Rising of the Dragons' Dawn

By Ally Lei

Chapter 3

Disclaimer: I don't own CardCaptor Sakura or any of its names. I also don't own the name Avatre.

Avatres snapped her head back and swung it like a pendulum, trying to shake out the child's piercing scream that was ringing in her head; her ears were oversensitive by human standards. The scream echoed around the cavern, bouncing off the stone walls and coming back in full force to the dragon's ear. Avatre couldn't hear anything other then the girl's screaming lungs but she could guess that her fellow Elders were similarly affected; all dragons' ear are very sensitive. Oh, Light! Make her stop!

Abruptly as the shrieking started, it stopped. Avatre waited for a few more minutes to let the ringing notes fade away to a much more tolerable tone and then opened her eyes to find the cause of the girl's halt. Laying on her back the girl had her mouth wide open as if imitating the scream she had just ended. Her eyes were shut and squeezed tightly, blocking off the jewels of emerald that had flashed so briefly. All in all, the girl looked as though she was still screaming.

Confusing as it was, she had some idea what had happened, and raising her head, she met the eyes of Heart's Flame, the Elder of the Red clan; this confirmed her guess.

Apparently Heart's Flame, being the deafest of those present in the cavern (she amusedly supposed that his deafness was because of his clan's fiery tempers and temper tantrums; she had actually seen one of these tantrums between two young dragons and when asked she would just say that she was still waiting to get her physical hearing back), had gathered his wits after the initial shock and quickly cast a small silencing spell. The spell made a metaphorical bubble around her head that would absorb any sound produced from within. She silently wondered at his practiced ease of the casting but dropped it for later amusement.

She shifted her gaze to the brilliant orange dragon on the red's right. Flame of the Sun, affectionately called Sunny, was still swinging his head back and forth but gently, as if calming him-self. He always was a bit skittish and old age didn't help at all. Next to him was the female dragon Star's Light, the Elder of the Yellow clan. Her scales were a bright pale yellow; they were so bright that when the sun shone upon her, she glowed like the brightest star in the night sky. She, too, was a bit unnerved but then again the fiery colors were always quick to raise their tempers and to scare into action.

Those three dragon's moods were vastly different from the three dragons that curved to Avatre's left. Barkim ( a hunter green color), the Elder of the Green clan, Nightshade (deep, almost black blue female), and Rikkanian (royal purple), affectionately called Rik by fellow Elders were all shifting around trying to find that comfortable position they were in before the child's disturbance. The three dragons were calm, barely startled from the scream; Nightshade almost seemed to be in a bored pose, with her head lying on the ground and her tail stretched out behind her. They were a much more composed then the other three and her-self.

The girl was still screaming when she dropped her gaze but the child's eyes were partially open, curious as to why she was not being eaten or tortured. Avatre supposed she would scream her voice into silence if nothing stopped her and while that might be no great loss, the girl still had to pass a test and the test required her to use her voice.

She would also be a nuisance in the coming months if her throat was sore.

Tentatively, Avatre connected with the child's thoughts and sub-planted feelings of warmth, comfort, and calmness. She didn't actually want to speak with the child; instead she found that showing her intentions with feelings would calm the child down more sufficiently. It always worked with young ones and this girl was no exception. Slowly the small mouth closed as the girl reveled in the sense of comfort, the sense of belonging.

Her body relaxed, suddenly, and the mouth opened again in a gapping yawn as if overcome with exhaustion and Avatre remembered that the child had been found wondering the countryside for the Powers know how long. No doubt it had been a horrifying and tiring trip for she had been unable to rest to eat, sleep, or even drink. The young body was now feeling the effects and about an hour or so worth of rest was not enough to replenish the girl-child's body with energy needed to stay awake.

Quickly Avatre strengthened their connection so she could mind-speak with the child and adopting her most grand-motherly tone she spoke:

"It is alright child; you are among friends." That was enough to reassure the child and hesitantly the girl's mind grasped Avatre's. The Egg Keeper secondarily started at this display of unexpected control of Power. She then heard a small whisper in the back of her mind.

"Where am I? Where is Mama and Papa and Touya?" It was the child's voice of fearfulness and reluctance. Fearfulness of the answer to her questions and reluctance to ask the strange beast that sat in front of her. Multi-colored eyes gave a warning glance to the waiting Elders; they were not to interrupt this momentousconversation. Putting aside surprise and eagerness for the future she answered the child as best she could.

"We do not know where your family is child but we will do everything we can to find them. Just tell your name and where you live or landmarks and we will help you find your family." So we can ask them (or order them) to give you up to your destiny, Avatre silently finished in the recess of her mind.

"My name is Sakura Kinomoto. I live in Star's Landing," The choked, light voice responded. Astonishment befell the pink and purple dragon as she realized who this could be. This couldn't be his daughter……could she?

"Quick child! What is your father's name?" Avatre lost her comforting tone to an anxious and hopeful voice

"What?...Oh, my papa's name is…is…is Fujitaka Kinomoto and Mama's name is Nadeshiko Kinomoto." The girl's voice was now confused but Avatre didn't explain she just looked up in absolute wonder at the other dragons filling the room.

This girl was the daughter of the direct descendant Clow Reed, the great and most powerful human magician of all time. And her mother! She had Elvin blood running through her veins. By the Stars! This child was on her way to being a human even Avatre would hesitate to take on.

'Star's Landing' she said. Wasn't that the small village that just burnt down a couple of days ago? The little niggling thought found its way to the front of the reptile's brain and made its way through the link before she could pull back the though. The girl caught and read it, her eyes squinting in unshed tears as she realized her parents were probably gone.

Oh no! Don't let her cry! No! No! No!

"Don't cry, child, they are in a better place than this one. And if they did good throughout their life they will comeback to a life of happiness." Avatre quickly comforted the orphaned child.

"I know they are in a better place but it still hurts. What will I do with out them?" The five year old child had surprising comprehension of such things but then again her parents no doubt told her should something happen to them. She was actually taking this surprisingly well but then again a Consort has to be able to deal with devastating news; it was one of their customary traits.

"You will stay here with me. I will be sure to feed you and care for you because you see I am also lonely. No one is here to talk to me, to laugh with me, and to comfort me as well" Playing the kindred spirit part was easy because in truth the nanny dragon was lonely. She couldn't have a mate to be by her side and there was only so much caring and talking to eggs that needed to be done in a day; most of the time she was lost in memories about days long past. The girl believed it with all her heart and now satisfied that that little problem was solved she was itching to fall into her dreams of her loving family, now being reborn with happier lives then they were blessed with.

"Wait, child, don't fall asleep just yet. I know you are weary from your travels but you need to walk to your room where there is a much more comfortable bedding then the stone cold floor." She had to take the test now. It couldn't be put off! Come on little one but you can't stay unless you are inducted, Avatre thought. The Elders won't stand for it.

"Do I have to?" The girl's voice sounded every bit as whiny as her age suggests

"Yes. You can't stay here while the others and I are having an important meeting." The small head lifted a little as she realized there were indeed other dragons in the body-warmed cave. Sighing with reluctance and put down spirit, the girl struggled to lift herself off the claw-scratched floor and onto her tiny feet. With that down she looked petulantly at the female dragon in front of her, silently ordering the dragon to lead the way with all of her childish haughtiness. Avatre was amused by this display and let it slide. Proper respect and manners would come later.

With an echoing click of her claws, Avatre lead a parade consisting of one bone-weary girl and six elderly dragons. The test Avatre had in mind was a relatively simple one but very significant and symbolic. If the girl-child did not pass this test it would be hard for the kingdom to recognize her as Consort and trust their Prince.

"I'm tired." Stated the little girl with feeling. "What is your name?"

Hoping that her answer would distract the girl from her fatigue, Avatre answered. Her answer satisfied the child for a few more steps but then the inevitable question came.

"A-va-tr-aa, are we there yet?"

"No but it is not far. See glowing light in the tunnel. That is where we are going." Responded the put-upon dragon.

"Oh"

They walked in silence from then on with only the rustling of moving bodies and the clicking of metallic claws on the stone floor to hear. It was somberly dark as Avatre lead them down the passageway, dismantling every trap and trick that stood in their way with magic and silent commands.

Finally they reached the glowing mouth of the entrance to the Minor Egg Chamber. Avatre shuffled aside to let Sakura go through first. Sakura stepped through the opening with awe as she watched the glowing protective runes dismantle, change, and reform again in another protective spell. The whole room was covered in them; all glowing an eerily blue color. Avatre felt the familiar, small surge of pride as the auburn haired head swiveled on its neck, eager to catch all of the runes at work. Generations of Egg Keepers had laid their own most powerful spell into the walls of this cave. Each and every rune was a spell that would constantly change to suit and counter the dangers of the world. Their job was to protect one of the most precious treasures of all treasures, eggs.

Littered throughout the gigantic room were eggs the size of Sakura's hand. Hundreds of them shimmered from the blue runes as they laid in the midst of their brothers and sisters, cousins and relatives, kinsmen all of them to the Great Empire of the Draconic Age. Once the Prince awakens, Avatre reminded her-self, and only then will we see the Shadows fall.

The figure of two feet and a half was immeasurably dwarfed by the great size of the chamber but for the dragons, it was a tight squeeze to have all of them in the chamber without crunching an egg. All of the Elders were vaguely mindful of their claws as they too were overcome with awe. This was a treat indeed for them. On rare occasions were they actually allowed down the passage way past Avatre's sanctuary, and on even fewer occasions have they actually seen into the Minor Egg Chamber much less then actually stepping foot into the chamber.

It was very humbling to actually view so many eggs. And these were just the Minor eggs! What about the Greater eggs?

Avatre let them wile in their own awe before she linked herself with Sakura. She received the sense that the girl was absolutely….'blown away', she believed the human term was.

"Now, Sakura, close your eyes and listen with your Power. I trust you have done this before so I don't think I need to explain." Hear Sakura nodded her head, she had done this before. "Just listen for anything calling your name or calling to you. Even a tug on your conscience will do. Then follow the call, wind it about yourself like a rope and when you reach the end stop. Do you understand?"

An affirmative nod answered her for Sakura was still speechless with marvel.

"Good. Do it now."

Sakura closed her eyes and pushed away her exhaustion. She got the feeling this was imperative to do this right. She 'listened' with all of her might. She waited and listened until she felt a strain on her Power. Giving up with despair, she opened her eyes to face the dragons' disappointment.

"I don't feel anything." She said with hopelessness.

The Elders shifted a bit in agitation but were quieted with a glance from Avatre. She silently watched Sakura in an air of thoughtfulness as if contemplating something other then her failure. After a few moments, her eyes swept the room and came back to Sakura.

"Do it again but this time don't force yourself to listen. Just open yourself up to whatever may come. The last time you were trying to hard and as a result, you were blocking out any call you might have heard." Avatre's steeled voice resonated through her mind. She must be disappointed but she wants to hide it, thought Sakura. She did as she was told, always the obedient child.

With her eyes closed she hesitantly lowered her shields from the cruel world and opened herself up. She felt naked without them for she had had a shield of some kind always around since she could remember. She opened herself up to whatever may come, trusting her new draconic friend to protect her. Almost immediately she felt a tug on her soul. A link that demanded for her to follow and blindly she did. She didn't know how she managed to avoid crushing or even nudging eggs but the thought wasn't first and foremost on her mind. Later she would claim that the eggs somehow told her that they were there and where to step that wouldn't harm any egg, but now she did not care. All she cared was to find out who would call her so powerfully.

Abruptly it stopped and she opened her eyes to find an egg cupped in her tiny hands. The egg was warm and gave off a sense of comfort and love. This tiny egg wanted to always be with her wherever she went.

Slowly, still lost in the sense of the egg, she turned to face the rainbow of dragons with Avatre standing in front of them.

"He says his name is Keroberos", she declared triumphantly with a grin on her dirty face.

Avatre nodded like she had expected that to happen. She stared the girl straight in the eye and announced with all formality to all:

"Sakura Kinomoto of Star's Landing has passed the test. We welcome her into our family. Forever she will be cared by, protected by, and loved by the Seven Great Clans. We recognize her as sister and thus kinsman."

She mentally smiled at the girl.

"Welcome sister!" Chorused hundreds of voices in Sakura's mind, but underneath all of the joyous voices was another voice, completely different from everyone else's. It was warm, humorous, loving, and caressing at the same time. It said:

"Welcome into my family. Wait for me. I will join you soon."

Like it? Hate it? In between?

I know this is moving on slowly but I want this to go far so I can't rush things and pull out all of my tricks.

There is some confusion about what a Consort and a Queen is so let me explain. Forget everything you have ever heard about queens and consorts. Ok? Ok. Now a Queen for the dragons is an actual dragon while a Consort is a human. They both are mates/lovers/wives of the King and they both have the same duties and respect given to their station. A Queen is a dragon and cannot be a Consort because of it and vice versa.

Thanks for all of the reviews! You guys are great!

Please Review again please, and tell me what you think.

Ally Lei