Natsu and Gray walked out of the museum and ran to the bus, which had arrived there. They boarded and quickly sat down. Then, the bus set off through the streets of Manhattan.
Natsu – What the hell is going on, Gray? – he asked, confused about what was happening – Why did Professor Rinza turn into that thing? – he questioned, trembling as he recalled what his teacher had become – To be honest, what is she?
The brunette was restless in his seat. He looked from one side to the other, nonstop, as if he feared something.
Natsu – Gray!
Gray – Natsu, I can't explain now, just listen. When we get to your house, your mother's house, she'll explain everything and tell you about your father.
Natsu – My father? – he gritted his teeth – What do you mean? Is this guy I've never met involved somehow?
Gray – I can't tell you, the truth is I'm not allowed to. Gildarts forbade me from saying anything to you.
Natsu – Gildarts?
Gray – Yes, Professor Bilger...
Natsu – His other name is Gildarts? – he asked, confused.
Gray – No... – he looked nervously around – The real name of Mr. Bilger is Gildarts.
Natsu – I... I don't understand... – he stammered, confused – His real name, Mr. Bilger's, is Gildarts?
Gray – Yes...
Natsu – But why did he lie, saying his name was Bilger? – even seeing the state his friend was in (nervous, almost in panic), he continued to ask questions: – Uh, Gray? Why did he lie to me?
Gray – To protect you, Natsu – he looked at the pink-haired boy, melancholic, seeing his friend return the gaze, confused and intrigued – He decided to stay close to you. Even if it wasn't the right time... – he looked around nervously again.
Natsu raised an eyebrow, clearly confused – Close to me? "Even if it wasn't the right time," what's this talk about the right time, huh? What does that mean?
Gray sighed – Yes. He wanted to stay close to you to find out what gifts you had inherited, well, from him, from your father... And what kind of risks you were facing by staying here, in the city... – he looked into the pink-haired boy's eyes – Because he wanted you to be older... To be able to take you to the Camp... And your mother thinks so too.
Natsu shifted in his seat, restless – What does my mother have to do with this? – he asked, annoyed – Speaking of which, Mrs. Rinza asked about my mother... What did she want with her?
Gray – I've already said too much, Natsu... – he looked out the window – It's better if I stop telling you, otherwise you'll attract even more... – he murmured.
Natsu – "Attract even more" what? – even with difficulty, he had heard – What am I going to attract?
Gray – Baaaaa! – he groaned, frustrated – I've already told you too much! When we get to your mother's house, she'll explain.
Natsu – What's going on? – he settled into his seat – The worst part is that I'll have to see him... – he sighed, annoyed.
Minutes later, the bus stopped, and Gray recognized it as their stop. They quickly got off the bus.
Natsu – I'm back... – he murmured, looking at the building in front of him.
The building was far from beautiful; the red paint on the walls was old, dirty, and peeling; plants twined around the walls and windows, giving the place the appearance that no one had lived there for years.
Natsu – Come on, I want my mother to explain what's going on! – he grumbled with indifference. But inside, Natsu wasn't feeling so confident.
Gray – Alright... – he murmured.
Upon climbing to the second-to-last floor, Natsu and Gray stopped in front of a white door, which was falling apart, peeling.
Natsu – Alright, now what? – he asked nervously – What will my mother say when she sees me here? – he looked at the brunette.
Gray – She'll understand when she knows the real reason, Natsu... Now, knock on the door...
Natsu – Hm... – he murmured nervously – It's been a few weeks since I last saw her... So... – he pressed the doorbell. A nervous smile took over the pink-haired boy's face; of course, he was afraid of what his mother would say – she was quite bipolar – but when he heard a voice, his eyes lost their nervous shine and became dull:
– Virgo, go open the... – a burp – Door, now! – she shouted.
Virgo – I'm coming, Kender!
Natsu recognized his mother's sweet voice, making his happiness return quickly. Suddenly, the door opened, startling the pink-haired boy and the brunette – What do you wa... – she stopped when she saw who it was – Natsu? – she asked, surprised to see the boy there – Darling! – she hugged the boy.
Natsu – Mom... – he whispered, returning the hug – It's so good to see you...
Virgo – What are you doing here? – she smiled gently – No, wait... – she narrowed her eyes – The right question is: why aren't you at school?
Natsu swallowed hard – Well, Mom... – he gave an awkward smile.
Gray – He was attacked, Mrs. Dragneel... – he answered hurriedly, nervously, drawing the attention of the pink-haired woman.
Virgo – What do you mean "attacked"? – she stared at the brunette, still with her narrowed eyes – What was my son attacked by, Gray? – she looked sternly at the brunette.
Gray felt a shiver down his spine as those dull blue eyes stared deeply at him – By a Benevolent – he surprised Virgo with what he said.
Virgo – A Benevolent? – she asked nervously – Why a Benevolent of all things? – she murmured softly – Come, both of you, you'll explain this properly! – she grabbed the pink-haired boy and the brunette by the wrists, dragging them inside.
Upon reaching the living room of the house, Natsu looked at the table set up there: large and ugly. Around it were four caveman-like men: tall, big, ugly, and fat, with beer cans around them, playing cards.
Kender – Huh? – a fat man with an ugly, unkempt beard, holding a small beer can, looked to the side, seeing the brunette and the two pink-haired people in his field of vision – Ohhhh! Looks like the little pest is back. Hey, got any money there? – he smiled, showing his yellow, broken teeth.
Natsu – No... – he growled angrily – And even if I did, I wouldn't give it to you...
Kender – What did you say? – he asked angrily, standing up from his chair.
Natsu – Want me to repeat it? – he retorted with irony.
Kender – Brat... – he growled, crushing the can in his hand. In a swift move, he grabbed the pink-haired boy's wrist – Apologize on your knees... – he began twisting the pink-haired boy's wrist.
Natsu screamed, feeling the pain in his wrist.
Man 1 – Hey, Kender, that's not cool, man, stop it... – he tried to intervene, but it was useless.
Kender – Shut up... – he grumbled, twisting the pink-haired boy's wrist harder.
Virgo – Kender, stop! You're going to break my son's wrist! – she pounded her clenched fists on the man's chest – You leave me no choice... – she murmured, seeing that the man was distracted trying to twist the pink-haired boy's wrist. In a sudden move, she raised her foot and jumped, hitting Kender in the face (grazing the pink-haired boy) – Natsu, get back! – she put her hands on the pink-haired boy's shoulders, pulling him behind her own body.
Kender – You... – he groaned in pain, placing his hand over his mouth, trying to stop the bleeding that had started there – Why did you do that, you bitch? – he took a step forward, making Virgo, Gray, and Natsu step back.
Man 2 – Hey, Kender! Don't go hitting your woman, you idiot!
Kender – I told you to stay quiet...
Virgo – Stay away from me and the boys, Kender... I'm warning you...
Kender stopped walking and laughed loudly, with all the strength he had – Warning? Warning? Don't make me laugh, woman! – he growled – After I break the neck of this kid you call your son, finish breaking the legs of this cripple, then, and only then, will I deal with you.
Virgo gritted her teeth – I'm rusty... But I can still do some serious damage to a stupid mortal like this... – she thought coldly, watching the large, bearded, fat man approach calmly, step by step – You leave me no choice but to do this... – she murmured darkly.
Kender – Do what? You can't do anything...
Kender didn't finish speaking.
Gray/Natsu – Ahhh! – they shouted, surprised and scared, as they saw Virgo do a somersault (again) in the air and, simultaneously, kick Kender in the face, knocking him onto the table, completely breaking it.
Kender groaned in pain on the pile of wood that was once a table.
Virgo – I told you, you left me no choice but this... – she grumbled with her dull eyes – But I have no choice... I have to go, darling – she smiled coldly – You two – she pointed to Natsu and Gray, who were still stunned by what Virgo had done – Go downstairs immediately, I'll grab the car keys – she turned to the hallway, walking in that direction.
Natsu nodded robotically – Yes... – he gave an awkward smile, starting to walk toward the door.
Kender – This won't end like this, brat... – he grumbled, catching the pink-haired boy's attention – I won't let you stay here... – he smiled, even with his mouth bleeding – I'll put you in the worst boarding school there is...
Virgo, suddenly appearing in the room, kicked Kender's face, making him pass out for good – Shut up... – she grumbled, annoyed – You there – she looked at Kender's friends, who were trembling and stunned by the events – When I get back, I want all of you out of my house. All of you. I hope you understood – she started walking toward the door again – Let's go, Natsu, Gray.
Hours later, on an empty road, a car sped along in the middle of a strong, thundering storm. But there was something strange about the thunder: it didn't light up the sky with its shining splendor. It was as if they were just explosions of void in the sky. Inside the car, which defied nature at high speed, Gray was in the back seat, with Virgo driving in front of him and Natsu, who was in the passenger seat, next to his mother.
Natsu – What's going on? – he asked, dazed – Can you explain it to me! – he exclaimed, outraged.
Virgo sighed again – I told you, I'll explain soon...
Natsu – No! – he interrupted the pink-haired woman with a shout, startling both Virgo and Gray – I want you to, for once, not lie to me!
Virgo – But I'm not lying to you! – she shouted back.
Natsu – Oh, really? – he said sarcastically, making the pink-haired woman even angrier – You're just omitting, aren't you?
Virgo – And if I am? – she narrowed her eyes at the pink-haired boy – I just want you to stop asking things that attract even more of them and wait until we get to the Camp for me to explain! – she shouted back, trembling and letting tears stream from her shining blue orbits.
Natsu – Mom... – he whispered – Sorry – he looked away – I'm just confused...
Virgo sighed, wiping her eyes – It's okay, my angel... – she took one hand off the wheel, placing it on the pink-haired boy's head – I'll explain everything soon...
They heard a whistle above the car, the mooing of a cow (Moooooo!). No, it really was a cow's moo.
Gray – Virgo, watch out! – he shouted, pointing ahead.
Virgo – What... – she was abruptly interrupted.
The car hit something very heavy and spun across the road, rolling down the hill. When it stopped, the car was off the road in ruins: tires bouncing, engine on fire, and the entire body crumpled.
Upon opening his eyes, Gray saw that both Virgo and Natsu were trapped by their seat belts – Natsu, are you okay? – he worried, seeing the wreckage around them.
Natsu – Hm... – he groaned, trying to move – What happened?
Gray – Oh... Good, you're okay...
Virgo – Huh? – she opened her eyes, dazed – What happened? – she looked around, trying to understand what had happened – Damn it! – she tried to unbuckle her seat belt, realizing it was stuck.
Gray – I think we rolled over... – he gave an awkward smile.
Natsu – I think the question is: how did we roll over?
Virgo – How do we get out of here? – she asked, as she managed to unbuckle her seat belt.
Gray – Back here... – he pointed behind him – Let's go! – he turned, placing his feet toward the window.
Natsu stared at Gray, confused, not understanding what he planned to do, but when he saw the brunette taking off his pants, he was shocked.
Natsu – Hey, man! What are you doing? – he looked at the brunette, terrified.
Gray – My job! – after finishing taking off his pants, revealing what was underneath: large hairy legs, forward-curving knees, and hooves.
Natsu – Wow! Are you half horse? – he looked at Gray's legs in shock.
Gray – Baaaaa! If my relatives heard you now, they'd definitely beat you up, Natsu! – he prepared his hooves, positioning them – I'm a satyr! – he kicked the window with his hooves, shattering it completely.
Natsu – Satyr? – he whispered, confused.
Gray – Let's go! – he urged the two – Watch out for the glass!
Natsu – What's going on... – he looked at his mother, who was climbing out where Gray had exited – This is all so weird...
Virgo – Let's go, Natsu! – she called to the pink-haired boy, bringing him back to reality.
Natsu – I'm coming – he crawled from his seat to the back seat, moving carefully over the glass shards.
When everyone got out of the car and stood under the rain, Natsu and the others widened their eyes upon seeing a huge thing running among thousands of cows in a farm ahead of them. It was large and bulky, at least four and a half meters tall; its way of running was strange, and even from a distance, you could see it was carrying a two-meter-long club in its hand.
Natsu, who was completely soaked by the rain (as were Virgo and Gray), pointed at the monster pushing through the cows – What's that?
– AGHHHHH! – it roared, quickening its pace – Soon, soon I'll get there, satyr and demigods!
Natsu – What's going on? – he repeated, dazed.
Gray – Baaaaa! A cyclops! – he answered the pink-haired boy's question nervously, staring petrified at the being running toward them.
Natsu – Cyclops? – he turned his face toward the brunette – The cyclopes from Greek mythology?
Gray – The very same!
Virgo – Alright! Enough talk! We have to go, Natsu! – she grabbed the pink-haired boy's hand – We have to climb the hill to be safe! – she looked to her side – Gray! – she shouted, seeing that the brunette wasn't moving. She grabbed his arm, pulling him along – Let's go now! – she exclaimed, running to the top of the hill, dragging the two boys.
A few seconds later, Natsu and Gray were running right behind Virgo. The three ran as fast as they could. Right behind them, the monster came roaring and throwing rocks, which, every now and then, nearly hit Natsu and the others.
Virgo – Son, faster! – she shouted, running even faster. Suddenly, she slipped because of the mud from the rain.
Natsu – Mom! – he stopped running, going to the pink-haired woman's side – Are you okay?
Virgo – I'm fine... – she murmured – Just a bit rusty... – she smiled playfully. She got up with the pink-haired boy's help, starting to run again, followed by Natsu and Gray.
– I'm coming! – it roared – Soon I'll have a delicious dinner!
Gray – He's going to catch us... – he murmured – There's no way to outrun Tenes...
Virgo – Tenes? – she looked back, terrified – Is that who's after us?
Gray – Baaaaa! Yes, it's him! – he ran quickly beside the pink-haired boy.
Virgo – There's nothing I can do... – she looked to her side – If I still had my powers – she lamented – I can't do anything... Except delay him... But I don't know for how long... – suddenly, she stopped running – I'll try to delay him! – she turned, starting to run in the opposite direction down the hill.
Natsu – Mom! – he shouted, terrified – What are you doing?
Virgo – Climb the hill with Gray! – she shouted back, still running the other way, leaving Natsu and Gray behind, stunned – Hey, ugly thing! – she waved her arms, catching the cyclops' attention, who wasn't far away – I heard your mother had two eyes, Tenes! – she insulted.
Tenes – How dare you! – he roared, enraged – My mother had only one eye! She was the pride of the family! I'll kill you for insulting her! – he raised his club, running toward the pink-haired woman.
Virgo gave a sly smile. She reached into her pocket, pulling out a large, shiny round coin. It was entirely silver, and as she shook it and squeezed it in her hand, a two-meter-long spear appeared. At the tip of the spear, sparks exploded like small bursts of electricity.
Tenes, who was running, stopped upon seeing the shining silver spear of the blue-haired woman – Damn you! – he tried to approach, but upon seeing Virgo brandish the spear, he took a step back.
Virgo – Stay back! – she exclaimed, receiving a roar in return – I said stay back! – she repeated louder as the cyclops tried to approach.
Tenes growled.
When the cyclops attempted a strike with his club, Virgo parried with her spear. She threw herself to the ground, rolling past the cyclops' legs, stopping behind the monster, striking his broad back. Tenes roared in rage after being hit.
Virgo – Natsu! – she looked at the pink-haired boy – Climb the hill, now!
Tenes used the moment Virgo was distracted. He swung his club and hit the pink-haired woman directly, sending her straight into a tree behind her.
Natsu – Mom! – he shouted, terrified.
Tenes – AGHHHHH! – he roared again – You'll die, here and now, Virgo Dragneel! – and he grabbed the pink-haired woman with his hand, lifting her off the ground.
Natsu – Stop! – he shouted while being held back by the brunette – She's going to die! – tears began to stream from his eyes.
Virgo looked at her son, smiling gently. The corner of her mouth bled crimson fiercely. The pink-haired woman's lips moved gently in a phrase, hidden by the thunder that roared in the sky, but Natsu still understood.
A smile spread across Tenes' deformed face – Die, Virgo Dragneel! – and he squeezed her between his fingers.
But something happened, something very strange, even by Gray's standards; Virgo's body (before being nearly crushed) turned into mist, and between Tenes' fingers, the mist floated away, into the thundering sky.
Natsu – Mom! – he saw the mist drift among the trees and disappear.
Tenes – What the hell! – he grumbled, turning his attention to the pink-haired boy and the brunette – At least I still have a demigod and a satyr – he licked his lips – It'll be a great meal.
Tenes stood there, laughing in the rain.
Natsu looked at the sky, feeling the rain hit his face hard; the rain fell so heavily that it even hurt. His heart, petrified and broken. Oh, yes, broken. A rage surged through him so brutally that he didn't even know what he was doing.
Gray, fallen on the ground, was surprised when he saw water, flames, and lightning surrounding his body (all in total harmony, something astonishing), but that wasn't the only thing that surprised him; it was the boy's eyes: an intense blue, followed by dull orbits.
In a quick move, Natsu grabbed his pen and (with a click) turned it into his sword. Natsu attacked. Tenes defended. And a dance between club and sword began.
Gray watched, mesmerized, at the fight before him. Natsu and Tenes were evenly matched; when the cyclops struck with his club, Natsu parried with his sword.
In a wrong move by Tenes, Natsu cut off the arm holding the club. The cyclops roared loudly. Tenes tried, with his other arm, to hit the pink-haired boy; with cold precision, Natsu spun his body and cut off the cyclops' other arm. For the second time, the hill shook with Tenes' cries of pain.
Fullbuster was terrified by the coldness the pink-haired boy displayed. Then, Natsu grabbed Tenes' head between his hands, lifted it, and stared into the giant's large, milky eye.
Die.
The whisper was drowned out by the sound of thunder. Without mercy, Natsu brought his sword down on the cyclops' neck, cutting off its head. In an instant, the cyclops' body turned to ash, and in the pink-haired boy's hand, the head melted into flames and also turned to ash.
In one final flash, the electric flames wrapped in water extinguished from the pink-haired boy's body, and with a stumbling half-step, he fell to the ground, slowly closing his eyes. And there, under the rain and thunder, he fainted, and everything around him lost its sound.