~Sting's P.O.V.~

        "Gah!" I yelped when I transformed back into my normal self.  I checked to make sure my limbs and body parts were still intact.  "How do you travel as a light particle all the time??" 

        "Tch, I don't do it all the time, just...when...I need to..."  Mark panted, his hands on his knees.  He looked like he was going to black out, which made me worried.

        "Oi, you sure you're alright?" I asked.  I walked towards him to give him some support, but he put out his hand to stop me.

        "I'm..fine.." he said, wiping away the sweat the formed on his forehead and straightening his back.  

        "If you say so.." I said, doubt evident in my voice.  I decided to trust him and turned my attention to the Fairy Tail guild hall.  I kicked the door opened, despite Lector and Lexi's warnings.  Almost immediately, everyone turned their attention to us, which is exactly what I wanted.  

        "What's wrong Sting?" Erza asked, walking up to me.  "I thought Jessie was with you?"

        "You see, that's the problem.."  I explained everything that happened to them, and the more I talked, the more I could see anger and rage grow in the whole guild's expression.  Natsu-san's was the most obvious out of all of them.

        "When I find out who did it, I'm gonna burn them into a crisp!" Natsu-san growled loudly, punching his fists together.

        "Just wait a minute!" Master Makarov said, making Natsu stop before he burned down the entire guild.  "We will do no such thing.  In fact, we will not be doing anything."  As soon as he finished his statement, the whole guild errupted with complaints.

        "What?!" All of team Natsu said in disbelief.  

        "But gramps, Jessie is our comrade!" Gray said angrily.

        "Yeah, we can't just leave her behind!" Lucy agreed.

        "I know that, but my decision is final," the master said sternly.  "I believe Jessie will be fine."  One look in his eyes and I know he's lying.  I picked up how to read people's eyes from Jessie, who's really great at that.  Natsu and the others didn't believe him either, but either way, they couldn't disobey their master.

        "But--" 

        "We will respect your decision Master," Erza said calmly, but her anger was noticeable.  Gray and Natsu knew they couldn't defy her, so they shutted up.

        "Sting, Mark, can you please come with me please?" Master asked when he was sure they wouldn't do anything.  We both looked at each and nodded.  We followed him to his office and he genly closed the door behind us.  

        "Why did you make them not help?" I asked bluntly.  He sighed and looked down at his wooden desk.

        "Skull Knights...that was the name of the guild correct?" he asked.  

        "Y-yeah.." I answered, not sure where this was going.

        "That guild.....it's not like any other dark guild," Master Makarov explained slowly.  "I first heard of it when Jessie had explained what they did to her when she was young."  I saw sadness flicker past Mark's eyes, but he continued.  "So, I had conducted more research on them, but learned nothing."  He looked up at us, his eyes gleaming with regret.  "I do know that they plan to do something with Jessie, but I can't send an entire guild after them."  I slowly nodded, understanding.  I really wanted to save Jessie, but sending a whole army after an unknown enemy was too reckless.  "That's why I'm asking the two of you to go on a rescue mission to save Jessie.  You can bring the two exceeds if you like."  

        "We'll do it Master Makarov," Mark said, standing up.  

        "I'll get Jessie back, no matter what," I nodded, standing up too.  "After all.."  I clenched my fists, looking down.  "I still have to repay for the things I've done to her."  Master Makarov nodded, knowing what I meant.  

        "Good.  I'm trusting you guys with the life of one of my children.  You better bring her back, you hear?"  Mark and I nodded, and he sent us out of his office.  As we walked towards the entrance, I could tell all eyes were on us.  Upon seeing us, Lexi and Lector made their wings appear and they flew towards us.

        "I'm going, whether you want me to or not," Lexi said seriously.  Lector nodded to say the same thing.  I looked at the both of them and softly petted their heads.

        "No objections here," I said, weakly smiling.  Just then, I felt a hand grip my shoulder.  I flinched, quickly remembering that's what Jessie always did to get my attention.  I quickly shake the thought away and turn around to see Natsu.

        "I wish I could come with you, but.." he turned around and glanced at Erza, who had a dark aura around her.  "...I have people saying otherwise, so....promise me you'll get her back?"  I looked into his fierce eyes.  I smiled, remembering our match.

        "Yeah, I'll bring her back, I promise Natsu-san," I answered.  He smiled at me and nodded.  I looked at Mark, who looked like he was spacing out a bit.  

        "Ready?" I said to snap him out of his thoughts.  It worked, and he looked at me with a serious yet gentle face.

        "Yeah, let's go," he replied.