Four months later...

"Are you sure?"

Natsu nodded. "Ya, it's them."

Sting felt a sense of relief, but it was overshadowed with the same fear and pain that had plagued him for weeks. "You said they're in Taernsby?"

"From what information Blue Pegasus was able to gather, it would seem the most likely location of the Black Stonefist's guild hall." Erza said.

"So, what's your plan then?" Rogue asked.

"We will need to infiltrate Black Stonefist once we find it." Erza explained. "Lamia Scale and Blue Pegasus have offered to help as well. We'll need to spread out and search the town for any sign of where their guild hall is located. Warren will keep everyone in the loop with his telepathy."

"Then let's go."

"This place is bigger than I thought it would be..."

Taernsby was a large town situated in the mountains near Oak Town, surrounded by lush and thick woods, with a population of nearly three thousand. It was was not widely known by most of Fiore, but it was known by some for its trade- consisting of fresh produce, jewelry, and silks.

"We need to spread out."

A selected number of members from Fairy Tail, Sabertooth, Lamia Scale, and Blue Pegasus fanned out and searched the streets of Taernsby, looking for any sign of Black Stonefist or Melody Cross.

An hour or so went by and Warren connected everyone with his telepathy for an update. While everyone reported in, Sting looked around- feeling a strange yet familiar presence.

He bumped into someone wearing a large cloak with their hood up and he sniffed the air when a familiar scent caught his attention. He turned and stared after the stranger. "Melody?"

Rogue, who had been reporting in, looked at Sting. "Sting?"

Sting started making his way after the stranger, wanting so badly to be right. A wind blew through the town, the scent stronger than before. "It's her!" He took off running when the stranger broke for it, trying to lose them in the crowd.

"Sting, wait!" Rogue ran after him. 'I think we just found Melody!'

'Where?'

'Northeast end of town. Sting and I are in pursuit.'

While the others conferred on a plan of action, Sting ran after the stranger as they took off down an alleyway. 'It's her, I know it is!' He followed the stranger through alleyways and streets until they slipped inside a inconspicuous looking building.

"Sting, wait!"

Sting stopped when Rogue grabbed his arm. "It's Melody, I know it is. We have to go in there, we have to get her back!"

Rogue sighed. "I know, Sting, but charging in without any backup could be dangerous. Do you really think that Melody would want you to get hurt trying to save her?"

Sting looked away, clenching his fists and grinding his teeth. "No..."

"We need to wait for the others to get here. Fairy Tail is on their way right now. Lamia Scale and Blue Pegasus are on standby, keeping an eye out for any Black Stonefist members."

"Sting!"

Sting and Rogue looked behind them to see that Erza, Natsu, Gray, Wendy, and Lucy had found them.

"She's in there?"

Sting nodded. "I'm positive it was her."

Natsu sniffed the air. "He's right. I can smell her, too."

"That must be their guild hall."

Wendy sniffed the air. "I think you're right. I can smell the same guys from that night, the ones who took Mel."

"The ones who hurt her, you mean." Sting snarled, looking towards the building. "We need to get in there."

"I agree. Let's storm the place!" Natsu added.

"We need to be careful, this may be a trap." Lucy said.

"True, but we are more than capable of handling simple dark wizards as these." Rogue said. "They were no trouble when Sting and I eliminated them last time. We can do it again."

"Very well." Erza said. "Let's go."

Inside, the stranger that Sting had followed knelt before the guild master of Black Stonefist. "Sir, there are a number of newcomers to Taernsby."

Tigon looked at them with interest. "Oh? Tourists?"

"No, some among them bear the emblem of Sabertooth."

"Good, they've finally found us then." Tigon chuckled. "About time, I was beginning to get bored."

"What are your orders?"

"They'll probably storm the guild hall and try to take their beloved Raindancer back by force. I say let them try."

And just as he spoke those words, the doors burst open and shattered into pieces.

"See? I was correct." Tigon said, looking towards the doors as a group of people entered. "Welcome, friends!"

"Cut the crap, loser, where is our friend?"

Tigon looked at the one who spoke, seeing a red Fairy Tail emblem on his arm and fire dancing in his hands. "Ah, Natsu Dragneel, the Salamander of Fairy Tail." He looked at the others. "And I see that you brought friends. But tell me, who among you are the Twin Dragons of Sabertooth?"

Sting and Rogue stepped forward and Sting glared at him.

"That would be us. Now, I'm going to give you a choice: hand over Melody Cross and we'll go easy on you, or we can do it the hard way."

Tigon leaned back in his chair and regarded them with amusement. "Interesting. Though, there's a problem with your logic."

"Oh? And what might that be?"

"Melody Cross is here of her own free will." Tigon said, grinning darkly at them. "She's here as my guest, not my prisoner."

"That's a load of crap!" Sting said, glaring at him. "You bastards kidnapped her and you hurt her! You're going to pay for that!"

Tigon sighed. "I see. Well, then perhaps things will have to go the hard way after all." He looked at the cloaked stranger. "Would you deal with these pests, my pet?"

"Of course."

The stranger that Sting had followed lunged forward, attacking with incredible speed.

"Sting! Rogue!"

Sting and Rogue stumbled back, steadying themselves as they stared at the stranger.

"Who are you?" Erza demanded. "What have you done with our friend?"

"I am Master Tigon Drudar. And this is my pet." He looked at the cloaked stranger. "Do go ahead and remove that dreadful cloak. You're friends have missed you."

Sting's eyes- along with everyone else's- widened as the stranger removed the cloak and revealed their identity. "Melody?"

Before them stood someone who looked like Melody Cross, but there was a darkness about her and strange black markings on her cheeks. He hair was longer, wavier, and her clothes were different, but she still had the same circlet, necklace, and earrings that she had worn to the party where they had last seen her.

Natsu sniffed the air. "No way..!"

"Why is she attacking us?"

"You see, Melody Cross is indeed a guest of mine, but it was rather difficult to convince her." Tigon said, standing. "So I cast a little spell and turned her into my pet."

Sting's anger was beginning to well as he watched Tigon come up behind Melody, leaning down and licking her neck and cheek. "Get away from her!" He lunged for Tigon, but Melody stepped in front of him and parried Sting's attacks.

"Haha! Try as you might, my pet will not let you pass!" Tigon sneered. "This is the price Sabertooth must pay for disgracing Black Stonefist as you did! Once your precious Raindancer has finished you off, the rest of your guild and all other legal guilds are next. I'll see to it that she destroys every last one of you!"

"Like hell you will!" Natsu said, lunging for him.

"Still never listen, do you?" Melody said, leaping in front of him. "Learn your place! Mystic Deluge!"