With Great Power Comes Great Responsibilty

Chapter 52

Erza triple-checked the containment seal, making absolutely certain the symbiote was fully secured. The reinforced container hummed faintly, pulsing with a dark energy—but there were no cracks, no leaks, no signs of escape.

She and Gray swept the surrounding area next, combing every inch for stray traces of the ooze. If even a sliver had gotten loose, it could start the nightmare all over again.

But the ground was clean.

"So it's all in there?" Gray asked, nodding toward the container.

"Every last drop," Erza confirmed. "It's sealed tight. No way it's getting out."

"Good. So... what now? What are you going to do with it?"

Erza hesitated. "I'm not sure yet. I want to find a way to destroy it completely. Until then, I'll keep it locked in a secure vault."

"Smart," Gray said with a nod.

A low groan interrupted their conversation. They turned to see Laxus beginning to stir. His eyes fluttered open—and then widened in horror as he realized the symbiote was gone.

"Where is it?!" he cried, sitting up with wild desperation. "Where is it?!"

"It's gone, Laxus," Gray said firmly but calmly.

**"No! No, it can't be gone! It's mine! You had no right—you can't just take it from me!"

"I can," Gray said, stepping forward. "And I did."

"I need it!"

"No, Laxus. You really don't."

Erza moved closer, her voice gentle but unwavering. "It's over. You've been through something terrible, and it's left you deeply scarred. You need help—real help. I know an excellent psychiatrist who—"

But he wasn't listening.

Laxus turned toward Gray, his face twisting with fury. The desperation in his eyes gave way to raw madness.

"I'll destroy you for this!" he roared.

He lunged.

But Erza was faster.

She plunged a syringe into his side, injecting a fast-acting tranquilizer. Laxus staggered, tried to resist, but the drug was strong. Within moments, his rage gave way to sluggish confusion, then silence. He collapsed, unconscious once more. Later, the authorities arrived and took him into custody—bound, sedated, and no longer a threat.

"It'll come back!" Dreyar spat as they led him away in a straitjacket. "You'll see! We're Black Dragon! Together, we'll destroy Red Dragon and Blue Tiger yet!"

"Dreyar's lost it," Gajeel muttered, watching the spectacle. "Note to self—background checks before hiring anyone from now on."

He turned to Gray. "Speaking of which, Fullbuster—there's nothing psychotic about you, right?"

"No, sir," Gray said, deadpan. "I'm perfectly sane."

"Well, you're certainly not punctual. The story of the century went down today, and you were nowhere to be found."

"Sorry, sir, but you gave me the day off."

"I did?"

"Yes."

"Oh... Then I guess I can't dock your pay, huh?" Gajeel huffed. "Alright, you got lucky this time, but I won't always be so forgetful. So be on time."

"Yes, sir."

Gray scanned the crowd for Natsu and found him standing quietly, staring at where Laxus had been, a shadow of sadness in his eyes.

"Why so glum, bro?" Gray asked. "You stopped Laxus, got rid of the symbiote, saved Lucy, and cleaned up your hero rep. Shouldn't you be relieved?"