With Great Power Comes Great Responsibilty

Chapter 63

Keeping up with Gray was nearly impossible. The mutated tiger was ten times faster and far more agile than any normal human. He darted and weaved through the trees with supernatural ease. Natsu's lungs burned, his muscles screamed for rest, but he refused to stop.

He couldn't let Gray get away. He couldn't let someone end him—just like he had failed to save his own father.

Desperation pushed Natsu faster, even as exhaustion clawed at his body. Then, a risky idea struck him—dangerous, but maybe his only hope. Natsu dropped from the branch and landed hard on the ground. He peeled off his mask and called out, voice cracking but filled with pleading:

"Gray! Stop! Please!"

The mutant froze instantly at the sound of that familiar voice. His animal instincts wavered, and for a brief moment, his human mind surfaced. Slowly, painfully, he turned to face the face he once knew so well—Natsu's.

"It's me, Natsu. Come on, buddy—you remember me, don't you?"

Gray crept toward him, turning his head with the slow, wary movements of something unsure it could trust what it saw. Skepticism warred with recognition in his eyes.

"Everything's going to be all right," Natsu said softly. "I know you're scared and confused, but I'm taking you to Erza. She'll fix you."

Something in those words reached him. Gray's posture softened a fraction.

"You know Erza. She wants to help you. We both do. But you have to trust us."

Tears swam in Natsu's eyes. He wasn't sure if they were for Gray or for what Gray had become.

"It's okay, Gray," Natsu whispered. "You didn't mean to hurt anyone. This isn't your fault."

Slowly he put the mask back on. "It's still me under here, you know that, right? It's still Natsu—your best friend."

Gray heard and understood. When he picked up the faint sound of Erik racking the slide of his gun, he moved instinctively to stand protectively in front of Natsu. Erik swung the weapon up and leveled it at the beast.

"No! Don't!" Natsu hurled a rock at Erik. It struck him and staggered him backward; Natsu lunged to wrestle for the gun.

"Let go!" Erik barked.

"You're about to make a huge mistake!" Natsu shouted as his hands scrabbled for the weapon.

"This is my job—you're in my way! Move!" Erik snarled, trying to free his arm.

"Drop it and I will," Natsu countered.

"Not happening."

"Just—let me explain, please!" Natsu pleaded.

"I'm warning you—let go or I'll use this on you too!"

"Never!"

They grappled, hand over hand, until a shot cracked through the air. Natsu went down, clutching his leg, a sob ripping out of him. Blood spread across his palm. Gray saw red.

He launched himself at Erik, pinning him to the ground. Claws sank into shoulders, teeth bared inches from a terrified man's face. Gray's green eyes burned with fury and something fiercer—an animal's hunger for retribution. He snarled, poised to end it.

"Don't! Don't kill him!" Natsu screamed.

The sound stopped Gray. He turned, head whipping back toward his friend.

"I'm fine!" Natsu gasped through the mask. "It's just a fracture. I'll be okay—please, don't—"

From his pocket Natsu pulled out a rubber glove—Erza's glove—and threw it toward Gray.