Gajeel: *Laughs evilly* This is my story now! Mira took a much needed vacation. Ahaha This is my story. Mine. All mine. Now first things first. Assholes out ther-
Erza: What's going on here? Where is Mira and the Author!
Gajeel: Damn it! Why can't you go away don't you have a fugitive to go chase?
Erza: Fugitive?
Gajeel: Why is everyone in Fairy Tail so stupid? *mutters* Fugitive! The blue haired guy!
Erza: You mean Jellal?
Jellal: Erza you called?
Erza: Jellal! *blushes* Wh-what are you doing here?
Jellal: To tell you I have a fiancé *dramatically looks away*
Erza: What! *frozen*
Gajeel: Ugh! I will never get this story to myself! * Looks at Erza* Oi, Dumbass. She is out.
Jellal: Thanks to jbadillodavila, OgaxHilda, TSW, Elfen Children , and Guest for all the reviews! Please continue to continue to review for this story for Erza.
Gajeel: I swear I am going to lock everyone in a closet if they don't leave me and this story alone!
Chapter 24: Melting Ice
"An hour, Jasmine! A Freaking hour left. Do you understand?" Loki exclaimed jumping off the annoyed large dragon. The pissed Lion spirit landed on the rainbow tiled ground with animalistic grace. Again like last time, it took them more than three hours of flight to get back to the doorway of the Spirit world. A three hour journey easily turned into a four hour journey. It was an endangering and grueling flight for the dragonslayers. Much like last time, Sting found a way to get on the water and ice dragon's nerves. The blue dragon snapped in the middle of the journey. What did she do? Well, the temperamental dragon grabbed Sting and basically threw him away from her. The dragonslayers were too busy, letting out their stomachs into the air to notice so it was up to a laughing Cindy and enraged Loki to convince the dragon to get the blonde man, who was letting out profanities as he was freefalling through the air." You need to work on your temper!"
"Says the spirit that is yelling." Cindy muttered. She and Taiyo were busy helping the green faced Natsu up. "Hey! Instead of bitching, you should help us with these sissies!"
"Wh-what you call me?" Gajeel groaned out in a heavy breath.
The Iron dragonslayer was sprawled on the ground of the ice carriage, too weak to get up. His red eyes glared at the smiling Cindy with annoyance. She pissed him off. They just got her and he already wants to punch her. Cindy chuckled darkly to herself as she let go of Natsu letting Taiyo take all his weight. Taiyo crumbled to the ground with the groaning Fire dragonslayer on top of him. The small boy immediately whined as he fought to get Natsu off him. He yelled for his Aunt and Happy to help him as he complained how Natsu was fat. Happy quickly finished helping Rogue and Sting off of Jasmine then went to the young Dragon Spirits aid.
"You heard me, Metal head." Cindy retorted as she made her way to Gajeel. Once she reached him she let out a dark laugh. The red head towered over him a mischievous glint shined in her eyes. She lifted her right foot up. "Four!" She yelled.
"D-don't...you...fuuu...dare." Gajeel hissed. The bile in his throat threatening to rise again.
"Enjoy your trip." Was all Cindy said before she slammed her foot into Gajeel's side. Gajeel flew off Jasmine's back with a yell echoing the air. Cindy let out a laugh as she witnessed him land painfully on the rainbow tile, head first. Gajeel cursed the red head as he sat up rubbing his throbbing head. "You didn't really stick the landing, Gajeel. I'm disappointed."
"You wait till all this is over, Glacier!" He threatened. "I'm going to kick your ass!"
Cindy shrugged not taking his threat seriously. She turned to Loki to still see him still scolding Jasmine about her temper. Jasmine just glared at Loki with a look saying she wants to hurt him. Cindy let out a laugh shaking her head. Given the opportunity, Cindy doesn't doubt the Dragon would hurt him. Hell, Cindy would hurt him. Loki had a tendency of nagging when things get serious. The young dragonslayer with sadness as reality hit her. She has to leave her Dragon. The one that raised her. The one that taught her everything. Sure, Cindy was gonna miss her mother, but if she was being honest. Cindy knows she will miss Jasmine even more.
"Auntie!" Taiyo cried. Cindy faced her nephew with concern. The poor boy was still trapped under the still recovering Natsu. Happy was huffing and puffing as he tried to pick Natsu up. The blue exceed kept commenting on how the fire dragonslayer is to fat. "Help me."
"Coming." Cindy chuckled. She jogged towards the trio. "I got him Happy." She breathed out bending down towards Natsu. Happy watched in wonder as the red head easily lifted Natsu up as if he weighed nothing. "Damn! Natsu, you are fat." She joked.
"Shut up." Natsu groaned. He felt embarrassed at the fact that the 16 year old girl is carrying him like a sack of potatoes on her shoulder. All because he was too weak from motion sickness to get up himself. He could hear the fully recovered Gajeel and Sting make snide comments down below. "Assholes."
Cindy laughed. She jumped easily down Jasmine along with Taiyo and Happy. Once her bare feet touched the warm rainbow tile, she softly let go of Natsu on the ground. Taiyo ran to Natsu immediately apologizing for calling him fat. The pink haired man simply ruffled the boy's orange and yellow hair telling him it was alright.
"Are you done nagging?" Cindy yelled at Loki. She placed her tan hands on her hips giving the now silent spirit an amused expression. "All day you have been nagging Jasmine. We need to go."
"Wait, little dragon. When I am done with Jasmine then all my attention will be on you." Loki flirted despite the situation earning a warning growl from Jasmine, Rogue, and Sting.
Rogue and Sting fisted their hands as they glared at the Lion Spirit. They want to punch him. How could he so casually flirt with Cindy? Well, Loki is a big flirt. Noticing their glares, Loki smirked at them angering them more.
"Great, the playboy is back." Cindy grumbled.
"I'm done fight with you anyways." Loki breathed out facing Jasmine. Jasmine rolled her white eyes shaking her head. The orange haired man then turned to Taiyo. "I need to explain to the boy on how to bond Cindy and Lucy."
"Make sure you tell him the way so they only share Acnologia's magic and life force with each other." Jasmine said.
"I know."
Cindy watched as Loki immediately made his way towards Taiyo. The guy's gathered around Loki as he immediately started to explain to them the way to bond two people. She watched as the guy's listened intently to Loki taking everything in, even his warnings.
With a sigh, Cindy then turned back towards her Dragon to see her staring at her with a sadden expression. Depression settled on the red head as she just stared at her Dragon. Memories of her past with the Dragon came back to her. Cindy remembers the large blue dragon teaching her how to walk. She remembers riding on her back for the first time when she was five. How excited, Cindy was when they soared through the sky. She remembers all the pointless arguments they had with Metallica and Igneel. Tears slipped down Cindy's face. The memories were filling her. Cindy felt her chest clench in pain. It was just like the day when she found out Jasmine died. The pain of knowing that she and her Dragon are going to be separated. That she will be alone. It filled the red head suffocating her.
Noticing her dragonslayer crying, Jasmine lowered her head to the ground then motioned Cindy to her. Letting out a sob Cindy immediately ran to Jasmine. Her feet slammed against the ground with each step as she ran with panic. They will be separated again. She will never see Jasmine again. Jumping in the air, Cindy wrapped her arms around Jasmine's neck tightly.
"You are such a crybaby." Jasmine breathed out softly. The large dragon then curled her large body around her dragonslayer. "I didn't raise you to be such a crybaby." Cindy only let out another loud sob. She buried her face into Jasmine's cool and smooth neck. She didn't care that her scales were wet and cold from the ice. "You are being dramatic, Cindy. If the Spirit King grants it, you may be coming in here often to visit."
"No! I won't!" Cindy cried. "You and Mom both know that the Spirit King cannot grant that. Just because he favors us doesn't mean he can show leniency by letting us here often. Only Taiyo is aloud here and that is because you and the spirits train him."
The red head continued to sob. Jasmine sighed knowing what she was saying was true. Cindy and Lucy cannot come in the Spirit World often like they hoped. If the Spirit King lets them in often who knows what the spirits would think of him. We are not talking about the Celestial Spirits or even the Spirit's that know Lucy. There are other Spirit's in the Spirit World. Spirit's that despise the Spirit Kind. Spirit's that don't approve of his favoritism towards the Heartfilia family and Cindy. Both Jasmine and Layla know deep down that if the Spirit King continues to help them then it was cause trouble in his kingdom. He is already causing arguments now because he is lending his power to Lucy.
"Auntie?" Taiyo let out softly. The small boy was looking at his Aunt with sadden eyes as he and the rest of the guys witnessed her sob uncontrollably into her dragon's neck. Taiyo took a step forwards to go to his Aunt, but he was stopped when he felt a hand softly fall on his shoulder. Taiyo looked up in confusion at the owner to only see Loki look back at him with a serious expression. Loki shook his head at the boy as if telling him no. "But-"
"They need this moment." Loki simply breathed out.
After a couple more minutes, Cindy finally pulled away from her dragon. She sniffed loudly. Jasmine smiled lovingly at her dragonslayer. She slowly lifted her large tail using the end to wipe Cindy's eyes. Cindy didn't want to go. She doesn't want to leave her. But she knew she had to be strong. She had to save her sister. Again, Cindy's heart was broken in two. The red head looked down at her fingers while she nervously played with them.
"Chin up, Child." Jasmine scolded. The water and ice dragon used her tail to lift Cindy's face up then straightened her back. "Straighten your back. Get ready for what's to come. One can never go to war with a tear. It shows weakness." Cindy sniffed again. She lifted her hand up rubbing her nose on her jacket sleeve. She then put her arm back down. Staring up at Jasmine with sadness. She bit her bottom lip to keep it from trembling. "Now stop with these tears. You were never like this. Where is my dragonslayer that I proudly raised? Where is the girl that can take an army down easily with a smile?"
"Here." Cindy whispered out in a shaky voice.
"Where?"
"Here!" Cindy sobbed out.
Jasmine smiled wiping her tears again from her cheeks. Before Jasmine pulled her tail away, Cindy immediately grabbed it hugging it tightly to her. Jasmine breathed out. She moved her large head to be directly in front of Cindy. The guys watched in amazement as Jasmine blew a large breathe to Cindy covering her in what seemed to be snowy wind. Cindy laughed like a child remembering when she was younger Jasmine would always to this to make her laugh. The snow tickled her skin. The wind blew up making her hair raise up. The snow then gathered loosely around the young dragonslayers neck. It molded together into a loose ice chain with a snowflake pendant.
"Go out there and show me the strong girl I raised. I don't want you to cry anymore." Jasmine breathed out. The wind slowly died down. Cindy looked down at her neck to see the ice necklace Jasmine made for her. She lifted a tan hand, touching the solid cool pendant with wonder. "It will never melt. Never break. And never age. Much like my love for you, it will never disappear." Cindy snapped her head up at Jasmine in shock. Cindy never heard Jasmine tell her she loved her. All her life, it was always implied but never said. Soft tears of happiness went down Cindy's eyes. "Now stop being a crybaby and get out of here. I never want to see you back here again, Understand! The only way I will ever see you here is if you die of old age, Understand me."
"Hai." Cindy breathed out. With one last tight hug, Cindy ran back to the guys. "Let's go."
Loki smiled sadly at Cindy, but then proceeded to inform her what she has to do. Happy sat one Natsu's head watching the scene with tears going down his eyes. The touching scene got to the small exceed more than he wants to admit.
"Hey, Blondie and Emo boy!" Jasmine called drawing Rogue and Sting's attention.
"What you call us, Blueberry!" Sting growled taking a threatening step towards her. Jasmine immediately lifted her tail flicking Sting in the forehead making him fall back on his bottom. "The Hell!"
Rogue let out a laugh, but he was flicked in the forehead to. The dark haired man immediately fell on his bottom on the floor.
"Hey!" Rogue yelled. "What was that for?"
"Let's get one thing clear! I don't like you both." Jasmine growled towering over them. An icy glare aimed at the shaking twin dragonslayers. "You are arrogant. You are both idiots. And completely useless when it comes to transportation."
"Hey!" Both Rogue and Sting yelled taking it as an offense.
"But-." Jasmine breathed out. She looked at Cindy with soft eyes then back at Sting and Rogue. "She cares for you both. I do not understand why. Personally, I do not approve of you both. No matter whoever it is that she chooses. I trust you will keep her safe and protect her with your life. If not-." Jasmine then leaned her head down dangerous close to Rogue and Sting. A dark aura emerging from her as she growled dangerously. Her white eyes stared at them with pure rage. "If not. I will force water in your body then slowly and painfully turn it into sharp ice shards. I will freeze your intestines, your stomach, your pride, and your hearts! It will not even end there. If you hurt my girl, I will mold you into ice sculptures from the inside out. Understand." Rogue and Sting immediately gulped in fear as they held each other. They looked up at Jasmine with wide shaky eyes.
"Aye!" They both squeaked out.
"Good!" Jasmine pulled away from them with a satisfied smirk. "Now go!" She faced the whole group. "I never want to see you all back here." The Dragonslayers nodded seriously at the large dragon agreeing. "Leave!" Jasmine roared.
Loki shook his head muttering under his breath about her temper. Then he turned back to the guys and Cindy. Stepped back giving them room knowing they had to return to the dragon realm alone. He already informed them what they must do. He nodded at them seriously wishing them good luck as their bodies were engulfed by a glowing yellow light. Taiyo's eyes glowed bright yellow as he chanted softly in another language. The window increased around the group. The magic surrounding them exploded up towards the sky as Taiyo's chanting grew louder. The small boy held his Aunt's hand tightly for he had to force her spirit back to her body.
"See ya, Blueberry!" Sting yelled above the noise. He gave the large dragon a toothy grin as he waved at her goodbye.
"Idiot." Jasmine muttered with a smile on her face. "They better protect, Cindy."
Cindy ignored the guys waving and saying goodbye to Jasmine and Loki. She turned out Taiyo's chanting and the sounds of the strong wind around them. She ignored the fact that her body felt extremely light and numb. She ignored the feeling of Taiyo's magic in her. She ignored it all. Her honey brown eyes just stayed focused of Jasmine. A lone tear went down her cheek as she thought about all the laughter they shared. All the pain they suffered. All they arguments they had. All the fighting they started. All the training they had done. All the teachings she has taught her.
A soft smile graced Cindy's face as she remembered everything again. Cindy immediately promised herself right there that she get stronger. She will save her sister and live her life. For Cindy was granted a second chance and there is no way in hell she will let it go to waste. Especially now that her life will be connected to her sister.
Jasmine smiled as she saw determination burn in Cindy's eyes. Her white eyes widened as Cindy opened her mouth saying something to her. Her words weren't hearable but Jasmine knew what she said. Shock completely filled the Large Dragon as she stared at her now smirking dragonslayer in disbelief. How did she know?
Soon enough, the Taiyo's chanting started to end and everyone's body started to fade slowly away. A loud doorbell sound rang through the air. A tear went down Jasmine's eyes as she stared at her fading dragonslayer. She was filled with an overwhelming sense of pride. The large Dragon's mind was then taken back to when she first knew she loved Cindy.
'It's squishy and ugly.' Jasmine let out as she poked the small chubby, sleeping baby with her tail. The baby slept peacefully on the soft grass in front of the water and ice dragon. 'It's weak and ugly.' She continued to poke the baby.
'You are going to wake the child.' Grandeeney scolded in a hushed voice. The sky dragon lifted her tail wrapping it around Jasmine's tail in order to stop her from poking the baby. 'And stop calling the baby ugly. It is beautiful.'
'It may seem beautiful to you, but to me it looks like an ugly insect.' Jasmine sneered. Her white eyes glared at the baby with annoyance. 'Layla, should have kept the baby until it was older.'
'She could not have and you know that. Layla chose to be with her other daughter until she passes away.'
'She abandoned this child.' Jasmine stated.
'No. She entrusted the child to us for safe keeping. Her husband would not have accepted this child.'
'Then she should have not had it. She did not have to eat my fruit.'
'Why must you argue everything? Jasmine, just accept it. This is your dragonslayer now.' Grandeeney breathed out. 'You always wondered what it was like to have a dragonslayer now you have one. It is-'
'I do not require a speech, Grandeeney.' Jasmine snapped loudly at the sky dragon.
'Wahhhh! Ahhh!' The small baby yelled angrily out into the sky as she cried. Jasmine's eyes widen in horror as she stared down at the screeching baby. She watched at the baby's face turned red with rage as she shrieked into the air. Its small body moved furiously around.
'How do I turn it off?' Jasmine yelled above the crying. She turned her head to the side to only see that Grandeeney had left her alone with the baby. "Damn, Cloud!' Jasmine growled. The blue dragon then turned back to the baby. She felt herself start to panic. 'Shut up, Human!' The baby continued to cry only this time it got loud. The yells from the baby pierced Jasmine's sensitive ears causing the large dragon to groan in pain. She couldn't take it anymore. She doesn't want the dragonslayer anymore. The only reason she wanted one was because she was tired of hearing Igneel and Metallica brag about how amazing their dragonslayers were. She wanted her own so that she may brag about it to. 'Be quiet, Child!' Jasmine continued to yell at the baby. The baby continued to cry.
Finally, having enough of all this Jasmine lifted her tail towards the baby. In lightning speed she forced it towards the child as it to strike it. But just before her tail reached the child, a small hand went up. Jasmine froze as the baby's tiny hand made contact with tail. Images flooded the large dragon as an overwhelming emotion of love surged through the dragon. Jasmine kept seeing a tall fiery haired girl in the images. The girl was strong and beautiful. The images kept consisting of this girl. The girl was laughing, crying, yelling, and even playing. Jasmine felt the love for the girl grow stronger the more images went through her. Then all too soon it all disappeared leaving the Dragon staring at the now giggling baby in shock.
'You have Layla's gift, but it seems stronger in you.' Was all Jasmine breathed out. She brought her tail down towards the baby again. The small baby let out another giggle as it shook its body happily. Jasmine smiled down at the baby finding its cuteness hard to resist. 'You're still ugly.' She said poking the child. The baby giggled again grabbing Jasmine's tail cuddling it to her.
That day was the day that a small baby melted a cold temperamental dragon with just one touch. Tears went down Jasmine's eyes as she stared ahead at the now empty place where her dragonslayer once was. Loki looked up at Jasmine with a soft smile, lifted a hand up he softly petted the large dragon's leg. He provided her comfort as she continued to cry.
"That brat!" Jasmine cried. "She will pay for making me cry!" Jasmine sobbed. She kept replaying over and over again what Cindy mouthed to her before she left.
'You're still ugly!' Was all she said to her before disappearing from the Dragon's sight forever.