Challenger

Chapter 1

Lucy

Like every other day, I entered the guild mentally preparing myself for the normalised chaos of the Fairytail guild. As expected a brawl had broken out most likely due to Natsu and Gray .
Will those to ever learn to coexist peacefully.
I looked around the guild to find the two idiots throwing tables and chairs at one another.
"Take this flamebrain!"
"Ha! ya missed stripper!"
Suddenly without warning a furious Erza appeared behind them, a deadly aura surrounding her .
"You two fools never learn do you ?"
She then proceeded to bash their heads together as was her usual punishment.

I then turn to see Levy at one of the booths reading as per usual with Gajeel and Pantherlily. It was then when I noticed something strange, Gajeel had his armed draped around Levy .Gajeel had a weird look in his eyes that chilled me to my core . Pantherlily seemed to notice this as well and flew away to the other Exceeds. Confused I sat down sat down across from them.
"Good morning you two"
" Good morning Lucy" Levy said in a shaky voice
Gajeel said nothing , only looking at me with that strange stare. He pulled her closer to his chest while a terrified Levy could do nothing. Not that she didn't try.
"Gajeel it's just Lucy!"
Gajeel growled and pulled her even closer.
" What the hell is wrong with you?! "
Things were getting dangerous when a massive hand picked Gajeel out of his seat and into the air ,carrying him away. Levy and I could only stare at one another in bewilderment.

"Gramps where are you taking metalhead?" asked Natsu, he seemed he to have recovered from earlier.
"Just leaving him in a room by himself to calm down" Master replied.
What the hell just happened???

Levy

I watched as Master carried a screaming Gajeel away, I was still in shock over what had just happened . I was just as confused as everyone else was , I have never seen the guild so quiet before. My thoughts went back to the events earlier that morning.
Flashback
I awoke that morning as I usually would, I got out of bed , went to the bathroom , washed my face and brushed my teeth. I returned to my bedroom to see Gajeel Redfox sitting on my bed impatiently tapping his foot.
"Gajeel why are you here? you're not supposed to be in Fairy Hills!"
"Why not?"
"Because men are not allowed in here"
"Happy comes here all the time!"
"He's an Exceed"
"Still he's a guy"
" Dammit Gajeel!"
"Gihee"
He was just playing with me, what's new?.
"By the way what took you so long?"
"It was five minutes"
"Too long"
"How? you weren't even here when I woke up!"
He then stood up and wrapped his arms around me , hugging me close to his chest.
" I missed you"
All the blood rushed to my face as the usually gruff Gajeel held me gently and kissed the side of my head.
"Gajeel....."
I couldn't help but snuggle into his chest , it was so warm and I could hear the sound of his heartbeat. We stayed like that until I remembered that I had to meet Jet and Droy at the guild to look for a job.
"Sorry Gajeel but I have to go to the guild, I'm going on a job" I said as I broke from the embrace. He said nothing and nodded his head .
"Maybe you can come with us! the more the merrier "
"Sure shrimp"
"It's Levy"
"Shrimp"
"Levy"
"Nah its shrimp"
"LEVY!!!"
"Gihee"
At the guild
"Jet! Droy! over here!"
I approached my two childhood friends with Gajeel close behind.
"Levy what do you think of this job?" Jet pointed at one at the top of the board it was so high up I couldn't see it properly, damm my short stature. I stood up on my toes trying to read the request when I felt strong arms pick me up and place me on broad shoulders
"Here ya go Levy"
"Thank you Gajeel wait.... you called me by my actual name ?"
"Well that's your name isn't it ?"
"Yes, but what about the stupid nicknames?"
"You told me to stop so I did"
"Oh ....thank you"
Gajeel set me down and I read the job request same as usual a translation job but once translated we had to deliver the manuscript to the owner and protect it from bandits
"This sounds great not just a boring translation job and double the pay!.
"Great then I'll go tell Mira " Jet took the request from me to tell Mira when Gajeel stood in front of him . He eyes were so weird , dark , bloodthirsty......
"No"
'W-What is wrong ?"asked a terrified Jet.
"Too dangerous " Gajeel said this as he picked me up and carried me on his shoulder while glaring at Jet and Droy.
"She's not going anywhere."He growled
He walked toward one of the booths and set me down . I had no idea what was going on , Gajeel wrapped his arm around my shoulders protectively .
It was then when Natsu and Gray started fighting and Gajeel pulled me closer to him
"Damm idiots could hurt Levy" He snarled.
Back to the present

Master returned with a solemn look on his face .
"It has begun" He said
"What has begun?" I asked
"Dragon mating season" He answered.
"Levy please come with me to my office"
I stood up exchanging worried glances with Lucy. The guild was so quiet , it was unnerving. I followed master to his office trying to ignore the worried glances I was getting from everyone else in the guild. I entered Masters office and sat down.
"Master where is Gajeel?"
"He is in the basement where he can gain self control"
"Why was he in such a rage in the first place"?
Master sighed and took out a book and placed it in front of me.
" Read this my dear it will give you the answers you desire"
The book he placed in front of me was entitled " An encyclopedia on dragons and dragon slayers " I opened the book on a page that was bookmarked .

Chapter 14 Dragon Slayer mating season
When dragon slayers learn their craft they inherit the natural instincts and traits of a dragon such a heightened sense of smell, sight ,hearing etc . Due to this , they enter mating season when they come of age the same as the dragons. This occures every five years only when the slayer has found their mate, if not then they will not be affected. Slayers under the age of eighteen will not be.affected . The following are the stages of mating season.

1. Emotional attachment - the slayers will have the need to be around their chosen mate at all times even appearing at unprecedented times such as first thing in the morning . The slayers will follow their mates everywhere and demand some kind of physical contact . They will do anything to please their mate as their mate's happiness is what matters most . It is also important at this stage to be honest with the slayer on whether you want to be their mate or not , do not string them along you wil cause them suffering if you do

2.Rage - in combination with stage 1 the slayers will also experience fits of rage. These fits are usually due to the slayer sensing danger or competition. Slayers will protect their mates at all costs however, the mate must reprimand this antisocial behavior so that the slayers will not harm anyone.

3. Competition - slayers who have not found their mate or who have lost their mate will attempt to woo a fellow dragon slayers mate. It is unclear why this occures but it is incredibly dangerous for all involved. The slayers if not stopped will fight over a mate and cause mass destruction. It is advised to keep the slayer as far away from competition as possible.

4. Increase in sexual desire- the slayers sex drive will increase once they are satisfied that all competition is gone . However the mates happiness is still the most important thing so the slayers will only act on their desires if their mate is ready.

5. Marking - when they are sure their mate is theirs slayers will mark their mates to ensure this . This establishes a covenant between slayer and mate that they will be faithful , trust one another and support each other for life . This is when dragon slayer mating season ends.

Things to note if you are a chosen mate

1. Be sure to discipline your dragon during stage 2
2. Reassure your dragon of your love during stage 3 this will prevent the dragons from becoming disheartened and questioning you.
3. Do not let your dragons kill competitors, this is crucial as if they do this they cannot be stopped and could end up killing more. If this occurs the slayers will never forgive themselves.
4. Keep your slayer close , they need to be around you constantly otherwise they will be in extreme pain.
5. If you reject a slayer this will not stop them from pursuing you during the next season . This only stops if you are mated to someone else.

Good luck.

"Do you see know levy?, you are Gajeel's mate and you have responsibilities to him ."
I was speechless , I was Gajeel's mate I couldn't deny it . How did I feel about him ? I had no idea.
"Take this time to think Levy , you have a big decision to make ."
"What about Natsu?"
" i will inform his mate accordingly when the time comes , he has not shown any signs yet , he may not have found his mate but that is uncertain "
"Can I go to him ?"
" Yes Levy you must otherwise he will be in pain. "
I got up and left Masters office to Gajeel , I had a big decision to make but for now I had a responsibility to him.

End of Chapter 1