. Oculto .
Levy stared straight into the large glowing red eye that looked intently at her, not showing an ounce of fear at the loud growl that rumbled through the air made her small body tremble. "You," Metalicana rumbled furiously, "Want me to take you to the human town, bring you back, and let ya go with whoever goes to a temple guarded by two linnorms, both of which caught this fire-breathing fucker and I off guard?"
Levy blinked once. "...yes, that sounds about right. Please? Gajeel shouldn't be walking, and I think the wound might be infected."
"And should Grandeeney's daughter learn that dragons are walking in the area, she will demand to know where Grandeeney is," Igneel pointed out.
Metalicana clicked his jaws at the fire dragon, looking unamused. "Shut up, bastard, I've got this." He returned his gaze to Levy. "It's not a smart move, little one."
"I know," Levy said softly, "Please, Metalicana. We don't need you to take us right outside of town, a few miles away would be fine. We still have Salutem here, maybe you could carry him with us. That way we'd get to town fast without you having to get too close."
"Stupid creature," Metalicana muttered. "It won't leave me be."
"He likes you," Levy laughed. "Please will you take us there and then bring us back?"
"Fine," Metalicana muttered, "But only because you asked, little one. I won't carry the black mage." His gaze lifted to glare at the smirking Eberos, who was watching without an ounce of compassion for anyone involved in their current situation.
"That's alright," Levy reassured, "Natsu and Lily are going to stay here with Eberos. Lucy and I will be going back with you and Gajeel - and Salutem, I suppose." She grinned gratefully up at him and then went to inform her friends and Eberos, though she guessed that the dragon slayers already knew.
"Here's what is going to happen," she said, hands on her hips as she looked up at all of them. Lily had taken on his larger form to help when Gajeel's leg had give out, and it didn't look like he was going to transform back just yet. "Lucy and I are taking Gajeel back to town; Metalicana's going to take Salutem with us so he can land a couple miles out."
"Can he carry all of you?" Natsu said cautiously, frowning.
"I will carry the horse as well." They looked over to discover Metalicana's head snaking over. The dragon had shifted closer, and his head came to rest between Levy and Lucy. The solid-script mage beamed and rested a hand on the heavy metal plating that lined his head. "So that you may all get there quickly."
"Thank you, Metalicana," Lucy said gratefully. She glanced worriedly to Natsu, who gave her a bright grin. "What are you guys going to do until we get back?"
"I'll sit with my dad," he said simply. "I want to tell him everything that's happened since he left, you know?" Lucy nodded in understanding, and Levy guessed that she was feeling a bit upset about the fact that both of her parents were no longer in the realm of the living.
"I'll keep an eye on them," Lily promised, and then glanced at where Gajeel was sitting, watching them all with narrowed crimson eyes. "I hope Gajeel will be up and walking when you get back. He's going to throw a tantrum if you go without him."
"Shut up," Gajeel grumbled, unamused with Lily's unhelpful commentary on what he thought would happen. Levy giggled, silently agreeing with the Exceed about the matter before glancing to Metalicana. "When are we leaving?"
"Hold on one goddamn second," Igneel's rumbling voice snapped as he lumbered over, head lowered. "Why are ya taking the golden one away?"
Lucy beamed up at the fire dragon, clearly pleased with his affection for her and looking almost honored that he'd chosen to like her. "Someone has to check in on the town. I'm going to send word to Fairy Tail that we're alright, ask them to send Wendy to us so that she can look at Gajeel's leg, come up with excuses, the likes. I'm going to fabricate some stories to keep you guys hidden from everyone else. They'll ask what caused Gajeel's wound, I'll just say a wyvern that caught us by surprise."
Igneel's piercing gaze studied her before he bared his teeth in a grin, amused with the ease of which she was creating untrue lies. "You're a smart one. Heartfilia, you said? I knew a few members of your family. You are just as clever as they."
Lucy beamed.
"Anyways," Levy cut in, amused with the friendliness in what she had decided to call the Dragneel group, "When we get back, I'm taking whoever to go and investigate the linnorms' temple."
Metalicana looked to Igneel, who rumbled, "And you expect us to remain here again?"
Levy silently clenched her jaw, not looking at anyone else as she spoke now.
No.
She didn't.
But they would.
"Yes," she said firmly. "But not doing nothing. I'm leaving you here to deal with the linnorms."
Silence, and then Natsu said awkwardly, "Levy, they're going to be protecting the temple."
"They seem to naturally hate dragons," Levy explained. "They wouldn't have attacked a dragon if they didn't. No one just attacks a dragon and attracts its attention like that for no reason. Dragons are rumored to have a taste for revenge like no other. I don't know if that's true, but…"
"And how do you expect us to get them here?" Metalicana rasped.
"That's where whoever is staying behind comes in." Levy turned to face her friends now. "I'm changing up the number of who is going now. I'm taking one person only. Gajeel, if you're fixed up, it'll be you. If not," she paused, and then said carefully, "Eberos."
Gajeel unleashed a sound that was near animalistic. "No way in hell, shrimp-"
"I'm still fine!" Natsu protested, "I can go-"
"No, you'll be the one in charge of catching the linnorms' attention," she told the fire mage, ignoring Gajeel's loud protests, Metalicana's irritated rumbling, and Eberos' shocked gawking.
Clearly, the black mage hadn't expected to be included in such a way.
"Natsu, you can irritate the hell out of anything you want," she explained. "I'm counting on you to get the linnorms to the dragons and alongside whoever is here, you're going to kick ass. I'm hoping Gajeel's leg will be alright enough to let him go with me."
"This isn't smart, little one," Igneel said gently. He looked uneasy, and Metalicana agreed with him quietly as he studied the blue-haired woman.
"Sometimes you need to be stupid," was all Levy said, shrugging her shoulders. "I'll go get Salutem and the horse. They got some water while we were gone, right?" Metalicana shrugged his massive shoulders and she gave him a look of horror. "It's a desert, they'll fry from the inside out!"
"I don't take care of animals," Metalicana grumbled, "That's your job, little one."
"Ugh!" She threw her hands in the air. "Lucy, could you-"
"Yep!" Lucy cast her friend a smile, and then hurried over. She and Levy left the group to take care of the animals, and when they were gone, the men and magical creatures left behind all sat in silence before Eberos suddenly spoke.
"What stupid fucking idiot put her in charge?" he muttered. "She's askin' for death. I want to rip her into pieces."
"I don't even know anymore," Natsu groaned, exchanging a tired look with Lily. They were going to stay with the dragons, and neither were pleased that Eberos was going to be staying as well. But it was better than him going into town again, he supposed.
Gajeel didn't look very happy either. He was giving them all dirty looks, particularly Metalicana. "If I ain't going," he said firmly, "You are, you old metal bastard."
Metalicana rumbled out a growl. "I do what the little one wants, brat," he retorted. "I ain't lookin' to upset her like some of us."
He gave his father a death glare before turning his attention back on Levy - or at least trying to. He grimaced in pain, glancing at his leg after a moment, and made a face of annoyance.
He could see the reddened flesh peeking out from the makeshift bandage. He knew that it was infected or worse.
But he didn't give a shit.
He just wanted to make sure that Levy was okay.
So if it meant Wendy using up all of her magic for a week to make sure it healed quickly, he'd ask it of her, because Gajeel wasn't willing to let Levy go running off with Eberos of all people!
"Fuckin' shrimp," he growled in irritation, and then turned his face to the sky, studying it with a look of exhaustion. This job had done a complete turnaround from when he'd watched her leave with his cat in tow. It wasn't a simple "retrieve a treasure".
It was far from it.
Yet he couldn't complain, he guessed, glancing at his father.
He'd gotten more treasure than he'd expected when he'd come chasing after Levy.
"We good?"
"Yeah, let me go say goodbye to Natsu," Lucy told Levy as the blue-haired woman blinked patiently, waiting for the go. Metalicana was going to let them on first, and then go for the animals. Salutem - intelligent compared to the horse - didn't seem to mind when he'd done a practice test, but the horse had gone berserk, screaming practically.
Lucy sprinted off to say farewell to Natsu, who was watching them from his place beside his father. The pink-haired mage caught her in a tight hug, pressing his face briefly into her golden hair. They spoke to each other, and Levy smiled at the sight before turning to Gajeel, who stood on one foot with a grimace, sweat dotting his face.
Worried, Levy offered comfort in a simple touch on his arm before turning to Lily. "Okay, you can take him up now."
Lily twitched his tail and lifted his partner in crime. Metalicana watched over his shoulder, and Gajeel grumbled, "I'm not a fucking invalid, shorty."
"Shut up and let him get you up there, you iron lug," she retorted.
Lucy came jogging back after a moment, hair swinging around her shoulders. She looked amused, and when Levy's eyes flickered back, it was to discover Natsu beaming after her, looking pleased. "What's that look about?"
"I promised him he could read a chapter of my book when we got home if he behaved himself," Lucy explained, looking pleased with herself. "He promised he'd be on his best behavior immediately. He won't be causing any issues for Igneel, and guaranteed he won't be fighting with Eberos."
Levy blinked. "That's all?"
"He's been pestering me about it," Lucy explained.
"Oh!" Levy laughed at that and then yelped when she found herself suddenly in the air. Metalicana had gently grabbed the back of her shirt and was lifting her, snickering under his breath as he deposited her gently beside Gajeel. She beamed at the dragon, eyeing the lack of grip until Gajeel rasped, "I've dug my hands in. You guys are gonna have to hold on to me if you need to."
"Got it," Levy replied, understanding flashing across her face. She scooted over, careful not to slip on his slick metallic hide. She seated herself beside him, and a moment later, Lily had deposited Lucy beside her. "Thanks, Lily," Levy told him.
He gave a slight smile and replied, "Make sure he gets better. Don't want to lose my partner."
"I will," Levy said seriously, her hazel eyes warm, and then she bid their friend farewell. He went to join Natsu and Eberos, who was seated a little bit away from the rest of them and was watching the dragon and the people atop of them with a look that gave none of his thoughts away.
Plotting something, more than likely.
Levy explained the lack of grip to Lucy, who smiled kindly at Gajeel and told him, "Let us know if your leg starts to feel funny or something. Metalicana can stop so we can check it over."
"Do not try to be brave, brat," Metalicana warned as he shifted, getting ready to reach for the animals they were bringing. He paused, and then suddenly parted his jaws and roared defiantly at the sky, the sound ringing so that they had to cover their ears again. Igneel rumbled, fighting the urge to roar back, a flash of irritation crossing his gaze.
Levy guessed it was a territorial thing.
Something along the lines of "I'm leaving for a bit, but don't you dare think about taking my things."
She could just imagine the temper tantrum that the iron dragon would throw if they did anything to try and take what he'd claimed as his.
Amused with the thought, Levy patiently waited as Metalicana rocked back a little and reached with his talons, catching the two animals they were bringing quickly and carefully. The horse shrieked and panicked, struggling to get away though unable to in Metalicana's strong grip. Salutem patiently bowed his antlered head to sniff at Metalicana before blinking gently at the dragon in understanding.
"Ready?" Lucy breathed. "The town was in shambles the last time we were there, Levy."
"Ready," Levy confirmed, glancing to Gajeel for his agreement. He gave a curt nod.
As if sensing this, Metalicana gave a final roar, and then suddenly surged up into the air, heavy metallic wings beating wildly to lift his massive body into the sky. Levy, used to it, gently grasped Gajeel, who simply tightened his own grip on his father's metallic body.
At this rate, they'd get to Oak Town in hours, she was relieved to realize. Especially when Metalicana began to suddenly rocket forward, the air buffeting their bodies and swinging their hair around their faces. She could distantly hear the horse screaming in terror, but she didn't notice, closing her eyes.
Levy grinned to herself.
She loved flying.
Hours later, Levy felt the change. Metalicana simply tilted his body just barely so that he turned and then began to descend, a rumble in his throat. When he got ready to land, Levy felt Gajeel suddenly shake one hand free of the iron and place it lightly on her back, and she understood why when the dragon reared back to land hind feet first. He was making sure she didn't suddenly fall backwards.
Metalicana suddenly rumbled, "I cannot set the stupid panicking one down, or it'll bolt."
"Salutem won't," Levy called back. "Put him down and then we'll get off."
Metalicana did as she told him to do, carefully placing Salutem in the sand. The deer bounded a few strides away, shook himself, and then lowered his antlered head to lip at the sand in search of plants.
Metalicana snorted, and then lowered himself as best as he could, still holding the horse awkwardly. He reached around with his massive jaws and lightly grabbed Lucy before she could protest. The blonde squawked as she was lifted and carefully deposited on the ground, and Levy was soon put beside her. Grimacing and stretching her legs, Levy readied herself to help Gajeel.
Gajeel was left to awkwardly slide down Metalicana's flank, and Lucy exchanged an unhappy look with Levy when he hit the ground and nearly collapsed, his eyes full of pain that he refused to show. He staggered closer, and then swore colorfully when his leg gave out anyways.
"Gajeel!" Levy cried, darting over. Metalicana lowered his head to watch, glowing red eye glinting anxiously. Lucy hurried over alongside her.
"I'm fine," he rasped. He shoved himself up from the sand, and Levy silently took up a position at his side, letting him lean on her even as he grumbled. The proud iron dragon slayer didn't appreciate needing help.
"I'll take the horse," Lucy decided, going to grab the animal. Metalicana turned his attention on this, making sure Lucy didn't get hurt as she did so.
Levy whistled for Salutem, and the deer came trotting over, shaking his head as he came over. She touched his cheek gratefully, and then ordered, "I'll ride with you, Gajeel. I want to make sure you don't fall off."
Gajeel snorted, looking a little amused. "I'm steering, shorty. I'm the one with the nose."
"Salutem's got a perfectly fine sense of direction," she retorted playfully.
He rolled his eyes. "Whatever." He rubbed Salutem's nose with an almost affectionate look, and without hesitation, lifted her onto the deer's back. Salutem patiently stood there, free of a saddle or the strange bridle that Levy had used when she'd first ridden him out into the desert.
Levy waited until Gajeel had somehow hauled himself up behind her, and then turned her attention on Lucy, who'd used Metalicana's talon to climb onto the horse's back. The whites of its eyes showed as she directed it over to stand beside them.
"We should be back soon," Levy told the iron dragon. "I want to go back tonight if we can."
Metalicana snorted, clicking his jaws once. "If you bring supplies for Igneel's brat, I'll take them back."
"Thank you," Levy said gratefully. She smiled once at Metalicana, and then glanced at her friends. "We good to head to town?"
"Yep!" Lucy replied, flashing them a grin. Her eyes held a knowing look that had Levy flushing and looking elsewhere. It was hard enough to ignore Gajeel's proximity without Lucy teasing her about it the entire way there!"
"Is your leg alright for now?" Levy demanded, glancing up at Gajeel.
He snorted. "Woman, I fought a goddamn dragon. I ain't gonna break from a stupid leg wound."
"Okay, okay," she muttered, rolling her hazel eyes. Salutem pranced once, agile body bending in what Levy believed to be a single bow towards Metalicana, and then sprinted forward, taking off at a full out lope. Lucy encouraged the horse to follow, its hooves thudding loudly against the sand.
It seemed like forever - and felt like it, to be honest - before the town first began to appear before them. Levy grimaced, recognizing crumpled buildings and more. When they were close enough, Levy slowed Salutem, and Lucy slowed the horse to match their speed. Salutem snorted at it, as if amused with it, and then sniffed at the air.
"Eberos completely destroyed this place," Levy said quietly, and she felt Gajeel's grip on her tighten.
"You ain't taking him," Gajeel growled.
"We'll see," was all she said in response. Salutem picked his way down a sandy slope, heading for town. The horse slid down awkwardly after them, and Levy flushed, leaning back and pressing just barely against Gajeel's chest.
Not that she could turn any more red than the lobster-like color she already was.
At least she'd hopefully tan, right?
It took a good ten minutes before Salutem's cloven hooves struck the cobblestone street that they decided to enter on. They clattered as the animal caught his balance, and then paused to wait for Lucy.
"Ugh, civilization," Lucy moaned, though her eyes showed her worry over the empty streets.
And they were very empty.
Gajeel listened intently, searching out sounds that would lead them to where people were. "Take a left at the next turn," he said gruffly, crimson eyes watching with care. Levy murmured the command to Salutem, who trotted forward and rounded the corner.
A scream startled the deer, and he bellowed in shock, skittering back. Gajeel's heavy weight slid, but his expert ability to keep balance kicked in and he swung himself so that he was upright and wouldn't fall. Levy clung to an antler with shock clear in her hazel eyes. Lucy's horse reared up, terrified, and she forced it to the ground, murmuring soothingly to it.
"What the fuck?" Gajeel barked out.
"Lisanna?" Levy recognized, eyes widening as she stared down at the equally startled silver-haired woman, who had pressed a hand to her chest, her lips parted. "What are you doing here?"
"Me?" she gasped, "You scared the life out of me, Levy - oh, Levy! Gajeel!" She glanced behind them, crying out in excitement. "And Lucy! You're all okay! A few of the others went out towards the ruins to try and find you, but they came back when they couldn't find anything. We were all worried that whatever had made that huge pit thing had eaten you!"
Levy giggled, saying firmly, "We're alright, we just got...carried away doing things. That's all, we're alright. We came across a linnorm though and it bit Gajeel. Is Wendy around?"
"Everyone but Master himself came to help," Lisanna told them, frowning. "The town was wrecked, though we aren't sure how-"
"New friend of ours," Levy chimed, "Kind of a bastard. Can you take us to her? Please? Lucy will explain everything, but Gajeel and I have to get him fixed up and go back to where Natsu is waiting."
"What she said," Gajeel grunted, rolling his eyes at the way she'd explained it.
Lisanna flashed them a smile, and then waved for them to follow. "This way," she ordered, "We set up base near the infirmaries that were set up. Sabertooth came in last night to help."
"Shit," Gajeel cursed under his breath in Levy's ears. "Gonna be harder to convince 'em to leave it be then Wendy. Ain't helping when my old man's making that goddamn racket."
Levy knew he meant the roaring that Metalicana had done, and pressed her lips together. He was right. But Lucy would do her best, she knew.
"Is Happy here?" Lucy said hopefully as they followed Lisanna through the destroyed streets. Levy felt a pang of guilt; she knew that they could very easily give up Eberos to the Council, call them here even to deal with him and see to it that he payed for the crimes he'd committed, but…
They needed him for the time being.
"Yeah, he was really worried about you and Natsu," Lisanna replied. "He went with Mira and Erza to look for you originally."
"Poor guy," Levy said sympathetically.
Lucy murmured her agreement and then lifted her gaze to watch as Lisanna jogged down the side of a road and then rounded a corner to what had once been the center of Oak Town. Now it was destroyed, filled with grieving and pained people.
"Do you think Kenai and Ell are alright?" she murmured nervously to Gajeel, her fingers tightening on the antler she gripped for balance.
"Bunny girl said they were," he grunted.
She agreed silently.
"Here we go," Lisanna called, and then shouted, "Mira! Look who I found!"
"We nearly ran you over," Gajeel told her gruffly, "We found you."
"Whatever you say," Lisanna teased as Mirajane poked her head out of tent that had been set up. Her blue eyes lit up at the sight of them, and she cried, "You're alive!" She craned her head back inside, calling for a few select people.
And then she came jogging over. "We were so worried," she said anxiously, fretting over them as Levy slid from Salutem's back. Lucy shoved the reins of the horse at Lisanna after hopping off and came over to look up at Gajeel with a frown, not looking forward to the iron mage landing on them if his leg gave out again."
And then Gray came hurtling out of the tent with Wendy, Erza, and a shrieking Happy close behind. "Lucy!" he screamed, tackling her hard enough that the blonde hit the earth. Lucy laughed, hugging him, and Levy watched with a warm look as Erza threw herself to the ground to drag Lucy into a tight hug.
Gray grinned at them, and Wendy squealed, clapping excitedly. "You're okay!" she cheered. "We were frantic-"
"Levy!?"
"Jet!" Levy whirled to face her teammates, laughing as they collided with her. She found herself wrapped in two pairs of arms. "Droy!"
"We're sorry about our fight," Droy sobbed, refusing to release her.
"Really sorry," Jet agreed anxiously.
Levy hugged them just as tightly, relieved to see them. "I know. I'm sorry for worrying you both."
"Oi, enough with the happy greetings," Gajeel snapped, clearly agitated with how much the pair was touching Levy. Glaring at them, Gajeel sucked in an annoyed breath and then swung himself off of Salutem. The deer made a soft sound, lowering his head so that Gajeel could balance himself using Salutem's antlers.
Gajeel seemed grateful for the help, though he said nothing.
"Right!" Levy whirled to face Wendy, but couldn't get a word out to the sky mage before the familiar voice of Sting Eucliffe called cheerfully from where he'd come to see what all of the commotion was about, his blue eyes gleaming excitedly, "Where's Natsu?"
"Yeah, where's the pyro?" Gray questioned, looking to Lucy, who grimaced and took a deep breath before saying calmly, "Not here."
"Where is he then?" Erza asked, frowning.
"With Lily and another person a few days away from here," Levy explained carefully. "But that's not important. Wendy, we got attacked by a linnorm and it snagged Gajeel. Can you take a look at his leg?"
Wendy's lips parted and her eyes snapped wide. "Those are more rare than dragons!"
"Yeah, well we fought two of the fuckers," Gajeel grumbled, ignoring the glares he received from several women for his language.
"You must tell us!" Erza declared. "Lucy and Levy can tell us while your wound is seen to."
"You got lucky," Wendy said quietly, ducking down to investigate the damage there. "Linnorms aren't venomous. But it does look infected. Even my magic won't be enough to heal it entirely today...you'll need to stay off of your leg."
Gajeel's gaze flashed towards Levy, who shared a long look from him.
She was leaving tonight; she'd told him as much. That meant she'd be taking Eberos with her.
And the furious look that appeared told her he wasn't pleased.
"We have to go back starting tonight," he protested.
"You won't be," Wendy stated firmly, "Not if you want to heal up as quickly as possible."
"I'll have to take Eberos with me then," Levy murmured under her breath. Droy gave her a curious look, but she ignored him and then whirled around to look to Mirajane. "Can you gather some supplies that'll last a while for me? I need to take some back."
"Of course," she replied, and then waved for Jet and Droy. "You two, go ahead and do that. I know you want to stay with Levy, but we need to make sure everything she needs is ready. Do you want to take more people with you?"
Yes.
"No," Levy lied. "I'm the only one going back."
"Like hell you're going without me," Gajeel snarled, furious.
But Levy only ignored him and grinned. "So. Where do we start?"
Sorry about the wait! Been busy with school things! Thanks to reviewers (AfterWriter, Typhlosion9, Dragonfan47, Tigerwoman188, SilverGhostKitsune, and jennloya1!) as well as those who favorited and followed!