On the road to Manhattan, a van traveled at a steady pace, labeled "Half-Blood Strawberry Farm" on its side.
Natsu, seated in the back with Lucy beside him, sighed again.
Lucy – *Hmm... What's wrong? You're thinking too much* – she noticed him staring out the window, sighing every ten seconds.
Natsu – *Huh?* – he looked confused – *I'm just not feeling great. I'm kinda nauseous. I've always had this problem since I was a kid. My mom said sighing helps me relax* – he explained.
Lucy – *Oh, I get it* – she looked out the window, blushing slightly – *I-If you want, y-you can lie on my lap.*
Natsu blushed – *Huh? S-Sure* – he gently lay on her lap – *It's warm... and smells nice...* – he blushed more.
Lucy – *I-Is it comfortable?* – she asked, looking out the window, flushed.
Natsu – *Y-Yeah...* – he mumbled, unable to meet her gaze. But when he looked forward, he saw, through the rearview mirror, Alzack and Gray smirking mischievously – *I-It's not what you're thinking!* – he exclaimed.
Lucy – *T-That's right!* – she also exclaimed, noticing their looks – *D-Don't think weird things!*
Alzack – *No worries, Natsu-san, Lucy-san. We won't tell anyone, so enjoy* – he smiled.
Gray nodded – *Do whatever you want back there; we won't say a word...* – he smirked slyly.
Lucy/Natsu – *They'll blab the first chance they get!* – they thought angrily, forgetting their embarrassment.
Lucy sighed, calming her racing heart. Her attention shifted to Natsu, who was slowly falling asleep. She smiled – *You're pretty innocent, aren't you?* – she whispered, poking his cheek.
Natsu – *Shut up...* – he grumbled, hearing her laugh – *Why do I feel so good?* – he sighed, relaxing on her lap – *Is it because her scent reminds me of my mom's?* – he inhaled her sweet scent deeply, then exhaled – *No. It's completely different. Hers is sweeter...* – he was about to close his eyes to sleep when the van jolted, throwing him off her lap – *WHAT THE HELL? WHY'D YOU DO THAT?* – he growled, looking forward.
Alzack gave an awkward smile – *Sorry... I accidentally skidded and had to hit the brakes.*
Gray – *By Poseidon's holy beard! Natsu, Lucy, look!* – he pointed to his window.
Natsu sat up, looking where Gray pointed – *Huh? What's that?* – he was confused – *A hurricane?* – he saw a swirling vortex miles away.
Lucy – *The gods are getting angrier. I don't know if my mom can keep them calm* – she looked at Natsu – *We need to find the divine weapons fast. Otherwise, the gods will start picking sides for a war.*
Natsu gulped – *Go as fast as you can, Alzack. I want to get to Manhattan ASAP.*
Alzack nodded, starting the van again.
Hours later, the group got out of the van at the bus station, watching Alzack drive off after doing his part.
Natsu looked around for danger – *Now what? Where do we go?*
Gray knelt, adjusting the shoe hiding his hooves – *I don't know...*
They both looked at Lucy.
Lucy – *W-What?* – she found it odd.
Natsu – *You're the smartest of us. Think of something to help us* – he said calmly, seeing her blush slightly.
Lucy – *O-Okay...* – she sighed – *We need to figure out how and who stole the divine weapons without the gods noticing* – she pointed to a bus people were boarding – *Let's take that bus. It'll take us to downtown Manhattan. There, we can start looking for information from nymphs and naiads who might help. So, let's go?*
Natsu and Gray nodded, agreeing with her plan.
Minutes later, Natsu sat on the bus, watching it head downtown.
Natsu looked beside him, where Lucy sat – *How long until we reach downtown Manhattan?*
Lucy sighed – *A few hours. Three at most. It'll be night when we get there, so we'll have some problems.*
Natsu furrowed his brow – *Problems?*
Gray knelt on his seat, turning to face them – *Well, how do I explain? Those 'problems' are the monsters in the city* – he whispered – *And don't talk about this stuff out loud.*
Lucy/Natsu – *Got it...* – they murmured simultaneously.
Gray – *Be careful. Don't let your guard down. We're outside the camp, so monsters will come at us full force since we have two demigods radiating power.*
Natsu – *What do you mean?* – he didn't understand.
Gray sighed – *I'll simplify: I'm a satyr, I can smell monsters and demigods. That's why satyrs are tasked with protecting the gods' children, especially demigods like you, Natsu.*
Natsu – *Huh?*
Lucy sighed – *Is it that hard to understand?* – she grumbled, seeing Natsu nod – *As a child of one of the Big Three, Natsu, you have a much stronger scent than other demigods, so you attract monsters like a magnet for trouble.*
Gray – *And since you have the blood of other gods...*
Natsu gulped – *...I attract more monsters than normal. Right?*
Gray nodded.
Lucy – *But don't worry. Gray's with us. He can smell any monster that gets close.*
Natsu whispered – *I hope so...* – he glanced around, noticing people staring at them – *They're staring...* – he murmured.
Lucy – *Yeah. And that's not good.*
Gray sat back down – *Stay alert. Some monsters I can't detect, so keep your guard up* – he warned.
Lucy/Natsu – *Got it.*
Two hours later, Gray was asleep in his seat, completely relaxed. Behind him, Lucy was also asleep, leaving Natsu awake.
Natsu – *They fell asleep ten minutes after our talk...* – he sighed – *But I don't know why, I feel like I'm being watched...* – he discreetly glanced around – *Those three old ladies are staring too much... I need to stay alert...* – he snapped out of his thoughts when Lucy rested her head on his shoulder – *She's so beautiful...* – he smiled, blushing – *WHAT AM I THINKING?* – he exclaimed in his mind, upset with himself – *Calm down, heart! Calm down!* – he looked out the window, seeing the dark, thundering sky – *What'll we face, Mom?* – he closed his eyes, then opened them quickly – *WHERE'D THEY GO?* – he started sweating, noticing the three old ladies were gone from the back of the bus – *The bus didn't stop, so they didn't get off, but how'd they vanish?* – his eyes widened as he saw the three old ladies hanging from the bus ceiling, hissing with their tongues, approaching slowly – *Shit! It's Miss Rinza!* – he recognized his former teacher, who was ahead of the other two – *Are the others Furies too?* – he brought his hand to Lucy's face, whispering in her ear – *Hey, Lucy. Wake up. We're about to be attacked by some grannies with alligator teeth.*
Lucy – *Hmm...* – she murmured, stirring – *Huh?* – she saw how close he was – *H-Hey, idiot! Don't get so close!* – she whispered, trying to push his face away.
Natsu wrapped his arm around her waist, ignoring the embarrassment – *Don't talk loud. Look up...*
Lucy – *Huh? What're you...* – she didn't finish, startled when she looked up – *The Furies...* – she gulped – *What are they doing here?* – she murmured.
Natsu – *I don't know. What I want to know is how Miss Rinza is still alive!*
Lucy – *I'll explain later...* – she murmured, still watching the three Furies approach slowly – *Let's go, wake Gray!* – she kicked the seat in front.
Gray – *Ow!* – he yelled, falling off his seat – *Why'd you...* – his mouth was covered.
Lucy – *Quiet. Don't talk loud, idiot...* – she growled – *Look...* – she discreetly pointed up.
Gray stifled a scream – *Furies...*
Natsu – *Yeah...* – he gulped – *What can we do?*
Lucy – *Just defend ourselves. There are too many civilians here. Even if they can't see the Kindly Ones.*
Natsu – *What do you mean they can't see them?* – he didn't understand.
Lucy – *I'll explain later...* – she grumbled, reaching for her waist – *We'll have to fight, no matter what. Mortals won't get hurt; they'll just think we're crazy.*
Natsu nodded – *Let's do this!* – he exclaimed, pulling his pen from his pocket, clicking it to turn it into a sword.
Some passengers screamed in fear.
– *Is that a sword?*
– *Is he going to attack us?*
Whispers filled the bus, making Natsu more nervous.
Lucy – *Ignore what they're saying. We have bigger problems* – she pointed to the Furies, who had descended from the ceiling to the floor, walking slowly toward them – *They're slow on foot. That's why they haven't reached us yet. If we want to beat them, we need to get off the bus and find an open space...*
Natsu nodded. He looked back, seeing his former teacher approach with short steps. He gulped – *I'll have to do what Gildarts said...* – he looked at the middle Fury, who resembled a zombie – *I'll act as a conduit...* – he pointed his sword upward.
A sharp whistle cut through the sky, and a lightning bolt struck the road, causing the driver to swerve. The tires skidded, and the bus veered off the road, flipping onto its side.
Driver – *Everyone okay?* – he heard some responses – *Good...* – he sighed, relaxing a bit. But his relief was short-lived when he saw the three old ladies, unharmed, hanging from a window now facing up like the bus's ceiling – *L-Ladies! Are you okay?* – he worried.
The middle Fury looked at the driver – *Yes, young man. Don't worry, my sisters and I are fine.*
Driver – *Good...* – he looked around – *Those who are okay, please help get the injured out* – he helped a nearby man stand – *Let's go. I'll help you.*
The driver and passengers managed to get everyone out, even helping the old ladies hanging from the window.
Inside the bus, amidst fallen luggage, Natsu and the others got up slowly.
Gray – *Next time you do something like that, warn us first!* – he grumbled, anger coursing through him.
Natsu – *Sorry, man. It was a last-second idea. I couldn't think of anything else* – he sat on a dislodged seat, relaxing.
Driver – *Hey, kids! There you are!* – he appeared suddenly.
The three stared at the driver, confused.
Driver – *Come on. It's better to get out; you could get hurt* – he smiled.
Gray/Lucy – *Alright* – they agreed, ready to exit.
Natsu eyed the driver suspiciously, feeling he was hiding something, but nodded and got off with his friends – *Riptide's back in my pocket...* – he felt the pen there – *He's hiding something. I can feel it...* – he exited the bus.
Once outside and seeing everyone was okay, the trio looked around for the crocodile-teeth grannies. They stood back-to-back, scanning for the Kindly Ones.
Lucy searched for the old ladies – *Where'd they go?*
Gray grew nervous – *This isn't good! Where are the Furies?*
Natsu stayed alert. He noticed passengers backing away from them, as if afraid they'd hurt them – *Something's off. Really off. They're staring at me too much...* – he spotted the Kindly Ones smiling among the crowd – *There...* – he murmured, getting his friends' attention.
When Lucy and Gray looked where Natsu pointed, they saw a black mist envelop the three Furies, making them vanish.
Lucy murmured – *They escaped...* – she approached Natsu – *And why the hell are they staring at us?* – she asked softly, scanning the crowd.
Natsu – *I don't know...* – he replied calmly – *They're looking at me like they're disgusted...* – he reached for his pocket – *We need to stay alert for anything, got it?* – he saw Lucy nod. But overhearing whispers from some women, he froze:
Woman 1 – *Is that him?*
Woman 2 – *Looks like it. I'm not sure, he seems a bit different from the description, but he has the same hair and a psychopath's stare* – she answered her friend.
Woman 3 – *We need to be careful. Otherwise, he'll do to us what he did to his mom; kill us.*
Natsu stared at the women in shock. He didn't know what was happening but had an answer – *Kender...* – he growled.
Gray looked at Natsu – *Huh? What's your stepdad got to do with this?* – he found it odd.
Lucy saw how nervous Natsu was – *You okay?* – she worried.
Natsu – *...We need to get out of here...* – he whispered.
Lucy – *Huh?*
Natsu – *We need to get out of here!* – he replied quickly – *Kender must've done something to frame me.*
Gray – *What do you mean?* – he didn't understand.
Natsu – *I'm not sure. But everyone's looking at me like I'm disgusting* – he glanced at Gray – *We need to leave. Now. No delays. The driver or someone probably called an ambulance or the police. We need to go ASAP.*
Gray – *Got it... Let's go* – he headed toward the forest but was stopped by the driver.
Driver – *Where do you think you're going?*
Lucy – *Away* – she answered simply.
The driver smiled – *Kids shouldn't wander alone in the woods. Better wait here.*
Gray growled – *Tch. Natsu, Lucy, you might want to cover your ears, 'cause I'm not holding back* – he warned.
Natsu – *Huh?* – he didn't understand. But seeing Lucy cover her ears, he did the same, knowing she wouldn't do something pointless – *What's he planning?*
Gray inhaled and exhaled, clenched his fists, and opened his mouth as if to scream. Instead, he unleashed a sonic wave so powerful it shattered the bus's remaining windows and brought people to their knees, clutching their ears.
Natsu – *Am I deaf?* – he whispered, barely hearing.
Lucy – *...Hey, idiot! Let's go!* – she grabbed Natsu's hand, pulling him into the forest, following Gray.
Minutes later, far from the road and passengers, Natsu leaned against a tree, his ears aching and exhaustion creeping in.
Gray – *Damn it! Why? Just when we were doing fine without monster attacks, this had to happen!* – he grumbled, sitting on the ground.
Lucy – *Gildarts said we're in danger outside the camp's borders, so we need to be more alert* – she looked around – *We need to find a place to spend the night, or we'll freeze.*
Suddenly, a light drizzle began falling on the group.
Natsu – *Yeah. We need to find a place, fast.*
The three ran through the forest, braving potential dangers. Minutes later, they emerged onto a road, spotting a brightly lit sign ahead.
Natsu squinted at the glowing sign – *I can't make it out...*
Lucy – *Let me handle it. I'll read...* – she stared at the sign – *Bluem Vixdo ahh Cluso di Gumeros Pritgfedus?*
Natsu – *What?* – he didn't understand.
Gray – *I don't think that's right...*
Lucy looked away, blushing – *Don't blame me! I have ADHD too! Idiots!*
Gray sighed – *No choice. Let me try* – he looked at the sign – *'Welcome to the House of Peaceful Gnomes'?* – he repeated – *What a weird name...* – he murmured.
Natsu – *And a horrible name, you forgot to mention* – he smiled – *But we don't have a choice. This is the only place nearby, and I'm not keen on wandering in the rain.*
Lucy – *He's right. It's the only place around, so we'd better take advantage.*
Gray – *But...* – he whined – *Fine. Let's go.*
Seconds later, in front of the brightly lit establishment, Natsu knocked on the door.
Gray – *...See? No one's home! Let's go* – he turned to leave but was stopped by Lucy.
Lucy – *Don't be an idiot. If no one's here, even better. We can spend the night without worrying.*
Gray sighed, defeated.
Natsu – *Don't worry, goat-man. Nothing's gonna hurt us* – he smiled, reaching to knock again, but instead of wood, he felt something firm and soft – *This feeling...* – he started sweating, recognizing the sensation.
Lucy blushed – *...N-N-N-Natsu?*
Gray – *H-Hey, man. You'd better let go* – he warned.
Natsu slowly turned toward the door. He found a woman with red hair, medium height, freckles on her nose and face, black eyes, and a long, lacy dress down to her knees. She was beautiful, he had to admit. But her expression terrified the three.
Natsu – *Sorry!* – he yanked his hand off her chest, stepping back – *I didn't mean to! I swear!*
Woman – *What are you kids doing alone?*
Lucy – *She's asking why we're alone?* – she stepped forward – *You see, ma'am, my friends and I got separated from our bus. So we thought, if you'd let us, maybe we could...*
Woman interrupted – *Yes!* – she smiled.
Natsu and the others blinked, surprised – *Yes?*
The woman nodded – *Come in. Don't stand there getting wet. It's warm inside* – she pulled Lucy and Natsu by the arms.
Natsu – *O-Okay...* – he followed her inside.
Lucy stayed silent, staring at the woman.
Gray followed, watching her seat Natsu and Lucy on a couch. She bustled around, grabbing blankets, coats, hot tea, and cookies, doing everything at once.
After sitting Gray next to Lucy, with her in the middle, the woman stopped rushing. She sat on the opposite couch, sighing with a smile – *How is it? Comfortable?* – she saw them nod – *Great. I'll be right back* – she smiled, heading to another room.
Natsu and the others watched her leave. They exchanged glances, whispering:
Lucy – *She's so weird!*
Gray – *At least she got us out of the rain. Otherwise, we'd still be out there...* – he smiled – *And better yet, she put out cookies!* – he grabbed three and stuffed them in his mouth.
Lucy – *Yeah. But it's still weird. Who lets two boys and a girl into their home in the middle of the night, and is *that* nice?*
Natsu – *We'll deal with that later! She's coming back!* – he warned, seeing her approach.
Woman – *Oh, I forgot to introduce myself...* – she smiled, sitting again – *My name's Pandora. I own this place. As you can see, we don't get many human customers* – she sighed.
Lucy choked – *P-Pandora?*
Pandora nodded – *What? Think I'm lying?* – she laughed – *I never lie, daughter of Athena.*
Lucy's eyes widened, reaching for her dagger – *How do you know I'm a daughter of Athena?* – she glared at the woman – *Don't tell me you're *really* Pandora? The one who gave her husband a box with the world's evils?*
Pandora – *That's right* – she smirked – *Don't worry. I won't hurt you* – she said, seeing Natsu slowly reach for his pocket.
Natsu – *How can we be sure?*
Pandora – *Because if I wanted to* – she pointed to the tea Natsu had placed on the table – *You, cousin, would already be dead...*
Lucy – *Y-You...* – she gasped – *Poisoned the tea?*
Pandora – *Of course not!* – she laughed loudly – *If I had, I couldn't tell you what I want to say* – she pointed to where Lucy sat – *Sit back down, dear. Put your weapon away. What we're about to discuss doesn't require them.*
Lucy nodded slightly, returning to her seat, watching Pandora's every move – *Tell me what you want.*
Pandora smiled – *Company.*
Gray frowned – *Company?*
The redhead nodded – *My husband's away on business. My brother-in-law, Prometheus, is, as always, chasing skirts* – she sighed – *So I'm alone* – her eyes gleamed with excitement – *But recently, I learned that my dad's master bolt, the old man of the sea's trident, and other gods' divine weapons were stolen. So I decided to have some fun.*
Natsu – *Have some fun... Why?*
Pandora laughed – *Do you know how boring it is to live forever?* – her eyes dulled – *No, you don't. Because you weren't cursed for opening a damned box...* – she sighed, then smirked – *But sometimes, we immortals need fun. And when I heard about you, Natsume Dragneel, I got very interested. Especially because I can annoy my dad.*
Lucy – *Annoy Zeus? Why?* – she found it odd – *I always thought Pandora was devoted to her father.*
Pandora huffed, irritated – *Hmph. Of course not. That old jerk always has his games. So why can't I have mine? After all, I'm a deity too, even if I'm not as important as the Olympians* – she grabbed a cookie from the table – *But you know, I'm bored. So I've decided to make you a proposal.*
Gray – *Proposal?* – he asked, mouth full.
Pandora – *Yes. A proposal* – she smiled – *If you give me 'entertainment,' I'll help you find the stolen legendary weapons.*
Lucy – *But what kind of 'entertainment'?*
Pandora – *Oh, I want to see him* – she pointed at Natsu – *use all his gifts. I know he'll become strong, so I'm siding with the demigods.*
Natsu – *Siding with the demigods?* – he didn't understand.
Pandora looked at Lucy – *You haven't explained it to him yet?*
Lucy – *Well... we haven't had time...* – she gave an awkward smile.
Pandora – *Fine. I'll explain* – she looked at Natsu – *You must know Kronos is rising to overthrow the gods, right?* – she saw him nod – *Well, the gods are on one side, all-powerful, ready to crush everything and everyone.*
Natsu – *So why don't they act?* – he didn't understand – *If the gods are so powerful, why don't they stop Kronos from rising?*
Pandora – *Well, how do I put it?* – she put her hand on her chin – *The gods can't interfere because the Fates are preventing it.*
Natsu – *Fates?* – he heard the sky roar with a howling thunder – *I don't remember them...*
Pandora – *That's beside the point. The Fates are stopping the gods from acting to prevent Kronos's return* – she sighed – *The second side is you, demigods and magical beings, who are in Zeus's crosshairs* – she smiled – *And the other side is Kronos, who's somehow building an army. So be careful, because both monsters and other gods are after the stolen divine weapons.*
Lucy – *But why frame Natsu?* – she still didn't get it.
Pandora – *Oh, you should know, little one. The pact my idiot dad and uncles made was a Styx oath, and since gods can't properly punish another god...*
Lucy – *The gods take out their anger on demigods, especially children of the Big Three* – she understood – *But Zeus had two daughters and wasn't punished by the Fates!*
Natsu – *Two daughters?*
Pandora – *Yes, dear. Zeus wasn't punished, but his daughters were* – she sighed – *But enough stories. Time for you boys to sleep!* – she smiled.
Gray – *What are you...* – he didn't finish, collapsing on the couch.
Both Natsu and Gray passed out, unconscious.
Lucy jumped up – *What did you do to them?* – she exclaimed, drawing her dagger – *Tell me!*
Pandora smirked – *Don't worry. They're fine. I just put them to sleep. We need to talk alone...*
Lucy lowered her dagger, frowning – *Talk... alone?* – she didn't understand.
Pandora – *Of course!* – she stood, taking Lucy's hands – *I really want to talk with a daughter of Athena! You know, I had a friend who was a daughter of Athena! We were so close, always talking, laughing, and telling stories!* – her expression turned sinister – *And we'll talk about him...* – she looked at Natsu.
Lucy found it odd – *About Natsu?*
Pandora – *Yes. And what you, a daughter of Athena, can do to help in this quest...* – her smile widened – *And what you must do.*
Some time later, sipping tea, Lucy choked on what Pandora said.
Lucy – *You're kidding, right?* – she coughed – *I can't do that! It's impossible! Do you know what that means?* – she pointed at Natsu – *That he's really the one from my prophecy!*
Pandora sipped her tea – *Child, you should know: the only son of Poseidon is him* – she pointed at Natsu with her cup – *You shouldn't make that face* – she laughed at Lucy's flushed expression – *Don't worry. My dad made me marry Epimetheus, my husband. At first, we didn't get along. But over time, I learned to love him* – she smiled – *So don't worry. I know, even if you don't want to, you'll learn to love him* – she winked.
Lucy huffed, still blushing – *Hmph! As if! It's not like I'm going to love him* – she looked away, pointing at Natsu – *At best, he'll be my friend! Nothing more!*
Pandora smirked mischievously – *Alright, alright, alright* – she laughed – *But don't say I didn't warn you* – she stood – *Come on. I'll show you a room where you can sleep, since a girl shouldn't sleep among so many boys.*
Lucy – *O-Okay...* – she stood, following the redhead to a door.
Pandora – *You can stay here* – she smiled kindly – *As for your friends, I'll put them on separate couches so they're comfortable. Don't worry. I'll take good care of you three* – she patted Lucy's head – *Go sleep. Rest, because tomorrow you'll be on your own... And it'll be much harder to continue...*
Lucy nodded. She opened the door and entered the room – *So he's really the one from my prophecy...* – she lay on the bed – *Maybe... maybe he can help with my prophecy...* – amidst her thoughts, she fell asleep.
The next day, in front of Pandora's establishment, Lucy and the boys faced the redhead holding a magazine.
Lucy – *Thank you, Pandora* – she smiled – *You helped us a lot.*
Pandora – *Oh, come on, Lucy-chan...* – she winked at her – *And don't forget what I told you, okay?*
Lucy blushed, nervous – *O-Okay... I-I won't forget, no way...*
Natsu huffed, annoyed – *What are you two talking about?*
Lucy looked away – *I-It's none of your business! Y-You don't need to know!*
Gray rubbed his eyes – *What're you talking about?* – he was confused.
Pandora laughed, catching their attention – *I'm counting on you. Don't let the gods and my idiot dad start a war* – she smiled – *So, I'm giving this to you, Lucy...* – she pulled a pen from her pocket.
Lucy – *A pen?* – she found it odd, taking it – *Does it turn into a sword like Natsu's?*
Pandora – *Of course not!* – she grabbed Lucy's shoulders – *You know, you remind me a lot of me...*
Lucy – *Huh?* – she was confused.
Pandora smiled kindly – *At first, I hated Epimetheus. Believe it or not. But over time, I started loving him, and now I couldn't live without him* – she pointed at the pen – *This pen will help you. Click it* – she encouraged.
Lucy – *O-Okay...* – she stepped back, sighed, and clicked the pen. She was surprised when it didn't turn into a sword but a long, pointed bow without a string – *A bow? But I'm not good with bows... And it's defective...*
Pandora – *Don't worry... This bow is a magical weapon. It doesn't need quivers of arrows or a string to shoot. Try it...*
Lucy – *Huh?* – she didn't understand. But she turned, facing a tree. Sighing, she reached where the string should be, and a pink string appeared, followed by a pink arrow – *This...*
Pandora – *As a magical weapon, it doesn't need regular arrows or a string. Train with it; I know you'll be great* – she smiled – *Now, you're on your own. I can't help anymore. So take care. And protect each other, got it?*
Lucy and the boys nodded.
Pandora – *Oh, I almost forgot...* – she opened the magazine, flipping quickly – *Read this, Natsu...* – she opened to a specific page.
Natsu – *What's this?* – he was shocked to see his photo.
Gray – *What? Read it already, I'm curious!*
Natsu read the article:
*"STRANGE DISAPPEARANCE OF BOY AND MOTHER AFTER BIZARRE ACCIDENT.*
*Virgo Dragneel, currently married to Kender Steve, vanished with her son in a strange accident. No one knows what happened. But the mother and son have been missing for a week.*
*Days ago, we spoke with Kender Steve, who said his stepson was very troubled, frequently switching schools and getting expelled within a year.*
*We recently discovered where Virgo Dragneel's car stopped. But it was empty, with only wreckage and broken glass, as the car had flipped and hit the roadside.*
*If you've seen this boy, named Natsume Dragneel, or his mother, call this number immediately:*
*XXXX-XXXX*
*Any information, contact as soon as possible."*
Lucy – *W-What?*
Natsu – *I can't believe this...* – he gulped – *I'm wanted?*
Pandora – *Yes. I saw it in the magazines, so I bought it.*
Natsu – *Now I get why everyone on the bus was staring at me like that...* – he sighed.
Pandora – *Now that you know... It's up to you...*
Natsu – *Alright...*
Pandora reached into her pocket, pulling out a small blue bead – *Take this, Lucy. I know you'll make good use of it...*
Lucy took the bead – *What is it?*
Pandora – *It's called a vlilnd-ligads. Break it, and I'll appear to help you. But it can only be used once, so keep it safe...* – she warned.
Lucy nodded – *Okay. I'll keep it.*
Pandora – *Great. Your quest starts for real now* – she smirked – *Goodbye, Gray, Natsu, Lucy...* – she turned – *Stay alive. This war is just beginning* – her body began to fade – *May the gods be with you...* – she vanished like mist, along with her oddly named establishment, *Welcome to the House of Peaceful Gnomes*.
Gray stared, open-mouthed, at the now-empty lot where the establishment once stood, not even grass remaining.
Natsu – *Let's go?* – he asked, getting his friends' attention.
Gray smiled – *Sure. We've got to continue our quest.*
Lucy saw the boys ready to move.
Natsu – *Lucy?* – he noticed she hadn't spoken – *You okay?*
Lucy blushed – *Huh? Yeah! Don't worry...* – she saw her bow turn back into a pen and pocketed it – *Let's go? We need information...*
Natsu nodded – *You're right. We need info to complete our quest.*
Lucy – *Here we go...* – she gave a small smile – *Starting our real quest...*