With Great Power Comes Great Responsibilty

Chapter 58

Meanwhile poor Natsu was exhausted. For two weeks had been handling all the crime in town by himself to ensure Gray wouldn't become stressed and he was able to handle it but that didn't mean he wouldn't get so tired that he could almost drop to the floor. 

"Aw man the things I do for my friends." Natsu said having just stopped the 50th robbery this month and now finally having a chance to change back into his regular clothes. "I wonder how much longer until Erza has that cure for Gray."

He was just about to finally go back to his dorm room when his ears caught hold of a news story about another crime. Apparently there was a new vigilante in town, one who was brutal with criminals. He was some who would shoot first and ask questions later.

"His name is Erik Cobra." The reporter on the TV display at a window shop said. "So far he has brutalized at least ten criminals and is believed to have killed four in previous states that he resided in. There is no evidence that supports the possible murders but be advised, avoid this individual if he is seen and call the police."

"Oh great." He huffed. "Well who needs sleep anyway."

At that moment his phone rang and he answered it.

"Talk to me...Oh hey Gray how are you?"

"Natsu I'm getting worse." He heard him say on the other line.

"What do you mean? How worse?"

"My eyes won't change back, more hair is growing on me, and my mind...My mind is having these urges and I...Natsu I...I fee like I'm losing myself."

"Alright calm down. Remember what Erza said, stressing out will only make it worse. Where are you?"

"Right now I'm in the park but I'm going over to Erza's apartment. I couldn't stay at my dorm room. Aunt Ur got suspicious and she decided to come over."

"Okay I'll meet you there. In the meantime do whatever you can to stay calm and avoid drawing attention to yourself."

"That maybe a little difficult. I'm in a costume right now."

"Is that wise?"

"I don't want Ur or Juvia to see me and start asking questions. I think it's better not to draw their attention rather than strangers."

"Well in that case I hope you know what you're doing. I'll see you at Erza's."

Natsu hung up and quickly hurried to Erza's apartment. The sound of Gray's voice on the phone made him very worried. Gray's voice was shaking, he sounded really afraid. Like he was ready to lose it. He prayed that Erza would be able to fix him soon because judging by Gray's tone he didn't have much time left.

Speaking of which, Gray was in fact scared out of his mind. He knew how important it was for him to stay calm but every time his brain got a flash of those urges, those thoughts, it made him become more terrified. What exactly would happen to him once his mind was gone? Would he start behaving like an actual tiger? Did that mean he would attack his friends and his family? Would he actually harm Ur? Natsu? Lucy? Juvia? Would anyone be safe from him?

Suddenly his fearful thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a woman screaming. He looked over to see two dirty men chasing after a young woman who was fleeing for her life. 

"Get away!" She cried. "I don't have any money! Just leave me alone!"

"We don't want your money!" One of her attackers said.

They chased her down and seized hold of her. One of them held her down while the other pulled out a switchblade.

"Help!" She screamed desperately. "Someone please help me!"