Author's note: Not much to say except enjoy!

"I have been aware all the time that my peoples, spread far and wide throughout every continent and ocean in the world, were united to support me in the task to which I have now been dedicated with such solemnity."- Queen Elizabeth II

Chapter 14: Captured

A Merman and his friend were swimming the morning after Gajeel, Levy and their friends met up with Lucy and the gang. They were just mere commoners in Metalicana's kingdom, but this morning was just a simple stroll since a lot was on their minds.

"So did you talk to her?" asked the first Merman.

"Couldn't get the courage." the second one sighed "It's just that every single time I see her, I get all choked up like I got seaweed stuck in my throat."

"Don't worry man, you'll win her over soon. Maybe now wasn't the time."

"But when?! When will it be the time?!"

"Maybe tomorrow! Who knows!"

"I guess you got a po-AAAAARRRUGH!" the Merman screamed in agony.

"Hey!" his friend hollered "What's wrong?!"

The first Merman swam over to his friend and noticed a fish dangling off his arm, but there was something very wrong with this situation; this fish was trying to rip the Merman's arm off.

"Get it off me!" The Merman screamed. His friend made his way over to a nearby rock where a piece of wood was and began to try and pry the fish off. Once he got the fish off, he grabbed it by the tail to prevent it from trying anything else. The second Merman clutched onto his arm in pain "The hell is that thing?!"

"I don't know." said the first Merman "But look at it! Something isn't right!" they both stared at the fish and noticed that this species of fish is normal peaceful and doesn't cause conflict. This one was ghastly, with teeth, a crazed look in it's eye and what may have looked like...hands?.

"You're right. We need to get this to His Majesty right away!"

"What about my arm?!"

"The herbalist can treat you! Come on!" with that said, they both swam away to Metalicana's palace.

"So someone was attacked by a fish?" Levy inquired. She, Gajeel, Juvia, Lily, Grandeeney, Porlyusica and Metalicana were all in the Throne Room. Porlyusica was carrying a cage that had the same rabid fish who attacked the poor Merman and they all looked in horror as it acted like a rabid animal in a cage.

"It's not an ordinary fish...anymore." Porlyusica explained.

"Anymore? What do you mean?"

"We took a sample of it's blood." Grandeeney explained "And we found traces of Lacrima in it's blood." silence filled the air.

"What about the Merman who was injured?" Juvia asked, worried for this poor Merman.

"He's resting comfortably in the infirmary." Porlyusica explained "He's going to need physical therapy; but he should be fine." a sigh of relief escaped everyone's lips hearing this.

"But the lacrima in the blood of this fish," Metalicana pointed out "you know what that means."

"They're starting." Gajeel added.

"Yes, Tartaros has begun to make their move. We have to do something now. If my calculations are correct, if the fish we found was a reject, then they're probably going to go for more."

"My Lord," a guard suddenly spoke out "We just received word that Tartaros is capturing more of our life forms."

"Then the best thing right now is to go and stop them." Metalicana ordered "Gajeel, Levy, Juvia, Lily, go and stop them this instant!"

"Yeah yeah ya old Seadog." Gajeel grumbled.

"Gajeel, this isn't something to be taken lightly. This is getting contemplative, understand you might not even come back!"

"I know. That's why I'm gonna try and end this." the four swam away without a word.

They arrived at the spot where the fish were being taken. They watched in horror as multiple nets began to pull up several fish.

"We don't have much time." Levy realized "We need to get them out!"

"This won't take long." Gajeel smirked while pulling out his knife. He swam over to the first net and began to cut at the ropes; but it would budge "Damnit! I can't cut the net!" He tried to pull away from the net, but noticed his hand was stuck to it "Shit! I can't move my hand!"

"It's a trap!" Pantherlily realized.

"Juvia thinks they knew we were coming!" Juvia screeched in horror. Without thinking, Levy raced over to Gajeel and began to pull at his back. She pulled and tugged, her tail flapping in the waters as she tried to get Gajeel out of his predicament. The net began rise out of the waters at that moment; they were running out of time.

"Fuck!" he caterwauled "They got some kind of sticky shit on this!" he used the knife to try and cut away the rope until he finally was freed from the piece of rope and tumbled back, landing on top of Levy, watching the fish begin to make their way out of the small opening.

"At least we got them out." Levy breathed as her and Gajeel sat up.

"Juvia is happy to see them free!" smiled Juvia "To hell with Tartaros-AAAHHHH!" she was suddenly swooped up by a net and was beginning to rise to the surface.

"JUVIA!" Pantherlily screamed.

"SOMEONE HELP!" she bellowed while reaching her hand out to her friends. The three waded to Juvia the fastest they could go. Trying to reach their friend and get her out of her predicament; but their efforts were fruitless as she was soon taken to the surface.

"Shit shit shit shit!" Gajeel cursed "They got her!"

"There's still a chance!" Levy realized "Come on!" they raced to the surface and watched as the net that carried Juvia was reaching the eye level of the men. The three made it to the side of the boat and listened carefully.

"What the hell?" a man said out loud "A mermaid?"

"Probably one of those chicks who likes to dress up as one." said another.

"Wait," a third man realized "she's probably the one who's been vandalizing a good portion of our plans!"

"Hey yeah!" said the first voice "Aw man, boss is gonna be thrilled to find out we know who's behind it. Come on, let's get her on the ship." the moment Juvia heard those words, she began to struggle and try to find her way out. She banged and bashed against the net, trying to swing it and hopefully maybe break the rope.

"She's getting relentless!" someone yelled "Tranquilizer her!" a man ran to a nearby tranquilizer gun, loaded it up, aimed it at Juvia and shot her straight in the arm. She continued to struggle and try to get out, but the tranquilizer took full effect and knocked her unconscious.

"No Juvia!" Levy harshly whispered.

"We need to get her!" Lily derisioned. The sound of a boat's engine starting up hummed in the air and the boat began to speed off with Juvia on board. The three Mers swam as fast as they could to save their friend. But it was too late, they were gone and so was Juvia.