Fire (For Lack of a Better Title)

[Jayheart]

The smell of smoke filled the air, and the crackle of fire silenced the birds. In the center of a large clearing, a fire licked the sky, rising higher and higher. A cat was sitting in the blazing inferno, trapped in the flames. But he was not screaming, wailing, crying for help. He sat calmly, still as a statue. Then he leaped into the air, and with a loud whoosh, the fire followed his commands.

It reared up into the air, swirling around Dragon in a fiery tornado. Then he was revealed, only for a second. Bright red fur, blazing eyes. His tail turning from orange to yellow, with flames painted on his face, his paws. He was young, too young to be playing with fire. But there was no one to stop him here. No one at all.

He took a deep breath of smoky air, filling his lungs, and then the fire began to take shape. A dragon. With fierce, fiery eyes and gaping jaws. The dragon flew around the cat, and sailed through the air. It came dangerously close to him, but he was unharmed.

Then... "ARGH!"

The fire died instantly, and he leaped back, stamping his paws on the ground to put out his now-singed fur. "In the name of Clopar..." he muttered, licking the black skin. It hurt terribly, and he couldn't remember the herb to heal burns. So he limped to a stream and dipped them in. He sighed with releif as the cold water numbed the pain.

"I'm so useless." he muttered to himself. Since he didn't have many friends, (nor did he want any) he had gotten in the habit of talking to himself. "Can't even do a basic dragon..." he spat.

[*~ForestWind~*]

He watched from above, letting his limbs hang from the branch in a rather lazy manner. The tree moaned in protest as the cat lounged in its strong arms. Yet he was hidden as large clouds of smoke danced around him, rising from the cat below him. The fleshy looking tom took a deep inhale in, letting the product of recent fire fill his lungs. He liked the way it burned him inside and out, singeing any hair that may have been growing back. Magia smiled, as his eyes rolled back forward. His red, blood-shot eyes. They weren't always like that, but it was the way they were now.. and that was all that mattered. He let his gaze drop down to the clearing floor, the cat of fire taking its shape. The tom flexed his paws, letting his symbol- engraved, multicolored claws slip out. Magia arched his back, letting all his bones crackle loudly like the fire... dry and brittle. His pink, fleshy skin stretched out as his body moved, being very flexible from what he did best...

As Dragon fumed off toward the stream, the colorful tom dropped down silently. He walked with a slight limp, mixed with how a drunken person would. Magia wore a crooked grin, his bright, bloody orbs narrowed. He could see how the younger cat was disappointed and angry...

"Tsk, tsk, tsk... Having some hard times kid?" The tom choked out, his voice gravely and vexing. Magia stumbled next to the charred cat, taking a long look at himself in the waters reflection. He wore a look of displeasure on his maw as he studied his body. His creation like no other. It was true, it was Magia himself who stripped and clawed every last piece of fur off himself... until he was an ugly and bald creature. But that scarred flesh was only the canvas for his unique display of art. Made from the brightest berries and plants from around forests near and far, were amazing tattoos. Magia even stole paints and permanent ink from the humans to aid his masterpiece. The tattoos and drawings took days of detailed work, Magia having all the time in the world... secluded from the rest. He never liked being around other cats for long... it drove him even more insane then he was already. Those markings covered almost every pink area, with the most disturbing images. Various jewels were also hung everywhere... beads on strings dangled from holes in his ears, metal bracelets, fiber weaved necklaces, and neon feathers tied from his tail. Magia was like no cat you ever seen. And of course his personality and Circuit Board"power" matched his vile appearence...

Magia broke his stare with his reflection, and turned to Dragon. He let out a laugh, one that sounded more like claws being raked over a chalkboard. The tom let his eyelids flutter close, drawings of an extra set of eyes sketched on them.

"I know of a cat who can solve your problem, and make your life everything you ever wanted it to be. You will be able to shine with unequaled brilliance and become a glorious synthesis of life and death... in a beautiful flame." Magia opened his eyes again, the red seemed to get brighter for a moment as he scanned the other Circuit Board cat. He winked, turned, and started to pad away. If Dragon wanted more from this messed up tom, he would have to make it an effort before he disappeared.

[Jayheart]

Dragon let his burning paws dangle in the water for a few more minutes, staring at his own reflection in the slow-moving waters. He looked over his brilliantly red eyes, wondering if that was why he seemed so angry all the time. Maybe it was the angry red color of his fur, making him stressed and sloppy in his fire breathing. He frowned at himself and then leaned down to take a sip from the stream. His image was lost in the ripples, and he didn't mind.

Dragon sensed a presence behind him, but he ignored it. It was the forest, it was probably just a bird, or an idiotic squirrel. Looking at his ruined paws, he realized he wouldn't be able to hunt for a long time. As if his body was taunting him, he felt a twinge of hunger deep in his belly. He frowned again, as if the expression was frozen on his face. He settled himself on the bank of the river, closing his eyes for a minute.

But then the cat fell from the sky, pink and ugly, like a huge, raw rat. Dragon found himself instinctivly leaped backwards, landing hard on his raw, burned paws. He winced, yowling with pain. He felt the world spinning, and he swayed for a second. His vision was blurry, and then he began to topple over. Just in time, he righted himself and felt his maw grow into a long 'o' as he took in the sight of the strange cat.

Pink, hairless skin and wild, bloodshot eyes. Strange symbols and pictures covered his body, and strange, shiny objects adorned him, like a strange king. Dragon knew that dyeing his fur such a vibrant color was considered odd to some, but this; this was absolutley crazy! He took a few steps back, like maybe he would see something different if he was further away. But it was the same image.

He didn't respond to the cats first words; he barley heard him. He seemed to be brought back down to Earth a moment later, when he really heard his voice. And awful sound, it was. He cringed again.

I know of a cat who can solve your problem

Problems? Does he mean my paws? My horrible fire-breathing? Dragon thought franticly. What if its a trap? He could be trying to kill me... But then the cat was padding away. Dragons strange red eyes followed him. "Hey, wait! Who are you talking about?" he asked, his high-pitched voice making him sound foolish and kit-like.

[*~ForestWind~*]

Magia continued walking. Every took he step, his skin moved over his bones in a sick way... his colorful markings flashing and forming different pictures on every paw-step. The toms ears twitched, making his jewels clang together, as he heard Dragon from behind. He had to stifle a rusty laugh as he heard the younger cat high-pitched voice. Yet Magia found almost everything humorous, being the twisted cat he is. Be it a kit being slaughtered or a sleeping cat sneeze, it was hilarious to him. The tom turned around slowly, and scanned the fire-making cat. His blood red eyes seemed to see right through everyone, being able to see who you really were behind any covering mask. Who was the cat who really remained under the red dyed pelt? Magia had feelings that Dragon had strong ambitions to be the very best at what he was good at... and possibly even a hard past. He would have to find out more before bringing Dragon to her...

He grinned again, orbs brightening. Magia wasn't going to hurt this tom himself. Even though he may be twisted and violent at times, he wanted to help Dragon... for the time being. It was true that he knew a cat... or rather something, that could make ones life something they always dreamed of. With something in return... Magia had met her moons ago, and now helped her improve the lives of others who needed it most. All of the cats who helped her had to stay with her, except this tom. She needed him and his special "power" to seek out those cats who needed her and to get their information. And that was what Magia was going to do...

"I can help you. With everything. You need your wounds healed? You want to be the best fire charmer in the forest? I can lead you there." The tom purred. This time it wasn't as raspy, and sounded very sincere. He cleared his voice, and continued.

"Love someone? Want to see a passed away family member? Want to be in control? Does your life feel empty and vancant? She can fix it all." The Circuit Board cat winked again, as he whispered it all in Dragons ear. Magia wrapped his fleshy tail around the younger cat as if what he was saying was a complete secret. And it was... not many others knew her. He would bring this fire cat to this resource if he really wanted it... once Dragon agreed to see her he couldn't back out. She was very persistent, and would not take the answer no easily...

"Are you coming?" He mewed in one ear. "Or not?" Magia was suddenly next to the toms other ear. He had to know the decision before anything else. For a quick second fear flashed across the bald cats face.

[Jayheart]

Dragon trotted after him, jogging to keep up with the strange toms larger stride. He listened intently, hanging on to his every word. His eyes kept flicking over Maiga's pelt; or rather the lack of it. The markings on his skin moved and twitched as though they were alive, like strange, twisted snakes. He was mesmerized by them for a long minute, unaware of his surroundings. Then he stumbled over a tree root, catching himself just before he fell. His claws lashed out through his charred skin, making him gasp in pain.

She can fix it all.

She could fix everything? All of it? She could heal his paws? She could take away the burning agony that accompanied every step? She could make his fire breathing perfect? She could heal his lungs, his charred throat...? She could let him talk to the dead. She could fix it all. As his thoughts came quicker, they weren't questions anymore. He knew, he KNEW, with every fiber of his being that SHE could fix it ALL. Everything would be perfect, once he met her. Once she took away all the pain and the memories. Once she washed away the past...

Dragon looked up at Maiga's face, cringing at the sight of it. He repeated the toms words in his head, making sure he understood them. He slowly came to a halt, staring at the ground.

She can fix it all.

The thought raced through his mind like a frightened squirrel. The breeze seemed to whisper it, the trickle of the stream seemed to murmer it, the birds and crickets seemed to chirp.

She can fix it all.

Memories rushed past his eyes, of bloodied pelts, pouring rain, screaming cats. His eyes grew larger. Bones of cats, manical laughter, the boom of thunder. He felt his breath catch in his throat. A flash, a falling sensation, a hard fall. A burn.

She can fix it all.

"She can fix it all..."

He snapped his head up. "Yes!" he said, as if he didn't quite believe what he was saying. "Yes, I'm coming!" he scurried to catch up with Maiga, the pain in his paws forgotten. As he joined him, falling into step, he murmered, "She can fix it all! She can fix it all..." His eyes were filled with wonder now, more than before. "Where is she?" he asked. "When can I see her? Tell me about her!" his last words became a demand. His red eyes scanned Maiga's face. He wasn't lying was he? He couldn't be . . .