Levy stood frozen, calculating her next move. Before her stood "Master" Jose Porla, and she was alone. The odds were not exactly in her favor. Crazed or not, he was still a wizard saint, one with enough magic power to attempt controlling a dragon. Whatever came next, she had to be prepared.

The evil man raised his head, and Levy gasped as she looked into his eyes. Something was definitely wrong. The whites of his eyes had gone black, and his pupils had nearly vanished without a trace. It was almost as if he himself had been possessed.

'I wouldn't doubt that theory. It's possible his dark magic has taken control of his mind.'

That fact alone darkened the already grim situation the young apprentice was facing.

"It's all because of you," Jose growled. "All of the destruction and turmoil… you are the one at fault!"

"Huh?"

Levy had not anticipated that accusation. How could he possibly pin the blame on her?

"You are not thinking clearly, Master Jose. You are the one who attempted to control Metalicana. Your magic failed and sent him into a rampage. Don't you dare say the fault is mine, when it is clearly yours!"

He flinched at her declaration, and Levy prayed that her words had reached him. However, as he started to laugh uncontrollably, Levy could feel her blood grow cold.

"My magic failed? MY MAGIC FAILED? My spell was flawless! I transformed that beast into a weapon of destruction! That was all my doing!"

Before her eyes, a dark, purple aura began to surround them, killing some of the trees in the process. Jose just stood there, laughing and gloating, while Levy could not help but look around frantically in confusion as well as panic. What was happening?

She faced Jose once more the moment he went silent.

"My plan… my magic… everything was perfect… until you interfered."

"Interfered? You dragged me into it when you kidnapped me! All I did was watch as you tormented my friend!"

"IT WAS YOUR PRESENCE THAT TRIGGERED THAT DRAGON'S RESISTANCE!" Jose shouted, causing Levy to shrink back. Whatever courage she had before had dwindled into nothing. This man was like a ticking time bomb!

The aura around them strengthened as Jose stepped towards her.

"I am not certain what you did, but you made the dragon resist. It broke free from my control, and now my ambition has been shattered. I am a laughingstock of the magical world, and you are the one to blame, Levy McGarden. For that reason, you are to be punished."

Levy knew she had to think fast. She kept her hands at her sides so Jose would be less likely to notice what she was about to do.

'Right now, this is the only thing I can think of that will work against darkness.'

She had used this spell before, and she knew it would work. Just as Jose was about to unleash his magic, Levy wrote a word.

LIGHT!

As it had done against Gajeel, the magic word shone with a blinding brightness. The darkness dissipated while Jose attempted to shield his eyes. Levy took the opportunity to make restraints to hold him in place. Then, she made a run for it.

'I'm not fully recovered. I can't do this on my own. With luck, I can find help before he catches up to me.'

Was it risky to head towards the village? Probably. But Levy knew her friends were there, and they were the ones she could count on.

She tried to focus on the path as she ran. Tripping was not ideal for this situation. However, she missed the magical presences that were closing in on her.

Without warning, purple phantoms were flying around her. Completely taken by surprise, Levy released a short scream. What sort of magic could summon such creatures?!

Whatever they were, they were evil. That much she knew.

As some of the phantoms dived right at her, Levy tried her magic again, hoping to fight them off. However, she realized her efforts were in vain. Even if the creatures were attacked and destroyed, they simply reappeared as though nothing had happened.

At that moment, Levy wished she had more combat skills. It was difficult to face so many opponents at once. She wondered to herself how protecting the villagers against Gajeel seemed so much simpler now.

Levy was exhausted, but she could still fight. She inhaled deeply.

"I am not giving up! There is no way I am going to lose to you!"

That was when one of the phantoms appeared from behind. Before Levy could react, the creature flew right through her!

For a second, Levy felt nothing. Were the creatures unable to do physical harm? Had she really been afraid of simple apparitions?

She soon realized these phantoms were not just illusions. Levy suddenly felt sick and dropped to her knees, panting for air.

'What is this? It feels like…'

"All of your magical power has been drained from your body."

Levy forced her head to turn to face the newcomer. Jose had broken free from the restraints, and now he was calmly walking towards her helpless body. With a light kick, he knocked Levy flat on her back.

"Did you really think your adorable words would be enough to stop a wizard saint of my caliber? Pathetic child, I almost pity you."

He raised his hand in the air, and a black dagger formed from his magic. He gripped the handle tightly, raising it above the little mage.

"Allow me to put you out of your misery."

Visions of Levy's life flashed before her eyes. She could see her friends from the village: she saw Lucy, Wendy, Porlyusica, and Master Makarov. She even saw Laxus at one point.

The last vision was of her dragon. Its back was turned to her, and it shifted into the form of Gajeel. When he noticed her, he turned with a stupid smirk on his face, laughing in his unique, annoying way.

"Gihihi!"

As Jose's dagger began to follow its trajectory, Levy could only brace herself for the finishing blow.

'I'm sorry. I couldn't protect you. Please… stay safe and live peacefully... my dragon.'

Suddenly a yellow blast fired, knocking the blade from Jose's hand, destroying it in the process. Jose turned towards the source of the magic, only to be blown back by a second blast. Skidding to a halt, he glared at his opponent:

Makarov Dreyer.

"I see my cute apprentice has given you a run for your money," the old man chuckled. "To think, you had to resort to summoning an entire army of phantoms to take down one child."

Jose snarled in offense. "I don't need phantoms to be victorious! I certainly don't need them to take down that little girl!"

"So you say. I may be old, but I'm not blind." Makarov grinned as he gestured to the surrounding ghouls.

Levy was astonished. How could he joke around so calmly? Was he not aware of what Jose's creatures could do?

"Master, be careful, they-"

"I know, my child. If any of these phantoms touch you, your energy will be drained instantly. I assume he caught you with that old trick?"

"Y-yes," Levy admit, ashamed of herself for not knowing any better.

Makarov turned to face her, offering a warm smile.

"Not to worry. Let your parent settle this like an adult."

Levy couldn't resist smiling back. Even in the darkest hour, Makarov had a way of revealing a joking nature.

"Okay," Levy nodded. "I believe in you."

Makarov grunted before he turned to face Jose. All traces of kindness had vanished from his features; what remained was pure fury.

The dark mage rose to his feet, humored by the fellow saint.

"Ah, so you intend to face me? This shall be interesting. I've always wanted prove just who among us is the strongest!"

Makarov closed his eyes in sorrow. "I have always thought of you as a powerful comrade, my old friend. Now that I have seen what you have become…"

Master's eyes shot open as a small yellow orb appeared at his fingers. The force of his power was enough to cause bits of gravel from the ground to float in the air.

"It is time to put an end to all of this!"

Jose cackled at Makarov's threat. "And just how do you intend to fulfill that promise? We may be equal in magical skill, but I have the ability to be heartless, which makes me much stronger!"

Levy stared with wide eyes as large purple blast of magic headed straight for her master. However, Master Makarov's light magic appeared, stopping Jose's attack. The magic the two saints were complete opposites: it was a clear battle of darkness versus light.

With every collision of magic, the earth shook. Levy attempted to brace herself, but she was still unable to move.

One of Jose's blasts strayed away from its intended target, nearly hitting Levy! She gasped as a bright magic circle appeared in front of her, serving as a shield. The apprentice smiled to herself. Her master truly was incredible. He had not broken so much as a sweat.

"I have had enough of this. Jose, you will kneel before me."

Jose raised an eyebrow. "Kneel? Before you? Don't make me laugh!

"I am not done. You will kneel before me and apologize for corrupting a peaceful creature, for destroying Magnolia, and for all of the pain you have caused my dear apprentice! I will give you to the count of three."

"What's this? Do you think I will fall for such a childish trick?" Jose laughed as he began to power up his own spell. Makarov, however, held his ground as light began surrounding his body.

"One."

Purple magic began to swirl at Jose's hand. "Do you really expect me to apologize when I have done absolutely nothing wrong?"

Makarov's eyes glowed white as he brought his hands together.

"Two."

Levy watched as both men continued to charge their magic. Makarov's light was intensifying by the second, and Levy swore she saw the forms of skulls within Jose's magic!

"If anything, I have achieved a great feat!" Jose shouted. "Name one wizard who is capable of controlling a mighty dragon!"

"Three."

"I am the most powerful wizard in the kingdom! Why would I ever stoop so low as to concede and kneel to someone like you?! You should be kneeling before me! Now, you and your precious apprentice are going to die!"

"Time's up."

Jose unleashed his spell, and two deadly blasts of dark magic headed straight for Master Makarov.

They never met their target.

Just as the magic was about to reach him, a shining light surrounded Master Makarov, causing the dark magic to disappear completely. Jose stood frozen as Makarov hovered at the center of the blinding magic.

"I invoke… Fairy Law!"

Levy knew of that spell, but it was the first time she had witnessed it first hand. This was a legendary spell that used sacred light to vanquish darkness. It only affects those whom the caster sees as an enemy. Which was bad news for Jose. Levy watched in awe as the phantoms around them disintegrated; this time, they did not return.

The light remained for some time. Once it had finally dimmed, it revealed Jose. He was still on his feet. His eyes were frozen wide, his once dark hair had turned completely gray, and he was at a loss for words. Levy could make out some frightened whimpering, but that was about it. He would remain in that state for some time.

Makarov returned to the ground, glaring at Jose. "You will never bother this village again, Jose. I am sure the council will be interested to hear about your 'feats'."

The little old man turned away, walking back to where he had left Levy. She looked at her master with watery eyes as his smile returned. In a flash, he went from a dangerous opponent to a cheerful father figure.

"I think we've had enough fun for one day. Let's head back to the village. Laxus can easily gather what Porlyusica needs. I'm sure the old bag will understand."

Levy nodded slowly before attempting to return to her feet. She almost managed to stand, but she lost feeling in her legs and began to stumble. Luckily, Makarov used his magic to increase his size slightly in order to support her.

To be on the safe side, Makarov cast a spell that trapped Jose inside a barrier. It would hold until he summoned Fried to create a more effective cage. Once the spell was set, the two began the slow journey back to Magnolia.

As they neared the village, Makarov paused as he noticed tears falling from the little fairy's eyes.

"What's wrong, child?"

Levy jumped, realizing she had been caught. Frantically wiping the tears away, she managed to give a small smile. "It's nothing, Master."

Makarov shook his head. He stopped walking and lowered Levy to sit on the ground before he returned to his original size.

"Now child, I have known you for far too long to fall for that sad excuse of a lie. Tell your mentor what is on your mind."

Levy sighed. There was no point in arguing with him. "It's just… I know I have a long way to go with my training. I still can't defend myself. If you hadn't come, Master… I would be dead now. I'm really no good to anyone."

She was doing her best to fight off the tears, but when Master started chuckling, she couldn't help but get upset.

"Master, I'm being serious!"

The old man grinned at his tearful apprentice. "No good to anyone? Can you hear what you are saying? What about the entire village you protected from a rampaging dragon?"

Caught off-guard, Levy stared blankly as his words sank in. Makarov had stopped laughing, now, and he was facing her with all seriousness.

"My child, I have been at this magic game for more years than I can count. You are still in the prime of your youth; there's no need to rush. Besides, seeing as you managed to tame a dragon on your own, you will go far."

Levy did not miss the glint in the man's eyes as he emphasized the word "tame." Realizing the double meaning, her cheeks became rather rosy as her entire face felt as if it were on fire.

"Master, it's not like that!" she denied.

The old man snickered in response. His apprentice truly was adorable.