Note of explanation: On the Pokémon Fan Universe forums, I have a thread where other members give me a word, phrase, or image, and I have one hour to write and proofread each of them. They could be any word, phrase, or image (within reason) as long as they don't restrict my imagination. The following one-shots are the results of these requests. There is no actual plot that ties one to another, hence why I call this a "storybook."

Before each "chapter," I'll provide the title and inspiration of each, mainly for your amusement.

Enjoy!

Inspiration: A sprite of a wingless Salamence

It was hard for Bagon to enter the cave. She knew what was inside, and frankly, she couldn't bring herself to see it. But it was an obligation. She had to be there. With that thought in mind, she took a deep breath and crept inside. The darkness closed around her like a trap. The uneasiness within her grew. Yet she couldn't leave because she was there.

The silence of the moment was shattered by a soft grunt. Bagon stopped in her tracks and waited in the inky blackness. For a moment, she hoped that he wouldn't notice her. She hoped she could disappear back through the gaping maw of the earth and into the bright sunlight. What she wouldn't give to see the wide open skies again…!

"Child," a low voice murmured. "Why do you stay so far away from me?"

Blast it all. He noticed her. Bagon should have guessed; he always had a superb sense of smell.

The other snorted as he exhaled flames from his nose. She placed the bundle of sticks she brought with her on the cold floor of the cave and watched him bow his head and light them with the fire from his nostrils. Immediately, the wood burst into flames and threw its quivering light throughout the cave. Bagon backed away slightly, unable to look upon her elder.

Yet after several moments, her eyes glanced over to see him. Oh, how horrible he looked then! His once glimmering, colorful scales had turned a dull gray, and they barely did much to cover his sagging skin. He was hunched over and barely able to stand. Every part of him proclaimed his age, even the wisdom in his eyes and the creases just under them.

Bagon only winced because she knew that someday, it would happen to her. One day, she, too, would become old. Her scales would no longer be her coat of beauty, and her wings would become deformed to the point where they could no longer carry her. They, in all their uselessness, would fall off like the legs of a dead centipede and leave her stranded on the ground.

"Why do you fear me?" the Salamence finally inquired as he rested his head beside the fire. "Do you find me shameful?"

The hatchling had neither the heart nor courage to say this was true. She pitied the aged dragon, but at the same time, she feared his power. At his age, he was strong enough to wipe out a young dragon hatchling like her with the weakest attack in his arsenal.

Salamence, however, knew all too well what she was thinking. In response, he chuckled.

"I remember when I was your age," he told her. "I could never find the courage to look my grandfather in the eye either."

Bagon reluctantly threw her gaze towards him. "Why… why not?"

Salamence grinned. "It was for the same reason I assume you refuse to look at me. You fear the day when you, too, will begin to die."

At this, Bagon's head snapped forward as a look of horror crossed her face. "Don't say that, grandfather! You will live!"

"All things must die at one time or another," her grandfather stated grimly. "It is how life completes its cycle. We are born, we grow, we evolve, we breed, and we die. It is nothing to be afraid or ashamed of, though, for once we arrive at death, it is never truly the end. We will live on. Perhaps not in this world, but certainly in another."

Bagon sat down near the fire. "What do you mean?"

"No one ever told you?" Salamence questioned with a smile. "Somewhere – not here, but somewhere – is a place where the noble spirits of all dragons go after they die. It is a paradise with everything you could possibly imagine. Beautiful lands, dragon clans to keep you company, and the wide, blue sky to enter. Your wings will grow back at that place, and forever, you and all the other dragons will dance among the clouds and look down in satisfaction at the lands below. How does that sound, child?"

"It sounds beautiful," Bagon responded.

"You see," Salamence continued, "death is not a scary thing. There is something for us all afterwards. A place where we will never suffer again."

"I'd like to go there," Bagon said. "Will you take me with you?"

The elder laughed for the first time in days. "No, little one. Not yet. You will join me someday, but not yet."

"When?" Bagon asked.

After a moment's pause, Salamence replied, "I thank you for the wood. You may leave here if you wish. Go and enjoy the day. The sun is shining, and the sky is just the right shade of blue."

"But…"

Salamence closed his eyes and ended all protests right there. Bagon knew Salamence wanted some peace to sleep, so she had no choice but to respect his wishes. She gazed at her grandfather one last time before turning and walking out of the cave.

With only the crackle of the fire dancing in his ears, Salamence smiled and began his journey to the dragon's paradise.