Fairy Tail - Twilight Empire

Chapter 95 - Demons

Lucy and Cana had covered a good bit of ground after Carla dropped the former off. They didn't want to stick around in the same spot, fearful that one of the Generals of Tartaros would still hound Lucy. They had to regroup, or at least build some numbers. She couldn't afford to use any of her magic. The Celestial Spirit King was vital to their victory. Cana held four cards in her hands, each a defensive one that would slow attacks down long enough for Lucy to get away.

She wasn't back to one hundred percent, as using Fairy Glitter reduced a significant amount of her magic power, but she was still able to get up and fight better than Lucy.

"Hey, check it out," Cana said.

They were still in Magnolia—unrecognizable though it was with all of the attacks it'd been subjected to over the last seven years—so it was only natural they'd come across some familiar trappings. Buried in a heap was an old haunt of Cana and Lucy's, one they used to frequent from time to time after a successful job. Sure, Cana liked to drink at the guild hall, but variety was the spice of life, so she wanted to seek other brews elsewhere.

"Shame," Lucy said as they walked by.

"Think they'll rebuild it?" Cana asked.

Lucy stopped them before they rounded a bend to make sure there weren't any enemies around.

"Hopefully," Lucy said. "I hope all of Magnolia comes back. I don't know how long it'd take."

"A year?"

"If everyone really puts in some hard work. But you also have to convince people to come back, right?"

"What if we told them Fairy Tail was back?"

"Cana, the guilds are gone. The guild system is gone, and the Magic Council was destroyed. The Empire is all there is. We'd have to do it all from the ground up again."

"I know, I know, but..."

She stepped over the dilapidated balcony of an apartment. Cana ran her hands through her hair.

"I just want things to go back to normal, you know? I'm sick of living in a world where I have to constantly look over my shoulder in case someone wants to kill me."

"Well, at least you got to spend some more time with your dad. That has to count for something?"

Cana nodded. "Guy's a pain in my ass but yeah. Those were good times. He's really a big softie once you get to know him. And he cares about us, all of us. Push came to shove, he'd throw it all on the line for us. Hate to say it, but it's kind of inspiring."

"He's a true Fairy Tail wizard."

"Yeah. He's one of the best. Wish he were here now. He'd kick every demon's ass and make quick work of it, too."

"Oh, for sure."

Lucy and Cana turned another corner. Cana pointed at something, at another familiar sight, when the ground beneath her sank, as if folding in on itself, and she plunged.

"Lucy!" Cana exclaimed.

Lucy dove, catching Cana by the hand, before the ground then lurched up and launched Cana into the sky.

"Cavern Dragon's Earth Collapse!"

Cana, prone in the air, was defenseless from the attack that came from seemingly out of nowhere, as a powerful figure slammed into her and a burst of magic shot Cana into the dirt. Lucy scrambled to her side. Cana's head lolled to the side. Faint breathing, and still alive.

Lucy quickly grabbed hold of Cana and yanked her away as the ground burst beneath her, then folded as if to crush her. Lucy let Cana go as she snagged on a piece of debris and tumbled down a small hill and a set of stairs, finally coming to a stop near the bottom.