Chapter Two: A Very Special Day
The three young dragons make their way through the school which was littered with their classmates who were flaunting on about their success throughout their school years and how much they had learned and what all other extra-curricular activities they had done. Smoke had grown roughly two inches taller than Skyro was and had a slightly more muscle mass than the purple dragon due to the fact that he lived with the Guardians in the Dragon Study and had access to the majority of everything in the city due to him not having parents to care for him. He mainly focused his time training his body by leaping from building to building and climbing different obstacles across the city without using his wings.
Other days he would weigh his body down with pieces of armor and fly for long periods of time while increasing the weight with minimum breaks to maximize his workout for his wings. Given the gift from the Guardians to have access to knowledge outside of his classroom studies made him somewhat smarter than most of his classmates, but mainly through military exercise in general. He would spend hours in the forest practicing his Fire element on rocks and boulders, trying to find new ways to form attacks for his own personal use.
Skyro was the same, but unique. He was about an inch or so shorter than Smoke and had less muscle physique which came him a slight advantage over Smoke. He was quicker and more agile than his best friend was on his best day. He also wielded eight elements over Smoke's single element, giving Skyro another advantage over his friend, but he lacked in combat ability. He was smart to, he knew common sense more than anything and he was intelligent over basic knowledge. He was one of the smartest ones in his class aside from Smoke and Flare.
Flare was one of a kind, a true gem to her friends. She had mastered her Fire element about a year before Skyro had fully mastered his. She was swift, beautiful, friendly, and just an all-around great friend to have. She loved Skyro, Smoke, and Scarlet more than she loved herself sometimes, usually going out of her way to make sure that they were happy before her own needs. She tutored young children whenever she could and helped those with special with needs. Intellectually superior over the majority of her class as well as an honored student for her last three years in school. She was a near perfect example of a bookworm. She loved to read, especially about the dragon history, much like Skyro. She had a good grasp on her history lessons and mathematical exams as well. All Skyro could see was that she was one of his closest friends.
"Skyro, happy birthday buddy, how's it been going so far?" Smoke asked, giving Skyro a pat on the back as the three reached their lockers.
"I can't complain my friend, it has been a very good birthday so far," Skyro said with a smile, looking at Smoke with eyes filled with happiness. "As long as those jerks don't mess it up it will be a good day."
"Oh you mean Slair, Tomias, and Fearador," Smoke said, watching Skyro nod his head while rolling his eyes. "Yeah I haven't seen those three since the ceremony was over."
"We have a small surprise for you by the way after the party here tonight in the city," Flare said with a smile. "Scarlet came up with the idea and we all managed to get something pulled together for you."
"You guys shouldn't have, honestly," Skyro said with a smile, curious of what the three could have planned for him later on. "I will admit, I am flattered that you guys would do something for me though." The three then turned from their lockers and then began to walk towards the doors leading outside and back into the city.
Suddenly, someone called out from behind them in a dry voice, "Where you going Skyro, you know what today is!"
"I think you might have spoken to soon friend." Smoke said, the three turning around towards the voice, it was Slair, Tomias, and Fearador.
"Yeah, it's my birthday and the last day I'll have to deal with you my friend." Skyro smirked, shaking his head as he watched Slair try to act tough in front of the gathering crowd of dragons, Moles, Cheetahs, Lizards, and other species of students.
"Well I'll be nice, happy birthday, come over here and get you present," Slair smirked, popping his knuckles. "Or should I say my present, your school tokens. I have something I want to buy before they expire today and I need more."
"Nah, I think I'll keep mine, thank you very much Slair." Skyro said, turning back away from the bully before things got out of hand.
"I'll make you taste your own blood if you don't you wimp." Fearador said, spitting towards Skyro who simply laughed.
"Hey Fearador, does your lips taste like Slair's rear, you seem to like kissing it all the time." Skyro said, causing the crowd to laugh and wooed to Skyro's insult.
"Wow look at you go you little scab, acting all tough… like a chewed up piece of meat." Tomias said, smirking as the crowd laughed and whistled to his comeback.
"I wonder what Tomias' breath smells like," Skyro then quickly sniffed the air for a second until turning back to Tomias. "Man your breath stinks, stop polluting the air we breathe and just shut your mouth already you lackey."
"Since when did you grow a spine anyway weakling?" Slair said, laughing to Skyro's courage which did not faze him at all.
"You know what Slair, just shut up already, I've had enough of your stupid voice," Skyro said to Slair, growing annoyed with wasting his time with his bullies. "One of these days you are going to be so badly beaten that not even your own mother will know who you are." Skyro then turned completely away from Slair and began to head outside
"At least I have a mom you little brat." Slair said, causing the crowd to row deathly silent.
"What did you say you piece of trash?" Skyro said, turning around and shooting a very nasty look towards Slair.
"Slair, I think that may have been too much." Tomias whispered as Slair shook his head and laughed.
"Rubbish, he needs to grow up anyway, his mom has been dead for seven years," Slair roared, watching as Skyro casually walked up to him and stop in front of him. "It's about time to forget about mommy now Skyro, she dead."
"At least I have friends." Skyro said, smirking as he looked at Slair square in the eyes. Slair then rammed his right fist into Skyro's stomach, causing the purple dragon to flinch and fall down to one knee while trying to catch his breath.
"Now give me you school tokens." Slair demanded, watching Skyro look up with a smile on his face.
"I don't feel sorry for what's going to happen to you." Skyro said, slowly getting back up onto his feet.
"What would that be?" Slair asked, watching as Skyro smirked to what he just said. The purple dragon then rammed his right fist into a very swift uppercut into Slair's jaw, causing the bully to fall back into Tomias and Fearador's arms.
"Get that little punk…" Slair said, wiping the blood from his mouth and getting back onto his feet.
"We're going to break your legs and shred your wings." Tomias said, only to be put into a chokehold with Fearador by Smoke.
"I think it would be very wise of you two to just let them sort this out by themselves," Smoke said, winking towards Skyro who was ready to fight Skyro. "Well come on Slair, I thought you were tougher than that."
"Come on the Skyro, show me what you got." Slair said as he ran towards Skyro was already planning his next attack. Slair charged blindly towards Skyro, swinging his right fist towards the young purple dragon who returned with a backhand to Slair's right cheek, laughing as he watched Slair stumble to the ground.
"How does it feel to be pushed around," Skyro asked, shoving Slair back and slamming his right fist straight into Slair's nose, breaking it as he fell onto the ground while holding onto his bleeding nose. "How does it feel to be beaten, picked on, called names? Doesn't feel good to be bullied does it you whining, whimpering, gutless little jerk." Skyro then whipped his left fist across Slair's cheek, watching his former bully cry and plead for Skyro to stop.
"Please stop, I won't bully you ever again!" Slair cried, shielding himself with his wings while trying to get his nose to stop bleeding.
"Do not cross me again Slair, or suffer another humiliating beating," Skyro taunted, spitting on Slair's wings before turning towards the school exit. "I'd say this is going to turn out to be a pretty nice birthday." The crowd cheered for Skyro's victory as Flare ran after Skyro, followed by Smoke who flung Fearador and Tomias aside next to Slair and ran out through the doors to try and catch up with Skyro and Flare.
"Hey buddy, you alright?" Smoke asked, noticing that he and Flare were sitting among the front steps leading to the city streets. Skyro was crying between his paws while being comforted by Flare who was holding him close to her chest.
"Yeah I'll be fine," Skyro said, sniffling while wiping his eyes clean from his tears and shutting his eyes for a brief second. "It's just, you know… my mom."
"Hey I get you buddy, you really showed him though," Smoke said, laughing as he watched Slair, Tomias, Fearador sulk their way out of the school and turn down an alley to stay out of view. "I mean it was a pretty quick fight, but you sure showed him."
"He had it coming for a long time anyway." Flare added, allowing Skyro sit up from where he was sitting and turn towards his friends.
"I loved my mom and I still miss her which is something that will never fade," Skyro said, looking up to both of his close friends. "When she died it left me with my dad and you two and Scarlet. Sometimes I question if I'm worthy of having friends like you."
"Anyone who is willing to get to know you is lucky Skyro, I mean look at you," Scarlet said whom was listening to Skyro the whole time. "You're sweet, kind, honest, and open to express your feelings. I mean who wouldn't love you?" She then wrapped her arms around his neck from behind him and gave him a loving hug.
"And besides, we wouldn't be the same without you," Smoke added, smiling as he looked over to Flare who was smiling back at him. "If it wasn't for you, we probably wouldn't have our little clique here now would we?" Skyro chuckled which made everyone breathe a little easier knowing that Skyro was starting to feel better.
"Happy birthday by the way, I hope these two losers haven't spoiled your surprise for later on tonight." Scarlet said, squeezing Skyro's hands with hers before letting go and joining Smoke's side.
"All I know is that there's a party here tonight in the city for the graduates and there is a surprise from you three for me." Skyro said with a smile as the four began to walk around the city, enjoying their company together as they joked amongst eachother.