With Great Power Comes Great Responsibilty

Chapter 40

Gray waited outside the building after class, leaning against a railing, his thoughts heavy. When Natsu finally showed up, Gray stepped forward without hesitation.

"We need to talk."

Natsu raised an eyebrow. "About what?"

"Juvia. She told me what you said to her."

Natsu scoffed. "What's the big deal? It's not like I insulted her. I said she had a nice rack—it's a compliment."

Gray's expression hardened. "You don't say that kind of stuff to her. That's not a compliment, that's disrespect."

Natsu gave a smug grin. "Sounds like you're just jealous."

Gray blinked. "Jealous?"

"Yeah. You had your chance with her, man. You backed off. Can't blame me if someone else steps in."

"Last I checked, you were all about Lucy."

"Still am. But why limit myself to just one girl?" He shrugged. "Maybe I'll even use Juvia to make Lucy jealous. Could work, right?"

He turned to walk away, but Gray grabbed his shoulder.

"Hey!" Gray snapped. "If you want to chase someone new, fine. But don't you dare use Juvia like some disposable toy. She's our friend. She's not a game."

For a moment, everything went still.

Then Natsu turned, his face dark. His eyes... weren't right. They looked sunken, almost hollow. When he spoke, his voice was low and unnatural—like something was speaking through him.

"Don't you ever touch me."
He swatted Gray's hand away. "Ever. You got that, Fullbuster?"

Gray stepped back, alarmed. "Bro... what the hell's wrong with you?"

Then he saw it—something shifting beneath Natsu's jacket. Black tendrils. Moving. Alive.

"You're still wearing that thing?"

"So what if I am?"

"I thought you were going to take it off—get it checked out."

Natsu laughed bitterly. "And I thought you were going to get those photos."

"I am. It's just taking time—"

"Well we're tired of waiting," Natsu snapped, his voice suddenly doubling over itself—like two voices were speaking at once.

Gray blinked. "'We'...? We who?"

Natsu didn't answer. He turned and strode into the alley.

"Natsu, wait!" Gray called, but the other boy was already climbing the wall, the black suit spreading over him like a living shadow.

"Where are you going?! What are you about to do?!"

Natsu looked back only once. "I'm going to fix my reputation."

"Fix—? No! Natsu! Come back!"

Gray quickly slipped into his own suit and gave chase, sprinting across rooftops and leaping between buildings. But Natsu was faster now—much faster. He moved like something primal, unbound by human limitations.

Gray managed to get within reach once. He lunged, grabbing for Natsu's arm—but his fingers missed the mark. Instead, he caught hold of the edge of the suit and accidentally tore a piece free.

The black material writhed in his hand, trying to slither away.

"What the—?" he muttered.

The ooze lunged toward Natsu, stretching like it was being pulled by gravity itself. Gray tightened his grip, holding it back. The piece screeched, emitting a low, inhuman shriek that made his skin crawl. It wanted to rejoin Natsu.