FireShifter: They are definitely on a mission :)

Mskumiko24: Thanks for reading!

Michiamotippete: maaaaaayyyyyybbbeeeee :) enjoy the ride!

Anna5949: there's gonna be a whole lot of luck involved

The-Ruby-Rabbit: Thanks for reading, unfortunately I don't have the time for longer chapters. Sorry hope you enjoy the rest of the story.

NaLuAlways26: I'm glad you're enjoying it so far thanks for the review!

Ember Reverie: I love Cana's magic it's so versatile and unique. Personally the fillers and bonus episodes are my favorite the ridiculous and goofy things that happen are always hilarious and show the characters in a new or different light. As for who's gonna get who first let's just say you'll know sooner rather than later. Of course Mira's more open to the whole situation ;) I see her as more mature in that category than the rest. I think wendy's time will come when Natsu returns or maybe not.

Wonderwomanbatmanfan: Thanks for reading and your wish is my command here is your new chapter enjoy!

Chapter 17

"Happy! Look at this, the trail leads away from the tracks. Lucy and Levy must've released they were in a trap." Pantherlily points out a path of felled trees and scorch marks.

Happy nods to Lily getting more and more worried by the second. Wendy said once they were caught they wouldn't be able to hide and no magic would be able to stop the dragon slayers. He knew Lucy would need some time to come to terms with all of this. Natsu and her were so slow, not like him and Carla.

"Happy!" Lily shouts pointing. Up ahead tire tracks came out of a circle of freshly packed dirt.

"Looks like one of Virgo's!" Happy had never been so glad to see one of Virgo's holes.

The further they flew the stranger the forest looked. There were scorched partially melted blocks of iron, broken brick walls, melted and chewed up chains, and patches of water.

"Looks like Levy's been trying to slow them down. She's been working on those ice patches with Gray. I hope she was at least able to catch them by surprise." Lily grumbled getting worried about said script mage.

"Happy we are going to have to fly in and blast off at max speed as soon as we have them in our paws." Happy nods looking more determined then tired.

"Aye!"

Lucy's POV

Levy's traps have been effective up to this point but now she was just wasting her energy. "Levy switch me."

She looks at me with concern knowing they needed to but it would leave them vulnerable for a very small window. I look her in the eye and mouth the words 'one volley.' In that moment one of Levy's protective scripts gave out and a back tire popped. It caused the back end to swerve and slide. Thankfully it slid right into Natsu knocking him into Gajeel in the process.

I felt the door heating up and new exactly what was about to happen. I yanked off the SE plug and dove for Levy. We fell right out the other side of the car, as Gajeel had ripped off the door earlier; we were met with no resistance. I felt Levy tense for impact and did the same only there was none. Levy was yanked right out of my arms and we were both pulled upwards.

"Lily!" I heard Levy yell in joy and look up knowing exactly who was there.

"Happy! Thank goodness!" I sigh in relief.

"Ugh Lushi you really need to lose some weight, its making it harder to save your big butt!"

I laugh, "I'm so glad to see you that I won't even pull out your whiskers for that comment."

"Happy! Look out!" Lily cries out. I don't even look as I change into my Aquarius Star Dress and make a water barrier. Happy blasts us straight into Max Speed out of a cloud of steam, knowing Natsu would keep hitting my barrier until it gave.

"Don't worry Lucy I've got ya!" Happy said with a surprising amount of determination. I nod focusing on keeping my barrier up for as long as possible. While Natsu used flame boosters on his feet to fly at us, Gajeel was using trees as spring boards to fling himself at Levy and Lily. We made it to Magnolia within minutes and flew straight for Fairy Hills. Sweat broke out across my brow and down my neck knowing I was very close to passing out.

We were right outside the barrier set up around Fairy Hills when Levy let out a yelp. I look to see a chain wrapped around her ankle then another around her wrist.

"Ghihihi, you're mine!" Gajeel's heels dug into the ground as Lily tried pulling Levy towards the barrier.

"Not today Gajeel," Lily changed into his battle form and used his sword to slice through the chains with ease. Lily moved to continue to Fairy Hills only to be wrapped in chains himself. Without thought Happy and I share a look.

He dropped me and dove for Levy, I ran with the barrier to Panterlily.

"No Lucy go, I'll be fine!" Lily growls looking at me.

I pant, "I wouldn't make it and there's no way you can tell me you'd fine. You just prevented Gajeel from getting his Queen. Leaving you here tied up, you'd be a sitting duck."

I start shaking from effort knowing I'd be toast in a few minutes. "Lucy! Hold on!" I swore I heard Yukino call out.

I start to look for her but stop as I feel a pressure on my barrier. I turn to see all the slayers surrounding me with Natsu pushing against my barrier. I gasp at all of their appearances Laxus was the closest to me and had golden scales, black tipped claws, and dragon like legs. However I then notice Cobra is the one pushing on my barrier, he was slowing walking around it testing its limit.

His scales were maroon with an iridescent shimmer, and he too had draconic legs but a tail like Natsu. He smirked and stepped back to reveal the aforementioned devil. I looked into his golden eyes and whisper his name. He smiled softly and purred, "Not much longer now."

I narrow my eyes feeling a challenge rise in my chest, "not yet."

Natsu's smile grew at my declaration and then he tilted his head and gave me a look that said I was adorable. I don't even know why but boy did it make my blood boil. I shake my head to clear and try to focus on Lily's chains. Natsu reached out and touched my barrier; as the steam rose and I grunted with effort two sets of hands reached out of nowhere and grabbed us.

Next thing I knew Lily and I were in the common room in Fairy Hills. I flop on the ground and hear an enraged roar shake the entire building as I pass out.

I hear muted voices as I slowly come too, and groan as I'm blinded by a bright light. The room becomes a flurry of activity as I feel a cool cough touch my head and a sweet voice that could only belong to Wendy ask, "Lucy are you awake?"

I groan and wiggle my toes then my fingers, "feels like I'm still intact." Then I sit up remembering just what was happening and instantly regret it, "ugh I feel like I did last time I trained with Erza."

Wendy giggles, "Well you've suffered from magical exhaustion, not to mention some pulled muscles and bruises. You and Levy are in the same boat health wise, Erza on the other hand."

"Wh-what happened to Erza?" I stutter shocked at the serious look on the young slayers face.

Wendy walked over to a curtain separating the room and pushed it across the room revealing 4 beds. The first was empty but the rest had her friends bandaged and sleeping.

"D-did he do-o th-this," I stare in horror feeling sick.

"It's worse than it looks," I gasp as Gray sits up giving me a smartass smirk.

"They were seen as challengers," Wendy sighed. Gray full out smiled, "we provided as much of a distraction as we could for Lily and Happy to get to you."

"Think of it like the Grand Magic games, the battle matches. We are fine Lucy please do not look so worried." I sigh in relief as both Erza and Juvia sit up stretching.

"Natsu-san did nothing more than give Juvia some bruises," I smile at her reassurance.

"He did more posturing and intimidation than actual harm. Master recorded it on a lacrama if it would help ease your mind." Erza says standing up and patting my shoulder.

"We already have breakfast all made, why don't we all watch it." Wendy suggests.

"Oh I definitely need to see this!" I squeak as Levy sneaks up behind me.