The Friends and The Foes

Dawn sliced through the silk blanket of night, spilling its golden light through the rips across the valley and to the city, giving it all the structures a heavenly golden look. Such a perfect morning was it on this Saturday. Birds began their daily choir, insects made their way on their paths whilst making the usual buzzing. Even the wind on this day was whistling soothingly through the trees.

"His scales absorbed sunlight, and he's grey. It isn't natural!" cried Hali from within the kitchen where her, Spyro and Cynder were having a breakfast of delectable meat, freshly hunted.

"I'd like to remind you that you're pink, Hali." Spyro responded with a sly smirk.

"Yeah well you two are special and other-coloured, he's -weird- grey!" She argued through a mouthful of meat. Cynder leaned forward to inspect Hali.

"Seems like you're interested in this boy in some way Hali, as we've been awake for an hour now and have been stuck on one conversation the whole time."

"I, well," she faltered. "He seemed cool I guess?"

"Why don't you just go find him?" Cynder proposed as she cleared the table from the mess of their breakfast. Hali stood and flared her wings as she stretched out her stiff muscles.

"Hmph, I plan on doing just that." She turned with a sassy flick of her tail and ascended the stairs.


Upon reaching the top of the tower, Hali breathed a relaxed sigh as she gazed upon the valley. This was the stuff of dreams; Its beauty too great for it to be reality. Hali raised her head high and felt the wind as she unfurled her wings and took off with a powerful flap. Not many other dragons had learned to fly at such a young age. According to what Hali heard, she may well be one of the only ones.

"Zeno," she mumbled as she recalled his name. "Weird scales, mostly grey." Hali loved odd dragons who stood out from the rest, she being one of them anyways. Although all dragons are unique in their own way, rare colours among dragons were signs of great destinies.

Hali came to a slow descent by the market square and landed behind a small building. She remained hidden as she adjusted to the noise of the busy market. 'Gotta hide better, much more people here today.' she thought to herself. 'No problem for the daughter of Spyro and Cynder!'

Hali closed her eyes in deep concentration and let out a large breath that spilled forth shadow energy which clung to her body tightly and made her fade off into the shadow of the large building. Hali, now mostly invisible to the untrained eye, panted heavily. She'd learned of her powers early on, but she was one special dragon. From study of the guardians and all the elders of Warfang, they came to the conclusion that Hali could in fact learn to control all the elements. It would take endless practice to perfect them all, but she held powers not many dragons had at her age. Shadow was her current favourite.

Silent as a ghost, Hali leaped from shadow to shadow across the market in search of the strange dragon. She weaved through shops and flapped towards upper levels of the enormous market, but was unlucky in her search for Zeno.

Meager minutes turned to a painful half hour. With nearly all the market searched, there wasn't much place he could be if he was here.

The sound of dragons, moles and other creatures of Warfang was blocked out as Hali had grown accustomed to hearing it, but a rather loud growl caught her attention quickly. Standing on high alert, she searched for the source and found that it came from a nearby dragon outside the Grand Library of Warfang.

"You'd best leave, Tioth. The whole gang is here, and I don't think after last time you'd wanna go against us." Hali overheard the dragon say. The speaker was a young dragon who looked around about Hali's age. He had black scales that glinted in the sun, dark red wind membranes and underbelly and wore a crown of silver horns upon his head. Three large horns adorned the front of the crown, followed by much smaller ones around his head. His voice had a sly tint to it but it was filled with threat right now.

The other dragon he was fending off was a slightly larger electric dragon. He had a silver conduit-like object on his tail and had jagged silver horns along his head and spine.

"I believe it's a free city, Tham." the dragon sneered back to him.

"It's Thaima to you!" he responded with a snap and Hali got closer. She may have to break it up should a physical fight start. She's supposed to set an example... It's a lot of pressure being who she is already, she can't have her parents on her back questioning why she stood and watched a brawl.

The doors behind the black dragon opened and out stepped three more dragons that stood behind the one known as 'Thaima.' The one dragon Hali recognized immediately; Zeno had stepped out the library along with two others.

"What do you want, Tioth." interrogated Zeno. Hali inched forward excitedly but still within the safety of the shade.

"Money, fame, power... Lot's actually." The electric-yellow dragon responded. The coil on his tail sparked threateningly and made a high pitched noise. A large earth dragon bounded in from around the corner followed by a red dragon.

"Hey look who it is." The red dragon sneered. He had a familiar look to him but Hali couldn't place where she'd seen him. She inched even more forward, standing on the edge of the protective shade, on the brink of being pulled into sight from the threatening sun above.

"We aren't looking for trouble." A female dragon spoke softly from beside the black dragon. She bore the scales of one who possesses the power of wind; White. Her underbelly and wings were light blue and the two horns that sat upon her head curve downward to the sides of her head. They weren't big at all, due to the need of aerodynamics with wind dragons specifically.

The red dragon grinned and leaned forward to get closer to the female.

"I'm sorry, I didn't hear you. Were you insulting us or just telling your friends to try not lose this fight?" The earth dragon guffawed stupidly behind him. It made Hali sick.

She stepped forward out of the shade and went to stand in between the two groups. All of them looked stunned.

"Rude talking to a girl like that, Mister!" Hali growled and took a step forward toward the red dragon.

"Oh uh, no you misunderstoo-" he was cut off by Hali speaking over him.

"No no I saw everything clearly from you and your friends. I can see there's tension between you two but just stop it before I join in the fight too. Best you all leave, now. My parents are just around the corner." Hali said calmly. These few words sent the three 'tough' dragons into a panicked scramble as they fled without another word. She nodded and turned around. The sight she was greeted by was three dumbstruck dragons and a laughing one; Zeno.

"That was awesome! Thanks for the help!" he exclaimed.

She gave him a small nod.

"Yeah I owed you one from yesterday. Don't get too used to it."

"Your parents aren't around the corner, right? We, or specifically me, Tirio and Thaima, won't get killed by your dad if he sees you talking to guys or something?"

Hali laughed aloud and shook her head. "Phah, nah. My parents are in meetings for most of the days. Well, today they're just staying home, having quality date-time. Eugh." The female dragon of the group giggled.

"What made you come all the way up here?" the slightly large earth dragon asked as he tilted his head.

"I was looking for..." Hali hesitated. "A book! Yeah, a book. In... The library. Which is behind you." She finished with a nod. Zeno raised his eyebrows.

"A book on what?" he simply questioned.

He'd got her there. "On... Rare dragons and Prophecies. Stuff like that."

"Hey, Hali. Are those your friends or something?" the black dragon known as Thaima asked curiously. Hali turned to him and was about to question him but a growing noise made her realise what 'friends' he was referring to. A rather large group of dragons around their age was headed toward her. Hali let out a defeated 'Oh no.' Zeno stepped forward in front of Hali and raised his wings up high, casting shade over her.

After realising what he was doing, Hali was gone in an instant and Zeno began walking forward. "Come on guys." He spoke back to his friends and they all followed, looking confused. The large group of dragons came to a slow stop in front of the library, looking around. Some noticed Zeno with his wings up, but shrugged him off as just a weird dragon.

"Tirio, lift your wings up too." the earth dragon unfurled his wings to cast a shadow behind him.

"Head to the temple." Hali whispered from behind them.

The white dragon let off a small gasp. "We're not allowed there. Normal dragons can't just walk in."

"I'm allowed in, they'll let you in too. Just.. Think of it as an invite." Hali continued walking behind them, shrouded in the invisible cloak of the shade. It wasn't long before they reached a grand golden gate. It was the entrance to the Temple of Elders. According to Hali's parents, it used to be a slightly smaller building but after the war fifty years ago, it has since been renovated. The heavenly white building was framed and topped with golden sections, giving it a truly royal look.

As the group got to the gate, there was a large adult dragon with golden armour standing on the inside of the gate.

"What are you all here for?" The group looked stuck but Hali came to their aid by coming around the group and materializing before their eyes.

"Hey there Drolwyn. Mind opening up for me and my friends?" Hali used the word 'friend' - let alone the plural - very seldom. She trusted no one to be her friends as they would just use her to see something like the inside of the temple, but Zeno's group did only help her.

Drolwyn inspected the group, eyeing Tirio and Zeno, who had both just realized their wings were still up.

"Alright... No funny business though. This is a very sacred temple. I pray I won't have to tell your parents of any lollygagging, Miss Hali."

Hali shook her head as the Five of them walked inside. 'Miss' Hali? Really? She irritably thought to herself as they walked up the white steps. Once at the top, the large golden doors swung forth slowly to allow them entrance. The doors were immense in comparison to any dragon, even adults. It really wasn't necessary, but moles truly were thankful for the help they received during the War against Malefor.

Once they stepped inside, they were greeted by a large golden statue of Spyro and Cynder in the midst of battling Malefore, who was depicted as losing, of course. The group were ooh-ing and awh-ing at every single step, looking about the temple.

"Not that I don't wanna be here, but why -are- we here? Why'd you let us come in?" Zeno asked curiously as they entered the room where elder meetings are held. A great hall with five ledges high up, surrounding the center of the room that is slightly elevated, containing a platform that has white stone steps leading to it.

Hali turns to Zeno and shrugs as they walk along. "I dunno. I'm just interested in you all. I was expecting you to actually be the ones to run toward me in a fan-type way and help that other larger group surround me or something. It's happened all my life."

"Your friends don't defend you?" Thaima asked curiously.

"Pff, what friends? I mostly like staying on my own. People are fake and only want to get close to me for who my parents are. And who I am."

"How come you said 'me and my friends' back at the gate to the guard?" Zeno questioned accompanied by a smirk.

"Well... To let you all in. I'm not allowed to just bring random dragons in here." She kept onward, walking slightly ahead to avoid looking at the dragons. She began the ascent up a large staircase to the right of the Meeting Hall.

Thaima and Zeno looked to one another at the same moment and smirked before looking to the other two. They all were smiling at the same time. They all had a funny way of having the same thoughts on occasions.

"Hali?" Zeno steps forward to walk alongside her.

"Mhmm? Yeh?" She responds and looks to him curiously.

"You wanna join our group of friends?"

Hali halted her walk slowly to turn around and look at all of them.

"Join? Well. yeah I wanna, I guess.. I can get pretty irritating at times though. There's a lot about me you guys don't know, despite the stories I'm positive you've heard about me."

They all chuckled together, including Hali. "I'm pretty crazy when excited."

"I'm sure you're absolutely bonkers! But don't worry, all the best dragons are." replied Zeno. Hali inspected him for a while with a smile on her face before nodding.

"Yeah okay, you've convinced me. I'll join." She finally stated. A sudden wave of wings, horns and paws washed over Hali. She responds with a loud 'Eep!' as she is tackled to the floor in a great tackle from everyone. They all begin laughing together. This could really work, friends! Hali thought whilst on the bottom of the pile.

A loud, small padding was coming from down the hall. The group didn't notice it over their laughing until a great green dragon stood over them looking confused. He was wore a white and gold sash over his chest. At the bottom of the sash was a golden talisman with the green earth symbol on it.

"What are you all doing in here? Hali?" She jumped at the bass of the familiar voice. They all scrambled to their feet and hid a bit behind Hali, uttering silent apologies and greetings.

"Hey there Terrador. I was just showing my... Friends around the temple. Just to show them the inside. How big it is and stuff." She responded to the large dragon.

He smiled and leaned down to her level. "Friends you say? Ah you must introduce me then. Come on all of you. Don't look so scared!" The great dragon chuckled.

Zeno stepped forward and bowed. "Uhh, Master Terrador! I'm Zeno."

Terrador chuckled and put his great paw onto the smaller dragon's shoulder. "Nice to meet you son, but please. There's no official meetings or anything unless I am mistaken. So call me Terrador. Friends of Hali are friends of the elders."

Thaima muttered something inaudible from under his breath as he stared surprisedly at Terrador. Zeno turned to point at Tirio.

"This, sir- uuh, Terrador..? Is Tirio." The slightly bigger earth dragon gave a polite smile and a nod. Zeno moved on to the next; Anemi. She gave a small bow as she was introduced and so did Thaima once Zeno had said his name.

"Nice to meet all of you. I'm sure you'll enjoy looking around the temple, just don't break anything. Anyways, I'll be seeing you all later possibly, especially you, Tirio. " He looked very confused in response.

"Official school starts on Monday, and I teach my own element; Earth. You -are- an earth dragon, are you not?"

Tirio responded with a quick few nods. "Good, then yes, Monday." Hali looked up to Terrador and frowned.

"School? Nobody told us about school?"

"Your parents were going to tell you later tonight I believe, as they said in yesterday's meeting. Messengers were sent across the city to let all dragons of age parent's know that school will begin."

"Then who will be my teacher? I have, well.. All eight? Remember?" Hali frowned to which she received a chuckle from Terrador.

"You shall see. I find it funny now that I think of it, your name is familiar to me Zeno. You'll be in Hali's class. Seeing as you're a bit special." He stated. Zeno went wide-eyed at this new information and looked to Hali. She looked just as shocked, but a kind of relief-shock.

"Who else will be in our class?" Zeno questioned.

"No one, actually. Your teachers are very new to teaching," he began. "And there's not much teachers who teach the wide variety of what you both need. So, you will find who your teachers are tonight from your parents." He kept his gaze upon Zeno "And you'll be informed too, don't worry." Zeno looked downward slightly in thought before nodding slowly.

"Alright, I think that will be all from me. I bid you all a good afternoon, and have fun." Terrador traded a final pat on Zeno's shoulder for a nod by him before walking off in the opposite direction, down the stairs toward the hall.

Hali was lost in thought for a bit before they continued walking again.

"School huh? Fun. I hope I'm in somebody's class." Thaima said with a nod, looking to Anemi. She smiled in return and kept walking.

Hali conducted an extensive tour of the entire Dragon Temple. From the kitchens, to the large number of unoccupied bedrooms, even past the Temple's private library. Inside held the tomes of all historic events over dragon history. They took a quick glance inside, but were abruptly chased from it by an enraged mole when Thaima didn't realize the 'Restricted Area' meant that it was, in fact, not accessible.

After a few walks around the temple, followed by games of tag, races, and another greeting from a Guardian; Cyril, Master of Ice, the group decided to take their leave from the temple. They walked outside and were greeted by the final golden rays of light sinking beyond the mountains and trees.

Passed the golden gates of the Temple, through the market square, they walked together as friends until they went off one by one to their own houses. Eventually, the final two left were Hali and Zeno.

She turned to him with a smile. "Thanks for the help earlier today. And for actually treating me like a normal dragon! All others are just really crazy."

He chuckled and nodded. "Ah no problem Hali. You're a really awesome dragon. We should meet up tomorrow or something? "

"Yeah!" she said immediately. "I mean, yeah, sure we can all go do something. Yeah."

They both stood there for a while smiling and being awkward before Hali turns, patted her wing against his accompanied by a wink. "See ya later, weirdo!"

She took flight with a powerful flap of her wings and headed for home.

Hali had three words in her head whilst the wind whipped through her horns; Food, Bed and Friends. New, real, nice dragons as friends!