Pterano

He didn't know what he had been thinking, recruiting the help of Rinkus and Sierra to aid him in finding the stone. It seemed like a good idea at the time - but then, so did many of his other past ideas.

He wondered (not for the first time since meeting the two) if involving them in his plan might not truly have been a bad idea. Something about them rubbed him the wrong way, even if he refused to admit it to himself. Rinkus may have been the submissive type, but that didn't mean his motives were pure. As for Sierra...

Pterano clenched his fist, recalling how carelessly Sierra had tried to snatch Ducky in his teeth and talons; the callous way he had reacted to her demise. Pterano certainly did not mean for anyone to get hurt. Certainly he didn't intend to get anyone killed...

He cast one last regretful look at the hole Ducky had fallen through. Lingering on the promontory a moment longer - perhaps in the false hope that she might still emerge - he spread his massive wings and took off.

His heart was heavy as he dolefully followed after his comrades. Not even a full day into his quest and already things were going wrong.

'If only I had caught up to her. If only Sierra -" He shook himself free of the thought. He had seen the way Sierra treated Ducky, and some part of him couldn't help but wonder if maybe it was better that she had fallen through that hole. He didn't know if she had survived the drop. He hoped she had...but either way, perhaps it was better for her to perish in a fall than to perish at the claws of an enemy. In the heat of things, he knew he couldn't guarantee Sierra's civil treatment of her.

'Yes...' he thought forlornly. 'Better this way...better for her...'

Below him, the river rushed and rolled in a powerful din of noise and foam. The wind tunnels flowing through the canyon were cool, and provided wonderful lift. Pterano was thankful for the chance to glide and rest his wings on the breeze. He was emotionally and physically taxed. Spotting two forms ahead of him, one brown and one pink, he gave several powerful flaps of his wings to catch up to them. He was, after all, the leader. He should be the one flying in front. It didn't take him long to catch up; he rushed past them in a gust of wind.

"Don't forget just who is in charge of this expedition," he shot at them with a scowl. He didn't bother to observe their reaction, but could almost feel Sierra's glower boring into his back.

He shook off a shudder that threatened to run down his spine. 'No matter,' he thought, turning his focus back to matters concerning the stone. 'Once I reach that stone, its power will be mine. Then nothing and no one will stand in my way.'

It was thoughts like these that kept him going. The notion of obtaining such power made it worth every sacrifice Pterano had made to undertake this expedition. He knew it would all be repaid to him doubly. Sneaking into the Great Valley among the Far Walkers to creep under the noses of those who would recognize him, having to flee the Valley at a moment's notice with a captive in tow, putting up with Rinkus and Sierra, even...yes, even the loss of Ducky would be redeemed once he found what he was looking for - what was destined to be his.

He could see the awe and admiration on their faces, could almost feel the adoration seeping from his audience as he performed amazing feats with his new-found powers - feats that would benefit one and all. And the doubters, the naysayers...they would all be sorry. Even old Threehorn would regret ever having thought ill of him. He would lead them into a golden age, the likes of which the Valley had never seen, and then the doubters would change their tune, to be sure.

Young Petrie would look up to him with twice the admiration he had. Even his sister would change her mind about him. She would come to realize that her brother had been right all along, that his childhood dreams were indeed much more than mere fantasy. He would make her proud. He would make the whole family proud - even father, were he still alive.

Pterano shook his head. Thoughts of his father were painful, and he usually refrained from thinking of him, if he could help it.

Again, it didn't matter. Things would change soon. Before long, he would finally be the kind of Flyer his father always spoke of in the stories he used to tell him and his siblings at bedtime. Pterano's siblings never held on to those tales. They had faded from their hearts as they got older - but he knew better. There was a power to be had, and it was his destiny to claim it.

With his heart much more hopeful than it was when he took off, Pterano set his determination on reaching Threehorn Peak, where lied his future, his destiny, and his redemption.

A/N: Sorry it's so short. I probably could have gone on longer if I'd let myself. Maybe I will make a longer version. I'm thinking about adding two more for Rinkus and Sierra as well. Hope you like!