The entire basement shook as another thump came from the upstairs. Dust fell from the ceiling and onto the mages. Many were still sleeping peacefully after receiving the medicine Lucy, Juvia, and Cana so graciously went after. However, now the mages upstairs were doing whatever they could to get down there and kill everyone of them.

Happy clung to Lucy as another bang came from upstairs. He was just staring to feel better and Lucy couldn't be more overjoyed, but now they had bigger problems. Her, Happy, and whoever wasn't sick were huddled up where the guild master was lying.

"I'm sorry master," muttered Lucy, more dust falling onto her golden head, "I thought that I cold help. Instead, I made everything worse." An aged hand placed itself on Lucy's. Lucy looked down at her master who was staring at her with such love and admiration.

"You have nothing to apologize for Lucy. You did what you did for your family. I just wish there was more that could be done." He said, hand falling back to his side.

"I never thought this is how it would go down," said Freed, his head in his hands. Cana nodded beside him.

"I can't believe it ended this way." Everyone's heads dropped in shame. How could they call themselves the strongest mage guild in Fiore? How could they be bested so easily?

The thumping and banging was getting louder. Lucy could hear the door breaking from its hinges. She didn't think it was possible, but it clearly was. Fairy Tail was over. With no magic they were doomed. Lucy closed her eyes in fear, holding Happy like a lifeline. Lucy wished Natsu and Nashi were there.

Because right now, she was scared without them.

Maybe we can't help feeling scared alone.

Lucy opened her eyes at the sound of the familiar voice. She was sitting on the floor, surrounded by white. The basement, her friends, Happy, nobody was there! Except for one person.

A few feet away from Lucy was her husband, Natsu. He was wearing his regular one sleeved coat, however it was white with gold trimming. He smiled lovingly at her, his pink hair flying in the wind. He took a few steps forward, standing right in front of her. He took Lucy's hands in his own.

But we're all right here, together. We've got our friends close by.

He pulled his wife to her feet. She watched him in complete unbelief. Natsu closed his eyes and gently placed his forehead against hers.

Now there's nothing to fear, because we are not alone.

Lucy opened her eyes and once again found herself in the guild's basement. She searched around for a moment, wondering if what happened really did happen. Her eyes landed on the scarf around her neck.

That was right, she remembered now. Natsu said that long ago, on Tenrou Island. When she thought all was lost and all she could do was cling to him like a helpless child, he said that there was nothing to fear because they had each other. It was the same here. Lucy smiled and looked around at all her guild mates. She had every one of them along side her. She fingered the scarf on her neck, a loving smile on her face.

And I have you with me too, don't I Natsu? And I always will.

Lucy slowly stood from her seat, placing Happy beside Carla. The she-cat eyed her curiously.

"Lucy? Where are you going?" she said weakly. Lucy ignored her, walking slowly toward the door of the basement. Everyone in the group of healthy mages called for her to come back, but she did not. Her heart shook when another loud bang came from the door, but she kept moving forward.

"Lucy, what are you doing?" Lisanna finally asked. Lucy froze right in front of the door. She glanced at her family over her shoulder, all staring at her with worry. She smiled at them, for what could be the last time.

"Protecting my family."

Without a second more for anyone to answer, Lucy opened the door and charged out screaming.

She rammed into the first person standing in the way. All the men were too surprised to do anything but watch as she pushed the man into one of the guild tables. They all gaped at the woman who just rammed into one of their men. Lucy turned to the rest of them, feeling more worked up than she probably should.

"Come at me! All of you! I'll take you down without any magic!"

A deep chuckle came from the group. Ward emerged from the group of men, smirking at Lucy with interest.

"Impressive. I didn't think you had the guts to face me Blondie."

"I'm not letting you hurt my family," she said fiercely. The group laughed at her as if she was a kitten who thought she was a tiger.

"You really think you can beat me all by yourself without magic? You have to be crazy."

"I'm not crazy," she said, "Weird maybe, but not crazy."

Ward laughed again, "You amuse me. It's a shame it's an easy win."

"We'll see about that," said Lucy. Just as Ward was about to comeback, the entire room was taken by surprise as a yell came out of nowhere. Everyone turned to the door where Cana had jumped on another mage and tackled him to the floor. Freed and Bixlow came running in after her, followed by Juvia, Pantherlily, and Lisanna. Many others came running out, attacking the mages before they even had a chance to raise a finger. Lucy smiled at her family as they fought with everything they had, even without magic.

Lucy turned her attention back to Ward to find him sprinting at her. Lucy quickly jumped out of the way before he collided with her. Ward rammed into a table and glared back at the blonde.

"You really think a few reinforcements with change anything? You forget we have magic."

"You really don't know anything about Fairy Tail do you?" Lucy questioned seriously, "Because if there is anything that I have learned about this guild, it's that we take our brawls very, VERY seriously."

Lucy ran to the bar and leapt over the side. She threw open all the draws and started searching for anything that could be used as a weapon. Ward came running over to the unsuspecting blonde, ready to attack. He grabbed her arm, smirking in accomplishment, only for it to fall when he saw the knife in her hands. Lucy stabbed the man's large hand and he brought it back in pain. Before she could get away, he used his other hand and banged it against the counter top.

Lucy exclaimed in pain, splinters digging into her skin. She was about to make a grab for her Gate Keys but she remembered she had no magic. She started up into the eyes of her opponent.

"You're going to get it now Blondie. I'm going to make you bleed, and no one is going to save you." Lucy sucked in a breath. Ward brought one of his hands up in the air, the knife in his grip. Lucy's lower lip trembled in fear. Lucy screamed for help, but nobody heard her over the sound of the blending lacrima.

Lucy paused, turning to the lacrima mixing the chocolate milkshake that should have been hers a couple of days ago. Her brown eyes widened in realization. Lucy brought her free hand to her keys. She could feel it, the magic energy coming from them.

Magic.

They had MAGIC!

Before Ward knew what was happening, Lucy made a grab for one of her keys, lifting it high in the air.

"OPEN! GATE OF THE LION! LOKE!"

A flash of golden light filled the room. Everyone stared in shock at the Celestial Spirit maiden who somehow managed to get her magic to work. When the light cleared, a fist came in contact with Ward's jaw, sending him flying through the wall and into the streets of Magnolia.

"It's been a long time Lucy," said the orange haired spirit, fixing his glasses, "I'm glad to see you're okay."

"Likewise Loke," Lucy said, thankful to see her spirit, "now take that man out."

"I hope you don't mean out on a date," the spirit joked. Lucy smacked him upside the head and he quickly ran outside to face Ward. All the mages in Ward's group eyed the Fairy Tail mages curiously. Cana pulled one of her cards from her pocket and threw it simply at the man in front of her. A few seconds passed before the card finally exploded, sending the man to the second floor. Cana smirked victoriously.

"Well now, that certainly is a game changer." Many of the mages in the congregation shook in fear, knowing exactly what Fairy Tail is capable of. Now that the field was even, none of the fairies decided to hold back.

"Dark Écriture: Absolute Shadow!"

"Baryon Formation!"

"Animal Soul: Cat!"

"Water Slicer!"

"Shuriken Cards!"

One by one the evil mages were sliced, pounded, and beat until all had fallen to the Fairy Tail mages. Lucy couldn't believe what she was seeing. Everyone was putting their all into defeating their enemy, even before they got their magic back. It was beautiful.

From outside the guild, Ward watched the fight ensue. Loke had been sent back to the spirit world not long ago and Ward was shocked to see his men losing.

How is this possible? They shouldn't have their magic back! The only way the runes could be destroyed is by an outside force!

Without any other option, Ward started fleeing from the scene. If he were lucky, they would forget about him. However, luck was not on his side when a whip wrapped around his ankle, causing him to fall on the hard, cobblestone ground. He glared back at Lucy who was holding the whip a few feet away. He chuckled to himself, standing back to his feet.

"You won't be satisfied unless you have me too, huh Blondie?"

"That's right," said Lucy, "you're their leader."

"I'm not their leader. I'm nothing more than a subordinate," he confessed.

"Who is your leader? Krugger?" asked Lucy. She was startled when he started laughing maniacally.

"Are you kidding? Even he's not the main man. No, or leader is none other than Mother Agnes, the High Priestess of Hawthorne!"

Lucy scrunched her eyebrows, "Hawthorne? What's Hawthorne?" Lucy wasn't watching as Ward brought his hand behind his back, thunderous clouds forming around his fist.

"You'll all find out soon enough," he muttered, "The time of rebirth is at hand, and when it comes, the world will see true power. Power that even you can't comprehend."

"I won't ask again!" Lucy screamed, "What is Hawthorne?!"

Ward brought his hand out from behind his back, aiming directly at Lucy. Lucy's eyes widened as he fired the attack. He watched it rush right up to Lucy, about to consume her. He watched her draw out a key from her chain, but he knew there was no way that would save her. He waited for her screams of pain, but nothing happened. Out of the clouds came out tons of water, shooting at Ward with powerful force. He fell to his knees, out of magic and physically drained.

"H-How?" he questioned. He looked up at the Celestial maiden. He stared at the sphere of water surrounding the girl like a force-field. Lucy smiled softly to herself.

Thank you Aquarius.

"You have harmed my family," she said firmly, "and I can't let you get away with that."

"What are you going to do about it?" he growled, clutching his still injured hand. Lucy said nothing as she spread her arms out, closing her eyes. A golden magic circle appeared from under her feet. Ward sputtered, afraid of what kind of magic the wizard would use. Lucy began to mutter an incantation quietly to herself.

Survey the Heavens, Open the Heavens...
All the stars, far and wide...
Show me thy appearance...
With such shine.
Oh Tetrabiblos... 
I am the ruler of the stars...
Aspect become complete...
Open thy malevolent gate.
Oh 88 Stars of the heaven... 
Shine!
Urano Metria!

Ward was only able to catch a glimpse of Lucy's brown eyes flashing gold before he was consumed in golden light. All of Magnolia could see the golden radiance that Lucy Dragneel had created in one spell. The light died down and Lucy fell to her knees. Ward was now covered in burns and scratches. Juvia came rushing to her side as Lucy collapsed.

"Be careful Lucy-san," she said. Lucy let out a soft laugh.

"Funny, I haven't been this weak after using this spell since I was seventeen."

Juvia was about to respond, but a strange sound came from Ward. Juvia and Lucy looked up to see the bald man struggling to his feet. He tried taking a step forward, but couldn't find the strength to do so. Just as he was about to say something, a shadowy figure pushed him down, flat on his face.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," a high-pitched voice said. Eight more shadows came walking up behind the first one. Lucy gasped as the figure's long, white hair flew with the breeze.

"A-Angel?"

"In the flesh," Angel smirked, taking a slight bow. Behind her stood Jellal, Meredy, Hoteye, Racer, Cobra, and Midnight. The last two caused Juvia and Lucy to cry tears of joy.

"Howdy partners!" called out the first one.

"Bisca! Alzack! You're okay!" Juvia yelled. The black haired man and his wife rushed up to the girls and lifted them to their feet

"Sure we are, but you two look like you could use a hot meal and a nap," said Alzack as he helped Lucy up.

"That sounds about accurate," Lucy joked.

"I don't understand," said Juvia, "What are you two doing here? All of you for that matter!" she said, gesturing to Crime Sorcière.

"We finished our mission about three days ago. As we were heading back to town, we noticed some strange guys hanging just outside the city limit. We spied on them and found out about the runes and the… missing children," Bisca said, her smile falling.

"I'm sorry Bisca. Natsu and some others are out tracking them now," said Lucy, placing a comforting hand on the woman's shoulder. Bisca nodded, appreciating the gesture. Alzack decided to continue for his wife.

"We went around searching for help and we eventually found Crime Sorcière. They helped us fight off the mages and disable the runes around the city."

"That's why our magic suddenly started working," said Juvia. Meredy laughed at her friend, "Well we couldn't just stand there as you guys struggled."

"It was our pleasure to help the Fairy Tail guild," said Jellal, stepping forward, "Now shall we take care of the ill and injured inside?"

Lucy and Juvia looked at each other. It was as if their prayers had been answered. After all the hardship and trials they had faced, it looked like things were finally starting to look up to them. Now all they needed was their children to come home. Lucy looked back at the master of Crime Sorcière, pure gratitude in her eyes.

"Yes please."

FAIRY TAIL

Krugger approached the temple staircase with caution. He could spot Mother Agnes at the top, muttering soft words. After all the years of knowing her, he knew that she was aware of his presence. He waited for her to finish her practices so that they might speak. A few minutes passed before Agnes turned to Krugger and stared at him from on top of the stairs.

"Yes Krugger?' she asked. Krugger kneeled on one knee out of respect.

"The southern part of the city is almost complete your grace. It should be completed in time for the ritual." Agnes nodded in satisfaction. She slowly descended down the staircase, "The altar is ready for the ceremony. All we need is a candidate."

"It's hard to believe it's almost over," Krugger said standing, looking around the barren room, "I can't believe it's been thirty years."

"Yes," said Agnes, now in front of Krugger, "thirty years since we were slaving away at these walls, unaware of what the purpose of this place was." She took Krugger's hands in hers, fingering with the chains dangling on his wrists, "Are you ever going to take these off?"

"They reminded me is all," he answered, "Whether you want to remember or not Agnes, we were once one of them, and we must never forget that."

Agnes nodded, "I suppose you are right. But that doesn't matter anymore. We are not they. We are we, and we will not go back to that pathetic state we were once in. Mining day in and day out without a clue or a sign as to what we were trying to do."

"You are right. That is no longer the case. Now, we must finish what our previous captors could not in the last thirty years." Agnes released Krugger's hands, walking across the bridge, "Have you decided on a candidate?"

"No. I was thinking about asking for your input." She answered, "The magic we need to bring the city rebirth has to be older than the city itself."

Krugger smirked, but Agnes could not see it, "then I know the perfect child."

Agnes glanced over her shoulder, a playful smirk on her lips, "Who?"

"That child with the pink hair, her father is a Dragon Slayer. That magic was created four hundred years ago, one hundred years before the city's creation. She should have all the power we need."

Agnes and Krugger strolled out of the temple and into the empty streets of the large kingdom.

"I thought I sensed something special about that girl. I'm not sure if it was magic, but I did indeed feel something unnatural inside her."

Agnes faced forward; walking toward the southern part of the city, "Bring her to the temple. The sacrifice will begin at sundown."