A month and a half had passed since everyone sought refuge in the Dragon Realm and now it was finally time for the mages to return to Earthland. The mages that would be going to fight Lucy, Usami and Ushin are Team Natsu, Laxus, Gajeel, Mira, Sting, Rogue, Yukino, Jura, Lyon and Kagura. This was decided by the guild masters of each respective guild with the agreement of the royal family. Yukino, however, did not expect for herself to be included in the group.
Before the ex-saber could decline her spot on the team, Mira and Erza stopped her by placing Lucy's celestial spirit keys in her hands. Yukino stared at them with confusion and concern which soon changed into hope when they both began to explain that they were the ones who requested for her to join the group. Besides Lucy, she was the only other one who could use the power of celestial magic and whether it was her or Lucy, the group needed a celestial mage to fight beside them. That alone made Yukino determined.
It was no mystery as to why the dragon slayers were going. Though none intended to slay Lucy, they all agreed that they would distract her while the others went for Usami and Ushin. Especially since Igneel had already informed everyone that Natsu had learnt how to cast Dragon's Redemption in his place since the dragon slayers were going to be distracting Lucy. Lyon was going in order to back up Gray while Kagura and Mira backed up Erza. The dragon slayers deciding it was much safer for their exceeds to stay behind.
All the dragons from Lucy's council, including Hekima and Mirai, came to the castle to see the group of fourteen mages depart for battle alongside the other humans. Each one wishing luck to them while praying that every single one of them returns alive. Kumiko looked to Mirai in the corner of her eye, neither they, Hekima or Isla had spoken about the vision of Lucy that Mirai had seen to anyone. Worried that it might cause panic among the others. But now do they see it was probably better to know sooner than later.
As Celeste opened up the portal to lead them to wherever Lucy was, the oracle dragon stepped up so that the mages could look up at her. The sorrow on her face unable to hide itself from them. "Before you all go... there is something you must know about Lucy when you meet her." She said. "I had a vision about her condition a couple of days ago."
"A vision about Lucy? And you didn't bother to tell any of us, Mirai?" Arhad asked while the mages and dragons stayed quiet, knowing well that Mirai must've had her reasons. "Why?"
"What Mirai saw... it would've been too much for any of us to believe." Kumiko replied as she and Mirai averted eye contact from anyone. "None of us would want to believe that of her majesty."
"What?" Levy asked, her hands clasped together as she grew more worried for her blonde nakama. "What do you mean? What has happened to Lucy?"
Mirai didn't say anything at first as the destroyed city of Crocus appeared through the portal. A grey sky mourning for all the destruction as drops of water fell from the dark clouds that floated above the city. "Lucy... she's..." She stuttered before beginning to recite her words like a fortuneteller. "Pay heed, for her majesty will not be able to fight off the influence of that woman anymore."
"Excuse me?" The rest of the council asked with wide eyes.
"Her majesty will be out for blood." Mirai continued to say as a foggy breath was released from her mouth, the dragons recognizing it as Mirai showing her vision to them. The fog gathered into a sphere and Mirai's vision began to play itself for all to see. "Her mind now trapped within itself, unable to fight through the darkness. Her body, now an empty vessel."
"N-No way..." Natsu said as he approached the sphere. Watching Lucy scream in agony at Usami's hold on her before she relaxed, Usami and Ushin laughs making it very obvious that they succeeded in suppressing her mind. "Luce is so strong... she wouldn't..."
When the vision ended and the fog dispersed, a loud roar could be heard from the other side of the portal to Earthland. No doubt that it was Lucy. The team worried if they will ever find a way to get Lucy back now that her mind is locked away. But Erza quickly regained her determination, clenching her fist tighter as she stomped her foot to the ground and her eyes narrowed with absolute seriousness. She was not going to allow any of her nakama to give up.
"Whether or not if Lucy's mind is gone, we are going back to defeat Usami and Ushin." She said as everyone narrowed their eyes and nodded. "That woman is the reason for Lucy's condition, once we defeat her, Lucy will be free!"
Everyone's eyes widened with hope at the thought. Erza was right. They weren't going back to knock some sense into Lucy nor were they going back to slay her. They were going back to defeat the ones responsible for all this grief and destruction. They are going back in order to save Lucy from herself. She may have given up, but Fairy Tail and the others were not going to allow the Athena to be defeated without a fight. After all, it was so unlike her.
"Hmph... and to think I almost doubted our chances of victory." Lyon said to no one in particular.
"No kidding, Lyon." Gray joked. "I never knew that you could look so scared."
"I expected nothing less from the Titania." Jura said with a smirk as he crossed his arms. "Besides, I would like to talk to the Athena as to know which ranking Wizard Saint she is."
"Well what are we waiting for!" Sting asked in excitement. "That lady owes me and Rogue a proper rematch! One where we actually expect her to use dragon slaying magic."
"Of course you only think of that." Rogue muttered under his breath.
Another deafening roar came from beyond the portal and the mages took that as their cue to go. Natsu taking one more deep breath as he mentally prepared himself for the upcoming battle. He walked through the portal, hearing the support of his guild behind him. For his, Lucy's and Nashi's future, he will succeed in bringing Lucy back. Without having to use to Dragon's Redemption. Usami and Ushin are fighting against some of the strongest mages he knew after all, it'll be easy.
"Just you wait Luce... we're coming to get you."