Nashi stumbled as she was pushed along the dirt path. She glanced at Cashel who just glared back. Nashi faced forward again, staring at the back of Otoko's head. Her legs were aching a bit and she hoped they would take a break soon. It hadn't been too long since they started walking, but they were traveling at such a fast pace it was hard to keep up.

"Move faster you little brats," grumbled Finola. They did what they could to pick up their pace, but it wasn't much of an improvement. Nashi heard the quiet sound of sniffling and looked back at Billy whose eyes were filled to the brim with tears.

"I-I miss Mommy," he cried. Asuka put a hand on his shoulder to try and comfort him. Cashel and Finola groaned.

"Will you all shut up?" Cashel said exasperatedly.

Asuka glared at the scary looking man, "He misses his mom. We all do."

"Well you'll never see them again!" Finola laughed mockingly at the six children. "There's a rune set up around the entire city so those mages can't get out. You might as well forget about it."

None responded to her, but simply lowered their heads in sadness. They didn't want to admit it, but she was probably right. They wanted to believe that it wasn't possible, but a magic rune? Could they still save them?

"You don't know Fairy Tail then."

The two kidnappers turned to Nashi who was standing defiantly in the middle of the path. Her brown eyes stared at them with passion and bravery.

"My daddy will never give up, no matter what challenges are put in front of him. Fairy Tail will save us. You can count on that."

"I'd like to see that happen kid," said Cashel. This shorty was getting more and more irritating to him. Why couldn't she just accept the fact that she was never going to get away?

The wagons up ahead came to a stop. Cashel and Finola looked up ahead to see what the heck was going on. From his wagon, Breccan pointed to the side passed the trees. Cashel, Finola, and the other children followed his finger. The children's eyes widened at the sight before them.

Down the side of a cliff was what looked like a port town, however there was no river, no lake nearby? Instead, the docks were filled with ships floating in the air. They could hear the hurried and loud bustling of the people down in the village.

"The sky port, Monica. One of the first of its kind," said Breccan aloud, finding the sight quite extravagant. Krugger looked back at the children from his wagon in the front.

"Cashel, Finola, get them ready. The ship leaves in three hours!" he yelled, whipping his donkey to continue pulling.

"Alright you little maggots, obey and this will be fast," Cashel barked, pushing the children into Breccan's wagon. Finola hopped into the wagon first, pulling out a couple of the many crates in there. Nashi looked down at the port town once more. She knew her father would save her, she knew in her heart, but she couldn't stop her sensible side from wondering if this was the last time she would ever see Fiore again.

FAIRY TAIL

The nighttime began to grow closer. Natsu could see a couple stars pocking out through the orange sky. He breathed nervously.

"Calm down Flame-Brain," said Gray beside him who was peeling a banana, "we'll make it in time."

Natsu growled, eyes falling back on the path, "It's getting darker. What if the ship has already left?"

"Erza said the last ship to Tiar for the day leaves at six," said Elfman from in front of them. Gray smirked, "See Flame Brain. Everything's going to be okay."

"That's easy for you to say," Natsu snapped his head to Gray, "you don't have a kid on that ship."

Gray took a bite of his sweet snack, "Nope, but I do have a niece. I want to get her back just as much as you Slanted Eyes."

Natsu scoffed, "Like that's possible. I want her back more than anybody. Well, maybe Luce wants her back just as much, but you can never love her as much as me!" Natsu yelled, flames coming from the inside of his mouth.

"You wanna bet?" Gray challenged, taking another bite of his banana. In truth, he thought this was ridiculous, of course Natsu and Lucy loved Nashi the most and the same the other way around, but if a fight could keep him distracted then hopefully Natsu would start to feel a bit better. To answer Gray's question, Natsu took his banana and burnt it within seconds. It didn't totally bother Gray, but he made a big deal about it anyway.

"Why you!" he yelled, tackling Natsu to the ground. They rolled down the path, bumping into everyone else. They ran after the men who were acting like toddlers. They stopped just at the edge of a cliff, Natsu practically strangling Gray, however the two were laughing up a storm. Gray eventually pushed the Dragon Slayer off of him, both lying in the brush. Yeah they acted like children, but that's how they bonded.

It's how they made things better.

"You two idiots are going to be the death of me!" yelled Erza as she marched up to the boys. They both cringed at the sight of the furious redhead. Gajeel was smirking at the two, enjoying the fear that radiated off of them. Elfman, Laxus and Levy followed close behind. Just as Erza was about to reach down and strangle the boys, something else caught her eye passed their heads. She froze in her movements, mesmerized by whatever could be behind them. Confused, Natsu and Gray glanced back at whatever the Titania was looking at. What they saw made them feel physically relieved.

From the cliff they were all standing at, the sky port was visible. Levy walked up beside Erza, smiling down at the port city below.

"Monica. The only port city to Tiar."

Elfman whistled, "That is one manly port." Laxus shrugged in response, "It's not all that."

While everyone was staring down at the port on the cliff side, a familiar scent invaded Natsu's nostrils. Natsu took in a couple sniffs, trying to make sure he had smelt it right. His eyes widened when it was confirmed.

Smoke and vanilla, that's mine and Lucy scents. That can only mean…

"Nashi was here," Natsu exclaimed, putting his nose close to the earth and smelling around like a bloodhound. At his claim, Gajeel took a whiff as well.

"I smell Gale too."

"They were all here!" Natsu yelled, leaping to his feet. Everyone's hearts began to speed up. If the Dragon Slayers still had a scent to work with, then they had been there recently.

"We need to go," said Erza, jogging down the path, "the ship will be leaving soon. We can still make it!" Nobody had to be told twice. Everyone broke into a sprint, racing down the cliff side towards Monica.

They skidded to a halt in front of the archway at the town entrance. The port was busier than it looked from the cliff. People were bustling every which way. Traders and merchants lined the streets, trying to sell off their treasures while sailors loaded and unloaded ships at the dock.

"Where are they?" Elfman asked. Natsu and Gajeel took in deep sniffs, but with all the different people walking around and spices being traded, it was hard to trace them.

"We'll just have to do it the old fashioned way," said Laxus, stepping forward, "We'll have to split up. I'll take Natsu and Gray."

"Augh, I have to work with him?" the two men in questioned in unison, pointing to the other.

"I'm the only other person here who can keep you two from blowing up the town and Erza is better off without having to worry about two full grown toddlers." Natsu and Gray were about to retort, but Laxus was already heading off. The two men ran after the Lightning Dragon Slayer. Erza and Elfman went off together and so did Gajeel and Levy.

"Can you not smell them?" asked Levy, casting some glances at nearby shops. Her husband grumbled in response.

"If I could, we would have found them by now."

"Come on Gajeel," she said, hooking her arm around her husband's, "we should go check the port office. We might be able to figure out which ship is going to Tiar from there."

"Whatever, I better not miss any action." He muttered, glancing at the growing crowd behind him.

"Gajeel, what action could you possibly miss?" his wife laughed, leading him through the town.

At a small café at the center of town sat an exhausted couple, one with white and yellow hair and the other with a large hat consuming most of her width. Finola rubbed her forehead in frustration as she took a sip of her tea.

"Yo Finny, you know you can take that ridiculous hat off now," he pointed to the umbrella above their table, "this umbrella is big enough and it's practically nighttime." Finola glared menacingly at the man in front of her. Cashel held his hands up in defense before grabbing his danish and taking a large bite out of it.

"I can't wait till this is all over," groaned Finola, "Krugger should be loading those brats as we speak. I'm ready for all of this stupid trekking to end."

Cashel shrugged, "It's not that bad, once you get used to all the whining children and the rocks that get lodged in your feet as you travel across Tiar."

"I'm just glad this is the last round up. Granny better be happy with this bunch."

"Sure she will," laughed Cashel, "they're Fairy Tail mages, their full of magic! She only needs one for the-"

"Shut up," Finola suddenly barked, crimson eyes as wide as saucers. Cashel followed her line of sight and gasped at the head of pink hair in the distance.

"How did they get passed the barrier?" he exclaimed. Finola set her cup of tea on the table. Her eyes flicked between Natsu, Gray, and Laxus.

"We need to get to the ship now." She gave Cashel a suggestive look and he nodded in response. The two rose from their seats and started back into town toward the port.

"Which ship is it?" Gray muttered, holding a hand up to his eyes to block out the setting sun.

"Maybe if we could find one of the entertainers from the night of the kidnapping, we could follow them to the ship," Laxus suggested.

"Yeah, but where are we going to find them?" asked Gray. Natsu's mind didn't process what Gray said after, because his onyx eyes were scanning the crowd in front of him. He took in every detail of the people, hoping to find something familiar. And then he spotted them. His black eyes flickered jade at the sight of a young man and young girl, pushing their way through the crowd of Monica.

"I found some for ya Ice Princess," Natsu growled. Laxus and Gray followed Natsu's eyes toward the two people. Finola looked back at the men almost as if she heard Natsu as if he were right next to her. Cashel looked back as well. The five individuals glared at each other for what felt like an eternity.

Then in the blink of an eye, Cashel and Finola bolted.

"Hey! Get back here you criminals!" Natsu screamed, charging after them. Gray followed not far behind him. They pushed through the crowd of people, intent on catching the people who took away their family.

Laxus sighed as the men got away, "Those two are ridiculous."

"Tell me about it. How old are they, almost thirty?" Laxus turned around to find another man staring at the four people running around the port. He had dark orange hair and wore a brown tunic with orange armbands. He glanced back at Laxus.

"Yeah, they are, and who are you?" Laxus asked, curious as to why this stranger was here.

"The name's Breccan, and me and my friends kidnapped your guild's children."

Laxus raised an eyebrow. Was this guy being serious? From behind his back, Laxus' fist sparked with ready-to-use lightning just in case.

"And you just felt the need to tell me? You know I'm going to have to force their location out of you."

Breccan shrugged carelessly, "It doesn't matter. You won't be able to stop us anyway."

"Just watch!" Without a second warning, Laxus pulled out his fist and aimed it for Breccan. The man moved away from the attack with ease, faster than anyone Laxus had ever seen. Laxus was about to power up another attack when Breccan was consumed in light. Laxus shielded his eyes but it did very little to help.

"Good luck fighting me," said Breccan, "You'll never catch me, for nothing is as fast as light." Still consumed by the light, he zoomed through the air like a shooting star. Laxus smirked as his eyes adjusted.

"It's a good thing lightning is light then," he muttered, turning into a bolt of lightning and chasing after the Light mage.

"Hey, watch it!" a man yelled as Natsu and Gray shoved passed him. They ignored the people that they were bothering, running as fast as they could through Monica's crowded streets.

"Why are there so many people out this late?" Natsu growled, "at this rate we're not going to catch up to them." Natsu glanced to the side at the buildings lining the cliff edge. A light bulb went off in his head. He quickly veered to the side, sprinting to the shops.

"Fire Breath, where are you going?" Gray exclaimed. Natsu ignored him, using his inhuman power to leap onto the top of one of the buildings. His footing was slightly off, but he quickly corrected it and was soon running across the rooftops. Gray scoffed and continued running through the streets. More and more people got into the ice mages path and it was growing infuriating.

"Okay, that's it! Ice Make Kite!" Smashing his fist into his hand, Gray formed a large kite of of ice. He gripped the handle hard as he jogged through the port. He jumped just high enough to catch the evening wind. Gray was soon soaring over the top of the people's heads. Many screamed in fright but Gray paid no mind to them. He could see Cashel and Finola not far in front of him.

Cashel glanced over his shoulder, surprised to see Gray hovering in the air. He smirked to himself.

"Hey Finny, you keep going, I'll handle this free floater." Finola nodded and sped up. Cashel skidded across the street, forcing a quick halt. He smirked at Gray, as he got closer. With a large boost of power, Cashel launched himself into the air. Gray watched as he flew over his Ice Kite and landed behind him. Gray rose an eyebrow on confusion when suddenly, the entire kite fell apart. Gray landed with a thud onto the floor.

"What? When did he-" Gray started. His eyes landed on the young man not far from him. They expanded at the sight of his long spear like fingers.

"My Spear Hands can cut through more than just ice old man," he cackled proudly, "watch as I slice your body in half."

"You'll have to get me first you little punk, and didn't your mother ever teach you to respect those older than you!" Gray yelled, slamming his hands together once more. The two men charged at each other, determined to succeed.

Finola held onto her hat as she continued running through the city. Even though the sun had almost set, her hands still burned under its rays. She glanced behind her to see Natsu still chasing after her on the rooftops of the shops. She gasped, as he got closer. Despite herself, she used her magic to increase her speed. She raced passed people faster than Natsu could process. Natsu growled lowly, almost losing sight of her.

What the heck is her magic? He thought bitterly. Finola grinned when she spotted the airship at the end of the docks that Krugger told her to go to. Just before she was about to reach it, something rushed passed her, causing her to trip and face-plant. She raised her head and glared at the redhead standing a few feet away.

"Where do you think you're going?" questioned Erza, holding a sword up to her throat. Elfman quickly rushed to her side. They watched as Natsu leaped off his building and landed next to them.

"I was about to get her Erza!" Natsu screamed. Erza rolled her eyes at the pink haired man, tilting her head in the direction of the airship.

"You two go check the airship. Krugger and the children must be in there." Natsu and Elfman nodded, running into the ship. Erza turned her attention back on Finola who was grinning evilly.

"You're going to pay for what you put my family through," said the Titania. Finola just kept grinning. She glanced up into the sky. A cluster of clouds covered the sun.

"Why are you smiling? You've lost?" asked Erza curiously. Finola's crimson eyes flicked back to Erza.

"That's where you're wrong."

Finola quickly rolled away from Erza and jumped to her feet. Erza was surprised by her but quickly regained herself. Finola started sprinting towards the port edge. Erza ran after her as fast as she could.

"Stop!" she yelled as Finola jumped off the edge, her large hat flying off her head. Erza stared wide-eyed as Finola fell farther down the cliff, when suddenly it happened. Her hands began to distort; her body began to grow. A black substance began to consume Finola's body. Two large ears sprouted on top of her head. Her arms began to morph into two large wings. Erza's jaw dropped at the newly transformed young woman. Finola spread out her large wings and shot back up into the sky. Before Erza could do anything, she bolted in the opposite direction, too far to catch. Erza stood frozen in her spot.

What kind of magic is that?

Erza shook her head and regained her composure. It was no time to be questioning; they had a mission. Speaking of which, something didn't sit right with Erza, something that left a bad taste in her mouth.

Why would she run all the way here, just to turn around and go the other way?

"Nashi!" Natsu yelled as he desperately ran through the interior of the airship. Nobody tried to stop him and Elfman while they threw open every door.

"Otoko! Gale! Where are you?" bellowed Elfman, ripping off one of the many doors from it's hinges. Natsu slammed into another door, searching every crate and box in the room, Elfman close behind.

"Why aren't you sniffing them out?" he asked, Natsu continued to throw open crates with ease.

"This is a merchants ship, which means it's always full of people and spices. I wont be able to pick up their individual scents even at my level."

"Where could they be?" Elfman questioned, "If they're smuggling the kids illegally then they should have them-"

"In the Cargo Bay!" Natsu realized. He zoomed passed Elfman and ran down to the lower decks of the ship. The cargo bay was filled to the brim with crates. Natsu and Elfman split up and started prying open the different wooden boxes. They found medicines, exotic fruits, Elfman even found some wild animals, but not one box had a child in it. Natsu raked a hand through his pink locks, his frustration very evident. They heard the sound of footsteps running down to the cargo bay but paid no mind to it. To their surprise, Erza was the one who was running through the ship and into the hanger.

"Have you found them?"

"Not yet," answered Elfman. Natsu ignored them, still searching through the bay.

"What happened to that one chick?" questioned Elfman.

"She got away. She has some strange magic that turned her into some sort of large bat. I was too distracted that she flew back the way she came."

"But why would she go back there?" the white haired man asked. Erza shook her head.

"I'm not exactly sure. Gray was fighting one of her comrades so it's possible she went back to help him."

Elfman didn't respond as more footsteps echoed through the hall leading to the cargo bay. Levy and Gajeel burst through the door. Levy looked extremely frantic as she eyed the three others there.

"Where have you two been?" Erza demanded.

"We were looking at the ship registry. Levy thought it would help us figure out what ship was heading to Tiar," answered Gajeel.

"That doesn't matter!" exclaimed the bluenette, "what are you all doing here?!"

"This is the ship to Tiar. Two of Krugger's henchmen were running here like crazy," said Elfman.

"This isn't the right ship!" shrieked Levy. Natsu dropped what he was doing and turned back to his group of nakama.

"This isn't the right ship?" he asked in disbelief. Levy shook her head frantically.

"No, the last ship to Tiar is on the other side of the port."

Elfman threw his fist into a nearby crate, breaking the wooden box in half.

"They tricked us! They led us all the way here so they had time to get away!"

Erza turned to Levy, her brown eyes full of panic, "When does the ship leave?"

"I-In one m-minute," she squeaked. All eyes landed on the pink haired Dragon Slayer. His bangs covered his eyes but his body was trembling. His fist was clenched tightly; they could have sworn he would make it bleed. The temperature of the room began to increase and the Fairy Tail members knew what that meant. Natsu lifted his head enough for the rest of the group to see his eyes.

They were a clear shade of jade.

"Ice Make-" Gray was interrupted by the sound of a large explosion. Him and Cashel had been battling it out for a few minutes, a winner still not clear, when the explosion happened. The two men turned in the direction of the sound and witnessed the side of an airship blowing up. Many chunks went hurdling onto the nearby ships or onto the docks, but nobody was seriously hurt.

"Oh no," Gray muttered. He knew all too well what caused that incident. Cashel chuckled evilly.

"Looks like Salamander just figured it out." From right above Cashel, a large ice prison appeared, trapping him inside. Gray glared at the younger man in fury.

"What did you do?" Cashel shrugged care freely.

"I hate to break it to ya Pops, but you've been on a wild goose chase. Now if you'll excuse me, my ride is here," he stated, using his spear like hands to shred the cage. Gray was about to recapture him when a sudden burst of light blinded him. When it died down, Cashel was gone.

Gray turned back to the airship that had been destroyed by Natsu. His dark eyes widened when he saw said man running like a wild man through the port. His entire body was on fire as he sped past everyone. Gray could see the fierce anger in his eyes.

"KRUGGER!" the Dragon Slayer screamed at the top of his lungs. Gray moved aside so Natsu's scorching flames wouldn't burn him. Gray stood frozen in his spot, watching Natsu run all the way to the other side of the port. Another flash of light appeared next to him but he didn't fight against it, if anything he welcomed its familiarity.

"Where have you been Laxus," the raven-haired male asked.

"That blinding light you just saw was one of Kruger's goons. I've been chasing him for a while now. He's faster than I thought," responded the blonde Dragon Slayer. "I take it that was Natsu?"

"Yep, he's going to destroy the whole port."

"Are you going to go stop him?" Laxus cocked his head to the side.

Gray sighed, "I'm the only one who can." Gray said nothing more as he went sprinting after Natsu.

"KRUGGER!" Natsu rushed through the streets that were no longer crowded due to his untamable power. He had to reach the ship before it was too late. She was so close. Natsu pushed himself as hard as he could to go faster.

He skidded to a stop, tumbling across the ground in the process. He looked up at the dock where the ship to Tiar should have been.

There was nothing there.

"No. No no no!" he cried, standing. He looked out into the large expanse of nothing. A mile or two away, he could see a large air ship, flying through the sky peacefully.

There it was, carrying his daughter out of his reach.

Natsu ran to the ledge of the port, almost about to jump off out of sheer desperation. Before he could, Gray ran into him, holding him back.

"Let me go!" Natsu called out, but Gray just tightened his grip.

"Flame Brain you can't make that jump!" Natsu turned to Gray and grasped his shoulders.

"Do something. Can't you make a bridge or something?"

"Not at this distance idiot." Natsu tried thinking of a new idea. He was getting frantic. Memories of Nashi's death were flashing through his mind and he didn't think he could handle something like that again.

"W-What about Erza, she can use an armor of hers and fly over-" Just before Natsu could finish, a couple of port police surrounded the two men.

"What's going on?" Gray asked in confusion. The head officer stepped forward.

"Sirs, I'm afraid you'll have to come with us to the court house."

"On what charges?"

"Disruption of the peace and for the destruction of a merchant's ship."

Gray didn't know why he even asked; it was pretty obvious what they did wrong. One of the officers tried to take him and Natsu, but the Dragon Slayer had other plans.

"No, no you can't! We can still stop them before they get away!"

"I'm sorry sir, but you have to come with us," the officer insisted. Natsu glared at the man and it made him shiver a bit.

"My daughter is on that ship, and I'm not going anywhere until I get her back!" Natsu began to struggle again, trying to reach the edge of the cliff. Officers tried to hold him back, but he pushed them away with ease. Another man walked up to stop him and he once again made a move to shove him away, but he still stood firm. Natsu looked the man in the eye to find out that it was Gray.

"Move Gray!"

"No Natsu," he said, "you need to calm down."

"I have to get Nashi!" Natsu turned back to the cliff edge, but Gray grabbed his shoulder and yanked him back in his direction.

"Natsu, we can't get her now. Let's get the others and come up with a new plan," he said calmly.

"No!" he yelled, "I have to get her Gray! I have to bring her home!"

"I know, but you have to calm down. Everything will be okay. Nashi and the others will be fine."

"YOU DON'T KNOW THAT! YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING!" Natsu banged his fist against Gray's chest. His hits grew less and less powerful and more like weak attempts to feel better. Gray let him take his frustration out until Natsu wasn't even touching him. The names, the insults, and the over all rivalry between him and Natsu left his mind as Gray did the only thing he could think to do.

Gray pulled Natsu into a hug. He never thought he would ever do it in their lifetime, but he did it. He put Natsu's head against his shoulder and rubbed his back. He could feel something wet soak into his coat but he did nothing to stop it.

He needs this, Gray kept telling himself, put up with it for him.

"Everything will be okay Natsu. It's okay," Gray said, patting him on the back. The officers watched in awe and pity as Gray did his best to comfort his brother figure. Natsu's tears began to diminish and he turned his head toward the cliff. Through clouded eyes, Natsu stared at the ship that was getting farther and farther away, separating him from his pride and joy.

"NASHI!" Natsu suddenly screamed at the top of his lungs, "I SWEAR ON MY LIFE, I WILL FIND YOU! DO YOU HEAR ME? I WILL FIND YOU!" Natsu resumed his crying, Gray giving him pats and words of encouragement. As they did this, somewhere on an airship, traveling to a far off land.

There in a small crate down in the darkest parts of the ships cargo bay.

A little girl was smiling after hearing her father's promise.