As the younglings watched the approach of the black phantoms in dull horror, one of Jose's companions suddenly let out a strangled cry.
The apparitions faltered for an instant as Jose's concentration wavered. Jose snarled and turned to his colleague, incensed. However, his angry rebuke died on his tongue when his eyes landed on the scene behind his two companions.
Behind Sol and Totomaru were a dozen dragons, dressed in the raiment of the southern dragon army, claws raised and pointed at him and his colleagues. But the sight that made Jose's blood run cold was the dragon at the head of the contingent. A dragon of whom he had heard bone-chilling rumors of, his ferocity and skill in battle unmatched. The Field Marshal - General of the dragon army of Alagesia.
Metalicana glared at Jose, his unforgiving gaze transfixing the human mage.
"Jose Porla…"
Natsu's eyes snapped up at the voice, as did Wendy's and Gajeel's. The apparitions disappeared in that instant, giving the hatchlings a clear view of their saviors. Natsu and Wendy cried out in delight, while Gajeel visibly paled.
Jose's panicked gaze scanned the clearing, looking for an escape. With a maniacal gleam in his eye, he lunged towards Natsu and Lucy, intent on grabbing a hostage. Before his hand could graze either youngling though, he was flung back with incredible force into a tree trunk at the edge of the glade. The young ones of the clearing were shocked into silence - they had not seen the older metal dragon move, but he had maneuvered so swiftly that he had blocked Jose with one simple blow. Metalicana held Jose's body against the tree, his expression livid, as he snarled.
"Porla, you have committed a heavy crime against Alagesia. Attacking and attempting to kill our hatchlings is no small offense. Add that to the list of crimes you have committed in Pergrande, and I have more than sufficient reason to do this."
Metalicana transformed his right arm into a sword, and in one swift motion, impaled the evil mage. Jose only had a moment to let out a garbled choke, before the light in his eyes extinguished and his prone, dead body slumped forward. Withdrawing his arm, and letting the body drop to the forest floor, Metalicana turned back to his contingent. In a subdued voice, he issued orders to his lieutenant, finally turning his full attention to the eclectic gathering of young ones in the clearing. As most of his men led the remaining two criminals back to Alagesia, his gaze scanned the remaining occupants of the glade.
He first observed two pixie boys, neither looking terribly injured, only very frightened. His gaze then landed upon Wendy, a pixie girl, and his son. Wendy looked back at him warily, the display she had just witnessed obviously having unnerved her. The pixie girl looked at him defiantly, as if daring him to try anything to her. Metalicana couldn't help the twitch at the corner of his mouth at her haughty expression - the little pixie girl had spunk. His gaze drifted to the third of that group. When his eyes locked with those of his son, he could not help as some of his anger and disappointment broiled through him. He was surprised to see his son's eyes did not hold the venom he had expected it would in response. He seemed… regretful. Resolving to deal with his progeny later, Metalicana continued his scan of the clearing's inhabitants. He nodded to himself when he observed Carla tending to an unconscious Happy at the far edge of the clearing. She had not even acknowledged his presence or his actions, so absorbed was she in tending to the tomcat, but they looked in decent health. His gaze finally fell on the last two of the clearing. His nephew clung to someone in his arms, muffled sobs and sniffling ensuing from the hidden female creature. Natsu had his back to him and had not acknowledged him either, intent on comforting the female.
Metalicana approached the pair slowly, laying a comforting hand on his nephew's shoulder. Natsu froze, as did the girl in his arms.
"Is your friend injured, Natsu? If so, let me help."
Natsu shifted slightly, to look up at his uncle. The female in his nephew's clasp peeked out fearfully from behind him and Metalicana's gaze fell upon her.
Metalicana gave a strangled gasp, involuntarily taking a step back. The little human maiden in Natsu's arms trembled in pain and fright, her golden locks cascading haphazardly down her back and shoulders, her wide chocolate brown eyes locked onto his, conveying her terror. Metalicana took a deep breath to steady himself. She looked so much like…
Metalicana was jerked out of his thoughts by Natsu's low, menacing growl. Confused, Metalicana turned his attention to his nephew. He watched as Natsu gathered the whimpering girl even closer, and glared at him.
"Don't you dare hurt her!"
Perplexed, Metalicana raised both hands in a placating gesture of surrender.
"Of course not! Why would you think I would mean her harm?"
Before his nephew could retort, a soft but stern voice spoke.
"Because… Because she is human?"
Metalicana turned around to face the pixie girl, who looked back into his eyes boldly, fury blazing in the depths of her own.
"Yes, I see she is human. But why would that mean I would harm her?"
The pixie's expression changed from one of anger to one of confusion.
"Oh! But I thought most dragons killed humans on sight…"
Metalicana's gaze immediately snapped to Gajeel, fury now lining his features.
"What did you do Gajeel?"
Gajeel hung his head in shame, but could not bring himself to speak.
"Answer me. NOW!"
Gajeel took a deep stuttering breath and forced himself to look up and into his father's eyes.
"I tried to kill her, father. As per our law, we have the right - nay the duty - to kill humans on sight…"
"Recite the third holy testament of the dragon code."
"Wha… What?"
"Did I stutter, son?"
"... No sir."
"Well?"
"Thou shalt not prey on any creature, magical or not, that is no worthy opponent in a dragon's battle."
"And what does that mean?"
"Never hunt prey that cannot defend itself in a battle with a dragon."
"That is one interpretation, yes. Another?"
Gajeel knit his brows in confusion and glanced at his cousins for help. Natsu and Wendy stared back at him, just as befuddled.
Metalicana took a deep breath, willing himself to calmness.
"Those are not merely words to be learned by rote and repeated like a parrot. We are dragons. One of the mightiest races of dark magic. With our power, also comes the immense responsibility to be fair to those around us." Metalicana fixed his stern gaze on his son, "That means never harming or engaging in any battle a member of a race we perceive unequal to us in brute strength. For many centuries, we considered humans a simple race and unable to match us in a physical battle." Metalicana's voice dropped an octave. "That changed after the night of blood. That was the day we recognized them as our equals. The law you so flippantly quote was instituted to warn our brethren of the change in times. The opinion that humans are weak and not worthy adversaries has been too long ingrained in dragon culture, and we needed to shake our people out of that ancient mindset."
Metalicana's gaze swept once around the clearing, taking in the little ones gazing back at him in rapt attention. His gaze returned to his son's, a sharp edge overtaking it.
"That does not mean you attack every human you come across, you fool! Especially one such as Lucy, who would never do you harm…"
A sniffle and a gasp interrupted him.
"How do you know my name?"
Metalicana cleared his throat, looking distinctly uncomfortable. He glanced at the little girl who was looking back at him curiously, the fear in her eyes receding.
"Well… err… Mash, Gajeel's friend whom we caught trying to contact Jose, mentioned it in passing."
Gajeel frowned. He didn't recollect telling Mash about Lucy's name. The thought disappeared when his father turned back to him, his expression grim once more.
"Mash is now in custody for aiding and abetting a criminal. As you will be, Gajeel."
Gajeel stood straight and tall. His father was not the type to go easy on wrong-doers just because they were hatchlings. He had expected no less from him. And he understood now just how much he deserved it.
"No!"
As the voice rang out in the clearing, all eyes turned to the little blue-haired pixie who had exclaimed. Levy kept her eyes on the imposing dragon man, her gaze steely.
"Gajeel does not deserve that punishment! He has not committed a crime! He had no idea from whom his friend had obtained those tracking devices and he was just as surprised as the rest of us when they attacked! He even helped defend us…" Levy trailed off, looking around for assistance from her fellows.
Lucy piped up immediately. "Y-yes, if it were not for his help we would not have been able to hold them off for even this long."
"Aye," Natsu added gruffly, "the metal moron did help even the odds… But that doesn't mean I'll forgive him so easily for trying to kill Lucy!" Natsu growled, baring his teeth viciously at his cousin as Gajeel regarded him with a stoic, unreadable gaze.
Of the dragon contingent that had accompanied Metalicana, his lieutenant had remained behind to aid his senior and had quietly been observing the drama unfolding in the clearing. At Natsu's outburst, he coughed lightly and bowed to his superior, offering his opinion.
"Sir, the hatchlings have a point. When we arrived Gajeel was fighting the criminals tooth and nail. Also, I have just received word that Mash has confessed Gajeel's ignorance in the matter of his association with Jose. I do believe we have no reason to take him into custody."
Metalicana frowned, opening his mouth to respond to his comrade. Before he could speak his mind, Levy interjected once more.
"If you wish to punish Gajeel, being his father, you have every right to." Levy turned to glare at Gajeel, the metal dragon in question leaning back a bit in fear of the intensity of her gaze, "I haven't forgiven him for trying to hurt my friend! However… His reasons for trying to seek out the fae… I cannot help but feel are justified." Levy turned again to Metalicana, "Please allow me to introduce him to the elders of my grotto. After that, he is yours to punish as you see fit."
Gajeel gasped, an expression of utter confusion etched on his face. Metalicana knit his brows, his gaze darting rapidly between his son and the stubborn little fae girl, before settling on Levy's determined visage.
"Hmmm… Very well." A ghost of a smile appeared on the stern metal dragon's face. "I admire your courage little fae, and if you insist that my son gets the answers I know he so desperately seeks - then I have no right to protect him any longer."
With a heavy sigh, the elder dragon turned his attention once again to his nephew and the little human. Approaching them once again, he knelt down and gazed into the eyes of the still wary little girl.
"Please do not be afraid of me, little one. I mean you no harm."
His gentle and soft tone, starkly different from the stern, cold voice he had been using to address his son, disarmed Lucy. She gave him a hesitant smile in response.
"Where does it hurt?"
Lucy hesitated a moment, her eyes seeking out Natsu's for reassurance. Natsu nodded, loosening his grip on her so that she could sit upright on her own. The mere act of sitting up jostled her leg slightly and she whimpered in pain, clutching her calf and shivering.
Metalicana gently pried her hands off her calf, touching the leg to inspect the damage. He clicked his tongue in displeasure.
"The brute broke the bone straight through. The only way this can be healed completely is with healing magic." He frowned, considering the options. "We could fly you back to Alagesia, but the flight itself would be painful…"
"No!" Lucy interrupted, panic overtaking her features, "I can't go to Alagesia!"
At Metalicana's and Natsu's curious looks, she clarified, "Err… I mean no offense… But… Well… I was just attacked by a dragon, I don't really feel comfortable going to Alagesia where I could potentially meet more… err... Dragons."
Natsu scoffed. "But I'll be there to protect you! Oh, and so will uncle." He added as an afterthought. "Why, even Happy would… Wait, where's Happy?" Natsu finally looked around the clearing, searching for his best friend. His eyes grew wide in shock when they fell on Happy, seemingly still unconscious, now gently laying in Wendy's lap as Carla fussed over him.
"HAPPY!"
"He's fine Natsu!" Wendy sighed, a slight smile on her tired face, "I've healed his injuries and he is no longer unconscious - he's just sleeping off some of his minor aches and pains."
Natsu and Lucy breathed a sigh of relief at her words. Wendy knit her brows, turning to her uncle.
"Shall I try healing Lucy right here?"
"Hmm? Nay, I don't think that would be wise, Wendy." Metalicana smiled fondly at the little blue-haired dragon, "Healing humans is a complicated affair, and I don't think your mother has reached that stage of your training yet. Best not to take the risk."
"Our elders will know what to do. They may be able to heal her, or at least tell us how to do so." Levy once again offered, her voice soft and her gaze locked on Lucy. Behind her, Jet and Droy stood, still warily observing all the dragons in the clearing.
Metalicana smiled at Levy. "That sounds like the best plan so far. Go ahead little ones, if your grotto is nearby, please fetch your elders as fast as you can. I will make her as comfortable as possible." His gaze drifted to his son, "I suppose Gajeel and I will remain back to greet them since you wish to grant my son their audience. Lieutenant Roshka, escort the exceeds, Wendy and Natsu…"
"NO!" Natsu roared, making a grab at Lucy, as the little girl in question squeaked and squirmed to get out of his too-tight hold.
"I'm not leaving her like this! Especially not right after that metal fucker tried…"
"LANGUAGE Boy!"
"Oh alright, Gajeel tried to kill her! She needs me!"
"It's okay Natsu. I'll be fine. You should go, won't Happy be upset if you're not there when he awakens?"
Natsu frowned, a little torn at the mention of his faithful friend. Lucy took her advantage, giving him a tight hug and rubbing small circles into his back.
"Thank you for worrying about me. And protecting me. And saving me. But I'll be fine." She drew back and gave him a brilliant smile, "Tell Happy that I shall reward him for his brave part in this escapade by letting him fish in the fountain he met me by!"
"Oh, you mean the pond you are supposed to be guarding?"
"I AM NOT A GUARD! HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO TELL… Grrr… never mind, just go, you insufferable dragon!"
Natsu barked out a laugh, giving her a smirk and a long look, his eyes betraying his concern. With a final death glare in Gajeel's direction, Natsu snapped out his wings, accompanying his sister and the exceeds as they were escorted back to the dragon kingdom.
The minutes ticked by as an uneasy silence settled in the clearing. Metalicana and Levy had helped Lucy into as comfortable a sitting position as she could manage. Jet had been dispatched to fetch the pixie village elders, being the swiftest of the three pixie friends. Droy sat near Levy and Lucy, throwing uncomfortable glances at Gajeel, who sat in aloof stillness at the other end of the clearing. Metalicana seemed to be the only one completely at ease, the older metal dragon stretched out leisurely on the grass beside the little human girl and the two pixies, humming a tune.
A rustle in the bushes behind her caused Lucy to suddenly jolt in her place, slightly jerking her leg and prompting a groan. Metalicana chuckled and rose from his spot throwing a furtive glance at his son.
"That little pixie lad certainly was fast! I can sense the approach of the pixie elders, I believe we will soon be graced by their presence."
Levy breathed a sigh of relief. Droy perked up, turning towards the bushes behind Lucy. Lucy, still immobilized by her broken appendage, craned over her own shoulder to watch their approach with as much grace as her broken limb would allow.
They emerged from the bushes, slowly and gracefully. There were three of them. The two older lady pixies were dressed in flowing garments that seemed to blend with the natural surroundings, one a rich blue reminiscent of a turbulent ocean, the other in a dress of green and brown evocative of the deep woods. The third was a gentleman pixie, dressed in a blinding white tunic and breeches, a genial and kind expression on his face.
They entered the clearing and paused when their eyes fell on Lucy. To her astonishment, as one they bowed to her. Lucy froze. Could they know who she was? She had not even told Levy her true heritage, for fear her father's intolerance of all magic and known cruelty would color Levy's opinion of herself. She bit her lower lip and gazed at them fretfully.
"It is an honor to meet one of the human race. It has been many eons since your kind has associated with us, and we are truly delighted Levy was fortunate enough to make your acquaintance."
Lucy let out a huge sigh of relief.
"The honor is all mine, your excellencies."
"We know of your injury and we have sent Jet to fetch a human healer who would best be able to treat your wound. Our fledgling is the fastest in the grotto, but it will still take him some time to find her lair and bring her here. We apologize for the delay. In the meantime, we can offer this spell to ease the immediate pain."
The pixie arrayed in blue stepped forward waving a hand over Lucy and murmuring a few musical words. Lucy immediately felt numbness spread over the injured leg and a feeling of ease flood the rest of her aching limbs. Lucy sighed in relief.
"That is immensely better, thank you so much!"
The pixies smiled at her, turning their attention to the rest of the occupants of the clearing. They nodded in acknowledgment of the other two pixie fledglings, their gaze finally landing on Metalicana and Gajeel. Gajeel had arisen from his spot at the far end of the clearing to stand next to his father, shifting from foot to foot in discomfiture. When the pixie elders turned to them, the two dragons solemnly bowed. The pixie elders bowed in return, regarding the dragon pair with equally somber expressions.
"Pray, to what do we owe the pleasure of your company, dragons?"
Metalicana did not speak. He merely looked down between his son and Levy. Gajeel gulped nervously, suddenly at a loss to express himself. Before he could form a coherent and respectful response, Levy gently intervened.
"Vecmamina, Vectevs… I humbly beg your pardon, but it was I who offered to introduce these dragons to you. The younger one has an important question to ask you regarding his mother."
The genteel pixie lady in the elegant brown and green garment stepped forward at Levy's words. She frowned slightly looking between Gajeel and Metalicana, finally letting her gaze settle on Metalicana's.
"Hello, old friend. You know very well that we are not bound by the same oath you are. We can grant his request and answer his question... but do you approve?"
Ignoring the looks of confusion and shock on the faces of all the younglings in the clearing, Metalicana cleared his throat.
"My son has been pining for this knowledge for quite a time. His determination to discover the truth speaks for itself - I no longer feel I have the right to stop him if he truly wishes to know." Metalicana looked down at his son, a rare look of gentle affection on his face, "I believe in him. I believe he is ready."
The brown and green bedecked pixie nodded slowly. She knelt on a knee, lowering herself to look Gajeel straight in his crimson orbs.
"Sometimes, knowledge can bring a great burden of responsibility with it… I fear the knowledge you seek is one such. Are you sure you wish to know your full heritage, little one?"
Gajeel stared back into the pixie's compassionate and sad gaze. He had come too far to turn back now. Bolstered by his father's proud words and his own determination, he nodded, not trusting himself to speak.
The pixie sighed. Straightening up, she turned to her two companions. In silent agreement, the three raised their hands. Their magic swirled in the little clearing, water, earth, and air rising from the center and moulding into a white cloud. In the center of the mist, the image of a beautiful woman arose, her hair just as dark, luscious and unruly as Gajeel's. She lay, as if in slumber, in a glass casket in the center of a beautiful garden.
"This… is your mother, Gajeel."