With Great Power Comes Great Responsibilty

Chapter 49

Natsu appreciated Lucy's comfort in that moment, but he didn't want to burden her with his problems. Besides, he had plans to meet with Gray later, so he kept his breakdown brief.

"You alright?" Lucy asked gently.

"I'm fine," he assured her with a small smile. "Thanks for being kind to me... even if it was just during my little meltdown."

"You were kind to me during mine," she replied. "I was just returning the favor. Are you sure you're going to be okay? Do you want me to walk you home?"

"No, I'll be fine. I've gotta meet up with Gray now. I'll see you around?"

"Yeah. Take care."

With that, the two parted ways. Natsu headed off to meet Gray, and together they transformed into their alter egos to continue the search for Laxus.

As they scoured the city, they also took time to check in on Gildarts, Ur, Juvia, and Erza—making sure Laxus hadn't gone after them. Thankfully, everyone was still safe. But that didn't bring much comfort. The constant fear of what Laxus might do next hung over them like a storm cloud. The idea that someone they cared about could be attacked at any moment was unbearable.

When Natsu had worn the symbiote, it corrupted him. But because of his compassion and empathy, there had been moments—fleeting as they were—where he hesitated. Eventually, he'd come to his senses when he realized he'd gone too far.

Laxus, however, was different. He lacked empathy. He didn't care about anyone. And with the symbiote bonded to him, there would be no hesitation. No mercy. No coming back.

"This is all my fault," Natsu said quietly, eyes on the ground as he walked beside Gray. "I should've listened to you and Erza. I should've never worn that stuff for as long as I did. I should've gotten rid of it immediately."

"Blaming yourself won't solve anything," Gray replied. "What matters now is finding Laxus and getting that symbiote off him... though I'm not entirely sure how we're supposed to pull off that last part."

"Aren't sound waves one of its weaknesses?"

"Yeah, but how are we gonna get Laxus to hold still long enough to hit him with enough of it to tear the symbiote off? He's not exactly the cooperative type. You sure as hell didn't make it easy."

"I took it off myself, though."

Gray glanced at him, unimpressed. "And you really think Laxus will do the same?"

"Maybe. If we can get through to him—make him see what's really happening. Let him know the symbiote's using him, feeding off him, rotting his mind."

"You really think that'll work? I told you the same thing, and you didn't believe me."

"Still... it can't hurt to try, right?"

Gray stopped walking and turned to face him. "Actually, yeah—it can. Or did you forget the part where you tried to kill me when I tried reasoning with you?"

"That was when you tried to forcefully rip it off me," Natsu countered.

"Whatever," Gray muttered. "Point is, Laxus has never liked us. He's never hesitated to hurt us. Talking isn't going to reach him."

"Let's just try," Natsu said firmly. "Next time we see him, we don't fight. We talk. No fists, no powers—just words."

Gray stared at him for a long moment. Then: "Fine. But before we do, give me a minute to say goodbye to my aunt. Because if we're going to try this, I'm pretty sure I'm not coming back alive."

"Don't be so dramatic."

They spent hours combing the city in search of Laxus.

Eventually, they found him.