With Great Power Comes Great Responsibilty

Chapter 45

Gray caught Natsu's falling body before it hit the concrete.

"I got you, buddy," he said softly. "Come on, I'll get you to the doc—she'll fix you up."

He carried Natsu to Erza, who immediately began running tests and examining him. Throughout the entire process, Natsu remained unconscious, which only made Gray more anxious.

"Is he going to be okay?" Gray asked, his voice tight with worry.

"He's exhausted, but he'll pull through," Erza assured him. "Thank goodness you got to him when you did. If he'd stayed bonded to that symbiote any longer, we might've lost him."

It wasn't until morning that Natsu finally stirred and opened his eyes.

"Oh... my head," he groaned.

"Welcome back, bro," Gray said with a relieved smile.

"Where am I?"

"You're in my office," Erza said. "I needed to make sure your brain was still working."

"Is it?"

"Well, you're talking and moving, right?"

"Good point."

Natsu turned to Gray, feeling the weight of guilt, regret, and horror wash over him all over again.

"Gray, I'm so sorry for what happened. I didn't mean any of it—I swear."

"Forget it, man," Gray said. "I know you weren't yourself during that... uh, pretty terrifying moment. I'm just glad you're back. And I've got some good news."

He flicked on the TV and switched to the news channel. Gajeel was on screen, delivering an important announcement.

"Because Laxus Dreyar, a former reporter for my paper, withheld crucial information and provided doctored evidence in the case involving the jewelry store robbery and shooting, I must withdraw my reward for the capture of Red Dragon," Gajeel said. "I apologize to the city for printing false news. I will do everything I can to ensure this never happens again."

"I finally got proof those pictures were fake," Gray said.

"Thanks, man," Natsu said, his voice filled with gratitude. "Not just for clearing my name... but for everything else too."

"That's what friends are for, right?"

"Right. By the way, how's Mrs. Redfox?"

"She's recovered and should be home tomorrow. But you've got other things to worry about."

"Like what?"

"Like how you're going to apologize to Gajeel, Laxus, Juvia, and Lucy for terrorizing them."

"Oh yeah," Natsu sighed, remembering his actions. "What am I supposed to say? 'Sorry I attacked you—I was possessed by an alien parasite'? Think they'll buy that?"

"Nope. But I've got the perfect excuse."

"What?"

"You were on steroids."

"Gray!"

"Why not? Your behavior when merged with that symbiote was basically textbook steroid rage—paranoia, extreme irritability, aggression, impaired judgment, mania. It fits perfectly."

"But Lucy's going to think I'm a drug addict."

"No she won't. I'll explain that you realized your mistake, stopped taking them, and you're done with that stuff for good."

"But she'll think I'm scum."

"She already thinks you're scum. You threatened her best friend and attacked her friend's relative. Trust me, just saying you had an off day won't make her forgive you any faster."

"What do you think, Erza?"

"I'd go with the steroid excuse. Telling her the truth either gets you exposed as Red Dragon or shipped off to the nearest psychiatric facility."

"Fine. But do you think I'll ever have a chance with her, Gray?"

Gray chuckled. "Lucy's pretty understanding. You give her some space and time... I'd say... not a chance."

"Gee, thanks," Natsu said, deadpan.

"Oh well," Gray laughed. "I'm just glad it's all over."

"Not exactly," Erza said, her brow furrowed with concern.

"What do you mean? Is some of that ooze still on me?"

"No—it's all gone. Not a trace remains anywhere on you."

"Phew!" Natsu let out a relieved sigh.

"Which raises the question," Erza continued, "what happened to it?"

"I don't know. I blacked out," Natsu admitted.

"From what I saw, it vanished right after you tore it off your body," Gray added.

"That could mean two things," Erza explained thoughtfully. "One, it might have fizzled out of existence from the pressure of the sound waves—meaning we'd never hear from it again. Or two, it slipped away and found another host."

"I don't like the sound of that second option," Gray muttered.

"Would it just latch onto anyone?" Natsu asked.

"That's what I thought at first," Erza said, "but then I learned something fascinating. It targets hosts who carry a very strong amount of negative emotions. Natsu, when this first appeared, were you feeling angry? Frustrated?"

"Yeah, I was pissed off about that frame-up in the paper."

"That's why it bonded with you so easily. It fed on your anger and frustration to manipulate you. And judging by the fact it hasn't tried to bond with you again, it means those feelings have faded."

"So you're saying if that ooze is still out there, it'll look for someone who's just as angry and frustrated as I was?"

"Exactly."

"Then we better make sure that thing isn't still lurking around," Gray said grimly. "God only knows who it'll choose next."

But the symbiote had already found its next host.

After slipping out of the church through a vent, it sensed a storm of negative emotions radiating off someone nearby—Laxus, who was brooding furiously over his recent misfortunes.

"The nerve of those losers!" Laxus snarled. "I never thought a nerd could be so conniving—let alone two. Natsu and Gray! They cost me my job! My education! My reputation! They think they can get away with this?! Just wait until I get my hands on those two!"

The symbiote latched onto Laxus the moment he passed by, quickly beginning to cover his body. At first, Laxus struggled, confused and desperate to shake it off. Then the symbiote's whispers seeped into his mind, promising what he wanted most: revenge on Natsu Dragneel and Gray Fullbuster.

It amplified Laxus's strength and abilities—just like it had with Natsu—but it also granted him some of Natsu's powers. You see, by bonding with Natsu, the symbiote had absorbed fragments of his abilities. It could communicate telepathically with Laxus, read his thoughts, and share all the secrets it had learned—about him, about Gray, their alter egos, and the people they cared about most.

The symbiote knew everything—and it was feeding Laxus every secret he could use to make his revenge absolute.