What's this? Another chapter?! Cue the Final Fantasy Victory music! Holy crap, over fifty follows! You guy's are seriously awesome, thanks so much!
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Disclaimer: Sigh...
By sunset, the team had finished up their job and were on their way back to Magnolia to collect their sweet reward. Lucy held her head up high at their success without undertaking any major injury - just a few minor scratches. Happy was perched on Natsu's shoulder as he started nodding off. He barely had any time to rest with all these daily job requests. Wendy was carrying Carla in her arms who was also worn out from the continuous flying. Erza, as usual, was completely un-fazed, leading the pack back to Magnolia with her mass amount of luggage in tow. Gray seemed to be doing worst for wear. If he thought he was cold before, now he was shivering uncontrollably. The previous events still clouded his mind, causing his head to pound even harder than before. Was he sick? He never gets sick? He can't be... Right?
"Nothing like a nice stroll after a job well done," Lucy closed her eyes and took in the fresh air.
"The breeze is nice too," Wendy smiled.
"Yeah, well the job could of gone a lot better if Gray would get his act together," Natsu teased. When he got no response, he turned to the raven only to be greeted by stern eyes.
"What's up with you? Mad 'coz I had to save your sorry ass," Gray just turned away.
"Leave him alone Natsu, he's probably cranky after not stripping the whole day," Happy giggled as they both turned back the way they were walking.
"WHAT?!" Lucy was shocked. "You haven't stripped all day? Wow, Gray. Maybe you can finally get over that habit and I can stop finding your clothes lying around my apartment."
They continued alone their path. Erza glanced over at her team once in a while and began to notice that Gray was swaying slightly. The job must of taken a lot out of him she thought. Maybe we shouldn't have forced him along. He wasn't crazy on going in the first place. Turning back around, Erza decided to start up the conversation again. "I think we all need a well deserved break after this."
"Maybe we could take a break to Akane Resort?" Wendy suggested.
"Ohhh, they have the best hot springs," Lucy would have continued if it weren't for being interrupted by Natsu.
"If anything we need to take a training trip 'coz Gray can't even take down a few pathetic treasure hunters." No response. Natsu was getting slightly concerned. "Seriously, what's with you?" He turned to Gray who was a few paced behind the rest of the group. "You're not even retaliating when I insult you. Is something wrong?"
Gray opening his mouth to answer, but no sound came out as the world spun on an axis. His eyes rolled to the back of his head as he slowly descended to the stone cold ground. Time seemed to stop for the rest of the team as they watch the ice wizard collapse. After a few seconds of silence Natsu was the first to react.
"Gray?!" He ran at top speed towards his rival with the girls quick to follow.
Natsu turned Gray over so he was lying on his back and was taken aback at what he saw. Gray's forehead was lined with a thick layer sweat and his breaths came out in rapid shallow pants. Despite all this, the boy was shivering. Erza knelt down next to Natsu and threw off her gauntlets. Placing her first two finger again the raven's neck, searching for a pulse. It was their, but very faint. Wendy immediately started trying to heal him, however Gray's condition didn't seem to improve at all. Lucy stood out of the way with tears in her eyes as the two Exceeds stood by her legs with similar expressions. Erza placed her hand on Natsu's forehead, much to his surprise.
"What are you-" he began, but quickly stopped himself when he realised just what she was doing.
Erza the placed her other hand on Gray's forehead to compare body temperatures. "This isn't good," she stated. "He's almost as warm as Natsu. We need to get him home, now!"
"Y-you don't think he could have that disease that master told us about this morning, do you?" Lucy stuttered.
"What were the symptoms?" Happy asked.
Carla spoke up. "Dizzy spells, drowsiness and effects the outcome of your magic. Master said that the disease reaches its peak when it causes the victims body to shut down completely."
"Oh, crap!" Natsu's eyes widened.
"What's wrong Natsu-san?" Wendy questioned.
"Before, when we were fighting, I saw Gray and it looked like he was having some trouble. Right when I turned the corner, it looked like he went to attack the treasure hunters but his magic backfired on him, literally."
"But, if he has the disease doesn't that mean he could-" Lucy couldn't bring herself to finish as tears streamed down her face.
"Natsu, you're going to have to carry him," Erza informed, her voice shaking slightly. "We need to get to the guild as fast as possible."
The fire wizard nodded his head and carefully picked up Gray's limp form and draped him over his back. The team then dashed off at the speed of light, no one daring to speak another word until they reached Fairy Tail.
The guild hall was quiet. After hearing news on Gray's condition, the once boisterous building was now almost silent. The only noises that could be heard were the hushed cries of its members. Macao and Wakaba had put their drinks down and were staring at their table. Elfman rapped his arm around his younger sister in an attempt to comfort her. Mira was silently cleaning used glasses with a solemn look on her face. Gajeel, Laxus and the Ranjishuu all kept a serious face, trying their best to hid their worried looks though it was clearly visible in their eyes. Team Shadow Gear were all staring at the infirmary doors, awaiting some further news. Juvia was definitely taking this the worst out of all. Cana held her in a warm embrace in order to calm her down. She still thought about the moment Fairy Tail's strongest team burst through the guild doors.
"Jet!" Erza cried. "Go get Porlyusica, hurry!"
Jet didn't bother asking for a explanation. Erza's face was flushed, but it was clear that she was holding back her tears. He activates his magic a sped off to the forest.
"Erza, what's going on? What happened?" Mira asked, walking up to the red-head.
Erza closed her eyes as a tear escaped and trickled down her cheek. She turned to the door just as Natsu came in, carrying Gray on his back.
"Gray-sama," Juvia ran towards the team, tears already flowing down her face. "He's sick isn't he?"
"You know?" Lucy questioned. If Juvia knew why didn't she say anything she thought.
"Juvia saw Gray-sama in town yesterday, he didn't look too well. So Juvia followed him home and offered to take care of him, but Gray-sama insisted that he was fine and didn't need taking care of."
"That idiot is too damn stubborn," Cana rose from her seat.
"Anyway, we need to get him into the infirmary," Wendy stated. "Someone call for master."
Natsu then took off towards the infirmary. He could feel the gaze of every guild member burning into his back, but nothing else mattered at that moment. The only thing he cared about was his rival's recovery.
Gray was lying on the infirmary bed whilst Porlyusica examined him. Makarov and the rest of the team sat on the outskirts of the room to stay out of the healers way. The tears had finally stopped and all that remained were sorrowful faces. Natsu held his head in his hands; he was definitely the most worried. If it was true that Gray had the disease that's been spreading, there was a high chance of it killing him. With Gray gone, who would Natsu have to fight. Gray was one of the reasons why Natsu trained so hard. He just doesn't want to lose to that droopy-eyes bastard... And he knows Gray feels the same way. They're each other's determination to get stronger, and to see Gray so weak, so defenceless, so helpless, Natsu didn't even have words. He hoped he'd never have to see Gray like this again. Porlyusica turned away from the almost lifeless form and started fiddling with her bag.
"Well?" Makarov forced out.
"He definitely has the symptoms for this so called disease," she answered bluntly.
Tears began welling up in their eyes again at the confirmation. Erza magnates to bring herself to speak up. "Is there anything we can do for him?" There was a desperate look in her eyes.
"There maybe be a way to help him." Everyone's faces lit up at this. "If I get a sample of his blood, I might me able to determine the creature - that is if we're assuming it's a creature - that is doing this. Then you will all be sent out to collect blood samples from the creature and I can create an antidote."
"But what if we catch the disease in the process?" Lucy pondered.
"Do not worry. The disease takes a while to kick in. By the time you start feeling the effects, I will already have an antidote made. Now, will you all please get out. I need to concentrate and having you filthy humans in here won't help." Porlyusica grabbed her broom a swatted the group like flies until they agreed to leave her in peace. All that was left to do was wait.
After a good few hours, Porlyusica emerged from the infirmary and the room fell silent. She strode up to Makarov who was sat with the rest of team. All sported a worried face, but that soon turned to hopeful after the noticed Porlyusica's presence.
"Any luck?" Makarov inquired.
"I found out that the creatures that has caused this disease are called Duxoron. They release a venom from their spiked tails when they sense a threat and live on the outskirts of Tiphis village."
"That's not too far from Okille village," Lucy stated.
"You don't think that's when Gray-san got infected, do you?"
"It's highly probable," Erza replied before returned her attention to the master.
"Alright, listen up, brats," he called. "I want you all to get into groups. Natsu, you're with Lucy and Happy. Erza, you're with Wendy and Carla. Gajeel, you're with Juvia and Pantherlilly. Mira and Cana, I want you two to look after Gray while Porlyusica gets started on the antidote. You'll need to collect a lot of blood samples just in case you get infected whilst out on the field, and please, be safe."
"AYE!" Everyone - minus Juvia - cheered, preparing to depart.
Cana noticed the downcast face on the water wizard and decided to approach her. "Hey, don't worry about Gray. I'll make sure the bastard doesn't die while your out. Just focus on getting the antidote. He's safe with us."
"Cana-san..." Juvia muttered. She gave a quick hug to the card wizards as a few tears escaped from her eyes. Cana returned the hug and watched everyone head out on their mission.
Please guys, hurry. We don't know how long he has Cana thought.
For some reason I wrote the first section of this chapter really quickly. I guess my brain was thinking quick I gotta get Gray back to the guild before he dies! :p
This chapter was a lot of fun to write, probably because I'm making Gray suffer. MWUHAHAHA!
Don't forget to favourite, follow and review. They make me smile :)
Guy's! Me and Gemmery saw a whole group of Fairy Tail Cosplayer's at Comic Con! They had everyone from Team Natsu, Gajeel, Levy, Loke and even Lyon. It was friggin' awesome!
Now onto the manga. WHOOP! Demon Gray made his return! He looks so badass in his demon form, I hope we get to see more of it. Natsu was, again, clutching his arm. I can't wait to find out what's behind the bandage!
See ya!