I do not own Fairy Tail.
The usual bright and cheery noise of laughter and friendly brawls echoed through the guildhall. Cana was sitting at the bar, Jet and Droy were watching Levy, Lisanna and Lucy were chatting, and Natsu was challenging Laxus to a duel. Meanwhile Gray stood in front of the request board looking for a job for his self. It had been a while since he'd gone off on one without anyone, and decided now would be a good time to go solo for a mission. The scarlet haired Titania was off on a mission for master and would not be back for a time, so the team wouldn't be going off together for any time soon. Gray picked a flyer off the board that looked suitable. It was a simple mission to slay a demon that has been terrorizing a village in Northern Fiore.
Gray turned around to head towards the bar to let Mirajane know he was leaving. Natsu crashed into the request board behind him a moment afterwards. Apparently losing the battle against Laxus. Gray chuckled under his breath at his friend's defeat. Natsu shot him one of his glares, "What are you smiling about, Droopy Eyes?"
"Who're you calling Droopy Eyes, Flame Brain?" With that Natsu sent his fist towards Gray's gut. Dodging the blow Gray responded by kneeing him in the stomach. With a "oof" Natsu doubled over, only for a second though before his fist flamed up and flew at Gray again. This small fight continued for a minute, neither boy gaining the upper hand.
"What's that?" Natsu asked first realizing the paper in Gray's hand. "Another job?"
"Not for you, just a quick, one person request."
Natsu flamed up at that. "What? You saying you can do something I can't?"
"Calm down pyro, just no need for two people."
A blue cat entered the scene then. "Natsu," the merry cat sang, "Gray's saying you're incapable." This got another outburst from the fire mage, which Gray merely ignored.
"I'll be going now." Gray said to Mirajane, holding the paper up.
Mirajane smiled at him. "Good luck, Gray." The ice mage mumbled thanks under his breath to the joyful waitress and exited the guild. Leaving behind him an annoyed Natsu that was arguing about his abilities with Happy.
Gray made his way to Magnolia's train station and boarded. It was strange to him, this being one of the few times lately without having to drag Natsu on board a vehicle. It was also eerily quiet not having Erza and Lucy chatting next to him. It had been so long having solitary time before a mission it almost seemed unnatural. It was also pleasant, being an ice mage he preferred quiet sometimes. He'd thought about traveling up north for the quietude of the snow to train. It had started to bother him that Natsu was always the one that saved the day. He was just as able as the flame head, yet he wasn't the one that was the hero. Or that Erza was always the one who was thought strong.
Gray gritted his teeth. No, it didn't bother him that his friends were strong, it bothered him that he was the one who wasn't. He just needed to get away for a moment. Recently his mind has been clouded and he couldn't think clearly.
A few hours later the train screeched to a stop. Unfortunately, the village wasn't anywhere near the station but another few hours walk away. Sighing Gray began the next part of his travel. First he made his way past a dry, desert type area, followed by a sudden change to a green forest. Eventually the woods opened up to a small clearing where an even smaller village stood. Making his way to the village center he went towards a building that looked like the mayor resided. Gray knocked on the door and waited for the man to open the entrance. The young mage realized eyes watching him behind closed curtains from nearby homes and shops. Before he looked straight at any of the spectators the door opened revealing a short, stout man. "Are you the mage that accepted the job?" the old man asked.
"Yea, you the guy who sent it out?" The old man nodded and motioned him inside. Closing the door behind the ice magus, he let out a sigh. "You're local residents seem a little paranoid." Gray commented.
"Yes, well… it's expected of what's been happening." The aged man replied. "Some foul demon has been attacking the village for the past month. They're all too scared to leave their homes. Please get rid of the thing as soon as possible."
Gray nodded in understanding. "Can you tell me anything about it?"
The man nodded once again. "It seems to live west of the village. At least that's the direction it comes and goes from. I suggest you look there for it. It seems to have high tolerance against magic, so good luck."
Gray nodded. "Thank you," he said. "I don't believe this will take long." With that Gray exited the building and made his way towards the west side of the village, anxious eyes following him.
It wasn't hard to track the beast. A trail of fallen trees snaked its way through the forest. The deeper he went through the woods the more it became trampled brush under his feet. Part of which was covered in droll and something that seemed acid like mixed with it. A low growl sounded in front of him. The demon was crouched on all fours, claws digging into the ground. It seemed scaly, with lines of green scale traveling across the black ones. Taking a battle stance Gray began a stare down with the beast, waiting for the first move. Snarling the creature leapt towards his throat.
"Ice Make: Lance!" he shouted. Immediately long, pointed lances rushed at the demon. The beast didn't even try to avoid the attack. Instead it continued, the lances only leaving scratches along the scales. The mage jumped to the side, avoiding a swipe from the creature. "Ice Make: Hammer!" A large frozen hammer crashed down on the spine of the demon. This barely even stunned the beast, the mayor was right, magic had little affect against it. In that case, Gray thought to himself, more brute force. "Ice Blade: Seven Slice Dance!" Gray exerted the sharp edges of the blades into the sides of the beast.
Howling in pain the demon reeled back, green blood oozing from its fresh wound. A hind leg kicked at him, knocking Gray against one of the few still standing trees. Standing back up Gray poised himself for his next move. "Ice Make: Saucer!" Now there was a spell he hadn't used in a while. The ice sliced across the body, a finishing blow. The demon let out a last hiss and laid still.
Sighing, Gray headed back towards the village. He was almost disappointed. He was hoping for more of a challenge. Back at the village Gray met once again with the mayor. The aged man almost began crying at the good news. Smiling Gray accepted the small reward and left.
He was maybe an hour away from the village heading back towards the train station, when a loud crash was echoed through the forest. A wolf, reptilian like monster flew in front of him, more likely it was thrown there. It wasn't threatening him though. Instead the creature was crouched, ready to attack something else, off to the side. Or rather, someone else.