Master Makarov observed the citizens of Magnolia crowding into the single building. As promised, the mages who volunteered their magic were hard at work. Hopefully, Wendy and Levy were nearly done getting the villagers here. Thanks to that dragon, they would have to leave quickly before they were crushed! Even magical shields cannot last forever, especially against a mythical beast!

Makarov could feel his nerves getting tenser by the minute; just where were the girls? And what of Laxus? He had noticed the lack of his grandson along with some other mages he knew. Something told him Laxus had convinced some people to attack the dragon after all.

'That idiotic—'

He broke from his thoughts as Porlyusica slapped the top of his head. "Stop worrying so much. I doubt your old heart can take much more. Besides, you need to focus your magical energy."

Makarov growled and grumbled, but he knew she was right. He returned to his meditation.

'We almost have enough magic. Hopefully everyone will make it in time.'

"Lady Porlyusica! Master Makarov!"

Both elders were surprised to see little Wendy run up to them… without Levy.

"Wendy?" Makarov questioned. "What became of Levy?"

The child stared at the ground as she spoke with regret. "She stayed behind to protect the villagers."

"SHE WHAT?!"

As the old man's fury was released, Wendy tried her best to calm him down. "But Master, she was amazing! She used her magic and successfully fended off the dragon's attacks. I would have helped, but I am not that powerful…"

Porlyusica placed a hand on the girl's shoulder. "You made the right decision. Someone had to remain with the villagers."

"Yes, but…"

Makarov then jumped from his spot. "Porlyusica, I am going after my apprentice and idiot grandson. There is enough magical energy for you to activate the circle as soon as I am gone. I will protect all who remain."

The old woman scoffed at him. "You old fool. What can you possibly do besides getting killed?"

It sounded like a cruel insult, but Makarov understood the truth behind her words. In her own way, she was showing that she was worried about him. He looked up at her and grinned like an idiot.

"It'll take much more than that to bring this old geezer down! I'll see you soon!"

With a wink, the old man was already gone. Wendy watched his retreating form with worry in her eyes. "Will he really be all right?"

Porlyusica could only sigh. "I suppose he expects us to have faith."

She then proceeded to activate the circle. Her hand stretched over the center of the building, and she sent a shock of her own power to start the process. Soon the entire building began to glow. The villagers were shocked as they were lifted into the air! One moment the shining building was there, and the next, it was gone.

"METALICANA!"

Lucy panted as she watched the dragon, praying for some sort of reaction. Levy's eyes widened in recognition! Of course! The metal dragon! That must be it!

All eyes were on the dragon, but it continued its struggles. The plan had failed. Now what could they do?

Levy's brain went to work again. 'So shouting its name did not work. Did its ears block us out? Then how can we—'

"I'VE HAD ENOUGH OF THIS!"

Laxus' rage had reached its peak, and his magic was beginning to form around him! 'I guess I'm not the only one who doesn't need a medium!' Levy thought with dismay.

With a loud cry, lightning came down from the sky, enveloping Laxus! The electricity sparked around his body, and as soon as it made contact with the chain, the lightning moved though it!

'And once that lightning reaches me, it could travel straight to Gajeel!'

There was no time to think! Levy quickly severed the restraints holding the dragon in place, just as the lightning struck. The girl screamed as her body was electrocuted! It was not an instant attack; there was enough lightning to make her pain prolong.

"Levy, no!" Lucy helplessly cried. Tears were streaming down her face, overwhelmed by what was happening.

As Levy continued to cry out in pain, the dragon was frozen in place. Its eyes never left the girl, even when the lightning finally disappeared. Levy dropped to the ground, and her body was still.

Tears still flowing from her eyes, Lucy fell to her knees. "No…" she sobbed. "Laxus, you… you… you murderer!"

Even Laxus seemed to have some regret for letting his rage loose. He looked completely shocked as he stammered. "Well… well, I warned her! It was her fault for getting in my way!"

As the two blondes argued, Master Makarov appeared before them. He froze when he saw the state his apprentice was in; she was unconscious, there were deep cuts and bruises adorning her body, and there were distinct burn marks, some from lightning while others were from flames. His heart almost stopped completely as he watched her motionless, pitiful form.

"L… Levy… my child…"

He took one step closer to her, and that was enough to retrigger the dragon's rage!

Without warning, it released another Iron Dragon Roar straight at Laxus! He attempted to block it with his magic, but he had not anticipated that spike in the monster's power! The lightning mage was completely blown away, and he was knocked out the moment he landed.

Makarov and Lucy scurried back as the dragon hovered over Levy's body. It then reached down and scooped her up in its claw! It held her close as it continued to attack; it was much more furious than it was before!

"No!" Lucy cried. "Put her down!"

Makarov, however, observed in silence. 'Is it possible… Does Gajeel recognize Levy? Even in his possessed state?'

It truly amazed him how Gajeel's protective instincts had kicked in. In his human form, he had always been defensive when it came to Levy. Now he was showing it in his dragon form. Makarov could not help but note that the dragon's behavior reminded him of an animal protecting its mate.

'Where am I?'

Levy found herself standing in an open field. There were no sounds, no plants besides grass, or any other presences. It was just her and the wind.

"Hello? What is this place? Can someone tell me?"

No one answered her cries. There was not another soul in sight.

'Did I… die?'

Suddenly a figure appeared in the distance. He wasn't facing her, but Levy would recognize that thick mane of black hair anywhere.

"Gajeel? Gajeel, is that you?"

The man turned to her. Ruby eyes gleamed as he smirked at her. Levy could feel the tears building in her eyes, and she happily ran to him.

"Gajeel! Thank goodness! You're alright!"

She opened her arms to embrace him. The look on his face suddenly became grim. Levy froze, wondering why she suddenly felt so afraid.

Before her eyes, the sky turned dark. Gajeel's entire body became grossly distorted, transforming him into that wicked dragon. A purple haze appeared around him, and Levy could hear Jose's voice echoing around her.

"This dragon belongs to me!"

With tears streaming down her face, Levy held her head in her hands.

"No."

She fell to her knees, having to use her hands as support against the ground.

"No."

The dragon glared at her before swooping down for the kill.

"NO!"

Levy forced her eyes open, feeling a bit startled as realized where she was. The dragon was still possessed, and it was holding her. Its black scales were well within her reach. Levy knew her strength was failing her, so she had to act now.

With the last of her remaining strength, she managed to slide her finger across the scales. She forced her hand to keep moving until she completed her final spell.

'Metalicana.'

The dragon came to a halt. Lucy and Makarov watched as the black scales slowly fell off the dragon's body, disintegrating in the air. Its body shrank in size, and the scales began to fly faster. Soon all they could see was a flurry of black scales!

Once all of the dragon scales had vanished, all that remained was the tattered body of Gajeel Redfox, looking worse for wear. His tunic was gone, leaving him shirtless, and there were burns on his body from the dark magic. He was on his knees, and he was holding the injured woman in his arms. His ruby eyes stared at her in bewilderment.

"… … Shrimp?"

Levy smiled tearfully, relieved that he had returned to normal.

"Hi, Gajeel."

Gajeel could only stare at her; his eyes took in every mark, every injury on her body. Who had hurt her this badly? The last thing he remembered was…

Then it hit him. He could not remember anything. That Jose guy had kidnapped his shrimp and almost killed her, so he had to transform into a dragon to save her. Then…

Nothing. His memory was blank. Just what had happened? Had Jose succeeded in controlling him? Was he the one… who hurt Levy?

He looked around for help, only to find the entire village was now a bunch of rubble and ashes. The amount of damage was astonishing; he doubted a human had caused this.

"Did… I do this?"

He looked back to Levy. "Did I…?"

Tears flowed from Levy's eyes without her permission. It must have been awful for him to be unaware of what he had done.

'He must be so confused...'

Levy wanted to tell him that it wasn't his fault, but she was far too weak to give him any words. She just felt so tired, and her eyelids felt so heavy...

Gajeel panicked the moment the girl's eyes closed. "Shrimp? Hey, you gotta keep yer eyes open! Stay with me!"

Desperately, he attempted to jostle the girl awake, but it was no use. She remained motionless. Dread began to fill the Gajeel's entire being, and he shook her body a little harder.

"C'mon Shrimp, this ain't funny! Wake up!"

The dragon man ground his teeth together in anger and despair; he couldn't stand these human emotions that were flooding into his heart! Tears of his own dropped onto the girl. He hugged her tightly as he cried out, "DAMMIT, LEVY! YOU CAN'T LEAVE ME LIKE THIS! WAKE UP!"

The two bystanders observed with sadness as Gajeel continued to tremble in agony. Cautiously, Makarov moved closer to them and gently placed a hand on Gajeel's back.

"Take it easy, my boy. Levy is not dead. She's just used up too much magical energy."

His words failed to sooth him; Gajeel continued to hold her tightly. He couldn't ignore the various burns on her body.

"Who… hurt her? Was it me?"

Makarov sighed. "Some of it, yes. But the worst attack came from another source. She was trying to protect you as well as the village. That multi-tasking brat."

Lucy gathered enough courage to kneel before them. "We need to move her to a safer location where she can rest. Then we'll get a doctor and—"

Just as Lucy had reached out to touch Levy, Gajeel protectively held her against him and snarled at her, just like an animal. Lucy flinched (Come on, the guy was scary) but calmly said, "I'll lead the way. You can carry her, can't you?"

Surprisingly, Gajeel managed to slowly rise to his feet. He carried Levy in his arms as gently as he could, as if she was something extremely precious. Lucy recalled how protective dragons were of their treasure, at least in the story books. It was surprising to see in real life.

They walked through the village, which was mostly obliterated. All eyes searched for a building that remained in tact, but they found none. A sinking feeling came over Gajeel, and his grip on the girl tightened slightly. There was no escaping this feeling of guilt.

Makarov suggested trying Porlyusica's place. Somehow, someway, the possessed dragon had missed her home. At that moment, the party was extremely grateful for the shelter.

They moved inside and settled in, placing Levy on the spare bed. Gajeel stared at her sleeping form for but a moment before he collapsed on the ground beside her.

'It's a miracle he made it this far…' Lucy thought as she pondered what to do with the dragon man.