Notes: Holy shit this is all kinds of awful. I tried to write it in the wee hours of the morning and I basically ended up rewriting the entire thing as I typed it up and it still sucks. I apologize. I'm going to try to focus on this fic for a bit so hopefully I'll have a third chapter out soon, but in case you can't tell… I suck at updating. This chapter also taught me that I can't write Juvia to save my life…

Please feel free to point out any mistakes you see because this has barely been edited.

Levy had always heard that before you died your entire life flashed before your eyes, but those stories were lies. She didn't see her past, only her present.

She saw Lucy throwing open the door and dashing outside, her mouth open in a scream that Levy couldn't hear over the sound of her heart pounding against her ribcage. She saw the talons glinting in the dying sun, headed right for all her vital parts and moving much slower than she would've thought, but she suspected that was just the adrenaline pulsing through her veins.

Then she blinked and suddenly there was a blur of black as something rammed into her and threw her out of the dragon's reach.

For a moment the world seemed to stop all together as she flew through the air and she was aware of everything. She could feel the warmth of her savior's hard chest pressed against hers, of his strong arms wrapped securely around her back holding her tight. She could smell him, like metal and dirt and blood and she found herself wondering what he tasted like. Then she felt the pain as the claws tore into her face, it was barely more than a glancing blow but it felt like her face was being ripped away, and all she saw was a beautiful deep crimson as the world sped up.

She didn't have a chance to scream before the air was being knocked out of her and her head cracked against the asphalt. She felt her brain rattle in her skull and she tried to open her eyes, but she couldn't seem to make them work. Then she froze as a big hand pressed against her shoulder and warm breath tickled her ear.

"Stay here," a voice growled, and then the warmth was gone and she was alone. It's not like I could move if I wanted to.

Her head was throbbing and she was faintly aware of the glass lodged in her shoulder. She could feel the warm sticky blood dripping from the cuts on her forehead and cheek but for some reason she didn't feel any pain, it was like her mind had just shut down.

Since she couldn't move or see she tried to figure out what was going on by relying on her ears, but everything sounded muted and she couldn't focus enough to place anything. Then she heard the quick tap of feet approaching and suddenly there were hands on her body and face.

"You've been torn apart," Lucy said. Levy turned her head towards wear the sound came from and squinted her eyes as far as they would go. She could just barely make out Lucy's face and her tear filled eyes and she tried to smile, although she imagined it looked more like a grimace.

"I'm fine," she said, laying back and shutting her eyes. It was too bright and she was tired.

"Fine? Fine!" She winced when she felt a hand smack against her stomach. "I thought you were going to die!"

"If we don't stop the bleeding she will," a voice Levy didn't recognize said. She felt someone kneel next to her and she forced her eyes open again, but all she could make out was blue.

"And who are you?"

"Juvia Lockser."

There was an angry roar and Levy flinched, panic rising in her chest as her eyes flew open. She looked around wildly and tried to sit up. "The dragon! Where is the dragon?" A hand held her shoulder down and she got a good look at Juvia. Levy's first impression had been right, the woman was very blue, from her hair to her clothes and even her eyes. Beautiful, was the word that came to mind when Levy looked at her.

"Do not worry. Gajeel is leading it away. You are safe."

Gajeel. Calm washed over her and her eyes fluttered shut as her mind became fuzzy. "Thank you," she breathed. Juvia may have responded but by then Levy was already gone.

x

Lucy stared at Levy's still body and worry ate at her from the inside out. When Levy had gone upstairs she'd thought nothing of it, but then she'd heard the crash and the gunfire and she'd known something was very wrong. She had run upstairs as fast as she should, but it wasn't fast enough. She'd made it to the door just in time to see the dragon land.

It was big, larger than a school bus with glistening black scales and impossibly sharp fangs, and then it turned its eyes on Levy and Lucy couldn't stop her scream. She'd run towards her friend, knowing that she wouldn't make it, but she had to try.

Everything happened so fast then. Lucy stumbled to a halt and could only watch as Levy went flying and the dragon snarled in rage. She watched as the shadow that had pushed Levy out of the way rose from her body and launched itself at the dragon. An arm became a sword that bit into the dragon's side and she almost screamed again, sure that this man was about to die, but he quickly retracted the sword and ran before the dragon could snap him in half with its jaws. Then the dragon roared and followed after the stranger and suddenly the street was empty.

That was when Lucy shook herself and hurried to Levy's side. The sight of her friend's bloody body had tears welling in her eyes, but she bit her lip to keep them from spilling out. She had to be strong.

Now the stranger who'd introduced herself as Juvia was pulling things out of her knapsack and Levy wasn't moving.

"Juvia isn't a doctor," the woman said. "But Juvia should be able to stop the bleeding until this girl can get proper care." She handed a towel and a bottle of water to Lucy and motioned to the cuts on Levy's face. "Clean them."

Lucy's body seemed to be moving on autopilot. She poured a bit of water on the towel and began dabbing at the cuts, her lip quivering. There was no doubt that they would scar. She glanced up when Juvia lifted Levy's shoulder and hissed, and panic rose in her chest.

"What?" Her voice cracked and she bit her lip to keep from babbling.

"She has glass embedded in her shoulder. Juvia does not think she is skilled enough to handle it."

"At Fairy Tail, there's a girl with a healing gift. She should be able to help," Lucy said.

"How far away is this Fairy Tail?"

"About half a day's walk."

She looked up at the sound of approaching footsteps and smiled at Bisca.

"Is she alright?" Then Bisca saw Juvia and her eyes widened. "Is this one of the survivors?"

Lucy shot to her feet, her hand going to her mouth. "The survivors! They're probably terrified."

"Survivors?" Juvia asked, tilting her head to the side.

"We were on a rescue mission," Lucy explained.

Bisca glanced at Levy before shouldering her rifle. "I'll go gather them. We should really get out of here before the dragon or the zombies return."

Lucy nodded and returned to Levy's side. Her hand fluttered over Levy's cheek and she sighed softly. I'm sorry, Levy.

She glanced up when she felt eyes on her and stared at Juvia. "We've done all we can," Juvia said, packing her things back in her bag. "She should last until Fairy Tail if you leave now."

"What about you?"

Before Juvia could answer they were interrupted by the sound of pounding footsteps and Lucy looked up in surprise when the man known as Gajeel approached them.

"I managed to lose it, but we've got to go now," he growled and Juvia was on her feet in seconds. He glanced down at Levy on the ground before his eyes flicked to Lucy and she almost gasped. His eyes were red and the pupils were slits. "You coming?"

"I can't just leave Levy," she said and Gajeel huffed. Before she could even blink he swept her up into his arms, careful to not jostle her too much. Lucy was surprised by the gentleness in his movements, the man was all rough edges and metal, but he treated Levy like she was a fragile flower.

As she got to her feet Bisca joined them with the survivors. "I contacted Natsu and Gray and told them to wait out of sight at the edge of the city."

"Good." Lucy turned to look at the two strangers and nodded. "Let's go."