Natsu's entire body shook as he stared directly into Gildarts' eyes. The older man showed no fear, stealing himself against the incoming gloved weapon.
"NOOOOOOOO!" Natsu screamed, struggling against the guards that held him. He roared, thrashing wildly as the Bishop threw his fist forward.
Natsu didn't see the flash of light that knocked the fist away from Gildarts' face. All he saw was the blonde man who suddenly appeared between Gildarts and the Bishop. He was ridiculously tall. His jagged blonde hair was cut short and he wore a white garb…kind of like Caesarean times. He subconsciously wracked his brain, looking for the right word…toga?
"Hello, Angel," the Bishop snarled, lowering the glove.
The Angel balled his fists, glaring at the old man in front of him, "Leave them alone."
"I can't do that, Angel," the Bishop snorted.
Both Natsu and Gildarts stared in horror. Angel? First demons, now Angels? What in the HELL was going on here?
Jiggle shielded his eyes at first, the bright sun a little too much after spending the night and much of the day inside a dark cell.
He took a deep breath of air, letting it out slowly as a smile curved onto his lips. He'd dodged another bullet. The Magnolia Police hadn't been able to get anything out of him.
Life as a thug-for-hire could be nasty sometimes. It meant putting up with a lot of crap from bosses and usually required doing all the grunt work. It also meant if anything was going to be caught, it would almost definitely be the grunt man. It wasn't the first time Jiggle had been put in jail…and it would likely not be the last.
He took his time descending the four stairs that lead away from the station, pausing to turn and wave obnoxiously at Sergeant Yukino Eucliffe. Her eyes bore into the back of his head. She wasn't alone, he realized, as he turned back to his path. There was a tall, blonde guy with her. Jiggle was fairly sure he recognized the man as Sting Eucliffe, Chief of the Magnolia Police Department. He'd seen Sting's picture in the newspaper multiple times.
No matter. He was out of their dungeon now and he needed to report in.
"Maaaan," someone drawled from beside him.
Jiggle turned his head, noting two other men walking alongside him.
The man ran his fingers through his hair, shaking his head to make the orange mane swish in the open air. Jiggle didn't think he could possibly be four feet tall. His facial bones gave him a square jaw and for a moment, Jiggle's nose was overwhelmed by the man's heavy cologne, "It's good to be free again."
"But our boss is gone now," the other whined. He was taller than the orange-haired man, bald, and he wore a pink leotard with a tutu around the middle and fake wings.
The orange-haired man nodded, contemplating to himself.
"We will just have to start over, maaaan," he told his companion.
"We have nowhere to go," the bald man pouted.
Jiggle stepped away from the two men, trying to go in the opposite direction. He needed to get to the Church as soon as possible to report. Well, maybe after a stop to the hotel room he kept was in order. He was horrendously hungry.
Stomping off toward his hotel room, he barely noticed the two men follow him in the distance.
"Nice day for a walk!" Mary commented cheerfully as she fell into step between Aki and Sora.
Sora's heart was beating hard, really wishing they hadn't run into Mary. They would be in enough trouble as it was once the adults figured out they'd snuck out of the house. She really didn't want to drag Mary into it too. Sora tried to catch Aki's eye to see if she was thinking the same thing, but the pink-haired girl was staring straight ahead to the path.
"Where are you going?" Mary piped up, breaking Sora's thoughts.
"We have a situation," Aki replied, pulling her cellphone out of her pocket. She glanced at the time, slipping it back quickly, "Sora and I are looking for Daisuke."
"He's not answering his texts?" Mary asked.
Sora shook his head, "No."
"Well, where is he?" Mary persisted.
Sora felt a twinge of annoyance pass through her, "If we knew, we wouldn't be looking for him."
Mary shrugged, "Well, let's go try his house."
"He won't be at his house," Aki stated flatly, "Look, Mary…I don't want to be rude, but Sora and I need to find Daisuke on our own, okay?"
Mary's face twanged with a hurt expression, "Oh. Okay. Did something bad happen?"
Aki halted, turning to the girl, her irritation evident in her eyes, "Something bad happened…yes. We need to find Daisuke and we don't have a lot of time. So please…we have to hurry…we'll catch up another day."
Sora nodded to Aki, the two of them picking up their pace as Mary dejectedly slowed hers. Sora started to sigh with relief when she realized that Mary wasn't going to give up that easily.
"What happened?" Mary asked, speeding to catch up, "Maybe I can help."
Sora and Aki exchanged glances, Sora sighing heavily. She didn't know why Mary was being so persistent, but she hoped Aki intended to stick to her resolve and make Mary go away.
"Daisuke was kidnapped last night," Aki said in a low voice, "We're going to look for him."
"No way!" Mary let out a gasp, "Have the police been called?"
Sora tried to warn Aki with her eyes that they shouldn't divulge too much information and they should ditch Mary as soon as possible.
"They've been out looking all night," Aki confirmed.
"Well, where's Lark?" Mary demanded, "He must be freaking out!"
"He's at home," Sora told her, "And he is freaking out…which is why Aki and I left him there."
"And you need to stay quiet about our whereabouts," Aki warned her, "Our families…don't exactly realize we're doing our own investigation…yet."
"Wait…no one knows you left the house?" Mary asked, frowning. "Isn't that dangerous?"
"What's with all the –" Sora started to say.
Aki interrupted, "Because we feel helpless. Maybe if we can find something the cops missed, we can help them."
Sora seethed slightly. Something inside of her told her they should not be telling Mary anything.
""Do you know where to look?" Mary queried, glancing from Sora to Aki.
"We're going to try to track Toby and Yuka down," Aki stated flatly, "We think they know something."
Mary eyes widened, "I saw them this morning!"
Both Sora and Aki stopped in their tracks. The police had been out all night and there had been no signs of Toby or Yuka anywhere.
"Where?" Sora demanded, grabbing Mary's arm.
"Downtown!" Mary exclaimed, "Listen…you've made it clear you want to do this on your own, but I'll show you where I saw them…if you let me."
Sora shook her head at Aki. They both knew Magnolia well, having grown up there all their lives…they could question Mary instead of letting her tag along.
Never had Sora wished more that she was telepathic. Aki's eyes had lit up and Sora knew before she even opened her mouth that Aki was going to accept Mary's offer.
"Definitely!" Aki exclaimed.
Mary grinned, "Okay – let's go!"
The two girls broke into a run down the path that would lead them straight into town. Sora lagged behind a bit, her conscious practically screaming at her. She felt very uneasy, but even if she didn't agree that this was the best course of action, she wasn't about to leave Aki alone.
In the shadows, Master Makarov Dreyar of Fairy Tail Heavenly Division frowned, then took to the shadows to chase after the girls. He had tried pushing thoughts into Sora's head, but it wasn't enough for her to protest the new plan. He'd caught the vibe off of the new girl immediately…and he didn't trust her one bit.
"What do you want with them?" the blonde Angel snarled.
He was between Gildarts and the Bishop. The Bishop circled, like a shark narrowing in on its' prey. His upper lip was curled into a similar snarl to the Angel's, their eyes locked in challenge as the Angel maneuvered his body to match the Bishop's movements.
"Aren't you curious, Angel?" the Bishop quipped, gesturing to Natsu, "You know who this is, don't you? He's no ordinary human."
The Angel stepped back for a moment, then resumed his defensive position, "He is an ordinary human."
"He's no ordinary human!" the Bishop half-yelled, "And you know it, or you wouldn't be here trying to get in my way. Come now. Aren't you curious? Don't you want to see the other side of him?"
"He has no other side!" the Angel snarked back, "I'm going to take them and go. There is no need to fight here."
"I disagree," the Bishop waved his hand, the guards closing in, "I need to send a message to Mavis. I think your bodies would suffice, don't you?"
Gildarts and Natsu stood beside each other, completely dumbfounded. They didn't understand the conversation. Natsu was shaking his head in disbelief. This was the second time the Bishop had alluded that Natsu had 'other sides' to him. What the fuck did that mean?
The Bishop didn't wait for a response, unleashing a bolt of black lightning. It was aimed directly for Gildarts, but the Angel dodged in front, absorbing the entire shock.
Natsu shook his head, his eyes wide. Beside him, Gildarts tested the guards hold on him, realizing their vice grips weren't going to release easily.
"Interesting!" the Bishop cackled, "Lightning doesn't affect you!"
"Nope!" the Angel told him, cracking his knuckles, "In fact, all you did was charge me. That's my special ability."
He held his hands above his head, yellow crackles of electricity bolting between his hands.
"What in the hell have we walked into?" Natsu muttered under his breath, presumably to Gildarts, but his voice was so muddled, it came out as a choked squeak.
Gildarts understood him anyway, his eyes glued to the two figures in front of him. The Angel still blocked the Bishop's path to Natsu and Gildarts, but neither were paying attention to the dozen guards that were surrounding the three men from all sides. Shaking off his shock, Gildarts composed himself enough to resume his fighting stance.
"I don't know," Gildarts replied finally, "But maybe we need to ask less and concentrate a little more on getting the hell outta here."
"You got that right," Natsu agreed. Both began thrashing to try to loosen their guards' holds on them.
Romeo felt a little bit bad when he threw open the door to Lark's room. There was no doubt he was interrupting something. The bored children from the living room rushed around his sides, trying to get a glimpse of what was going on inside. Laki stood back a bit, holding Megumi against her side.
Lucy was pacing back and forth, pausing at the intrusion.
"Can I help you?" she demanded. Her face was red with fury. Lark sat on the box spring, looking down at his feet. The remains of the cast were piled next to him.
"I need to talk to Lark," Romeo told her.
Lucy took a deep breath, "Well, we're in the middle of something right now. And I probably have to take him to the hospital now to have his arm re-casted…come back later."
"It's fine!" Lark insisted, stretching out his arm. He squeezed his muscles and rotated it loosely to prove his point.
"You just had surgery on that arm!" she spat angrily.
"Why don't I take him?" Romeo asked, his voice calm and reassuring, "Or at least let me drive you?"
Lucy shook her head, her exasperation showing as she picked up a piece of the cast and chucked it in the garbage can in the corner of Lark's room. Lark shot Romeo a pleading expression, appreciating any help the man could give him.
"Where in the hell is Natsu?" she muttered under her breath.
"He's following up on a lead," Romeo replied, "from what the other cops told me."
"I could stay with the kids," Laki offered, pushing through the children.
Lucy sighed heavily, observing her children around Laki. None of them could stay still, jumping to see over each other. The boys were starting to go stir crazy. They could really be a handful when they were this restless.
"That's a lot to take on by yourself."
Laki shook her head, "It will keep me occupied."
Lucy nodded slowly, her anger starting to dissipate, "Okay. But I'm laying down the law, Dragneels. There will be no misbehaving. No rough housing. No running. I'm not kidding. We'll be back as soon as we can, but we have to go through Emerg…and somehow, I doubt a kid who took off his own cast will be top priority. We could be there for awhile."
The younger kids nodded, backing away from the door. Lark stood up slowly, reaching for his wallet on the nightstand.
"Natsu won't be happy we're leaving the house," Lucy said to Romeo.
Romeo gestured at his radio, "I'll tell the other cops why. It'll be fine. They might even escort us."
Lucy couldn't shake her feeling of anxiety, but she followed Romeo out the door anyway, tugging Lark along behind her with a firm hand.
Sting and Rogue arrived at the dinky hotel, both glancing at it. It was a definite step up from the house, if Toby and Yuka were actually staying there, but it was by no means the Hilton.
They approached the desk, flashing their badges to the clerk.
"Officers Sting Eucliffe and Rogue Cheney," Sting stated warily to the clerk, "We need access to Room 302."
"That's a private room," the clerk replied, "May I ask the reason?"
Rogue produced a search warrant, fresh off the press from the station, "We need to see the inside of the room."
The clerk took the paper, reading it over before glancing back up.
"Follow me please."
The clerk opened the room, stepping back to allow the two officers inside.
"I have to go back to the front desk," he told them.
"Go ahead," Sting replied, "We won't be long unless we find something."
The clerk nodded, heading for the elevator.
It was a fairly plain room. The first thing Sting and Rogue noticed was that housecleaning had been in. Both beds were made. A 30" TV sat on top of the dresser. There was a small bathroom to the left. There weren't any suitcases. If either Sting and Rogue had to judge at first glance, it simply looked like the room was ready for new guests.
Rogue crossed the room to the dresser, opening the drawer. There were a few pairs of tattered underwear and a few pairs of socks…two sets of underwear and socks…on opposite side of the drawers.
He pulled open the 2nd drawer as Sting headed for the nightstands. The second drawer contained t-shirts. Some were in better shape than others. He found it interesting that they were neatly folded. Again, there were 2 separate piles. The 3rd drawer predictably contained jeans and shorts.
"Well, the two separate piles of clothes tells me two people could live here," he told Sting.
Sting turned from the nightstand drawer, holding up an iPod, "Well, we need better proof than this…check it out…this is Tanner Coy's iPod. It's etched into the metal. If this is Toby and Yuka's room, we already have them for minor theft."
Rogue hummed to himself, moving to the closet. He opened the sliding doors, bringing out his cell phone to use for lighting the inside.
Sting moved to the other night table, opening the drawer. There was nothing in it but a Bible.
"Closet's empty," Rogue announced, shutting the doors. He traipsed toward the bathroom.
"Nothing in this nightstand either," Sting replied, "But teenage kids aren't stupid. They wouldn't leave anything out in plain sight."
He glanced at the bed on the left, moving up to the pillows first. Removing the pillowcases, he searched the pillows for openings. Rogue exited the bathroom, taking his place with the bed on the right and copied Sting's movements. Sting finished searching the pillows, putting the pillow cases back on, then chucked them to the chair.
"Mattress?" Rogue asked.
Sting nodded, moving to the side of the bed. He cleared the bed of its sheets, running his hand alongside the edges of the mattress. Rogue repeated the movements on the other bed. They lifted the mattresses at the same time, both contented nothing was hidden underneath.
Rogue stared straight above him at a vent in the ceiling, "Think it's worth looking up there?"
"Might as well," Sting shrugged, "So far we don't even have anything that can prove Toby and Yuka have been in this room."
Sting brought a chair underneath the vent. Rogue paused, feeling an odd sensation. Sting felt it too. They glanced at each other, waiting.
Jellal appeared out of nowhere, waving his hello. He zipped his lips, pointing at a lamp in the corner. Sting nodded, moving to the lamp. He ran his fingers down the edge, finding the tiny device he suspected Jellal had already scoped out while he was invisible.
"A bug," he mouthed to Rogue.
Jellal nodded, pointing at a panel of the air conditioner, then disappeared again.
Rogue was already crossing the room, removing the panel. His eyes bulged momentarily as he pointed down inside of it. Sting put the chair back in the corner it came from, then joined Rogue on his knees in front of the air conditioner.
"The room is clean!" Sting announced, removing the contents from inside the air conditioner. Rogue already had an evidence bag open. Sting put everything inside.
"Let's go," Rogue replied, "We'll have to search some other place."
"You searched the bathroom?" Sting asked, winking as Jellal appeared a second time, pointing at the other lamp. He disappeared again quickly.
"Yeah – there's nothing here," Rogue replied.
Both men exited the hotel room, closing the door firmly behind them. They kept their regular pace after the elevator doors opened, returning them to the ground floor.
Sting approached the desk clerk, plopping down a $50 bill.
"For the maids to remake the beds," he explained as he and Rogue headed out of the hotel.
They waited until they were in the car before both letting out their breaths.
"Jellal?" Sting called once they were on the road.
Jellal appeared in the back seat.
"I can't stay," he told them, "I have an emergency to attend. You'll want to get the contents to the police station for examination…then you'd better take a crew to the Church of Alvarez. Something big is going on there. Natsu and Gildarts are in trouble. I have to go help."
Sting frowned. He had received a call from Loke earlier, telling him that Natsu and Gildarts were checking out the Church.
He disappeared before Sting and Rogue could say a word.
Rogue maneuvered his truck through the mid-day traffic as Sting pulled out the evidence bag.
"Bingo," he said under his breath, "Rogue, we can't stop at the station. We have to go straight to the church. Now. I'll call the station and ask for backup."
"What is it?" Rogue demanded.
"Pictures," Sting told him, his voice wavering a bit, "Pictures of the kids at school. Lark. Sora. Daisuke. And there's a note on this paper too…addressed to Toby and Yuka."
"What does the note say?" Rogue asked.
Sting was still thumbing through the wad of papers, reading to himself.
"STING!" Rogue yelled, "THE NOTE! WHAT DOES IT SAY?"
Sting paused, glancing up at his friend. He sucked in a breath, making an already-nervous Rogue even more nervous.
"It states yesterday's date, Rogue…" Sting said, "And it tells them the coordinated attack time and the location Toby and Yuka were to meet them."
"Who's them?" Rogue demanded, subconsciously pressing a little harder on the gas pedal.
Sting dialed the precinct number, his anger started to boil to the surface, "It's signed the Bishop of Alvarez."
Rogue reached below the dash, flicking the light switch that would light his vehicle up in the tell-tale red and blue flashing lights. The siren came to life, his foot pressing the gas pedal straight to the floor.
"I'm not going to waste my time with you," the Bishop announced, grinning evilly, "I was in the middle of something. Flare! If you would kindly remove the Angel from my way!"
Gildarts, Natsu and the Angel's eyes diverged from the Bishop to the secretary. She wavered as she walked, her hair flailing wildly in the air. She grinned, suddenly shooting her long red hair outward. It wrapped around the Angel's arms, whipping him across the room and into a wall.
The Angel slid to the floor. The guards holding Gildarts thrust Gildarts forward into the Bishop's waiting gloved hand, the first blow landing into his stomach. Gildarts huffed as all the air in his body exited, falling to his knees. The guards restrained him again as the Bishop glanced back up to Natsu's horrified face.
"Are you angry yet?" he taunted, pulling his glove back a second time.
Natsu's eyes were bloodshot as he struggled against his guards. The Bishop released a second attack, this time focusing on Gildarts' other side. Gildarts let out a strangled cry.
"How about now?" the Bishop cackled, "C'mon, Mr. Dragneel…I know he's in there somewhere!"
The Angel had gotten off the ground behind them, struggling to free himself of the red-headed secretary's hold on him. He threw out a lightning bolt, temporarily loosening her hold and darted in front of the Bishop. The gloved hand landed in the centre of his stomach, causing him to be thrown backward, knocking Gildarts and the guards that held him to the ground.
"I thought I told you to stay out of my way!" the Bishop roared, releasing another black lightning attack into the Angel's body.
This time, the Angel's body convulsed with the influx of lightning. He cried out as he forced himself to get up off the ground, the lightning in his own body leaping from his skin wildly.
The Bishop abandoned his stand-off with Gildarts, who now fighting consciousness on the ground. He released another full voltage attack on the Angel, roaring with rage. The Angel skirted around the men he was trying to protect, heading for the opposite end of the room.
"He's trying to move them away from us," Natsu whispered, his eyes widening as he realized every guard but the ones restraining Natsu and Gildarts were all preparing attacks on the Angel.
"Leave him alone!" Gildarts yelled, staggering to his feet.
Natsu cringed as one of the guards struck Gildarts from behind, sending him back to his knees. Natsu struggled harder against his guards.
The Angel was backed into a corner, withstanding attack after attack from the guards and the Bishop. There were several different kinds of attacks – and they were released so quickly, Natsu couldn't even discern what kind of attacks they were. The red-headed secretary still had a hold on him, even as he launched counter-attacks around her restraints. All he knew was that the Angel was sorely outnumbered, regardless of the power and damage his lightning strikes were causing. As the demons were struck, some of them were staying down. And yet, the attackers seemed endless. Natsu still had no idea what was going on, but the Angel was in serious trouble. As was Gildarts. Natsu could feel the burn in the pit of his churning stomach.
"I'm going to overload your body with electricity, Angel!" the Bishop shouted, releasing another black lightning attack, "Prepare to die!"
Natsu's eyes glazed over. He was getting weary of being restrained.
Dr. Porlyusica ran her finger under her chin, blinking her eyes as she looked at the x-rays again.
"I don't believe it," she said in awe.
She stood up from the desk, meandering slowly back to the room where Lark and Lucy waited. Romeo remained in the waiting room.
"You were right, Lark," she said, "I don't know how or why…but the tear in the muscles of your shoulder is completely repaired. The bone has set. You do not need another cast."
Lark shot Lucy an I-told-you-so glare. Lucy simply sighed with relief.
Dr. Porlyusica ran her fingers over Lark's forehead scar again, then over the surgical stitches that should be making a scar, but was already disappearing into his flawless skin.
"Care to explain yourself?" she demanded sharply.
Lark shrugged, "I'm young, so I heal fast?"
Dr. Porlyusica sent him a glare that killed any sassiness remaining in Lark's attitude, "Your injuries were life-threatening only a week ago, Larcade. One does not almost rip their arm from its socket and have complete healing only 2 weeks in. I was damned sure you'd have neurological damage for the rest of your life."
Lark swallowed, edging slightly closer to Lucy, but when he saw the look in Lucy's eyes, he wondered if he was better off closer to the doctor.
"I can't explain it," Dr. Porlyusica sighed, "There is no medical explanation for this at all."
"Can we go then?" Lark asked, jumping on the examination bed.
"There's no reason to hold you," the doctor sighed, "I would remain cautious, young man. Don't go turning cartwheels anytime soon…and stay off that damned skateboard!"
Lark nodded, already heading for the door.
Lucy bowed slightly, "I appreciate your seeing us privately so we didn't have to wait. Thank you."
Dr. Porlyusica was still frowning, "I'm baffled. There is no way it should be healed."
Lucy looked down at her hands, shifting uncomfortably, "I know. I don't understand either."
"Keep him out of trouble," the doctor snapped.
Lucy nodded, still seemingly lost in her own thoughts.
"You're about as bright as that kid of yours. Do I have to spell it out for you? That means get the hell out of my office!" Dr. Porlyusica ordered, pointing at the door.
Lucy jumped, scrambling for the door.
Dr. Porlyusica sighed as the door shut behind Lucy. She made her way back to the other room where the x-rays were still displayed.
It just didn't make sense.
Outside the office, Lucy could hear Lark talking to Romeo in the waiting room. She slid down against the door, still dumbfounded at what had just happened. Too many things were happening all at once. Daisuke and Cana were still missing. She hadn't seen her husband in what seemed like days. Her house was filled with extra people…and now her son, who she'd been worried about losing only last week, was completely healed. She was glad Lark was okay, but she couldn't dismiss the odd development.
"Lucy?" Romeo's voice asked, "Are you okay?"
Lucy looked up, noticing suddenly that Romeo was right in front of her. His hand was extended to her. Lark was standing right behind him.
"Yeah," she responded finally after a long moment.
She accepted Romeo's help to get to her feet, then padded after them quietly as they exited the hospital. She knew that Romeo and Lark were talking, but she didn't hear a word. She was completely lost in her own thoughts.
"It was up here," Mary told the girls. They were approaching an old apartment building on the opposite side of town of the Dragneel residence.
"Are you sure?" Aki asked, glancing up the building. It was run-down. A chill ran down her spine. It gave her the creeps.
"Yeah – outside this building!" Mary replied, slowing her speed to a walk.
"What were you doing on this side of town in the first place?" Sora asked as she too eyed the building.
"My dad…" Mary replied, "He had a job here. A water main broke."
Sora and Aki caught each others' eyes, both expressing the same doubt and concern. The building looked deserted…and there was no evidence of water damage.
"I'm sure it was just a coincidence," Sora said, backing up a few steps.
"And I bet Yuka and Toby aren't here anymore," Aki added, joining her friend in her retreat.
They both felt the chill sweep down their backs as Mary turned. Something was wrong. Something was very wrong.
"Oh c'mon, you chickens!" Mary scolded, reaching out. She grabbed a hand from each of them, tugging them toward the building, "We'll just do a quick check."
The feeling of dread passed through Sora again. She ripped her hand out of Mary's grasp, yanking Aki backward at the same time.
"We said no," she stated, "We're going to stick to our original plan and go to the school."
Mary's mouth gaped open, "But Toby and Yuka…"
"They weren't here," Aki interjected, "And if they were, they aren't now."
Both girls turned, heading back toward town. Mary frowned again, reaching into her pocket. Suddenly both girls froze in their tracks. Aki's leg was still raised in mid-step. Sora's eyes darted over to her friend, her eyes wide.
"S-Sora…" Aki stuttered, "I can't move."
The other girl grunted, obviously trying to struggle to move as well. Mary walked around them, slapping a stick that looked remarkably like a claw into one hand. Her bangs hooded her eyes as she stopped in from of them, her smile only just visible.
She lifted her eyes slowly. Aki and Sora both screamed as they saw the black gleam in Mary's eyes flash before them.
Jiggle had managed to find himself some broccoli in the small kitchenette in his hotel room. He practically inhaled it. The police department sandwich had been a long time ago…and he'd been starving.
His stomach satisfied for the time being, Jiggle headed straight back out to the pavement to begin his next endeavour – check in with the Church for orders.
He grabbed his cell phone off the small desk. He had left without it the night before once he knew the location he was expected to report at for the attack on Daisuke. While he'd known the kid would be attacked, for some reason he hadn't thought about being the fall guy. He didn't know much about the people that had hired him, but he knew they considered his powers mediocre at best. They hadn't taken him on the mission for his talent…they just needed him to be the scapegoat.
Flipping the cell phone open, he noted that there was already a text from the Church.
We have another mission for you…dispose of the evidence at the 'house'. Reward: $5,000.00. …but the filing cabinet must be completely destroyed.
Jiggle's eyes turned to dollar signs. With that kind of money, he wouldn't have to worry about food this month. It would be a difficult endeavour. He'd overheard conversation this morning at the station that the cops were all over that house. But perhaps they hadn't managed to snag the cabinet yet.
He was so lost in thought that at first, he didn't see the bald man standing behind the door. The subsequent loud cry alerted Jiggle to the fact that he'd just smacked someone.
"I'm fine!" the man exclaimed, "I'm not hurt!"
Jiggle snorted, "I wasn't asking. It's your own fault for being so close to the door."
He glanced at the other man, recognizing him as the man with the thick orange hair. They were the men that had been released from the police department at the same time he had.
"So sorry!" the bald man expressed.
The bald man bowed, immediately blushing as he passed air.
Jiggle's eyes lit up.
"You were released from the police station this morning," he stated, looking over the men, "And didn't you say you don't have a boss anymore?"
"He'll be going to the Big House for awhile," the orange haired man replied, "He landed himself a jail sentence in a prison for meeeen."
Jiggle felt a smile pulling on the corners of his mouth, "Gentlemen…how would like you like to become my lackeys?"
The three men exchanged glances, the bald man's eyes lighting up, "You'll hire us?"
Jiggle nodded slowly, "The mission I just received from my employers gave me a job that will pay me 5,000 jewels. I'll split the reward with you, half and half."
Both men nodded enthusiastically.
"Good," Jiggle beamed, "Then come back into my apartment with me. I have some extra stealthy suits in my closet that will guarantee we won't be detected. Don't tell me your names…until I know if this is a one-time job together, it's better that we don't give any personal information."
He paused, glancing between the two of them.
"You!" he announced suddenly, pointing directly at the orange-haired man, "You shall be Lackey A. Which means you are Lackey B!"
He shifted his point to the second man.
"And me?" he drawled as they approached his bedroom inside the house.
Jiggle dug through the closet, finally emerging with 3 black body suits.
"You can just me 'boss'."
Lark exited the car as soon as it stopped on the Dragneel property, going straight into the house to tell his siblings he was cast-free.
Lucy let out a deep sigh, reaching for the door handle until she felt Romeo hand on her arm. She turned, meeting his concerned eyes.
"Are you okay, Lucy?" he asked.
She offered him a feeble smile, "Yeah. I'll be okay. I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed, that's all. There's too much going on…too much happening that I can't explain…and I haven't seen my husband in a couple days."
He nodded, "I have to report to Fairy Tail for tonight's duty…but don't hesitate to call if you need anything."
"I won't," she promised.
"Do you mind if I talk to Lark now?" Romeo asked.
Lucy shook her head, gesturing for him to follow her inside.
Laki had the kids sitting in the living room, watching a movie together.
"I'm glad Lark's okay," she said softly.
Laki's eyes were still troubled, but Lucy thanked the Heavens her kids hadn't driven her insane.
"Me too," Lucy replied, heading to the fridge to decide what they'd feed the kids tonight for supper.
She paused, glancing over the living room again. There were too few bodies. Lark was sitting in the arm chair, Brielle cuddled into his healed arm. Connor, Mieske, Megumi, and Hansuke shared the couch while the twins lay on the floor on one of the mattresses.
"Hey Lark?" Romeo asked, "Can I have a minute?"
Lark nodded, moving Brielle a bit so that he could get up and follow Romeo.
"Laki…where are Sora and Aki?" Lucy queried.
Both Romeo and Lark paused, watching Laki and Lucy.
Laki gestured toward Aki's room, "They've been in Aki's room. I checked on them earlier. It was quiet in there, but there was music playing, so I figured they probably needed some time alone.
Lucy nodded her thanks, going down the hallway anyway to check on them for herself. She knocked on the door and waited. The music still played, but there was no movement.
Frowning, she opened the door. All the colour drained from her face as she realized the room was empty.
She'd dialed Natsu's number before she even realized she'd taken out her cell phone, cursing when it went straight to voicemail.
"They're not here!" she called out to Laki, stomping to the living room door. She dialed Sting's number. It also went straight to voicemail.
Laki started to tremble, guilt washing over her face as Lucy threw the patio doors open, calling the nearest cops to her.
Romeo ran to the patio doors, calling for the police officers stationed outside.
Laki forced herself to move, checking every room down the hallway as Lucy spoke to the cops outside.
How had they gotten past her?
The Dragneel kids and Megumi glanced up from their movie, all of them cringing at the same time. Their world had been complete chaos as of late…what could possibly be going on now?
Lark glanced back at the panic-stricken Lucy and Laki, bolting to the door to follow Romeo.
"What is this?" Aki demanded, trying to struggle. Her body was completely frozen and unable to move.
Mary's back was to them. She turned slowly, a wicked smile on her face as her purple hair faded and altered to a man's cut. Both Sora and Aki stared as she clapped a claw-like branch in her hand.
"Let's talk inside, shall we?" she asked.
She was transforming as she walked, altering between the form they knew as Mary, and a man. Both Sora and Aki's legs started walking.
"What the hell?" Aki cried out, "Sora, I'm not following her purposely!"
"I know!" Sora yelled back, "She has control of our bodies!"
"How in the hell is this even possible?" Aki shouted, "Mary! What are you doing?"
Mary had pulled them into the main lobby of the abandoned apartment building, a sadistic grin on her face.
"We need to talk," she told them, "You know I was outside that house, compelling you to leave for almost 2 hours? Took you long enough."
"What are talking about?" Aki demanded, her eyes as wide as saucers.
Sora's eyes showed fear, but she was much calmer than Aki. Mary was beginning to see where she'd need to direct her interrogation.
"I need answers about the identity of Larcade Dragneel…And you're going to give them to me!"
"My brother?" Aki scoffed, "What could you possibly need to know about Lark?"
"I need to know about his abilities," Mary told them flat out. She was solidly Mary again.
Neither Aki nor Sora had time to question how she was able to alter her form, but the wheels in Sora's head were beginning to turn. This was no Angel...but if Angels existed, then so did..
She shifted uncomfortably, knowing for sure now that they were in a very bad situation.
"You're crazy!" Aki shouted, "Lark is just Lark – there's nothing different about him!"
"Is that so?" Mary taunted, her eyes staring at Sora.
Sora's face drained of colour.
"You know something," Mary quipped. She sauntered up to Sora, looking her up and down.
Her eyes were dark and pupil-less. Sora didn't try to divert the stare. She felt a push, remembering Lark's description of how Angels had abilities. Whatever Mary's true identity was, she was almost certain they were being coerced. Aki didn't know anything...maybe Sora could save her.
"I'll tell you," Sora said quietly. The fear clouded her eyes, but she stood her ground, narrowing them in challenge at Mary.
"SORA!" Aki yelled. She had no idea what Sora knew, but she definitely didn't their so-called friend should find out.
"IF you let Aki go," Sora seethed.
Mary cocked her head, contemplating the ultimatum. The Church was running short on time. The people of Magnolia were asking too many questions in the last day. If she got her affirmative answer, they could move on to the next step.
"Alright," Mary said finally, her face turning devious.
"Alive!" Sora demanded, "I'll go with you if you let Aki go alive. She doesn't know anything...you have no use for her."
Aki's eyes widened with fright, "What the hell, Sora? I'm not leaving you!"
Mary glanced at Aki, considering her options. If she let Aki go, she'd go straight for help. She couldn't chance that. She turned, releasing an energy ball that sent Aki careening backward. Aki's eyes rolled back as she slumped, then fell to the ground.
"AKI!" Sora screamed.
Mary turned back to Sora, her sadistic grin widening as she moved the stick in her hand again, "She's fine. Let's go."
Sora watched her friend as Mary forced her out the door again. Once they were outside the building, Mary turned, throwing a second energy ball to the top floor of the apartment building. It exploded into fire, the top floors immediately aflame.
"An insurance policy that you'll talk," she told Sora, "You don't want your friend to die."
Sora had no choice. Whatever Mary was controlling her body with steered her away from the apartment building. Tears rolled down her cheeks as Mary guided her toward the forest, leaving the building Aki lay unconscious in to burn.
Yuka was back against the wall with Toby, Cana having moved to check on Daisuke's wounds again. Toby snored softly. He'd had an emotional afternoon…and it had taken its' toll. He watched her tear a piece of her capris off to dab some of the wounds' blood off. Her movements were gentle and loving. Once again, Yuka felt a streak of jealously plow through him. He couldn't remember the last time someone had been that caring toward him. Daisuke had no idea how good he had it.
Cana could see the fatigue setting into Daisuke's eyes too. She removed her shirt, leaving her in her bikini top and encouraged him to lay down with it as a pillow. Daisuke complied, too tired to argue with her.
"Do you have kids?" Yuka asked as Cana settled back against the wall with Daisuke.
She shook her head, "I'm not the type who would do well as a mother."
Yuka let out a small scoff, "Could've fooled me. You were incredible with Toby…and now with Daisuke."
"Daisuke is like a nephew to me," Cana told him, "And Toby needed help. Just because I'm good with people doesn't mean I'd be a good mother."
Yuka shrugged. What did he know about mothers anyway?
"I wanted kids," Cana admitted softly, "A long time ago in my early 20's. I wanted two."
"What happened?" Yuka asked.
She caught his eye, holding his gaze for a minute, "My dad wasn't there for me as a child. He left my mother before I was born. She struggled to provide for me, then died when I was 14. I thought about having kids of my own…but then I thought, what's the point? I grew up in a single-parent home…and then with no parents at all. I like to drink. I threw myself into my career as a counsellor, taking every course I could. I'm married to my work…and my relationship is to a man who may or may not care about me. We have fun together, but I don't think there's any real depth to our relationship. Did I really want to bring a child into that kind of lifestyle?"
She shrugged, laughing lightly to herself.
"When I was about 16, I found out where my old man was," she reminisced, "So I moved to Magnolia, thinking things would be completely different for me here."
"Were they?" Yuka asked.
She nodded, "Not for the better…at least at first. I worked at a restaurant called 8-Island, mostly because I could drink to my heart's content. I had a wild lifestyle…with a lot of boyfriends and a lot of drinking."
"What happened?"
She smiled at him, thankful that he was finally starting to let his walls down. He was genuinely interested in her story. That was a very good sign.
"My boss, Juvia, happened," she told him, "Juvia was more than a boss. She was a fantastic friend. She invited my dad to the restaurant one night, knowing I was working, then coerced him into staying after hours. She told me I was done for the night, then pointed him out to me. He was sitting at a table by himself with a box of chocolates and some flowers."
Cana shook her head, still smiling at the memory.
"She told me I was too important to waste my life partying. I needed to find my niche in this world…and the first step was getting to know my father."
"Let me guess," Yuka interjected, scoffing, "You sat down with him, you made up and everything suddenly became peachy-keen."
She shook her head, "Life doesn't work like that, Yuka. Life doesn't just hand you a better deal one day and say 'thanks for your patience'. You have to decide you want the change and you have to work for it."
Yuka regarded her quietly, waiting for her to go on.
"What actually happened, was I marched out to the table and told my dad it was too little too late," she told him, "I told him that while chugging back a mickey of rum, right in front of him."
She laughed to herself.
"And then Juvia lost it on me. She told me how selfish I was – feeling sorry for myself all the time. She had had a hard life too, coming from literally nothing. But she worked hard to get herself out of her circumstances…and she would stand by me if I chose to do the same...and so would my father. We didn't make up that night, but it got me thinking. Eventually, I called Gildarts and I let him take me to lunch. And then it became a regular thing. It was a slow progression, but we have a father-daughter relationship. Juvia saved me. She gave me a purpose other than to party my life away. She gave me back my dad...and eventually motivated me to go into my career...even though she would never seen what she helped me to become..."
Yuka had an expression of awe on his face.
"Juvia died before all my changes took place," Cana said sadly, a tear glistening in her eye, "It was a dramatic death I'll have to tell you about another time…but it was her death that made me realize I wanted more out of life than to drink it away. She left a legacy…people adored her. She had spent her adult life helping every person she met. I wanted that. I stayed with the 8-Island crew and went to school…and became what I am today. It wasn't easy. I cried so many times, wanting to quit school. But it was the best thing I ever did for myself. It was then that I realized I didn't want to bring another child into this world. I wanted to help fix situations for the people that already existed. And that's what I've done."
"Wow," Yuka said softly, watching Cana wipe the solitary tear off her face.
"It's easy to get drawn into bad things when you're born into a hard situation," she told him, "But there's always a way if you look. Juvia was and always will be my inspiration."
She smiled at him, sniffing back the tears that wanted to come.
"Not all of us will get a saviour like that," Yuka said in a low voice.
Cana shook her head, "I disagree. Opportunities present themselves. But you have to be willing to the take that chance."
Yuka laid down on his side, signifying that the conversation was over without another word.
Cana smiled to herself, laying down beside Daisuke.
"I miss you, Juvia," she whispered.
She closed her eyes, instantly drifting off to sleep.
On the other side of the room, Yuka listened to the sleeping sounds of the three other people in the room. He would not be sleeping anytime soon. He knew he and Toby were on a destructive path…one that drew them deeper and deeper into criminal life. There seemed to be no escape for them. He was terrified of what would happen when their employers came back to the cell to find out Toby and Yuka hadn't been able to withdraw any information from their prisoners.
Good things didn't happen for Yuka or Toby. They were destined to live in fear like this…taking dangerous work that could get them into a lot of trouble just to survive. There were no options for them. He signed heavily, rolling onto his back.
But he couldn't help thinking about Cana's story.
And he couldn't help that he was starting to like her as a person.
Plus, he couldn't help that there was a small part of him…praying for a saviour for him and Toby too.
At the police station, Bacchus paced the front desk. He'd been there all night after being sent home from the investigation to sleep. He couldn't sleep...he knew that. And yet that cocky father of Cana's was allowed to join the investigation...even though he was retired.
He 'got' that Gildarts wasn't fond of him. He said Bacchus wasn't motivated enough and was content to drink Cana's fortune away, despite the fact that Bacchus most certainly had his own money. Nonetheless, he had no doubt it had been Gildarts that had grounded him from continuing to search for Cana and Daisuke.
He wondered if it had ever occurred to Gildarts just how much Bacchus actually loved his daughter. He was free-spirited. He didn't believe in making Cana accountable to him...but that didn't mean he didn't love her. His guts were turning inside him just as much as Gildarts' were...they both loved her. And while it was true that Bacchus was not a cop, he still needed to be out there.
He glanced up, realizing that Sting's wife, Yukino, was staring at him. He nodded his greeting, coming to a halt in front of her.
"You must be exhausted," Yukino said sympathetically, "Do you want to join me in the kitchen for a coffee?"
Bacchus nodded gratefully, "Thank you."
Just as they were turning to head to the lunchroom, Evergreen's voice came over the speaker, "All available officers - the Chief requests back up at the Church of Alvarez immediately. Two officers inside. Rogue and Sting are already en route. Consider this call extremely dangerous and proceed with absolute caution!"
Yukino's smile faded as she glanced back to Bacchus, "I'm sorry - kitchen is that way. I have to go."
"Yukino!" Bacchus grabbed her arm, "Please...I know Natsu and Gildarts went there to try to get answers. Please. I need to come. I can't sit here anymore."
The desperation on his face gnawed at her conscious.
She nodded, running for her squad car, followed by about a dozen other officers. Bacchus didn't even question getting into the back seat of the car while Yukino's partner took the front. The sirens wailed as Yukino pulled from the parking lot, leading the squadron toward the Church.
The building was fully engulfed now. Firetrucks were beginning to arrive. The neighbourhood was already largely abandoned, so there weren't a lot of onlookers. Firefighters called to each other, rolling out their hoses to begin battling the blaze.
A little old man carried Aki Dragneel away from the fire through the forest at a breakneck pace. He thought about turning her over to the fire crews to get her some help, but he could heal her damage himself. Plus, if he took the time to turn her over, he would lose the trail Mary and Sora left in their wake.
The other Angels were busy at the moment, on their way to deal with the threat at the Church. He prayed protection overtop of them, doubling his efforts to maneuver as quickly through the forest as possible.
There was no way he would let anything happen to Sora or Aki. And he was getting really, really tired of the pain and suffering his children were enduring.
Makarov Dreyar was pissed.
Laxus knew he was in trouble. His body stung as demon after demon charged him, leaving wounds. One demon that just wouldn't go down used a toxic slime of some sort. Laxus's thigh had a nasty area that was slowly burning away. Another shot fire at him. Laxus had managed to knock him away, but he was back…amongst the other dozen demons. Laxus had lost track of how many he'd been fighting.
"Come on, you sons-of-bitches!" he yelled, releasing a widespread attack.
Two more demons down, anyway. He wasn't making any headway. He knew the Bishop's black lightning was more than just black lightning. It was sucking his power away, weakening him like a poison.
Out of his peripheral vision, he could see Gildarts was in big trouble too. The Bishop was relentless, pounding him over and over again. Natsu was screaming, struggling against the guards that still restrained him.
In place of the demons he'd just neutralized, Flare had stepped up again.
"You just don't back off, do you?" he yelled.
She grinned, a lopsided smile if he'd ever seen one. She was extremely creepy with her odd-shaped eyes and drunken posture.
"You won't win!" she taunted, "The Bishop is wearing your friend down. He's going to get what he wants!"
"What the hell is he after?" Laxus demanded, releasing a barrage of lightning bolts at her.
She fended them off with her hair, then counter-attacked, wrapping her hair around all four of his limbs, then yanking him so that he stood right in front of her.
He struggled, more hair crawling overtop of his shoulders and forehead to hold him in place.
Flare brought her face right into Laxus's, grinning like the insane woman she was. She licked his cheek, then pulled back slightly.
"Look at him," she urged, running her hands up and down his biceps before turning his head with her hair.
Natsu screamed, diverting Laxus's attention. He looked to be in dire pain. His eyes were glowing red now. The guards were having trouble holding him, beckoning for help from the other demons.
That was no possession. Natsu was actually turning…
"The Bishop's trying to turn Natsu into a demon?" Laxus demanded, turning back to Flare.
She giggled, tightening her hair restraints so that they started constricting the blood flowing to his limbs.
"No, stupid," she hissed, "He doesn't have to turn anything…all he has to do is release him."
The blood in Laxus's body ran cold as he stared in disbelief. Natsu's eyes were turning from red to black. Laxus remembered the innocent Angel of Oops clearly in his head. There was no way he could also have demon blood…so how was this possible?
"Where in the hell are you, Mavis?" he cried out loud as he released voltage directly into Flare through her hair.
"RELEASE YOURSELF!" the Bishop was screaming at Natsu, "LET THE ANGER GUIDE YOU HERE!"
Flare's hair was starting to constrict his chest, despite the steady current Laxus poured through the strands. Gildarts let out an agonized screech before thudding to the ground.
Flare screeched, the electricity finally started to get to her. In response, she constricted Laxus's airways even tighter.
The flashes of light blinded the room, grinding it to a complete halt.
When the light died down, Laxus sighed with relief, using the distraction to expel Flare from his body with a huge lightning ball. Mavis, Erik and Jellal stood back-to-back, their eyes gleaming with the anger they felt at the obvious devastation Gildarts, Laxus, and Natsu had all sustained.
Jellal broke off from the ground, shooting light beams out of his hands to knock the guards off Gildarts. He pulled him to the corner of the room, shielding him with his body as the remaining guards shot after him.
Laxus had stumbled after ridding himself of Flare, falling to his knees to try to catch his breath. Erik went straight to work going after Laxus's guards, coating himself in a substance from the pores of his skin.
"What is that?" one of the demons yelled at him as Erik expelled the small sacs toward him.
"It's poison," Erik told him, his voice heavy with the anger he felt, "At least to demons it is."
The demon screeched, dissolving into thin air. Erik turned, glowering at the other demons threatening Laxus.
The Bishop had forgotten both Gildarts and Natsu, facing off with Mavis. Her eyes were narrowed, staring the much-larger man down.
"I told you not to mess with them," Mavis told the Bishop in a low, dangerous voice, "But now you've really pissed me off!"
The Bishop's eyes widened at her choice of words, cringing slightly as her entire body started to glow.
"I warned you!" she bellowed, a wind, charged with lightning, whipped around the room with increasing speed.
Erik was pulling Laxus to a corner of the room, Jellal working to see if he could wake Gildarts. Natsu was still restrained by his guards. He was breathing heavily, his eyes a solid red.
"Arch-Bishop of the Church of Alvarez," Mavis thundered, her voice echoing throughout the entire building, "You are hereby judged by the Daughter of Heaven!"
She roared as she released a barrage of light attacks, vanquishing every demon it hit as she strolled toward the Bishop.
Her eyes met Flare's, the red-headed demon cocking her head almost sideways as she regarded the new entry.
"What are you looking at?" Mavis mumbled, casting a light beam at her. Flare screeched like a banshee as she flew backward with the impact.
The Bishop was shaking. He'd fallen backward and was trying scurry out of her way. The bright light Mavis emitted blinded the entire room. The screams of the demons could be heard, but Mavis kept coming. Jellal and Laxus were back in the fray, eliminating demons as they hurried to get to Natsu. Natsu was non-stop screaming now, sweat pouring off his brow as bulges started protruding from his forehead. Something was trying to emerge.
The Bishop pulled himself together, using his black lightning to counter-attack against Mavis. Every bolt that threatened to reach her dissolved around her, absorbed in a force field of some sort.
"I'm only going to ask you one more time," she said in a low, deadly tone, "Where are Cana and Daisuke?"
She was breathing hard as she came to a stop, mere inches from the demon's nose. The Bishop fell backward, cowering as she lit her hands again.
Behind her, Jellal and Erik both took on Flare, dodging her wild hair as she recovered from her position on the floor. Her eyes were wild with rage. Despite her constant stumbling, she was remarkably accurate with her aim. Mavis took no notice of the battle, concentrating her glare upon the Bishop.
"I'd rather die than betray my master," the Bishop spat.
"That can be arranged," Mavis growled, lifting her hands.
There was a loud crash at the front doors, followed by the unmistaken sound of multiple people thundering down the hall.
"Aw shit!" Erik mumbled, "More demons?"
"MAGNOLIA POLICE DEPARTMENT!" Rogue yelled as they banged at the still locked entrance, "We're coming through!"
There was a loud thud at the door.
The Bishop grinned, snapping his fingers. Instantly, Flare and every other demon in the room disappeared.
Mavis sighed, knowing the Angels had no choice either.
"Angels – we're pulling out!" Mavis announced.
"What about Laxus and Gildarts?" Jellal asked.
The banging on the door intensified. The cops were almost through.
She glanced backward, noting the severity of their injuries, "We'll take Laxus. Gildarts' colleagues will get him the help he needs."
There was a flash of light as the Angels disappeared.
Natsu had fallen to the ground, blinking with utter confusion. All signs of the red eyes were gone. His breathing was heavy too as he tried to comprehend where he was and what was happening. He didn't remember anything after walking through the doors. Gildarts was unconscious in the corner. Both Bacchus and Yukino went straight to him.
The door burst open, cops barrelling through the broken door. Some headed straight to Gildarts, others to Natsu.
"What in the hell happened in here?" Sting demanded.
Natsu shook his head as other officers helped him off the ground, "I...don't even know…"
"Gildarts needs an ambulance!" Bacchus yelled, whipping out his cell phone.
"Natsu...what happened?" Sting asked again, helping him up, "Did you lose control again?"
Natsu shook his head, "I don't think so..."
"Well, someone did!" Sting exclaimed, horrified at the condition of the room.
"Sting! Look at this!" Rogue yelled.
Both Sting and Natsu rushed to the desk where Rogue was examining the paper with the kids' pictures on it…and a newly handwritten note.
"What the hell is this?" Sting asked.
Rogue had tears cascading down his face as he read it again – to be completely sure.
Mavis watched from the shadows of the room as the officers gathered around the desk, all straining to see the paper in question. Natsu rubbed his head, still trying to get his bearings.
"It's a map," Rogue said simply, unable to finish his sentence.
It had been the Bishop's last move, forced by Mavis's special ability…Mavis had taken a snapshot of the Bishop's thoughts and transposed it to the paper… the area where Cana Alberona and Daisuke Cheney were being held. Unfortunately, there hadn't been time to narrow it further than that. But at least they'd be in the right vicinity.
And right in the middle of the map was Toby and Yuka's old, cluttered house.
"We missed something at the house," Rogue said under his breath, "They were there the whole time…"
Sting was already on the radio, screaming out for every available officer.
"Thank you," Rogue whispered, glancing up at the ceiling, "Thank you, Mavis."
Beside him, Natsu shook off his confusion over the events of the past several moments, watching his friend come undone at the prospect of finding their lost family members.
Even Bacchus had teared up. He had Gildarts' head on his lap.
"Hear that, old man?"
Yukino glanced at Sting and Rogue, "Should we tell Lucy and Laki?"
Sting shook his head, "Not yet."
Natsu shook off the last of his confusion, refocusing on the new task at hand. He pounded a fist into his hand, "Let's go get them back."