With Great Power Comes Great Responsibilty

Chapter 14

As for Natsu, at the moment he was working with Professor Clive on an invention of his for extra credit. It was a special genetic altering formula that was supposed grant anyone who had it injected into their bodies a lizard's ability to regrow limbs. Gildarts had started on the project years ago after losing his arm in an accident but started to lose interest in it after his wife Cornelia died. It wasn't until his daughter Cana became very ill, that he started on it as he had now become more desperate for money.

News of his experiment soon reached Mard Geer the owner of a leading chemical manufacturing firm and he became very interested. He agreed to pay for all of Gildarts's medical bills regarding his daughter if he completed the formula successfully.

"Do you really think that this will work?" Natsu asked looking at the formula.

"I believe so. Take a look at this little fella."

Gildarts showed Natsu a lab rat who had recently lost it's leg only to find that the leg had returned.

"Whoa! Were you able to see his leg back on?" Natsu asked.

"No. I injected my formula into him and he grew a new leg to replace the one he lost."

"Incredible. You really are a genius Professor Clive."

"I'm not a genius Natsu, I'm just a man trying to earn enough money to take care of my daughter."

"Are you going to use the formula on yourself now?"

"Not yet. I still have to run some more tests. Just to make sure that the formula doesn't have any negative side effects. If I can perfect this then not only will I be able to regrow my arm but I'll finally be able to have enough money to stabilize Cana's condition."

"And how long will that take?" A voice asked.

Professor Clive and Natsu turned to see a very serious looking, business type like man standing in the door way of the lab. At first glanced he looked perfectly normal but to Natsu he seemed to have a dark aura around him.

"Mr. Geer what a surprise." Gildarts said. "I wasn't expecting you to come here tonight."

"I just wanted to see how your experiment was going professor." He looked at Natsu. "Who's this young man?"

"This is Natsu Dragneel, he's one of my students. Natsu I would like you to meet Mard Geer."

"Great honor to meet you sir." Natsu held out his hand.

"Likewise." Mard said politely shaking Natsu's hand. "Professor Clive has told me that you're quite the science wiz, you know I'm something of a scientist myself."

"I know. I've read about your work. You're really brilliant sir."

"Glad to know that you're impressed by me. If you don't mind young man, I'd like a word with Professor Clive, alone."

"Sure. Professor do you want me to come back when you two are finished?"

"No Natsu, go on home. We're done for today." Gildarts said.

"Alright. I'll see you tomorrow."

Natsu took off his lab coat, goggles, and gloves then left the lab.

"I thought that you would have that formula done by now." Mard said sternly.

"I'm almost done." Gildarts said. "I just need to run a few more tests, make sure it's safe."

"You're trying my patients Professor."

"Mr. Geer something like this takes time. I can't just give you the formula right now. I haven't even tested it on a human subject yet."

"You're human aren't you? Test it on yourself."

"Well sir I have to make sure that it's safe to be used on humans and that in itself may take more time. You understand right?"

"I understand Professor but I hope that you can understand that more time means I have to make a few cutbacks including the medical bills I'm paying for you."

"No sir! You can't do that! My daughter needs intensive care, her condition requires it! Without your money she'll die!"

"Then I guess you better hurry up with that formula. If it's not finished by next week I'm done with you!"

He slammed the door when he left. Poor Gildarts, he didn't know what to do. He couldn't afford to pay for the medical treatment that stabilized Cana's condition on his own. He needed Mard Geer's money but how could he have the formula ready before next week? He wasn't even sure if he could have it ready by then. But he had to have it ready by next week. He just had to, for his daughter's sake he would have it ready by next week. With this in mind he grabbed a syringe and proceeded to run another test.

Meanwhile outside Natsu met up with Gray.

"Hey buddy I was just on my way to get you." Gray said. "How are things going with Professor Clive?"

"Pretty good. He's almost done with that formula of his."

"That's cool. Do you really think that he'll be able to find a way for people to re grow lost limbs?"

"If anyone can do it, it's him. So what's new with you?"

"Aunt Ur is up to her matchmaking again. You know that girl she wants me to meet? She's arranged for her to come over tomorrow."

"Ooo... Tough break. Well maybe it won't be so bad."

"Doubtful. You know what I found out today? It turns out she's the little sister of my wacko boss Gajeel."

"You mean the guy who's constantly trying to make Red Dragon and Blue Tiger look bad? You're going out with his sister?"

"It's against my will but yes."

"Aww man I feel so sorry for you."

"Yeah, yeah."

"Hey Natsu! Gray! Over here!" They heard a voice call out to them and they saw that it belonged to Lucy who was heading in their direction.

"Lucy what brings you by?" Natsu asked.

"I'm looking for Professor Clive." She said. "I borrowed one of his text books last week for a paper I was writing but I forgot to give it back. Do you any of you guys know where he is?"

"I could walk you to his office." Gray offered excitedly.

"Newsflash he's not in his office. He's in his lab." Natsu corrected.

"Well since you know where he is Natsu, why don't you walk me there?" Lucy asked.

"I'd love to. Gray don't wait up."

With a smile of victory on his face, Natsu proceeded to escort Lucy inside leaving Gray behind feeling defeated. After rolling his eyes, Gray was about to go home until his hearing picked up an unusual sound. Feeling worried, he decided to wait up just in case something happened.