I can't even write authors notes without messing up what I type. I made 'bout five errors just trying to type the previous sentence (face palm). Anyway, I'm having soooo much fun writing this fic that I couldn't wait to upload this chapter. Thank you soooo much for all the favourites/follows/reviews. I've already beaten the amount I had on Fairy Who and we're only at the beginning. Hope you enjoy! XD

Disclaimer: Nope... still don't own it.

Damn my head hurts Gray thought to himself and he rejoined the rest of his team in Okille Village, maybe he'd been working too hard?

"Those stupid fox guys shouldn't be botherin' you any time soon," Natsu grinned.

"Oh, you have no idea how thankful I am," the mayor bowed towards the group. "Come with me and I'll give you your reward."

All eyes gleamed at the mention of their reward - Natsu and Happy we're literally drooling. They followed behind the mayor with Gray somewhat slaking. Lucy was the only one to notice his uncharacteristic behaviour.

"You alright?" She asked.

"Yeah, fine," he replied blankly. "My shoulders just aching, I'll be fine."

"Wuss," Natsu snickered from the front of the group. Gray just rolled his eyes.

"Never mind you, what about my tail?" Happy was still clutching his shredded tail.

"After you've collected the reward, you can stop off at the hospital and get your wounds patched up," the mayor smiled.

Wendy smiled in return and turned to Happy. "Will this help?" She held her hand over the Exceed's wound as a green hue appeared. Happy sighed as the young dragon slayer managed to ease his pain.

"Thanks Wendy!"

After collecting their reward, the team sat in the hospital bandaging any of their fresh wounds. They were all ready to leave when they overheard a doctor and nurse talking about something that peeked their interest.

"Derek, we have another victim of the disease," the nurse informed.

"Another wizard's been infected?" Derek asked. "Angie, are you sure it's the same disease as the others?"

"Positive. The man's magic has been cut of and his body's completely shut down."

"Crap, this has moved along faster than I thought. Gather the equipment and meet me in the O.R." And with that, they dashed off.

"What were they talking about? What disease?" Carla questioned.

"It's affecting wizards too," Lucy pointed out, concern in her voice.

"Calm down, Lucy. I'm sure it's nothing," Natsu smiled, reassuring the blonde.

"Still, if it can cut of your supply of magic, it could be very dangerous," Wendy pondered.

"I wouldn't think anything of it," Gray reassured. "Let's just get back to the guild. If you're really worried, talk to Gramps about it."

The girls nodded as the took of. The mayor offered them a vehicle to get them to the nearest train station and Natsu groaned in annoyance.

After another half an hour, the team were finally settled on the train to Magnolia. Well, most of them were settled. A feint groan could be heard from the Salamander every time the train shook, which was a lot. Wendy was fast asleep with her head against the window and Carla on her lap. Lucy was stroking a snoring cat before she nodded off. Gray took this as an opportunity to rest his eyes for a bit and hopefully get rid of his killer headache. Staring out of the window, his eyes slowly drifted to a close.

He was sat at the dinner table, with two other figures he new all too well. The young boy had a look of annoyance on his face as his parents spoke.

"Gray-kun, what have we told you about fighting the other boys?" the woman asked.

"They called me a wimp," the boy looked away, growling.

"Silver-sama, a little help, please," the woman looked over to her husband who sighed before walking over to his son.

"Listen Gray, you're the strongest boy I know. If those other boys call you a wimp just leave them to it. They're just jealous of your courage and strength. Grow up strong, Gray."

Gray smirked as his father ruffled his hair. Finishing the meal, Gray assisted his mother in clearing the table and the family all came together on the couch with Gray in the middle.

Just as the raven haired boy started nodding off, a tremendous roar screeched through the entire village. His mother tightened her grip on her son and Silver rose from the couch.

"Mum, what was that?" Gray questioned, a look of shock on his face.

"Honey, you and Gray need to get out of here, now!" Silver kissed his wife and gave a quick hug to his son before heading to the door.

"What about you?" Mika called out to him.

"I've got to protect the village with the other men," Silver replied with a determined expression... and with that, he left.

"Come on, Gray-kun," his mother took his hand as the two made there way out of the house and towards the closest exit.

Gray was about to start questioning his mother again when another ear splitting roar erupts through the village. The young raven turned around to see a ferocious beast towering over the village. "What the heck is that thing?" Gray screamed above the noise.

"Keep moving, Gray-kun," his mother instructed. "That beast is Deliora. The Demon of Destruction."

Gray's mouth was wide with shock, he got so lost in his thoughts that he didn't hear or see the intense magic beam from Deliora coming right in their direction. Mika, seeing the unavoidable beam, took her son in her arms and hugged him tightly. She wished this moment could last forever, but she new the in a matter of seconds, everything would be over. "I love you, Gray-kun." A single tear fell from her face as she tossed the boy into a near by ally.

Gray had no idea what was going on until he heard an agonising scream come from behind. He turned around to see his beloved mother surrounded by Deliora's flames as she burned to a crisp. "MUM!" he cried. As the flames ceased, not even Mika's ashes remained. "NOOOOOOO!" Gray fell back to the cold, hard floor. His mother was gone. Gone for good. The world seemed to stop around him as he cried to his hearts content.

Silver had managed to hear his wife's screams and rapidly headed in their direction only to find his tearful son. He hurried over and pulled the boy into a warm embrace. "You're alright, Gray. I'm here."

"M-mum, she... she..." Gray couldn't bring himself to say it. There was no way he would believe his mother was gone.

"It's okay," was all Silver could muster, pulling the boy closer. "Let's get outta here." He carried Gray against his chest as the young raven's leg were shaking too much to support his weight. Explosions could be heard throughout the once tranquil village, but Silver kept running. His son's future was at risk and he wasn't going to let a filthy demon steel it from him. Little did he know that said demon was fast approaching.

The roar was heard again. They weren't going to make it. He saw the deadly claw swing down. Then, he saw black. Him and his son were flung into a near by building that only just managed to keep its structure on impact. Gray coughed up blood before regaining consciousness... and he really wished he didn't. He was met with another horrifying sight. His father lay in front of him, eyes wide open and staring right at him. A large gash was present on his face and Gray shook his head in denial. "No, no, no, NO!" He screamed the last 'no' scurrying over to his deceased father. "NOOOOO!" Tears overwhelmed his dark eyes and he clung to his father. Deliora roared again, but he no longer cared. There was nothing left form him. At least if he died, he would be with his parents. The demon swung again and the boy was once again flung into the building. Oh, but not enough the grant his wish. Only break some bones and make him lose consciousness. This disaster... in the heart of the flame... where no prayers could reach. Fate was a cruel thing.

Gray woke up with a gasp. What the hell? he thought. He hadn't dreamt about Deliora in months. Why now?

"Are you okay, Gray?" Happy asked, rubbing his eyes.

Must of woken him up Gray thought. It was at this point that Gray realised he was sweating... a lot. "I-I'm fine."

"You don't look fine. You wanna talk about it?"

"Nah, I'm fine. Just a bad dream."

Happy looked at him with concerned eyes as Gray smiled towards the Exceed. He put his head back up against the window and closed his eyes again. Almost immediately, images of Ur fighting Deliora popped into his mind as his eyes snapped open again. There was no way he was getting back to sleep now.

I loved writing the flashback scene. I'm so cruel to poor Gray. XD

And now we're back to rants about the manga.

When Gray was explaining his reasons for joining Avatar I couldn't help but feel sorry for him. Especially when he said that the only reason he exists is to crush E.N.D. What's the poor guy gonna do when he realises that E.N.D. was he friend/rival the whole time. Anticipating Natsu vs Gray! And Gajeel with the council was so sweet!

Don't forget to review etc.

Thanks for reading! XD