"No."

"I- what?" Storm said in disbelief. He had just explained to Nova's crew that they needed to save the rightful heir to the throne, and they straight up said no way.

"You're not our captain, Storm," Sammi said lowly. She was obviously uncomfortable with the situation.

He was on deck with the main crew, the other 7 shipmates were below, as ordered by Wendy.

Edda, the one who had answered flat out the first time, rested her elbow on her knee and her chin on her hand. She sat on a wooden crate, that was probably holding booze, "what Sammi said. One of the policies of our ship is to not make major decisions without her, especially if she's alive and hasn't given the title to someone else. It keeps us in line."

He looked to the rest of the crew in desperation. Varian, Sammi once more, and even Ori came into view before his eyes landed on Wendy. These guys were the best of Nova's team, but they couldn't help him without her?

"You're the second in command right?" He asked desperately, "you mean you guys really can't help save the princess?"

Wendy shook her head. The ship seemed to creak louder than it normally does. "While I am first mate, I can't do anything unless Nova gives me the say so."

His mouth opened and closed like a fish.

Nashi was in trouble, and the only people he could even trust a little bit weren't able to help get her back.

He pinched the bridge of his nose, "and what were to happen if you helped without her permission?"

"We would probably get kicked out and replaced," Edda informed.

He scoffed, "Nova would never-"

Ori spoke up for the first time, "she's done it before. I was the replacement."

What the hell did the old navigator do? Was she really that strict?

Varian was sat on the floor, polishing some handguns. The weapons were piled next to him, along with brand new holsters, "wait, I have an idea."

Storm's attention steered towards the boy.

"What if we helped with gear, but never left the ship? Because technically, we're not helping you, but preparing you." He stuck a small brush in one of the guns, cleaning out any gun powder from inside.

Everyone looked towards Wendy for some kind of sign. She smiled a little, and nodded. "We might still get in trouble, but I don't think any severe punishment will be forced. The rule is there mainly to protect the crew, so if no one knows we helped, then we should be safe."

Sammi looked at Wendy in awe, "from the perpetrator and the captain!"

Storm knew Nova was a hard-ass, but what had she done so that her crew feared her? He could never get his employees to react like that to him.

He started taking mental notes.

"So then, where's the princess?" Edda asked immediately, always the one to get to the point.

"In the lord's house," Storm said eagerly.

Then continued to watch as everyone's bright smiles fell.

Edda looked around before finally standing up from the crate she was sitting on and saying, "oh my Mavis you guys, make up your mind already! Are we helping them or not?" She used her hands to separate the words "helping them" and "not".

Sammi let out a giggle as everyone else smiled again.

"The sun is pretty much already down, which is probably for the best. Traveling by night is always better," Varian mentioned, putting the weapons in their leather holsters.

Wendy hummed, but disagreeing with him, "I'm not sure that applies to tonight. If the princess is in the lord's house, then they're probably smart enough to realize that we think night is better, so they'll be better armed."

"Like, with guards?" Sammi asked.

Ori shrugged and grumbled, "I would think so."

Well. Maybe he didn't grumble per se, but Storm thought he had a crazy deep voice, so that's what it sounded like.

"I was just thinking," Sammi explained, "and I know this sounds way too easy, but dress him as a guard."

"It's a good start," Edda chimed.

"I agree," Wendy said. "We just need to figure out how they identify each other and what his excuse for being there will be."

"I think I can do all that while inside. During the shift change that I can imagine will happen at midnight," Storm said.

Edda rose an eyebrow and crossed her arms, "so, all you need is the same soldier gear that the lord has."

"Lucky for you," Sammi mentioned, "every time we enter a city, we take at least one guard's uniform and their weapons."

Storm supposed that was lucky enough for him, but he had to wonder, "why?"

Varian looked up at Storm, "you never know when you might need one man. They come in handy sometimes."

"You might need it fitted," Wendy chirped, "but we can get that done by midnight."

Ori began to leave to go below deck, "welp, I'm useless here. Nice conversing with you, though."

Conversing. Storm repeated in his head.

"Me too," Varian exclaimed.

"Same here," Edda raised her hand. "Wendy and Sammi are the only ones who know how to sew."

Storm took a deep breath, "at least I can help with that part. The sooner the better."

"You know how to sew?" Wendy asked, almost rudely. Which Storm thought was something she was incapable of.

He nodded with pride, "Rin is a clumsy mess. He always got holes in the knees of his pants."

He barely noticed that his words died out at the end of his sentence. Did he forget?

Sylvia and Rin were stuck in the castle, with Zeref. And the only way to get them back was to trade Nashi for them.

But... here he was, trying to save Nashi.

"Are you okay, Storm?" Sammi asked timidly.

"Um," he shook his head, "yes I'm... I'm fine."

"Okay, let's get started then," Wendy said with a clap and a smile.

. . .

"Oh, thank Mavis you're here," Nova exclaimed as she noticed her brother walk in. The chains rattled as she stood from the bed. It was long enough where she could stand and get to the other side of the bed, but she couldn't get anywhere with it.

Zeke came in with a tray of food and a change of clothes, no less.

He set the things down on the desk on Nova's left. He sighed heavily, using his hands to tell a miniature story, "I had to sacrifice some things to convince mom that I could bring you this stuff, so you owe me. I had to..." he faked barfed, pointing his finger into his mouth, "agree to a dinner with the lord's granddaughter."

"Oh come on," Nova said surely, "that couldn't be that bad. I remember her being pretty and sweet!"

He looked at her with deadpanned eyes, "it's been a while, Nova. I swear she's the spawn of Satan."

Nova rolled her eyes, "now you're overreacting. She could've made you go on a date with someone her age."

"That's disgusting."

She shrugged, "I'm just saying it could be worse."

He pulled out a key from his pants pocket, "I also had to agree to diet restrictions."

Nova made a face to say that she was not a fan of anything to do with the word "diet", "yeah, I'm sorry. That is pretty bad."

He unlocked the cuffs around Nova's wrists, she immediately grabbed sausage and crackers that were on the plate and shoved it in her mouth.

"And, one more thing," Zeke said, sighing, "the lord wants to speak with you."

A/N: Not Jesus.

Nova saw a huge figure in the corner of her eye, and when she looked past Zeke, she noticed the broad of a man that was the Lord of Hargeon. He held a cane in one hand. It was for support, due to his old age.

She was going to speak, then realized her mouth was full of crackers. Now, as a pirate, and even before that, she's never cared much for how she looks in public.

But she could hardly say that she showed off a mouth full of food to someone on accident. And tried to speak. It was a gurgled mouth of food she showed him.

She finished chewing and spoke once more, trying to forget that the previous attempt ever happened.

"Lord Gildarts!" She exclaimed, forcing the corner of her lips to turn up. "It's nice to see you after so many years."

Gildarts smiled a soft smile, "you as well, Nova."

She shoved another cracker in her mouth, this time with some cheese. "What is it you wanted to speak to me about?"

"Ah, it's best if we speak... alone." He turned his sad eyes towards Zeke, who shrugged.

"Alright. I'll be down the hall. I'll just wait until you come out then," he let them know before stepping outside of the room and closing the door behind him.

Nova took a sip of the water that Zeke brought down, "what is then, Gildarts?"

He looked down at his wooden cane, which both his hands were currently gripping. His knuckles were white.

"I know that... I haven't always treated you two like I should've."

Nova let out a huff of air, "what do you mean?"

"I... I always felt your mother was my child. Well, I felt all of them were," he said quietly. It was soft voice, almost like memories were flowing through his head. "I always treated you two so harshly. I was angry. So was your mother. And I know that isn't your fault, or an excuse, but I just want to ask forgiveness. I'm sorry."

She looked at him with a roughness in her eyes.

He was right. He treated her and Zeke as if they were a nuisance. He never had any patience with them, and their mother did the same. Nova didn't think of a time that they spent in this house as a happy one.

She had always known Gildarts to be stubborn. Maybe that came with being a noble and being powerful. But regardless, the apology meant a lot to her, even after all these years. It takes a lot for someone of his stature and personality to apologize to someone who had done nothing but crimes for the last few years. She was a hard ass, but she knew a sincere apology when she heard it.

"I accept your apology," she stated. "But, why did you kick Zeke out?"

He chuckled, "because while I regret how I treated you in the past, I like how you turned out because of it. He still has a few lessons to learn."

She laughed, "I see."

He moved his cane to leave the room, but as he turned away Nova called. "Hey, can I ask you a question?"

He turned back to her, "of course."

"When you said you thought of my mom as your child, you mentioned that all of them were. Who were you talking about?"

He closed his eyes for a second. Then opened. "The folks here called them the palace children. The children who lived at castle, among the royals. Or, those who were trained there. You would've been one, save that Zer- King Zeref didn't take office."

Nova could only look at him with sad eyes, "the... palace children?"

He hummed, then laughed, "they all hated that name. Especially your father. He said it made them sound like babies."

Novas eyes gleamed, "my father?"

He died when she was only six years old. She was old enough to remember him, but she couldn't say that she knew him. Her mother refused to speak of him after his death too.

"That's another thing I need to apologize for," he sighed, "never telling you about your father. His job as a guardian to Prince Natsu. Then you would've known..."

Nova shook her head, "that wasn't your job."

"It might as well been, I was their trainer. I was the only one you knew that could've helped you control your powers."

A silence between them. More secrets that was being spilled to her. If there was one thing in the world that she hated, it was secrets.

"The princess," she finally said, "can you let her go?"

Gildarts jaw moved, "I would love to, Nova. Truly. But I swore a duty that I would serve the Dragneels and the Dragneels only, and King Zeref is of that bloodline."

"Isn't Nashi a Dragneel," Nova said, louder. "In fact, according to the royal succession line, she's supposed to be our ruler, not Zeref."

"The fact remains that Zeref is my king," Gildarts defended. "Nashi still hasn't claimed that title."

Nova was about to call out a retort, but he said something more before he could.

"However, I'm going to sleep now. A very, very deep sleep, and probably won't wake for a long while."

A glimmer of mischief in his eye, and he left.

Zeke came in as Gildarts left. He looked at Nova, "what was all that about?"

She smiled, "nothing. Let me get dressed and then we'll be on our way."

. . .

Nashi skipped getting dressed in the night clothes provided, and instead changed to the much nicer day clothes they gave her.

She kept the boots that Gale bought her, of course.

She knew she had to escape tonight, somehow. And if Storm was coming for her she had to be ready. But, she also didn't want that to be her only option.

She heard footsteps coming down the hallway. At first she assumed it was Mira again.

But then she heard the low grumbling of a male voice to the guards. His aura was strong, a guardian.

Silver.

She hurriedly snatched the night gown from her bed and rushed to the washroom and slammed the door.

The table in there wasn't connected to the floors or walls, so she dragged that in front of the door to hopefully keep it shut for as long as possible. There were no windows in the room, just a rounded tub and a square like thing that she'd been asked to do her business at. Her waste was gone by the time she went back.

She wasn't sure how that worked, but she didn't question it.

"Princess?" Silver called in a sing songy voice. "I know you haven't left, you make such a noise when you're trying to hide."

Nashi's breath hitched. She wasn't one to run away from a fight, but she knew as soon as he came into view the first time that she could not take him on.

She held the thin night gown in between her hands and waited by the door. She had to save time for Storm, even just a little.

That's trusting that he found her.

She pulled the night gown until it stretched taught.

He found the locked door.

"Oh, princess," he snickered, "you remind me of your father. Always trying to escape your duties. I'm not going to hurt you, I'm not allowed to."

As if that made her feel better.

"I wish the royal line was just like the late King Igneel," he sighed, "he accepted his future, embraced it even."

She just prayed that he would shut up about family she didn't know she had. Not only that, it wasn't as if she was running from being queen or whatever, the king was going to kill her as soon as he got his hands on her.

But of course, he knew that.

Nashi silently waited as he wriggled the doorknob, probably in pleasure. Then, just as she expected, it froze and dropped to the floor.

He stepped in, and she leaped.

Climbing onto his back, she quickly wrapped the nightgown around his neck and he reached up, probably to freeze it. She then pounced off of him and ran for the open door.

The couple of guards were there, but using her adrenaline rush to her advantage, she avoided every one of them.

Well. Except one.

As she was turning a corner, she felt rough hands grab her by the shoulder. In an attempt to escape his grasp, she flailed around.

"Let go!" She exclaimed.

"Would you shut up?" Sounded a familiar male voice.

When she turned and saw his blue eyes, she calmed down. "Oh. It's you."

Storm rolled his eyes, his helmet looking strikingly uncomfortable, but at least it covered his dark hair, "yes. It's me. Now let's get out of here before they realize where you went."

"We actually can't leave yet," she said matter of factly. "My brother and Nova and Reiki are stuck here too."

Storm's face dropped. "Are you kidding me? How did they-"

"I don't know," Nashi said, "all I know is that they're somewhere in this house. And Silver is here."

"I saw him earlier, oh Mavis," he muttered, "was he here to get you?"

Nashi shrugged, "I wasn't about to find out! But he can probably like... sense us, right?"

Storm looked as if he was holding a breath, "yeah. Probably. But I don't even know where to go."

Nashi peered around the corner and saw Silver screaming at the guards in front of her room before storming down the hallway.

"Well choose soon because he's coming!"

Storm latched onto Nashi's wrist and began to sprint down the hallway, "I think they said there was a prison cell or something down in the basement!"

"In a lord's house?" Nashi exclaimed before snatching her wrist away.

"Don't ask me," Storm replied, "the rich are crazy."

They started to book it down a flight of stairs.

"Is my grandson with you?" Silver bellowed.

"Grandson?" Nashi whispered, once she realized they were out of his sight.

"I guess," Storm responded. "After learning that Gray was a guardian and had flipping ice powers, we can put the rest together."

Nashi noticed that he called his father by his first name. Ouch.

They hid behind a small corner. Everything was silent and dark. Storm heard footsteps from the floor above them, so he pulled Nashi in front of him and slapped his hand over her mouth.

As the back of Nashi's head hit his shoulder, she was going to protest. Then, his hand came over her mouth. When she was going to rip his hand away, she saw his eyes once more. She instead rested her hand on top of his, acting as if she had the same train of thought he did.

His striking blue eyes. They concentrated on the stairs next to them.

She felt his arms. His chest.

Oh Mavis. She felt her face run hot.

Storm hoped Nashi didn't notice his irregular breath as she had rested her hand on top of his. Her hair tickled his neck, and part of him thought about keeping her safe in his arms forever.

But, he knew that one way or another, that was impossible.

"Okay," Storm whispered very quietly, "let's move."

There were a lot of closets and storage spaces that they passed, until eventually, the pair heard a familiar voice.

"We're here!" A voice whispered.

"Gale," Storm breathed. He hurriedly went over to the cell and began picking the lock, "why couldn't you do this?"

"They took all my tools," Gale answered. "And they cleaned the cell really good."

It was really dark, save for a couple torches, so Storm was a little slower on picking the lock.

"Would you hurry up?" Nashi muttered, "he could come down any minute."

"I'm trying, princess," Storm retorted.

"Don't call me that."

A new voice appeared, "we have to get my sword back."

Reiki.

"Do you know where it is?" Storm asked as the lock finally clicked.

"Nope," Reiki answered. The door swung open and Gale was the first to exit.

Storm looked baffled, "we have to find Nova. We'll just get you a new one."

"It was from my mother, one of a kind," Reiki stated. "But I agree that Nova takes top priority."

"Do we know where Nova is?" Gale asked.

Everyone shook their heads.

"That's an issue," Reiki said.

Storms eye looked as if it twitched, "no dip."

"What if we just asked someone?" Nashi brought up. The three boys looked at her, confused.

Nashi slumped, "you know? A guard? This place is pretty big, I doubt we could find her with just us. Plus Silver is lurking like a predator."

"Probably smart to avoid him at all costs," Gale mentioned. "I'll go up first, just in case-"

"No," Nashi said sternly. "You're still high on Polyneuse poison, Storm goes first."

Storm looked aghast, "are you joking? I am not facing the dude who's my grandfather."

Reiki searched around the cell and picked something up, sounding as if it just clattered on the ground, "found it." However, no one heard him, as they were arguing amongst themselves.

"No, you don't understand that he is still weak from being poisoned from bird feathers," Nashi said.

"I am still capable of being a look out," Gale cut in.

"You aren't going," Storm glared at his friend, "I just think that Nashi should go up because she's the most able bodied."

"I don't know how to fight," Nashi argued, "and what about you isn't able bodied? If anything you're probably the strongest right now!"

"You guys, I'll go," Gale said once more. "There doesn't have to be an argument about this."

"Yes there does!" Nashi and Storm said at the same time.

Not waiting for the group to come up with a final answer, Reiki began trekking up the stairs, knowing that there was something on the other side. Either it be a guard or Silver himself, there was going to be something.

Thank Mavis, when he peered up the stairway, it was a guard. A clunk and a thump later, the guard was brought before the rest of the group. He was scared. Terrified, even. He clambered on the ground as Reiki  clutched his sword.

The group went silent. Reiki brought his sword up to the nameless guard and asked, lowly, "where's Nova?"

Needless to say, the guard spilled his guts through an empty threat. Reiki would never hurt a fellow guard for doing their job.

Granted, Reiki was fired, and this guard did anything but his job, but moving on.

"Time to move," Storm said before darting towards the stairway.

Reiki followed, then Gale and Nashi. Nashi didn't go without a few words, "oh, now he wants to go." Her voice was clearly dipped in sarcasm, with a whiny voice to pair with it.

"Stop acting as if you weren't catching feelings five minutes ago," Gale whispered fiercely as they ran up the stairs.

Nashi was almost speechless. Almost. "Oh so now you get to feel my thoughts?"

"It comes with being your guardian," Gale said. "You should've seen Reiki's face. A real riot."

"Sarcasm is a good look on you," Nashi said.

"Really?"

"No."

They had just been following Storm, since for some reason, he looked to know the mansion the best.

That's when a thought hit Gale like a brick wall.

Not wanting to yell it to Storm or Reiki, he leaned closer to Nashi, "where's Silver?"

"Honestly, Gale?" She asked. "I don't care. He could be sleeping with the Lord right now for all I know. If he pops up, he pops up. Otherwise I'm just going to keep running and get out of here as soon as I get the chance."

Then a loud thump was heard. Like bodies hitting the floor.

"Storm?" A female voice asked.

"Oh Mavis," an unfamiliar male said. "Oh no."

"It's you!" Storm exclaimed, obviously not caring about secrecy anymore. "Nova- I- your brother- he-"

Nova rolled her eyes and helped her brother stand, "he's a horrible person. I know. To be fair you iced his leg. Let's get out of here. Now."

"He's been spying on me for who knows how long!" Storm exclaimed.

"Like I said," Nova stated, obviously getting annoyed. "Zeke will stay here, like a pet."

"Zeke?" Nashi asked.

Ezequiel whistled lowly, "you didn't tell me she was pretty."

Nova back handed her brother, then acted as if nothing happened. "It's short for Ezequiel. Hi. I have a little brother. I'm leaving now, with or without you guys."

The epitome of sarcasm.

Ezequiel shook his head as he leaned on his good leg, cane in hand, "not even a thank you."

"Thanks," Gale said before turning and running after Nova.

"I'm not thanking you," Storm growled, following Gale.

"I hope your mom doesn't kill you!" Nashi yelled as she too left. Reiki was wordless, as expected.

Ezequiel scoffed. His mother was definitely going to kill him.

"Where are they going?" He heard a deep rumble behind him. He rolled his eyes, knowing who it was.

"Just follow them if you really want to know," he said, rolling his eyes.

Then, he felt the man's fingers wrap around the back of his neck. Ezequiel shuttered.

Silver stepped up beside him. His fingers pressed down, and Ezequiel felt a chill run through his body.

He couldn't move. He knew he wasn't coated in ice, but it sure felt like he was.

"Your sister has some charm to her," Silver said snarkily, "but you've always been a brat."

Ezequiel would've said something back as a retort, but couldn't due to the fact that it felt like a rope was bind around his neck. He could still breathe, but his vocal chords were rendered useless.

"Silver. That's enough."

Silver glanced behind them, where the long hallway that Nova was being kept in was. There, was Mira Jane, furious.

He kept his hold on Ezequiel, only moved his fingers from the neck to his shoulders, "you haven't disciplined your children enough, mistress."

"I'm not your mistress. Unhand him," Mira said.

Silver smirked, and disregarding her second comment, said, "really? After the other night, I was sure-"

"Let him go," Mira demanded.

Silver did. Ezequiel immediately stumbled back, next to his mother.

Mira Jane grimaced at Silver as he turned around to face them, "the deal is off. I told you that while you stayed here, you couldn't lay a hand on my son. You can return to the king now."

"So, you disregard your daughter? How cold," Silver commented.

"She stopped being my daughter when she decided to become one of those wretched things," she responded, no doubt referring to the pirates that claimed the seas. "Leave."

"You're telling me that I can lay as many hands as I'd like on your pirate daughter?" Silver asked mockingly.

Ezequiel's eyes grew enraged. He wanted to stomp over there and hit him with a stick until Silver bled out.

But, of course, his mother stopped him. She gripped on his shoulder and kept him standing in place. Calm. Always so damn calm.

Silver laughed, "I'm only joking. She's much too young for me. Well then, you've exhausted your use to me." He turned to leave the house. "However, I do hope I can be invited once more in the future."

Once he turned to the corner to the front of the house, Ezequiel made strict eye contact with his mother, "I can't believe you."

"Are you hurt?" Mira ignored him.

Ezequiel's jaw worked, "you slept with him, just when I thought you couldn't get worse."

"Answer my question."

"I'm going to bed."

It was as if they were having two different conversations.

"You will not talk to me that way," Mira Jane demanded. "I am your mother, and-"

"And what?" Ezequiel exclaimed. "And you disowned my sister, going as far as chaining her to a bed, just so you don't have to own up to your actions. You always hated her because she was the only one who called you out on all of your horrible decisions."

"Ezequiel."

"I'm done," he continued, "I'm done helping you and your screwed up plans."

He felt a pinch on his neck, not from his mother but rather from someone behind him, and he saw black.

Silver caught him as he fell. Ezequiel's head lulled to one side, his long blond hair toppling with it. Silver scooped him up as he slept peacefully.

"I knew you couldn't do it without me," Silver mentioned.

Mira Jane gritted her teeth. She needed him. She needed both Ezequiel and Silver to stay by her side.

It was the closest thing she had to a family now.

Mira still looked enraged, however, "we're leaving. Now. We're going back to Adarian."

Silver rose an eyebrow, "for her adoptive parents?"

Mira stayed silent.

Her friends. They were going after old friends.

He chuckled. "And what if he wakes up?"

"Use your magic. I don't care. Just make sure he doesn't leave either of our sights."

. . .

I just realized how strange the dynamics are going to be in this book- and I apologize deeply if it's going to be too weird for those who are still watching Fairy Tail. I kind of stopped watching anime altogether about a year or two ago, but I feel like I have a huge obligation to finish this story (and my other one but we don't talk about that). Anyways, I guess what I'm saying is that I'll be using the characters (and get their personalities as close as I possibly can, though some will be out of character... such as Mira) and kind of write my own story, though these characters would probably never meet ever canonically.

Which... I guess is what a fanfic is? But normally, the overall dynamics are between characters who know each other in the show lol.

Just think of the show Once Upon a Time. Very interesting relationships between all the characters. (Pssst... everyone is related somehow. It's strange, but hey. One of my favorites.)

Anyways. I'm very grateful that you guys have made it this far! Hurrah!

See ya!