When We Take Different Paths is the 428th chapter of Hiro Mashima's Fairy Tail.
Gray, confronted by Natsu, Happy and Lucy in Avatar's headquarters, tells his former comrades that he has abandoned Fairy Tail and joined Avatar of his own volition. The intruders are then captured by Mary, Jerome, Goumon and Abel. Meanwhile, Gajeel prepares his squad of Rune Knights to attack the cult after the return of his informant, Levy, who is also a member of his squad.
Summary
Lucy collapsing due to Mary's Magic
In Amefurashi Village, Wendy continues to tend to Juvia's fever and expresses her belief in Natsu and Gray. Meanwhile, in the Avatar headquarters, Gray and Natsu battle each other, with Natsu trying to convince Gray to help them rebuild Fairy Tail as it will always exist in the hearts of its members. Gray responds that the Guild is no more and that he is not required to revive it since he has abandoned it.
Lucy finds Gray's statements unbearable and slaps him, telling him that they will always be comrades. Suddenly, she feels a sharp pain in her abdomen and collapses. This is revealed to be Mary's doing - the young mage questioning the identity of the intruders. Simultaneously, Natsu and Virgo are chained by a revived Goumon, who uses Magic-sealing handcuffs to diminish his opponents' power, while Abel utilizes Mr. Cursey to control Happy.
 Levy, the Magic Council's spy in Avatar |
When Mary continues to sadistically torture Lucy, Natsu attempts to rush to her aid despite his restraints, but is stopped cold when Jerome appears and threatens to behead Lucy with his sword. The Dragon Slayer tries to reason with the Devil Slayer, telling him to overcome his madness. But the latter informs him that he made the decision to join Avatar whilst perfectly sane and reveals the Avatar symbol branded on his chest in the exact spot where his Fairy Tail mark used to be, enraging Natsu.
Elsewhere, Gajeel's squad of Rune Knights prepares to attack Avatar. Gajeel and Pantherlily are approached by Levy, who is also a Rune Knight and their informant in Avatar. The trio discuss Avatar's motives and the need to stop their mysterious purification ritual. When Levy and Pantherlily question Gajeel's resolve to fight against their former comrade, the Dragon Slayer announces that Gray's involvement with the cult makes him their enemy, despite their previous comradeship.
Characters in Order of Appearance
Battles & Events
- None
Magic, Spells, and Abilities used
Magic used
- Celestial Spirit Magic (星霊魔法 Seirei Mahō)
- Dragon Slayer Magic (滅竜魔法 Metsuryū Mahō)
- Fire Dragon Slayer Magic (炎の滅竜魔法 Honō no Metsuryū Mahō ')
- Devil Slayer Magic (滅悪魔法 Metsuaku Mahō)
- Ice Devil Slayer Magic (氷の滅悪魔法 Kōri no Metsuaku Mahō)
- Pain Magic
- Ushi no Koku Mairi (丑の刻参り Ushi no Koku Mairi)
Spells used
- Star Dress (星霊衣 (スタードレス) Sutā Doresu)
- Virgo Form (バルゴフォーム Barugo Fōmu)
- Fire Dragon's Iron Fist (火竜の鉄拳 Karyū no Tekken)
Abilities used
- Rain Conjuring
- Hand-to-Hand Combat
- Battle Mode Shift (戦闘モードシフト Sentō Mōdo Shifuto)
Weapons used
- Dark Sword
Items used
- Mr. Cursey (ノーロさん Nōro-san)
- Magic Sealing Handcuffs
| Tartaros arc | Avatar arc | Alvarez Empire arc |
| ← | Chapters | → |
| 418 | 419 | 420 | 421 | 422 | 423 | 424 | 425 | 426 | 427 | 428 | 429 | 430 | 431 | 432 | 433 | 434 | 435 | 436 | 437 | ||
| ← | Episodes | → |
| 276 | 277 | 278 | 279 | 280 | 281 | 282 | 283 | 284 N/A | ||