Hey guys! I actually updated pretty fast this time! (by my standards okay)

I've been getting a lot of support from you guys, thanks so much. I got on to post this chapter and saw how man follows/favs I had and literally sat it awe for a moment. Getting an email or two every week or so doesn't put into perspective how many are actively supporting me, it's insane. And yeah I know, some fanfics get hundreds or thousands of them, but that doesn't matter to me, I write these stories for enjoyment, so knowing that even 1 or 2 people are reading it and liking it would already be enough. but 59 followers? My god lol.

Duskendragon: Thanks so much for the review, I'm glad you like it! It's good to know my dialogue is good, I do feel like I mess up a lot on just about everything outside of the dialogue... But I also feel I'm getting better!

Thanks Setech, and Obiben. Your reviews are always appreciated!

Chapter 14

"Gale Decides"

I felt everything slow down as I saw Solte become impaled in my place. I hit the ground with a thud, and pain radiated my body, but I shook it off as I felt my body ache where I was still injured, I quickly rose back to my feet. I heard the professor roar in agony for a brief moment. "Solte!" I yelled loudly.

He was bleeding profusely, grasping at the shard embedded in his chest and breaking it off. He began desperately thrashing about, yet even still in his pain he was careful not to hit me with his wild swings. Until after a few moments he collapsed, and his breathing was heavy, he looked up and bellowed at the monster who'd done it, "You're a demon!"

Elich shrugged, a smug aura about him, "Don't stick your muzzle where it isn't wanted next time."

Solte looked like he was having a hard time breathing, I ran over, the shock of it all wearing off, running towards his face and placing my front two paws on his nose. He seemed to be losing himself to the blood loss, don't tell me I've finally done it, finally gotten someone killed… And all because of me… "Solte, Solte!"

Solte's eyes opened abruptly and he shoved me off of his snout, a bit of panic in him, "No! You should've ran! Go, run!"

I shook my head angrily at myself, "No, this is my fault! It's always my fault! I don't want to run!"

He growled at me, "Don't be stupid hatchling… Your parents, go to them."

I shook my head, "I won't! If anyone deserves to die it's me!" Solte's eyes shined with fear when I said that.

I turned and saw Elich seemingly drinking up the scene, like it was a dramatic TV show to him. Then he nodded, "Oh, that's my queue!" He faked a cough to get his voice ready, "You couldn't have left anyway, what exactly do you think is the extent of my magic?"

I rolled my eyes at this guy, he was still just as annoying as last time. And his acting had become even worse, after all, why was he even here? I stood my ground in front of Solte, and gave my best display of annoyance and anger, "What do you want from me?! I'm just trying to live my life a little bit dude." I said with exasperation.

He nodded, "Well after poisoning me, and just barely scraping by, my King gave me a new mission!"

Solte grunted as he coughed some words out, along with blood concerningly, "And what… KING… would dare let some…" he coughed loudly, and growled before continuing, "Demon carry out his will?"

Elich shook his head, "Oh no my friend, you've got it all wrong!" He said approaching casually, "My king is quite used to demons," he said standing over me, still guarding Solte's head.

Elich brought his boot back and came in with it from my left side, knocking me against the wall, and taking my breath. "After all, there are still the two demons working for those guardians," He continued.

My body now ached like no other, but I watched as Solte rose to his feet and roared in the tiger's face with hatred, "If you are speaking of my good friend's Spyro and Cynder, then I need not care if I take you out."

Elich crossed his arms, and merely looked at his wound, then back up to his face with a raised eyebrow, before Solte took a step forward, snarling and growling his words out. "And trying to kidnap or kill those two's HATCHLING, is surely the stupidest idea I've ever heard!"

"Wait," Elich said abruptly, lowering his crossed arms, and looking over towards me, "They adopted the little-…"

Solte wouldn't let him continue, as some force rammed into the side of his head, leaving a deep laceration. Elich had managed to block some of it. The tiger now looked enraged as blood spilled down the side of his head, and hunched downwards in a fighting stance. But Solte was equally enraged, and quite literally dying, so his adrenaline was probably making him into a monstrous force. "Wrong answ-.."

Solte rampaged forward and swung his tail towards his head, making him cut the sentence short to duck under the swing, "The best answers are your actions!" The professor yelled back, pulling his tail out of the crater in the wall he made.

Elich began using the weird magic spikes again, they reminded me of icicles, and I saw Solte glance at me from his side. I was still winded and trying to recover myself, but I'd have no way to dodge if he aimed for me. Solte seemed to realize this and jumped backwards with a gust of his wings, the wind coming off of them seemingly a lot more powerful than I expected. He picked me up in his maw, and turned back to face him again.

Elich looked at us in bewilderment, then began cackling wildly, he sounded completely insane, "So you're using that thing as a shield now?!" He said pointing at me and covering his face in a fit of laughter, "You really… wanna die that bad?" He said degradingly. Solte made no movement, or reply, I looked at his face and all I saw was a bit of disgust. I knew that he wasn't trying to use me as a shield, but instead was throwing his life away for mine. Something I've been getting all too familiar with.

Elich came down from his fit of laughter, seemingly uninterested in whether we gave any reaction to him or not. "Nevermind that, I'll do it, since you asked so nicely." He waved his paw forward as if conducting the power in an orchestra. And a red shard popped up and shot towards us.

I clenched my eyes shut, and felt Solte brace for impact, putting himself before me. But I heard a loud crash and a shattering sound, but felt nothing. And as I opened my eyes a familiar light blue aura surrounded both me and the professor. And Elich looked stunned, standing slack jawed in awe that it hadn't worked, but he quickly shook his head and sent multiple crystals forward, which were all seemingly slashed to pieces by the air itself. The light blue aura was sending razor-like wind out at approaching attacks and instantly nullifying them. Was this me? I've seen the light blue aura before but… now that my magic has been unlocked… maybe…

Solte hummed amused, before putting me on his back and smirking at me, almost without words I could see him asking for my assistance, so I nodded. He turned back around and took a combative stance, fumbling a bit as he coughed up some more blood. At this point the raging tiger was becoming frustrated, and began grunting as he threw wave after wave of the red crystals, but there was no shortage of protection.

Finally he grunted, "What is this you dumb runt? You did this to me last time!" He growled, "Take it down, or I'll hunt every last one of your little friends!"

Solte lunged forward with me holding firmly to his back, the aura still surrounding and following us both. Solte began throwing out very similar razors to the ones my aura was making, but they were much bigger, and were a white color, my eyes widened. Elich similarly began to go wild, deciding to get in close to us past the barrier, though his crystals didn't work, his claws would when imbued with that same dark energy he seemed to be using. He began slashing wildly, and Solte sidestepped and almost seemed to float around the guy with the moves he was making to avoid his strikes.

Elich ducked and dived through every attack sent his way, landing a couple of quick slashes on Solte, but not grave enough to stop him. Until Solte had enough of his up close fighting style and with a quick beat of his wings sent the tiger flying, and hitting the wall. I stared in awe at the power of it, wondering how a single flap of his wings had done it. And then I began to wonder, Solte's attacks seemed to be almost part of the air around us earlier, every time he strikes it reminds me of… the wind…

Almost comically timed to my thought process, I watched Solte turn around and begin swirling his tail in a circular motion, and it began making a tornado or vortex that pulled Elich back over so that Solte could quickly turn and give a solid claw swipe to his face, and sent him flying back at the wall with his wings again. This time cracking the wall, and leaving a noticeable impact.

I smiled widely in fascination at how cool that was, and looked around his shoulder at his face, "Your element is wind?!" I asked in excitement.

He turned and smirked at me with pride, before focusing his attention back on the tiger. I would have to wait for my answers, after all, Elich was getting back up and he did NOT look happy.

Norruth, Spyro, and Cynder barely kept up with the dark furred dragonling as he continued running down the halls, Cynder calling out worriedly, "Kenra, slow down! Wait for us!" She pleaded. But he didn't bother to listen.

Until finally Kenra stopped, and stood in confusion. The three adults catching up and looking around confused, Cynder leaned down, putting her paw on his shoulder and scolded him, "Kenra, you can't just run off like that!"

Spyro nodded, "We've already got one lost, we don't need another-"

"Shh!" Kenra shushed them suddenly, them both going quiet.

Now that they were listening, they all heard a deep low humming noise, and above that, the faint sounds of combat. The confusing part was that it was all around them, and not in any specific direction.

Norruth mumbled, "What is this…"

"He here, but I not see him!" Kenra said, frustratedly.

"Who?" Spyro asked, fearing an answer.

"Gale, duh!" Kenra said angrily, "Kunmai, little brother, I know he here. I can't get him!" He said, beginning to breathe heavier.

Cynder leaned down and rubbed his back, initially garnering a flinch, but he relaxed into it. "Calm down sweetie, we're here to help. We just… have to figure it out."

"Any ideas?" Norruth asked Spyro with a raised eyebrow.

Spyro hummed, inspecting the walls, ceiling, and floors. While the others looked at him expectantly, he looked back up at them, and shrugged, "Um, maybe it's an illusion?" They all groaned at his response.

Cynder suddenly widened her eyes and felt a chill go down her spine, and she became alert, inspecting the room herself. "I've… never really tried it… but back when I was more, um, you know…" she said, avoiding every word she could with Kenra nearby. "He… he… taught me how to use a power that would create an infinite room of sorts, separate from the real one."

Spyro came over worriedly, "Are you sure? Are you saying someone is using power like… that?"

She nodded, "I felt an old familiar chill, of the horrible energy that power gives. It had to be, which means Gale is in trouble!" She said suddenly becoming wide eyed and nearly panicked.

Norruth asked, "Well, then how do we enter it? Or is there a way to destroy it?"

Cynder nodded, "I could… create a way in. But it would be using th-… those powers." Cynder seemed to be staring off Into the distance, a fear in her eyes. And Spyro shook his head, Cynder shook herself out of the gaze, "No no! I'll do it, let me just-"

"Cynder, no." Spyro said shortly.

Cynder became overwhelmed, a feeling of uselessness and also fear in her, not wanting to use the power but wanting to save the hatchling she had come to love, "Spyro I have to!"

"I'm not losing you to that again, never again." Spyro said.

She looked frantically around herself, "It's okay, really! Let me-"

"No Cynder, you will not!" He commanded her.

Cynder recoiled at his tone, even knowing it was in his worry for her, "I have to!"

Spyro growled, "If what Norruth said is true, he has a chance Cynder, he has Solte. But you will not be using that power ever again!"

Cynder stomped her paws forward, a sudden look of anger and determination, "I am not losing my hatchling again Spyro!" She yelled. "Since when did you assume I cared more for myself? I don't care if I were to die, knowing my little one is safe is all that matters to me!"

Spyro stared in shock, "B-But-"

"No! No buts! I spent my life before meeting you being selfish, only thinking of myself. And now that my hatchling is in danger I'm not going back to doing that! Not with the ones I love!" She said.

"Guys," Norruth said, trying to interject awkwardly.

Spyro sighed, "I guess… I guess I'm the one being selfish here but… there has to be another way!"

"Guys…" Norruth said annoyed.

"Spyro…" Cynder started sadly. "I just-"

"Hey!" Kenra yelled louder than any had ever heard him speak. Gaining all three of their attention. "We act quick, or not ever. Before Kunmai dead!" He said simply.

Norruth came over to the couple, "What Cynder was saying did ring a bell to me. I think I've heard the guardians discussing it one time, that power in particular. Something about how to deal with it if a guardian were to be trapped in war or something."

"How?!" Cynder asked quickly. The other two looked intrigued.

Norruth hummed, "Well, ironically, that's probably where he comes in." He said pointing to Kenra.

"Me?" Kenra said in confusion, as the other two also looked dumbfounded.

Norruth nodded, "How good are you at getting kidnapped?"

Elich was grumbling now, shaking his head in annoyance, "Incessant bloody arguing, those two out there." He said with a growl. "Agh!" He yelled angrily.

Arguing? What was he talking about?

Just as I was becoming more confident that me and Solte could do this, I felt him collapse under me, falling to only two legs keeping him up. Solte's blood loss and pain was catching up to him, and I was suddenly scared again. Elich seemed delighted by this fact, and took an aggressive stance. Solte continued sending out more razors, but his speed and all was definitely dwindling. "Gale," he said.

I looked down at him in question, and he smirked up at me, "I'm trying to… hold on as long as I can, but… it might be up to you…" he ended.

I shook my head quickly, "No! You'll be fine!"

He nodded, "Even if I was, I'm running out of energy. I can't attack forever, but you… you could-" he said whilst keeping Elich at bay with his attacks still.

"I can't fight! I don't know how, I-I don't even have my element yet!" I said in panic.

He looked around us, and raised an eyebrow, "Seems to be working fine to me."

"W-What?" I was confused.

He chuckled, "There's a reason I could sense your presence so easily in my classroom, and sense your feelings. We're the same." He said with a grunt of pain, then chuckled, "Well… maybe not the exact same."

I looked at him in confusion still, then a sudden realization came over me, "My… element? Are you saying it's wind, like yours?"

He nodded, "Your wind feels strong, stronger than mine was years ago. You can do it."

No way, I had an element already, and it was wind? There had to be some mistake here, some sort of misunderstanding right? I wasn't the one controlling the light blue aura. Though now that I think about it, it does kind of look like a bubble of wind… "My… wind?" I said slowly.

After that, I could see Solte starting to slow down, and his breathing was becoming labored. Until all of his attacks had stopped, and he laid there, breathing heavily. Elich laughed, "Finally, the hypocrite falls to the ground! Took him long enough, I mean, did you see that crystal I stabbed him with, ha!"

I glared at him, and he feigned a sad face, "Aww, is the wittle dragon's protector done for? How sad…" he said, walking towards us slowly.

Alright focus… I can do this, I mean… I'm already making a barrier somehow right? So what if I just decide I want to attack this guy instead of protecting myself? Well, maybe I'll continue protecting myself as well… Quickly concentrating on that thought, my bubble began throwing out wind razors sporadically, yet much slower than Solte had been.

He huffed as he dodged one barely out of surprise, "Little runt still has a bit of a bite left in him I see."

He hunched over, and lunged towards me like I'd expect a cat to do. But I jumped backwards, having to leave Solte behind as he clung to his life. I just barely narrowly dodged Elich's attacks, gaining a few cuts from some close calls. He finally got close enough even inside my bubble, to yank my bandaged tail, and pull me back towards him. Sudden fear washed over me as I remembered my night with the wolves so long ago, when I died, especially since I felt an aching pain from the still I healed wounds.

But before he could do anything, he backed off and grunted in annoyance, holding his head as if he was in pain, "What in the…" he muttered.

"Stop, you annoying brat!" He yelled, paying me no mind at the moment and closing his eyes. I was pretty confused, I had no idea what his intentions were.

"Fine, have it your way then!" He suddenly yelled,

I watched cautiously as the tiger made some sort of tear in the air, that led back to the same… place we were in now? He reached his arm through, grabbing and yanking at it until it appeared, it was a furred dark black dragonling. "Kenra!?" I yelled, concerned.

"Kunmai!" He said quickly, stopping his feigning of weakness and wrestling out of the tiger's grasp, biting his arm on the way.

"Ow!" He yelped, "Not you again!" Elich said, probably remembering the first time he kidnapped me.

Kenra ran over to me, cautiously entering my wind bubble, sniffing and rubbing his furred head over and under mine in concern. "You okay? Smell blood?" He asked, pulling up my arms and legs looking for wounds.

I smiled widely at him being here, giving him a few nuzzles but shaking him off from inspecting me, "How did you find us?"

He licked my muzzle on the top, "I sense you here, but you in different realm… like hidden room." He pointed back where he came from, the tear in reality not disappearing as Elich struggled repeatedly to close it as it would seem.

Kenra scrunched his muzzle and growled, "I smell same as before, same fool who take last time?" I nodded and Kenra put me behind himself, looking fiercely at the opponent. Glancing to the side at the downed yet still breathing Solte, "Him?" He asked.

I nudged him, "He protected me, put me before himself. I owe him my life." Kenra nodded.

"Why won't this damned thing close?!" Elich shouted, catching our attention.

We could hear the voices pouring in from outside, Spyro's first, "Little one's it'll be a few minutes before we can pry it open! Kenra is he alright?"

"Yes!" Kenra shouted back.

"Stop this, you are not getting in! Not before I kill them anyway!" Elich said getting ready to fight again.

"That voice… I knew I should've killed you!" Cynder's voice shouted through the rift, I could hear the rage emanating from her voice, the hatred, "Touch my hatchlings, I dare you." She nearly commanded him.

I swear I almost saw a shiver go down his spine, but he recovered quickly. Continuing his approach, and using the crystals once again. "Hatchlings!" Some voice I didn't recognize came through, "If you can, make your way back out! Otherwise it'll be awhile before we can come in!"

My eyes widened in fear, "I'm not leaving Solte behind!" I yelled back.

"Is he injured?" The voice asked again.

"Yes, he's very injured!" I yelled.

I could nearly hear Cynder sigh with unease through the rift, "You'll be okay, I promise!" I hadn't expected that, I thought she would scold me. Maybe she knew that it wouldn't work either way… I wasn't leaving him behind.

"Oh no, I am DONE with this PARADE!" Elich shouted enraged, "I'm done playing!"

The spikes began coming towards us, and my aura continued defending the attacks, Kenra was noticeably impressed, looking at it with awe. But the crystals were much stronger and came at us way faster than before. I could barely keep up, the wind slashes only went out if I would focus on the incoming attack. Or if I had a feeling, or heard it. I really wasn't sure exactly how I was doing it, I just unlocked my abilities. But I couldn't let the crystals get through. Otherwise… I didn't want to know.

Elich attempted to approach the barrier, but Kenra growled loudly, eyes dilating and his claws seemingly got sharper. The tiger scoffed and waved his claws mockingly, as if to say he was better. Though Kenra was smart, he didn't dare leave the barrier, but the moment Elich would try to enter, that would be his undoing. Maybe…

Kenra snarled as the tiger continued to speed up with his crystal attacks. I had no idea what this power was, but Solte called it some sort of "dark energy". So I had no idea if it had a limit or not, but I was quickly realizing that I had a limit, oh yes I did. I was approaching a feeling similar to exhaustion after a workout, but instead of my muscles, it was some deep pit in the center of your body, like an empty stomach mixed with heartburn… nevertheless I was able to keep up for now.

Elich yawned exaggeratedly and fanned his mouth, "Your friend looks to be getting a bit tired. I could go all day if needed." He said with a shrug.

"Same to you," Kenra said with a cocky glare.

The place we were in began to rumble a bit, and I looked around. The hallway was becoming distorted, and pieces began to disappear or fall away. The opening to the rift had widened and I could see through it now, Spyro, Cynder, and some other dragon. But they also seemed surprised as they could see through now as well, "Gale, Kenra!" Cynder shouted worriedly.

I wanted to say something but, Elich was growing much more aggressive and filled with adrenaline, realizing his time was dwindling. I began putting every little bit of energy into my power. But the exhaustion was getting to me. Spyro and Cynder gaped in awe from the other side of the rift, they began speaking to each other but I couldn't hear them. Spyro must've noticed my exhaustion, and began yelling to me, "Good job buddy! We're so proud of you, come on you can keep this up, just a bit longer!"

That gave me a much needed confidence booster, and I could feel some more energy return to me. Kenra was so occupied just keeping Elich out of my bubble. But after another minute of back and forth, the tiger had managed to grab Kenra, throwing him to the other side of the room where he hit a wall. "Kenra!" I screamed. I heard the adults gasp from outside, and Cynder yelled some obscenities that I hadn't heard before. The rift was bigger than before, but still not enough for a grown dragon.

"That's not nearly enough," Elich sneared, snapping his fingers and looking towards my big brother. I could hear and feel the energy that he was producing, he was gonna attack him while he was down! Something in me switched at that knowledge, and the bubble around me dissipated. Elich turned in surprise and laughed, "Trying to join him in the afterlife?" He continued laughing.

I felt my body tense up, and my anger heightened unreasonably. I could almost hear his laughter die off nervously as he looked down at me, taking a step back. I felt a pull of energy, and an idea came to my mind. So I began to pull, imagining that I was pulling the air from inside Elich. Soon enough I realized it was working, he began grasping at his throat, attempting to breathe but I was taking all air from his lungs. I snarled at him, it was working, but it put him into a fighting response as he began to swing wildly. I realized rather quickly that I couldn't keep up such a heavy concentration of magic like that if I was under pressure of attack, which meant that he was getting breaths every dozen seconds or so. But that was still good, it meant he had to focus on me and nobody else.

Every time he got too close, I would imagine him being pushed away, and the wind would do so for me. Then I would concentrate on suffocating him. Until he got close and I repeated the process. I felt dirty for this, trying to choke someone to death, but it was either him, or my family and friends. Spyro and Cynder were cheering for me, telling me I could do it, was it out of fear or actual belief? I had no clue.

Elich must've been done. He stopped trying to approach, and just stared at me, a wild look in his eyes. I began laughing at him now, "Can't kill a hatchling! Look at you now!" I yelled angrily, laughing again. His expression of hatred deepened, and his eyes darkened. "What's wrong, cat got your tongue?" I asked stocking my tongue out. Growing oddly nervous by his look.

Spyro yelled, "Don't let your guard down!" Turning to Spyro for a split second, I saw him smirking, and he gave me a wink.

I realized what his plan was, and heard the sound of his crystals forming from beside me, and though nervous as to whether it would work, shouted back to the tiger. "Yeah creep, don't let your guard down! I decide my own fate! Not your dumb 'king'" He stared oddly at me for half a second before a cracking sound was heard and he yelled, falling forward. The sound of his crystals charging disappearing.

Kenra stared back at me triumphantly from atop the tigers back, having rammed and headbutted him full force from behind. Before hopping off and running towards me, "Nice! I got a bit nervous though." I admitted.

He nuzzled me under and over again and again, "I never mess up saving you." He said relieved. I giggled a bit at that.

I repeated the action of putting the bubble around us, the strain was noticeable but I could keep it up for a bit longer. Elich stood up, noticing that he was back to square one, and was injured as Kenra must've hit something very hard in his back. He became absolutely enraged, and released a guttural cry of anger. "I will kill you both! And then you'll answer to my king afterwards!" He yelled whilst stumbling around.

Before he managed to do anything, his tail was grabbed. The look of confusion and shock on his face as he turned around, and realized the rift was large enough for Spyro to grip his tail. He gaped horrified as Spyro put on a rather terrifying face, "Cat got your tail?"

At once Spyro yanked him harshly through the rift, and the entire place we were in began to rumble, it started crumbling and falling away into a void. And then we were all thrown back out into I guess the real world. Elich was being very harshly interrogated by Spyro and the other large dragon I didn't know, and I turned away because they were not holding back their hatred physically. Cynder looked over at me and Kenra in a mix of relief, and what seemed like shock. Probably unsure of what to do.

I suddenly remembered and gasped as Kenra nudged me in confusion, I turned to him and merely said, "Solte!" I ran over to Solte, coming up to his face first of all, "Solte? Solte!" I yelled, releasing a few tears.

I gained no response for what felt like ages, as I nudged his face and tried to wake him, "Solte..?" I said slowly.

Finally he grunted, coughing a bit and slowly opening one eye, "I'm still here little one…"

I smiled brightly and nuzzled his face, "Thank you," I said over and over again, I began crying more, "This is all my fault! I'm so sorry!"

He hummed back, "Nonsense, you… saved me…" he forced out.

I looked up and around, to try and get him help. Kenra was standing a few feet behind me, with a solemn expression. Just then, all four of the guardians came into the hall, "What is all of this?" Terrador asked loudly. Looking around at Spyro and the other one yelling at a tiger, a nearly dead Solte, with two bloodied and bruised hatchlings talking to him. "Get Solte into the medical ward, immediately, Volteer go get help!" He commanded, I watched Volteer shoot off, probably to gain help.

"Cynder?" Terrador asked slowly, she had just been staring at me and Kenra in shock, and she came back to herself when he talked, stuttering on her words. "Y-Yes..? Yes."

"What's going on my dear," he asked sympathetically.

She seemed almost confused herself, "The… Tiger, he took Gale and Solte into an infinite replica. And…" she stopped herself. "We managed to figure it out, and opened a rift to send… Kenra through."

"Infinite replica? You sent Kenra in as backup?" He parroted in disbelief, "Someone is using such magic again…" she nodded slowly.

"Are the two hatchlings alright? Did Solte defend them well?" Terrador asked slowly.

Suddenly their conversation was interrupted by me, as I yelled out in frustration, my wind orb returning, I sent out a large gust of wind straight into the wall. It sliced straight through and I stood there breathing heavily. "Of course, it's always something to do with me!" I yelled. I realized what I just did, looking around and noticing everyone's eyes were on me.

Cynder's face slowly fell into a heart broken one as Terrador whispered something in her ear, and she began to approach me, she was slow in her actions. The guardians went over and restrained Elich as Spyro came over to Cynder's side. I ran, again.

I always run…

I wouldn't have to run if I was just normal…

Why is being normal so hard..?

Kenra followed close behind me, "Kunmai, stop!" That was fine. But Spyro and Cynder also followed, and I definitely couldn't outrun them.

I was quite far down the hallway when I stopped abruptly and turned around, "Go away!"

Kenra stopped in front of me and tried to comfort me, "Gale… your hurt…" but I pushed him off.

Spyro and Cynder stopped too, Cynder lowered her head suddenly, "I'm sorry!" She said, kneeling down closer to the floor.

"Wha-… huh?" I expressed my confusion.

She looked back up and her eyes were welled up with tears, "I'm sorry Gale… All of this could've been avoided if I wasn't just such a selfish dragoness."

Okay… is she apologizing for… what is she apologizing for? "Sorry for what?" I said with great confusion.

"For not loving you like I should've…" She answered.

I groaned a little and averted my eyes, "Cynder… I told you-"

"No, let me finish." She interrupted, I closed my mouth and hummed, sitting down and finally looking up at her. "I was being selfish, and not thinking or listening to you. Gale…"

She laid down and looked directly into my eyes, and I looked away shyly, "Hey, sweetie, look at me." She put a paw on my cheek and turned my head, "Nobody is angry, or upset at you for running away. Nobody is angry or upset that you got into that fight, and it certainly isn't your fault that Solte got hurt, okay?" I didn't want to say no, that I felt like she was wrong, especially about Solte ending up hurt… but I felt I had to nod anyway.

Spyro leaned down, "In fact, we're super proud of you."

"So proud!" Cynder said with a giggle, "You fought that creep off with your element, do you know how special that is for your age?" I blushed and shrugged nonchalantly, the dragon equivalent of a flustered blush appearing on my face.

"Gale, you mean a lot to us, so much. And we don't want to force you, or make you feel uncomfortable, and we definitely don't want to make you feel like you have no choice in the matter." Where was she going with this..?

"But we," she said, sitting up and leaning into Spyro's side, "Want you in our family, because we love you, both of you."

Spyro chuckled, "Yes we do, you and your big brother equally."

My first thought was there was no way they just said that… But then, everything Solte said to me rushed into my head. And I looked up at them, they were smiling rather sincerely, but both looked extremely anxious. Especially Cynder, who seemed absolutely hopeful beyond a doubt. Kenra was equally confused as I was, but he shrugged and looked at me for my answer, he would follow me no matter what I chose… I couldn't… well, I guess I didn't understand them. This was the first time I felt like they understood me, the first time they've actually been… ready to invite me into their home. But how could they still be interested after everything I'd done?

"I-.." I started slowly, a disgruntled feeling of worthlessness overcoming me, "Why?" I asked sorrowfully.

Cynder seemed to become worried, nervously laughing, "Well, you know. You're both smart, cute-"

"No-" I interrupted her, "Why do you still care, after everything I've said and done to get you two to leave me alone… I would hate me, if I were you guys." They both looked shocked by that, opening their mouths, but I continued before they could speak.

"And I feel super bad making everyone drop everything to find me, even though I've treated you guys like… like-" for some reason I just began tearing up at that.

Cynder cooed comfortingly, "No, no…Gale…" she leaned down and tried to get me to look at her again, but I wouldn't.

"Is that even possible? You're not playing with me right? My parents told me they loved me and… and…" I cried more, curling in on myself in a ball on the floor. "I don't know if I could take more confusion and lying…"

"Shh, Shh." Cynder said leaning down and nuzzling my back, "It's okay honey. I promise, we mean every little bit of the words when we say them, we actually love you. And we absolutely do not hate you for anything!"

I felt Kenra nuzzle into my back comfortingly, "Gale I understand how feel. But… These two, they good, mean well, listen?" I acknowledged him with a small sigh.

Cynder nodded, and tried looking at my face, "There are so many here that care about you, I promise."

"But my… my parents… " I started.

Spyro interrupted me, leaning down from my other side, "Gale, the things they said are horribly misguided and awful. They lost themselves to their own grief, and became different people because of it. Just because you were from their blood, it doesn't make you family with those two anymore."

I slowly uncovered my face with my paws, "But I just… I didn't do a-anything wrong to make them stop loving me. Won't you two just do the same? There has to be something wrong with me… right?"

Spyro leaned down and sighed sadly, as both him and Cynder expressed disagreement, both telling me no over and over. Until Cynder licked the top of my head, "But…" I said, beginning to let some tears out while looking at the two in so much confusion, "That would mean that they did all those things to me even though I didn't deserve it?" Tears streamed down my face.

Cynder's expression of pity and love passed through me, as she laid down to look at me straight in my eyes, "We wouldn't have done all of this if we didn't care, we want you because you're you. And hey, if there was something wrong with you, that would just make you one of us."

I looked up in disbelief, "You two actually still want me? You-… you won't start hating me? And st-start hitting me a-and-" I said through hiccups and tears.

"Of course not." Spyro said quickly.

I could see in Cynder's eyes that she was absolutely devastated by my emotions, but she still showed so much worry and care. She picked me up in her forearms and held me to her crest, she wiped my tears off with her paw, "Never ever!"

I stayed quiet for a long time, just crying my eyes out, and none of them had gotten annoyed or left me yet. "I'm… I'm sorry." I said quietly into Cynder's crest.

She shushed me, "There's nothing to apologize for little one…"

I looked between her and Spyro again, "I… I'll stay with you… I don't want to have to go." As I said that I clinged to Cynder's paw almost desperately. She reciprocated with a tight grip.

Spyro nodded, "And that's completely fine. You can stay as long as you like." He chuckled, "Even if that's forever."

Cynder nuzzled me, and this time I felt like I could feel the entirety of the warmth and affection in it, "And you don't have to consider us as anything you don't want to either, okay? But of course you're completely okay to do so as well." She smiled.

I giggled a bit, through my tears, "That's a long winded way to say, 'you can call us mom and dad if you want to or not.'"

They both laughed, almost all of the tension in the air lifting, and Cynder nuzzled me again, "And everything we said applies to Kenra as well of course." Spyro said, turning his attention back down to him.

I looked down and Kenra was just idly watching us, with a rather reminiscent expression on his face. "I follow Kunmai, main reason I accept your offer. You two very friendly though… I… appreciate it."

Cynder giggled and picked him up as well, Kenra quickly nuzzled into my side, and I nuzzled back. Cynder held us both at the same time, "I could never split you two apart, you might as well be twins." She giggled.

"Unless this one runs," Kenra said, nudging me playfully, getting a giggle from me.

"Which reminds me," Spyro started.

Cynder seemed to pick up on the same thing, "I almost forgot. Young hatchling, I better not find you running off like this ever again!" She said in seriousness that only a worried mother could, but also with a playful tone in the air, I smiled sheepishly.

Spyro nodded, "Yep, no more Kenra cuddles for you if it happens again." He said with a grin.

Kenra hummed suspiciously, "Too far," he glared.

Spyro and Cynder embraced us tightly and we all laughed a little bit. I felt myself become suddenly very dizzy and drowsy at the same time, the adrenaline gone, and that empty feeling being too much. And so I passed out, but I did it with a smile on my face, which was definitely rare.

"Gale? Gale!" Cynder said suddenly with a worried look as he passed out in their arms.

Spyro nudged her comfortingly, giving a reassuring look, "He's probably exhausted, you saw how much magic he used. For his first time as well."

She nodded, but the ever present possibility in her mind that he may be hurt ached. And she looked back up, "We should probably go back to the scene." Which Spyro idly nodded at. Cynder nuzzled Kenra and put Gale into his arms, "I'll put you on my back, okay?" Kenra agreed as she placed him on her back, and they returned to the scene from earlier.

A bunch of cheetahs were checking every inch of Solte, while some large dragons were slowly shifting him on to something they could carry him on. A bunch of guards had every inch of Elich's body chained up, with Terrador doing an on the spot interrogation. Solaran, the fire guardian, noticed their return, turning to the other guardians and telling them, "They're back!"

Solaran ran up to them, and Spyro and Cynder greeted him, "Is everything alright? We saw you all run off."

Cynder nodded, "We were just chasing after Gale…"

He hummed worriedly, "Is the little one alright? I heard he was fighting that tiger creep."

Spyro nodded, "He just passed out a minute ago, I think from exhaustion."

Solaran rubbed the back of his head annoyed, "I would be too, I'm surprised he held on that long. Are you sure you still don't want him to be examined?"

Cynder looked back at him, and even though she desperately wanted to hold on to him as long as she could. She did have to admit that he was in need of another examination, especially now that his body had the ability to take in crystals. They might be able to heal his injuries from the wolf attack. Slowly, Cynder nodded, "You're right we should."

"Hey!" A female cheetah's voice yelled, "Is that the little hatchling that was in there with Solte?" They all looked down to see a cream colored cheetah in a nurse outfit.

Cynder nodded, and the cheetah seemed relieved, "Thank goodness, Solte's been nearly refusing help until we reassure him that we have helped your little one out. Is it okay if we take your hatchling in for some recovery?"

"Sounds like Solte." Solaran said with a sigh.

Cynder smiled and nodded, "Yes please, he's definitely got some new battle marks that could use healing."

Spyro chuckled, "Probably some old ones too."

Kenra reluctantly released Gale, and Cynder took him, gently placing him in the cheetah's arms. The cheetah examined him for all but a second before releasing a small whistle, "Oh my, he's definitely a fighter I see. You're welcome to follow me back to the medical ward if you'd like."

Cynder looked at Spyro, and Spyro nodded before humming. "I'm going to go get Kaali, she's probably worried sick now. You and Kenra go with Gale."

"Are you sure?" Cynder asked.

He raised an eyebrow, "We've got three little ones now, gotta start dividing the workload." He smiled. "Plus I know that you aren't letting him out of your sight for a while."

She blushed and nodded, giving him a nuzzle, "Okay sounds good." The cheetah began to walk off and they parted ways.

"Be safe you two, the guardians might have questions for you guys later." Solaran said.

Spyro groaned, "When do they not," he said keeping his back turned, "See you later Solaran."

The group of cheetahs and dragons rushed off with Solte, and Solaran returned to the interrogation. "Are they all alright?" Norruth asked Solaran quietly, garnering a nod, which Norruth relaxed at.

Spyro was walking back down the hallway, but something kept bothering him in the back of his mind. Not only was this the second time that Gale had been attacked, but from right under both his and his mate's muzzles. From the same guy no less! Whoever this 'king' that the tiger kept praising had something out for Gale, and only the ancients knew why… There was also the problem of the tiger's powers, he clearly hadn't had them before, but he had been corrupted even further. Was there somebody else that was powerful enough to do that? Surely they weren't as powerful as… he was… Spyro shook the thought from his mind.

Nevertheless he had to focus on his family, especially with the addition of two more little one's, though Kenra seemed rather responsible, so that was some extra appreciated help. If something dared mess with his family there would be hell to pay. It took all of Spyro's willpower to keep himself from physically harming that tiger as he passed by the interrogation. They had merely exchanged glares, Spyro wished he could wipe the smug face off that bastard. He'd eventually figure out who was behind this, and then it would be no mercy for them.

"Sire! Sire!" Some cloaked bipedal said running into the room, garnering a harsh hissing snarl.

"What is it that you are panicking about?" He commanded to know, lifting one of his white paws and presenting his claws at him with annoyance.

"It-It's Elich, my lord!" He said, trembling.

"Oh! Tell me than, should I activate the-"

"He's been captured…" The servant bravely interrupted. Wincing, he expected to be screamed at.

"I see." The servant dared a glance, to see that the white dragon had leaned back on his throne. Concentrating deeply with thought. "It seems I've been too slow, the little one may soon become quite the issue…" he hummed, releasing a sigh.

The servant awaited patiently, before whimpering out, "What should you have us do my lord? Do we retrieve Elich? Send somebody else while they are weakened?"

"Fool." The white dragon spat, causing the servant to squeak in fear. "Elich was just an experiment. They'll be expecting us now, we must not do something so brazen. They still think that Elich was just some poor crazy tiger with a bone to pick. Unless of course, he opened that big mouth of his…"

He finally glanced a look at the servant, disgusted by his terror, "I want them monitored, nothing more."

Nodding quickly the servant bolted out of the room, causing an eye roll from the white dragon. "As if running would save you." He muttered.

The ornate mosaic glass walls that lined the throne room glinted with a magical glow, and as the servant left the white dragon's mood shifted from a sour one to a peaceful one. "Quite the little monster you've brought into our world. Don't you think my dear Fate?"

I slowly woke up from my unintentional sleep. But the usual aching feeling, and dull pain that I've come to expect was nearly completely gone. My body felt unnaturally great, and my energy was restored. My eyes slowly opened, and I heard the familiar sounds from back when I was on the snowy mountain, and sure enough, I was in a hospital. The first thing I noticed as I turned my head to the left, was a sleeping Cynder. Spyro smiled broadly at me before raising his brow down at Cynder and playfully acting annoyed, making me laugh. I felt something shift on my left and looked to find both Kenra and Kaali napping against me.

Spyro began poking Cynder with his tail, "Hey, honey."

She slowly stirred awake, opening her eyes, "Wha-huh?"

He nudged her with his muzzle pointing at me, and Cynder's eyes lit up, as well as filled up with tears again. 'Oh no.' I thought with a giggle.

She inched closed, putting her front paws on the bed, "Well, hi!" She said in a half whisper, "How are you feeling?"

I nodded, a smile spreading across my face, "Great for some reason!" I said, barely holding my excitement.

She nuzzled me, "The crystals finally worked on you. It made me so relieved, most of your wounds are closed up, and mostly healed."

"Really?!" I said excitedly.

She giggled at my enthusiasm, releasing more tears, "Yes! You're all fixed up finally!" She beamed.

I didn't know how I had ever turned them away before, the smile on Cynder's face was enough to make me feel just as warm and loved as I had ever wanted to be. I got up and practically jumped into Cynder's front forearms as she caught me and cradled me to her crest, she giggled more, "Be careful, mostly healed isn't completely healed."

"I… love you." I said shyly.

Cynder embraced me tightly, "I love you too Gale. Too much for you to be jumping like that."

Spyro bent down to share a nuzzle as well, "Oh come on, he just got his body back. Let him celebrate a little bit." My other two, I guess siblings now, had begun to wake up as we got progressively less quiet. And they both looked up in confusion before noticing I was awake.

"Gale!"

"Kunmai!"

Cynder lowered me again and they both tackled me playfully, it was great. It didn't hurt, and I could actually play fight back with them. There were still bandages on my tail and around my neck, but otherwise I looked pretty much fine. Kaali batted my head multiple times, "Momma said you ran away, what's the deal with that huh? Not like me or something?" She said playfully, mocking me.

I jumped up to my feet and glared up at her playfully, "Yeah totally, little sisters are annoying." I said with a laugh as I jumped over and tackled her.

"Little? I'm taller than you!" She grinned and we rolled across the hospital bed while laughing.

Just before I could bat her head with my paws to get back for earlier, Kenra picked me up by the scruff and I whined, "Kenra!"

He laughed a little bit, dropping me and raising a brow, "We better than that Kunmai, no hit dragoness, we keep dignity. Even if deserve it..." He said.

"Hey!" Kaali whined, and we all laughed together after a moment.

I looked over and Spyro and Cynder were resting their heads against each other with wide smiles. After all this time, the human world and now dragon realms, I really felt like I belonged somewhere. The tiger guy was surely done for good now, no time limit on my magic, no injuries that made things miserable… For now, regardless of whether it was just this one day… I didn't regret that contract, not for a second. During this moment, my fate felt like it was truly my own to decide.

Arc 1 - Finished. See you soon!