NOTE: The Lightning user in this chapter is NOT Laxus. It's just a random dude. With lightning powers.
KEY:
Thoughts
~~~~~
Levy could hardly feel her right leg, a blast from a fire user she was fighting had turned in black and numb. Her bruised ribs ached with each breath and loose hair stuck to her blood streaked cheek. She heard a familiar low rumble sounded beside her, and she felt Baghira rub against her good side as he came around her.
"I told you to call when something happened." He growled low, his eyes fixed on her opponent.
"Sorry B, sneak attack. I've been a bit preoccupied," she informed him, out of breath. They both dropped to the ground as a fireball soared over head, Baghira quickly jumping back to his feet.
"Get on."
Without hesitation, Levy pulled herself onto his back, her right leg no longer working. She held her ax in her right hand, gripping his fur with her left just as he lept forward. They had practiced in the previous days, but in combat it felt so much different. Her heart was pounding in her ears as Baghira dodged around the blasts of fire, and in the blink of an eye she brought the ax up and across the mans body. He crumpled and Levy felt ill, quickly looking away and taking in her first good look at the battle.
Her eyes were drawn to Gajeel, who was taking on three at once. One of them was the goo manipulator from the airport, one a woman who's body was covered in now dented metal. One was a shapeshifter that switched between her friends faces, trying to throw him off his game. He had no problem taking out Natsu's likeness or Canas. Though his eyes widened and he stumbled back slightly at her own likeness, and the shifter smirked, attacked with an ax of her own.
"Baghira!" But the spirit was already dashing through the battle. He lept forward, landing hard on a sand user that had been sneaking up on Juvia. Baghira lept away for Juvia to finish him, sprinting back through the fray.
Levy took her ax across the back of a monster of a man who was towering over Natsu. He bellowed with pain, giving Natsu a chance to scramble away and get his feet back under him. He raised his hands and a small wave rose behind him, and that was when Levy noticed the ground was soaked around them. She could see water running down from the house, where hoses were on full blast and Alana was even tossing buckets full towards her son.
"Lev I've got this! Go help Gajeel!" Natsu shouted, sending the wave crashing on to the man.
Levy nodded and Baghira was off again.
Gajeel was being backed into a corner, he couldn't bring himself to fight the Levy double, only blocking as best he could. Levy felt her blood boil and both hands gripped her ax tightly as she pulled it back to swing.
Gajeel couldn't take her out, but she sure as hell would.
Baghira didn't slow as Levy brought the ax into her doubles side, both she and Gajeel watched Levy wide eyed as she flung her across the small area. Her victory was short lived as the metal woman clotheslined her off of Baghira, Levy doubling over her metal covered arm with a pained gasp. The woman tossed her aside like a rag doll, sending her skidding into the dirt as she gasped for air. She faintly heard Gajeel yell her name as she watched the woman approach her.
Baghira let out a furious roar and tackled the woman, giving Levy a moment to try and get to her feet. A familiar calloused hand gripped her arm and lifted her easily, tucking her into his side. "Are you crazy?!" Gajeel yelled.
"Better get used to it," she gave him a pained grin before kicking with her good leg and sending them tumbling. A wave of goo crashed into where they had just been standing, and Gajeel pulled them back to their feet. "Gajeel now is not the time, you can yell at me later."
Gajeel grumbled but nodded, stepping in front of her. "Count on it." He reached back and gave her hand a gentle squeeze, "Thanks for the save Lev."
Levy smiled and returned his squeeze. "Always Gaj."
He chuckled and shook his head, she had picked up his mothers nickname for him. "I've got it from here, go help Lu and Wendy. Yeah, I saw her. I'm pissed too."
Levy snorted as Baghira reached them and she climbed back on to his back, "Be safe Gajeel." When he gave her a nod Baghira took of towards the two girls, who were also out numbered. The beast lept over a jagged piece of earth created by Lucy, landing beside the girl and letting Levy slide from his back. "Need a hand?"
Lucy grinned as she clasped her hands together in front of her chest, causing the earth to rise up and clamp around one of the men in front of them. "An extra pair of hands is always welcome!"
Lucy and Levy fought side by side, keeping Wendy behind them, while the young girl protected their blind spots. Baghira stalked the circle, fading in and out as he attacked any that would join the fray. After what felt like hours, the battle seemed to be thinning out, and Levy began to feel hopeful.
Until she heard him.
Levy whipped around as Gajeel bellowed in pain, her heart stopping in her chest. He was collapsed on the ground, unmoving. Over him was the goo wielder, who looked like he could hardly stand, and a new man with short brown hair. Electricity coursed around him, fading away as he hefted Gajeel over his shoulder like he weighed nothing.
"Gajeel!" Levy, as well as several others screamed. Baghira was beside her in an instant and she all but leapt on top of him. Baghira sprinted towards them, weaving through what was left of the small army. The man turned to them, his black eyes hard. Before Levy or Baghira could react, he threw his arm out towards them, a bolt of lightning crashing into them. Levy screamed in pain and Baghira vanished beneath her, sending her crumpling to the ground. She twitched as she gasped for air, and she could only watch as they left with Gajeel, before her world went dark.
~~~~~
AAAAHHHHHHH!!!! Wifey is trying to kill us all with that cliffhanger!!! That just means I get to have MUCH FUN with the next chapter. ;D
