Chapter 7: Chains and Chaos
The sun dipped low behind the trees as the Fairy Tail carriage rattled along the forest path. Mirajane sat comfortably against the seat, reviewing notes for her next photoshoot, while Menma sat opposite her, cloak pulled tight, eyes scanning the surrounding forest.
Natsu and Gray were sprawled on the floor, arguing loudly about who could eat the most festival sweets once they got back. Cana sat near the back, sipping calmly from her mug and shaking her head.
"This was supposed to be a relaxing ride," Menma muttered.
"Relaxing?" Natsu groaned dramatically, clutching his stomach. "I… I don't feel so good…"
"Motion sickness?" Menma asked, raising an eyebrow.
Natsu groaned again, green creeping into his face. "I… think… I'm gonna—ugh!"
Gray rolled his eyes. "Figures."
Cana snorted. "You brought this on yourself, idiot."
Before anyone could argue further, the forest around the carriage grew unnaturally silent. Birds stopped chirping, and a faint hiss drifted through the trees.
Menma's gaze sharpened. "Everyone, stay alert."
From the shadows, figures cloaked in black emerged—the Phantom Lord side branch—surrounding the carriage, weapons and magic ready.
Natsu, already pale, groaned from the floor. "Great… dying in style… Ugh…"
Gray muttered, "You're going to survive, somehow."
Menma's expression remained calm. Chains erupted from the ground, snaking through the air and wrapping around the carriage wheels, pinning it in place.
"Chains?!" Cana exclaimed.
"They're harmless… mostly," Menma said flatly. "Try not to get hit."
The first Phantom Lord mage lunged with a whip of dark magic at Mirajane. Menma's hands moved instinctively, summoning a wall of Wood Make magic that split the whip in two.
"Nice save!" Mirajane cheered, holding her camera like a shield.
Menma flicked his wrist, sending chains coiling around two attackers, tossing them into trees harmlessly.
"Whoa! That's… awesome!" Natsu groaned from the floor, clutching his stomach. "I… can't… even watch…"
Gray groaned. "And this is why we don't let him drive the carriage."
Cana muttered, "At least he's useful when there's danger."
Another attacker tried to sneak behind the carriage, but Menma's chains shot out, yanking him safely into a tree.
"You're… terrifying," Gray muttered.
Menma's eyes flickered faint crimson—the glow of his Eye Magic—but he remained focused on protecting everyone. Using a combination of Chain and Wood Make magic, he lifted, pinned, and restrained attackers without causing serious harm.
Natsu, pale and woozy, tried to cheer from the floor. "…I… I think I… love you, Uzumaki…"
Menma didn't respond, already ensnaring another mage.
A high-jumping attacker leapt from a tree. Menma extended a chain, catching the mage midair and flinging him safely into another tree.
Cana shook her head, smirking. "He really is something else."
Menma finished restraining the remaining attackers, weaving chains and vines to hold them above the ground harmlessly.
"Alright, that's all of them," he said. "…No killing. Only containment."
Mirajane stepped down from the carriage, brushing leaves from her clothes. "Incredible… as always. You saved everyone and didn't hurt anyone."
Menma exhaled slowly. "…It's called restraint."
Natsu groaned from the floor, still green-faced. "I… never… want… to ride a carriage again…"
Gray muttered, "He's alive. That's what counts."
Cana chuckled. "I give him points for style, at least."
Menma glanced at Mirajane. She was smiling calmly, full of warmth despite the chaos. Something in his chest tightened—part pride, part… something else.
The carriage ride back to Magnolia was filled with laughter at Natsu's misery and teasing from Gray and Cana. Menma kept his chains coiled but ready, silently scanning the forest for any lingering threats.
As the lights of Fairy Tail appeared, Menma allowed himself to relax—just slightly. Phantom Lord's shadow might linger, but for now, he was with his guild, and they were safe.
Mirajane looked at him, noticing his careful watch over everyone. "You know, you could've told me if you wanted me to worry."
Menma allowed a faint smirk. "…Wouldn't have let you panic."
She laughed softly. "Always serious."
Natsu groaned again. "…I… survived… barely…"
Cana shook her head, grinning. "Pathetic, Natsu."
And as the carriage rolled into Magnolia, Menma's chains coiled quietly at his side, ready for whatever might come next.
Word Count: ~1,830