Today's my birthday...yeah, that's all I have to say. Hope you enjoy! ~ Hiraethe

Erza felt her eyes grow heavy. She stumbled to the left, but Gray, who had been watching her closely, managed to steady her in time. With a giggle, the blonde covered her mouth, wiping away the blood from her cheeks. She looked at Natsu, who in turn glared at her furiously. He reached up to grab his scarf, yet all he managed to claw at was cold, empty air. His eyes widened, and he felt at his neck desperately.

"Natsu...Natsu! What's wrong?" Erza asked. The dragon slayer did not seem to hear her. His hands moved in more frantic motions, and he let out a strangled scream.

"M-my scarf! It's not here!" he yelled. The blonde smiled, advancing towards him with sword in hand. Erza looked at her nervously.

"Natsu...,"

He didn't hear her.

"My scarf...Igneel...," he said, his eyes beginning to tear up. "Where did I...?" The blonde launched into a run.

"NATSU!"

This time, it was Gray who called his dragon slayer looked up, and his eyes widened. The ice mage had a sword grasped between the palms of his hands, the blade centimeters away from piercing his abdomen. Natsu's mouth dropped open, horror clouding his eyes. Gray glared at the blonde tiredly, letting out a growl before his hands slipped.

The sickening melody of cracking bones filled the air, and the ice mage coughed up some blood. He stumbled a few steps back, looking Natsu in the eye hesitantly. The dragon slayer extended a hand of support, his hands trembling. The ice mage winced.

"...Sorry, Natsu."

His body, casually, staggered, and fell to the ground. Natsu and Erza stared at his body, they're eyes widening.

"GRAY!"

Makarov looked out the window pensively. His hands shook beneath him. During these times, he often questioned his success as not only a master, but as a parent for his children. He closed his eyes, and his mind burned with a fading memory.

Makarov sighed, going through his paperwork. He scribbled his signature on a piece of paper, throwing it aside in irritation. He picked up the next piece of paper, and grimaced.

"Natsu, Gray," he said, beckoning the two boys over. The ice mage, who was the first to come,smiled at the old man when he walked over.

"Hey Grandpa, anything you need?" He asked, before being jostled by the Salamander. Natsu grinned mischievously at him, putting an arm around the ice mage.

"We have a request?" he asked. Makarov nodded.

"It asks specifically for both of you," he said, "I trust you two won't have any difficulties with each other, correct?" Natsu and Gray looked at each other with sheepish smiles, and Makarov laughed at their guilty expressions.

"Gray...," Lucy murmured, putting a hand on his shoulder. "You don't mean that you and Natsu were planning on going without us, right?" Erza slammed Natsu against her armor's breastplate, closing her eyes.

"That is true, Master," she said, opening her eyes to give him a small smile. "Imagine the damage those two would commit if not supervised."

There really was no separating them.

"Alright, alright," he said, giving in. A cheer erupted among them, and Natsu and Happy rushed out of the guild immediately. Wendy looked at Gray, a smile on her face.

"I can't wait to show you how much I've improved!" she chirped. "With my magic, I can do more than ever!"

Makarov felt his lips tremble. If what Porlyusica said was true-that the air in the inn was robbing them of their magical energy-then they were in an extremely dangerous position. A bony hand rested on his shoulder. Porlyusica gave him a sad smile.

And his heart bent, just a little.

The blonde snickered, making Natsu whip his head back to her. She ruffled her hair, blue eyes stained with blood lust. The Salamander looked at Gray's unconscious figure, and he grimaced.

"Gray...," he murmured, his voice breaking. Because, for the first time since the Tartaros Fight, this felt real.

And, deep down, something snapped.

"DAMN YOU!" he cried, anger rollercoasting through his voice. Fire began to circle around him, his whole body engulfed in brilliant flames. The blonde's eyes softened, her face illuminated by dragon dust.

"So this is the power of a dragon...," she whispered, her head falling back gently. "How beautiful...," Suddenly, lightning burst around his flames, his power doubling. The blonde winced, stepping back.

"ROAR OF THE FIRE LIGHTNING DRAGON!" Natsu yelled, releasing the last of his magic. Erza prepared for her to block the attack, yet, the blonde never did. She stood, frozen in place, her eyes not seeing, and everything was beautiful. However, it only lasted for a moment, and her body was blasted by flames.

A body hit the ground, and, seconds later, two bodies did the same.

Makarov threw open the door, and swallowed hard.

Four bodies littered the floor. He looked at Natsu, his face peaceful as he let out easy breaths. ext to him was Erza. Her scarlet hair was scattered around her, and her face unreadable. His eyes switched to Gray, who, by far, looked the worst.

He wasn't even sure that he would be okay.

He watched as Cana knelt down next to him, stroking his hair in regret.

"If I had been there...," she said, choking. "Dammit...Gray...," The card mage felt a hand on her shoulder, and she looked up. Gajeel sat down next to her, pulling her into a tight hug. Cana muttered something into his chest, hugging him back.

"Let's get out of here," Gajeel whispered, looking at Makarov with an impassive countenance. Makarov pulled himself out of his thoughts, managing to open his eyes.

"Yeah."