Chapter 10:

Cy turned around and faced the strange but armed men. They looked like the loggers and hunter the feral teen had seen a long time ago. Except these hunters weren't pursuing small game. They had thick tan ropes that could hold an animal the size of a grizzle bear. Guns ranger from a riffles to a typical hunter's gun. Some had weird needle objects on straps around their waist while other men had them on a strap that went over their shoulder. The men looked armed and ready for something large. Cy did not want to know what the large creature may be.

The fifteen year old watched the men carefully. A few on each side began to move forward as in to circle the young teen. This made Cy be on guard. He knew what these men was capable off. And he had a feeling that these menfolk didn't come here to say hi.

Two men in front of the feral child parted to reveal a man in his late 30's with dark blonde hair that was pulled back into a semi pony tail. He was muscle like the other men but did not sport the trade mark bear. The look in his eyes, was all Cy needed to know that this was not only the leader but the a man with an evil plot in mind.

The boy at first tried to play it cool. Similar to how the young adults that Cy hung out with last night acted. Something a normal human his age would do. "Hey guys. Are you lost?"

Most of them men laughed, chuckled, and snicker. The feral teen thought he pulled the normal reaction just great. But the hunters thought differently.

"Listen to him." Said one of the men who was trying to stop laughing. "He trying to sound like a human."

"No wild child can ever be a man." The leader stalked forward with a knife in hand. He ran his finger along its sharp edge as he gave the boy a most daunting look. "And I'll prove it." The blonde hair man pointed his knife towards the feral child before saying. "Get him boys."

All the hunters began to charge at the boy. One by one, each man through a punch, a grab, or a kick at the boy. But Cy countered each attack. What the forest had taught him was to always be on his guard. To defend himself until the right situation in to go on the offensive and attack his opponents.

Cy pushed another man away from him and he tried to look for something. Something, anything sharp and pointy that he could use to defend himself. The boy did not know why, but he was very grateful that the men had not pointed their guns at him and started shooting.

While stopping another punch from one of the hunters. Another logger, came up from behind Cy and put his arms around the boy. Cy smirked as the situation had, once again, came upon him. But this time the man did not fall back or forward. Instead the large man planted himself firmly on the ground and made sure he did not go anywhere. Thus, Cy was trapped. Two other men came up next to the boy and held his arms. When the large man let go, the two men acted as one and pulled Cy's hands behind his back and pushed the boy onto the soft, grassy ground.

Their knees pushed into his back as Cy smelled the strong herbal grass and musty grass. His faced hit the dirt is as some the ground smudged onto the boy's face. The boy tried to push away and get the men off him. But it was no use. It seemed these men had been trained to hold someone like Cy.

The men began to part again as they blonde hair leader made his way through the sea of loggers. Knife twirling in his one hand, the blonde hair man kneeled down in front of the captive. "No boy, I'm going to need you to do something for me."

The knife came close to Cy's face. Almost touching his nose as Cy tried to stay away from it.

"I'm going need you to call your dragon friend." The leader, Mark, saw the boy's eye widen in shock but soon grew to cold hate.

Refusing to talk or yell for help, Mark could only smirk at the child's braveness. But that braveness could get the kid killed. Especially Cy he didn't do what Mark says. Pressing the knife closer to the boy's neck, the blonde hair man watched as the feral child continued to show no fear.

Cy watch as the leader took the knife away. Curiosity did fill him as to why the man did not try to kill him. He watched as the man let out a sigh before the leader turned his attention to the two men holding Cy.

"Give me his hand."

Cy began to struggle more as he tried desperately to get away from the men. He did not want to lose anything but one of the men was able to grab his hand and place it on the ground in front of him. The boy tried to pull away but the man's harm held fur. Cy began to cower inside when he saw Leader come towards his hand with the knife.

The knife was placed firmly on the dirt ground between the middle and ring finger. The knife began to twirl and waver back and forth. It looked like the leader did not know which finger to cut off. But it was soon decided when the knife was aimed at the middle.

"LET HIM GO!"

Everyone looked up and behind their leader to see Molly, Max, and Charlie, who was the one pointing the riffle at the men.

Charlie did not like guns. He never went hunting or used this weapon anywhere else but in the firing range. The only reason he had this riffle was just in case of wild animals that may or may not cause him harm when he was on the road. Right now, the Mill owner was very glad he had kept it in his truck. Even though he had no idea how many bullet were in it, it served its purpose by scaring a few of the hunters.

"This is Ranger Molly. Put your weapons down and back away from the kid." A ranger never needed to carry a weapon, but right now Molly wished she had some sort of weapon in her hand. These men were armed and dangers and in the hands of the most vile of men on mankind.

Mark just sneered at the sight. It was almost laughable in his eyes. He knew Charlie had no clue how to handle such a weapon. Molly had nothing but her bag. And the old carver was standing there like an idiot. These three weren't half as threating as a cub without its mother.

Mark was about to tell his men to get'em when the sun went out. A large shadow loomed over the land as the men and woman looked up. No one could believe what they were seeing with their very eyes. Up high in the sky, was a large creature. But not just any beast. This was a giant green hairy dragon. The very one that had been in the photo with Cy.

Molly could not believe her eyes at what she was seeing. Charlie did not know whether to shoot or stay very still. Max just gazed at the creature. It had been a very long time since he had seen such a beast. Not since he was young and stupid. But it felt like yesterday to the old man.

The dragon came in for a landing and it halted in front of the bridge. It massive body shook the earth as its paws touched the ground. The green as grass dragon looked at the human with a deadly stare. When it eyes locked on its human brother did the dragon's eyes narrow. Letting out a blood curdling roar of warning, Leaf began to yell at the men to let his brother go.

All men fell into great shock. They had hunted big bulks, wolf, and bear but never such a mighty beast as this. They were even too afraid to act. They had never seen or dealt with a something like this. Some hoped it was a dream or a nightmare. But the all-powerful growl made them think otherwise.

It was not until their boss, Mark, yelled, "What are you waiting for!? Get it!"

All hell broke loose as men fired their weapons on the poor emerald dragon.

Chaos ensured by everyone when guns were fired and ropes were thrown. Each hunter was trying to get a piece of the olive green dragon. But Leaf was having none of that. He defended himself and tried to whack the men away with his giant claws. The earth dragon gave a mighty roar as he swung his large tail to knock them back. But that's when it hit the green dragon. Another shot had rung but this time it hit the large beast in the shoulder. The only thing was, that this was no metal bullet. No, this was one of those tranquilizing darts to put an animal to sleep.

"Use only tranquilizers!" Mark shouted at his men. "We want this beast alive!"

Cy watched in horror as his dragon brother's dismay. The feral child pushed off the stunned man, who was holding him back, to charge at the one responsible for shooting his dragon brother.

But Mark had seen the wild child from the corner of his eyes. He used the butt of the gun to hit the boy square in the chest, knocking the boy back.

The teen clutched his chest as the pain began to swell. It felt to the boys as if his heart had stopped. He felt arms drape over his shoulders and Cy met the face of Molly. She looked frighten. Both of what was occurring and situation of men fighting a dragon and the fact that Cy had been hurt.

The fifteen year old saw there was nothing she could do but Cy knew that they had to do something. The boy could not allow these men to hurt his kind and gentle brother as if he were some kind of horrible beast.

More shots rang into the sky before the full result of the drug took effect of the gentle dragon. Leaf began to feel tired and sleepy as his head began to sway from side to side. His body felt like boulders of rocks but tried to keep himself upright. But with his mind on standing up, Leaf, unfortunately, did not see the ropes come at him. The long, tough pieces of roped lassoed around his neck as both sides began to pull. Leaf was about to head towards the men when another draped over his neck and pulled him the other. The green dragon tried to stop the hunters but with his current weak state the dragon was fading fast. Looking forward, did Leaf see the leader again. This time he pointed the gun straight at Leaf before giving the trigger one last pull before the gun let out a power blast and launched a dart into the dragon's chest.

With that last dart, Leaf fell to the floor in a flop. The ground shook from the giant beast weight as everyone tried to steady themselves. Each man held onto the ropes to make sure the dragon was secure and not going anywhere.

Leaf still had his eyes open as he tiredly looked at his human brother with a pitiful gaze. Sadness was in the dragon's eyes that looked to say, 'Sorry I could not protect you.'

This caused Cy to grow shock and sad by the state of his dragon brother. The feral teen shook off Molly's hands as he made his way over. But he was halted by the same man who struck him in the face.

Mark was not letting this boy get near his prize. He stared at the dragon with glee. This was going to put him on the maps. The world with know of Mark Danvered and his amazing dragon. There would be people lining up the streets just to see the magnificent beast.

The leader raised his arm as he gave a mighty call. All the hunters followed in their triumphant defeat of the beast.

"This isn't right." Was all Molly could say.

"I know." Charlie did not know what frighten him more. The fact that there was a real live dragon or the fact Mark caught it. "But we need to get out of here."

Charlie was right. With Mark and his men anything could happen to them. Worse, Mark shot them dead and right there so no one would know his secret. The Mill owner tried to pull his fiancée away from the scene as quietly as possible. He did not want the hunters to beware of them leaving for they might shoot them.

But one did notice the couple leaving the party. The sound of gunfire ran through the silent field as all turned to the man who fired it.

"Where do you think you're going?" Mark wasn't asking a question. "No one leaves here without my say so."

"You have your dragon! What more do you want?" Molly yelled at the deranged man.

"If I let you leave, you'll just go off and spoil everything." Mark made it sound like it was that simple.

"Oh yeah. Everyone will believe us when we say you captured a real live dragon!" Molly spat at the idiotic man. "They'll call us crazy."

"No more than then when they see what I got!" Mark yelled back.

"And what are you going to do with it?" Molly knew by Mark's clueless face that the man had no plan. "You got no idea, do you?"

"Why you…"

While both sides were fighting, Cy on the other hand was too busy being in shock to notice what was going on around him. He stared at his tired brother with a hurtful gaze. The feral boy could not believe this was happening. To Leaf. The dragon never wished to hurt anyone.

That's when Cy saw it. The boy's body began to shake with anger as he saw nothing more than red. 'How dare those humans do this!' filled the teen mind.

That's when it happened. Like an instinct, Cy cupped his hands to his mouth as he grave a distressful dragon call. The ominous call range through the air until it reached the correct set of ears. All turned to stared at the wild teen. Not sure what to make of what had come out of the boy's mouth.

But fear grew less as nothing seemed to happen. Some even stalked towards the boy. Ready to give the boy a lesson in real fear for scaring them.

But, their feet stopped moving when another sound rang through the area. It was loud and screeching. As if it was the sound Godzilla made from that recent film. They all turned their attention to the island to see something shoot through the trees and land with a mighty thud behind Cy.

The boy knew what was behind the roar. The medieval dragon. Covered in red and black scales with horns littering his head and a nasty temper to match. Cy could feel the heat of rage coming from the Alpha dragon body. Anger that matched his own. He knew with only one word, Cy could sick the medieval dragon on all the hunters in a matter of seconds.

Then the fifteen year old landed his gaze on Molly, Charlie, and Max. Realization that the alpha dragon didn't care for the difference in human. The Alpha would take them all out.

Everyone cocked their gun in preparation to fire. In Mark's eyes this would be one hell of a hall. Two dragon because of one boy. The man lifted his gun as he fired the dart into the dragon's shoulder. The needle didn't make a dent as it bounced off the thick hide and onto the ground. The black and red dragon looked at where the hunter had hit before glaring back at him. Giving a low, nasty growl, the alpha dragon began to stalk towards the men.

"You idiots!" Max eyes grew wide in fear as he gripped the couple to pull them back and away from the oncoming battle. "That's the real Forest Monster! Run!"

Unluckily, the hunters did not have time to take in Max's advice before chaos broke loose. The medieval dragon let out a fire breath as it set everything a flame. The men tried to run for cover but the dark dragon used its tail and head to swipe at the ground. It sent hunters flying back. Some either fell down the steep cliff or into their trucks. The dragon fire some more at his prey. Trying to get them all.

Fear struck the trio as they tried to get away from the scene. Frighten by the evil dragon the fact that it would go after them if they did not leave.

The fifteen year old watched the battle. Mostly just happy because the hunters were getting what they deserved. But happiness grew into fear at what the next attack his alpha brother was, at what the demonic creature gazed upon. It was Molly, Max, and Charlie.

The trio was trying to get away from the battle and head to their car. Core saw this attempt and blasted a strip of fire in front of them. The one woman and two men looked up in terror at what was soon to come. They clutched together and prayed it would be swift. But instead lifted their head at the sound of yelling. They saw the boy they had come looking for jump in front of them. He was trying to tell the evil dragon to back off and these people are harmless, but the dragon was too far gone to listen to anyone.

The dragon tossed his head as it tried to head-butt the boy. Cy saw it coming as he jumped out of the way and slammed his body into the dragon's side. The black and red dragon became angry. The dark dragon was about to fire another fiery blast went the teen jumped at the dragon's head and held the mouth closed. Cy tried to hold on tight as the dragon swayed his head back and forth in hopes on knocking the boy off his head. The dragon did succeed though, sending the teen flying away onto the grass in front of a weak Leaf.

Cy shook his head and tried to regain his sense. Looking up to meet his tiredly green dragon brother's face, the boy tried not look ashamed at what he caused. But then as shadow began to loom over the feral child as Cy looked up to meet the one who had hurt his family.

Out of everything that had happen, Mark Devered was still alive. The demented man held up his gun as he pointed it at Cy. Anger filled the man's eyes as he wanted to end all the trouble caused by this stupid boy.

It felt like slow motion in Cy's eyes. The replay at what was happening again to him for the second time. This time, there was no Dragon Mother to save him. The boy heard the gun cock back. His eyes widen in fear of a bullet hitting his heart. The gun shot rang in his ears, as a flash of his life flooded in Cy's eyes. But the bullet did not meet the boy's chest. No, instead, two green paws were wrapped around the boy, while a large read and black dragon shielded the teen. Both dragon stood in front of their brother in protection. One, unfortunately, had taken the bullet to the chest.

Dragon had had always been strong. But in the chest, was a dragon's weakness. Just like his mother, Core fell to the ground in thud.

Cy could not believe it. In all his years, he had never once thought his alpha brother would take a bullet for him. Or give up his life.

Mark could not believe the shot he had made. But did not have time to register it before he was sent flying by black dragon tail. He hit his car with incredible forced. They man laid on the ground, not sure if he was dead or not.

The boy grasped the black and red dragon's scales as he tried to see if Core was alright. The alpha dragon turned his head to the two. With his dying breath, the dragon told the duo to leave.

Before the boy could realize what was going on, he was picked up and placed on the green dragon's back. Even though Leaf was somewhat drowsy and drug was quickly leaving his system, the gentle dragon knew that they were no longer safe here.

The feral child looked down at the ground in shock. He could see Core laying on the ground dying. And Molly, Charlie, and Max gazing up at the boy with worry and fear. Cy was about to shout to them when Leaf began to open his big wings. The feeling of the wind blew against the boy's face as he held on. Inside, Cy wished he could say goodbye, but knew if they didn't leave now, more humans would come. The fire was spreading and the sound of choppers could be heard. They need to leave before chaos was once again upon them.

The trio could not believe what they were seeing. The evil dragon had fallen but Cy was still being taken away. Molly was about to reach out when Max held her back. She looked to her father who was shaking his head. He told her that he did not belong in our world and Cy needed to go back to theirs. The ranger silently wished it wasn't sew. But the carnage that happen today proved that man was not ready for dragons. Only one boy seemed up to the task.

They watched both dragon and boy leave. They flew high up into the dark and smoke sky. Back to their little forest island in which they came.

But then a gun shot rang out. The trio looked back to see Mark holding his gun with a smirk on his face. Even if he was going to lose his kill, the evil hunter was glad to see them fall. But the man did not have enough time to be happy for his kill, for once the smile appeared on his faced did his eyes grow dim as he died.

The trio turned their eyes back to the ground. They could see the green dragon falter a little. Dread grew in them for the dragon must have been shot. There question was answered when they saw the Leaf drop into the woods.

XXXXXXXXXXXX

It was not a soft landing. Because of where the bullet had hit, Leaf fell towards the ground and hit it with great force. Cy tried to hold on but upon impact the boy let go and fell onto the dirt. Looking back, the boy watched his dragon brother grew tired and breathe slow. Fear filled the boy as thoughts of him losing another filled his head.

The only thing Cy could do was hug Leaf's head. "Please, please." The boy begged to anyone who could hear. "I'm so sorry."

Why did this have to happen? Rang into the boys mind. Why couldn't they have just stayed in the cave? Why couldn't he have just not angered the beta wolf? Why, Why? Was all that could echo in the Cy's head. He wanted to know, no needed to know why this was happing to him. Why did everything around him have to die? He was tired of being alone. Tired of being hunted. Tired of all this.

Cy began to cry. He could not stop himself and did not want to. All he could do was hold his brother's head and hope it would be swift.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

It had been a week since the incident. People in town mostly chalked it up to being forest fire caused by some campers who didn't put out their fire. But Max, Molly, and Charlie knew. Even though there was no proof.

The evil dragon that had started all of this was gone. Not only by death but the dragon had somehow guided itself to the cliff and jumped off. Next thing that happened was a strange rock wall, bursting out of the ravine and all around the forest island. The bridge was completely gone and the island looked to be guarded by a mountains.

This made the humans realize why there were no proof to why dragon's existed. Dragons do not turn to bone and dust like humans. They became one with nature. So that tree Molly saw was once Cy's dragon Mother. It both amazed and shocked Molly at the same time. But it also did more. It made them realize that they could not tell anyone such a secret. For it Cy and his brother, Leaf, were alive. They needed to be protected and safe. Safe from those who would love to see them harmed.

Inside the house, Molly had taken a day off and was baking some of her mother's old recipes. Apparently the fire had done a lot of damage to the forest and the town was trying to put together a fundraiser for restoring the forest. Of course, Charlie did put a chunk of money into it, but Molly had other ideas. She wanted to get the whole town involve with this along with other areas that could help them. Molly thought that it was about time people realize the dangers of wild fire and the reason we need the forest.

Max was in his workshop making all kinds of creations for the fundraiser. He thought with all his pieces that the money made off of them could be put towards Molly's little project.

Charlie wasn't here though. The Mill owner needed to take in the damage at what the fire had cost him. Some of the forest that had been destroyed was on his turf but none so damaging that he could not stop production. He still had men and women who still worked for him and needed to feed their families.

The sound of Molly humming could be heard from the open window and the sound of sawing from Max's workshop. The sound of wind raced through the yards as doors to Max's workshop sprung open. Both looked up from what they were doing from the loud banging. Max stepped out of his workshop to check on what had caused the door to swing open like that but when he lifted his face he was awestruck.

Molly came outside to make sure her father was alright. She looked over at him as she tried to wipe off the flour that spread on her hands. She was quite confused as to the shock man's face. Following his gaze, Molly saw what her father was distraught over.

Over by the woods in their backyard, was the feral child that they had not seen in a week. He looked weak and tired as if he had walked all the way here. The boy wore the same clothes but there were covered in dried red blood.

Molly gasped at the sigh and covered her mouth. Tears ran down her face as she ran to the boy. They both hugged in happy and sadness.

One for being reunited, but the other in fear what had happen to the boy's dragon. Molly rubbed circles on the Cy's back as she tried to soothe him.