The Lightning Empress [Cobra/Erik x OFC x Laxus] DISCONTINUED

Gajeel Redfox vs Jasmine Drake

The S-Class Promotion Trials' first stage is as follows:

1. Freed & Bickslow vs. Cana & Lucy

2. Gray & Loki vs. Mest & Wendy

3. Natsu & Happy vs. Gildarts

4. Elfman & Evergreen vs. Mirajane

5. Juvia & Lisanna vs. Erza

6. Levy & Gajeel vs. Jasmine

"I have a bad feeling, Gajeel." Levy whimpered. She and Gajeel walked down a dark path that was lit by fireflies every now and then.

"Quit your whinin'." Gajeel grumbled.

"Um, Gajeel?" Levy asked shyly.

"Huh?" Gajeel stopped walking and looked over his shoulder, and down at Levy. She stopped walking as well. "What is it, shrimp?"

"Uh, well, . . why did you want to be my partner?"

Levy couldn't look at him so she stared at the ground. Silence filled the area, and it was deafening. She opened her mouth to speak, but Gajeel spoke instead.

"Personal reasons." He grumbled, turning away from her and continuing to walk.

"W-Well, what does that mean?" Levy asked, running to catch up with the Dragon Slayer.

Gajeel growled at Levy's interrogation. He muttered something under his breath, his eyebrows furrowed together.

"You know," Levy huffed, putting her hands on her hips. "I can't hear you if you keep muttering things under your breath."

"I SAID I NEED TO PROVE MYSELF!" Gajeel shouted, his voice booming. Levy flinched at his voice, her eyes widened. Gajeel looked away from her shyly, returning his voice back to an acceptable tone. "There's someone I need to prove myself to." He mumbled. "I won't be satisfied 'til I do it."

"W-Who is the person?" Levy stuttered.

". . . Jasmine." Levy gasped at the name that came out of Gajeel's mouth. She had silently hoped and wished for that name to be hers. She had developed a crush on the Dragon Slayer, ironic because the same slayer had crucified her a while ago. She didn't know what came over her, but she knew that she liked Gajeel as more than a simple guildmate. But hearing Jasmine's name, Levy started to wonder if she had a chance. "I have to beat her." Gajeel continued, balling his hands into fists. "I have to. This . . . this feeling . . i-it won't go away."

Levy opened her mouth, starting to say something, but was interrupted by another voice.

"Looks like your wish came true." Both Gajeel and Levy whipped their heads around, seeing Jasmine standing a few feet away.

Gajeel's breath hitched in his throat and his hands started shaking. He grit his teeth and a smirk appeared on his face, his knuckles turning white from the tightness of his fist

"You're just the girl I've been wantin' to see." Gajeel said.

"Is that so?" Jasmine raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah, and just so you know, I ain't losin' to you this time!"

"You sure?"

"More than I've ever been."

Levy watched the verbal exchange, a small heaviness in her heart. Does Gajeel like Jasmine? Just the thought made Levy's eyes sting with tears.

"C'mon, shrimp!" Gajeel growled at her as he launched himself at Jasmine.

"Iron Dragon's Lance: Demon Logs!"

Jasmine jumped out of the way, dodging the attack. "I'm surprised the little girl allowed you to be her partner." She said, glancing from Gajeel to Levy before looking back at Gajeel. "You did hang her on a tree, did you not?"

"That was a long time ago." Gajeel said through gritted teeth. His right arm turned into an iron saw. He swung it at Jasmine.

"It was probably, like, four months ago." Jasmine chuckled, dodging the iron saw. "Wasn't that long ago." She reeled back her left fist, lightning bouncing off of it, and swung it forward. Her fist successfully landed on Gajeel's cheek, her strength sending him crashing into the rock wall behind him.

Jasmine straightened herself up, and then looked at Levy who was standing shyly over in a corner.

"Are you just going to stand there and let Gajeel do the work?" She asked. "You won't become S-Class like that."

"W-Well," Levy stuttered. "I know I won't win. I-I don't stand a chance against you."

"That is true," Jasmine nodded, not attempting to sugarcoat it. "but the least you could do is try." She glared at the Solid Script Mage. "You won't get any stronger by depending on other people."

Oh no, she's angry! Levy panicked.

"Speak for yourself!" Gajeel snarled, charging at Jasmine once again.

"Gajeel, don't!" Levy shouted, but he ignored her.

"I am." Jasmine snarled back, snapping her fingers. Electric sparks erupted from Jasmine's fingers as she snapped, and an explosion went off, dust and debris flying everywhere. The cave shook, rocks falling from the ceiling.

I've done it again, haven't I? Jasmine bit her lip and furrowed her eyebrows. I let my anger take control.

She waited for a few minutes to see if someone would emerge from the wreckage, but no one did.

"I guess I won." Jasmine sighed. But she didn't sound too happy about it.