Ember Reverie: no worries they definitely have some fun and relaxation before all the crazy happens

Nattie414: think slow build up, it'll get there i promise!

NaLuAlways26: As a reader I would curse cliff hangers, but as a writer I get an evil sort of satisfaction :) Thanks for the tip I'll shoot for longer chapters after I get through the ones I've already written so stay tuned!

Katnibal94: My best friend has a coffee mug that says nectar of the gods and I feel like Lucy would totally have it XD

Thanks for all the reviews, always appreciated! Without further ado here is the next chapter!

Chapter 12

Meanwhile in the sky somewhere….

"Come on Lily we have to go faster Lucy and Levy are in trouble!"

"I know happy I know. I just needed to check in with Carla to see just where they might be. We don't want to waste any time wandering around Crocus."

Happy nods in concession not even asking how Carla was doing. Patherlily knew how he felt his two best friends were tangled in this mess as well.

"Let's test this Max Speed Natsu was bragging about you achieving."

"Aye Sir!"

Back in the Lazy Grotto

We gasp as the entrance was a light waterfall but then squeak at how dark it is. Slowly one by one different colors streak and dance around us; lighting up the huge cavern. Within minutes we came to the first grotto it had a little sign hanging at the entrance stating it was the Aquarium.

We headed in that direction, "I wonder if it's just a large dome where the fish swim all around."

Levy smiled, "I wonder what kind of fish there are!"

"Now you sound like Happy!" We break into laughter.

Some distance away Happy sneezes

It was nothing like we imagined, sure there was a grotto with stone walls worn away by time. It was a huge cavern with no walk ways or beach; however there was a current that pulled us to the farthest curve. It turned out to be an outcropping with a blue illuminated tunnel. As we get sucked in by the current Levy gasps and starts pointing out different exotic fish she'd only see in books.

The aquarium tunnel let out into another grotto, this one quite a bit larger than the last. It had a beautiful white sandy beach that stretched almost around the entire cavern. Light shown down from a large skylight in the ceiling, I almost fell off my tube gawking at it as the current pushed our tubes up onto the sand.

"Want to grab a smoothie and sun ourselves?" I suggest as we haul our tubes further on shore.

"Sounds like a plan to me." We walk together to the line in front of a small tiki smoothie shack. Since the park is so exclusive and new it wasn't over crowded which made everything that much more enjoyable. We sit sunning ourselves drinking our smoothies and let any stress just melt away.

A few hours outside Crocus…..

"Carla confirmed they are at a resort for the day, she was able to talk to Lucy's editor. Master said to just say we have urgent confidential business and that should get us in."

Happy nodded at Patherlily's words he just hoped they would make it in time and if lucky with enough time to escape without trouble. "Do they know how fast the others are traveling?"

Lily shook his head, "No it sounds like they are having a hard enough time keeping Mira and Kianna secure. They hope Yukino and Minerva will be able to reach the safehouse they are creating before they're found."

Happy frowns and Lily shares his sympathy, "I'm ready for another bought of Max Speed if you are."

"AYE SIR"

A few hours later…..

Levy and Lucy decide to make their way back onto the river to see the next grotto. After a few moments they could make out a glowing sign, "Adventure Grotto; you up for this Lu? The map said it was full of spelunking and exploring a whole lower cave system."

"I think I'll pass for now maybe after some lunch? Is there a café inside?" I blush as my stomach lets out a growl but start laughing when Levy's stomach let's out an answering gurgle.

There was a café inside with lacramas showing all the different tunnels while we ate. As we paid and sat back relaxing I could've sworn I heard someone calling my name.

"Lu did you hear my name just now?" Levy starts looking around with me.

"No but I thought I heard mine I could've sworn it was Happy?!" I stand walking to the café's front entrance only to be tackled to the ground.

"LUSHY!"

I cuddle Happy close to me giving him a squeeze, "Happy I've missed you! How'd you get here?" I hold him up noticing how tired and worn out he looks. He looks at me and his eyes just start watering, he sniffles, "Lucy we-we need to leave!"

"LILY!" I turn to see Levy crushing Patherlily, who was also looking a little worse for wear, in a hug.

"Levy as happy as I am to see you as well, we have a problem. As Happy said we need to leave immediately neither of you are safe nor is this park."

Levy and I share a look, "What's going on? Where are Natsu and Gajeel? Why are you both here? Is everyone alright?"

"I'll explain as best as I can but we only have a little time before they are upon us." Liliy explained about Cana's prediction, the trapping of the slayers, and their escape.

"Gray froze Natsu, Evergreen turned Gajeel and Laxus to stone, and Mest transported Natsu into the middle of the East forest. It was as far as he could get before the ice started melting. All the slayers freed themselves and tracked down Natsu. There was this huge fight and Wendy explained what was happening."

Flashback to Wendy

I looked up to see the others trapped and Mest take Natsu away. In a few minutes Gajeel and Laxus broke Evergreen's stone magic but didn't harm anyone. They immediately bolted out of the guild and I knew exactly where they were going. I felt a hand on my shoulder and instantly relaxed I turned to smile at Erza letting her know I was alright.

"Wendy you mentioned you knew what was happening? Can you please explain?"

I nod and launch into my story, glad I was able to help. "Grandine once told me of an illness with no cure other than to let it run its course. Dragon King's Succession Sickness has only happened a few times throughout history. I believe Acnologia's madness might have stemmed from a version of it."

Everyone stops what they were doing, the horror gathered on their faces. In the silence I explain, "There are drakes in a nest; natural born leaders; who protect and rule all of those within the nest. However there is one level above that, a Dragon King."

"A Dragon King is only born once a century and when they hit maturity…..well they find and dominate every drake or challenger they can find. But the thing is they are still in control of themselves and are aware of what is happening. This also happens in stages slowly over centuries. A dragon has centuries to go through this but a dragon slayer takes about 10 years. They gain their power, they dominate all the nests in the land, they gather treasure, they find their mate, and they make a nest of their own.

"However if someone tries to prevent a Dragon King's maturity or it becomes stunted in some way the Dragon King's Succession becomes uncontrollable, violent, and destructive; a sickness. I don't know what stopped Natsu but he's hit maturity and now has the sickness. If we had kept him locked in there he slowly would have gone mad slaughtering anything he saw as a threat. This would cause him to essentially loose every part of himself."

I see the agony etched on my families faces at this news. Erza meets my eyes, "what can we do to help them?"

I smile, "well the first stage has already started Natsu is going to try to prove he is the strongest. He will fight all the dragons then he will find anyone he sees as a challenge." I wince, "I'm pretty sure I can tell you who he'll go after."

Erza nods, "very well we will set up a secure area and put all of these people in one place as too minimize the damage. Warren please let the others know what is going on."

Warren nods, "Master says to use the field by Natsu and Lissanna's club house. He asks who exactly needs to go."

Carla pipes up before anyone says anything, "Gildarts, Erza, Gray, and Juvia." I look at her questioningly, "are you sure Carla? What about Mira and Master?"

"Yes Child, I've had a vision and I know exactly who he will go after and why he doesn't go after Mira."