With Great Power Comes Great Responsibilty

Chapter 2

"Hey, stop the bus!" Natsu shouted as he and Gray sprinted after the vehicle carrying their college science class on a field trip.

"This is all your fault!" Gray snapped. "If you'd just put your essay in a folder instead of leaving it lying around, we wouldn't have missed the bus!"

"Hey, you didn't have to wait for me, you know," Natsu shot back.

"Are you kidding? If I hadn't waited, my aunt would ground me for a week."

As they caught up to the bus, both guys pounded on the windows, trying to get the driver's attention. Inside, most of the students laughed at the sight of them chasing the bus like desperate puppies.

Well—not all the students.

One blonde girl stood up near the front, clearly not amused. That girl was Lucy Heartfilia, the one person on that bus who always treated Natsu and Gray with kindness and respect.

"Stop the bus!" she told the driver firmly. "They've been trailing us since Clover Town."

The driver let out a groan but begrudgingly pulled over. Natsu and Gray scrambled on board, slightly winded.

As they searched for empty seats, Laxus Dreyar, the campus bully, stuck out his foot and tripped Natsu.

"Real mature, Laxus," Gray muttered, helping his friend up.

"What? I didn't do anything," Laxus said with exaggerated innocence.

"Natsu, are you okay?" Lucy asked, her voice filled with genuine concern.

"Me?" Natsu squeaked, blushing. "Yeah—I'm fine!"

"I'm really sorry about Laxus. He can be such a jerk."

"No kidding," Gray added. "Thanks for getting the bus to stop, Lucy."

"Not a problem. Somebody's gotta look out for you boys, right?" She smiled, then returned to her seat.

Natsu and Gray collapsed into the very back row, both of them staring after her.

"We're wasting our time, aren't we?" Gray said.

"Definitely," Natsu sighed. "But she's just so—"

"I know. But maybe we should change the subject before we start drooling. So... you excited to meet Dr. Kingston?"

"I guess. I don't really know much about him, to be honest."

"Seriously? The guy's a genius. He cured a pandemic just by mixing specific herbs with blood from the carrier animal. I've been a fan since I was a kid. He's the reason I got into biology and anatomy."

"He sounds like a pretty cool guy."

The bus finally arrived at a sleek, high-tech facility nestled in a forest clearing. Standing outside to greet them was their professor, Gildarts Clive, ready to lead the tour of his old college friend's lab—Dr. Acnologia Kingston.

"Alright class," Gildarts announced, "you're free to observe, but that's it. Do not touch anything."

Inside, the lab was filled with glowing monitors, specimens in jars, and high-end equipment that looked like it belonged in a sci-fi movie.

"Gildarts," a deep voice called.

"Acnologia," Gildarts greeted his friend with a warm handshake. "How have you been?"

"Doing well. Still trying to save the world, one experiment at a time."

He turned to gesture toward a graceful brunette in a white lab coat.

"And I believe you remember my wife, Sonya."

"Sonya, you look more beautiful every time I see you," Gildarts said with a grin.

"You're still a shameless flatterer," she replied with a light laugh. "Are these your students?"

"Yep." Gildarts nodded. "A few of them actually pay attention. Those three in particular—" he motioned toward Natsu, Lucy, and Gray—"Natsu Dragneel, Lucy Heartfilia, and Gray Fullbuster—are my top students."

"Really?" Acnologia raised an eyebrow.

"Very bright kids. Gray, in particular, is one of your biggest fans. Wrote an outstanding paper on the history of organic medicine."

"That was his paper?" Acnologia's eyes lit up. "I've been wanting to meet the student behind that work. Mind if I introduce myself?"

"Be my guest."

Acnologia and Sonya approached the back of the room where Natsu and Gray were talking.

"Excuse me," he said. "Which one of you is Gray Fullbuster?"

"That'd be me, sir," Gray said, standing up quickly.

"It's a pleasure to meet you." Acnologia extended his hand.

"Oh man, the pleasure's all mine." Gray shook it firmly.

"Professor Clive tells me you're a big fan of mine."

"Huge fan. You're the reason I got into science."

"Well, that's good to hear. I'd almost given up on this generation caring about biology."

"I care. I mean, who wouldn't want to study how the body works to fight disease and improve lives?"

"Sonya, I like this kid," Acnologia said.

"You've got good taste," she replied.

"You think my research into human-animal DNA integration is brilliant?"

"Absolutely. Animals have heightened senses and incredible strength. If humans could adapt those traits, it could revolutionize health and medicine."

"Exactly what I've been saying!" Acnologia beamed. "Sonya, he really gets it."

"Of course he does. He's passionate. Just like you."

They shared a kiss, causing Gray to blush a little.

"Got someone special in your life, Gray?" Sonya asked with a smile.

"Romantically? No. Most girls think I'm a little... weird."

"Then that's their loss," Acnologia said. "Any woman would be lucky to have someone with your intelligence and heart."

"You really read my paper?"

"One of the best I've come across. You've got incredible potential, Gray. Always remember this: Using science will make you smart. But using it to help others? That's what makes you brilliant."

Gray nodded, eyes wide. He'd never felt more validated.

Natsu smiled quietly beside him. He'd never seen his best friend so excited. If he ever met someone he looked up to that much, he'd probably react the same way.

Just then, something caught Natsu's eye.

Toward the back of the lab, a shadow slipped through a side door—fast and quiet. Too quiet. Something about the person seemed... off.

Curious—and with a strange sense of unease rising in his chest—Natsu slowly got up and followed after them, careful not to draw attention.