AN: I can't believe that it's been almost two years since I last updated this fic. I'm sorry for long the wait. I'm really hoping that I haven't lost my touch with fic and got my fingers crossed that you guys enjoy it. _

"I see a bad moon rising

I see trouble on the way

I see earthquakes and lighting

I see bad times today"

"It left a trail." Rogue gazed at the path of decay that lay before them. Trees with no leaves and pitch black bark. The ground had turned the same color the bark had. It was unnerving to see all that darkness in the middle of all the green.

Laxus rubbed his nose at the smell of rot and ruin that filled his lungs. "Is the scent familiar?"

The Shadow Slayer nodded as he came to stand beside Laxus. "It's the same scent I caught when I went to see where Lucy had been attacked. It was the same scent that almost overpowered Nayda's and Alek's."

"We should follow it." He didn't wait for a response as walked down the path.

"The both of you probably have an idea as to why I wanted to speak with you." Makarov said once Laxus and Lucy took a seat on the chairs across his desk.

Laxus remain silent, a frown marring his features while Lucy simply nodded.

"I wanted to know how the both of you are planning on dealing with this new development."

"You mean living arrangements…" Lucy glanced at Laxus who didn't seem surprised about the conversation they were having.

"Among other things." Makarov sighed.

"Other things?" The Celestial Mage looked the Third Master confused.

"The origins of Nadya and Alek." He placed his elbows on the desk and twined his fingers. "All we have are assumptions."

"Assumptions?"

"Do you want to fill her in or do I?" Makarov directed the question to Laxus who had yet to contribute to the conversation.

The Lightnign Slayer glanced at Lucy to see her giving him her undivided attention. "The Raijinshuu think they might be from the future."

Lucy remained silent as she tried to process what Laxus just told her. After the experience she had with the Eclipse Gate, the chance that Nadya and Alek were from the future was a very real possibility. Although the idea did not sit well with her. She remembered why the other Lucy had used the Eclipse Gate. Something bad must have happened. It would explain why Nadya and Alek had been crying when they saw me, why they were worried that I was in pain. Was it possible that her future herself had died and in a final desperate attempt to protect them she somehow found a way to send them to the past?

Her lungs couldn't get enough oxygen.

"Lucy."

Laxus voice sounded distant over the sound of her rapid beating heart.

"Lucy." He placed his hand over Lucy's the moment he heard her heartbeat pick up speed, the beginning stages of a panic attack. "I need you to look at me."

She couldn't, not when her vision blurred and a sob wanted to claw out of throat.

He tugged her hand and placed her palm over his beating heart. His other hand cupped the back of her neck making sure she could not pull away from his gaze once he tilted her head up for her gaze to meet his.

Makarov watched speechless as his grandson instructed Lucy to inhale deeply and exhale. This was the same man who had no idea how to handle a woman crying. Pride welled up within him. The moment he noticed Lucy panicking Makarov had been ready to jump on the desk and go to her but his grandson had reacted faster than he had.

He silently cursed himself for not considering the fact that the thought of time travel could send Lucy into a panic. How could he forget how hard it was for Lucy to tell him about the incident surrounding the Eclipse Gate, how tears had streamed down her face once she was done?

"Laxus." Lucy said once she felt she could speak without her voice cracking. "I'm okay."

His gaze skimmed over her features trying to see if there was any deceit in her words. Her heartbeat was beating at a calmer pace, her gaze no longer held that distant look that looked through him instead of at him.

She tried hard to fight back the back the blush that threatened to grace her cheeks as he continued to look at her. The urge to pull away fought against the want to curl her hand over his beating heart and pull him closer. She felt grounded and safe with him so close to her.

His warmth seeped into her veins and thought against the coldness of doubt and fear that threatened to drown her at the implications of what Nadya and Alek's appearance could mean. Lucy could still vividly remember the pain she felt when her future self died protecting her. A part of her wanted to get up and leave the room. She wanted to see the twins again and protect them from whatever unknown force that drove them here. A part also fear what was to come… she would end up losing in them in the end one way or another. A whimper threatened to slip passed her lips.

"Lucy," Laxus frowned when he was the pain in her gaze. "What's—"

"I'm fine." She cleared her throat and pulled away from his grasp.

He could have kept her from moving away, but he knew they weren't that familiar with one another. He didn't have that kind of relationship with her. If she didn't want to talk about it he couldn't force her to. He was in no position to confront her about it, so he reluctantly let her go and let the matter drop.

"Master," She curled her hands into fists to keep from reaching for him again, already missing Laxus's warmth. "You know that if Nadya and Alek did time travel then it can't be a good thing."

"I'm aware, but there's another possibility." Makarov glanced at Laxus.

"What do you mean?" Lucy asked confused for a moment before she remembered what Laxus said about the Raijinshuu's theory. He had not mention anything about what he or Makarov believe could be the reason Nadya and Alek appeared.

"Another possibility is that they could be a result from a Dragon granting Laxus a wish."

"A Dragon and a wish?" Lucy looked at Laxus surprised.

"It's complicated."

"Clearly." She quirked an eyebrow. "Would you mind explaining what your wish consisted of?"

Laxus shifted in seat. "I'd rather not."

If the situation was not so serious Lucy would have chuckled at the way he was behaving. He seemed to be embarrassed. "You know you're going to have to tell me."

"I know." Laxus looked at her unamused. "I'd rather wait until we don't have an audience."

Lucy glanced toward Makarov to see him smiling at them innocently. "Fair enough."

The Lightning Slayer cleared his throat. "Although I wouldn't place my hope on the twins being here because of my supposed wish."

"Why not?" Makarov crossed his arms over his chest.

"Last night when I found them crying and scared in the forest," An ache clawed at his chest as he remembered the sight of Nadya and Alek the night before. He resisted the urge rub his hand over his chest to ease the pain. "It seemed like they were running from something."

"They could have also been running because they were lost."

Laxus shook his head.

"Master," Lucy spoke up. "I have to agree with Laxus."

"Why?"

"When Nadya and Alek first saw me they burst into tears."

"That doesn't—"

"They wanted to know if I was still hurt." Her voice trembled near the end.

Makarov looked at her sorrowfully, while Laxus went tense.

"I…"

"My child," Makarov jumped of his chair and walked around the table until he stood beside Lucy. "I will not allow this to be like the Eclipse Gate."

"You don't know that." She whispered fiercely to him and tried to blink back the tears that threatened to spill.

He placed his hand over hers. "We will be more prepared this time."

"Why do you keep mentioning the Eclipse Gate?" Laxus asked genuinely confused. He knew what the Gate did and how it would have altered their future, but he felt like he was missing something important about that incident. Something surrounding Lucy.

"That's not my story to tell." Makarov told his grandson.

"I guess we have a lot of catching up to do." Lucy sighed.

"Which is good news since I think it would be a great idea if you move in with Laxus for the time being."

"Master I don't think—"

"It will help with the twins transitioning and it will be easier for the both of you to keep an eye on them."

"What about my rent?"

"Don't you worry—"

"I got you covered." Laxus stood from his seat.

"You can't—"

"It's the least I can do since I got you in this situation."

"You don't know if that's true."

"Doesn't matter." He felt responsible.

"Then it's settled!" Makarov clapped his hands as he grinned. "Laxus will help you and the twins get settled tonight at home."

Lucy watched helpless as Laxus made his way to the door.

"I know this isn't what you expected when you came back home. I know that we're asking for more than we should be." Laxus stopped in front of the door. "If it were solely up to me I wouldn't involve you in this, but Gramps plan is sound considering the circumstance we're in right now."

"You're right." Lucy glanced at Makarov who was looking at her hopefully. "It does sound like a decent plan for the time being." She stood up from her seat. "You're not asking much for me."

He looked over his shoulder to meet her gentle gaze.

"The twins are as much mine as they are yours."

The soft smile that graced her lips had warmth form in the pit of his stomach and spread through his ribcage until he ached from within with it.

"I'm going to be with you every step of the way." She had no idea just how true her words would become. Although she should have considering that one day he will become her husband and she his wife.

"It ends here." Rogue stated and felt a shiver go down his spine as he continued to look at the dead oak tree.

"My sense of smell has been shot to hell." Laxus growled as he glared at the tree. The smell of rot and ruin surrounded them and no doubt was seared into his clothes. "It's strange though."

"The smell is still here, but," the Shadow Slayer stepped closer to the tree, "I can't sense anything."

"How is that possible?" Laxus crouched down and touched the blackened earth. "Can it do the same thing you do with your shadows?"

"I can try—"

"Don't." He stood up again. "Remember what it did to Lucy."

"Magic depletion." Rogue stepped back from the tree. "Possibly lead to death."

"It will." Laxus eyes trail from the tree back to the path of decay they had followed. "It can stand to reason that longer we stand in this path we run the risk of it getting to us."

"We should find a place to hide and keep watch."

As they walked through the forest at night Laxus couldn't help but think that the smell of the forest seemed off.

"Is something wrong?" Freed asked when he noticed that Laxus kept taking deeper breaths than usual.

"I'm not sure." He told him honestly because it was just a hint off. He couldn't put his on finger on why the smell even bothered him since he couldn't catch what it was.

"Papa." Alek tugged on his father's hand. "Mama 'ome?"

"She should be." Laxus hoped that was the case since Lucy, Evergreen, and Bickslow had left the guild a few hours before to help the Celestial Mage pack her things and move in to his home. He had offered to help, but Lucy had made it clear that one of them had to be with the twins at all times and it would have made the process much longer if they brought the twins along.

"Fweed," Nadya whispered as she touched Freed's hair. "So pwetty."

"Thank you." Freed smiled at the toddler in his arms. "I follow a specific process to make sure my hair comes out this flawless. Once you get older I will show you, but that is not to say that your hair is not pretty. It is very pretty." He patted her head. "It is only to make sure your hair continues to be this pretty the older you get."

Laxus scooped Alek into his arms and picked up his pace. He didn't feel comfortable being out in the open anymore.

"Laxus—"

"It's late."

"You're right." Freed latched onto the change of topic. "It's close to their bed time. I don't believe Lucy will be happy if we get them to bed late."

"What do you think it is after?"

"It's not what but who."

"How can you be certain it's a person?"

"Lucy said it was trying to go after the twins. It followed them here."

"Why them?"

"Don't care for the why. I'm planning on destroy it."

Lucy was walking down the stairs when the front door to Laxus's home opened.

"We 'ome!" Alek and Nadya shouted as they entered.

A rush of affection flooded her.

They ran to her the moment they caught sight of her. "Mama!"

"Welcome home!" She scooped both of them into her arms and laughed as they tried smothering her with wet kisses. "I was wondering when you two were getting home." She pressed a kiss on each of their cheeks. "It's close to bed time." Lucy looked at Laxus who leaned against the closed door and Freed who had a hand placed over his heart. "Welcome home."

"We go sleep?" Nadya asked wide eyed.

The Celestial Mage nodded.

"Arlight." Alek said resting his head on his mother's shoulder.

"Dunn wanna." Nadya wiggled around until her mother put her down.

Lucy quirked an eyebrow amused when ran to Laxus and buried her face against his leg.

"Are the munchkins back?!" Bicks ran down the stairs with Evergreen hot on heels.

Alek lifted his head to greet them with a tired smile. "Bicks… Eva."

The Seith Mage pressed a kiss on Alek's head before going to crouch next to Nadya. "Is the princess tired?" He asked as he rubbed circles on her small back.

"No," She mumbled through Laxus's pants.

"Hi there darling," Evergreen cooed at Alek before kissing his cheek. "Let's get you ready for bed and then bring you back to mommy." He didn't put up a fuss when Evergreen took him from Lucy's arms instead he snuggled closer her and waved at his mother.

Lucy couldn't resist blowing him a kiss.

"I'll choose their pajamas!" Freed ran up the stairs not giving Evergreen a chance to argue.

"Come on princess." Bicks tried to gently coax Nadya away from Laxus.

Nadya shook her head.

Laxus placed his hand on her head and gently ruffled her hair. "Go with your uncle Bicks."

She looked up at him and pouted.

"I'll be up there soon. I have to talk with your mama first."

"Pwomise?"

"Promise." He picked her up and pressed a kiss against her temple before handing to Bickslow. "Take good care of her."

"Aye, aye Captain." Bickslow grinned at Lucy as he walked passed her with Nadya, who placed her chin on his shoulder.

Once they were alone Lucy frowned at Laxus. "So Evergreen mentioned that you wanted me to take your room."

"Will that be a problem?" He asked as he walked toward the kitchen.

She followed after him. "Yes, if it means that you won't have a room anymore."

"It's fine." He grabbed glass from the cabinet and filled it with water from the faucet.

"Evergreen said that she's willing to share her room with me."

"Her room is the furthest from the nursery while mine is the closest."

"Then we can share the room." Lucy tried not to get distracted by the way he tilted his head back and gulped down his water. "One night you take the bed and I take the couch downstairs."

Once he was finished he placed the glass in the sink. "Sorry, but that's not going to work."

She could only gape as he walked passed her. "What do you mean?"

"I'll feel more comfortable if I take the couch."

"That does—" She walked right into Laxus's chest when he stopped walking and turned around abruptly.

His hard curled around her arm to keep her from stumbling back. "We still don't know if there is anything targeting the twins. If I sleep on the couch then whatever we might be facing will have to go through me first."

It was then that Lucy understood what Laxus was trying to do.

"I won't let the twins or you get hurt."

His hold loosen and a pleasurable shiver trailed down her spine as his hand slid down her arm. Her heartbeat slowed and pounded painfully against her ribcage when his fingertips touched her palm.

"I won't let anyone get hurt." He was entranced by the sound of her heartbeat, by the warmth that radiated from touching her and being so close to her. By the shallow breaths she was taking as if worried that any sudden movement will break what was happening. He wanted to touch more of her, to reassure her that nothing could break whatever it was that was between them. His fingers slid through the gaps between her fingers.

She felt his palm against hers. Her fingers curled and latched onto his hand like she had wanted to earlier in the day in Makarov's office. Warmth spread to her cheeks when his gaze let hers go and felt the weight of it on her lips.

"Laxus! Lucy! The munchkins wanna go night night!" Bickslow yell echoed from the second floor.

They both quickly moved away from each other.

"I—"

"We—"

A chuckle slipped passed her lips.

A smirk curved on his lips.

Sting woke up gasping for breath. His hand blindly sought through sheets wanting to feel warm soft skin, but all he felt was cold sheets. He let some of his holy magic gather in his palm to see he was alone in bed. His glance swung to the other side of the room to see Lector's small bed empty. A frown marred his features as he shoved the covers off of him. He bit back a curse when his feet touched the cold hardwood floor.

He didn't bother to find his slippers or put on a shirt. His mind still disoriented after the nightmare. The last thing he wanted was to wake up in his room alone and the Mage he would latch onto wasn't in bed where he last saw her before falling asleep. The few times she ever left bed in the middle of the night was because something was wrong.

In his haste to find her the Holy Slayer stubbed his big toe in the doorway. A curse spilled from his lips as he stumbled into the wall. He lifted his foot and tried to apply pressure to lessen the pain.

The door to his roommate's room opened. Red eyes glowed in the darkness as they glared at him. "Can you try being quiet?" Rogue whispered grouchily. "Frosch is sleeping."

"Sorry." Sting whispered back in pain.

"I'm surprised Lector or Yukino haven't woken up with all noise you're making."

"I don't know where they are."

"What do you mean?" Rogue asked worried now.

"I woke up alone in my room."

"That's not like Lector or Yukino to leave you alone."

"I know." Worry clawed at Sting.

"They might be in the living room."

He gathered holy magic on his hand to light the way.

"Why don't you just turn on the lights?"

"Why would I when I can do this." Sting grinned as he made the holy magic take shape into an orb and tossed in the air before catching it in his hand.

"Showoff." Rogue grumbled as he followed him and stumbled into his fellow Dragon Slayer's back when he stopped walking. "What's wrong?" The Shadow Slayer looked over Sting's shoulder to see Yukino sleeping on the couch with Lector sleeping on her stomach with his small head using her breasts as a pillow.

"Lector." Sting hissed as he clenched a fist and waved it in the air at his Exceed.

"Sting—"

Yukino's whimper cut through their conversation. The Dragon Slayers watched as her hand fists Lector's nightwear. The Exceed woke up when she let out another whimper and almost fell off her when she turned to her side and curled into a ball. "Yukino." Lector gasped in worry and used to his small paws to try rousing her gently. "You have to wake up."

When the Celestial Mage didn't wake up and instead whimpered some more the Exceed began to panic. "I should go get Sting," he hesitated, "but she told me not to."

"Lector."

The Exceed jumped in shock and turned around to see Sting with his arms crossed over his chest and severe frown marred his features. "Sting!"

"What's going on?" He asked worried as he approached them and saw Yukino sweating. "Does she have a fever?" He placed at hand on her forehead to feel it clammy due to the sweat.

"No." Lector told him sadly. "She's just not sleeping well. Something has been bothering her tonight."

"Is that why she came here?"

Lector nodded. "I followed her and told her that I could go get you, but she didn't want to wake you up since you haven't been getting much sleep."

His lack of sleep would also so explain why he didn't hear her restless sleep or wake up the moment she left their bed. Still something had woken him up… his nightmare filled with darkness. "It's okay, Lector."

The Exceed relaxed knowing that Sting would somehow help Yukino.

His fingers slid through her silky sweat drenched strands, his palms pressed gently against her cheek, and his thumb stroked her temple gently. "Yukino." He called out gently and pressed his lips against her forehead. "Wake up." Sting pulled away enough to see her eyes slowly opening. A smirk curved on his lips when she blinked a few times in confusion.

Rogue remained silent as he leaned against the wall. Something had woken him up before Sting began to make noise. He wondered if perhaps whatever he had felt was also plaguing Yukino.

"Sting." Her hand reach out to him and cupped his cheek. "What are you doing up? Is it morning?"

His placed his hand over hers. "Not yet."

"You should be sleeping."

"You should be sleeping beside me."

"I'll only keep you awake."

"So."

"You have that meeting early in the morning."

"And I should care because?"

"It's important."

"So are you."

Lector placed his paws over his mouth to keep from gushing praises of Sting when it came to treating Yukino.

"Sting something doesn't feel right."

"I felt it too." Sting looked over his shoulder Rogue. "Did you feel something?"

"I felt something off. Woke up because of it."

Sting frowned trying to understand what it could be.

"I'm thinking of contacting Lucy tomorrow."

"You think Fairy Tail is somehow involved?"

"When aren't they?"

"I was thinking more along the lines because we have the same magic. She might have felt something."

"Make sense."

"With that settled we should decide if we're sleeping on the couch or in our bed."

"The couch is too small for the both of us."

"Then our bed it is."

Yukino let out a small 'eep' when Sting lifted her into his arms.

"Night Rogue." He smirked at his roommate.

"Try not to be so loud."

Yukino felt her face burn up and couldn't look at Rogue.

"What is wrong with you?" Sting glared at him. "We never do it when Lector is in the room."

"That's not what I meant." Rogue sighed exasperated.

"Do what?" Lector asked curiously.

"Nothing." The Holy said quickly as he made his back to their room.

"Goodnight Rogue." Lector called out to the Shadow Slayer before closing the door. "Goodnight Sting. Goodnight Yukino." He yawned as he climbed into his small bed and buried himself under his covers. It was not long before his soft snores echoed through the room.

"I'm sorry I kept him up." Yukino whispered to Sting when he gently set her on their bed.

"You don't have to apologize." He climbed into bed and pulled her close. "Lector does what he wants. He went with you because he cares about you and was worried." His fingertips glowed with his magic as he traced letters over her skin.

A sigh of content slipped passed her lips when he pressed his lips against her shoulder and felt his fingers spell 'yours' on the back of her left shoulder blade. Her fingers buried themselves in his soft blond hair when he pinned her on the bed and settled his hips between her legs, all the while his fingers spelled 'mine' on the side of her right thigh. Her lips sought his when she felt him spell 'I love you' from her collarbone down to the valley between her breasts and ending at her navel.

The smell of rot and ruin was not as strong from where they were hidden.

Laxus kept a close eye on the tree where the trail had ended. He had yet to see anything unusual. "Do you see anything?"

"No." Rogue gaze roamed to where the beginning of the trail was. "Nothing yet."

In a span of heartbeat silence surrounded them. There was no wind and leaves rustling from the force of it. There was no sounds of insects.

Laxus felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand.

There was no sound of life except for their heartbeats and breaths. It was unnerving. The smell of rot and ruin began to grow stronger before they felt of a burst of dark magic far from their location.

Laxus didn't waste time in going into his lightning body to follow it. Rogue became one with his shadows.

Laxus woke up to a strange kind of silence. He heard the Raijinshuu still sleeping. He could hear Lucy's soft breathing, but all other sounds were gone. His eyes snapped open when he heard a whimper. The smell of death and decay had him on his feet.

A heartbeat later Nadya's screech set Freed's runes off and had him running up the stairs. When he reached the second floor he could see Lucy almost trip as she ran out his room to get to the nursery. He made it just before she did and froze at the sight that greet him.

Nadya was crying from a corner in her crib. "Alek!"

A form shrouded in darkness hovered over Alek's crib. The toddler was on his back as he whimpered and the darkness crept closer to him.

Laxus could hear Alek's heartbeat grow weaker as that thing got closer to him. "Get away from him!" Lightning shot from his fist as he ran in and threw a punch at the form. The thing quickly moved out the way and huddled in a corner of the room.

A flash of Celestial Magic signaled the arrival of Virgo.

Laxus didn't have to look behind him to know that Virgo and Lucy were grabbing the twins. "Get them out of here." He told them not taking his eyes off the form that seemed to be bidding its time.

"Papa!" Nadya cried out as Virgo ran out the room with Lucy who was holding a silent Alek.

The form moved to go after them but Laxus radiated enough lightning to shoot out from his entire body and stopped the figure from going after them. "I'm going to tear you apart."

Evergreen ran after Virgo and Lucy the moment they came out of the nursery. Freed hesitated by the doorway of the nursery. He knew he had his orders from Laxus, but a part of him was in a state of disbelief that his runes had failed.

"What are you waiting for!?" Bickslow grabbed his arm and began pulling him as he ran. "We have to protect the little ones and Lucy."

Freed stumbled after him. When they arrive outside they knew something was wrong when they saw Evergreen and Lucy near tears as they fussed over Alek. "What's wrong?"

"Milord is fading." Virgo said with a frown. "His breathing and heart are weak."

"How!?" Bickslow turned on her angrily. "He was fine when he went to bed!"

"That thing that got near him was draining him." Virgo looked at Lucy sorrowfully. "I tried to get there sooner, but it was blocking me. It wasn't until Laxus distracted it that I was able to find an opening."

A flash of Celestial Magic surrounded them before leaving Leo in its place. "It's magic depletion."

"He hasn't displayed any signs of magic." Freed said as he began working on protection runes.

"Not that we are aware of." Leo stepped closer to Lucy, who whispered to the toddler that she will make him better, and took out a crystal vial from his suit pocket. "It's from Aquarius."

"What is it?"

"Her water has healing abilities. It should help replenish his magic."

Leo opened the vial while Lucy opened Alek's mouth. He poured the liquid into the little one's mouth and watched as Lucy was forced to hold Alek's mouth closed when the boy tried to spit it out.

"I'm so sorry." She whispered to him over and over again trying hard not to cry. Evergreen wrapped her arms around Lucy and Alek.

Bickslow fisted his hair as his vision blurred with unshed tears.

Virgo held tightly onto Nadya who would occasionally let out a whimper.

Once Freed finished with his runes he walked up to Bickslow and placed his hand on the Seith Mage's head. He lightly tugged it down until his forehead rested against his shoulder.

"We can't lose him Freed."

"We won't." The Rune Mage tried to put a brave front because it wouldn't help anyone if he became a sobbing mess.

"He's going to be okay." Leo told the group and it was then Lucy felt Alek take slightly deeper breaths.

Virgo loosened her embrace on Nadya when she heard Alek's heartbeat grow stronger.

"Is he really?" Bickslow lifted his head and rubbed at his eyes.

Leo nodded at the Seith Mage and stepped aside when the blue haired Mage approached Lucy and Evergreen to take a closer look at Alek.

"I should have known better." He grinned. "He's as strong as his parents. He would never go down without putting up a hell of a fight."

Leo took his gaze away from the happy scene to see a figure appear from the ground. "Who is that?"

Freed turned around just as lightning hit the ground and revealed a male figure with blond slicked back hair and a long black coat with gray fur trimming draped over his shoulders like a cape. "Laxus."

"That can't be right."

"He's still inside his home." As if to prove Evergreen's point the house shook and they could see another flash of lightening from the window of the nursery.

"Then who the hell is that?" Bickslow gaped when lightening protruded from the blond hair Mage that might look like an older version of Laxus. He couldn't exactly tell from where he stood.

The lightning began to form into a huge dragon like claw. It broke through the window of the nursery.

Lucy could only watch speechless as the claw came out with the figure shrouded in darkness and slammed them on the ground. The earth shook under her feat.

Nadya lifted her head from where she had buried her face in the crook of Virgo's neck. "Papa!" she exclaimed and her face lit up at the sight of all the lightning. "Papa!" she waved her hands and clapped her hands.

The air rushed out of Lucy's lungs when the blonde haired man looked over his shoulder and pierced her with blue-grey eyes. Calm before the storm... no… The calm had long since passed and the storm raged fiercely right before her eyes.

"I hear hurricanes ablowing
I know the end is coming soon
I fear rivers over flowing
I hear the voice of rage and ruin"

-Bad Moon Rising (Mourning Ritual)

AN: I apologize for any grammatical errors and hope they weren't too distracting. As you can see this chapter took a more serious tone than the previous chapters surrounding the present verse. Then there's also Sabertooth who not only made a cameo but will also play a role in what is to come, which means Nadya and Alek will get to see Sting and Rogue like they had wanted to. ;)

I would to thank: Raiza-chan, Celebwen Telcontar, bixlu lover, Iyendi, Blessed Unrest, OgaxHilda, supercrazyperson, DeborahBee, SuperPsychoNutcase, DarkFae7, iheartpickles, BSunkissed, W1n6s-0f-F1r3, snibs13, Transformers' BABY, 3, Dreyar is my married name, LittlePrincessNana, johanvy-chan, LaluHeart777, Veraozao, kurahieiritr JIO, basfan, ilufmanga, Aretha Atrahasis, Burning amber3, Mionarchy, devafiend, shelah324, Numinous-Alqua, Cassie505, Dr. Punpun, igiteehee, Lalu fan, Aipom4, Jaegka, killer4853, sen whitefox mako red demon, ilarual, Paperhana, Guest, Guest, Fanfic-For- Life-100, Naomipy, dorkyanimelover1, NVismyname, Guest, 17, Yed01, thecagedsong, QueenoftheMermaids, the real Narnia, Dalisay08, LadyAvaRushi, Guest, and Shka for reviewing as well as everyone who has added this fic to their favorites and/or alerts. When life gets hella busy, you are the ones who remind to come back to it when I get email notifications about this fic. Thank you so much for all your kind words and encouragement. You guys are amazing! =D

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