Mira and Erza look at each other and frown, "weird?"
Juvia nods, "Juvia thinks it's because he's a devil slayer."
"Levy, can you come here for a second?" Mira calls out.
Levy, who was talking to Lily, walks over to the three girls, "what's up?"
"When you did research on The Season, did you read anything about it affecting other types of slayers or is it just dragon slayers?"
"My research never specifically said only dragon slayers are affected, why?"
"Gray-sama is acting weird," Juvia explains. "Although Gray-sama is still somewhat in control, he's slowly losing control."
"I can do some research if you want," Levy suggests.
"Do you think we have any time to spare?" Mira asks, between Juvia and Levy.
"Juvia honestly doesn't know," she says, sighing.
"I don't think we should take any chances," Erza states, "his devil slayer side could very well be taking Gray over like the dragon slayers. If Juvia is right and he still has a little bit of control left, we might be able to get him to come willingly. I'm just not sure how long that will last."
"We should send a small team them, maybe consisting of two people?" Mira suggested, "but who should we send?"
"I'll go," Erza says, looking around the guild, "we should also bring Romeo, he can use his flames if Gray starts using his ice."
Mira nods, "go ahead and grab Romeo, the two of you need to head out as soon as possible. I'll take Juvia over to Levy and Lucy and we'll start doing some research." Mira says, motioning for Juvia to follow. Juvia follows Mira over to the table where Levy and Lucy were sitting together. Mira and Juvia both sat down across from Levy and Lucy.
"Hey Mira, Juvia." Levy says, turning to face them, "I've done a little bit of research, I've also gotten Lucy up to speed who has also been helping with the research. From what I can find, slayers in general only go into mating season if they use their slayer side. When it comes to the dragon slayers, that's their main source of magic so they're constantly using that side. When it comes to Gray who already had magic before he got his devil slaying powers, he didn't use his devil slayer magic as much. Since he didn't use it until yesterday, the power his slayer side holds is weak. The longer we wait, the stronger he'll get. He has a little bit of control right now but that control will waiver. We need to get Freed to adjust the enchantment on the cells before he is brought in." Levy explains.
"Gray-sama has only a little bit of control. Gray-sama had invited Juvia over to his place and when Juvia went, Gray-sama was himself. However, halfway into dinner, Gray-sama began to unconsciously lock the door by using his ice powers to keep Juvia inside. When Juvia asked what Gray-sama was doing, Gray-sama immediately stopped and acted like nothing was wrong. As the night went on, Gray-sama and Juvia watched a movie and slowly Gray-sama began to change and get more aggressive. When Juvia tried to leave, Gray-sama held Juvia's wrist tightly, not wanting to let Juvia leave. Gray-sama was able to take control over Gray-sama's body and told Juvia to leave and get help." Juvia explains.
"From what the books said, if he's starting to lose control and can only gain control for small periods of time then we only have a little bit of time left."
"Erza and Romeo are about to head out." Mira says, "I'll talk to Freed about the enchantment." She stands up and makes her way over to where Freed was.
Erza walked over to Romeo and sat down beside him, "I might need your help getting gray to the guild. We just found out he's also affected by The Season because of his devil slayer magic. However, he still has a tiny bit of control so if we hurry then we might be able to get him here of his own free will which would be easier for everyone."
Romeo froze, he knew what it was like to have to be the mate of someone experiencing The Season. He assumes Juvia is Gray's mate, he doesn't want her to have to deal with that. "Alright," he stands up, "I'll help."
"Good, let's get going then." Erza stands up as well and the two of them head out of the guild, towards Gray's house.
Mira walked over to Freed, "we have a situation on our hands, are you able to put another enchantment on the cells so that we can contain Gray as well? His ice devil slayer magic is also affected by The Season. Erza and Romeo are on their way to get Gray here, so we need to work fast."
"I can do that," Freed says, making his way downstairs, Mira following as well. As soon as Freed opened the door, he heard shouting between the dragon slayers. "Shut up!" He demands, walking farther into the room, "y'all are so annoying."
"Freed," Laxus says, his eyes following him as Freed walks.
"What is it Laxus?" He asks, turning towards Laxus.
"Have you decided to let us out?" He asks, sounding somewhat hopeful.
"No," Freed says, "I'm altering the enchantment."
Mira took a deep breath as she got to the door, was she ready to go in there and face Laxus? The one she loves? She shook her head, she had to go in there. She can't be ruled by fear or regret. He won't be in there forever. Mira took a few steps into the room and looked at Laxus who was trying to get Freed to let him out, she smiled at him. "Laxus?"
Laxus's head snapped towards Mira. "Hey," he says, softly. "I've missed you." Laxus felt like he was going to die inside if he didn't get to hold Mira soon.
"I've missed you too. I love you."
"I love you too," Laxus says, looking longingly at her.
Freed turned towards Mira, "the enchantment's been altered, if that's all, I'm going to go now." He says, leaving.
"What went up his ass?" Laxus mutters.
"He doesn't like that we have to do this, it's killing him inside…it's killing me on the inside."
"Then let us out!"
"Bad idea," Levy says, walking into the room. "Sorry, I was on my way to get Mira and I heard the two of you talking. According to my research, it's almost time for the dragon slayers to hit phase three, the last phase. Although, this phase lasts the longest and can vary with how long it lasts. Y'all are going to get much more dangerous than you were previously, especially since you all have your mates."
"What about Gray?" Mira asks, glancing at Levy.
"There isn't any information on if devil slayers go through phases."
"Ice pick is affected by this too? Why isn't he here then? This isn't fair!" Natsu growls, his eyes growing darker.
"Erza and Romeo will have him here shortly." Mira explains.
"Romeo's coming?" Wendy asks, her eyes lighting up.
"Yes, he is. However, I don't know if he's ready to see you yet, Wendy. You really upset him."
Wendy was taken aback, "D-does he still love me?"
"I can't speak for him but I do believe he still loves you."
Wendy sat down on her bed, mostly in shock, "this can't be happening! I have to get out of here and make him mine!" She exclaims, her eyes glowing. "Then and only then will he come to his senses."
"That's right," Natsu says, patting her shoulder, "always make them yours, that's the most important part of being a dragon slayer…mating."
"No!" Mira exclaims, "That is not the most important! I really hope you're only saying that because you're under the influence of The Season!" Mira exclaims. "I can't tell you what the most important part of being a dragon slayer is so I'm going to have you give Wendy your real answer after this is over," Mira says, walking out of the room, shutting the door behind her.
Erza and Romeo had set out towards Gray's house, "I really hope we aren't too late," Erza mutters, "I'll feel bad if you have to help me fight him."
"Hey, I'm more than capable of fighting him!" Romeo pouts, "I'm not that bad of a fighter!"
"Yes, but since I'm older, I'm supposed to take care of you and hopefully take care of everything without you getting hurt." Erza shoots back.
Romeo huffs, crossing his arms, "this sucks."
"Your time will come and you'll be protecting others," Erza promises. Romeo didn't respond as they continued their walk towards Gray's house. Once at his house, Erza knocked on the door, "Gray?"
"Go away," Gray calls out.
"No, Juvia sent us," Erza calls out. "She told us what's going on. We need to get you to the guild before you lose all control."
Gray screams in pain and Erza kicks the door down, running inside, Romeo following behind. Inside Gray's house, ice was on everything. It looked like an ice storm had some fun in his house. "Gray, what happened?"
"I-I don't really know," Gray stammers, sitting down on the couch, his head in his hands. "It's too late," he mutters, "I wanted to make this easy on you but you're too late," he mutters, black markings covering half his body.
"Gray, you can do this, you can fight this."
"Why is this happening so much later than the dragon slayers?"
"Because you don't use your devil slayer magic very often so it becomes dormant. When you used it, you woke up that side of your magic, causing The Season to take hold."
Gray's hair turned purple and his eyes dark, "leave. I need to find Juvia."
"I can't let you do that," Erza says, requipping into her Heaven's Wheel Armor, getting into a fighting stance. Gray didn't waste any time and with a mere flick of his wrist froze everything in the room; everything except Romeo who used his purple fire as a shield.
"Why didn't you freeze?" Gray asks, turning towards Romeo.
"My flames," is all Romeo says before sending a ball of rainbow fire at Gray, causing a small explosion to hit him. Not wanting to give him time to recover, Romeo threw a ball of purple fire at Gray, trapping him in a net. Gray fell to the ground as soon as the net encased him. He growled at Romeo who was busy melting Erza. Glancing at Gray, Romeo saw something in his eyes, like he was thankful Romeo had immobilized him which made sense since he was still partially in control.
Erza stumbled as soon as she melted since she was in mid stance when she froze, "what happened?" She asks, confused.
"Gray froze the entire room. I managed to avoid it by shielding myself with my fire. I imbolized him with my fire then melted you."
"Wow," Erza says, smiling, "great job! I'm proud of you!"
"Thanks," Romeo says, glancing at Gray, "we should hurry." Erza nods and picks Gray up, throwing him over her shoulder. Gray growled at this but Erza ignored him and the two of them made their way back to the guild.
Back at the guild, Mira and Levy were talking at the bar. Both girls had worried looks on their faces. You couldn't hear what they were saying but because of where they came from and the fact that they looked worried basically told you they were discussing the slayers. The doors of the guild opened. Romeo and Erza stood there with Gray squirming over Erza's shoulder. "We're back."
"I see we were too late to have him come willingly," Mira frowned.
"Unfortunately not," Erza says, making her way towards the dungeon. Romeo took a deep breath and followed, not completely sure if he was ready to face Wendy.
"Let me go! I need to get to Juvia!" Gray growls, still struggling to get out of Erza's grip.
"Gray-sama," Juvia mutters to herself.
Lucy, who was sitting beside her, put her arm around Juvia's waist, "he'll be ok. Let's give both of yall some time then I can take you to see him. It'll give me a chance to see Natsu as well."
Juvia nods and Kianna looks up, "can I go with y'all? I really miss Erik." Both the girls nodded, not really wanting to speak anymore.
Romeo opened up the cell that Sting was in and managed to get Gray inside while Erza kept watch to make sure Sting didn't try to make a break for it. They knew Natsu and Gray would constantly be fighting, plus that cell was getting kinda full. Honestly, Erza wanted to move one or two to Rogue's cell to make it not so full. All the cells had the same thing so it wouldn't make any difference. Once Gray was inside and the door was locked, Romeo turned around to see Wendy sitting on her bed, her legs dangling back and forth, watching him intently. "Romeo," she says, darkly.
"Wendy," he says, a small smile on his face.
"I want you…I need you! Come on, let me out. I'm not going to hurt you!"
Romeo looked away, "I know you don't want to hurt me on purpose but you're going too. At least you will while The Season is happening." He clears his throat, "I love you Wendy."
Instead of answering with the common 'I love you too' Wendy began to sing a soft tune. The words flooded Romeo like a spell. He relaxes a bi and starts walking towards the cell door. He took the keys and started to unlock the door but before he could, Erza tackled him.
"What are you doing?" She demands.
Erza's voice was drowned out by Wendy's song causing Romeo to push her off, still trying to make his way to Wendy. Wendy glared at Erza as she sang at a higher note, Romeo working faster. Erza grabs Romeo by the waist and immediately makes her way out of the dungeon, "w-what? When did we leave?" Romeo asks as soon as Wendy's voice is out of earshot.
"I had to drag you out. I don't know what happened but somehow Wendy put you in a trance with her voice. "We need to talk to Levy, see if she has any more information about The Season. I fear she's entering the next phase."
Romeo looks down, "sorry."
"Why?" Erza asks, not glancing in his direction.
"I was weak. I let Wendy take control of me."
"It wasn't your fault," Erza shakes her head. "I don't know what happened exactly but don't take it as your fault." Romeo didn't respond as they walked over to where Juvia and the other girls were sitting. "We need to talk."