Summary: Natsu hated trains for a reason, not only because of his motion sickness but also because of their terrible accident history. So Natsu is pretty sure that he won't ride another train ever again. Erza fights, Lucy grieves, Natsu's ticked off, and Gray...well Gray's just trying to stay alive.

A/N: I'm not a train expert! Now that we've got that out of the way…hello! I'm really excited to be back! I know I've been gone for a while but I'm back, that's what matters, right? Right! Anyway, this idea came to me when I was watching a movie. Blegh, enough talking, go on and read! Please remember to review and favorite – they keep me writing!

Warnings: Cussing, a little OOC (but I hope not), there might be slight grammar and spelling errors.

Disclaimer: Sadly I don't own Fairy Tail...I don't think Mashima would sell it for 7 pennies, a clump of dryer lint, and an empty Coca-Cola bottle. Nonetheless if you think he would take that offer up let me know, I'll try and find 2 more pennies lying around the house.

Enjoy!


There were a multitude of reasons why Natsu hated trains or any vehicle in general. His motion sickness was a major factor in his dispute for hating rideable objects. Maybe it was the way the train would rumble underneath his shaking feet as he sat there clenching his stomach for dear life. Or possibly, he may have hated the way the brakes would screech to a halt; making it seem as if the thunderous sound would grab hold of his eardrums and shatter them into insignificant powder like pieces.

In general Natsu hate, hate, hate, hate, hated trains – especially after he ate.

So when Lucy and Erza confronted him with a request, (which involved a train) he wasn't too thrilled with the idea.

"Nope," Natsu spoke stubbornly as he crossed his arms. "No way am I getting on a train again." Looking at the two females in front of him, Natsu leaned forward and glared at the two. "Do you know how many times I've ridden in one of those stomach punchers this week? Three times," Natsu stated broadly. Shaking his head back and forth, Natsu couldn't help the frantic tone out of his voice, "I'm not getting on it, no matter what you two say!"

"Quit being a pussy, Flame-brain."

Natsu stilled suddenly. His eyes slid into slits and he puffed his cheeks. Out of the corner of his eye, Natsu noticed Gray.

"Just because you have motion sickness doesn't mean you can lose your balls and quit on your team."

"Fuck you Ice Princesses," Natsu spat and sprung up from seat. "You don't know jack-shit."

"Calm down Hot Head, just accept that you're a big ass pussy when it comes to trains." Gray snapped back and took steps towards his rival.

"Say that to my face," Natsu growled with a smirk growing on his face. He could you a good fight right about now, and who better to beat up than good old Gray?

"Enough," Erza boomed as she glared at the two Mages. "Natsu if you do not feel comfortable then you do not need to come with us on this request."

Natsu kept silent and looked towards the ground. On one hand he wouldn't have to ride a train and have his stomach turn inside out, then later hear Gray brag gloriously to the members in the guild saying how he was the fearless one, and Natsu was the weakling. On the other hand, Natsu would show his rival that he was still the best, even on a moving deathtrap.

"I'm going," Natsu stated as a wide grin grew on his face. "After all," he paused and tossed Gray a provoking look, "I need to kick a few asses right about now."

And with that, Erza nodded then turned and walked away with the light clinks of her armor. Lucy smiled sweetly and winked at Natsu, "See you guys soon." Turning on her heals, Lucy bounced happily away. "Maybe we can convince Wendy to come along too," Lucy called as she disappeared from sight, leaving the smell of sweet strawberries behind.


The world had become as dark as a black hole, yet somehow the darkness seemed as it was ready to collapse down on top of the train cart. Winds ripped past the slowly moving carts, clawing at the window with a wild shriek. Outside the world shook and boomed with an unseen force. Foreboding clouds, pregnant with malice, churned and roiled. They looked as vaporous as mist and as fleecy as black wool. Suddenly a thin sharp gash hacked through the sky, brightening up the world around the rod before cutting off as a clash of thunder rumbled through the cart. Yet as the storm crashed along, Natsu stayed unaware, too focused on his own thoughts to care.

This mission was stupid. Natsu had convinced himself of that fact.

This mission was stupid – beyond stupid.

Well, it wasn't stupid per say, it was…senseless, useless, and downright…stupid. Alright so maybe it was stupid. Though Natsu could have avoided the mission all together, which meant he wouldn't have to ride this time-consuming train ride (he was convinced this trip had taken off years from his life span). Yet if he had skipped the mission that would mean he wouldn't get his share in the reward, and from what he heard from Lucy it was a large reward. Along with that note, he wouldn't have the pleasure to kick some ass. However those weren't the worst reasons, Natsu would be damned if he let Gray get all the glory for himself.

Natsu had to come on this mission, even if that meant riding a 4 hour train ride to wherever this hellish place was. Natsu just hoped the ride would be over soon.

"We're 3 hours out Natsu, so…just a little longer," Lucy said with a smile as if she had read his mind.

The hiss of air reached Natsu's ears and Natsu groaned in aggravation. Falling deeper into his seat, Natsu couldn't help his stomach from flipping inside out. Squeezing his eyes shut, the Dragonslayer puffed out his cheeks as is he was ready to upchuck his breakfast.

Heavy footsteps shook the cart and came to a halt next to Natsu. "The conductor said that if the storm doesn't die down soon, we won't make it to the next station before nightfall."

Natsu cringed at the strippers words. Opening his left eye, Natsu glared daggers at Gray. The Ice Princess was doused with rain from head to toe, the result from moving from cart to cart. "Go help him or something Bastard." His voice was weak and unsteady.

Glaring, Gray growled, "Go do it yourself, asshole."

"Gray," Lucy jumped in, "Do you know how long this storm is supposed to last?"

"I don't know," Gray spoke truthfully, "the conductor says hours, or it may even last throughout the night."

"Should we contact Master?"

"I would not be too worried about the situation," Erza spoke up. "If worse comes to worse, the train would stop and we would have to wait out the storm before continuing."

"Go get the old man to stop the train, asshole." Natsu commanded groggily.

"If you're so set on stopping this train then you go do it, bastard."

"Gray," Erza asked, "please go and speak to the conductor one more time to ask if he could stop the train."


He was wet, dipping wet, like soaked to the core wet.

And now he had to trudge all the way back to the front of the train to get the conductor to stop the train. Sure, he was mad that he had to go through the screeching rain again, as he traveled between each cart again, and get dumped on by gallons of rain again. Hell, he didn't want to do this again, but since he didn't want the girls to catch a cold from the freezing rain, and Natsu was out for the count, he was the only candidate for the exploration. Plus, he was used to freezing…it was just the rain that bothered him.

Once his adventure between carts came to and end, Gray sighed with relief and slammed the last door behind him. "Hell of a storm," Gray muttered to the conductor and shook his head. "Hey old man," Gray called out and walked towards the conductor, "could you stop the train or something? My friends are concerned about the storm and would like to wait out the storm before continuing on."

The conductor tensed and turned his head and gazed over his shoulder. "Train…stop it…oh no, no, no, no, I can't do that…not now…not ever. Not until we meet our point, then –then we can stop…but now? No, not possible."

Gray frowned and studied the conductor he was a lot more skittish than before. "Look, if you could just stop the train."

"No, no," the old man jumped and seemed to shake with rage, "No!"

Taking a step back, Gray clenched his fists shut. "I'm trying to be nice here old man, but if you need things to get physical, let me know." Gray regretted the words immediately.

The old man tensed and shook his head. Not turning around fully, the conductor growled loudly, "I'm the one driving this train, I decided when to stop it and when to continue on. We – we are going!"

Shit, Gray thought, now he lost his chance getting through to the old man. "Look, I'm," Gray paused and swallowed, "sorry, but my friends don't like the way this train is shaking so please, could we stop just for a little bit?"

The conductor laughed, "Stop it?"

Tilting his head to the side, Gray felt his gut twist in worry, "Yes…stop it, the train."

"I know what it is boy," the conductor spat, "I just…cant."

"Can't what?"

The old man began to shake again, his eyes flashing with what seemed like regret and fear. "Did you see anyone else on this train?"

Gray flinched at the question, "Anyone else on the train?" Now that he thought about it, there hadn't been anyone else on the train except an odd hooded man in one of the carts and a mother and son on another. "Yes," he answered and the old man swallowed with worry. "There was a man in one after my cart and a girl and her son in the next. Why do you ask?"

"No," the conductor's eyes grew, "he said they wouldn't…they can't." The old man's eyes began to race across the ground, then suddenly as his breath quickened the man twirled around to his controls and with an ironed fist, he pushed a leaver forward and it snapped under his weight.

The world was jerked harshly beneath Gray's feet and the Ice Mage stumbled backwards and collided with the wall behind him. Blinking quickly Gray caught sight of the conductor and like a flash of lighting Gray shot forward and entangled his fists into the man's shirt. With a crash Gray slammed the conductor against his control panel and shouted, "Why the fuck did you do that? What the hell is going on here?!"

"I'm sorry," the old man's were turned a glistening red and tears began to spill over, "I'm so very, very sorry! But," the man spoke in jumbled words – freighted and alone. "But – but they were…so I couldn't…if I didn't then…please, please, don't stop it…my family! I can't! Please!" The man chocked back a sob with a shake of his head, "I can't – sorry! Please understand!"

Scowling, Gray dropped the man and looked towards the control panel. Sparks flew up from the broken leaver and the screens began to flicker numbers, as if they were counting down.

"I'm sorry," the old man repeated over, "I'm sorry!" His form rocked back and forth, his tears spilling over and down his large reddened cheeks. "Save them, please! I – I didn't mean to…but, but I couldn't let them – ! You have…you have to leave…no hope for me. I'm sorry, no hope."

Gray sneered at the man on the ground. The conductor seemed torn apart, broken and spat on like a piece of trash. But, despite the rambling and pleads to leave him, Gray couldn't. Something was happening to the train, and Gray needed to save everyone he could – even the ones who didn't want to be saved.

Crouching next to the man, Gray tossed his arms under the conductor and hauled him to his feet. "Please, please," the old man spoke softer as they traveled to the next cart, "you have to save them – the girl…little boy…it's my grandson and daughter – please leave me!"

Shaking his head, Gray trudged forward and pushed the train cart door open. With a large step, Gray treaded into the next cart and fixed his hold on the old man. "Look, we'll get to them. You don't have to worry."

"No," the old man shook violently, "You don't understand…we don't have time! Leave me, please…I don't want them to die…we have no time! Time is limited!"

"Why," Gray asked harshly as he pulled the end cart door open and looked at the next. The next train cart would be the one where the old man's family was located, everything was fine, and the conductor was freaking out over nothing.

"…be – because…" the old man was reluctant to talk now. Once jabbering nonsense, now he seemed too scared to talk.

Then as they stepped into the next cart, Gray couldn't stop himself from flinching. A strong wall of metallic aroma came and slammed into the Ice Mages noes, making his eyes water. A cry, heavily grief stricken, rang through the cart. Gray slowly noted that it was the old man who had suddenly vanished from his grasp.

"No!" The conductor sobbed as he flopped on the ground like a fish out of water. "You! You said you wouldn't kill them! NO!"

To slowly Gray noticed the walls and chairs were pained in a deep dark gleaming red, as large chunks of, what seemed to Gray like muscle and flesh slowly dripped down from the sides and ceiling. Gray's stomach flipped, he was going to be sick.

A man, whose face and figure were hidden, spoke low, "You didn't keep your promise."

"Yes I did!" The man screeched, his voice strained and growing horse. "The train is still moving! I did! You bastard! BASTARD!"

The world shook around them as the train speed forward and with a flash of lighting and crash of thunder, the conductor fell to the floor with his heart ripped out of his chest – dead.

"Some people don't know how to keep quiet," the hooded man spoke slowly as if disappointed. Turning his palm to the ceiling, the hooded man studied the slightly thumping heart that he held so loosely in his fingers. "Oh well." In a flash, the man was on Gray, his arm digging into Gray's throat. "You'll understand right?" Snickering the man shook his head, "No of course not. Killings wrong…remember?"

Gray blinked, still processing the images that had unfolded before his eyes. His body shook and no matter how hard he tried, Gray couldn't stop the terror that raced through his veins.

The hooded man let the heart that had soon thumped still, drop out of his hand and fall to the floor. The heart bounced along the floor before slowly rolling next to its owner. "Now then," the hooded man spoke, "let's see if I was right." Slowly, the man traced his finger to the edge of Gray's shirt and chuckled, "And the winner is…" pulling down Gray's shirt, the man revealed Fairy Tail's sign that had been planted onto Gray's chest. "Fairy Tail," the man seemed to rejoice, "and a big catch too, seems to me like I am going to kill a large number of you bothersome members."

"Wh – what?" Gray choked out.

"Ahhh, yes," the hooded man spoke nonchalantly, "Seems to me," the hooded man pointed to the dead conductor, "that he had told the truth. What a shame."

"…about, what?"

"Oh the bomb–"


Natsu didn't like being thrown off of his resting place, especially on trains. So when he was thrown off of his chair and slammed onto the floor, Natsu wouldn't say he was very happy for that to happen.

"What the hell!" Natsu shouted and stood up, and for a moment he had almost forgotten he was on a train…almost. Feeling movement beneath his feet sent a sickening sensation throughout his body and collapsed onto the ground with a grown.

"What was that?" Lucy asked quickly.

"I don't know," Erza replied. Then as she opened her mouth to speak, a shriek of agony ran though the cart and another jerk of theirs made Erza, who was standing, fall back onto her behind and roll onto her stomach.

"Who was that!?" Lucy asked frightened as she attempted to stand.

Then abruptly a crash of light that split across the sky in zigzags and was followed by the crack and slitting sound of a thunderous explosion.

"This storm is getting worse," Lucy shouted in fear. "I don't think Gray was able to stop the train!"

"Natsu, Lucy," Erza growled out, "you two need to go help Gray, something's not right."

"What about you?" Lucy asked with concern.

"I'm going to go look for passengers," Erza shot to her feet and stumbled to the back of the cart. Throwing open the door, Rain doused her and rushed into the cart. Looking back Erza nodded to Lucy before stepping into the other cart and slamming the door behind her.

With Erza gone, Lucy stumbled to her feet, "Natsu – I know this is hard but you need to stand –"

The world around her flashed in a bright orange and yellow blinding her as the ground shook and crumbled beneath her feet. Heat shot out and licked at her skin making it sizzle as the skin rose and began to bubble. She screamed. Then unexpectedly, a force rammed into her, protecting her from the flames. What followed next was dismaying, the world came to a shrieking halt as metal squealed and cracked.

And for a second it was completely silent.

Then her back collided with the floor and she suddenly felt weightless. Her world tumbled and rolled. Glass broke as a metal whined from an uncanny impact. The last thing she remembered was the groan of iron and a pained scream.


A/N: I'm not planning for this to be a long story, maybe a chapter or two, which depends on you guys. If you liked the first chapter let me know through a review, and if you have any questions please ask away. But most importantly is if you enjoyed it! I always wright so I can get my ideas out to others and see if they enjoyed them or not. Anyhow, next chapter will be the after effects of the train accident and the effect it has on Natsu's friends, we may even see who or what that hooded figure is. Alright, stick around!

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