A/N: Guess who's a year older? I'm a year older! Guess who sucks because she doesn't update more often? I SUCK AND I'M SO SORRY. ;_; I did fine on final exams and got good marks and all, but I won't bore you any longer.

Disclaimer: Ah ~ the wonderful Fairy Tail. I don't own it…:(

Thesaurus

Chapter 12: Showdown

Levy found herself walking beside Jet and Droy, the evening air cool as it blew wispy strands of hair out of her face. They were chattering about some sort of destruction to the guild, and how they were going to enjoy paying Phantom Lord back for it.

Her hazel eyes widened, not able to believe it. 'This night! I don't want to relive it…' Just as that thought crossed her mind, the atmosphere became tense and from above a dark figure launched itself at her person. 'G-Gajeel!'

Red eyes aglow, he cackled insanely as he prepared to waste all three of them. Levy stumbled back as she watched him dart around with speed on par to Natsu's. Her face was pale, eyebrows furrowed, and her expression screamed the single word that found itself slipping from her lips: 'No…'

She was going to be beaten again, by the man she'd finally forgiven, and had eventually come to love. Yes, she could admit it to herself now. She loved him. The way he was rough on the outside, but definitely had his tender moments. He could put up a pretense of being tough and mean, but really, he was Gajeel; her Gajeel. The one that would always prove himself to her, and the one that had become a true member of Fairy Tail.

This was it. Levy refused to feel fear towards the mage that she now trusted with all of her heart. "GAJEEL!" The cry tore from her lips and the world around her froze. Everything shattered, and then there was a cry back, "LEVY!"

'A dream…' She thought, relieved and content with the knowledge that she really did care for the dragon slayer. 'Now I know, and I can tell him!' It seems her brain hadn't yet caught up with the dire situation she was in.

Nyx raised his shadow weapon over Levy's prone form, ready to strike, and was promptly shoved roughly out of the way by a furious Gajeel. Relieved red eyes met tired earth-toned ones and he clasped her hand firmly to pull her to her feet. He felt an odd feeling well up in his chest when he saw she was mostly unharmed.

"Had me scared for a moment there, Shrimp," he said awkwardly, not yet letting go of her smaller hand as she smiled up at him. He let himself scan the clearing, noting with pride and a little confusion the damaged areas. 'Did she do all of this?' Scorch marks were prominent throughout the grassy area, and the silver-haired guy that Ryomo was currently scolding had an arm that looked worse for wear. 'That's my bookworm.'

The forgotten Tono cowered behind Gajeel as he noticed Nyx stagger to his feet. "Uh…guys? Hate to ruin the moment, but," he pointed to the problem. "We've still got to deal with him." Gajeel grinned like a maniac and tugged Lily off of his shoulder.

"Hold my cat," he told Levy, ruffling her hair. "I've got somebody's ass to kick." She nodded and sat on the ground, Pantherlily cradled in her arms. Lily smiled to himself as he watched his partner approach the enemy. Tono stood off to the side, still analyzing the situation. Something seemed off…

It soon became evident what that something was. As Gajeel charged the shadow man, the last threads holding onto Nyx's sanity snapped, the man not able to keep his grasp on reality with a dangerous foe approaching. While he had been nearly crazy before, losing his sanity allowed him to stop feeling all emotions and also granted him access to abundant power.

Electricity crackled through the air as Zack realized what was happening. He forced himself to stand, despite Ryomo's protests. "GET BACK!" He tried to stop Gajeel from running straight into danger, but to no avail. The lightning mage couldn't risk attacking Nyx, lest his burnt arm cause his magic to go haywire once again.

Gajeel heard the silver haired boy yell just as a swarm of shadows obscured everything from view. A frightening laugh boomed through the area, and the iron dragon slayer found himself unable to move; restricted by bindings of shadows. "You didn't let me finish off the little blue fairy…" Nyx's voice seemed to come from all around the clearing. "I guess I will get her later, maybe I'll even let you watch?"

That sentence pulled a growl from Gajeel's throat, his hands clenching as he imagined Levy being subject to even more pain. Nyx suddenly appeared in front of him and slammed a fist into the Fairy Tail mage's face.

The shadow man continued to wail on Gajeel, taking no mind to the fact that he was being a coward. What kind of victory is it to attack a restrained opponent? Said opponent was able to metallize himself and absorb the brunt of most of the attacks, which only served to infuriate the lunatic. Upon the realization that his attacks were useless, he resorted to a dirty trick. Sadly for him, it did not go in his favor.

"GET THE GIRL!" Nyx's normally light eyes had been overrun by shadows, until eventually they were blackened completely. A swarm of thick shadows moved towards said female. The grin on his face sickened Gajeel, and the man's yell caused something in his iron heart to stir.

The shadows binding him in place snapped as he flexed his arms and charged the madman. "I won't let you touch her." Gajeel used his 'roar of the iron dragon' to fend off the oncoming shadow attack. If Nyx hadn't been overrun by insanity and shadows, he probably would've done the sensible thing and surrendered immediately. The dragon slayer was an enraged beast of raw power and sheer will; driven by the instinctual urge to protect.

The shadow man's insane state of mind spelled out trouble for both sides, actually. For Nyx, it meant that he was unable to make clear decisions that would end up with him coming out alive and not mauled by the opponent. For Gajeel, it meant that he was fighting against a nearly insurmountable amount of power.

The iron mage was barely able to block an onslaught of deadly shadows with his scale-covered arms as it moved him back. Somewhere behind and to the right of him, Levy and Tono stood with Pantherlily, watching the battle with a growing sense of unease.

"I feel like Nyx has something dangerous up his sleeve," Levy muttered nervously. Tono nodded and used his index finger to shove his glasses up from his nose. Lily said nothing. 'Gajeel normally would've beaten someone like this guy already…What's really going on here?'

While Tono had nodded and pretended to be listening to the blue-haired girl, he was actually lost in deep thought. 'Gajeel is having some real trouble out there. If you were to base the outcome of a battle off of the elements and how well they work against each other, he's definitely at a disadvantage. Nyx's shadows are going to cut into his metal or slip around it eventually.'

The former Fairy Tail mage studied his worn hands, a frown gracing his normally cheery features. 'The best match against the dark and shadows is light. But I'm terrified…' Gajeel was thrown into a tree by a cheap sneak attack from behind and swayed on his feet. Levy's hands went to cover her mouth, her eyes fixated on the escalating battle in front of her.

'Though I may not be an official member of Fairy Tail anymore, they're still my family.' Tono's black eyes landed on an angry Gajeel who had just wacked Nyx across the face with an iron beam. 'No matter big and strong, or smaller and yet still brave…They're Nakama. And as a part of the Fairy Tail family, it's my job to protect them.'

Memories flooded the small man's mind. Laughing mages, a kind old master, and good happy times. Then there was disaster; when many of Fairy Tail's mages were lost to them for seven years. Tono had left during those times, and now he found himself regretting it immensely.

His right foot moved forward of its own accord, and the left foot followed. Tono swallowed his fear and increased his pace. Gajeel was blown right past him by a strong blast, and now it was Tono Rabbits against the crazy shadow man.

Shadows dove after Gajeel, free and ready to cause harm. Tono calmly closed his eyes and spread both hands out in front of him. "For my family…" Light flooded the clearing, forcing every person there to squeeze their eyes shut in an effort to avoid being blinded. Everything Tono had was put into one blast of hope and memories.

The magic energy swarmed Nyx, and invaded his mind. Tangled thoughts were sorted out and just as things were resolved, he fainted. (In a manly way, of course!) Tono continued to strain himself until every trace of black magic was gone, and then he collapsed. He had nothing left.

The last thing he saw was Levy's worried face, and the startled one of the iron dragon slayer.

A/N: ;_; Tono… How will things fare for everyone in the end? Why is Shadow Claw pining after poor Lucy? What's up with Nyx's screwy magic? I will try to answer as many questions as I can next chapter. (Please tell me what you thought of this in a review. I feel iffy about it…)

Thank you all for your patience in dealing with my irregular updates. It helps to see all of your reviews and wonderful encouragement! ^_^

REVIEW REPLIES:

Miss Rune: Your banana secret is safe with me! XD Thank you very much! :3

SakuraIchigoDark: I agree with you there. Nyx is a Debbie Downer. ._. I too, like Zack. I wanted to kind of hint at others turning for the better, kind of like Gajeel and Juvia did. Gajeel kind of beat him up…?

Kurisu313: I know right? I love when Levy uses that spell in fanfics. It's so awesome! I hope you're alright with this chapter…

Nadeshiko Redfox: XD Kickass Levy is, uh, kickass! Thank you! .3. I will give Tono your banana and thanks for the birthday wishes!

Redterra: :P Not intentional. Never played that game before.

MsSlicingClaws: Thanks bud! I think I've fallen into adoration with those two and their personalities. I thank you again for allowing me to use them! Oh, dear. I do hope you're able to escape that writer's block! It's the worst disease ever. (But, on the other hand, being lazy is awesome! XD)

V-ChanLSSJ: Thank you very much! :) I know right!? Levy, for sure, is not as weak as some think she is. I really wish she had more screen time as well. Again, thank you! Here is your update.

EarthMage11: ;_; OMG thank you so much! I love to hear that, and it really encourages me, so thank you 100 times over! I hope you like the rest of this story.

Pikaskye: Here's your chapter! XD Thanks for encouraging me to update all of this stuff. *high five* Ha, I know what you mean. Sometimes I see a pairing and then find it hard to focus on another one. I'm very pleased to see you like it!

Review, or I will tell Asuka you've got a Pantherlily plushie and then she will come for you. ;)