The Forgotten - Part 7

The door swung open with a firm hit from Gajeel's boot. He was beyond furious. Several hooded people scurried away at the sight of him. Tanya sat upon the altar with a smirk. Levy and Jet stayed close to the dragon slayer, prepared for whatever they might find inside the small stone building. "Well, well", taunted Tanya, "Look what the cat dragged in." Thick with aromas, the air clung to the fairies as they entered. Gajeel stepped over the shattered door, his eyes glued to the bounty hunter before him. She played with a metallic orb while her wicked smile invited the approaching threat. Magic began to spark in the atmosphere, such was the wrath of a dragon slayer. The worshipers hid behind their benches in fear. One was a little braver. He stood beside Tanya, his hood blocking his face. "My lady, he has arrived", he said solemnly. Whispers arose nearby, but quickly dispersed with a glance from Jet. "Welcome to my pet project", said Tanya, finally sliding down from the altar. "I've been doing this for years", she said, amused with her work. Some form of animal was splayed on a pedestal close by. "What is this place?", said Levy, thinking aloud. "I found a way into that horrid library quite some time ago. It was mere child's play pulling these people together. Everyone knows magic needs to be eradicated. So, I began with the books. The witch trapped souls in them, you know, harboring magical creatures for all eternity. The thought of it makes me ill", sneered Tanya. The people whispered in the old language, seemingly approving of their leader's methods. "Magic is not evil", stated Levy. "People can be evil whether the wield magic or not", she added. "You're proof enough of that", supplied Jet, disgusted. "Is that so? And how do you plan to prove that point? By trying to killing me in front of these good people? I'd say that would weigh on their hearts in my favor", said Tanya smugly. "There's no 'trying' involved", growled Gajeel. A cold chill shook Levy at the sight. She knew exactly what he was capable of before Fairy Tail and worried he might fall back into the darkness.

A recognizable sound whispered through the air. Someone was unsheathing a knife. Within seconds, the worshipers stood empty handed in shock as the air swirled around the building. They couldn't believe that one of the mages now held their precious daggers though no one had seen him move. Tanya sized up Jet. She clearly remembered him. He would be an annoyance if left unchecked. She scowled at him in thought. Standing his ground, he held one arm in front of Levy protectively. Resettling her gaze on Gajeel, Tanya began to grin. "With your blood, I can end all of this and we can return to the pure ways." She hurled the strange orb toward him. He easily caught it in his hand, crushed and ate it. Metal was no match for him. He smirked at her foolish endeavor, but she grinned just as wide. "I knew you would make it easy for me", she sneered. Gajeel focused on his vital signs. No changes. "What are you babbling about?", he asked. "A simple toxin formula", she bragged. Levy looked toward him with wide eyes. How could he be so careless? "You're not fooling anyone", stated the dragon slayer. He felt no poison within him. "No? Blame your partners for your downfall", said Tanya. "Her", she smiled, pointing to Levy. The fairies glanced at one another in confusion. Cocky, Tanya turned her back on them and crowed of her achievements. "Simple really. Three ingredients are now combining in your blood. The first was embedded in your little girlfriend. When you 'revived' her, it passed through the membrane of her skin and waited for the next step. The second was delivered by my dear little brother. I told him about a new weapon, knowing he'd warn you despite his injuries. His blood carries an immunity to many of my early toxins. Little did he know I'd developed a new one that was ineffective until mixed with such chemical warnings. When his blood reached you outside, part two was completed. And finally, three", she turned with an evil sneer. "You think you ate it, don't you? Wrong again. It's in the air", she said, waving her hand through the smoke from the incense. Levy was horrified. Could it really be true? Was Tanya truly that clever? Gajeel had heard enough. He was ready to strike. He glanced at his arm in terror when it didn't respond. "Starting to feel the effects, are you?", teased the hunter. He glared at her, determined to overcome it. A strange sensation came over him. His skin had started to form his iron scales, but he hadn't called for them. A metallic ripple of changing patches washed over his body. It ceased as suddenly as it had come. A fierce throbbing overtook his mind. Everything was getting blurry.

Tanya laughed, proud of her work. "See, friends?", she called to the crowd. "Magic can be destroyed beyond those accursed tomes. The last descendant of the witch is at my mercy", she said. Jet watched carefully as the hooded figures shuffled toward them. Levy sent several words in the air, like 'fire' and 'poison', keeping them at bay. Tanya strode confidently toward the dragon slayer. "Look at you", she spat, "Disgraceful. The last Redfox will fall and I will be the savior of these innocent people. They can return to their lives, freed from the magic you all so desperately cling to." Tauntingly, she traced his face with her fingers, bemused he could do nothing to stop her now. "It'll be over soon", she whispered in his ear. She smiled at Levy, responding the expression she wore. Tanya calmly took a step back as spikes pierced Gajeel's skin from the inside of his body. "Can you feel it?", she smirked. "Your body is trying to purify itself of the depraved energy you call magic. How does it feel? Rejecting the lies you've based your pitiful life on?" He could do nothing but stare at her. His eyes sliced into her, but she remained unafraid. "You'll soon wish the dragon really had eaten you", she said coldly. Turning to walk away, she was surprised to be ambushed. She slid into the ground with the impact of someone rushing into her. "Get off of me, you filth!", she yelled. Jet held her arm twisted, giving him leverage as he pinned her to the floor. Gajeel watched in silence, surprised the Jet had the nerve and determination to tackle the hunter. The robed man from before ran toward them. Tanya freed her other arm, activating something on her wrist. A chain shot out and pierced the chest of the approaching man. It latched firmly on the other side of his body. She pulled hard, sending the poor man flying toward Jet. He was horrified, but knew he couldn't move. He clenched his eyes as the body slammed into him, doing his best not to let go of his captive. Blood covered his face, but he still sent a reassuring glance to Levy. She nodded. "What have you done?", she asked. The other followers took a pace away from their fallen leader. She was now showing her true colors.

Without warning, the spikes in Gajeel's flesh began to move. They grew longer and bent back toward him. Then, the worst started. The magic in his body was out of control. The spikes dove and wound through his flesh, leaving nothing but shredded skin and sinew in their wake. When they finally stopped, Levy dashed to catch him. She nearly fell beneath his weight, but managed to angle him onto the altar. His eyes rolled back. He gasped in seemingly random increments. Terrified of losing him, Levy cried out. "Gajeel! You're stronger than this! Fight it!", she screamed, tears and blood covering her. Grasping the remains of his shirt, she pleaded, whispering "Please", over and over. Most of the followers had fled. A shadow loomed from the door. Jet looked back. Lily had transformed and Blythe leaned heavily onto him. They made their way forward. Blythe's frail hand grasped Levy's shoulder. She was crying into Gajeel's chest, shaking. She met his gaze with desperate eyes. He offered a faint, but kind smile. "Levy-chan, we can fix this. Don't give up just yet", he panted. She nodded despite her tears. Blythe sent a pitied look to his sister. "Reach into the pack on my thigh, Levy", he said. She did so and pulled out something remarkable. "Is this - ?", she began in disbelief. The fallen bounty hunter nodded, "It's my prize treasure. Jeel-kun gave it to me a long time ago." Levy stared at the dragon scale in her hands. "It's his only chance", panted Blythe. She looked to Lily and Jet who silently nodded. "What do I do?", she asked, determined. Blythe gasped for air, each breath harder than the last. "Put it...on his heart...", he whispered. She set the scale on Gajeel's chest and nothing happened. Blythe was starting to black out. Fighting against himself and time, he said, "No...On his heart." He started slumping to the floor and Lily reacted quickly to steady him. Lily glanced at a ceremonial dagger nearby. Levy shook her head in horror. "I can't..", she began. "You have to", stated Lily. Jet struggled against Tanya, trying to keep her in check. "Do it!", he hollered. Meeting Levy's gaze, he said, "Save his life. If you don't do it now, you'll never forgive yourself." She slowly grasped the dagger. Her face was wet with tears, her clothes stained with Gajeel's blood. Her entire being was shaken to the core. Her hands trembling, she gripped the hilt. Holding the blade over the dragon slayer's slowing breaths, she whispered, "Forgive me." The knife plummeted. Jet stared at the floor with the sickening sound of metal on bone. Lily observed in concern. Fighting her urge to gag, Levy twisted the blade, popping a rib. She knew what she had to do. Blood flowed over her small hands as she slid the scale inside his body. Another horrible 'pop'. She placed her hands firmly over the wound, trying to stem the blood flow. "Please", she sobbed. Everyone watched, breathlessly awaiting a response. A deep breath filled Gajeel's lungs. Levy began to relax, but then...nothing. He wasn't breathing.

Terror overtook the mages. Blythe watched hazily, helpless. "Put me down. Help him", he begged. Lily gently set him upon a bench and approached his fallen partner. Tanya smiled to herself, amused at their efforts. Aware of it, Jet tightened his grip with loathing. He grit his teeth and stared at the hunter, unable to face the events unfolding nearby. Lily set his large paws over Levy's tiny hands. "Get some air in his lungs. I've got this", he said solemnly. With a nod, she slid her bloodied hands free. Jet managed to glance up just in time to see her attempt to revive the fallen. His stomach turned, having watched their lips met. He told himself now wasn't the time, but he felt so helpless and so heartbroken. He focused on Tanya, trying to ignore the tears forming in his eyes. Another deep breath. Still nothing. "Come on", pleaded Levy. Lily attempted a few compressions, but ceased when the blood thickened over his fingers. "You can do it", he encouraged under his breath. Both fairies were so focused on Gajeel, neither noticed Blythe dragging himself toward the altar. He reached a weak hand up, grasping the limp one on his friend's hanging arm. Gajeel's blood flowed down onto his hand. Blythe closed his eyes and prayed. Finally, a gasp. Jet glanced up, hoping for the best. Levy threw herself onto the dragon slayer, crying tears of joy. They'd restarted his heart. Lily grinned at a job well done. Stepping back, Levy folded a discarded robe and pressed it over the wound. Jet sighed in relief, glad his previous feelings had passed.

"What have you done?!", screamed Tanya. "He has to die!" Pinning her arm with his knee, Jet gladly gagged her. A few torn pages rose from the floor, remnants of destroyed tomes. They flitted gracefully toward Gajeel, landing over the hole in his chest. They began glowing and sank beneath Lily's hands. The blood flow significantly reduced. The trio looked up in surprise as an ethereal woman surrounded by other magic creatures smiled toward them. "Thank you" echoed through the chamber and the specter disappeared.

A few days later, Gajeel opened his eyes. Jet slept in a chair nearby. Levy could be heard outside the room, chiding Blythe for breaking yet another splint. His entire body was numb. The memories slowly came back. Hazy bits of information floated through his mind. Carefully, he managed to sit up. Thick bandages covered most of his body. As soon as he moved, everything hurt as if the wounds were new. Red seeped through the white dressings. He took a deep breath and reached for a glass of water next to him. "Finally awake?", teased Jet. He gave a kind smile for once. "Welcome back." He called out and the door flew open. As soon as Levy's eyes met Gajeel's, she started to tear up. She rushed forward, hugging him harder than she ought to. He flinched in pain, but didn't push her away. A faint grin graced his lips. Glancing up, he was relieved to see Blythe in the doorway. Bandaged and on crutches, the bounty hunter smiled. "Hey! I'm supposed to do stupid stuff like that!", he teased. Realizing what she'd done, Levy gingerly let go. Her cheeks slightly red, she asked, "How do you feel?". Shying his gaze, Gajeel replied, "Like I've been hit by a train." Blythe limped into the room. "If that's all, then you're doing well", he said, relieved his friend had finally awoken.

The team recovered for several more days before starting home. When they entered the guild, Droy gladly greeted his teammates. Lily and Gajeel shuffled to a corner, trying not to draw attention. As soon as Gajeel was seated, a familiar yet annoying voice said, "What happened to you?". Gajeel fought off an eye twitch. "Not now, Salamander", he grunted. Before Natsu could pry more, Lucy dragged him off by the ear, chiding him to leave Gajeel alone. Another set of footsteps. The dragon slayer glanced up. Juvia looked over his battered form, glad he'd come back in one piece. She sat across from him silently. After a few minutes passed, she said, "So, how's the family?". Gajeel smirked and began relating the tale. Levy made her report to Makarov and life seemed to fall back into place. She watched Gajeel from afar while she chatted with Lucy, smiling softly when they locked eyes. Dealing with new developments would wait for another day. For now, they were simply glad to be home.

The End