All this time Juvia and her companions had been walking through the thick woods. The road was still paved with yellow brick, but these were much covered by dried branches and dead leaves from the trees, and the walking was not at all good.

There were few birds in this part of the forest, for birds love the open country where there is plenty of sunshine. But now and then there came a deep growl from some wild animal hidden among the trees. These sounds made the girl's heart beat fast, for she did not know what made them, but Frosch knew, and he walked close to Juvia's side, and did not even mewl in return.

"I don't like thus forest." Juvia said nervously. "It's dark and creepy."

"You shouldn't be too worried." Gazel said. "I'll protect you with my axe."

"Is there anything around here that we need to be protected from?" Glen asked.

"Well we're in a forest so we should expect to run into some wild animals."

"Animals that eat-" Glen gulped. "Straw?"

"Some but mostly lions and tigers and bears."

"Oh my." Juvia said.

"But the worst of them would be a dragon."

"Dragons don't exist." She said.

"Maybe not where you come from but they're real here. Rumor has it there's one special dragon who lives around here, he can't breathe fire but he's vicious and dangerous."

Just as he spoke there came from the forest a terrible roar, and the next moment a great red dragon bounded into the road. With one blow of his claws he sent Glen spinning over and over to the edge of the road, and then he struck at the Gazel with his sharp claws. But, to the dragon's surprise, he could make no impression on the iron.

Juvia just fearfully hid behind a nearby tree while trembling. Even though she was frightened of this creature she couldn't help but take in his strange appearance. For one thing he could walk and stand on two legs and his face almost looked a man's face. In fact he reminded her a lot of her friend Natsu from back home.

"Here, go away and let us alone." Gazel said raising his axe and trying not to shake.

"Oh you're scared huh?" The dragon said teasingly. "Afraid huh? Come on get up and fight you shivering junkyard!"

He then turned back toward Glen who was trying to crawl away.

"Put your hands up you lopsided bag of hay!"

"Now wait just a minute! Now you're getting personal!" The scarecrow said feeling insulted.

"Yeah. Get up and teach him a lesson." Gazel said.

"Well what's wrong with you teaching him?" Glen asked.

"Well I hardly know him."

As for Frosch, sensing that his mistress was in potential danger ran toward the dragon hissing.

"A lot of gutts for a little guy!" The dragon sneered. "I'll get you!"

And the great beast had opened his mouth to bite the cat. Juvia, fearing that Frosch would be killed, rushed forward and slapped the dragon upon his nose as hard as she could.

"Don't you dare to bite Frosch!" She cried angrily. Shame on you!"

"What did you do that for?" The dragon said starting to sniffle. "I didn't bite him."

"But you tried to." She retorted. "First you pick on my friends and then you go after my little kitty!"

"Well you didn't have to go and hit me."

He started to back away from her, cowering.

"My goodness what a fuss you're making." Juvia said. "But you should know better than to pick on those weaker than you are."

"Serves him right." Glen said. "You coward."

"You're right I am a coward." Said the dragon, hanging his head in shame. "I've always known it."

"What kind of a dragon are you?" Gazel asked. "I thought dragons weren't afraid of anything."

"They're not but I wasn't always a dragon." He said. "My name is Nack and I used to be a salamander until the witch of the East captured me and turned me into a dragon. She wanted me to guard her castle but I was too afraid of everything to do that job so she sent me away!"

"So you're a salamander?" Gazel said.

"Used to be. I'm a dragon now but I'm not used to it. Salamanders aren't supposed to be big and brave. We're supposed to be small and run away from things that try to eat us!"

"But you're not little enough for anything to eat you anymore." Juvia said.

"But I'm not used to that. When you spend so much time hiding and staying away from trouble you can't just turn off your fear."

"This guy is pathetic." Glen whispered to Gazel who nodded.

"Oh absolutely." Gazel whispered back.

"Shhh!" Juvia hushed them sternly. "There, there, don't get upset."

"I can't help it! It is my great sorrow, and makes my life very unhappy. But whenever there is danger, my heart begins to beat fast."

"Perhaps you have heart disease." Gazel suggested.

"No I'm just a scared loser. None of the other animals have any respect for me. In fact they scare me on purpose just to get a laugh."

"Oh that's too bad." Juvia said sympathetically. "You know we're on our way to see a wizard to get me home."

"To get me a brain." Glen said.

"And to get me a heart." Gazel said.

"I'm sure if you asked, he would give you some courage." Juvia said.

"And you all would just bring me along?" Nack asked.

"Yes."

"Wow, you're really nice. No one's ever been nice to me. Everybody just makes fun of me."

"Well we won't do that will we boys?"

"Well..." Glen and Gazel said.

"Maybe some occasional, harmless teasing." Glen said.

"Now boys where's your compassion?"

"He did push us around in a very rough manner." Gazel said.

"What if he apologizes?"

"I guess we'll let it go if he apologizes." Glen said.

"You heard them Nack. Apologise."

"Okay. I'm really sorry for scaring you all. I didn't mean any real harm I just wanted to see if I could be a real dragon and terrify people. I guess that's not really my thing."

"Ya think?" Gazel said.

"So is all forgiven?"

"I guess." Glen said.

"Water under the bridge." Gazel said.

"Wonderful. Now let's get going." Juvia said.

So once more the little company set off upon the journey, the dragon Nack joining them, with stately strides. Frosch did not approve of this new comrade at first, for he could not forget how nearly he had been crushed between the dragon's great jaws. But after a time he became more at ease, and presently the two became good friends. Four of them and the little cat had a long walk ahead but they had each other to talk to and to keep their minds off of boredom. They were all becoming so very close and Juvia couldn't help but feel like she had known her three new friends all her life.