"We're here!" Lucy squealed, practically bouncing in her seat.
Ben chuckled. "Yep, welcome to Hargeon."
They stepped off the train, Lucy taking in the sights and sounds of the bustling port city. Ben glanced around, his eyes automatically scanning for potential threats - an old habit he couldn't quite shake.
"It's so... big!" Lucy gasped, her head swiveling to take in everything at once.
"First time in a city?" Ben asked, though he already knew the answer.
Lucy nodded. "Dad never let me travel much. This is... wow!"
Ben smiled, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. To him, Hargeon was just another dot on the map, another place to pass through. But seeing Lucy's excitement made him see it a bit differently.
"Well, before we get caught up in the sights," Ben said, gently steering Lucy away from a group of pushy street vendors, "let's find a place to crash for the night."
Lucy looked at him, confused. "But it's barely noon! Don't you want to explore?"
Ben shook his head. "First rule of coming to a new town, Lucy - get a roof over your head while your wallet's still full."
"Really?" Lucy asked, intrigued. "Why's that?"
"Keeps you from blowing your budget on some tricky salesman in the market," Ben explained. "Trust me, I've learned the hard way. Plus, it's nice to know you've got a place to sleep before you start adventuring."
Lucy nodded, taking in this new piece of wisdom. "Okay, that makes sense. So, where do we start?"
Ben scanned the area, spotting a cozy-looking inn not far from the station. "How about there? Looks decent enough."
As they walked, Lucy couldn't help but notice how Ben's eyes darted around, always alert. "You've done this a lot, huh?" she asked softly.
Ben shrugged. "More times than I can count. But you know what?" He grinned at her. "This is the first time I've had a travel buddy. Makes it a whole new experience."
Lucy beamed, linking her arm through his. "Well then, partner, let's go find our home for the night!"
As they headed towards the inn, Ben felt a warmth in his chest. Maybe this time, this town, would be different after all.
The salty sea breeze ruffled Ben's hair as he and Lucy stepped out of the inn. The bustling port city of Hargeon hummed with life around them.
"So, where to first?" Lucy asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
Ben grinned. "How about we check out the market? Port cities like this usually have some pretty cool stuff."
Lucy's face lit up. "Ooh, good idea! I bet they have all sorts of interesting things from different places."
As they wandered through the crowded streets, Lucy's head swiveled left and right, trying to take in everything at once. Colorful stalls lined the roads, selling everything from exotic fruits to intricate jewelry.
"Look at those seashells!" Lucy exclaimed, pointing to a display of iridescent shells. "They're so pretty!"
Ben nodded, but his attention was caught by a nearby flower stand. "Hey, mind if we stop here for a sec?"
Lucy followed him to the stall, where vibrant blooms filled the air with their sweet scent. Ben struck up a conversation with the florist, asking about some unusual-looking seeds.
As Ben made his purchase, Lucy fidgeted impatiently. "Hey, um, do you know if there's a magic shop around here?" she asked the florist.
The old woman smiled. "Oh yes, dear. The Proper Grocer, just down the street. Can't miss it - only magic shop in town."
Lucy's eyes widened. "Did you hear that, Ben? A magic shop!" She tugged on his sleeve excitedly. "Come on Ben lets go!"
Ben chuckled, pocketing his new seeds. "Alright, alright, I'm coming!"
They followed the florist's directions, weaving through the crowded market. Lucy practically skipped with anticipation, her eyes darting from stall to stall.
"I wonder what kind of magical items they'll have," she mused, a hopeful gleam in her eyes. "Maybe... maybe even a silver Celestial Spirit key?"
Ben glanced at her, a mix of amusement and concern on his face. "Lucy, you know how rare those are, right? Even in big cities, they're hard to come by."
Lucy's smile faltered a bit, but she quickly perked up. "I know, I know. But hey, you never know! After all, you found Pegasus in a tiny shop, didn't you?"
Ben chuckled, shaking his head. "True, but that was a one-in-a-thousand chance. Lightning doesn't usually strike twice."
"Oh, don't be such a downer," Lucy said, playfully nudging him with her elbow. "We might get lucky!"
As they approached the shop, Ben added, "Just... don't get your hopes up too high, okay? Small-town shops like this usually don't have anything too fancy."
Lucy stuck out her tongue. "Fine, Mr. Practical. But I'm still excited to see what they've got!"
She pushed open the door, a small bell jingling overhead. The shop was cozy, filled with shelves of curiosities and magical trinkets. Lucy's eyes lit up as she took it all in, determined to find something special – key or not.
The bell above the door jingled as Lucy and Ben stepped into the cramped little shop. Dust motes danced in the sunbeams streaming through the grimy windows, settling on shelves packed with magical knick-knacks.
"Whoa," Lucy breathed, her eyes wide as she took it all in. "Look at all this stuff!"
Ben sneezed, waving away a cloud of dust. "Yeah, looks like most of it's been here a while."
A rustling sound came from behind the counter, and suddenly an old man popped up like a jack-in-the-box. His bushy white eyebrows nearly swallowed his eyes, magnified to comical proportions by thick glasses.
"Welcome, welcome!" he croaked, adjusting his pointed hat. "What can I interest you fine young people in today? Perhaps a self-stirring cauldron? Or a pair of shoes that tie themselves?"
Lucy giggled, picking up a snow globe that played "Jingle Bells" when shaken. "This place is wild."
The old man shuffled over, his robes swishing. "Ah, excellent choice! That there's a genuine Winterfest globe from the Northern Isles. Plays music and makes it snow indoors!"
"Oh, um, I was just looking," Lucy said, hastily putting it down. "Actually, I was wondering... do you have any Celestial Spirit keys?"
The old man's eyebrows shot up. "A Celestial Wizard, eh? Don't get many of those these days." He stroked his beard thoughtfully. "I might have something in the back. Give me a moment."
He disappeared into a cluttered back room, returning a minute later with a small wooden box. "Here we are," he said, opening it to reveal a silver key. "The key of Canis Minor."
Lucy's eyes lit up with excitement, a wide grin spreading across her face. She turned to Ben, her expression positively smug. She raised an eyebrow at him, as if to say, "I told you so."
Ben couldn't help but chuckle at her reaction. He raised his hands in mock surrender, shaking his head with amusement. "Alright, alright," he said, a smile tugging at his lips. "You were right. I admit defeat."
Lucy's grin only grew wider at his admission. She turned back to the shopkeeper, practically bouncing on her toes. "May I see it?" she asked eagerly.
The old man nodded, carefully lifting the key from its velvet cushion. He held it out to Lucy, who took it with reverent hands. She examined it closely, running her fingers over the intricate designs etched into the silver.
"It's beautiful," she breathed, her eyes sparkling. She looked up at the shopkeeper. "How much?"
"20,000 jewel," the old man replied, his wrinkled face impassive.
Lucy's face fell, her excitement dimming. "Oh... that's a bit steep." She bit her lip, then a mischievous glint appeared in her eyes. Ben recognized that look – she was up to something.
Lucy leaned on the counter, batting her eyelashes. "Surely a handsome gentleman like yourself could offer a sweet young girl a better discount?" Her voice was honey-sweet, and she twirled a strand of hair around her finger.
Ben had to bite the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing as Lucy laid it on thick. The old man, however, seemed unmoved by her charms.
"Well..." he stroked his beard, considering. "I suppose I could knock off 1,000 jewel. How's 19,000 sound?"
Lucy's smile faltered slightly. "Um... how about 15,000?" she countered, leaning in closer.
The shopkeeper shook his head. "19,000 is as low as I can go, miss. Take it or leave it."
Lucy's shoulders slumped in defeat. "I'll... I'll take it," she mumbled, reaching for her purse. She counted out the jewels, her lips pursed in disappointment.
As they left the shop, Lucy clutched her new key, but her earlier excitement had faded. "I can't believe it," she huffed. "My charm didn't work at all! Not even a tiny bit!"
Ben couldn't hold back his amusement any longer. A chuckle escaped his lips, which quickly turned into full-blown laughter.
Lucy glared at him, her cheeks flushing red. "It's not funny, Ben! I thought for sure I'd get a better deal."
"I'm sorry," Ben managed between laughs, wiping a tear from his eye. "It's just... your face when he wouldn't budge. Priceless!"
Lucy's glare intensified. "Some friend you are! You're supposed to be consoling me, not laughing at my misfortune!"
Ben took a deep breath, composing himself. "You're right, you're right. I'm sorry." He patted her shoulder sympathetically, though his eyes still twinkled with mirth. "If it makes you feel any better, I thought your performance was very convincing."
Lucy sighed dramatically. "Clearly not convincing enough. Maybe I'm losing my touch."
"Or maybe," Ben suggested gently, "the old man's just seen it all before. Don't take it personally."
Lucy nodded, her mood lightening a bit. "I guess you're right. And hey, at least I got the key, even if it cost more than I wanted."
"That's the spirit," Ben grinned. "Now, how about we celebrate your new acquisition with some dinner? I hear there's a great seafood place by the docks."
Lucy's eyes lit up at the mention of food. "Ooh, yes please! I'm starving after all that negotiating."
As they walked towards the harbor, Lucy chattered excitedly about her new key. But suddenly, she stopped mid-sentence, her head turning towards a commotion nearby.
"Ben, do you hear that?" she asked, eyes wide.
Ben listened. There was definitely a lot of noise coming from down the street. "Yeah, what's going on?"
"I heard someone say 'Salamander'!" Lucy squealed, grabbing Ben's arm. "That's the nickname of a super famous Fairy Tail wizard! Come on, we have to check it out!"
Before Ben could protest, Lucy was dragging him towards the crowd. It was mostly women, all pushing and shoving to get a better look at something – or someone.
"Excuse me, pardon me," Lucy muttered, elbowing her way through. Ben followed, apologizing to the people they bumped into.
Finally, they broke through to the front. In the center of the crowd stood a man, basking in the attention. He was tall and slim, with spiky hair that jutted out at odd angles. A long fringe hung over the left side of his face, giving him a mysterious air.
"Oh wow," Lucy breathed, her cheeks flushing pink. "That's really him. Salamander of Fairy Tail!"
Ben frowned, something about the situation not sitting right with him. "Lucy, I don't know..."
But Lucy wasn't listening. Her eyes were fixed on the man, a dreamy expression on her face. The other women around them wore similar looks of adoration.
"Ladies, ladies," the man called out, his voice smooth as silk. "There's plenty of Salamander to go around!"
Suddenly, Ben noticed Lucy acting strangely. Her eyes were glazed over, and she seemed to be swaying slightly. Her cheeks flushed pink, and a dreamy expression spread across her face.
"Is this... love?" Lucy murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
Ben's head whipped around to stare at her, his eyes wide with disbelief. "What?" he sputtered, completely thrown off guard.
Lucy didn't even seem to hear him. She kept her gaze fixed on Salamander, a dopey smile plastered on her face.
Ben frowned, his mind racing. This wasn't like Lucy at all. Sure, she was a huge Fairy Tail fan, but falling head over heels for some guy she just met? That wasn't her style.
"Lucy," he said, gently shaking her shoulder. "Hey, snap out of it!"
But Lucy just sighed contentedly, still lost in her trance-like state.
Ben's frown deepened. Something fishy was definitely going on here. He glanced back at Salamander, noting the way the man's large gaudy ring seemed to glint unnaturally in the sunlight.
He was about to say something when a commotion erupted on the other side of the crowd. A lean, muscular young man with spiky pink hair pushed his way through, looking excited. "Igneel!" he shouted, his eyes scanning the crowd.
When he spotted the man in the center, his face fell. "Huh? Who the heck are you?"
The suave man looked taken aback. "Why, I'm Salamander! Surely you've heard of me?"
The pink-haired guy scratched his head. "Nope. Never heard of ya."
A blue cat poked its head out from behind the guy's leg. "Me neither!"
The crowd of women gasped in shock. How could anyone not know Salamander?
"Well, I'll be going then," the pink-haired guy said, turning to leave.
The women went ballistic. "How dare you! Apologize to Salamander right now!"
They grabbed him and his cat, dragging them back. The guy looked bewildered. "What'd I do?"
Salamander chuckled, holding up his hands. "Now, now, ladies. Let's calm down. I'm sure he meant no harm." He pulled out a piece of paper. "Here, my good man. Have an autograph."
The pink-haired guy wrinkled his nose. "No thanks."
That was the last straw for the women. They grabbed him and his cat, tossing them out of the crowd like yesterday's trash.
Ben blinked, shaking his head as if coming out of a daze. He glanced at Lucy, who was rubbing her temples and looking confused.
"You okay?" he asked, touching her arm gently.
Lucy frowned. "I... I think so. What just happened?"
"That guy," Ben nodded towards 'Salamander', who was now schmoozing with the crowd. "Something's off about him."
Lucy's eyes widened as she shook her head, as if coming out of a daze. She blinked rapidly, looking around in confusion. "What... what just happened?" she murmured, more to herself than to Ben.
Ben, who had been watching Lucy with concern, touched her arm gently. "You okay? You seemed kind of... out of it for a moment there."
Lucy frowned, her brow furrowing as she tried to piece together her thoughts. "I... I'm not sure. It was weird. Like I couldn't think straight for a minute." She glanced at Ben, a hint of worry in her eyes. "Did you notice anything strange?"
Ben nodded slowly, his expression thoughtful. "Yeah, something felt off about that guy. I couldn't quite put my finger on it, but..." He trailed off, shaking his head.
They watched as the pink-haired guy and his cat picked themselves up, grumbling and dusting themselves off.
"That was weird," the guy muttered, running a hand through his spiky hair.
His cat nodded. "Aye, sir!"
Suddenly, Salamander raised his voice, addressing the crowd. "Ladies, ladies! Your attention, please!" He flashed a dazzling smile that seemed to make the women around him swoon. "I'm hosting a soirée on my yacht tonight. You're all invited!"
With a dramatic flourish, he snapped his fingers. A platform of purple flames appeared beneath his feet, lifting him into the air. The display was impressive, but Ben couldn't shake the feeling that something about it was artificial. "I'll see you beautiful ladies at the harbor!" Salamander called out, floating away towards the docks.
The crowd of women squealed in delight, chasing after him like a flock of excited birds. Lucy watched them go, her expression a mix of disgust and pity.
"What a creep," she muttered, crossing her arms.
Ben nodded in agreement. "Yeah, something's definitely fishy about that guy. The way he was acting, and how everyone was reacting to him... it just doesn't add up."
Lucy chewed her lip, a thoughtful look on her face. "You're right. There's more to this than meets the eye." She glanced at Ben, her eyes twinkling with a mix of curiosity and determination. "I think I know what's going on, but let's talk to that pink-haired guy first. He seemed to know something was off too."
They approached the grumbling pair. The pink-haired guy was still brushing dirt off his vest, muttering under his breath about "crazy girls" and "stupid magic tricks."
"Hi there!" Lucy said brightly, putting on a friendly smile. "That was quite a scene, huh?"
The guy eyed her warily, as if expecting her to suddenly start fawning over 'Salamander' again. "You're not gonna go nuts like those other girls, are you?"
Lucy laughed, shaking her head. "No way. I'm Lucy, and this is Ben. We were wondering if you knew anything about that Salamander guy?"
""I'm Natsu!" the guy grinned, his wariness fading. His spiky pink hair seemed to bounce with his enthusiasm. "And this is my buddy, Happy."
"Nice to meet you!" Happy chirped, his tail swishing behind him.
Ben blinked, his brow furrowing as he stared at the blue cat. "Wait, how is that cat...?"
Natsu tilted his head, looking genuinely confused. "How's the cat what?"
"You know..." Ben gestured vaguely, his eyes still fixed on Happy. "Talking?"
Natsu's face scrunched up in bewilderment. "With his mouth, duh? How else would he talk?"
Lucy and Ben exchanged bewildered glances, their eyes wide with disbelief.
"Uh, Natsu," Lucy started hesitantly, tucking a strand of blonde hair behind her ear. "Talking cats aren't exactly... normal."
Natsu's eyes widened, his mouth falling open in shock. "What? Of course they are! Right, Happy?"
"Aye, sir!" Happy chimed in, seemingly oblivious to the others' confusion. He stretched lazily, his tail curling around Natsu's leg.
Ben rubbed his temples, trying to process the situation.
Happy tugged on Natsu's pants, his round eyes pleading. "Natsu, I'm hungry. Can we go eat now?"
Lucy's eyes lit up, seizing the opportunity to learn more. "Hey, that's a great idea! We were just about to grab lunch. Why don't you guys join us? We can talk more about that Salamander guy...
Natsu's stomach let out a loud growl that seemed to echo down the street. He grinned sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head. "You bet! I'm starving!"
As they started walking, Ben leaned close to Lucy, his voice barely above a whisper. "You sure about this?"
Lucy nodded subtly, her eyes darting around to make sure no one was listening. "Yeah, I think I know what that creep was up to," she murmured. "But I don't want to talk about it here. Let's see what Natsu knows first."
Ben raised an eyebrow, catching on to Lucy's cautious tone. "Alright, I trust you," he said, matching her hushed voice.
"Man, I'm stuffed!" Natsu groaned, patting his bulging belly. The table was a disaster zone, littered with empty plates and scattered crumbs.
Happy burped loudly. "Aye, sir! That was delicious!"
Lucy shook her head, a mix of amusement and exasperation on her face. "You guys sure can put it away. Now, about that Salamander..."
"Oh, right!" Natsu perked up. "We're searching for Salamander!"
Lucy's brow furrowed. "But wasn't that guy in town...?"
Natsu snorted, waving his hand dismissively. "Nah, that weirdo? Never seen him before in my life!"
"Wait, what?" Ben leaned forward, intrigued. "Then who are you looking for?"
"Igneel!" Natsu's face lit up like a kid on Christmas morning. "He's a fire dragon!"
Lucy's eyes widened in shock. "Wait, what? A dragon?"
Ben leaned forward, his brow furrowed in confusion. "Dragons are real?"
Natsu nodded enthusiastically, oblivious to their surprise. "Yeah! Igneel raised me. He's awesome!"
Lucy and Ben exchanged bewildered glances. Lucy cleared her throat. "Um, Natsu... are you serious?"
"'Course I am!" Natsu grinned. "Why wouldn't I be?"
Ben scratched his head. "But... in town? Wouldn't people notice a dragon?"
Natsu's smile faltered slightly. "Well, yeah. We heard rumors about a Salamander, so..."
Lucy hesitated, choosing her words carefully. "Natsu, I don't mean to sound rude, but... don't you think a dragon might stick out a bit here?"
Happy's whiskers twitched as he considered this. "Aye... now that you mention it, it does sound kinda silly."
Natsu's shoulders slumped a bit. "Yeah, I guess you're right. But we gotta keep looking!"
Ben fidgeted with his napkin, glancing between Lucy and their new companions. Something was gnawing at him, a nagging feeling he couldn't quite shake. He cleared his throat softly, drawing their attention.
"Hey, guys," he said, lowering his voice and leaning in closer. "About that Salamander we met earlier... something felt off. Lucy, you noticed it too, right? You were acting kind of strange for a bit there."
Lucy's eyes widened slightly, a flicker of recognition passing over her face. She nodded, her own voice dropping to match Ben's hushed tone. "Yeah, I was going to explain that to you earlier. I didn't want to say anything in front of everyone in town."
Natsu tilted his head, curiosity piqued. "What do you mean? What'd you notice?"
Lucy's eyes darted around the room before she continued, "That guy was using charm magic. I'm sure of it. Did you see that ugly ring he was wearing?"
"Charm magic?" Ben's brow furrowed, a mix of confusion and concern etched on his face. "What's that exactly? And what does a ring have to do with it?"
Lucy leaned in even closer, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's a spell that makes people fall for you," she explained, her expression grave. "Like mind control. And it's totally illegal. That ring he had? It's not just tacky jewelry. It's probably enchanted with charm magic."
Ben's eyes widened, but instead of his usual animated expressions, his face became a mask of cold fury. His entire body went rigid, muscles coiled tight like a predator ready to strike. When he spoke, his voice was unnaturally flat, devoid of its usual warmth.
"What? Are you serious?" The words came out barely above a whisper, each syllable clipped and controlled. Beneath the table, his hands clenched into fists so tight his knuckles turned white.
Lucy blinked, taken aback by the sudden shift in Ben's demeanor. She'd noticed he'd been a bit on edge since they arrived in town, but this was something else entirely. It was as if a switch had been flipped, revealing a side of Ben she'd never glimpsed before.
"Whoa, Ben," she said softly, leaning closer and placing a gentle hand on his arm. She could feel the tension radiating off him in waves. "You okay?"
Ben's jaw tightened, the muscles in his neck visibly straining. When he spoke, his voice remained low and cold, a stark contrast to his usual cheerful tone. "Yeah, I just... it's complicated." He took a deep, measured breath, clearly struggling to keep his anger in check. "It's... the idea of someone taking away someone's free will. It just gets to me, you know?"
Lucy frowned, concern etching deep lines on her face. In all their chats at the estate, he'd never hinted at anything like this. There was clearly more to Ben's past than he'd let on, and whatever it was, it ran deep. "Ben," she said gently but firmly, maintaining eye contact with him. "You can trust me. Whatever it is, I'm here."
He nodded almost imperceptibly, some of the tension leaving his shoulders. But his eyes remained hard, focused on some distant point. "Thanks, Lucy. I've just... seen what happens when people abuse power like that. It's not pretty."
The words hung in the air between them, heavy with unspoken history. Lucy found herself wondering just what experiences had shaped this side of Ben, so at odds with the easygoing gardener she thought she knew.
Natsu, who had been quiet during this exchange, finally spoke up. "Hold on, you're saying this Salamander guy is using magic to trick people?" His usual carefree demeanor was gone, replaced by a serious expression.
Ben nodded, grateful for the chance to redirect the conversation. "Yeah, that's what it sounds like. Lucy, you seemed to shake it off pretty quickly. How'd you know what was happening?"
Lucy twirled a strand of hair nervously, her eyes darting around the room as she lowered her voice. "Well, I've read about charm magic before. When I realized what was happening, I was able to break free of it. But most people wouldn't even know they were being affected."
Ben's expression darkened, his fists clenching under the table. Before he could respond, Natsu leaped to his feet, fire practically dancing in his eyes.
"That's it! I'm gonna go teach that phony a lesson!" Natsu declared, already turning towards the door.
Ben stood up as well, his usual easygoing demeanor replaced by a steely resolve. "I'm with you," he said, his voice low and determined. "This ends now."
Lucy's eyes widened in shock. She'd never seen Ben like this before. Quickly, she reached out, grabbing both their sleeves. "Hold on, you hotheads!" she hissed, tugging them back down. "Salamander's no joke. He's supposed to be a big shot from Fairy Tail."
Natsu's head snapped towards her, a frown creasing his forehead. "Fairy Tail? That doesn't sound right."
"Yeah," Lucy explained, her fingers nervously twisting a lock of hair. "He's got fire magic that could fry your plants in seconds, Ben."
Ben shook his head, his jaw clenched tight. "I don't give a damn about his magic or his guild," he growled, surprising Lucy with the intensity in his voice. "Using people like that? It's just wrong."
He stood up again, this time with such force that his chair nearly toppled over. "I've seen what happens when people abuse power," Ben continued, his eyes distant for a moment before refocusing with fierce determination. "I won't let it slide."
Lucy grabbed his arm, her eyes pleading. "Ben, please. Think this through."
"Hold on a sec," Natsu interrupted, all traces of his earlier cheerfulness vanishing. A steely glint appeared in his eyes, matching Ben's anger. "That guy was claiming to be from Fairy Tail?"
Lucy nodded, taken aback by the sudden shift in Natsu's demeanor. "Yeah, that's what he said. Why? What's wrong?"
Natsu's eyes flashed dangerously, sparks almost seeming to dance in their depths. "There's no way that creep's from Fairy Tail. No way in hell."
"How can you be so sure?" Ben asked, his own anger momentarily forgotten in the face of Natsu's certainty.
"Because we're from Fairy Tail!" Happy chimed in, his cheerful tone at odds with the tension in the air. The blue cat puffed out his chest proudly, wings fluttering with excitement.
Lucy's jaw dropped. "Wait, what? You guys are...?"
Natsu nodded, his earlier anger softening into pride. He rolled up his sleeve, revealing a red guild mark on his shoulder. "See? We're the real deal."
Happy twirled around, moving his small backpack to the side and showing off his own green mark on his back. "Aye sir!"
Lucy's eyes sparkled with excitement, momentarily distracted from the situation at hand. "That's amazing! I can't believe I'm actually meeting Fairy Tail wizards!"
Ben, however, remained focused on the problem at hand. "So that Salamander guy is lying about being in your guild? That's even worse!"
Natsu nodded grimly. "Yeah, and we're gonna make him pay for dragging Fairy Tail's name through the mud."
He started marching towards the door, a determined fire in his eyes. Ben quickly fell into step beside him, equally eager to confront the fraudulent Salamander.
"Wait!" Lucy cried out, grabbing both boys by their shirts. "You can't just charge in there!"
Ben's voice dropped low, his eyes darting around nervously. "Lucy, think about it for a sec. Why would this creep use a fake name and mind control to get women on his ship? It's gotta be bad news."
Lucy's eyes widened, realization dawning on her face. "Oh... oh no. You don't think he's..."
Ben nodded grimly. "Yeah, I do. And we can't let that happen."
Lucy chewed her lip, her mind racing. "Maybe we should tell the Rune Knights? They could handle this, right?"
Ben shook his head, running a hand through his hair. "Nah, it's not that simple. That slimeball would just ditch the ring as soon as he caught wind of trouble. It'd be our word against his."
"But we need proof," Lucy said, her face paling. "And to get that..."
"Yeah," Ben finished, his jaw clenching. "We'd have to put those girls in danger. And that's not an option."
Natsu punched his palm, grinning. "Sounds to me like we gotta crash that party!"
Lucy's eyes darted between Ben and Natsu, her mouth hanging open. "Hold up, you two! We can't just barge in there!"
Natsu's face scrunched up in confusion. "Why not? Seems pretty straightforward to me."
Ben nodded, a steely glint in his eye that Lucy had never seen before. His usual easygoing posture was gone, replaced by something... different. "Sometimes you gotta take matters into your own hands."
Lucy threw her hands up. "I swear, you're both out of your minds!"
"Aye!" Happy chirped, grinning from ear to ear. "That's half the fun!"
Lucy groaned, sinking into her chair. She glanced at Ben, noticing how he was practically vibrating with tension. This wasn't the laid-back Ben she knew. His usual easy smile was gone, replaced by a hard set to his jaw and a fire in his eyes she'd never seen before.
"Ben, what's gotten into you?" Lucy asked, her voice tinged with concern. "I didn't even know you could fight."
Ben's shoulders tensed, and he looked away, his gaze fixed on some distant point. "You pick up a lot when you travel," he said vaguely, his voice low. "I've learned to handle myself."
Lucy's eyebrows shot up, her dissatisfaction with his non-answer clear on her face. "Clearly," she said instead, her tone making it clear this conversation wasn't over. "But that's a talk for later. Right now, we need to think this through."
Ben nodded, some of the tension leaving his shoulders. He met Lucy's eyes, gratitude flickering across his face. "You're right," he agreed, his voice softening slightly. "We can't rush into this blind."
Natsu pouted. "Aw, come on! Where's the fun in that?"
Lucy shot him a look. "The fun is in not getting arrested... or worse."
Ben nodded slowly. "Lucy's right. We can't just rush in blind."
"Fine," Natsu grumbled, flopping back into his seat. "But make it quick. I'm itching to teach that fake Salamander a lesson."
Lucy leaned forward, her mind racing. "Okay, let's break this down. What do we know, and what do we need to find out?"
As they huddled around the table, Lucy couldn't help but steal glances at Ben. Who was this intense, battle-ready version of her friend? And what other secrets was he hiding?