~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Gray POV ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I woke up the next morning, stretching out my sore limbs. As the sunlight danced through the large opening, illuminating the compact nest. Rays of light reflected and bounced off the ice-coated walls, brightening the cave even more. My thoughts drifted to what had happened yesterday; a very large bird had saved me from a pack of blizzard wyverns. I peered over my shoulder and a feeling of dejection washed over me; the silver bird was gone.

As comfortable as I was, I pushed myself off the cushiony floor into a standing position; my aching legs swayed slightly but I managed to stay up. I tried walking a few paces to test them out; staggering a few steps I made it to the opening. A cool breeze rolled across my face. I looked over the edge; this cavern had to be at least seven thousand feet high. How the heck was I supposed to get back to Magnolia? I noticed from the mouth of the cave, there was a long, slender ledge that lead to the waterfall.

I scrutinized my scratched and grimy torso; I really needed a shower. I attentively edged my way along the narrow path, pressing my palms against the rough rock. I painfully winced when I put weight on the left palm. I had forgotten all about it, it looked seriously bad; the back of it was swollen, my entire hand had turned nasty shades of green and purple and two of my fingers jutted out at awkward, unnatural angles. I leant down, scraped up a handful of snow near my feet and smeared all over the swollen bruises. It would have to do for now since there obviously were no other means of healing it.

I kept inching my way along the thin floor, my hand numbing from snow until the waterfall loomed over me. It was huge! Torrents of fresh water gushed over the ledge, bouncing off the mountain. I tentatively prodded the downpour; it was brisk and cool, before plunging my whole head under it. I sighed in content as the refreshing deluge ran down my back; the tranquil water gently trickled down my grazed shoulders. Gradually, I rinsed and scrubbed off all the mud, grime and blood from my body. After I removed all the visible traces of dirt, I just stood there, beneath the fall, contemplating the awakening forest below.

'I wonder how their mission is going. I bet they're having a great time. God I hope that flame retard hasn't destroyed another town!' As I kept thinking about my nakama, I realised that the more I thought of them, the lonelier I felt. 'It's what you wanted, it's what you need; isolation.'

I gladly headed back to the nest, hoping that my winged saviour had returned. As I stepped back in to the cave, the bird was there looking down at something. A limp, brown object dangled from its talons, my rucksack! It put its beak inside the bag and rustled around, What was it looking for? I hadn't packed any food.

I edged closer, curious of the bird's actions. It hesitated, eyes widened in victory before nudging out the roll of bandages from my backpack with its beak. I gasped in surprise. I assumed the bird had smelt a bit of food on it or something, but I was wrong, so wrong. I had underestimated this creature's intelligence; it really did understand my situation. The bird picked up the wad of white strips between its beak, walked over and halted right in front of me, waiting. I held out my hand and sure enough, it plopped the roll into my palm.

"Thank you." I whisper, not breaking eye contact with it. It blinked once, but kept the gaze. Was that a sign or a reflex? Did we both just understand each other? I decided to see if we could actually communicate.

"If you understand me nod your head." I held my breath, seconds ticked by, but the bird stood still. After a minute I sighed wearily, I really did believe that it could...wait, my thoughts were cut off, the silver creature had nodded its head. I breathed out. 'I knew it.'

It fixed me with another stare. I wanted to keep up the conversation.

'I'm Gray Fullbuster. I'm an ice maker mage from the Fairy Tail guild.'

I paused, noticing the creature's confused expression.

'Do you know what a guild is?'

It shook its head.

'Well, a guild is like a big magical family, we care and look out for each other. My guild is called Fairy Tail; people from all over Fiore send us job requests for help or to solve their problems, and that's basically what we do, we help people.'

The bird had a wistful look......it then started to make a sort of happy, pleading whirling sound. It was like it was asking if it could see what I was talking about. I smiled gently while I started to unwind the gauze.

"Would you like to see the Fairy Tail guild?" It nodded its head rapidly while trilling happily. It saw what I was doing and went to the side of the cave and gathered a couple of straight sticks to use as make shift splints.

The bird held one end of the sticks while I quickly wrapped the gauze around them. When I was done, it snapped off the ends of the twigs, close to the edge of my hand. 'I can't keeping calling this bird an it.'

"You know, I can't keep calling you an it, so are you a female? I received a nod.

"Do you have a name?" That question came with a look of sadness in her eyes. She looked away like I was going to make fun of her for that fact.

"Don't worry, I'll come up with a name for you." Just as she trilled happily, my stomach growled.

She made a sound of amusement and I playfully stuck my tongue out at her. She did the same in return as she lowered herself to the ground and gestured for me to get on. I carefully climbed on, and when I was settled, she jumped off the ledge of the cliff and descended down towards a forest that wasn't too far off.

When we entered the forest, I couldn't believe how beautiful it was. The trees stood tall and proud and the grass and shrubbery were thick and plentiful. She set me down in a clearing near an open area where a fire could be lit. The area was covered in bushes teaming with blueberries, raspberries and all kind of fruit.

As she flew off in to the forest, I started to collect firewood; knowing she was going to catch some meat for the meal. After getting enough wood I somehow managed to start a fire with a couple of rocks. I hate to admit it, but fire breath did come in handy when it came to starting fires. A few minutes later, my new friend came back with a couple of rabbits and fish. I quickly skinned the rabbits and put them on long sticks by fire to cook.

Having finished my meal, I sat back and looked at my left hand. Now, how was I supposed to practice my attacks! It was still throbbing a bit and I was sure bones had been broken. I sighed as I thought that I had failed in my mission to improve my fighting skills. Suddenly I heard a worried trilling and looked across the fire to see my feathered friend staring at me with her head tilted to the side.

"It's alright. It's just that I came up here to train for a week, and now I can't. I need two hands for my ice attacks to work properly." She looked at me for a second and then prodded at my right hand and gave me a questioning look. "This is only half of the attacks I make." I told her and created a cold mist around my hand.

She stared at my hand for a moment, with a look of concentration. Her eyes brightened and nudged my hand again and brought the tips of her wings together for a moment. I was puzzled at what she wanted me to do, before it came to me. My friend wanted me to try and make an ice ball. 'Why not, I have nothing to lose.' I brought the mist up again and pictured an ice ball forming in my hand. After a few moments, a ball started to form in the palm of my hand, but then it disintegrated.

"Well, that sort of worked." I said as I watched the small ball melt away in my hand. I had to smile as I heard my friend trill in happiness for me. "I'll try again later, but right now, we should be heading to Magnolia and my guild; that is if you still want to come back with me?" I should have known she wanted as I watch her nod her head in excitement. "But I need my rugsack, and it's still up in the nest."

My phoenix friend trilled and looked to the mountain and back to me. I understood what she was trying to indicate and nodded my head. She jumped and flew quickly to the nest. Just as she disappeared from sight, I heard a familiar voice and looked in that direction.

"Mirajane, what are you doing here?!" I said, getting to my feet.

"I had a bad feeling that you were in trouble so the master let me come. I can see that you're fine...except for you hand. What happened Grey?" MiraJane asked picking up my left hand gently.

"A sudden snow storm came up and a pack of blizzard wyverns found me yesterday. Two of them had managed to pin my legs to the ground and another stepped on my hand breaking it before a phoenix came and killed the wyvern that was about to finish me off. I couldn't use my powers or stand up, so I just watched her fight them off. In short, I would be inside the stomach of the lead wyvern if it wasn't for my savior." I replied as I had the feelings of gratefulness and pride towards my phoenix friend.

"What happened with your legs?" Mira asked.

"The two wyverns slammed their heavy tails down on my legs and came close to crushing them." Gray responded.

"I would like to meet him." MiraJane replied, smiling as she looked around. Just then, I saw my feathery friend return and land behind Mira with a thump.

"Actually, it's a female phoenix and she's right behind you." I answered, smirking a little as Mira slowly turned around and yelped a little as she saw the huge bird behind her. "Don't worry Mira, she's friendly."

"Well thank you for saving Gray. It was very nice of you to do that!" MiraJane replied kindly, not expecting the big bird to respond. After a moment it trilled and whistled in acceptance.

"She understands me?! What is her name?" MiraJane asked in surprise.

"Yes, she understands what we are saying. And no, she doesn't have a name yet. It's bit of a tender spot for her. She thinks you're going to make fun of her for that." Gray replied. Sure enough, when MiraJane looked over, Gray's feathery friend was looking away sadly.

"Hey there, I'm not going to make fun of you. I won't let anyone do that, okay!?" MiraJane reassured the big bird, gently stroking her beak. With a gentle push in to the offered hand, a happy trill filled the air around them.

"I think you just gained a new friend Mira." Gray replied, smiling. "If we're going back to Magnolia and the guild, we better get going. I think she'll let you ride on her back Mira. I can ride in her talons, so I can tell her which way to go, a little better." Gray replied, getting in front of the bird.

When Mira was settled and comfortable on the phoenix's back, she gently patted the base of the bird's neck to indicate she was ready. One taloned foot encircled Gray's waist and at his signal, the beautiful bird launched off the ground and flew up a few hundred feet before leveling out.

With Gray's instruction, the three were soon flying over the town of Magnolia. Many people looked up when they saw a large shadow pass over them. They started to panic but stopped when they saw Gray in one of the birds feet, and Mira sitting on the bird's back. When they landed in front of the guild, Gray and Mira stepped foreward a few feet and spoke to the crowd that was gathering.

"People of Magnolia, this bird is kind and gentle as long as you mean her or the ones she cares about no harm. She saved Gray's life yesterday and has become his friend. And mine. So anyone who harms her, will have to deal with me." Mira spoke out, and added a slight threat. A little girl suddenly ran forward, giggling. Her mother gasped and tried to reach for her without startling the big bird.

"Miss, she's very pretty! Can I pet her?" the little girl asked.

"Why don't you ask her? I'm sure she wouldn't mind. She's very smart." Mira replied sweetly.

"Okay. Pretty birdy, can I pet you?" the little girl asked, turning to the big bird.

The still, yet to be named bird sat down and lowered her head for the child to pet. As the child touched her, the silvery white bird trilled in a pleased manner. The crowd gasped and then cheered gently, happy to see the bird was indeed kind.

"We have to go now sweetie. You can see the birdy another time." the girl's mother replied, approaching the small group.

"Okay mommy. See you again pretty bird." the little girl called out, waving to the bird; who cawed gently back to the child.

"Gray-sama, what are you doing back so early? Are you alright my darling." Juvia asked frantically, seeing her love looking a little worse for wear.

"My hand is broken and I'm a bit banged up. Other than that, I'm fine. Some blizzard wyverns attacked me yesterday. I was rescued by this phoenix and she brought me and Mira down from the mountain." Gray answered.

"Juvia is so glad to hear that. Juvia thanks you....miss bird for saving Gray-sama." Juvia replied, slowly approaching the phoenix.

"Gray, I've seen and heard everything. She may stay as long as she doesn't cause harm to the guild. What is her name child?" Master Makurov asked.

"She doesn't have one at the moment. I'm going to try and think of one in the meantime. I'm very sure she won't harm anyone unless provoked. Is Porlyusica here?" Gray asked.

"Yes she is child. Let's get you in to see her before she leaves." the master replied and quickly headed inside with Gray, and Mira right behind him. Unfortunately, the phoenix could not go inside because of her very large size. 

"Gray, I'll take your friend around to the back." Mira replied and led the bird around the corner of the building.

"Porlyusica, if you don't mind, Gray's hand has been badly broken and it needs your attention." master Makurov called out. 

"What happened to you boy?" Porlyusica replied gruffly, before noticing the somewhat large bird behind Gray.

"I was attacked by a pack of blizzard wyverns. I'm still alive, thanks to my bird friend who's outside at the moment." Gray answered respectfully. He knew the elderly healer didn't care much for humans.

  "You are very fortunate young man. Now come with me and I will tend to your hand." Porlyusica exclaimed.

After his hand was tended to and re-bandaged, he and his feathered friend headed home to have a proper shower and his friend to see her new home. When they returned to the guild, the master met them at the front door and told them to go to the back where there was a lot more room for Gray's large companion.

They did so and were met by most of the guild. Levy was at a table reading a very old book that had everything that had been known about the phoenix.

"Gray, what are you doing back so early?!" Levy asked, shocked that her friend was back from his training session so early.

"I had a run in with blizzard wynvers. I was saved by a silvery white phoenix. She's outside in the back. What are you reading? Gray repied.

"Oh. It's on all the phoenix. They are becoming very rare." Levy answered.

"Well I found one and she's out in the back lot because she kind of on the large side." Gray answered.

"You found a phoenix?! What color is it?" Levy exclaimed excitedly. She had only seen a phoenix in her books.

"She's silvery white with two long feathers beside her tail that sort looks like a peacock's at the end of each." Grey answered, hoping he could learn a little more on his special friend. Levy quickly flipped through the pages and found it.

"Gray, I think you found the legendary ice phoenix." Levy replied, flipping through her book that told every known thing about the legendary ice phoenix. After a minute, she found what she had been looking for. "Here it is; but it's just a short piece. Do you want me to read it to you Gray?"

"Please. I'm curious to know more about her." Gray spoke. Levy read out excitedly.

"Well it say: "The Ice Phoenix is commonly known as the Bird of Freezing and Wind because it brings with it Winter Winds and Cold as it flies. It brings wind to move the seeds of new generations to places where they can thrive and grow. It also traps the dead decaying plants for next spring so new plants have a good source of nutrients to grow.

The Ice Phoenix is the eldest of the three. It 'Wipes the slate clean' for next soli and marks the return of the Phoenix.

The Ice Phoenix's feather is known to be eternally cold and icey. It can cool the hottest flames and bring cold winds wherever it goes. it can also freeze a body of water with one touch to the surface.''

Levy read out excitedly."

"Well I don't know about the freezing, cold or the winds. I never saw any of that come from her, or when she was holding me." Gray answered.

"I agree with Gray, I was sitting on her back and I actually felt comfortable and warm. There might have been bit of wind when she was flying, but there was nothing else.

"I am wondering if those....attributes are part of her magic." the master wondered.

"You mean to say that she has magic master?" Gray asked, surprised.

"Yes child, from what I understand from the legend, she is indeed very powerful. And from what I saw earlier, very gentle as well. It would be foolishness to make her angry." the master answered. I wonder if she can shrink so she can come inside."

"Gray, is she able to change her size; like becoming smaller? The rest of us would like to see what she looks like." Laki asked.

"I don't know Laki. I haven't had much time to think of that. I'll go and ask her." Gray replied, wishing he had thought of that sooner.

"I'll go with you Gray. I wouldn't mind seeing her do that, if she can." the master replied. The two got up and headed to the back door and quickly found the bird waiting by the steps by the wall.

"Do you know how to change you size? It would be nice if you could shrink so you are able to come inside." Gray asked.

He watched as his friend thought deeply for a moment and then closed her eyes in concentration. In a moment, she began to shrink until she was small enough for Gray to pick up. Gray started to just do that, but the master stopped him and went to get a thick pad out of the nearby shed.

"Gray, you better put this on your shoulder so her talons don't dig in to you." the master replied.

"Good thinking gramps. I don't need anymore injuries than already have." Gray replied taking the pad and putting it on his shoulder and let his feathery friend step on to the pad before letting go. He smiled at her, letting the bird know that she had just enough pressure to hang on and not hurt him.

When they went inside, Gray went over to his table and sat down. The others were amazed at how beautiful the bird was, but kept a respectful distance so they wouldn't scare the bird.

"She's beautiful Gray! Has she got a name?" one member called out.

"No. I was going to think up a name for her. Any of you have any ideas?" Gray asked.

After a few minutes, the members started calling out names. Some were down right ridiculous, others were possibilities. Then Levy and Laki came out with two that really seemed to fit his friend perfectly. Storm and Silver.

"That's it. I'll give her two names, since Levy's and Laki's names both fit her perfectly. Members of the guild, I name my friend and new member of Fairy Tail....Silver Storm!" Gray announced proudly. The newly named Silver Storm hopped up and down excitedly, loving her new name.

"Now Gray, Silver Storm will need to have have the emblem stamped on her if she is going to be a full fledged member of the Fairy Tail guild. Where do you think MiraJane should put it?" the master asked.

"Why don't you ask her gramps? Mira will have to bring over all the stamps though." Gray replied, smirking at the master's surprised look.

"She can understand what we are saying?" makurov asked in shocked surprise.

"I don't know how, but she can. Just watch and you'll understand." Gray replied with a knowing smile as he saw MiraJane walk over with a box full of the colored stamps. "Which color do you want Silver, and where do you want MiraJane to put it?"

Silver looked at the stamps for a moment then pointed her beak to a medium grey/silver and lifted her right wing, near her shoulder. MiraJane smiled and pressed the stamp to Silver's wing near the shoulder. Master Makurov and the rest of the guild were very surprised. Everyone gladly raised their mugs of beer and welcomed Silver to the guild.

"I must say that it will be interesting to see the rest of Team Natsu's reaction to our new friend, Silver Storm." Macao replied. Everyone else agreed.

"Well we'll all be here to help with this matter Gray, Silver Storm." Wanabe proclaimed. Everyone cheered again.

Hope you guys enjoy this chapter. If you have any suggestions, please let me hear them. I appreciate the help, as much as I like helping.