~Natsu's P.O.V.~

        "Why didn't you let me finish her off?!" I growled at my father. "I could've completed my mission if I Just had a bit more time!"

        "I know you can my son," he replied calmly.  His back was facing me, so I couldn't see his expression, but I could tell that his arms were crossed.  "You will get your chance, just now is not the time."

        "And why isn't it the right time??" I asked, still angry.

        "Just because," he said simply.

        "But why??"

        "I said because!" Father said, raising his voice.  I jumped a bit, but let out a soft growl.

        "Fine, but then answer me this: why did Lucy Heartfilia and her friends know me?"  I could see Father slightly stiffen, but he didn't answer.  "They knew my name and were saying something about 'snapping out of it'..."  

        "...."  Anger flared inside me with the silence he was giving me.

        "Answer me!" I half yelled.  "Do I know them??  Should I know them?!"  I waited for an answer, secretly getting ready to light my fists on fire.  However, Father abruptly turned his head to me.  The way his red eyes glowed made something snap in my mind.

        "Know who?" he asked in a hypnotic-like tone.  I blinked, my mind suddenly blank.

        "Nothing," I murmured, dazed.  "Nevermind."

        "Right then," he said.  He turned his entire body around in one swift moment, his cape trailing behind him.  "Now then, my minions tell me that Lucy Heartfilia and her friends are coming to see you, so get ready.  This may be your chance to complete your mission."

        "Yes Father," I replied emotionlessly.

~☀~

~Lucy's P.O.V.~

        "We're close," Jessie whispered.  We had started searching for Natsu a couple minutes ago, and she was leading us towards Natsu with her Dragon Slayer nose.

        "Good," I whispered back.  "Does everyone remember the plan?"  Gray, Erza, Jessie, Lexi, Happy, Wendy, and Carla all nodded.

        "Hey, does anyone feel that?" Gray asked as we continued walking.  I nodded.

        "Yeah, I feel it," I replied.

        "There's intense magic power close from here," Wendy whispered.  "I can feel it in the wind."

        "Hey, uh, guys...?"  All of us looked at Jessie, who was looking at something ahead.  Gray and Erza stood beside her.

        "Holy shit..." Gray said in awe.

        "That's impressive indeed.." Erza muttered.  Wendy and the exceeds went up too.

        "S-sugoi..." Wendy whispered.

        "Well we found what was emitting the intense magic power.." Carla remarked.

        "What?  What is it?" I asked anxiously and walked over beside Gray.  My eyes widened as they laid on the biggest castle I had ever seen.  It was pure black and you could basically feel the waves of dark magic hitting you.

        "Is Natsu in there?" Happy asked.

        "I would definitely think so.." Lexi replied.

        "Okay, everyone ready?" I asked.

        "Hai," everyone replied.   I took in a shaky deep breath.

        "Yosh, let's go!"