. Oculto .
Levy swerved around a broken wall, crying out nervously when a blast of magic struck it. The wall crumbled, showing her just what would happen if she was caught by it, and she forced her legs to move faster, listening with fear to the clashes of fighting as Lily worked on defeating half of them.
Levy may or may not have chosen to be the temporary distraction for the other half.
The second she'd come up with the idea only minutes before, she'd simply booked it between a pair, swerving and ducking to avoid the magic and weapons that came after her.
And she was paying the price for such a move.
Blood leaked from a gash that an arrow had landed in her side, speckling the dark sands of the desert as she ran. Her feet slid and sank in the sand, slowing her, but the mounts that the bandits and slavers rode on weren't made for the desert like Salutem had been. So she took to the sand that she sank nearly up to her calf in, smirking when they shrieked in frustration.
Ignoring the pain of a mage who sent a throwing knife at her, letting it skim and flay open the skin on her cheek enough to let warm blood spill down her cheek, Levy threw herself down a sand dune, stumbling. She hit the ground rolling and groaned before forcing herself to her feet, darting forward again and swerving around another abandoned building.
Her breath coming harshly and headband long abandoned, Levy McGarden took a moment to stop and stare at a massive opening in the ground in front of her. It was pitch black inside, stretching what must have been a solid few miles, and she felt a shiver of fear run down her spine when she saw something glint red in the darkness despite the night around them.
A loud huffing sound, followed by a soft rumble.
There's something in there! she screamed silently, her eyes rounding with horror as she realized she was trapped between the ones chasing her and whatever had hidden itself in the hole.
As Gajeel would have put it…
What the fuck could be big enough to hide in that?!
"There!"
Her head snapped around, blue hair flying around her face as it paled. They'd caught up! Damn it! Taking a deep breath, Levy contemplated whether or not it would hurt less to just throw herself into the clutches of whatever was in the massive hole, because she knew that it was anything but pleasant being a slave in Bosco.
She found herself backing up until she was a foot or so away from the edge as they spilled into view, trapping her there. Her head spun, her eyes filling with desperation as she scribbled a word into the air, but a mage with barrier magic blocked it with ease when fire sprang at them. Laughter filled the air among them as she glared.
"Come now," one cooed, dismounting the heavy horse he rode upon. It was massive, with feathered feet, and sank into the sand with an uncomfortable look on its gentle face. "Don't be so difficult…"
"L-leave me alone," she seethed, her dark eyes set in a dark look. She heard a rustle behind her, a screeching sound that was soft, like metal scraping over cement. The criminals before her chose to ignore it despite the uneasiness of their mounts as the horses shifted and tensed, wanting to run.
He stepped forward, she stepped back, her heel feeling delicately for the edge and finding it with ease. "We don't want to hurt you, little lady…"
"Leave me alone!" she finally screamed, her eyes flashing with terror as he lunged. His hands closed around her arm before she could even think about falling back into the hole -
It surged into the sky.
The slavers screamed and shouted their shock and terror at the sight. A piercing and earth-shaking roar filled the air as its front half hit the ground, cracking it and nearly sending Levy back into the hole. She scampered out of the way, ignoring the slaver's screams as he fell. "Bastard," she whispered, and then screamed herself when the foot moved, leaving her to either move or die.
She scampered back to safety, struggling to get out of the way as the monster behind her roared again. She slid behind a crumbling wall, her heart pounded as tears rolled down her cheeks, her bruised and battered body wanting to collapse. But she forced herself to remain ready to run, her ears listening intently.
The monster roared again and she thought her ears might have bled a little at how loud it was.
Its front half finally out of the way, the rest of it followed, and Levy thought that they must have looked like gnats to it as its massive metallic head lowered to snarl at the men. Red eyes gleamed maliciously, razor sharp teeth that were larger than her bared.
And then it struck her that it wasn't some monster. This wasn't just any creature that they'd come across, they'd come across something that she'd pray she never see again after the events of Tenrou Island.
The stupid slavers had herded her straight into the waiting gullet of a dragon. And she knew that there was nothing any of them could do against it as a pair of sharp and metallic wings snapped into view, making it look even larger if possible. It screamed again, letting its roar spread throughout Fiore it seemed like.
The attack it launched at the slavers left nothing. They were shredded by bits of metal that spread throughout the air, thudding into the sand and piercing flesh and bone as if it was the easiest thing in the world. They were torn to shreds, and all that was left was blood stained metal embedded in the sand and stains that made Levy retch.
She heard the shouts of the rest of the slavers and Levy bit back a fearful scream when the dragon lifted its head and began to move, the ground trembling with each step. It growled, a low rumble in it throat as it slunk with ease over the ruins, careful not to destroy any of them.
The perfect hunting ground, she thought faintly as she pressed her back into the crumbling wall, cowering as it stepped over the very structure she'd used to hide.
Suddenly, it paused, massive head swinging around. Levy cried out when she found herself only inches away from a piercing red eye that swept over her tiny form with what looked almost like curiosity.
For the briefest of moments, Levy wanted to cry over the fact that she'd never gotten to say her farewells and apologies to her nakama - particularly Lucy and Gajeel as well as her teammates, who would probably feel the worst about her death due to the argument that had caused her to take the job.
And then there was a shout, and the dragon's attention was diverted. With a click of its jaws, the massive creature growled out a rumble that shook her. And then it moved on, continuing forward.
Levy's breath came in rushed gasps, her hands shaking violently as she hugged her legs, ignoring the blood that stained her fingers. Tears rose and fell and she gave a hysterical sob as she listened, hoping with all of her heart that Lily was okay.
Another roar filled the air, followed by another nasty attack that had her closing her eyes in a silent prayer as she suddenly lunged forward, determined to hide in a new location. Surely if it couldn't find her-
Crash!
A second roar followed by a taloned metallic foot slamming into the ground only inches away had her screaming, recoiling. The dragon was back, and this time, something swung delicately between its jaws. A raspy sound escaped it as it lowered its head and Levy's heart skipped a beat when it dropped a limp shape straight into her arms.
"Lily!" she sobbed, hugging the injured yet breathing Exceed to her. He was unconscious, blood matting with fur on a certain spot on his head, and Levy quivered as she pressed a kiss to a safe place. Hesitant, she lifted her gaze to the guardian of the ruins.
She could have sworn it winked as it slid backwards suddenly, a hiss on its lips. There was a moment of silence as she watched it lower itself, the ground shaking with every movement. The dragon growled again as it leveled its eye so that it was staring straight at her, the top of its head towering dozens of feet above her.
Levy nearly jumped right out of her skin when it spoke.
"Gihi," the dragon rasped hoarsely, "You should be more careful, girly."
Levy thought she must have looked like a fish as she gawked and gaped before wheezing out in a faint voice, "You...you can...okay. Okay, I get it." She took a deep breath and then bowed her head, choosing not to confirm his words. "Um, thank you. For helping us. And not killing and eating us."
The dragon snickered. "Humans are disgusting. Tried one once. Not as good as my usual meal."A gush of air rushed over her as it turned its head to sniff at her, and she shivered in fear, tightening her grip around Lily. "Calm yerself, little one, I hold no grudge with one who didn't realize they were sent to recover a piece of a dragon's hoard."
Levy paused at that. "The treasure...it's yours?"
It grunted. "Fucker's tried dozens of times. Finally learned his lesson." The dragon exhaled again, and Levy mourned the loss of her headband as her bangs fell into her face. The dragon made a rumbling sound deep in its throat. "Go home, little one. 'Fore I change my mind." As if its attitude had changed, it raised itself from the ground and began to make its way back to the massive cavern it had been in when she'd first found it.
Levy watched silently as it slid in, the ground shaking violently and nearly knocking her off of her feet as it hit the bottom, giving a final warning roar to anyone who dared trespass on its territory.
Levy blinked once, twice, and then stared openly at the dark opening.
...holy hell, this is insane.
Biting her lip, Levy came to a sudden realization. He'd told her to go home - screw this job, she'd gladly go home at the moment - but she couldn't! All of their supplies was gone, Lily was hurt, and Salutem had run off, terrified and injured, taking all of their water with him.
Levy guessed that the deer-like creature had gone off and returned to Oak Town in hopes of finding someone to care for it there.
So, the solid-script mage cautiously edged towards the cave opening. "Um...sir?" she called into the darkness below, flinching when one red eye peered up at her, irritated. "We can't leave. We're stuck here. Our mount ran off with our supplies, and I don't think either of us could survive a trip that long without water."
She could create water, alright.
But it was as disgusting as Natsu eating his own flames or Gajeel eating iron he'd created.
"Ain't my problem, girly."
Its loud voice echoed around her, harsh yet gentle and reluctant at the same time, and it struck Levy that perhaps it didn't want her to leave, but needed her, too. Levy's eyes softened. It must be lonely out here...even dragons require company.
Gajeel had told her as much when he'd been suspicious of the fact that all five of the dragon slayers' dragons had disappeared at the same time.
"Fuckers are probably all hangin' out," he'd growled accusingly, and then chomped into another piece of iron. "Bastards."
Levy took a deep breath before continuing. "It would be suicide. I have friends back home who will probably get worried and come looking, so...do you think it'd be alright if I stayed here for a few days? Until one of them showed up?"
And Lily needed rest. Her poor friend needed the blood cleaned away from his injury, and then she needed to figure out a way to bandage it so that she could staunch the bleeding before it got any worse.
A concussion gone wrong was not what they needed in the middle of some ancient ruins out in the desert.
"...fine. Ain't gonna be that brat, though?"
Surprised, Levy peered down at him. "What?"
"Forget it, little one. Take care of your friend."
Suspicious, Levy decided that it would probably be best if she listened to him on that matter. She went to work on hunting out water, wishing that Salutem hadn't run off with all of her heart. Damn fearful animals! She preferred walking and pulling things with her own measly strength. At least she wouldn't disappear on herself.
It took nearly a half hour's search before she found a decent source of water - a small spring, on the edge of the ruins. She knelt beside it, setting Lily down as she mused over her gratitude for the rising sun. She'd just knelt to sip at the water herself, needing a drink desperately after everything that had happened, when Lily suddenly groaned.
"Lily!" she sputtered, coughing and choking on her water. She spun around to face him as he sat up, his tail twitching as he touched his head with a single paw, making a pained expression. "Ow. They packed a pretty mean punch."
Levy shakily snatched him up to hug him, and his tail twitched to comfortingly touch her back before he demanded, "Are you hurt?"
"Just a few scratches," Levy sighed, touching her injured thigh with a grimace. "But the slavers are gone. There's...Lily, there's a dragon. Not a guardian, but a dragon, guarding the ruins. It's a ways back...it's not like Acnologia either, I don't think, it said we could stay until someone showed up and could take us back."
Lily stared at her for a few moments before shaking his head. "There's no way...are you sure it's a dragon?"
"I know what a dragon looks like," Levy muttered, shaking her head. "It's a dragon, Lily...and we need to be careful. I hope you're right and Mira managed to convince Gajeel to come after us." Her gaze took on an expression of distress. "I don't like how this is going at all."
"I'm sure that he'll come looking eventually," Lily said firmly before grimacing as a throb of pain ran through his mind. "Let's find somewhere to rest after we get your leg checked out...I'm exhausted, and I'm sure you are, too. At least we know that we won't be attacked in our sleep…"
"At least there's that," was Levy's whispered answer as she returned to the water, grimacing already as she scooped up some water and prepared to splash it onto the scratches that she supported.
It could be worse, I guess. I could be dead.
The next evening found Levy exhausted and hungry. She and Lily had slept throughout the day in one of the ancient homes, curled up without so much as a blanket or pillow, and she felt her stomach twist with hunger as she splashed water on her face to wake herself up a little.
"Too bad Salutem made a run for it," she muttered, shaking her head as she swiped at the water that trickled into her face. She climbed to her feet, wishing more than ever for their supplies, and meandered back to where she'd agreed to meet Lily.
The Exceed, feeling much better after getting some rest, had flown off to check out the area, determined to find something for them to eat. And she beamed when she realized he was waiting for her, a few - to her surprise - coconuts in hand.
"Coconuts?" she questioned curiously. "It's not the beach or some tropical area…"
Lily shrugged. "There are a couple trees with them. They'll keep us fed until Gajeel arrives."
"True," she agreed with a laugh, then, grateful she'd watched Gray and Natsu have a competition over preparing them, the young solid-script mage went to work on cracking it open, determined to get to the edible portion.
She and Lily sat in peace for a while after that, Levy mourning the loss of their supplies for only a few seconds before moving on. There was no more time to worry about such matters; for now, there was something else that was weighing on her mind.
Especially as the ground began to shake.
"What are you doing?" Lily demanded as she headed off in the direction of the dragon's shelter. He flew beside her. "What is this?"
"The dragon," Levy mused, frowning. "It must be coming out for a bit. I guess it must need to find something to eat, too...I hope it doesn't decide that we're a good meal…"
Half-jogging, she made it in time to where the dragon was hauling itself out of the cavern, a low sound rumbling in its throat as it did so. Its heavy metallic hide gleamed in the light of the setting sun and Lily let himself come to sit on her shoulder, grabbing a piece of hair for balance. "Levy…"
"Sh," she mumbled back and then smiled hesitantly when the dragon's massive head swung their way, snaking over so that she was looking at a pair of massive teeth that could probably tear through Erza's adamantine armor with ease. "Um...hello?"
"You're still here?" it rumbled, sounding somewhat amused.
"Of course." Levy let her smile widen as she touched Lily's head. "We can't really go anywhere without water, so we're stuck here until a friend of ours shows up. Or at least we think it's him that's going to show up. If the S-Class mage in charge of handing out jobs has anything to say about it."
The dragon made a scratching sound in the back of its throat as it cocked its head just barely, and Levy blinked as she realized that its tongue was lolling out of its mouth, though it didn't seem to notice. "...huh," it finally grunted, turning its head away. "Tell ya what, girly, I'll make ya a deal."
Levy paused. "What?"
"Ya can tell me a damn good story - and not one of those common ones, one that I haven't heard before - and I'll get ya back to that town. Ya can tell me your answer when I get back."
Lily looked suspicious as the dragon slinked off, its heavy body moving with ease over the ruins. Levy exchanged a look with the friendly Exceed. "What do we do? Should I try and tell him a story? I mean, I've read plenty of books, surely there's something I can come up with…"
"It's worth a shot," Lily reluctantly sighed. "But you're not doing it if he decides that he wants something in return, got it? I don't want Gajeel tearing me apart for allowing you to get hurt - because no matter what he says, I know he would."
Levy giggled, thinking of the iron dragon slayer's harsh way of showing his affection for everyone. He was a kind soul deep inside, though, something she and very little other people knew. "I'm sure Gajeel will come," she said firmly. "Even if he does something to us, like eat us I'm sure Gajeel will get revenge. He won't live long enough to regret it."
"I hope you're right." Lily's tail twitched as he listened. "The dragon...the way it speaks. It reminds me of Gajeel. Do you think this is perhaps Metalicana?"
Levy didn't respond for a moment, mostly because she silently admitted that she'd been contemplating the idea herself since the night before. "I've...thought of it," she finally said, "But I'm scared to ask. What if it is Metalicana? What will we do if Gajeel does show up?"
"I don't know," he admitted. "Probably try to keep him from killing a dragon."
Levy hummed her agreement.
When the dragon came back, Levy was ready. It eyed her suspiciously, that low sound in its throat as it questioned, "You accepting my deal, shorty?"
The solid-script mage decided then and there that if Gajeel wanted to tear this dragon into pieces, she was more than happy to let him. Glaring and hugging Lily to her chest, she nodded. "Yes. Thank you for offering such options...sir?"
"Sir…" The dragon snorted, as if it was amused with what she'd said. "Ain't no sirs here, little one. I am the iron dragon, Metalicana."
Levy's mouth went dry. "M-Metalicana?" she said faintly, and Lily swore softly under his breath. The dragon grunted in response, lowering itself to the ground, which shook beneath the young woman's feet. She staggered, and then caught herself before she fell, her heart thudding wildly in her chest.
"Metalicana," she repeated, and then, confusing the dragon, she began to laugh hysterically, tears of distress filling her eyes. She buried her face in her hands, hysterical laughter turning into sobs as her emotions roiled up and exploded, refusing to give her a single moment of peace.
Lily flicked his tail, wings appearing as he shifted himself off of her shoulder to land on the ground. They vanished as soon as his paws touched down. "Forgive her," he sighed to the utterly lost dragon. Metalicana's massive head turned in his direction. No longer concerned that they'd be hurt or eaten by him, Lily gave a slight smile. "I believe the stress of the slavers and coming across another dragon has gotten to her."
Metalicana snorted and rumbled, "I suppose that it understandable." Metalicana ducked his head, suddenly ripping into the meal he'd managed to find: a rather large portion of iron. He devoured it with a hunger that made the Exceed decide that Gajeel must have gotten his hunger for silverware from the manner-less iron dragon
After Levy had regathered the fragments of her mind, she took a deep breath and whispered, "I can't believe this...you're Metalicana."
Metalicana made a sound of amusement as he said, "You have heard of me."
Levy flushed in response. "We're good friends with your son. Gajeel...he's been looking for you so long-"
Metalicana paused in eating his meal to stare at her. He extended his head so that his nose was only inches away, his breath blowing her hair out of her face. "...I have not spoken that name since I left seven and a half years ago." His voice lowered. "Does my son hate me? I have worried about it."
"Bastard could die for all I care!"
"Who the fuck cares about where they went, Salamander?! They're gone! Left us! Abandoned us! Screw 'em!"
"Stop yer tears, kid, they ain't comin' back."
All statements the iron dragon slayer had snarled aloud, yet Levy smiled sweetly as she said, "No. He doesn't hate you. He claims that he does, but he gets just as excited as one of our other dragon slayers when there's news of a dragon."
"He proudly uses the magic you taught him," Lily added, watching with care. While this was Metalicana, there must have been a reason that he left.
And that did not bode well when his son was the one coming after them if Mira was the one behind their rescue.
Metalicana practically purred. "That damn brat. He wear that stupid look he calls a smile?"
"All the time." Levy's voice was fond, gentle as she spoke of Gajeel, and Lily hid his smile at the tone.
Mira wasn't the only one who noticed the feelings and connections between certain mages of Fairy Tail. And Mira certainly hadn't seen the nervous looks Gajeel wore when Levy didn't return to the guildhall when she said she would, or the worry when he was told she was hurt or sick.
Metalicana was pleased with the information that Levy had supplied for him, as if relieved to hear that Gajeel was doing well. He returned to tearing into his iron, grunting when iron splinters flew everywhere and playfully snapping at them with his jaws, like some kind of playful dog.
Levy could only stare; it wasn't every day you came across a friendly dragon - especially after spending your days thinking they were all like Acnologia.
Of course, from the way that Grandeeney and Igneel had been fondly described, Levy had known they weren't all that evil. But still, Acnologia was a dragon that would haunt her nightmares for the rest of her life, and that was something she was absolutely sure about.
Suddenly, glowing red eyes turned on her. Levy tensed as Lily stepped closer to lean on her leg in silent comfort, reassuring. "You promised a story, girlie. Just 'cause ya know that brat doesn't mean I'mma give you freebies."
Levy opened her mouth to fire back a retort and then stopped, because she knew that there was no point to arguing with a creature that could swallow her in one gulp. Hesitant, Levy seated herself on the hot sand, wincing at how it burned her and her injury. "Um...one you haven't heard…"
"Perhaps," Lily suggested, "You could speak of how Gajeel came to join Fairy Tail?"
Metalicana looked intrigued by the idea but the shudder that ran down Levy's spine was answer enough. "No," she mumbled, "I don't want to talk about that. I've moved on from that, and so has Gajeel. We're not going back to that, Lily. I'm sorry."
He patted her knee in understanding. "Then another time. I'm sure Metalicana is interested in anything about his son."
"Indeed," the dragon rumbled, metallic head glinting blindingly in the sun as he dropped it completely with a thud. Levy was more than aware of the curve he made around them. The lack of exit for them concerned her, but she pushed on anyways.
"I guess," she murmured, "I can tell you what happened with the Grand Magic Games a few months back…"
A rumble left the back of Metalicana's throat. "Dragons. The Eclipse Gate. We are aware of all that have to do with such damaging troubles, little one. I know exactly what happened that night, and I am proud of my son for what he accomplished."
Levy was taken aback by that, but even more surprised when the dragon demanded, "Speak, fairy girl, I wanna know what happened from the mages' point of view. A reason was never given for the despicable actions of whoever opened the damn gate."
Lily growled himself. "The ones who opened the gate were tricked into it by a friend of our guild's. A future version of him, anyways. It was a messy adventure."
"Messy adventure…" Metalicana's teeth were bared in a grin that sent chills through them both. "I expect to hear interesting things then. Start speaking, little one, and perhaps I'll consider returning you to your guild."
Well, look who showed up! I missed the big metallic bastard after SR, so here he is again! ;) Thanks to reviewers (orangealuminumcan, Guest, and Mechanical-Rose-Sama!)