Hey, guys. One last chapter before my second semester starts. As a New Year's present (sure, why not) it's my longest one yet. So be dears, and give me a review for my New Year!

Levi's jaw dropped yet again, and she rubbed her eyes in disbelief. It was one thing to see her guild members suddenly walk in through the door, looking thoroughly injured and scratched up. It was another thing to see them yelling in joy at the sight of everyone, as if they had been gone for weeks when Levi was sure she had seen them mere hours ago. But easily the strangest thing was to see a small and familiar looking girl cradled between Elfman and Mirajane, and hearing the story of how it all happened.

"So, Lisanna didn't really die, but went to an alternate world?" Levi began, attempting to recap. "And Lu-chan and the others went there too for the past many days? And you saw an alternate Fairy Tail with alternate members and –"

"Don't worry about it, Levi-chan!" Lucy said, smiling radiantly. "We helped that world take care of its problems, saved all of you, and now we're back!"

Levi accepted Lucy's warm hug, but was still confused.

"So, Mystogan… he'd spent the last seven years trying to protect our world from the alternate world's King? And in the end, he saved the world by becoming the leader and actually getting rid of the magic? And after that he – "

"Forget about it already, Levi-chan!" Lucy kept insisting. "Even though we won't see him anymore, Mystogan is happy now! He was a really good guy, and a true member of our guild, even though none of us ever got close to him. But, even though we lost him, look what we got in return!"

Levi agreed with that part wholeheartedly. She hadn't seen such a pure smile on Mira's face in what felt like ages, and Elfman was probably going to scold himself tomorrow for how unmanly his crying was. She looked around to see everyone in the Guild having the time of their life. Juvia fawning over Gray, worrying for his safety over the battle that she missed. Lisanna hugging everyone she remembered, and with care avoiding the perverted old men. Gajeel laughing merrily, enjoying the –

What?

Levy once again rubbed her eyes, wondering what kind of magic she was under. But, as far as she could tell, Gajeel The Iron Dragon was absolutely jolly, holding up some kind of living Teddy for everyone to see. Curiosity getting the better of her, she walked over, and saw Gajeel laughing in the face of one Max.

"GIHIHIHI! Now, pay up! That's another three beers!"

"You cheated, Gajeel!" A very embarrassed looking Max called out. "That wasn't a cat! That was some kinda monster!"

Suddenly, Gajeel's face stopped smiling, and a demonic scowl appeared.

"The hell did you just say about my cat?"

Max cowered instantly, sputtering an apology and running to get the beers.

"Umm… what happened to Max-san?" Gajeel turned around to Levi's voice. To her surprise, she saw his eyes lighting up at the sight of her, and was taken aback by the reaction, feeling an irregular jump in her chest.

"Ohhh! Its you! Hey, how about a little arm wrestling contest, loser buys the winner a drink? Oh no, not me, my cat!" Gajeel was grinning, as if he just bought a new toy and he wanted everyone in the world to know about it.

Levi looked down at the said cat. He's been having people arm wrestle this little guy?

"Hello. My name is Panther Lily; Lily for short. Please forgive this fool's impudence."

Levi gave a yelp, both at the creatures ability to speak, and the uncharacteristically deep voice.

"You… you're like Happy and Wendy! Lu-chan said, an exceed, right?"

"That's right, Gihihi! I finally get my own cat. Now, introduce yourself, ugh… shorty?"

Levi's eyes widened. Sh…shorty?

"Hey, watch what you call Levi!" Droy angrily interjected.

"Whatever she's called, it's her turn to arm wrestle Lily!"

"Gajeel, for the last time! No more scaring your guildmates. And in any case, I think I'm getting too tired to keep my transformation up."

"No problem, Lily! If its Levi, she couldn't even beat a regular cat!" Warren added merrily to the conversation.

Not… even a regular cat?

"Hey, what's with that, Warren!" Jet angrily retorted. "Picking on Levi because of her small stature!"

Small… stature?

"Hmph! Being mean just because of her physical limitations…" Droy added, a stern look on his face.

…Limitations?

"Umm, everyone, I think that's quite enough. No more arm wrestling contests." Lily was actually the oldest there, and had to be responsible. Levi however took it another way.

"Why! Think I can't take you, huh!"

Everyone was taken aback. Levi's face was red, and she was trying to look very mean. Unfortunately, it was more cute than intimidating.

"All of you saying whatever you like… C'mon Lily! I'll take you on. But Loser needs to pay up enough for FIVE beers!"

Everyone went quiet for a second. But then one man spoke up, a Dragonish grin on his face.

"Gihihi, good!"

"Hey Gajeel, I got the beers you asked fo-" Max stopped abruptly upon seeing the facial expressions of everyone there. "Umm… I-I'll just leave them here."

Levi sat on the table they were using, and put her arm out.

"Lets go!"

"W-wait… we don't have to do this!" Lily tried insisting.

"Oi Lily, you gonna disrespect her by refusing?" Gajeel asked while raising an eyebrow.

Lily, frowning heavily, sat across her.

"First, both of you have some of the beer here to settle your nerves!" Warren suggested. Levi and Lily both did so, drinking a small amount from their glasses. Levi began blinking, and after looking to both sides, she gulped again, but not from the beer.

…What have I gotten myself into! I got carried away a little bit, and now… I don't know why, but I get the feeling this cat is stronger than he looks… somebody help!

"Wait! Let me do it in her place! I'll pay if I lose myself, too!" Jet bravely offered, stepping up.

"J-Jet!" Levi was surprised, and felt a small surge of relief. But also a small surge of guilt.

"Oh, is that what you wanna do? Go ahead then, shorty. Let your knight in tacky clothing take the fall for you." Gajeel smirked as he spoke.

"Hold on one second! What's your problem, Gajeel! Getting her mad and then forcing her to – "

"He's not forcing me, Jet." Levi suddenly said. "And he wasn't the only one who provoked me. But it doesn't matter now; I agreed and I'm gonna do it!"

Jet and Droy frowned, both realizing they couldn't do anything to help Levi. At this rate she would make a fool of herself!

"Oh! So you've got guts. Then let's make the rules more interesting; you can only use your magic after I say go! Got that, Lily? Only transforming after I say go. And Lily, don't go easy on her. You'll make her look stupid." Gajeel gleefully explained the rules.

"Oh, Levi can use magic too then!" Jet exclaimed happily. Then his face fell. "But what could she do to stop Lily! Burn him? Get him wet? He won't let go even if she drops a magic anvil on his head!"

Levi gulped. Was this cat so fearsome after his transformation?

Wait… could I maybe beat him before he transforms? No, look at his face! Someone that serious would be way too quick. Then, could I maybe take him head on? No, he was able to beat Max, who's bigger than me! What… what can I

"Hey, bookworm." Levi was snapped out of her thoughts and looked up to see two red eyes gazing at her. "Think less about why you're gonna lose and more about how you can win."

Levi looked up, and became quiet for a second. What could he mean…?

"Enough stalling!" Levi jumped and turned around to see Master Makarov of all people, joining in the celebrations. "Start the match! Show him what you can do, Levi!"

Levi gulped. She didn't want to call more people over to the fuss. She put her arm, nervously.

"Okay, lets go! Remember, no magic until I say go!" Gajeel spoke out loud, grinning. "And keep in mind: don't go easy, and win with your power!"

"Darn that Gajeel, he's rallying his cat more and more! Is he making fun of Levi?" Droy grit his teeth in the background.

"Okay, hands together!" As Levi touched the paw of the small cat before her, she wondered in her mind about what he would do.

Win with his power? What kind of power can he have? He's so weak-looking after all, but he still has something up his sleeve? Wait… wait up! There's gotta be something… something I can do to stop him! Even if it's just long enough to win for a second!

Levi remembered Gajeel's words, telling her to think of a way to win. Hmmph… all I remember is how he called me Shorty, and then Bookworm. Book…worm…? WAIT! THAT'S IT!"

"READY…. SET…!" Levi instantly looked up, and stuffed a hand in her bag.

"GO!"

In front of her, Levi saw a small cloud of gas appear, followed by a monstrous creature appearing before her. The cute paw turned into a deadly grip. But, Levi's wild imagination caused her to predict a much more fearsome creature, and so she was not surprised by the transformation. Instead she pulled out her notebook and pen with lightning speed.

She felt Lily's hand getting tighter, and opened a page. She felt a strong pressure on her right arm, and placed the pen on the paper.

And just as she was about to feel her wrist pulled to the table surface, she pulled it off.

A small poof of her own came forth, this one emerging from the page. Three sliced kiwis popped up.

"Solid Script: Kiwi!"

Everyone in the area scratched their heads, wondering what the purpose of this move was.

"Levi, what was the point of that?" Max asked. Levi responded by letting out a battle cry, and twisting her right arm along her elbow.

Not enough to stop Lily was what everyone thought. But, to their surprise, Lily's arm was moving to her force. They looked at his face, and gasped in surprise.

"Lily!" shouted out Gajeel. "Your face is frikkin embarrassing, what are you doing!"

Lily had a mixture of euphoria and dizziness on his face, and was staring blanky into the wall in front of him.

"Ki…kiwis…" he muttered.

"Don't you know? This is how a cat reacts to the smell of kiwis!" Levi remembered the book she read on the subject just a month ago. With these words, Levi slammed her opponents wrist into the table.

"I WIN!"

Everyone was silent. And then they cheered! Jet and Droy did a victory dance, Lily smiled and took a bite out of the produced Kiwis, and Max took the chance to drink one of the beers he owed Gajeel.

Makarov walked over to Gajeel's side.

"That was strange of you to do, you know? Even if it was kind."

Gajeel didn't face him.

"She definitely looks happy, and you reminded her that she has her own talents to be proud of, but don't you look like the pathetic one right now? Are you okay with that compromise?"

Another moment of silence passed.

"What are you talking about old man? I thought for sure I'd win that… there go my five beers."

"I see, I see! Too bad for you, then." Makarov laughed jovially, playing along. This boy is certainly growing.

Mira came over, a tray of five beers in her hand.

"Here you go, Levy-chan! You won these fair and square! I'll get the money from Gajeel-kun later."

"Oh-oh!" Levi blushed, shocked that she asked for those, since she wasn't even planning on drinking them. "I… I don't mind if I share!"

As soon as she said that, a whirl of action happened and only one of the five remained. All around her, someone was drinking her earnings. But she was happy! She had proven herself in front of everyone.

"Wow, Levi!" Lisanna came up, a smile on her face. "That was amazing! I got completely captured by that cat, you know!"

"Oh, you saw that? Hehe." Levi was happy to show such a display to her old friend. But, she wouldn't start chatting with her just yet.

"Hold on, Lisanna." Levi moved up to take the last beer on the tray, and looked around.

She saw what she was looking for, and walked towards a bickering pair.

"What do you mean, I have to pay?" A small black cat could be seen yelling.

"You were the one who lost, right! You pay!" Gajeel yelled back.

"Oh yeah? Then give me the money for all the times I won!"

"No way! You didn't ask for it then!"

"Well I want it now! You said you would feed me, anyway!"

"You're a cat, aren't you? You can just eat anything, it'll be fine!"

"What's that supposed to mean!" Lily's vein popped. "Fine then, I'll eat everything in your fridge!"

"Ohhh?" Gajeel grinned manically. "Okay then, enjoy it! I bet you're gonna love what you see!"

"Ummm, Gajeel?" Both figures turned to look at the small girl.

"H-here!" Levi handed the beer forward. "I wasn't planning on drinking it, and… um, you should take it, since I think Max isn't gonna give you yours anymore…"

"What! That little… okay, fine then." Gajeel reached forward and grabbed the glass.

"Good job by the way." He once again reached out to ruffle her hair, and Levi's face went a little pink as he did so. She was still caught off guard by the action.

"Y... yeah."

"So, what's this little drink for, anyway?"

"Just my way… of saying thanks!"

Gajeel's eyes widened a bit, and then narrowed as he scowled.

"Thanks for what? I didn't do anything."

For the first time, Levi laughed at this scowl, somewhat understanding the reason behind it.

"No reason. See you then. Oh, and nice to meet you, Lily!"

As Levi skipped away, Lily grinned.

"Smooth moves, Tiger."

"Shut it!" Gajeel snarled. "…And its Dragon. Not tiger, Dragon."

Lily chuckled to himself, and watched Levi's retreating figure. Looks like life with this guy might be slightly more interesting than I thought.

Thanks for the read!