"When people say they have a darkness growing inside them, it usually means that they are emotionally upset or unstable. But Natsu LITERALLY had it growing inside him. Once he consumed it, It started feeding off of his magic, and because he had a lot of it, it spread like wild fire. Its not the first time its happened so we extracted it before it could get worst."
"Define worse." Gray spoke up, walking closer to them. "Its starts with the breathing." Hayden muttered darkly. "It tortures them, giving them very little air to breath in. Making them scratch and claw at their throats like animals. Then it slowly spreads like a poison. Tainting their skin with a black hue making their body go numb and feel like its being ripped apart all at the same time. But once it reaches the head, then they can't be helped. It drives them into madness. It makes them want to claw at their skin, scream, lash out and sometimes...even kill themselves." Hayden finally looked at his guild Master and sighed. "My magic isn't something to be consumed."
"But you managed to stop it." Lucy said. "Over the years we figured out how. As you all know, Kage here uses Animal Soul Take Over magic. Along with that, he gains the abilities of the animal that he transforms into. So when he's in the Shadow Dragon form he can extract my magic from the victim and contained within himself. But we have to do it before it reaches the brain."
"With Animal Soul, you can only turn into animals that the caster has encoutered before. So does that mean that Kage knew the dragon that raised you?" Mira asked him. Hayden nodded. "You see, me, him and Esme were all raised by Umbra. The Shadow Dragon. She was kind and took care of all us. I wanted to learn her magic, while the others learned the magic they wanted. So yah, Kage can turn into an Umbra look-a-like. I often have Kage use that form for when I want to train since Dragon Slayer magic was once used to fight dragons."
"Kage didn't turn on his own though. You shouted what sounded like a spell." Laxus said, standing behind Makarov. "Shadow Dragon Take Over I think it was."
"Dont it say it! What if he turns?!" Happy panicked. Hayden laughed. "Dont worry. Kage only turns into Umbra unless I order him to. A form as powerful as a dragon can't be used so carelessly. So it kinda became a silent rule with us."
"He seems quite attached to you." Makarov stated. Looking at the sleeping cat in Hayden's lap. "Even when you first came here he was perched so comfortably on your shoulder."
Hayden laughed. "I wouldn't be surprised since he avoids physical contact with Esme while an animal. And he's an animal a LOT."
"He avoids contact with his own sister? Why?" Lucy asked. Hayden laughed again. "Esme has a love for animals. If Kage were to lay on Esme like he is on me right now then she would practically smother him!"
Just then, Wendy walked out of the back room with a smile. "How is Natsu?" Mira asked. "He's awake now. Esme is explaining to him what happened." The door slamed open again but this time it was Natsu. "Hey what's the big idea trying to kill me like that!" He yelled. "Its not my fault you ate my magic so carelessly!" Hayden said back.
"It looked like fire!"
"That doesnt mean it was! Jeez, do you eat EVERYTHING without thinking first?"
"He listens more with his stomach than his head." Gray pointed out.
Natsu's head snapped towards Gray. "What did you just say?!"
"I said that your an airhead!"
"Speak for yourself you stripper!"
"What did you call me?!"
"Are they always like this?" Esme asked as she walked up to group and next to Laxus. "All the time." He said. The shouting quickly started to annoy her. But a smirk formed on her face as an idea came to her head.
Erza was just about to intervene when the two boys were suddenly electrocuted. "What was that for?!" They both shouted at Esme. "Will you to shut up! Youre going to wake up him up!" She shout back.
"Wake who up?!"
"Oi."
The two froze at the annoyed voice. They turned to the cat in Hayden's lap who was now glaring at them.
"You're loud. Shut up." He stated cold and bluntly. The two suddenly went pale as images of an angry dragon came to the heads. "WE'RE SORRY!" They yelled as they quickly got on floor in front of Hayden and bowed. "I-its ok! You really don't need to do that." Hayden stuttered out, embarrassed. "I dont mind it." Kage said, sat up in Hayden's lap with a sadistic smirk.
"You got them to stop fighting by making the scared of your brother." Laxus said turning to Esme. Esme looked up at him. "Smart." He said as he put a head on her head. Esme's face lit up in a blush. "Th-Thank you."
