A Dragon's tail

Looking the devil in the eye

Lucy's P.O.V. (Yup after two chapters of third person we are back to this)

I was stunned. Gray had lost his magic. How could this happen?

I just watched in curiosity as Levy hurriedly pulled him out of the water.

"Gray don't worry your powers aren't really gone. That was the issue with this quest, if you touch the water you're powers leave temporarily but if you are in there long enough to reach the flower," she pointed to a small island in the middle of the lake that had room only for the single flower sitting on top of it ", you'll lose your power permanently."

This was a problem. None of us want to lose our powers. We'd probably have to leave the guild and and and I wouldn't be able to pay rent I'd have to work in a restaurant oh no what if I'm on garbage duty and my horrible boss barely pays me what if-

"Lucy are you ok? You're starting to hyperventilate" Miyako asked

"Oh me?!? Ya I'm totally fine don't worry but uh...I'm not getting that flower." Whew I hope no one else noticed that I was hyperventilating

I tuned back into what Levy was saying about the flower and was shocked. It can grant anyone any power they want, except the person who lost theirs trying to get it. That's so unfair.

I sat down on the ground with my hand on my chin thinking while the group argued over who should go when I looked to the side and say Miyako...taking her shoes off??

She took off her boots and her socks and put her mess of curls into a bun with a look of determination, then she STEPPED INTO THE WATER??!

"What are you DOING!!!??" I yelled as I ran to grab her arm but she had already walked deeper in to where I couldn't reach

Everyone finally turned there attention to her then a fit of screams left them as they tried getting her to come back but to no avail. Then Natsu thought to just burn the stupid flower so she'd have to come back but once his monstrous flames reached the embankment they stopped. As if hitting a wall.

"No Natsu that won't work. Magic just isn't an option inside the lake even if it's in the air" Levy said looking sadly at Miyako who was just reaching the flower.

Her face showed pure determination and not a single hesitation. It's like she wasn't afraid to not have magic anymore. I envy that in her. That I barely know her and she seems like the bravest person I've ever met.

She reached up and pulled at the flower then a blinding light comes from her spot and we all have to back away and cover our eyes at the enormous glow

"I wonder if it's like fire! Can I eat it?!"

"No Natsu you can't but I never read anything about the flower glowing like this" Levy shouted as she shielded her self from the light.

Gray's P.O.V.

No one else may have noticed it but I did. That light it came from her not the flower. Her stomach had started to glow before it spread to everywhere else. I wonder why and why only when she touched the flower.

When we all were finally able to see again Miyako was on the grass putting her boots back on. She stood and gave the flower to Levy with a triumphant look on tanned face.

"Man you guys should see how you look! It's like you've seen a ghost!" She as she started to wobble

"Hey is it already getting dark out guys? I think it is" As her eyes started to close. I ran forward and caught her right before she hit the ground, holding her head to my chest and picking her up.

Natsu glared at me when I did. Stupid flame head what's his problem?

We all looked at each other not knowing what was happening but we kept moving forward. Hopefully whoever is at the top of that hill can help her.

Unknown P.O.V.

Pain. So much pain.
All that's there to accompany the pain is darkness. How bittersweet, to not have to see what will happen but to always feel it, that is until the numbness takes over. Then it's just the darkness and I, getting closer like old friends who haven't see each other in years.

The arms. The pain always starts in the arms. The the torso. Then the legs. But never a scratch on my face. Every inch of my body burns with agony as a blade trails across it. It's always different. But the pain never changes.

This time I can hear someone. Or maybe multiple people? Talk. Yes they are talking.

"Could you take that coat off her. I won't be able to examine her with all those layers"

Then I felt it. Not pain but for once it was fear. The hand on my arm threatening to pull away my secrets.

3rd person P.O.V.

Miyako then shot up from her place in bed and firmly grasped the neck of whoever was trying to remove her jacket. She looked to the side and her glare sent shivers down everyone's spine. That's when she realized she was holding Gajeel up by the neck and he was starting to turn blue.

"Ops" she said then dropped him to the ground where he preceded to crawl away from her muttering about looking the devil in the eye and surviving.

"So who's the fat old man?" She said pointing into the corner

"Oh uh that's the guy who sent the request. He was examining you to make sure you were ok." Lucy said as she walked over to the man, who was now sweating and walked cautiously to her, she introduced the two and then they got to business.

"So I brought you all here because of this..." the man said as he led to to two huge wooded doors.

They squealed as them opened and what was inside certainly was surprising.