With Great Power Comes Great Responsibilty

Chapter 38

Once he had dropped off Juvia, Gray immediately started driving over to the hospital where he would plan to get those pictures from his boss. He had just stepped out of the car when suddenly his senses started to go off and a guy in a black suit landed in front of him.

"Whoa! What the-"

"Easy it's me." The guy said in a voice that Gray recognized to be Natsu's.

"Natsu?"

"Yeah."

"Oh...What up with the suit?"

"You like it? It's new and improved."

"What do you mean?"

"I can't explain it but somehow it increases my strength ten fold and it gives me greater speed and agility."

"Really? How does a suit do that?"

"I don't know but it does."

"Look can we talk about this later? I have to get those pictures."

"Oh right. Sorry."

"I'll see you tonight okay?"

"Yeah."

Gray quickly head to the hospital. Natsu ducked in an alleyway so he could change out of his costume without anyone seeing. But then to his amazement the costume changed to wear it looked exactly like regular clothes.

"Impressive." Natsu said. "Wonder what other tricks this thing can do?"

At that moment Lucy walked by. Feeling more confident than usual he approached her.

"Hi Lucy." He greeted.

"Hey Natsu."

"Where are you going?"

"I'm just getting back from lunch and I'm on my way to my next class."

"Listen I was wondering if later today you would like to go out with me this evening."

"Like a date?"

"Yeah."

"Well Natsu I'm very flattered but you know I have a boyfriend."

"But you don't really like him do you?"

"That's a little presumptuous of you isn't it?"

"You're not saying that you like him."

"I do like him."

"But do you really enjoy dating him?"

"Excuse me but since when is my relationship with Loke any of your business?"

"I'm just curious."

"Well you're being rude. I will admit that we're not a perfect match and we are having some trouble connecting but I won't cheat on him. I'm not that kind of girl Natsu and I'm surprised that you're prying into my relationship like this."

Natsu was taken aback by this. She was right. What right did he have to pressure her into dating him like this? And why would he just approach her like this when he knows that she has a boyfriend?

"You're right. I'm sorry." He said. "I didn't mean to upset you or make you uncomfortable."

"It's okay but are you feeling alright?"

"Of course. In fact I've never felt better."

"You seem different."

"I hope you mean different in a good way."

"Not exactly. Natsu has something been bothering you?"

"As a matter fact yes. It's this reward that the newspaper has put out on Red Dragon. That slanderous bone head Gajeel should get all the facts together before he does something like this."

"He's going through something very difficult right now. I'm sure once his head is clear he'll come to his senses and realize that he made a mistake."

"So you don't believe that story?"

"No. Red Dragon would never hurt anyone. Especially an innocent woman. Those pictures must've been taken out of context or something."

"You know Red Dragon will really appreciate that you still see him as a hero."

"Really? Could you tell him that?"

"I'll get Gray to pass on the message the next time he takes his picture."

"Thanks. Because right now I think he needs all the encouragement he can get. I better get to class now. Goodbye Natsu." She said hurrying off.

"Bye Lucy." He was relieved that at least she didn't believe he was responsible for what happened at the jewelry store. If only more people had more faith in him like she did and didn't just try to put him down.

Speaking of which, Gray was trying to convince Gajeel to give him the photos Laxus had taken.

"What do you want them for Fullbuster?" Gajjel asked him.

"I just want to make sure that they're legitimate sir." Gray answered. "I'm sure the last thing you want to do is print a story based off of doctored photos."

"Are you saying that I can't tell the difference between a real photo and a doctored one?"

"Well sir...Some doctored photos are very convincing and in some cases only a professional can tell the difference. I happen to know a professional who can tell us for sure if these pictures are what they say."

"Why do you assume that these are doctored?"

"Because I really don't think Red Dragon attacked your wife or killed that man and I happen to know Laxus very well. He's not exactly an honest citizen."

"You're just jealous because I was able to give the boss what he wanted." Laxus said walking in.

"What are you doing here?"

"I thought you'd try to trash my credibility." He said. "I'm just here to defend my honor."

"You have no honor you creep."

"Enough." Gajeel said. "If you two are going to fight then take it outside I won't have you upsetting my wife."

"She's in a coma boss. It's not like she can hear us, she's brain dead." Laxus said.

"Excuse me?!"

"Sorry sir." Gray said. "We'll go outside. I'm sorry if either one of us did anything to upset Levy."

The two quickly left the hospital and went outside before Gajeel was further upset.

"Wow you really are a scumbag Laxus." Gray told him. "Can't you show a little respect and decency?"

"He acts like she's going to recover. She'll be dead before the week is out."

"You don't know that for sure. She could recover and she could tell her husband exactly what happened that night."

"What are you implying?"

"I know how you work Laxus. Those pictures are fake. I can't prove it yet but one way or another I will."

"You just can't accept the fact that your idols are nothing but common criminals who hide behind masks. I wonder how long before I catch Blue Tiger in the act of committing a crime."

"That's thing you won't catch him and you didn't catch his partner either. That's why you made fake evidence! Do you have any idea how much damage you've done? Because of you an innocent man is being hunted by the whole city."

"Like I care what happens to a freak in costume."

"Well just so you know Gajeel deplores lying so I doubt you'll be on the paper for long. The minute I prove those pictures are fake you're done!"

"You better watch yourself Fullbuster." Laxus said with a threatening glare. "Because you have no idea what I'm capable of."

"I'll take my chances." Gray said with contempt before getting into his car and driving away.