I do not own anything nor do I make any money from this story. All rights apply.

AU - Set before Tenrou Island. Manga verse – I haven't seen the anime.

YOU ARE FAIRY TAIL

"Did you not hear my voice?" asked Natsu as he grabbed the White Knight's hands. "I didn't want you to die, so I stopped you back then."

The White Knight tried to pull his hands free but Natsu refused to let go. Natsu stood firm, staring at the White Knight unflinching. However, the White Knight was starting to look unsure.

"I am the White Knight," he said deliberately.

"I don't want you to die, Gray," said Natsu in the same tone.

The White Knight shook his head and pulled harder to get free.

"Gray," called Natsu. "This is not you – remember the real you."

The White Knight struggled against Natsu's grip but his efforts were getting weaker. Natsu could see the uncertainty in the White Knight's eyes.

"I am…" the White Knight stopped, he seemed confused. "I must kill Makarov."

"No, you don't," said Natsu.

"Yes."

"Nope," said Natsu with a grin. "Why would you kill your father?"

"Makarov…" the White Knight's eyes hardened. "Makarov killed my father."

"Deliora killed your father, and your mother," corrected Natsu. "Does Ul's sacrifice mean so little to you – how could you forget her?"

"Deliora…" the White Knight mouthed the words. "A demon…?"

Natsu could almost see the battle raging in the White Knight's mind. Or was it Gray's? Natsu could hear him muttering – things from their past, strange orders, Lyon and someone called Arton.

Suddenly the Knight screamed and a huge wave of cold air burst forth from him knocking Natsu and Makarov over. Gray swayed in place for a second before collapsing to the ground.

XxX

Erza sat watching Gray sleep. While he appeared to be relaxed she noticed his eyes twitched in his sleep – was he dreaming, or remembering. She sat with her sword across her knees opposite the bed. She had wanted to stick Gray in the store room with Fried's magic suppressing runes everywhere – she was furious that Gray had attacked her. She had been showing her concern over his safe return. Natsu, however, had convinced Makarov that Gray was really back to normal so Gray was placed in the infirmary, but Erza kept watch. The rest of the guild had been divided, unsure of how to take the change in Gray and his attack on their master.

She hadn't been watching long before Gray stirred and woke.

"Ezra," he gasped. "What are you doing here? Where's Natsu? Is Lucy okay?"

He made to sit up but stopped and clutched at the front of his top. This pain… He knew it – Iced Shell. But why?

"Lucy's fine," said Erza. "As am I."

"What do you mean? What happened in Rigana?" asked Gray still half way to sitting, clutching his chest. "Why did I try to cast Iced Shell? Didn't Natsu stop the bombs?"

Gray paused his questions as he glanced around the room.

"I'm… in Fairy Tail."

Erza watched Gray from her chair, she made no move toward him. He was talking about the events from three years ago, had he forgotten what he did this morning? He looked confused as he cast about the room. His eyes came to rest on her bare sword and slowly lifted to her face.

"Erza?"

"You tried to cast Iced Shell on Makarov," said Erza bluntly.

Gray gave her a strange look, like he thought she was playing a joke. He even gave a disbelieving smile and snort of laughter. But Erza remained unchanged in her demeanour. Gray waited for a punch line that didn't come – Erza wasn't joking. His face fell and he shook his head slightly.

"I wouldn't do that," he said with heartfelt grief. "Erza?"

"You tried to kill me," she added and Gray shook his head again. "And Lucy, Natsu and Juvia."

"No," yelled Gray. "Why are you saying this?"

"It's the truth."

"You're my friends, I would never hurt my friends. Erza, you know I wouldn't," said Gray tears sliding down his cheeks.

Erza closed her eyes for a second before opening them and standing up. Gray pulled back as she stepped forward, sword in hand. She saw real fear in his eyes – he thought she was going to kill him and he really didn't know why. He tried to move away but winced in pain – he was injured and confused. He couldn't defend himself against Erza. So instead he closed his eyes and waited for her to kill him. She said he tried to kill his family – he knew he wouldn't do such a thing. He was willing to die to prove it.

Instead he felt her hug him. He remained stiff in her embrace – confused and unsure.

"It's really you, Gray," she whispered.

"I don't understand," said Gray.

Erza pulled back and looked at him, her eyes shining with tears.

"You've been gone for so long," she said causing Gray to frown. "And when we found you, you weren't yourself. But now you're back."

"Gone?"

Erza nodded.

"You were kidnapped after you saved Rigana. That was three years ago."

"What?" said Gray leaning forward. "Yesterday-"

Erza shook her head.

Gray was silent for a long time.

"Three years?"

Erza nodded.

"Where was I?"

"We don't know – we think maybe Biscoe, but we don't know for sure," said Erza.

Gray nodded slowly.

"But you saved Rigana," added Erza with a smile.

Gray gave a half smile but Erza could tell he wasn't in the mood to receive praise.

"Natsu and Lucy are waiting outside," started Erza.

"Yeah?"

Erza was glad that Gray seemed pleased at the news. She was about to call for them when they burst through the door. She had wanted to warn them about Gray's apparent memory loss but they were too busy swamping Gray in hugs – well, Lucy was at any rate.

It only took one careless comment from Natsu and the two of them fell into old habits – that was enough to convince Erza things were as they should be.

XxX

"Arton?"

"You mentioned him," said Natsu.

Gray thought for a second before shaking his head.

"I don't know, it's not a name I remember," he said.

"I bet if we go back to Biscoe, someone should know him," said Lucy.

"Is travelling so soon a good idea?" asked Juvia.

"I'm not an invalid," muttered Gray. Juvia had hardly left his side since he woke, however, she still kept some distance as if she was fearful of him. It was strange but he put it down to something he must have done before, and Erza did mention he tried to kill Juvia. All in all, it made some sense.

"Right – settled," said Natsu. "We head over to Biscoe and find Arton."

"Aye sir," yelled Happy.

The rest of the team nodded in agreement.

XxX

"I see that hasn't change," said Gray indicating Natsu collapsed against the window of the train.

Lucy chuckled.

"Yeah – the reason he failed the S-class test the first time was because of motion sickness."

Gray joined Lucy's laughter but suddenly stopped.

"First time?" he asked.

"Yeah," said Lucy slowly. "He's an S-class wizard now."

"What!? Natsu's an S-class wizard!"

"Lucy also," added Happy.

"You too?" asked Gray.

Lucy nodded.

"Aw, man…"

They were quiet for a bit.

"So what else has changed?"

XxX

The villagers of Biscoe greeted Natsu and Lucy with joy. They were still pleased over the defeat of the White Knight. Lucy had been worried about their reaction to Gray, but they never saw his face. Gray on the other hand didn't seem to recognise the village at all. He was looking round with mild interest and was quite unconcerned. Lucy thought perhaps it was better that way – at least until they had sorted out the whole situation.

"So it looks like Arton is the major in this area," said Lucy as she joined up with Natsu and Gray. It hadn't escaped her notice that Natsu reminded in the same general area as Gray. She knew Natsu felt it was his fault that gray had gone missing in the first place. "He lives about 20 minutes outside of town."

"Let's get going," said Natsu heading off.

"The other side of town," added Lucy when Natsu started off in the wrong direction.

XxX

The major's house was hugh – not quiet Heartfilia huge though. As they approach the manor the young guard outside snapped to attention.

"Afternoon, sir."

There was a moment of confusion before Gray stepped forward and told the guard to open the gate. He did so without hassle and the three, and Happy, walked in. Once clear, Lucy asked if Gray knew the guard.

"No," said Gray shaking his head. "But you told I've been missing for three years, I've been somewhere so someone must know me."

A butler opened the door at the knock and like the guard at the gate, bowed when he saw Gray.

"Mayor Arton is in the dining room, sir."

Gray nodded and continued into the house. He walked confidently until the butler was out of sight then turned to Natsu.

"Can you smell any food?" he asked.

Natsu sniffed the air for a moment.

"Follow me," he said.

"You know I grew up in a manor, the layout is probably the same," muttered Lucy. "But more importantly, I'm surprised at how easily we got into this place."

"I must have been living here if everyone knows and assumes I know where to go," said Gray as he looked around.

"This is the door," said Natsu.

The three, and Happy, listened at the door. They could hear faint sounds of someone inside.

"Do we just bust in, or should Gray go in first?" asked Natsu.

Natsu stepped back as Gray suddenly turned to look at him.

"What?" he asked.

"You're… asking if there is a plan," said Gray. "I'm just surprised."

"Whatever," yelled Natsu and killed open the door.

They found Arton sitting at the table enjoying a meal. He was mildly surprised at the interruption but relaxed when he saw Gray.

"Success?" he asked.

"Hell no~!" yelled Natsu making fiery fists.

Arton stood and calmly came round the table.

"Fairy Tail mages… Always tricky."

"What do you mean by that?" asked Lucy.

"I want Makarov," said Arton indicating himself with his hands. "Not only am I not a mage, Makarov is incredibly power so I figured the only way to achieve my goal was to get a Fairy Tail mage to kill."

Arton shook his head.

"Bonds of friendship crap," he muttered as he rooted in his pockets.

"All this to kill Fairy Tail's master?" asked Lucy. "Why?"

"Who cares," said Natsu. "I'm going to beat him to a pulp."

"White Knight, defeat this boy," ordered Arton.

"My name's Gray and you're not ordering me around," snapped Gray.

"Really? White Knight in the service of Lord Arton."

Gray opened his mouth to respond but stopped.

"…service… Arton…"

"Kill those intruders," said Arton.

Gray turned to Natsu and Lucy.

"Ice make: Lance."

"Gray~!" cried Lucy.

"Whoa," yelped Natsu as the ice dived his way. He noticed two things – one, Gray wasn't attacking Lucy and two, the ice was brittle and broke easily.

"Fire Dragon's Roar."

Gray leapt out the way of the flames and came to land next to Arton.

"You may think you have won-" started Arton but stopped and collapsed to the ground as Gray dropped an ice hammer on his head.

"Nice one, Gray," said Natsu.

"Thank goodness," breathed Lucy.

However, the whole effect was ruined by Gray falling to his head holding his head.

"Hey, are you okay?" asked Natsu as he and Lucy, and Happy, came to his side.

"Yeah… Just remembering stuff," said Gray.

Lucy and Natsu shared a look.

"Are you okay?" asked Lucy meaning something different from Natsu.

"I wanna lie down for a bit," mumbled Gray before all but collapsing between the two S-Class mages.

"Let's find some nice and cool, yeah?" said Lucy as she and Natsu got Gray to his feet.

XxX

Lucy found Gray where they had left him earlier that afternoon – in the cool shade of a tree away from the hustle and bustle of a manor being investigated and member of the household being arrested. He looked lost in thought, completely zoned out as he started at nothing.

"Gray?" she called softly.

Much to her relief he responded immediately to his name.

"I'm okay," he said pre-empting her question.

She smiled at sat down next to him.

"I did some really terrible stuff," he said after a while. "But it wasn't really me, right."

"Of course not," said Lucy. "You don't torment people."

"Except maybe Natsu," Lucy added.

Gray smiled at that.

"That flame head deserves it."

"What do I deserve?" asked Natsu coming to join them.

"A train ride home," said Gray getting to his feet.

Gray and Lucy both laughed at Natsu's expression.

XxX

"Arton," mused Makarov after they had told him the whole story. "Can't say it rings a bell. But then, I've made many people angry in my life time."

"Well, he was seriously determined to kill you," said Natsu.

"I'm sure it will come to you," said Mirajane handing Makarov a beer.

"True. But now it's time for the real welcome back party," cried Makarov raising his beer.

"Yeah~!" cheered Fairy Tail.

Epilogue:

It was much later that evening after beer had been flowing for hours that Makarov did remember Arton. As a youngest Makarov and Arton had been in a race with a hefty price and while neither had won the rice, Makarov had been Arton. Arton claimed that Makarov had cheated and would have his blood. Makarov had dismissed Arton and continued with his life seeing the follies of youth as just that.

And he didn't cheat in the race.