Hey everyone. I am sooo sorry for taking so long to up date. The computer needed to be fixed (like really badly) and the internet time was being used WAY too much so I just couldn't seem to get to this chapter. This chapter is really long...and a doozy. Sorry about everything, and for keeping you waiting. PLEASE ENJOY! xD.
CHAPTER 4
A few months after that day, I come to an abrupt halt in my training. I just can't get the hang of Iron-Dragon-Roar. I try and I try, but nothing happens. I can do it with all the other elements, but not with Iron apparently.
"AAAAAAAAAAAGGG! I CAN'T DO THIS!" I schreech at the top of my lungs. Universe can't hear me, because she left to do something, a five minute flight away. A massive gust of wind and ground trembling thud comes from behind me.
"Can't do what?" A deep male voice asks. I pivot on my heel to face him. His scales and scent portrays that he is an Iron dragon. 'Another talking dragon?! Too cool!' My mind hoops and hollars, while I stare at the waiting dragon. I snap out of my excitement.
"Oh. I can't do the Iron-Dragon-Roar." I growl frustratedly, but shy slightly.
"Okay. Well, I could help you, but first I would need to ask permission from your dragon teacher." He offers kindly. I just about answer him when the familiar flap flap of Universe's wings causes us to look up at the same time, to see her comeing into view.
"Metalicana! What a pleaseant surprise. What can I help you with?" She calls to us. 'So that's his name. Metal-bleah-bleah er however you say it.' I confirm in my mind.
"Greetings, my Queen. Is this you apprentice?" He greets. 'I guessthey already know each other.' I shrug mentally.
"No need for such formalities, Metalicana. I'm a friend, not a misstress, or queen. not here. Back to your question, yes. She is my apprentice." She answers, smiling at me. "You came to see me, I presume, Metalicana. I hope there are no problems." Her concerne doesn't surprise me. She's always this kind to others.
"No, no. Everything is fine. I was merely showing my 'child in training' around the mountains when I heard this young one-" He flicks his tail tip at me, "criy out that she can't do something. I came down to see if I could be of assistance." He explains, and Universew turns to me, smiling knowingly.
"Still can't get it right?" I shake my head at her question. "So you were showing him around, eh?" She questions, turning back to Metalicana. "Is he stil with you?"
"Yes." He nods.
"Well you wanted to help. And I know just how you can!" She proclaims.
"Oh? How will we do it, then." Metalicana challenges in a friendly manner.
"We can have our , as you say, 'children in training' practice with each other! They can teach eah other, and learn from each other. It will let us rest and have time to talk, and help them to work as a team for the future when they find the guild that they want to be in!" She convinces him easily.
"I like it. Just one problem." He agrees.
"And that is...?" She calmly retorts.
"How can they work together if they haven't met yet?" Metalicana points out.
"You are absolutely right. Silly me. Well let us fix that." She nods to me. Metalicana twists hid head around and murmers something I can't make out. he turns back, and a tall boy a few years older than me, with many iron piercings, jumps down from Metalicana's back, then glares at me. I glare back, sticking my tongue out. 'If you act like that, then that's exactly what your gonna get in return.' I growl to myself. A flicker of shock appears on the boy's face for a split second, then disappears, and the two dragons laugh.
" Don't get that too often, do you, Gajeel?" Metalicana laughs, patting the boy on the back with his tail. Gajeel grunts and shrugs the tail away.
"This should be interesting." Universe predicts, glancing at Metalicana, who merely lifts his shoulders to say 'oh, well.'
" Well if HE-" I point at Gajeel. " is going to be mean and not say hello, then that is exactly what he will get in return!" I bark indignantly, giving a curt nod once I proved my piont.
"Wow. Fiesty little girl, isn't she?" Metalicana states, glancing at Universe and Gajeel. "Now go say hello, Gajeel." He comands. Gajeel's face only hardens and he stands fast, refusing to move or speak.
"I see he's picked up some of you stubborness." Universe smirks teasingly. Metalicana gives a 'hmph', then, at the same time, he and Universe use their tails to push Gajeel and I closer together. (Heck. We were like ten feet away from each other.) I spin around, dig my toes into the ground, and push against her tale. But my feet just slide across the ground leaving ruts in the dirt. Gajeel walks to the center of the clearing, crosses his arms, and sighs as if he's bored. i give Universe a 'Please don't make me do it.' stare, but she just mouths 'Sorry', before giving me a final shove. With that, I stumble backwards, trip on a protruding root, and fall. I close my eyes and brace for impact..., but it never comes. A hand grasps my elbow, stops my fall, then helps me stand again. Before the hand moves away I look to see who helped me. It was GAJEEL! He glances down at me lazily, and lets go of my arm.
"You're welcome." He grunts, then looks away, recrossing his arms.
"Y-yeah. Thanks." I stutter. 'I thought he would just let me fall, then maybe laugh at me, but I guess I was wrong.' "Why did you catch me?" He glances down at me, again, with a raised eyebrow made of iron piercings. (He is a head taller than me.) "You seem like the kind of person who would just...let me fall." I clareify for him. He huffs before answering.
"I wasn't raised like that." He turns to me, arms remaining crossed, to make eye contact. "So you obviously know my name, but I don't know yours. Care to tell me?" he blunly asks.
"Gajeel!" Metalicana barks. Gajeel faces him instantly.
"What!? What'd I do?" He answeres indignantly.
"Be nice!" Metalicana yells in return.
"But I wasn't be-."
"Yes you were and you know it!" Metalicana interrupts him. Gajeel growls, gritting his teeth.
"BOYS! Calm down this instant!" Universe interceptes at last, voice on fire. They stop immediately. "Metalicana, stop yelling at him. Has it ever occurred to you, that if you two didn't always bicker, Gajeel would be nicer to people when need be?" Metalicana lowers his head in shame, and Universe, nodding because she knows she's right, transfers her gaze to Gajeel. "And, Gajeel." Her tone softens, "That was a bit rude. Would you please ask her again? More nicely this time?" Gajeel sighs exaduratedly, rolling his blood red eyes, and truns his attention back to an expectant and patient me, who is not at all dampened by his poor attitude.
"Would you please tell me your name?" He asks grudgingly, emphasising 'please'. He is obviously forcing himself to speak lightly, unlike before.
"Of course. It's Cyrus. Cyrus Dragonfly." I replie cotentedly.
"Nice. My last name is Redfox, in case you were wondering." He replies, sounding less reluctant.
"Your name is really cool." I compliment, getting used to talking to him easily. 'He doesn't seem so bad. Just a bit on the grumpy side.' I think, giggling to myself. 'I called him grumpy. xD!'
"Uh, thanks." His facual expression loses some of its hardness, and he uncrosses his arms.
"Well you two. Why don't you get started?" Universe steps in.
"Start what?" Gajeel and I ask at the same time.
"Training, of course. Metalicana and I are going to talk some things over in my cave." She explains. "Cyrus, you know where it is. Come get us if you need to."
"Wow, wait. How are we supposed to pracice? Like, what are we doing?" Gajeel, completely baffled, voices his and my questions.
"Yeah." I agree.
Show each other what you are working on in your training, then help perfect it, if need be. Challenge each other in a mock battle if you want. Just don't hurt each other. That should keep you busy for a while." She explians, then goes to her cave with Metalicana trailing after her, leaving Gajeel and I alone to figure everything out.
"W-well. What are you working on right now, Gajeel?" I ask him, breaking the silence.
"Nothing. Metalicana said I'm ahead enough to take two days off. today's my first day off, so he descided to show me around." He answeres simply, "What are you working on, that you can't do what. So. Ever?" He teases me slightly. I glare at him, face screaming 'really.'
"I can't do the Iron-Dragon-Roar right. I've been stuck on it for the last week." I groanand flop onto the ground, face twisted into a pout. Gajeel snorts a laugh.
"Let's see what you're doing wrong." He suggests, and I look at him in cofusion. "Do it. Show me. Whatever." His tone more friendly. 'I guess he's a lot nicer once you get to know him.' The thought runs through my mind, while I get into position.
"Iron-Dragon-ROOOAAAR!" I yell and try to breathe a blast of iron, but only a couple of iron pebbles come out. I look to Gajeel for his responce. He's staring at me blankly, arms once again crossed at his chest. I smile nervously at him. i look away, face hot with embarassment, slump my shoulders, and sigh diasappiontedly. My bottom lip quivers and I can't stop myself. I sit on the ground and begin to muffle on coming sobs. Gajeel, totaly stunned, takes a step back. He has no idea what just happened OR how to deal with it. His face screams 'WHAT DO I DO NOW!?'
With Universe and Metalicana
Universe's P.O.V
"Do you think they are coming along alright, Universe?" Metalicana, Gajeel's dragon, wonders nervously.
"It's been less than five minutes." I giggle, "I will listen in on them." I offer. A small breeze picks up, and I hear Cyrus crying. I smell the air. Gajeel's nervousness fills my sent glands. He obviously doesn't know what to do. I descide to send him a message on the breeze.
With Cyrus and Gajeel
Gajeel's P.O.V
'What the HECK am I going to do!? She's CRYING! Sh-should I go get Universe? Maybe. She would know how to deal with her.' I think as millions of questions crowd my mind. 'Comfort her. Make her feel better, then get her to try again.' 'WOW! Who's talking to me? Hello? Umm. I hope that was Universe. Okay. So I need to..COMFORT HER! IS UNIVERSE MAD! HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO DO THAT!? Oh brother. Someone kill me now.' I grumble to myself. I take a deep breath and let it out.
Cyrus's P.O.V
I hear Gajeel take a deep breath, then come over. He sits next to me, and I immediately smell how nervous he is.
"H-hey. You okay?" He asks, not knowing what to say. I sniff a few times before answering.
"I just can't do it." I whisper. He's trying so hard to help, that I'm trying to help him help me. (If that makes any sence at all.) He puts his arm around my shoulder and pats my arm. He has no clue what he's doing or what for.
"You did everything perfectly." He starts, gaining more control on the situation. "We just need to think of something new to try. That's all. C'mon. I'll do it with you." He stands, and holds out his hand to help me up. I wipe away my tears as I stand.
"Any ideas that might help?" I ask. "Cause I got nothin'."
"Have you tried turning you hands to iron before doing the roar?That's how I had to do it at first. Now I'm able to do it normally." He grabs the chance to brag to me, and I roll my eyes.
"No I haven't tried that yet." I answer, sounding like I'm impressed.
"Okay. How about I do a part of it then you copy me?" Gajeel suggests, back to his normal self. (About as normal as he will get at least.)
"Sure!" I replie, now happy to try again. We try it twice. The first time it's pretty good, just not big, fast, or strong enough to do much damage to my "practice rock". The second time, I do it perfectly. When Gajeel tells me how I did, I squeal and run to tell Universe. Just before I take off, I grab Gajeels hand and drag him along with me. I look back at him, and his face tells me that he was NOT ready for that to happen.I smile, and he smiles back! When we reach our dragons we are still smiling. That is, apparently, unusual for Gajeel to smile...at all...LET ALONE THIS GIANT GOOFY GRIN OF HIS! (that's not the one that means you're gonna die. Thankfully.) When Metalicana sees Gajeel's smile he seems dumbfounded.
"What's wrong, Metalicana?" Universe glances at him in confusion, "They're just smiling."
"That's just it." Metalicana explains, staring at Gajeel. "Gajeel never, and I mean NEVER EVER smiles!"
Time Skip!
7 years have past, and it's my 13th birthday!
I open my eyes as I roll over in my bed. the first thing I see is a long, black feather. I pick it up, look it over, look at my calendar on the wall behind me, and squeal.
"UNIVERSE! GUESS WHAT!" I yell, running around the cave Universe and I call home. When I can't find her I sigh and begin the hunt for a note. She always leaves me a note. I soon find her note at the entrance to the cozy cave.
Dear Cyrus,
I have gone to Metalicana's. Please come when you find and have read this note. Wear something nice. it doesn't have to be really fancy, just one step above casual. It is your birthday. Follow my scent trail. I know you don't know the way. Good luck!
'Sounds like a challenge to me.' I put on a cute lavendar t-shirt along with navy blue bejewled jean shorts. I pack my training clothes in case there is some reason I may need to fight, I don't want to ruin my nice out fit! Wings appear on my back, that drag two fet behind my when folded back. They are a beautiful, feathered, dark chocolate brown colored design. When I discovered and began to develop my powers they began to come in and grow. Now I can use them whenever I want and no one would know I have them since i can make them disppear and reappear. (Like Happy, who Cyrus will meet in a futur chapter.) I jump into the air and follow Universe's scent trail. It zig-zags and backtracks. 'I knew that this was going to be a challenge. AND ON MY BIRTHDAY!' I laugh to myself at how frustrating and crazy Universe can be. In half an HOUR I FINALLY reach Metalicana's home. Another cave. Only his is on a 1000 foot DROP! So if you fell of were forced off...you'd die...obviously.
I land gracefully on the massive ledge, (Kinda has to be massive if it's the only landing area for a freakin' DRAGON!) and smell the air. It's quiet. Too quiet. With my suspitions, I descied to change into my training clothes behind a rock. When I come out, my sky blue tank top ,that shows my belly button, and my navy blue sweat pants are made evident and very noticeable compared to the cream and grey rocks around me. 'Shoot! I stick out like a sore thumb!' I scan the area warily and call into the cave.
"Hello? Metalicana? Universe told me to come here." i wait and get no answer. 'strange. Universe said they would be here. That's why she told me to come. Right?' I'm about to turn around when I get randomly forced to the ground. I squirm and wiggle to free myself from the wieght that's holding me down mercilessly.
"Stop squirmming, and put your hands behind your back! HEY! Be good, if you want to live." A gruff voice like Darth Vader orders me, trying to grab my purposely flailing wrists and hands. The voice is strangely familiar but different all at once. Whoever this is, they must be wearing some sort of voice desguiser thing. My attacker's build, fighting technique, and strength is very familiar aswell...sooooo...I descide to have a little fun with the mystery man holding me down. I suddenly go limp, meking him think he's won the battle...then I smile devilishly.
"Never." I growl. His confusion is replaced by shock as I jolt upwards, slamming into him, and throw his off to the side. I jump up, and slide easily into a fighting stance. we do something like a skrimmage. As it progresses, it becomes more and more intense. Shortly, we are hollaring powerful moves and trying to kill each other, it seems. Eventually we become exausted and land from our last attacks, glaring pitchforks at each other.
I stare at him. He is SO FAMILIAR. He starts laughing, almost falling over, then Universe and Metalicana decend from the clouds above.
"Well done you two." Metalicana's voice booms.
"Indeed." Universe agrees. I stare at them, then my opponent, then back at them. my face says it all...'WHAAAAAAAAT?'
"Wait. What IS THIS!?" I yell at the dragons flaping my arms a few times for emphasis. they laugh. Metalicana nods to my opponent, still making eye contact with me. The mystery man removes the long black trench coat he has on to reveal black sandals, white baggy sweat pants, a skirtlike jacket piece flaring out around his hips, an iron chest plate, and long black feathers at one shoulder. He removes the voice desguiser mask. He has long black spikey hair and several iron peircings on his eyebrows and ears. his blood red eyes dance happily, but he stares blankly at me.
"REALLY!?" I bellow, half angry half laughing. "You just had to set all that up on my birhtday, Mom?" Universe, whom I call mom, smiles guiltily. "I guess I still have to be on my guard. Even if it is on my birthday. But I have to say. Nice one with the sneak attack, Gajeel. You ALMOST pulled it off." I smile a toothy, eye closed grin in his direction.
"ALMOST!? I DID IT PERFECTLY!" He hollars, his eyes blazing defiantly.
"Suuuuuuurrrree you did. Keep telling yourself that." I tease, trying to provoke him into another skrimmage. It's working. He stiffens with a heavy glare frozen on his face. "Now, Gajeel, if you stay like that your face will be frozen like that forever." Steam begins to poor out his ears, and I prepare to say another thing to make him crack so we can fight, but Metalicana buttes in first.
"Alright, that's enough. Cyrus, stop trying to provoke him. And, Gajeel. Stop being so provokable! I could see the steam rolling from your ears!" Metalicana scolds us, then notices Gajeel's dark glare trained on him. I know Gajeel wants to pound something into the dirt, and his "thing" is Metalicana. 'It's not me anymore!? FOO! I wanted to do another brawl so I can really let Gajeel have it!' I whine inwardly. Then Universe joins in.
"Okay kids, and older kid." She angles her head at Metalicana piontedly, "Getting back to the real picture. Happy birthday, Cyrus. Did you bring that change of cloths I meantioned in my note?" I hold up a dark blue duffle bag and nod.
"Yup." I dramatically pop the 'p'.
"Good. Go change, please." She requests. I nod and walk behind the same rock I first changed behind.
"WO! Wait! She's changing now! RIGHT HERE!?" Gajeel freaks out a little, face burning up to a cherry red.
"Well I could change in front of you if you want." I replie as innocently as possible, poking my head around the boulder. His face expresses a long 'Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaatt?!' while his eye twitches a few times, face now two shades of red darker. I place my finger tips on my lips as I giggle at his expression. "KIDDING! I'm just kidding! Okay?" I reasure him. His facial appearance doesn't changes except for the fact that his eye stops twitching, and he turns to go sit in his cave. 'I got him GOOOOOOOOOOOOD!' I finish changing into my nice outfir from earlier, feeling refreshed. "So. What are we doing today?" I ask.
"We are going to celebrate your birthday, of course!" Universe smiles. Metalicana sweeps her and I into his humble, comfey, cave. The first thing I see when I get in the cave is a GIGANTIC cake with a few gifts around it. Three in total. I gasp in surprise.
"Go on. Sit down. The cake's your favorite. White cake with your homemade frosting recipe." Universe nods to the display.
"You did all of this for me?" I force out breathlessly.
"Gajeel made the cake and frosting with my help for ingrediance," Universe explains, "Metalicana got the supplies, and I decorated the cake when it was done cooking."
"oh, thank you guys. For all of this. Really. Thank you. It's amazing." I bow formally to the dragons, then raise an eyebrow curiously at Gajeel, "I didn't know you could cook. Why didn't you tell me? Was it too girlish? Or too embarassing?" I grin as he rolls his eyes. "Oh, it doesn't matter. It smells delicious."
"Careful. I might have piosoned it just for you ya know." Gajeel teases, and I wave a hand at him.
"Oh, you. Well...LET'S EAT THIS DARN THING ALREADY! THE SMELL IS KILLING ME! Littarelly. I'm drowning in my own spit here I'm drooling so bad." I laugh, and the party begins.
Short Time Skip
Once the party is over, I go for a walk out side Universe's cave and enter the woods. (The party was taken back to Universe's cave for the games and extra snacks.)
"Nice night isn't it." A deep voice sounds smoothly behind me. I jump and spin around to see Gajeel.
"Yeah! Isn't it wonderful?" I breathe in deeply and sigh.
"Mm. It's nice and fresh." He answers, staring into the distant trees.
"OH! I almost forgot. I want to give this back to you." I bounce on my tip toes, holding out a long black feather.
"My shoulder piece feather! But you won it like we agreed in the assesment." He examines the feather, then hands it back to me, sheking his head. "You keep it. When we find our guilds or get separated, you will have this to remember me by."
"Thank you. I know we don't get along very well, and that you hate sappy things, but this means a lot to me. Here." I reach into my pocket and pull out an oval locket necklace with silver fernashing. I hand it to his gently. "You keep that then to remember me. Open it and see what's inside. I picked it out myself." he opens it, uncharacteristically gentle, and sees a picture of the two of us. The picture is me on his shoulders, ruffling his hair, and him glaring at my laughing face. A small smile appears on his face, and he closes it, puts it in his pant's pocket.
"Thanks." He mumbles.
"Although you are my only friend that's human that I have, you are the best one ever. You're like a brother to me. Even when we drive each other up the wall sometimes." I smile up at him...
Sorry. This took SSOOOOOOO LONG TO DO! This is the longest chapter I have typed so far. BY FAR! I hope you liked it. The next one will hopefully be up in the next week. Maybe a bit longer. Who knows. Maybe life will delay me majorly again. Keep reading my little grasshoppers! (Yes I just calle dyou a grasshopper. IT'S MY THING! SO DON'T JUDGE! No wait. You can't. YOU'RE NOT ALLOWED! XD!)