Natsu poked his head into the infirmary. There was one nurse in the corner checking on some data, but there were two others in the room: Lucy and Wendy. Wendy was holding Lucy's hand in her own while pouring in some subtle Healing magic.

The nurse glowered at Natsu, but as he approached Lucy, she made nothing of it. There weren't any others to tend to. Wendy hadn't done her opponent too dirty, so they were able to get back on their own two feet in no time.

"Na—Bora?" Wendy said. "I thought you had to stay behind with all the others to wait for your match."

He waved her off. Lucy smiled at him. They had a lacrima screen up to watch the fighting, too.

"Nah," he said. "I've got time to get back before anyone notices I'm gone. The others are still in the room waiting for the next match to start."

"What a fight," Lucy said, pointing at the screen. Erza and Gray appeared from thin air on opposite sides of the arena while the MC floated down to introduce their fake names.

"I know," Natsu said, and with a huff, sat at the edge of Lucy's bed. "It's not fair. I wanted to fight Erza or Gray first. And they get to fight each other!"

"I'm sure you'll have fun with your fight," Wendy said.

"I've never even heard of the guy," Natsu said. "Erza told me to be careful, but she's said that about everyone in the Empire and we haven't faced a single touch person yet."

"Speak for yourself," Lucy said. "And you meant Kaitlin, right?"

"Oh, I meant to ask," Natsu said, ignoring that last bit. He leaned toward Lucy. "What the heck happened, anyway?"

Lucy shook her head as if searching her memories. "I hardly know. One moment I was about to cast my spell and the next I was on my butt."

"She moved so much faster than you," Wendy said. "I wonder if she has time-based magic."

"I don't think so," Natsu said and tapped his nose. "If someone moves through time, we'll lose their scent for however long they're gone. But I was able to smell her the entire time."

Lucy shrugged. "And it was a single hit, too. How embarrassing!"

"Cheer up, Lucy," Natsu said and patted her shoulder. "Now you have a benchmark for how much stronger you need to get!"

Lucy sighed. "Maybe if I had my…" She lowered her voice, "real keys."

Natsu glanced at the screen one more time. The MC was leaving the stage. The fight was about to commence.

"What double sucks is that I still have to wait until tomorrow to fight Axel even after I win today," Natsu said and laid back over Lucy's covered legs. He glanced at her again. "You don't look like you got one shot, Lucy…Ashley!"

"I think it was over and done with so fast my body was able to bounce right back," Lucy said. "Carla's been a big help, too."

"I'll stay with you guys until it's about time for me to go, then I can send one of the others to check on you," Natsu said. "It'll be fun to watch these two fight."

"It's like our little team is all together," Wendy said. "Minus the Exceeds."

A pang of jealousy struck Natsu. Ah, man, even Happy got to be more involved with the fight, he was practically right in the action. Hopefully, Erza just got on with it and knocked Gray out right away.

The whistle blew. Wendy and Lucy clenched a bit as Erza and Gray rushed toward one another.

From the outside, the Blue Pegasus guild hall could not have looked in any worse condition. The doors were blown open, the walls were eradicated, and there wasn't even a roof. Makarov grimaced at the sight and wondered if the Empire systemically took out each one of the prominent Fiore guild halls in a big surge attack to wipe out any hope that guild wizards could stand tall against the Empire.

However, looks were quite deceiving. They passed beyond a barrier, through a veil of invisible mist, to a guild hall that was in better working order than maybe ever before. It was a chaotic mess, but Makarov only ever knew guilds to be like that.

People, not just wizards by the looks of it, were moving around, either in a hurry or luxuriously as they had a meager meal of steaming soup or stew in their hands. There was a small group of children on the opposite side of the building, where a bar had once been, at a makeshift school. Bob showed them into the main room proper once they got beyond the foyer.

"This is incredible, Bob," Makarov said.

Bob nodded. "If you'll excuse me, Makarov. I don't mean to be rude or to come off as such, but I would like to take dear Evergreen with me to our chambers so I may undo her Broken magic. It is a danger to the refugees."

"Understood," Evergreen said. She cast a forlorn look to her Thunder Tribe members.

Makarov coughed.

"Ah, right," Bickslow said. "We'll join you."

Fried and Biscklow scurried after her. Makarov gave Laxus, the much taller but younger man, a scolding side-eye. He unfolded his arms, and rolled his eyes, but gave no further complaint as he followed Bob and the Thunder Tribe into a side hallway leading down a dark corridor, with only faint, distant light to greet them.

Bob would take care of them, no doubt. Makarov sighed, happy that Evergreen would finally get the support she needed. He'd have to prod Bob's mind about what the procedure entailed, as the secret to what Broke a wizard in the first place had to lay within it.

He surveyed the room once more, trying to find a place to sit so he could continue observing everyone. Most seats, and tables, were occupied by other folk in the guild hall. Refugees, Makarov assessed, given some of their clothing and more than a few demeanors. Hunched shoulders and sunken looks were not a rare sight. Makarov put his hands together, trying not to look concerned or judgmental as a new face may appear to them.

Quite simply, he couldn't help his disturbed expression, knowing that, if the Empire were somehow still able to track Evergreen, the Fairies led the Empire right to these people.

However, he would not them take this place. Not while he yet breathed.

"So, it would appear the cat is dragging in anything these days."

A wizened, old, cranky voice scratched against Makarov's mind in the best possible way. An old woman in a red cloak with pink hair strode brazenly forward, unharmed by the touch of time or the Empire.

"It would seem it's already collected quite a bounty," Makarov said. "I can only imagine the nightmares you've caused these good people."

"They're nothing compared to what you and the rest of the runt will do," Porlyusica said. Then, she smiled. "Old friend."

"It is good to see you," Makarov said, a warm smile forming beneath his busy mustache. "How have you been?"

"Take a look at the world, Makarov, and you'll have your answer," Porlyusica said. "I'm only happy to do my part here."

"You're doing fine work," Makarov said. "I only fear that our arrival may put that in danger."

"Certainly," Porlyusica said. "But once we learned of your return, we understood it was merely a matter of time. In fact, that poor boy Ichiya has been training near non-stop with the hopes of being able to repel the murderous Garou Knights on his own."

"Well, that's one fewer threat to worry about," Makarov said. "We dealt with them at Bob's Palace on our way in."

"Then the Hunter's Division will need to take you all seriously," Porlyusica said.

It was almost strange to hear her speaking about the Empire. Sometimes, Makarov had to catch himself and remember he wasn't having some sort of bad dream, or that he tripped into some sort of misshapen reality. This was their world. Her life had turned upside down at the same time as the rest of them. Hearing her speak so brazenly and normally about concepts that Makarov was still trying to get his head around was…odd.

"I will not let them take this place, nor harm these people," Makarov said. "I promise."

"Then you better hold to that," Porlyusica said. "I won't see my hard work undone by your inability to stay out of trouble."

She sneered at him, and it helped calm him down a bit. Even after their decades of friendship, sometimes it was impossible to tell if Porlyusica was genuinely mad at him or not.

"Oh, Makarov!" Bob's voice chirped from the corridor. He waved to Makarov and Porlyusica. "I've informed Hisui of your arrival, and of Evergreen's condition. She wishes to speak with you."

Makarov nodded. Good. Hisui needed to be kept abreast of their situation, and if the Hunter's Division were going to try and ambush them at the guild hall, Hisui certainly needed to be kept aware.

Porlyusica joined him as Makarov followed Bob into the corridor, to both speak with Hisui and to uncover the secrets of healing a Broken wizard.

Minerva adjusted her gloves as the door to her Captain's office opened. It was, per usual, bathed in near complete shadow. A small lamp on his desk revealed the neatly stacked papers and the ashtray with a recently put-out cigar. Its scent met Minerva as she eased into the room.

"Captain," she said. "We've pinpointed the location of that Fairy Tail woman. It's around the same area we believe Bob and Blue Pegasus's remains to be."

Her Captain, facing away from her at an angle, folded his hands together.

"Good work," he said.

"Allow me to rectify my previous mistakes," Minerva said, hatred brewing in her that she had to admit to such a thing. When was the last time she failed during her time in the Empire? Had it ever happened? "I'll muster Orga and we'll obliterate all of them."

"No." He didn't even bother turning to face her.

Minerva balled a fist but gave nothing else away. His immense magic pressure was almost palpable. Minerva wished to think her strength was comparable, and maybe she wasn't too far off. But he'd kill her without a second thought. A literal snap of her fingers and she'd get obliterated, faster than she could cast a spell to protect herself.

That she could hardly stand to think.

"We must kill them," Minerva said.

"And we will. But I can't allow you to go unsupervised again. Yes, you and Orga will deal with some of the rebels. But if it's true the people you claim to be on the run are such, then this is Makarov Dreyar we're dealing with. Not only a former Guild Master but a Wizard Saint. Weak, yes, but not to be trifled with among your ilk. It'll take a personal touch on my end."

"Sir?" Minerva said, her voice soft. Her Captain was going to take action? Had she truly underestimated this Makarov so severely?

"You and Orga will deal with whomever he is traveling with and wipe out Blue Pegasus," her Captain said. "Kill them all and we can consider your former errors redeemed."

"Consider it done."

"I won't until the guild burns and the Fairies with it. Am I clear?"

Minerva said nothing, which was far better than anything else that could hint at any amount of defiance. She showed herself out of the office and made her way through the palace to the training grounds. There, she'd train. And break herself. And then be reforged in her magic strong enough to obliterate any opponent in her way.

Including anyone in the Empire.

The match started five seconds ago and Gray was already having to dodge to save his neck. Erza closed the gap between them with impeccable speed, though he recognized the sword in her hand from her fastest armor set. The crowd jumped to their feet as Erza moved in on Gray, whose hands were up in a defensive position from the get-go.

Ice blasted out of his hands and completely froze Erza in place. Gray slid back on instinct while a glow took over the ice and it slowly melted away. Flecks of ice drifted from Gray's hand as Erza emerged, shivering, with a flaming sword. So, she was already breaking out her ace. Gray almost fell into his Ice-Make stance on instinct but stopped himself.

"I'm so used to watching you at range," Erza said, "that I forgot how dangerous you can be up close."

"Ready to give up?" Gray asked as if he could really be so lucky. "Save yourself the embarrassment?"

"The fun's only just begun, my friend," Erza said. "Come on. Let's give these people a show."

Gray tried to tear off his clothes, but couldn't. Damn. No wonder he was so uncomfortable.

Erza charged at him again, the flames of her sword leaping off the blade. No way should we try to slice and dice him with it, so it had to be a scare tactic, a way of saying ice attacks wouldn't work directly on her.

Not, at least, without a distraction.

Gray slid his foot. The floor became slick with ice. Erza slammed her sword onto it to melt it, but from the fringe that remained, a wall shot up, catching her under the chin and flipping her end-over-end. Gray smiled at it as Erza landed on her back. Though he wanted to feel bad for hitting his friend…he'd scored more hits on Erza than she him.

Granted, all she needed was one good one and he'd go down but…

A chain wrapped around his leg. Gray panicked and tried to pull his foot away, rather than grab and freeze the chain in place. Erza yanked. Gray hit the ground and got dragged across the ground, tumbling and trying to catch himself. The back half of a newly Requiped sword could turn into a chain? Come on!

He caught the chain and froze it in place but Erza was already lunging at him with a pair of twin short swords. Gray rolled away. The chain dissipated back into whatever magic realm Erza kept her weapons. Gray was unarmed as Erza danced toward him. He coated his hands in ice and did the stupidest thing imaginable: squared up with Erza in a sword fight.

It took him two seconds to realize it was a bad idea and she beat the hell out of him with those two seconds no sweat. Gray slammed against the stone wall. Erza switched out of her swords, clasping a new one that was already charging a magic beam that would end Gray.

Nah. Not like this. It was just embarrassing to get overwhelmed like that.

Well, it was time to take a page out of Juvia's book.

Erza shot her beam. Gray swung his arms down around him. Ice formed a shell—heh—around him that deflected the course of the beam such that it only grazed his chest instead of hitting him dead on.

"Ice Slicer!" Gray shouted, and cast ice from the shell, moving inconsistently with his arms to shoot the ice at Erza in arcs. She backed up, trying to block them as Gray continued his barrage. Each homed in on her, but the inconsistency of their movements and patterns would at least keep Erza on her toes.

Once he ran out of ice, Erza cut the last one free. She kept her sword and pointed it to the sky. Then, she flung the blade at Gray.

Wait.

He snagged it out of the air and covered it in ice. Erza smiled at him and then charged, brandishing a spear. Hmm.

Gray was not quite prepared for that. The crowd was loving it, and Gray only then noticed the smile on his face.

The two of them were holding back, sure, but that didn't take away from the respect either had for the other. Gray knew Erza's strength far outweighed his own, and certainly, if she pulled out the right weapon, he'd go down in a second. But, Erza had to know that Gray had tricks and tricks up his sleeve.

And he especially loved the kind that his opponent gifted him.

He sliced the sword at Erza, letting the ice he coated the blade with fling at her. It hardened into a cube, per Gray's casting, and struck her dead in the chest. Gray did the same thing twice more, both shots hitting Erza in places that stunned her.

"Ice Ray!"

He opened his palm and a tiny magic circle formed in it that allowed ice to blast from his hand. Erza was just fast enough to dodge it but was wary of the blade that could still have ice on it. She stepped back and undid her spear, only then ushering in a standard sword and shield combination.

"You're doing well," Erza said. "I wish I could see you go all out with some of your other spells."

"Yeah? Well, I'm glad you're holding back. It's the only reason you're still standing."

"It's not the only reason."

"What's that mean?"

Erza didn't say anymore, and feinted an attack that Gray fell for quite easily. He coated the sword in ice. Erza blocked his swing, but, the ice then transferred to the shield. Gray closed his hand and the ice exploded out. Erza relinquished her shield, flipping back to catch herself. Gray kept his hand open. Erza braced, but then, Gray slid his foot, and a slithering path of ice emerged and punched up at Erza. She shattered it with a swing of her sword.

"Sneak attacks?" she asked. "A brilliant tactic. But, I believe, you're a little late to that party."

"Oh yeah?"

Erza opened her hand and let the blade go. Gray raised an eyebrow. Some hairs stood up on the back of his neck, his ears perked up. Something wasn't sitting right with him.

Wait—

From above, as if called from the heavens, three beams of light blasted down and struck the sword in Gray's hand, but the power was enough to blast Gray forward, flinging him into the ring. Erza didn't hesitate. Gray tried to catch himself on the ground but Erza kicked his hands out from under him and slammed him to the ground.

Just one shot.

That was all she needed.

Gray's chest sagged and his body was limp. He sighed, face buried in the dirt. He could try freezing her, he could try so many different things.

But he could hear the various swords appearing all around him, with magic enough to blow up the damn stadium aimed right at his back. He opened his hands up.

"I yield," he said.

A buzz emitted all around the stadium, signaling the end of the match. Erza undid her blades. Gray rolled over, covering his eyes from the sun. Erza leaned over, her hand extended to him.

"I do truly wish, next time, that we don't have to hold back," Erza said.

"Can't believe you got me with that sword," Gray said.

"I figured you wouldn't be able to resist the chance to use a weapon," Erza said.

She slung his arm over her shoulder to help him. He could still walk, but damn did most of his body ache. Those beams hit him hard a dragon, and that kick? Woof.

"Let's go," Erza said. "We can get some rest with Lucy and Wendy."

Gray nodded, and with his oldest friend, limped away toward the exit. Hopefully, Gray thought as he eyed some of the Imperials around, that little showing was enough for them to know better than to mess with Erza.

But hopefully, they hadn't learned the lesson of using her own swords against her.