Chapter Nine:

"Alright," Lucy said as she set Igneel down at the children's play area in the bottom floor of the hospital. She then turned to her older two. "We're going to Daddy's doctor's appointment. You three stay here with Auntie Mira until we get back."

"Okay," Layla nodded, smiling as she skipped off with her doll tucked under her arm.

"WEEEE!" Igneel cheered as he ran and jumped head first into a ball pit.

"Pfft! That was a wimpy cannonball!" Meeko shouted as he and his brother and sister made their way to the play area.

"Oh, yeah?" Igneel shouted as he popped his head out of the balls. "Let's see you do a better one!"

"Okay," Meeko said as he got a running start and diving in. "That's how you do a cannonball!" He declared as he popped his head back out.

"Oh, yeah?" Igneel climbed out of the ball pit, took a few steps back, and got another running start to jump into the pit.

"Hey, Bianca?" Layla asked as she walked to her older friend's side, who had a toy purse thrown over her shoulder.

"Yeah?" Bianca asked.

"Can we play tea party?" Layla pointed to a table with a mix-matched set of play food on it. "All the stuff's right there!"

"Sure," Bianca reached into her purse and pulled out four mini stuffed animals, a bear, a kitty, a bird, and a bunny. "I don't have any dress-up stuff though."

"That's okay," Layla said, "I can call Fyllo."

Layla pulled out her keys. "Open, gate of the rose, Fyllo!"

A woman whose hair, dress, and shoes were all made of roses. The spirit waved her hand and flower crowns appeared on both girls, Layla's doll, and even the mini stuffed animals. One even popped up on Nashi's head, but rather than cheering, she glumly set it on the table and walked to a chair in the corner to sit.

"You not gonna play, Nashi?" Layla asked.

"No," Nashi answered.

"Why not?"

"Don't feel like it."

"But why?"

"I just don't."

"But why just don't you."

"Leave big sissy alone, Cutie," Fyllo said as she patted Layla on the head. "Just call Birdie to take her crown after I've gone back."

"Okay," Layla sighed as Fyllo disappeared.

"Open, gate of the little dog, Birdie!"

A yellow canis minora appeared, Layla dropped Nashi's crown on his head, and he hopped up on the table to begin the game.

Nashi watched on, but she wasn't in the mood to play. Storm shuffled his way towards her and sat down on the floor next to her, looking about as glum as she was.

"Hey," she whispered to him.

"Eh," was the only response she got.

Lucy watched her children as well as the Fullbusters with a concerned look in her eyes. The younger three still seemed mostly oblivious to the whole situation. Layla, Igneel, and Meeko were playing as they always had. Bianca seemed normal enough, but Lucy knew her well enough to know the little girl could be hard to read sometimes. Even as a toddler she was a bit reserved, same as her father. Bianca could be as oblivious to the direness of the situation as her younger brother, or she could be aware of everything and was just putting on a brave face to the world.

Storm and Nashi clearly knew something was wrong, though.

"Alright."

Lucy turned to find Mirajane shuffling her way into the play area with Cato and Farrah by her sides, a hand on her belly.

"Cato, why don't you go play with Storm and Nashi?" Mira suggested to her son as Farrah pulled up a chair for her mother to sit on. Cato skipped his way to his friends, causing Lucy to smile a little bit. Well, at least they had Cato to talk to now. Despite looking like his father, Cato had his mother's heart and comforting presence.

"Go on and take care of Natsu, Lucy," Mira said as she cradled her baby bump.

"Okay, thanks," Lucy smiled as she walked to join Natsu in the waiting room on the physical therapy floor.

As she walked off the Fernandez family happened by.

"Hi, guys!" Mirajane waved.

"Hello," Erza waved back.

Jellal set a hand on Erza's shoulder. "Erza, why don't you stay here with Mira and the children?"

"You're joking right now, right?" Erza said, eyes blaring. "There is a killer out there slaying mothers and stealing children and you want me, Erza Scarlet-Fernandez, a Fairy Tail S-Class wizard, to stay behind on the sidelines!?"

"Sh! No, and sh," Jellal answered, gesturing his head to their now frightened looking children.

Erza immediately regretted her outburst. Oh, she didn't regret giving her husband a piece of her mind, but she regretted saying it loud enough for the children to hear.

"No, I want you here to protect the children," Jellal answered. "Nearly every other able-bodied wizard we have at our disposal is on some mission. We need someone here to guard the children incase Elena tries to sneak off with one while everyone's out. Besides…"

Jellal stopped and turned to his children. "You four go on and play now."

"Yes, Daddy," all four Fernandez children said as they started to the play area.

"And behave!" Jellal pointed a warning finger to each of the triplets before pulling Erza aside, out of earshot of everyone else.

"And besides," he continued. "Mirajane is heavily pregnant. She could give birth any day now. Despite being an S class wizard, and an immensely powerful one at that, she's at a horrible disadvantage. If Elena is smart, and clearly she is, Mirajane will be her next target. As things stand right now the only people she has protecting her are the children. We need someone else here."

Erza nodded slowly. "Understood. But you better keep me posted!"

"Of course," Jellal smiled as he gave Erza a quick peck goodbye and left. While the rest of Crime Sorciere was tracking down Elena's old guild mates, minus Erik who was infiltrating one of her suppliers, Jellal was going to speak to the Magic Council.

Erza made her way into the play area and sat down in a chair next to Mirajane. As she did Roman made his way to his three playmates in the corner.

"Hey, Roman's here!" Cato cheered. "All we're missing is Persephone and Koree and we'll have the whole Birthday Gang together."

"Eh," was all that Nashi and Storm had to say.

"Are you guys okay?" Roman asked.

"No," Storm answered, drawing his knees up to his chest.

"What's wrong?" Roman wondered.

Storm sniffled and rubbed his face on the back of his hand. "Someone tried to kill my Mommy. Now she's really hurt and sick and...and…"

"Oh," Roman nodded and plopped down in the floor in front of Storm, flashing back to when his mother was in a coma after the triplets rather traumatic birth. He set a hand on Roman's shoulder. "It'll be okay. I'm sure she'll get better."

Storm sniffed. "I dunno. She's really sick. I've already used Cleanse on this poison twice now and it just...it's really bad, guys."

"Hm," Nashi nodded in sympathy but said nothing else. Her mind was on what Rhea had said earlier.

"This killer seems to have an interest in the children of S Class. Seeing as you are not only the daughter of an S Class wizard, but also have an exceptionally rare type of magic I fear you and your family will have an extra target on your backs. Be careful. The other titans and I will be keeping an eye out for you. Don't hesitate to call us."

"You okay, Nashi?" Cato asked.

Nashi shrugged. " 'm okay."

"Really?" Cato didn't look convinced.

Nashi nodded. "Yeah I guess I just…" she tried to come up with an excuse for her glum mood. "I...er...I miss Koree and Persephone."

"Yeah," Cato nodded, still not quite believing Nashi, but deciding to go along for now. Besides, he missed the Redfox twins too. "I wish they were here t-"

"Guys?"

Nashi, Cato, Storm, and Roman all jumped.

"Was th-" Storm began when the voice came again.

"Guys, it's Persephone, can you hear me?"

"Persephone, where are you?" Cato asked. "How can we hear you?"

"Koree and I are on the way to the Blue Pegasus Guild Hall," Persephone answered. "And you can hear me because I used my archive to set up a telepathic link between all of us on the Birthday Gang."

"When did you do that!?" Nashi exclaimed.

"And why are you going to Blue Pegasus?" Roman asked.

"Someone attacked our Mom!" Persephone answered. "And she's going to Blue Pegasus to get Aunt Sherry and Aunt Jenny!"