Legacy Mutation (Book Eight)

Chapter 57: Song For Him

Dean works in the dojo, his sword gripped in his hands. He swings it and cuts through the air swiftly, the metal surface flashing in the light. Feeling more confident, he goes for a lunging jab, but his leg gives out and he collapses to the floor.

"SHELL!" he cusses, gripping his legs.

He pushes himself to his feet, his limbs shaking. He feels his body trying to expand, his wolf form begging to be released. He forces it down, breathing in and out through his nose until his heart rate goes back down.

He feels proud about how fast he's caught on to when he's about to morph, and he knows that the meditation sessions he always took with Leonardo have helped him a lot. He never thought that mediation would pay off for him, honestly.

The good mood disappears as soon as he tries to move again, his knee making a weird popping sound as he yells out in pain. His sword clatters to the ground, his hands shaking as he collapses to the floor in distress.

He claps his hands over his hair, feeling his pointed wolf ears against his fingers. He breathes in little puffs, trying to forget his legs for a moment. He tries to move his wings, but they too only cause agonizing pain when he tries to use them.

Copeland wanders in, her guitar slung over her shoulder and her dark hair tied back in a high ponytail. She watches Dean for a few moments as he struggles, then decides to cut in.

"Hey Fearless Jr. What are you trying to do? Rebreak your legs?" she asks.

He spins around, wincing noticeably as he points a finger at her. "You can shut up, Copeland. I need to focus if I'm going to get walking again."

The turtle readies her guitar, strumming a chord or two. "I'll just be your radio then."

"I don't need radio, or any music," he hisses.

She frowns, watching him force himself to push ups despite his legs giving out with nearly every attempt.

"Well, I won't mock you. I promise. I'll just play what I feel like," she says.

"Just be quiet. I need focus...I need something to make sense."

She sighs, not liking this angry part of her older cousin. She knows that deep down inside he's just hurt and broken by everything that's happened, but she still doesn't like it. After all, being angry is her thing.

She grins wickedly, strumming a chord.

"I'm gonna fly," she sings. "Defying space and gravity-"

"No. Not that song," he growls, slowing down on his workouts and doing gentle leg building stuff.

Copeland flashes an innocent smile. "Oh yes, how silly of me. I'll think of something else."

She strums a couple more chords as she starts playing. Dean doesn't register anything that would let her know that he recognizes the song.

"When your legs don't work like they used to before," she croons through a smile.

He grits his fanged teeth together, pointing his ninjaken her way. "Copeland, I will claw you," he snarls.

She places a hand on her hip. "Well goodness, someone can't take a little bit of teasing."

"I can take teasing, but not right now. You should know that."

He lowers his sword as a heavy sigh escapes him. Copeland watches him, noting the little scars etched across his face and the deep, dark ones on his chest. She cracks her neck the way her dad showed her, wiggling her fingers over the strings.

"Like a small boat on the ocean," she starts, noticing Dean's face slacken a little at the soft tune. "Sending big waves into motion. Like how a single word can make a heart open. You might only have one match, but you can make an explosion."

As per usual, she changes the lyrics to fit the situation better.

"And all those things you didn't say.
Wrecking balls inside your brain.
You will scream them loud tonight.
Can you hear my voice this time?

This is your fight song.
Take back your life song.
Prove you're alright song.
Your power's turned on.
Starting right now you'll be strong.
I'll play your fight song.
And I know you don't care if nobody else believes.
'Cause I know you've got a lot of fight left in you."

The song grows more and more powerful, pumping Dean up and almost making him relax. Copeland's voice, the sound of the guitar, it's all beautifully blending together and making the wolf-raven forget his aching for a few moments.

"Losing friends and you're chasing sleep.
Everybody's worried about you.
In too deep.
Say you're in too deep.
And it's been three months.
I miss the old you.
But there's a fire burning in your bones
Still believe.
Yeah, I still believe.

"And all those things you didn't say.
Wrecking balls inside your brain.
You will scream them loud tonight.
Can you hear my voice this time?"

This is your fight song.
Take back your life song.
Prove you're alright song.
Your power's turned on.
Starting right now you'll be strong.
I'll play your fight song.
And I know you don't care if nobody else believes.
'Cause I know you've got a lot of fight left in you."

Dean shuts his eyes, inhaling and exhaling. Copeland starts walking around, singing her heart out and strumming along easily. It's like everything has disappeared, and the two cousins are alone with the music. It's all they need right now, the only thing that they can give.

"Like a small boat
On the ocean.
Sending big waves
Into motion.
Like how a single word
Can make a heart open.
You might only have one match,
But you can make an explosion.

"This is your fight song.
Take back your life song.
Prove you're alright song.
Your power's turned on.
Starting right now you'll be strong.
I'll play your fight song.
And I know you don't care if nobody else believes.
'Cause I know you've got a lot of fight left in you."

Dean opens his eyes, jumping a little bit when he sees Copeland standing directly in front of him. She smiles, playing the last chord or two as her fingers caress the strings.

"I know you've got a lot of fight left in you," she murmurs, the last note resonating in the dojo.

Dean actually smiles. It hides sadness in its depths, but it's still a smile. He kisses Copeland's forehead, his wings shuddering and making him wince.

"Thanks hothead," he whispers.

She snorts. "What are cousins for, Space Dork?"

"Want to help me keep training?"

"Shell yeah."