Awhile later, Gajeel and Levy reached the castle. Entering was easy enough, as there were few guards, and all they had to do was slip away from the public corridors and head upwards towardsthe throne room.

     "Why are we goin' to the throne room and not the dungeons?" Gajeel asked as they darted up a long flight of winding stairs.

     "We're not going to the dungeons. If Julio's here, then he's probably up in the throne room interrogating Slick," Levy said logically. "So we're going to the throne room."

      Gajeel gave a brisk nod, "Got it. What's the plan once we get there?"

      Levy raised an eyebrow, then smiled slightly, "I was just expecting you to have a plan. You always have some sort of crazy plan for things like this."

      Gajeel smirked as they reached a closed door, and Levy gave a nod of confirmation that this door led to the throne room, "I do have a plan," he grinned at her, raising his foot, "Improvise." And with that, the Iron Dragon Slayer kicked the door down.

     Levy found herself staring into a large, well-polished, window-lit room. Two men sat in and by the smooth throne, and a third kneeled in front of them. But they all looked up as the door broke down.

      "Gihi," Gajeel smirked, "Thanks for unlockin' the door for us."

      Levy recognized each of the three men; one looked a lot like Gael so she guessed it was Vorn, the king. Julio Gracielle was recognized easily by his white blond hair, and Slick was kneeling on the ground in front of the other two.

     Slick looked confused for a moment, then his eyes lit up, "Guys! I knew you'd come! I was really freaking out for a second—"

     "Shut up," Vorn stood up, his eyes narrowing, but Slick ran over to join Levy and Gajeel, cowering behind them.

     "Ah, your nephew decided to drop in, " Julio smiled calmly over at Vorn, unsurprised by this development, "Aren't you happy to see him?"

     Vorn didn't reply.

      Julio smiled placidly at him, then strode across the tile floor towards them, calmly and confidentially, "Gajeel Redfox. It's been a long time since we last met," he smiled, offering Gajeel his hand to shake it, "I am Julio Gracielle, the man who killed your mother."

      Gajeel's eyes flashed angrily as he stepped forward, but Levy grabbed his arm to restrain him.

     Julio shrugged, turning away, "How impolite. Well, now that you are here, may I help you in any way?"

     "Why are you doing this?" Levy asked, her eyes narrowed with suspicion at his oddly calm demeanor as she watched him closely for any signs of sudden aggression.

     "Power," Julio said simply, "Tell me, you seem smart. What is the main limitation of Puppeteer Magic?"

      "Magic doesn't work against magic. You can't use it on magical creatures," Levy stated, then her eyes widened with realization. "Very good, McGarden. I must use unicorn blood to continue my life, but with all other magical creatures gone, no one can stand against my magic. I'll take control of every country, and— wait. Why am I telling you this? It doesn't concern you." He turned away, but Gajeel took a step forward.

     "Quit talkin', loser, and break all your stupid spells!" He snapped fiercely.

      "Make me," Julio said with a taunting smile.

      "My pleasure," Gajeel raced forwards, drawing his blade, but a voice cut through the air, shouting triumphantly:

     "Stop or the girl dies!!"

     Gajeel froze in his tracks, and slowly revolved around to see Slick with Levy in a headlock, a sword at her throat. Slick smirked at his obviously stunned looked, and said in a cool voice, "Whatever you attempt to do to Julio, I will do to her."

     "S-Slick?" Levy gasped in surprise, then winced as she felt the sword blade at her throat. "Wh-what are you doing?"

     Slick grinned evilly, his bright blue eyes flashing with deadly intent, "What I've done from the beginning. Work for Julio."

      "Traitor!!" Gajeel shouted, whipping around, but the blade pressed against Levy's throat as she gasped in pain.

     Julio smiled with a nod of confirmation, "And a good traitor too. I sent to spy on you two when you entered the Dark Forest." He watched in amusement as Levy tried to twist free from Slick's grasp.

    "Slick... how could you?" Levy's eyes rounded in horror.

    "Let go of her," Gajeel snarled, his hands curling into fists so tight his knuckles turned white.

     Vorn let out a shout, and half a dozen of guards ran into the large throne room. Levy glared at Slick, "I hope you're happy."

     Slick grinned,"Happy as the cat!"

      Then something clicked in Levy's mind, "It was you! You stabbed Gael from behind last night!"

     Slick clicked his tongue and winked at her, "Yup!"

    "Levy," Gajeel shouted, "Do it now!!"

    Levy twisted hard in Slick's grasp, and morphed into her succubi form, pulling free and zipping off into the air. She showered a handful of seeds down, and as they hit the ground, they spread into thick vines that wrapped around the guards, ensnaring them and blocking the entrance so no more guards could get in.

     Gajeel's fist made hard contact with Slick's face, hurling him back into the throne. He staggered to his feet, wiping blood from his nose, "That one hurt."

     Gajeel smirked, "I got a personal score to settle with you."

     "Yeah? Bring it," Slick smirked back, confidence glinting in his crystal blue eyes.

     Vorn leapt up from behind, but Gajeel dodged aside, slamming his fist into Vorn's skull hard enough to knock him temporarily out. But Slick leapt up, slamming his foot into Gajeel's face, but the Iron Dragon Slayer raised his forearms to protect himself from the kick. Even so,the solid strike sent him skidding backwards.

    "You ain't half bad at this," Gajeel smirked as Slick moved at incredible speeds, slicing his sword upward. He jerked back to avoid the blade slicing through his neck, and brought his knee in a sharp jab upwards.

     They both rolled back, but Slick had the sword clutched in his hand, "Thank you. You're not bad yourself." He answered carelessly, twirling his sword expertly.

      "You fight like an advanced soldier," Gajeel leapt forward, then ducked low, dodging the sword as he swiped out a leg. Slick tripped, falling onto the tile, and the sword skidded away.

     Gajeel lunged for it, but Slick leapt on top of him. Gajeel threw his elbow back,catching him in the jaw and throwing him back. But the silver-haired kid grabbed his ankles, pulling him back. The Iron Dragon Slayer flipped around, for sing Slick to let go in order to dodge a punch.

    Julio surveyed this with amusement, drumming his fingers on the arm of his throne, watching the chaos with pleasure. Even if Gajeel beat Slick, he'd be in poor condition. Then he'd still have to fight all the soldiers in the castle. And even if he somehow managed that, Julio would be at full power, and Gajeel would be half dead.

     Julio laughed to himself as he watched the battle. No matter how things went, he would come out on top. And there would be no one to stop him.