The Dragon Father

Do Not Test Me

The rest of the day was a bore. Sawyer crushed Ichiya, Dobengal beat Millianna, Juvia beat Yuka, and Dren (the purple-haired man who Natsu disliked) destroyed Jager with one blow. Eventually, they all went home but the guild felt empty, Lisanna and Elfman were by Mira's side. The doctors claimed that her internal organs were damaged and that she was lucky to be alive. Kinana still hadn't woken up and as far as anyone knew, Yukino was doing no better.

Lucy and Levy left the guild to figure it all out.

"Every time I try to rationalize it, I get confused again," Levy sighed.

"What do you mean?" Lucy asked as they walked down the quiet town streets.

"Dragon's teeth. Their attacks have to have some coordination, they haven't hurt anyone in the other guilds, just Sabertooth and Fairy Tail."

"All to get back at the dragon slayers," Lucy bit.

"But why not attack Crime Sociere who is a huge ally? It just seems random. It would make sense if they were targeting Fairy Tail members-"

"But then there's Yukino," Lucy interjected.

"Exactly, Kinana, Yukino, and now Mira... where are the connections? I get that Kinana and Erik are close... but I never took Mira to be close to any particular dragon slayer... and Frexis definitely attacked her as he did for a reason."

"What they've done is despicable," Lucy gritted, "but we can't prove anything. So far they've been either too careful or have worked within the rules."

"The most dangerous enemy is that who can outsmart you," Levy quoted.

"Is that Madness in Mialate?" Lucy asked.

"Yep, my favorite line from the entire play," Levy grinned.

"Course, I love when the heroine gives the mournful speech to the crowd." She cleared her throat, "We have lost much, but that which we have gained knows no bounds!"

Levy laughed at Lucy's tone and Lucy giggled. There was a loud crack that echoed through the night.

"What was that?" Levy asked quickly

"I'm not sure," Lucy said cautiously.

"Let's head back."

"Good idea..."

Natsu had awoken to a headache and a bad feeling in his gut so he had trudged downstairs to the guild which, as always, was having a party - even if it was rather empty. He hadn't been in the mood for a party; he couldn't get Dren's face out of his mind... so he walked out and went into the alley.

"Couldn't sleep Salamander?" Gajeel asked - he was already in the alley.

"Hey Gajeel," Natsu said sitting down on the cobblestone.

"I know the feeling, I woke up with this bad gut feeling and haven't been able to settle," Gajeel said popping a nail into his mouth and chewing on it. There was a crash inside the bar and a loud swear from Gildarts.

"They're having fun," Natsu grinned.

"I'm surprised you're not joining them," Gajeel chuckled.

"Not in the mood," Natsu growled, "I can't get that purple-haired guy out of my mind. I don't know what it is but-"

"You want to punch him in his face, break his nose, and then make him grovel at your feet... yeah I know that feeling too," Gajeel hissed.

Natsu looked up at Gajeel, "Yeah... I wanna turn em' to ash."