Chapter Fifty-Four

"Mmm...Mir...Mirajean?" Levy breathed, her voice breaking.

Seilah stared up at the figure before her, hearing the human give it a name. The figure was definitely a demon. She could feel the dark magic coming off of it. She got to her feet and the demon turned and she stared. The face was beautiful and if it wasn't in the body of monster; would be considered a kind face. White hair was pulled back from the face; and was surrounded by shimmering black scales. Large wings sprouted from its back, and it's arms and legs had scales and ended in claws and talons.

"When did Mard Geer create you?" She asked and the demon tilted it's head to the side.

"I have nothing to do with that despicable monster." The figure said and Seilah was surprised at how soft the voice sounded. "I am from this planet."

"Impossible. This world has no demons."

"Of course it does. All worlds do. We just hide ours better than others." The form said. "My name is Mirajean. And for hurting my friend Levy; I'm going to bring you to heel."

"That pathetic runt is your friend?" Seilah laughed and Mirajean's face darkened and the black veins that ran over her body seemed to throb. Her wings started to flap and her hair rose into the air; and that was also when Seilah realized she had a long and rather large black tail. It flicked side to side as Mirajean glared at her.

"Levy is not the pathetic one here. She risked her life to protect my siblings and our friends. She led you away from everyone in a bid to save lives at the possible cost of her own. That is bravery. Something you don't understand. I am honored to call her a friend."

Levy started to tear up; as demon-Mira's words swirled around her. She was starting to see the darkness edging in on her vision and knew she was close to passing out. But she was worried. She wasn't sure why Mira looked like a demon, and she was even more worried that it had to do with the dark bomb. If Mard Geer or his demons had infected Mirajean then the others were at risk too.

"Please. You are a demon and you sing praises of some puny human? I don't understand this backwater planet."

"I may be a demon now, but I was born and raised human. My heart and soul will always be human." Mira said and flexed. "But I will gladly take this body and demon powers if it lets me protect the people I care about."

"I'll show you what happens when you mock demons." Seilah sneered and raced forward but Mirajean flew up high, out of the way. She spun in the air and then dived down. Seilah leapt out of the way and brought her hand up; latching onto Mirajean's arm. "Now that I've touched you; I'll be able to use my Macro magic on you. You will mutate at my whim and do as I order."

"You think your magic is enough to over power me?" Mirajean asked and started to laugh. She grabbed Seilah's forearm and twisted. Seilah screamed in pain as her arm broke under the pressure of Mirajean's clawed hand.

"My magic doesn't come from Mard Geer or that weak book of his." Mirajean sneered and tossed the other demon further away from Levy. "My magic was a gift from an ancient darkness. More powerful than you could ever dream of being."

"What are you talking about?" Seilah asked as she gripped her broken arm and tried to concentrate her magic into healing it.

"When your bomb went off, I was carrying Pandora's box back to the Magi-Hovers for safe keeping. But as I was sent flying by the force of the explosion and trapped under rubble from a building falling on me; the box was broken and the pieces forced into my chest. The demons trapped within it; tried their best to escape but I knew I couldn't let them. So with my dying breath I begged the universe to let me become the vessel for holding them. And the universe granted that wish."

"The demon hoard of Pandora's box…" Seilah said staring at the form in front of her. Suddenly the different parts of Mira's body made sense. She had the wings of one demon, the tail of another. She felt her blood run cold. Even Mard Geer had expressed concerns about the demons of the box. They were said to be uncontrollable. How had she managed to become their vessel and meld her body with theirs?

"That's right. This hellish body…I think I'm going to call it Satan's Soul." Mirajean giggled and tilted her head. "It's a little dramatic but seems fitting. And if you try to control me; well I'm going to have to absorb you as well."

"I'll never let you absorb me!" Seilah screeched and threw her head back and her arms out. "Macro Magic, self creation!"

Mirajean watched as Seilah's body started to shift and change, mutate as magic moved through her. A small grin worked its way to Mira's face. "So scared of little old me you would use your own magic on yourself? I'm flattered."

"Don't flatter yourself." Seilah said as her body finally finished its transformation. She stood up and they stood toe to toe. "Let's see who is the best demon here."

"Yes. Let's." Mira agreed and they flew at each other, the sound of the collision sounding like two tanks ramming into one another. They started to move so quickly that Levy lost sight of them. She could only hear the sound of blows being traded.

She closed her eyes as tears escaped, the pain starting to well up in her body. She knew she was dying. She could feel it. Her hands and feet were cold and the coldness was creeping up her limbs. She bit her lip to keep from sobbing. She didn't want Mirajean to hear and get distracted. It was bad enough Mira had to come and save her because she wasn't strong enough to fight the demon on her own. She hated that she was so weak. Even if Mirajean had said she was brave; she didn't believe it. How could she when she was always being saved by others?

Lucy, Erza and Cana's faces floated to her mind's eye and she felt the tears fall even heavier. They had protected her, encouraged her and believed in her. She had been so hopeful that she would be able to help; to find out why Erza and she had gained magic. To help Lucy understand the Dragis mating rituals and what to expect. She thought about how much she wanted to reassure Cana that despite the readings of her tarot cards things would end up on the bright side. But now, she was going to die alone on a street while someone else tried to protect her.

Gajeel's face appeared, and she could just see his furrowed brows and hard laser red eyes glaring at her. Calling her an idiot for being reckless when she knew she was too small and weak to be in a fight. He had been right. She choked on a half sob-half laugh at the realization that he had known better than her about her limitations. He was going to be mad he couldn't tell her he had warned her. And he was going to blame himself that he hadn't dragged her along when he went to look for survivors. He may not have liked her a whole lot; but she knew he had started to like her a little as they'd traveled and worked together down here.

She inhaled and thought she smelt his scent. He had a metallic musky scent that she couldn't put into words. But it had been comforting while cooped up in his Magi-Hover. She blinked as the scent seemed to get stronger. She turned her head and stared. Out of the dust came a large figure and then she saw him step fully out of the dust. His black hair looked gray and his tanned skin also looked older. She thought to herself; that at least she'd get to see what he'd look like as an old grumpy Dragis once before she died.

Her vision started to narrow more as he surveyed the street. She knew when he saw her because he immediately started to run towards her. She also saw movement off to his side. Lamy. She recognized the odd hopping motion. With her dying, her magic must have dropped the cage she'd been in. She saw that Gajeel wasn't aware he was in danger. She focused everything she had left into her uninjured left hand and raised one finger. He was shouting but she couldn't hear him.

"Protect." She sighed as the magic left her; rushing in a bright orange light past Gajeel and he turned and watched as a large Fairy Tail emblem appeared; causing Lamy to bounce off of it and land awkwardly on some exposed pipework; one piece of broken pipe piercing her chest. He immediately turned around and kept moving.

"Levy! What the hell was that?" He demanded as he sank to his knees beside her. When she didn't respond he immediately leaned over, pressing his ear to her chest. He reared back, panic filling him when he didn't hear a heartbeat. He pulled out healing devices and set them up and waited; but he couldn't hear anything. She was still slightly warm but he noticed that the coldness was creeping closer and closer to her core. He punched the ground and threw his head back with a roar.

"LEVY!"


Natsu grunted as he and Virgo landed side by side as Jackal's limp and lifeless form fell to the ground with a thud. He turned and watched as Virgo rocked on her feet, exhaustion evident as she paled.

"Go back, and rest. I'll take care fo Lucy from here." Virgo nodded and disappeared in a split second. He turned and made his way to Lucy. She was still laying on the ground not moving. He dropped down and pulled her into his arms. She was breathing, and her heart was steadily beating, which made him sag in relief. But he felt tears on her face.

"Lucy?" He whispered and her eyes fluttered open. He saw the Zodiacrian light shining in them as tears fell down her face. "What's wrong Lucy?"

"Levy….the stars…they say…she's…she's…"

"No…" He shook his head and her lips trembled. He pulled her close; burying her face in his neck, wanting to shield her from the pain. He wasn't sure what had happened but he didn't want to believe it. Levy was her closest friend; and if she lost her; he knew she'd be broken. He prayed that the stars were mistaken. He stood up, his exhaustion forgotten as he started to move.

"Natsu?" She whispered and he nuzzled the top of her head with his chin. She sighed as a sob racked through her body.

"I'll find her. Bring you to her." He promised and started to move. An idea hit him and he shifted her so he could pull out his comm device. "Alfie, can you hear me?"

"Yes." Alfie's voice came over the device and he felt relief.

"Can you locate Levy? I don't think she has an implanted disk but…"

"She does not. But she is close to your position. I hijacked the drones from Blue Pegasus and have been searching for survivors since the explosion. I will lead you to her. But be careful. There are two demons fighting near her."

"Two of them? Are fighting each other?" He asked as he started to walk and Alfie confirmed that statement and started to issue directions.

Lucy squeezed her eyes closed and pressed herself closer to Natsu's chest. The stars knew, her mother said. But in this instance she prayed that they were wrong. She couldn't even imagine what had happened that Levy would have died. Surely not the explosion. She had survived it. But at the same time; she'd had the scalut and Levy didn't have one. She tried not to cry because she didn't want to bother Natsu. He was trying to be strong for her when he was injured from the explosion and battle. She could smell the tang of his blood on the air. She felt his exhaustion. But he was still pushing forward.

She cried silently, listening to Alfie guide them through the rubble filled streets. She heard a whirling sound and looked up and saw the drone and felt a little safer. Alfie had her eyes on them. She would be able to get help to them and to Levy soon. She prayed Wendy was on the way. Wendy!

"Alfie, is Wendy headed towards Levy?"

"Wendy is still unconscious and with Lisanna, Elfman and Evergreen. Eve was with them but he left to find the others when Gajeel did not return and after Levy led away the demons who were attacking them."

"She did what?" Natsu asked surprised and thinking he had mis-heard the AI's explanation.

"When two demons tried to attack everyone that was still at the base camp; Levy chose to anger them and lead them away. I lost sight of her until after she went down." Alfie stated and Natsu struggled to stay calm. Lucy needed him to be calm. He could feel her pain and panic rising and he had to be strong for her. She had every right to break down. But he knew she'd tried to hold it together. Because that's what she did. She tried to hold herself together for everyone else.

"Just breathe and have faith she's going to be okay." He whispered against her hair and she nodded against him. He sped up, wanting to get there quicker for Lucy's peace of mind. He focused his senses on his hearing; to make sure they didn't get jumped. The last thing he needed was to carry Lucy into trap because of their worry. The hum of the drone was reassuring as well. It meant if anything happened; a message could be sent and hopefully backup would get to them sooner rather than later.

"Turn left here and you will see Gajeel and Levy." Alfie said and he broke out into a full out sprint. As they rounded the corner; Lucy looked up and stared. Gajeel was holding Levy's body close and as they pulled up; she and Natsu stared in confusion.

"Is he biting her?" She looked up at Natsu and he stared his mouth falling open. Gajeel's head lifted and Lucy saw blood running down his fangs, along his chin and down his neck. Levy's blood…he had bit Levy when she was already injured. Why would he do that. She tried to pull out of Natsu's arms but he held onto her and backed up a few steps and Gajeel lowered his head to Levy's neck again. Lucy opened her mouth to shout at him to stop but Natsu covered her mouth.

"He's trying to save her. I know it looks crude; and in a way it is. But it might work."

"Hmhp." She wrinkled her brow and he looked down at her.

"He's marking her as his growlkin; with a mating bite."

"Mmphhs bpdhs?"

"It allows Dragis to share their life-forces with their growlkins so if one gets hurt or sick they will heal faster. I've never heard of any Dragis trying it on someone so close to…" Natsu trailed off and Lucy went limp against him. Realization hitting her hard. Gajeel was risking losing his chance to find his real growlkin in order to save Levy's life. Natsu finally realized she wasn't going to intervene and lowered his hand.

"Will that work if she isn't his growlkin?"

"Forced bites have happened throughout history. It should…if…"

"If he was quick enough?" She filled in and he nodded. She closed her eyes and then they popped up when she heard a strange sound. She looked at Natsu. "What is that sound? It's like rushing air and a collision all at once."

"I don't know."

"It is the two demons fighting. They are overhead and towards the setting sun." Alfie stated and the two looked up and turned and their mouths fell open. The two figures would hover for a second in the air and then move so fast they were a blur. Then one or both would land a blow on the other; which was the collision sound Lucy had heard. She and Natsu shared a worrisome look before looking back to Gajeel and Levy.

Gajeel slowly lifted his head and cradled Levy's face with one hand while the other supported her back. "Come on Shorty. Ya don't get to quit on me like this. Come back."

His voice was hoarse and Natsu flinched hearing it. Lucy gripped his hand and bit her lip. Levy laid there, unmoving in the arms of the dark Dragis like a piece of porcelain against black steel. He roared; shaking the buildings and even halting the fight of the demons above them.

Then Levy gasped. It was small, barely a hiccup of a gasp but it cut his roar off and he pressed his ear to her chest. He lifted his head, grinning wildly. "That's it Levy! Keep that heart beating. Come back to us."

"Impossible!" One of the demons yelled and when Lucy looked up the second moved so quick if she had blinked she would have missed it. But the other demon got behind the first and brought its tail down on its back which sent it falling towards the earth. Then the attacking demon raised its hand and lightening flew out, hitting the first and pushing it faster towards the ground. When it hit; the thud made Lucy gag as she definitely heard bones pierce skin.

She then found herself being pushed behind Natsu as the aggressive demon landed close to Gajeel and Levy. He and Gajeel started to snarl before Lucy's gasp registered. They looked closer at the demon and their mouths fell open.

"Mira?" Natsu asked and the face of the girl who had been teasing Laxus for the last few days smiled.

"Don't trust it. The demon probably stole Mira's face." Gajeel warned and started to gather Levy closer to his chest so he could move.

"Its…really…her." Levy whispered and Gajeel looked down, dumbstruck.

"It is." Mira's voice was husky and they looked at her. Lucy took in her appearance and the weird shape on her chest.

"Pandora's box….but…how?" She said and Mira touched the lump in her chest.

"During the explosion I was carrying it to Laxus' Magi-Hover like we agreed so he could send it to his grandfather. But the explosion sent me flying and I was trapped under rubble. The box had broken and the demons it held were about to be released. So I begged the universe to let me become the vessel to contain them, and keep them from infecting the universe."

"Mira…no!" Lucy shook her head. "The box is my responsibility as the Celestial Mage."

"You saved me and my siblings." Mira said, a tear falling down her abused face. "Taking this off your shoulders was the least I could do."

"So…you got demons inside you?"

"Many. And I have learned a fun little fact." She said and pointed her hand at the fallen demon and motioned upward. The demon got up despite its injuries and walked over. "I can control other demons."

"Just go ahead and kill me! I will never betray my master Mard Geer." Sielah spit out and Mira cupped her face and leaned in close.

"I won't kill you. But I will make your life worthwhile." She whispered and they watched as Sielah's body started to merge with Mira's demonic one. Sielah struggled to get away but couldn't. As demon-Mira turned around they stared at her uncertainly.

"Why'd you do that?"

"Now her powers and energy will fuel me…and give me more powers to use in the fight against Mard Geer. Once it's over, I'll leave this planet. Go somewhere there is no life…and make sure they never get free."

"You can't do that Mirajean! Lisanna and Elfman would be heartbroken!" Lucy cried and shook her head as Natsu cupped her shoulders. Mira's face turned tearful and she held up her clawed hands.

"I can't stay. Look at me." She shook her head. "It's better this way. Once Mard Geer is gone; I know that Elfman and Lisanna will be safe; so it'll be okay."

"It doesn't matter how you look. You are still our friend." Lucy argued and Mira's lip trembled.

"I'm sorry…But I can't…." Mira started to object.

"Mira-sis?" Lisanna's voice made Mira's eyes widen and she slowly turned. Sure enough Lisanna, Elfman, Laxus and the others were behind her. Wendy was still unconscious and in Laxus' arms. Laxus' eyes were wide and his expression tense. Lucy threw herself between them and Mirajean, which made Mira surprised. Her arms were outstretched, shielding her from any potential attack.

"She's not a threat."

"We heard…" Freed said and tried to keep the surprise and concern out of his tone and expression but failed. Natsu walked up and put his arms around Lucy and urged her to lower her arms.

"They're not going to attack her. It's okay." He whispered and she nodded and slowly lowered her arms. Mirajean stepped forward and put her hand on Lucy's shoulder and squeezed it. As she stepped in front, Lisanna pulled away from Bixlow's hold on her shoulder and threw her arms around Mirajean's shoulders and hugged her tight. Lucy watched as Mira's stiff shoulders instantly relaxed and she hugged her sister back. Elfman pushed through everyone and wrapped his arms around his sisters.

"And you aren't running off to live in solitude. You can't get rid of us that easily." Lisanna scolded between snotty sobs and looked up at her sister as tears streamed down both of their faces.

"You are still our big-sis. Your looks don't matter." Elfman reassured her and Mira started to sob, clinging to her siblings. Lucy had to look away for a moment because she was starting to cry. Natsu squeezed her waist and she looked back. Mirajean was glowing and started to shrink. And suddenly, she was her normal self again. The Strauss siblings stopped wailing and pulled apart and Mira started patting her body and looked over at Lucy.

"What happened?"

"Why should I know?" Lucy asked while wiping at her own tears.

"That was a Takeoverian glow." Evergreen said and Mira looked over at her. "I think you have Takeover magic…"

"Thats why you could take in the demons." Lucy guessed. "Your take over is demons. Elfman's take over is beasts."

"I….have magic?"

"Aww come on! I'm the only one magicless?" Lisanna crossed her arms over her chest and started to pout. Mirajean shook her head and wrapped her arms around her sister and kissed her forehead.

"You are magical to me."

"You are my big sister. You have to say lame things like that." Lisanna sulked and Elfman threw his head back and started to laugh. Lisanna's lips started to quirk at the corners and then she started to giggle too.

"Why is everyone laughing?" Wendy asked and the laughter died off as they looked over. She was struggling to open her eyes. Laxus smiled down at her and then looked up at Mira.

"Apparently Mirajean also has Takeover magic and Lisanna is being a brat about not having magic."

"Poor…Lisanna." Wendy murmured before passing out again.

"It's a sad commentary when the unconscious ones have pity…" She said and everyone snickered a little.

"What happened to Levy?" Eve asked and started to carry over additional healing packs and tools.

"One of the demons from the black energy bomb…"

"The big or little one?" Eve asked and Gajeel snarled and shrugged as much as he could. Mira looked over at the blonde male.

"The big one…I wasn't fast enough to prevent her from torturing Levy." She walked over and offered to take Levy from Gajeel who took a half step back and everyone stopped. "I just want to help…but if you are worried about the demons…"

"That isn't why." Natsu said and she looked at him. Gajeel growled and Natsu growled back. Laxus' shoulders rose and he added in a low rumble. Gajeel shifted and bared his fangs.

"Ga….je…el?" Levy's voice cut off the growl that was working into a roar and he looked down at her. Her brown eyes were hazy.

"Yer gonna be okay Shrimp. Promise." He tried to reassure her and she nodded before she closed her eyes. Her breathing evened out after a heartbeat and Natsu walked over.

"It's hard, but you need to let Eve and Mirajean start to treat Levy. You brought her back, but as things aren't…completed; she won't heal any more on her own than she already has."

"Fine." Gajeel bit out and handed Levy to Mirajean and he leapt back and started to immediately pace. Lucy watched him for a moment before she looked over at everyone else and saw the confusion and the anger-coming from Laxus.

"He didn't have a choice." She whispered and Laxus turned to glower at her.

"Of course he did."

"She was dead…or as close to it as possible. Even the stars told me she was gone." She whispered and that made everyone start. They looked from Levy to Gajeel and then to Natsu and Lucy.

"What did he do? He's not a healer like Wendy." Ren asked and Lucy looked at Natsu. He pleaded with her using his eyes and she shook her head. He looked over at the other.

"He marked her as his growlkin…" His words hung in the air for a moment before pandemonium broke out. Natsu wrapped his arms around Lucy and looked down at her.

"Why didn't my claim of you as a growlkin result in this much chaos?"

"Because you didn't bite me while I was unconscious."

"I would've." He said and she giggled and cupped his face.

"I appreciate that you said that as if I'd be offended that you wouldn't." She shook her head and pulled away to help Eve and Mirajean tend to Levy.


The building shook and people screamed in fear as dust and debris fell from the ceiling and somewhere close by something fell in on itself. People huddled together and wondered what could have caused their leader Mard Geer to react like that. They knew they had lost to the invaders but that had been days ago and he was getting angrier day by day it appeared. A few of their numbers had already deserted and made a run for it. Others were starting to consider following suit.

Upstairs, in the dark room, Mard Geer was sitting on his throne, his arms on his knees as he stared at a tablet and rewatched Seilah and Lamy's demises. He couldn't believe that they had failed him. He also couldn't believe that the one called Mirajean had the rare form of Takeover magic for demons. The last of that line was supposed to have died out thousands of years ago; around the time he had destroyed the Takeoverian home planet.

And the fact that she was the one who had also had the Book of Zeref; meant getting it back would be even harder. He couldn't believe it. How was it that at every turn, he was thwarted by these pathetic humans. And how were they developing magic powers? It made no sense. The humans he surrounded himself with had no inkling of magic, and none of them were developing it in moments of high tension or emotion like what he was seeing with these who had sided with Fairy Tail. He wondered if there was something going on that the generals of the alliance he had turned weren't telling him.

He couldn't believe that some of his best demons had been taken down; and in small battles. On other planets when he'd had to deploy them it had taken the entire planet's forces to beat the demons. But here it was in ones or pairs. He was going to have to create even better ones it seemed. But he needed his book for that. Meaning he was left with the one's he's already made. He looked around, unsure if things could get worse.

"Sir?" He turned and looked at his second in command and saw that Kyôka looked uneasy. He felt his anger growing.

"Whatever you have to say better be good news."

"Unfortunately my lord that is not the case." She shocker head and he snarled and she straightened her spine.

"The Flame God Atlas was freed from the moondrip and delioria infused ice. Lyon has been captured and it looks like the others that we sent with Lyon have already fled the planet."

Mard Geer released an undignified yell of frustration and black light exploded from him. Kyôka dodged the light and waited for the building to stop shaking before she stepped forward.

"I am willing to go to Solarium and wipe out the ones there that are causing issues and bring you the power of Atlas."

"Do it." He said and stood up and grabbed her chin and pulled her in close. "And if you fail…you had better die in your failure or I will personally torture you for the next millennia."

"Und…Understood my lord." She said and he released her. She bowed and quickly exited the room. She headed for the roof and started to set up the spells that would send her to Solarium quickly. She had no time to waste and she also knew she couldn't afford to lose in her mission. He didn't make any idle threats. He would kill her only after torturing her until the end of days. She closed her eyes, thinking of the footage she had seen of Seilah falling in battle, as well as Jackal. Those two she had personally trained and knew that they were formable warriors. So the fact they were taken down by a Dragis, a Zodiac Guard, and then a human new to their magic was worrisome.

She crossed her arms over her chest and let the magic surround her. As the hum announced it was ready to send her, she took a deep breath and sneered as she felt her body start to phase out of the physical world.