Hey guys... Promise I wont delete this one. So the reason I deleted this chapter the first time, was I realized it wasn't quite up to my own standards, I had to rewrite some parts, but generally it's the same chapter, if you don't feel like re-reading. You won't be lost or anything. And overall this isn't a filler chapter per-se, but one that helps the next few get going. So, yeah, sorry about deleting it, I'm always so worried that nobody will like my chapters, or that they'll notice the tiny mistakes, I got sorta stressed. I'm still not sure honestly, but this story will never make progress if I constantly rewrite. So I'm leaving this up, and moving on. I got a PM that really helped me get this chapter back out, so... Thank you. Anyway.

Thank you all for the feedback on last chapter, I didn't expect so much after coming back. But you guys blew me away. Too all the replies to my absence, all I will say is; I will continue trying to be a way for you guys to forget and relax during the current events, haha.

Also! I'm not just considering continuing, I AM continuing! If you were wondering. (mostly a reply to Setech.) All your guys' reviews made me laugh, (and blush)... I encourage you to review if you have something to say. I'm open to criticism as well, trust me, my other story has gotten me some... interesting, reviews/pms.

Must not ramble...

Thanks! -Fiygon, out.

Chapter 6

"Dream/Realm"

Spyro just couldn't believe it. He stood there in shock for multiple minutes, mulling over the information he had just gotten. Before he was snapped out of it by a young scout, "Sir?"

Spyro sputter, "Y-Yes wha-what is it?"

Giving him a weird look the scout merely bowed, making Spyro feel uncomfortable, "We were just about to clean this area out, if you would kindly clear The premises." Spyro nodded and left the area swiftly.

He wondered what he should do, this was great, it meant he was probably still out there. But who would help him now? Everyone had given up. He kept going over the thoughts in his mind as he headed towards town. The prospect of this hatchling potentially having time magic was hard to believe, but his senses hadn't lied to him yet. The only question was If it was him, or someone else? Regardless, the hatchling would've had to be terrified by now, I mean, dying once isn't exactly something everyone can relate with. And Spyro knew all too well what it felt like to be different and not understand why, to have people look at you like you were a freak. The amount of dragons that had to be convinced that Spyro wasn't also going to turn evil, as his enemy had.

He shook his head with a growl, he'd find the hatchling, and show him he wasn't alone. He wouldn't let the hatchling go through the same torment him and his mate had, differences should be praised, and encouraged. And what better role model than the purple dragon himself? He thought, before realizing what that would mean. He hadn't yet met the hatchling, yet he was already making assumptions and such. Spyro briefly thought on the idea, that he may not even be relevant to the young dragon's life. After all, if he had been rescued by someone else with time magic, who's to say that Spyro would even be needed? The hatchling was safe, that was his main goal from the start, but he felt like his goals had shifted unintentionally. He promised to introduce the little one to his own daughter… Spyro shook his head and sighed, that was merely a path he had to cross at a later date. But to his hopes, not too far from than.

He eventually returned to the Inn he was staying at. Still lost in his own thoughts, he almost passed the reception room and went straight up to his own. When a voice caught his ear by surprise, "Yes, the purple one, named Spyro. Please tell me you've seen him." Cynder's voice said.

The Inn worker merely smiled and pointed behind her at a shocked Spyro, making Cynder's eyes light back up. She approached swiftly and nuzzled him, "I'm sorry Spyro, I was being… selfish. And rude…"

He shook his head, "No, everything you said was true. Buuuuut…. it still hurt." He smirked.

She smiled, "You seem happier, and like you've slept some."

He nodded, "Having a clear mind really helped me figure things out."

She sighed, "So that means you're ready to go home now? I'd like to see my daughter."

Spyro avoided her eyes, "Actually…." He began, to a dismayed Cynder who sighed.

"What is it now? Spyro he's one hundred percent-"

"Alive!" Spyro interrupted.

She looked at him with a tilted head, and Spyro smiled, "The hatchling, is alive."

She shook her head, and before she ranted Spyro put his paw over her mouth, "Cynder, I went back to the spot he disappeared."

"Disappeared…" She parroted in disbelief and annoyance.

"Did you not find it weird how there were dead wolves everywhere, followed by the body disappearing?" He asked.

She nodded, "Of course it's odd."

"I checked any potential elements used in the areas, it took a little bit of purple dragon magic to sense it, but… There was time magic, everywhere."

She stared at him for a minute, then her eyes widened. "Did you… save him?"

He shook his head, "Somebody else used time magic, whether it was the kid himself, or someone else, I have no clue."

She sat down and stared at the floor, "So… he's alive…"

Spyro shrugged, "I really hope so, I have no other ideas otherwise as to what happened.

She slowly nodded, staring at the floor even more intensely. Spyro huffed, "What's wrong? Isn't that a good thing?"

She shook her head, "O-Oh yes, of course it is."

"Then what's wrong?" Spyro said, nudging her softly.

She tried to hold a tear or two in, "It's just… If he's alive, then I'm really just a horrible person."

Spyro shook his head, "It's not your fault, we literally saw a dead body, nobody can blame you for thinking the obvious."

"You can… and did." She growled, "How will I be able to face that hatchling, knowing I'd have left him for dead."

"I wouldn't think… you wanted to see him anyway…" Spyro rubbed the back of his neck.

She looked at him in shock as he said that absentmindedly, "Why would you… Think that?" She asked carefully.

Spyro gave a small shrug, "Since it's probable that he is in another deadly situation, and you want to be with our daughter. I mean, I do, I would love to… But I really need to help this one out."

She didn't know why, but she huffed slightly angrily, "I have to go too," She started, "There's no way I'm leaving a hatchling's life in your hands."

"Our daughter?" Spyro said, reminding her.

Blushing angrily, Cynder growled, "I… I want to see this hatchling Spyro! Ignoring the fact it was a… corpse, he looked really adorable."

Spyro snickered to her dismay, and nodded, "Fine, I get it. Dragoness instincts." Spyro was relieved to find out he wasn't the only one feeling that way.

She rolled her eyes, "So how do we find him now?" She said, changing the subject.

Spyro pondered, "Well, we could either walk around the surrounding area, to what could be minimal results… Or just get the celestials to search for him again, if he really is alive they'd be able to see it."

She nodded, "But… how are you going to contact them?"

He raised an eyebrow, "So many years of being a purple dragon, and you think I wouldn't have found a way to contact them?"

She raised her own eyebrow at that, "You still go to people's houses in Warfang to talk, instead of using the town's crystal communicators…"

He gave a single laugh and scoffed, "It's too complicated, leave that for the newer generation and all their fancy tech."

"Okay, so how do you contact them?" She asked after rolling her eyes.

"I have to be in a dire situation, with the fate of the world at stake." He said with a straight face. Then, after a moment, bursting into laughter, "No, I just contact them when I'm asleep." Cynder couldn't help but giggle at his dumb joke, she was happy he had returned to his usual self. It made his way of doing things way more bearable.

"Well then, what are you waiting for? Go to bed!" She said.

He groaned, "I hate naps."

I didn't know what was going on. I blacked out while on my way to bed, the pain… it didn't feel like it was related to the blacking out… My only idea of what was going on was that I must've died? No… the space I was in felt similar, but not exactly the same. I was subconsciously floating around in what can only be described as space, but my brain couldn't comprehend what I was seeing and I only felt at peace. I could feel my body, that being the only difference between this and the time I died.

I felt a pull, I wasn't sure how or what exactly pulled me, but soon enough my vision faded again and reappeared in a library of some sort...

Ignitus lay hunched over his desk, an extremely tired look about him. He was reading the books of random beings in the realms, making sure everything was in order. His focus dwindled as each book seemed more and more boring, which was unusual for him. He sighed and looked to the right, the figure of a golden dragoness with their back turned on a pillow. She hadn't moved from that spot much, if at all, since a couple days ago, more than days by celestial standards.

He sighed, there was nothing he could do for her. She had to sort her own feelings out, and that was just how it would have to be. To his surprise, he felt the feeling of someone entering his domain. He was used to this with Spyro, though he had thought Spyro was still angry at the both of them. He prayed for a calm and collected discussion, but he wouldn't bet too much on it. He waited patiently to see or hear Spyro, but nothing came of it. Curiously he stood up and glanced around, heading for the spot they would usually arrive at. The golden celestial still unphased, she hadn't noticed the feeling,

After rounding a corner, he heard a small sniffle. He looked all around, until finally he glanced down. There he was, the hatchling they all thought was dead, in spirit form, standing there looking up to him in complete shock. They stared at each other in shock for a long while, and the hatchling began crying. Ignitus sputtered, "H-Hello? What are you doing here little one?" He said crouching as low down to the floor as possible.

The hatchling shook his head, "I-I don't know… did I die again? Who are you… you're huge!" He said looking around, terrified.

Ignitus tilted his head in complete confusion, and offered a friendly nudge with his snout. "I'm a celestial dragon, named Ignitus. How about we sit somewhere more comfy, and you tell me what's happened so far, hmm?"

He nodded politely and they returned to his desk where Ignitus put a very small pillow on the table for him to use. Which he sat on, still shaking, looking up curiously. Ignitus sighed, rubbing his head nervously, he had no clue what was going on just as much as the hatchling seemed to. Just as he did he felt the presence of another one entering his domain, and he sighed, that had to be Spyro. Ignitus stood to go greet him, but the hatchling tilted his head.

"I thought you wanted to talk?" He asked.

Ignitus chuckled, "Yes indeed we need to talk, but you are not my only guest tonight, and I must greet them. I will return shortly." The hatchling did something short of a shrug, then absentmindedly looked around the library in awe. Bringing a smile to Ignitus' features as he went to greet Spyro before he bursted in. And he wasn't wrong on his hunch.

Spyro smiled wildly, "Hey, Ignitus. I've got great news."

Ignitus cracked a large smile, with a guess as to what the news was. "I have news aswell, would you like me to bring Cynder here as well?"

Spyro looked ecstatic, and nodded. And soon enough Cynder appeared, bowing to Ignitus respectfully. "Ignitus you have to hear this!" Ignitus smiled at that and shook his head, "I already know what you're going to say, follow me."

Cynder and Spyro shared a confused look, then smiled. "Then you know he's alive?" Spyro asked eagerly.

He chuckled, "There is even more than that." He said as they reached his study yet again.

Ignitus turned to them, and whispered, "Please, be gentle and slow, he's very confused." Before they could show too much confusion he stepped out of their vision, and what they saw made them both nearly drop their jaws to the floor in surprise.

The hatchling stared back at them, even more nervous than before, shaking on the table. Spyro first, smiled wide as can be, but before he could make any brash movements, Cynder cleared her throat. Putting a paw in front of Spyro, she gave the hatchling a smile, lowering her posture to look less intimidating. "Hi there little one…" she said, taking a few steps closer. The hatchling was also lowering himself, backing away slightly, terrified.

"It's alright, we've been worried about you. What's your name little one? Mine is Cynder." She asked, taking another couple of steps, smiling sweetly.

He looked back up, and stammered out a response. "I-It's Gale…" putting his tail around his now fully lowered body in defense.

She smiled, she was much closer now, "Gale? That's a wonderful name." Upon closer inspection, she noticed his eyes. Even in the dream, he had a Greyish blue eye, and one that was a much brighter blue, that nearly sparkled, both eyes shining with confusion.

"Your eyes are beautiful!" He blushed at her comment, and looked down at his pillow, mumbling a thank you. The reaction made her heart flutter and she giggled, completely taken by his shyness.

She was fully in front of him now, "My mate over there," she said glancing over to a smiling Spyro, "And me, are so happy to see you."

Gale tilted his head, "Why is that..?"

Trying not to gush at his head tilt and how adorable she found it, she sighed, "Because we were watching you, before... We thought you died... We wanted to help you."

She gestured to Spyro and gestured for them to approach, and they respectfully stood at her side, letting her continue.

Gale looked down at his pillow, "Where am I? Am I not dead?"

She looked at him, her smile fading, "Have you not woken up since the wolf attack?"

He shook his head, "No, I-I was, I was about to go to bed…Then I felt pain... Where is Rena?" He asked, his eyes slowly tearing up.

The name Rena struck Spyro, as he thought back to his dream the night before, and how it was the same name as what the hatchling said that time. Cynder sighed with relief that he was alive, yet mildly worried about why he was in pain. She attempted to get closer to him, but he backed off. "You're asleep right now Gale, this is the celestial realm." She said.

He looked confused but nodded, as Ignitus stepped forward, "Which leads me to an interjection, if I may." They nodded.

"I didn't bring him here, the hatchling brought himself here." Ignitus said with intrigue.

The other two looked down at Gale in surprise, and Spyro smiled, "Probably has to do with what I saw before." He said to Cynder.

She nodded to Spyro, and turned back to the hatchling, "That must mean your pretty special Gale." She giggled at the face he made.

Cynder gently offered out a paw, asking silently for trust. And though the hatchling scrunched his face in confusion, he put his own paw on hers and nodded. She smiled at the size difference, his whole body could fit on one of her paws. She gently withdrew her paw, sat down, and coiled her tail up on to the desk and around the hatchling lightly, Spyro laughed quietly at her instincts. "Gale, you said you felt pain before passing out?" She asked gently.

He looked down in confusion, and nodded. "I-I have no clue why. My wounds are better. I've only felt drowsy… and maybe a little bit less hungry than usual…" He said sadly.

Cynder's ears perked up at that, and she lowered her head to eye level. "Wounds? Also, what have they been feeding you Gale?

Spyro nodded worried, "In fact, where did you fall asleep Gale?" They all listened eagerly.

He looked at them oddly, "I've been eating some pretty regular things…"

Gale shrugged, "I-I don't know why it matters… actually, why should…" he looked up and felt terrified to talk against them, but it was just a dream so he couldn't be hurt, "Why should I tell you this, especially where I am?"

The others looked at him in shock, but quickly they tried to think of reasons why, Cynder started, "We want to help you… we know you're scared and confused. But we brought you here and wanted to help."

Gale shook his head, "I-I need the guardians help… I'm not really special or anything, I-I can't help you guys with whatever... it is you need…"

They looked at him curiously, and Cynder attempted to reason with him. "We aren't trying to use you for anything little one."

Spyro nodded, "Yes, you aren't some sort of outer world hero that we need. I mean… well you could be in the future, if you'd like, and we would gladly support that!" He cleared his throat in awkwardness, Cynder tried not to laugh, Spyro never was confident in himself when speaking to hatchlings. "We are trying to make the best of your situation with you. It's definitely scary… But we've seen terror, and fear, we don't want you to go through… anymore of it than you already have. Please, little one." Cynder smiled proudly at her mate, and the hatchling blushed then nodded.

The hatchling seemed to reason with himself, then sighed, "A-Apparently my spirit is locked or something, I can't use crystals." The adults all looked around at each other, with seemingly no explanation.

Before anyone continued, the Golden dragoness had entered the room in shock, at the sight of the hatchling. At first, ecstatic to see him alive, "Y-You… brought me here." He said pointing at the golden one.

She looked embarrassed and regretful, "Y-Yes I did…"

Gale glared at her, making her wither uncomfortably under his eyes, "Y-You tried to kill me…" Gale said in disbelief.

They all cringed at his harsh words, and Fate shook her head, "I-I… I didn't mean to!... I…." she began crying, feeling the shame wash over her. "I only followed the contract, y-you signed it even."

Gale's anger flared, yet he still felt bad making her cry, "I read the contract before signing, nothing on it screamed death at me." The dragons retracted at his tone, regardless of the fact that it sounded like a child throwing a tantrum.

The rest of the dragons in the room attempted to stay out of it, but Cynder placed a light paw on Gale's back, "Gale it's alright. She didn't mean it, sometimes she just doesn't think about the consequences."

The golden dragoness looked away, ignoring the remark, and drew in a shaky breath, "At least… You aren't dead though…" she turned back to the hatchling with a hopeless smile, "That's good, right? You're still alive!"

Gale's face hadn't changed, and he gently shrugged the paw off him, "Not exactly."

Fate's face fell in confusion, "W-What… What do you mean?"

Spyro and Cynder looked very concerned, "Gale," Cynder started, "You're still alive, she hasn't killed you." The hatchling's face went through many emotions, making Cynder's heart ache at his conflict.

Gale backed away from all of them, looking at them with eyes that spoke more than his words, "Am I really? I-I can't prove that, I..." His face fell, and his whole body shuddered. He began crying again.

Cynder put her face up to his, "Shh… Did you die, and somehow come back, little one?" She asked shakily, fearing the answer.

Gale looked away, "Yes…" his voice shook as he remembered, "First they started with my tail, the skin… all of it. T-Than my wings…" he began shaking, "My arms, legs, horns, muzzle, then my throat. I can still feel the biting… The pain…" He started crying, and the Golden dragoness had had enough. She was absolutely horrified, and fell to the floor in shame as well.

The rest of them felt their hearts sink, Cynder carefully approached the hatchling, deciding to ignore his fears and bring him into a warm hug. She nuzzled him, "Shh… you're okay." She couldn't help but comfort him, her hatchling at home giving Cynder reminders to when she would get hurt.

Gale looked at Cynder questioningly, through his tears. And he couldn't help the warm feeling that overtook him. It reminded him of Rena when she would comfort him, and that was enough to calm him down. Gale Instinctively made a small purring sound, then blushed as Cynder cooed at him. She could see it now, he was just a small hatchling, just like her own little one, she almost resolved to call him hers right then and there. Just as the thought entered her mind she shook it out, this wasn't the time, he was in danger and that was what she needed her mind on.

Spyro attempted to comfort Fate, but she shied away, "I-I'm so sorry… Please forgive me. P-Please…"

Cynder set Gale down gently, and he nodded. Before looking at the golden dragoness, he came to a conclusion in his mind, "I forgive you." she looked up at him in surprise, but couldn't make eye contact.

The hatchling continued, "And Cynder is right, you didn't kill me. My own downfalls did... I'm kind of weak, and slightly pathetic… Blaming my death on someone else" he said in a matter of fact tone.

The golden dragoness couldn't believe it, he was taking full blame? And blaming himself? The horror on her face hadn't subsided, "Oh gods… I'm a monster…" she whispered to herself. She still couldn't work up the courage to speak to him, regardless of how much she wished to.

Cynder sighed, "Don't insult yourself!"

Sighing, the hatchling continued before she started again, "But that's why I've been getting help from others." He started, to their surprise. "I'm in the Ridgefrost mountains. In a snow leopard village." They all nodded eagerly, though the name Ridgefrost did worry them. As it was a very dangerous area for a hatchling of his species.

"I-I think I need to go now." Gale said.

They nodded, and Cynder smiled, "You're probably waking up, little one." She said, almost wishing she was there to see him wake up.

He carefully walked to the edge of the desk near Cynder, tilting his head, then smiling, "Thank you…" he blushed but bowed his head slightly.

She giggled and nodded, as he faded from the room, back to the real world. The other three looked a mixture of relieved and worried. And Cynder turned to Spyro, nuzzling into his neck. "It might just be the instincts, Spyro, but he reminded me so much of Kaali. I'd have thought they were siblings." She said, slightly with a laugh.

Spyro smiled and nodded, "You definitely looked taken with him. I haven't seen you gush like that since Kaali was born."

She looked embarrassed, "I was just comforting him, he was so sad and…" she sighed, then gave a small laugh, "Who am I kidding, I've completely fallen for that shyness of his"

He laughed, "That wasn't fast at all… was that four minutes? Five?" he teased, then chuckled, "We have to find him first." She nodded at him, determined more than ever.

Ignitus cleared his throat, catching their attention. "He probably will not remember anything that just happened, it's very rare for anyone to enter the celestial realm for their first time and not disregard it as a dream."

They both nodded, then Cynder laughed, "Guess we'll be meeting him more then once." She said as they began fading back to reality.

Ignitus looked to Fate worriedly, but he could visibly see the weight that had been lifted from her shoulders, the younger celestial began tearing up, "Thank the gods he's safe…"

Ignitus smiled at the younger celestial, and approached, wrapping his wing around her. She didn't object, and hugged closer into his side, "I-I'm not forgiven… b-but at least he's still alive to hate me." She cried.

Ignitus nuzzled the top of her head, "It's alright Fate, I doubt he hates you either."

Fate smiled and nuzzled back, "Thank you, Ignitus."

Right before I passed out I felt a jolt of energy pass through me, and it felt like I had literally been shocked through my soul. I woke up in this strange dreamscape, but somehow I knew that everything in it had been real, though it still felt like a fading dream in my head. The memory was now hazy, and I only really remembered those two… Spyro and Cynder was it?

I knew it wasn't a dream, but it still felt like waking up from a dream. I wasn't entirely convinced, but either way, I had more pressing concerns.

My eyes slowly opened to the sound of a slow methodical beep. It was quite darker in the room, but my eyes wandered to my sides. I looked to the left and noticed a heartbeat monitor looking thing, though it ran off of crystals. And right next to that was Rena, who was dozing off in a chair. I sat up, and could feel the pain I was still in. It wasn't physical pain on my body, my stomach was twisting and turning, and I grunted.

Rena jolted up, looking at me worried, "Gale? Gale, it's okay!" She stroked my mane and sat on the bed next to me. "What's wrong little one?"

I laughed a bit, "I should be asking you that, why am I here?"

"You passed out… but w-we don't know what's wrong. You look fine on the outside, other than your previous wounds." She stood up suddenly, "I'm going to get Teran, I'll be right back!" She rushed off.

I angrily thought to myself, I had no idea what was wrong. My stomach hurt as if I hadn't eaten a thing, but like ten times worse, yet I obviously had. I surveyed around me, and could see a few beds down, something that caught me by surprise. The brown snow leopard from earlier was sitting next to a bed, with a book opened halfway in his hands. The bed in front of him had the dragon from before in the alleyway. The leopard, noticing my gaze, glanced a look up and smiled warmly, "Meeting again so soon." He chuckled, "Small world."

The dragon in the bed below him stirred, then shot up with enough speed to make the leopard yell before falling over, off his stool. He groaned and looked up at the dragon, then he growled, "Just stay in your bed, you sprained your back left leg."

The black dragon merely glanced at him and huffed, "You're not my father, ak or untai."

The leopard stood up and dusted himself off, "And thank the gods for that." He said, annoyed. "Also, that sounded like an insult, don't insult me in a language I don't know."

The black dragon rolled his eyes at him before I groaned in pain once again, he looked over at me, his eyes seemingly light up with worry. He jumped off his bed, to the other leopard's annoyance, then approached mine before jumping onto it. "Warm one." He said with a smile, than a confused head tilt, "What's wrong, where is pain?"

"No no no…" the brown leopard said coming over, "Do not start harassing the other patients."

I groaned again, "Pain in stomach, I'm very hungry, but I've been eating?"

He sniffed me up and down, making me giggle, then he scrunched up his nose, confused. "No imprint? Only Kunmai…" he said more to himself than anything.

I tilted my head, and shook it, "What's your name? I'm Gale."

He looked worried but managed to puff his chest out and answer, "Kenra, nice to meet Kunmai, Gale."

I looked expectantly at the brown leopard, and he cleared his throat, "My apologies, I'm Jakan."

I nodded, "Nice to meet you."

The sound of the door opening alerted me to the two leopards who just walked in, seemingly arguing about something. Before they noticed we had all met each other. Rena was quick to approach, worried for me more than she cared for the other two here. And Teran approached curiously, "You shouldn't be moving, I know your healing is quicker with crystals but be careful." He said to Kenra.

Kenra merely waved him off, "Help him," he said pointing to me.

He nodded and turned to me, "Gale, how can I help you? What hurts?"

I sighed, explaining again the pain in my stomach like I hadn't eaten. After a minute of thinking, Teran paled, "Rena…" he began angrily, "I thought I asked you, if you knew how to care for a young dragon."

She recoiled, "I-I thought I did… I thought I was doing alright…"

He just sighed at her, "What have you fed him. Rena."

She looked awkward and unsure of herself now, "The same things I eat?"

Teran would've killed her if looks had power, and Kenra growled. Then Teran sighed, and returned to a more proper posture. "Rena, what do month old leopards need for nourishment?" He asked carefully.

Slowly dawning on her the problem that had arisen, she attempted to disappear into the nearby wall. She looked quite embarrassed, I had no idea what they were talking about. And I spoke up, "Hey don't be mad at her, I liked her food!"

Teran looked at me, "Gale, how old are you?"

I thought of the question again, "I guess… six months old? Something like that."

Ignoring my lack of confidence in that answer he began carefully, "Young dragons from the egg, need milk to survive, usually their mother's."

My eyes widened, that wasn't mentioned in my books… although the description of female dragons made more sense now… I blushed annoyed with the situation, I was even more of a nuisance than I thought I'd be... "That can't be it!" I looked around in mild panic. "Dragons come from eggs!" I said, more protesting the new knowledge, than stating anything factual.

Teran nodded, "Yes? Dragons are…" He seemed to pale at the idea of explaining it to me. "Dragons are first born into eggs, as a very undeveloped organism. Then when they hatch they need their mother."

Kenra nodded, "My species has no egg."

I was still baffled, as dragons to me were reptiles, so it made less sense. Teran continued, "You're thinking about regular reptiles, like snakes correct? While similar, there's many reasons why. It's a lot less trying on the mothers to fly, if their young are in eggs. Dragons are omnivores, so on the chance that there is a lack of food in the wild, their young don't die.

I stared blankly, I mostly understood but I had to get used to it. I was in another… world, or universe now. Teran looked like he was going to continue, but I groaned, "Enough with the science lesson, I'm in pain…" Kenra attempted to comfort me by sitting behind me and pulling me into a small hug.

Teran continued anyway, "That's why we have special milk in every single hospital, made specifically so we can feed younglings of any race with milk to help them get by. I can't imagine why Rena saw the milk formula and skipped over it…" he shook his head in disappointment.

Rena laughed nervously, "About that," She started, "I never actually… looked in the basket." She said quieter with every word.

Teran held his paw over his ear, "What was that? He said mockingly." She repeated herself again and Teran started clapping.

Rena looked mildly angry, "Why didn't you feed him? The first night he was here?"

He sighed, "I wasn't entirely sure how old he was yet, I expected you to do it that night. Just because you know what you're doing doesn't mean you can't make mistakes Rena, you would have cost him his life!"

"And maybe, I made the mistake of trusting that responsibility with you."

She cringed at the words and teared up, "I-I'm sorry Gale."

Teran shook his head again, "I'm going to go get some for the poor lad…"

I held my arms out, "Rena it's okay you didn't mean to." I said hopefully.

She shook her head, "That doesn't mean I shouldn't have known, I was too full of myself… I've never even seen a dragon of your type, and suddenly I think I can care for one…" she started crying.

Jakan placed a paw on her back, "I had no idea either, everyone makes mistakes, uh… Rena, was it?"

She sniffled and looked up, "It's Renallia, but Rena is easier," She said, giving a short smile.

Teran returned not long after with a regular looking bottle with milk I assumed. "Here, this should make you feel much better."

It was way too big for me to hold, so he handed it off to Rena who still looked overly guilty about it. "Now I have some things to attend to, don't forget to actually feed him, Rena." Teran said, to which she sighed at. As he walked out of the room once again.

Not even a few seconds later Kenra jumped up from the bed and snatched the milk from Rena's paws with his maw. Rena looked at him in shock and he just snorted, "None of you know how to take care of Kunmai, I do." He said confidently.

I found Kenra to be a strange dragon, he obviously wasn't a native speaker of whatever language I knew, and the leopards knew. I liked him, however, and allowed him to help me. He picked me up gently with his left paw, as he sat on his haunches and offered the bottle to me with his right one. I felt really out of place and embarrassed, but who could really blame me. Though the pain of hunger could not be dealt with any longer and I began to drink. Kenra smiled down at me and it made me feel warm, his fur was soft and his smile was soft, I felt drowsy nearly instantly. "Rest if you want Kunmai," he said gently. And I took the offer and mildly dozed off.

The leopards looked at the dragon with curiosity, he seemed to be a rather mischievous dragon normally. But with Gale in his arms he looked very sweet and caring. The brown leopard, attempting not to speak too loudly, looked at him oddly, "Why don't you act like this normally…"

Kenra glanced at him questioningly, "You are pest, Kunmai is kin, you figure out." Kenra smirked, obviously joking with him. The leopard didn't even look insulted, he just sighed with annoyance.

Rena was quite happy to see Gale's pain erased, but the cause of the pain still hurt her. A few minutes passed, and she smiled at Kenra who was holding him so gently, "You're very good with hatchlings. And you're young yourself." She said.

Kenra smiled faintly at her before looking back down at Gale, "I may be young… But watch hatchlings much in village." Gale finished the bottle, and Kenra gently removed it from his maw, giggling at how he seemed confused. But unlike hatchlings he usually helped, Gale didn't start crying, or need any substitute to help him relax. Instead he nearly nestled into Kenra's chest fur.

Rena thought her heart would melt at the sight, and she wondered, "Why are you in our little town then?"

Kenra's face fell, and Rena knew she had hit a topic that upset him, "I'm sorry… you don't have to answer or anyth-" he held up his paw.

"It's okay, still hurts." He sighed, "I… have no home now."

Rena seemed curious by what he meant, but was unable to ask, instead looking to the brown leopard, who nodded. But he continued anyway after a bit, "I run, parents hurt me."

Rena looked shocked, and Jakan nodded, "He happened across me, I'm a bit of a trader, I go from village to village. Though he doesn't like my help, I'm generous so I did anyway." Kenra was brought out of his thoughts by a paw tapping his chest, and when he looked down to Gale, his muzzle was wrapped in a hug.

I started hugging him, even though his muzzle alone was as big as my upper half. I could barely wrap my arms around his muzzle, I was about one fifth the size of him in total, yet I rested my head against his nose. "You're not alone," I told him. His expression was a range of emotions.

"My parents are gone… but… I still have Rena! And Teran, and…" I attempted to think of more. Slowly, he started smiling, then he brought his other paw over to wrap me in a hug. And I felt a tear of two fall from his eyes.

"And you." I said, "You're my friend." Somehow, his hug got even tighter, but not too tight. And I felt him nuzzle the top of my head.

Rena smiled at us, looking like she was nearly about to burst, "Maybe it's not a coincidence you two are here."

We both looked at her curiously and she laughed, Jakan nodded, then added, "Home is who you're with, not where you are."

Ignoring our confused faces the two leopards laughed, and then Jakan yawned, "Though home can also be where you sleep. I need to get moving." He turned to Kenra, "I'll be in town a few more days trading, you know where to find me."

We waved goodbye, and as Jakan left Teran passed him entering the ward. He approached and smiled, "Sorry about that. Now, Kenra, let me inspect that leg again." He groaned, but nodded as he gently set me to the side. Teran gave one final nod, and a whistle, "Well! That's completely healed. Crystals on dragon's sure are amazing… You're good to leave." Kenra smiled at that.

Then he turned to Rena, and she shied away from his gaze, he analyzed her for a minute, "You're free to leave with Gale."

She looked back at him with shock, "A-Already? Don't you think he should be with someone more… responsible?" She was in disbelief.

Teran sighed, "I'm sure you won't make the same mistake again, seeing how much it's hurt you. Besides, you've taken care of his wounds much better than even I expected. Just don't forget again, okay? Three times a day or so, Gale will let you know I'm sure." I nodded excitedly.

Teran began walking away, with a farewell. And I looked up to Rena happily, "Go home?" I asked.

She nodded, "Let us do so," she said with a fake fancy accent, and started giggling.

I turned my head over to Kenra, who looked happy for us, but also sad. "With Kenra!" I added.

He looked up curiously, then tilted his head. "Huh?"

I rolled my eyes and approached him on the bed, putting both my paws against one of his front legs, "Kenra do you want to come with us? To Rena's house?"

He smiled shyly, surprisingly, then looked to Rena for approval. She smiled, "If I collect any more dragons, people might start talking…" she said jokingly.

However, the joke didn't seem to catch on Kenra, and he looked sad again, before Rena realized his non-native understanding and tried to correct herself. "Of course he can! I love house guests, he can stay as long as he'd like too."

"Stay with Kunmai?" He asked with surprise. Then looked excited as she nodded again.

"We should get going before it's too dark, hmm?" Rena said.

We both nodded, and before I could jump off the bed to follow after her Kenra grabbed me with his paw, I looked back confused and he raised an eyebrow, "Your leg?"

I smiled sheepishly remembering my bandaged leg, which I still needed to be careful on. "Oh…"

He almost seemed to roll his eyes, as he placed me on top of his back, "Maybe think before act." He said with a smile.

I hummed a response and laid down on my stomach to get a better grip around his neck. Rena smiled at us, "Ready?" And with us both nodding we headed back.