Whelp! Here I am with another chapter! This will be taking place on Sera still and dealing with the lambent. Hopefully I can wrap up this portion in a few chapters then have Natsu and them return to 137-C for the Fiorian counter attack. And before you all say…"Gee Happy, why not just have that ship take him there?"

One is that there is only one built, and it's busying ferrying supplies to 137 on a continual basis. Any lapse or delay would be a problem for industry and the military build-up.

Two. Natsu isn't about to leave with the lambent still an issue for Sera.

If you disagree…oh well

I still don't own any media!

Chapter 53: Fissure

10th of Heat 7:43 a.m. Vectes Island. The Naval Base

The sun had already risen on the island, bathing the rising communities in light after the tropical rain the night prior. Birds chirped and sang, roosting in the palm trees nearby as Marcus walked with a tired scowl.

He had drank too much last night…and now his head was paying for it. Throbbing like a forge of hammers, he had made sure to drink more water before leaving the bar after that impromptu party with Anya. Hell, he doubted any of them were up yet based on the rate they were going against Paduk last night.

"It's too early for this, Anya. And shit…can't we leave the kid alone for a day?" The Gear rumbled as humidity clung the dark shirt to his muscles. Stepping through a puddle in the road, the two were walking across the base toward were Natsu was staying…after they had learned of the latest emergency.

The news had literally been a wakeup call from Hoffman, the grizzled Colonel kicking down their door to shake them out of bed. Even with the collapse of the CoG…old habits died hard.

Pulling the exterior door open for his woman, the two let out silent sighs. It was cooler inside by a few degrees. Not much…but enough to push away the humidity at least.

"You know if we leave him out of it, and something happens, Dragneel would be even more pissed off? Plus, I'm pretty sure Ultear can help too" Anya said with a cocked brow, her form passing a sailor on some early morning errand.

"Sure…if they aren't fucking already" the Sergeant suggested with the ghost of a smirk. Getting a light chuckle from Anya, the two turned another corner before finally arriving at Natsu's royal room…if it could be called that.

Gripping the handle, Marcus grimaced as the hinges squeaked…and grated against his headache. Pushing it open, Stroud was the first on in…and promptly shook her head at the sight on the bed.

Sorana and Ultear were pressed against Natsu's flanks, snoring softly as their exposed bodies weren't even covered by a blanket. It was only thanks to the tangle of legs that Anya wasn't treated to the sight of what the male was packing. Speaking of…his eyes were slowly opening as the lieutenant spoke with a mirthful smirk.

"Fullbuster's right. You really are a man whore"

"Ungh…the fuck? Anya? Marcus? It's…" Glancing at the old clock with burning electronic numbers, Natsu lost any semblance of caring for the sleeping women. If he was up…so were they.

"Too damn early…" Sorano groaned out as she rubbed her eyes. Noticing Fenix, the silver haired woman turned away to hide herself…which elicited a small scoff from the Gear.

"If you think I'm here to ogle your tits, your wrong. Get dressed, we have a situation" the scarred veteran instructed as Natsu sat up, his interest piqued.

"What kind of situation?" The man asked evenly, his muscular torso the only thing Ultear had to hide behind.

Crossing her arms beneath her bust, Anya just shook her head in mild annoyance as the slayer started to dress before her.

"We don't know. Just some frantic call from some farmer halfway down the island. One of those small villages that sprung up…says a hole opened up in his field"

Now half dressed as Sorano and Ultear scrambled to do the same…mainly so they weren't nude in front of guests, Dragneel let out an annoyed grunt as he pulled a shirt on to hide the scars of his torso.

"I doubt it's the locust remnants. They can't even dig here because of the Abyssal Trench. Could be just a sinkhole"

"Or something else. So, meet us in the motor pool in twenty. Try to grab some breakfast if you can" Marcus suggested as the two left, leaving the three to finish their haste in getting ready.

"Can't even get one day off…" Natsu muttered, his eyes watching the two females grabbing their shirts to cover their…sizable assets from view.

"Quit staring at my breasts and get armored" Sorano scolded, the tone firm with the king. She had to be firm with him. After all, there was a time and a place to appreciate the female form.

"I don't mind if you stare at mine" Ultear teased, her stance giving a great view before finally sliding on a shirt herself. They hugged the fabric…barely restrained as Natsu concluded for the millionth time…the women he knew were too damn gorgeous. And highly opinionated based on his entire life's experience.

Grumbling, the Gear summoned his weapons and armor in a flash of magical light as sunlight started to pour through the high window with the scent of dew and coming rain…

Village Thirteen. Thirty miles south of Pelruan 9:13 a.m.

Gravel was picked up and spat, flung away as the two Packhorse's turned a sharp bend along the dirt road. An endless crunching of weight, the first one jounced over a pothole before the second vehicle did the same with a stress of shocks.

"Ungh…shit Ultear, watch where your going" Natsu grumbled from the passenger seat as he felt his internal organs take a beating. Trying to lean back in his seat, the king crossed his arms over his heavy breastplate as the military truck hit another pothole in the road.

"What? Do you have a problem with a woman driving?" Ultear asked sweetly, her eye's betraying a hint of impishness as a light tree branch slapped against the windshield.

"No. I just want to get there in one piece without my insides turning to slop" the king replied with a gravel-tone.

"Hmph! You'll be fine"

More branches and potholes greeted them all as Grey groaned in the back with Sorano and Happy. Looking out the window, all he could see was the canopy of green on all sides as the daughter of his master continued to drive…badly. It really didn't make his headache better…at all.

"Doesn't help this road didn't even exist a few months ago. But is she aiming for everything on purpose?"

A rapid turn to the left had him lean into the door, his stomach tumbling as Ultear drove over a series of small mounds and craters.

"God…the manwhore is right. You are aiming for everything…" Fullbuster whispered in light agony. Why did they have to bring him? Couldn't he just wallow in hangover suffering?

"I heard that ice-pick"

"Me too. Your just jealous of my amazing driving skills"

"Ungh…"

"Ohhh…I think Grey is dying!?" Happy shouted in surprise. Poking the suffering man, Happy then shrugged before pulling a tiny tuna from his backpack and taking a bite in contentment.

"Relax Fullbuster. At least you didn't get impaled like I did last night" Sorano smirked with a tease. Slapping the man on the back, she swore he turned pale as his eyes glared at her with accusation.

"Are you trying to make me sick!? I don't want to hear about what you and ash-heap did! Ungh…damn hangover…"

Chuckling as the truck bounced again through some rutted tracks, Sorano checked the map. It was fairly new, the topography detailed for several miles as she read silently for a moment.

"Hey Ultear? We should be at the village in another mile. Just make sure to turn right. Left will take us closer to the lowlands and village seventeen"

"Right…WOOOAHHH!" Ultear slammed on the brakes, kicking up a furrow of dirt and dust as the pads locked. Skidding forward a few feet, each human felt themselves flung forward from the sudden stop…except for Happy. He just fluttered up to save his small snack.

"Fuck Ultear! A little warning…next…time" Dragneel's scolding was lost, his hands already fumbling with the door latch. Stepping onto the dirt road, he was distinctly aware of Delta coming to stop behind them in a similar fashion as he stared at the problem.

"Damn! I'm no expert, but I'm pretty sure this wasn't here before!" Cole said loudly, the bear of a man stepping to the edge of the fresh ravine. Cutting directly across the road, it was at least three feet wide…but deep as he looked down.

"Mhm…definitely wasn't here before" Cole finished as he stepped away from the edge. A few rocks and pebbles fell, lost forever as Dom looked left and right.

"Is this what the farmer was talking about?"

"I doubt it Dom…" Fenix replied with his normal scowl. Looking in both directions, this fissure cut through the vegetation and undergrowth of this forest.

"We can still cross on foot, right? It's only a few feet to jump" Ultear asked as she glanced into the cracked earth. It was dark…and just gave her the willies of what could be down there.

Feeling a few patters of water with some distant rumbling, Natsu looked up. The sky had darkened…another tropical storm of rain for the day as he sighed. Enshrouded by the canopy of fronds and leaves, the king just prayed that this was just a simple sinkhole.

"Alright…let's hoof it. Happy? Make sure to carry Grey" Jumping, the king made the gap easily. Feeling a pair of eyes boring into his back, Natsu turned as the ice mage glared.

"I don't need your pity" Taking a small backtrack, the male sprinted then leapt before landing on the far side. Grunting, he stood up and stared at his old rival as the others started to make the jump across the split earth.

"See? Didn't need Happy's help at all…you man-whore"

"Heh…I'll have to remember that one" Baird grinned with some rain splattering his yellow goggles.

"We can all make fun of Natsu later for how easily he fall's prey to women. Right now, we have to reach the village and investigate" Marcus's grim tone giving all the men and women a reminder of why they were out here in the first place.

"He does fall prey to us pretty easily…" Sorano suggested with a warm whisper as the Gears started to walk down the dirt road. Looking up at the canopy of green with Ultear giving a light giggle, the mage could feel the ozone of coming rain as thunder rumbled in the darkening sky…

Twenty minutes of walking had most of the soldiers on edge…especially with how the sky opened up into a tropical deluge of pouring rain. It fell like a sheet…soaking everything as the dirt turned to mud. Sucking at their boots, it just added to the misery of this forest as the foliage seemed to close in from all sides.

Water sluiced down from large palm fronds, coursing down Sorano's neck before sliding past the collar of her armor. If it wasn't warm rain…or the fact she was soaked already, the woman would have given a complaint. But at this point? Who cared? It wouldn't change anything.

"Damn…we could pass that village in here and not even know? All this green…" Dom observed as his eyes scanned for…anything really.

"Definitely different than the mainland" Marcus agreed. Rain…mud…and trees. That's all any of them could see as they moved closer and closer to their destination.

Lifting her heavy boot that sucked at the mud, Sorano was the first to emerge from the roadway canopy. It was like a doorway. One minute she was hemmed in on all sides by the abundant forest…then she was in a clearing near a small shed along the road.

It's door hung open…lightly swinging in the rainstorm as the eight studied the village before them with veteran eyes. It was a small community comprising of maybe a dozen homes, a general store, and the village hall all clustered a few hundred yards away. Stretching out from these homesteads was farmland, the growth of wheat, corn and potatoes a valuable activity. Based on the yields, harvesting would be happening in the next few weeks.

"Shouldn't there be somebody meeting us, Natsu?" Happy asked, his poor fur coat drenched as the fire mage gave a subtle shrug.

"Not necessarily buddy. They might be just inside cause of the storm. Not much can be done in this kind of deluge"

Feeling more water drip past his nose, he started to walk down the road reserved for beasts of burden and foot traffic. It was…sturdier than the forest road, but not by much as his boots and shin guards were already caked in the stuff.

"Hey Happy? See if you can find that fissure from the air while we check out the town. Just look though. Don't get too close"

"Right!' Flying off into the waterlogged sky, the cat started to search as the Gears headed toward the center of town.

"Ahh…at least this rain is helping my hangover…" Grey said in a relieved sigh. Tilting his head back, the ice mage enjoyed the patter of water as he let some of the cool liquid down his throat.

Ignoring the lamenting ice mage, Delta and the rest moved on toward the cluster of wooden buildings.

A sharp whistle grabbed their attention, prompting all to take rapid cover where they could. Taking cover behind a few low barrels, Gray and Natsu peered over to see a man in his mid-fifties waving from the porch of the community hall. He was holding a Gnasher, but non-threateningly as Marcus slowly rose from a knee.

"Clear…let's see what farmer bob has to say" Marcus said as he lowered his rifle to a relaxed state. Making haste, they moved under the falling rain toward the man.

"What took cha so long? That damn hole has gotten bigger since I called. At this rate I'll lose some of my crop"

"Well…we're here now. Let's take a look at this damn crater of your's" Natsu grumbled as the balding farmer pointed north past a small footbridge.

"It's past the stream…about fifty yards. Opened up sometime last night…" Turning as he stood under the dry awning, his eyes grew serious.

"I know what it could mean…I've seen the grubs first hand along with those…glowing bastards during the evac. That's why I called. Rather be safe than sorry"

"Anybody else in the village? If it's dangerous, we would need to evac folks" Dom asked, his hair matted to his skull like a soaked blanket.

"Nah. I sent everybody to the neighboring village just to be safe. But I'll be damned if some grub sonovabitch takes my farm from me" Standing straighter, the farmer became a statue of seriousness as Marcus gave a slow nod.

"Alright. We'll check it out. You stay here for now" Waving the two squads forward, they rapidly made their way across the small foot bridge over the rushing creek. Probably used for irrigation, the flow of water was almost above the banks as the eight moved into the northern field. Pushing past stands of corn, each made slow progress with rain beating against their heads. After all, the last thing they wanted was to fall blindly into some hole.

"Hey! Over here!" Ultear shouted first, her yell drawing the others like a beacon. Emerging from the maze of corn stalks, Natsu saw Happy flutter down on his magical wings.

"I found it first Natsu! Way earlier than that time girl!"

"HEY!"

"It's not a contest, Happy…now let's see what we got" Crouching down at the edge, he could understand why the farmer had been concerned. At least two dozen feet long and half a dozen wide, this fissure had swallowed up the immediate land and crops. Feeling Baird crouch down next to him, the blonde scientist had a scrunched up look of contemplation on his face.

"Well…it could be locust or lambent…but…"

"But what? This corn reminds me of that old horror movie I saw as a kid" Cole asked, his eyes cautious as he studied the stalks. No way in hell would he be attacked by murderous demon kids.

"If it was them, wouldn't they have surged up by now? And this island does have an extinct volcano. Could have just been some collapse undergro—"

The soil trembled…shaking them all to their very core as each one stepped away on battled honed instincts. Raising their weapons, each one knew what that shaking could mean as they created more distance.

"You were saying!?" Marcus yelled at Baird, the annoyance on his face barely registered in the harsh rain. The earth trembled again, making the Gears stumble as they tried to remain upright as pieces of the field fell away into the depths.

A crack like thunder resonated through the ground, racing up their legs as Grey fell backwards onto his ass. His backside went cold, covered in mud as he tried to backpedal across the soaked soil to his fellow soldiers.

'CCRRRAAACKKK!'

It shot up like a horrid needle of gray and greens that resembled muscle. Parts of the mass glowed a sickly yellow…pulsating with parasitic life as clouds of spores wafted for a moment before dissipating in the rain.

"Shit! It's a stalk!" Grey cried out as he managed to scramble to his feet.

"KID! FUCKING BURN IT!" Marcus yelled. Looking up, he could already make out some pods, and they were glowing brighter toward hatching.

Natsu hadn't needed prompting or permission. After all, he instantly recognized the threat that had ruined Jacinto. Taking a deep breath, the fire mage felt the magic flow into his lungs as seconds counted by. Running toward the shaking edge as the Lambent Stalk grew taller, he had a brief glance of the fissure…then breathed.

"FIRE DRAGON'S ROAR!"

A cone of flame erupted from his mouth, hissing as water evaporated upon contact. Natsu had compressed it to a narrow blast, the focused flame racing downward into the earth toward the stalk's base unseen base. The flames tore through, igniting the parasitic emulsion before racing up the horrid appendage like a nervous system on fire.

One of the glowing cyst's popped, the polyp inside reduced to flaming flesh as the infection burned. More burst and exploded, a wracking fire that shuddered the stalk as it took more damage. It started to lean, the exposed trunk withering with flame as tendrils were sundered.

"GET BACK! IT'S FALLING!" Sorano shouted out, her feet already carrying the woman into the corn maze. Breathing deeply as the rain fell, the silver haired female kept her Lancer close. Looking over her shoulder, the stalk was tilting…tilting…and falling as it burned.

Crashing among the maze of corn, Ultear felt herself thrown to the soaked dirt as the lambent stalk struck the earth with horrific force. Shaking her head from the close call as mud dripped down her chin, she heard a horrid clicking coming from her right that followed the ripping of flesh.

Rolling to a knee, the woman's eyes widened for a brief moment at the sight before her. Some of the corn was already burning…catching aflame from the crashed stalk…but that was secondary as shouts and gunfire shattered the air.

Scuttling forward between the rows of corn were a dozen crab-like creatures that hugged the earth. Multiple points seemed to glow around their abdomens as rancid fluid dripped from those clacking mandibles. Carapaces glowed at the joints as the six legs scuttled and shifted across the soil.

"POLYPS!" Ultear yelled just as she squeezed the trigger. Aiming at the pack leader, a stream of rounds tore through it's hide…then it exploded in a fury of emulsion and flesh. Two more were taken with it, their bodies flung apart from the parasite flowing through their veins. Firing again as expended brass flew in an arc, the woman took four more down as they exploded into piles of gore.

A body emerged from the corn on her left, the familiar stance of Grey Fullbuster easily seen. He fired at the remnant polyps, bullets tearing them to pieces before grasping his head in a grimace. Coughing as the smoke of burning plants grew thicker despite the storm, the man rasped in annoyance.

"Seriously…fuck this day" Trying to ignore the horrid throbbing of his hangover, the ice mage started to build up a spell as particles gathered at his gloved finger-tips. Due to the amount of moisture in the air, it was much easier to take what he needed.

"ICE MAKE: GLACIER!"

Ice gathered along the ground, racing over the burning plants and ruined stalk without any semblance of slowing. Extinguishing the growing flames before heading toward the fissure, the man made sure that lambent filled crater was filled with frozen water. Ending the spell in moments after most of the field was frozen, the black haired man sighed. "Really sucks for the farmer, but no way can this place can keep going with these bastards coming up"

"Yeah…let's regroup with the others" Picking herself up, Ultear was aware of the mud clinging to her armor…but it was part of the job. Walking southward for a few minutes, she was quite aware of the others around her in other rows of corn.

Finally emerging near the short, foot bridge, the two squads were greeted by the farmer…and he was furious by the way his face was.

"THE HELL HAPPENED! HALF MY CROP IS RUINED!"

Marcus stepped forward, his body language…diplomatic as he leaned in close.

"Your damn lucky you sent your friends and family away. You had a lambent stalk and we had to take care of it. I suggest you pack up any valuable shit right now and get going"

"Damn…well fuck. Ain't there anything you Gears can do to stop them? What about all that corn?"

"We'll try. As for your crops…"

"I wouldn't risk it. Who knows if those plants are infected with that shit or not?" Baird interrupted as he looked back at the sheet of ice covering most of that field.

"At least we got plenty of ice, baby"

"Enough" Fenix asserted. Watching as Natsu approached the farmer, the grizzled Sergeant heard the king offer the man a ride to the next village as his radio crackled.

"Anya. That fissure you had us look at? It was lambent. A full stalk"

"What? Are you positive?"

"As positive as I can be. We took care of it with the kid and Fullbuster containing the damn thing, but there were polyps. Village Thirteen should be off-limits for now"

"Alright Marcus. I'll let Hoffman and the others know…just a second"

The man sighed. Being placed on hold by the woman you deeply care for was…annoying sometimes.

"Marcus? It's Victor. Evacuate any civilians from the surrounding area and villages. We'll send another few squads to assist. Try to keep the civilians calm and report any contact you have with those glowing bastards"

"Ung…Yes sir"

"Stay safe, Sergeant"

The radio cut off, leaving Fenix in a moment of silence before Dom stepped up.

"So, what now?"

"We're evacuating the surrounding area. So,everybody play nice with these folks. Most won't appreciate being taken from their new homes"

"Damn baby. You know I always play nice with others"

"That's because people still remember your days as a Thrashball star" Natsu joked as Cole shrugged.

"You can't be angry at the talent baby! People just love the Cole train!"

"Alright, enough joking. We need to hit the next village and get those people moving" Marcus waved, his hand motioning toward the dirt road that led to their vehicles.

"I hope this was just an isolated incident…" Sorano said solemnly, her eyes taking in the ruined food crops behind her. Feeling Natsu's gaze fall on her, she locked eyes with the man as he simply shook his head.

"I wouldn't get your hopes up, Sano. Just leads to disappointment. Come on, Happy"

The Gears barely made it a dozen feet before the sodden ground started shaking again. Trembling with unstable tremors as the rain poured, the village hall began to buckle as the foundation began to crack.

"Happy! Get this guy outta here!" Natsu roared out to his tiny partner. Grasping his lancer one handed, the male helped Dom to his feet as the soldiers scurried to makeshift positions around the town square.

"Aye!" Swooping low, the blue cat promptly lifted the man by his armpits before flying off toward the south.

"Fullbuster! Try to stop that stalk!" Marcus yelled, his voice betraying fear and anger. Running into the general store across the street with Cole, Baird and Ultear, the four were waiting with rifles ready. Watching as Natsu hunkered down by some barrels outside on the right with Dom, the Gears were making themselves ready for a fight.

"Ice make! Glacier!"

Frozen water flowed out from the spell, crushing the hall in the splintering of wood and timber. Working its way over the growing fissure in the concrete foundation, it stopped the rising stalk…but only for a moment.

'CRAAACK!'

Punching through the thick ice like paper and the ruin of the building, the lambent appendage shot into the air like a twisted tree. Covered in numerous sacs of pulsating emulsion, it grew taller as several polyps surged from the earth like a cancer.

"Shit…that didn't work at all!" Grey cursed in a panic as he backpedaled. Feeling himself pulled along, he found Sorano pushing him into a nearby home. Taking cover at the doorway, both had furious scowls on their faces as the rain grew harder.

So much for an easy day.

"Don't let them get close!" Sorano yelled as she aimed and fired at the first group of crabs scurrying across the mud toward them. Bullets kicked up in the soupy soil, creating blooms of impacts before the first one's struck. The polyp exploded into burning bits, taking several with it as the lambency brewed up. Grey added his weight of metal, lead shattering the air as he killed more of the infection crawling across the land. But damn…there were dozens of the vile things clicking and crawling. Reloading with practiced ease, Grey resumed firing at the horde with the other mage as they enacted a nightmarish toll of bodies.

"Dom! Cover me and make sure none of these fucking things get too close!" Natsu ordered with a shout as the village center erupted in gunfire.

"You got it!"

A burst of gunfire erupted from his left flank, courtesy of Santiago as the mage gathered a ball of flame in his left hand. Growing it larger as the rain hissed in evaporation from the heat, the leader of Kilo watched as some of the sacs on the stalk wiggled.

"Man! Throw the damn thing already! I doubt there's crabs in those cysts!" Dom yelled before he shot some more of the emerging polyps in a crescendo of rifle-fire.

"Brilliant Flame!"

The orb crackled and popped on its flight, searing through the torrent of rain after its release from Natsu. Aimed at the base that had emerged from the newest fissure, it impacted with a thunderclap of noise and heat. Killing dozens of the scurrying lambent in an inferno of flame, the actual blast tore through the stalk in moments.

It groaned and creaked…the trunk unable to stay upright as the flames rapidly spread just like the first time. Unfortunately, it didn't fall fast enough as most of the cysts along the stalk burst…and lambent drones jumped out.

Landing in the middle of the square as the stalk fell with a deafening crash across the nearby stream, the drones were a familiar nightmare as they hefted hammer-bursts and gnashers to kill and spread the infection coursing through their veins. Numbering over a dozen as their chests glowed with the parasite, the monsters immediately opened fire as the surviving polyps regrouped for a second attack.

Staying low as bullets cracked and splintered the window frame above, Fenix blind-fired into the square. Hearing the nearby shouts of Fullbuster followed by the soft burst of exploding polyps, the man kept firing at the assaulters. Not sure if he hit anything, the Gear yanked his lancer back as his companions returned the favor with their own fusillade. Ultear or Baird managed to knock down one, the parasitic drone's chest bursting like a rancid sore…but more came on as gunfire raged back and forth between the two groups.

"Wooo! This turned into a ragin' party real fast!" Cole shouted with a hint of glee. Throwing a frag into the muddy street, it exploded in a burst of orange and hateful shrapnel. Consuming two more of the monsters in a bloody spew of body parts, the large Gear pumped his fist before taking cover again in the shop's doorway.

"You're having way too much fun with this!" Ultear shouted out in disbelief at the large man across from her in the doorway. Leaning out, the woman squeezed off a small burst of rounds, the lead punching into a lambent's chest. The infection glowed…bursting with damage as the diseased drone gave a final snarl. Orangish liquid spewed as the woman took cover in the door, her features grim as incoming gunfire thudded against the building.

Four rounds smashed into the frame near her head, splintering the rough woodwork as the monsters continued to fire a staccato of lead.

"Heh. You should know glowing baddies or grubs can't stop this dream team!" Cold smirked as he fired, unleashing a stream of spent brass before ducking back.

There were still eight of the monsters, and some were switching their attention to Natsu and Dom…whose situation was not the best. Still behind the two barrels, the two Gears were under heavy fire as their cover was slowly chipped away.

"Give Dragneel time to gather his fire! Pour it on!" Marcus shouted. Rising up from the window behind the counter, the weary Sergeant had one of the lambent in his crosshairs. Firing at the horror as the others put in their own weight of lead, the Gears were successful in drawing the deadly fire their way. Zipping and popping, rifle and shot blasts tore through the storm with the polyps scuttling over the mud.

"THE HELL YOU WAITING FOR KID!? ROAST THESE GLOW—" Baird started to yell as he took cover once more…but his shout was interrupted by the familiar roar of the dragon slayer from the far left of the small street.

A raging funnel of flame washed over the lambent, sealing in juices while at the same time…the infection burned through their veins. Horribly susceptible to fire, the scourge didn't stand a chance as the searing heat caused vessels of emulsion to burst like a nightmare of pus. Bodies finally bursting at the seams, nothing remained except chunks of scorched viscera and locust flesh in the mud. Tendrils of smoke rose, popping lightly as the rain tried to cool the ruined gore.

"—ie bastards. Well…I guess he heard me" Baird muttered as Ultear stepped out of the store to rejoin Natsu and Dom.

"Man. You should know Natsu's got our backs, Baird. Probably just took him a second with all the lead flying" Cole emphasized at Marcus strode past.

"Yeah, I know I know. Just dammit…now the lambent are here too"

"Uh huh…annoying pests aren't they" The larger man said as he joined the others. Stepping over a piece of…locust leg, the two men kept a cautious lookout for any stragglers. But…nothing was moving in the ruins of the village except the beating drum of rain hitting their heads.

"Kilo. Make sure there aren't any more surprises. I'll fill in Hoffman" Sergeant Fenix ordered the second squad as he pointed to the hall. Hearing the low grumblings of the younger men and women, he ignored it as the radio crackled to life once more…

Later that night…Vectes Naval Base

Standing at the edge of the map table in the operations room, all Marcus could think of was how tired he was after today. The rain…dealing with the lambent and the evacuations…it had been a huge pain in the ass.

Of course, Hoffman had contacted the Gorasnayan's before the day was even halfway done…and now Paduk was here.

Stroking his fingers across the roughness of his weathered face, the man knew if he let it go, a shave would be needed in another week…but that was hardly an issue now. Studying the other faces in the room, he felt his spirits lift lightly as Anya looked his way.

"So? CoG brings monsters here after all? My people thought Vectes was safe from all this? But here you are…bringing problems to the Gorasnayan people once more" Paduk pointed out.

"Save your sunny thoughts on the CoG for later. Your in charge of security for your people and casting blame to us for these monsters is like blaming the sun for rising. Just be thankful those damn stalks didn't appear in a higher population area" Natsu lightly barked before he stabbed a finger at the large map before them all. Hearing the old UIR veteran grunt in assent, Natsu continued as Hoffman chomped on a cigar.

"Right now, we've managed to evacuate all the civilians within two miles of the incident. Aside from the initial contact with Kilo and Delta at village thirteen, no more lambent or stalks were encountered"

"This…will be worrisome for my settlement. Farmers will be scared" Paduk lightly commented as Anya shook her head.

"It's worrisome for all of us, Paduk. From what we can tell, these stalks weren't as mature as the ones that forced us to evacuate Jacinto. Just a few infected drones and polyps appeared, but that could change"

"That's why I'm stepping up patrols and forming some armed militias to help with destroying this new threat. And while the crop of that first village is lost, I'm ordering the early harvest in the area. We have no idea if these things will show again or where, and that food is vital." Hoffman cast an uncertain eye toward the Gorasnayan. "This is just a suggestion, but you might want to take precautions to secure food, fuel and other essentials. The lambent have shown here and things could get worse before they get better" the old colonel finished. Watching as Paduk took the advice, the officer turned his attention toward Natsu as the scarred king broke the small silence.

"Right now, we need to prevent panic with the civilian's…especially the local inhabitant's of Pelruan. Folks from Jacinto know how to act during an emergency, but not them. Some light drills might be in order just to get them accommodated…" The salmon haired soldier trailed off, his thoughts wandering before he looked at Anya Stroud across the table. "Anya? Is it possible the lambent used the old lava tubes of this island? Would there be any old geological maps?"

"They probably did use them today. But maps like that? Doubt any are left, but I'll look around"

"See if you can find them, Stroud. Might give us a chance to head them off early if they appear again" Hoffman voiced before leaning forward over the table. "We were lucky today, people. But that luck probably won't hold. Stay alert out there. If more of these glowing bastards show, I want to know about it!" Slamming a closed fist into his left palm, Victor gave one last look to the blonde woman at his side with a look of seriousness.

"Stroud…get some evacuation plans drawn up…just in case"

"Shit. You think it will come to that?" Marcus asked, his tone a scratch of worry as the briefing came to a close.

"I hope not Fenix…I really hope not"

18th of Blaze. 3:13 p.m. Emerald Spire (75 Miles to the West of Vectes)

A marvel of engineering from an age past, the Emulsion rig was almost serene in her engineered beauty. Large industrial storage tanks covered half the top deck, almost brimming with fresh Emulsion as the foreman waited for the small tanker to finish hooking up the large transfer hoses. Sent to Tevo Island and its processing facilities, the raw fuel would be processed and stored for the remnants of Jacinto on Vectes.

Scaffolding and girders supported the structure with ease, leaving the workers to complete their tasks among the narrow hallways. Some were scraping off rust, an ever present problem given it's location in the ocean as others kept a watchful eye at their stations. It was risky work…the chance of fire and explosions always in the back of their minds.

Attached by heavy tethers that extended to the ocean floor several thousand feet below, the versatile construction was calm among the clear blue sky as the main drill kept up its task. Yelling and shouting of men and women working mixed in with the rumble and vibration of pipes, but it was low risk work as the crane hoisted another crate of fresh vegetables and food for the workers from the supply ship.

A supply ship in name only, the C.V.N. Nathan was actually a destroyer tasked with not only ferrying the replacement crew of workers and supplies to the Emerald Spire, but as a patrol craft to deter any remaining pirates. While Tevo Island had been cleared of the scourge of broken humanity, the ship was still part of the patrol. After all, this rig was the only source of Emulsion humanity had left.

Crewed by competent sailors, the naval personnel were scrambling to unload the remaining supplies smoothly and efficiently as lookouts kept an eye for hostile vessels or other threats. The two Raven's at the bow were primed and ready, the small landing deck for the craft clear of loose materials. Primarily designed for search and rescue, the helicopters available were armed as they bobbed lightly with the ship.

Of course, these were familiar sights to all as a certain man worked inside the bowels of the Emulsion rig.

Baird watched the pressure gauge of the main drill, his eyes showing light concern as it fell slowly. Standing in the central pump room with the foreman and several workers, the blonde man grew more concerned as the needle continued to drag toward zero. Foregoing his normal equipment and firearms, the engineer was in coveralls and working clothes as his concern turned to an annoyed scowl.

Cole was near the entrance, volunteering to come along to assist in security with a few other Gears on the rig. Really, he was just being a guard at this time as the large soldier stood to the side. Equipped for the field, Augustus knew the risks of firearm discharges as he kept his rifle secured to his back armor plate with his Gnasher shotgun.

"Damn…shut it down. Your pumping nothing but air right now" Baird ordered the foreman who shook his head.

"How? This field should have enough reserves for another sixty years. It can't be gone, can it?"

"You heard about the lambent right? Damn things are basically walking Emulsion monsters. They could've reached the fuel below. Or… it could just be an air pocket" he emphasized with a waved hand.

"Shit…" Mitch Grenger muttered. He had heard about the lambent incursion on Vectes a few weeks prior. Nobody had been killed, but people were scared. It's why he volunteered for another rotation. But if those things had taken the fuel…or there was a pocket of air… "Okay boys! Shut it down! Don't need to risk a blowback!"

The last thing they needed was a surge of escaping gas that probably formed this pocket in the first place.

Watching as the nearby workers started to shut down the drill and pumping stations, Baird knew this could be a serious problem in the future. The pumps stopped soon, leaving the decking still as Mitch ran a hand through his sandy hair.

"We have reserves at least, right?"

"Yeah. Most of the navy is pretty much parked around Vectes and our fuel ships are brimming. Plus storage is at a good level at Vectes. Not too mention that light tanker we have. Might not be as large as the old ships, but it's enough for us"

"Still Baird…all that juice" Cole said in a half solemn tone as his old friend looked his way in annoyance.

"Are you bringing back that juice crap again?"

"Hehehe, you know you love it"

"You know I don't" Damon quipped back as he turned to Mitch. "You guys have a probe, right? We'll need to send one down the pipe to get a picture of what's going on"

"We have a few left. They're old, but still working"

Any words Baird was about to utter were lost as the decking trembled. Vibrating, all the men and women in the room could feel it in their bones.

"Was that a wave?" Cole asked with a hint of worry, the vibration growing worse as he gripped a nearby pipe.

"No…it's calm to—"

"PRESSURE'S RISING! REALLY FAST!" a woman shouted, her brunette hair covered by a hardhat. A rough female named Mikayla Dorn, she was a born survivor. Living through E-Day and subsequent Hammer strikes, she had been stranded for years until she reached Jacinto. A gifted engineer herself, her skills with machinery ensured she had work no matter what. Gripping the release shaft, the female began to pull with gritted teeth.

Baird and Mitch scrambled over, eyes growing wider as the needle started to rise faster and faster.

"GET THE RELEASE VALVES OPEN NOW!" Both men shouted in near panic. The workers surged in dread and fear. Built up pressure meant explosions and fire, nothing they wanted today. Racing to the woman's side, Damon grasped the lever as she struggled.

"PULL! PULL DAMMIT!" the blonde man shouted as alarms started to blare. The ringing was a cacophony of noise as his muscles strained.

"GGRRRR!" The woman grunted as she planted her feet. Flexing biceps and shoulder muscles bunched for the two, but the old valve finally started to open with a groan.

"UNNGH! WHY IS IT STUCK! I JUST SERVICED IT LAST WEEK!" Mikayla yelled as the duo struggled. With a low snap, they managed to open the valve just in time. Staring at each other with small smirks, they felt the vibration beginning to abate as the pressure vented upward through the rig and into the blue sky.

"Never a dull moment with you, huh Baird?" Cole chuckled as the alarms ebbed and silenced. Disaster had been averted for the Emerald Spire as the workers laughed in fearful relief.

Screams and shouts of fear mixed in with the ripping of tearing steel from outside, ending whatever relief the workers had in the span of a heartbeat. The decking shuddered, throwing all of them to the floor like tumbling ragdolls. Fresh klaxons wailed, the ebb and flow mixing in with sporadic gunfire from the main deck.

Damon felt a throbbing along his jaw as he picked himself up. Feeling another shudder of the rig vibrate through his arms, the blonde male managed to pick himself up with a groan. Not of pain…but of annoyance from more bad shit happening.

"Yo, Baird baby, we gotta get out there!" Cole said in a low shout. Handing off the Gnasher and some ammo, the larger man was already sprinting toward the nearest staircase that would lead upwards.

"Shit! And I doubt it's pirates this time!" Damon shouted in angered annoyance as he followed Cole to the top. Another shuddering groan of steel made the males stumble, but they stayed upright as they quickly moved past scrambling workers. Reaching a turn wheel door, Cole was already pushing it open as the ripping of heavy bullets echoed from outside.

Raging heat blasted their faces over the crackle of gunfire, making the two shield themselves as the situation unfolded before their very eyes.

A lambent stalk had ripped through one of the raw fuel storage tanks on their right, creating a raging inferno across that section of the deck. Stretching into the blue sky, one of the Raven's was already circling the trunk as bullets cratered and stitched along the gristly hide. Covered in glowing cysts, the helicopter was doing it's best to destroy the incursion as the other started to lift from the Nathan.

"QUICK! GET SOME WATER ON THAT FIRE!" a man shouted in fear as he lugged a firehose across the open space with a few other men. He opened the nozzle, unleashing a high pressure flow at the flames threatening the Emerald Spire. Another small explosion staggered the fire crew, causing another nightmarish rip of metal as Emulsion and water flowed outward in a barely controlled spread.

Cole and Baird scurried across the burning deck toward the other three Gears, the helmeted men taking shelter behind several supply crates near the large crane. One stood, firing at a stalk cyst while leaving a stream of useless brass nearby. The cyst popped like a horrid pustule, but that was a secondary issue as the trunk base shook. Sticking out of the deck plating, the nearby steel had warped like curled paper…then the side of the stalk ripped open to disgorge death. The lambent had returned, the glowing crabs scuttling and scurrying like diseased tickers toward anyone and anything they could find.

Three surged forward toward two rig crew trapped by fire and debris near the mangled tank, mandibles clicking and clacking as yellow infection dripped. Snapping lead flew across the deck from one of the Gears in a bid to help, but the billowing smoke impeded his aim badly. Getting close to the helpless men as they yelled for help, the trio of lambent polyps simply…blew themselves up.

Their deaths were quick. Blown apart by the blast force of the parasite fueled crustaceans, their remains were flung across the deck plating and into the fire. Flesh cooked, the vile smell crackling as more of the creatures surged toward the men manning that vital water hose.

"KEEP THEM AWAY FROM THAT FIRE CREW!" Baird hollered as he fired at a grouping on his right. His shoulder muscle straining under the back-blow, the man unleashed two blasts of shot. Four polyps died under the speeding pellets, blowing apart in a burst of flesh and emulsion. Firing again as more surged toward the firefighters, Baird kept pumping the handle as he fought to save this vital asset. More charged, claw tips scrapping across the steel deck as Baird moved from cover. Exposing himself as he moved toward the fire crew, the man fired again at the crab-like monsters.

Shot balls tore through the plates of the polyps, their deaths assured as he pumped the Gnasher once more. Feeling the blast of heat as the firefighters yelled and hollered, Baird fired again. Brewing up in small explosions of flying gristle, the polyps almost reached those vital men.

"HEY! A LITTLE FUCKING HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED!" Baird shouted as he struggled to reload. Coughing from heavy smoke, he managed to slide in fresh shells. Drawn by the clang of heavy boots, the helmeted Gears had formed a firing line against the lambent. Bullets sang and zipped, taking a toll as smoke and fire rose into the sky.

Two of the other Gears assisted, lending a weight of lead that snapped and tore into the polyp infection while misses sparked off ruined metalwork. It created a small ripple effect, the closest ones getting torn apart by exploding lambency as they slowly started to beat them back toward the stalk.

"Glowie crabs think they can beat the Cole Train? They got another thing coming!" Standing with purpose, the large male squeezed the trigger while he unleashed an arcing fusillade of bullets from his lancer. Snapping and crackling through the smoke heated air, the soldiers started to finally beat back the polyps. Another heavy staccato of fifty caliber rounds drew their attention as the two Raven's circled the stalk, enacting gruesome damage as empty casings dropped to the deck like metal hail.

"Hit those cysts!" Damon instructed with a pointed finger. Nodding as two of the Gears started to hit the glowing sacs, the engineer kept up blasts of shot toward the diminishing horde of polyps. Ripping through several more, the danger was starting to pass as the last few were blown into horrid pieces of flesh.

Cracking as the two helicopters concentrated on the same spot, the lambent stalk finally broke. Shuddering with unsupported weight, the upper portion tumbled into the ocean. Creating a large wave upon impact, the rig and nearby destroyer shuddered under the crashing waves.

Breathing deeply as soot and smoke filled the air, Damon tried to get a sense of the damage as Mikayla strode toward him. Face covered in soot and grime, her body language was a mix of terror, relief, and fatigue. Gripping a large wrench, many could see splatters of emulsion on the business end.

"How bad is it?" Baird asked with dread, knowing that any repairs would be costly and time consuming.

"Mitch is dead along with a few others. Some of those lambent made their way below decks and just…blew up near some people. We beat them back…but the damage to the Spire is heavy. We'll be out of commission for weeks getting everything back to working order"

"Damn…"

Muttering some more heavy curses, the male watched as more fire crews joined in the battle against the fuel blaze. They were winning, albeit slowly as the pumps surged saltwater across the deck. Hissing flames were being drenched, giving an outpour of steam as work crews scrambled.

"Don't worry, Baird. Ultear can fix this place up with a snap of her fingers. That time magic of hers is useful for something after all" Cole said with practiced ease with a snap of his own fingers.

"Yeah…yeah, your right. We can get her out in her a few days, get all this shit fixed up in no ti—"

The Emerald Spire buckled, throwing everybody to the decking as the stresses of ruined metal screeched. Falling hard to the deck with Mikayla, Baird barely had time to react in the haze of pouring smoke and floating embers. Grabbing the brunette worker, the two rolled as a support girder crashed down in an ear-splitting clang where they had just been. Bits of sparks flew, striking the blonde man in the face as he stared numbly at the cause. The alarms seemed to get louder, mixing with the growing flames as the impromptu fire-fighters yelled for more pressure.

"My fucking hero" Mikayla said in mild annoyance. Not because Damon just saved her, no…because a horrible day had just gotten worse as she slowly followed his gaze.

Baird didn't even hear her. His eyes were glued in disbelief as a second stalk bore upward through the Emerald Spire…right where the main drill room had been. Minor explosions rocked the Emulsion rig, spewing new fires from gas lines that had fed the electricity of the structure. More debris fell from the forceful emergence of the lambent stalk, causing even more damage. The Raven's circled, trying to destroy the large root, but the smoke and damage was getting to thick.

The Emerald Spire was doomed…and there was nothing anybody could do to stop it.

"EVERYONE! GET THE HELL OUTTA HERE!" Cole screamed, his throat almost raw from the billowing smoke, ash and heat. Another explosion rocked the Spire as he helped Baird and Mikayla to their feet. Catching the fire crews dropping their hoses and beating feet toward the evacuation ladders, the three ran toward the central helipad with the trio of Gears. More fire bloomed behind them, marking another explosion as the stalk continued to jut upwards in its path of destruction. Debris burned as one of the Raven's lowered, creating a kickback of air as the vehicle hovered above the pad. Not even bothering to land, the six scrambled aboard as the raging inferno spread across the cooking deck of the rig.

"GO! GET US AWAY NOW!" Baird yelled, but the pilot needed no prompting. Lifting off as the last few workers jumped to the ocean below to escape the flames, Damon gave a lingering look at the Emerald Spire.

She was almost engulfed in flames now and already listing to the side. The lambent stalk was on fire…burning with the rest as a large explosion wracked the upper structure.

"Looks like the Nathan is trying to help survivors…" One of the soldiers commented, but Baird wasn't listening. All he could do was watch as that marvel of human ingenuity and engineering burned.

"Think of how long it took to build the Emerald Spire…and it was destroyed in less than a day. Even if we beat the lambent and the grubs, we probably won't be building anything like that for years…decades"

"Not wrong about that…there's barely anything left now" Mikayla voiced as Cole rested his head in his hands. It had been an awful day…and they all feared worse was to come.

Leaning his head back as soot and dust flew from his hair, the blonde mechanic sighed in depression as the raven flew to the destroyer below with the Emerald Spire burning in the short distance like a pyre…

3rd of Bloom 9:18 a.m. Pelruan

The destruction of the 'Emerald Spire' had been a devastating blow to the ember of civilization on Vectes. Not only had the only source of fuel been destroyed by the lambent, but it had only taken another two days for stalks to punch through the earth and crippled the refining facilities on Tevo Island. It had only been thanks to Stroud and the rapid orders of the surviving leadership that sixty percent of the fuel stored had been transferred to that lone Emulsion tanker and the few fuel naval transports before the facility fell.

Any chance of Ultear rebuilding either site due to her temporal abilities was a lost cause. Even if she managed, the lambency would assure that destruction would return.

Frankly…it had been a suffering blow to morale among the civilian population. No matter how Hoffman or Anya Stroud tried to reassure them, everybody knew there was no more fuel coming. And on top of that horrific news, several fissures had opened up on Vectes, disgorging more of the polyps to wreak destruction on numerous occasions.

The infantry and surviving air-force had beaten back the emerging stalks and glowing crustaceans, but several villages had been wiped out before they could arrive, resulting in dozens of injuries and death. Some poor souls even died from the heavy inhalation of spores from the stalks, their blood practically transforming into that parasitic fuel.

Assistance from the Gorasnayan's had lessened the destruction, but their numbers were far lower as they moved much of their population to their remaining ships for safety purposes. Recent contact with them had most of their foodstuffs and ammunition being loaded with their people in an effort for safe-keeping. They simply could not risk the loss of anything.

On top of these troubling incidents, mandatory curfews were ordered along with emergency drills and the formation of militias to help the over-extended military.

The population was on the teetering point now, their fear of the next lambent emergence making them afraid to even go outside even during the daytime. Some were even talking of leaving Vectes. To try and find a place without this vile infection as Natsu and his fellow soldiers stepped up daily patrols…

Kilo was patrolling the outskirts of Pelruan on foot, their route taking them past outlaying neighborhoods as the tropical summer started to bring its full force down upon the inhabitants. The pavement beneath their boots seemed to smolder, making several sweat despite the warm weather armor they all wore. Forgoing the shoulder pads and arm protection, they all had visible appendages as they walked with their weapons cradled against their chests.

Moving past a house, Ultear spotted a child inside before being whisked away by a concerned parent at the window. Obviously one of the native Pelruan's, the three thousand plus locals had not adapted well to the new measures.

Letting out a weary breath as the blinds closed, the time mage glanced toward Natsu on her right as Happy fluttered with his little wings above. He was forefront, taking point as Grey followed on the far right on the opposite side of the street. Passing a few parked cars, she wondered if they had been used at all.

"I doubt it…"

"Hmm? Say something, Ultear?" Sorano asked with a light weariness from the latest lambent incursion two days ago. A few Gears had been killed along with some civilians…and another village had been destroyed along with the vital food crop. It had been one of the last to harvest, but they simply had arrived too late to help save those farmers…and it hung on her.

"Just wondering if anybody drives anymore? Not like Pelruan had many vehicles when we arrived"

"I doubt it. Fuel is only used for emergencies or military use. Hell, we had to walk here just to walk on our patrol. Hoffman and Anya are serious about conserving everything we have despite our total reserves sitting at close to ninety percent total for the fleet" Natsu explained in his signature rumble of a voice.

"Thank god they had been stockpiling already" Grey input, his bulging biceps keeping the weapon steady as Happy flew lower between the two males as they walked through a deserted intersection. The squad took a left, heading deeper into the town as the neighborhood grew into a few three story stores and apartments lining the roadway. Pausing in the middle of an intersection near a small grocery store that sat at the far left corner, Kilo took a small breather in the despicable heat of the tropical island.

"It's really hot today…can't we go fishing instead?" the blue cat lightly complained as Natsu gave a small chuckle.

"Not today buddy…the lambent might show up and I'm good at destroying them. Plus, you could have stayed at the base" But knowing his blue furred friend, he would've come no matter what.

"Stupid monsters! Not only do they hurt people, but they ruin my fishing! Why can't they just leave us alone!" the feline complained in frustration. And for the life of him, Natsu wished he had an answer.

The beating of rotors drew their attention as a trio of Raven's flew overhead, and each was carrying a squad of Gears low and fast.

"They look to be in a hurry…which can't be good" Sorano observed with a sense of trepidation.

The radio crackled in each of their ears, the telltale sounds of an incoming transmission making the woman's worry grow worse.

"This is KR Five-Nine-Three at the Tula Township near the Ventier River! Multiple Stalks have just punched through the center of town! Request support immediately!" The chattering of machine gun fire sounded over the airwaves before the pilot returned. "Six Stalks confirmed! Polyps and…shit! I see lambent drones!"

The airwaves crackled and hissed as Kilo listened, their stances tensed as the heat beat down on them all.

"KR Five-Nine-Three! This is Delta-one! We are in-bound with Charlie-two and Zeta-Six! Assist if you can until we arrive!"

The transmission became garbled as more voices filled the airwaves…almost clogging them as more calls for help seemed to overflow at once from multiple points of contact.

"Shit! We need to get out there!" Natsu raged as he looked at the green fields and distant hills. Tula was too far away to see, the small town over twenty miles away along the length of the island. Pressing the radio, Natsu became all business as his squad looked around warily.

"This is Dragneel! Requesting pickup to assi—"

The ground let out a tremble, shaking them all as the windows of a few stores cracked and splintering with each passing second. The roof of the grocery store across the intersection blew upwards with a shattering of concrete and wood. The glass doors blew outward in a hail of glistening shards as they spilled across the small parking lot. A few employees ran out with terrified screams, most likely the cashiers of the market. One had a cut on her face, but fear made her feet fly as the plant-like tendril shot into the sky above Pelruan. Cysts of waiting lambent reflected in the sunlight, glistening with disgust as the creatures inside struggled to break free.

"Awe…fuck" Grey cursed as the ground shook…and more stalks pierced the low skyline of the town. Numbering at five more in various places, Kilo knew what needed to be done. Gathering roiling flames in his left hand, Natsu unleashed the ball of fire at the ruined grocery store mere seconds later. The blast of magic tore through the doorway, searing heat crackling before striking the trunk that had punched through the concrete foundation.

Glass blew outward as the spell detonated like a small bomb. Burning upward as the inferno ate at the lambent stalk, the first cysts exploded as fire reached the volatile fuel. It wriggled, shifting as it tried to unleash spores, but the blow had been too much as the plant-like appendage started to fall. Crashing along the length of the ruined grocery store, the impact created a surge of dust in the summer haze and suffering humidity. Burning fiercely as the fire continued to eat at the remains, Natsu paid it no mind as he spoke into the radio.

"This is Kilo! We got stalks in Pelruan!" the man shouted as the distinct sounds of gunshots and screams filled the nearby air. Snapping his head in the direction of the next stalk several streets in the distance, his face became even grimmer. An explosion plumed up, followed by more terrified screams and popping gunfire.

"Confirmed! Reinforcements en route! Be advised, evacuation orders are being issued for all affected areas. Assist if possible" Anya responded, her voice barely controlled from the panic she must be hearing at base.

"We gotta move, and fast" Natsu ordered as he started to sprint down the road leading right. Hot on his heels, the rest of Kilo didn't even feel the stifling heat of the summer weather…their minds were already trying to predict the coming fights ahead.

"This is bad…really fucking bad" Sorano gasped as she sprinted behind Grey. Another stuttering report of cracking bullets made her cringe, the popping sounds mixing in with the cacophony of the unfolding disaster. Looking upward, she watched as a King Raven circled one of the stalks in the distance. Streams of bullets mixed with tracers sundered it's hide, but she lost the view as Kilo turned left down a side street.

The emergency siren started to wail, overshadowing the panicking feet and shouts of fear driven civilians as they ran past the Gears. Grabbing a young woman that was starting to show signs of pregnancy, Ultear almost sneered in her face at their stupidity.

"Don't run around panicking! Get to the naval base! You'll be safe there! Why do you think we held those drills?"

"R…right" wavering voice lost another explosion in town, the future mother managed to calm herself enough to run in the correct direction. The sounds of battle were getting worse…and closer with each moment.

Sprinting to catch up with the rest of her squad, the four barely stopped in time as a cracking fissure raced across the next intersection. Burrowing into the foundation of a corner structure, the four story apartment building shuddered as yellow vapors started to rise from the gaping hole across the road. Brick and mortar tumbled as some support gave way, the ruin spilling into the road as a gaping hole opened. The soldiers stepped back, the vile gases quickly rising from the glowing fissure. A parked car started to dip in, the front end tipping precariously before falling into the depths seconds later.

Terrified yells and screams drew the Gear's attention toward the damaged structure, a family of four huddled in their collapsing living room as the ground trembled. The father was already moving his wife and daughters behind the couch, a snub pistol clutched in his shaking hands as their building rumbled once more from the damage.

"Back! Don't breathe it in!" Gray shouted in warning to the civilians as Natsu prepared another spell of flame and fire. The twin orbs of the roaring inferno formed in his outstretched hands, the man's magical strength allowing the rapid formation of said spells as their heat made the three human's and cat sweat profusely.

"ROARING FLAME!"

The twin miniature suns flew upward…before falling down in a plunging fire to the deadly abyss…just as the first lambent drones started to climb upward onto the ruined pavement. The emulsion fumes sparked, igniting into a horrid trench of raging fire that consumed everything within the fissure. Smoke and ash rose, adding to the destruction unfolding across Pelruan.

Ultear watched with zero remorse as the emerging monsters were cooked alive, their skin and flesh roasting like rancid pork…before exploding into pieces of vile ichor across the road. Unfortunately, the fissure had cracked the intersection, barring the main path as the flames crackled among the ruptured pavement.

"Man…I'm almost jealous I can't use fire…almost" Grey smirked as he remembered the weight of the Scorcher attached to the magnetized plate of his armor. It had been confirmed time and again fire worked the best against the lambent…and so, Fullbuster carried a flamethrower as a back-up.

"Your magic is pretty useless against the glowies, but nobody's perfect" Natsu rumbled as he headed toward the apartment building. Hearing the muttering of 'dick' coming from his friend, the pinkette walked up the small rise of brick in the gaping corner hole. It crunched under his boots, spilling among the hardwood floor as glass littered the rug nearby.

"Hey Gear? Is it safe yet?" The father asked from behind the couch as dust and plaster shifted in the choking air. Fear and worry dripped off his voice as more gunfire popped and echoed from other areas of his hometown.

"No. But we'll make sure you get evacuated" Dragneel rumbled in assurance to the terrified family. Odds are, they probably had never dealt with this before judging by the pale looks of the wife and two daughters huddling low.

Stepping down the small rise of brick past the fissure, Sorano was thrown to the sun blasted pavement as the road split open along its length. Cracking and ripping open the far sidewalk along some small shops, their fronts collapsed into the pit like a waterfall of glass and brick. The sound of stretching and slithering flesh like leather had her look up from her prone position, and the fear filled her heart as another stalk rose to towering heights above. Punching through an old flower shop, rubble seemed to rain down as vapors rose…and the earth started to crack open.

Lambent drones jumped from the gaping fissure, each brandishing weapons as their chests glowed with pulsing infection…and polyps were closely on their heels.

"Shit!" Sorano cried as she felt herself half carried and pushed to the cover afforded by a truck parked a dozen feet away. Bullets kicked up around her feet as she scrambled before slamming into cover with Natsu. Rounds sparked off the old metal, creating furrows as the sickly drones returned fire.

"FULLBUSTER! Make sure none of these glowing fucks reach that family! We'll try to split their attention!" Natsu yelled as he stayed crouched. Moving around the front bumper of the vehicle, he started to form a ball of fire in his free hand.

Half the drones seemed to turn and fire at him at once, the shattering fusillade of deadly lead burrowing into the engine block as he leaned back. A sparking round hissed past his ear like an angry bee…and the polyps were encroaching like a wave.

Sorano leaned out from the rear end, her breathing heavy and hard as she fired off a long burst. The lancer slammed against her shoulder, a familiar thud of blows as the rounds tore into the front ranks of the polyps. They brewed up like grenades, exploding with splashes of gore as the chain reaction tore through their numbers like a wave. Leaning back, she breathed deeply as the drones tried to gain a bead on her.

"Dammit… What a shitty day" Grey muttered in anger as he took position at the collapsed wall of the living room. Protected by the old brickwork, he already knew that Ultear was at the window with Happy staying low and quiet at her feet. Leaning out, the male fired at a drone in the middle of the crumbling street. It had already become uneven…no way for any traffic to pass with the damage.

The bullets tore through the glowing chest, causing a chain-reaction as the monster exploded into glowing chunks. Easing back as more of the horrors returned fire, the man was gritting his teeth as the bullets slammed into the brickwork and the ruined furnishings of the room.

"You four stay down! Don't get up until we say so!" Grey hollered as the gun battle raged. Popping out again, he unleashed another quick burst, but only managed to wing the targeted drone before taking cover once more. Waiting a few moments, the mage emerged to fire as he supported Sorano in dealing with the lambent. Unfortunately, several of the stalk cysts popped…and disgorged fresh troops that landed in the sundered roadway. Like a nightmare, they joined in the firing as bullets crashed back and forth between the humans and infected creatures.

"I hate these fucking things…" Fullbuster complained as he resumed firing, the noise thundering in his ears as empty casings littered the floor. Killing another drone as Sorano dealt with the final wave of polyps from the fissure, the man pulled back to reload as the stifling humidity grew worse in the midst of battle.

Shattering glass drew his gaze toward Ultear, but the woman was only breaking the window so she could fire effectively into the street.

The aperture of the lancer flashed, singing a staccato of lead and tracers as the time mage aimed over the bullet ridden truck. Natsu was still pinned down, keeping the flame lit as bullets cracked the air around him.

Killing two of the former locust as the lead tore through their chests, the woman ducked back as incoming fire broke the remaining glass in the window. Blind-firing, tracers arced over the head of her maybe boyfriend in an attempt to reduce the pressure. Some soft impacts were heard, but the lambent were different than normal drones at this point as most shrugged off the wounds.

"Thank's Ultear!" Natsu yelled over the battle as the pressure on his position eased. Leaning out as the ball of fire continued to roil and burn, the mage simply tossed it like a grenade. A bullet from a glowing drone sparked off the hood and skidded across his shoulder armor, staggering the male with a grunt of pain…but the magic was cast. Falling behind the front end of the now ruined truck, Dragneel barely had time to breathe as the fire orb landed among the nearest cluster of lambent foot soldiers.

Sorano felt the explosion through her feet, the rumbling of flame taking out half the assault force in a single blast. The monsters seemed to scream in unison as they burned, but it was short lived before they exploded into vile pieces of gore across the broken street.

"HIT EM!" The silver haired female yelled as the remaining lambent forces tried to push forward. They were exposed, none bothering to find cover as they held the numerical advantage before…but now they would pay for it as they fired and fired. The lancer in her hands bucked with each passing bullet, but they were dead on as she dropped another lambent in the roadway. Tracers and more rounds snapped past her from the building, an obvious show of support from her team as they tore through the monsters.

Dragneel scowled as the few surviving horrors seemed to scatter. But even then…they didn't try to fall back or retreat into that fissure. No…they just kept firing like their lives didn't matter in the slightest.

"I guess if I was part of a hive…individuals wouldn't matter…" the gear rasped as he aimed down the sights of his lancer. Drawing a quick bead on one of the last lambent, he made sure its death was quick. Bullets tore through the chest cavity with tiny explosions of passage, ending the creature's existence as it fell to the road before bursting like a rancid sac.

Sorano killed the last drone, the body riddled with lead as battle raged across the small city. The thudding of rotors had her head snap up, drawn to the noise as updrafts of dust made her cough. A King Raven hovered above the broken street, circling the stalk as a helmeted Gear at the side door pointed a fixed mulcher at the spore spewing plant. A cascade of bullets and tracers erupted from the machine gun, tearing into any remaining cysts while empty casings rained down into the roadway from above.

The fusillade of lead seemed to do the trick as the last cyst popped above. Withering in a lilt, the stalk seemed to die on the vine as the glowing emulsion inside receded to leave nothing but a towering husk standing at least fifty feet high. Flying away to another hot-spot, the Raven left nothing but swirling dust and empty brass in its wake along the battered roadway.

"We barely got anywhere…those other stalks…" Natsu said in hollow voice, his mind wandering with scenarios as he glanced at Peluran's skyline. Several places were burning, mixing with the screaming of alarms and sporadic gunfire as the evacuation continued for the populace.

Sensing Happy before the little cat sat on his shoulder, the king gave a light grunt from the glancing blow he received just a minute before.

"Natsu? What's gonna happen now? The monsters are back…" The feline frowned as his ears flattened.

Petting his little friend, the war weary soldier couldn't answer that with any sense of comfort.

"I dunno Happy…I dunno. But we still have work to do" Looking back at the apartment with the family, the Gear saw them leaving as the father carried his younger daughter the way Kilo had arrived. Hopefully, they made it to safety.

Body heavy with weariness, the four human's and cat moved on to the next fight as smoke and fire clogged the sky alongside the towering lambent stalks…

10th of Bloom 6:12 a.m. C.V.N Sovereign

Anya Stroud stood on the deck of the carrier, her eyes watching Vectes recede into nothingness as the sun broke over the horizon. Leading the naval flotilla loaded with Jacinto's remnant, she stood silently as Dragneel joined her at the railing. She could feel the…anger coming off the man. A man she respected despite his many flaws as he stared silently at the ocean waves.

They had managed to beat back the lambency attack across the island, albeit barely. Hundreds had died, including dozens of Gears as settlements burned or were over-run. But the following attack two days later had slammed the final nail in the coffin. Staying was impossible as the parasite attacked at random and without warning.

It had proven Vectes was no longer habitable for humanity. Once again…she thanked the heavens for 'Bastion' and the safekeeping of their people.

Her preparations had saved them precious time as most assets had already been moved to ships off shore. But still…it had been a crushing defeat to leave. So many had put their hopes of escaping the horrors of the locust and lambent, yet they found them.

Turning her head as the sun reflected her blonde hair, her gaze settled on the Gorasnayan ships. They were keeping their distance, but she knew their logic for joining them.

Safety in numbers.

"Anya"

His voice was pained…like rusting nails as she continued to watch the flotilla sail. Turning, she studied his younger face that betrayed years of war.

"Natsu and Marcus…they're so similar…a far cry from that young boy all those years ago"

A brief nod gave him the courage to ask.

"What now? Where can we even go from here? Is any place safe?"

"I don't know Natsu…I just don't know…"

It was a horrible answer…full of nothing as the two soldiers stood and watched the sun rise on this broken world once more. And beyond the burning horizon…the gears of fate continued to turn as the stranded pieces of humanity sailed away over the waves of coming destiny…

Damn! Another chapter done! Hope you all enjoyed it! I know it's only 13,000 words or so…but I've been finding it easier to write chapters of that length than some super monster 25k thing. But yeah…Vectes fell and now this enclave of humanity is fully stranded. And yes, there are still other groups out there from the initial split after Jacinto. Along with Bastion that holds a vast majority of the Seran population in another universe. It's their safeguard against extinction.

But! With this chapter done, the end looms closer and closer. However, there will be some prologue chapters after the war ends. Mainly reconstruction…and Natsu screwing his women silly along with the beginnings of coming children. Don't worry though! I will still keep 'Traveling the Multiverse' Open so I can still write adventures with all of them even after the main story ends!

Next few chapters will be Shifting! Or maybe one for No Hope since I haven't updated that in a while.

And! If any of you reviewers would like, you can submit possible children for the women in the sisterhood. Only Juvia is off-limits. I have her's decided already

Juvia=Twin daughters with mixtures of pink and blue hair. Azure and Tempest Obviously still not needed yet, but I welcome ideas for Bisca, Levy, Sam and all the others!

Ultear: This…really sucks. Where can we go now?

Sorano: I don't know…and Natsu just got out of his depression. I hope he doesn't relapse

Grey: Nah…he won't do that now. We just…have to find a way through it all…

Happy: Why do bad things keep happening?

This is thehappy signing off!