Before anyone knew what was going on, Krugger's team leaped into action, heading directly for the Fairy Tail mages.

"Natsu! We'll handle these clowns! You take care of Nashi!" yelled Gray. Natsu smirked at his long-term rival, holding his fiery fists up.

"That's what I was intending to do." Natsu felt a tug on his arm and he looked down at his daughter.

"Daddy, I want to help," she said determined. Natsu smiled at the young child. She was his daughter all right. Natsu extinguished one hand and placed it on her shoulder.

"I'll take it from here Nashi. I need you to find a safe place to hide."

"Please Daddy, I can help," she begged. Natsu leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.

"I know you can, but I need you to stay safe. Don't worry. This will all be over soon." Natsu turned his attention to Mother Agnes who was still standing in front of the stairs.

"So, you're the reason all our children where taken?" he asked, hatred lining his words. Mother Agnes did not act frightened by him.

"And what if I am?"

"Then I'm going to burn you till not even the ashes are left!" Natsu leapt into the air, flying straight for Agnes. Agnes dodged easily, almost as if she was one with the air around her, but that didn't stop Natsu from trying again. Nashi ran behind the altar, the only safe place she could find. She watched her father fight against the woman with rage and passion. Nashi smiled to herself. She knew that it was when he was most angry and most passionate, that he accomplished his missions the best.

"You again?" growled Laxus, Breccan charging straight at him, "I'm not letting you get away a second time!"

"You'll have to catch me then," said Breccan calmly. He consumed himself with light and went shooting through the room. Laxus turned into a bolt of lighting, following after Breccan. The two flew through the large chamber like torpedo's trying to hit a target.

"Finny!" called Cashel as he slashed at Gray, "Go take care of any other Fairy's that might be here!" Finola nodded in acknowledgment. In the blink of an eye, she was running raster than a cheetah. She zoomed passed Gray, almost knocking him to the floor. Gray glanced over his shoulder as she raced across the bridge and into the city.

"What the heck is that chick's magic?" the raven-haired man asked. Cashel chuckled.

"Finny has Vampire Magic. She can do a whole number of things. She's pretty tough, but not as tough as me!" he praised, slashing at the Maker mage again, only to miss.

"Ice Make: Shield!" Gray yelled, an intricate shield of ice appearing out of thin air. Cashel used his knife fingers to slash at the shield. Little by little he began to chip away at Gray's protection. Eventually, the whole thing burst, sending Gray back a couple of feet. He almost fell off the edge of the landing. He steadied his breathing, realizing he almost fell to his death.

"It's no use buddy!" Cashel yelled, holding his knife like fingers in front of him, "My knife hands can cut through anything! Nothing is sharper or faster than them!"

Gray chuckled breathlessly, "That's something an amateur would say. Are you really sure about that?"

Cashel growled, "Of course I am old man! You don't stand a chance against me!"

"First off, I'm not that old! Second, I'd beg to differ."

"Huh?" Gray slammed his fists together behind his back, the air around him growing colder. Cashel prepared himself for anything the man had in store. His confidence dropped slightly when he saw Gray smirking.

"Ice Make: UNLIMITED!" Faster than Cashel could process, Gray created swords upon swords of ice, all filing up in a spiral shape.

"H-How did you do that?" Cashel sputtered. Gray threw one arm forward, the other one behind him. All the swords swiftly launched themselves at Cashel who didn't have time to act.

"One Sided Chaotic Dance!" Gray watched the swords surround the man, encasing him in a large chunk of ice. Gray smirked, walking away from the defeated opponent.

"Better than me huh? I didn't even have to go Ice Devil on you."

Gray glanced out into the spacious room. He could see Laxus and Breccan flying through the air, clashing into each other repeatedly. He was having a hard time telling which mage was which at the speed they were traveling.

"I'm impressed you could keep up with me," said Breccan as he clashed into Laxus once again, "I haven't met another mage who could."

"You'll find I'm full of surprises," grunted Laxus. Instead of colliding with the mage again, Laxus made a move above him, putting his fists together.

"Lightening Dragon's Jaw!" he yelled, banging his fist on top of Breccan. The man grunted in pain. The light surrounding him began to flicker and he started falling down. He brought his magic back up just before he fell into the abyss.

"Are you trying to kill me? Nobody could survive that fall."

"You and your gang were practically begging for it," answered Laxus. The sparks of lighting surrounding him began to flicker more vigorously. Breccan began to tremble slightly at the sight of Laxus' increasing power.

"To mess with one Fairy Tail mage is to mess with all of them. We are a unit, a family. We will do whatever it takes to protect our own. You harmed my nieces and nephews, and now, I'm going to make sure you get everything you deserve!" Laxus' light filled the entire room. Everyone had to shield his or her eyes at the brilliance his lightning was offering. Breccan did what he could to protect his eyes, but there was no point. The light of Fairy Tail was just too much.

"Dragon Slayer's Secret Art: Roaring Thunder!" Laxus' fist came in contact with Breccan's gut, sending him flying carelessly back to the staircase. The poor man crashed into them, a long, staggered groan coming from his mouth. Laxus landed beside Gray, dusting off imaginary dust from his coat. He looked over at the ice mage who was smirking knowingly.

"What?" he growled.

"Nieces and Nephews?" the man joked.

Laxus scoffed, "Like you don't consider them that too. I just never bother saying it." Gray couldn't be sure, but he could have sworn he saw Laxus blush lightly. Gray shrugged, examining the other fights that were taking place. Agnes and Krugger still needed to be taken care of, not to mention that vampire chick. There were still a lot of people left.

Still a lot of people they had to defeat before they could go home.

FAIRY TAIL

The streets of Hawthorne were hectic. Slaves were running around, trying to make it to the exit. The rescue team had taken care of most of the slavers, so they didn't have to worry about that. Erza and Elfman stood at the stairway leading out of the city, directing people to keep going.

"Go! Go! One at a time!" the redhead yelled over the crowd. People rushed passed the two, thanking them and following everyone else up to the surface. Acasha was helping anyone who was lagging behind, leading them along the way.

"How many more are there?" questioned Erza.

"I have no idea. There are probably a lot of stragglers still in the city," answered Elfman.

"Erza!" they heard a voice call from the stairs. They easily picked out Asuka who was running down the staircase while everyone else was climbing up.

"Asuka! I thought I told you to take the children to the surface?"

"I did!" yelled Asuka frantically, "But we can't find Gale! I don't think she actually came with us!"

Erza looked back at Elfman who was just as shocked as her. If she wasn't with them, then where did she go.

"Go look for her Erza. I'll handle this," Elfman said, gesturing to the large crowd. Erza nodded in thanks and quickly ran back into the city. She could hear Elfman yelling at the slaves to be men and keep going. She smiled to herself. Some things never change.

She thought about Gale and where she could possibly be. Gale was smart enough to know to stay in a group. Something must have compelled her to leave. Erza remembered that just like her father, Gale had very keen senses. It was possible that she was looking for her parents after smelling them. Sighing, Erza requiped into her Black Wing Armor and took to the skies.

She flew around the city, careful not to hit the roof of the cavern. The entire area looked too unstable to be around. She wondered how these people could think their plan would work with the kingdom and cavern in such an awful state.

Her dark eyes caught something blue down below and she looked down to see Gale, running through the streets. The girl looked in a rush and already tired out. Erza swooped down and landed right in front of her. Gale gasped at Erza's sudden appearance. The redhead transformed back into her regular armor, glaring down at the child.

"Gale, what are you doing here?"

"I smelled Mommy and Daddy. I have to see them Aunt Erza!"

"No, absolutely not. We need to get out of here now."

"Not going to happen Red."

Erza pushed Gale behind her when she heard the familiar voice. Finola stepped out from behind a nearby building, smiling wickedly at Erza.

"Long time no see," she said.

"Gale, stay behind me," Erza ordered. Gale nodded. Finola cackled as Erza pulled out a sword.

"You and your little guild have caused enough damage already. It's time I put you in your place."

"Gale, just stay behind me. I swear I'll protect you." Erza tightened her grip on her sword handle.

"You'll protect her?" Finola asked, laughing maniacally, "but whose going to protect you?"

Finola's red eyes began to glow. Her body began to grow, black hair spreading all over it. Two bat-like ears grew on her head. Her arms transformed into two large wings. Gale trembled at the woman in front of her; even Erza was a bit unsettled. The Titania shook herself out of her trance. This happened once, and it wouldn't happen again. She had her nakama to protect.

Erza stood firmly in her place, grip tightening on her sword.

"Not afraid this time? We'll have to change that," announced Finola, rushing at Erza.

Erza pushed Gale to the side to avoid Finola's attack. The redhead jumped back into action, aiming her blade at Finola's wing. Finola threw her to the side, smashing her into a building. She rushed back to Erza, pulling out her razor sharp claws. She grabbed Erza's arm, pining it to the building. Erza took her free arm and punched Finola in the face. The bat woman released Erza and she tackled her to the floor, her sword falling carelessly to the side.

The two rolled around, trying to take control. Erza tried grabbing her sword once again, but Finola knocked it farther away. Gale gasped as Erza struggled against the bat. Finola got to her feet, holding Erza by her throat. She threw the Titania in the air and went shooting after her. She hit Erza and sent her crashing back into the ground.

"Aunt Erza!" Gale called in fear. She was about to rush out to her aid, but Erza held her hand out, stopping her.

"No Gale! I can handle her! Just stay there!" Gale hesitantly nodded, backing into her spot. Erza looked up into the sky where Finola was flying. The bat shooting back down to earth at incredible speed. Erza raced to the spot where her sword was laying. Before Finola could attack Erza again, Erza threw her sword at the creature, cutting her stomach.

"Ahh!" Finola screeched. Anger festered inside her. She made a move to grab Erza, taking her by her armor and throwing her at another building.

"How is she so strong?" Erza asked aloud, clutching her aching arm.

"My Vampire magic has a large variety of skills and techniques. Strength, speed, you name it, I have it all!"

"But with a vampire's strengths, you also have it's weaknesses." Erza stood at her full high as if she hadn't been injured. Her entire body began to glow. As the light dissipated, a new armor took the place of Erza's. It was white with orange and yellow shoulder pads and pauldrons. Her hair was pulled up into two buns.

"MORNING STAR ARMOR!" As Erza yelled, the armor Erza was wearing began to shine brightly. Gale was confused why Erza chose such a strange armor, but Finola began screaming in terror. Gale looked at the bat woman in shock. Finola's fur and skin began to smoke. It looked as if she was burning alive. The girl thrashed around, trying to stop the pain.

"No wonder you always wear that hat," said Erza, smiling, "your magic has a repercussion. You burn in the light."

AHHHHHHH!" Gale looked away, afraid to see what she looked like now. Her skin began to shrivel up, peeling off her body with ease. She wracked and squirmed until she fell to her knees. As she fell to the ground, the rest of her skin blew away like dust, leaving only her skeleton left.

Erza transformed back into her original armor and ran over to Gale. She pulled her into a hug and held the girl close.

"I'm so sorry you had to see that," she muttered. Gale nodded against Erza's shoulder.

"It's okay Aunt Erza." Erza pulled away to get a look at the girl

"We need to get out of here Gale. It isn't safe."

"Please Erza, I have to find my parents. They need me."

"Need you?" she questioned. Gale nodded, "I just know they'll need me. I can't tell why, but I know I can help."

Erza bit her lower lip. She knew it wasn't safe for her to be there, but the child had so much determination. In the past, she did things on a limb, even if she didn't why she did it. If Gale was so sure this had to be done, then she would let her do what she had to do.

"Okay Gale. I'll help you find them." Gale smiled brightly. Erza stood up and grabbed the girl's hand. They ran through the streets, the temple in sights. They could hear the destruction taking place inside. The women couldn't imagine what was going on in there. But one thing was for sure.

Fairy Tail would win.