Task 7: learn to forgive and be happy (Part 1)

"Cover me with this too!" Little Zenya was mesmerized by her metal skin, currently sitting on her lap and tracing his little fingers over the shining surface. "I want it too. So cool!"

"I am sorry, sweetie, I can't do that." Levy smiled at 7-year-old child tenderly. "It's not my magic, the injured man we saved together casted it over me in the middle of the fight. It will probably fade away when he wakes up."

"Oh," kid looked disappointed, but promptly cheered up again. "You can hide from him! If he won't find out, you'll can keep it, right? Come, I'll hide you under my bed!" Boy jumped to the floor and grabbed Levy's hand to drag her somewhere, but stopped with a thoughtful expression on his small excited face "No, it's too small. The closet then. No... Oh, we'll use dad's bed!"

"It doesn't work this way, son. Besides Levy can't stay here for long, remember?" Zenya's father joined them, passing Levy a big cup of hot steaming cacao and two slices of bread. His two previous days were blurry, occupied with searching, and their kitchen supplies were scarce now.

"Thanks!" Script Mage accepted gratefully, pleased to have something in her stomach for the first time since the beginning of the day.

The three of them were now sitting on the porch of man's house, waiting for the injured man, who was resting in the spare bedroom, to wake up. The small village where house resided hadn't magical healer or hospital and as he was in no shape to travel, Levy offered to examine his wounds and treat them, pushing aside worries that her knowledge and experience, even if they were rather considerable, may not be enough.

Infirmary was her second most visited place in the guild. Script Mage seldom found herself on one of the cots, the reason for her visits was different – she helped Mira. After years of constant assisting Levy was fairly acquainted with different types of injures and knew how to deal with each of them to achieve a speedy recovery. Even now with Wendy in the Guild, Script Mage still was frequently called to help to patch up her friends and she even got several who preferred to be treated by her hand than by their young Dragon Slayer healer.

Levy smiled fondly remembering one of these, who at first stubbornly refused to accept any help at all, then gave up reluctantly, grumbling all the way along the process, and later developed a habit to go directly to her, stating that 'he just doesn't want to make kid overworked with such trivial shit as his 'scratches' and Levy's hands need a change of occupation anyway or they will atrophy holding damn books'. Levy believed it to be real concern for Wendy, who was often left completely exhausted after her healing sessions due to the reckless nature of Fairy Tail's gang, but she also cherished the thought that he liked her touch even if it was just cleaning the wounds, implying ointments or putting bandages.

As Levy's fingers carefully worked to remove gore and pus from man's cuts, she was glad that Natsu and Gray provided her with so extensive experience. The male had nasty deep cut on the right side of his abs and several stabbed ones on his hips. All wounds looked neglected and most likely caused serious blood loss, the man was feverish and didn't regain consciousness either during the trip here or under the treatment and Levy was relieved to hear his faint respiration. However, seems he was able to heal fast, as soon as the wounds were treated and properly covered with medicine and dressings his pulse became steadier, gasps turned into calm deep breathing.

Levy couldn't determine his age, but he must be at least 40. His dark hair was tinted with grey; deep wrinkle was sitting between his brows, accompanied by few smaller once in the corners of his eyes. His torso was generously scarred but toned and strong, even unconscious he emanated power.

She decided to stay near until he'll wake up, wanting to make sure he'll be all right. Plus she needs him to remove her armor skin. And she longed to thank him for enchantment. Even in such weak state he managed to think about the way to help her and accumulate enough magic to fulfill the task. His kind gesture saved her life.

"I am sorry, I can't help you to make home sooner" Zenya's father voice interrupted her thoughts. He offered to give her a lift in his wagon tomorrow morning but can't do more than that. He wasn't mage and no one in the village, which was rather small and suffered from people's sudden disappearance over the last years, had magical powers or even lacrima to communicate. They were rather far from main roads and railway, it was sparsely populated and quiet district and the sun began to hang low. She had to put up with it.

"It's ok, really." Levy attempted to lighten the mood, when Zenya jumped to her and grabbed her arm, almost making her drop the bread she was eating. "Can you stay? Please! Please! You can teach me magic, I want to be a mage too! Stay! Please!"

Levy already knew that boy's mother was among the first missing people and till today they even had no clue what happened to her, and looking into his hopeful pleading eyes she was in loss of words, but Stian, boy's father, helped her again, scooping his son and placing him at his lap.

"Levy can't stay, kiddo, she has friends and family, who are waiting for her at home."

"Right."

Sniff.

"But I can come here to visit you, how about that?" Levy offered, holding out to him a small wooden horse she just created with her magic. "And I can teach you Script Magic if you want and when you'll grow up a little we'll visit Fairy Tail. This is my Guild, there are a lot of great wizards in it with a different types of magic."

"Really?" Zenya eyes were shining again, previous disappointment forgotten. "What can they do? Who are the coolest?"

"Well," Script Mage pretending to think. "You know, Fairy Tail is ranked as strongest Guild in the Fiore. We have four Dragon Slayers. It's very rare and powerful kind of magicians. One of them, his name is Natsu, manipulates fire and he can eat it too. He is able to breathe fire like a real dragon. The other, Gajeel, can transform his body into iron and although he prefers to eat nails and other metal pieces for breakfast his teeth and stomach are perfectly fine. Yes, they are." Levy giggled, seeing boy's round eyes. "Wendy is our Sky Dragon Slayer, she can create tornados and lift huge things with her wind. The last one name's Laxus, he is a lightning mage. We also have a very strong knight-mage, she owns tons of armor outfits and is able to change them in seconds; ice mage Grey and water mage Juvia, she can turn her body in water and a Celestial Wizard Lucy, who has a special keys, which open gates to the Celestial world where the spirits she can summon live. And there are others too. All of them are cool. You'll see, when you come. Of course, you can accompany him, Stian."

"Wow!" After that Zenya's questions flowed like a river and they chattered a little under the tranquility of setting sun, Levy's thoughts occasionally carried her away to the red eyes, which she hoped, won't look angrily or indifferently at her, when she will return home. She startled, when she heard a slight noise coming from the house, but got up quickly and rushed into the room, where injured man was, the hosts following her. She found him sitting and examining bandages, which covered the wound on his abs. Levy jumped to him, wanting to prevent re-opening of the injury and possible bleeding.

"Please, be careful, this wound is deep and you lost a lot of blood," she told him and man's eyes instantly shifted to her. Levy gasped, she never saw such eyes, they were silver and shining like substance that now covered her body.

After intently looking at her for several minutes, man smiled and held out his hand "I think I now owe you my life. Thank you for saving me and taking care after."

Levy blushed, thankfully, it can't be visible on her metal skin, and hurriedly answered "That's me who should thank you. If it wasn't for your help I couldn't defeat him."

"You…"

"I helped too!" Zenya climbed into the bed and positioned himself on Levy's legs. "We found how to escape and I brought dad. Then we carried you here and Levy bandaged you. Can you give me this thing too?" He pointed at Levy's silver hands. "Please! I wanna look like statue too!"

Man let out a soundless laughter and touched boy's hand. This time magic was way faster and Zenya had squealed with delight and bolted from bed and out of the room in search for the mirror, his joyful squeals echoing around the house. His father decided to go after him. Still smiling the man returned his attention to Levy and again held out his hand.

"I am sure you have potential to defeat him one way or the other. Levy, right? You have a brave soul. And a strong one too. I can tell. That's only your body that needs support when against someone as strong as this brute was, so I guess, my little gift will be useful for you."

"Will be?" Script Mage was confused. "But how? I..., sorry, I don't understand."

"Next time when you will need it, I mean."

"Next time…" suddenly Levy froze terrified to the core. "I'll stay like this forever ?" She didn't mean to be rude but she definitely wasn't looking forward to such perspective.

Man chuckled "Only if you want."

"W...what?"

"You can remove it anytime you want and summon again when needed." He nodded in confirmation of his words. "It wasn't a single enchantment, it is now permanently belongs to you." Silver of man's eyes glowed with а soft light in the thickening dusk of the room. "It's light, won't slower you or interfere with your own magic, and strong, resistant to most armors except special magical ones and greatly decreases the force of physical strikes. It called iron skin. Now remove it! Just say respective command!"

It was impossible to disobey the power of his voice, Levy complied and watched stunned how silver cover disappeared from her skin.

"And summon again. Do it!"

"Iron Skin!" Levy shouted and instantaneously metallic armor returned to her body.

She gasped and stared at the man with bulging eyes, who simply smiled in return.

"It is ancient, very powerful technique, which originally didn't belong to human race. An old friend taught me this magic a long time ago. Only few chosen were allowed to possess and use it, but I have a permission to pass it to someone worthy. And I think you are, so now you can use it too, Levy."

"I…" she looked at her shining hands, burst into tears and couldn't suppress desire to launch and hug man's body. "It's so incredible, it's…. Thank you so much, sir! I… my friends always protect me when it comes to battlefield and now I will be able to fight for them and protect them too. It means so much for me. Thank you! And I would like to thank your friend too. Can you convey it to him, please?"

"Sadly, I can't. He is long not in this world."

The smile remained on his face but gained a sad tenderness - a sign of something important you were forced to part with.

"Oh, sorry, I am sure he was a great man." Levy apologized instantly, uneasy that she unintentionally touched such personal topic and was relieved when her companion continued their conversation, unoffended.

"Yeah, he was, one of the greatest. But not a man, he belonged to other kind, a dragon." Man stated matter-of-factly.

"D…d…dragon?" Levy's usually sharp mind was so overwhelmed with all today's events that she was unable to process fast.

"Yeah, they existed and live in Fiore once. Some of them tolerated humans, others not, but there were few among them who chose to be ours friends. Metallicana was one of them."

"Me…Metallicana? Metallicana? 'Did she hear right? He said Metallicana. He said it, he did! Oh, goodness!' "You knew him? Oh, my god! You knew him, you really did, right?" Levy didn't notice that she was now tightly clanged into man's arm and he was taken aback and puzzled by her fast scattered speech. "Oh, god! Please, tell me about him. Tell me everything you remember so that I can retell it to him. Please, he will be so happy, he misses him so much, please!"

"Who?" The man asked softly. "I beg your pardon, Levy, but I don't follow your line. What are you talking about?"

"I… Gaj…Metallicana… he… no!" With great effort Levy collected herself and attempted to speak slower and more intelligibly. "I apologize, I became overexcited when you mentioned that you knew Metallicana. I have a friend who will appreciate any information about him. His name is Gajeel, he is a Dragon Slayer, Metallicana's adopted son."

"Gajeel? Redfox boy? You knew him?" Man's voice and face expression were equally incredulous, eyes so intent that their color seemed darker. "But he is… how such girl as you can be friends with someone like him?"

Levy's turn to be taken aback.

"What do you mean?" She asked timidly.

Man sighed heavily and explained with palpable sadness in his voice.

"You are kind and caring one. And he…last I heard he didn't turn out good. Merciless fiend, brutal heartless monster."

"No!" Levy exclaimed so fast and with such eagerness in her voice that something other than perplexity appeared in man's eyes and he focused his full attention on girl's agitating speech at the same time watching her intently, trying to read her soul.

Levy, unaware of his searching gaze, began to explain hastily, desperate to make him understand. Thought of Metallicana's friend thinking about Gajeel badly, was unbearable for her.

"Yes, Gajeel was… different when we first met." She didn't intend to hide the truth about his past actions, because, namely, the amount of effort he put in to change was the reason why she started to admire him. "He committed mistakes and made wrong decisions, it's true, but it was in the past. After Metallicana's disappearance he was lonely, confused and he was still so young with nobody to guide him… and he choose wrong path. But he managed to leave this behind, to atone and to change. He is part of our Guild now, Fairy Tail, he joined soon after we met, 2 years ago. And since that he helped all of us, fought for the Guild, he protected me and saved my life several times. He is great, so strong, loyal, brave and he is kind too. Gajeel is amazing, he…" Levy looked at man and at last noticed peculiar expression, which now was draw over his face, clearly indicating that he got much more from her narrative that she intended to convey. Levy blushed again, glad that her new skin was still on, and added more quietly "I am sure if Metallicana would have seen him now, would be proud of him."

"Looks like he would, yes." man agreed. "I definitely glad to hear it. And now I have one more reason to rejoice over my choice to pass you Iron Skin. It's a good match to his scales, you agree, Levy?"

"Ehh…" She was too embarrassed to answer, but the male spared her, adding something what made her heart skip.

"Thank you for telling me this, you set my heart at ease. Gajeel was oldest of the future Slayers, strongest physically and able to learn fast, capable kid, very promising. His only flaw was his short wild temper, Metallicana tried to correct it, but so happened, he hadn't enough time. Left alone, prone to violence, no wonder he let the worst of his qualities took over him. However, as I see being among good people and true friends helped to bring better parts. I got it right?"

"Yes." Levy nodded shyly, trying not to embarrass herself more. "He is good person, really. Not very open and friendly type, but he has a big heart. He just didn't want to show it."

The man smiled again, but let her to drop the topic. Her words and feelings hidden in them, so obvious and eloquent, convinced him and for the first time in decade he felt easy and happy. Levy meantime imagined little Gajeel already with his trademark frown and piercings and let her curiosity took the better of her.

"How was he as a kid?"

"Stubborn. Persistent. Resolute." Man snorted. "And a fighter. When they weren't training and studying their magic, he with Igneel's brat were always in a fight."

"So Natsu was there too?" Seeing man's surprised gaze, Levy added "Natsu is in our Guild too. And Wendy as well."

"Really? That's good that they are together again. Yeah, they fought endlessly until both were drained, unable to move, two most stubborn kids I ever saw. And destructive too, especially after Natsu mastered his fire breath attack."

Levy giggled. "You know that didn't change. Natsu actually is quite famous for his careless destructive attitude. And when he fights with Gajeel, and it happens almost daily, except for one of them in the mission, it's quite a performance, even if it's a friendly brawls now." Then she asked timidly "Why did Metallicana and other dragons leave? Gajeel thinks that Metallicana abandoned him, but he doesn't understand why."

The man shook his head.

"It was a necessity, very urgent one. I can't tell you why. It's not the time. But you can assure him and others Slayers that there was no other choice. Metallicana loved him, as much as Igneel loved Natsu and Grandeeney Wendy. He would stayed, if he could."

He reached for his coat and ducked into one of the inside pockets, pulling out a photograph, and passed it to Levy.

"Here, give it to him, it's the only one I have, but I think he needs it more."

Levy looked and felt tears collected in her eyes. She carefully placed the photo inside her Dragon's book, like a treasure it was.

"Please, come to Fairy Tail! When your wounds will heal and you will be able to travel comfortably, I mean. Please! Gajeel probably doesn't remember you, but he will be glad to talk with someone who knew Metallicana."

He shook his head again, apologetically. "Not now, but I'll visit one day, you have my word."

Script Mage tried to hide disappointment, but seems the man already was able to see through her polite facade, because he added with a knowing smile "And to make up for this I'll tell you all I can to recount about Metallicana. Where should I start?"