I just want to stress how important these Forsaken Wolves characters are to me. If it wasn't for that roleplay with Ethereal, BYS would have not gotten started when it did. That is how important they are. FW inspired me to write more, longer, harder and happier. I can't guarantee that I will portray Ethereal's characters well, but I will sure as hell try. Zied is a favorite of mine. I hope you come to appreciate him as he was created by one of the best writing partners I will ever have.
Zied Grey belongs to Ethereal. I disclaim everything.
This is set after chapter 416 and the guild's disbandment.
BEWARE: Very long chapter and graphic at times. You were warned!
Catalyst
"It's too strong. Jet, get Levy the hell out of here!"
"We are not leaving you behind, idiot!"
She couldn't move. Her legs are frozen from genuine terror. It is like her chest is being squeezed from the rush of blood in her veins. Her Script Magic had ceased working from the utter lack of will it. How had this all gone wrong?
It seemed like only yesterday, not seven weeks ago, that Fairy Tail had disbanded. In an attempt to keep things familiar and not so different, Levy suggested Shadow Gear stay together. Travel around, train and keep their little family together, even if the guild itself is gone. The forest they happened upon was dense, full of life, large rivers and plenty of adventure to be found.
This isn't what was supposed to happen.
The S class level Strywolf monster bared its teeth, its long ratty looking tail swishing rapidly behind powerful legs that is the color of inky midnight black. Eyes of an unholy green and yellow glared down at her, yellow teeth of a very vicious variety snapped angry saliva at her. In front of her stood Droy as he summoned vine after thorny vine to try and pin the forty foot canine down while Jet ran interference, kicking away any paw or snout aiming at her or Droy.
At first it had looked like they were going to have a chance to escape when the Strywolf threw its massive head back to release a long, almost mournful sounding howl. Levy felt with dread as several other wolves appeared from the brush, baring their fangs in promised retribution. They are outnumbered in a pack of massive sized wolves that can just happen to poison their enemies by their saliva or claws.
Jet grabbed Droy just as the largest of the wolves lunged forward, starting a stampede of snarling, furry monsters. She didn't react, she just watched as Jet tried to outrun the mass while carrying them both. It wouldn't work. How could it? The pack is gaining fast and they are not getting any further away. She clenched onto Droy's shoulder while tugging at jet's arm. It is all at a weird angle since she is draped over Jet's back like a sack of potatoes.
"Boys I just want you to know I-"
"Don't," Jet cut her off harshly, his pants coming out in rushed woofs of air, "Just fucking don't. We've faced worse than this!"
Levy gasped, looking up as the leader of the pack snapped forward with gleaming teeth. As if sensing it, Jet jerked all three of them out of the way, teeth glancing off his side but having still torn through his shirt.
"Jet!" she screamed, feeling her weight slip off his shoulder as the fastest of their trio dumped them both at his feet.
"Get her out of here, Droy," he murmured, ready to defend his comrades to the death. "I can buy you both some time."
She fought against Droy's surprisingly tough grip, reaching for Jet. His feet are up the balls of his feet. He is about ready to sprint into many rows of razor sharp teeth, hungry to tear them all to shreds.
"Jet!"
It was all the time the wolves needed. Using their great strength, the pack jumped up into the air while a few circled around them to keep anyone from escaping. Levy shivered from fear of death. It is simple. They are going to die.
She stood back up on shaky legs. If she's going to die, then she will go down fighting like a true Fairy Tail Wizard. But just as she is about ready to use her magic, Jet yelled out as a wolf latched onto his leg, fighting to drag him off. Droy used one hand to manipulate vines to snap at three wolves trying to eat him while the other hand fought to keep Jet from being dragged away. Whirling around at the sound of a snarl, Levy threw up her hands as she was thrown off her feet by a large mass of fur and claws. As her head and shoulders skidded along the root covered ground, blood trickled across her sweaty forehead. Her eyes are now covered in stars, staring into drool covered fangs.
Yet as she looked into the face of death, all Levy can think of is him. Black hair framed narrowed cheeks as he looked back at her over his shoulder. Lips moving but now she can't hear the words. Then he is walking away from the guild, from her…
"GAJEEL!" she screams as she feels teeth piece into the flesh of her upper arm.
As numbness quickly fogs her brain, Levy heard a pain filled yelp somewhere behind her. Or was it next to her? Blinking slowly, she notices a shadow shaped like a wolf sail overheard. Did the damn things know how to fly too? Teeth released her arm followed by a whoosh of air, making her hair stick more to her blood covered forehead. Where are Jet? Did Droy manage to do something?
Her lids are growing heavy from the poison flowing through the bite on her arm. Levy tries to move her head but all she can do is try to look through her lashes. Someone was fighting the…entire…..pack….
Dark hair and a flowing black coat. Something silver and bright flashing in the late sunlight.
Gajeel?
Her lungs felt the need for air but not as much as her brain needed to fall into the unknown. A single tear trailed down her blood smeared cheek just as a black leather boot crunched onto the dirt ground beside her head. Behind these newcomer's pair of boots are splatters of blood where the wolves used to be.
"Levy?" a deep voice sounded above her, "that's it. Come on, wake up."
Her body felt like she went through a shredder and then tenderized with a giant meat mallet. Gloved hands gripped her jaw and cool water flooded her mouth in a slow trickle. Then she is slowly lowered to fabric and covered in warmth. Her eyes felt like cotton balls as she blinks them open. A camp fire is blazing in the middle an open area in the forest with Jet's travel pack and a sword plus scabbard right beside it.
Jet…
Jerking into wakefulness, Levy glanced around. "Jet! Droy?! Where are you?"
Again, that leather gloved hand squeezed her shoulder and she whirled towards it. Dark blue eyes stared down at her, pure white bangs glowing yellow in the firelight. This older man with a strait jaw and emotionless face wore a long black leather coat over a dark red shirt drawn tightly over his chest and blue pants and short, black boots. A leather clad finger presses against pale lips as he jerks his head to motion behind her. Gently he turns her around to see her two teammates in their sleeping pallets, bandages wrapped around heads and arms.
Tears filled Levy's eyes as she struggles to ask what she wants most to know. As if reading her mind, the man nodded.
"All three of you will survive. I happened to have a very potent antivenom on me when I came upon you and your team."
Even in her fatigued state, Levy arched a skeptical brow. His lips quirked in amusement as a response. Really, who carries antivenom on their person 24/7 unless they were selling it?
"Tyth has me travel with it at all times. I am thankful she nagged me now. She saved your life."
Levy let her tense muscles relax in relief, "Please thank her for me."
The white haired man nodded as he folded his legs in front of him, facing her with a questioning tilt of his head. "Levy, as bookish as you look, you must have known this area is abundant with S Class monsters."
Wincing at the statement, Levy hid her face under her bangs. "I thought we would be able to handle it."
Her excuse sounds lame, even to her own ears.
"Assuming is different than knowing. You risked your friends lives and for what? Poison? Fur and Strywolf claws?" he asked, his lean arms crossed with a stern expression.
Anger mixed with guilt swelled in her chest, making her feel ten times worse, "You don't get to judge me, Zied."
Blue eyes flashed in annoyance, "Oh I think I do. I want to know why you acted so reckless and stupid that you would nearly die to try and get it."
His words proved he knows her reasons. Looking away, Levy wiped away a couple tears. "Don't."
Leather fingers gently but firmly gripped her chin, forcing her to look straight into his narrowed, fierce pupils.
"You may not want to admit it to yourself but you owe it to those young men who care so much about you. By the time I got to you, they were struggling not to get eaten while trying to protect you as you were lying there, motionless. By the time I ran off the entire pack, they were already poisoned. Had I not acted fast, all three of you would be dead. Do you really think avoiding responsibility for your actions is the best way to deal with those two bodies lying over there?"
Her heart squeezed with guilt even more. "Don't make them sound like they are dead. They aren't!"
"But they almost were. Now say it."
Tears spilled down her cheeks as she burst into tears, "Alright! I'm sorry! It's my fault! They nearly died because of me! I should have told them about the monsters! I should have never suggested we explore this forest, knowing full well they were several S Class jobs wanting monster items from here!"
His grip gentled and finally let go but his eyes were no less fierce, "Why?"
She fell back against her sleeping pallet, sobbing out all her guilt and frustration, "Because he left! Our guild is no more so that means he had no reason to stay. I tried to convince him to join my team but he refused. Said that shrimps and iron don't mix. What the hell does that even mean?!"
Silently Zied sat there beside the crying girl, listening patiently. His gaze flickered to the sword by the fire, assuring himself of its location. Normally he carried it wherever he goes or stores it in the sword buckle on his waist or back, but right now it is in the way. Between supplying fresh water and checking his three patient's vitals, it is only in his hands when he is patrolling the perimeter of the camp for any possible monsters.
"He must think I'm weak. That someone as tiny as I can't keep up. I'm a shrimp alright. Hic! Just gobble me up at first sight. Put me out of my misery."
He awkwardly patted her head in a form of comfort. "You must like this person very much. You wouldn't scream just anyone's name before almost dying."
Her blush is visible underneath her forearms that are crossed over her eyes, "You heard me?"
"Yup. If I had a lacrima on me, I would play back a recording for you to keep."
"That's not funny."
Zied chuckled and jumped to his feet, "You need to rest. Sleep now."
Her arms never moved but he can see her lips tremble in the dim light. "Thank you, Zied."
Walking away from her to pick up his sword, he merely smirked and started his rounds once more, "Night, Levy."
Levy learned quickly that Zied Grey is a cunning man. Team Shadow Gear had not slept for 12 hours but four flippin' days! When asked about this interesting phenomenon, the man merely shrugged.
"You were fatally poisoned. Thought you needed the rest."
"What kind of antivenom knocks a person out for over three days?" Jet demanded grumpily, flexing his leg with a wince of pain.
"The good kind. I wasn't too happy about it either when Tyth first used it on me."
Hands on her hips while ignoring the end of the bandage wrapped around her head tickling her cheek, Levy stared up at the taller man with slight annoyance. "You don't have to escort us back to town."
"I am, but not because you don't want me to. The boys are still miffed at the stunt you pulled. They don't trust your judgment right now."
"What? But I'm the leader!"
Zied gave her an arched look, "Can you blame them? Besides none of you have the strength or the magic to fight a dog, much less anything S Class."
After that fact of logic, Levy gave the reigns over to Zied. She watched as he had them form a line to march out of the forest in. Jet in front, Droy second, Levy third and Zied bring up the end. It gave Levy plenty of time to think of a way to apologize to her friends while stewing over her frustrations. In the end, she pulled Droy to a stop which in turn stopped Jet. Immediately she bowed low, her hair hiding her face from view.
"Guys I'm so sorry for taking advantage of you. Please forgive me!"
Above her head, Jet and Droy shared a frown before melting into smiles.
"We understand, Levy. Just please figure out how to get stronger that doesn't involve us becoming dog food, kay?"
Her brown eyes shown with tears, "You mean it?"
"Yeah. We know it was for Gajeel."
"So how are we gonna get to town faster than the Shadow Gear Shuffle?" asked Droy as he reached into Jet's pack for a loaf of bread.
With one hand up, Zied stepped forward with a smirk. "I have an idea."
His idea was for Shadow Gear to form a makeshift vehicle out of their respective magic. Levy is to form two words out of round stone to form the wheels, Droy to make a wagon out of interwoven vines and Jet to propel it forward. Since his leg is wounded, it seems that High Speed will work so long as he is touching the leaves, not just running and pushing it. The vehicle worked for a total of two miles before the mages lost their magic.
Falling to her hands and knees, Levy gasped from the exertion, "I can't go on anymore!"
Jet and Droy chimed in with grunts of agreement, wiping sweat from their forehead.
Staring down at the mages, Zied made a face a disapproval, "Is that it?"
"I have no magic!"
"I can't move!"
"I'm just a shrimp! This is all I got!" Levy yelled while rubbing at her bandaged arm.
That last sentence bit into Zied's patience and shredded it to pieces. Like Tyth would say, enough is enough.
"Your teamwork is top notch. I wouldn't doubt any less of Fairy Tail mages, but your motivation sucks."
Three pairs of eyes glared at him, but Zied crouched down to Levy' eye level. Those fierce blue eyes are back, making her shiver from the intensity. Just why does this guy want to push her so much?
"Let me tell you something. That man you admire so much? There's a good reason why he hasn't taken a second look at you. You haven't given him reason to. From what I've gathered, he likes to fight. Strength is important to him. Are you strong?"
Levy swallowed, clutching her arm, "I want to be."
"You don't like he left you behind."
She closed her eyes, remembering that day.
Gajeel is standing near the bridge leading out of town, a travel bag slung over one shoulder. At his feet, Lilly is ready to fly. She feels her lungs burning from the long sprint she made from her dorm rooms. Today is the day she confesses her feelings and that kiss.
"Gajeel!" she yells out, skidding to a stop as he turns towards her.
"Levy?"
"I…have…..some…thin…g to tell you!" she gasped out, hitting her chest to knock some sense into her lungs.
For a few moments, he is silent with a grim look on is frowning face. Then he turns away and pulls his bag higher on his shoulder.
"Gajeel…I-"
"I know."
She pauses, feeling as if her breathing has stopped altogether.
"But iron and shrimps don't mix. It wouldn't work."
Tears gather in her eyes, dreading that this is goodbye. Yesterday the Master announced the guild dissolved. She knew he was going to try and disappear but so soon?
"Take me with you!" she begs, walking towards his back and reaching for him and her fingertips scrape against his back, tangling into stray hairs from his mane, "don't leave me behind! Didn't you say to stay by your side?!"
He doesn't turn towards her, flinching from her fingers. At his side, Lilly has also faced away.
"Gajeel…"
"This is all I can do….for the guild. For you," he says over his shoulder, his black bangs hiding his eyes from view.
She tries to each for him as her legs give out. All he does is walk away, Lilly flying at his shoulder.
"Bye Levy."
The blue haired girl never heard him over her pain filled sobs.
Thinking back on it, it made her angry. He could have explained why he left. Instead she made up all kinds of assumptions to torture herself with. Never once did he want here there and she had the gall to fall in love with him!
"I hate that he left without me."
Zied scoffed, shifting his sword to his other shoulder.
"He never gave me a chance to prove myself. Without him….I'm just…Am I not worth it?"
Sighing, the white haired man suddenly dug the end of his scabbard into the dirt, shattering the ground around them but not underneath them. Jet and Droy's eyes widened at the cracked circle had formed two or so feet from where they knelt. Such controlled power. Was Zied always this powerful?
"You are you, Levy. No one can define that but yourself. He may be strong, powerful and with a stronger magic than you. But that isn't how stronger people get to the top. It's about not quitting. Of going forward and not giving up. Of believe in yourself for yourself, not for others approval. If he can't accept your own strength and love you for it, he's the one who is not worth it."
She looked up at him, a tear trailing down over her mouth as her wide eyes stared with awe up at him, "No one is born great. You are only a shrimp if you tell yourself you are because you choose to believe it. Are you a shrimp? Are you food for others to feed off and get stronger?"
Those blue eyes snapped fire as he was suddenly in her face.
"Are you?!"
These words sounded kind of farmiliar. What did Natsu used to say?
"We are Fairy Tail Wizards! We live like we are dying for our friends! A real sin is looking the other way and not believing in anyone! We'll never give up! THAT'S OUR GUILD'S WAY!"
How could she have forgotten?
Though our paths may have diverged, you must continue to live out your life with all your might, you must never consider your own life to be something insignificant, and you must never forget about your friends for as long as you live.
"I've been running this whole time…"Levy murmured, forcing herself to her feet. Behind her, Droy winks at Jet and the other man sighs in relief. Finally she has snapped out of her period of depression.
"I'm not a shrimp or a weakling. I'm a mage of Fairy Tail, and I won't give up. I'm not quitting, I'm just starting over. This time for myself."
Smiling proudly, Zied nods and props his sword back onto his shoulder in a casual pose, "Thatta girl. Now about the vehicle. Do it again."
Team Shadow Gear groaned in exasperation.
Eventually they made it to the town of Feogard. As the boys shuffled ahead from magic exhaustion for some water, Levy fell to her bottom on the ground at Zied's feet. He looked down at her with a smile cracked sideways on his passive face, blue eyes laughing at her.
"I am never training with you. You are a demon master!"
"You think I'm bad? Tyth is worse with our two boys before dinner."
Levy rubbed at her sore arm, "Thank goodness the village was only five miles away."
"You guys did great. Your magic levels weren't affected by the poison so they got a good exercise today."
She paused in rubbing her wounded arm and struggled to get to her feet again, "Again thanks, Zied. I lost my head after Gajeel left. I should have known better."
Smiling gently at her, Zied offered her a hand and as their skin made contact, something flickered in his eyes before disappearing once more. He pulled her back to her feet and squeezed her fingers encouragingly before letting go.
"What will you do if you ever see him again?" the older man asked, making sure she is steady on her feet as they made their way through the village. Shadow Gear have rooms rented at a hotel not far away and she is sure the boys went there for water and rest.
"I'll give him a piece of my mind!"
For a few minutes they walked in silence and as they finally reach the hotel, Zied hangs back from the entrance. "I shall leave you here. I hope to see you again but under better circumstances, Levy."
She beamed up at him, brown eyes shining. "I haven't given up on him, Zied. I'll get stronger and make him look at me."
At first it looked like the older man wanted to say something from the conflicted look on his face, so Levy poked his arm. "What is it?"
"I know you are familiar with the Grand Magic Games in Fiore. It's become quite famous outside your country that is has gotten a bit of a….sister competition so to speak."
"Oh?" she replied, her heart fluttering just a little.
"Its called the International Magic Tournament or IMT. Many kingdoms and country leaders are invited to represent their countries along with two chosen teams of their choosing."
"Never heard of it."
Zied looked at her with a teasing look, "That is because it hasn't happened yet. It is an international relations summit doubling as entertainment that is going to launch in your neighboring country four months from now. I'm sure your friend will get wind of it and turn up there. Who wouldn't want to fight some of the best and strongest in the world?"
She eyed him skeptically again, "How do you know this?"
"I may, or may not, have worked with your king and certain jobs have let me be told of such information."
"You were invited."
"My sister-in-law happens to be the leader of my country. She was invited."
He noticed something over her head then bowed his head to her in parting, "Until next time, Levy."
She watched as he walked off and then with a deep breath, she clenched her fists. "Alright Levy. You can be stronger. You can do this! Just you wait Gajeel! I'll show you big I really am!"
The three cloaked figures had crossed the street several feet behind Levy. A quick flare of his power let him know there is no dangerous intent. But before they disappeared into the crowd, he noticed the leader's face. A certain tattoo that could only belong to one man. Zied melted into the alleys on silent feet, tracking these three powerful individuals until he found them standing on the bridge over the village's main river. He didn't slow his pace as he made straight for them. It was clear he means to talk.
The leader faced him, his hood pulled so low over his face that all that can be seen is part of tattoo on the left side of his face and his mouth. Zied stopped just four feet away, shifting his weight so he casually leaned his hip against the stone bridge fence.
"I know who you are. All three of you and I really don't care. But tell me Fernandes, how can someone as you act brotherly these days when you are responsible for Levy's memory loss?"
Jellal zipped forward with the aid of his magic but Zied is faster, catching the man's fist that was meant to clutch the front of his shirt.
"No one knows that but me. Who the fuck are you? What do you want?"
Behind him, the other two cloaked figures take a step forward. One has a scar running down his cheek over one eye, the other has black hair with a bead woven into several locks of his hair. Zied's eyes flash red as he pushes the captured hand away.
"Just a friendly warning that the seal you are so worried about is weakening. I am partly to fault for speeding it up but just so you know, she will remember. Sucks to be you."
With that, Zied walks past Fernandes as the blue haired man falls to his knees in shock. He ignores his comrades who run to his side as he fingers the paper sketch in his pocket of a beautiful, purple haired woman. Looks like his search for her will have to wait.
Off in snow capped mountains, hundreds of miles away from the nearest sign of civilization stood a certain Dragon Slayer and his Exceed companion. He stands on the top of the tallest mountain, feeling the cool air kick up the heavy cloak draped around his shoulders. Only his partner knows he is facing the direction to Magnolia.
"You're thinking about her again."
"Shut up," he grumped, adjusting the cloak's clasp at his throat. It seemed like hours as he stood there, his long hair swaying behind in a long plaited braid. Only when a piece of paper drifted down from the sky did he move, his gloved hand snatching it from the air.
At his feet, the Exceed's tail twitched as he jumped onto his partner's shoulder, "Is it what you were waiting for?"
For a few seconds, he read the note and then crushed it into nothing with a savage looking grin. "No, it isn't. Its better. The Tournament is starting and I've just been invited."
"Well then, let's go."
Gajeel smirked with a hint of fang, shouldering his pack and jumping off the mountaintop. Lilly flew down at a straight drop while he slid his way all the way down the steep decline. He can't go home yet. He isn't done getting stronger to protect her and this tournament is a way to get there. Only when he can protect her will he be able to let his heart reign free.
Until the next one!
UPDATE: Want to read more? Check out my story, MEMORIA to find out what happens at the IMT!
You think this is long? The FW ones were usually seven pages longer than this!
Any who, hoped you understood that Levy had to go through some stuff for Zied to even have a reason to show up with his healthy scoop of douche flavored logic. That is why Zied plays the role of the Catalyst.
Thanks to all for faving and reviewing up till now. You make me very happy! And if you have read this entire chapter though…..I almost don't deserve you as a reader….
-sobs happily-
