Natsu originally wanted to find Lord Van Bloot to try and get a scan of him. He and his friends found Igneel and were able to find Van Bloot, but they lost Lucy. Van Bloot took her away. Natsu grabbed Lucy's scanner from where she dropped it.
"This... This is my fault." Natsu said.
"No. You didn't know this was going to happen." Erza said.
"But if I didn't become so eager to get a scan of some ultra rare creature, this wouldn't have happened." Natsu said.
"What's that creep going to do? Where's he taking her?" Zach questioned.
"That's hard to say." Igneel said as he pulled himself together after his fight with Van Bloot. "I didn't expect him to take a human with him, but he must have his reasons. I'll try and find him and I'll stop him from doing whatever he has planned." Igneel was about to take off, but Natsu grabbed his arm and stopped him.
"I'm going with you." Natsu said.
"You want a scan that badly?" Igneel questioned.
"This isn't about getting a scan anymore." Natsu said. "Lucy's my best friend and it's my fault this happened. I have to do something to save her."
"So you say, but I don't know if I can really trust you." Igneel said. "You humans see us and our conflicts as part of a game, but they're much more to us."
"It's a big deal to me since my friends are in danger!" Natsu said. "You might not trust me, but that's not going to stop me from saving Lucy." Igneel looked into Natsu's eyes and could see he's not backing down.
"Just so you know, the same goes for us." Erza said.
"Yeah. Lucy's our friend and she needs us." Zach said.
"Very well. You and your friends might be able to help me out." Igneel said. "Those devices you use allow you to travel to different parts of Perim in an instant, don't they?"
"Yes. They do." Erza said.
"You two go to Underworld City and speak with the tribe leader: Chaor." Igneel said.
"Chaor? You mean thee Chaor?" Zach said as he was nervous about meeting him.
"Yes. He would want to know about Van Bloot." Igneel said and turned to Natsu. "You're coming with me." He grabbed Natsu and started flying as he dangled Natsu over the clouds. Erza and Zach had to trust Igneel and ported out of there.
"Where are we going? Are we heading to Van Bloot's hideout?" Natsu questioned.
"Van Bloot's old hideout was Gothos Tower, but it's been placed under Chaor's protection." Igneel said. "Van Bloot can't get in there without Chaor being alerted about it. Besides, we're heading in the wrong direction. Van Bloot is heading for overworld territory. Van Bloot could be hiding out in the overworld. Crazy, but ingenious. No one would think of looking for him there. That's where we're heading."
"You really think the overworlders are really going to welcome an underworlder?" Natsu asked.
"I might be an underworlder, but I try to remain out of tribal conflicts." Igneel said.
"Now that you mention it, I remember that one creature giving you a hard time about something like that." Natsu said. "How come you don't get involved?"
"This conflict between the tribes has been going on for a long time. I just don't see the point of it anymore." Igneel said. "Some underworlders think I've betrayed them."
"Yet Van Bloot sounds like the real traitor." Natsu said. "So if this guy isn't welcomed with his own tribe and could be hiding anywhere, why would he take Lucy?"
"I'm not really sure." Igneel said. "He could to extract some information out of her that might be useful to him. If not, he could use her as a shield to keep his enemies out of his way. Some creatures actually like you humans."
"So where are we going?" Natsu asked.
"The one creature that can help us investigate the overworld: Maxxor." Igneel said as they flew off. Let's just hope it won't be too late to save Lucy.
...
Underworld City
Erza and Zach ported to Underworld City like Igneel said. Once they got there, they headed to Chaor's place as fast as they could.
"Do you even know how we're going to get to Chaor? No way we can just roam right in." Zach said.
"I'm sure if we explain ourselves, they'll let us through." Erza said.
"Since when has that ever worked with some of these guys?" Zach said.
"We don't have time to debate about this. Let's just go." Erza said. Both of them ran towards Chaor's castle and made their way up some stairs, but as soon as they got there, they were met with guards and looked ready to shoot. "We need to speak to Chaor. We need his help." They needed to get to Chaor before it's too late to do anything.
...
Lucy
Van Bloot carried Lucy all the way to a cavern and had her restricted with chains connected to the walls. Lucy tried to get free, but she wasn't having any luck. Even if she did, she can't escape without her scanner.
"Whatever you're planning is, it's not going to work." Lucy said.
"Just relax, little girl." Van Bloot said. "If I had no use for you, I would have destroyed you by now."
"What is this about?" Lucy said. "What happened to you after your little army tried to go to Dranakis Threshold?"
"After Dranakis Threshold was destroyed, I had to go into hiding. I couldn't go back to the Doors of the Deep Mines." Van Bloot said. "I refused to go back there. Luckily, I actually had an ally I could turn to. Someone from outside my own tribe."
"Someone who isn't an underworlder actually helped you?" Lucy said.
"Yes. I've been laying low ever since." Van Bloot said.
"Van Bloot!" Both of them looked and saw the creature that he was talking about. It was a danian.
"Hello, Skartalas." Van Bloot said.
"Skartalas? Aren't you a danian squad leader?" Lucy questioned.
"Where have you been and why did you bring this human here?" Skartalas said.
"I don't need to explain myself to you." Van Bloot said. "This human might be of use to us. Humans are more useful than you think."
"I don't really see how." Skartalas said.
"What's going on? Why would a danian help you?" Lucy said.
"Skartalas might be a danian, but we've actually made deals in the past." Van Bloot said. "How do you think I found the mugic known as Decomposition?"
"I don't have a clue as to what you're talking about." Lucy said. "I just want to be let out of here."
"Not quite. You might have valuable info for us." Van Bloot said. "At the very least, I could use you as a shield against creatures like Chaor or Maxxor. They've become fond of humans. Skartalas can also use you as a research subject, an experiment."
"An experiment for what?" Lucy questioned.
"For turning humans...into danians." Van Bloot said. Lucy didn't like the sound of that at all.
...
Underworld City
"Please, you've got to believe us!" Erza said. "We need Chaor's help. Our friend's life depends on this." She and Zach kept trying to convince the guards, but they won't let them through.
"It's no use, Erza. They aren't going to listen to us." Zach said.
"They have to. It's about Van Bloot! Chaor has to hear about this!" Erza said. As soon as she said that, someone jumped down and landed in front of them. They couldn't believe their eyes as they saw it was Chaor himself.
"Van Bloot? What do you know about that traitorous rat?" Chaor said.
...
Kiru City
Igneel carried Natsu all the way to Kiru City so they could get help from Maxxor. They flew over the city and were heading for the center building.
"How are we going to get in?" Natsu questioned.
"No time for sneaking around. We'll have to go for the direct approach." Igneel said as they landed right on the balcony. As soon as they landed, guards showed up and readied their weapons at them. "Wait. We didn't come here to fight. We must speak with Maxxor. It's of great importance."
"You can trust him. He doesn't take part in war." Natsu said, but it seems like they were facing with the same problem.
"Hold your fire." The guards stepped aside and they met Maxxor himself. "I know who you are. You're Igneel."
"Yes. A pleasure to in your presence, Maxxor." Igneel said. "I'm not here to fight. I must speak with you. It's about Van Bloot." The hearing of his name caught Maxxor's attention. Igneel and Natsu took the moment to explain what was going on. Agreeing that Van Bloot was a danger, they worked together to try and find him.
"I've asked around. They're have been multiple sightings of Van Bloot." Maxxor said. "He's been seen all around Perim."
"So what does that mean? Can he not be found?" Natsu said. "There's got to be some way to track him."
"I think I already have a general location." Igneel said as he looked over a map. "Judging from his flight pattern, the time it would take for him to get to each location, and the relevance of each location, I say he would most likely be seen here: Zizzok Tunnel."
"Zizzok Tunnel? I've never heard of that location." Natsu said.
"It serves as the passage way to Mount Pillar, home to the danians." Igneel said. "It also acts a connection between the two tribes."
"Is it possible that the danians are helping Van Bloot?" Maxxor asked.
"We'll know once we get there." Igneel said. "Now that we know where Van Bloot is, he must be apprehended."
"What about Lucy? We're still going to save her. Right?" Natsu said. Igneel didn't really answer and that didn't settle with Natsu.
"We'll do everything we can to." Maxxor said. Natsu really hopes so.
...
Zizzok Tunnel
Maxxor got himself a Levitaar for him and Natsu to get moving. Igneel flew his way to the tunnel. It took them a while to get there, but they soon found themselves at the entrance of the tunnel.
"I'm letting Erza and Zach know where to head." Natsu said. "You really think Van Bloot and Lucy are somewhere inside."
"We'll know soon enough." Igneel said as the three of them went inside. They kept their guard up for an enemy could appear anywhere. As they were searching, Natsu was a bit cautious about Maxxor.
"Is something wrong?" Maxxor asked as he felt Natsu staring at him.
"I'm just a little surprised you agreed to help. I never thought I meet the overworld leader. I'm more into underworlders." Natsu said. "No offense."
"I understand. You're part of Chaotic." Maxxor said. "I'll admit that I was a little distrustful towards your kind, but one day I met another human who changed how I view them. I saw how he was willing to help my tribe and I could call him a friend."
"Well, the same can be said about me and my friends." Natsu said. "Lucy's my best friend and I'll do anything to get her back."
"You certainly seem like a brave human." Maxxor said.
"Just wait." Natsu said as he ran ahead. "Lucy! Lucy!"
"What are you doing?! You'll give away our location to Van Bloot!" Igneel said.
"Natsu?!" Natsu heard Lucy's voice and knew she had to be close.
"That's her!" Natsu said as they hurried as fast as they could. They hurried to where the voice was coming from and soon saw her.
"You found me!" Lucy said.
"Lucy, you're okay!" Natsu said as he ran to her. He went for the chains and tried to get her out. "That demon didn't hurt you, did he?"
"Where's Van Bloot?" Maxxor asked.
"He left so his friend could get some stuff to infect me. Van Bloot has been getting help from a danian." Lucy said. "That danian has been helping him hideout and other matters in the past. Apparently, he wants to use me as payment for him helping out. That bug wants to experiment with humans and turning them into danians."
"Yikes. I think I saw a movie like that." Natsu said as he tried to get the chains to break, but nothing.
"Allow me." Maxxor said as he tried to use his fire powers to melt the chains and get Lucy free.
"Wait." Igneel said as they heard something. "Mugic?!" Suddenly, a red ray came down and hit Maxxor with him taking some damage. They looked up and spotted Van Bloot. "Van Bloot!"
"This is a surprise. I didn't think I see you here, Maxxor. A perfect chance for me to eliminate you." Van Bloot said.
"Guess again. Vine Snare!" Maxxor created some vines and they stretched out at Van Bloot, but he swiped them away. Igneel flew up to Van Bloot and tackled him against the top of the cave.
"Round two?" Igneel said. Van Bloot kicked him off. Van Bloot breathed out fire, but Igneel breathed some out as well.
"Ice Disks!" Maxxor created disks made of ice and tossed it. It moved around and hit Van Bloot in the back.
"Shadow Strike!" Igneel's shadow stretched out and smashed against Van Bloot with Van Bloot being knocked out of the sky. "Just give it up, Van Bloot."
"Yeah! They got him!" Lucy said. Maxxor and Igneel thought they had this, but Natsu looked up and spotted Skartalas and had weapon with him.
"Igneel, above you!" Natsu called.
"What?" Igneel said. He looked up and spotted Skartalas right when he fired, but Igneel jumped out of the way. Igneel launched fire at him and it blasted the battlegear out of his hands. Skartalas had no choice, but to retreat.
"So the danians are helping Van Bloot." Maxxor said.
"We'll deal with that later. Van Bloot, you're coming with us." Igneel said.
"I don't think so." Van Bloot said as he tried to make a run for it, but he was blasted back to the ground. They all looked and saw Chaor showed up. "Chaor!"
"I've been looking for you." Chaor said as he wanted payback at Van Bloot. Erza and Zach showed up and regrouped with the others.
"Lucy, are you okay?" Erza asked.
"Better now that you guys are here." Lucy said.
"Give it up, Van Bloot. You can't take on all three of us." Igneel said. Van Bloot might be powerful, but he's not stupid. He knows he doesn't have a chance against them. Still, he wasn't going to come quietly.
"I'm not going anywhere with you three." Van Bloot said. He fired attacks rapidly and tried to create some cover. One of his attacks actually blasted Lucy out of her chains.
"Lucy!" Natsu shouted.
"Power Pulse!"
"Unsanity!" Maxxor and Chaor attacked together and blasted Van Bloot with some real damage. It knocked him right out.
"That should do it. Allow me to take him since he's from my tribe." Chaor said.
"Very well. I won't hold you accountable for this since you have nothing to do with this." Maxxor said.
"Lucy!" Natsu said. Her friends gathered around her and she looked hurt.
"She's hurt real badly." Zach said. Igneel walked right over and Natsu glared daggers at him.
"I told you we were here to save her! Now look at her! You didn't even try to help her!" Natsu said. Igneel saw a lot of anger for his friend in those eyes. He also owed Natsu for helping him when Skartalas attacked. So he reached for a mugic he brought and was using it as something red came out of him. "What's that?"
"A real mugician!" Zach said.
"Song of Desperation! Heal this human!" The mugician entered the mugic. The mugic was activated and a light shined down on Lucy. Lucy was able to stand back up.
"Lucy, are you okay?" Erza said.
"Yeah. I feel as good as new." Lucy said.
"What did you do?" Natsu asked.
"Song of Desperation is a rare underworld healing mugic." Igneel said. "Even more powerful than the Song of Resurgence. I figured this was the least I can do to help. Perhaps you humans aren't that bad." Igneel was starting to warm up to these humans. It's a step in progress.
...
Chaotic
After that whole fiasco, Natsu and the others ported back to Chaotic.
"Sorry you didn't get a scan of Igneel or Van Bloot, Natsu." Lucy said. "That's the whole reason we went out there."
"That's okay. What really matters is that you're safe." Natsu said. "Besides, by the time I got a chance to scan Van Bloot, he was too beaten up. Wouldn't have been much help in a drone match. I also didn't want Igneel to think I was like other chaotic players and just trying to get a scan."
"So are you still going to try and get scan of Igneel?" Erza asked.
"You bet." Natsu said. "I don't care if I'm the first one to scan Igneel or not. I will scan Igneel one day." Natsu might not have gotten his chance today, but he will one day and he isn't going to give up until he does.