Pyrus: I still own nothing.

Chapter 4: Reeling in Persephone

It was a beautiful sunny day in her meadow and Levy was in an oddly light mood. She busied herself by exploring her meadow, her handmaidens long forgotten in the center of the meadow. Today she had discovered a lovely patch of Pink Butterfly Orchids and Scarce Tongue-orchids ranging in all different shades of pinks and purples. She hummed to the music in her head as she made her way through the flowers careful not to disturb the blooms.

She laughed at herself as she picked up a tiny wild tulip and tucked it behind her ear. She hadn't felt this light in so many days and she threw her head back and smiled up at Apollo who watched down upon her. Maybe he was sending her his laughter and joy to help brighten her day, and she didn't mind. It was nice to feel like herself once again.

As she crossed the patches full of colorful wildflowers she felt a presence near by. Believing it to just be one of her handmaidens Levy felt no threat and continued her dancing. Suddenly, however, the presence got much closer than any of her handmaidens would ever get without announcing their presence.

Levy whipped around to discover none other than Hades there behind her just a few feet away. Levy gasped as she landed on her left foot and quickly took off across the meadow toward the nearby ruins, and closer to her willow tree and in turn her handmaidens. Hades did not fall behind so easily though, as he chased her through the flowers, all the time mesmerized by her body and how easily she flitted across her meadow.

Levy easily jumped high into the ruins and raced down the dilapidated hall casting several glances over her shoulder to see where her pursuer was. She let out a soft laugh as she caught him struggling to get down the overgrown vines that covered the hallway. Levy touched a nearby vine and the vine quickly grew to block even more of the hallway.

Levy tucked herself behind a stone pillar not that far away and giggled as she saw the mighty Hades battling with the lifeless vines. As he broke through though his red eyes connect with Levy's hazel eyes. The raw emotion and power in those eyes made Levy let out a nervous giggle before disappearing around the corner just as Hades broke through the vines.

Levy looked for another trap that she could set to delay her hunter enjoying the fun little game that had sprung up. She spotted a small banister above the hallway she was in and with the help of a climbing ivy she was able to get up to the next floor. She watched as a few seconds later Hades ran by under her, without any knowledge that she had fooled him. She then stood and ran off on the third floor once again trying to reach her willow tree.

Gajeel looked around as he heard the soft retreating footsteps. He needed a new plan, or else she would outwit him and escape. He looked out a window across the open air courtyard and saw a flash of blue up on the floor above him. As he contemplated how to reach her he watched as Persephone jumped of a window.

Gajeel's heart sank as he raced to see if she was okay. Sure enough he could see her land softly on the ground before racing off into the distance toward...the handmaidens. "Shit," Gajeel thought as he too jumped out of the window and landed in the shadows of the ruined castle. He dipped down moving quickly through the shadow realms, reaching the handmaidens before Persephone was able to get near them.

He took a deep breath and released it quickly putting all the maidens to sleep, just as Persephone drew closer to the scene. He could see the fear and suspicion in her eyes, and then an idea hit him.

Levy was frozen in shock as she watched her handmaidens crumple at Hades' feet. What she didn't expect was for Hades to bow to her a flower presented in his hand. Levy inched closer to him and in turn closer to one of her maidens. Levy quirked an eyebrow noting that her jailers were just sleeping.

With that concern lifted Levy turned her attention back to Hades and the flower in his outstretched hand. She could tell it was one of the pale purple and black flowers, but when Hades took a step closer, Levy took off back into her meadow.

She wouldn't be fooled so easily. That flower didn't mean he had been the one giving them to her. Levy glanced over her shoulder expecting to see him chasing after her. Curiously however he was walking off in another direction. For the second time that day, Levy quirked an eyebrow at the god. Levy moved closer, circling him keeping her distance watching as he removed his dark black cloak revealing his lack of armor today and some very unconventional clothing.

Levy found herself staring at him, studying him. She could see the rippling muscles just under the surface of his black shirt. Levy blushed as her scan of him landed on his lower half, she quickly concluded that it was a good thing most gods didn't wear such tight pants. She continued to watch him as he folded his cloak and placed the flower atop the mass of black fabric. He certainly looked so serene and gentle, traits that were not associated with the ruler of death.

Gajeel knelt there listening as she slowly came closer to him, no different than a curious wild animal. He had tried the direct approach, but this time he'd take his time. He stood up and saw her jump back several paces before racing off several feet away from him. Instead of chasing after her, he decided to do some training exercises.

Gajeel used this time to focus on the image he wanted. In his mind's eye he imagined Persephone walking purposely toward him. She would place a small hand on his wrist as he moved slowly and surely through his set. Her hand would run up to his shoulder and then to his face, flitting across his pierced eyebrows and down the arch of his nose. Finally landing upon his lips, Gajeel let a smirk cross his face.

Levy moved cautiously toward him as he moved through what looked like a dance. She couldn't help giggling at the image of the large man before dancing, but there he was. Levy found herself drawn to him. She moved closer and closer to him and noticed that his eyes were closed and he was smirking.

"What's he doing?" Levy thought to herself.

Just then he made a sweeping motion and his fingers brushed Levy's cheek. She jumped back several steps before falling on her butt, her mind still reeling. She didn't expect such a gentle gesture from the same man who had the burning red eyes she had seen back in the ruins.

Levy sat there dazed as she watched him now move away from her. She frowned and stood approaching him once again. His eyes were now open and still burning with a fire that made Levy shiver, but not from fear. What was this feeling that made her breath quicken and her heart beat so quickly.

Levy cautiously stepped closer to him and he froze in a final pose. Curious as to why he stopped she raised a hand to touch him. As her hand finally touched his cheek, his large arms ensnared her. He had caught her. Large muscular arms descended gently around her waist and lifted her up so they were eye to eye. Levy squealed, but her squeals died out as she gazed into those blood red eyes, but up close they looked more like deep red rubies that shone with emotion.

They stood frozen like that for several seconds before Levy's hand once again tentatively rose up. When he did not move to hinder her, her fingers carefully moved up into his thick black locks. She moved slowly as if memorizing the god's unique features, ever careful not to make any sudden movements that might anger the god holding her. By the time Levy's fingers had moved on to the silver piercings, her body had noticeably relaxed.

Noticing her relaxing within his arms he slowly moved a hand to his belt releasing his small black trident. With a smirk he threw the trident into the ground causing both of them to fall down into the Earth along with his shadow cloak and the single purple flower. Gajeel's feel hit the deck of his golden chariot startling his four mighty black mounts. They shifted from foot to foot throwing their heads back in anticipation, Gajeel smirked as he gripped Persephone tighter and snapped the reins.

They were taking off down into the warmth of the Underworld as the Earth closed back up moments later as if nothing had happened. The wind blew across the meadow as the sun came out from behind the clouds to look upon the scene. Apollo instantly bolted up from his throne, and took off for Mt. Olympus. Persephone was missing! Stolen by the God of the Underworld.

The flight to Mt. Olympus was a short one, but it seemed to take forever in Natsu's mind for him to get there. Once there he didn't land and civilly walk into the palace, instead he flew straight down the hallway all the way to the main throne room. Natsu burst through the doors with a resounding slam.

"Apollo, what is the meaning of this!" Zeus bellowed, his blond hair sparking.

"He..He..He took her." Natsu panted.

"Who? What? Natus! Explain." Zeus called out keeping up the act for the others in the room, it was only by luck that Demeter was currently missing from the throne room at that moment.

"Hades. He's taken Persephone." Natsu finally explained.

"No!" Aphrodite gasped.

"We must get her back," Poseidon stated, as he stood from his chair.

"No!" Zeus commanded, "The Underworld is Hades' world. No one can enter it."

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