Years had passed by again. Now she was 16. She couldn't remember the last time she had been back home. Her mother had been a wreak and she didn't want to become one herself.

She had trained under her grandparents, so she understood her magic well. But she was slightly annoyed at the moment. What was the point of training her if they weren't going to let her fight? It just didn't make any sense.

She looked about the castle she had lived in for the last 6 years. For the most part it was boring, she couldn't go out and fight or get jobs like normal mages. It was driving her insane. She couldn't win for losing. If she had stayed back at Fairy Tail, she would have faded into nothingness like her mother. Now she ran the risk of being useless. She knew how to use her magic, but she couldn't get any stronger.

She sighed. There had to be something to do out there. Something that wasn't this mundane.

Behind her, she could hear some frantic talking. Someone new was here. She dove around a corner just in time. They didn't notice her. She looked up and saw what looked like a man with brown hair that had a small amount of gray in it. Next to him was a woman with darker skin and pink dreadlocks. But they weren't the ones she was really focused on.

"Gunner, don't lag behind." The woman said to the boy behind them. He had dark skin like her, but the man's brown hair.

He looked annoyed. Just like she was. The group continued down the hall but the teenager stayed. He must have had enough with all of this craziness.

"You can come out, you know." He said looking towards her hiding place.

She popped out warily. "How did you know I was there?"

"The eyes of a marksmen never miss." He stated.

"You use gun magic?" She had only seen Winoona fire a gun before. The older woman was always snapping at her.

He laughed. "Well, it is in the name."

"Huh?" She said in confusion as he had a goofy grin on his face.

"Name's Gunner Brass. My parents really didn't plan that out too well did they?" He said, keeping that same goofy grin on his face.

She giggled. "I don't know. I think they got it down perfectly."

He laughed. "Everyone says that."

"Xenia." He gave her a funny look. "That's my name. Xenia Resus."

It looked like a light bulb had gone off in Gunner's head. "You're the granddaughter of Remy and Ivan, aren't you?"

She felt her smile fade. "Yeah." Her voice was quiet. She hated being only known for that.

He must have noticed the change in her demeanor. "Are you going to the big meeting?"

She cocked her head to the side. "What meeting?"

Now he knew he was in hot water. "Well, the one that all of the military was called for. I think they are planning a strike against Miresa."

She wanted to laugh at that. No one could get into Miresa, let alone try to attack it. "They're going to be disappointed then."

Now it was his turn to be confused. "What do you mean?"

"The shield of Miresa has been up for almost 20 years now. Nothing can break it." She felt a little proud that her father's magic was that strong, even if her father was being controlled by another person.

Gunner only laughed. "Even the strongest walls fall."

She shook her head. "Cetus's shield has no flaws, my grandfather said so."

"Your grandfather could be wrong." Gunner stated.

She didn't like his tone. "Aren't you the know it all."

Now he looked offended. "Takes one to know one."

She turned her back on him. She didn't have to take this. There were better things she could be doing than argue with this boy. He must have not understood how strong her family's magic was. How strong that demon was.

She headed back towards her room. There had to be something more to do than this. Was this here fate? To be the Resus that did nothing? It didn't sit well with her.

Once she was in her room, she looked around. Nothing was in here that she wanted to. All she could see was the endless hours of boredom she would be subjected to. She sighed as she walked over to the window. There had to be someone that understood her pain.

Just outside, next to a tree in the courtyard, there was a different boy. She looked down at him but was confused as he looked up at her. Why did he not look away? His red hair was certainly bright. She could even see how bright it was in the shade.

It was weird though. He just looked up at her. Almost as if he wanted her to come down and talk to him. She was curious, but her grandfather would kill her for talking to a stranger.

She looked away from him for a second. She could hear someone walking by her room. When she looked back, he had disappeared. Who was he and why did he look so interested in her? Maybe she just dreamed him up? After all, who would be interested in a little nothing like her?

Cetus paced as he walked back and forth. He kept telling himself that everything was fine. He was the strongest mage in existence, so why was this happening? Why did fate hate him? Did that hermit think that this was funny? Did she dare to take his love away from him again? All the while, his son was gone. He hadn't seen his little prince in weeks. He was set to get married any day now and here he was trying his patience. He needed to be here. His mother needed his power.

He turned around as a couple entered his chamber. "What news do you have Viktor?"

"It seems that Fiore is planning an attack." Viktor looked a little amused. "It's not like they can really do anything, sire."

"Those simpletons don't know when to quit, do they?" His subordinate shook his head and he let out a chuckle. "That's what happens when you give those without magic hope. They scurry like flies in the wind heading to their next meal of dung."

Viktor laughed. "You know that they will be crushed before they can even try anything."

He smirked. "Yes, the day is drawing closer. It is almost ready." He turned back to the room where his beloved lay sick. "The final curtain is about to fall and I will finally eradicate that abomination of a country."

Hours later, Vik sat down. Here went another day of this. He was wary of what the next day would bring. Every knew kill still felt like a fracture on his soul. Another burden that he was forced to carry. He didn't know if he could continue playing the role of Viktor. Being like 55 was horrible.

"Dad? What's wrong?" He turned to look at his daughter. She was just barely a teenager and she was going to be forced to marry the prince whenever he returned from whatever he was doing.

"Nothing, Lily. Just tired. Why don't you tell me what you did today?" He could see some sadness in her eyes.

"Dad…why do I have to get married?" She asked. He could see that she didn't want to.

He sighed. "It's not up to us. It's what the Kind demands." He stated. He hated this. He hated the fact that she had to go through this. He hated that there was nothing he could do about it. He was her father. He was supposed to protect her and here she was, about to be feed to the wolves.

"But he isn't my type. If anything he's a creep." Lily groaned.

He wanted to laugh. He could see his papa in her. She was entering that rebellious stage. He wished that he could give her her freedom, but he didn't have that power. Only fate could do that. "Don't think about it. If he doesn't come back, you won't have to worry."

"But dad, how is he going to get back in?" She said, shocking him.

"Back in?" He wondered aloud.

"Yeah. There's a small hole in the shield. It's just right on the border with Fiore. He left across it weeks ago." She said, clearly annoyed.

He was frozen. There was a way out. They could leave. And the prince was running around Fiore. "Where did you say this hole was?" He asked grabbing her shoulders. This was important. They could escape this nightmare.

"Just along the border, right next to that weird hole in the ground." She said with a smile on her face.

He looked around the room, Rosa was nowhere to be found. "We'll wait till dark. Just promise me that if I am taken out, that you will keep running. Don't stop. Don't hesitate."

Her smile faded. "You…you're going to make it, aren't you, Dad?"

He didn't want to upset her anymore. He hated seeing her cry. "Just make the promise, Lily."

She shook her head. "I can't. You and mom need to get out too." He could already see her eyes starting to tear up.

"Lilith Marie Resus, you will keep going! Promise me that!" He felt near tears as well. The idea of leaving his little girl alone in the world was scary, but it was less scary than her being here and getting married to a half demon.

She hugged him and continued to cry into his jacket. He hoped that they could all get out, but he didn't want to give her false hope. They couldn't keep going on like that. They couldn't keep behind this wall forever either. His little girl was growing up. It was time she faced reality. He would do anything to make sure that she didn't have to marry the prince.

"Now we have a lot to prepare. Don't say anything else about this. Wait for the clock to strike midnight." He said.

She nodded. "Don't worry, Dad. It's our little secret."

He wanted to laugh at the funny look on her face. She looked a lot like her mother. Except for her black hair, that was all his.

She walked off. It looked like she wanted to pack up some important things. before tonight. He didn't blame her. They were going to be leaving the only home that she had ever known or die trying.

He tried to shake his head, but it felt like something heavy was around it. He made to move around, but it felt like he was stuck. He was cold. He needed to get out of here.

His mind was a really clouded. How long was he asleep? It felt like someone had bashed him in the head.

He shook his body. There had to be a way out of here. He just wanted to get warm. This cold was horrible.

His arm shot out of the cold goo and he felt the warm air on the outside. He moved quickly wanting desperately to get out of the cold ooze. He kept at it, pulling himself harder against the strange stuff he was in.

He wanted to yell out for help, but the ooze would get in his mouth and he already knew that it tasted horrible.

He gave it one more lurch forward and he tumbled out onto the ground. He breathed heavily. It was like he hadn't taken a breath in years. He didn't know where he was or who he was.

He opened his eyes and was met with a strange room of mirrors. It was kind of horrifying as he looked back at the wall of ooze. How long was he in there? It was starting to melt away and he had to back away from it.

"I didn't think you would get out." He looked up and saw a strange looking man. "Get back in there, Bickslow."

"What did I do?" He asked. He felt terrified.

The man looked confused. "Don't you remember?"

He shook his head. "No. Did I do something horrible?"

The man then smirked. "No. You helped me achieve everything I always wanted."

"Then why was I in the ooze?" He said looking back at the doorway.

"Because, people wish to destroy us, Bickslow. You and I are stronger than anyone." The man's hand reached down to him. He had a confident smile on his face.

He looked at the red flashing eyes and wondered if he could trust this man, but it looked like he just wanted what was for the best. "What has happened while I was asleep?"

The man frowned. "Some pigs ran off with your wife and child. I don't know what has become of them, I'm afraid, but the country we love is safe. Completely safe."

He felt angry. "Who ran off with my family?"

"Your father. He took everything from you, Bickslow. Help me kill him."

To Be Continued….

Author's Note

Looks like Bickslow's back, but he doesn't remember anything. Will he remember everything in time? What about Vik's escape from hell? Guess you'll have to read to find out.