AN: Since I am unable to check the stats of my stories, like how many views I'm getting, I'm going to need your help people. I just need you to leave some reviews here and there. Let's try to get the other factors that determine how well a story is doing going.

It seems like Natsu is starting to get the hang of being on a team now. Salamander, Sky Maiden, and Black Steel are working great together. Now that they're getting accustomed to that, the three of them are hanging around the airship with it becoming their new home. At the moment, Gajeel is working on his annual work-out routine as he was in the process of lifting weights.

"This equipment is incredible." Salamander said as he was testing it out with him trying the treadmill. "This gym equipment seems to be top notch."

"Hey, Salamander... Take off the mask and loosen up." Gajeel said.

"Trying to see what's under the mask? That's not happening." Salamander said. "I'm not sure I'm ready for something like that around here just yet."

"Suit yourself." Gajeel said as he just continued with his weights. Natsu might be learning to trust these guys more, but he's not ready to take the mask off just yet.

"Hey, guys!" Wendy called as she came in. "Jellal wants to see us. He's got another mission for us." Just like that, the three of them went to get to work. All three of them met with Jellal on the bridge and were showing the details for the newest mission. When he saw the possible villain behind this, Salamander almost couldn't believe it.

"Meet Ivan Dreyar, also known as Dark Raven." Jellal said.

"Dreyar?! No way!" Gajeel said.

"What's wrong?" Weny asked.

"This is the father of Laxus Dreyar, an old friend of ours that we've known for years." Jellal said.

"I faced him myself." Salamander said. "He's got my vote for worst dad of the year. When I faced him for the first time, he kidnapped his own son and tried to force us to fight for some sick fighting show. He also has this weird ability to turn himself into a flock of ravens. Weird superpower."

"Yes. He's been genetically altered." Jellal said. "Either way, he's up to no good. I just got word that Dark Raven is being part of some smuggling operation. What he's smuggling, I'm not sure."

"Where do we start?" Wendy asked.

"The docks." Jellal said. "I don't know what he's up to, but I doubt it's any good. Find him and put an end to it." All three of them understood and got moving. Whatever it is Ivan is up to, it's nothing good for a lot of people and needs to be stopped.

...

The Docks

The three heroes went down to the docks to try and figure out what Dark Raven is planning this time. They looked around for any clues that might tell them something on what Dark Raven is smuggling or whatever his plan is.

"Anyone even know what to look for?" Steel asked as they searched the place.

"Jellal wasn't sure what Raven is smuggling." Maiden said. "I suppose we'll have to look around for something out of the ordinary."

"But what could that..." Salamander was about to question it until he did see something unusual. He looked down on the ground and found what appeared to be a bracelet. When he grabbed it to look at it, the clasp looked broken. "Guys, look here." He showed them the bracelet and wondered about that. "What do you make of this?"

"It's a woman's bracelet." Maiden said. "Did someone lose it while they were working here?"

"I don't think so. It looks like there's a bit of blood on it." Steel said. They all took a closer look and saw there was a little blood on it. "What the hell went on here?" They thought it over, but Sky Maiden thought of something that terrified her.

"Oh no!" Sky Maiden said as what she thought was the only thing that makes sense and she hated it. When she thought it, she busted out her communicator and tol all of them what she thought happened.

"Human trafficking?! Are you sure?!" Jellal said as he couldn't believe it. "Dark Raven is now smuggling people out of the city to who-knows-where?!"

"That's what I think." Maiden said.

"Remind me, what is that?" Salamander questioned.

"It's when people, mostly women, are kidnapped and practically shipped off somewhere against their will for money! It's just disgusting." Jellal said. "We need to find out how many people this sicko has taken out and find them all."

"The authorities can handle that part, but we still need to find Dark Raven to tell us where all those people have been sent to." Steel said. "How are we going to find him?" They weren't sure how they were going to do that, but Salamander might know someone who might be able to help.

"Jellal, I think I might have a new possible recruit for us." Salamander said.

...

Laxus

Laxus Dreyar, the son of the man they're looking for. He was Salamander's big fan while also Natsu's tormentor in high school. Along the way, the two of them have developed some form of friendship. That's why Salamander thinks he might be able to help. Laxus was just at his apartment and waited a for a microwave dinner to finish heating until he heard a ding.

"Finally." Laxus said as he got his dinner.

"T.V. dinner in the microwave? I thought a big guy like you would do better than that." Laxus got spooked from that voice, but he couldn't believe it when he saw it was Salamander in his apartment.

"Salamander?! What are you doing here?!" Laxus said. "Not that it isn't great to see you, but it's been a long time."

"I wish this was a pleasing visit, but it's not." Salamander said as he felt bad to do this to Laxus, but they needed his help. "It's about your good-for-nothing father." Laxus already knew this wasn't good. Salamander took the time to explain the situation. Hearing what his own father has gotten into has made Laxus sick to his stomach.

"I can't believe my deadbeat father is a part of something like that. Then again, he's probably making a lot money out of it. If there's money involved, he'll do anything." Laxus said. "I would like to help you, but I have no clue where he could be, where he's keeping them, or anything. I cut all ties with him years ago."

"I understand, but I thought there was something you knew about your father that could help." Salamander said. "Your whole life your lived with the shame of what he is, but you don't have. Helping us catch him and lock him away will help." Laxus thought it over. He would love to put his father away. Anything could help.

"There is one thing about him." Laxus said. "It was like clockwork. I remember when I was a kid, he always had something going on around midnight. I was too young to understand, but that could have been his dealings or whatever it was that he was doing. If he's following the same pattern after all these years, he might show at the docks again around that time."

"It's worth checking out." Salamander said, but he had more to offer. "You know, you can come with us and help if you want. I know you still have your special gift." Laxus hadn't used that in years, but he still has it. Laxus walked over to a drawer and opened it up to pull out some sort of remote. A long time ago, Laxus was tricked into some sort of experiment. That remote activates his special lightning-like powers and was labeled as Thunder Legion.

"I don't know... I haven't used these powers of mine in a long time." Laxus said.

"Maybe, but I think you have what it takes." Salamander said. "You've always been a fan of mine, right? Well, I'm asking my fan for some help. On top of that, it's your father we're up against. Who could be better to bring him down? In the past, you were afraid of being like your father, but you're not. You're being offered a chance to bring him down and show that you're not him. I'm sure you can do this."

"Are you sure you want me out there?" Laxus questioned.

"I'm starting to learn to work with others. I've seen what you can do with those powers." Salamander said. "You were very responsible when you didn't use them. Let's see what it's like when you are using them. You can become a hero just like me. We can fight together. I've seen what you can do. You certainly have hero material." Laxus hasn't used his powers in a long time, but he never found a way to remove them. He always knew he might need it again one day. Perhaps the time has finally come.

...

The Docks

"This is stupid." Steel said as he and Maiden waited. They were at the docks at the middle of the night and were waiting for Dark Raven like Laxus said, but there was no sign of him. "We've been waiting here for three nights and I'm tired. This guy hasn't seen or spoken to his father in years. He probably changed his ways."

"Well, we don't have anything else that could help." Maiden claimed. They had to just wait around for them to show. Eventually, their luck paid off as they could see something strange. They spotted a truck pull up with a boat that held a fancy-looking silver fox. Out of the truck was Dark Raven himself.

"Here they are. I got your pretty things." Dark Raven said as he opened up the truck and showed there was a group of women in there that were in cuffs and were scared.

"Got him." Steel said.

"Look at all those scrapes and cuts on those women." Maiden said as she felt sick seeing their injuries. "What a sick man."

"I can't believe Laxus is related to this creep." Steel said.

"Now where is my money?" Dark Raven said. One of the silver fox's goons snapped his fingers with one of his goons walking over with a case that had to be filled with money. "A pleasure doing business." Just then, a blast of lightning came and stopped them.

"It will be our pleasure to beat you!" All of them looked up and saw Salamander and Thunder Legion himself there. That was when Black Steel and Sky Maiden came out of hiding.

"What is this?!" Dark Raven said.

"This is over!" Legion said.

"Let go of the girls right now!" Salamander demanded.

"I don't think so." Dark Raven said as he turned himself into a flock of ravens and tried to attack the both of them. That left Black Steel and Sky Maiden with the goons. They didn't waste time as they pulled out guns and tried shooting at the others. Sky Maiden kept flying around as Black Steel hardened his body and the bullets just kept bouncing off of him as he charged in and smashed his fists against a couple. As for those who kept shooting at Sky Maiden, she kept flying around until she unleashed some wind power and blasted some of them. Meanwhile, Salamander and Thunder Legion tried to fight off the ravens as best as they could, but they were everywhere.

"Salamander, go help the others! I got this!" Legion called as he kept shooting blasts of lightning at the birds.

"Are you sure?!" Salamander asked.

"Go! This is a personal matter!" Legion insisted. Salamander decided to trust him and went down to help the others.

"Get us out of here!" The man in charge said as he wanted to get out before the cops showed, but that was when Salamander came and kicked him in the back.

"What's the rush? You haven't gotten your butt kicked yet." Salamander said. While they were fighting, Legion kept unleashing lightning at the birds until they reformed Dark Raven.

"Laxus, what do you think you're doing?" Dark Raven said.

"What do you think? You're selling off women? Are you that desperate for money or just that psychotic?" Legion said.

"Laxus, money is the most powerful thing in this world. The more money you have, the more power you get. What does it matter where it comes from?" Dark Raven questioned.

"It's called being a decent human being! Something you're clearly not!" Legion said. "My whole life I had to live with the same of some of the things you've done, but I can now make some amends for it!" He said as he shot himself at his own father and tackled him to the ground. Meanwhile, the others were still fighting off those other creeps. Black Steel kept knocking down the henchmen and provided cover for Sky Maiden as she went to the women.

"Let's go! You're all getting out of here!" Sky Maiden said as she made sure they were safe and protected while moving them to safety. As for Salamander, he was dealing with the buyer. He took out a gun, but Salamander knocked it out of his hand.

"Next." Salamander dared. The guy pulled out a knife and tried swinging it around. Salamander avoided each strike until he kicked it right out of the guy's hand and gave him one fierce punch that knocked him right into the water. "You looked like you needed a swim." They were just finishing up things. Dark Raven was all that's left. He turned himself into a flock of ravens again with them circling around Thunder Legion. They all tried clawing at him and Legion couldn't get a clear hit on him. He kept getting scratched by the ravens until he couldn't take it anymore.

"That's it! Try to evade this!" Legion said. He gathered some power and unleashed it in a widespread attack. Lightning spread everywhere and managed to hit each and every bird. The birds were zapped pretty hard and reassembled into Dark Raven with him getting knocked out. That ended it and Legion was glad his psychotic father is going to be locked away.

...

The Airship

"Laxus, thanks a lot for the help." Jellal said. They brought Laxus up to the airship and they all saw that Dark Raven is taken into custody as well as anyone else part of that ploy of his. "Of course, Dark Raven isn't getting the sentence he deserves. He shared some information and got it less severe, but at least we know where all the people he's taken has been sent to."

"Figures he would weasel his way out of this mess. He has a bunch of info he can use to help him, but at least he's getting locked up like the bird he is." Laxus said. "As for you, Jellal, I can't believe you actually built all of this. This place looks amazing."

"Sure is, and we appreciate your help Thunder Legion." Sky Maiden said.

"You were a big help, and really took on that creepy father of yours." Salamander said. "We are looking for new recruits. What would you say about joining us?"

"Really?" Laxus questioned.

"I'm learning to work with others." Salamander said. "You joining the team could be a big help to us. We could use someone like your powers."

"I think that's a great idea." Jellal said.

"But there's a big of a problem." Laxus said as he pulled out the remote. "My powers are remote control."

"I bet there's a way we can modify that so it's not a problem." Jellal offered.

"Really? You want me?" Laxus questioned.

"Yeah. You said you weren't ready before, but that was years ago. You sure look ready now." Salamander said. "Plus, this place could help with living arrangements and everything. We got everything we need on this ship."

"And...you got good people you can trust. As newcomer myself, we can stick together." Gajeel said as he removed his mask and revealed his identity. Laxus couldn't believe that Gajeel was a part of this as well. This was looking like a sweet deal. "What do you say? Are you in?"

"It does sound like a great offer..." Laxus said as he was finding it hard to resist. "I think I am ready. I want to try it." He accepted and now it looks like Thunder Legion is part of the team. The team just keeps growing and growing with more and more members joining. Things seem to be looking well.