Everyone in Fairy Tail sat in the guildhall, wallowing in depression. They had never felt so defeated before. They had been through many battles in the past, but this was nothing like they had ever faced before, because for the first time, they felt weak, powerless, because they couldn't even save six little children.

Aside from the weeping of most guild members, there was also the sound of shifting papers. Makarov decided that the only way they were going to locate the children was to figure out more information about the person who took them. So he had most of the members searching through old council records in hopes of finding reports similar to their situation. It didn't matter how late they went into the already fading night, they weren't going to rest until they found something.

Gajeel stared at his wife sadly as she used her Gale-Force Reading Glasses in hopes of finding what they required sooner. She may have looked calm and collected, but he knew her well enough to know what was going on inside that little blue head of hers, the same thing was going on inside of his. She was tearing herself apart because of this. It was probably the case for all the mothers in the room. He glanced at the Strauss family on the other side of the hall. Elfman was comforting mourning Evergreen, Mirajane stroking her long, wavy hair. Mai's parents had gone home a couple hours ago in hopes of getting some sleep, though he doubted that was possible and Asuka and Billy's parents were out on a mission, so they didn't even know their children were kidnapped. Finally, Gajeel gazed at the Dragneel couple.

They were sitting alone in one corner of the guild. Lucy was sitting in her husband's lap as she cried her eyes out. She hadn't stopped crying since Natsu's own outburst, which ended so he could comfort his wife, but it did do a lot of damage. People were still calling the Master to figure out what woke them up.

The Dragon Slayer in question was tenderly stroking his wife's hair, a blank expression on his face. The events of the evening continued to run through his mind and it was still too hard to believe. Just that morning they were talking about her birthday and just enjoying being a family, but now Nashi was gone. Natsu clenched his free fist in anger. Since her birth, he had sworn to protect Nashi so she wouldn't have to suffer the same fate as the alternate future. He couldn't imagine the possibility of losing her again, but that's what happened, and it was his entire fault.

No, it's their fault.

When he got his hands on the people responsible for taking his daughter, and he would, he was going to make them pay, not just for taking Nashi, but all of the children. He would definitely find them, and make them regret the day they messed with the Fairy Tail guild.

"I-I found it!" Levy yelled, rising from her seat and holding a piece of paper high above her head. Lucy stood from her spot, Natsu right after, and the two rushed to the table Levy was at.

"What did you find Levy?" Makarov asked, sitting on the tabletop.

"Magic Council reports have shown an increasing number of children under the age of sixteen being kidnapped in the eastern part of Fiore. Few eyewitness accounts point the actions to a man known as Krugger," Levy scanned further down the parchment in her hands, "It's been recorded that his and his team's most well known tactic is sleep inducement."

"But, when did they use the spell?" Lisanna asked. None of the members of the circus performers said anything as they performed at Nashi's party.

Gray snapped his fingers, all heads turning to him, "The fog lacrima. That fog was everywhere, and the chick working it barked at Natsu when he asked what the liquid she had was for. It must have been a sleeping potion." Natsu remembered the moment quite clearly. She did get mad at him over something so trivial. Natsu clenched his fist, lighting it on fire.

"Then let's chase after this guy. I'm all fired up!" Levy shook her head sadly at the pink hired man.

"It's not that simple Natsu. All we have is a name. Other than that, this "Krugger" has absolutely no personal information in the council archives. He always gets away before the council is on the scene so we have no idea where to look for him."

The atmosphere of the guild dropped once more. She was right; they had no idea where Krugger, his gang, and the children could possibly be.

"Tiar."

All eyes landed on the blonde Celestial Spirit mage. Natsu watched his wife as she stared at the floor, "they said they were from a place called Tiar."

Levy and Freed stared at each other, both thinking the same dreaded thought.

"Lucy, are you sure?" Freed asked. Lucy lifted her head to meet Freed's eyes. She looked so cold as she stared down the Rune mage.

"My daughter was just taken from me Freed, I'm positive that's what they said."

"Then there's no hope of getting them back."

Everyone quickly glanced up at the second floor of the guildhall. Leaning up against the railing was Laxus. He had a bored expression on his face, leaning onto an arm he had propped up onto the railing.

"What do you mean Laxus?" Elfman questioned. Laxus straightened himself, fixing his eyes on the crowd below.

"Tiar is a recently discovered country. The Thunder Legion and I were asked to help set up it's first outpost not long ago. The shore of the land is a large cliff that stretches out for miles. No ships can anchor there so an airship yard was put in place instead." Laxus took a breath, shifting his dark eyes around the guild, "The land itself is treacherous. Its rocky terrain doesn't have many resources, and the many native tribes are protecting the little resources it does have. Fioran officials can't expand the outpost farther than a mile because of the natives, meaning we have little to no map date on the area. If Krugger gets there, then there is no hope of finding him."

Natsu stomped his foot on the Master's table, "That doesn't matter! We have to try!"

"Did you not hear him Natsu?" called Cana from a few tables away. Her eyes fell sadly on the tabletop, "there is no hope. They already have a few hours ahead of us and they probably know the area better than we do if they've been there before."

"We understand you want to save Nashi," said Bixlow, "but what chance do we have in finding them?"

"This isn't just about Nashi!" Natsu yelled. Silence befell the guild as Natsu stood tall on the tabletop, "It's true, I want to save her, but it's not just about her. This is about Mai, and Gale, and Otoko, Billy and Asuka. All of them are my family. We have faced impossible odds before, but we've always pulled through and this is no different. I'm going to save the children. I'm going to save my daughter, no matter what the cause, because they are members of Fairy Tail and I'm going to get them back even if I have to trek across Tiar on my own!"

The congregation cheered in agreement. They weren't going to let those kidnappers get away with their plan. A chair fell over as Gray stood from his seat, smiling at Natsu.

"Natsu's right, I'm not going to let some circus freaks get away with my niece. Count me in Flame Brain!"

Gajeel rose from his seat at the bar.

"Gihi, I can't let you two have all the fun, besides, I gotta teach that Krugger guy what it means to mess with the Redfox family."

"You're going to need a real man for this task!" yelled Elfman, shooting up from his chair, fists in the air. Erza shook her head, rising from her seat as well, "there's no chance of the four of you getting the children back with all the fighting you do. Count me in."

Makarov's eyes shifted to the side where Laxus was slowly approaching.

"Well Laxus, are you going to do your duty as a mage of Fairy Tail?"

The blond shook his head in disbelief, smirking, "I'm telling you this is suicide, but I wouldn't join for any other reason than to save my family. I'm in."

Makarov smiled. The six volunteers formed a semicircle around the master's table. He eyed each one individually.

"We only have one chance at this. If they get to Tiar, the chances of getting the children are slim. Head home and pack whatever you may need. Meet back here in one hour. Anyone who doesn't get there in time will be left behind." With that, the six left for their homes to prepare for their mission.

Natsu, Lucy and Happy walked home in silence. It was strange not speaking, but there was little to be said. Without Nashi, it felt like a piece had been taken from the puzzle and it wouldn't be the same without it. Natsu watched Lucy sadly. He could tell she was tired but he doubted she would be getting any real sleep until he got their daughter back.

Natsu unlocked the front door to their forest home and opened it slowly. The house was pitch black as if all the life had been sucked out of it, which it might as well have. Happy flew quietly to his bedroom, hoping to get some sleep before wishing Natsu and the others off. Natsu and Lucy wordlessly climbed the stairs up to their bedroom.

Lucy opened the door and walked to the closet, smiling happily. Natsu wondered what could have possibly made her smile like this. Lucy opened the closet door.

"Well, we better get packed. We don't have a lot of time. Since we don't know what to expect in Tiar, I think you should wear that new custom made traveling outfit I had made for you. Black and orange, your favorite." Natsu raised an eyebrow in shock and confusion.

Why is she coming?

Lucy placed a bundle of black clothing on the bed then ruched back to the closet. Natsu walked up to the bundle and fingered the fabric.

"Luce?"

"Do you think I should wear a jacket? I mean if it's a rocky area then it's probably a bad idea."

"Lucy."

"But then again, mountains are rocky and it gets cold in the mountains, so in that case-"

"LUCY!"

Lucy inched out of the closet, staring at her husband quizzically. Natsu let the fabric and strolled over to his wife. Placing a calloused hand on her shoulder, he started into her brown eyes firmly.

"Lucy, I want you to stay in Magnolia."

Lucy's lower lip dropped, shock evident in her features, "W-What?"

"It's not safe in Tiar, and if it comes to that then I want you to be here where you won't get hurt."

Lucy shook her head, her face scrunching up in disbelief, "Do you think I'm too weak or something? You've seen my improvement, I'm not helpless Natsu."

"It's not that Lucy-"

Lucy shrugged Natsu's hand off her shoulder, "I have just as much reason to go on this mission than you Natsu," her eyes grew clouded with her tears of anger. She shook as she yelled at her expressionless husband, "or have you forgotten that she grew inside of me for nine months? I want to save her just as much as you do and I don't think it's fair that you get to throw yourself into this dangerous environment while I sit here being useless!"

Lucy was silenced as her husband pulled her into a much-needed hug. She cried fiercely, rubbing her head into his shoulder. She couldn't control herself. She wanted to show she was strong, but how could she when she couldn't even control her crying.

"Please stop crying Lucy," he whispered softly into her ear, "you know how much I hate it when you cry."

Lucy sniffled, pulling away from her husband's warm embrace. She wiped away a tear from her cheek. "I know, I can't seem to stop crying lately huh?"

Natsu brought a hand up to his wife's cheek, stroking it lovingly, "Lucy, I want to bring you with me so badly. As your partner, I want nothing more than for you to be by my side," Natsu took a deep breath, hoping his next words would get his point across, "but as your husband, and Nashi's father, I need to do my duty, and that duty is to protect my family. In order to fulfill that duty, you have to remain here where it's safe while I go get Nashi."

Lucy stared at her husband wide eyed. Natsu was never the brightest, even from childhood. He may have been street smart, but when it came to more knowledgeable things like love he was as dense as a brick. And yet, he understood what family was and the importance of it in his life. He may have been goofy and dense, he wouldn't be Natsu if he wasn't, but he would always take his role as a husband and father seriously.

"Please Luce, stay here. For me?" he pleaded quietly. Lucy fell into her husband's arms. While he held her, she nodded reluctantly against his shoulder. Natsu pulled away only to pull her back in for a kiss. It was chaste, but it made most of Lucy's worries fade away like sand being blown away by the ocean breeze. When he released her, he walked over to their bed, picking up the traveling clothes Lucy had picked out for him. He strolled into the bathroom to change.

Lucy took a seat on their plush bed while she waited for Natsu to finish getting dressed. She agreed to let Natsu go by himself, but she still had her doubts. Just like everyone said, anything could happen. Lucy looked up when the bathroom door creaked open.

Natsu was wearing a coat much like his own, only it was missing both sleeves instead of the one and the collar had been folded neatly instead of sticking up. Underneath the coat was a thick, dark gray, almost black shirt. Its collar overlapping the coats collar and the sleeves had been rolled up just below his elbows. He wore his same black wristband, white pants, and brown belt like always, and he had on black hiking boots. All that was left was the scaly white scarf that he was holding in his right hand.

Lucy stood from the bed as Natsu strolled to her side. He placed Lucy's delicate hands in his calloused ones. They both glanced out the large windows of their bedroom. They could see the light of dawn approaching over the treetops. They had been so preoccupied with the whole situation that they didn't even realize they had been up all night. Much to their dismay, they had to reach the guild before they left Natsu behind. They slowly left their room and out of the house, waking up Happy in the process.

They walked through the deserted streets of Magnolia hand in hand towards the guildhall. Not a word was spoken between the three; that could be left for when they got there.

As they neared the guildhall, Natsu took in all those who came to wish them off. The other five who would go with Natsu stood patiently at the guildhall. Laxus was wearing a thick brown coat on his shoulders with a black shirt underneath. Elfman was wearing a teal button up shirt and a large brown backpack. Gajeel was wearing his brown shirt and belt with a white and red zigzag bandanna wrapped around his forehead. Gray was also wearing a brown traveling coat with a satchel hanging on one shoulder. Erza wore her regular Heart Kreuz armor with one shoulder bare.

Other than them, Makarov, Mirajane, Lisanna, Juvia, Evergreen, Wendy, Pantherlily, and Carla were also there. They all turned when they heard Natsu and Lucy approaching. Now that everyone was accounted for, it was time to get down to business. Makarov had his brats gather together for briefing.

"The only way to Tiar is an airship port north of here. If you leave now, you might be able to reach them before the next ship to Tiar leaves. If not, then things will get increasingly more difficult. You are the only hope we have in getting the children back." With that final thought, the guild members said farewell to their comrades.

"Goodbye, Elf-niichan," Lisanna said, pulling her brother into a hug, Mira following suit. As they released him, Evergreen took their place, holding her husband longer than his sisters did.

"Show that freak what a real man is like," she whispered, a ghost of a smile on her lips. Elfman chuckled.

Makarov stared up at his grandson who looked back at him emotionless.

"It's a lost cause," Laxus muttered. Makarov smiled knowingly.

"Maybe, but I know you will do your very best anyway."

"I'm going to miss you Erza-san," said Wendy, hugging the scarlet haired swords-woman. Carla rolled her eyes, even though she would miss her too. They were startled when they heard a large wail.

"I-I'm going to miss you Gray-sama!" Juvia clung to Gray's arm like a lifeline. The raven-haired man scoffed, but hugged her sideways nonetheless.

"I guess I'll miss you too." He glanced over at Pantherlily who was talking to the Iron Dragon Slayer.

"Hey Metal Head, where's Levy?" Gajeel glared at Gray before shrugging carelessly.

"No idea. I couldn't find her anywhere. She's probably crying in a corner because of Gale." He acted as though it didn't matter, but Gray knew Gajeel was very disappointed that his wife wasn't there to wish him good luck.

All that was left were the Dragneel's'.

"Good luck Natsu," Happy said, hugging the pink haired man. Natsu patted him on the head.

"Thanks little buddy. Now take care of Lucy while I'm gone okay?" Happy nodded enthusiastically, releasing Natsu. Natsu stared at his wife expectantly. Everyone watched them in anticipation. Lucy took a couple steps forward, only a few inches of space between her and her husband. To everyone's surprise, Natsu lifted up the scarf in his right hand and wrapped it around Lucy's neck.

Natsu smiled at her kindly, "Watch it for me, kay."

Lucy was frozen in her spot for a few moments. When everyone thought that was it, she threw herself on her husband, kissing him fiercely. She snaked her arms around his neck as he put his on her waist. Natsu felt something soft being placed on his neck, and he knew for a fact it wasn't Lucy's arms. Pulling out of her grasp, his eyes fell on the white scarf wrapped around his own neck. He noticed it was cleaner and slightly smaller than he thought his scarf was. His eyes widened at the glimpse of pink on one end.

"She'll need this when you find her,"spoke Lucy, tucking the ends of the scarf into the coat. They smiled at each other lovingly, pulling each other into one more hug.

"Bring her home," Lucy whispered. Natsu nodded. He was going to bring Nashi back. He was going to bring them all back.

"Natsu, we need to go now," Laxus called. Natsu let go of Lucy and turned around to see the five other members of his party already starting off down the road. He stared at Lucy one more time before running after the group. Lucy watched sadly, clutching part of her husband's scarf in her hand.

"OYE, LUCY!"

The blonde looked back at her husband, her eyes landing on the hand with his index finger pointing up to the sky. The pink haired man smirked as his wife processed what he was trying to say.

It was a promise, a promise that he would come back to her, with Nashi. Lucy smiled, raising her own right hand in the same manner as Natsu. With that, Natsu followed after the rest of the group, away from his wife.

I have suffered too much to let her slip through my fingers again, Natsu thought to himself, this time, I'm not letting anyone else take her away from me. Just wait Nashi, Daddy's coming to save you.

Unbeknownst to the six travelers, a small group of men watched them from a hill just outside of the city limit.

"Well?" the leader asked his helper who was looking at them through a spyglass. The man put the glass down, shaking his head sadly.

"We're too late Ward. By the time the runes are finished, those six will have gotten far away from the city."

"Dang it!" Ward yelled, kicking the dirt.

"Shall we stop them?"

"No, we don't have time for that. They won't reach Krugger by the time he reaches Tiar. Just worry about the rune. We can't let any other fairies get away."