"Talking"

Thinking

Dragon thinking

"Dragon speaking"

Chapter 2

Zahar had never tasted anything so good in his life. The sweet and charred flavor of the barbeque was divine in every sense of the word! He ended up ordered over five plates of ribs along with something new called 'coleslaw' he wasn't a huge fan, but figured out that if you take a bun, shredded up some of the barbequed rib meat and put the coleslaw on top, it was an amazing sandwich the likes of which he was sure even Zirconis would love.

He thanked the Strauss siblings for the meal he had received and even apologized again to mirajane for his accidental melting of her clothes. They had ended up buying new clothes which she was currently wearing. It consisted of a black sweatshirt and a pair of pants that made zahar feel something he hadn't before. Now the four of them were walking through Margaret town and going through the vast shopping district.

Zahar had never seen so many things in his life. Stuff that was pointy, stuff that was shiny, more food stands with stuff the likes of which he had never seen. It was all so new and slightly overwhelming, but he was excited to see human culture for the first time. There was one small stand that he liked so much he kept coming back. There was an old lady running the stand who had grey hair and a pair of glasses resting on her nose. She was a kind older lady by the name of Mrs. Maple. She was selling books of all kinds and Zahar was envious of everyone who had the money to spend on all of this awesome stuff!

"This is the fifth time you've come here young man. Are you going to buy anything?" Mrs. Maple asked the curious green haired boy who kept coming back. She wore a warm smile as she asked the question.

Zahar grumbled to himself, something about eating away his allowance or whatever. "I would…but honestly I'm dirt poor. I don't have a single jewel to my name."

"Do you like to read? It's mostly mothers and fathers coming here to buy a new book for their children. Almost no kids want to read, of all things." Mrs. Maple asked in a slightly confused tone to which Zahar looked shocked.

"Why not?! I may not know how to read so good, but books are awesome! I've only ever read one in my entire life, it was called Snow white have you heard of it?" Zahar was on his tippy toes trying to get closer to Mrs maple.

She laughed at the hungry nature of this boy and confirmed his suspicion, "Indeed i have a few copies lying around here and there…tell you what zahar, since you're obviously new in town, lets make a deal."

Zahar was paying rapt attention to Mrs. Maple now. "You visit every month or so, and ill give you a new book to read. How's that sound?" she said in a kind tone.

The young man couldn't believe his ears. Why would this woman of all people want to just give him a free book to read? So he asked just that.

Chuckling in a kind manner, she replies, "I haven't seen a child, let alone a young man, crave books as much as you do. I suppose it is a win-win in this case."

He was familiar with the phrase of a win-win scenario as Zirconis taught him this, but he didnt see what she was gaining from any of this. "Its not that i dont appreciate it mrs maple, but what do you get out of it?" he asked.

"Simple. I'm an old woman who doesnt get very much company anymore. My husband passed many years ago and all of my grandchildren seem to have forgotten about me. Believe it or not, youre the first person to visit my stand in quite a few days." Zahar stood there with a contemplating expression on his face. This woman was so lonely that she was seeking companionship from a child of all things. Zahar felt many things in his short life so far. Anger, fear, happiness, but never loneliness. Zirconis was always there for him, he may have dealt with things in…his own special way, but he was always there for him.

The least he could do, he supposed, was visit this old woman every once in a while. "Its a done deal granny i'll visit you anytime i can" he said with a bright smile.

The woman was taken aback by the boy's smile. It reminded her so deeply of her grandson, how proud of him she was when he became a member of the Fiore Royal Army and rose the ranks and was a liutenant. How her grandson always seemed to be in another land or attacking some dark guild and it always made her nervous that the grandson she already barely sees would never come back.

This boy, with the bright green hair, vibrant purple eyes and a third for knowledge was refreshing in her mind. But when she saw that smile, all the memories of her grandson came flooding back. This boy was completely different from her Alexander, but the smile was the same.

She felt lighter and even though Zahar soon left, she would remember this boy and would await the next time he came around for his new book. She had just the thing in mind too.

Back with Zahar, he caught up with the Strauss siblings who were at a clothing stand. Mirajane was looking for anything similar to what she was wearing prior to his dissolving breath. He still flushed red when he remembered the glimpse of mirajane he caught right before he got lost in his own train of thought.

Shaking away his thoughts, he approached elfman who was standing by "So what's up big guy?"

Elfman jumped at the sudden voice of Zahar and looked to the green haired boy. "Miras getting a new outfit but once that's done we're going back to our guild in Magnolia town."

Zahar recollected that he didn't know anything about guilds and a look of curiosity presented itself on his mug. "Wait, you guys are in a guild?" The loud and excited question brought the attention of little Lisanna who came out from a nearby clothing rack.

Her bright smile responded to Zahar's question, "Yup! The best guild, Fairy Tail!"

The sudden scoff earned Zahar's ire. "Why do you think we were in this town, cabbage patch? To sight see?" Zahar kept the look of annoyance on his face but shrugged his shoulders.

"You know you don't have to be so mean. I said sorry for what I did." Zahar threw his hands behind his head and looked away at the annoyed and approaching Mirajane. She got in his face and began to harshly whisper.

"If your stupid magic didn't melt my freaking clothes, we wouldn't be in this situation in the first place!" She finished before stomping off back to the clothing rack.

He looked to her retreating form and defended himself, still in a hushed tone as to not annoy other store goers. "How was I supposed to know that's what would've happened? You act like it's my fault." Before the two could argue any further, Elfman got in between Zahar and Mirajane.

"You make a better door than a window elfman, move so I can yell at his stupid face." Zahar heard the angry complaint from the other side of Elfman. He just stuck his tongue out in response, making Lisanna chuckle at his antics.

Upon finally finding an outfit that suited her desires, the three left the store. Elfman invited Zahar to visit their guild any time he was ever in Magnolia town. Shrugging as he didnt know where or what Magnolia town was, he accepted the invite anyway.

Watching the three white haired siblings walk off, he saw Mira look back and flash him the middle finger. He didn't know what the gesture meant, but he felt offended anyway. Zahar soon left Margaret town and made his way through the forest.

He enjoyed the nice walk through the scenery and took his time enjoying the peace. The sun was a little past its apex in the sky, meaning Zahar had a few more hours until he had to return.

'Should I bring back a deer or two for Jiji?' the green haired dragon slayer wondered. Figuring it wouldn't be right to come home empty handed, Zahar decided he would try and test his hunting capabilities.

Jumping off into a deeper section of the forest, Zahar soon spotted a herd of deer all eating together. Careful not to alert the fauna, Zahar used all he had learned so far from Zirconis and his rather crass methods of hunting causing the boy to jump out in the open and use one of the spells he practiced the most.

Gathering a green energy in his hands, Zahar launched toward the group of deer and called out his spell, "Jade Dragon's Claw!" Slashing his energy filled hands toward the animals, he managed to hit two before the others ran off.

Unfortunately for him, he underestimated the backsplash of his attack and watched as a tree began to fall. A large, and heavy tree that would most assuredly crush the boy. He jumped to the side of the falling tree and barely managed to get out of the impact zone.

Zahar heaved a mighty breath as he looked at the tree that almost got him. He looked over to where the deer were supposed to be, and was disappointed to see that the tree had most likely crushed them. Hanging his head in shame, "Guess no dinner tonight." he said.

As he lamented his loss of a meal, something was beginning to fall from the tree. Zahar looked to the strange thud that was mere feet away from him, and his eyes widened at the sight of a comically sized egg with strange purple patterns all over the bottom.

"Maybe I will get to eat tonight!" he said with a little drool coming from his mouth. However his hopes and dreams were shattered once again when it began to crack. Dashing to the egg with the intent of saving his meal, he only made it worse as it completely crumbled.

"I have shamed you Jiji." he resolved his demise upon returning home. He looked into the egg and where he was depressed moments ago, was replaced with confusion. "What the hell is that?" he asked as he looked at a strange, small and furry creature with dark purple fur.

He lifted the small creature from the egg and held it in his arms. It had a triangular looking face with pointy ears and long strands extending from its face. The creature's belly was a cream color, contrasting from the dark fur.

'It's still warm. Is it alive?' Zahar thought to himself, hopeful for some reason that this creature would live. He could feel it beginning to move and was startled, but he sat down on the ground and managed to calm himself.

He watched as the small creature opened its large eyes. For a second, it looked up at Zahar with curiosity written on its face. Zahar looked at the little creature, "Wow, look at those eyes." Zahar looked into the crystalline blue eyes of the creature who stared up at him. The little creature rubbed the sleep from its eyes and gave a mighty yawn.

"Are you my dad?" came the small voice came from the creature. Zahar's face fell at the question but he chuckled at the still curious face on what he guessed to be a cub.

"No I'm not your dad, but I did watch you…hatch I guess?" The small purple furred creature looked back to the egg and then back to zahar, before his stomach began to rumble. "Ill get you some food, just hand onto my back okay?" Zahar placed the young cub in his backpack and once more dashed through the forest looking for more food.

Zahar had made quite the commotion with the felled tree from earlier causing the local wildlife to take off out of fear. He found himself shamed once again as an hour later, he had the same amount of food as before, which was nothing.

"Hehe you're bad at this." Came the chuckling voice of the small creature from Zahar's backpack. He heard the creature yawn and its stomach grumble as the depression cloud wallowing over him only grew. His thoughts were interrupted when he heard a large growl.

It wasn't the signature sound of the cubs stomach, but the sound of an angry predator. He heard the creature gasp and shoot its head back into his back as the noise met their ears. Zahar covered his back and assured the cub they were okay before squinting his eyes to look for their new stalkers.

He took multiple breaths, getting their scent that was of wolves and straining his ears to hear where they were. Knowing wolves traveled and hunted in packs, Zahar expected at the very least three wolves. Hearing the multiple sets of paw steps only reassured his expectations.

It appeared as though he wouldnt have to look any further as the group of four wolves made themselves known. They all wore the same, hungry expression that was mixed with a predatory anger.

Zahar only smirked.

Getting into the stance taught to him by Zirconis, Zahar readied his own attack in preparation. As he thought, one wolf off to the side readied itself before launching toward the green haired boy. The green magic ignited within his fist before he shot toward the wolf and announced his spell, "Jade dragons claw!" this one was less powered as to not take more trees down, but it still got the job done.

Zahar looked at his work, "That's one." He looked toward the other three who were staring with anger and shock. "Who's next?"

Two more rushed at him, one launching into a pounce and the other rushing him from below, trying to catch him off guard with his speed. Zahar was having none of it. Dashing backwards to get away, allowed the wolves to be perfectly lined up. His body tensed and the very same caustic green energy from before pooled within his mouth.

Launching it out in a singular motion toward the wolves, "Jade dragon's jaw!" as a green construct of a set of dragon jaws appeared, Zahar clamped down on the two wolves.

The bodies fell and that allowed Zahar to see what he guessed to be the pack leader. It was standing there, shaking with a horrified expression on his face due to the purple eyed demon of the forest.

The pack leader soon began barking and ran away faster than Zahar believed was possible. He stood there, before laughing out loud. His backpack moved and out popped the little cub who was looking at the wolves nervously.

"A-Are they gone?" the little and scared voice asked Zahar. He looked at the purple creature with a smile and picked him up in his arms. "Yup, mean ol Zahar kicked their butts." The little creature had stars in his eyes before his stomach growled again.

Zahar laughed once again and placed the little creature on his bag as he got a fire started. "We gotta give you a name, little guy. How about…Drowsy?" Zahar tried, earning a deadpan look from the young creature.

"No." was all he said before yawning.

Zahar's face fell as he made a makeshift spit. "Fine…uh how about 'Yume,' i think it means 'dream." The purple furred cub thought it over, in his young mind he liked the ring it had. His smile showed fangs as he nodded.

"I like it, Yume. I am Yume." the newly named cub announced excitedly, no yawn attached.

It was approaching that time, yet Zahar had not arrived home. Zirconis was beginning to not get worried, but angered with the boy for not listening to his demands. The sun now was beginning to set and Zirconis only had a little longer before his time here would be gone.

He was beginning to weaken and wane in strength, he could see his own claw to begin to wither. However, he completed his task and this was the result. From behind him, he pulled a spherical gem of sorts and it looked to be containing a significant amount of magical energy, of Zirconis' energy.

It was a caustic green and had a depiction of a dragon in the center, radiating a strange magenta light. Zirconis held it up to inspect it one final time,

'The jade lacrima, my second greatest achievement and gift to you, my son.' Zirconis thought to himself as he lay down the lacrima and decided he too needed some rest. Hopefully Zahar will be back soon.

Down the mountainside, a bright green haired child and a purple furred creature riding on his back climbed the path carved into the side. After he finished his meal with Yume they rested and talked, but in doing so wasted precious time. Zirconis' orders fell to the wayside as Zahar conversed with Yume.

"Listen Yume, before we get to my home, you gotta know my dads a dragon." Yume gasped in faux surprise but he pointed out that it was obvious from when he called out his magic. While irritated, Zahar just instructed his companion to just hide in his backpack for the time being.

Zahar continued to climb, as he didnt want to anger Jiji but he may have already done so due to as he finished the climb, the moon was already almost gone. Zahar ran back to the large cave mouth that was their home, and didnt see Zirconis at first.

He inspected the cave further and even called out for the green giant. He heard the noise of a shuffling giant and saw his father, the strong and powerful dragon who raised him his entire life, had lost his jade luster, becoming ghostly pale and weak.

"Jiji!" Zahar ran to his father who merely held out a shaking claw.

"Better late than never, boy. Now listen as my time is short." Zahar chose to actually listen to his father. His appearance was worrying and he was beginning to fear the worst was happening to his jiji.

"Ive raised you for the past twelve years and in that time you've taught me more than i have taught you son." Zahar could feel wetness from the corners of his eyes but he vowed to stay strong for himself and his father.

"Every day we trained together, you got right back up and looked me in the eye, and denied your weakness." Zirconis laid his head down on the ground in front of his son, his head alone still being far larger than him.

"I'm proud of you Zahar. You've grown powerful and cunning." Zahar listened to his father and shut his violet eyes, clamping them shut to avoid the tears that wanted to fall.

"I wish to leave you with one last gift." Zirconis reached behind him with a shaky, pale claw and brought forward a strange green and pink crystal. He placed it within Zahars arms, completely filling both of his hands. As Zahar held the strange orb, he noticed it seemed to be alive, with its own rhythm and hum of life.

He looked at his jiji, who just looked so tired now. Zahar didn't need to think anymore about his fathers gift. "I-I don't know what this is…but i'll do it Jiji."

Zirconis reached for the crystal once again and pressed it to his son's back.

"I'm sorry son." Zahar was confused by this statement which only added to his sadness.

But all other feelings ended when the insurmountable pain set in. All over his body in a single moment, the acidic pain was like lava coursing through every vein and cell in his body. Falling to the floor on his back, Zahar began to writhe around in pain, letting out a horrifying and blood curdling scream, soon finding himself entering unconsciousness due to the pain.

His last sight was that of his father, glowing a strange pink color and believing he saw tears within his scaled eyes.