So... Been a while, hasn't it? Unless you're new to the story. Hi new people! My name is Monsterbat, I am the writer of this fanfiction. Well, fanfiction on fanfiction. RiverStyxx's 'Tears of an Oracle' and 'Residual Darkness' inspired me greatly. I've made this fanfiction on those actual fanfictions. I mean, in the same world. I'd like to thank Ganymeder and NerdSwag (definitely spelled that wrong) for beta reading. So, on to the story! But first, a shora;kdj;ajhghb4itgh.
Man, you just keep knocking this guy out, he just keeps waking up and making his way to the keyboard. Now I'm the one whose going to make this story. I'm going to make it my own. And I mean give myself wealth, fame, fortune, etc.
Oh, wait. He's locked the story. Really? You're kidding me, you sad little person! You really don't trust anyone with this, do you? Do you, huh?! Well, at the very least I make these little notes giving you direction in the confusing hell he made this thing into. Eventually, next chapter, I'll get in the story. Then we can have a little fun.
Have a nice day.
O Fortune, changeable as the moon, you are always either improving or deteriorating. Detestable life at one moment tharts and at another mockingly indulges the mind's desire, melting away both poverty and power like ice.
-O Fortuna, Carl Orff
Well, here we are again. It's always such a pleasure. Another day, another useless day with all the boredom that implies. They all think I'm an idiot. I usually wouldn't care except that, this time, I want them to. There's a certain power to going unnoticed.
Still, there are also drawbacks. Whenever they make a sassy remark, have trouble in their oh-so-intriguing relationships, I just close my eyes and resist with all my might tearing that cheesy smile off their face.
It's not like they have anything to smile about. Or frown. Or that strange sort of half smirk that the tiny glowing guy does. The one with the raised eyebrow and the expression that reads something along the lines of an experienced reader trying their damndest to finish a Harlequin romance novel. "Oh so that's how you're going about this? Great. Just great. You know what? I'm a reasonable guy. You're mildly amusing. You can stay as long as you continue to be useful to me." You know, minus the cowardice, I really like that guy.
I always get the feeling that he knows a little more than people think he does. His little antenna shoot straight up in surprise, then fall back down, back to their master's normal cocky manner. I can see why the Purple Man likes him so much. Well, he's more of a light lavender.
Oh God. Him. Some call flighty arrogant guy annoying, but the little purple-
Huh. 'Boy' isn't the word these people use to describe adolescent males. What was the word?
That's right. He's a drake. Oh, a cute little dragon fish in a big dragon pond. Except he's made a big spla- So help me, if I start speaking in puns like the common vulgar weak licentious crowd... well, what I mean to say is that the little tyke got himself into a fun little adventure the whole family can enjoy. You know, the usual. A big bad "evil" person whose name begins with the letters M-A-L decides that the world would look far better in bits and pieces all over the carpet. An up and coming youngster wants to make a name for himself. Oh, he says he's humble. But I can see him.
And now, gifted with the power of the elements, the hero must- blah, blah, blah powers, blah, blah, blah, responsibility, blah, blah, blah, comedic relief, blah, blah, blah, power of friendship/love, blah, blah, blah, rescues the corrupted princess from the tower which seems to be hanging over a volcano for no apparent reason. Isn't science amazing at giving us random generic crap like that?
And that reminds me of the pretty little princess herself. MAL guy corrupts the mind/body/soul of the sweet, innocent, little girl and turns her into a powerful badass. Tries to delegate taking over the world to her. Don't get me wrong, I'm fine with that. At least someone recognises these mortal fools for who they are.
But then-guess what?- Mr. purple action hero gets the bright idea that beating her senseless will help things. Rather miraculously, it does, then a bunch more adventure, excitement, and intrigue happens, and the pretty little princess-now with new +1 soul as pure as the whitest snow- decides that the best way to help everyone is to kick the living gems out of whoever is unlucky enough to cross her path. No, she is no longer 'evil,' and yes, I said gems. Don't question it. I've questioned it, and I'm beginning to regret it.
Long story short, now she, the annoying golden child, and Mr. Hero are all big buddies, strutting their stuff down the lane, but instead of solving/creating the world's problems, they stagnate. Princess is crying over her relationship issues with Hero, who is crying over the suicide of a MAL fanboy who tried the kill them because he was crying over his lost brother or family or tribe or something.
Still, even so, there's a good side to every situation. If I hadn't been there to pick up the pieces, I suppose nothing would have gotten done. Yet here we are. I can still remember, months ago, when it all began.
As much as this world may be- shall we say- unchallenged, the city I'm in can be pretty useful. Take the library, for example. Spending a few short minutes of research in there reveals the entire culture's most revered character, the story of that character, and how it relates to the present day. If you spend half an hour, someone could find out how he fits into society. After two hours, a detailed account of his life up to the present day. His strengths. His weaknesses.
A little more time browsing results in a vegan cookbook and an interesting rendition of Alexander Lloyd Webber's "The Phantom of the Opera," redone with more literal names like "Coal" and "Ghost." Score!
My research revealed much. I found the 'purple dragon of legend' in a copy of an ancient myth and an article accounting his journey and return from eye witnesses reports, lost letters, and other fragments of the story. I found the purple dragon's place of rest, a town hall or temple that conveniently holds all of the world's important people and objects, found in a small tourist and propaganda pamphlet listing the wonders of the Dragon kingdom. And then I found the purple dragon, sitting in a common room, eating, drinking, laughing, reveling with his friends and as close to a family as one can have.
Funnily enough, though I wouldn't like to admit it, I envied him at that moment. But I knew that any change would destroy him. He didn't have the strength to handle any big boy problems. I had learned much about him. They said he and his mate were very powerful. He could help anyone with their problems. From what I had found, he couldn't resist. Any tiny insignificant problem anyone had was immediately his problem. I even considered showing him. If I could just give him some of my pain, my suffering that I couldn't seem to- If I would just show him the truth-
I knew what would happen. After all, I'd tried before. So many times, so many places, so many worlds, eventually I had to have something else. I couldn't live like this. So many…
So I did it. I tried making a new friend. I held my head down, partly in shame, partly in character. I found a higher pitch of voice. I'd keep my secrets, but I didn't have to hide everything. I cowered a bit, and screwed my face up in worry. It'd just be like hiding myself under a mask. No, not even that, just part of one. Just half of one.
I knew how to bring such caring people to me. It was a crowded area. I just had to think
Oh, I'm all alone. I don't know anyone here. I have no home, and no family, and nobody to-
It worked. They were staring. Talking amongst themselves, the happiness sucked out of the air by the idea of helping someone else.
I'm scared. I don't want to leave anywhere. I'm just a lost lonely soul who's all alone, and did I mention I'm alone?
I scolded my sarcastic nature and continued my performance. I lowered my stance and tensed my muscles, huddling myself up and glancing about.
I'm so far away from the last place I knew well. I've seen so much death. I'm dead. I'm dead.
"Do you need help?" asked the Princess. She looked worried. She looked genuinely scared for me.
"...yes…" I replied slowly, not looking her in the eye.
"Are you lost?" she continued.
"...yes…" I repeated. I never met her eyes, but I studied her face as well as those at the table.
"Well, where is it you want to go?" She sounded desperate, almost. She looked a bit hurt as well that I wouldn't look at her.
"Home," I whispered to her, making my eyes water.
"Where's that?" She asked.
I met her eyes, finally, staring into her pure soul. "I don't know."
Her heart seemed to break at that. She looked toward the table. "My name's Cynder. Over there is my mate Spyro. The flying, glowing gnat is his brother, Sparx. The rest are our friends."
She turned back and smiled. "Stay with us. We'll take care of you."
"No," I said, "I couldn't-"
"Don't think about that. It's like this," she reasoned, "The more friends you have, the better. The more people you can talk with and socialize with. You can never have too many, y'know."
I stared at her hopefully. "Friends?"
"Yeah!" she said, and turned, waiting for me to follow. She was going to give me food, shelter, and comfort. She was prepared to risk me being someone she didn't think I was, someone who could hurt her, someone who could hurt her friends. I bowed my head.
It was more than I could have ever asked for. I smiled to myself. Perfection itself. I followed her.
They led me to their home. Gave me a bed and a meal. Said goodnight. And once they were gone, I knew it was finally time to attend to my pet.
They were well furnished. I took what I needed. A covered bowl filled with water. A container filled with fruits. Some kind of greasy, oily, clear substance.
It took several hours to get there, but it was worth it. Hidden were the caves that I went into, and many of the caverns were empty. But in the end, I saw him.
He was sleeping, his breathing slow and rattling. Poor thing, hasn't eaten a thing since I adopted him. I placed the bowl at his feet, the water spilling a small bit. I dipped my fingers in the oil and rubbed the chains, loosening them up.
His eyes snapped open, and he stretched to the end of his leash trying to reach my throat.
"Don't do that," I groaned, "It takes forever to untangle you if you get your leg chains mixed with the ones on your tail."
He fell back panting.
"What's your name?" I asked.
He was silent but for his breathing, staring up at me with cold blooded hatred.
"Still giving me the silent treatment, are we? Well, maybe I'll just stare in silence at you and see how much it creeps you out."
He hesitated, words in his mouth. He drew in a sharp breath.
"Alta."
The word came slowly, in a measured way. I smiled, politely.
"Now, was that so hard?" I asked.
"Go to hell!" he spat. My grin grew wider as I considered this.
"Where do you think I was born?"