A/N: I apologize for the time it took me to get this chapter out to you all, but because the end of the school year is approaching, things are getting pretty crazy. Studying really sucks…Everyone's reviews and a couple of wonderful PM's have encouraged me greatly. Thank you!

Look up Fairy Tail Abridged by Pallettownchampions they're so hilarious and I can't stop quoting them…The third episode has to be the best! XD

Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail…because…Hiro Mashima hasn't finished signing it over to me yet.

Thesaurus

Chapter 10: Mistake

The room was so silent after her revelation that Ryomo secretly checked to make sure the other occupants of the room were still alive. They were still breathing, and all were staring at her in disbelief. She figured that there was no better time than the present to launch into a half-true sob story. "I am Ryomo, the guild master's granddaughter," the girl was interrupted by one of Gajeel's snarky comments.

"So you aren't the actual master? It's like Laxus' teenage rebellion phase all over again…" From beside him, Levy barely held back a giggle.

"I don't know what that means," said the Shadow Claw mage dryly. "But the reason I attacked you was a result of direct orders from higher-ups. And after Granddad disappeared and my father tried to take over, everything has taken a turn for the worst. If I want to keep any of my friends safe I've got to carry out orders." Her face was turned towards the floor, and she was biting her lip nervously.

Levy sat crisscross and smiled warmly at her fellow blue-haired girl. "It looks like you've got a Fairy Tail complex…" Pantherlily peered at his partner and the two girls from his perch on the bed, contemplative. 'I don't know if I believe her,' he thought. 'It's weird how similar their guild's situation is to some of ours…'

Ryomo trudged on with her story a little more confident now after seeing Levy's warm acceptance. "If they discover I've failed in getting rid of you there will be more people sent after you. Meeting Nyx and Helga in that alley back in Haregon was no coincidence."

Gajeel's iron-studded brow rose and his face looked almost grim. 'I know Lil' and I'll be fine but the shrimp...' Red eyes moved over to rest on the shrimp in question. He honestly was worried that he wouldn't be there for her when it would matter the most; when she was in danger.

"Nothing we can't handle!" Levy beamed at their captive, and Gajeel flinched. 'It's that forgiveness that has saved me, how can one pipsqueak have so much power inside?'

Off in the distance, thunder rolled across the sky. A desperate Pantherlily found refuge by burrowing into Levy's arms and she gave him a sympathetic look. Before the other female in the room could ask what Lily was doing, the door opened and lightning ripped a jagged scar in the sky simultaneously.

Tono Rabbits sauntered in tiredly, holding several lanterns infused with his light magic. "I figure the power will go out–" he was cut off by a strong growl of thunder and the lamp on a nearby table abruptly winked out. "See?" He managed to still look upbeat, though the glow from his lanterns gave his face an eerie look and bounced off of his glasses.

The short man took a seat on the floor next to who he assumed was Levy, his lanterns clanking together. "Why are you tied up Levy?" The real Levy cleared her throat from across the semi-circle and Tono did a double take, "then who!?" His question went unanswered as a fist knocked into the back of his skull and sent him sliding to the floor.

Chaos erupted.

Because the light mage had been rendered unconscious, his lanterns began to dim at an alarmingly fast rate. The two mages from Shadow Claw who'd come for their guild master were forced to grab their blue haired comrade and run for it.

The problem? Two girls with blue hair in a dim room. They snatched both an unaware Levy and a shivering Pantherlily away in the near darkness, ignoring an angry Gajeel that couldn't seem to locate either of his partners.

*Elsewhere*

Zack Cloud dashed out of the town hall as fast as his legs could carry him. He smirked as soon as he and his load cleared the threshold and peeked over his shoulder to locate the third member of the escape party; Nyx.

"Hurry up!" He called back at the taller man. "I can't keep this storm up forever you know…" He raised the arm that wasn't securely wrapped around the waist of the target and conjured more wind and lessened the lightning.

Zack dropped his storm after he and Nyx traveled deep into the vast forest that surrounded Valletta. Hopefully they'd put enough distance between themselves and the Fairy Tail mages. The silver haired boy unceremoniously dropped his load onto the ground and flopped down himself.

"You're a lot lighter than I remember, you know?" He said tiredly. Even though his girlfriend wasn't all that heavy, he had run a long way. "Still I'd like a thank you," he smirked, rolled onto his side and was met with a satchel to the face.

While he whimpered in pain he caught a blue-haired person make a break for it. "Wait, Ryomo!" He called, struggling to stand. 'Damn, since when does she have a satchel?' The forgotten Nyx stopped next to him and tugged him to his feet.

"That wasn't your girlfriend, idiot," the dark-haired man's lips curved into a sadistic smile. "It's that runt from Fairy Tail." At the remembrance of the beating he'd received from Gajeel, Nyx's shadows grew agitated and swirled around him. "Let's go get her, shall we?"

Levy cursed her short legs as she ran away from her captors. Pantherlily flew next to her, keeping an eye out for anything suspicious. Neither knew why they'd been snatched by a couple of mages from Shadow Claw, (evident by the guild marks stamped proudly on their skin,) but they weren't going to stick around to find out.

"Gajeel has probably noticed we've been taken by now," Lily said calmly. "Thanks to your satchel, we've got a chance to find him before he comes after us." The girl blushed furiously at the mention of her book carrier, and shifted the strap so the bag wouldn't affect her stride.

"Pantherlily, are you alright now?" The storm had long since ceased, but the Exceed still looked uncomfortable. Something in his eyes was beginning to make Levy uneasy as well.

"Why is it so dark?" He'd been feeling apprehensive for a while now and not without reason. Something in the back of his mind was trying to remember why shadows were so dangerous…

"I'VE GOT YOU NOW FAIRY TAIL SCUM!"

Lily barely had time to change into his battle form before a blast of shadows nailed him in the chest and knocked him off balance. Beside him, Levy slid her stylus out of her satchel and glared at the shadow man.

"Wait Nyx, shouldn't we just use them as bait or something?!" Said the other enemy. His piercing green eyes analyzed the Fairy Tail mages standing before him and settled on Levy.

"You don't really have-" He made fumbling motions on his own chest and Levy's cheeks flamed. 'Why do people mock my chest EVERYWHERE? In battle of all places?!' She made a few motions and wrote 'guard' to block an oncoming barrage of Nyx's shadows before facing down the verbal assault.

"You shouldn't mention something like that in the midst of a fight!" She decided getting a slice of revenge for herself wouldn't hurt and sent 'fire' at the guy. Sadly, he barely batted an eye and dodged easily. 'He's fast!'

"It's just my way of confirming you aren't Ryomo," he said. "My name is Zack Cloud, and since we nabbed the wrong chick, I guess we're stuck with you. You'll be decent bait." He spread his arms and a bolt of lightning barreled at her.

Pantherlily winced and fell back before he could land a blow on Nyx, turning back into his smaller form. 'The lightning…the thunder! Levy, I can't!' He watched helplessly as she stood her ground against the two men alone.

"Solid Script: Hole!" She yelled over the boom of thunder that followed one of Zack's attacks. She'd seen Lily fumble at his deepest fear and understood. She would have to do the best she was able to by herself! 'Gajeel I'm holding out for you, please come and get us.'

A/N: I hope the action and fighting makes up for the wait. Please give me some tips on how to improve, and leave me a review. I'm trying to survive until summer, where I'll be able to write a lot more! This week is filled with track practice and THREE track meets, which means I'll be busy in the afternoons. I hate track…

Also, my parents loathe me and are being especially ruthless lately. I know I'm not perfect, but that doesn't mean they have to tell me how much better both of my sisters are than me. -_-'

Last but not least, I'm planning on creating a Deviant Art after I post this, and my user will be the same as my penname.

REVIEW REPLIES:

1fairytaillover: Ha, yes! He needs to get his mind out of the gutter.

Miss Rune: Sorry! ^_^' Cliffhangers…I can't help it sometimes! Thank you. I worry about my abilities on getting the moves and stuff across to readers sometimes. Naraku might secretly be a girl! His face gave me nightmares once. GAH. XD I know… "I would like take over the world…how about we kidnap Lucy Heartfilia to get it started?"

Kurisu313: Maybe not their ENTIRE plan. But yeah…pretty much. *sheepish grin* I can't help but make Levy surpass Gajeel somehow. She beat Ryomo with smarts…which, admittedly, is something Gajeel is kind of lacking in. I bet Lily would rock at poker! XD Your guess…I like that guess. But what's Juvia's skill might have to remain Juvia's skill.

MsSlicingClaws: XD I can tell you're really excited! Really? WOW AWESOME! I love your dedication and I'm glad I made you happy. I'm planning on making one tonight under the name 'ajmonkeygirl99'. Another chapter? I'll be waiting eagerly! ^_^ Thank you. Being a mature writer and thinker is something I strive for because if I'm going to write as a career, I'm going to need balance!

Nadeshiko Redfox: XD Jesus, stop stealing everything! (Oh, I just had a mental picture of Natsu rampaging through said city in search of Lucy…the hilarity!) That it was. I'm running out of threats…;_; DON'T SELL LEVY TO THE TRIMENS?! Do you want Gajeel to kick your butt? Oh I wish I was on a sugar high…ah food! Thank you!

Casterwill21: Thank you very much! ^_^

SarahSpaztastic: Here you go! :P

Review, or I will tell Pantherlily you've got a stash of kiwis hidden under your bed…beware for you'll have a ravenous exceed coming after you!