With Great Power Comes Great Responsibilty

Chapter 51

Lucy couldn't remember the last time she'd been this terrified. She tried not to look down—but that was nearly impossible when she was dangling like bait, suspended by thin, glistening strands of black ooze high above the city.

"Nice view, isn't it, blondie?" her captor said, his voice a guttural, distorted growl that made her skin crawl.

Her heart pounded in her chest. "What do you want from me?" she asked, struggling to keep her voice steady. "Who... who are you?"

The black, shapeless mask rippled and peeled back—just for a moment—revealing a face she recognized.

Her eyes widened in horror. "Laxus?!"

"Not anymore," he said, his voice laced with venom. "Now... we are Black Dragon."

"Please, let me go," Lucy pleaded. "I've never done anything to you."

"No, of course you haven't," he said with mock sympathy. "But your red-scaled boyfriend? He's done plenty to me."

She blinked. "What are you talking about?"

"You'll find out soon enough," Black Dragon sneered. "For now, keep that pretty little mouth shut... and pray he shows up before those bonds snap."

At his words, Lucy's gaze shot upward. Her stomach lurched. The strands holding her were beginning to thin—dripping, fraying—under the weight of the wind and gravity.

"That's right," he said, chuckling darkly. "They won't hold forever."

Down below, chaos churned as police scrambled to find a way—any way—to reach Lucy. They'd tried choppers, drones, grappling tech—everything short of storming the building. Each attempt had failed. Standing among them, pale with worry but burning with resolve, was Captain Jude Heartfilia.

He could watch no longer. Snatching a megaphone from a nearby officer, he stepped forward and called out, voice shaking but loud:

"Attention, Black Dragon! This is Captain Jude Heartfilia!"

High above, the black figure's head tilted. The ooze rippled as he turned to face the sound. Slowly, Black Dragon lowered himself just enough to hear—but not close enough to risk being taken out.

"Well, well," he said, his voice a low, mocking growl. "Good day, officer. Looks like someone needs help keeping track of his daughter, huh?"

Jude's fists clenched. "Listen to me, creep—if you touch her, I'll—"

"Let's skip the hollow threats," Black Dragon cut in smoothly. "And get down to business."

"What do you want?" Jude demanded. "Money? Drugs? Weapons? Whatever it is—it's yours. Just let my daughter go!"

"Aww, how touching," Black Dragon sneered. "A father willing to do anything for his child. Must be nice... I wouldn't know."

Jude's face twisted with confusion and disgust.

"But the thing is, officer," Black Dragon continued, voice turning cold and flat, "what I want... is something you can't provide."

Suddenly, Laxus froze—sensing something.

He turned his head and saw a familiar figure climbing the side of the building with determined speed. A vicious grin crept across his face.

"But the person who can give me what I want," he said coldly, "has just arrived."

Red Dragon scaled the tower with singular focus. He didn't notice the helicopters, the reporters, or the crowd below. His eyes were only on Lucy—dangling in fear, clinging to hope.