"I don't believe you!" Natsu shouted, taking a heavy and large step forward toward Hisui. Neither she nor her guards reacted. Lucy lunged forward and grabbed Natsu but he kept going. Rage built in him.

She trucked them from Tenrou Island only to have their two friends cry at their knees? For—for what? Who even was this girl to say something like that?"

"It's not a truth easily accepted but it is the truth nonetheless," Hisui said.

"I've never even heard of this Twilight Empire!" Natsu exclaimed.

"You wouldn't have. They formed while you were gone," Hisui said. "Born out of the Alvarez Empire!"`

"Ain't heard of them, either! So I think you're full of crap, and you need to get to whatever reason you came here for now!" Natsu shouted.

A heavy, armored gauntlet clamped down on his shoulder. He tried to take another step, and it sure wasn't Lucy holding him back this time, though she did cling tightly to his arm.

"Breathe," Erza said.

"Take us to Magnolia," Natsu said. "Now."

"That would be unwise," Hisui said. How could she be so calm unless she was lying about all of this, how could she just stand there and talk about the fall of her kingdom like it were just some sort of inconvenience? "You'd only get yourself killed."

"I need to know," Natsu said. "You haven't given me a good enough reason to not go."

"Death isn't good enough reason?"

"Never has been."

"And you've never seen an enemy like this one," Hisui said. She finally approached Natsu. A smidge more respect formed in Natsu's eye toward her. Whatever attitude of a Princess, whatever smart words she used, dropped in those few steps she used to clear the gap between the two of them. "If they knew you were here they would not hesitate to bring down the might of the Hunters Division on us. You'd be dead before you could blink, understand? Do not take my words so lightly; perhaps you don't value your own life, but the life of your friends?"

It shut Natsu up what good. Even Happy didn't have a clever thing to say back to him. He kept his fist clenched. The Three Stars continued to eye him.

"We have set up camp further in the caves," Hisui said. "Follow me. It's going to be camped, with all of you there, so I hoped you enjoy the close comforts of riding in the ship."

Erza released her hold on Natsu and joined Hisui, moving in quick step to stay close to her. Gray breezed on by with Juvia in tow.

"I get it, Natsu," Mirajane said, stepping up next to him. "I want to see what's become of our home in our absence, too. But we must respect her word."

"Does that mean we need to trust it?" Natsu asked.

"No," Mira said. "But we must take some of it on face-value, I believe."

He breathed out a heavy, somewhat smoke-filled sigh. Natsu doubted that any of his friends were going to take all of this as easily as Hisui wanted them too, but most of them would probably listen to her.

But what were they going to do? Sit around in a cave all day, or for days? If this Twilight Empire was a problem, Fairy Tail was an easy solution. When did knocking heads ever not help win the day, after all?

Still, his mind raced back to his talk with Gildarts during the trial. About facing foes and understanding when one was beat.

Hisui had a slight fire within her, but a princess hiding in a cave was one who'd known defeat far more times than she cared to admit. Something had knocked her from her pedestal. Mira was right, there was something of value to her words.

Natsu crossed his arms. Hisui just didn't need to be so uppity about it, that was all.


They took their time settling in. Max and Laki weren't open to talking very much about the ongoing situation, instead trying to get caught up on what happened on Tenrou Island seven years ago.

Lucy sat with Natsu, Happy, Wendy, Makarov, Gajeel, and Levy around Laki while the others were with Max. Only Gildarts and Cana stood apart, speaking personally to Hisui. The Three Stars were on watch around various points of the cave, one lined with beautiful gems.

Laki sat in wonderment and absorbed every word everyone shared about the battle with Grimoire Heart. Lucy felt a smile tugging at the edges of her lips at the reaction she had to every bit of action that they detailed, embellished though Natsu made some out to be.

To Laki, Lucy wondered, were these just like listening to stories around the campfire? Would she have reacted different seven years ago, if they'd just come home from the island safe and sound right away after Grimoire Heart was defeated?

Seven years.

What could possibly have changed in the world? All of her young friends were grown-up, maybe some of them even older than she was. Seven full years of moments and events she'd just completely missed out on. It was hard to think of the years with her friends as stolen, save for those that…

Lucy stood up, apologizing to Laki for the intrusion in the stories, and stepped away.

She almost thought those that remained.

Lucy took a walk down one of the small tunnels. She'd seen Freed venture down it earlier and come back fine. There probably weren't too many dangers lurking around. She fiddled with her Celestial Keys while she walked, keeping her hands close to the rocks.

They were well-polished, as if recently smoothed over. The tunnel itself didn't have a man-made feel to it. Perhaps some creature once did burrow into the cave and then dive back into the sea, or strove to get away from it.

Dwindling daylight glistened through a few dabbled holes in the wall above, scattering off the gems. It did not take many steps to get to an opening in the cave system that allowed in all of the daylight to cascade into a small pool fed by a thin stream of ocean water. Lucy stopped at it and stooped over.

She looked the exact same. Hardly a scrape or bruise or any wear or aging to her. Yet if she stood Laki or Max there she'd barely recognize them. How was that fair? She squatted down, running her hand through the water.

Instinctively, she reached back and took hold of her Aquarius key. She held it with a firm grip though her hand shook.

"Open," Lucy said, quietly. "Gate of the Water-Bearer."

She poked the key into the water. The magic circle formed just beneath the surface of the water, and out from it, in a radiant golden light smothered by the pool, swam Aquarius, who was surprised at her surroundings. She looked up, gasped, and then surfaced.

Aquarius remained mostly submerged in the water while Lucy knelt down in front of it. Aquarius sighed, smiling faintly at Lucy.

"Hello, old friend," she said, her voice soft.

"Tell me it's not true," Lucy said, a small gasp in her throat waiting to squeak out. "Please."

"I haven't seen you," Aquarius said. Her words toughened. "For seven years, as you count them. I'm sorry, Lucy. You've been gone a long time."

Lucy dropped to her knees. It was true. She knew it was true. So why did it hurt so damn much just to hear Aquarius say it?

"We're all so happy you're back and safe," Aquarius said. "After all that's happened, that we've had to sit around and witness…"

"What's happened?" Lucy asked through tears.

Aquarius couldn't meet Lucy's eyes. Lucy's heart sunk. If there were any spirit who could give it to Lucy straight, who never beat around the bush, it was the brash, powerful one before her.

"We know from what brief glimpses we've had of this world, and what Libra, Pisces, and Ophiuchus have given us, scant though that is given their corruption. Lucy, your friends at Fairy Tail, your home, it's all been—"

"What are you thinking?"

The voice, coming from a sprinting Hisui, carried loud and sharp down the tunnel. Aquarius even startled at it. Lucy got to her feet.

"I summoned Aquarius to talk about what's going on," Lucy said.

"Get her out of here, put your keys away now," Hisui said. The Three Stars chased after her, that young man on the ball moving fastest of all of them. "For seven years, there has only been one Celestial Spirit Wizard active. If you cast a spell, they'll notice!"

Lucy pursed her lips. Hisui was close enough to wrench the keys from Lucy's hand. She glanced back at Aquarius, who was just as lost.

A bolt of lightning coarsed across the sky. Hisui shuddered. Strange. Was that—black lightning? There didn't appear to be many clouds in the—

Another lightning strike, this one directly in the water. Hisui dove forward as Aquarius cried out in pain.

"Close!" Hisui shouted, and the gate forcibly did so, Aquarius vanishing in golden mist.

"How'd you do that?" Lucy shouted, but was blasted back from the sheer force generated by another, nearer strike of lightning.

Lucy tumbled end-over-end down the tunnel. Hisui managed to catch herself and summoned her glistening sword. A man, broad-shouldered and with thick muscles, stood in the billowing dust.

"They're here," Hisui muttered. "The Twilight Empire."

Another streak of black lightning came toward them, but was swiftly deflected by the arrival of yet another figure. More lightning, this running rampant down the rest of the tunnel as raised forces cried out.

"We need to leave," Hisui said.

Lucy's mind raced to catch up with what was going on. A billowing, tattered cloak wafted in the wind before her. Lightning arced off of his shoulders as he flicked his wrist in irritation.

"Listen to the princess," Laxus said. "This one is beyond any of you. Find Makarov and get to safety. I'll take care of him."

The Imperial let out a guttural laugh that froze Lucy in place.

"Tough guy then, huh?" the Imperial asked. "That's cute."

"Natsu mentioned a God Slayer with black flames, you having black lightning must make you a Lightning God Slayer," Laxus said. "Interesting. Guess this'll be a good test to see how tough the guys from the future are."

"Even you won't be able to handle him, Laxus, so get running," Hisui said.

"Don't doubt me," Laxus said, and in a flash of lightning, he vanished. Hisui tugged on Lucy's arm.

"Move!" the Princess shouted, and Lucy did so, taking off after Hisui.

The tunnel shook, dust dropping down around them. Lucy heard the chaos of magic up ahead. Loud bangs and heavy explosions buffeted their arrival at the camp, where soldiers dressed in black and gray armor descended through tiny black yet almost ethereal-looking portals to attack everyone.

Some wielded magical weapons, others seemed to be magically reinforced to deflect most magic.

The Strauss siblings had already transformed while Natsu took to the skies alongside Wendy and Gajeel thanks the Exceeds to fight those trying to come out of the portals. Gray attempted to plug them with his ice magic but whenever he did, another would open.

"We can't assume that she is here, but the Ethereal Witch is likely on her way," Mest said, sprinting over to Hisui. "Let's relocate now, before she figures out who these wizards are."

"Who?"

"A General of the Hunters Division," Hisui. "Like Orga, back there. Tough enough to wipe out any opponent in their way—almost." She swore under her breath. "I warned you, Lucy! Ah, forget it. Mest, start moving everyone. I'll stay behind to help the retreat."

"You need to leave."

"No."

And that was the end of the discussion. Mest rushed off, grabbing people and vanishing at once, even though they cried out against it. Soon, they'd be overrun, so he had to operate quickly.

Hisui drew her blade. "I suggest you summon whatever spirit you think works here, Lucy. We'll need whatever help we can get."


Laxus flew back against the wall, blood spilling from the side of his lip while his vision hurried to catch up with him. His shoulder had to be broken. Something in his leg didn't feel quite right either, and magic ran through him erratically. Nervously. He glowered at his opponent who had not taken a hint of damage.

"Nice lightning," the man said. Apparently his name was Orga. Lighting God-Slayer. Blah blah blah.

"Shut up," Laxus said, teetering to his feet.

"Think you've got a second wind in you?" Orga asked. He cracked his knuckles. "Gonna need it. Might end this in one shot. You're pretty boring for another Lightning wizard."

"What did I just say?" Laxus roared, and blitzed Orga. "Lightning Dragon Breakdown Fist!"

A magic circle opened in a blink and just as fast did a fist of pure lightning shoot toward Orga. Laxus sped up, readying his next spell.

Black lightning arced through his own spell and struck Laxus, stunning him. Air escaped from Laxus as Orga dashed across the way, landing another punch in Laxus's gut before grabbing Laxus's head and slamming him into the ground.

"I think you told me to shut up," Orga said, then picked Laxus's head slammed it down again. "But I don't see you doing anything about it, pretty boy."

He buried Laxus. Lightning crackled around them. Laxus couldn't move under the weight of Orga's humongous body. His shoulder screamed in pain.

"In fact, in just a second, I may not see much more of you at all!"

Laxus braced himself, sending one last prayer—out of instinct—that at least Gramps would make it out.

But the lightning never struck. An explosion reverberated all around them, and Orga was gone, having been flung to the side. Laxus gasped in a breath he'd been holding—what he thought to be his final one—and searched for who came to his side.

"Nice job holding him off, Laxus, but I can take it from here. Help your grandfather evacuate the others if you can, that shoulder looks pretty messed up."

Laxus could barely see until he blinked, and when his vision cleared, Gildarts was already in front of him, some dust having formed on his coat.

"The others evacuate?" he asked, making sure he heard properly.

"Yes, it's slow but we're moving," Gildarts said. "Hurry. If you stay around here much longer, you're going to die."

Gildarts had no smile one is face, no smirk belying some sort of promise or hope. Gildarts wasn't going to hold back. Not against someone who embarrassed even Laxus to this extent. Not even Master Hades had been able to do that.

"Kick his ass," Laxus said, and sprinted down the corridor.


Everything was falling apart; though, to Hisui, she'd seen worse. She'd seen her castle come under siege by the greatest threat their entire continent had known in centuries. In the parts of her memory that she could not lock into solely her nightmares she still saw the fires raging across Crocus beneath the siege of their capital, as her father—

She plunged more magic into her blade, light blasting into the rest of the room, attracting the Twilight Empire's soldiers toward her, rather than the escaping Fairies. Natsu, Gray, Erza, and Gajeel had formed a buffer around Wendy, who stood as Mest's primary point of return. Others ran toward them, standing next to Wendy two at a time as Mest took them away.

Not many had gotten out. Mirajane, Elfman, Lisanna, and Cana were gone. Max and Laki were the first to go, as they'd be easily spotted by any competent member of the Hunters Division.

Hisui swung her sword, an ethereal arc of magic blasting three would-be assailants away. Sweat poured down her face. She'd long since ditched her cloak.

"She's coming!" Mest shouted as he reappeared. "I saw her, she's not far! The Ethereal Witch!"

Hisui spat. So. She wasn't simply casting magic to follow Orga. She knew their location, she knew to corner them. If she were here, then it meant the rest of the Hunters Division, at least some of those more prominent ones, were not far off.

"Keep up the evacuation!" Hisui shouted. Lightning flashed from the corridor leading to the pool where Orga, but, spilling out of it in a dazed heap, was Laxus of all people. "Erza!"

Hisui dove away from the battle. Her spot was swiftly taken by the Three Stars. Erza came forward. Her armor was tattered.

"What is it?" Erza asked.

"Laxus is wounded," Hisui said. It didn't take a genius to gauge the extent of his injuries. Few who underestimated Orga lived to tell of it—and most who did live were later imprisoned and probably killed. "Get him out of here. There's a small tunnel near the entrance we came from. I'll send for Mest to find you, but you can't linger here with him like this. He's dead weight."

Erza stiffened at the use of the phrase but made nothing of it. The situation was turning dire—for each Fairy that escaped, it meant there yet another who could not stand to fight against the onslaught.

"Not a problem," Erza said. "Requip! Flight Armor!"

"Makarov! Assemble with Erza when she retrieves Laxus to get him out of here! We're not losing anyone today!"

She didn't wait for a response; instead, Hisui focused her magic. Eventually, she'd be the one left to deal with the Ethereal Witch. She'd be outmatched, not overpowered, so it was only going to be a matter of time until Mest could take her away, too.

The worst case scenario was that Marin was with them, though that would negate Minerva's magic. Still, if they wanted to lay some sort of trap, he'd be their best choice.

Erza sped by, slightly slowed by the heavy Laxus. Hisui nodded to her while they made their escape; the Exceed Pantherlily and the remaining member of Laxus's fan-club, Evergreen, joined Erza and Makarov on the exodus.

"Three Stars, on me! The Ethereal Witch is in-bound we need to focus our attention everywhere! Wendy! Enchant whoever you can with speed magic, we're going to need it to—!"

"Erza!"

Natsu's shriek cut through Hisui's command. The former princess spun on her heel, her heart sinking as Erza and the others sprinted through an instantaneously appearing black portal that sucked them up, leaving them goners in an instant. The forces of the Empire surged, the Three Stars only momentarily holding them back.

Light spilled from above as two powerful black orbs burrowed through the cavern's ceiling, and descending, an angel of black hair in a billowing blue dress, came the Ethereal Witch: Minerva Orland. She held in her hand more Territory magic rippling with power, enough to swallow anyone near it whole.

Battle ceased as Minerva touched down. The soldiers were quick to form ranks in her presence. Hisui let her breathing catch up to her, shifting the grip she had on her sword to a momentarily defensive one. The rest of Fairy Tail stood at the ready.

Mest appeared, and disappeared just as fast, taking away Juvia and Gajeel.

"You have him working overtime, it seems," Minerva said. "He's going to be tuckered out by the time he gets through the rest of you, Your Highness."

"Leave us be, Minerva," Hisui said. She had to play a bluff, she had to risk their entire hope, any future they had beyond the Twilight Empire, on Minerva being unable to recognize that this was Fairy Tail returned.

At least, until she could get back and torture, maim, and kill those she'd captured. But they were beyond Hisui's control. She and Mest could only do their task so well under the fist of the Empire.

"These are innocent refugees we happened to come across."

"Refugees? Of what? Stella? No, Hisui, I won't be played dumb, these are wizards and must be conscripted as such." She surveyed the battlefield, strewn with dozens of Hunters Division soldiers already, and no sign of any refugee body. "Powerful ones at that. The Emperor will be pleased at our find, and at your head on a nice silver platter."

Mest returned. Minerva raised a hand, brimming with magic. Hisui reacted faster than Minerva anticipated, much faster than anyone else. Her own hand moved up, to the heavens.

"Celestial Rain!"

Thirteen blades poured down at Minerva from above, each replicating Hisui's in its own way. Minerva danced away from them.

"Kill them! We'll take whoever is tough enough to survive! But leave me the Jade Star!"

Hisui snarled at the use of her name, one meant to inspire hope across Fiore, coming from the venomous mouth of the Ethereal Witch.

"Territory Explosion!" Minerva cast.

Hisui raised her blade, the charged magic braced for an attack. She swung and deflected Minerva's move, though was pushed back significantly by it. Hisui grunted out of frustration more than anything else.

Minerva charged. The Three Stars moved against her. Hisui spared a glance over her shoulder. Gray was gone, having just been taken by Mest. Who was left? Herself, the Stars, Natsu, Lucy, Wendy, Happy, Carla, and—

The Three Stars scattered as Minerva's spell, not her might, pushed them away. Damn that Territory magic. She closed in on Hisui.

"Crush!"

The wall around the cavern didn't collapse, didn't explode—it simply broke. In its break, in its destruction, came a man roaring through it, slamming his shoulder into Minerva, sending her spiraling away.

"Focus on the soldiers to protect Fairy Tail!" Hisui commanded her once enemies, the Three Stars. "Go, now!"

The man, Gildarts, heaved a heavy breath as he slid to a halt. Minerva stood, shaken, and bleeding from a cut above her eye. She balled her fist.

"Thanks for the save," Hisui said.

"Orga's been dealt with for now," Gildarts said. "Now who is this one?"

"She uses a Spatial Magic called Territory," Hisui said. Mest came and left. Wendy and Carla were gone. "Helps her concentrate magic to create bigger impacts, she can move herself or other objects through it."

"I can negate her magic for a time," Gildarts said. "Leave me behind if you have to."

"Can't afford to do that, especially if you're capable of defeating Orga," Hisui said. Mest had to be getting tired. Many more transports and he'd be all out of power. "Three Stars, scatter! Convene at Coastal Point Scorpio!"

The Three Stars nodded without hesitation. Minerva regained her composure.

"Mest will take you away shortly so deal with Minerva in whatever time you can," Hisui said. "Myself and Natsu can take care of the rest, I'm sure."

"Oh, of that I have no doubt," Gildarts said. "Though I'd much rather you leave, princess. I can't imagine the Twilight Empire enjoys seeing you around."

Hisui was struck, at once, that Fairy Tail hardly questioned the Twilight Empire and what they'd done. They heard only that their guild was gone, saw the tears in their friends' eyes, and took action right then and there against the Hunters Division, holding out far long than other guilds of Fiore had.

Gildarts stood against Orga the Lightning God and the Ethereal Witch with haggard breath and definite bruises but was the only one, ever, who seemed quite capable enough to do so. How had she never heard of this man? Was he not a Wizard Saint before vanishing?

"Right, then," Hisui said, and faced down the charging army that the Three Stars did its best to repel. Mest then appeared.

"Your orders?" he asked.

Hisui, thinking on instinct, said, "Get the Three Stars out!"

Natsu sprung into an attack. Hisui joined as Mest moved in to grab her allies.

Minerva also dove into battle, skirting around her allies to try and get around Gildarts, whose magic obliterated everything in its path. Even Minerva was hard-pressed to find a way through it. Her spells warped in and out around him but dissipated in his presence. His magic power flared to an incredible degree.

Hisui didn't cast any further spells—the one she did launch was more than enough information for the Empire to take. They still couldn't account for exactly the kind of magic she used and she wished to keep it that way.

Minerva flew back and crashed into the wall. With a great cry it vanished at her slamming fist. The final of the Three Stars was gone.

"We have some of what we came for," Minerva said. "Soldiers! Fall back!"

"Gildarts, don't let her escape!" Hisui roared, leveling her sword to cast a beam at her.

Gildarts charged with pace, shattering the rock beneath him. "Crushing Evil, Spreading the Truth!"

Minerva sneered in her vile way, then, descended into one of her Territory spells. The soldiers were sucked away as well. Gildarts followed through.

"Empyrean!"

The rest of the cavern was absolutely obliterated. He sighed, letting his guard down. Hisui approached, nodding to him. Pebbles of debris rained down on them.

"Sorry," Gildarts said. "Wasn't quite quick enough."

"Next time," Hisui said. Mest appeared, sweat pouring down his face while he took in labored breaths.

"One more?" he asked, and Hisui nodded with a soft smile.

Mest clasped their shoulders and in a blur they were gone, reappearing in a small villa deep within the nearby hills overlooking the coast, tucked away cozily.

It was an old vacation home of the once-advisor, Darton, meant to house his whole family. He once promised Hisui he'd escape there to avoid the Empire, but, that was before the Emperor decided the time of the Fiore family was at an end, and Darton, along with the secrets and powers he knew were hidden by the kingdom, had to die.

Mest collapsed on the ground. Wendy came to his side to check him out, though it was more a magic deficiency than anything else that knocked him out.

Gildarts was greeted fondly by Cana. Hisui rested her hands on her hips, bowing her head. Not quite beaten, but…they'd taken a grievous loss.

The sun began to set.

Just then, Mest let out a loud laugh, and he covered his face from the waning sunlight.

"Oh, this is great."

"What is it?" Wendy asked. Hisui even turned to face him, confused.

"I didn't get everyone out," Mest said.

"No," Hisui said. "We lost a few. We—we'll figure that out soon."

"That's not what I mean," Mest said, and lowered his hand. He was still laughing despite a tear coming down his face. "I forgot to grab Natsu, Lucy, and Happy."