"What's taking Gray so long?" muttered Natsu irritably as he watched Lucy gently do her best to tend to Sting's injuries with what limited supplies they'd brought with them. He was antsy, flames flickering to life here and there as he did his best to comfort the pair of felines that had dubbed his lap the safest place. He didn't mind, but Happy was also on his shoulder. It was a lot of cat, if he was being honest.

Lucy ignored Sting's hiss of pain as she wiped carefully at the cut that sliced right over the bridge of his nose. "I don't know."

Jellal and Erza had gone to search the area and inform the Sabertooth guild of what had happened to their guildmaster and guildmates, leaving Lucy and Natsu to tend to the pair of injured dragons. They'd not been gone long, but Lucy was already worried, deciding they shouldn't have let them go alone. But the pair had their hands full, keeping an eye on Rogue and Sting. Lucy felt a flicker of sympathy for the shadow dragon. It was just not his year, she couldn't help but think.

"See if any bowls survived," said Sting tiredly, blinking bleary blue eyes at Natsu. His face was pale. "You can scry your guild."

Natsu grunted, nudging Lector and Frosch out of his lap. The pair went to curl up with their dragons; Frosch whimpered in Rogue's ear, and Lector stretched out near Sting' ship, resting his chin lightly on Sting's thigh. Sting reassuringly stroked his head, sorrowful. "At least Lector and Frosch are okay," he murmured as Lucy ordered him to keep his head still and Natsu sought out a bowl.

"There's no water," complained Natsu a few moments later, furious that nothing seemed to be going their way. "Is there any left in the water you brought, Luce?"

Lucy shook her head. "Sorry, I've used it all on these two." She looked guilty, and Natsu winced.

"S'fine," he muttered, "I'll go find some."

"There's a creek a hill over," said Sting, shifting and shooting a wary look at Natsu. "Five minutes at most. There's a small path Yukino and I put down to make it easier for her in the winter." Grief and fear for his Keeper splintered through his eyes, and Natsu winced. He didn't do well with people when they were like this. Lucy was better suited for comforting people.

Natsu still faltered, squinting at the three. Two injured dragons and Lucy would be nothing against Acnologia. He almost suggested Lucy send one of the celestial spirits, but that would tire her out, and she needed to be ready for anything that came their way. "I'll be back. If you notice anything-"

"I'll be ready," said Lucy confidently, flashing him a smile. "And I'll let you know, Natsu. Besides, you put up those wards, remember? And I copied them. We've got double wards. We'll be okay for five minutes. And if we're lucky, Gray will show up while you're gone and you'll have gone for no reason."

Something didn't sit right in his gut, but the uncertainty was soothed away by Lucy's words. "Okay," he agreed. "Happy, stay with Luce."

Happy hopped down from his shoulder with a purr, tail flicking. He made a point of crouching at her hip, staring happily up at Natsu. Natsu cracked a small grin at the look on his familiar's face, and then ducked out of the cottage ruins they'd sheltered in, glancing over his shoulder just once. Lucy's soothing touch lingered as he found the path she'd talked about.

It didn't take him long to get the water. He came back as quickly as he could, relieved to find that nothing had happened while he was away. Lucy snorted softly in amusement when he dropped to sit beside her, leg and arm brushing her own. She'd finished with Sting, who had his face pushed into his hands as he struggled to calm himself down enough to think straight.

Natsu paused to consider that as he uttered the familiar scrying spell. Not only were Sting and Yukino lovers, but they were also Keeper and Guardian. Sting would be frantic for the woman he cared so deeply for without ancient magic crashing down on him, demanding he do something. As if his injuries weren't bad enough. He even felt a little bad for the dragon.

"We'll find Yukino," Natsu found himself saying quietly as a face began to appear in the water. Sting looked up at him in surprise, and Lucy flashed him a proud look. Her warmth surrounded him, and he nearly purred as he turned his attention on the grim Gray.

"We're trying to get there as quickly as we can," Gray said without prompting, running a hand through his dark hair. "I'm bringing Mira, Juvia, Wendy, and Lisanna. I'm trying to convince Gildarts. Figured we could use his help since there's some crazy powerful dragon involved."

"You're bringing Wendy? Good, we need her," said Lucy, leaning over the bowl herself with a grimace. "Sting and Rogue could use her help."

"Rogue first," muttered Sting, and Lucy readily agreed.

"We'll be leaving soon," promised Gray with a sigh. "What's going on with your end?"

Natsu and Lucy exchanged wary looks, and Lucy said, "A lot. Yukino's gone. Acnologia's taken her and we don't know where she's disappeared off to. Jellal and Erza went to Crocus to tell Sabertooth about what's happening."

"Are they planning on telling the Council?"

"I don't know. Maybe. Why?"

Gray huffed softly. "The meeting wasn't about what's happening with Acnologia. Makarov received word that the Council's ordering all mythic-based guilds to disband, effective immediately. We're now considered an illegal guild."

Fury bubbled beneath Natsu's skin. "They can't do that," he breathed. "The guilds hold the power, not the Council. This means war really will start, and I can tell you that we'll win."

"At a cost. What human will trust a bunch of mythics that won a war because we outpowered them? Guilds like Fairy Tail can't work without trust from the human population, Natsu. Laxus and Makarov are going to try and figure out a plan while we're all out. Gildarts, too, if I can't convince him to come with us."

"This is a disaster," whispered Lucy, anxiously biting her lip. "Worse than a disaster. The Council's so worried about having power over the guilds that they're forgetting that there are things working outside the guilds to ruin innocent lives."

Natsu grunted his agreement, frustrated. He'd always hated the Council. He just had a damn good reason to hate them more. "We'll deal with Acnologia first," he muttered, narrowing his eyes thoughtfully.

Lucy nodded curtly, agreeing entirely with that idea. "Thanks for letting us know, Gray," she murmured, and the half-demon shot her a friendly, lazy grin.

"Give us a few more hours and we'll be there to help. You should clean the blood off your face, by the way."

Lucy cringed, slapping a hand to her face immediately in horror, and Natsu ended the connection between them and Gray immediately, annoyed with his partner's immediate negative emotions. They swirled harshly through him, making his stomach churn. No, that was hers, he realized a moment later, grimacing. It was Lucy's stomach roiling, as if she was going to be ill. "I'll be back," she said hastily, shooting to her feet.

Natsu frowned, wary about letting her go alone, but Sting rocked to his feet with considerable effort, rasping, "I'll go with her. Want to clean up a little myself."

Natsu couldn't say either was in good condition to defend themselves against a crazed dragon intent on causing chaos, but...Rogue couldn't be left alone either. "Fine," he muttered. "Five minutes."

"Five minutes," confirmed Lucy, and Natsu nearly purred when she stooped to press a kiss to his cheek. He ignored the smirk tugging at Sting's lips, instead furrowing his brow a little at the nervous wrinkle between Sting's eyes. Something was up with the dragon, he just couldn't put his finger on what it was. "I'll be back," she said again, and then swept from the debris to head for the creek that Sting had told them about earlier. Natsu watched Sting pick his way after her, and then settled back to wait, telling the familiars to remain where they were - with him, in the cottage.

They'd been gone a short while when Natsu heard a soft groan. Natsu snapped his head to the side and found Rogue stirring, his face white with pain. Wincing and wishing that Lucy hadn't left, Natsu leaned over a little and said, "You awake there, Rogue?"

Rogue groaned again. "Somewhat," he managed to slur out. Natsu could hear the rage that was spilling from him. "Yukino?"

"Gone. We don't know where." Natsu found it was best to be bluntly honest about such things. He knew he, himself, would have been angrier to have someone dancing around the bush were Lucy to go missing. "Sorry," he thought to add. "We're gonna figure out where Acnologia took her though."

Rogue scowled, breathing harsh. But he said nothing more, trusting them to find his Marked One. Natsu was pleased; it was rare people actually truly trusted him with such things. "Sting's here though," Natsu told him. "He and Lucy went to clean up real quick."

Natsu was alarmed when Rogue nearly rocketed upright, a hiss of agony spilling from his lips. "What? They're alone?"

"They'll be back soon," Natsu grunted, though he didn't really like the wild look on Rogue's face. "Why? What is it, Rogue?"

"Sting," he said hoarsely. "I'm ashamed that...I was brought down so easily. But Sting...I heard Sting...make a deal." His breath was heavier than before, as if he was struggling, and Natsu shoved him back down. He might have injured his ribs, and the last thing they needed was an internal injury before Wendy could get there and do something. "You need to go and find Lucy now. Sting...made a deal with Acnologia. Yukino for Lucy."

The water was cold despite the time of year when Lucy dipped her hands into it. "Ugh," she muttered, wincing as she scrubbed the blood away, careful when it came to wiping it away from her face. She eyed the Gate that towered high above them closely. "Yuck. No offense, Sting, but yuck."

Sting cracked a small grin, hovering on the bank of the creek beside her. He looked thoughtful - almost sad. Lucy couldn't blame him. It had been hard on Natsu in the past when she'd been in trouble. She could easily remember his furious desperation as he tried to figure out how to get to Lucy in any way possible - the panic that had sometimes bled through when he wasn't aware. It was even harder when you were stuck injured and physically unable to do very much.

"Alright," muttered Lucy softly when she'd finished, drying her hands on her front. She was confident she'd gotten the blood off. "Come on, let's head back. Natsu's freaking out about something, which means Gray's probably back and said something without thinking again." Sting didn't move. His jaw clenched. Lucy frowned at him and urged, "Sting?"

"I'm sorry," he rasped finally. Lucy stilled, confused. "I'm sorry, Lucy. I'm a Guardian. If there's a chance at getting our Keeper back alive, I have to go through with it. I don't have a choice."

Lucy found herself on guard. She withdrew from Sting, stepping back until she was in the middle of the creek. "What are you talking about?" she murmured, though she had a sneaking suspicion. "Sting, what did you do?"

"Acnologia said," said Sting softly, "that if I brought you to him, he'd let Yukino leave."

"And you believed him?" Lucy gave a startled laugh. "You can't be serious, Sting. You really think Acnologia will let Yukino go with no strings attached?" She made a wild gesture. "Did you not hear what we said to you? He killed Jellal's goblin for sport, Sting! He hates us. All of us. You'd deliver me to him on a silver platter and he'd go ahead and kill her anyways!"

Sting glared at her balefully. "I just told you, Lucy. I don't have a choice. The magic doesn't care. I'm a Guardian. Acnologia knows how this works. He was a Guardian himself once, he said that to me. Just like you and Natsu don't have a choice but to do what needs to be done to save the keys he's currently got his hands on."

Lucy's fingers tightened around the golden keys at her hip, her eyes narrowing. Natsu was coming, she knew he was. She couldn't win against a dragon. He certainly could though. She just needed to hold off long enough for him to get there-

"I'm sorry," repeated Sting, stepping forward. Lucy purposely threw herself down into the cold water she'd waded into and slammed the golden key in her hand into it. Aquarius appeared at her plea, eyes cold with fury and rage. Sting faltered, reluctant to fight with one of the spirits that were likely friends with Yukino's companions.

"One chance. I will give you one chance out of courtesy for Libra and Pisces," Aquarius breathed, seething. "Should you not comply, I will drown you within this pathetic creek's waters. Lucy is our Keeper, and just as she protects our keys, we protect-" She froze, sly blue eyes shifting to look behind her. Alarm flickered in her gaze. It was enough to send Lucy suddenly rocketing towards Sting, just in time to avoid the hand that had reached out to grab her.

Aquarius didn't move, lingering in the water as she slowly turned to give the dragon that had appeared a nasty look. Lucy's breath came in nervous gasps as Aquarius murmured, "Acnologia. You are as persistent as ever. It's not a good look when you intend to hurt our Keeper and Guardian, you know."

Acnologia studied the spirit closely, unamused with her words. Lucy hovered, nervous. She was in a bad spot - a very bad spot. Natsu was coming, she could feel it, but she wasn't sure he'd make it in time now. Not with Acnologia here. "Aquarius. It's been some time," rumbled the ancient dragon. He seemed almost amused. "Once, I was your Guardian. How quickly the celestial spirits forget such matters."

Aquarius curled her lip. Lucy thought she saw grief flicker over her face, but Aquarius said nothing more, only disappearing in a flash of light. She would be no use against Acnologia - none of the Spirits would. Warily, Lucy wondered if it was more of the fact that Acnologia had once been their Guardian. Lucy kept her fingers tight on her keys and the replacement blade Natsu had given her. She couldn't overpower someone like Acnologia, but a blade to the arm usually took people off guard. She just needed time.

"Yukino. Where's Yukino?" demanded Sting, stepping forward on shaking legs. "You said you'd give Yukino back when you had Lucy. You have Lucy, so follow through on your end."

Acnologia smirked, but made a small gesture with his hand. "I am many things," he murmured, "but I keep my word."

Lucy glanced over when she saw a pale-faced Yukino step free of the nearby trees. The Keeper of the Eclipse Gate looked as if she were going to faint, but was relatively unharmed. A few scrapes and bruises, but nothing more. Lucy swallowed thickly when Sting immediately stepped forward to meet her, his hands cradling her face. Sheer relief was evident on his face, and Lucy could see the way he shook as he murmured to his Keeper. She whispered back, her gaze full of sorrow.

Lucy found she didn't blame him at all. She wasn't angry with him, didn't even feel a flicker of betrayal. Because she was sure she'd have done the same for Natsu. She'd have done anything for Natsu, just as he'd have done anything for her. At least something good was coming out of this horrific situation-

The world screamed when Yukino suddenly crumpled. Crimson struck Sting's skin, and he recoiled fractionally as if it burned him. The blow that had caught her through the back of the head stained her pretty silver hair red. A blood-curdling shriek suddenly filled the air, a dragon's piercing scream. Rogue. Rogue had Marked Yukino, and was now suffering as Igneel had - as Acnologia still did. Cruel triumph shone over Acnologia's face.

"Yukino?" whispered Sting, unmoving, even as Acnologia laughed, as if someone had told him a funny joke. He stepped forward, greedily reaching for Lucy. Cold shock raced through her veins like ice. Lucy didn't have the time to even straighten out her thoughts before he was there, yanking her forward by her shirt. She wheezed, prying at his fingers frantically.

"Let go," she choked out, searing heat suddenly bubbling at her skin. "Let go of me."

Acnologia's hot breath washed over her face as he laughed again, only yanking her closer. "I've never thought about it before," he whispered, and she recoiled in disgust. Her keys seared painfully at her hip. "But she looks like Anna." He couldn't seem to tear his gaze away from her as he cocked his head. "You didn't know that though. Did you?"

It took her a moment to realize he wasn't addressing her. Or Sting, who was still staring in shock at the dead-eyed face of the woman he loved so fiercely.

He was addressing Natsu, who stood in the middle of the creek. Inky black marks had snaked up his arms, black flames hiding his face as they billowed furiously from his mouth. The water boiled in the creek, steam rippling off the surface. "I don't care who she looks like," breathed Natsu. "Let her go."

Acnologia did.

Lucy couldn't say she liked what he did next any better though. He grabbed beneath her chin, fingers gripping her jaw on each side. Her bones sang with the force with which he held her and her fingers trembled as she seized the ring of keys, ready to simply throw them if need be. He couldn't have both of them. He couldn't. Not with the Eclipse Gate this close. She'd not noticed until now, how close it was. They were practically beneath it, on the side they rarely saw, so focused on the Gate's Keeper and Guardians.

"Natsu," she rasped, her tongue thick in her panic when his grip tightened pointedly, pain splintering through her jaw. "Natsu, stop."

He stilled, a snarl bursting from his chest. His panic was hot in her chest, though he hid it well beneath layers of rage. He was scared of what was going to happen next, and Lucy found that his fear only frightened her further. Acnologia's lips twitched in a smile, and her mind raced to find a solution, but came up empty-handed.

"Walk," rumbled Acnologia, suddenly releasing her. He shoved her, hand snagging her keys before she could stop him. She tripped forward a few steps, sweat trickling down her spine as she realized what he'd done. He pocketed the celestial spirit's keys, and she almost pleaded for Loke to appear, to help as he'd done so many times in the past. She wondered why he'd not appeared, why Aquarius had disappeared as she had without helping. They were her friends, after all, and Lucy had done her best to protect them, just as she'd vowed. Before she could speak, however, Acnologia grabbed her by the back of the neck, keeping his hand there.

It wasn't to control her, she realized, but Natsu, for he had lurched forward a threatening step. Natsu wouldn't act, not with Acnologia's hand on her. It was asking for Death, which hovered only a breath away after stealing Yukino away, to continue its work. Acnologia would keep Natsu at arm's length, even as he allowed him to watch.

So, Lucy did as she was told, listening to Rogue's keening cries fill the air and Sting's sudden heart-wrenching sobs. As ancient magic writhed and thrashed, screaming its protest regarding the loss of its Keeper, Lucy walked.

IT'S STARTED. I wanted to update early so bad this past week. Even more so now.

Thanks to reviewers (rao hyuga 18, Guest #1, nerdalertwarning, stranger1999, Skibblez, valerioux, Uchida Akira, Klaus, sistershOk, Lodemai04, guest #2, itsxoi, Kaisha00, zizi08, Sele de la Luna, AthomeinFairytail, Bookwork129, Lissuin, madaraswife, VioletZap, and LaLay lives!) as we as those who favorited and followed!