Oh man, I am just getting pummeled by the writing monster! I still have two One Shots to work out and two multi-chapters I wanna get done. I decided to focus on this and Past Truths while doing the One Shots on the side then when they're done work on the next two multi-chapters. I'm kinda wondering how this latest idea will be taken though. For some reason I'm not too sure about it but you guys can always tell me what you think. I had planned to post this tomorrow but I'm celebrating my last exam by posting it I guess. So, don't forget to tell me what you think in reviews. Enjoy!
Dr. Gabriel West strode through the aisles of his elaborate laboratory located under his business in the heart of New Jersey. He stopped at a few stations to check on progress before continuing on to the lower levels down an out of the way flight of stairs. Here was where the much stronger test subjects were held and tested on. One in particular he was the most interested in. His extensive work in dimensional travel between worlds landed him with an opportunity of a lifetime. He instantly became popular in the coliseum underground where owners of varying animals fought for money. It was a hobby he loved to compete in on the side and he often won due to his experimental creatures. He became the leading champion after his grand discovery thanks to a certain creature humanity had only dreamed of having; a dragon. In his travels through dimensions he found a land of mostly forests and jungles with a huge ocean taking up a good portion of it.
Across this land were things only seen in dreams and fairy tales. The authors of such works must have had a clue to this secret world somehow because they had gotten it right. Dragons, elves, fairies and the like were real and he had caught one; a dragon that is. After he had taken a trip into the strange world with his strongest bodyguards they quickly met the elves who sought and trained the many dragon types as steeds. A curious, strong, and wise elf who often went off on his own helped Gabriel catch one of the scaled beasts he had been hunting for days. With the technology humans possessed it wasn't too hard. The elf wielded magic that allowed him to speak the same tongue as his new human acquaintance. He told Gabriel that the dragon they had brought back was a rare albino with deep verdant eyes. Gabriel stared into the eyes with his own blue eyed gaze and watched as the pupils turned to slits in the dim lighting of its new home.
With the knowledge of the elf, who introduced himself as Kessler and was more than eager to travel back with them, they kept the dragon contained. Multiple experiments, and an odd yet very intelligent mind, yielded the ultimate fighting champion. The combination of human and dragon by mixing the DNA together created a hybrid that easily minced the competition. It was a sight no one had ever witnessed before. Money came pouring in, bringing with it new opportunities to strengthen such creatures that unfortunately had a relatively short lifespan. When spliced they were wild and hard to tame with a lifespan of a mere ten years. Creating two was too much already and Gabriel only had so long to live even though he had taken the business from his father at the young age of twenty-five. The constant creations would be a bother and wouldn't be worth the extra work. There had to be another way, and there was.
"Why just splice two species when one could be birthed by two species?" Kessler wondered thoughtfully out loud. Gabriel overheard his musings during his many note taking brainstorms. He immediately made plans to inseminate the apparently female dragon they had captured, the gender discovered courtesy of Kessler. The elf believed it was quite possible since the magic in the dragon's blood seemed to be very versatile outside the world it belonged.
"I have always wanted to try this but the others would not agree to help as it was not natural," the elf explained. He had been on his way to crossbreeding creatures himself when Gabriel came along. Now was the best time. Gabriel volunteered his own seed to make the process work as he wanted it to be his child and his creation.
"Dragons have only one egg at a time. It takes time to be lain and then a few more days to hatch. With my knowledge of the dragon's anatomy, I believe we may be able to come up with something," Kessler suggested. They compared ideas and came up with a process which was done by horse handlers when they wanted to breed their prized horses. They didn't want her to meet with the stallion to complete the process as it could cause her damage so they inseminated her by taking the seed of the male and putting it in her with no contact from the male whatsoever. They copied the technique, and ten months later, they gained the egg they were waiting for. The mother fought tooth and nail to keep everyone away once it was lain. She was far fiercer than when she was only fighting for herself so they let her be, instead, watching as she tended to the egg. They made sure to procure the rocks from the world she came from so that the high heat of her flames would not destroy the rocks she would need to make her nest.
It created an incubation system for the egg once she heated them up. She turned her egg every now and then and watched it constantly without fail, not even eating much in order to keep an eye on it. Gabriel added to his already long notes on the beast as he observed. Kessler offered up knowledge too, as he had been doing since the beginning. The whole crew waited with bated breath for the egg to finally hatch. It wasn't until a week later, in the middle of the night, when Gabriel got the alert that the egg was beginning to crack. He rushed to the lab and burst in the door just in time to see the mother dragon help make an opening for her offspring that understandably had no means of getting out as it looked just like a human baby. Somehow the mother understood this helplessness because she went on to clean the baby carefully with her long purple forked tongue and then curled close to give the needed heat to keep the baby warm. Kessler turned to Gabriel with a triumphant smile.
"What will you name her?" he asked the excited scientist. He had made history as well as a new species. He needed a name that was both symbolic as well as feared. Something cold and hard, strong, that would make him proud.
"Jade. Her name is Jade West," he replied finally, staring into the vivid green eyes of the huge scaled dragon tending to her baby. The elf nodded and then left to make plans to remove the child once the mother was sufficiently restrained. They struck after both had fallen asleep, tranquilizing the mother for extra effect. The child seemed ordinary, but when they entered to retrieve her they found that the white scales that covered the dragon made small and almost unnoticeable patterns on the baby's skin, making her sturdier than the soft skin of a human. Her minimal pitch black hair stood out from her pale skin, and when Gabriel lifted her in his arms, she felt heavier, denser, and was easily the size of a month old baby.
She began to squirm in his hold and then let out an upset wail when he removed her from the warmth radiating from the dragon's body. Her swinging fists held strength behind the blows she dealt his chest and a peek in her mouth showed that she also had a miniature sized purple tongue just like her mother. Gabriel stepped out of the enclosure just as the mother finally awoke from her forced slumber. She flung off the ones holding her tied down and roared in fury. Green fire spurted from her mouth but dissipated under the spells the elf had cast around her cage, the same kind keeping her from breaking out. Gabriel glanced down at the crying child in his arms, mesmerized by her. She seemed to be getting cold so he accepted the thick blanket Kessler handed him.
"If she is anything like a dragon fledgling you must keep her warm. As a babe she is prone to freezing far faster than a human. She is almost cold blooded in this state. Once the magic in her stabilizes her internal flame will keep her warm, but for now, you must as she is away from her mother. In heat be sure to keep her cool likewise," he advised, his soothing voice a great adviser during the whole process.
"Thank you, my friend. I will be sure to do that. We can't have our little girl uncomfortable now can we?" Gabriel replied, tapping the child on the nose. The elf smirked and shook his head. Gabriel had told him he started this to gain a fighter, particularly betting on a male. Now that he had his hybrid, only to find it was a female, Kessler quickly deduced that Gabriel had fallen prey to the typical father-daughter dynamic the elf had witnessed back in his own home world and no doubt the same here. It was time to leave the new father to his own devices.
"I will be returning to my world now. I am eager to apply what I have learned here with my own people. You have learned all you can from me and do not forget I have left you with my notes on dragons as well as set up the seals, not only on the mother's cage, but also on the room she is in. The rest is up to you. I hope the choice you have made is a good one," he stated, dipping into a bow that made his tall frame bend gracefully. Gabriel nodded and held the child closer to him.
"I have," he responded confidently. The elf gazed at him a long time, then at the little hybrid in his arms, and then left. He disappeared in the swirling vortex of the machine that allowed them to travel through dimensions. As soon as he was gone it began to glow and heat up.
"What the-" Gabriel muttered before he ran far from the malfunctioning machine. It exploded a moment later, the table full of blueprints and notes nearby catching fire with it.
"No. No, no, no, no! That was all the information for the machine!" he cried out. Personnel scurried to put out the flames and one returned to hand him a singed paper. He read through the note once and then clenched it tight in his grip.
"That sly elf. He didn't want me to return to his world. Why did he even bother helping me then? What'll he do with the knowledge he learned here?" he whispered to himself. As the chaos around him began to simmer down, his attention was instantly drawn to the pair of eyes that just now deemed him worthy to see. His daughter, strange but true, looked up at him with such intelligence it made his breath catch.
"You'll be great, Jade. I'll make sure you are," he vowed. She remained quiet but he swore he saw a gleam in her eyes that resembled a smirk gracing her pale features.
Many years passed while Gabriel juggled raising his hybrid child as well as rebuilding the machine and occasionally entering in the fight club. That money was the only thing keeping them going as the machine was still very hard to remake without much of the data surviving. The computers all held no trace of data and Gabriel knew it was all the cunning elf's fault. He was content enough to put most of his time in Jade who soaked up any and all knowledge like a sponge. By human standards she began talking, reading, and writing early. She grew at a slightly faster pace and was stronger than any kid her age.
Gabriel allowed her to follow him wherever he went as he wanted to keep a constant watch on her growth as well as let her learn on her own. She did that and more. Once she was bored of what the laboratory had to offer by the age of five he agreed to enroll her in school. The new lab assistant that had begun taking an interest in Jade made him take an interest in her too. They grew close, and with her advice, he agreed to put Jade in school so that she could learn how to socialize. Never mind the fact that she was burping flames and eating meat when she was only a year old, but now she was much older and could unintentionally reveal that she wasn't…normal. He worried for her, but Jade herself set him straight on the matter.
"Jade, how would you like to attend school with other kids your age?" he asked her one day while they sat at dinner. Her clear blue-green eyes flashed with excitement and she grinned, showing off perfectly straight pearly teeth.
"I'd love to!" she exclaimed happily. Gabriel laughed and figured it wouldn't hurt to try and see what would become of letting her go. So, by the time classes began for that year he enrolled Jade in Kindergarten. She took to being in public well. She seemed to understand right away what was acceptable and what wasn't, whether it was actions, words, or even her own appearance. She kept her secret flawlessly while learning what it meant to live a human life, albeit slightly different than others. By the time she moved on to the summer of the start of her junior high years she was settled in and felt like she belonged. She was smart, popular, charismatic, and the favorite of almost everyone she met. That all went down the drain the morning she woke up in pain that kept getting worse. She understood that it was another growth spurt that was unique to her, but it came with unwelcome additions. A thin yet powerful white tail protruded from her spine and her flat human teeth fell out to be replaced with sharp ones. The back molars remained yet the edges sharped slightly as well.
It was hard enough hiding her tongue and eyes when they turned into slits in anything less than bright light, but now she had a tail and teeth too. She ran into Gabriel's room, and one look at her frantic expression, made it obvious that she could no longer attend public school. She would have to be home schooled instead. She was disappointed, and had to make excuses that she was moving, which they did just in case, so that all the friends she made wouldn't question her. She said good-bye to that chapter of her life as easily as a young teen could; which wasn't easy at all. She had accepted what she could and couldn't have a long time ago and this was no different. Friends and socializing quickly became something she didn't care for when Gabriel decided to start training her on top of her studies. He had grown attached to her, and wasn't looking to go ahead with the plan, but now was the perfect time, when she still had another step in puberty to obtain, when she should start getting accustomed to the life she would have as a professional fighter.
After the laboratory and smaller replica was finished being moved to the bustling city of Los Angeles, and the now three person family moved with it, it was time to go forward with the plan again. Elena, the assistant Gabriel met all those years ago, became Jade's mother figure, which was expected since she and Gabriel began dating. There wasn't much Gabriel could hide from Jade's perspicacious nature so he opted to tell her outright with most things. Now that she had to start training, something she immediately questioned, he found himself twisting words to keep her from suspicion. Elena didn't like it, but understood. The income was starting to plummet with the amount of money used on parts for the machine as well as experiments that went into recent fights. Gabriel simply told the young hybrid she would be training for a sport. When she asked he told her it was a variation of fighting styles. Something within her marveled at the idea and she agreed to make her father happy once more.
She was eager to prove her worth and took down the most seasoned fighters the older she became. By sixteen she was almost a fighting machine that Gabriel was more than proud of. She retained her caring nature through Elena who eventually married Gabriel. That one trait was something Gabriel wasn't sure would help once Jade had to enter more serious fights. He wanted to talk to Elena about it but resolved to take Jade to a match without her knowledge. He knew she would come out on top without a doubt. She was her daddy's little girl her whole life and her prowess when fighting did more than show she was capable of taking care of herself. It showed the honest obedience and need to make him happy. When they arrived, Gabriel got out of the car and Jade followed, dressed in her fighting gear but donning a robe to hide her tail which she learned to hold in a curl so that it stayed off the floor and out of sight. That alone strengthened it and she liked to try and use it as much as possible until it was prehensile. Her hands were wrapped, her hand and toe nails grown out for the occasion, making them sharp but not as sharp as her teeth which could crush bone with the power of her jaws. She squinted her sensitive eyes against the sun and held her nose to the air.
Her scales gleamed in the light but were barely noticeable, a skin condition she had lied about her whole life. The bigger scales that were practically armor ran down her back and sides while the outside of her legs were covered in medium sized scales and the smaller ones appeared down the side of her jaw, along her arms down to the back of her hands, the flat of her stomach, the inside of her legs, and along the top of her feet. Her tail was the only part of her that was fully scaled. She sighed, expelling the air she had processed. There was a hint of blood among other things in the air. She wondered what her father was up to, but trusted him completely, so she stayed quiet and followed him inside the unmarked building. They entered the dim atmosphere and Jade cringed. It reeked of sweat, dirt, decay, and blood. It was rowdy and loud, grating on her sensitive ears. She lifted her lip in disgust when a man walked by, his lewd gaze taking her in like she was something to eat. She snarled at him and he scurried away without another look back. She scanned the rest of the large room, noticing the almost floor to ceiling cage in the very middle. She was too busy wondering why the hell she was here when Gabriel gripped her shoulder.
"Come on, Jade. Your room is over here," he said in her ear, voice just right for her hearing. He guided her to a back room where her name was printed in gold across the door.
"Why do I even have a room here?" she questioned him curiously and a little on edge. He looked at her with an expression that she couldn't decipher. He sighed, closed the door to cut out the noise, and then gestured for her to take a seat on one of the luxurious couches. She plopped down with her gaze remaining on him steadily. Silence held until he cleared his throat, preparing to give her a proper yet not all revealing explanation.
"It's time you understand the other half of my job. I'm a scientist, but what I'm making is taking too long and using up too much money. In order to combat that I make fighters to compete in these games," he began evenly. Jade took this in and easily came to a conclusion.
"You've been training me for this all along," she stated knowingly.
"Yes," he replied with a nod, unable to lie to her outright.
"I get it. I really do. This is what you always sneak out for. This is why Elena gives you 'the look'. I understand that it isn't something she approves of but, but what I don't get is why you never told me. Did you think I couldn't handle it? Did you think I would turn you away?" she wondered aloud. She never wanted to disappoint her father.
"No, it isn't that. Jade-" he began but she shook her head.
"Look, you're my father, and if this is what you want me to do, I'll do it. For us," she replied resolutely. She gave him a mirrored image of his own sly smirk and he smiled, throwing an arm over her shoulder with a chuckle. She was as loyal as ever, most likely because of the dragon in her, but she was also a West, a trait she always made apparent through her personality and the way she handled things.
"Let's go win some rounds then, eh?" he suggested. She cracked her knuckles and let her tail swing in excitement.
"Yeah, let's do it," she agreed. He nodded and left to see what she would be up against for the first round, but went with a heavy heart. These were the big leagues. Even the smaller class creatures here were dangerous. He knew without a doubt that she would win, but there was that small percentage that remained if she lost. It was a match to the death, and if she refused to kill then she would most likely be killed herself. He worried for her but he couldn't back out now. Her adolescent state of mind might be smarter than average for a human, but she was still so innocent. Through all the tests he put her through she hadn't grasped one thing that he had. She was a powerful being that could kill mercilessly. She was just too young and naïve to see it. He would regret stripping her of that in order for her to fight, but it had to be done.
He stopped by the booth where the fighters were being paired and found Jade's opponent, a recreation of a saber toothed tiger. Gabriel ran the statistics through his head as he made his way back to Jade. As he knew he would, he concluded that she would be more than fine as long as she defended herself well and fought back. Jade looked up from her upside down perch on the pull-up bar when he came in. The small gym in the corner was already proving useful, although it looked like she already broke a few of the equipment. She was too strong for human wares. It improved his mood slightly. Jade unhooked her legs and then uncurled her tail from the pole so that she was lowered to the floor where she smoothly transitioned into a hand stand to flip back on her feet and into a crouch. Flexibility and agility were a great asset in a fight.
"So, who's my opponent?" she questioned, standing to walk over to him. She had taken off her robe, displaying her wiry but toned physique and more of her scales. Gabriel scratched his chin and then nonchalantly shrugged.
"It isn't who, but what," he corrected, waiting for her to realize what he meant. Jade was told as soon as she could understand, which was fairly early and around the time she took an interest in the lab, what she was and how she came to be. It was this that allowed her to accept all the unique changes while growing up. She also saw the many creatures Gabriel and his team created as well as the creatures that were no more than crude lizard people compared to her more naturally born perfection. He knew she would understand without further explanation, and in a matter of seconds, she caught on.
"I'm fighting creatures? But...but how do they determine the winner then?" she inquired. Gabriel grimaced and stared at her until she came up with the answer to that too.
"Father…I-I don't think I can do that. I don't want to hurt anyone or anything," she told him truthfully. Gabriel knew this the few times her strength got out of hand with excitement and she sent her fighting partner to the hospital. She felt so torn up over it she hadn't picked up training for a week. Even then it was hard to get her back into the routine. She began to pace, the bottom of her rough feet padding against the carpet underfoot.
"I know, but you must. It's for us, right?" he reminded her, stepping forward to grip her shoulders and stop her. He knew it was wrong to play on family, but it would always come first for her and he knew that. She locked eyes with him, her enchanting orbs shifting from worry and reluctance to calm and determined.
"Yeah, it's for us," she repeated to reason away the doubt. He smiled proudly and patted her back in encouragement just as the door opened and a crew member poked his head in.
"You're on," he told them, stopping to take in Jade's unique form before hurriedly shutting the door.
"Ok Jade, remember, fight for us. I know you can do it," Gabriel told her. She nodded and he led her out of the room after she pulled her robe back on. They went down the hall to take the path between the crowded bleachers and up to the arena. Jade stopped at the doorway to the cage and gripped Gabriel by the arm.
"If I do this…can I see Mother?" she requested, her voice slightly uncertain. He had not let her see her real mother since she had hatched. He feared the dragon would get too worked up to handle and break free somehow, or maybe they wouldn't get along, but in this moment Gabriel realized that she was going to do something she was clearly uncomfortable with so he figured it would only be fair to let her.
"Yes," he answered simply. Jade grinned, revealing her sharp teeth, and then yanked off her robe. She passed it to him, her sea green crystal-like eyes appraising him once more. She must have seen how honest he was because she turned away satisfied and ready to fight. She stepped into the cage and the door shut with a feeling of finality. It made her tail sway with caution as she crouched slightly. On the far side of the arena a solid metal box with a slide away panel was latched on the opening it matched up to. The panel was removed and out came a big tan colored cat that slunk into the arena. It's massively long fangs were pointed and amber eyes instantly locked on her with a killer intent. She hesitated only slightly, taking a step back, but froze when the cat snarled at her. What were they thinking? She couldn't do this! She had only ever fought people. It was clear with the way she stood poised to throw a punch.
She heard the crowd disapprove of her and make claims that she wouldn't survive. It unnerved her a little but boosted her determination by the offense it caused. She gritted her teeth and looked back at her opponent which hadn't moved a muscle. Its fur was sleek but her sharp gaze could still detect the scars and old wounds all over its body. It was a survivor of many battles. She shifted a little forward to test its reaction. It began to slowly circle her, hackles raised and lips lifting in a low growl she pinpointed over the roaring crowd. The loud sound unnerved her but she refused to lose focus. She primed her hearing to block out the distraction as she focused on the big cat. It was making its way closer as it circled, she noted, so she was ready when it suddenly moved lightning quick to pounce at her. She rolled out of the way and jumped back from its swinging claws but it leaped forward again and tackled her to the ground.
She struggled with keeping it back but the large paws quickly tore into her arms, disrupting the smooth pattern of her scales and drawing blood. She gasped in intense pain and threw the cat off instinctively. It slammed into the bars of the cage harshly, jarring it enough that it took some time getting up. The crowd was going wild again, chanting for her to rush the downed cat. She looked to Gabriel to see him anxiously watching her. He nodded to her and she nodded back. She raced forward and jabbed into the feline's side with her knee. It screeched and swatted at her but she dodged and landed a palmed jab to the side of its jaw next. It forced the teeth away from her and stunned the big cat so that she could get close enough to lock it in a choke hold. She regulated the pressure she exerted just enough to get the squirming cat to pass out. She dropped the big body to the ground and was shocked to hear the crowd scream for her to kill it.
"No! No, wait! She'll do it!" she heard Gabriel shout suddenly. She turned just in time to get a club to the face. She screamed in pain and stumbled, trying to right herself and shake away the ringing in her ears.
"Jade, watch out!" Gabriel shouted next. Jade lifted her arm just in time to block another blow which made her already damaged skin burn. She hissed, making the man back away. It was then she saw the reflection of herself in his shades. Her eyes were slits and her teeth were bared. Her tail thrashed in irritation and her hands were held in a way that suggested she would use them as claws. She relaxed and stepped away from the man apologetically. He saw that she had calmed and lashed out at her again, but this time, he hit her in the side. She fell to the ground and groaned, clutching at the injury. She hadn't hurt him so why was she being punished? She didn't understand.
"They won't stop unless you fight. Get up, Jade! Get up and fight!" she heard Gabriel yell to her from a closer vantage point. She shook her head, refusing to go on. She had won. They should just let her go because she wasn't going to kill. She couldn't. She received a strike to her side with a booted foot. She sensed another and lashed out defensively to smack it away before it could do anymore damage. She was frustrated and tired of fighting. She shot to her feet and snarled at the now cowering man. Heat rose deep within her, causing her breath to come out hot. She spat out a small jet of flame that singed the man who ran out screaming. She hadn't been able to produce fire since she was little and did it on accident, but now she could feel a certain amount of control over the green flames she inherited. She snickered and turned around only to be met with angry amber eyes. She was only able to gasp before the heavy paw marked her stomach with four long gashes. She cried out as she was tossed aside from the blow. She caught herself from falling over again after picking herself up and rushed to dodge the now pissed off cat. She dodged her way around each attack, unwilling to attack back, but a particular dodge sent the cat careening into the side of the cage where Gabriel stood. The cat hissed and swatted at him, barely missing but still inciting the furious heat that returned to Jade. No one hurt her family.
"Hey!" she screamed. It turned on her and pounced, but she had jumped at it too. They collided in midair, and Jade forced it back to slam its heavy body into the ground. Her nails dug into the thick fur, and before she was aware of her actions, her teeth went for its neck. The cat fought the best it could and finally kicked her off, but the damage was done. She tore into the jugular of the creature and it was quickly bleeding out. Jade watched as it fell to the ground and its eyes dulled. Sadness seeped into her but a buzzer alerted her to more danger. She underwent two more battles without delay, but this time she stowed away any emotions and entered the fight on all fours. She killed the bear type creature by strangulation with her tail and broke the neck of the last opponent that seemed to be a type of boar creature. She stood as the victor over the deceased animals with tears in her eyes and shame in her heart.
It was for her family, but she couldn't ignore how horrible she felt for ending multiple lives. After the victory fanfare, award, and money was dealt out she was allowed to get cleaned and patched up before heading out. Gabriel tried to talk to her or congratulate her but she was mute and steadfast in remaining that way, so he sighed and left her alone. When they arrived at home she went straight to her room and didn't come out for almost three weeks. Elena was fuming mad when she found out and managed to coax Jade out to dinner, but it took hours to do so. Thoughts, questions, and worrying ran rampant in Jade's head. They didn't quiet until Gabriel came to take her to see her Mother. Gabriel stopped at the door located under their home in the small replica lab, but he didn't enter. Instead, he looked at her and waited for her to go in. It was best if she had time alone, and he was certain the dragon would not harm Jade.
She looked at him once more and then opened the door to step inside. She shut it quietly and turned to face the huge white dragon that was indeed her Mother. So much of herself reflected in the mighty beast's body that it brought tears to her eyes. The warmth that permeated the room spoke to something within her and she was surprised when she realized she had been making a rumbling sound that almost resembled purring. The dragon returned the noise, but louder, as it uncurled from the corner and made its way closer. Chains that gave off a strange energy bound the neck and legs but she was still able to move freely. Now that Jade recognized the weird buzz of the room, she concluded that it must have held the same restraining power. She was brought back to the situation when a slick purple tongue licked at a cut on her cheek lovingly. She closed her eyes as the dragon curled around her and sat down to tend to her child's wounds.
Jade happily unwrapped the bandages and let her work, silently watching and enjoying the attention. She left a trail of numbing relief that worked better than any medicine she was treated with and her cuts thinned to almost close. The dragon huffed out what seemed to be a disapproving sound and then laid her head down next to Jade. She leaned on her hand and looked into the clear green eyes. A connection of sorts was made when she reached over to rest her hand on the ridge over the eye then slide her hand down the sleek neck. It felt like a snake's skin, smoothly unblemished and beautiful unlike her own currently torn scales. She sighed and let herself rest against the dragon's side where the warmth intensified and she felt nothing but safety. She had never felt so loved or so complete as she did now. A sob fell from her lips and she tucked her face into the comforting dragon's side to let the tears fall. Jade didn't know why she was crying, but it felt good.
"I'm sorry I let them keep me from you, Mother. I won't let it happen again. I'll visit you when I can. I love you," she whispered, knowing the dragon understood her words as easily as she could feel her Mother's emotions flowing through her to mix with her own. She stood up and embraced the head that lifted to nuzzle at her one last time. She rested her forehead on the bridge of the snout and sniffled, then released the dragon to run from the room. Gabriel was jolted from his notes at the wide desk outside when Jade rushed from the room and blew right past him. He stood to push the door closed when he heard a morose wail-like sound from within. He closed his eyes and sighed.
"I know. I'm sorry," he admitted, shutting the door and locking it. He returned home to a concerned wife and emotionally drained daughter who didn't want to talk. He couldn't help but think that this was only the beginning of a very long fight, one that would ultimately decide on the kind of person Jade would be for the rest of her life.