Listen guys, I have a plan for this story. The characters you are waiting for and the Jerza ship will happen, so don't worry and keep reading and reviewing.

Tsukki086 k x

A slight breeze, pushed murky clouds across the azure sky; cooling the muggy air. Sweat dripped down Laxus's forehead as he glanced across the bay, his sword in hand. The three crews watched the Sabertooth pirates wade through the turquoise waves in a grim silence. There was no battle cry to dispel the unnerving tension; rising like the midday sun in the sky. The Quatro Cerberus pirates were surprisingly quiet for once; there wasn't even a whisper of the word "WILD!" and Babasaama was sitting cross legged on a piece of driftwood, her prune-like face shrivelled up in fierce determination. Ichiya and the Blue Pegasus crew were posing in silence, hidden behind some large boulders; but even they had lost their disgusting sparkle.

Finally the Sabertooth gunners shouldered their rifles and loaded them with soft clicks that made the hairs on the back of Laxus's neck stand on end. Mira gripped his shoulder, watching his reaction and motioned for Bisca and Alzack to ready their artillery too. Mira bit her lip and tightened her grip on her blade. Thank God, we made Romeo and Wendy stay on the ship with Asuka, this could get messy.

Finally the enemy reached the shore and a battle cry reverberated in the air. Laxus watched Minerva scan the crowd, obviously looking for Lucy.

Laxus glanced down at Makarov, "They're not back yet."

Makarov nodded and replied gruffly, "I know. We can only buy them time."

Mirajane nodded to Lisanna, who pulled a blonde wig out of her bag and one of Lucy's coats; donning her costume, she darted behind some rocks near Lamia Scale heading through the trees in the opposite direction Lucy had gone.

"I hope this works."

Mira squeezed, Laxus's forearm comfortingly, "Don't worry, Fairy Tail always pulls through. I'm not gonna let that change now!"

Aquarius pointed a finger dangerously at Erza, "Of course I have Layla's treasure! What do you think I've been doing here!? Brushing my hair!?"

Erza pailed and bowed deeply, "I meant no offence. You may drown me in retribution!"

Aquarius raised a blue eyebrow and a slight smile quirked her lips; "At ease. I won't drown you, but don't tempt me."

Lucy huffed, resisting the urge to snap and stamp her foot, but Natsu beat her to it.

"We ain't got a lot of time lady. So cough up Luce's treasure and we'll be out of here."

Aquarius pushed herself up on her arms, out of the pool; a menacing gleam in her eyes.

"You certainly know how to pick 'em brat! Uncouth and impatient; what a desirable combination."

Natsu hid behind Lucy, as the waves of the pool, grew larger, lapping closer to their feet.

"...S-sorry" He mumbled, his face hidden behind Lucy's hair.

Aquarius shrugged and looked lazily at her nails; "Listen here kid, I ain't giving you the treasure unless you give me something in return, then we can all move on."

Lucy frowned, "What do you want?"

Aquarius, smiled widely, "Your soul!"

Lucy paled, while Natsu growled and pushed her protectively behind him, "You can't have my Luce. Don't you dare kill her, you watery skank! I won't let you!"

Aquarius suddenly burst into some uncharacteristic, high-pitched, girlish giggles and covered her mouth, delicately with a pale hand.

"Te he! You should've seen you're face! Who do you think I am? Some sea witch? I don't use souls in my binding magic! Ha Ha! You're so dumb."

Natsu stared at the mermaid, blankly and held Lucy tighter; a childish pout on his face. Levy and Gajeel eyed Aquarius warily as she continued to giggle and snort with melodic laughter, while Juvia smiled slightly; appearing to have understood the joke.

"You need Juvia's blood, don't you?"

Aquarius, gave Juvia a rare smiled, "Yes I do. And I need the brat's blood as well so I can leave this cave."

Lucy shrugged, "Alright then."

Aquarius smirked slightly and tilted her head mockingly, "But you don't know how much I need."

Lucy waved her hand dismissively while Natsu spluttered more protests.

"That doesn't matter, you've waited this long to be free. But we haven't got a lot of time; so can you please give me what my mother left me and I promise we will hold up our part of the exchange."

"How do I know you won't break your promise?"

Lucy smiled at the grumpy mermaid, "Mum never broke a promise and neither will I."

Aquarius grinned widely, "I'll hold you to that Lucy."

Then she dived down into the pool, leaving large ripples, marring its clear surface.

Lisanna panted as she raced through the trees, leaving the cries and shouts of battle behind. She had watched the blue Pegasus crew, get completely batted aside and carted off to the ship by Kinana, so that Wendy could help them. Worst of all her sister had thrown herself in Minerva's path, so she had more time. Slowing down, she came to a halt by a large tree and leant against its trunk, wiping the sweat from her forehead and wishing she cold toss the coat aside. Her eyes widened in fear, suddenly as she heard the cracking of twigs under heavy boots. Panicking and trying to block out the worry for Mira and the others, she darted away from the person following her. In her haste, she tripped and stumbled over tree roots, grazing her knees and elbows. The pounding footsteps, persisted and she pushed herself to keep running, until she came to a dead end of thick vines and foliage. Heart beat rising, she glanced around desperately for an escape.

"You didn't think I'd let you go off alone did you?"

Breathing a huge sigh of relief, a huge grin broke out across Lisanna's flushed face.

"Thank God! I thought you were Minerva!"

Bixslow, looked slightly offended under the scarf around his face, then he chuckled; "I probably sounded like her too; crashing around and stomping my feet."

Lisanna giggled allowing some of the pressure she felt to subside, "What are you doing here? Laxus told you to stay with Ever and Freed during the fight."

He shrugged and dragged a hand over his wild midnight hair, "Eh! Rules are made to be broken."

"Broken! Broken!" The parrots squawked in agreement, blinking at Lisanna and tilting they're heads."

"Plus if that Cow shows up, you could use some help. No offense!"

"Cow! Cow!"

Lisanna shrugged, "None taken. I'm glad you're here to help."

Bixslow winked at her slyly, "anything for a crazy chick like you."

"Crazy! Crazy!"

"Don't make me regret it!"

They waited patiently in the cave for Aquarius to resurface. She returned in several minutes, her arms laden with a large thin package, as well as a small chest with a key. She dropped them carefully on the shore of the pool and held her hands out expectantly.

"Time to pay up kids."

Lucy and Juvia stepped down to the pools edge; Lucy pulled a knife out of her pocket, but Aquarius batted it out of the way.

"You won't be needing that."

She then grabbed Lucy's wrist and bit down hard with her sharp teeth. Lucy clapped a hand over her mouth to stop herself from screaming at the burning sensation now running through her veins; it felt like boiling water was coursing through her body in angry waves. Aquarius unlatched her jaw from Lucy's wrist and grabbed Juvia's; blood now dripping down her chin and into the water, her eyes a glowing in the dark. Juvia whimpered slightly as Aquarius drank from her wrist. When she let go, deep midnight coloured blood dripped down Juvia's hand, which Gray quickly bandaged. Lucy did the same with her wrist; ripping the white scarf holding her hair. Aquarius smacked her lips and hauled herself out of the water; just like Juvia the blue scales on her legs seemed to melt away, leaving behind long pale legs with scale-like markings. The mermaid stood unsteadily on her feet and adjusted her head band, decorated with blue gems a wide grin on her face.

Natsu lunged forward reaching out excitedly for the long package that was slightly damp. Looking at it made Lucy's head swim, or was it the blood loss? She didn't know. Gripping it tight, Natsu tugged at the object, but it wouldn't budge. Frowning in disappointment he tensed his arm muscles again and pulled harder, but he still couldn't lift it off the floor.

"L-Luce." He grunted; "...I-It's...r-really heavy!"

He gave one last tug and fell backwards onto the rocky floor. Aquarius chuckled darkly, a smug grin on her face.

Gajeel chortled at Natsu's discomfort and stomped over to the package and tugged it hard. His face strained as he pulled, but to no avail. Gray was next, but he too failed miserably to even shift the object.

"Stand aside! I will try next!" Erza stated firmly as she grasped the package and pulled, then pulled again, groaning in frustration.

The disgruntled pirates sat in a heap on the floor and looked grumpily up at Lucy. She sighed and stepped over to her mother's treasure, "What do you mean it's really heavy?"

She felt a soft hum when she gripped hold of the object and lifted it with ease. It was feather-light floating as if one with her arm.

Natsu's eyes bugged out as did everyone else's apart from Aquarius "WHAT!?"