Blood, bodies of soldiers and monsters all over the field, the sky pitch black, carrion birds flew between the corpses, trying to get some kind of treat from the bodies of the dead, in the back ground a castle burned, the keep of the castle groaned as its' supports weakened and crumbled to nothingness, in the middle of the field laid a man in black armor, blood staining his hair and face, holding him was a young lady, she threw her head back let out a scream of pain and sorrow, making the birds take flight, she screamed and cried as tears flowed down her cheeks, suddenly, she felt a hand grab her, throwing her away from the man, the one who threw her away was now standing above him with a large great sword in his hands, a dark cloak billowed around him, he raised the sword over his head and brought it down onto the man's neck.

Levy woke up with a shout, tears streaming down her cheeks, she looked around frantically and realized she was still in her room in the tower, and it was still night.

"Princess!" a guard shouted running in, sword at the ready, "are you alright?"

Levy looked at her guard, her blonde hair frazzled and out of place, and her sleeping gown was hanging off her shoulder, "n-no Lucy, I'm sorry I woke you up…I was…I was having a bad dream."

"Are you sure?" she asked.

"I'm sure…" levy whispered, "you can go back to sleep Lucy…"

Lucy put her sword down and sat down at the edge of the bed, "do you want to talk about it?"

"I…I can barely put it into words myself." Levy said.

Lucy nodded, "Well, if you find a way to put it into words, tell me okay?"

Levy smiled, Lucy had been her best friend since they were little, she could always count on her to be a comfort, "okay Lucy, thanks."

Lucy smiled, "get some sleep, dawn's in a few more hours."

Levy walked downstairs, she was now dressed in an elegant dress that Lucy had picked out for her, she was now going to a meeting between her father and another royal.

"so how was your sleep Princess?" the new guard asked nervously. Pushing some of her white hair back out of her face.

"it was fine Yukino," Levy said with a smile, "thanks for asking."

She nodded, "I-if there's anything you need princess-"

"calm down rookie," Lucy said, "She's fine right now."

"I-I apologize." Yukino said, bowing her head.

"It's alright," she said with a giggle. She got to the main hall where the meeting was taken place, "you two can wait here, it shouldn't be long." She said, walking in.

Makarov Dreyar listened to Jose Porla, another king whose land was not that far from his, accusing him of attacking his men, "I know you ordered the attacks Dreyar!" Jose challenged, slamming his ringed hands on the table, "and if you don't think I won't retaliate then you've got another thing coming!"

"King Porla calm down," Makarov said calmly, "we are a peaceful kingdom, why would we attack you?"

"because you want my land!" Jose growled.

The doors opened, stopping Makarov from retorting, "I'm sorry I'm late." Levy said, running over to sit down by her father.

"it's alright my child." He said, then turned back to Jose, "I assure you none of my men have attacked your land!"

'what about that demon you have?" Jose growled, "the Dragonslayer."

"if we want to talk about Dragonslayer's, then we should talk about yours," Makarov said, "Blacksteel Gajeel is his name?"

"yes, what of him." Jose grumbled, leaning back into his chair.

'he's been spotted a few dozen times encroaching on our borders, the last time I had to send Natsu to take care of him."

Levy smiled thinking of the young hardheaded Dragonslayer Natsu going up against another Dragonslayer, she couldn't quite remember who Gajeel was, but she knew he was strong.

"he comes onto your territory because you trespass onto ours!"

"what do you think levy? Are his accusations correct?" Makarov asked his young daughter.

"no, I've never seen any of our soldiers leave the castle unless they're going to visit the town, and they never go to the forest." She said.

"there you have it."

"why should I trust the word of the bastard child?" Jose snarled.

Makarov stood up, his hand on his sword, "mind your tongue." He snarled.

Levy winced a bit at Jose's words, it was true that she never knew her mother and father, but she didn't consider herself a bastard, "calm down father," she said to Makarov, putting her hand on his.

Makarov took a deep breath and sat down, "despite your rude words," Makarov growled, 'I still don't want blood on my hands."

The doors opened and two knights ran in, followed by Yukino and Lucy, "We told you they were in a meeting!" lucy said angrily, pulling her sabre out of it's sheath, yukino doing the same.

"this is urgent!" one said, taking off her helmet and letting her blue hair fall out, "King Porla, Juvia brings grave news, an army has assembled along the western border!"

Jose stood up, "The badlands?" he asked shocked, "but…there's no nation that way, nothing but barbaric tribes and demons!"

"it's true sir." The other said, his visor still down, "we must go now!"

"Boze's right sir." Juvia said, "we must go!"

Jose picked up his coat and put it on, "lets ride!" he shouted.

"Jose," Makarov started, "let me help you, allow me to send my army with you."

"do you count me out so quickly Makarov?" Jose asked, "we will defeat these barbarians and monsters without help!" and with that he strode out with his two knights.

Makarov looked down gravely.

"Father…" levy started.

"you're free to go Levy," he said, "you can do as you please today." And with that, Makarov walked out.

"What was that about?" Lucy asked, putting her sword up.

"something about an army on their western border."

"hmm…and he won't take any help from us? What an idiot."

Levy nodded, "well, lets go get something to eat."


Gajeel redfox stood on the ramparts of the Phantom Castle, his black armor shining dully in the sun, do you think we should go help them? A voice asked in Gajeel's head.

"no, we'll wait for King Porla until we do anything," Gajeel said.

but what of the men being slaughtered?

'Nothing we can do for them right now, except avenge their deaths when it comes the time." Gajeel muttered, he watched King Porla and the others return, he jumped off the ramparts and landed right beside king Porla as his steed came to a stop.

"ah Gajeel my boy," Jose said with a smile, "what news do you bring?"

"the army is on their way here." Gajeel muttered, "our advance team was completely dessimated."

"bah! Weaklings." He growled, "Gajeel, you lead our men forward." He said.

"yes sir." Gajeel said, he jumped up and landed on top of the ramparts again, he turned and whistled, instantly from the top of the keep a dragon twice the size of a horse flew down, it's scales were a shiny gray and were sleek, Gajeel jumped off the ramparts one more time and landed on it's saddle, "you ready Metallicana?" he asked.

Born ready it growled, the two had met years ago when Gajeel was a young boy and Metallicana was newly hatched, they had formed a bond and had even slayed an evil dragon together.

Gajeel pulled his hand and a half sword out of it's sheath, the pitch black blade standing out in the blue sky, his purple cape flying out behind him,he looked into the courtyard at the army, four thousand battle hardened warriors aching for a fight, "to arms comrades!" he shouted.

The army cheered at seeing the Dragonslayer flying over head and surged forward through the gates.

Gajeel looked around, trying to find the enemy army.

Gajeel over there! Metallicana roared, looking to the north.

Gajeel looked over and saw a large army, all sorts of monsters were amongst their ranks, orcs, Minotaurs, dark elves, satyrs, and manitcores, a large number of Human barbarians were among their ranks, the army was over twelve thousand strong. "dear god…" he muttered, pulling his helmet out of a saddle bag and put it on, "this looks like a challenge," he said with a manic grin, he let out a war cry and he and Metallicana dove towards the advancing army, Metallicana opened his mouth and flames flew out, but were blocked by a shield.

"What…" Gajeel said surprised, he looked down and saw a pitch dark dragon flying under them, a knight in iron armor rode on it, a shining sword in his hands, "another Dragonslayer." Gajeel growled.

Acnologia, Metallicana growled.

"you know them?" Gajeel asked.

the dragon I know, Acnologia, they say he's the king of the dark dragons, he's a ruthless killer,

"Then lets collect the pay for his sins." Gajeel said, and the two dove towards Acnologia.

Underneath Gajeel the two armies collided, metal met metal, the shrieks of the injured and dying filled the air,

"Forward men!" King Porla shouted, swinging his sword into a Orc, splitting it's skull, he killed another before his horse was killed, throwing him off of it, as soon as he hit the ground he stood up, swinging his sword and killing anything that came close. Juvia and Boze stood next to him, Juvia flying through the enemy quickly and moving like water through the soldiers, Boze just hacked at his enemies wildly, more like a brawler then a fighter.

Gajeel clashed with the rider on Acnologia's back as the two dragons fought side by side, "C'mon you bitch!" Gajeel snarled, swinging his sword at the man's neck, he blocked it with his shield and swung his own sword at Gajeel, cutting his lower abs, Metallicana disengaged from Acnologia and flew a few yards away,

you alright? Metallicana asked worriedly.

"Fine, he just grazed me," Gajeel muttered, "This guy is pissing me off."

Then lets end this Metallicana snarled, turning sharply and going straight for Acnologia, Gajeel got ready, holding his sword in one hand, counting the seconds down before he would be able to cleave Acnologia in half, "come on," he whispered, "COME ON!" finally, Acnologia came up beside him and he swung with all his might, confident he would kill the dragon, but all he met was air, "what the…" he started, then let out a small scream of pain as a sword went through his chest, the rider was now standing behind Gajeel on Metallicana, his sword in Gajeel's chest, "nice try," the man said, "but only one can kill me, and your not him." He twisted his sword and slashed it down, cutting Gajeel from his upper abs down to his hips, destroying part of his armor, then pulled his sword out, jumping off of Metallicana.

GAJEEL! Metallicana screamed, he let out a roar of rage and turned, going for Acnologia, only to be met by a sword cutting through his chest and stomach, Metallicana fell from the sky, Gajeel falling off his back.

"M-Metallicana…" Gajeel whispered as he fell his sword falling from his hand, "METALLICANA!"

Juvia looked up as she heard a roar, then a shout of anguish, she watched as Gajeel and Metallicana fell from the sky, "No…Gajeel…" she whispered.

"Blacksteel falls!" someone shouted, "GAJEEL IS DEAD!"

Jose looked around, "No," he growled as his men started to lose heart, falling back, the monster army surged forward, easily killing the retreating men, "Damn it stand and fight!" he snarled, killing a manticore that jumped at him, "STAND AND FIGHT!"

Three orcs charged at Jose,swinging their crude clubs at him, Juvia tackled him to the side, getting him out of the way of danger, only to be hit herself.

"Juvia!" boze shouted, running forward, a Minotaur grabbed him and stabbed him through the chest, Boze let out an agonized scream as the blade went through him.

Jose stood up now surrounded by the monster army, he gripped his sword in anguish, "come on then!" he snarled.


Gajeel slowly opened his eyes and instantly shut his right eye as blood ran into it, the sun was beating down on him through the treetop canopy, he slowly started to sit up, wincing in pain, he looked down and saw his wounds were bound, he slowly stood up and wondered vaguely who did it, he looked to his side and saw his sword and armor beside him, he stood up and groaned, instantly the bandages were stained red, he bit his tongue and forced himself to stand, "Metallicana…" he whispered, looking around ,"Metallicana!"

There was no answer, for once in his life, Gajeel couldn't here his lifetime partner, all was silent, Tears came to his eyes, he quickly wiped them away, he was now a fallen, a Dragonslayer who had lost his dragon,he fell to his knee's, and let out a cry of anguish,then looked down, he couldn't dwell on Metallicana's possible death, he had to get back to Phantom keep, he forced himself to stand once again and painfully put his armor on, then picked picked up his sword, using it to steady himself, he started walking, limping heavily on his left leg, he slowly made his way back to the castle, as he went he hoped that a patrol would find him, before any remnants of the demon army did,as he got to the treeline he felt his heart drop to his stomach, the fields in front of the castle were littered with the bodies and standards of Phantom keep, he could see bonfires all throughout the fields where the dead were being piled on by orcs, on the ramparts of the castle flew a new standard, a red flag with a black star on it, and right on top of it was a mounted head, he didn't want to know who's it was, he looked away, am…am I the only one left? He thought to himself, Juvia…Boze…Sue… he closed his eyes, weighing his options, he could go down there and try to fight them, but that would end with him dying, and the other kingdom's needed to know what was coming, he turned slowly and started limping away, tears and blood falling to the grass below him.


Levy walked through the gates of the fairy castle, loking around to make sure she wasn't seen, she loved going out of the castle and reading in a field in the forest, but Lucy and the other guards almost never let her go to it since it was so far from the castle, and when they did she had to have three guards with her, ruining the serenity, so she would sneak out every now and then, and spend a few hours in the field, reading and enjoying the nature. She smiled thinking of the flowers in the field, and hoped they were in bloom, she looked around to make sure no guards were close and then quickly sprinted to the trees, smiling as she went.


Gajeel looked around as he dragged his leg behind him, the sun was high in the sky and he wondered vaguely where he was, he knew he was much to far from the border to be close to Fairy Territory, nevertheless he carried on, scared that if he stopped, he wouldn't get back up.


Levy made it to her favorite spot and looked around the field, smiling at the blooming red roses, she sat down and pulled her book out, opening it up and eagerly diving into it.


Gajeel made it to a field filled with roses, I know this place… he thought, he had seen it many times while patrolling, which means he was right on the border, he smiled little as he limped through the field, his smile slowly disappearing as he saw something he didn't expect to see, a young woman with blue hair sitting in the middle of the field, reading a book, her pink dress fanned out around her, he stopped walking and just looked at her, shock evident in his eyes, it seemed she sensed his presence as she looked up, curiosity written all over her face as she looked at his armor and sword, her brown eyes widened as she saw his wounds.

"A…a fairy…" Gajeel muttered, "What are you…" he stopped as he felt his wounds give again, blood spurting over the roses, shit I've reached my limit… he thought as he fell back, landing amidst the roses.


Levy looked at the man in front of her, she didn't know who he was, but she knew he was injured, and when he collapsed she instantly went to his side, "Sir, are you alright?" she asked worriedly, but his eyes were closed, and he laid there unmoving, his breathing quick and rapid, "please, please tell me your alright!"

Gajeel slowly opened his eyes, instantly meeting Levy's, "what's your name?" she asked.

He tried to speak, or make some type of sound, but he couldn't, his strength was all gone, he felt her pick him up, holding him in her small arms, "I'll get you help as soon as I can, just stay awake." She said.


Gajeel didn't reply, he closed his eyes then opened them again, he could feel it, he could feel his impending death slowly creep up on him, he slowly raised his hand and cupped her chin, I've lost my family, my friends, my kingdom, they're all gone…even so I feel more peaceful embracing my death, in the arms of this woman…

Levy slowly brought her hand up and held his, "please, don't close your eyes…" She whispered.

His hand slowly went limp, but she could still feel him breathing, she hardened herself and picked him up, groaning at his weight, she draped him onto her back and slowly started walking, leaving his sword right beside her book, above, storm clouds slowly rolled in overhead.


Lucy looked around worriedly for Levy, she had been looking for the young princess for hours and yet hadn't found her, it had started raining and she was hoping to god that she hadn't gone outside of the gates to the field she always went to, she walked to the window and looked out, letting out a sigh, just as she was about o turn away she caught a glimpse of a dark shape moving through the open gates, she looked harder and realized it was Levy. She quickly ran to a cupboard and pulled out a thick blanket and ran out.


Levy felt like collapsing from exhaustion as she stumbled through the gates, Gajeel was completely out cold and wouldn't even stir when she would stumble, she almost sighed in relief as Lucy ran out "oh my god what are you doing this late outside princess!" Lucy shouted worriedly.

"It doesn't matter," Levy said, "please, prepare a room for our guest."

"Our guest?" Lucy asked, then looked at Gajeel and almost flinched, "d-do you mean that-that thing on your back! How did you even carry him all the way here?" she shook her head, "My princess your going to catch a cold!"

"He's going to die if we stay here, he needs Wendy! Please call some more guards and prepare him a room!" Levy shouted.

"As…as you wish my princess." Lucy said, calling to the guardhouse for help.