With Great Power Comes Great Responsibilty

Chapter 42

At the Daily News station, Gray decided to skip the formalities and get straight to action. By action, he meant sneaking into Gajeel's office while the boss was in the restroom, picking the lock on the safe with his tiger claws, grabbing the pictures of Laxus, and slipping out unnoticed.

It was probably illegal, but if his best friend's safety and sanity were on the line, this was the only way to get through to him.

Gray took the photos to a professional, who carefully examined them and concluded they were indeed doctored. The expert handed Gray a detailed report to prove it—a report Gray took straight back to Gajeel.

"You broke into my office and stole from me?" Gajeel exploded when Gray laid out what he'd done. "You're fired, Fullbuster! And you're going to jail for breaking and entering!"

"Fine! I don't care. But you have to listen to me—please!" Gray pleaded, sliding the professional's findings across the desk. "It wasn't Red Dragon who shot your wife. It was a robber. Red Dragon's innocent. This proves it."

Gajeel leaned back, scowling. "Kid, do you know how much trouble you're in for this? Why stick your neck out for that costumed freak? Would you really risk jail just to prove he's innocent?"

"Yes," Gray said without hesitation.

"Why?"

"Because if I don't, I might lose a good friend."

"Lose him? What are you talking about?"

Gray hesitated, then said quietly, "I can't explain everything. But believe me, I wouldn't have done this if I didn't know Red Dragon wasn't behind the robbery or shooting. And if you don't call off the reward, someone innocent could get hurt—or worse. One lie can destroy a life."

Gajeel studied him, irritation mixed with reluctant respect in his eyes. As rough and ruthless as he was, Gajeel wasn't a liar.

"Did anyone see you sneak in here? Or take those photos?"

"No, sir."

"Alright. No one will know I let you slide on this illegal stunt."

"You're not pressing charges?"

"No. I'm not convinced about Red Dragon, but I believe you thought you were doing the right thing. I'll look over this evidence after I visit my wife. But this is a one-time thing, kid—and don't you dare tell anyone I let you off."

"Understood. Thank you, sir."

"Now get out of here."

"Yes, sir."

Gray left the station feeling a weight lift off his shoulders. He was confident that once Gajeel reviewed the report, Natsu's name would be cleared—and maybe, just maybe, that stubborn moron would finally see that Gray was on his side.

Gray had just settled into his dorm, ready to get some much-needed rest, when his phone rang. It was Erza.

"Hello?" he answered.

"Oh, Gray, thank goodness!" Erza's voice was urgent. "I've been trying to reach Natsu for hours, but he won't pick up."

"Why? What's going on?"

"I just finished analyzing the data from that ooze. It's... it's terrifying. I've never seen anything like it."

"Okay, calm down. Just tell me what you found."

"It's called a symbiote. Some kind of parasitic alien species."

"Parasitic? As in, a parasite?"

"Yes. It latches onto a host, and while it does increase their strength and abilities, that's just a distraction. It keeps the host isolated from anyone who might reach their thoughts. It lies to the host, manipulates their mind, changes their very nature—all while trying to gain complete control."

"How did it get to Natsu?"

"I'm not certain, but I think it came attached to a meteorite. Natsu must have been nearby when it landed, and the symbiote latched onto him."

"Does it have a weakness?"

"I'm still looking, but until I figure that out, you have to get it off Natsu—now. If it gains total control, he could go brain dead."

"Oh God... I'm on it. Call me if you learn anything else."

"Will do."

Gray hung up and quickly started to change into Blue Tiger, but just as he was pulling on his jacket, there was a knock at the door.

"Oh great, not now."

He opened it to find Aunt Ur standing there.

"Aunt Ur? What are you doing here?"

"Making sure you don't forget what tonight is."

"Right... Uh, what is tonight again?"

She sighed, shaking her head.

"Always so forgetful. Just like your father. Tonight is Juvia's play. You promised her you'd be there."

"I did? Oh crap, I did. Look, Ur, I really can't go. I have something important to deal with."

"But she'll be so disappointed if you don't show up. She already feels bad her own brother can't come, and if you don't show, it'll crush her."

"I know, and I'm sorry, but I just can't."

"But Natsu and Lucy are going."

"I can't—Wait, Natsu's going?"

"Yes. I just bumped into him. He's on his way to pick up Lucy to take her to the theater. Said he wouldn't miss it for the world."

"Oh... In that case, you're right. I should be there. Sorry for almost forgetting."

"Good. So I don't have to worry about you being dateless," Ur joked. "But you can't go looking like that. Fix yourself up—put on decent clothes and comb your hair."

"Yes, Mother," Gray said with a smirk.

This was perfect. At the theater, Natsu would be surrounded by a crowd, so he couldn't act out when Gray talked to him, right? Gray would find him, pull him aside, and tell him everything Erza had said. No doubt hearing this would make Natsu remove that suit. And if not... Gray would tear it off himself.

Meanwhile, Natsu had just picked Lucy up from her house, and they were walking to the theater together. But Natsu noticed Lucy was unusually quiet.

"Is something bothering you?" he asked. "You haven't said a word since I picked you up."

"Me? Oh, no, I'm fine. But if you don't mind me asking—is everything alright with you lately? Any problems?"

"No. Why?"

"Well, I talked with Juvia earlier today, and she seemed afraid for me to go out with you tonight. Said she thought something was wrong with you."

"Juvia should mind her own business. She's just spreading lies."

"You don't think she's telling the truth?"

"I don't."

"So you believe her?"

"I believe she's worried about us. Natsu, is there something wrong? Did something happen?"

"No. Nothing's wrong. Juvia jumped to the wrong conclusion. She saw me argue with her brother and misunderstood."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah. Juvia's an actress, remember? You know how melodramatic they can be."

"I guess you're right. But don't be mad at her. She wasn't trying to be mean—she was just worried."

"I know, I know."

Natsu smiled calmly, but inside, the symbiote was whispering dark thoughts—telling him Juvia was lying, trying to ruin his life just like her brother had. And he needed to act before her lies destroyed his chances with Lucy.