Traps and Truth

"Everyone!!!"

Hearing the girlish cry from behind them, the airborne fighters who were in battle all turned around to look.

"Wendy? Sherry? Happy? Golden Softie?"

"Why are only you here? Where's Natsu?"

As Little Crimson finished speaking, the Sky Witch's lips immediately puckered, tears shimmering in her eyes.

"Mr. Natsu was swallowed by that big guy!"

"What?!" (N voices in unison)

"Even though that flame brat is really annoying, ordinary people can't handle someone with his strength!" (Thunder Dragon)

"That's right! Natsu is still far from being Fairy Tail's strongest man, but he's more than enough to deal with ordinary opponents!" (Kana)

"It's Gray!" (Happy)

"Gray?!" (Bartender girl, Mirajane)

"Mhm, mhm."

"What exactly happened?" (Manly man)

"It's very simple. Daphne and I joined forces to beat Natsu up and turned him into the power source for the Fire Dragon Knight."

Hearing the cold voice from atop the Fire Dragon Knight's head, everyone realized that a half-naked figure had appeared between its horns at some point.

"Gray?!!"

Looking at the stunned crowd, the half-naked figure's lips curled slightly upward.

"Gray, did you really betray Fairy Tail?" (Erza)

"Erza, don't talk nonsense. I just taught that phoenix-eyed flame idiot a lesson!"

"Gray, are you okay?" (Golden Softie)

"Hey, hey, hey... This is the genuine Gray Fullbuster. I didn't use magic to control him!"

"Damn it!!!" (Thunder Dragon)

"Um... aren't we missing some people?" (Pink Ball)

After sweeping her gaze around, the Fairy Queen immediately identified those who were missing.

"Where are Viola, Negus, Gajeel, and Uncle Gildarts?"

"I'm here!"

As soon as the words fell, the orange-haired handsome uncle emerged from his hiding place.

"Huh... Why is it only you? Where are Gajeel and the others?"

Hearing His Majesty the Emperor's question, the orange-haired handsome uncle's eyes went wide.

"Huh?!"

"I've been