Now that the grouping part of the opening ceremony is over we're all expected to talk to our assigned teachers to figure out what we're each going to do this year. All of the teachers were here, except one… Treevus. He was just on the stage. Where the heck did he go?

I look to the rest of the group, "did he tell any of you that we were meeting him at a different time or place maybe?" They all shook their heads no.

Everyone held various versions of annoyed and contemplative looks.

Cynder was getting seriously ticked off by this point, "where the hell is he!" The rest of us visibly flinched away. "Sorry about that Lumus, the cold makes me cranky."

Lumus' face brightened up almost instantly, then she began to lightly laugh, "I'm sorry, I just find it kinda funny that the person everyone fears has the same problems as everyone else. No offense but I kinda picture like some kind of badass that took shit from no one." Cynder smiled a bit from this, but Spyro decided to have some fun. "Sorry to tell you Lumus, but that's exactly how she is when you push her buttons." Then he got a swift reminder via an elbow, about who was up against his side. "See, told you. Takes shit from no one." He wheezes.

I roll my eyes, "c'mon guys, we should figure out where Treevus is. Besides I'd like to get out of the cold too."

So we all agreed to head to the temple to warm up and to try and figure out where Treevus went. On our way out we stopped by the Guardians to see if they maybe knew where he went. They all just shrugged and continued to instruct their new students when we asked.

I sigh, "well that was helpful" I know they're busy, but shouldn't they have a bit more of a reaction to the fact our teacher is missing?

As I was lost in thought Lumus tapped my shoulder, "hay uh, Sam. Maybe he told us already and just wanted us to get a head start out of here."

"You probably right, the three of you don't like crowds. So let's just go over to my place and if he needs us he can come to us." Now that I said it I finally noticed that both Spyro and Cynder have been looking around uncomfortably like they were expecting something bad to happen.

I took a few steps toward them and almost immediately both of their eyes locked on to me and looks of panic crossed their faces. Why didn't I notice this sooner, they're both on the verge of a panic attack. The only thing probably from keeping them from going over the edge is each other. Maybe I can help them back away from the edge now.

I close the gap between us and I grab them both in the tightest hug I could muster.

"Don't worry you two, I won't let anything happen to you anymore. I'm here for ya"

Spyro starts tapping my back, "that's wheeze nice, but you can't do that wheeze if you choke us out."

I let go of them a little embarrassed, "sorry about that, but I'm glad you're doing a little better now." They do look better at the moment, but I don't believe for a second that they are ok. It's going to take a lot more than a hug.

Cynder then flicks me on the nose, "that's for choking me out. Now then, are you serving hot chocolate?" She raises an eye ridge while waiting for a response.

Then Lumus pours salt in the wound, "I mean he did invite us in out of the cold, it would be only natural for him to serve a hot beverage too." She shoots me a cocky smirk.

Oh so she's on Cynder's side then, great, "I hate you all right now" I pout, "now I have to go shopping." They laugh a bit at my expense.

"Well why don't you take Lumus with you while me and Cynder can go get some marshmallows."

"I already have marshmallows. I just need to get some coco mix. You still want to come with me Lumus or do you want to just go with them to the house?"

"No, I'll keep you company. Besides I did help con you into some hot chocolate anyway."

So we get going on our way. I did send a message to Susan to let them in, but to not let them snoop. They've been trying to get me back for a while now since the prank I pulled on them last week. So I'm not putting anything past them.

"So, Lumus, tell me about yourself. If that's ok with you that is."

"No, it's ok. I'll be working with you guys so it's only fair I open up a bit."

"Actually now that I'm thinking about it, how come I've never heard about you till now? Aren't light dragons almost as rare as purple dragons?"

"They are, but it's not for the same reasons." She looked a little sad about it.

"If you don't want to talk about it you don't have to."

"No, it's ancient history, but it's sad."

"Well let's leave it alone for now. Treevus will probably put it in a lesson anyway."

"You're right, but anyway I kept to myself because I was different. Other kids would pick on me for not using one of the main elements. So I cut myself off from the world. I had my own library so I could read, but I did feel lonely sometimes. Other than that my favorite color is purple, I like roses, pancakes are the best breakfast food, prove me wrong, and I love nature. Sorry, I'm rambling"

"It's ok, I'm glad. I don't feel so alone now and neither will you or Spyro and Cynder. We're all misfits, but I think we can be good friends."

"I never thought that those two would feel like that, I always thought that they were just popular and cold hearted like the typical high school kid."

"Oh goodness no. They may have saved the world, but on the inside they are no different from you or me"

"I guess, but I don't think I would have been able to save the world. They have a strength that I don't have"

"You're half right, you don't have a strength like that, yet and neither do I for that matter."

"That's true, they had each other. They had each other's backs through that war"

"Now you get it, it's the strength of your bonds that's your true strength."

"So sage like. How old are you again?" She says with a bit of sarcasm

"Uh, 16 almost 17, why?"

"Just seeing if you kept your young looks like Treevus and where using them to get in with some young girls"

"Oh, so you think I'm flirting with you?" I retort accusingly.

"Even if you were. I'm not so easy."

"Good thing I'm not interested."

She smacks me on the side with the back of her paw, "rude, calling me unattractive."

I snicker a little bit, "your words not mine, but if you were to use my words I would say pretty." She blushed a bit, but scoffed and looked away.

"Now then", I open the door of a shop we stopped in front of, "shall we get what we came for" I let her go first.

"Ya, but I get to pick the flavor."

"How's that when I'm buying?"

"You owe me for calling me ugly"

"Again your words not mine"

I of course relent and buy one with Caramel flavoring. I usually don't like flavorings in my hot chocolate because everyone I've tried so far has sucked, but I haven't tried any here. So I guess I have to try it at least once.

We made quick time back to my house, but it was still the afternoon by the time we got back. Today has been going by rather slowly.

"Wow! This is your house! are you rich or something"

"Or something. The Guardians gave it to me since only a nature dragon can communicate with it"

"Wait, it's alive? And you can talk to it?"

"Ya, that's how Spyro and Cynder got in"

"Neat! Do you think it will talk to me too?

"She. And maybe. I think she would like to have others to talk to from time to time. Anyway, it's afternoon so I guess I'll make us lunch too"

"Want some help?"

"I won't turn it down, but you don't have to."

"I'd be happy to."

So we head inside to see what Spyro and Cynder were up to. Now I'm not going to lie. I thought for sure I was going to walk in on a make out session, but instead we found them on the love seat, sound asleep. 'They fell asleep maybe five minutes after they got here.'

I chuckle a bit, "they must not have gotten very much sleep last night stressing about today."

"I don't blame them, I was super stressed about today too when Treevus first asked me to join you all."

"Well, it's only going to get better from now on. Go sit, I'll take care of lunch." So I left the room to do just that.

Lumus decided to look around the living room. It was laid out around a center table with three couches: two love seats and a three seater. With single chairs in between them. So the room could easily seat 9 dragons. All of the seats were positioned so that everyone could have a clear view out of the window and off to the sides were a couple of bookshelves chuck full of various kinds of books. As you can guess she got distracted here.

A little while latter, Cynder cracked open an eye. "Sooo, what took you two so long?"

"Nothing much, we were just talkin about you two."

Cynder got up and moved over to Lumus, "c'mon, you're telling me nothing happened. No gossip to spill?l

"No, no gossip. Sorry Cynder, you're a little too desperate to get back at Sam." She gives her a devious look, "he's expecting it right now so you won't get a good one in, but he'll slip soon enough. Just give it time and it will all be worth it."

"Oooh I like the way you think sister, what do you got planned?"

"Well I was thinking…"

In the kitchen I was busy making everyone lunch. I had decided to just make sandwiches and go with that. Then I got to thinking, it's already getting cold here. I wonder if they celebrate Christmas here? I guess I'll ask them.

I pick up the tray of food and drinks and make my way back to the living room. When the door opened I could have sworn I heard maniacal laughter.

"Hay. What are you guys up to in here?"

Cynder clears her throat, "girl talk, so mind your own bee's wax"

"Ok ok, I get it, but I'm glad to see that you two are as thick as thieves now."

I set the tray down on the table and almost instantly Spyro was up, "food!?"

"Yes Spyro, food. Dig in everyone" Everyone happily did so.

Lumus perks up a bit, "hay Sam, can I borrow some of your books. Some of these I haven't read before."

"Of course, if you want, you can come by anytime. The door will open for all of you. The front door anyway." I added that last bit because of Spyro and Cynder.

"Anyway, Sam. You had me talk about myself so my turn to ask some questions."

"Ok, fire away."

"Are male or female? I can't tell."

Spyro and Cynder almost fall out of their seats laughing.

"I'm a dude! Why does everyone keep confusing that!?"

Spyro managed to catch his breath enough to answer, "it's because you have none of the typical signs of a male."

"What do you mean?"

"Well for one, you lack a sheath."

"Wait what!?"

"Ya, all male dragons are supposed to have them."

"Huh, never noticed. Wait… does that mean everyone takes a peak at where my junk is supposed to be!?"

"Well it is one of the main way we identify one another besides smell. Which is another problem for you. You don't have the same musk smell that males have. You're almost too clean."

"Great… my good hygiene is biting me in the but."

Lumus clears her throat, "well ok then. Next Question, what happened to your tail? Your tail blade is gone or do you not have one?"

Spyro and Cynder both perk up, "we were actually wondering that ourselves."

"Oh ya, I haven't really showed that off have I"

I bring the tip of my tail around to the front of me. "It looks like a regular old lizard tail. However, it's hiding something I think is kinda cool."

"Well don't just leave us hanging. Show us!"

"Ok ok, but promise not to freak"

"Ya ya ya, just show us already!"

I roll my eyes and get ready. I have done this in a long while but I focus on my tail. After about a second it split into three separate pieces kinda like a claw from one of those claw machines at an arcade. Everyone just stared at it amazed. Then Lumus practically pounced me and took a hold of my tail, "Amazing! I've read about this in a book once, it's a very rare type of tail tip that can form in dragons who have extra musculatures in their tails. They're supposed to be even more powerful than regular claws too." She turns to me with a serious look on her face. "I want you to try and force your tail closed ok"

"Uh, ok" so I do it and Lumus tries to keep it from closing. I felt no resistance, it just closed and Lumus moved her paw out of the way.

"Amazing, I couldn't even slow it down."

So she was applying resistance, damn my tail is strong.

Anyway, for the next few hours we all kept talking and getting to know one another better. I eventually got conned into letting them into the garden to see how it has changed or for the first time in Lumus' case. We were up practically all night having fun and just hanging out. I ended up having them staying the night rather than having them walk home in the dark. Besides, I wanted to keep their company a little longer.

Note from me:

Hay all! I had a couple of question. I didn't want to do little comment dealies, but I've been trying to keep around 2k words per chapter and I wanted to know if you wanted me to do more or less per chapter. I also wanted to know if you wanted me to post Sketches of the characters and other things I may describe in the story. Just food for thought.