The next day Natsu, Juvia, and Happy trained for hours with little to no break. The reason why they were training so hard was because Sam had reason to believe that he knew where Thanatos's lair was. If he was correct then they would finally be able to end this.

"How much longer do we have to train like this?" Happy asked.

"Until nightfall. That's when we'll spring our attack." Sam said.

"But why not go during the day when they're most weak?" Juvia asked.

"Because you three aren't entirely ready and if we wait until tomorrow morning I fear that it will be too late for your friends my dear."

"Too late?"

"You mean..." Natsu trailed off.

"Yes. After tonight both of their transformations will be complete."

"Oh no." Juvia said.

"Now don't panic." Natsu said. "I'm sure that we'll be able to save them before it's too late."

"You better pray that you do." Sam said. "Speaking of pray, we may need some communion wafers for this. Jack and I need to get the weapons loaded up and make sure that they're in good condition so would you three mind going by the church to pick them up?"

"Sure." Natsu said.

He tossed Natsu a cross bow.

"It might get dark while you're out there so be prepared."

"Right."

They left Sam's house and went to look for the local church. Just as Sam had feared, by the time they reached the church it had already become so dark. They quickly gathered up some communion wafers and more holy water for extra measures, then headed back to Sam's house as quick as possible.

"What are these things supposed to do?" Happy asked looking at the wafers.

"I guess they repel vampires." Natsu said.

"They smell like bread. Are these food?"

"Are you supposed to eat these?" Natsu wondered.

"Don't eat them." Juvia said. "Sam will explain to us what we're supposed to use them for."

She then gave out a sigh and looked down at the huge bottle of holy water they brought with them.

"Hey you alright?" Natsu asked her.

"I'm scared." She said. "I'm scared for Gray and Lucy. What if we don't save them in time? What if we have to kill them? I couldn't bear doing that!"

"We can't think like that. Have faith, we will save them in time. I promise."

"I hope you're right. I know one thing I miss them so much. Especially Gray, I wish he was here."

"Wish granted."

The two teenagers and exceed were then shocked to see Gray standing across from them. His eyes flashing gold and his fangs bared. Happy nervously pushed himself up against Natsu's leg, trembling all over. Poor Juvia was frozen with fear while Natsu put his arm around her protectively.

"What do you want Gray?" Natsu asked.

"I want her." He said pointing toward Juvia. "My bosses have a little job for her to do."

"Too bad because they're not getting her."

Natsu reached for the crossbow loaded with a wooden stake but Juvia stopped him.

"Natsu don't! That'll kill him, remember despite being a vampire he's still Gray."

"Oh...Right. I guess it's the alternative then."

"What's that?"

"Run!"

They took off running as fast as they could but being a vampire had given Gray incredible speed. Every turn they made he was there moving at a speed that was unlike any they had ever seen.

"Let's try to ditch him in here!"

Natsu then led Happy and Juvia into a nearby pub. It was filled with millions of people drinking and dancing, not even noticing them come in.

"You think we'll lose Gray in here?" Happy asked.

"With all these people around, there's no way he'll be able to find us." Natsu said. "But let's stick together so we don't get lost."

"It's a little hard to do that in here." Juvia said trying to make her way through the crowds of people dancing.

"Hey watch it pal! I'm walking here!" Natsu said after one person elbowed him hard as he danced.

"Excuse me, pardon me, I'm so sorry." Juvia said trying everything she could to keep up with Natsu and Happy while not bumping into anyone.

Just then one large man who was dancing shoved her hard, sending her to the floor.

"Well that was rude." She scoffed. As she tried to get back up she realized that she had fallen to where a familiar pair of boots stood.

"Ow! Hey! Don't you people have any good sense?!" Natsu cried after getting elbowed and shoved left and right.

"Um Natsu." Happy said.

"Yeah?"

"Where's Juvia?"

It wasn't until now that the two finally realized that Juvia had gotten separated from them.

"I don't know. Juvia!" He called. "Juvia! Juvia!"

The music and cheering was so loud he wasn't sure if she could hear him. Happy flew up to the ceiling so he could get a better look at where she might be.

"Natsu!" Natsu heard Juvia's voice scream and he saw her being carried over Gray's shoulder who was headed for the exit. "Natsu! Help!"

"Juvia!"

Happy saw them and quickly rushed to help.

"Please let me go!" Juvia begged Gray. "What are you going to do with me?"

"I'm not going to hurt you." He assured her.

"Then what do you want with me?"

"I already told you. Thanatos needs you for something. Don't struggle and I'll go easier- Ouch!"

Happy had bitten Gray's arm as hard as he could, hoping that it would cause him enough to pain to drop Juvia. But he didn't, instead he grabbed Happy roughly by his neck.

"Put her down!" Happy demanded.

"Or what?"

"Or I'll...I'll bite you again."

"Oh I'm so scared. Stupid cat!"

He threw Happy, sending him flying into a crowd.

"Happy!" Natsu shouted in horror.

"Gray are you crazy?!" Juvia cried.

"The furball was in my way."

"Please don't do this! Gray you don't know what you're doing!"

Just before Gray made it out the door Natsu grabbed him by his shoulder.

"Let her go." Natsu said sternly. "I mean it Gray! I don't wanna hurt you but there's no way in hell I'm letting you bring her to that bastard!"

Gray just grabbed Natsu by his throat choking him with intense strength.

"Gray stop! Stop it! You'll kill him!" Juvia pleaded.

He lifted Natsu off of the ground and flung him to the ground, knocking him out cold.

"Natsu! No!" Juvia screamed in terror.

Gray looked back at the unconscious dragon slayer then dragged the screaming rain woman away into the night.