Summary: Ice Mages are going missing, disappearing in alleyways next to words written in dripping blood. Gray was their next target, now he's gone and Fairy Tail isn't too happy about him missing. How will they get him back? How long will they have until he is gone forever?

Review Responds:

DiaUmbraCaelum: *Laughs nervously* Ya, about them finding clues about where Gray is. Ya, that doesn't happen…sorry. But, hey! I think this chapter is a fun one – if not sad. Along with that note, you really don't figure out what happens till the very end. So enjoy this chapter, and thanks a bunches for this review :D

Minglejingle: I'm so glad you think Natsu and Gray are friends! I agree, they can be a couple, but I love seeing them as friends. They (for me) define friendship, and I love that aspect of characters. Thanks for the review.

Ansjovisjj: I'm so evil. Ya, you may want to come at me with pitch forks and torches, because Gray is well…I won't spoil the chapter for you! Just don't lose your marbles and hang on for a few chapters :D Thanks so much for the review.

GrayFuckingFullbuster: *Laughs* Uh, ya about Natsu finding Gray…ehhhh, that really doesn't happen yet. But I hope you like the buildup that this chapter has for the story! Enjoy, and thanks so much for the review.

Icy Cake: When I read your review, it helped me come up with this chapter. Now I was planning for the ending to happen, but not in the way that it did. So thanks so much for giving that idea to me, because I don't think this chapter would have been as great if you didn't review what you did. Thanks so much, and enjoy this chapter! Love the review by the way! Thanks :D

xXChiasaHimuraXx: Thanks so much! I'm so glad you love this story! Your amazing for looking out for my bad grammar and mess ups! Thanks so much, again! Enjoy the chapter, and thanks so much for the review :3

Scarlet demon: Thanks so much, I really hope you're like this chapter! I made it longer than expected. I thought it was going to be short, but to my surprise I wrote just as much as I did last chapter! It just goes to show, how much your review really helps and encourages me to write. Thanks so much for the review!

Odette12: I'm so sorry but I can't spoil the story! Even if they do come in time – I'm pretty sure that I twist it in some weird way. I think I have a good ending in mind (?). I guess we'll have to see! Thanks so much for the review.

Guest: I was lazy…but not to the point where I wouldn't make another chapter, just lazy to the point of it being a few hours late. Anyway, thank you for the review!

Anything 12345 Everything: *Laughs* You and me both! Oh lordy, I wish there we more out there…but not romance – more friendship (that's just me). Thanks so much for the review!

A/N: So…I have no idea what to do for next chapter…if you guys want to see anything or just have it a short filler chapter please let me know. I want it to be a great chapter that makes this story progress, but I've got nothing going on in my head for next chapter…I'm screwed aren't I?

Warnings: Cussing, a little OOC (but I hope not), there might be slight grammar and spelling errors.

Disclaimer: I sadly don't own Fairy Tail! But it's on my wish list, and I've been a good girl so far this year.

Thirteenth Day

No matter how hard he tried, his slow focused footsteps still landed too harshly on the ground for him to consider himself being sneaky. He blamed the gravel beneath his feet. The small stones rolled with a pop, as others groaned and cracked at the newfound weight when he would step forward.

With one final step, Natsu sighed out from annoyance. His hands that were slithering on the wall dropped and his head fell back. Who was he kidding; he wasn't doing anyone any favors snooping around this abandoned building. When he found what he was looking for, he should burst in – flames blazing. So he opened his palm and a flame flickered to life.

The area around him opened its arms to the warmth from the orange flame.

Natsu couldn't hold back the discussed sneer as he studied the walls. They seemed to be crying, if they could. Dirt and green furry muck grew out from the wall as dirty water sluggishly moved its way towards the floor. He wiped his hand on his waistcoat and took a step back.

"Belch," Natsu stuck out his tongue. "How the hell…?" Shaking his head, Natsu continued forward.

It wasn't long until he came to a door. It was old and brown, rust seemed to be eating away at the side of the door and the window was cracked and seemed contaminated. Above the rusting door, a light flickered and in an unorganized pattern. Natsu felt a shiver run under his skin. He looked behind him. The light from his flame only lit a foot behind him, before dark shadows engulfed the light greedily. He felt eyes on him and another shiver quivered through him. Swallowing, Natsu made his flame bigger and brighter.

Looking up at the light, Natsu knew he had the right door. Hell he hadn't found any other light or light source in the damn building, so he had to have the right door, right? Thus, he grabbed hold of the door handle, which in return extinguished his flame, and pushed the door open.

A figure sat before him. He was tipped as far as his restrains would allow him, his head rested on his chest. The light from the hallway grew only so far into the room, stopping at the man's chest, leaving his head and chest in darkness.

Natsu took a step forward.

"There you are, ice bastard." Natsu called out, hoping to stir the Ice Mage. "You know you put the whole guild on edge, just looking for you." He cocked his head to the side and stepped closer. "You scared the shit out of some of them. Like Lucy and Happy, hell even Erza was freaking out. The old man's been trying to find you, you know? He's been calling out to other areas to see if they've seen a droopy eyed icy pervert." He continued forward. "Everyone was worried…even m-" Natsu clenched his jaw shut and swallowed the end of his sentence. Not saying anything else, he continued till he stood in front of the Ice Mage and relit his flame.

Natsu was mortified.

Two Hours Before

They had decided to stay in a group, and they meant Lucy and Erza. Happy didn't seem to care as he hovered above the group anxious to get their hunt started, and Natsu groaned silently.

"Let's look for the guild," Erza said as she looked around.

Lucy blinked as she looked towards Erza, "but where is it?"

"We'll need to look around."

"I could fly up and look for it," Happy suggested, flapping his wings.

"No," Erza grabbed hold of the blue cats tail and yanked him down as he started to fly off. "We need to stick together."

"Aye," Happy grumbled.

Looking away from the two, Lucy looked to the back of the group, "Hey Natsu?"

"Hm?" Natsu looked up from the ground.

"Where do you think the guild is?"

"I don't know," Natsu said in an emotionless reply.

Lucy softened her look upon the Dragon Slayer. He seemed too detached for her liking. Biting the bottom of her lip, Lucy placed her hand on his shoulder and tried to look into his eyes. "We'll find him."

"I'm not worried about that," Natsu shot back.

"I know," Lucy said back and held back a sigh. He was lying and they all knew. Looking back at Erza who had the blue cat clenched under her arm, Lucy smiled and pointed towards the store closest to them. "Let's go in there and ask."

So they all walked forward and as they stepped into the store, a bell rang above them and a cheery old woman came into their view a few seconds after. "Why hello young ones," she greeted with a cheer. "My name is Mrs. Jelly, and welcome to Jelly's Sweets." She as round as an oversized beach ball, her dress that was patterned with smiling cupcakes and dancing frosting covered spoons encircled her stomach and down to her short stubby legs. Her white hair had been cut short and curled, which showed her large grinned cupcake earrings. "What seat would you prefer?" Her hands clasped together and her smile grew.

"Actually ma'am," Erza said uncomfortably, "We're here to ask some questions."

Her smile dropped and she said flatly, "That's why you came in here, to ask a fucking question? Ah hell," she sighed and threw her hand into her cleavage. Lucy glanced around the room in embracement and Erza glared down at the old woman. Fishing out a cigarette and lighter, the woman put the cig to her lips and lit it. Taking in a lung full of air through the cigarette, the woman held in her breath then blew the smoke out through her nose. "What the hell do you wanna know?"

"Do you have a Guild?" Lucy asked quickly, wanting to get out of the building.

"Ya," the woman said shortly.

"And where might it be," Erza asked.

"Down the street and up my ass," she growled as she smoked on the cigarette once more.

"Ma'am we are here for important reasons."

"Ya and I made this store so I could make money and feed my annoying ass goddamn family. But you don't hear me complaining about it."

"But you just-" Happy started, but Erza tightened her grip around the blue cat making him wheeze. "Aye," Happy replied breathlessly.

"Look," Natsu jumped in. "We need to find someone, so how 'bout you get that stick out of your ass and help us."

Blowing smoke into Natsu's face, the woman sneered as Natsu shot back and coughed. "I can't help you." Coughing, Natsu grabbed hold of his nose and retreated out the door. He rushed outside and took in a lung full of air as his nose stung from the strong scent. The woman watched as the Dragon Slayer retreated and she looked back towards the remaining group. "He's not much of a smoker."

Lucy plugged her nose with her hand, "Not really."

"Look, we'll help you," Erza said. "We'll buy whatever you sell here, if you help us."

Thinking for a moment the woman stuck out her bottom lip and tipped her head back. "Alright, if you go down this road, on the right, and see a sigh for 'Fix and Mix,' you take a left. Keep walking till, on your right, you see the small ass Guild…though it's not much to look at." Throwing her cigarette on the ground, the woman smashed the heel of her shoe onto the tip and looked up at the group, smiling. "Now, what would you young darlings like?"

Natsu stumbled out of the store in a quick haste. His nose stung and his eyes watered. He blinked rapidly and blew out air through his nose till he could see and smell again. As he turned back towards the building, Natsu growled and pointed his middle finger to the door. Goddamn people these days. Fixing his waistcoat and he looked at his surroundings. This place is small, Natsu though and sniffed into the air. Man, it smells weird. Crossing his arms, Natsu leaned onto the building.

That's when it happened, that scent.

That scent he had been looking for.

That scent that pissed him off.

That goddamn scent that had him barring his teeth in rage and anguish.

He ran, following the scent with the twist and turns of the village. He ran as fast as his legs would carry him. It was getting closer, so close that Natsu could almost touch it – punch it.

Then he arrived, and he was sick.

This man wearing a sickly green top hat and a sneer dressed in crazed and maddened happiness, held a smaller and weaker man in his hand and lifting him off the floor. "My, my, you are so weak." The man spoke towards the boy. "You are too weak for what I need you for. I am very sorry, my boy, but I don't need you. So goodnight…and when you see God," the man tipped his head to the side, "tell him that I'm coming for him." A snap, so loud that it bounce off the sides of the alleyway and pierced Natsu's ears. Wide eyed, Natsu watched as the small boy's form crumpled to the ground and his head landing in an unnatural angle. "Why, hello there," the man's voice lifted Natsu's eyes. "Where did you come from?"

"You," Natsu growled his fist clenching as rage boiled inside.

"Me?" The man asked in a confused tone.

"What the hell?" Natsu growled and demanded as he pointed towards the crumpled form on the ground. "Why the fuck did you do that?"

"That? Oh, he was no use to me."

"So you killed him?" Natsu spat in discuss.

"Yes," the man smiled and fixed his hat. "And as of now, nor are you."

"Fuck you!" Natsu shot forward, his fist igniting in rage filled flames. He swung downwards, but the form of the man disappeared making Natsu slam his burning fist into the ground. Shooting up, Natsu turned and came face to face with the man.

"Oh," the man chuckled, "I see who you are now." He reached out slowly, but swiftly, and took hold of the sword necklace resting on top of the white scarf. "You are his friend aren't you?"

Pulling back, Natsu growled in fury. "Where is he?!"

"Oh," the man lifted an eyebrow, "Gray is almost dead."

"No, he's not, he can't be."

The man laughed at the Fire Mage, "Yes he is. I'm afraid he was not as strong as I intended."

"Where is he?" Natsu shouted and grabbed hold of the man's jacket as flames licked his skin and smoke danced into the air, "Where the fuck is Gray?!"

"You think I would tell you where he is? No, I am sorry to disappoint you. Nonetheless I cannot allow you interfere, our plan is too great." The man then smiled down at Natsu, "Your friend was a great asset to my project. His sacrifice is not in vein."

Natsu punched the man, flames kissing the man's cheek before Natsu's fist could. The man's head cracked to the side in a sudden and painful snap. As the man looked back towards Natsu, an unwavering chuckle crackled into the air. "What the hell are you laughing at, asshole?" Natsu demanded.

"The man smile and wrapped his hands around Natsu's wrist. "My name is not asshole. It is Teivel. So if you must call me something, it is either Teivel."

"I don't want your fucking name, shit head; I want to know where Gray is."

"Oh but you need to know it, for when we meet again. Because when we meet again, your voice will be filled with rage. You will call out my name and say you will lead me to my death." Before Natsu had time to think, his grip on the man froze over, ice snaked onto his fingers and freezing over his wrist. "Your friend's life will disappear in front of you, and you will cry as he crumbles in front of your very eyes." Teivel whispered in amusement. Yanking off the Fire Mages frozen grip, the man smiled.

Natsu was then flung to the side and slammed into the wall, feeling the bricks crumble underneath his weight. A foot then slammed down onto the side of his head and crashed it onto the ground. Looking up slightly dazed, Natsu tried to get his eyes to focus onto the top hat man. "I'm going to fucking kill you, bastard."

"I'd like to see you try."

And then he was gone.

Natsu slowly stood his vision spinning. However, Natsu rushed out of the alleyway and sniffed into the air. He had that scent locked in now, and he wasn't going to let it go. As he sniffed, he panicked from the lack of success of not finding the scent. Then, suddenly, he caught something and looked around. He locked his eyes on a building, not too far away, but it was out of the village and sat on top of a hill. It looked old and broken down.

Natsu ran.

Thirteenth Day (Present)

He lit the flame and felt mortified at what he was witnessing.

It wasn't Gray. Shit, it wasn't Gray.

It was Lyon and goddammit did he look terrible. He was pale and he looked almost lifeless. His skin was lined with cracks, the skin looking more of a desert floor then natural dry skin. His wrists and ankles pinned him to the four legged chair. A lose fitting rope ran across his chest pulling him back just enough, so that he could sit up in an eerie position.

Natsu swallowed and reached out towards the Ice Mage. But as he touched Lyon's arm, the man's limb crumbled and dissolved into dust. The affect grew up to the man's shoulder before stopping and the dust that once was an arm gathered then blew away.

Natsu stepped back horrified at the sight.

Suddenly, Lyon's head shot up, sand followed and danced in the air before deciding to slowly float to the ground. Lyon's eyes shot around the room in a panicked fashion before landing on Natsu. "H-help…" He called out; his voice was grainy and dry. "P-please help me." Then, suddenly, Lyon's eyes trembled and he started to cry. The tears ran out of his eyes quickly trailing down his cheeks in a racecar like fashion. Some even ran into the cracks that lined his face – disappearing from Natsu's sight. "Don't let them do it again…God, please – help." Lyon leaned forward as far as the rope across his chest would allow and he shook his head, "Help…h-help." Then the man's eyes reached his missing arm. "Wh-what?" Lyon asked confused, then screamed. "No! No, this c-can't be happening." Lyon glanced back at Natsu, who was frozen in place. "H-help, help me! Please!" Lyon screamed and thrashed. As his body moved, dust and sand flew off creating the cracks, which lined his skin, to cave in and grow. "Help, help, HELP!" His voice then boomed at the final word, crashing into the walls and pushing Natsu back with an unseen force.

Jumping forward, making sure not to touch the man, Natsu placed his hands out in front of him. "Lyon! Calm down! I'll get you out of here."

The Ice Mage stopped, his eyes trembling. "Help," he whispered and he began to cry harder.

"Ya, I'll help you. You just have to stay calm and answer some questions."

"I'm gonna die," Lyon looked down at his dissolved arm.

"No, you're not. You just need to stay calm and I'll find you a way out of here."

Looking up, Lyon met Natsu's gaze and his voice quivered, "Questions?"

"Ya," Natsu tried to smile – but it didn't work. God he felt helpless, "Just a few questions."

"About Gray?"

Natsu was taken back, "…Ya."

"He's the final one," Lyon whispered, "they say he won't hold out…but he – he will. Then they left…they left without me." Lyon eyes darkened as if he was saddened at what he said.

"What? What are you talking about?"

"Just don't let him die…" Lyon broke out into an unexpected sob, "Don't let him die…"

"Lyon!" Natsu shouted, "Calm down! I'll get you out of here…just calm down – please."

Abruptly, Lyon clenched his jaw and his limbs shook more furiously. "It hurts," Lyon whispered between uncontrollable sobs. "Help…help – help me…"

Natsu was at a standstill. His fingers hovering close to Lyon's skin, but not touching. Natsu feared that if he touched the man, then his body would crumble away into dust. "Just hang in there. You'll be fine," Natsu whispered, trying to convince the man – but he only convinced himself.

"You – you can't help…I'm dead already," Lyon said suddenly. "I'm gone…help – help…Gray." Then his eyes started to close.

"No!" Natsu shouted in sudden panic, "No! Lyon stay awake, please! Stay -"

Then man's form crumbled into dust.

A/N: Yes, you don't have to ask. Lyon did die. I'm sorry, don't kill me! But I couldn't see a way around it. Plus, he was a goner already. Again, if you want to come at me with pitch forks and torches, be my guest. You just need to tell me a good exciting idea for the next chapter.

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