A/N: Hey guys! Sorry for taking so long to upload. I'm on vacation right now, so it might take a while to upload the next chapter, too. :( Anyways, a big thank you to Shonnyterra, Lightmoon54, FoxOnPie, severedserenity, FT-ATLAB-PJO-HOO-DP, and Rin (guest) for reviewing on Chapter 9! I hope you guys like this chapter! Don't forget to leave a review after you finish reading! :D


Chapter Ten – The Magic-Eater

Gajeel

The blond man with the bandage across his nose released Levy and she slumped to the ground, unconscious. Horror filled me when I saw the black rose tattoo that appeared on the side of his neck start moving. Crimson vines snaked out across his neck and extended up one side of his face. These same vines were now crawling across his jaw towards the drop of Levy's blood that had leaked from one corner of his mouth. As soon as they made contact, the blood was…absorbed into the thorny tendril. As the vines crept back to their original positions, a shiver wracked my body. It seemed almost as if…the rose grew a little redder.

"You monster!" I roared, charging at him now that he was no longer holding Levy.

"Solid Script: Oil."

I gasped in surprise when the sticky black substance shot out of Sitri's hands. That's…Levy's…. In my shock, I didn't have time to react and get out of the way fast enough. A wall of oil crashed around me, and I was pulled into the air, my limbs stretched out as I hung there, motionless. I growled, narrowing my eyes in frustration. "How did you do that? You used Levy's magic."

"His parfum reeks of pain and death," Ichiya exclaimed, his eyes widening as he was unable to back away.

He smiled, but it didn't reach his blood-red eyes. "Indeed. This is my magic, now. My magic allows me to consume the magic of my opponents. I use their magic to immobilize my enemies, and then I can repeat the process of draining them. Permanently."

A thread of panic wove its way through me as I looked down at Levy's small form again. Still unconscious, she looked pale and feverish, and her breathing was labored. No… "You mean, you stole her magic? Forever?"

"That's right." He stepped over Levy as he strode calmly towards me. "And I will now be taking yours, Dragonslayer. I'd imagine that your magic will taste quite a bit better than her pitiful Script magic. So please, cooperate and just stand still while I drain you. Not that you have a choice," he added with a chuckle. "Your girlfriend's magic was useful for one thing after all; aiding in your demise."

I struggled against the oil trapping my limbs, but to no avail. Since my arms and legs were out of commission, I sucked in a breath and shouted, "Iron Dragon's Roar!" The cyclone of iron magic blasted a path in front of me. Tense, I waited for the smoke to clear. When it settled, I saw that Sitri—one of the so-called Princes of Hell—was no longer there.

"Well, aren't we feisty?" The voice whispered in my ear, causing me to twist my head around in shock. I hadn't even seen him move! "I will very much enjoy watching the fight drain from your body."

I cried out as a sharp pain pierced my neck, at the fleshy part where it joined my shoulder. In the next instant, though, his teeth were ripped from my flesh and the oil holding me captive disintegrated. I fell to the ground, clutching my bleeding shoulder. Turning, I saw that all the other members of our team had freed themselves from whatever enchantment had been holding us prisoner.

Fried rushed to Levy's side, creating a rune barrier around her to keep her safe. Lisanna went with him, crouching down next to Levy and taking her head in her lap. Risley was altering Sitri's gravity while Mirajane transformed into her demon form and flew at him with her claws bared. However, at the last second, he calmly leaped up into the air, dodging Mira's attack and then coming back down on her back. He moved so fast I had trouble keeping up with him. Risley gasped and tried to alter his gravity again, but he turned toward her and ran at her, a cold smile on his face. She screamed as he raked his nails across her cheek. As he skidded to a stop and spun around in a crouch, I could see that his nails had turned into long, wickedly sharp black claws.

Beth ran over to her guildmate, tears streaming down her freckled cheeks. Ichiya, who had been attending to Levy's wound, also ran over to administer healing parfum to the chubby Mermaid.

"Lightning God's Charged Particle Cannon!" Orga leveled his magic towards Sitri, a confident smirk on his face. We all watched with baited breath, not daring to hope, but not quite believing that anyone could survive that blast.

And then, the croaking gurgle as Sitri appeared before Orga and slammed a sword through his stomach up to its hilt.

"You must be stronger and smarter if you wish to defeat me," he deadpanned. The utter lack of emotion in his cold voice sent chills down my spine. "I hold the power of hundreds of mages within my body, their magic at my disposal." Sitri withdrew the blade from Orga's stomach with a sick sucking noise, and the Godslayer crumpled into the blond mage's waiting arms. I noted idly that he must be very strong to be able to hold up the not-so-slight bulk of the green-haired Sabertooth member.

When he brought his mouth down to Orga's throat, we all rushed forward, knowing that we had to prevent him from draining another's magic at all costs. Jura leapt into the fray, using his Iron Rock Fist to send a powerful attack at Sitri that still contained enough precision to not damage Orga at the same time. But before it had a chance to hit him, Sitri grabbed Orga and flew into the air, hovering far above our heads.

Bixlow sent his dolls after him, assembling them in Baryon Formation to send a powerful blast at him. Sitri easily dodged, his long white coat flapping in the wind. The thin silver chains hanging from his collar that attached to his shoulders and front of his coat reflected the light of the late afternoon sun.

"Carrot Missiles!" Beth yelled, unleashing a barrage of over-sized carrots. Instead of dodging, he chose to reflect them back at the country girl and her injured guildmate. She gasped in fear, her eyes widening as she realized that she wouldn't be able to get out of the way in time and take Risley with her. I flung my arm out towards them, turning it into a giant metal pole that deflected the missiles and sent them careening in all different directions.

With a furious cry, Mirajane launched herself into the air, a black cape fluttering around her as flames shot from her feet. My eyes widened as I recognized the form, the most deadly in her repertoire.

"Satan Soul: Sitri," she snarled, latching onto Sitri's ankle before he had time to dodge. As she was unable to fly in this form, she pulled him back down to earth with her, a murderous expression on her pretty face.

"So, you have a Take Over that enables you to take on the form of the demon Sitri." He twisted out of her grasp just before they hit the ground. As the two of them circled each other, he smirked coldly and shifted Orga's weight in his arms, still not putting the other mage down. "Well, looks like we'll just have to see which one of us is more suited to bear that name," he purred, licking his lips. "I will love adding that ability to my own."

"Like hell you will." She ran at him with her enhanced speed, spewing flames in her wake. Sitri danced out of her way, but she suddenly reappeared behind him, catching him off guard as she socked him in the back. Before he could stumble forward, her arm snaked around his throat, pulling him back against her body as she tightened her hold.

His face registered mild annoyance as he was forced to finally relinquish his hold on Orga to use both hands to snap out of her hold. Without sprouting wings, he took to the air again. Mira followed, using her flames as rocket boosters to fly through the air.

As they battled it out overhead, I hurried over to where Levy still lay on the ground, unconscious. "Fried, you go help Mira. I'll stay here to protect Levy."

With a nod, the green-haired mage whipped out his sword and began writing runes in the air before him. "Dark Écriture: Absolute Shadow!" After the light around him faded, his red coat was covered with dark armor and he wore a helmet with a pointy chin. Glowing red eyes peered through the slits in the helmet. "Dark Écriture: Wings!" His sword once again sliced through the air to form the runes. As soon as the purple rune wings appeared, he took off into the air, kicking up a small cloud of dust in his wake.

I watched them longingly for a moment, wanting to join in with the battle. Fried used his Dark Écriture to write the runes for Fear and Suffering on Sitri. With a snarl, the blond mage burned them away. In his momentary distraction, Mirajane sent a wave of pure dark energy at him. He was knocked back a few meters, but unleashed a torrent of black flames on the others that sent them flying backwards through the air.

Clenching my jaw, I tore my gaze away from the melee overhead. Levy needed me more right now. I knelt down beside her, noticing that the puncture wounds on her neck had faded. All that was left was a smear of crimson across her throat. I took her hand in mine and gestured for Lisanna to relinquish her to me. She complied, and I slid my other arm beneath her shoulders. Pulling her to my chest, I let her head rest on my shoulder as I stared down at her. Sweat beaded her brow as she gasped for breath, locked in darkness's cold embrace.

I was vaguely aware of Lisanna pulling away to cheer on her sister, but my attention was now focused solely on the girl in my arms. She felt so small, so fragile. Her hand was cold in my grasp, and I suddenly became afraid that she would never wake up. "Levy! Oi, Shorty! Wake up!" I tightened my grip on her hand, willing my strength to flow into her.

Slowly, her eyelids began to flicker, her brow furrowed as though in pain. I bent close, willing her eyes to open faster. After a tense moment, they did, her hazel eyes sliding into view. Her eyes were unfocused, as if she were caught in the throes of a severe fever. "Ga…jeel…?" she whispered hoarsely. I cupped her face, guiding her gaze to my own. Once she was able to focus on my face, I scowled at the amount of exertion that had taken. What was this overwhelming need to protect her? Why did I want to keep her close and never let her go again? And why couldn't I get her anguished screams out of my head? My jaw clenched at the memory. It must be because she's so small. She's like a child. That's it; I'm just feeling protective of her because she looks like a child. Then why did my gaze keep flickering to her lips…?

"Stay with me, Levy. Hang in there." I suddenly realized that our faces were mere inches apart, her labored breaths mingling with my anxious ones. She must have realized this, too, for a slight blush crept across her pale cheeks. It made her vivid hazel eyes stand out more, and matched the hue of her trembling lips….

I looked away hastily, feeling my own face heat up. What was up with me? Only when I felt her body go limp again did I turn back. Her eyes were closed, her mouth gaping slightly as she struggled to breathe. The flush in her cheeks had deepened, but this time, I knew it was from fever. Gently, I wiped the sweat from her brow and then cleaned the smears of blood from her neck, my heart clenching with hatred as I did so. I should've been able to protect her. I could've prevented this from happening.

"Levy…" I whispered. "I swear I will avenge you. I will kill that demon, and I will find a way to restore your magic."

A cough wracked her small body, and I pressed her face into the side of my neck as I cradled her in my arms. I felt her eyelashes fluttering as her eyes opened again. Pulling back, I peered down at her. She was focused on me now, her eyes more clear than they had been a moment before. "Gajeel, my magic. It's all gone. I can't feel it anymore." A tear slid down her cheek before her eyes glazed over again, pain etching itself into her delicate features. A whimper of fear and pain slipped past her lips, and I felt something wet on my own cheek. Looking up, I saw that it wasn't raining. With confusion, I brought my hand up to touch the patch of wetness. My fingers came away wet with water. Salty water, I noticed after licking the droplet off. Then…these were tears. I grew even more confused when I looked back down at Levy and realized that I must be crying because of her. What's going on with me? Her eyes were closed again, but she looked slightly more comfortable. I felt a flutter of something in my chest. Relief? Yes, relief was there. But there was something else. Something warm and…fluttery?

I growled, not liking that I didn't even know what was going on with my own body anymore. A sudden image of Ren staring affectionately down at Sherry popped into my mind. What the hell is this?! Is this supposed to mean that…I…? Looking down at Levy again, I had the most outrageous urge to press my lips to hers. Why the heck would I do that, though? That was what you did when you were in love with someone. And I most certainly was not in love with Levy…was I?

There's only one way to find out. Almost before I'd sanctioned it, my head started dipping towards hers. I was taken aback by the rapid beating of my heart, almost as though I was excited, or nervous. Steeling myself, I closed the last few inches between us and slanted my mouth over hers. My eyes slid shut as I felt just the faintest brush of her lips against mine. Then I jerked back, my eyes flying open. I gasped, staring down at Levy with a mixture of awe and fear. It was as though I had been shocked and then tossed into a pot of freezing fire.

Not wanting to think about what this meant, I returned my attention to the battle still raging on above us. After all, finding a way to take down Sitri was our priority right now.


Lucy

Oh…crap.

The giant sea monster coiled back in preparation to strike. Yukino and I shrieked, leaping to opposite sides of the narrow ledge as the monster's head crashed into the cliff wall where we'd been standing not a second before. I coughed in the dust that rose up from the chunks of rock that were dislodged. The sea monster pulled back, shaking its head. I knew that it would be back to finish us at any second. And if it failed to get us again, then it would just bash the cliff until it crumbled and sent us plummeting to the ocean below.

"Gate of the Scorpion, I open thee: Scorpio!" The tan celestial spirit appeared on the ledge beside me, a grin on his face.

"We are!" he drawled. "Got it. I'll take care of that giant snake!"

"Mm! I leave it to you, Scorpio!"

He got down on all fours, aiming his scorpion tail at the sea serpent. "Sand Buster!" A cyclone of sand shot out of his stinger, spiraling towards the serpent. However, with a lazy flick of its head, the massive serpent sent a jet of water out of its mouth, blasting away the sand like it was nothing. The stream of water continued on its course towards the cliff, and we all dove to the ground to avoid being hit. As the wave of water crashed down around us, I clung to the cliff wall with all my might, knowing that I could easily be swept off the ledge along with the water.

Yukino screamed in fear, clinging to the cliff beside me. As soon as the water finished cascading off the ledge, I reached my hand out to her. "Yukino-chan! Give me your hand!"

She looked up at me, tears streaming down her fearful face. Shaking, she crawled over to me and grabbed my hand, squeezing it like it was her last chance at survival.

Scorpio bowed his head in apology as he faded back into the Spirit Realm. "I'm sorry, Miss Lucy-san. I don't think I'll be of much help here."

I grabbed my keys frantically, seeing the serpent crane its head back to aim another jet at us. "Aries, Taurus, Cancer, Capricorn…none of my spirits can fly, so they wouldn't be much use against this monster. If only we could get to the top of the cliff…." I trailed off as an idea struck me. "Yukino! Use Libra to alter our gravity so that we can get to the top of the cliff. We'll be in a better position if we can make it that far."

"But what about that guy?" she asked worriedly. "He's still up there."

We both looked up. The rocker guy was still perched on the edge of the cliff, looking down at us in amusement. Maybe if we took him out, the sea serpent would go away.

"It's a risk we have to take," I said, forcing more determination into my voice than I felt. We latched onto the wall just as the blast of water hit us, threatening to tear us from the cliff. Sputtering as the water receded again, I flung my wet hair from my eyes. Gasping from the dowsing, I turned to Yukino again. "If we want to stay alive long enough for help to come, or have any chance of defeating these guys by ourselves, we need to be on more stable ground. One more blast like this and we are most likely tumbling to our death." As if to prove my point, a little more of the ledge crumbled.

She nodded her understanding. "Gate of the Heavenly Scales, I open thee: Libra!" The celestial spirit appeared in a flash of light, her golden scales swinging from the chains that attached to rings on her fingers.

We braced ourselves as the serpent reared its head again, this time making to snap us up in its jaws. "Ready…"

The serpent lunged towards us, its neck lengthening out as it opened its toothy maw.
"Set…"

"Go!" We were flung into the air by the sudden shift in gravity just as the beast's snout crashed into the ledge. I heard the rocks breaking apart as the ledge crumbled, falling away into the ocean below. As soon as we cleared the cliff, we threw our weight towards the ground as Libra once again switched our gravity. We skidded across the cliff as we landed, and I caught a glimpse of the surprised face of the guy who had summoned the serpent to begin with.

"Oof!" Yukino and I collapsed in a heap a few meters from the black-haired man. He straightened and walked over to us, a curious look on his face.

Hastily jumping to our feet, we prepared to fight. One hand went to my Fleuve d'étoiles while the other reached into the pouch that contained my keys, and Yukino brandished her own Gate Keys.

"How interesting." The man stopped a few feet in front of us, his head cocked to the side and a small smile on his face. "So you two use summoning magic, as well. This should be fun. A battle between the strength of our chosen vessels…I can't wait to see the outcome. But I'm afraid you two are at a disadvantage," he continued. His voice was deep and husky, as if he didn't use it much. "You see, you two have to use other objects to call forth your spirits. I, on the other hand, use only my own power. So you do understand that if I were to separate you from your keys, you would be helpless, right?"

I glared at him. "Who do you think you are? Worry about your own self! Because we're going to beat you, with or without our keys!"

He quirked an eyebrow at me in amusement. "Well, well, aren't we feisty? I think I should enjoy this very much. Too bad you aren't more powerful, or I might actually have to try."

Now that Yukino was back on solid ground, she had regained her cold wits. "Lucy-chan, let's do this."

"Mm. If we attack him at the same time, there should be no way for him to defend against both of us and our spirits!"

We nodded at each other, and I drew Leo's and Capricorn's keys from my pouch while Yukino added Pisces and kept Libra out. Shouting at the same time, we summoned our spirits. A bunch of flashes appeared as our spirits crossed over into our world.

"Lucy-sama, it's good to see you again," Capricorn said with a bow. Loki winked at me and gave a little finger wave to Yukino. Pisces was in their giant fish state, twisting through the air as they watched the man in front of us.

"Loki, Capricorn, I need you to take out that man," I said, pointing. As the spirits turned around, I saw them blanch.

"Well, well, look who's joined the party. It has been a while, hasn't it? Leo, Capricorn?" The man grinned lazily and waggled his be-ringed fingers at the spirits.

Loki clenched his teeth, his eyes wide. "Lucy, that man is…very powerful."

"You know him?" I asked in surprise, looking between them all. Yukino was giving Pisces and Libra a concerned look, as her spirits had apparently also noticed who stood before them.

"In a manner of speaking. We spirits all know of the legendary Leviathan-tamer. Kaarme." A grimace crossed his face as he nodded in grudging respect at the rocker guy—Kaarme?

Hanging his thumbs on his belt, Kaarme grinned roguishly. "Yo."

"Will you be able to defeat him?" I asked, my eyes widening in panic.

After a tense moment during which I wondered if I would receive an answer, Loki sighed and raked a hand through his coppery hair. "We will try our hardest, Lucy. You know that."

I was filled with even more trepidation than before. Loki had completely evaded my question, leaving me to conclude that we would be fighting for our lives rather than to defeat Kaarme. With a determined breath, I turned to Yukino. Loki was right; we would give it our best, until the bitter end.

"We have no choice but to fight alongside them. I have my Fleuve d'étoiles. Is there something you can use?"

Sealing her fears behind a determined mask, Yukino shook her head. But just then, another flash of light heralded the arrival of a celestial spirit. After the light disappeared, I saw a familiar pink-haired maid standing there, carrying something in her hands.

"Princess, is it time for punishment?"

I ground my teeth in irritation. "Virgo! This is not the time! Why are you here?"

Huffing in annoyance, she held aloft her hands and the item she carried in them. "I have brought a weapon for Yukino-sama. Please use this celestial staff, Yukino-sama. I hope it will help." With a final bow, Virgo handed the black staff to Yukino. Gold designs ran up and down its sleek length, shimmering in the light of the dipping sun. Yukino accepted it with a bow, running her hands up and down the staff with a look of awe.

"Now that you're fully armed," Kaarme said, stretching his arms up above his head as he yawned, "let's get on with this. There's not much time left, and I have my orders to follow." He straightened, moving his hands in a pattern in front of him.

This was the first I'd heard of them acting under orders. Who was giving them? If we could find a way to take out the control center, I bet we would have a much greater chance of beating them. Unfortunately, I didn't have time to muse on this further, as Kaarme spoke his next words….

"Leviathan of the Sky, I summon thee."

My ears suddenly started throbbing as a great pressure filled the air and the earth began rumbling. Yukino fell to her knees, clutching her head as she glared up at Kaarme. "What are you doing?" she shouted accusingly. A sudden wind rose around us, whipping our clothes and hair about. Yukino and I held our skirts down as best we could, but when I had to let go to keep my shirt down, my skirt flew up and I saw Loki look over with interest.

"Pervert!" I shouted, falling to my knees beside Yukino as I spat hair out of my mouth.

"What am I doing?" Kaarme asked calmly in response to Yukino's question, unaffected by the gale-force winds and pressure. "Why, summoning my own spirit. Prepare to see what a real Celestial Spirit Mage can do."

And with that, a flash of light so large it knocked us all off our feet splintered through the air. I gasped as tears sprung to my eyes. Once I was able to see again, I wished I couldn't. For there, standing before us, was a dragon. The largest dragon I'd ever seen, its black scales glistening like an oil slick. Glowing red eyes peered down at us as it hovered above our heads, its massive wings spread out.

"The Leviathan of the Sky," Loki murmured at my side.

Fear gripped me with an iron fist. I felt lightheaded and realized that I'd been holding my breath and forgot to release it. Gasping in a shuddering breath, I slowly got to my feet, unable to tear my gaze away from the behemoth before us. Oh God…if there is a God…please, please don't let it end like this. Not here, not now. Please, send someone to help us….

Lucy! Don't worry, I'm coming! Hang in there!

I gasped again, almost falling to the ground in shock. Natsu? Looking around, I couldn't see any trace of the pink-haired mage. But I had clearly heard his voice…. I shook my head, refocusing on the dragon before me. It was wishful thinking on my part to think that I'd heard Natsu. He was off fighting his own battles. I couldn't rely on him forever.

Taking a deep breath, I took a step forward, facing the monstrous black beast. "We will fight!" I cried, summoning all my courage and strength. Cracking my celestial whip, I lunged forward with the others, determined to just stay alive.

Loki used his light of Regulus to send balls of fire at the leviathan while Capricorn attacked on the other side. Pisces launched its own double assault while Libra altered the beast's gravity, making it crash down to the earth. I fell to my knees as it made the whole cliff shake, losing my hold on my whip. Crying out, I scrambled after it, but stopped short when I saw a black boot come down on its handle.

Kaarme crouched down, picking up my whip in a slow, deliberate manner. "Ooh, that's a pretty weapon. Fleuve d'étoiles, am I right?"

I ground my teeth and stood up. "Give it back."

He raised an eyebrow. "Now, now. That's not how it works, love. I'm afraid you'll have to take it from me by force if you want it back. Good luck with that." He smirked as he cracked it and then aimed its fiery length at me.

A scream tore from my throat as my own whip wound around me, pinning my arms to my sides. I struggled against my confines, trying desperately to free my arms. Kaarme spun around me, leaving his arms wrapped around me as he came up behind me.

"Come now, Lucy," he whispered in my ear. I could feel his breath stirring my hair, and I suppressed a shudder at the intimacy of the action. "Surely you can do better than that. Let's see what you've got." Spinning away again, he released me from the whip and danced back a few steps. "Come at me with all you've got!" he shouted gleefully.

Gritting my teeth, I ran at him as fast as I could. He smiled, anticipating that I would try to wrestle the whip away from him. But I had a different plan in mind. As I neared him, I checked my angle and calculated my velocity. Just…a little…more…. With the last of my strength, I launched myself at him. His eyes widened as he realized what I was doing. But it was too late. We connected, and I wound my arms around his waist, preventing any escape. My momentum carried us over the edge of the cliff, and I felt my stomach get left behind as we fell through empty air.

"Lucy!" someone yelled, but I couldn't make out any distinguishing characteristics of the voice with the wind rushing in my ears. The waves and rocks were fast approaching now, and I saw the shadow of the sea leviathan as it watched us with its hungry black eyes. Idly, I wondered if it would try to eat me if I was clinging to its master. I clenched my eyes shut tightly, refusing to watch my death unfold. I felt Kaarme grabbing my arms as we plummeted, and thought I heard him shout something, but I was too busy uttering my last fervent prayer.

Please…if anyone's listening, please take care of my friends. I don't want them to live in sorrow or fear.

As the dark water rapidly approached, only one phrase kept repeating in my head. Natsu…please…save me.


Ooh~. What do you think is going to happen? Will someone be there to save Lucy before she dies? o.O Dun dun duuuuuuun! Please stay tuned for the next update and don't forget to review, fave and follow! ;)