Javon and Ocean were flying across the island, trying to find the site of the explosion. Ocean looked down at the forest below. "It sounded like the explosion came from..." she looked around, then pointed to a smoldering clearing. "There!"

Javon looked to where she was pointing, then exclaimed, "Take me down there, Firelash! Come on, Ocean!"

"Dive, Moon!" Ocean instructed her dragon.

After making a low pass over the clearing, Javon looked over at Ocean. "I don't see anyone," he stated before asking, "Do you?"

Ocean scanned the area. "No," she answered, "But Javon, this destruction isn't the kind that follows a Zippleback. It's too neat, not the twins' style."

Javon came in for a landing. "You know," he said, looking thoughtful, "that is true. But if it wasn't the twins..." He trailed off, a sudden look of unease on his face, and glanced all around quickly.

Ocean landed beside him. "Then who was it?" she finished.

Javon slid off his dragon, giving it a pat on its long, serpentine neck as he did so. "Firelash, keep you guard up," he instructed. Then, turning to Ocean, he added, "I'm going to have a look around." Ocean nodded her assent. "I'm going to head to the clubhouse. The others need to know about this." She looked Javon straight in the eye, and added, "Do not, I repeat, do not do anything foolish and put yourself in danger!"

Javon laughed carelessly. "When have I ever?" he asked, then quickly became serious. "Don't worry! I have Firelash here. He'll protect me." He turned to the dragon and asked, "Won't you?" Firelash rumbled an affirmative deep in his throat.

"I'll head back to the clubhouse after I finish looking around." Javon turned around, saying, "Come on, Firelash. Let's go."


Author's Note: I know, so far the chapters have been really short, but they should get longer after this. The real action starts next chapter, so you can look forward to that. :-D

-Dragonrider's Fury