You'll Fade

Chapter IV – The Master of Tenebris

Mornings. They're supposed to be a pleasant thing; where you greet the sun ready to begin the new day, but for Natsu he didn't even want to move. He felt anger boil through his veins as the sun blinded him from the nearby window.

Just like on the train. Damn sun.

Reluctantly, he forced his body to sit up and rolled off the bed. He quickly searched the room for his clothes and got dressed. As he left his room, he glanced down the hallway and his eyes landed on Gray's door. It was slightly open and it was still dark inside.

Of course he'd get the darker room. He's probably not even awake yet.

Natsu knocked on the door before swinging it open. Gray was curled up, laying on top of the covers, and turned away from the door. Completely forgetting their argument the day before, Natsu poked his back.

"Hey Gray, wake up." Natsu said monotonously. Getting no response, he went to the window and yanked the curtains down. The sun's rays quickly entered the room. Natsu turned back towards Gray, ready to jump the guy, but noticed something looked wrong with the scene in front of him. The entire area Gray was laying in looked soaked and now that Natsu was really looking at him; he also noticed Gray was shivering and he was covered in sweat. He felt the panic rising again and ran to Gray's side. Hovering over him, he began shaking the ice mage.

"Gray? Hey Gray? Wake up! Gray!?" Natsu took Gray's arm and turned him onto his back so he could see his face. It was covered in a layer of sweat and his face furrowed at the brow, almost like he was having a nightmare. Natsu would never forget a face like that. Without caring about the repercussions, Natsu jumped onto the bed and straddled the raven.

"Gray! Wake up!" Natsu tried again and continued to shake him. Failing at both, he leaned down and placed his ear on the raven's chest. Relief washed over him as he heard the fast heart beat, but dread took the place of relief when Gray still wouldn't wake up.

"I'm sorry, but you're waking up." Natsu said before pulling his hand back then slamming it against Gray's cheek. Gray's face, forced to the side, turned a shade of pink. His hair hid his eyes, but Natsu knew they still didn't open.

"Dammit. What the hell is going on?"

"Natsu, what are you doing?" Happy asked, hovering, in the doorway. Natsu looked at his position, straddling a sweat covered Gray, then at Happy. Not caring at the moment, Natsu waved Happy over. The feline obeyed, rubbing his eyes.

"What's wrong Natsu?" Happy said with a slight yawn.

"Gray isn't waking up."

"Maybe he's just tired. He didn't sleep at all while we we're on the train."

Natsu paused at Happy's words.

"What? Why not?"

"You know Gray. He won't admit it, but he worried about you. Stayed up the whole ride here just to make sure you were okay."

It was stab after stab. Everything that has been going on between the two of them and their fight the day before only made him feel worse. He couldn't believe he hadn't realized how tired Gray seemed to be; the bags under his eyes should've been a clear indication.

"H-he was- ah! Never mind that right now. Go get the girls. I can't wake him up and it's not just because he's tired. I even slapped the guy."

Natsu looked at the cat waiting for him to leave, but saw his blue friend was looking at Gray. At the same time Natsu was about to look at Gray, Happy nudged his arm and pointed.

"N-Natsu he's awake now." The blue feline's voice shook.

"What-gahh!" Just as Natsu's head turned back towards Gray, a hand slammed against his throat and began squeezing. Gray slid out from under Natsu's body, pulled him off the bed, and lifted the dragon slayer into the air. Happy freaked, pulling on Gray's arm as Natsu frantically fought against the fingers tightly wrapped around his neck.

"G-Gray…sto-" The hand tightened its grip with every word Natsu squeezed out. Natsu struggled to break free, other than having the ability to breathe taken away; he was shocked that Gray attacked him. Suddenly he felt the air shift and that same smell he sniffed out the day before was back. Natsu looked Gray over; scanning every inch of the pale, toned, and scarred skin. His eyes stopped when he noticed the crescent cut that was on his arm the day before…was missing. Natsu's eyes moved to lock with Gray's, but his were hidden behind the shadow of his bangs.

"Let…go. You're n-not..."

Laughter filled the room, but not a single chuckle left Gray's mouth, as he flicked his hair out of his face. Complete terror washed through Natsu's heart as he saw…Gray. He'd expected Gray's eyes would at least be different or his expression, but nothing was off about his appearance. This was Gray…and yet…

"W-who-"

The laughter echoed throughout the small inn, shaking the walls, and making the earth quake beneath their feet. The girls were in the room below theirs, but even they couldn't ignore the sudden earthquake. Erza and Lucy both barged into the room and gawked at the scene. If the entire inn wasn't shaking they'd both just think they were having another fight, but this wasn't like their usual fights. Even though the person who was attacking Natsu looked exactly like their friend Gray, his eyes were too cold.

"Gray, what are you doing?" Erza asked, clearly demanding a straight explanation.

Gray slowly tilted his head to the side, smiled, and released the pinkette. Natsu crashed to the ground in a coughing fit. Lucy and Happy ran to his side. Erza stood in front of the three, facing Gray.

"Do I have to ask again, Gray?" Erza said, tone sounding even more demanding.

Gray backed away, towards the bed, as his expression turned blank.

"G-Gray?" Natsu choked out. The ice mage looked at the pinkette and nodded. Natsu blinked, confused. Gray's stance changed, fist to his palm. Erza's guard flew up.

"Gray!" Erza said, preparing to summon a sword.

"Ice-make knife." A knife forged from ice appeared in Gray's grip. He looked at the four concerned faces in front of him and split his face into an evil grin before plunging the blade into his chest.

"GRAY!"

Natsu flew from Lucy and Happy's grip and tackled Gray onto the bed behind the ice mage. His hand quickly reached for the knife that dug deep into his best friend's chest.

"What the fuck are you doing, Gray!?" Natsu screamed in Gray's expressionless face.

Gray didn't fight Natsu as he was pinned to the bed. Natsu held the knife in place as he called for Lucy to get medical help.

"R-right!" Lucy said, panicked.

Natsu fought against the tears that tried to break free. He jumped at the touch of cold against his cheek. Gray trailed his fingers down the slayer's face.

"Why did you do this?" Natsu whispered for only Gray to hear. Gray wiped a tear from Natsu's eye, his expression remaining blank.

"You're beautiful when you cry."

Natsu breath hitched at the strange response.

"What-"

"I'm glad you feel this way, for this won't be the only time you watch me die." Gray smiled, weakly.

Natsu's breathing shut off all together as he watched Gray's hand fall back down to the bed, eyes faded and unfocused.

Erza came up behind Natsu to look at the wound. She stared at Gray's eyes. They looked so…

"Dead…" She whispered out loud without thinking.

Natsu's entire body tensed at the word. He glared back at Erza, but her saddened expression made him look back at Gray. Natsu's heart fell as he placed his head on Gray's chest and…heard nothing; not a single beat…not a single breath was taken.

Gray was dead.

"G-Gray…?" Natsu huffed out. He felt his insides rise in temperature as heated tears streamed down his face. Erza slowly backed away, as if in a trance, and stared at her screaming, sobbing, dragon hovering above their dead friend. Lucy ran into the room followed by some people from the medical team at the inn. She gasped when Erza collapsed to the ground and looked at the bloodied bed in front of her. Lucy looked towards the bed and locked onto the faded gray eyes. She, too, fell to the ground, screaming. Natsu looked back at the girls on the ground and looked at the medical team with their heads hung in silent condolences. He pointed at Gray.

"H-help him." He said, shakily. The head of the medical team looked at the distraught mage and shook his head, not in refusal, but knowing there wasn't anything that they could do. They slowly exited the room, closing the door behind them. Natsu screamed, fists slamming on each side of Gray's head, cursing the medical people for not even trying.

Suddenly Natsu sensed another presence coming down the hall. Feeling something strange, he perked his head up and looked at the lifeless mage beneath him. Natsu rubbed the tears from his eyes and took a deep inhale of Gray, but only smelt the odd stench as before. There wasn't a single trace of Gray's scent or blood. Natsu gasped as he suddenly smelt something familiar coming from beyond the door. He quickly sat back, slid off the bed, and ran to the door. Erza, Lucy, and Happy's eyes followed the dragon slayer to the door. He threw the door open and gawked at the raven headed mage that stood in front of him.

"N-Natsu? What're you doing in my…" Gray's thoughts trailed off as he saw the state his room was in. Natsu had tears, again, flooding from his eyes, Erza, Lucy, and Happy were on the floor, mouths gaping open in shock, and someone was on his bed covered in blood. The whole situation confused him. Gray gripped the pinkette's shoulders and shook him, making more tears fall from Natsu's blood shot eyes.

"What happened here, Natsu? Are you alright? Who is that on my bed?" He said, worry filling his tone. He glanced down at the girls. Lucy had begun a whole new set of tears and Erza looked like she was just trying to catch her breath. Gray squeezed the warm shoulders again, encouraging the pinkette to answer.

Slowly Natsu pushed the hands from his shoulders and threw his arms around his best friend. Natsu squeezed tight as more tears continued to fall. He fell to the ground, pulling Gray with him. Natsu gripped at the raven's head, tangling his fingers in the smooth locks and pulling him closer. Complete confusion and shock overwhelmed Gray's mind, making his head throb with displeasure. He didn't know what was going on or what happened…or why the hell Natsu was crying and hugging him. It was just too much to comprehend at once, but he never thought hugging Natsu would be this comforting. He gradually raised his arms and wrapped them around the shaking fire mage.

The girls and Happy came over and knelt next to the boys. The look of absolute relief covered their faces, confusing Gray even more.

After what seemed like hours of hugging, Gray gently rubbed Natsu's back and they slowly parted. Gray looked his friend in the face.

"Natsu, tell me what happened. Why are you crying and...hugging me?" Gray said, making it clear he was confused.

Without thinking or caring, Natsu grabbed Gray's hand and got to his feet, pulling Gray with him, again. Hands still connected, Natsu walked Gray to the bed. Gray felt really uncomfortable to be holding hands with a guy, that guy being Natsu of all people, and he was leading him to a bed. Gray shook off the unnecessarily weird thought.

"Natsu what-" He stopped dead when he saw what, or who, was on his bed.

"The fuck is this!?" Gray yelled, looking at Natsu. Anger quickly vanished when he realized why Natsu and the others were so upset.

That's why he was crying and…hugging me. They thought I was…he thought… Gray looked at Natsu's hand wrapped around his and felt the heat trapped within the grasp. He looked back at his dead doppelganger.

"Who is he?" Gray asked.

"He was here in your room when I came to wake you up." Natsu explained, never letting Gray's hand go.

"I never went to sleep." Gray said, looking away from his friends.

"What?" Natsu said, grip tightening on Gray's hand. He held back a grimace as he explained.

"I couldn't sleep so I walked around outside the inn, hoping that'd tire me out. I knew it didn't work when I saw the sun rise so I came back up here."

"You're not sleeping, Gray?" Erza asked. Before Gray could answer…

"You didn't hear the laughter or feel the earthquake?" Lucy cut in, gripping at her arms. Gray's thoughts stopped.

"Laughter? You guys heard the laughter?"

Natsu felt a switch come on in his head.

"That's what you were talking about yesterday on our way here. You heard that then?!" Gray nodded.

"So this wasn't the first time this has happened?" Erza asked.

"This, yes, but I heard that sick laughter yesterday."

"What's going on around here?" Erza said, pinching her chin.

"That's what I'm trying to figure out still. Natsu?" Gray said, looking back at his clone.

"Ah right well I saw that it was still dark in here so I thought you hadn't woken up yet. I came in here and tried to wake you…him up but you…uh he wouldn't wake up. Then he woke up and attacked me…then they came in and you…you…" Natsu's widened as he stared at Gray's body covered in blood, remembering the words he spoke before he died.

"Natsu. That isn't me." Gray said, squeezing Natsu's hand to remind him he's still alive.

"I know, but he could do creation magic though. Ice magic…your magic. He made a knife and stabbed himself. He looked exactly like you…your body…your eyes…y-your v-voice."

Gray felt Natsu's hand begin to shake. He pulled on Natsu's hand, turning his body towards him.

"Natsu, look at me." Gray commanded. Natsu obeyed right away.

"I am alive. I didn't kill myself. Why would I when you told me, back on Galuna Island, that you don't want me to die? I'd have to live with all that guilt in the afterlife. I'm alive…here." Gray said. He grabbed Natsu's other hand and placed it over his beating heart. Natsu stared at his hand on his friend's chest. As he felt the pulsating organ beat against his hand, his smile grew, relief and thankfulness filling his eyes. Erza and Lucy smiled, knowing their friend was okay and alive, but something was bothering Erza. What was going on and who just killed themselves while pretending to be Gray?

As if answering her hidden thoughts, the same laughter filled the room; shaking the walls. The body imitating Gray sat up, pulled the knife from its chest, and stood in front of the two boys. Natsu pushed Gray back, forcing himself in front of the ice mage. Gray fell back onto the ground as Lucy rushed over to help him.

"Natsu!" Gray yelled, trying to get back to Natsu.

"Natsu! Get away from him!" She yelled, now holding Gray back. Erza requiped a sword into her hand and stood in front of Lucy and Gray.

"Natsu. Stand back." Erza demanded, ready to attack. Body shaking, from trepidation, Natsu obeyed and slowly began backing up away from the fake Gray. With every step Natsu took, the fake Gray took a step forward. Suddenly the laughter grew louder as the fake Gray's body covered in a black liquid substance that seemed to come from the air, itself. That same strange scent he'd been smelling, filling Natsu's nose once again. He held back the urge to gag at the terrible odor. The black ooze hardened around Gray's form in sections, like armor. There was a familiar, smaller, crescent symbol on the fake Gray's chest, just at the center. The fake's face cracked into a menacing grin as it leaned forward towards Natsu. Natsu's body began to shake in pure fear at the evil creature, but underneath that fear, he felt the rage slowly surface. The fake, armored, Gray stood tall, towering over the wizards. Suddenly it bowed its head and spoke.

"Welcome little fairies, to my domain. Let me introduce myself. My name is Gwenera, master of the dark guild Tenebris." Her voice was filled with such an overpowering sense of malice.

Erza's stance only intensified by the woman's introduction.

The master, herself? This isn't good. Erza thought to herself, trying to think of a way to escape. They had to get away from her.

"Of course this isn't my true face…I just like it." Gwenera said gently caressing her body…which still held Gray's form.

"W-why did you-" Natsu tried to fight through the repulsive odor her ooze held.

"I'm sorry sweetheart you're going to have to speak up. I loathe people who mumble." Her voice dripping with evil hatred for those who mumble.

"Why!?" He screamed at the black figure.

"Why did I pretend to be Gray Fullbuster and attack you while also making him stab himself? Is that your question? Or are you asking what I meant…when I said…" Gwenera trailed off purposely. She smirked as she watched Natsu's expression alter.

Natsu didn't have it in him to answer, but he felt the questioning eyes from his friends at Gwenera's comment. Even though he was alarmed by this woman and the evil that dripped from her lips, he kept his eyes fierce and his body strong.

"I'm just a predator playing with her prey. Nothing more."

"What is it you want, Gwenera?" Erza said, still without wanting to move too close to the armored figure.

"I've been informed that Fairy Tail has come to have my guild disbanded. Is this information true?"

Erza didn't respond.

"So it is; how unfortunate. My intention at first was to kill you all as soon as you entered through the main gate, but then…" She looked at Gray, her evil gaze drilling into his soul. Those dark eyes, his own eyes, being locked on him made him want to choke.

"Everything has changed…something came over me as soon as I laid my eyes on that beautiful mage. I want him. I want to torture him until he's begging for me to stop with tears flooding from his bloodshot eyes…and I want this pink headed dragon to watch. That would be the ultimate delight! Even after he's begging for me to stop…even after he's begging for death…I'll continue to break him apart in every sense of the word."

The wizards were beyond shocked at the evil woman's intentions. Gray felt everything inside go cold, the sudden rush went to his head as he bent over and gagged, his breakfast reappearing on the floor beneath him. Lucy, frozen solid, couldn't believe someone would want to do something so evil to one of her friends. Erza was worried…even sickened that the dark guild's…the master's target wanted one of Fairy Tail's own…one of her teammates. She tightened the grip on her sword as she grit her teeth. Natsu stared blank at the black figure.

"Still processing what I said, Natsu Dragneel?" She whispered venomously.

"Why Gray!?" He screamed, clearly trying to hide the panic in his tone.

"I know not why I feel these urges for certain people, but I will tell you that I haven't felt like this…well ever. And I've tortured…killed many before. I haven't even started with Gray yet and already I know the sensation is going to be orgasmic." She said, wrapping her arms around her body. Her fingers slowly caressing her/Gray's skin.

Natsu felt sick. Like Gray, he felt himself wanting to puke at hearing this crazed woman's desires. Also knowing she wanted to hurt and maybe even kill Gray, his best friend, made the floor beneath him spark with crimson flames.

"Y-you can't…" He whispered, holding back a certain explosion.

"Excuse me? Speak up." She ordered.

"YOU CAN'T HAVE HIM! I WON'T LET YOU TOUCH HIM!" He said each word ending in a hiss. Gray slowly lifted his head at Natsu's determination to protect him, but didn't have the strength, from lack of sleep, fear, and puking, to speak. Gwenera grinned at the pinkette's ferocity and leaned forward. Natsu, again, immediately froze at the clone's advance. Gray felt his mind yelling at his body to move.

Natsu! Get Away! He screamed desperately in his head, making it throb more.

Faces inches apart, the devious woman whispered.

"I don't think you'll have much control over that." She glanced at Erza and Lucy then continued.

"He's already mine." Natsu felt his body jump at that; he looked at Gwenera's crescent on her chest then remembered the cut Gray got the day before. His heart dropped.

"The fear you feel now is nothing compared to what's coming dragon slayer. I meant what I said before. Trust in those words, if nothing else."

Natsu's gasp caught in his throat by the evil those words held. Gwenera then pointed past Natsu's face; straight at Gray. Gray's eyes grew wide. Natsu looked back, eyes locking on Gray's petrified expression. Gwenera placed a cold black hand on Natsu's cheek as she spoke again. He couldn't move as his face distorted in disgust by her touch. She pulled his ear to her lips; she/Gray nipped at the top of his ear. Natsu felt a chill go throughout his body. Erza summoned a second blade, but held back by Gwenera raising a hand. Erza backed down without lowering her guard in the least.

"I'm going to rip Gray Fullbuster apart from the inside out and you'll be there to watch as each piece is torn, ripped, and cut from his bleeding, screaming, body. You'll want to help him…save him, but you won't be able to move as I destroy what you care for most right in front of your very eyes."

At that, Gwenera, the master of Tenebris, vanished from the room; leaving the five in complete and overwhelming fear at what was to come.

End of Chapter Four

(A/N) *EDITED*

Okay here is the next chapter of this thrilling story. I hope you're enjoying it so far. :) Please review.