The leviathan crashed out of the ocean in a burst of sea spray and magic leaving those on deck coughing up sea water. Jacob in the centre deck near the mast looked ready to collapse from exhaustion and Pisces disappeared in a flash of gold magic. Stretching around all the way to the horizon was open sea.

"Where are we boy?"

The illusionist punctuated his words with a kick to his captive's ribs. Jacob fell against the deck barely able to breath.

"You touch him again and I'll break your neck"

Michael couldn't help leaping out from his hiding place; they would only have been hidden a few moments more anyway. He looked down on his friend, broken and bruised and felt something deep and powerful stir within.

"You were trying to be a hero again, weren't you Jake?"

His friend managed a weak grin before falling into a coughing fit, the iron tang of blood struck Michael's nose.

"Well congratulations, the mages at my base will destroy your friends and I will destroy you"

The illusionist advanced with purpose but was stopped as the elderly form of Betty appeared in his path.

"Enough, this is over the ocean has seen to that"

She pointed with an outstretched finger to a bank of clouds towering in the sky even from so far away.

"You can take us from here then you old fool, get us back to shore!

Betty gave a small defeated sigh and collapsed onto the floor leaning back against the mast

"I am not my grandson" she said watching the sky with an amused grin "the world is his playground, however for me even a trip down the shops with magic was taxing, you might as well ask me to take you to the moon"

The atmosphere snapped and the dark mages cried in uproar calling for an explanation from their master. Several fights broke out on deck. Jacob and his two rescuers went unnoticed in the confusion. Picking Jacob up in his arms Michael huddled them against the mast next to Betty.

"One heck of a first mission, I'm glad you agreed to come with us Michael"

Betty smiled next to them still watching the sky and despite the approaching danger Michael couldn't help but copy her.

"Master Bob warned me about you Jake, he said 'that boy has an air of adventure about him, never let him out of your sight"

Jacob let out a choking laugh and his whole body shook against Michael even Betty giggled from beside them.

"Yeah master Bob warned me about you too, he said 'there's a reason Michael never manages to get himself a girlfriend'"

Michael could have killed the Pervy old man, every time they visited blue Pegasus Bob would give him these knowing looks and then flutter away smiling in a daydream.

"It took me a while to figure out what he meant"

They both shared one last look before turning their heads to look up at the ring of mages that had formed around them. Michael tried to hold onto his brave face but without his cards he just felt afraid. Jacob noticed and held his hand tight.

"Well it seems we are quite defeated little one" said the illusionist at the head of the crowd "but I have decided that the storm shouldn't have all the fun"

He drew a short blade from its sheath and pointed it at each of the in turn as if trying to decide in his head which he should pick

"Don't give up yet Michael" said Jake pointing at the Illusionist belt "I asked Pisces to take me as close to mum as it could, and that idiot has your cards, including the help card"

Before the illusionist could decide a growing bass thumped down around them. A tiny pinprick in the sky grew larger until a ray of bright sunlight could be seen shining off the front of an airship, the Igneel.

"Hey dumbass this is your one and only chance to surrender, take it or you'll be sorry"

Black cold eyes fell on Michael before glancing up at the sky. the surviving black mages faced the approaching airship with canine grins on their faces; they had spotted an escape route. The Igneel finally came into full view scarred and battered by the storm it had barely escaped; on the prow Erza and Jellal were just barely visible.

"Kill everyone but the crew, we will take this prize back to the base"

"Oh? By the looks of our kids it might be you that dies instead"

Heads flickered behind them and weapons flew but bounced harmlessly off the metal skin of the iron dragon, behind his eyes something dark and terrifying stirred. Lily standing tall in his battle form snarled like an enraged lion beside his friend.

"You tried to hurt the children of Fairy Tail, Juvia will drown you in the deepest ocean for this crime"

Juvia connected to the ocean by tendrils of water rose on the port side of the ship and her husband rose from the starboard side on a pillar of ice.

"What's left will be buried in the tundra to the north"

Lucy and Cana being carried down by Happy dropped to the deck next to their sons. Cana had the mark of Fairy Glitter blazing on her arm and Lucy had her keys ready in her hands.

"Surrender or be judged by the stars themselves"

The two women's voices rang out in tandem and the waves beneath them shock with echoes of ancient power.

"Well you mages of the light certainly know how to make an entrance but you should never try to upstage me"

'Black Fantasy'

A flood of shadows and mirrors and flickering mirages exploded outwards from the lone mage and engulfed everyone close to the ship. Form all around a single voice echoed.

'You have come to strike me down'

Lucy turned to face the voice only to find Cana gone from beside her

'But in my realm can you be sure you are striking me'

Turning to the voice Lucy let her whip fly only to hear Cana cry out in pain from in front of her

'Or are you striking your friends'

From behind a blast of boiling water struck Lucy scalding her exposed skin

'My guild is content to plunder and pillage and do as they please, I have much grander plans than them'

All at once visions of conquest and domination struck the celestial wizard again and again burning fields of dull orange and vicious red.

'Barriers are meaningless to my power and I will not be contained'

Another blast of magic this one frigid and cold struck Lucy's arm and she could barely hold her keys as it spread encasing her fingers.

"Well Pisces' power you've already seen Lucy but Libra's is just as interesting"

Reylan was holding the golden key up above them as they lay against the cool grass. Lucy remembered feeling content as she lay beside him.

"Life and death, truth and lies hers is a world of balance and with the help of her wizard she can balance any wrong in the world"

The memory sparked an idea within Lucy as shed drew a gold key with her free hand and the odd form of Gemini appeared on the boat.

"You two copy Jake, I need Libra"

The twins rushed to comply and her son minus his injuries stood strong on the boat

'Open the gate of the scales, Libra'

Lucy watched as the visions of conquest cracked like glass and shattered outwards revealing her battle torn friends panting on the boat. From her borrowed spirit a wind of gentle silver blew away all traces of illusion and deception. Lucy saw the copy of her son holding the golden key and for just a moment saw traces of the man she loved and lost beside him.

"You're illusions are nothing but a lie but hidden amongst the stars is the truth"

Libras tone was kind and unwavering she offered a hand to the fallen illusionist sympathy on her face.

"I won't be beaten by you!"

Enraged and maddened the illusionist took his blade and charged towards Lucy.

"Libra is willing to show mercy, I am not"

'Urano Metroia'

The stars themselves roared out around the boat and any dark mages still standing were crushed by an overwhelming power. With her magic spent the spirits disappeared in a blaze of light and Lucy rushed to cradle her son while Michael wept in his mother's arms, the trials of the day finally taking its toll.

"I'm so sorry mum"

Cana ignored the words and held her son tight, she had him back and that was all that mattered. On the side of the boat Juvia stared into the distance for a second before turning to the others.

"Juvia hears them, our allies; they have rescued the others and will be here soon"

Lucy nodded her gratitude and Gajeel and Gray started boasting about the strength of their kids, the boasting turned into a squabbling argument and a brawl began on the ship.

"What allies mum, does she mean Natsu and the others"

Lucy shook her head slowly before looking skywards to the Igneel

"Natsu is up there recovering, he almost killed himself getting us here, Levy, Erza and Jellal will need a lot of rest too"

Jacob smiled and settled against his mothers side safe and content at last

"He really does love us y'know" he said with in a sage tone "I don't think dad would mind if you loved him back"

Lucy looked down at her son in surprise but found he had passed out in her arms.

When Jacob woke up again it was in a soft bed. His ribs didn't hurt anymore which was a plus and he could feel Michael curled up beside him, one protective arm shielding him from the world. Sitting up he caught sight of a man watching over him.

"Hey minnow you're awake"

The man stood up and Jake realised that he was only wearing a pair of swimming trunks, the rest of him was tanned a deep brown which suggested a lot of time under the sun.

"I recognise you; you're from my dad's old guild the leviathan coil guild"

The man gave a bright grin and offered a large calloused hand to shake.

"Yep Eric that's me, part of your dad's old team, your mums had us out hunting the ocean ever since you vanished, finally caught up to you at the cave when you went and vanished again. Still at least we were able to help your friends. Now up and dressed minnow there's some folks out here wanting to say hello"

Leaving Michael to sleep for the moment Jacob got out of bed and followed Eric and out into the guild. Jacob realised he had been in the guilds first aid room. Outside he was assaulted by a barrage of questions and familiar faces. Dozens of people offered hands to shake and introduced themselves. Although he couldn't find his friends hidden amongst the crowd he knew they were probably recovering just like him. Priscilla and a tired Betty introduced Charles and Priscilla gave a frightening smile that Jacob hoped was meant to be friendly. Next in line was the rest of Eric's team, the first a man who smiled and gave him a pat on the head before moving out of the way.

"We're glad you're safe Jake, and look at you growing up so handsome, we went looking for you and ended up rescuing the others instead"

Jackie the ocean blade gave him a hug and a peck on the cheek before moving back to her team

"Yes we're all glad to see you safe; it's fortunate Juvia has a water body it made it easy to communicate with my sonar magic"

Raquel the sonar mage turned her face towards Juvia and the rain woman broke out in a blush

"Stop that! Juvia's body is only for Gray"

Most everyone gathered burst into laughter, looking around at the others Jacob could see all of fairy tail as well as the crew of the leviathan and the Igneel. As excited as he was Jacob was glad when his mother ushered him back to bed.

"All the others have been introduced, they just wanted to say goodbye to all of you before they left"

Jacob nodded in understanding and slipped back under the covers next to Michael firmly ignoring the look on his mothers face. Michael stirred at the movement and pulled him close again.

"Not letting you out of my sight"

Epilogue

"Hey mum me and Michael are going to visit Blue Pegasus"

Jacob already had his shoes on and was shouting back through the door, trying to escape quickly.

"Why?"

Even pregnant with his new brother or sister his mother was still lightning quick.

"Nothing we just want to talk to Master Bob about something"

Lucy noticed her sons evasive tone and pinned him in place with a look. Before she could grill her son further a warm hand rested on her shoulder.

"Stay out of trouble Jacob ok"

Breathing a sigh of relief Jacob rushed out the door and down the street. With her son out of sight Lucy turned her glare on Natsu instead who raised his hands in defence.

"Lucy he's 16 and full of hormones, at least if they talk to bob they won't do anything stupid"

Pacified for the moment Lucy gave her husband a light kiss on the cheek.

"Two years and Jake and his friends have got into just as much trouble as we did"

Natsu let out a rolling laugh while he rubbed the bump holding his child

"Of course they're Fairy Tail mages, what did you expect"