Chapter 29: E.N.D.

Lucy had never eaten blackened sea slug until today. At least, she thought it was a sea slug. She couldn't be sure after Gajeel skewered the long creature in the shallows before burning the rubbery, unrecognizable meat over an open flame.

"Do you like your sea slug, Levy?" She whispered to the girl nibbling on the charcoal fare beside her.

"It's eel, Lucy"

"Oh?" She was a bit disappointed as she remembered eating properly cooked eel at a party once, a delicate oily flavor that she rather enjoyed. Of course, Gajeel had paired the meat with raw seaweed, but Lucy didn't appreciate the watery vegetable either. The only reason she attempted to eat the strange combination was because her hunger threatened to consume her own stomach if she didn't put food in her mouth immediately. She chewed slowly, with a slight grimace, distracting herself by trying to plan what they would do.

Her options were limited. There was a weakness in her body now that hadn't been there a week ago. Lucy knew she wouldn't be traveling long distances. Levy, on the other hand, didn't have that disadvantage. Lucy eyed the other girl wistfully, wondering if she provided Levy an opportunity to escape would the girl go without her.

"Uh Gajeel. Do you have anything better to eat?" The blonde asked as she took another bite.

He stopped chomping on his own array of charred meat and seaweed to stare at her. His cheeks full to the brim. His shirt and boots were still off from when he had stripped to wade into the ocean. She kept catching Levy sneaking peeks at his chiseled chest and wet pants, much to Lucy's disgust.

"Beggars can't be choosers." He finally responded while swallowing. The expression he gave her suggested she back away from talking so he could eat, but Gajeel irritated her so she pressed him.

"Is that your proverb of today?" Lucy snapped back for equal measure.

He laughed at her nerve. "That my free advice for life, bunny girl."

"You sound like my old nanny telling me to fake compliments to men to get them to like me."

"Your nanny sounds like a smart lady."

"I thought so too." Lucy added before she could stop herself. "Until she was killed for something stupid."

There was a pause before… "What was she killed for?"

Lucy watched the low tidal waves crash into the rocks. Hypnotized by the spray of water into the surf, she fought to speak. Her voice came out distant and low.

"Me."

Gajeel narrowed his face toward her but she looked away, not wanting him to see the pain inside her. That was another time and another life, she reminded herself. Losing her appetite, Lucy offered Levy her last bites. The man then handed her a tin can with water poured from a pouch at his side. The size of which worried her a she didn't consider it particularly full. She sipped a bit before giving the rest to Levy.

Seeing there wasn't much fresh water left to divide between the three, an idea struck her.

"I'm thirsty."

No reply.

"I would like some more, please." She held out the cup, gently tapping the sides with her fingernail. The tin glittering the late afternoon sun, highlighting the tattoos and piercings running along his body.

"People are always wanting something," his face showed a clear lack of concerned as he said, "that doesn't always mean they get it in the end."

"No they don't." She agreed and waited until he took his own gulp from the waterskin. "But you don't have enough left either."

"What?" He sputtered, causing liquid to cascade out of his mouth. Realizing he just lost the last swallow, he shook the pouch above his mouth - only a few drops fell out. "Damn, You have got to be kidding me."

"I guess people don't always get what they want?" Lucy said a bit cockily, daring the man to leave them alone.

A spark of anger burned deep behind his nonchalant mask. "I should beat you bunny girl. But Salamander would pay me back bruise for bruise if I touched you."

"Don't waste the energy when you have to find some more. Chop. Chop." She added a bit antagonistically with a clap of her hands. The words didn't stop him from flinging the cup at her head, which she narrowly dodged with a squeal.

"Oh come on!" She shouted, desperately trying to make him see he needed to leave. Her brilliant strategy was already falling through the cracks, if only he was easy to manipulate. "You can totally go and come back before anyone sees. It's not like anyone has left that ship." Lucy gestured frantically to the ocean. "No boat returned to shore so far."

"That high-handed attitude is going to get you in trouble with the men aboard that ship. Try to tone down the spunk." Gajeel seemed as if he was going to add to that line but he finally stomped off with low grumblings of "pesky females" and "dehydrated rabbits." Much to Lucy's chagrin, the not-so-dumb brute ended up tying both girls to a tree before leaving. Of course, she never expected escaping to be that easy.

"Well this is a fine predicament we find ourselves in. Did you think he was stupid enough to leave us alone?" Levy said once he was out of earshot but Lucy heard the unsaid statement of "You are the only idiot here."

"At least, we can talk more freely without him around," was Lucy's response.

"Wish we could move more freely. Ugh, your plans are perpetual failures Lucy. Look at how you tried to manipulated Bora and ended up engaged to Natsu. Let's face it. I am the one that needs to be making the plans."

"Now don't blame me for the Bora shenanigans. Who helped me with that all so epic plan, Miss McGarden?"

"Hush your mouth."

While Gajeel searched to refill his water supply, the two girls planned their escape. Their best bet was to jump ship and swim to land, which entitled a host of problems. One of which was losing their petticoats as soon as possible so the added weight wouldn't drag them down. Lucy didn't know if she could make the swim, but she knew Levy could. She hope once the girl made it to the beach her survival instinct would be not to wait for Lucy if something bad happened.

When he returned they both acted normal as possible. "You two are up to mischief." He said immediately suspicious, reaching for the rope's knot with mild reluctance.

"Us?" Levy batted her eyes as the man untied them. The man didn't seem fazed by the flirty show as he gave her a frown, "I told you to not be running off on me, word woman. I am more likely shoot then give chase."

"I don't think you could shoot us."

He snorted but didn't deny the accusation before pulling out two de-needled, prickly pears. Setting them in front of the girls, he turned way.

Oh thank you! Lucy mentally cried when the sweet smell hit her. Mouth watering, she smiled grabbing one of the delicious cacti fruits. Were you suppose to eat the skin? She could not remember but didn't really care as she munched on her piece. The nectar running down her chin as she moaned from her enjoyment. People say starvation was the best spice and she would have agreed at the bliss of this flavor if she hadn't tasted Gajeel's cooking earlier.

Licking her lips, she demolished the fruit. Some might even thought she inhaled the food. Once finished, it took everything she had not to steal the other fruit but thankfully her appetite had be sedated somewhat.

Levy retrieved the cup, knocking the sand off best she could before handing it to Gajeel. When he poured Lucy some fresh water as she thanked him, but noticed she had less than the amount he later gave Levy. Maybe I should be flirting with him too? She questioned before dismissing the idea. Watching Levy presented him with her own gratitude made her realize the two only had eyes for each other.

Lucy would prefer to slap them both for being unnecessarily sappy during a very serious time. Their lives were at stake. This was hardly the time to flirt. Their pheromones practically reeked off the two, making her gag from the cloud of sexual tension around them. Were her and Natsu like this when they interacted? If so, she was sorry for whoever had to stand within a ten foot radius from the lovey dovey crap. She never believed in love at first sight but the way the big man seem to soften toward Levy and how she got emotionally invested over everything he said, caused the green eyed monster to rise in Lucy's heart..

She would be lying if she said she didn't miss Natsu. Was he hunting for her? Did he realize she was missing? A pang in her heart at how he and the others from home were no doubt looking for them: Jellal, Laxus, Sting, Elfman...

And Mira.

The soon-to-be mother would worry herself sick over the girls' disappearance without being able to do anything. She knew the girl had recently started having problems with the pregnancy. Lucy closed her eyes with a prayer for Mira's safety. I hope she is ok. Please be with her and us in these times of tribulation.

"Hey Gajeel, why don't you help us escape? We do have money and it would be doing the right thing. You know what awaits us if we get sold into slavery?"

Gloomily, Gajeel pursed his mouth before crossily saying, "Sometimes things are bigger than you and me, word woman. If I let you go, then they will want my head."

"But it's wrong." Lucy interrupted, "You can willingly agree to sell women to them?"

"What's wrong? I only agreed to watch you. My business has no dealings with their trading."

"Turning a blind eye to evil is still wrong."

"I'm just saying that whatever they do when they aren't dealing with my boss is their business. Besides, Salamander and his comrads will make it here before yo…" She was almost thankful the discussion stopped when Gajeel turned breaking his sentence, his eyes darkening at the sudden noise over through the trees.

Then she heard the horses too.

People were coming, and judging by Gajeel's face, they weren't friendly.


Natsu entered the bar without hesitation, followed closely by Sting and Jellal. If anyone knew anything about the criminal activities along the coast, then owner of Hargeon's Absolute Zero was the man to find. He wasn't always the owner of a bar, before he had been a military captain of equal rank to Gildarts whose division specialized in information gathering and reconnaissance.

The bar was bigger than Cana's, but without the feeling warmth that belonged to the other one. Here everything was cold, uninviting. Even though that should drive customers off, people lined the tables and stools, showing how popular the site had become. The theme seemed to be a frigid, winter night. Glass statutes made to look like ice carvings of swans and polar bears decorated the lower and upper levels. Lanterns hung overhead burned blue and purple flames as oppose to the typical yellow. Natsu, for a split second, was curious how they managed that. Fire had always been an interest to him.

A band played. A woman's voice - haunting, mysterious, beautiful - rasp out dark notes as a hush fell over the audience. Everyone seemed to be caught in her spell, allowing the three to move unhindered toward the bartender with relative ease.

"Where's Silver?" Natsu asked the bartender, sounding strangely loud, causing a few occupants to twist their heads in confusion.

The blonde man behind the counter wore a mask and a large feathered hat. He finished cleaning a glass before replying, "I have no memory of his whereabouts.."

Natsu flashed his badge. "What about now?"

"In the back or upstairs." The bartender cocked his head to the side, studying the emblem before his hard eyes darting between the three in question. "Is this a raid?"

"No just a friendly chat."

"Let me see where the boss is." He hollered into what was apparently a back room but shook his head when Silver wasn't there. He left, handing his rag to a dark haired girl behind the counter.. He had not been gone a few seconds when Natsu heard a familiar voice behind them chirped, "Well if it isn't E.N.D?"

Natsu swung around with a growl toward the intruder. A short shaggy haired boy-man stood stood grinning at him.

"What the hell do you want, Jackal?!"

Jackal said, "Can't I just greet my old buddy after it's been such a long time? We were members of the same squadron…."

He was cut off by Natsu informing him "that's classified soldier."

"I'm not a soldier anymore." Jackal retorted smugly. The man took a swig of his mug before throwing it down. Natsu was in no mood to play, taking step forward to shove Jackal away when the ex soldier caught sight of Natsu's comrades.

"And Jellal Fernandez? Former leader of Trinity Raven? Wow you do travel in the best company?" Jackal howled with laughter as Natsu's eyes widen in surprised as he Jellal merely shrugged, but Natsu could tell his face was pinched in worry. When Jellal introduced himself, Natsu had known the man was an ex felon by the tattoo on his face. He remembered telling him he didn't care about a man's past as long as he walked on the straight and narrow toward the future. He hadn't realized how important Jellal was. If people ever learned he was hiding out at Love and Lucky, Natsu's stomach plummeted on the last thought. And Jackal couldn't exactly keep a secret.

No wonder he tried so hard to blend into the background. Natsu's respect for the man grew as he realized a former syndicate kingpin gave up his former life to live on a ranch in the middle nowhere.

Jackal's laughter cleared when he saw Sting, "I have no idea who you are. I guess trash hangs around trash." Sting took a threatening step toward him but Natsu beat him by lunging toward the smaller man.

"You want to go?" Jackal dodged the first assault, kicking out his leg into Natsu's side, but the ranger locked his arm around Jackal's leg while using it as a seesaw. The smaller man, off balance, fell toward the awaiting fist. People scattered as the force of the punch sent Jackal crashing into the bar. The man snarled as glasses and mugs were sent crashing to the floor. He picked up a stool preparing for a second attack with his newest weapon.

His swing however got stopped midair as an arm snaked around his waist, throwing him to the floor. The stool clattered somewhere in the distance as the music stopped playing.

"Ok, you four. Break. It. Up. You are scaring the public." At some point during their fight, Silver walked up, snatching Jackal up who squirmed away from his arm.

The retired captain had not changed much since the last time Natsu saw him. His roused, charcoal hair held maybe a few more grays than normal but he still was built better than most men half his age. Hr had an air he could break a man in two by snapping his fingers.

"Out of all the bars in this town, you three had to walk into mine. So what brings you to my humble abode." Silver finally said as he crossed his arms a bit unwelcomely. Then pointedly, at the backing away Jackal, asked, "You were about to pay for that drink?"

Jackal threw few coins down before announcing "I was leaving anyway. The alcohol tastes like pig piss anyway.." He stumbled toward the door

"What do you know about Tartaros?" Jellal asked, not beating around the bush.

"Why are you asking about that?" He asked incredulously, his blacker than black eyes shift in surprise before closing up.

"Does it matter? Answer the question." Natsu knowing Silver wouldn't give them a clear answer without rambling.

"It's a ship."

"And?"

"That's all I know, I swear."

Natsu grabbed the neck of his tunic, ready to throw the man unto the bar. Two bouncers moved toward him before Silver waved them off. A vein ticked on Natsu's forehead as danger radiated off him. The shadows casting a veil over half of his face and his eyes practically glowing the the purple light.

"You know I don't work for free, Natsu." Silver said dismissively while trying to remove Natsu's hands.

"I know if you don't tell me what you know, I will level this whole damn place." Nasu threatened quietly, tightening his grip in a way that made Silver's collar choke him. The older man's jaw clenched in response.

"I know it well E.N.D." The two glared as the tension rose, "But this is a public place, not the back mountains of Pergrande or Fiore. So it's not in your nature to snap with so many innocents around."

"Do you expect me to say that I am not that man anymore? I didn't correct you when you called me that. A week ago I would have told you that wasn't me. I am not the man I was in the war. That I had changed, but not today. We can play the intimidation game, but really, I'm not in the mood. So unless you want to see why it took half the military to capture me after my rampage. I suggest you tell me what I want to know. " A click could be heard as Silver felt something pressed against his thigh. He looked down to see a gun stealthily pointed right onto his side as Jellal moved closer. Sting worriedly glance around the bar see if anyone else had noticed the actions. The only ones who were watching were the two bouncers who stayed at a safe distance.

"This is an unlawful."

"Jellal and Sting are my deputies," A small lie since Natsu hadn't officially sworn them in. "And we may use any force necessary."

"Maybe we should move somewhere else." Sting nervously commented, blanching as someone walked around him.

Silver agreed "The kid is right. Let's not do this dance in here. My office?"

Jellal retracted his gun. "After you. Natsu, let the man go."

Natsu only let go after growling that he was unhappy. He kept his hand on his pistol in warning as he shot the guards across the room a menacing glare to keep them from following when they started to move too.

"Hey it's not that I don't want to help you." Silver talked as he lead the way upstairs. "I don't make money by giving information out for free."

Entering the office, Natsu closed the door after the group with a slam that sent a painting hung on the wall crashing to the floor.

Bluntly Natsu explained, "We aren't asking your for your help. We are telling you to tell us about Tartaros. And anything less will be seen as obstructing the law."

Sighing in an over exaggerated manner, Silver took out a cigar, offering the group one before saying "Tartaros is a group of ex blockade runners who made a fortune getting supplies in and out of Ishtar during the war. After the war, they switched to pirating. Alvarez. Ishgar. They didn't care as long as the cargo was valuable. Word on the streets is they also can be hired to run valuable merchandise to into different countries since they know all the black sites. I'm surprised you have never heard of them Jellal."

"My organization didn't extend far outside of the capital." Jellal cringed slightly at the admission, as if talking about anything from his past brought him immense grief. .

"Everyone trying to go up the perverbial crime ladder does business with Tartaros. Currently most organizations are lying low as Senator Zeref has passed anti-syndicate laws." He flickered a look toward Natsu who did not move at his brother's name. "They are heavily involved with a new guy calling himself God Serena. Some two bit hoot who has a following devoted to kidnapping women. For some reason Acnologia has taken on an interest of this guy so he sent down one of his men to take care of it. Gajeel I believe." Silver said the name Gajeel like a dirty word.

Jellal and Natsu tensed as Sting asked, "Who's Gajeel?"

"He killed my son." Silver spoke after Natsu failed to say anything. Staring directly into the ranger's face, "One day your family is going to go to war. Larcade, Zeref, Rogue, Gajeel, Acnologia, August, and you. And everything you hold dear will crumble into dust. The question is what side will you be on when that time comes? And whether either side will be thinking much about justice and the law then." Silver began to laugh before Natsu placed his pistol on his desk.

"You keep yapping yet you don't say anything meaningful." Natsu said as he played with his gun, checking the barrel, spinning it on his finger. "Tartaros being a group of smuggling pirates is interesting but how do I find them?"

"Let me guess. They have someone you know."

"Two. Friends of ours: a blonde and a bluenette"

For the first time, Silver seemed to pale. In a panicked voice he almost shouted, "They don't have Juvia, do they?"

"No." Taken aback Natsu glanced at the others. Sting seemed perplexed as him but Jellal didn't seem surprised at all. "Our friends Lucy and Levy." Natsu brought the hair wreath around his hand to his face, catching Silver's eyes. The scent seemed to calm Natsu somewhat.

"Ah? Your lover perhaps?"

Sting snickered but was quickly elbowed by Jellal. He awkwardly cleared his through while rubbing his side. "How do you know Juvia?"

"Oh. Never mind. She use to work for me. Well I don't know if any girls that look like that. But I do know the general area where they sometimes unload. But if you really want to know. You should ask your friend Jackal."

"Why?"

"He's a member of Tartaros. And I heard they were setting sail soon."

Natsu and Sting were already out the door with the information. Even though he was moving fast, Natsu couldn't help overhear Silver ask Jellal if his grandson and daughter-in-law were doing well.

Next Chapter: Renegade


Hey lovely people. I updated pretty fast this time? Yes! We have almost made it to 30 chapters! Whoop whoop. To the reviewer that said Natsu thinks Lucy is dead (or at the very least, seriously injured), my inspiration came from his reaction from END waking up. Glad that you caught that! :) And to Juvia is my spirit animal you are correct that the toes in the water and ass in the sand was totally my reference to Zac Brown Band.

A few of you asked about Erza making an appearance, Mira and Loke's status, and someone guessed Yukino for the slave's idnetiry (you are extremely close) but I decided to wait until next chapter to reply back while giving some insight into the future of this story. So if you have anything you want to ask, let me know and will try to cover it. That was a decision because this chapter is already long before I added a sneak peek. I will say about Erza is that her and Cobra are also following Tartaros so expect them to turn up at some point.

Also I just want to share this hilarious writing moment with you guys where my phone auto corrected one of my sentences that said "Natsu soaked up her presence" to "Natsu soaked up herpes." I was like "WHAT?! OMG!" I'm still laughing about it. #epictypo

Thanks to these awesome reviewers: lili3346 + Juvia-is-my-spirit-animal + sarara1-8 + reddevil47 + 4evrDorkly17 + Taliatales + InTheKnow + HammyJessa + MnMAllyn + TheOGFTfanatic + JD + Monika + ThayetJade + Lodemai04 + FairyglitterXD + KatanaNoNeko