Fairy Tail quickly began preparing themselves for the upcoming confrontation with Phantom Lord, knowing fully well that Jose wouldn't let things rest. They fortified their defenses around Magnolia, making sure to have a word with the mayor and prepare evacuation measures if the need arose. They would do their best to keep from involving any civilians but it was best to be safe. The townspeople were quite relieved to learn that and the mayor was quick to assure that he'd take care of it.

Makarov believed without a doubt that even if Jose got what he wanted, he wouldn't quit until Fairy Tail was gone. The man hadn't exactly been subtle about his hatred for Fairy Tail and now he had more chances to get at his guild. Heck, Jose was petty enough to try destroying Magnolia just to get at them. He'd also made a point of warning his friend Yajima in the Council, briefing him in on the situation. Yajima promised to find a way to help if he could but neither thought a confrontation could be avoided at this point.

And they were quite right.


No one was particularly surprised when Phantom started another scheme soon. Their method however, was definitely unexpected.

They discovered it when their detectors picked up on a large figure coming to Magnolia from the ocean. It was a robotic figure bearing Phantom Lord's headquarters, the emblem as clear as day. This was Phantom's best weapon, the Giant Mage.

''Whoa, what the-?!''

''It's huge!''

Makarov's eyes narrowed, his fist clenching. He turned as Jet called out, alerting them of the detectors picking up on even more enemies coming from different directions. He had an idea what this meant but he needed to be sure, looking at Endymion as he assumed his original size ''Endymion?''

''They're trying to box us in.'' The phoenix affirmed his suspicion. ''There aren't that many members in this second group, just enough to control some weapons and golems. They'll be at Magnolia in just a short while.''

''...Then I'll take care of this.'' He decided. ''You lot stay here-we don't know what that snake's cooking up and we can't divide our forces too much. Hold down the fort and I'll be back as soon as I can.''

''Right!'' Several voices responded.

''Be careful.'' Hope added.

Makarov grinned ''Don't worry-this old man's got plenty of tricks up his sleeve.''

Cana watched him fly with a frown, Happy landing on her shoulder ''He'll be all right, it's Master after all!''

Her lips twitched as she patted his head in thanks ''True...''

''Any word from Mystogan or Gildarts?'' Loke added.

''No-we kept trying tor each them for hours.'' She scowled in annoyance. ''Mystogan's off doing his own thing again, I'll bet and who knows where he's going to be now!''

''We'll just have to deal.'' Gray said firmly, all four of them looking towards the Giant Mage.

A roar alerted them to a new problem. Five sea monsters swimming over to the area around the Giant Mage, effectively surrounding the area.

Bickslow grunted ''They're pulling out all the stops, huh?''

''Why are you so calm?!'' Droy cried.

''H-how did they even get those freaks?'' Macao gaped.

''Magic, obviously.'' Natsu stated.

''No, really? I thought they would've asked them to make friends with all of the damn guild!'' The older fire mage retorted sarcastically.

The former was about to respond when they suddenly heard a voice. It was Jose, projecting his voice from the Giant Mage. ''You're really going to fight? Even a bunch of fools like you should be able to see how outmatched you are. Surrender now and hand over Lucy Heartfillia and we'll leave you be.''

''Anyone wanna bet that's an absolute lie?'' Cana drawled.

''Please, as if anyone would fall for that.'' Evergreen pushed her glasses up. ''Who does that scumbag think he's kidding?''

''Yeah, there's no way we're handing Lu-chan to those creeps!'' Levy added, Lisanna nodding along to this.

''That was never an option.'' Hope agreed.

''Aye Sir!'' Happy chimed in.

Lucy's eyes watered as a few of the others stepped in front of her, defiantly staring the enemy down. They didn't even need to say anything, their resolve was clear as day. She knew that but she couldn't describe how touching this was...

Natsu looked back at her ''You're finally living life the way you wanted. You're not gonna let that guy ruin it all, are you?''

The answer was in no doubt ''...Not a chance.''

He grinned as Levy smiled at her ''That's more like it.''

''Hmph, fools.'' They could almost see the sneer on Jose's face. ''Very well then, face your doom!''

Something shifted in the Giant Mage, a hatch opening before revealing a large cannon. ''This is our strongest weapon, Jupiter, the magical divergent cannon! It will be your end! FIRE!''

Laxus' eyes narrowed before looking at Freed, Erza and Hope ''You know what to do!''

The three quickly proved they did indeed, Freed was already writing runes in the air as Erza donned her Adamantine armor. The two were surrounded with silver light as Hope cast Future Drive, a spell that would boost their capabilities for a short while. Before anyone could react, the cannon fired. Freed cast Dark Ecriture: Reflect and Erza stepped in front, ignoring her friends' cries as she held strong despite the blast pushing her back. This, along with the magical defenses Fairy tail already had prepared, served to be enough, deflecting the blast far into the air.

''I-Impossible...!''

Erza fell to a knee, breathing heavily. This was a tactic they agreed to employ if the need ever arose but she never thought they'd have to use it like this. Hope and Freed's assistance proved invaluable-she was sure they would've been far worse off otherwise. She smiled reassuringly at a worried Hope as he helped to her feet, while Freed looked proud ''Well done.''

''We don't need that nuisance around so...Lightning Dragon's Storm Bringer!'' Laxus conjured a myriad of lightning bolts that blasted Jupiter repeatedly. Consequently, it fell apart and they could see smoke rising from the area as Jose cried out in anger.

Cheers resounded as members of Fairy Tail sung the quartet's praises, relieved to see such a big problem taken care of. Jose growled ''No matter! Let's see what you make of this!''

The next thing anyone knew, a wave of darkness spread over the area. A multitude of dark, eerie shaped being with blank eyes appeared, floating above them in a swarm. Lisanna's eyes were wide ''What are those things?''

''It's Shade magic.'' Loke clenched a fist. ''Make sure you avoid those things at all cost-they sap your power!''

''Great! How are we supposed to fight them?'' Elfman groused.

''I think that's kind of the point...'' Alzack trailed off.

''I read about Shade magic, the best we can do is keep them away. The only way to dispose of them is taking down the source.'' Levy suspected that said source was Jose.

Said man was already issuing orders to his guild members, apparently those behind the sea monsters, which immediately attacked.


Makarov stopped a golem's a punch with his fist, having assumed his Giant form earlier. He leaned his head to the side to avoid an oncoming blast of fire from an enemy in hiding, casting a quick earth spell to send them flying. ''You idiots just don't learn, huh?''

He sent the golem flying with wind magic before proceeding to destroy with a few attacks. The man idly looked around the enemies he had already defeated, noticing more approaching. He didn't miss the flashes of light and feeling of magic in the distance. ''...You better be okay, brats. I'll be back soon.''


The fighting was fierce, with Fairy Tail giving it their all. The five monsters together were quite an opposition together but what really complicated the battle were the Shades. Using magic would attract them to the caster, forcing them to stop and get away. What made it worse was that the shades were like a hydra. Destroying them didn't seem to be possible as they simply regenerated.

Laxus was the one to point out a solution to the problem. The best thing to do was divide their forces, a group would face the sea monsters while another would safeguard them from the Shades. As they made to implement the plan, the Giant Mage began to move closer.

A number of Phantom mage took to attacking them from a far, using their magic and the few reamining weapons in the Giant Mage. They were clearly intent on avoiding the Shades and the magic shield on the building prevented Fairy Tail's entry. While the beings seemed to float about randomly, they never strayed near the building. Natsu tried to get in the Giant Mage with Happy's help but it was rather hard with the bombardment.

Hope happened to spot Levy joining the duo as she defended them with a shield when he noticed it.

Something felt...wrong.

He wasn't even sure what exactly. The boy tried to look around for a possible cause, noticing how a few of the enemies were watching with smug looks. Their eyes were on Natsu, Happy and Levy, who were near one of the Giant Mage's arms. The feeling was growing stronger-now that he thought about it-they were almost...pleased...

Suddenly a hatch opened with a glowing circle targting them. The next thing they knew, lightning erupted in that area. Natsu, Levy and Happy were enveloped within a sphere of light that went up in the air as Hope flew.

Levy let out a breath as they landed ''Thanks, Hope-glad you saw it coming.''

Hope knew she assumed he used his sight magic, but the problem was...''...I didn't.''

The three looked bewildered at this but before they could question it, Hope suddenly turned around as an enemy prepared an attack from a nearby window, throwing her back with a sword of light that exploded on contact. Happy stared, Hope couldn't have seen that one coming and Endymion wasn't exactly nearby. So how...?

Hope wasn't sure what was going on. He had that same strange feeling from earlier and it prompted him to take action. Something about the enemies tipped him off but...what...?

He hadn't realized how distracted he had been until Endymion came to defend from another attack. ''Hope?'' He inquired gently. ''What is it?''

''A-ah, I...'' The boy had no idea to explain any of this.

''They're trying to break us up!'' Levy scowled as the Shades swarmed more of their friends and the Giant mage continued the chaotic movements. ''We can't get into the Giant Mage with that shield and they'll win if we can't work together...''

''But we can do something about this, Hope if you can buy our friends a minute, you'll understand.''

Hope realized his partner's point. There was one spell he recently learned that could actually help. Gathering power in hands, he created a number of silvery chains that wound against different parts of the Giant Mage. Now on their own, they weren't much but the chains exuded enough Memoria Magic to play havoc on the target. This was the Mesmeric Chain, a spell that could either slow down or speed up the target according to the caster's wish.

Hope knew the spell wouldn't last long in such a situation but it would delay them and that was what mattered now.

It served to be enough, Mira led her friends' charge as they struck. It was magically fortified but that didn't stop them, she unleashed chaotic beams of darkness that attacked both the shades and the Giant Mage. Likewise, Laxus, Lisanna, Gray and a number of others unleashed wide ranged blasts targeting the Mage's legs. On their own, they didn't do much but together? The Giant Mage was forced to come to a stop in seconds.

''Blumenblatt!''

Erza's swords pierced throught the Shades that tried to attack Mira's group with the Loke and the Raijinshuu helpeing her defend them perfectly. Jose attempted to dismiss this as a futile struggle but Fairy Tail was heartened. It may be an uphill battle but they were certainly holding their own.

Loke activated his rings before attacking, releasing a multitude of wind bursts that sent the nearby Shades away. Hope picked up on that strange feeling again and he hurried over in time to defend Loke from another hidden trap. ''T-thanks...when did you even...?''

Endymion blinked twice, he knew for a fact that Hope couldn't have used sight magic. There hadn't been any time. The phoenix's eyes quickly found the Phantom Mage behind the trap as he ran away. If anything, Hope was even more confused than they were. But why...?

Wait. A thought suddenly occured to him. It couldn't be...?

''...Hope, if you ever get that feeling again, I advise you to act on it.'' He wasn't sure yet but his link to Hope gave him a sinking suspicion as to what this meant.

Hope's expression made it clear that he was wondering how or what Endymion knew but he nodded, trusting his partner's word.

The three looked over as the largest of the sea monsters roared...


Cana threw a pair of cards at the ground, a translucent barrier formed, guarding her against a wide water blast. Loke activated his ring, sending a blast of wind that pushed its head back. The attacking monster was blasted by Bickslow's puppets before Alzack and Happy peppered it with attacks.

''How does it keep getting back up?'' The cat demanded in frustration.

''We're fighting puppets.'' Bickslow's statement threw them for a loop. ''I can feel it, they're being controlled. Whoever's behind this gave them one heck of a power boost, it's probably all that's keeping them fighting by now.''

Cana grabbed three cards ''So, can't we do something about it?''

''Not unless we figure out how they did it, we might as well just keep going.'' Bickslow knew that it was much easier said than done though, he just didn't think they had much choice.

Evidently, the rest seemed to agree as they kept fighting to the best of their ability. Lucy summoned Taurus, who fended off one of the monsters. Natsu leapt in to strike as Bisca fired a bullet that destroyed one of its eyes. Gray froze the water it fired in retaliation, making sure to blast any shades away from his friends.

Mira held up a hand, stopping another blast of water with own water magic. The water formed a sphere over her head, charging it with magic before throwing it right back. Her target roared in pain, lashing with its tentacles then. Mira simply sliced through them with a darkness blast.

Likewise, the others continued the fight. Laxus led the users of elemental magic attack after they discovered that the monsters were especially weak to lightning. It was growing to be a battle of attrition and the tides were turning in Fairy Tail's favor.

A few of the Shades tended to target Lucy every now and then, fortunately, the girl was guarded well by her spirits and friends. She was doing her best to support them but she was no frontline fighter and she knew it, the best she could do was use her magic with care and summon a spirit that could help her friends. With the remaining monsters now further and further from the Giant Mage, she decided to try something.

The others looked on in surprise as the girl summoned Cancer, the crab spirit immediately leaping to attack. He swiped with his glowing scissors twice at the Giant Mage. At first, it seemed like nothing happened but closer inspection revealed that the shield was gone.

Gray's jaw dropped ''You can do that?!''

''Easily, ebi.'' Cancer returned confidently. ''My scissors don't just cut hair, you know. There's no telling if they can patch the thing up or not so I suggest you step on it-ebi.''

''Yeah! About time we take the fighting to them!'' Natsu enthused.

''As much as I'd like to take them down now, some of us need to stay. We can't leave things this way.'' Erza remarked.

Laxus nodded, thinking ''In that case, you and Mira keep up the fight here. I'll go with my team, Chibi and the old bird and...''

''There's no way you're going without me!'' Natsu exclaimed.

''And me! As a real Man, I have to join this fight!'' Elfman added.

The blond rolled his eyes while Gray sighed, both were fully aware that trying to convince them otherwise was an utter waste of time. ''...of course. Anyway, I'm going too-think I can do more to help on your end.''

''That would have to do, we can't afford to divide our numbers even more.'' Freed watched Bickslow gather the group with the help of his puppets.

''Yeah, but geez-I'm going to have words with Mystogan and Gildarts! Where the hell are they when we need them?'' Evergreen grumbled.

''Ah, we'll be fine! We got this in the bag!'' Natsu declared with confidence.

Mira wasn't sure about the choices, mainly concerned for her brother charging into the enemy HQ. She did know since Elfman relied on close combat a lot, he was at a disadvantage against the Shades so maybe this really was for the best. Everyone would look out for each other, of that she had no doubt.

They cleared out their path of any Shades nearby before Endymion flew everyone to the entrance...


They found themselves in a long dark hall, Natsu held an arm up before creating a fireball. ''No one here, huh?''

''Well, a bunch of the Phantom mages were sniping at us from afar, they must be in one of the higher levels.'' Freed remarked.

Happy landed on Natsu's shoulder ''And Jose must be all the way over at the top.''

Gray arched an eye ''And you know that how?''

''It's simple logic!''

''Yup, bosses are always at the top level.'' Natsu nodded.

''Oh! Makes sense.'' Elfman agreed.

''Riiiight...'' The ice mage shook his head.

Whatever had to say next was cut off when Hope ran before the three of them, casting Aegis just as a pair of huge axe-like blades came swinging over the area. The blades were strong but Hope held firm, leaving the weaapons to fall. Laxus blasted the attacker on one of the passage ways above them with a Lightning Dragon's Roar.

''Focus, you idiots!''

Happy and Elfman ducked their heads ''We're sorry...''

Endymion was barely listening, his thoughts running fast ''Hope, the way you reacted back there...it happened again, didn't it?''

The boy nodded ''You said to act on it so...'' He still didn't get what was going on but it was similar to what happened earlier. ''...you know what...what this is supposed to be?''

''I wasn't sure earlier but now...yes, I am. I'll explain later.''

Hope had no problem with that, after all it wasn't the time to talk about this. Evergreen raised an eye ''What're you talking about?''

''Is this about whatever Hope did back when he bailed us out?'' Happy wasn't sure what to make of that but Levy seemed sure that something was up.

Endymion confirmed ''Let's focus on what we have to do now. You were right, Jose is up at the highest level but Gajeel Redfox seems to be wandering around the area.''

Freed nodded ''And the Element 4?''

''One of them is blocking the way to Jose, the other two are just waiting at different levels but...''

''...there's only three present.'' Hope put in. ''I'm not sure if the last one is hiding somehow but we can't see him anywhere. Endymion, can you warn any of the others? Phantom was targeting Lucy so...''

The phoenix gave a nod, swiftly using his Telepathy to warn Erza, Mira and Lucy herself. The missing enemy was likely scheming to capture the Celestial Mage. They didn't doubt their friends' capabilities but it was best to be prepared. Forewarned is forearmed after all.

''They'll be fine.'' Natsu said bracingly, grinning when Hope nodded with a growing smile.

''Yeah, now we've gotta do our part.'' Elfman punched his fists together.

''For once we agree, let's go!'' Laxus led the group forward.


Well, let's stop here.

Hah, I lost my plans for this arc but I managed to make up for it with a whole new plan. Anyway, this is just the prelude and the real action starts from the next chapter.

I remember Cancer cutting through metal with his scissors before so I figure why not give him a bit of a boost? Might as well get more uses out of him so here he can cut through magic and energy, though the effectiveness depends on what he's facing.

Fairy Tail's stronger here than in canon, seeing as Makarov is more than ready to fight, Mira hasn't lost her take-over abilities and Laxus and the Raijinshuu are here, I thought I'd up the ante a little on Phantom's end. I'm trying to balance out the battle but it's harder than I expected.

About what's going on with Hope...it's a new idea I had recently so I want to use it. It's new ability which gives me more room to play with certain events so I'm all for trying it out. Remember how the staff affected his core? That's one of the results. He has no control over it yet so it's pretty random. Endymion knows what it is because it's actually one of his own abilities. He just hasn't been able to use it in ages. This is another unexpected side-effect of their fusion. You'll see what it's really about once the battle is over because I really don't like the idea of an info dump in the midst of all this.

Welp, that's that. Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed it. Till next time!