Time After Time

The Way Back's arrival

Above is a picture of the Way Back. Sorry, I'm really bad at describing things.
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{NASHI'S POV}
"What do we do?" I ask.

"We still might mess everything up if we tell them." Mizu whispers.

"Um, hello, they already know." Rose points with her head to Future Graham.

"We're different. We're..." I trail off, thinking of all the sensitive dragon hearing in the room, but they get the point. We're their kids.

"Say nothing." Nova hisses then we break huddle. I go and stand with Mom and Dad.

"You're what?" Dad asks curiously. I jump.

"Not telling." I stick my tongue out at him. What am I supposed to say? Oh hey Dad, I'm just your daughter with the woman beside you from twenty years in the future. Surprise!

Before Dad can respond, Future Graham saves me by saying, "I refuse to send Sarai to her death."

"Dad." Sarai looks pained. "If my fate is to die fighting this thing then there's nothing to be done but go and fight it."

She clenches her fists, but that doesn't stop them from shaking. My respect for Sarai grows. It takes guts to go into a fight knowing you won't come back. If I had known what was going to happen, I definitely wouldn't have recommended going on a job to the others.

"Absolutely not." Future Graham refuses. Father and daughter stare each other down.

Finally, Sarai breaks eye contact, but not to back off. Instead, she turns to Gildarts, who rested a bit while everyone else was out looking.

"Gildarts, please tell me in which direction the Way Back is."

"Southeast." He says.

Sarai nods. She turns to us kids. "I'm sorry you got all wrapped up in this. I will fight the Way Back and my fathers—" she sends a pointed glare in their direction "—will find a way to fix this."

"No!" Both Grahams shout.

"Actually," Aunt Erza says, "I think it's safer to wait for it here and prepare more. Plus you won't be alone. Your father, or one of him anyway, is from the future, so he'll be able to help. We will too. Fairy Tail never leaves a comrade behind, and you're our comrade now."

Sarai's a little teary eyed. "Okay."

"I'll do anything to save Sarai." Future Graham agrees, albeit reluctantly.

The next few days are a swirl of activity. Everyone in the city of Magnolia who isn't a Fairy Tail wizard, Sarai, or her fathers, is evacuated to cities not in the Way Back's path.

Our parents try to get us to leave as well, but we adamantly refuse. The guild is also training Sarai to fight. According to Future Graham, this is training she didn't get last time, so it could improve her chances significantly.

He also says that he will "fix" our problem once the fight is over and Sarai is still alive. Which just means we have to keep her alive.

We are from the future after all, so we can fight the Way Back too. The eight of us have been training in secret as much as possible, so we're prepared for the coming battle.

Finally, the day of the Way Back's arrival, foreseen by Gildarts and Sarai, is here.

"I see in the future that I won't be able to defeat it, but it will be defeated, so don't lose hope." She tells the guild.

"Don't talk like that." Future Graham says.

A shadow blocks out the sun. We all stare up at it. The Way Back is massive! Three times the guild hall's size, easy. It's body is covered in a stone-like shell, and has the texture of tree bark. It's tail is like a giant hollow tree trunk, and it's eyes glow.

Sarai takes a deep breath, then start running toward the Way Back, with Future Graham close behind. First, it attacks with it's tail, bashing it on the ground and leaving a crater, making me glad we evacuated the town.

Both daughter and future father are able to nimbly dodge, so it starts using it's feet, which are faster, crushing buildings easily.

It's moves are a little sluggish. Then I see why. It's... wounded? Several gashes cover it's flanks and tail, oozing thick, sappy liquid.

I glance at the other kids. They seem to have noticed it too, and we look at each other in confusion. What could've hurt a monster that can't be hurt? Either way, it's helpful for Sarai and Future Graham.

Their style is simple. He defends, blocking and keeping its attention focused on him, then she attacks. Along with the mysterious injuries sustained previously, they might actually defeat it!

I shouldn't have jinxed it. Right as I think that, the Way Back gets smart. It pretends like it's focused on Future Graham, and Sarai races close to it for another attack.

I see that it left it's tail raised and realize what's about to happen. "Sarai-san! Get back!" I scream.

It all happens in slow motion. Future Graham gets distracted by my shout and sees what's going on. He tries to push past the Way Back to his daughter, but it head butts him and he flies across Magnolia, hitting Kardia Cathedral hard enough to leave a crater, and falls limply.

Sarai looks up to see the tail crashing down on her. It's blast radius is too great for her to fully dodge. As a last resort, she jumps to the side, and it hits a home run, sending her flying out of view.

"No!" I shout. People in our guild gasp. Gramps and Gildarts look grim.

I share a look with Nova and the other kids. We're the only ones left who can touch the Way Back. It's time to tell the guild.

Nova, as the leader, takes initiative. She walks lock jawed up to Gramps and bows.

"We've been lying to you this whole time." She begins. Not exactly how I would have started things, but at least she's blunt.

"What do you mean?" He asks.

"We told you Future Graham attacked us, for starters. We're uninjured."

Gramps sighs. "I could tell that by looking and talking to him and you. I presume those bandages are hiding your guild marks?"

"That's correct." She nods.

"Why would you need to hide them? We know you're in a guild."

"That's the other thing. It's which guild we're in that we needed to hide."

Gramps frowns. "A dark guild?"

"No way!" Nova shakes her head rapidly. "Nothing like that. But it'd still be hard to explain."

"Try me." Gramps' brow furrows.

Nova gestures to me. "Nashi, your mark is on your hand. It's easiest to show."

All eyes turn to me. "Wow, way to throw me under the bus there, Nova." Nevertheless, I start to remove the bandage.

When it falls off, people's eyes widen. A ripple of shock passes through the guild hall.

"Wha—? How? Why?" Mom sputters. The others start removing their bandages too.

"Oh yes," Nova says once all our guild marks are revealed. "We're also from the future."

Lexi giggles, her smile smug and sweetly evil. "Now that that's settled, how about we talk about the Way Back in the room?"

"I'm game." Rose cracks her knuckles. Gale smirks. Kori and Mizu smile at each other. Storm comes over to me and we fist bump. Luke and Reiki run between our feet, laughing obliviously.

We all turn to face the Way Back, towering over us. I grin. "Let's show this monster why Fairy Tail is number one!"