With Great Power Comes Great Responsibilty

Chapter 25

After the incident at the fair, the mysterious figure began bombing and terrorizing science labs, chemical plants, and research facilities across the city. No one knew his identity, so the press dubbed him the Black Demon. Gajeel, however, was busy 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 argued. "What you're saying is slander."

"It is not! I resent that!" Gajeel snapped, clearly offended. "Slander is spoken. In print, it's libel."

"You don't trust anybody. That's your real problem."

"I trust my barber."

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

"What are you talking about?"

Gray handed him a photograph—Blue Tiger holding Juvia in his arms as a building collapsed behind them.

"How dare that masked weirdo put his grubby mitts on my sister!"

"Sir, you do realize that if he hadn't stepped in, Juvia would've fallen to her death. He saved her."

"Or maybe he staged that rescue."

"Now you're just being ridiculous. Why would he go to all that trouble?"

"To get on my good side. He knows I'm onto him. And it's just a little too convenient that the person 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 outta here. Let 'em sue me. Maybe they can get rich the normal way."

Gray rolled his eyes and stormed out of the building, thoroughly annoyed by his boss's stubbornness—and his view of him and Natsu.

"Hey!" Juvia called as she approached him.

"Oh, hi," he replied.

"I thought I might find you here."

"You've been looking for me?"

"Yeah, I have. How did it go with my brother? Did he pay you well enough? Because if he's being cheap, I'll have a serious talk with him."

"No, no—he paid a fair amount."

"Then why do you look so irritated?"

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

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

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

"No way. Gajeel thinks they're a couple of phonies, but when I was falling that day, and Blue Tiger was reaching for me, I saw real fear and concern in his eyes. Like he was genuinely scared he wouldn't reach me in time. If that's how he and his partner feel about everyone they save, then there's no doubt in my mind—they're true heroes. You just can't fake something like that."

"Thanks... I mean, he would say thanks. And he'd really appreciate hearing you say that."

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

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

"What do you mean?"

"Like, 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 kind of cocky."

"Cocky?"

"A little egotistical. I mean, I admire his bravery and selflessness, but I'm not one of those damsels who falls for heroes who save them. Not like poor Lucy."

"What do you mean?"

"Oh... well, 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, disappointment clear in his voice. Juvia noticed and remembered why she had come to talk to him in the first place.

"Gray, we need to talk."

"About what?"

"I know."

"Know what?"

"Your secret."

"What?!" he exclaimed nervously. "How did you know?! Who told you?!"

"Honestly, it was pretty obvious."

"Oh man... listen, Juvia, you can't tell anyone about this! Understand? Lord only knows how much trouble I'd be in if anyone found out!"

"Gray, I think you're overreacting a little. Sure, some people might react badly, but I doubt you'd be in real danger. It's just a crush."

"You don't under— Wait, what? Crush?"

"Yes, your crush on Lucy. I know about it."

"Oh... phew!" He sighed in relief. "Wait, how did you find out? 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 smiled gently. "Be honest—would you have even considered meeting me if your aunt hadn't arranged it?"

"No." He admitted. "No, I don't think so."

"That's what I thought."

"I'm really sorry, Juvia. You're a wonderful girl, but I—"

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

"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 hesitate to ask, okay?"

"Sure. Want me to walk you home?"

"I'd like that."

Gray walked Juvia home, then met up with Natsu to discuss their next move against the Black Demon.

"What I don't get," Natsu said, "is why this guy is targeting scientists and chemical CEOs."

"Well, first things first," Gray replied. "We need to find out who he is."

"But to do that, we'd have to find the guy first."

"Or figure out where he'll strike next. So far, the only science lab left is Dr. Acnologia Kingston's, and the only chemical plant left is owned by Mard Geer."

"Alright, stakeout it is. You guard Dr. Kingston's lab, and I'll watch Geer's plant. If that lunatic shows up, we call each other for backup."

"Good plan."