Hope you guys are having a nice morning/afternoon/night whatever time of day you're reading this at! It's actually been so hard to write since my laptop broke down ;w; It can't even be fixed! I need a new one and soon! I don't like using tablets to write :'( (and school work too but fanfictions are more important ;) ) But enough about me. Here's the next chapter of Heavenly Vengeance!

Disclaimer: I don't own Fairy Tail, Hiro Mashima does.

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Lucy pouted as she placed her hands on her hips. She had said that she would go and check on Gray, but that said, she had no idea where he was. She stood outside the city hall, looking left and right with no trace of the raven in sight. She sighed. Maybe Natsu should have looked for him instead. A frown made its way to her face as she thought about that more. For some reason, Natsu and Gray were behaving themselves much more recently. The two never fought anymore, other than the insults thrown around. Lucy wondered what had gotten into the two of them. She was about to turn and head back inside when a sudden chill caused her to shiver. Knowing that there was only one reason why she would suddenly feel cold, she sprinted off in the direction of the cold.

Gray stood squared off with his hands in his signature Ice Make formation against a familiar green haired figure. Matilda smiled as she raised her hands in mock surrender.

"Now now, Gray," she said in a patronizing tone. "I'm not here to fight. I just want to talk." Hesitantly, Gray lowered his stance. As much as he hated the woman in front of him, he needed some answers.

"What the fuck did you do to me?" he ground out. When she made no effort to answer, he clenched his fists and let icy mist emit from them. "You plague my nightmares, I've started to lose control of my magic, just touching Natsu feels like I'm being lit on fire and according to him and jii-san, you've branded me with your magic circle." Matilda laughed lightly. She extended her hand towards him.

"My dear Gray, I believe I told you before. You're going to be my trump card in my assault on Fairy Tail. I will however, explain to you why the Salamander's touch is painful." Gray glared expectantly at her. "Angel Slaying Magic is a magic that rejects all other Slayer Magic. This quality that we possess was one of the prime reasons why my kindred were hunted down by the other Slayers, years ago. In other words, my magic just doesn't like the Dragon Slayer and as a result, neither does your body." Gray scowled.

"That's the stupidest reason I've ever heard."

"Stupid or not, it is the truth."

"Leave me the fuck alone," Gray demanded.

"Hmm... how about you do as I say and then I'll think about it," she said as a malicious smile replaced the sweet one she had on earlier. Gray's own fists were shaking with rage by this time. He pulled his hands into his Ice Make stance as he prepared to launch an attack on the vile woman. But in the spur of the moment, he forgot that he didn't have full control of his magic. What would have been lances turned into a hammer as it dropped down inches away from Matilda. The Slayer scoffed as she brushed a lock of green hair back.

"Is that they best you've got? Because my dear Gray, you won't be much use to me if it is." The raven scowled as he prepared himself to charge at his foe but froze when he found himself unable to move. No matter how much he willed it, his muscles did not listen to him. His attention was taken away from his body when he once again heard the taunting laughter of his opponent. "You want to know what I've done to you? I don't think I want to tell you just yet, Gray. It's much more entertaining for me to watch as you pathetic fairies struggle to figure it out. They have roughly three days left. You have roughly three days left," she giggled. She turned her head to the left and scoffed before looking back to the raven. "I need to go, my dear puppet. The blonde brat has returned with the rest of your bunch. Ta-ta!" she called as the space she was occupying distorted and she vanished.

Right on cue, Lucy arrived with Erza and Natsu in tow. The celestial mage scanned the area, confused.

"I swear I saw Matilda Mueller here," she said. Natsu sniffed the area, his nose scrunching up in distaste.

"I don't smell her, but I do smell that other guy, Steven What's his face. His stench is all over the place." Lucy frowned.

"But I was sure I saw Matilda! Are you sure you don't smell her?" she asked. Natsu frowned but nodded. He turned his attention back to Gray, who had fallen onto his knees and was staring blankly at the floor. Natsu carefully approached his best friend.

"Gray... are you ok?" he asked. Lifeless blue eyes turned to meet his gaze. Dull and cold. Just like when Gray had woken up earlier. Gray pushed himself off of the ground slowly, not paying any heed to him. Gray stumbled a bit and Natsu moved to help his friend only for Gray to stop him. Natsu understood and stayed back, biting his lip and cursing at his uselessness. Gray steadied himself against a wall and began to shuffle his way over to where the girls had been watching their exchange silently. Lucy placed her hand on Gray's shoulder as a way to comfort him, only to have him shrug it off coldly. She pretended not to be hurt and gave him a weak smile that contradicted the worried look in her eyes. Erza studied Gray as well, not knowing what to say to her childhood friend. None of them had any idea what he was going through so how could they possibly hope to comfort him? No one breathed a word as Gray walked away from them. It was only when he was completely out of sight that Natsu punched the closest wall and caused it to collapse.

"Damn it!"

Gray stormed through the empty streets of town as he struggled to regain his composure. Why had he just lost it like that in front of an enemy? He had years and years of fighting experience and he had never just shut down like that. Nor had his magic ever disobeyed him like this. Why couldn't he mold what he wanted to? What had she done, he asked himself over and over again. As if trying to answer his questions, his neck pulsed as it began to burn again. Growling, Gray ducked into the nearest alley and sat against the wall, grasping at his neck. Grunts and moans echoed through the alley as Gray tried to control his pain. Matilda's melodious voice tormented his mind.

"Do you want it to stop?"

"Is the pain too much?"

"Do you want control over your magic back?"

The last question caught Gray's attention. Of course he wanted his magic back! Gray could feel the voice in his head grin.

"Then let go. Allow my magic to wash over you. And then you will have what you desire."

"Ice Bastard snap out of it!" a voice jolted him from his thoughts. Looking up, he found himself looking into the eyes of none other than Natsu Dragneel. With a groan, he pushed himself off of the wall. Natsu watched in noiselessly as his friend stood and began to walk away. Natsu caught up and strolled beside Gray in silence. Moments passed without a word spoken by either party until Gray stopped in his tracks. Natsu continued to walk until Gray spoke up.

"How did you find me? I left and none of you followed me." Natsu paused. Gray wouldn't like his answer.

"I followed your smell. It was...different than usual so I followed you to check up on you." As expected, Gray growled.

"I don't need a babysitter, Natsu! Damn it, why won't you all leave me alone?" This time, it was Natsu that growled.

"We won't leave you alone because we know that there's something wrong, you bastard! Why can't you just accept the fact that we want to help you!"

"Because I don't need your help! I shouldn't need your help!" Gray roared. Natsu shut up immediately. His eyes softened. "I don't need to depend on you or Erza or jii-san! Even now, I hate that pitying look on your face!" Gray continued. "Just because some bitch marked me with her magic circle, you all get so damn overprotective! It's suffocating! You all need to leave me the fuck alone!" Panting from his outburst, Gray shot his rival a hateful glare before taking off.

"Gray! Damnit Ice Block, get back here!" Natsu shouted as he chased after the ice mage.

Gray shut his eyes and ran and ran. He wanted to escape. He wanted this to be a dream. But the sad reality was that it wasn't. The Angel Slayer had some sort of hold over him. He knew it. He could feel her magic pulsing through his veins. And he hated it. It felt disgusting and revolting, like he was a part of her. He shook his head and picked up his pace. He knew that Natsu was behind him. Why couldn't the idiot take a hint and leave him alone? No one understood how he felt. They never would. Sharp blue eyes opened as he lowered his head and the blue orbs began to lose focus. Natsu truly was an idiot, he mused. Sulfur Breath hated his guts and yet here he was chasing after Gray like he cared. His teeth gritted in annoyance and irritation. He didn't need Natsu! He didn't need Erza! He didn't need anyone! He didn't need anyone... Anyone but her.

Natsu gasped as he felt the air around Gray shift as well as his scent morph. He frowned. Gray's scent had become clouded again, but clouded with what, he wasn't exactly sure. The ice mage's usual winter pine scent had mixed with something familiar, but undistinguishable. He watched as Gray began to run faster and increased his speed as well. The distance between the two wasn't growing any smaller and Natsu scowled. That idiot was too stubborn for his own good! Grinning at the brilliant idea that had just occurred to him, Natsu lit his heels on fire and laughed in satisfaction as he flew forward. The only problem was that he was so pleased with himself that he didn't notice where he was going and ended up crashing into Gray. The two grunted and cursed as their entangled limbs flailed about. The two stopped with Natsu pinning Gray down, the fire mage's knees on either side of Gray's thighs and his hands holding Gray's shoulders in place. Again, Natsu felt his heart drop to his stomach as he caught sight of the dead look in Gray's eyes and the pained expression on his features. Murmurs flew in the background from the townspeople but Natsu didn't care. He just wanted Gray to snap out of whatever daze he was in. Quickly, he punched Gray in the face. The raven's head jerked to the side. Immediately, he sat up and placed his palm on his swelling cheek.

"What the hell was that for Ash for Brains?!" Natsu sighed in relief. Gray watched confused as Natsu made his way over to him and caught him in a quick hug. Even after Natsu pulled away and the burning pain from his best friend's touch made itself known, Gray's mouth remained open in shock. Natsu laughed lightheartedly. Gray show him an irritated glare that only made Natsu laugh harder.

"Hey!" Gray exclaimed, trying to get the fire mage's attention. Natsu wiped a tear from his eye and gave Gray a smile.

"I'm just glad you're back to normal," he said. Gray raised an eyebrow. Was he not normal? Natsu read the confused expression on the raven's face and sighed. "Your eyes were... dead. Like there was no life in them. And your scent changed. It was still yours but... it was mixed with something else." Gray's eyes widened. How could his scent have changed? That was impossible... right? But the look on Natsu's face told him that he wasn't joking. Shakily he stood up, trying his best not to look perturbed. Natsu's face was still plastered with concern and Gray gave a teasing punch to Natsu's bicep, despite the brief flicker of pain he felt.

"I'm fine, Flame Head. Don't worry," he said as he turned his back to his friend. Natsu's penetrating gaze bore through his back, but he pretended not to notice. His hands shook and he hid them in the pockets of his jeans. He didn't want to see that look of concern on Natsu's face. It didn't feel right. Not on Natsu's face. Gray began to walk back towards their hotel, trembling hands still shoved in his pockets. Natsu followed and fell into step with the raven. Not a word was exchanged between the two as they trekked back to their companions. Not even when Natsu noticed that the tendrils from the circle had grown longer.

"Gray! Natsu! There you are! We were starting to get worried," Lucy greeted. Gray gave her a weak smile and entered his room and closed the door, not saying a word to anyone. The rest of the team was left in awkward silence. A look passed between Erza and Natsu as the Dragon Slayer silently indicated that something was wrong. Erza's eyes narrowed. Gray hadn't spoken up, nor would he likely ever, so the two had to resort to trailing Gray wherever he went, just to make sure he was ok. Lucy joined in on the silent conversation as well. Natsu took a breath and began to relay what had just happened moments earlier.

"This is most concerning. We need to inform the Master of this when we return," Erza insisted. Lucy nodded, scared for what this meant. Natsu bit his lip. If he could, he would just burn Gray's problems away, since that seemed to work with most problems they encountered. But this was different. They didn't have enough information. To try and burn that mark off... Natsu didn't know what would happen, especially if his mere touch brought Gray pain. Natsu sat down in an empty armchair and leaned back, pink bangs covering his obsidian eyes. What the hell were they supposed to do?

Gray grumbled as the train jostled a bit and Natsu made an unintelligible noise that sounded like a cross between someone withstanding Erza's wrath and something getting run over by a train. Lucy inched further away from the Dragon Slayer and Erza simply brought a hand to her temple with a frown. She swapped places with Lucy and slugged the motion sick fire mage in the gut, as per routine. Gray stifled a laugh. While he was sure that his poor rival felt like shit, it was pretty funny to watch Erza knock him out like that. The raven leaned back in his seat and let his eyelids close. Maybe he would take a page from Natsu's book and take a nap for a while.

There we go! How'd you guys like it? Hopefully it wasn't too bad. Drop me a review if you can! See you all on Monday! Thank you so much to everyone who reviewed/favourited/followed!