With Great Power Comes Great Responsibilty

Chapter 25

After the incident at the fair, the mysterious figure began bombing and terrorizing various science labs, chemical plants, and research facilities. No one knew who he was so the press called him the Black Demon and Gajeel was trying to paint Red Dragon and Blue Tiger as his accomplices.

"But Mr. Redfox, Red Dragon and Blue Tiger weren't attacking the city they were trying to save it." Gray told his boss. "That's slander."

"It is not! I resent that!" Gajeel said insulted. "Slander is spoken, in print it's libel."

"You don't trust anybody that's your problem."

"I trust my barber."

"Don't you think there's at least a little good in them? After all Blue Tiger did save your sister's life."

"What are you talking about?"

Gray handed Gajeel a photograph of Blue Tiger holding Juvia just as a building behind them was crumbling.

"How dare that masked weirdo put his dirty mits on my sister!"

"Sir you do realize that if hadn't of intervened Juvia would have fallen to her death. He saved her."

"Or maybe he staged that rescue."

"Now you're just being ridiculous. Why would he stage saving Juvia."

"To get on my good side. He knows I have it in for him and I don't think it's a coincidence that girl he saved happened to be my little sister."

"You're unbelievable. Do you have any idea what he and Red Dragon go through to protect this city?"

"What are you, their lawyer? Get out of here! Let them sue me, get rich like a normal person."

Gray rolled his eyes and walked out the building feeling so very annoyed by his boss's views toward him and Natsu.

"Hey!" It was Juvia coming over to talk to him.

"Oh hi." He said.

"I thought I might find you here."

"You've been looking for me?"

"Yeah I have. How did things go with my brother? Did he pay you good enough? Because if he's being cheap I'll straighten him out."

"No. No he paid a sufficient amount."

"Then why do you look so irritated?"

"Because I hate what he uses my pictures for. He's always trying to make Red Dragon and Blue Tiger look bad. They try so hard to protect everyone and he doesn't care."

"I'm sorry. Gajeel has always had issues with men who wear masks. It's a complicated matter."

"Still you'd think that he would be more grateful to the guy who saved his sister. I hope you don't think that rescue was staged."

"No. Gajeel's thinks that they're a couple of phonies but as I was falling that day and he was reaching after me, I saw genuine fear and concern for my life in his eyes. Like he was really scared that he wouldn't get to me in time. If that's how he and his partner feel about everyone they save then there's no doubt in my mind that they're real heroes. You just can't fake something like that."

"Thanks...I mean he would say thanks and he would really appreciate it if he heard you say that."

"Well the next time you take his picture would you mind telling him I said those things for me?"

"Not at all. So um...Just out of curiosity what did you think of him?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well did you think he was dashing or handsome?"

"How would I know? He wears a mask."

"Oh right. Okay did you think he was amazing or awesome or cool?"

"I guess. I don't know, I just met him and we didn't talk much. Honestly I found him to be kind of cocky."

"Cocky?"

"A little egotistical. I mean I admire him for his bravery and selflessness but I'm not going to be one of those damsels who develop a crush on the heroes who save them. Not like poor Lucy."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Oh...Well the thing is...I don't know for sure but I think she might have a little superhero crush."

"On Blue Tiger?"

"No Red Dragon."

"Oh." He said in disappointment. Juvia saw his disappointment and was reminded of why she was looking for him in the first place.

"Gray we need to talk."

"About what?"

"I know."

"Know what?"

"Your secret."

"What?!" He cried nervously. "How did you know?! Who told?!"

"Honestly it was fairly obvious."

"Oh man! Listen to me Juvia you can't tell anyone about this! Understand?! Lord only knows how much danger I would be in if anyone knew about this!"

"Gray I think you're overreacting a little bit. I mean I guess some people would have a negative reaction to this but I doubt you would be in any danger. It's just a crush."

"You don't under- Wait what? Crush?"

"Yes your crush on Lucy. I know about that."

"Oh...Phew!" He sighed in relief. "Wait how did you find out about that? Was it Natsu?"

"No. I saw the way you were looking at her at the fair the other day. I really like you Gray and I think you're a great guy but I don't think you'd ever look at me the way you looked at her." She said. "Be honest Gray would you have even considered meeting me if your aunt hadn't of arranged it?"

"No." He said. "No I don't think so."

"That's what I thought."

"I'm really sorry Juvia. You know you're a wonderful girl but I-"

"Look it's no big deal. If you don't feel that way about me I can respect that. I just hope that we can still be friends because someone like you is very hard to meet."

"Of course we can still be friends."

"That's all I want. I have to go now but if you ever need anything don't be afraid to ask okay."

"Sure. Do you want me to walk you home?"

"I'd like that."

Gray walked Juvia back home then met up with Natsu to discuss what they would do about Black Demon. 

"What I don't understand is why is this guy attacking various scientists and chemical C.E.O's?" Natsu asked. 

"Well first thing's first." Gray said. "We need to figure out who this guy is."

"But to do that we would have to find this freak first."

"Or know where he would strike. So far the only science lab left is the one belonging to Dr. Acnologia Kingston and the only chemical plant left is the one owned by Mard Geer."

"Alright so we'll have stakeout. You guard Dr. Kingston's lab and I'll keep an eye on Mr. Geer's plant and if that lunatic shows up we call each other for back up."

"Good plan."