Later that night Natsu and Gray met up in their usual spot before they began patrolling the city.
"Alright don't get too upset but I couldn't get the pictures." Gray said.
"What?" Natsu said as a great rage started bubbling up inside of him.
"I'm sorry but Laxus showed up and he got in the way. Not to mention Gajeel was in a very emotional state at the moment."
"So?"
"So what?"
"So why didn't you press him for the photos?"
"Laxus and I got into an argument and he didn't want to disturb his wife."
"How could she be disturbed?! She's comatose!"
"Hey that's a little insensitive of you don't you think?"
"Well excuse me but I've spent the whole day being hunted down for that reward! You know I almost got shot twice?!"
"I know you're frustrated and I can't blame you. I will get those photos and get proof that they're doctored. I just need to get some time alone with my boss. Or at least without Laxus butting in."
"Well I can easily take care of that last part."
"What do you mean?"
"I could make sure that he doesn't butt him."
"How?"
"Well..." He said with a grin that made his friend a little uneasy. "He can't butt in if he were to be thrown in front of a car right?"
"Huh?"
"I know where his apartment is. No one would recognize me, I could grab him and just toss him in front of the nearest, on coming taxi. He'll be in the hospital long enough for you to get your point across."
"What?!" Gray gasped, not sure that he heard correctly. "You're joking right?"
"Do I look like I'm joking?"
Gray looked for any sign that Natsu was just goofing around but he saw nothing but complete seriousness in his face and that scared him.
"Natsu you...You wouldn't...You wouldn't really do that to him would you?"
"Why not?"
"Why not? Hmm...Let's think about that shall we? Because it's illegal, wrong, and straight up crazy!"
"It would serve the ass hole right after years of treating me like his own personal punching bag."
"Hey I agree that he's a jerk who needs a good kick in the ass but you just described was almost murder. He could die from that."
"He could?"
"Yes!"
"You're right. He could. Wha...Why did I think about doing that?"
"I don't know but you really had me spooked there for a minute. Are you feeling alright?"
"Yeah I'm fine. Sorry for my little psycho moment. I guess sometimes I get so angry that I'll say the freakiest things."
"Freaky is right."
Gray then turned his attention to Natsu's suit. He didn't know what but something about it was giving him a bad vibe. Like there was something not right about it.
"Where did you say you got that suit again?"
"I already told you. I don't know. It just appeared on my body. It's the most amazing thing. It moves to my every thought."
"Moves?"
"Watch this."
Natsu willed his costume to make itself look like his ordinary clothes and the black substance moved around until it looked identical to Natsu's typical, everyday clothes.
"And I don't ever have to worry about it getting torn. Take a look at this."
The black changed back into the suit and Natsu tore a small piece off. The suit quickly moved to mend up the hole that had been left behind.
"Isn't it cool?"
"More like creepy." Gray said.
"Creepy?"
"Yeah, what kind of clothing moves on it's own?"
"That's the thing it's not really clothing."
"Well what is it then?"
"It's some kind of ooze. I think it's organic but I could be wrong. Anyway it's really increased my powers and abilities. It's like it's become a part of my body."
"And you have no idea where it came from or what it even is?"
"No clue."
"In that case maybe you should take it off."
"Why?"
"Because you don't know what this thing is. What it's could be capable of."
"I know what it's capable of. It's pretty much given my entire body an upgrade."
"Natsu I don't like this. Something isn't right."
"Gray you're acting like this is a bad thing."
"This could be bad thing. Think about it you wake up with some thing attached to your body. You don't know what it is or where it came from. It just latched on to you from God knows where and you don't find that just a tiny bit unsettling?"
"Huh...Well when you put it that way it does sound a little off."
"Maybe you should take it to Erza or Dr. Clive, have one of them examine it. Find out just what this thing is. And until you get an answer keep it off your body."
"Alright you've made some good points. After patrol tonight I'll take it off and get it looked at tomorrow."
"Good."
Natsu did intend to do what Gray asked but after patrol, just when Natsu was starting to remove the suit he heard something. Something talking to him. Like an inner voice. IT told Natsu that he had nothing to fear from that suit and that Gray was only jealous. The suit hadn't of caused him any trouble since he put it on so what reason did he have to be suspicious about it. It was a very persuasive voice and it knew just the right words to say to get Natsu to comply.
So he kept it on and he didn't take it to get examined. In fact he started spending more and more time in his alter ego than his normal one. He started to change too. He became more flirty with girls, he tended to snap at people when they tried to talk to them, he even started to push around students who were considered "losers" on campus. With Gray busy trying to get those photos, he didn't really notice but he would find out eventually.
It happened one day when Juvia was on her way to rehearsals for the upcoming play. Natsu saw her walk by and he said.
"Nice rack."
She stopped and turned toward him.
"I'm sorry were you talking to me Natsu?" She asked.
"See anyone else with a good set around here?" He asked smugly.
"Uh..." She said feeling anxious and uncomfortable.
"You know Gray is a total moron." He chuckled. "The fact that he knows someone who looks like you and hasn't made a move yet, makes me wonder if he's either dumb or just chicken."
He eyed her entire body up with a look that made her feel even more uncomfortable.
"Natsu I don't like how you're talking to me."
"What's the matter? Not used to compliments?"
"No offense but your compliments sound more like cat calls."
"I thought you'd be flattered. After all Gray's not going to say stuff like this to you is he?"
"No but to be honest I wouldn't want him to." She said trying not to lose her patience. "Now if you'll excuse me I have to get to rehearsals."
"Suit yourself. But uh when you're done mooning over that wimp and want a real good time give me a call."
Juvia gave him a look of disgust and had she not known him to be her friend she would have slapped him. But instead she just went on her way. That was odd. Natsu wasn't one to be so crass or perverse. Nor had he been one to put down Gray like that. Was something wrong? Concerned, she went to tell Gray as soon as she heard his free.
"Hold on he came on to you?!" Gray said in surprise and slight anger.
"I think. I don't know for sure but the way he spoke to me was just so unlike him." She answered. "Gray is everything alright with him? Did something happen?"
"No. No I don't think so. I'll talk to him and find out what's up."
"I hope he's okay."
"I'm sure he's just stressed or something. By the way he didn't touch you did he?"
"No."
"Okay."