Lucy's heart raced as she dashed through the forest, Happy fluttering beside her. The sounds of the fierce battle between Ben, Natsu, and Everlue's hired goons faded behind them.
"I think we're far enough now," Lucy panted, skidding to a stop. She plopped down on a mossy log, catching her breath.
Happy landed next to her, his tail twitching anxiously. "Lucy, are you sure about this?"
Lucy's eyes sparkled as she pulled out Daybreak and a pair of Gale-Force Reading Glasses. "It's now or never, Happy! This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to read an unpublished Kemu Zeleon book!"
"But shouldn't we keep going?" Happy fretted.
Lucy waved him off. "Relax! Ben and Natsu can handle those weirdos. Now, let me dig into this treasure!"
She slipped on the glasses, grinning like a kid in a candy store. Her eyes zoomed across the pages, devouring words at lightning speed.
But a few pages in, her excited expression dropped.
"Huh?" Happy noticed the change. "What's wrong, Lucy?"
Lucy's brow furrowed. "There's... something off about this book. I can't put my finger on it, but it's definitely fishy."
"Oh great," Happy mumbled. "Should we head back?"
"No way!" Lucy shook her head. "I need to figure this out. Can you keep watch? I promise I'll be quick!"
Happy sighed, his little shoulders slumping. "Fine, but hurry up! I hope Natsu and Ben finish those guys off soon. This place gives me the creeps!"
As Lucy dove back into the mysterious book, Happy nervously scanned their surroundings. The forest seemed to grow darker, shadows stretching between the trees. Strange rustling sounds made his fur stand on end.
Ben and Natsu stood face-to-face with the Vanish Brothers. The air crackled with tension as they sized each other up.
"Alright, Natsu," Ben whispered, eyes locked on their opponents. "You take the one with the frying pan. I'll handle the tall guy."
Natsu grinned, cracking his knuckles. "Sounds good to me!"
The taller Vanish Brother smirked. "You know, it's not smart to plan your attack right in front of us."
Ben shrugged, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Well, can't say we didn't warn you!" He reached for the flower tucked in his top jacket pocket, a secret weapon up his sleeve.
In a flash, the delicate bloom transformed into a thorny whip. Ben cracked it through the air, charging at the taller brother. "Let's dance, big guy!"
Natsu whooped, his fists bursting into flames. "I'm all fired up now!" He leaped at the frying pan-wielding brother, ready to dish out some serious heat.
The Vanish Brothers exchanged a quick glance, momentarily caught off guard. But they quickly recovered, falling into defensive stances.
Ben's strategy was clear - divide and conquer. He lashed out with his flower whip, trying to separate the brothers. But the taller one was surprisingly nimble for his size, weaving between the thick trunks of the forest.
"Missed me!" The giant taunted, leaping onto a low-hanging branch with shocking agility. He balanced there, grinning down at Ben. "Gotta do better than that, plant boy!"
Ben gritted his teeth, frustrated. The dense forest should've given him an advantage with his plant magic. Instead, it was working against him, limiting his movements and providing cover for his opponent.
Ben's eyes darted around, trying to predict his opponent's next move. The forest floor was littered with fallen leaves and twigs, crunching under their feet as they danced this dangerous game of cat and mouse. Suddenly, Ben had an epiphany. Why was he limiting himself to just the whip when he was surrounded by an arsenal of natural weapons?
With a deep breath, Ben focused his magic, feeling the energy of the forest pulse around him. The trees seemed to whisper, responding to his call. In an instant, thick branches shot out from the surrounding trunks, twisting and reaching for the agile Vanish Brother.
The taller brother's eyes widened in surprise. He leapt and dodged, but the sheer number of branches made it increasingly difficult. "What the-?" he grunted, barely avoiding a particularly thick limb that threatened to wrap around his torso.
Ben grinned, sweat beading on his forehead from the effort. The branches might not have been as fast as his whip, but the quantity was overwhelming. He directed them with careful precision, trying to predict where his opponent would dodge next.
Meanwhile, Natsu's battle raged on, his fiery fists clashing against the giant frying pan. Sparks flew, igniting more of the dry underbrush. The heat intensified, making the air shimmer.
"Oh yeah?" Natsu growled, his wild grin illuminated by the growing flames. "I'm just getting started!"
The forest echoed with the cacophony of their battles - the creaking and snapping of manipulated branches, the whoosh of Natsu's flames, and the metallic clang of the frying pan. Birds took flight in alarm, and small forest creatures scurried for safety.
Ben wiped sweat from his brow, the heat from Natsu's flames making the already humid forest air even more stifling. He needed to end this quickly before the fire caught the forest. His eyes narrowed, focusing on the Vanish Brother's increasingly frantic movements.
Just as Ben thought he had the upper hand, the taller brother made a daring move. With a powerful leap, he vaulted over a grasping branch and dropped right in front of Ben, a triumphant smirk on his face.
But Ben didn't hesitate for a second. As soon as the Vanish Brother's feet touched the ground, Ben's fist was already in motion. He poured all his frustration and determination into the punch, aiming squarely for his opponent's gut.
The taller brother's eyes widened, his hand shooting out to catch Ben's fist just before impact. A low whistle escaped his lips.
"Not bad, plant boy," he grunted, clearly impressed. "That's some speed and power for a mage."
Ben grinned, a bead of sweat rolling down his temple. "Thanks. I work out."
He didn't waste time chatting, though. Ben launched into a flurry of punches and kicks, hoping to catch his opponent off guard. But as the fight dragged on, something weird started happening.
The taller brother seemed to be reading Ben's moves better and better. He dodged and blocked with growing ease, a curious look on his face.
"Hold up," the Vanish Brother said, sidestepping another of Ben's punches. His eyes gleamed with an odd mix of curiosity and amusement, as if he'd just figured out the punchline to a particularly good joke. "Your style... it's familiar."
Ben frowned, breathing hard. Sweat trickled down his temple as he tried to catch his breath. "What're you talking about?"
The taller brother's eyes narrowed, but the smile never left his face. He dodged another of Ben's strikes with an almost lazy grace. "I mean, it's VERY familiar. Where'd you learn to fight like that?"
A chill ran down Ben's spine, despite the heat of the battle. He hadn't thought about his old combat training in ages. The forest seemed to close in around them, the air thick with tension.
"I've picked up a thing or two," Ben quipped, trying to hide his unease. He launched into another series of attacks, desperate to keep his opponent off-balance and stop this line of questioning.
The Vanish Brother chuckled, meeting Ben blow for blow. "Oh, I'm sure you have. But this..." He caught Ben's fist mid-swing, his grip like iron. "This isn't something you just 'pick up'."
Ben's heart raced as he struggled to free his hand. The sounds of Natsu's fight echoed nearby - the whoosh of flames, the clang of metal - but he forced himself to focus. Getting distracted now could be deadly.
Suddenly, the taller brother's eyes darted to the side, catching a glimpse of the other fight. A flicker of understanding passed over his face, so quick Ben almost missed it.
Panic surged through Ben. He knew. This mercenary had recognized his fighting style, had put the pieces together. The realization hit Ben like a punch to the gut, and with it came a wave of desperation.
Without warning, Ben's demeanor changed. His eyes hardened, his jaw set in a grim line. He summoned his magic, feeling the familiar tingle of power coursing through his veins. But this time, instead of the vine-like whip he'd been using, his magic coalesced into something different. Something deadlier.
A knife of thorns materialized in Ben's free hand, its edges gleaming wickedly in the dappled forest light. The Vanish Brother's eyes widened slightly, sensing the shift in the air.
"Well, plant boy," the Vanish Brother grinned, but there was a new wariness in his eyes, "it looks like playtime's over."
Ben didn't respond. His training, the very thing he'd been trying to forget, came rushing back. In a fluid motion, he twisted out of the brother's grip and lunged forward, aiming the thorn knife at a vital point.
The taller brother reacted with impressive speed, barely managing to dodge the lethal strike. But Ben didn't let up. He pressed forward, his attacks becoming a blur of sharp edges and precise movements. Each strike was calculated, efficient, aimed to end the fight as quickly and decisively as possible.
It was everything Ben had hoped he'd never have to use again. The brutal efficiency, the disregard for his opponent's wellbeing - it was all flooding back, muscle memory taking over where conscious thought faltered.
But the Vanish Brother was no easy target. managing to stay just out of reach of Ben's lethal strikes. The brother's earlier cockiness had vanished, replaced by a laser-like focus that matched Ben's own intensity.
"I see," the brother muttered, ducking under another swipe of the thorn knife. "They trained you well, didn't they? But not well enough."
With a sudden burst of speed, the Vanish Brother closed the distance between them. Ben's eyes widened in surprise as his opponent's hand shot out, grabbing his wrist and twisting sharply. The thorn knife clattered to the forest floor.
Before Ben could react, the world spun around him. The taller brother had used Ben's trapped arm as leverage, spinning and hurling him through the air with surprising strength. Ben sailed through the forest, leaves and branches whipping past his face.
"Natsu!" Ben yelled, realizing with horror that he was flying straight towards his teammate's battle.
But Natsu was locked in combat with the frying pan-wielding brother. Ben saw a flash of metal as the shorter Vanish Brother spun, not even bothering to look back. The massive frying pan rotated, its broad surface suddenly facing Ben's incoming form.
Time seemed to slow down. Ben saw Natsu's eyes widen in shock, saw the gleam of the frying pan's surface, and then...fire. A massive jet of flame erupted from the pan, hurtling straight towards Ben.
"Ben!" Natsu's panicked shout pierced the air.
In that split second, Ben's training kicked in. There was no time for fancy maneuvers or clever tricks. Pure instinct took over. He threw his arms up in front of his face, a desperate attempt to shield himself from the incoming inferno.
The heat hit him like a wall, singeing his clothes and hair. Ben gritted his teeth, bracing for the worst. In that moment, as the flames engulfed him, a small part of his mind couldn't help but marvel at the Vanish Brothers' teamwork. They'd turned the tables in an instant, using Ben's own momentum against him and Natsu's fire as a weapon.
As he tumbled through the air, surrounded by fire, Ben's thoughts raced. How was he going to get out of this one? And more pressingly, how much had the Vanish Brothers figured out about his past?
Lucy slammed the book closed, a resolute look on her face. Her mind was racing with everything she'd just discovered.
"Lucy, what's wrong?" Happy chirped, his tail twitching nervously.
She took a deep breath. "Happy, this is way more complicated than we thought. All the answers we need are in this book."
Just as the words left Lucy's mouth, she felt a sudden chill run down her spine. Before she could react, the ground behind her erupted like a geyser, and a pair of stubby arms shot out, grabbing her wrists.
"Gotcha!" Duke Everlue's slimy voice hissed in her ear, making her skin crawl.
Lucy yelped in surprise as Everlue twisted her arms behind her back. The book nearly slipped from her grasp, but she managed to hold on tight.
"Now, now, my dear," Everlue sneered, his mustache twitching with glee. "Why don't you be a good girl and tell me what you've discovered about my book?"
Lucy squirmed, trying to break free, but Everlue's grip was surprisingly strong for such a small man. She glared over her shoulder at him, her brown eyes blazing with defiance.
"You're pathetic, Everlue!" she spat. "You're an enemy of literature!"
Everlue's face contorted in rage, his beady eyes bulging. "How dare you! I'll have you know I'm a highly educated man of great taste and refinement!"
Everlue tightened his grip on Lucy's arms, making her wince. "Enough games! Tell me the secrets of the book, or I'll break those ugly little arms of yours!"
Despite the pain and the very real threat, Lucy couldn't help but roll her eyes. She turned her head to face Everlue and, in a moment of pure childish defiance, stuck out her tongue.
"Bleh!" she taunted, her face scrunched up in a mocking expression.
Everlue's jaw dropped in disbelief. He clearly wasn't used to his threats being met with such... immaturity. His face turned an angry shade of red, his mustache twitching furiously.
"You insolent brat!" he sputtered, tightening his grip on Lucy's arms. "How dare you mock me? I'll have you know that book is rightfully mine! I made Kemu Zeleon write it, so whatever secret treasures it contains belong to me!"
WHAM!
A blue blur shot through the air, smacking right into the back of Everlue's head. The Duke yelped in surprise, his grip on Lucy loosening.
"Nice shot, Happy!" Lucy cheered, twisting free from Everlue's grasp.
The blue cat hovered nearby, a smug grin on his face. "Aye, sir!"
Lucy quickly put some distance between herself and the still-dazed Duke. She reached for her keys, her fingers closing around a familiar golden one.
"Alright, Everlue," she said, brandishing the key. Her voice was steady, but there was a glint of excitement in her eyes. "Let's see how you handle a real Celestial wizard!"
Everlue, rubbing the back of his head where Happy had struck him, stumbled to his feet. His face contorted with rage, mustache quivering comically.
"You insolent brat!" he sputtered, his beady eyes darting between Lucy and Happy. "You think a few shiny keys and a mangy cat can defeat my Diver Magic? Kemu Zeleon should have been grateful to write about a man as great as me!"
Lucy's lips curled into a knowing smirk. "Oh, we know all about your so-called greatness, Everlue. It's all there in black and white - in that terrible adventure book with you as the main character."
Everlue's eyes widened, a mix of surprise and pride crossing his face. "It's wonderful that I'm the main character, but of course, the contents ARE utter garbage. The famous Kemu Zeleon and it was still crap. Utterly outrageous!"
Lucy's grip tightened on her key, her brown eyes narrowing. "You forced him to write it!"
Everlue scoffed, twirling his mustache. "Forced? Pah! I gave that hack a chance of a lifetime!"
"You've got to be kidding me." Lucy's voice dripped with disgust.
"Kemu Zeleon should've been thrilled!" Everlue puffed out his chest, his mustache twitching with self-importance. "I offered him the honor of writing about ME as the main character! Can you imagine?"
Lucy's stomach churned. This guy was seriously delusional.
Everlue's eyes gleamed with a sinister light. "When he dared to refuse, I made him an offer he couldn't refuse. Write the book, or say bye-bye to his family's citizenship!"
"You can't do that!" Happy exclaimed, his fur standing on end.
Lucy sighed, her shoulders slumping. "Unfortunately, he can, Happy. Everlue's got way too much power in this area."
"Oh, but that's not all!" Everlue cackled, clearly enjoying himself. "After dear Kemu finally saw reason, I decided to give him some... inspiration. Some solitary confinement ought to do the trick, I thought. Break that pesky pride of his!"
Lucy's face contorted with rage, her fists clenching at her sides. "You... you monster! How can you brag about locking someone up for three years? All because of your pathetic ego?"
Everlue's mustache twitched as he paused mid-brag. His beady eyes narrowed, fixing on Lucy with sudden suspicion.
"Wait a minute," he said, voice dripping with curiosity. "How do you know so much about what happened with Zeleon?"
Lucy smirked, holding up the book. "Like I said, it's all in here."
Everlue's jaw dropped. "That's preposterous! I've read that book back to front. Zeleon isn't mentioned once!"
"Oh, but he is," Lucy said, a glint in her eye. "You see, Zeleon wasn't just any writer. He was a wizard, and his final spell was on this very book."
Everlue's face scrunched up in confusion. "What are you babbling about, girl?"
Lucy flipped through the pages, her smile growing. "It only looks like nonsense on the surface. But Zeleon was clever. He hid the truth in plain sight."
Everlue's eyes darted between Lucy and the book. His face twisted into a mask of rage, mustache quivering like an angry caterpillar.
"Did that rat Zeleon make it so his grudge would appear after the magic was released?" he sputtered, spittle flying from his lips. "Unforgivable! Absolutely unforgivable!"
Lucy shook her head, a small smile playing on her lips. "You're too small-minded, Everlue. What Kemu went through is only a tiny part of this book. It's not what he wanted to leave behind."
Everlue's jaw dropped, his beady eyes wide with disbelief. "What? But... but..."
"That's why I won't let you have it," Lucy said, her voice firm. She held the book close to her chest, her eyes blazing with determination. "You could never understand what this book really means."
Everlue's face turned an alarming shade of purple. He looked like he might explode at any moment. "You insolent little brat! I'll show you what happens when you cross Duke Everlue!"
But Lucy was done talking. With a swift motion, she pulled out a golden key, her eyes never leaving Everlue's furious face.
"Open, Gate of the Giant Crab!" she called out, her voice ringing through the air. "Cancer!"
A bright light filled the room, and the sound of snipping scissors echoed around them. Everlue's eyes widened in shock as a figure materialized beside Lucy.
Cancer appeared in a flash, his unique appearance immediately drawing attention. He was dressed like a fashionable hairdresser, sporting a striped blue shirt that accentuated his lean build. Stylish shades covered his eyes, giving him an air of cool confidence. His black hair was intricately braided into red cornrows that extended outward, ending in a shape that strikingly resembled crab's pincers.
"You called, -ebi?" Cancer asked, his scissors clicking rhythmically as he twirled them with expert precision.
Lucy grinned, pointing at Everlue. "Time for a haircut, Cancer. And make it a close shave!"
Everlue's face contorted with rage, his mustache twitching violently. "You think your little crab man scares me?" he spat, his hand diving into his coat pocket. "I'll show you real Celestial Spirit magic!"
To Lucy and Happy's shock, Everlue pulled out a golden key of his own. It glinted menacingly in the light as he held it aloft.
"Open, Gate of the Maiden, Virgo!" Everlue bellowed, a smug grin spreading across his face.
Another burst of light filled the room, and Lucy felt her jaw drop as a familiar figure appeared. It was none other than the giant, pink-haired gorilla maid from before.
"You summoned me, Master?" the gorilla maid asked in a deep, gravelly voice that seemed to shake the very foundations of the room. The contrast between her brutish appearance and the formal way she addressed Everlue was just as jarring as the last time Lucy saw her.
Lucy's eyes widened at the name. Virgo? That brutish maid was one of the Zodiac spirits? She gritted her teeth, realizing this fight had just become a lot more complicated than she'd anticipated.
Both sides seemed to pause, sizing each other up, waiting for an opening. The tension in the air was palpable, like a tightly coiled spring ready to snap. Lucy's fingers tightened around her keys, while Everlue's mustache twitched with anticipation.
Suddenly, a massive explosion rocked the forest about half a mile back, sending a plume of fire and smoke into the sky. The ground trembled beneath their feet, and the sound echoed through the trees.
Lucy and Everlue both turned instinctively towards the source of the blast, momentarily distracted by the unexpected interruption.
"What in the world?" Lucy gasped, her mind racing to the others. Was that Natsu? Or maybe Ben?
However, their spirits didn't share their masters' momentary lapse in focus. Cancer and Virgo, bound by their duty and the heat of battle, seized the opportunity.
Ben's head was spinning as he pushed himself up, wincing at the aches all over his body. His clothes were in tatters, leaving him bare-chested and covered in soot. He blinked hard, trying to shake off the dizziness.
"Ugh, what hit me?" he mumbled, rubbing his head. His eyes widened as he spotted Natsu taking on both Vanish Brothers at once. It wasn't looking good.
"Natsu!" Ben called out, his voice hoarse. "Watch out!"
But his warning came too late. WHAM! CRACK! Natsu took a nasty combo, flying through the air like a ragdoll. He hit the ground hard, leaving a Natsu-shaped crater.
Ben's stomach churned as he watched Natsu hit the ground. This wasn't how it was supposed to go. He was meant to have Natsu's back, but he'd blown it. Now his friend was paying the price.
The Vanish Brothers stood over Natsu, grinning like they'd won the jackpot. Then the shorter one spotted Ben.
"Look, brother!" he squeaked, pointing. "Plant boy's back for more!"
The taller brother's eyes narrowed as he looked Ben over. His gaze wandered, then stopped dead on Ben's exposed shoulder. A slow, creepy grin spread across his face.
"Well, well," he chuckled, elbowing his brother. "What did I tell you? Take a good look at that."
The shorter brother's eyes followed, going wide when they landed on Ben's shoulder. There, plain as day, was a mark - not a tattoo, but a brand. A four-winged bird clutching lightning bolts, with three little bars underneath. It screamed volumes about Ben's past.
Ben's heart sank. His secret was out. He tried to cover the mark, but it was too late. The brothers had seen it, and boy, did they know what it meant.
"Well, I'll be," the shorter brother whistled. "Been a while since we've seen one of those. Bet there's a fat reward for him."
"Alive, of course," the taller one added, his grin getting wider. "They always pay more for live ones."
Ben felt like he'd been dunked in ice water. This was his every fear coming to life. He'd worked so hard to leave that life behind, to bury his past. Now, in the blink of an eye, it was all about to come crashing down.
His mind raced, trying to cook up a plan while fighting back panic. He glanced at Natsu, still down for the count. Then at the brothers, who were eyeing him like a prize pig at the fair. Ben's fingers twitched, ready to call on his magic. But would it be enough?
Ben's breath came in short gasps as he desperately searched for a solution. His eyes darted to the surrounding forest, seeking any advantage he could find. The cedar tree next to him caught his attention, and suddenly, an idea sparked in his mind.
Trying to look as exhausted and defeated as possible, Ben leaned against the tree, his hand subtly pressing against its rough bark. It wasn't hard to appear worn out; the fight had taken its toll, and his muscles ached from the exertion. The Vanish Brothers bought into his act, their faces splitting into triumphant grins as they approached to capture their seemingly easy prey.
As the brothers drew closer, Ben's fingers dug into the tree's bark, his magic reaching out to the ancient cedar. He could feel the life pulsing within it, the sap flowing through its veins. With a silent plea, he urged the tree to respond to his call.
The taller brother sneered, "Looks like the little stray is all out of tricks. Time to come quietly, boy."
Ben's eyes flickered up to the branches above, then back to the approaching mercenaries. He allowed a flicker of fear to cross his face, playing up his vulnerability. "I... I can't go back," he stammered, his voice cracking with genuine emotion. "Please, you don't understand..."
The shorter brother laughed, a harsh, grating sound. "Oh, we understand plenty. You're worth a pretty penny, and we aim to collect."
Just as the brothers were within arm's reach, a loud crack echoed through the clearing. The mercenaries froze, confusion etched on their faces. Before they could react, a torrent of thick, amber resin rained down from the branches above, drenching them from head to toe.
The Vanish Brothers let out startled yells, stumbling backward as they tried to wipe the sticky substance from their eyes. The resin clung to their skin and clothes like thick honey, quickly hardening in the open air.
"What the hell?!" the shorter brother exclaimed, his arms flailing wildly as he tried to shake off the gooey mess.
The taller brother attempted to take a step forward, only to find his feet stuck to the forest floor. "I can't move!" he growled, tugging at his legs in vain.
Ben pushed himself off the tree, a triumphant grin spreading across his face. The rush of adrenaline had chased away his earlier exhaustion, leaving him feeling invigorated. He watched with satisfaction as the brothers struggled against the rapidly hardening resin.
"Having some trouble there?" Ben called out, unable to keep the amusement from his voice. He casually strolled towards the immobilized mercenaries, his hands in his pockets.
The taller brother glared at him, still trying to free himself from the sticky trap. "What is this stuff?" he demanded, his mustache twitching in annoyance.
Ben chuckled, circling around the trapped brothers. "Oh, just a little tree resin," he explained, his tone light and almost conversational. "Also known as pitch. Neat stuff, really. It hardens when exposed to air." He tapped his chin thoughtfully. "You know, I've heard some people use it for things like waterproofing boats. But I guess today, it's more of a mercenary-proofing substance."
The shorter brother let out a frustrated growl, his attempts to free himself only resulting in more of his body becoming stuck. "You'll pay for this, you little—"
"Ah, ah," Ben interrupted, wagging his finger. "I'd be careful if I were you. The more you struggle, the worse it gets." He couldn't help but smirk as he added, "Looks like you two are in a pretty sticky situation."
The taller brother's face turned red with anger. "When we get out of this—"
"If," Ben corrected, his smirk widening. "If you get out of this. And that's a pretty big 'if' right now."
Ben stood there, a smug grin tugging at his lips as he admired his handiwork. The Vanish Brothers were stuck fast, their legs coated in sticky tree resin. He dusted off his hands, feeling pretty pleased with himself.
But his victory dance was cut short by the sound of angry grumbling. Ben's eyes widened as he saw Natsu climbing out of a nearby crater, looking seriously ticked off. His maid outfit was in tatters, makeup smeared across his face like war paint.
"Oh no," Ben muttered, not liking the look in Natsu's eyes. It was the look of a man who wanted payback. "Natsu, wait-"
But Natsu was already crouching, muscles tensing like a spring about to snap. Ben tried to warn him, "Don't attack! The resin is-"
Too late. Natsu leapt into the air, both fists blazing with fire. "Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!" he roared, hurtling towards the trapped brothers.
Ben's survival instincts kicked in. Without a second thought, he bolted for the nearest thick tree, diving behind it for cover. He pressed his back against the rough bark, heart pounding.
"Aw, crud," he muttered, bracing himself for what was about to happen.
BOOM!
The explosion rocked the forest, sending a wave of heat washing over Ben. He peeked around the tree trunk, wincing at the sight.
Where the Vanish Brothers had been stuck, there was now a small inferno. Trees nearby were ablaze, smoke billowing into the air. And in the middle of it all stood Natsu, looking both confused and oddly proud.
"Huh," Natsu said, scratching his head. "Didn't expect that to be so... boom-y."
Ben stepped out from behind the tree, shaking his head. "Natsu, tree resin is super flammable. You just turned my trap into a forest fire!"
Natsu's eyes widened, a mix of surprise and indignation flashing across his face. "What? How was I supposed to know that?" he exclaimed, gesturing wildly at the burning trees around them. "You should've warned me!"
Ben pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling a headache coming on. "I tried to warn you, Natsu. I literally yelled 'Don't attack!' before you jumped in."
"Well, you should've warned me faster!" Natsu retorted, crossing his arms with a huff. His singed maid outfit hanging off him in tatters, giving him a comical appearance despite his attempt at a serious expression.
Ben opened his mouth to argue, then thought better of it. He sighed, shoulders slumping in defeat. "You know what? Never mind. Can you just... take care of the fires before they spread?"
Natsu's annoyance vanished instantly, replaced by his trademark grin. "Oh yeah, I got this!" He cracked his knuckles, looking almost excited at the prospect of eating more flames.
Ben watched, still impressed despite having seen this before, as Natsu took a deep breath. The fire seemed to respond to him, streams of flame flowing through the air and into Natsu's mouth like fiery rivers. Trees that had been ablaze moments ago were left singed but no longer burning.
In a matter of seconds, the forest fire was gone. Natsu burped, a small puff of smoke escaping his lips. He patted his stomach contentedly. "Man, that hit the spot! Nothing like a fire snack after a good fight."
Ben shook his head, a mix of exasperation and amusement on his face. "You're really something else, you know that?" He glanced around at the now fire-free but decidedly crispy-looking trees. "At least the forest is safe now."
Ben's eyes darted around the clearing, suddenly very aware of his exposed arms. The mark on his shoulder felt hot, as if the open air burned it. Panic seized him as he realized how close he'd come to revealing his past.
Frantically, he scanned the area for anything he could use to cover up. His gaze landed on a nearby oak tree, its broad leaves a potential solution. Without a word, he hurried over to it, plucking a large leaf from a low-hanging branch.
Concentrating hard, Ben channeled the last of his magic into the leaf. It began to grow and multiply, spreading over his arms like a second skin. The process wasn't perfect - the makeshift shirt was rough and a bit patchy in places - but it served its purpose. His brand was once again hidden from view.
As he finished adjusting his new leafy attire, Ben caught Natsu looking at him curiously. He fumbled with the sleeves, avoiding eye contact. "Just cold," he mumbled, tugging the edges of his plant-based shirt to ensure complete coverage.
It wasn't exactly fashionable, but it would do for now. Ben ran a hand through his disheveled hair, letting out a quiet sigh of relief. His secret was safe, at least for the moment. He knew he couldn't keep this hidden forever, but he wasn't ready to face those questions. Not yet.
Natsu opened his mouth, then closed it, his eyes flicking between Ben and the improvised shirt. For a moment, Ben tensed, his heart hammering in his chest. He could almost feel Natsu's curious gaze boring into him, and he braced himself for the inevitable questions.
But then, to Ben's immense relief, Natsu just shrugged, his usual carefree grin spreading across his face. "Whatever, man," Natsu said, turning his attention back to where the Vanish Brothers had been. "Hey, where'd those guys go?"
Ben blinked, momentarily confused by the change of subject. He followed Natsu's gaze to find the spot where the mercenaries had been trapped now empty, save for some singed grass and a lingering smell of smoke.
They scanned the area, finally spotting the Vanish Brothers a short distance away. The once-proud mercenaries were now thoroughly unconscious, their bodies covered in soot and their clothes singed. They lay in awkward positions, looking more like discarded ragdolls than fearsome fighters.
Natsu prodded one with his foot, chuckling at the lack of response. "Guess they couldn't handle the heat," he joked, looking far too pleased with himself.
Ben felt a wave of relief wash over him, his tense shoulders slowly relaxing. He was grateful for Natsu's easy-going nature, his tendency to just let things slide. For a moment, he wondered if Natsu had noticed anything unusual and simply chosen not to mention it. Either way, Ben was thankful. He wasn't ready to explain that part of his past, not to Natsu, and especially not to Lucy.
As if on cue, Lucy burst into the clearing, dragging something behind her. Happy flew in right after, looking quite pleased with himself.
"Guys! We did it!" Lucy exclaimed, grinning from ear to ear. She gave the rope in her hands a tug, revealing what – or rather who – she was dragging.
There, tied up in Lucy's whip, was Duke Everlue. But he looked... different. Very different.
Ben couldn't help but stare. Everlue wasn't just defeated - he was out cold and as hairless as a newborn baby. His head gleamed in the sunlight, not a single strand left. Even his eyebrows and that ridiculous mustache were gone.
"Whoa, Lucy!" Natsu exclaimed, leaning in for a closer look. "You didn't just beat him, you waxed him!"
Ben felt a surge of pride for his friend. "Nice work," he said, giving Lucy a thumbs up. "Though I gotta ask - how'd you manage... all this?" He gestured at Everlue's shiny dome.
Lucy's cheeks turned a bit pink. "Well, it's kind of a funny story..."