Fairy May Cry - Devil's Retribution

by Iron117Prime

After seven years, Dante and the rest of Fairy Tail have returned from Tenrou Island. So much has changed since their absence; a guild called Sabertooth is now at the top spot, the forces of the Underworld are starting to become more active, and what's this new religious movement called the Order of the Sword? Times might have changed, but the insanity of Fairy Tail has not.

43. True Justice

Hi everyone, welcome back to Fairy May Cry. Here we have the conjoined group of Fairy Tail and Crime Sorciere taking on Moloch and the Wolf Knights. And it may seem like a cakewalk given how they have powerful individuals in their group, notably Dante and Jellal, but the Wolf Knights have a little something up their sleeve that'll make it a bit of a challenge for our heroes and I'm sure you'll be quite surprised. Now, with that being said, let's get started.

Note: Please read the author's notes at the end.

True Justice

"Princess!" A royal soldier approached Hisui as well as the soldiers that were acting as her guards. "The Wolf Knights have been dispatched to execute the criminals!"

"And Moloch?" Hisui asked.

"As you ordered, they have freed him, and he is currently engaged in combat against the enemy." The soldier replied.

"Good." The Princess of Fiore nodded.

"Your highness, permission to speak freely?" One of her guards requestioned.

"Granted." She allowed.

"I think it was a bad idea to unleash that demonic filth." The guard voiced his opinion. "I'm aware that he is bound to the royal family and literally cannot betray you, but I would be a fool to suspect he wouldn't have an ulterior motive."

"Your concern is warranted and normally I would agree." Hisui replied. "But one of our foes has Sparda's blood and power flowing through his veins, and he has many powerful allies including a former Wizard Saint. With such strong adversaries, I fear we have to use him. But that does not mean that I have to like it."

"I understand." The guard nodded.

"Even with a Son of Sparda and Fernandes down there, the Wolf Knights should be able to wipe out that scum in no time." Another guard said with confidence.

"I agree, releasing Moloch only seals their fate even more." A third soldier said.

"Don't forget that the Wolf Knights have a secret weapon too." A fourth guard put in. "They're as good as dead."

Though the royal soldiers seemed rather confident, Hisui did her best to hide her conflicted expression. 'It truly does pain me that I have to release Moloch as well as send down the Hungry Wolf Knights, but I can't have them interfere. It would be foolish of me to hope that nobody will die down there… other than that vile demon my family took in… but the fate of our kingdom depends on it. Please be safe, Arcadios.'

---

Back in the dungeon, Dante clashed Rebellion against the crystal sword that was wielded by Moloch before they engaged in a furious dance of blades, their respective swords swinging at such speeds that it was almost impossible for the spectating Carla to follow along. Moloch raised his sword and brought it down to Dante, who used the flat of Rebellion to parry and swerve to the side and draw Coyote-A with his free hand and shoot a point-blank shot to the face of the taller demon.

Moloch staggered back a bit before the smoke cleared and revealed his face barely had any damage at all, just a few trickles of blood that were quick to heal up. Dante looked impressed before firing his shotgun again, which Moloch blocked with the flat of his blade before swinging it at Dante with enough force, that even as Dante blocked it, the force of the swing was still enough to send Dante flying towards a pile of rocks. But with some quick thinking, Dante spun around while airborne and planted his feet on the rocks before using his Trickster to propel himself straight at Moloch.

The demon lord then plunged his sword into the ground to send a large tail of pink crystals, all shooting up from the ground, straight at the incoming Dante, who tried to use Rebellion to smash his way through, only for Moloch to smirk, right as the crystals exploded.

"Dante!" Carla looked in shock as she saw him being flown back and crashing against the wall.

"What?" Dante quickly got up like it was no big deal, even maintaining his smirk, causing the whit Exceed to look with a mixture of relief and frustration. He then turned to Moloch and addressed him. "Exploding crystals. That's a new one."

"Behold my sword, Crystalbane." Moloch showed off his blade. "With this, I can create countless crystals, all imbued with explosive power. Not only that, the sword itself has the same power." The pink crystal of his sword was set ablaze with bright pink flames, which Moloch showed off by spinning it around and taking a rather impressive pose with it.

"Okay, I gotta admit that is pretty cool." Dante commented. "Too bad it's stuck with a such a loser like you." That earned a growl from Moloch.

"Dante, we all know how much you enjoy taunting your opponents. But need I remind you that we are on a time limit with the fate of the world possible at stake?" Carla told him.

"Yeah, yeah, I know." Dante replied. "But credit where it's due, that sword is pretty cool. And this guy's no slouch either. Not quite at Vergil's level, but a pretty decent sparring partner. But I really should hurry up, I don't wanna keep the others waiting."

"What makes you so certain your friends will survive this?" Moloch asked.

"Buddy, you don't know Fairy Tail. We got some serious powerhouses." Dante smirked with pride. "And some extra help, one of which is a guy that a friend of mine speaks pretty highly off. I doubt those wannabe executioners will be much of a trouble."

"Perhaps not on their own." Moloch it was the wording in Moloch's response that caught Dante and Carla's attention. "Tell me, do you know of a spell called Pandemonium?"

---

At the same time, Modeus and Jellal had picked themselves up, the pair finding themselves in a separate location from the others, one that seemed to be made up of a long pathway that stretched far in a single direction.

"Are you alright?" Jellal asked.

"I'm fine." Modeus responded before looking around. "We've been separated from the others. We'll need to regroup quickly if we're going to stop the Eclipse Project."

"I agree, but I feel he'll be our biggest obstacle." Jellal said, referring to Kama who stood to face them with crossed arms.

"I am Kama, leader of the Wolf Knights. By order of Princess Hisui herself, you are to be executed." He declared.

'Is she truly that set on the Eclipse Project's completion that she sends executioners down here to stop us?' Modeus thought. 'But Arcadios is also down here, and he was also involved. Something's not quite right.'

"I would ask that you step aside." Jellal requested. "I would rather avoid a fight if at all possible. But if there is no other alternative, I am more than prepared the defeat you."

"Jellal Fernandes." Kama began. "Among all the criminals I have slain you have committed among the greatest sins, both in significance and in number. You spent years constructing an abominable tool to use forbidden magic to try and resurrect the Black Wizard, you've destroyed the previous Magic Council, and killed many. And while it is true that Crime Sorciere has indeed dispatched criminals and monsters that I too find despicable, they will not erase your sins. You can only atone through death. I will allow you a moment to reflect and clear your consciousness before I strike you down."

The man looked with a serious expression before speaking. "You're not wrong. I've caused a great deal of harm, committed crimes that cannot be undone. Under any other circumstance, I'd be willing to bare the punishment. But… we face a crisis that could put many more innocent lives at risk. I'm not asking for forgiveness, nor do I believe this will atone for my crimes. My comrades and I are merely trying to prevent more blood from being shed, which is why I ask again that you step aside and allow us to do our task. I have a mission before myself that I cannot stop, and I myself have no intention of dying, not until it is complete."

Modeus looked at the man next to him and could tell that Jellal was speaking the truth. He bore the weight of his sins and would bear it without any self-pity, as well as a determination to make sure such crimes would never happen again. He was dead set on his mission to save the world from Zeref and Mundus and had no intent on stopping. And the fact that he made no attempts to deny responsibility or shift the blame, showed that he was a man of honor, someone that Modeus could indeed respect. It was easy to see why Erza speaks so highly of him.

"If possible, let us negotiate with Princess Hisui." Modeus also stepped up and offered his two cents. "The power she meddles with is too dangerous. If necessary, you and your squad can watch over us as we speak with her. We can solve this without any violence."

"I have no intention of negotiating with criminals." Kama declared.

"Then it seems we have reached an impasse." Jellal said with reluctant acceptance. "I am sorry, but I must get past you."

"Skilled as you may be, I doubt you can defeat the both of us." Modeus stood by his side as he drew Hunter's Moon.

"Fortunately, I do not have to." Kama replied as he waved his hand. Suddenly, a dark magic circle appeared on the ground behind the pair, causing them to turn around as something large materialized. When it was all set and done, Modeus and Jellal both looked in surprised at what they saw.

It was a giant humanoid monster, clad in a black armored exo-skeleton with razor sharp claws, as well as an eye embedded in its chest. It also had a skull-like face with curved horns on its head. But it wasn't the appearance of this beast that frightened the two, it was how familiar it looked that caught them off guard.

"That's… the S-Class monster…" Modeus stuttered.

"From the Pandemonium event, yes." Kama confirmed. "But only a handful of people know it's true nature. Pandemonium is not a competition, but a demonic spell created by that vile Moloch."

---

"In the underworld, I commanded many demon hordes." Moloch explained to Dante and Carla. "But the more my forces died in battle, the more I realized that I need another approach if I was to carve a name for myself. You could say I was somewhat inspired by Celestial Wizards and their ability to summon magical creatures to aid them in battle. It took a great deal of effort, but I was finally able to create a similar spell. To construct non-living demons from raw demonic power, give them shape and form, as well as abilities of their own. That is Pandemonium. My own spell to create an army of non-living creatures who will do anything I order them to without question!"

'You mean those monsters… that whole event in the Grand Magic Games… was created by Moloch!?' Carla thought in surprise as she remembered Erza facing off against all those monsters.

"Well if that's true, what's with all the different classes?" Dante asked. "You got the fodder and the boss and everything in-between. Why not make an army of those S-Class boys?"

"As delightful as that sounds, it's impossible." Moloch answered. "These beasts are creatures made from demonic power, and you cannot just create power out of thin air, so I could only create a specific number. As for the different classes, each one serves a different purpose. The weaker D-Class served as canon fodder to waste the enemy's strength for instance, while the S-Class was more reserved against stronger opponents. But due to the vast amount of power needed to create them, as well as the powers they have at their disposal, I could only create a limited number of each. Only fifty D-Class and one S-Class, as well as the respective numbers of the other Classes in-between. I could even have the ability to summon all of them at once if I wanted, but I could only have the one hundred and no more. But it does bear one distinct advantage that makes the limited numbers worth it."

"And that would be?" Dante questioned, narrowing his eyes.

"Even if they're destroyed, I can summon new ones to take their place." Moloch revealed, causing Dante and Carla to look in surprise. "The energy used to manifest them returns to the user and can be used again to summon that same beast upon its defeat if they wish. Upon my capture and imprisonment, I was forced to share my technique with those assigned to the kingdom's execution squad, the predecessors of the current Wolf Knights, who passed that on to their successors. I trust you know what that means."

---

"My comrades and I have an army at our disposable." Kama said, having told the exact same thing to Jellal and Modeus. "Even if you do defeat this beast, I can always reconstitute it. Nobody is leaving this place alive."

Modeus looked upon the S-Class with concern. 'If this beast is here though, it means that Wendy and the others won't have to deal with it. But if they're the same from the Pandemonium event… this may spell trouble for us.'

"Modeus… please handle the monster." Jellal requested as he faced Kama directly. "I'll handle its controller. If he is defeated, then the beast will vanish. I'm certain the others will be able to figure that out as well."

The Demon of the Moon nodded. "Very well, I'll leave you to it." He wielded Hunter's Moon as he rushed to face the S-Class, clashing his red sword against its claws.

"Oh, how I've waited to execute you personally, Jellal Fernandes." Kama said to his foe as he drew his twin scythes. "For the many sins and crimes that you have committed, you will atone with your flesh and blood!"

Both of Jellal's fists began to glow gold with magic power. "Take your best shot."

---

"Ugh, man this sucks!" Natsu complained as he, Happy, Wendy, and Sheeree were seemingly alone in another part of the cave. "Lost track of everyone's scents!"

"I think we were caved in; I can't sense any air flow." The young Sky Dragon Slayer observed.

"I hope the others are okay." Happy said.

"I'm a little bit more concerned about those Wolf Knights that were sent down to kill us." Sheeree put in. "Where did they go?"

Suddenly, two giant red-skin beasts that bore the appearances of demonic gorillas appeared before them. "What the heck?" Natsu questioned.

"Outta the way!" Happy exclaimed as the quartet split off to avoid the double attack of crushing fists that smashed into the ground.

"Where'd these guys come from?" Natsu questioned again. "I didn't pick up their scents!"

"Hold on… these are the same monsters that Erza fought in the Games!" Wendy recognized them.

"Uh oh…! You mean those Pandemonium monsters?" Happy gulped.

"Yeah, I think these were the A-Class monsters." Sheeree narrowed her eyes. "Looks like the whole thing is more than just a game."

While the four of them seemed more focused on the larger beasts in front of them, they didn't appear to notice a few vines slowly coming down from the ceiling and directly behind Wendy. That is until they shot out to bind and ensnare her, wrapping around to bind her arms to her sides and even wrapping over her most of her face to cover her mouth, but not her eyes.

"Wendy!" Sheeree exclaimed. However, she didn't have time to try and help her as one of the A-Class monsters delt her a back hand that sent her crashing into the wall, while the second lifted its foot to stomp onto Natsu, which he tried to hold back with his own strength, but the monster was putting up quite the fight.

"Oh my… such a pretty little flower." Cosmos laughed as she sat on a rather tall plant, a giant flower acting as her seat as the bound Wendy was brought closer to her.

"Let her go!" Happy called out as he tried to fly and help his friend. "Don't worry, Wendy! I'll save…!" Before he got far, multiple flytrap plants grew out from around the larger flower that Cosmos sat on and opened to fire multiple glowing seeds at Happy, forcing him to dodge but he was unable to avoid them all as he got shot down rather quickly.

"No! Happy!" Natsu tried to press up on the A-Class that had him literally underfoot, only for the monster to lift its foot up again and smash into him.

"It's a shame such a cute little thing has sided with criminals." Cosmos said as she caressed her hand down Wendy's cheek as she glared at her. "If there's one thing I hate, it's evil doers taking something so adorable and turning it into something ugly. Though, while I was ordered to execute all the intruders down here, if you were to surrender to me, I would be able to spare you. I'll teach you all my ways, and I'll make you even more adorable than you already are." Cosmos allowed the vines around Wendy's face to loosen, giving her a chance to speak. "So, what do you say?"

Wendy's only response as to inhale, or at least that's what it appeared. She was actually consuming a great deal of air to give herself an extra boost of power. "I say… Sky Dragon Storm Mail!" Wendy's entire body was coated in a tornado, almost like armor, the winds moving at such speeds that they easily shredded through the vines that bound her, much to Cosmos' shock.

Happy looked in surprise as he recognized that technique. "That's the same kind of spell Erigor used when he and Natsu first fought!"

With Cosmos distracted, Wendy went on the offensive. "Sky Dragon Roar!" Unleashing a point-blank breath attack, one that scored a direct hit, Cosmos was blasted straight into the cavern wall behind her just as Wendy landed on the ground.

"You can take your offer and sell it somewhere else!" She declared. "I'm a member of Fairy Tail and that is never going to change!" As Wendy saw Cosmos pull herself up, the young girl smirked in a way that was reminiscent of Dante. "Still think I'm adorable?"

"Y-you… you little…!" Cosmos stuttered angrily, but she looked past Wendy in surprise to see several explosions of fire as Natsu and Sheeree both got back up and went on the attack as well.

Using the flames from his feet, Natsu propelled himself straight at the face of the one A-Class he faced. "Fire Dragon Sword Horn!" With flames coating his body, Natsu blasted through the head of the A-Class like a missile.

At the same time, Sheeree had grown a pair of Exceed wings on her back, using her Magical Drain to copy Happy's power before flying right up to the face of the A-Class monster she fought. "The flames of my left hand…" She began as a fire ball formed on her left hand. "The winds of my right… Put them together" A whirlwind formed in her right hand and she slammed the opposing elements together, creating a massive sphere of fire and wind. "Fire Sky Dragon Brilliant Flame!" She threw it right at the face of the A-Class, creating an explosion that blew it's head and most of its shoulders off.

While Cosmos looked in disbelief, Wendy and Happy both smirked as they saw Natsu and Sheeree landing side-by-side, all four glaring at the Wolf Knight.

"That all you got?" Natsu challenged.

"Cause it's gonna take a lot more to bring us down." Sheeree added.

Cosmos growled as she pulled herself up. "Fine, if you wish to remain ugly and sinful then you will die as such!" Her hands glowed dark purple as she tried to call in reinforcements. "Pandemonium! A-Class Times Three! B-Class Times Four!"

Three flashes of dark red light and four flashes blue light shined around the group as three A-Class Monsters appeared around them, along with four B-Class beasts.

"Kill the others, but the little girl is mine!" Cosmos ordered.

"Natsu, Sheeree, Happy, can you guys handle these guys?" Wendy asked. "If it's alright, I'll take care of her on my own."

"Are you sure Wendy?" Sheeree asked.

"Yeah, I'm sure." She replied without a hint of hesitation.

"Alright, she's all yours, Little Sis." Natsu smirked as he faced off against the monsters in front of him. "Ready to rock, Happy?"

"Aye sir!" His faithful Exceed companion confirmed.

---

Meanwhile, the trio of Mira, Cana, and Trish fund themselves facing off against one A-Class monster and 10 B-Class beasts in another cavern, all of whom looked ready to chow down.

"Oh great… these things." Cana groaned as she drew her cards. "When we get out of here, I gonna give a serious complaint to whoever the hell came up with this."

Trish scoffed. "What, is this supposed to scare us? I've killed bigger." She drew the Devil Sword Sparda as lightning challenged around her body.

A cluster of paper suddenly appeared and formed a tornado-like effect before they dissipated, and Kamika appeared before them. "You must have seen the Pandemonium Event during the Grand Magic Games if you recognize these beasts. While it's true that was mostly for entertainment purposes, you'd be foolish to think if the same thing applies here. Like me, they won't rest until you're dead!" She had drawn a red paper in her hand before throwing it out along with a huge cluster of them.

"Paper Blizzard: Red Dance!" All the red papers were set ablaze as a column of fire was shot out towards them, while all ten of the B-Class monsters opened their mouths to blast energized water attacks.

Mira quickly transformed into her Satan Soul and unleashed a wave of darkness power to intercept several of the B-Class monsters blasts, while Trish swung the Devil Sword Sparda downward to send a horizontal wave of white lightning to block the rest. As for the paper inferno, Cana decided to meet that head on.

"Card Magic: Prayer's Fountain!" She threw a card to the ground to summon a column of water to intercept the flames, creating a large explosion of steam as both attacks were cancelled each other out.

"Oh?" Kamika looked intrigued for a moment.

"Hey Mira, Trish, since you guys are experts in the Devil Hunting field, why don't you guys handle the monsters while I take on this bitch?" Cana offered.

"Fine, she's all yours." Trish nodded. "Let's go Mira."

"Right." Mira confirmed as she sprouted her wings and flew straight towards the A-Class monster, who threw its fist out while she pulled back her own fist and they collided punches with each other, creating an aftershock that shook up much of the cavern. At the same time, Trish's body transformed into a bolt of white lightning as she shot directly at a B-Class and past it, rematerialized herself past it as the Devil Sword Sparda was held out, and that same B-Class was bisected a second later and then exploded in an electrical furry. As the other B-Class monsters tried to surround her, Trish already had Luce and Ombra drawn and opened fire.

"Oh, you think you can take me on alone?" Kamika mused as Cana faced her directly. "You have courage, but that'll only get you so far."

"You gonna run your mouth off, or you gonna fight?" Cana challenged.

"Paper Blizzard: White Dance!" Kamika sent a stream of white colored paper towards her enemy, spinning around her with frost starting to form around Cana, but she was quick on the draw to counter that.

"Card Magic: Sun's Strength!" She held out several cards, which were set a flame and quickly melted the ice before she attacked. "Summon Lightning!" Throwing out three more cards, Cana shot a large lightning bolt at Kamika, who was prepared even for that as she sent out multiple pieces of gray paper to act as a shield and protect herself from the lightning blast.

"It would appear our magics are actually quite similar." Kamika noted. "And you're rather quick on the draw. I'm impressed. It's just too bad you're on the side of criminals." Kamika was cut off by a series of cards that were thrown at her feet before they exploded, briefly knocking her back.

"Like I said, you wanna run your mouth off or fight?" Cana repeated. "Cause I'm not interested in your self-righteous bullshit!" Her proclamation earned a glare from the female Wolf Knight.

---

Meanwhile, Kyrie and Lady stood close to Panther-Lily in his battle-form, having Baskerville drawn, as all three faced off against fifteen C-Class monsters, while Neppa himself stood at the top of a ledge over them with a cocky grin.

"It seems he's the one controlling them." Lily noted.

"So, if we take out the fat guy, these guys should probably drop dead." Lady said as she spun her pistols in her hands.

"I honestly doubt they're gonna let us get close to him though." Kyrie commented. However, when all the beasts opened their mouths, ready to unleash fire attacks on them…

"Hold your fire, mutts." Neppa ordered, prompting the C-Class monsters to cease their attack, much to the group's confusion.

"They're stopping?" Kyrie wondered.

"Do not let you're guard down. I suspect he's planning something." Panther-Lily advised.

"The hell are you up too?" Lady questioned Neppa.

"Ya'll a bunch of criminals and you got to die… but I see myself a pretty little thing right there." He eyed Kyrie. "I mean sure, the other lady's smokin', but I got a thing for the petite girls." His comment caused Lady to cringe in disgust while Kyrie looked more than a little repulsed. "So what do you say, sweet thing?" He gestured with his finger to come here. "If you promise to be a good girl and not commit any more crimes, I might just make ya my woman."

*BANG!*

Lady fired one of her pistols at Neppa, shattering the bottle he had in his mouth, much to his surprise.

"Why don't you go screw yourself instead, pig?" Lady glare.

"No! Absolutely not!" Kyrie told the man. "I would never even think about being with someone as disgusting as you! And besides, I already have someone in my life, and he is ten times better than you can ever be!"

"And he calls himself a knight. How disgusting." Panther-Lily shook his head in disapproval.

Neppa's smile faded into a look of irritation. "Fine then. I'll just have to melt ya'll right here!" He raised his fist, which had a sickly purple aura around it before he slammed it into the ground, which caused a large pillar of acid to shoot up and seemingly engulf all three of the heroes at once. "Three for the price of one! Nothing beats my acid. It'll turn even the toughest of metals into a pile of goo!" He laughed.

However, when the acid began to vanish, Neppa saw something that made him look in shock.

Not only were Kyrie, Lady, and Panther-Lily perfectly fine without so much as a scratch on them, but all three were protected by Kyrie's Sanctuary Spell, taking the form of a crystal-like barrier of light magic that surrounded all of them.

"What the hell…?!"

The Sanctuary faded as Kyrie's hands glowed bright white for a moment and then turned gold. "My turn. Golden Shine!" She thrusted her palms forward and bright golden star-shaped blast struck Neppa, sending him flying and crashing to the other side of the wall.

"Nice." Lady grinned.

"I picked up a few things these last three months." Kyrie smiled.

"Then let us put them to proper use." Panther-Lily said as he flew out towards the horde of C-Class monsters, three of which blasted fire attacks from their mouths at him, but Lily flew up and around them with such speed and agility that he didn't so much has have a single fur singed. Once he was close enough, he swung Baskerville to decapitate the monster in the middle. The two in-between fired their attacks, but Lily flew up to not only avoid them, but even allowed the attacks to strike the opposing monsters and take them both out.

"Steel Devil Rage!" Lady unleashed a breath attack to blast through one C-Class monster, while Kyrie used her Golden Shine attack to obliterate another. The female Devil Hunter noticed an incoming wave of acid in their direction and quickly pushed Kyrie out of the way just as the wave shot past them.

"Not that wasn't nice!" The recovered Neppa said with a glare. "Women these days outta have more decency!"

"Hey Kyrie, think you can help out Lily against those things?" Lady asked.

"Of course, leave it to me." She nodded.

"Good, cause I wanna knock this punk's teeth out myself." Lady said as she leapt to the ledge that Neppa stood on just as he threw a glowing punch of his acid magic, which Lady avoided by swerving around him and decking him across the cheek with a steel coated fist. "Come on fat boy, why don't I help you shave off a few extra pounds?" Lady offered with a smirk as her right arm converted into a steel sword.

---

"Ow…" Lucy groaned as she, Lisanna, and Sorano pulled themselves up, along with Yukino as she lifted the injured Arcadios with one arm over her shoulder. "I'm gonna feel that in the morning…"

"Yukino, are you alright?" Sorano asked.

"I'm fine…" She confirmed. "But Colonel Arcadios is going to need some help soon."

"Once we regroup, Kyrie and Wendy should be able to heal him up." Lisanna said. "But I've got a bad feeling that we're not alone down here."

Her statement proved to be true as five D-Class monsters appeared out of nowhere with roars and charged directly at the group.

"Whoa! Where'd they come from?!" Lucy questioned.

"Don't question it, just fight!" Sorano ordered as she stepped forward and attacked first. "Uriel!" Waving her hands out, a bright flash of light erupted in front of the charging monsters. The light faded to reveal a large, muscular, four-armed man with a pair of wings. And in its upper two hands were a pair of large hammers, which the angel used to slam into the ground and pulverize two D-Class monsters at once.

"Whoa! That's new!" Lucy looked in surprise.

"I don't have any more gate keys, so I had to figure out something new." Sorano replied. "My Angel Magic allows me to create non-sentient artificial beings from my magic power. It's similar to Celestial Magic, but they're not alive like spirits."

"That's incredible…." Yukino looked to her sister in awe with a smile. 'She's able to create automatic constructs out of magic power…'

"Yukino, look out!" Lisanna outstretched her right arm, which converted into a long snake to grab Yukino and Arcadios, pulling them out of the way of a charging D-Class. Once they were safe, Lisanna attacked. "Take Over: Animal Soul: She-Cat!" Transforming into her She-Cat form, Lisanna rushed the D-Class and sliced all around it five times to destroy it completely.

Only two more remained and charged at Lucy, but she rolled out of the way and had both her whips drawn. "I might not have my keys, but I'm not helpless!" As one D-Class tried to charge at her, Lucy flailed the Morning Star and struck its face, causing the monster to fall apart and explode at the same time. The second beast charged through the remains of its fallen brethren, but Lucy rolled out of the way once again as it smashed into the wall. Lucy then noticed a broken stone pillar just above its head that was keeping some rubble from falling on top of it. Acting quickly, Lucy flailed the Fleuve d'etoiles around the pillar and pilled it down, causing the rubble to collapse on top of the D-Class and destroy it.

"And that is how it's done." Lucy grinned.

"Those were monsters from the Pandemonium thing that Erza won." Lisanna remembered as they all regrouped. "But how are they down here?"

Suddenly, all five of them were lifted into the air by an unseen force, and the one responsible for it was none other than Uosuke, who sat cross legged on the head of a tall statue.

"Whoo-he! I caught me a fine catch today!"

"Him again?" Lisanna questioned.

"How is he lifting us like this?" Yukino questioned. "Some kind of gravity magic?"

"My name is Uosuke." He said.

"We didn't ask." Sorano said with lowered-eye lids and an annoyed sweatdrop.

"You know what? I'm not even gonna waste any time on this weirdo." Lucy held out the rod of the Fleuve d'etoiles, the magical whip shooting outward and ensnaring around Uosuke.

"Oh wha…? I ain't no fish! You don't catch me!" Uosuke complained as he was pulled directly toward Lucy, who then performed a kick to his face to knock him to the wall, causing the magic that kept them all afloat to vanish as they all fell to the ground. Though most landed on their feet, the injured Arcadios had a much rougher landing.

"Wow… that was surprisingly easy." Lucy commented. "Are we sure this guy's a professional assassin?"

"Yeah, he doesn't seem to fit the build." Lisanna agreed. "It's kinda disappointing actually."

"Then let's not waste any more time and find the others." Sorano said. "We have a job to do."

Once again, Yukino helped Arcadios to his fight. "Don't worry Colonel, you're going to be fine."

"N-no… you… have to flee…" The injured knight muttered. "Do not… underestimate Uosuke… he's the strongest of the Wolf Knights." That caught all their attention. "His magic… is so terrifying… not even the bones of his victims remain."

They all turned around to see Uosuke was already back up on his feet, and despite the far-off look in his eyes and the smile that seemed permanently attached to his face, there was something about him that really put all of the heroes on edge.

"You done did it… you done made me mad..." He sung.

---

Meanwhile, back at Domus Flau, while most of Fairy Tail seemed focused on the ongoing games, Patty looked quite nervous as she tapped her foot repeatedly, something that drew the attention of those around her.

"Kid, worrying like that's not gonna help anyone." Gildarts told her.

"I can't help it, alright?! I'm really worried for Wendy, Lucy, and everybody else!" Patty exclaimed. "It feels like they've been gone for a really long time!"

"Don't forget that Natsu, Dante, and most of Crime Sorciere are there too, so I'm sure they're fine." Romeo said. "But… it does kinda feel like this whole rescue is taking too long."

"We have to maintain our faith in them, and never give up hope." Makarov said with a serious look on his face.

"We also need to have a plan of action for when they do come back." Mavis added. "If our team wins the Grand Magic Games, there is a chance we can have an audience with the king and explain the situation to him. But many letters of apology are inevitable." She said with regret, causing Makarov to wince.

"Technically one of our own was kidnaped against her will so I don't think it'll be too bad." Gildarts commented. "Not to mention that crazy Eclipse Gate could destroy the world too, so there's that."

"But don't forget that we also allied with wanted criminals, so yes there will still be some letters of apology in store." Sparda said.

"Aw geeze… that's true." Gildarts rubbed his hand down his face. "The one thing about being a guildmaster I could do without…"

"How do you think I've felt these past few decades?" Makarov commented. "All the collateral damage this guild has caused… especially when Natsu, Erza, and Gray all came along… I'm still shocked they drive me into an early grave."

"And all that financial stuff…." Macao groaned, stepping in. "And don't even get me started on all the money we lost these past seven years…"

Sparda noticed a look of comical depression on his adoptive daughter's face, despite not looking in his direction. "Why do I feel that you're glaring at me?"

"Because if you had become first master like you originally planned, I wouldn't have had to deal with all that stuff myself." Mavis complained.

"As much as I hated having to dump that all on you, you know the reason why I couldn't be the first master." Sparda said. "And I didn't leave you high and dry, I know that Precht and the others helped you out with finances."

"But not with all the letters of apology, I had to write those myself." Mavis said dimly as she recalled writing all of that. "I lost count of all the times I had to beg forgiveness. Sometimes the letters would stack up so high, they would fill the guild storehouse floor to ceiling. All the invoices for damages, the bills for reimbursement, cost estimates for repairs…" The aura of comical depression that surrounded her felt it was all directed toward her adoptive father. "That is the one thing I will never forgive you for… Daddy."

"For which I apologize." Sparda muttered.

"I'm at least glad I'm not alone in this feeling." Makarov said as the same kind of aura formed around him and Macao.

"And now it's up to Gildarts to handle all that." Macao also said as the depressing aura formed around him as well.

"Gee, don't I feel special." He said sarcastically.

Alzack and Bisca both winced nervously at the states their guildmasters were in, though Asuka looked confused. "Mama, Daddy, what are they talking about?" The little girl asked.

"It's nothing you need to worry about just yet, sweetie." Alzack told her.

"Wow, you really know about a lot of adult stuff Master Mavis! I think you're cool!" Asuka praised, perking up Mavis' spirit as she turned to the toddler with a smile.

"Oh, that's sweet of you, Asuka. But grown-ups like me know a lot of stuff." Mavis beamed.

"You're shrimpy for a grown up, but you're still cool!" Asuka said looking at her with stars in her eyes.

"Shrimpy?!" Mavis looked in comic shock, along with Makarov and the girls' parents, while Gildarts and Sparda seemed rather amused by that statement.

"Now be nice, darling." Alzack tried to tell his daughter.

"Sorry about that." Bisca bowed apologetically to Mavis. "We're still working on our learning manners, right?"

"O-oh, it's fine!" Mavis tried to brush off with a forced smile. "I'm not that upset! Kids say the darndest things, huh? I'm a grownup after all."

"But Big Brother Romeo and Patty are all kids and you're as tall as they are, right?" Asuka asked. It was getting harder for Sparda to hold back his laughter.

"As a matter of fact, I'm the second oldest person here!" Mavis replied. "My father Sparda here is over two thousand years old, way older than me, but I still got at least a hundred years over everyone. Everyone's a kid to me. Even Dante, my adoptive brother, is practically a baby to me."

"But I thought Uncle Dante was the big brother since he's bigger than you." Asuka said. Sparda was forced to put his hand over his mouth and force back the chuckles.

"There's no shame in being small, First Master." Gildarts said with a grin. "You could just be a little person. I mean, look at Gramps right here, he's the shortest person here and he's as old as a fossil."

"Very funny." Makarov replied with a groan.

"Hey uh… quick question." Romeo looked towards Sparda. "You and Master Mavis are both ghosts, right? So why does she look like a kid? Was she liked that when she died or…"

The humor that Sparda felt at that moment came to a grinding halt as a serious and remorseful look formed on his face, something Romeo noticed and quickly regretted his question.

"S-Sorry, was I not supposed to ask…?"

"Romeo, you don't ask a dad about their kid like that." Macao scolded.

"It's fine." Sparda assured. "I don't blame him for being curious, but I'd rather not talk about that if that's alright with you."

"Okay… sorry, sir." Romeo apologized.

Sparda paid one more glance to the spirit of his adoptive daughter as she got into a humorous argument with Asuka trying to explain how she's not really a kid to the little girl as a sinking feeling of regret formed in his stomach. He had made many mistakes and regretted a lot of things in his long life… but not being able to help her back then was among his biggest.

'Damn you… Moloch.'

---

Back in the Palace of Perdition, Dante fired Ebony and Ivory at the trail of pink crystals that shot toward him, creating a brief explosion before the attack reached him. But Moloch had used this to rush through the smoke and close the distance, swinging his flaming pink crystal sword up at Dante to send him flying upward.

"Anubis!" While airborne, Dante had drawn the Devil Arm in question and extended one of the ends to it, the ever-extending shadow-chain stretching out as one of the axe-blades hooked through Moloch's right shoulder before the tall demon was pulled up and Dante dealt a double kick to his face, pushing himself away from Moloch as they went in opposite directions, but Dante wasn't done yet. "Trickster!" Using his newer style, Dante conjured a red magic circle at his feet and propelled himself at the airborne Moloch, slashing at him with Anubis before using another Trickster circle to stop himself and threw out another end to Anubis to catch Moloch before he fell and launched himself, while also pulling Moloch in to slash at him again, and then repeated the process to keep Moloch airborne and unable to counter.

'That's the same combination he used against Vergil in their match.' Carla recalled. 'Since Moloch's weapon has a ranged attack that is more effective on the ground, Dante is keeping him in the air to keep him from countering.' The White Exceed smiled. 'Well done, Dante.'

However, Moloch was far from helpless as when the next chain was slashed and hooked into him and Dante shot himself at his enemy, Moloch had swung his own sword to slash a powerful attack at Dante, breaking his combo and sending him crashing to the ground. Moloch fell and landed on his feet, only to see Dante standing up out of the smoke with only a few bleeding wounds that were already healing.

"Alright, you broke out of that. Not bad. But my brother did the same, so it's not like breaking out of it anything special." Dante mused.

"Make your little jokes, Son of Sparda." Moloch replied. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but are you or are you not a member of your father's guild?"

Dante raised an eyebrow at that, with even Carla looking in surprise. 'Sparda's guild? Does he know that Dante's father was a founding member? But I thought that information was confidential, even erased upon Fairy Tail's founding!"

"The hell are you talking about?" Dante questioned, but Moloch could tell from the serious look on his face that he was getting somewhere, indicating that Dante knew Sparda was a founding member of Fairy Tail. Perfect.

"Does the name, Mavis Vermillion, sound familiar?" Moloch asked.

"Fairy Tail's first master and one of its founders, what about it?" Dante responded.

"Are you aware that child was actually your adoptive sister? Apparently Sparda took her in along with another human female well before you were born."

"Get to the damn point." Dante glared, but that only caused Moloch to sneer.

"As it so happens… I am responsible for her fate." The demon revealed.

Dante's eyes narrowed at that while Carla gasped. "Y-you… you killed Master Mavis…?"

'Killed? Do they not know?' Moloch didn't expect that particular word. 'They really don't… do they…?'

"How do I know you're not just spouting a bunch of bullshit to feed your ego?" Dante questioned.

Moloch's' smirk only grew. "As much as I hate to admit, I could never match Sparda's power. I'm sure you've already figured that out during our little spar here. So, if I couldn't end his life, I would do the next best thing… I would harm him in a place he couldn't reach. The one who left that poor child to such a dreadful fate was myself! Oh the agony that little Mavis went through… and I enjoyed every single minute of it!" He caught a look of anger in Dante's eyes and knew he hit the mark. "I did the one thing that not even Mundus or the other Demon Kings could do. I hurt Sparda! I made him suffer! And now… I'm about to do the same to his son!" He rushed Dante as he swung his blade wildly.

'He'll lose himself in his anger and I'll take full advantage by ripping his body apart from the inside with my crystals!" Moloch thought as he closed the distance and raised his flaming crystal sword. 'Your blood is mine!'

Just as he brought his massive sword down…

*FLASH!*

Moloch's sword did make contact with something, but when the flash of dark red light subsided, he saw something that made him look in complete and utter shock.

It was Dante… in his Dreadnaught state. He hadn't even budged an inch as Moloch's sword had struck his right shoulder. The pink flames had vanished upon contact as their power and the force from his swing had flowed directly into him. As Dante glared at him with his glowing yellow eyes in this state, Moloch felt a tad bit nervous.

"Not. Impressed. Beowulf!"

Still in Dreadnaught form, Dante had quipped his gauntlets and grieves, right as he threw up his right gauntlet for a brief uppercut that shattered Crystalbane, much to his shock before Dante dealt a punch to his face with enough force to send him crashing to the wall on the other side of the cavern.

'His Dreadnaught form… as well as his Beowulf weapon…' Carla looked at Dante with concern. 'Moloch's intent was to make him angry and likely to make Dante lose control and give him an opening. He succeeded in making Dante angry for sure but… he's still in control.'

Dante watched expectantly as Moloch pulled himself up from the rubble, holding his face as he spat out some teeth and blood. Dante then put his foot on the handle of Crystalbane and pushed it, sending it sliding across the ground and towards the feet of its wielder.

"Pick it up." Dante ordered. His enemy didn't do it at first, looking a tad nervous as Dante glared harder at him. "Pick. It. Up."

With a growl, Moloch reached down and picked up the handle of Crystalbane. Before long, a new crystal blade was grown in the place of the one that shattered. "Now what?"

"Now? Now, get ready for a world of pain." Dante answered before blasting himself straight at his demonic foe.

---

Meanwhile, Modeus leapt back to avoid the stomp from the S-Class monster, but the giant black-clad beast rushed to close the distance and swiped its claws at him, and while Modeus was able to block the strike with Hunter's Moon, the force of the strike sent him towards the wall, crashing upon impact. He saw the monster rushing directly at him, but Modeus already had a counter planned.

"Demon Sword: Phantom Moon!" Swinging his blade, Modeus sent multiple crescent moon shaped projectiles at the S-Class monster, causing it to stagger before he propelled himself from the wall and sliced across the beast, landing behind it. "Residual Moon!" A crescent-moon shaped strand of white energy appeared on the S-Class beast's chest right before it exploded, knocking the creature back slightly. However, it was quick to recover and tried to bring down its fists onto the smaller opponent, who lifted his sword up in response. "Full Moon Shield!" A glowing white moon-like barrier appeared over him to block the S-Class monster's crushing blows.

At the same time, Jellal limboed under the horizontal slice of Kama's left scythe, and when he tried to go in with a vertical from his right weapon, Jellal's right arm glowed with golden energy to block the blade and leave Kama opened for Jellal to strike him with a glowing punch to his face, knocking him back, but Kama only skidded on his feet as he appeared to take the hit. Nonetheless, Jellal used this to go on the offensive.

"Heavenly Body Magic: Pleiades!" Jellal raised his hand and finger up, taking a specific stance before six rays of light formed and shot upwards towards the ceiling before quickly coming back down towards Kama, who readied his scythes and used them to slice and parry through Jellal's attacks. "Meteor!" Jellal then shot himself at Kama, an extra boost in speed as his whole body was surrounded by a golden aura. When he threw out a punch, Kama blocked it by crossing the blades on his scythe before zipping around to try and strike him from behind with a kick, but Kama reacted quickly enough to block the strike with a swing of his left scythe, forcing Jellal back.

'It seems that his weapons are capable of neutralizing magic. He's also quick enough to keep up with me even when I use my Meteor, and his skills with his weapons are nothing to scoff at.' Jellal thought. 'I can see his reputation is well-earned. He may even give Erza some trouble if they were to cross blades.'

"I will admit, you are among the strongest foes I've faced, probably the strongest. I can understand why you've escaped justice for so long." Kama granted. "But while you may be able to run from your sins, you can never escape them!" He slammed his weapons together, the palm-like extensions of his scythes pointing directly at Jellal. "They are a part of you, etched into the very fabric of your soul and memory!"

The hands on the scythes glowed when suddenly, multiple handprints appeared all over Jellal's body, much to his surprise. "What is this…?"

"They are proof of your offenses! You can never wash clean of them." Kama responded. "Does your heart not ache from the destruction and despair left in your wake."

"Every day." Jellal responded as the handprints vanished. "For the past seven years, I've lived with the guilt of my crimes. But I will not allow the sins of my past to compromise the future of everyone else! If I am to die, it will not be here, and it won't be until I've atoned for all my past sins and guaranteed this world a bright future!"

Kama glared even harder at the man in front of him. "Such impiety… You are beyond forgiveness!" He threw his scythes up in the air and extended his own hand, causing it and his weapons to glow a dark purple as the hand-extensions joined together. "I shall behead you where you stand! Execution Technique: Guillotine Justice!" The conjoined weapons were brought together as the handles retracted and the pair of scythes were converted into a large propeller-like weapon that spun around rapidly and shot toward Jellal, who threw out a beam of golden energy to try and block it, only to look in surprise as the rapidly spinning weapon cut through his attack like butter.

"Meteor!" Jellal used his fastest technique once more to zoom up and toward the ceiling and avoid the devastating attack that obliterated the floor where he stood. But the spinning double-blade followed his own trail and even moved at a speed equal to his own meteor. That's when Jellal noticed the handprints that had previously appeared on his body before disappearing flashing back to reveal themselves again.

"I told you before, you can run from sin, but you can never escape it." Kama declared. "It will relentlessly pursue the marks on your flesh till justice has been served. Reflect upon your sins, and despair."

Modeus noticed the predicament Jellal was in as Kama's weapon kept up its pursuit, rending Jellal unable to fight back. 'We don't have time for this. We need to end this now!" Modeus retracted his shield and jumped backwards to avoid the punch from the S-Class monster.

He then jumped and leapt onto the right fist that was currently in the ground and plunged Hunter's Moon into it before running at top speeds, dragging his sword along and cutting his way through, leaving a long white trail of energy as he slashed before making his way up to the shoulder and jumping off. Just like before, a crescent-moon shaped energy trail appeared on the S-Class monster's whole right arm before it exploded, completely destroying the entire limb. But Modeus wasn't done yet.

Hunter's Moon glowed white once again as he aimed it at the back of the S-Class monster's head and a bow-and-arrow like construct of white energy formed in his own hands. "Lunar Goddess of the Hunt: Artemis!" He fired an energy arrow right through the back of the monster's head, causing it to break apart into multiple tiny pieces. The headless body of the S-Class fell to the ground before it vanished, much to Kama's shock.

'What...?! He defeated the S-Class!?'

Modeus then landed on the ground and rushed directly at Kama, swinging Hunter's Moon toward him, which Kama ducked to avoid, but this left him open for Modeus to deal a kick to his stomach and knock him to the wall.

"I'd recommend calling your weapon back if you wish to defend yourself against me." Modeus warned.

Realizing the predicament he was in, Kama snapped his fingers, causing the weapon to stop its pursuit of Jellal and return to him, converting back into a pair of dual scythes as Kama held them close. Jellal landed behind him as the leader of the Wolf Knights was now in-between the pair.

"Jellal, we can't waste any more time. Let's attack him together, render him unable to summon another beast." Modeus stated.

"Very well." Jellal agreed.

Kama then turned his glare towards Modeus. "You are a part of Fairy Tail. Though your guild has a somewhat questionable reputation, I find it hard to believe you would side with arguably the most wanted man in the continent."

"Just as I find it hard to believe your princess would risk the destruction of everything, we know by using something as dangerous as the Eclipse Gate." Modeus responded. "Regardless of what position she holds, I cannot allow that to stand."

"A member of such a lowly guild would dare to defy the will of the kingdom?!" Kama questioned.

"To protect the countless innocents of this world, as well as aid my friends and family that you and your comrades are actively trying to kill? Yes. I dare." Modeus declared with a serious and unwavering look in his eyes.

---

"Terrain Effect: Lava Zone!" Uosuke extended his hands and suddenly the ground beneath everyone began to quake as well as glow a dark and ominous orange, much to their concern.

"What's happening…?" Yukino looked with worry.

"This is not gonna be good…!" Lucy stated.

"The ground feels so hot…!" Lisanna felt her feet.

Suddenly the entire ground broke apart as lava exploded out in multiple directions and began to flood the whole cave. It was as if the entire area had been transformed to the inside of a volcano, causing everyone to separate as the exploding lava forced many of them into different directions.

"Those Pandemonium monsters were just to flush all ya guppies out and get y'all in one place." Uosuke said. "Now I got all the little fishies in my net and I'm in the mood for a good ol' fashioned barbeque. Who-hee!"

"Yukino!" Sorano was separated from her sister and everyone else. She would have lost her balance and fallen back into the lava, but Lisanna was able to swoop in and catch her in her Harpy Take Over.

"I got you!" She said.

"Forget about me! What about them?!" Yukino pointed to Lucy and Yukino who were both hanging off the edge of a rock with the lava just inches below their feet.

"Hang on! We're coming!" Lisanna was about to fly in and help them.

"Nuh-uh." Uosuke waved his finger as he used his magic again. "Terrain Effect: Gravity Zone!" The magic power being channeled directly at Lisanna and Sorano before a force suddenly sent them crashing down into a large rock, one that was on the verge of sinking. Lisanna's transformation wore off as neither of them could move under the intense pressure.

"It feels like I weigh a ton…!" Lisanna muttered.

"His magic… he can alter the environment around us…!" Sorano said under the intense strain.

Lucy tried to pull herself up on the rock, but edge was slowly starting to crumble. "Stay strong Yukino… we're gonna make it through this…!"

"This rock won't last longer though…!" Yukino replied as tears were in her eyes. "I'm sorry… I didn't mean for this to happen…!"

"He was right. There ain't gonna be no bones left when I'm done." Uosuke said with a far-off smile, standing on the tallest rock in the area.

At the same time, the injured Arcadios continued to lay as he saw the positions everyone else was in, Lucy and Yukino being in the most danger while Lisanna and Sorano were unable to help. He saw that the former two's feet were slowly getting closer to the lava, smoke already coming from their respective shoes.

"No… I have to do something…!" Using what strength he had, Arcadios pushed himself to his feet. "I can't let you die… The fate of the world is counting on you… For the Eclipse…"

"Colonel Arcadios…" Yukino muttered.

"Are you kidding me right now?!" Lucy exclaimed. "You're still going on about that?! I already told you that I want no part of that insane plan of yours!"

"The Eclipse will save the world…" Arcadios forced himself to walk forward. "You are the keys to its success… my life is not as important…!" Everyone gasped and looked in shock as they saw Arcadios step into the lava, ankle-deep into it. "I'm ready to sacrifice myself to save you!"

"No, please!" Yukino pleaded.

"Wait, what the hell are you doing?!" Lucy questioned in just as much shock as they saw Arcadios trek agonizingly through the molten rock.

"He's walking through lava?!" Lisanna exclaimed, still unable to force herself up from the intense gravity. Even Sorano was rendered speechless. Was he really willing to throw his life away to save her sister and Lucy? She honestly couldn't help but admire that sort of fortitude.

"Who-hee! And they say I'm crazy!" Uosuke said, still maintaining his far-off look.

Arcadios yelled in agony as he pushed himself towards Lucy and Yukino, grabbed each of them by the foot, and pushed them up to the top of the rock. "Climb up… quickly…!"

"But what about you?!" Yukino questioned.

"Don't worry about me…! Just go…! The two of you must survive…!" As he pushed them up, he sank deeper into the lava. Already he was waist-deep into it.

"Quit yapping!" Lucy told him. "We're safe! So, get out!"

"Please… listen to me…!" Arcadios muttered with what little strength he felt he had left, willing to let himself sink. "If you… and your friends… leave this place… go find… Princess Hisui… seek her out…"

"Take our hands! Please!" Yukino pleaded as she tried to reach for him.

"You have to reach for us! Hurry!" Lucy also pleaded. "You don't have to die like this!"

"We have to… do something…!" Lisanna muttered but couldn't move under the crushing gravity effects she and Sorano were still under.

"I can't even… use my magic…" Sorano strained.

Arcadios was sinking even deeper, only his head remained above the surface. "The two of you… can decide… if the Eclipse… is what we need…" He said with what he thought were his last words.

"Please don't…" Yukino could only look in horror as she saw him sink completely into the lava. "ARCADIOS! NO!" She cried while Lucy looked away in sorrow. Lisanna and even Sorano both looked down in remorse as well.

"Saved in the nick of time."

Everyone gasped in surprise as a hand appeared out of the lava, and even more so when they saw an entity that bore a resemblance to a grandfather clock emerged from the molten rock, with Arcadios himself stored safely inside him, despite several serious burns all over his body.

"Although, I'm not sure how long I can keep him in here. It's a bit of a tight fit."

"Horologium!" Lucy recognized her spirit. "But how did you get down here?!"

"Is that… a Celestial Spirit…?" Yukino knew a spirit when she saw one, but she wasn't familiar with this type.

"I passed through the Gate of my own accord." Horologium informed. "And I was not the only one."

"Who in the hillbill is that?" Uosuke asked. "Some kind of clock…"

*SMASH!*

He was interrupted when a glowing fist struck him in the cheek, sending him crashing and skidding across the wall before skidding to a halt on a rock.

"Sorry for the wait, Lucy. But better late than never." Loke said as he appeared as well, holding a case that contained all of Lucy's celestial keys.

"Loke!" Lucy exclaimed with a smile.

"Isn't that Leo the Lion?" Yukino asked.

"Boy, am I glad to see him…" Lisanna smiled, but then noticed the gravity keeping her and Sorano under was gone, allowing them to stand. "Hey, we're back on our feet!"

"Guess the gravity effect wore off when that hick had his teeth punched in." Sorano said with relief.

Loke had already handed Lucy her pack of keys as he handed Yukino hers as well. "Here, I brought yours too."

"Wow, I can't thank you enough." Yukino looked towards her keys, while Ophicus still made her a tad nervous, she cried in joy upon holding Libra and Pisces again. "I'm sorry… I'll never let you go again." Lucy smiled, truly happy for Yukino.

Lisanna had donned her Harpy Form once again, allowing herself to fly and bring Sorano with her as they all regrouped. "Looks like the tide's about to turn." Lisanna smirked as Uosuke pulled himself up.

"Speaking of…" Lucy bit into the palm of her hand, causing it to bleed as she put one specific Zodiac Key into her bleeding hand. "Let's do something about this lava. Open! Gate of the Water Bearer! Aquarius!" A wave of water erupted from her hand as Aquarius appeared before the group.

"But how…?" Yukino looked in surprise. "I thought Aquarius could only be summoned through water!"

"And blood has water in it." Lisanna informed with a smirk, causing Yukino to realize how Lucy was able to summon this specific spirit, something that impressed even Sorano.

"Ugh! This is too damn hot! Let's fix that!" Aquarius held out her urn as she sprayed water in all directions, cooling off all the lava. It wasn't long before all the lava hardened, and the danger was adverted.

"What in…? How'd that she-fish get rid of all my lava?!" Uosuke complained.

"That cool enough for you, Lucy?" Aquarius smirked.

"Yeah. Thanks a ton." The blonde smirked back.

Horologium let Arcadios fall out of him as Yukino was the first to address him. "His life is not in danger though I do recommend medical attention soon."

"Thank you for saving him." Yukino said sincerely.

"Of course. Lady Lucy, I must return to the Celestial Realm." Horologium informed his owner.

"Sure thing. Thanks for your help, Horologium." Lucy thanked just as he vanished.

"I think I'll stick around for a while too." Loke said as he straightened out his suit. "Oh, and by the way Lucy, I passed through the Gate with my own power, so you should still be able to summon one more spirit. And I think we both know who." He shared a knowing look with her.

"Yeah, time to bust out one of my trump cards." She drew another Golden Key. "Open! Gate of the Twins! Gemini!" With a swing of her keys, Lucy had summoned Gemini, the twin celestial spirits, that just so happen to take the form of Lucy herself, albeit in her bathing suit.

"Gemini-Lucy reporting for duty!" She said with a smirk equal to that of the original.

"Why is she in a swimsuit?" Yukino asked in surprise.

"That was the last appearance Lucy had when she summoned Gemini." Lisanna answered with a slightly wincing smile.

"Gemini, time for a party!" Lucy ordered. "I'm thinking Scorpio and Virgo would be perfect here!"

"Our thoughts exactly." Gemini-Lucy had drawn two keys of her own, copies of the ones that Lucy had. "Open! Gate of the Scorpion! Gate of the Maiden! Scorpio! Virgo!" Two magic circles appeared as the two spirits in question were summoned.

"Wicked!" Scorpio grinned, flashing a pair of rock-on devil horns.

"At your service." Virgo bowed.

"Four Celestial Spirits at once…?!" Yukino couldn't contain her surprise, an even Sorano was caught off guard.

'I get it…' The former Celestial Wizard thought. 'Gemini can copy any individual they chose, down to their power. And if they're able to copy Lucy, who can summon two spirits at once… they can also do the same thing!' A smile formed on her face. 'Now that's impressive.'

"I get it now… those are spirits…" Uosuke looked serious.

"Alright guys, you ready to rock?" Lucy challenged as she drew the Morning Star and Fleuve d'etoiles and stood by all her present Spirits of Loke, Aquarius, Scorpio, Virgo, and even Gemini-Lucy.

"So long as am I with my girl, I'm ready for anything." Scorpio said as he stood close to Aquarius.

"That makes two of us, baby." She said as well.

"I will do my absolute best." Virgo vowed.

"If you're ready, we're ready!" Gemini-Lucy had her own two whips drawn as well.

"Let me get in on the fun too." Lisanna stepped forward, standing right by Lucy's side.

Loke grinned at their enemy. "All the Zodiac Keys are gathered as one. You're in hot water now."

Uosuke couldn't help but feel a tad bit nervous. "Ah fishsticks!"

---

Meanwhile, Happy flew Natsu to avoid the blasts of two B-Class Monsters before Natsu retaliated with a breath attack of his own to obliterate one. But before he could move to the other, Happy saw an incoming A-Class who threw out his fist, but Happy flew up so that he and his best friend could avoid the devastating strike.

"Get me in his face, Happy!" Natsu told him.

"Aye sir!" The blue Exceed did as he was told, allowing Natsu to get in close and land a fiery punch to the A-Class monster's jaw and knock it back.

Sheeree used the copied Meteor spell to zip away from the blasts of two more B-Class monsters as well as dodge the physical strikes of two of the A-Class monsters. "Sky Dragon Roar!" Sheeree unleashed a wind-based breath attack to destroy one B-Class but was forced back on the move as the remaining B-Class and two A-Class were quickly on her.

"Spore Bomb: Rinka Renka!" Cosmos summoned a multitude of glowing spores from the flowers around her and unleashed them all onto Wendy, who was able to dodge most of them before trying to rush and close the distance between herself and Cosmos, but the plant-girl allowed herself to sink into the flower beneath her, which quickly closed.

"She's not letting me get in close!" Wendy muttered in frustration before looking in surprise to see multiple flowers pop up from the ground and release a sickly orange gas.

"Makura Kamura!" Cosmos reappeared from a large flower as the gas began to surround Wendy. "These little spores of mine are rather poisonous. But don't worry, it won't be too agonizing. You'll just be sleeping for a while. It's such a shame you refused my offer, I really hate to see cute things die."

"Then I'm not sure if you'll be disappointed or pleased by this."

Cosmos gasped upon hearing Wendy's voice, seeing the girl walk through the cloud of spores as she cast a spell upon herself. "Re-Raise." Her body was covered in a green glow as she purged all the toxins from her body.

"What…? B-but how…? My spores…?!" Cosmos looked in disbelief.

"My magic is more than just fighting, I can use heal and support spells as well." Wendy revealed. 'I might not be able to heal my own physical injuries like Sherria can, but I am able to purge ailments from my body.' She then threw out her arms to blow a whirlwind in all directions and blow away all of Cosmos spores and the flowers that spawned them.

"No… my pretty flowers…!"

"I don't think they're pretty." Wendy glared. "I could never think of anything that's used to kill be pretty!"

"You vile thing!" Cosmos raised more fly-trap like plants and fired a hail of explosive seeds at Wendy, forcing her to use her speed and agility to avoid them.

While Sheeree couldn't help but be proud of how strong Wendy has grown, she knew they had to end this fight now given they were on a time limit and she had a good idea of how to do it.

"Natsu! Happy! Listen up!" Sheeree called to them, getting their attention. "I need you guys to split up! Happy, you grab Wendy and keep her as high as you can! Natsu, you draw all the monsters' attention! I'll handle the rest!"

"You got it!" Natsu gave her a thumbs up. "You heard her, Happy. Set me down and go get Wendy!"

"Sure, leave it to me." Happy didn't know what kind of plan was going on, but he trusted his friends and decided to follow along. He let Natsu go who then unleashed another breath attack on an A-Class to get the attention of that one beast, the other two A-Class monsters and the remaining two B-Class.

"Hey, you guys ain't so scary! Why don't you step it up and try to actually hit me!?" Natsu challenged. This earned roars from the beasts as the two B-Class shot more energized water from their mouths toward him, which Natsu flipped to avoid.

Happy quickly flew in to grab Wendy and pulled her up to avoid more seeds shot at her by Cosmos. "Happy…?" Wendy looked in surprise.

"Sheeree has a plan, just go along with it." Happy informed.

"Okay." That was all the young Dragon Slayer needed to hear.

"You're not getting away from me!" Cosmos sank into her flower once again. That same flower re-appeared on the ceiling near Wendy and Happy as Cosmos was lowered down, having vines attaching her to the flower before she launched more vines at the pair.

Sheeree had then flown up to the very top of the cavern as her body glowed gold. 'I've had seven years to learn about my Magical Drain. Seven years to grow and learn how to regulate the power I use so it doesn't waste away at my stamina like before. But thanks to a more creative input from Ultear, I discovered I can do more than just copy spells.' In addition to the golden aura around her, Sheeree's body was set ablaze. 'I can combine them and create even more powerful combinations!'

The girl of Crime Sorciere shot at incredible speeds and moved in a specific pattern near the ceiling. After dodging a punch from an A-Class, Natsu looked up in surprise to see a trail of bright orange energy as well as seven magic circles being connected to the trail, almost like a constellation.

"What… I know that spell…!" Natsu remembered when he fought Jellal at the Tower of Heaven and when he unleashed a powerful attack in the sky.

'I can copy the magical powers of those within a specific range.' Sheeree thought. 'I can still sense Jellal nearby, and Natsu is right here. So, let's see these guys handle this!'

Taking a stance near identical to Jellal's while she hovered in the air, with both her hands placed on top of each other, the top hand having the index and middle finger-spread out. "May the seven infernal stars bring judgment upon you! Fire Dragon: Grand Chariot!" Multiple light-flame attacks rained down, almost like a storm of meteors. They all struck the ground to create an enormous fiery explosion, one that completely obliterated all the Pandemonium monsters in the area and seemingly engulfed Natsu.

"Holy Cow!" Happy screamed as Wendy and Cosmos looked in shock. "That's one powerful spell!"

'I never knew Sheeree would be so powerful…' She looked to Sheeree herself as she remained hovering above the inferno below, her body surrounded by a mixture of golden light and flames, and she couldn't help but look to her in awe in the same way she does with Natsu, Dante, Modeus, Erza, and everyone else in Fairy Tail. 'My big sister…'

Cosmos gave a haughty laugh. "An flashy display, but I can always summon more monsters while you just lost one of your own."

"Don't be so sure." Wendy said with a knowing grin.

The flower girl looked confused for a brief moment, but that confusion turned into absolute disbelief and shock as she saw all the flames being condensed into a single spot. As the flames shrank, they revealed Natsu, who didn't have a single scratch on him, as well as consuming all the flames in his usual manner. When he gulped down the last ember, he wiped his mouth and gave his titular smirk.

"Thanks for the meal, Sheeree. Now I got a major fire in my belly!"

"Happy to help." She smiled back at him.

"Impossible… he consumed all of that…" Cosmos stuttered in horror.

"Might wanna move out of the way, Happy and Wendy!" Natsu warned. "Fire Dragon Roar!" Natsu let loose the largest breath attack he could muster straight towards Cosmos. Happy had managed to pull Wendy out of the way. Acting on pure instinct, Cosmos tried to seal herself in a large flytrap flower and wrapped vines around it for good measure, but Natsu's inferno quickly engulfed and burnt it all to ash, much to her horror as Cosmos began to fall.

"No… my beautiful flowers…"

"Last time I checked, fire and plants don't mix. She's all yours Wendy!" Natsu called out to her.

"Right! Get me in close, Happy!" Wendy ordered.

"Aye ma'am!" The blue Exceed flew the young Dragon Slayer directly at the falling plant girl who was unable to defend herself. Wendy reached back and created a crude-shaped object out of the winds around her, grasping the edge just as Happy closed the distance.

"Sky Dragon Sword!" Wendy slashed at Cosmos as Happy flew her past her opponent. The attack not only cut her but dealt an explosive force of air that sent Cosmos plummeting at high speeds and crashing to the wall near the ground.

---

Mirajane's She-Devil form went straight for the A-Class, clashing their fists once again before Mira pulled back to unleash ranged attack. "Darkness Stream!" She blasted a beam of dark energy at the A-Class to knock it back towards the wall. Three B-Class monsters tried to shoot at her from behind, but Mira flexed her hand to create a barrier and protect herself from the energized water attacks. She then flew to the one in the middle and plunged hands into it. "Evil Spark!" Electricity surged through the B-Class before it exploded. The two around her tried to lunge at her, but Mira threw out both her hands to blast streams of dark energy to obliterate each of their heads and destroy them. She turned to see the A-Class getting back up, despite its right shoulder being crushed from her attack before flying to re-engage it.

Trish fired rapid electric shots from Luce and Ombre into the face of the B-Class to destroy it while two tried to come at her from behind, but Trish's body turned into a bolt of white lightning to avoid the slashes from their claws as she reappeared directly behind them, but instead of the Devil Sword Sparda like before, she had a new weapon in her hands.

"Azrael!" Wielding the scythe she took from the defeated Erigor, she channeled her own demonic power into it as a black whirlwind began to form at the blade. She then swung the scythe and created a twister of black wind and white lightning that engulfed the two B-Class monsters and tore them apart.

'While I trained these last three months, I found out some of Erigor's residual demon power still clung to his scythe.' Trish looked to the weapon. 'Probably from that Ascension Ceremony he went through. If I channel my own power through this thing, I can bring out his own wind magic. It's not as powerful as when he wielded it, hell Wendy's is probably stronger. But it's still makes for pretty good pseudo Devil Arm.' She saw two more B-Class monsters approaching her, which only caused her smirk to grow before going on the attack.

"Paper Blizzard: Green Dance!" Kamika threw a cluster of green papers that emitted a poisonous cloud towards Cana, but she was prepared.

"Card Magic: Wind Edge!" By throwing out her cards, she created an air blast that not only blew the poison away, but even came close to Kamika, who erected another gray paper shield to protect herself. "All the good your fancy paper tricks will do if it can't actually touch me!"

"Then how about something a little quicker? Paper Blizzard: Yellow Dance!" This time, Kamika threw multiple yellow papers at Cana, all of which lit with electric power before they all struck Cana, who was unable to avoid them. "Not so quick on the draw now, are you?"

"I could say the same to you!" Cana emerged from the electricity, only having minor injuries, much to the surprise of Kamika. "Thunderbolt's Fate!" Cana raised three certain cards in the air that sent two bolts of electricity at Kamika, who couldn't avoid them either as she was electrocuted. "Not so fun, huh bitch?" Cana smirked.

"You can withstand lightning…" Kamika winced as she still stood her ground as well. "Not bad…"

"I know a guy who's way stronger with that kind of thing then your fancy papers. Hell, Trish over there is probably stronger." Cana maintained her grin.

"There's no doubt you're strong and talented. But you're still a criminal, and you must die. Paper Blizzard: Violet Dance!" Kamika threw a multitude of purple papers at Cana, and she couldn't avoid those either as they quickly stuck all around her body and rendered her unable to move.

"The hell…? I can't move…!"

"Of course, you can't. Those papers restrict any and all movement." Kamika gloated. "They'll keep you nice and still as you face punishment for your sins. Paper Blizzard: Indigo Dance!" The immobilized Cana was then trapped in a sphere of indigo-colored papers. "These papers are a bit different. They'll conjure up any pain or trauma you've endured. They'll make you face your guilt as you finally face your sins over and over. Now face your sins as your mind is torn apart!"

Cana was bombarded with a series of mental images, such as her mother dying when she was so young and crying at her grave. All the years she's seen her father but never told him the truth about their relationship, all the failures to become S-Class, but probably the most prevalent of all… betraying Lucy during the S-Class trial and putting her in a situation that could have ended her life. But despite all that, Cana kept a firm grip over a certain card she held in her hands, one she drew before Kamika's purple papers immobilized her.

However, Kamika's smirk vanished as the paper sphere was set on fire before it was all blown away, much to her shock.

"Really? A little guilt trip?" Cana said, sounding disappointed as she held a flaming card in her hands, some burns were shown on her body as all the purple and indigo papers were born away. "That's all you got?"

'She must have drawn a fire card before my violet papers got her!' Kamika realized. 'Did that mean… she burnt all the papers off, burning herself in the process?!'

"I've got my fair share of regrets, sure." Cana began as she walked her way towards the frightened Kamika. "But you know what? I made peace with it. I accepted my mistakes, and I chose to move forward, and my body and heart are much stronger now because of that. Can you say the same?" She threw a punch to Kamika's cheek, followed by a kick to her stomach, a knee to her face and nose, and when it looked like she was about to lay down a punch, a card appeared in-between her fingers which glowed with light just as she made contact. "Sleep!"

The minute the spell and fist made contact, Kamika was knocked out, falling to the ground as she was put to sleep.

With their controller defeated, all the remaining Pandemonium monsters vanished as Trish and Mira looked towards Cana who gave them both a grin and a thumbs up, gesture they both returned.

---

Panther-Lily gave a yell as he swung Baskerville downward to slice a C-Class apart, but when two tried to bombard him with blasts of fire…

"Sanctuary!" Kyrie created her crystal barrier around Lily to shield him from the fire blasts, and when she lowered it, he went on the attack once more. Baskerville then suddenly grew to three times its normal size, and Lily was able to use it to decapitate the two C-Class in one strike.

Three C-Class monsters tried to come at Kyrie from behind, but she looked ready to counter as she extended both her glowing white hands forward. "Holy Beast of Jonah!" Shooting out form her hands was a mass of white energy, which began to take the shape of an enormous shark-like creature that opened its mouth to consume all three C-Class beasts and destroy them as the magic beast faded.

Lily landed close to Kyrie as they came back-to-back. 'Kyrie has learned to use her Arc of Seraph to fight thanks to her studying with Levy, but she's still making the moves of a novice, trying to overwhelm her enemies. But that's to be expected from someone who's only learned how to fight a few months ago.' Lily assessed.

'I'm nowhere near as good when it comes to fighting like Nero, Gajeel, or any the others.' Kyrie thought to herself. 'But if I can help my new friends just a little… then it'll be enough for now. I'll get stronger and fight beside them!' She and Lily stood together as several more C-Class monsters surrounded them.

"I'll go on the attack; you act on defense." Lily instructed. "Sword and shield."

"I understand." Kyrie nodded as her hands glowed again and Lily held Baskerville before charging again.

"Acid Pillar!" Neppa threw his fist to the ground, creating a trail of acid pillars that shot up from the ground toward Lady, but she backflipped to avoid it all before attacking as she drew her guns.

"Steel Devil Bullet Barrage!" Lady fired her pistols, shooting multiple rapid bullets infused with her magic, but Neppa created another acid pillar to intercept the attack.

'No good, I can't beat him at a distance. Time to get in close.' Lady sprinted towards her enemy.

"Nuh-uh, that's a bad girl." Neppa punched the ground again, infusing his acidic power into it, causing the ground in-between them to melt, but Lady kicked up to jump into the air, where Neppa attacked next. "You're wind open!" He launched another stream of acid, which appeared to have engulfed her. "Women outta have more decency and you were about as indecent as they come, so I don't feel too bad about melting ya."

However, he was shocked to see a steel-coated arm reach out from the acid stream and grab him by the collar, pulling him into a punch to the face to knock him back.

"What in the hell….? You should be a pile of goop!" Neppa exclaimed as Lady stood over him, her skin covered in steel as she used her Steel Devil Skin ability to protect herself, her metal body somewhat hot from all the acid that touched her.

"Please, I've had worse." Lady brushed some stray her shoulder. "More importantly, I know how you operate. You're a long-ranged fighter, meaning up close…? You're about as helpless as the pig you are." She rushed Neppa again.

"Steel Devil Nemean Cestus!" A pair of steel gauntlets appeared on each of her hands, resembling snarling lion's heads, as she slugged Neppa repeatedly. He tried to fight back, standing his ground and throwing an acidic punch, but she ducked underneath it and dealt a kick to his knee, bringing him down as she slugged him across the face with her right gauntlet, the force of the impact having enough power to send him crashing through several rocks. But she wasn't about to give him time to recover as she quickly closed the distance again. He tried to punch once more, but Lady easily swerved around it before decking him in the back of the head with her left gauntlet.

"Slow and sloppy, no wonder you were fighting at a distance." Lady chastised as she appeared before him once again and jabbed him in the gut, causing him to hack up a great deal of blood. However, she was surprised to see him reaching out with his arms to grab her in the form of a bear hug.

"Gotcha!" He held her as tight as he could as multiple spheres of acid hovered and appeared all around them from every angle. "My Multi-Angle Acid never fails to hit its target. I may be slow, but my acid doesn't melt me! I'll just keep you here until you're melted away!" As he said that, all the balls of acid shot at them rapidly, striking Lady multiple times. Even as Neppa was hit by his own attack, his own statement proved to be true as the acid simply splashed on his own body like water. "I really wish was holding a real girl. That little lady down there's more my style. You're too much of a hardheaded bimbo for my taste."

*SLASH!*

Neppa screamed in pain as his arms and fat body were sliced repeatedly by a pair of blades that had formed on Lady's arms, her Steel Devil Skin appeared to have cracked and even slightly melted, but she paid it no mind as she stood with a glare over the fat man.

"What…? How…?"

"Like I said, I've had worse." Lady told him. "I've been beaten down more times than I can count, facing death each and every time. I even had my own heart ripped out and kicked around for somebody else's sick amusement." She thought about all the times she was hurt, beaten down by demons and the other monsters she's fought, and even all the times Arkham got to her, physically and emotionally. "But I never gave in. Every time I was knocked down, I got back up, and each time I did, I got stronger. My body and will are stronger than steel and not even your fancy acid can melt that away!"

Lady brought her sword arms together as they fused and formed a large canon, identical to that of her signature weapon, and she aimed it right at the frightened Neppa with a smirk.

"Jackpot. Steel Devil Bazooka!" She fired a magical rocket blast that engulfed the fat man in a large explosion.

---

"Terrain Effect: Gravity Zone!" Uosuke casted his gravity magic again, this time causing Lucy, Lisanna, and all five of the present Celestial Spirits to float in the air with no control over their movements.

"What now?!" Lucy questioned.

"It's that gravity magic of his again…!" Lisanna complained.

"You got that right." Uosuke said. "All my little fishies are in my net. Time to real this catch…!" Suddenly, a wave of the same kind of magic was cast on the whole area, cancelling out Uosuke's spell and allowing all of them to land on their feet again.

"Alright, back on terra-firma." Loke grinned.

"How in the…?" Uosuke questioned.

"You're not the only one with that kind of magic!" Yukino declared, standing in front of the injured and unconscious Arcadios while holding out a certain key as she had summoned one fo her own spirits. "Excellent work, Libra"

"Child's play really." Libra herself replied.

"Lucy, allow me to provide you some assistance." Yukino had drawn one of her other golden keys. "Open! Gate of the Two Fish! Pisces!" With a wave of her key, Yukino had summon the pair of spirits. But unlike before where they were two massive fish, they took the form of two humans.

One was a woman with light skin, long dark blue hair, and blue eyes. She wore a skin-tight light blue suit with fish-scales on her shoulders as shoulder pads, with the same pattern on her chest, partially exposing her breasts and central part of her torso. The other was a young man with slightly darker skin, long gray hair and blue eyes. He wore only light blue pants with black scales on the sides and a seashell hanging off a string around his neck. He also carried a spear-trident like weapon in his hands.

"Wait… that's Pisces?" Lucy looked in genuine surprise.

"I thought they were giant fish, though!" Lisanna recalled.

"This is the true form of Pisces. A mother and her son." Yukino revealed.

"There could only be one reason we were summoned like this." Son-Pisces began.

"Wiping out the enemy. With style." Mama-Pisces finished with a grin.

"Well, look who decided to join the party. Hey Mama-Pisces." Aquarius waved in a friendly fashion.

"Long time no see, Aquarius." Mama-Pisces waved back.

"For a gal that's had a kid, she's never lost that body." Loke said in his usual flirtatious tone.

"Give it a rest." Gemini-Lucy chastised.

"Shall I punish him?" Virgo offered.

"Sup kid, been a while." Scorpio shared a fist-bump with Son-Pisces. "Ready to kick some ass?"

"Oh, you know it!" Son-Pisces grinned.

"Pisces, I want you to follow Lucy's lead. Do what she says." Yukino ordered. "Lucy, in this form, Pisces is proficient in close ranged combat as well as limited water magic, they're not on Aquarius' level, but they're still powerful. But if they touch water, they'll turn back into fish!"

"Okay, I got it." Lucy nodded.

"Libra, I want you to stay here with me." Yukino stated. "If our enemy uses his gravity magic again, cancel it out."

"Understood." Libra responded.

"Sorano, I'm going to need help protecting Colonel Arcadios. Can I count on you to support me?" She requested her older sister.

"Of course." Sorano stood by her younger sister's side. "I have your back, Yukino." She smiled towards her, causing Yukino to smile your back.

Lisanna and Loke were both by Lucy's sides as Virgo, Gemini-Lucy, Aquarius, Scorpio, and Pisces all stood right behind her.

"We'll follow your lead, Lucy." Lisanna said with a smirk as she transformed into her She-Cat Take Over.

"Just say the word." Loke grinned as his fists began to glow gold.

Lucy smirked as she took out both the Morning Star and Fleuve d'etoiles. "In the words of Cousin Dante… Let's rock!"

"YEAH!" They all said as they charged forward.

"Time to wash ya'll fishies away! Terrain Effect: Whirlpool Zone!" Uosuke unleashed a tidal wave upon the group.

"Aquarius, you're up!" Lucy ordered as the aforementioned spirit went to the front of the pack and used her urn to pull in all the water, in a manner that wasn't too different from Natsu consuming fire, much to Uosuke shock.

"My turn!" Aquarius aimed her urn and unleashed her own tidal wave on Uosuke, with Lisanna jumping into the water, quickly transforming into her Barracuda Soul and swam through the water to close in on the enemy.

"Terrain Effect: Cold Zone!" Using his magic again, Uosuke froze the whole area, covering it all in ice, and freezing the tidal wave. "Ha, nice try! Now I…"

However, he looked in surprise to see a glowing orange light in the ice, causing it to melt before a burst of fire erupted, blasting it all away to reveal Lisanna in her Dragon Take Over. "Fire Claws!" Her claws set ablaze, she slashed and struck Uosuke to blast him across the wall.

"Gemini, pull him in!" Lucy ordered.

"You got it!" Gemini-Lucy extended their own Fleuve d'etoiles whip, which ensnared Uosuke before they retracted it to pull him towards themselves as well as Lucy, both dealing kicks to his face to send him skidding to the ground.

"Terrain Effect: Gale Force Wind Zone!" He extended his hands and created a large windstorm that forced many of his opponents back.

"Virgo…! Go under…!" Lucy commanded, bracing against the wind.

"As you wish." Virgo sank into the ground and quickly tunneled her way straight for Uosuke's position. Once she was there, she shot up from the ground with an uppercut.

"Hit him in the air while he's vulnerable!" Lucy ordered.

"Regulus Impact!" Loke brought his fists together to send a golden energy lion at him.

"Sand buster!" Scorpio aimed his tail and shot out a twister of sand.

"Inferno Blast!" Lisanna unleashed a breath attack from her mouth.

"Let's go Pisces!" Aquarius said as she unleashed another tidal wave from her urn.

"Right!" Mama and Son both stood together as their Zodiac Symbol appeared in front of them and they too unleashed a stream of water.

However, Uosuke seemed prepared even for this. "Terrain Effect: White Night Zone!" A bright white light appeared in front of him, acting as a shield to block all their attacks and caused everyone in the chamber to cover their eyes.

Even Yukino struggled to keep her eyes open, but still spotted the area where Uosuke was at. "Libra… rotate the target's center of gravity to his back… and apply twice the force."

"Will do." Libra was able to get a read on the area where Uosuke was at and applied her gravitational power, causing the light to vanish as Uosuke was pinned against the wall and unable to move.

"Ah shucks, that ain't fair!"

"He's down!" Lisanna exclaimed.

"Get him!" Lucy commanded.

"Nuh-uh! Terrain Effect: Fainting in Agony Zone!" A purple sphere appeared in front of him when suddenly, multiple weapons appeared from the ceiling and appeared to be heading straight for Yukino, Libra, and Arcadios.

However, Sorano had come to the rescue. "Angel's Messenger!" She unleashed a swarm of angel-like entities, all rather small balls of white feathers that had open mouths filled with razor sharp teeth. One could say they were akin to piranhas. And they acted as such as they went toward the incoming weapons and bit down to consume them all so rapidly that not a single one of them touched the ground.

"Hey, you got some piranhas in your net." Uosuke noted, but this left him vulnerable for Mama Pisces to close the gap and land a kick in his stomach.

"They're not the only fish with fangs here, right kiddo?" She kicked Uosuke to her son.

"Right, Mama." He spun his spear around and slashed at the incoming Uosuke.

"Close in and don't give him a chance to counter! Gang up at once!" Lucy ordered.

Everyone was on the attack as they closed in and circled around Uosuke with Loke throwing a glowing punch to the jaw first, sending him to Scorpio, who slammed his tail into him to knock him to Aquarius, who blasted him with a point-blank surge of water from her urn. He was sent flying to Virgo who delivered a spinning roundhouse to knock him upwards towards the flying Lisanna as she slammed a fireball into him to knock him towards Lucy and Gemini-Lucy as they worked in mirror synchronization, both extending their Fleuve d'etoiles whips to bind him and bring him down to their level just as they both flailed their respective Morning Stars right into his face to send him crashing into the wall.

"Let's make sure he stays down this time." Lucy declared, looking towards Yukino with a nod, who nodded towards Libra who, in turn, applied her gravity magic to

Once again, Lisanna, Loke, Scorpio, Aquarius, and Pisces unleashed their respective long ranged attacks once again. Even Virgo had picked up a large rock front he ground for good measure and threw it.

"Aw that is just bullshark." Uosuke muttered as all of the attacks barreled down on him, unable to defend himself.

---

Modeus swung Hunter's Moon and collided his sword against the scythes wielded by Kama, a clash of blades erupting in-between them. Modeus blocked the swing of the left scythe and plunged his blade into the ground to leap over the horizontal swing of the right scythe, while holding onto the handle of his blade and planted both his feet into Kama's face to push him towards Jellal who had an attack prepared.

"Jiu Leixing!" Leaping into the air and waving his right hand back, Jellal conjured nine lightning-based swords behind his person before throwing his hand forward to launch them at Kama, who swung his right scythe to cancel out the magic effects of the first three, but the remaining six all hit the ground around him.

'I wasn't his target…?!' Kama thought too late before the lightning blades exploded, the force of it sending him backwards towards Modeus who swung Hunter's Moon at him to unleash an attack of his own.

"Demon Sword: Chaotic Moon!" He had unleashed a large red spectral image of a moon, one that surged with explosive energy right at Kama. However, Kama had given an upward slash of his right scythe to sever the attack and negate it's effects. This however was exactly what Modeus intended as he had lunged past the negated attack and thrusted Hunter's Moon at Kama's right hand as it was upward, knocking the scythe out of his hand, much to his shock.

'He used the attack as a decoy, all to put myself in a position to disarm me' Kama thought in shock. 'Did he learn that my weapons can negate magic power?! Such impressive warrior's intuition!' He tried to bring his only remaining scythe down on Modeus, only for him to raise his own sword to block and parry it.

But this still left him open for Jellal to shoot at him with his Meteor spell and deal a powerful kick to his back. While still using the speed of his Meteor spell, Jellal had reached and grabbed the handle of Kama's left scythe and threw it away from him just as the leader of the Wolf Knights rolled on the ground.

"Those weapons of yours may be able to negate magic, but you can't." Jellal told him as he and Modeus stood together before their shared enemy, who was on his knees. "This is your last chance. Surrender."

"Damn you…!" Kama muttered. "I don't take orders from criminals! And you…" He looked to Modeus specifically. "By not only attacking me, but by also siding with the most wanted man in the country… you have truly made yourself an enemy of the kingdom!"

"I'm not particularly worried." Modeus said as he slowly approached him. "We've made worse enemies. Now as for you, not only have you and your comrades attacked my friends and I, threatening our lives, your master is in possession of a dangerous weapon that could potentially destroy our whole world and has refused to negotiate or even find a way to end this peacefully. We had no choice but to resort to this. And because of that, it is you who has made an enemy of Fairy Tail." Modeus said as Hunter's Moon began to glow white.

"Take it from someone who had to learn it the hard way… that is the worst mistake you could possibly make." Jellal added, his right hand glowing a bright gold. "Perhaps you should reflect on your own choices now."

With that, both warriors lunged forward. Modeus thrusted his sword as Jellal threw out his fist, sending a slash and beam of white and gold energy respectively as they all struck Kama and sent him through the wall.

---

Meanwhile Dante, still in his Dreadnaught form and quipped with Beowulf, quickly close the distance between him and Moloch as he slammed his right gauntlet into the demon's abdomen, causing him to hack up blood before Moloch swung Crystalbane into Dante's side to knock him back. But while Dante was pushed back, the force from the blow was still absorbed into him. Moloch tried to use this opportunity to strike Dante, plunging Crystalbane into the ground to send a trail of crystals his way, but Dante allowed himself to tank the hit as the crystals exploded around him, but all the energy and damage was still absorbed into his Dreadnaught form, right before Dante rushed Moloch again and leapt to deliver a kick to the side of Moloch's head to knock him across the chamber and before he even had a chance to recover, Dante had zoomed into him to strike his grieve into Moloch's chest to further smash him into the wall.

Carla continued to watch in awe from a distance. 'Dante's Dreadnaught form may slow him down, but he's compensated that with the speed from his Beowulf Devil Arm, very similar to when he made his Inferno Trigger by combining his Dreadnaught with the Devil Trigger, it works on the same principles. But I suspect that Dante isn't doing this because of some kind of strategy.' Even with his face covered by the demonic aura from the Dreadnaught armor, Carla could tell from the glowing yellow where his eyes would be that there was rage there. 'Dante is angry.'

Another roundhouse kick from Dante sent Moloch skidding and crashing along the cavern walls, leaving a trail of destruction. But Moloch recovered as Dante closed in and swung Crystalbane, but Dante allowed the hit to strike, shattering the crystal sword on his side as the damage and energy was absorbed, right before Dante gave an uppercut to send Moloch flying upwards. Dante then jumped up to meet him in mid-air and gave him an axe kick to knock him back to the ground. Before he had a chance to get up, Dante was already on top of Moloch and punched him again with Beowulf multiple times, smashing him with such force that each blow rattled Moloch's insides. Dante then loomed over him with a dangerous look in his eyes, looking ready to unleash all the stored power.

"Show me no mercy… Son of Sparda…" Moloch weakly spat as Dante lifted his right grieve. "No mercy…!"

*STOMP!*

However, Moloch looked surprised and enraged to see that it was not his head that was stomped on, but rather his right (and only remaining) horn, leaving him completely hornless.

"Now they match!" Dante then channeled all the energy absorbed by his Dreadnaught, causing the energy armor to vanish and merge into his right Beowulf gauntlet as he quickly pounded it into the ground just on Moloch's side, causing the entire ground to collapse and cave in. Though Dante was able to jump out of the way thanks to his Beowulf grieves, he saw Moloch fall into the resulting cave in and countless rocks and debris falling in after him and will likely bury him alive when he reached the ground.

The fight was over as the Crimson Knight looked with an unmoved expression down into the darkness of the pit he just made.

"Was that wise?" Carla asked as she flew over to him. "Sparing him like that?"

"Wise? Probably not." Dante admitted. "But I doubt he's going anywhere. And we got a job to do. Destroy the Eclipse Gate, save the world, ya know the drill."

"You still could have finished him off." Carla said. "I get the sense you wanted to."

"…I don't know if he was the one who killed Mavis, but I think that's why my old man spared him in the first place." Dante guessed. "Moloch probably wanted Sparda to lose it, given him a bloody death or whatever… but he took the high road, deemed that guy wasn't worth the effort. I basically did the same thing. Humiliation is better than given them what they want." Dante said with a somewhat hollow smirk before it faded. "But I am gonna have a word with my pop when this is all over."

"Of course." Carla nodded in understanding. Though she did understand the reasoning behind Dante's actions in sparing Moloch, to further humiliate and taunt him, which wasn't too out of character for Dante, especially given Moloch's massive ego. She couldn't help but feel a tad concerned for him given that Moloch basically revealed he killed Dante's adoptive sister, whom he barely even knew before meeting her ghost in this tournament.

Just then, multiple explosions erupted from the cavern walls around him as they all collapsed, giving way to a much larger underground chamber as several of the defeated Wolf Knights, consisting of Kama, Cosmos, Neppa, and Uosuke, all came flying out through the cavern walls before colliding into one another and falling to the ground, all of whom were likely defeated at the same time.

Dante and Carla looked around at the large and gaping holes to see all their friends and allies regrouping.

"Oh hey, look who's here." Dante noted with a smile.

"Very nice." Panther-Lily said in his normal form as he came out of one hole along with Kyrie and Lady.

"Oh hi, everyone." Mira waved as she, Cana, and Trish stepped out of one opening with the blonde she-demon carrying the sleeping Kamika over her shoulders.

"It seems everyone's alright." Jellal said with relief as he and Modeus stepped forward.

"Did you expect anything less?" Sheeree smirked as she, Natsu, Happy, and Wendy emerged from an opening together.

"Yeah, we totally owned these goons." Natsu grinned.

"It wasn't easy, that's for sure." Lisanna commented with a relieved smile, stepping out with Yukino, Lucy, Sorano (who carried the injured Arcadios over her shoulder), and all the summoned spirits.

"Well now that everyone's here, let's find a way out of this dump." Dante said.

"W-we lost…? But how…?" Kama weakly stuttered as he was the only conscious member of the Wolf Knights, watching Trish step forward as she dropped the sleeping Kamika onto the pile of her defeated comrades before stomping on the side of Kama's face.

"So, you gonna tell us where the exit is, or what?" Trish mused, spinning Luce in her hand.

Despite being defeated, Kama glared defiantly at her. "I… will never… aid an enemy…"

"Alright, have it your way." Trish's hand surged with lightning, but Lucy put a hand on her shoulder.

"Hang on Trish, I got a better idea." Lucy said before looking toward one of her spirits. "Gemini, you're up."

"On it." Gemini-Lucy walked over to Kama just as Lucy turned toward all her spirits. "Thanks for the help everyone."

"Of course, princess." Virgo nodded.

"Now that we're done here, how about you and me get some alone time, baby?" Scorpio mused to Aquarius, who immediately nuzzled up to his side.

"Let's do it, love muffin." She smiled with a blush.

Gemini-Lucy had walked over towards Kama and placed a finger on his forehead. Just then, Gemini changed form in a puff of smoke, switching over from Lucy to a double of Kama himself, much to the executioner's own shock. The minute Gemini transformed, all the spirits they summoned, Scorpio and Virgo, both vanished and returned to the Spirit World just as Lucy sent Aquarius back.

"Well?" Lucy asked.

"We know exactly where to find the exit." Gemini-Kama confirmed. "We're not that far from it actually."

"Excellent work. Well done." Jellal nodded with approval.

"Then lead the way. We got a job to do." Dante said seriously.

---

Her eyes slowly fluttered open, having awoken from a long slumber. She groaned weakly as her vision was distorted, trying to regain her senses. "Wha… what…?" Her eye sight cleared up as she found herself lying in a bed in an unknown location, the only other person in the room being Meredy as she was putting a cloth in a bowl of water, no doubt being used to try and treat her.

"Where am I…?"

Meredy gasped as she heard that and turned around in shock to see the Lucy Heartfilia double that Jellal had found a few days ago, having lost consciousness the moment he found her, but now she was waking up.

"You're awake… You're awake!" Meredy shot up and called for her surrogate mother. "Ultear! Come in here now! She's awake!"

The former dark wizard wasted no time at all in rushing into the room and was at the blonde's bedside.

"Are you alight? Can you move at all?" Ultear asked her.

"Where am I…?" She repeated.

"This is our hideout." Ultear answered. "You've been out for a few days when Jellal found you, so we took you here to recover."

"A few days…?" She gasped as she shot up from her bed in alarm. "What's today's date?!"

"H-Hey slow down!" Meredy urged. "You shouldn't be up…!"

"What's today's date!? Tell me!" She exclaimed, grabbing Meredy by the shoulders and looking at her desperately.

"It's the sixth of July!" Meredy answered hastily, startled by the Lucy double's tone.

"The sixth…! Oh no…!" Her face went pale with dread. "Where are the others?! Dante, Natsu, Jellal… please... don't tell me… a-are they at Mercurius right now!?"

Ultear and Meredy shared concerned expressions before the former answered. "Y-yes… they left a few hours ago."

"They left… to rescue me and Yukino… to stop the Eclipse Gate… right…?" She stuttered, surprising the two even more. She knows about the mission? But the only way she would even know that would be if…

"You're really from the future… aren't you?" Ultear figured it out.

"Please… we have to get to them… right now!" Future Lucy begged, tears of fear and sorrow in her eyes. "You have to help me! Or the entire kingdom… is doomed…!"

Done.

So yeah, quite a bit happened in this chapter. We got to see more in Fairy Tail showing off their skills, as well as those in Crime Sorciere as they clashed against Moloch and the Hungry Wolf Knights.

To be honest, this was among my least favorite parts in the canon arc, mostly because of how dragged out all the fights were. Hell, in the manga, the fights weren't nearly this long. Why the anime decided to add in some pointless filler stuff is beyond me, so I tried to condense it as best as I could to show what each of the Wolf Knights can do, as well as how their enemies would counter them. I hope that I have succeed in that regard because there were so many unnecessary moments in the canon material that had to be cut out.

I decided to throw in the monsters from Pandemonium because it seemed easier than having to create a ton of OCs just to balance things out with the many heroes that were taking part in the rescue mission than in the canon. Pandemonium was actually a spell created by Moloch a long time ago to create an army of mindless soldiers to do his bidding, but he could only summon a limited number of a specific class each time due to the vast amount of power needed to create each one. But upon his capture, he was forced to teach this method to the Hungry Wolf Knights if their missions involved any executions within the dungeon. But even they were no match for the combined efforts of Fairy Tail and Crime Sorciere.

Oh, I also changed one little detail about Kama because in the canon, it was said that only his left scythe could cancel out magic, so I decided to make both his scythes have that ability. It honestly made no sense to just have one pair of a dual weapons have magic negating abilities.

One big highlight in these fights was the unveil of one of Lucy's trump cards. By using Gemini to make a double of herself, Lucy is able to summon two additional spirits, essentially summoning three spirits onto the battlefield (four if you count Gemini, who also happens to possess all of Lucy's Devil Hunter training when in that form). Pretty cool, huh?

Among some of the improvements of the others include Trish using the scythe she claimed from defeating Erigor (which she named Azrael) acting as a pseudo Devil Arm for some minor wind manipulation; Kyrie finding out how the Ark of Seraph can be used for combat (most of these spells are based off the Goddess Clan magic from the 'Seven Deadly Sins' series), but she still has a lot to learn when it comes to fighting; Sorano demonstrating her newfound Angel magic to create angel minions, but unlike in the filler 'Key of the Starry Heavens' arc in the anime, it doesn't consume years of her life, she just uses her magic power to summon them forward; and finally, Sheeree showing how she can use her Magical Drain to not only copy the spells of those around her in a specific range, but even combine them together to create new spells (similar to Rufus' Memory-Make Magic, but she can only copy the magic of those who are around her rather than memorize what she sees).

Oh, and one other major reveal… Moloch is responsible for what happened to Mavis. As for the extent of that, you'll just have to wait a while. I will be doing an adaptation of the Zero arc that'll focus on Sparda and the founding of Fairy Tail and Moloch will have a major role to play. But rather than kill him, Dante decided to humiliate him by crushing his remaining horn and burying him alive, leaving him for dead as opposed to giving him a warrior's death. Though he admits that this may come back to bite him and the others in the ass later, he's pretty confident that he did enough damage that Moloch will die of his wounds at best or be incapacitated for the time being at worst. Humiliating someone like that and giving them a dishonorable end is far more impactful and hurtful than the bloody execution that Moloch wanted and deals a much harsher blow to his oversized ego.

But now, Future Lucy is awake and is desperate to find the others and stop a horrible crisis from happening. Can Ultear and Meredy help her get to everyone else in time?

Next chapter, we'll get back to the Grand Magic Games with one particular battle that I've been waiting to write for a long time.

Oh, I'm also just gonna throw this out here right now… I will be completely omitting the Nakagami Armor from the series entirely because it is a huge and pointless Deus ex Machina (I've gotten more than a few complaints about it and I whole heartedly agree with all of them). And even then, it's even further misused because it can apparently be only used once every hundred years or something, and yet Erza used it twice, once in the GMG and second in the Alvarez Empire arc. So yeah, don't worry… that stupid piece of literal plot armor does not exist in this story. I hope that puts your minds to ease.

I'll see you guys soon with the battle that I'm sure you're all going to enjoy.