Its head was round with deep-set widely spaced eyes and a large mouth that opened to reveal gums that slid back to unsheath long, razor sharp teeth. Its nearly all-too-skinny appendages easily stomped over the limp lifeless body of the collapsed monster from earlier, and it lowered its mouth, saliva oozing onto the body as the braying creature's tiny wings beat at its side. The disproportionate size of its body parts was nearly hilarious, except for the foreboding feeling tugging at Lucy's core. A long tongue lashed at the dead creature, before wrapping around it and pulling it into the large monster's mouth. Lucy felt sick to her stomach as she watched the event unfold, and saw the robed figure on top of the monster, reigns in hand. The monster reared up, and the hood fell back to reveal a human face.

Other mages.

More creatures appeared through the dust cloud; more riders mounted for the attack. "Gollums," Levy murmured from her nearby. "They have an insatiable appetite, and will eat anything and everything. I wasn't aware they could be tamed, however. Where's that mercenary and his endless supply of explosives?"

"Great," Natsu growled as stray rock goblins made appearances as well.

A few beat their chests, their eyeless smooth heads jerking skyward as their large lower jaws shook with the resonating cry. Some fell like their comrade, but their numbers weren't as staggering as they had earlier appeared. There weren't as many mages as she had expected, but perhaps that was why Ultear created her own army—she couldn't find enough soul-less humans to do her bidding. The numbers were still overwhelming, but Lucy was hopeful the Alliance's dedication to its cause would feed them strength. They had been outnumbered before.

"We should attack before they advance. There's no knowing how many there are." Jura gruffly told Erza. She nodded, her hand still held high. Every move she made could cost lives, even her own.

"I think we should observe their mannerisms, study their weaknesses," Erza replied quickly, shifting on her feet. Not knowing their enemy made her uncomfortable. Her heart was beating in her ears. Jellal felt so near. Was this all Ultear had to offer them? She reminded herself not to underestimate the enemy. Even in small numbers, they could be bested.

Charle swooped down, "That attack killed over half, some mages, too. They are quick and mindless, from what I can see. They eat their own. I felt...others coming...but I can't see them just yet."

"Fine," Erza glanced at Jura from the corner of her eye, resignation on her tongue. "I'll leave it to your call." For the first time in her life, she felt hesitation. Fear. For herself and for her friends...her family.

Jura simply nodded, a large wall of earth fluidly climbing skyward before crashing down in the center of the enemy swarm, forcing them to break apart in confusion, the gollums rearing from surprise. Mages were thrown from the creatures' backs, some scrambling to their feet, others unmoving—likely from the awkward bend to their necks. In contrast, the goblins' eyeless bodies move adeptly; their large, razor-sharp teeth gnashing as they screeched their discontent from their lip-less mouths. The enemy ran toward them, divided and substantially decimated, but convicted in their cause. The sea of dry plains that separated the two sides would bide the guilds time.

It was a bittersweet sight, and Lucy had never been so afraid.

"Ready?" Natsu whispered, once again at her side. She hadn't noticed he had placed himself nearer to her. Lucy nodded, swallowing hard, unspoken feelings urging themselves to her lips. She lost her courage before they could slip from her tongue.

"I'll be right here," he promised her, his eyes ahead as he twitched with anticipation, rocking on the balls of his feet. Lucy closed her eyes, her heart sinking. With a sigh of resignation, she readied herself to whatever fate held in store for them.

"Just go, stupid!" she hissed, recognizing his inability to contain himself.

"Huh?" he looked at her, eyes wide with both confusion and excitement.

"Get out there and kick some monster ass!" Lucy pointed, her cheeks red from her inability to express the tiniest bit of emotion she felt toward him. "If you keep them from making it past the Wisterians, then I'll stay safe, right? Not that I need your help!" she quickly blurted the last part.

Natsu gaped at her for a moment, calculating her words. He looked between the enemy to her, then to Happy. He narrowed his eyes, ready to make an erroneous remark, she was sure. A curt shake of her head and a look of consternation pushed a sly smile across the dragon slayer's face. "Ready Happy?"

"Aye," the cat sprung wings, lifting Natsu into the air. He cast Lucy a knowing, expectant look, forcing her to look away in embarrassment.

"Thanks Luce, you're the best, no wonder I—" his words where cut off as a trumpet blared.

A trumpet? Now? Lucy's mind grumbled.

The advantage of a scattered enemy was enough to prompt the Wisterians to spring into action, their moves deft and full of intent. Lucy had never seen such well choreographed maneuvers, and she gaped as they ruthlessly launched their attack. Within minutes, they had successfully slashed through the right flank of the enemy, their attentions turned to the next wave. The mayor, in all his girth, moved like a lithe dancer, his son gangly yet agile. She was impressed with the troops—they were invaluable assets in this war, undoubtedly. The tall woman with the bow had endless supplies of arrows, though they did not appear to work as well against the gollums, their skin too leathery and impenetrable. The Wisterians quickly learned that weapons into the already open body cavities were better suited maneuvers for killing.

"I suspect," Levy whispered in Lucy's ear, "That they are Erza's relatives."

Lucy swore under her breath, remembering the mayor's earlier words. Their movements were familiar to her, and Levy had filled that missing piece. "It makes sense."

"Totally," Levy was once again thumbing through a book.

"Oh no," Lucy whispered under her breath, eyes widening as she glanced over Levy's shoulder, doing a second take. She ignored the fact that her friend was reading in midst of battle.

"What?" Levy instinctively replied, distracted.

"There's more behind us," her voice cracked in defeat.

Levy turned, her eyes wide with the same fear chilling Lucy's core. She cursed under her breath as she met Lucy's terrified expression.

The battle was truly beginning from all sides All bets were off.

Laxus' mind reeling from everything he was being privy to over the past half-day. This Adassandra's mentor was his grandfather. The father of his mother. His dead mother. He had always suspected something between Makarov and Porlyusica, but this wasn't exactly what he had expected. He was sure there was even more Makarov was not sharing, but the wizened man was weak and frail. He had expended himself too greatly during the attack on Fairy Tail.

Laxus couldn't help but feel guilty he hadn't been there to help. He loved his grandfather dearly, and regretted his earlier transgressions every day of his exile. But he was back now. Too late.

Makarov's plan was suicide. Pure suicide. And he was going to help. If it were his grandfather's dying wish, he would do everything in his power to help him.

"I do have a favor to ask," Makarov had cleared his throat, his eyes on his grandson.

"Grandpa?" he had looked toward the ex-guildmaster.

"Don't try to stop me. Don't intervene. Let fate work in its own way."

Had he been able to read his grandson's machinations that easily? Laxus had merely replied by looking away.

"Promise me."

"Whatever you say," he had muttered, his heart breaking.

Porlyusica had only sighed, "I tried to talk him out of it, if it's any consolation."

"It's not," Laxus had replied.

"I didn't think so," Makarov had replied triumphantly, pushing himself off of his bed and pulling a long robe around his aging body. Scars spoke volumes about the life he had lived protecting the guild. His guild. The elderly mage had looked around, "Shall we go?"

Those memories were now easily shaken away, feeling as if they had occurred years ago, not minutes before. Laxus' eyes fell on the man in front of them as his blood grew cold. Porlyusica's posture stiffened .

Tall.

Foreboding.

"F-Father?" Laxus choked, hoping the sudden fear he was feeling was not reflected in his expression. Makarov said nothing, staring ahead without question, his face unreadable.

"You will let us pass without incident," Porlyusica warned, her hands tightening into bony fists. Her crimson eyes flashed dangerously. A wave of power spread over Laxus. Whatever she was, she was definitely pissed.

"Laxus-chan," Ivan whispered as he stepped toward them. His eyes flickered around the once great hall. For a moment, Laxus felt as if he saw longing in his father's dark eyes. "Long time since I've been here." The corners of his mouth twitched upward in a weak smile, falling short.

"Don't stand in the way," Laxus growled, a sudden anger taking over him.

"Ah yes, last time I was here, I was kicked out for bad behavior." His air of indifference was poorly veiled to Laxus. Had Ivan always been this transparent or had Laxus refused to see his father for the weak man that he truly was? Weak and alone.

"Not another step!" the blonde man warned.

"Or what? Hmm?" Ivan arched a black brow. "You'll fight me?"

"If I have to," Laxus' voice was rising, his former shame of being a constant failure to his father bubbling to the surface. It always came to this with Ivan—making Laxus feel insecure and weak. "I won't disappoint you this time, you can trust in that."

"I'm sure you won't," his eyes regarded his son without the usual loosely hidden disdain Laxus was accustomed to.

"What do you want here?" Porlyusica hissed.

"There appears to be a war," Ivan replied calmly after a few seconds of studying the older woman, "And I'm not sure what side I am to fight on. It appears Ultear's force has taken to the fight without consulting Raven Tail."

The pink-haired mage's jaw clenched, "You are free to do as you wish. We have no need for your selfish plights."

"Selfish..." he ruminated, tugging at his beard. "Yes, I've been called a lot of things, Porlyusica-chan, and that has been one of them."

"Why are you here? Why now?" Laxus breathed through clenched teeth. Ivan remained silent, staring at Makarov. "Answer me!" he demanded.

"He's come to make his peace," Makarov answered. "He's finally accepted his wrongs."

"Wrongs?" Laxus' interest was piqued. He had never heard discussion of his father's exile. He only vaguely remembered the chaos surrounding his life at that time in his childhood.

"Your father," Porlyusica spat, "was a careless man! His recklessness responsible for your mother's—my daughter's death!"

Laxus' eyes widened. His father had a hand in his mother's death? "It's not true." Even if he hated his own father, he refused to believe his mother's death was at Ivan's hands.

Ivan's fists clenched, the only sign that he was wounded by Porlyusica's words. After a few moments, he responded to her claims. "Porlyusica-chan is correct," Ivan cleared his throat, his voice thick. "My weakness made me unable to protect her, and in doing so, she died."

Laxus suddenly felt nauseous. He quickly realized that it was Makarov who was holding him up. "Listen to him, Laxus," the old man whispered under his breath.

"She followed me on some foolhardy mission to save my sister and her daughter's life, and—" he stopped suddenly, his knuckles white as he clenched his fists more tightly, the words failing him.

"And you let her die," Porlyusica whispered her eyes shining with tears. "Your own wife."

"That's not true! You didn't let her die! I won't believe it!" Laxus argued, unsure of where this newfound protectiveness came from. He had an aunt? And a cousin?

Ivan said nothing for some time. When he did, his voice was low and grating, holding an emotion Laxus had never witnessed in the oft intimidating man. The same man he had always sought to please but always seemed to disappoint.

"Indirectly, at best, it's true, Laxus-chan. My weakness put her in danger that I couldn't save her. That very same weakness was what forced to push you—" he shook his head.

"Such a despicable act," Porlyusica growled.

"It was a defensive mechanism," Makarov interrupted softly. He knew that, deep down, Ivan wanted to protect Laxus. To prevent himn from having to deal with the same loss he had. By implanting the lacryma, Ivan believed he was saving Laxus—that he was giving him strength that he never had.

"It was stupid. And careless," the woman spat.

"Unforgivable," Makarov spoke softly. "I had to send you away, my son."

"I was angry. So angry," Ivan continued in agreement, unphased. "That anger spawned hatred and resentment. It caused me disgust looking upon the only living being that loved me unconditionally. Laxus-chan...your mother's eyes."

"What's done is done," Makarov spoke, avoiding Porlyusica's tearful glare.

"I don't live one second without regret for losing Louisa," Ivan suddenly spat, his eyes rimmed with moisture. "If I could go back and change everything, I would. You have no idea how many times I've relived her last moments. How much hate I have carried. How heavy it is to know that, even then, she didn't blame me. Her concern was for our son. Tell Laxus to be strong." His words were becoming bitter, "And I did just that! Laxus-chan is as strong as any of your precious mages—"

Makarov said nothing, and Porlyusica's face grew pale. "Stop that! Stop talking like her!"

Ivan stumbled backward a few steps as she hit him with her fist. He stared at her stonily as his jaw snapped shut, his eyes red and betraying his fatigue. He didn't raise a finger to stop the blood from trickling into his haphazard beard. Laxus thought he was going to vomit, barely able to cope with all that was being revealed. There was too much blame and hatred. His childhood had been filled with it, and he was tired of the negative feelings that continued to brood within him.

"Of all the trash, why you? Why now?" Porlyusica demanded, her voice a wavering hiss. Laxus glanced at her from the corner of his eye. He thought he saw her trembling.

"What are you doing here? Answer her! You owe us that." Laxus' voice boomed.

"I thought, against my much better judgment," Ivan's voice was steady but low, missing the lyrical mocking quality it had always held, "that it was time to settle old scores."

"Three against one is not good odds," Porlyusica raised her chin defiantly.

"A fight? Against me?" he raised a dark brow, "As enticing as I would have found that, there is a war is going on, as I have said. It appears my son has chosen his alliance."

"And what is yours?" Laxus grit his teeth. Had his father come all this way to fight them? Was he part of the dark guilds' faction, truly?

"I have none," he answered simply, "That is my weakness."

"Your weakness, as I recall," Porlyusica snapped, "is that you don't know when to give up. When to quit. Your weakness is that you cannot protect the ones you love, and you only hurt those that you do—"

"That's enough, Porly," Makarov softly intervened. Even if the others couldn't detect it, he knew when Ivan was feeling cornered.

"I will not forget it!" Porlyusica's voice rose in reminder, "He nearly killed our grandchild, did you forget that, Makarov?" She jut a bony finger at Laxus, who was staring in wide-eyed horror.

"Is this..." his mouth was suddenly bone dry, "why you made him leave, Gramps?" Laxus felt familiar claws raking at his innards. A brief flicker of a memory flashed through his head—pale pink hair...soft skin...the smell of lilacs in spring...was that his mother?

"No." Makarov shook his head.

"Yes," Ivan's voice boomed in affirmation. "I was forced to leave because I was a danger to those around me. To you, above all." Laxus stared at him, wide-eyed. His father looked so small and defeated. He was wearied and aged by the demons he was hiding.

"The truth." Laxus demanded.

"He is responsible for the death of your mother," Porlyusica narrowed her eyes, repeating her earlier sentiments. "He cared nothing of her safety—"

"I loved her!" he yelled defiantly. "I tried to protect her!"

"She was pregnant!" Porlyusica screeched. Ivan's eyes grew wide, and Laxus knew his father had no idea of that revelation. His features drained of color and he staggered backward.

"Porly...enough," Makarov's voice rose, his term of endearment shrouded with fatigue. "He has suffered..." His eyes were filled with tears as he watched his son drop to his knees.

"I would have never..." Ivan began, the shadows engulfing his figure. Laxus had never seen his father show any sign of emotion other than disdain. "...let her go."

Ivan' s eyes flickered to Laxus' face, then quickly darted away, shame evident in his features. Laxus couldn't help but wonder why he had never been privy to this information. He had always felt as if his father was disgusted by him. Long ago he had retreated into the shell he had created, feeling as if he was incapable of being loved by anyone but his grandfather. The resentment that settled in had only left him more bitter and more angry.

"I only...wanted him to be strong...as I couldn't be." A tear slipped over his lower lid and trailed down his face. "No one has ever blamed me more than I blame myself."

"She could never blame you," Porlyusica hissed, "You were perfect to her."

"I was far from it," he spit back.

"You could have lived up to those expectations!" Laxus yelled, suddenly shaking all over. His father never answered and Laxus' boots slid across the floor. "You could have been a father! You could have been here with me-with us!"

"I could have been a lot of things, Laxus," Ivan muttered bitterly. Father. Son. Husband. Guildmaster. Friend.

"When instead you chose to be alone and bitter," Laxus whispered, his fists clenched as he lurched forward.

His heart pounded in his ears. Another memory flashed though his mind. His mother's pale skin as she flung her arms around Ivan's neck. Her laughter when he handed her a small gift he had brought her. Laxus remembered clinging to his father's leg before missions. His mother's smile. The smell of her hair. It was through his childish eyes that he procured these stowed memories. He recalled the brief happiness during his childhood, though it never consisted of Porlyusica. She was not a part of his memories.

Ivan's head hung as Laxus approached. He resigned himself to the silent rage he felt was boiling within his son. He didn't know why he had come. Perhaps it was the odd sense of abandonment he felt when his son chose to return to Fairy Tail-Laxus had never rejected his father before.

There was no guild. No others. He was alone, despite his claims of otherwise. Makarov must have known that, which is why he sent Gajeel in the first place—the olive branch that he refused to accept. Makarov had never given up hope on his prepared for the feeling of lightning jolting his bones; a fist smashing his jaw; bones breaking from impact. But, he received none. Instead, he felt a soft hand resting on his shoulder. His eyes widened as he stared at the floor in shock, the uneven planks knotted and dirty.

"I forgive you," Laxus gruffly whispered. It was all he said, but he had said it all. The tears silently cascaded down Ivan's cheeks his son continued to walk past him, footsteps echoing in the empty hall. Makarov and Porlyusica followed the young mage wordlessly.

"It's time to fight," Laxus announced from the doorway. Ivan angled his head to look at this son from the corner of his eye. Makarov and Porlyusica were looking back at him, the older man wearing a knowing smile on his lips as he leaned on the crutch.

"This time, as a family. United." Laxus added, sighing as his gaze flickered outside. "May very well be the only time we have, so stop your yammering for the time being. You're all giving me a headache."

With that, he disappeared through the doorway, never catching Ivan's look of surprise, Porlyusica's disagreeing glare, or Makarov's proud smile.

Lucy could see the enemy's arm descending, and she braced herself for impact. There was no avoiding the blow, though she was ready to spin away—hopefully missing the brunt of it. She yelled and leapt to the side, only to realize the strike never hit its mark.

"Not so fast!" Mirajane growled, her voice low and feral as she stood between Lucy and the enemy. Her body was not her own, as she had transformed into something demon-like. Her scaled forearm blocked an attack that would have likely shattered Lucy's skull. With deft speed, her other hand penetrated the mage's chest, blood spattering the ground behind him as he collapsed, his body seizing. He never had a chance to make the bright stone in his staff cast the spell on his lips.

"Sister! You OK?" Elfman was close behind, his beast arm a remnant of some dark, hairy creature.

"I'm fine," she stared down at the enemy, seething. "Infiltrated so soon? What are we going to do?"

"We need to regroup and stay together, they are trying to separate us," Elfman leaned down to help Lucy stand, "Are you well, Lucy?"

"I-I'm fine!" her teeth chattered as she brushed off the dust, trying not to look at the body Mirajane had just mutilated. "Thank you Mira."

Mira shook her head, "We have to stay together. It's too dangerous, those things can pick us off!" She pointed to the gollum, squinting through the dust as it closed in on them.

Their tiny wings were, much to Lucy's surprise, able to lift them from the ground, though with poor aerodynamics. Lucy screamed as the monster's mouth opened, gums sliding back and showing its rows of teeth. They were coated in blood, and she knew that someone had fallen victim to its jaws. Mirajane easily leapt high, out of the line of sight of the creature's wide-set eyes. She was able to adeptly straddle its neck, locking her arms under its head and quickly jerking upward. The odd angle that the gollum's neck took told Lucy that Mira had successfully killed the beast. She rode the animal as it hit the ground, leaping from its carcass.

"That's my sister!" Elfman boasted, his arm jerking backward and smashing a fleeing member of the opposition in the face. In a cloud of blood, the man's face exploded from the impact to his nose. He fell to the ground, unconscious. Lucy recognized the swirling facial tattoos—a member of some distant for-hire guild.

"She's back. And angry as ever," Elfman smirked as he decided if he should finish off the man. He decided that knocking the enemy out would suffice, much to Lucy's satisfaction.

"I'll say," Lucy whistled, her former insecurity clawing at her gut. She pushed it back to the place she had hidden it. She suddenly found herself very concerned about Natsu. Where had he gone? She must have whispered his name, because Elfman answered her silent thoughts.

"He's over there. He's fine, Lucy!" Elfman assured her as the battle surged around them. The enemy was being pushed back by their small army, and Lucy felt a twinge of hope.

"One of the mages from Oceania can use Minimizing Magic—so hopefully these things will be shrunk to easily handled proportions," Mirajane clapped her hands, returning to her human form, smiling radiantly as her indecent dress made Lucy blush.

"Agreed," Elfman answered.

"Cancer!" Lucy called, the spirit appearing before her. "Go help Miki!" she pointed toward her friend, the girl currently ducking away from three rock goblins after successfully decimating a fourth. Apparently the monsters were learning how to gang up on the smaller guild members.

"Right on Lucy, yeah!" the spirit yelled, hiding his brief look of concern as he quickly ducked away to do as she bid. .

"We fought much sooner than we thought, brother," Mirajane tsked. "It's been a while."

"Doesn't look like it," Lucy muttered, spotting Gray and Juvia working together. Their fighting was effective and lethal. It had been a good strategy to pair like magic. It kept both from using their full potential but maximizing the benefits. How had the enemy infiltrated so quickly?

Charle swooped down near her, "The goblins are weak to water magic. If we get them wet, their skin will be more penetrable to weapons."

Lucy narrowed her eyes, immediately thinking of Aquarius. But where would she find a free body of water. Now?

Juvia.

"Thanks, Charle!" Lucy breathed as she locked onto her target.

"Elfman? Mirajane?" Lucy's mind was whirling. If she could pull it off they could decimate a large number of the enemy. It had worked before...

Her eyes darted to the scene between where she stood and Juvia was fighting. The enemy was everywhere, mages and monsters. Could she make it?

"Lucy, you have an idea?" Mirajane asked, her lips pursed as she looked around. Mages were falling, and it was only making her angrier, which fueled her transformations.

"I do, but I need your help, if you wouldn't mind," she grit her teeth, digging her heels into the ground. "Charle? Is this it?"

Charle's eyes slid out of focus for a moment. She blinked furiously, "Not entirely...but it seems to the majority of Ultear's reserves."

"Good enough for me," Lucy grunted. "I need you two to cover me."

"Absolutely, Lucy," Elfman said, both brother and sister instantly morphing. Lucy nearly jumped, startled at the ease at which they had changed. Together, they were a formidable team.

"You know," Mirajane started, yellow irises surveying the battlefield for her next destination, "You always reminded me of my sister."

"Lisanna," Elfman agreed, his skin sleek and black, which was a stark contrast against his white hair.

Lucy was nearly speechless. It was a compliment, she knew. It was also why they took an instant liking to her. Why they had looked after her. Even Natsu. She smiled, grateful. Without a second thought, she sprinted toward the water mage, her two friends on either side. Elfman smashed a rock goblin with his sinewy arm, and the monster jerked and convulsed violently as he stunned it. Lucy's eyes remained ahead as Mirajane took down a gollum with a shrill cry of fury. Lucy ducked under a blow from a solitary mage brandishing two daggers. She pulled her whip free with a natural ease, lashing out. She felt it catch around the mage's neck with a jerk. With a silent prayer and with a tug of her arm, the enemy was down. Lucy leapt over the limp body. She caught a glimpse of her victim, the hood now pushed back. An older man, scars spanning his features as blood easily flowed from the circumferential wound on his neck. She held down the nausea as she realized she had mercilessly maimed him. Her boots splashed in the pool of his blood as she sent a silent plea of forgiveness to whatever god was listening. She told herself that her enemy was a casualty of war. If he had gotten his hands on her, she wouldn't have been so lucky.

"Juvia!" Lucy screamed as she was within earshot. "I need your help!"

Juvia was distracted, fighting four rock goblins. She, at least, had recognized the effects of water against the creatures' skin. Using what appeared to be a modified version of Gray's Water Cannon attack, she was drenching the creatures in water as Gray impaled them with ice spears. Behind those creatures, however, were dozens more were closing in. They fought in packs, which was bad for any lone mage, but beneficial if you were planning a mass attack, as you could easily take down a large number at any given time.

"Unison Raid!" Lucy yelled in reminder.

Juvia hesitated slightly, that idea should have been obvious from the beginning. Perhaps Erigor had determined this when he recommended like mages fighting together. It would increase the probability that any Unison Magic would work the first time. It also worked with dissimilar magics but that was more difficult to achieve, and given the time span the fledgling army had to prepare...well, it was just not as likely to be feasible.

Juvia spun around, the wave of water slicing through the rock goblins in the near vicinity. "They are weak to water, we could rid them much more quickly," Juvia agreed. Gray was no longer within earshot. Why hadn't she thought to join with Gray?

Lucy leaped over a pile of corpses—all monsters, thankfully. She reached Julia's outstretched hand, another idea flickering into her head. She would try that if times were dire, she wasn't sure they could get the manpower at the moment. Nearby, Elfman and Mirajane were fighting back-to-back with Gray. Around them, their army was grouping together, fighting in a unity Lucy never knew was possible. The Wisterians were still going strong, but even they were suffering casualties.

A warmth began to tingle from her inner core as she interlaced her fingers with Juvia's. Their eyes met, and Lucy could see that Juvia, too, was filled with fear. Fear and determination. No one would hurt her comrades. A faint blue glow encompassed their arms, and Juvia summoned her element. With a silent call, Aquarius appeared next to Lucy.

"You've got to be kidding me, I told you not to pull this shit," the spirit muttered.

"Not now," Lucy hissed between her teeth, her attention mostly focused on keeping the bond between her and Juvia. "I need your help."

"Obviously," Aquarius agreed, looking around, though her former hostility had since cooled. "It'll be my biggest yet."

"Please do," Lucy nodded, sweating beading on her temple as Juvia continued to gather water.

With a ferocious scream, Aquarius brought up her urn. Allied mages were staring in awe, all with the good sense to move from Aquarius' intended path. Juvia's water collected into a huge wall, which grew skyward as it poured from the urn; its supply seemingly unending. The vein bulging from Aquarius' forehead was beginning to scare Lucy, who was starting to feel drained from using such a huge quantity of her magic in unison with Juvia.

Leave it to Aquarius to summon a tsunami, Lucy thought grimly as the wave crashed down, quickly overtaking their enemy.

They are weak to water, their skin is weak to attacks when wet, Lucy heard the internal instruction. She knew Lamia Scale had a telepath, and was certain it was her doing as her comrades immediately sought out any surviving enemies after Aquarius' wrath had subsided.

Juvia staggered away, jarred from the amount of energy she put into their joining. She collapsed as her legs folded under her. The spirit watched her, concern in her features.

"You have both been weakened," she stated.

"I know," Lucy agreed, kneeling at Juvia's side.

"Juvia will be fine," the water mage told her brushing her off. Her eyes searched around as some mages cheered the fall of such a huge number of monsters.

Gray was helping some fledgling mercenary who was wounded, carrying him to a makeshift healing point. As he was helping the man hobble away, Lucy saw a flash of light. A metal staff was easily knocking away her comrades, some badly burned from what appeared to be bolts of lightning shooting from the end of the rod—which was now aimed at Gray's back with the intent to kill. The ice mage was to busy to take notice.

"Gray!" Lucy screamed as she realized what was about to happen.

"No!" Aquarius yelled, though her eyes had seen what was unfolding before Lucy's human eyes were brought up to speed.

She never saw Juvia stand or move. She only saw the bladed tip of the staff jab at Gray's flank. It never met its intended victim, instead taking another in its stead. Juvia knocked Gray and the mercenary away, the two tumbling to the ground in a tangle of limbs. A healer scrambled out to pull the injured man to safety as Gray rolled to his hands and knees, eyes wide with shock and confusion. Juvia was standing in front of him, blocking his view. She was gripping the enemy's weapon, the blade protruding from her back as her face contorted in an expression the relayed extreme concentration.

Lucy squinted, noticing the ripple of energy surrounding the weapon impaling Juvia. She briefly recalled observing Gray once pondering if Juvia could transform only small areas of herself into water if it would be more conservative. Now, she was seeing it first hand.

The enemy mage smirked from the depths of the concealing hood, and Lucy could see the gray skin and thin black lips. "Water. Good. Too easy."

Juvia was gasping for breath, fighting to push the instrument from her abdomen while maintaining the partial transformation, "Y-You tried to h-h-hurt my f-friend!"

With a chuckle, the mage summoned lighting, which sparked around the base of the rod before a glimmer of light crept up its shaft. Aquarius screamed, raising her urn to strike.

"No!" Lucy warned the spirit with an outstretched arm. It would only make it worse for anyone in the near vicinity. Lightning and water. Not a good combination.

Juvia's eyes grew wide as she, too, recognized what was about to happen. Before she could react, the lightning sizzled her liquid core, and her energy reserve was spent. Her flesh returned, and blood pooled around the spear as her transformation ended. Gray howled in frustration as he watched the speared tip split into two blades—rotating like propellers. In her weakened state, Juvia was unable to prevent the attack, and screamed in pain as the spear was pulled from her abdomen, a gaping hole remaining. Blood spattered Gray's face.

The robed mage laughed throatily as Lucy said, "Shoot. Don't stop until I tell you to."

"Yes, Lucy," the new spirit answered, the sound of the bow loosing arrows a lullaby to her.

The enemy hadn't been prepared for the attack, and the arrows relentlessly rained into flesh as the hood fell back to reveal the surprised expression on a female mage's face. Arrow after arrow continued to fly, even after the mage fell, no possible blood left in her body as the lightning rod slipped from lifeless fingers. Sagittarius continued to follow Lucy's command, bowing his leave as she whispered his cease-fire. Aquarius and Lucy were at Juvia's side as Gray gently cradled her in his arms, his face pale as he mumbled his apologies for being the cause of her injury. He was applying pressure to her wound, but it was to no avail. Her blood loss continued, and soon, the shock set in. Dark liquid pooled around her as her life poured out of her body. Juvia began to shiver.

Lucy called Taurus and Gemini, who quickly took to task of finding Wendy or Fried, whomever they encountered first. Perhaps Fried's spell would work as it had on Evergreen. She didn't know what else to do, and was not prepared for the casualties of war. The loss of a good friend.

"No no no," Lucy sobbed as Gray fought back tears, knowing the wound was too great.

"Juvia will be OK, Gray," the water mage attempted to soothe her friends; her skin was now a sickly pale. She raised a hand to touch the tear that slipped down Gray's cheek. "Are these for...me?"

"Shut up, just shut up," Gray's shoulders shook as Lucy stifled a sob.

"If this is how I am to...go," Juvia's teeth chattered, "knowing that I saved...Gray-sama..."

"You're a fool, you know that?" Gray cried out, pulling her to him.

"Juvia didn't know Gray cared so much," she whispered, her eyes dimming as Lucy applied pressure to the wound, her fingers sticky from the warm blood. "It makes me happy."

Gray buried his face in her shoulder and a smile crept across Juvia's lips, which were now the color of her face. Lucy was frantically looking around for anyone who could help. Gray was whispering to Juvia, who was staring at the sky, a tear slipping from the corner of her eye. Her smile continued to grow, and Lucy could almost swear there was color in her cheeks.

Aquarius was furiously pacing, swinging her urn at anyone who came close enough to cause damage, tears streaming down her cheeks. The fighting was continuing, despite the tragedy that Fairy Tail was suffering. War didn't stop for the grieving.

No, it forged on.

"Such a...shame," Juvia whispered, her fingers blindly grabbing for Gray's face.

His trembling hand reached for her, pulling her cold fingers to his cheeks. With a sigh, her eyes closed and did not flutter open again. Gray shook her violently as her arm limply fell to the ground. Above them, rain drops began to fall. Lucy looked up, the water hitting her face and mingling with her own tears as Gray continued to call Juvia's name. The solitary cloud continued to rain on them, and Lucy thought it ironic. She turned as Gray cried out in surprise, Juvia's frame slowly dripping away as if it were a melting ice cube. He grabbed handfuls of water, trying to stop her from physically leaving him. His eyes were wide with fear as he tried to comprehend what was happening, and Lucy put a hand on his shoulder to calm him. They sat like that for a moment, staring at one another in shock and mourning. Lucy shook her head briefly, and Gray's mouth snapped shut. He looked away, wiping the tears with his forearm. The rain slowed, and Lucy gasped.

"Look up, Gray!" she pointed. He did just that, a sad smile pulling on his lips as he saw the rainbow that spanned the battlefield. Other mages were taking notice. An omen of good fortune. Lucy saw shoulders square and faith restored from Juvia's parting gift.

"She deserved more than I gave her," Gray whispered as Lucy's fingers dug into his shoulder.

"Your presence was more than she could have ever dreamed of," Lucy told him reassuringly.

"We had no time to become...more than friends," he bitterly told her, confirming what Lucy had suspected. His confession was most likely more candidly whispered into Juvia's dying ears.

"Don't let her sacrifice be in vain," Lucy sobbed, dragging Gray to his feet. "We don't have time to mourn, but soon we will celebrate her life. When we win this."

Gray looked up at her, his eyes red. He nodded hesitantly and quickly collected himself. "Right! When we end this."

"No matter what, we can't stop fighting," she told him, wiping her nose on the neck of her shirt. Aquarius' back was to her and Lucy angled her head to find the cause of the spirit's sudden rigid posture.

"Don't look, Lucy. Don't you dare." Aquarius warned as she slowly retreated to where Lucy was standing. Her face was pale and drawn.

Gray looked slightly confused, peering past the two women. He didn't seem to find anything too concerning. Lucy, in her naivete, did just what Aquarius warned her not to. The spirit screeched, grabbing Lucy's chin and pulling her face to meet her own.

"I said, don't!"

"What is it?" Lucy was becoming panicked. Natsu?

Aquarius' eyes were wild with fury. Her lips were trembling as she spoke, "They know your weakness. What you are about to see is not real. Do you hear me? It's not real! I would know!"

"Lucy my Princess!" came the woman's voice. It chilled Lucy to the core. This time Aquarius could not stop her from looking.

When she did, she met two pairs of eyes: rich chestnut and deep chocolate. The warm familiarity in their adoring gazes made her heart stop.

"Who are they to you, Lucy?" Gray asked, sensing the internal battle Lucy was fighting.

Her mouth was suddenly dry. Very terribly dry. She licked her lips. Aquarius swore under her breath, giving Lucy one last warning before she disappeared with a soft plop. Even for the spirit, this was too much.

"Lucy?"

"They are..." Lucy's voice was a faint croak. "My parents."