The White Dragon Chronicles

by Blackshadow999

An ancient legend that fell into oblivion comes to the light once more. The dragon realm has had a fragile peace for two years after the fall of Malefor. Then A human, Saber mysteriously appears in the dragon realm. When things of history thought lost begin to be seen once more; fear grips many, none can choose how events will turn out in the end.

6. On the Road Again

A/n

This is the first of five chapter collection I'm posting, hope you enjoy.

Chapter 6: On the Road Again

-Neutral pov-

By this point dear reader, you may have noticed that Saber is not one that is easily shocked or taken by surprise or flabbergasted. In fact, he prides himself that he is hard to take by surprise, so when such does happen it is of note. In the instance of meeting Cynder, he was taken off-guard not by the dragoness herself exactly, but what came with meeting her. Why might Saber be so hard to surprise, my research has yielded no real concrete answer, nor can he explain the point when questioned.

In this, Saber glanced over at Spyro, and he observed that the purple dragon was also showing signs of shock with his jaw open wide. The response that Saber had to this was he smirked, "I take it, that this is as an unexpected surprise to you Spyro as it is for me. If so, then pick up your jaw that is on the ground. It is becoming embarrassing as a fellow male to have to watch your reaction to say the least," Saber commented.

Spyro nodded in response to Saber before he then closed his mouth and cleared his throat, "I never heard anything about this," he said.

A moment later, Saber noticed a glimmer in the outer portion of his sight, evidence that Sparx had managed to free himself from Saber's efforts and use of duct tape. Credit is to be given when it is due as it is said and so it must be given to Sparx even by Saber, to free himself from the tape was no small feat. Saber even had to admit begrudgingly so that he was impressed as the amount of work he put into taping Sparx to the tree was not small. That is for two major reasons which are length and the quality of adhesive and I will elaborate upon what is meant by that.

The point of length is in reference to just the sheer length when measured in distance of the amount of duct tape that Saber used put together for taping up Sparx. And Saber tends to use non-standard hundred-foot rolls and he used close to half of the roll he had on Sparx. Saber knew many things when it comes to duct tape, he had many uses for the stuff and for various reasons. Some uses should not be mentioned in detail as such things could easily incriminate Saber in certain ways. The reference to the quality of the adhesive, the duct tape Saber uses is not the rolls that one might find in local stores. No, the quality was on the much higher end to be the best and finest to work with, bought with money that Saber earned doing odd jobs in the summer.

Those two points do show that it was impressive that Sparx the dragonfly was able to free himself from Saber's efforts. Nor was Saber all that pleased that Sparx had gotten free as it meant that he could talk again and he wasn't interested in that. This turn of events only seemed to reinforce the relationship between Saber and Sparx. Saber made sure that relationship stayed that way when he spun around and speaking to Sparx, "Do not even think about uttering a single word or syllable you relentless rambler or else I will use twice as much tape as I used before! And for good measure, I will make sure to tape your wings as well should I tape you up again," he snapped coldly.

Sparx flinched notably at Saber's threat, which could have been from either the ice-cold tone in Saber's voice or what he had said, it could have been both. Although, for the record, it is more likely that the sight of the roll of duct tape that had appeared in Saber's hand seemingly out of thin air was the main reason why Sparx did as he was told. Saber turned back to Cynder, his previous grimace turned to a smile as he asked the thought on his mind, "Perhaps you can fill us in on how you have a sibling. I do not doubt there is a story to it?"

Cynder stared at Saber for a moment then nodded in reply and started her tale, which took place yesterday morning early.

-Cynder's pov-

As I flew through the sky, I once again wished that Spyro was flying next to me for company and for a feeling of comfort that he always seems to give me. My heart ached with Spyro being away from me and though I could ignore the aching, it still was there. Spyro was so different than others that I have been around, he treats me so nicely and does not hold my past against me. It is why I am glad that we are mates, even if we have not bonded fully yet, I can be patient.

And where I could understand the reasons the guardians had when they insisted that both Spyro and I split up for this assignment. Both of us had been given the same assignment to search for more dragons that hopefully survived the war with Malefor. It was a logical decision for Spyro and me to split up, but that did not mean I liked it. The plan had sounded good at least when the Guardians talked about it, we could cover more ground with this method. Still, now that I thought back the conversation with the guardians, it seemed to me that they were not saying things about the assignment, but I cannot say why I feel that. However, it was too late now to argue about what had not been said, yet it was very lonely flying alone. I was even starting to miss Sparx as annoying as he was, and that was a thought I never expected to happen.

I was torn out of my thoughts as I heard a commotion down below and ahead of me. Upon glancing down to find the source of the problem only to see smoke and fire ahead so I glided down for a closer look. I spotted a bluff that would do as a lookout spot, and so I landed on it finding it overlooked the area where the fire and smoke were coming from. I stared feeling surprise along with rage at what I saw with my eyes below.

The scene playing out below me looked to be in ruins that had been a village not too long ago, but what was now was burning rubble. The likely inhabitants of the village who as it happened were dragons were now in a panic. There was also a good many apes down in the remains of the village who were responsible were still causing problems. So, now in complete chaos reigned supreme and the apes were running amok in the village ruins. The groups of young dragons and dragonesses that can still be thought of as dragonets were confused and scared. They ran in every direction and were being captured easily by the apes. The elderly dragons were attempting to organize the younger dragons and calm them down the best they could though with little success.

The rest of the dragons and dragonesses were fighting the apes in an attempt to delay them and slow them down giving the others time to get away. The apes on the other hand were busy with the task of herding as many dragons into cages as they could possibly get. The dragons that they could not get to go or be shoved in the cages were beaten and injured to the point they were left on the ground unmoving. They were almost to the point of near death, being left to die and dismissed.

This brought flashes of memories of when I was under Malefor's control for I did these raids quite a few times myself. I knew how they worked and what the apes did and were told to do to those that did not cooperate, they were left to die. And I had seen more than enough of this kind of scene past and present to last me a lifetime! At the scene, I felt my rage boil in me, I was mad at the apes because they were picking on those who could not really defend themselves and did not want to fight in the first place. Yes, I admit I had done such things myself, nevertheless I had changed thanks to Spyro. Who do those apes think they were, doing such things to dragons? How dare they do this to those they are!

As my blood which was already hot with rage, boiled with righteous anger and fury the elements that heeded my command reacted to me. The shadows around me became visible and began to writhe, tendrils appearing and thrashing around. Leaves on the trees in the surrounding area whipped around in the wind that had come from nowhere and rapidly became gusting whirl winds. I tasted the familiar sludge that the poison that I could shoot coming to my mouth. I knew that my control of the four dark elements was slipping fast and they were reacting to my emotions. However, my normal new-found caution and calm control was lost to my anger and rage. So, I threw all logic out of the situation and I let loose a roar that boomed around the valley.

My roar was nearly identical to how I would have shrieked as 'the Terror of the Skies'! I knew that some, hopefully many of the apes would be shaking with fear for it was unlikely that they had forgotten the sound of my howling shriek I had used a great deal when I had been influenced by Malefor. I thought at the moment that maybe this could be what it was like for Spyro when he loses himself to the darkness of convexity. Yet I ignored that, as I focused on the dragons below that needed help.

I dove down to the scene of the chaos and joined the fight without hesitation. I shot two apes on the way down before they knew I was there, one with poison the other with shadow fire. Both elements were more potent and concentrated than they usually were as my emotions fueled them. As the ground came up to meet me, I utilized the shadows to go beneath the ground and traveled forward towards the group of apes ahead. The lingering shadows injuring apes that I had passed, the shadow claws that followed me would finish the job. When I came to the next group of apes, I erupted up from the shadows below the apes with great speed and power. I ended up forcing them up into the air while my momentum carried me a little above the apes. I spun around to point my maw at them and send a gust of wind at them and the gust had the desired effect of slamming the apes into the ground hard knocking them out at the very least. I landed on all four paws and then jumped up a little so that I could spin around to my left and let out a shriek at the cluster of apes in that direction. However, as I was hitting the apes as hard as I could a powerful blast of magic slammed into the right side of my face and I collapsed.

As I regained consciousness my head throbbed in pain, I opened my eyes slowly in hopes the pain would dull. I took in my surroundings the best I could. First, I was in one of the cages the apes had been using to contain the dragons. It was not only that I was in a cage I was also chained up as well. The silver bracelets that Malefor had put on me were now being used to help restrain me once more. There were two chains connected to the bracelet around my neck, then there were chains attached to each of the silver bands on all four of my legs. There were also two chains holding to the ring near the base of my tail. The apes had gone to the point of putting a leather strap around my maw to keep my mouth shut.

I stared at not the chains that bound me, but at the bands that they were connected to. The bracers now with chains connected only served as a horrible reminder of my past which I couldn't seem to escape for long. They brought back memories of the early days while I was still a dragonet and was a prisoner to King Gaul the ape king. Back in those days the apes had love to scare me and torture me when they could. However, it was made clear that they could not kill me, I was needed alive for something I would find out about later. After years of having to take that kind of abuse, it was not all that surprising I had become violent and would lash out at my jailers. I was too young and traumatized by then I could not see that they were doing all this for a reason.

Things had changed one day when I began to hear someone call to me which wasn't the same as the apes. The voice promised me that if I would do a task it would ask of me, I would never need to fear apes or anyone. I could get back at and punish those who had tortured me for so long as I wanted to do for a while now. That one task had been to search for and gather energy for a 'ceremony' for them. All the voice said it wanted seemed like a small task done for it, so little for my heart's burning desire! How could I even pass up such an offer? I doubt there would have been many that would have said no to the offer after going through what I had.

So blind I had been at the time, so focused on what I wanted for myself to see that everything that had been done was to get me to listen and promise that I would do that which I was told to. I was oblivious at that time that I was being tricked and prepared for things even worse than I had been through. Be that as it was, I was desperate for revenge on the apes for I wanted that more than anything else for all the years of misery they had put me through! Only later would I come to understand the cunning plan that I was roped into without having the faintest idea about being led down the path.

When I had agreed to what the voice had said, the door of my cell had opened on its own. As I came out of the cell, the voice kept speaking to me beckoning me to come to it. I followed the prompting I ended out coming to a shrine or dais which had been the well of souls. It was at that time I met Malefor though I did not know who he really was, or that he had been the one talking to me. He once again gave me the same offer that he had before, which I accepted without a second thought. Then he used his dark powers to change me into my adult form giving me full access to all the power I could need to get what I wanted.

And in this new form I went around the place killing apes whenever I found them getting back at those that had made my life horrible. I reveled in the feelings of revenge I was now reaping on those who had imprisoned me, I was taken by the feeling of having power over others. Within hours I had kill numberless apes and felt powerful and satisfied. I went back to the shrine to thank Malefor before I left to look around the world for something more for me. But, little did I understand what I had agreed to in its entirety, that I would not get the freedom I had thought I would. When I had thanked Malefor for getting my freedom back, he chuckled then he used his power to put these sliver bracers on me. He said that they were the mark that we had an agreement with one another.

I thought little of what he meant by that at all, so I just ignored them and left to search the world for a place for myself. Over the next few weeks I found out that the 'silver bracers' were much more than what I originally imagined they were. They made me more a prisoner than before even though I may have not been in a cell anymore, but these bracers trapped me in a way I could not escape. The bracers were 'his' means of control and his way of making sure I did what he said, a form of me carrying my prison. If Malefor gave an order I could only obey it, no matter how much I wanted to resist. Only Spyro defeating me, freed me from Malefor's hold and released me from the imprisonment I had been trapped in.

Back in the present, it looked like the apes were being cautious around me and so went to great lengths to limit my movement. After what Malefor had made me do, I cannot blame them really as I was known to kill them were they not to do what I told them without hesitation. The sun was lower in the sky meaning I had been out for a good length of time and most of the cages were fuller than when I saw them previously. It was then a large ape came up to the cage I was in, "Look, we caught the Terror of the Skies. King will be pleased," he proclaimed.

This jeer came from the largest ape and more than likely the leader of the bunch. From what I have seen, an ape's size seems to be the judging factor of their hierarchy as far as I had seen. I just glared at him flashing my teeth back at him in response for I was not scared of them anymore and I would leave no doubt for any of them of that fact. He just laughed at my response, "There are only few dragons left, it not long before we done."

It was then that a loud crash was heard followed shortly by a series of crashes a short distance away. The sounds of the crashes themselves sounded like wood hitting wood but was actually happening was unknown to me. Those sounds were followed by clangs of metal hitting other objects as well and the commotion sounded like it was getting closer. I knew the sound as I had been around the forges in Warfang, so I knew the sounds of metal hitting other objects. Yet, I think there was still something in the clashes of sound that was different from the rest.

The screeches of apes were heard in the air and with obvious panic and fear before there was then a new sound that caught my ears. It was an odd swishing that had what I thought might be a metallic tone to it. That was the sound that occurred before a number of the cries of apes went silent. I quickly became rather curious about the source as apes can be nasty in a fight and it sounded like something was doing something to them. It was at that time an ape came running into view a look of terror on its face, "Boss we have problem!"

"What problem," the big oaf that was the leader said.

"There some sort of monster killing the others with long knife we never seen before," said the one that had come running.

The leader was about to answer when several apes came running into view, many if not most of them had odd looking cuts all over their bodies. By what I could see the injuries could not have been made by dragons. It was possible it was the cheetahs since they used long cutting blades along with arrows. But the apes knew them and had their own methods of dealing with them, so they would not be in such panic from them. I could not begin to guess what was doing these things to the apes that would fit what I was seeing. It was as the apes that were running that I saw the creature that they were scared of closing the distance between the apes. It was something I have never seen before and yet kind of resembled the apes in shape, but on the other paw it does not completely match them.

Even as I stared at the unknown creature, I could not help but think, 'What by all the ancestors is that?' It was notably smaller in size and was thinner than the apes and a lot less fur than the average ape. However, none of that seem to make much of a difference for the efficiency it was moving. Perhaps it is a half breed of some kind, well whatever it was it is ripping those apes apart! The odd creature was quite a bit faster than the apes… perhaps even a little faster than dragons as well somehow. That is kind of a frightening thought especially with how it was killing the apes and the thing does not appear to put forth a lot of effort in what it was doing. Nor was there hesitation as it was doing the work of death among the apes.

My train of thought shifted from the strange creature to the weapon it held for it was different than any weapon I had ever seen. The cheetah tribe used long sharp blades that were straight, and it was similar in being made of sharp metal, but the creature's weapon was different from those. It was longer than the blades the cheetahs used as well as thinner on one side of the blade and it had a slight curve to it along the entire length. I strained my eyes to try to see the weapon in more detail and I notice that the metal seemed to be blunt on one side and sharp on the other. The weapon was a good deal thinner than the cheetah's swords at least. Plus, it had an odd wave pattern on the sharper looking side, of which I couldn't understand the purpose it served. At the place where the creature was holding the object had some kind of white stuff in an odd pattern as well. The other fact that I couldn't miss was the red liquid that covered the blade and there was no doubt that it was blood of apes.

By the time I had made my observations, most if not all the apes were running away from the monster and the piles of their fallen comrades. And this thing was not just using the blade to cut apes, but also would shove the handle of the blade into the heads and midsections of apes as well. The leader ape was obviously enraged as was evident by his screaming at the apes running away. His screams were silenced as the blade of this monster suddenly came out of the ape's chest. The monster seemed to have appeared behind the ape just before blade had been shoved through the ape leader's torso. I had thought this creature had a lot of speed, but not this much speed, what kind of monster is this creature?

Could the difference in body shape be more an advantage in fighting, was the monster's success due to it being thinner and leaner than the apes or was it something else? The creature withdrew the blade and then swung the weapon in a sharp downward motion the ape blood splattering on the ground as the ape leader crumpled to the ground.

As I stared the monster turned and our eyes met for a brief moment and what I saw scared me an amount. Its face was emotionless as if it didn't care at all that he was ending live, it was almost like there was no one there in the face. Its eyes told a different story, the eyes of the creature were blue, but I swear there was a hint of crimson. The pupils one moment looked similar to what the apes have one moment and yet, the next moment, its eyes were those of a dragon, but then were back to what they had been before. I blinked and looked again, and its eyes were back to be like the apes, was I just seeing things before?

At seeing the creature's eyes, they for lack of a better term scared me as something about them reminded me very much of Malefor's eyes… no, they were somehow worse! Those eyes showed a hint of enjoyment at killing the apes, yet there was also pain in them as well. Other than its eyes, everything else about this creature showed no emotion at all. The apes as bad as they are and as much trouble they cause, they do not deserve this.

Again, I am forced to wonder what kind of monster is he?! The vast difference between the monster's face and eyes was just unreal. The creature moved off to another group of apes and continued the task it had been doing and that was the last view I got of it. It was a short period later that the few dragons and dragonesses that had not been forced into cages were now opening them and letting out the captives. As my cage was unlocked and the chains were taken off or in about half of the cases blasted with elements to get them off. I walked out and removed the leather strap that had been holding my maw shut, opening my jaw to make sure everything felt right. Then I looked around and was happy to see that most of the dragons and dragonesses were or going to be all right.

As I walked around, I came across the creature from before, on the ground crouched and seemingly oblivious to the world around it. Most dragons and dragonesses were avoiding the creature and I do not blame them, but at the same time I was curious about it. Even as I stared at the creature, it did not react to my presence at all. The scent coming from it was unlike any I had smelled before, I could not really identify what the scent said. I left the creature where it was, thinking that I may come to learn more later about it.

I went around making sure everyone was okay, when I felt someone or something staring at me, I turned to see a dragoness standing and staring at me. She had light grey scales with royal blue scales on her underbelly and the same color for her wing membranes. She was also smaller than me meaning she was younger than my own age. If I judged by the difference in size, she was most likely five years or so, younger than myself. Yet, what really caught me were her sky-blue eyes, they were distinct and hard to miss as that shade of blue was rare for dragons.

As my stare traveled to her tail and I felt my heart stop, her tail blade was the same as mine other than the notch in mine. Tail blades of course came in all different shapes and sizes and designs. So, for a dragon or dragoness to have a tail blade even close to similar as another's was very rare. A case of them to be close to the identical shape usually inferred a family relation, but as far as I knew I had no family any longer. For a dragoness to have a tail blade identical to my own was a new feeling for me, I didn't know what to make of it. The small dragoness slowly shuffled forward and looked at me and she was acting very shy around me for some reason, "Excuse me, but is your name by chance Cynder," she asked.

Her voice was like the wind on a summer day and for some reason my mouth would not listen to the command my mind was giving. My mouth was dry and all I could do was stare at the dragoness and nod slightly. I did not understand why I was so nervous talking to this dragoness, yet for some reason I was. The dragoness's face lit up after my nod and she gave a squeal of delight which was such a rare reaction for me to see and the next thing that happened to me was something I never expected to happen in my life. The dragoness leapt at me and I felt her smallerShe jumped on me in what I think was a hug of sorts, her small body slam into me, which cause me to fall to the ground belly up. I felt my wings pinned under me and I had not had a chance to fold them to my side before she had hit me. I looked to my back only to see the dark grey dragoness hugging herself to my body. It was like she was attached to me and would not let go, she had wrapped all four of her legs tightly around me pinning me further.

"I found you, I found you at last," the young dragoness kept saying this over and over.

The actions of this dragoness and what she was saying made no sense to me and it was leaving me so confused at what was going on. Why is she saying what she is and more importantly what does it mean? Why would this dragoness have been looking for me of all dragons? Why would anyone search for me for any other reason than to blame me for a loved one I killed while I was under Malefor's control? All I am is that monster after …oh no, I am doing it again, I am beating myself up about the past. I am sorry Spyro, I know I promised you I would not do that, but it is hard to forget sometimes. I looked back at the dragoness and at last got the use of my mouth back, "I am sorry, whatever I have done to you or your family, I did not mean to, please forgive me," I apologized.

The dragoness just looked at me in confusion, "What are you talking about Cynder? You have not done anything yet," she replied.

My gaze was fixed on her as I was even more baffled than I was before for this was not making any sense at all. I was taken aback, if she was not here to blame me for something I had done like everyone else did, then what was she here for? "Um, then… what is it that you wanted," I inquired carefully.

The young dragoness smile returned with what seemed to be happiness, which was odd for me of all dragonesses to receive, "Nothing, just let me be with you please," she answered.

The response just added to the lack of sense that I was experiencing further, Spyro was the first to ask me that kind of request in any way. Thinking back and taking into account the things we had been through together, it was not that hard to understand. However, I had just met this dragoness so, how could she want to be near me? Most dragons and dragonesses that I am around, go to sizable effort to avoid me, others ignore me, while the rest merely tolerated my presence. "Forgive me for asking me, but most do not want to be around me, so why," I questioned wanting to know what this was about.

The dragoness looked at me and just continued to smile, "Because you are all I have now sister."

It took a couple of seconds for me to process what she had just said, to say that I was stunned would be an understatement, me a sister and this dragoness being a family member for me? That was impossible, yet she was perhaps proof that it could be, but I do not know. I had no relations that I knew of and the Guardians had said they had found nothing that would suggest I did either. If there were any relatives of mine, then why had they not made themselves known? Then again, it is me they are talking about, I cannot see most dragons welcoming the former 'Terror of the Skies' who helped the apes cause chaos in the Dragon Realm as a family member, so maybe there was a valid reason I know of no family, but still, this is out of the blue.

Ignitus had said that many of the eggs that had been in the temple were sent elsewhere for safety before Gaul had attacked. He had never said anything about Spyro's or my parentage, but then we never actually asked him. If either of us had other family members to speak of at all, then neither of us know who they were. I had my guesses on some family at least in Spyro's case for I suspected that Ignitus was Spyro's father or at least a relative, they looked far too similar not to be in some way. Still, as for me I had no information about my parents if I still had them as they could be dead.

The fact of the matter was not whether what she was saying was true or not, she obviously believed what she was saying. That was all that matter to her, and since this seemed so important to her, I decided to go along with it. If it does turn out to be true, then I will deal with it when that comes up. I smiled back at the dragoness kindly, "Sorry I just am not use to this idea, but I am willing to learn," I returned.

The dragoness just kept smiling with joy, "That is okay, my name is Oryha by the way," she replied.

-Saber's pov-

As much as it pains me to admit, the way Cynder had described me and my actions was different in a way that didn't sit well at all. No, scratch that, it painted me very badly and it sent chills down my spine that weren't in any way comfortable! I can't say I'd ever seen myself in that particular light before other than in very specific circumstances that I don't wish to recall. I found the description about me… disturbing, yet the feeling that I was experiencing at the moment from hearing what Cynder had described was unusual. It was familiar to the point that I was having extremely uncomfortable déjà vu, it reminded me of some situations that I've buried long ago and for good reason! In response, most of the blood drained from my face as I contemplated my past, into the times that I had done… when I was tricked and manipulated by… no, I won't go there! I was snapped out of my thoughts when Spyro spoke, "Hey Saber are you okay, you look really pale at the moment."

My attention was snapped back to the present and I looked at him and saw he was waiting for me to answer the question that he had asked and honestly, I don't know how to answer. First point of this conundrum, I'm not crazy or insane, nor am I losing my mind, I state that for the record. However, with that fact being true, how do you explain to another that you can hear voices in your head and not have others think of one of those two explanations? Most of those I hear aren't saying anything bad and most of the time don't make sense on what they whisper. But there is one that is not that way, it is malicious and was at one time rather good at manipulating me into doing things. The experiences I buried involved that said malicious voice and I don't listen to them anymore. So back to the original problem of how to answer the question that Spyro was asking.

I managed to smile back in the attempt to help prove that I was all right even though I wasn't entirely. "Uh what, I am sorry, I was just lost in thought, nothing to worry about Spyro. I am all right thanks for asking my friend," I replied evenly. I was lying but it was to keep Spyro from worrying and then maybe asking for details I DO NOT give out. That made lying in this okay for the moment, where normally I'm fully and utterly against lying to get out of things.

"When is he not lost in thought as he says," remarked IC.

It would seem that the fly was developing a habit for piping up at the worst time and it was ticking me off beyond mere annoyance. I believe it's high time he be broken of that habit before it gets worse and at least I completely lose my cool. And as it so happens, I'm just the individual to do the job and do it properly the first time.

His comment had been the 'straw that broke the camel's back' for me and put me beyond my patience's breaking point! What it is about the dragonfly that irks me so, I don't know, IC just does. I felt sheer irritation boil over and I was now officially getting angry. I'm not normally prone to sadistical tendencies, at least no more than another person can be. If however, someone should be stupid enough to keep pushing until I start getting angry, then they should be prepared for what I shall wrought on them! I'm not what you would call an expert on making other regret a choice they make, but I can certainly make another's life utterly miserable given enough time.

I normally don't have that issue come up, most don't spend the time to push me to that point, but there are some that do from time to time. Those that do… well, I'm not one to let things like this slide so the lightbulb with wings better start praying for mercy. Because when I get to him, it's going to be too late to say those prayers. My own aura instantly went cold and dark, I felt a demonic grin spread across my face as I glared at Sparx who was still chattering on nonstop. Well, that was about to change and about dang time too in my opinion! "Bug boy," I exhaled in a sadistical tone along with relish as I ripping a length of duct tape out.

The roll, once again, seemed to appear out of nowhere in my hands as I started towards Sparx with extreme malicious intent in mind at the barest minimum! Said intent was quickly rising towards killing intent as I got closer and closer. IC did eventually hear me approaching for he turned to see me right in front of him with my face showing an extremely evil look on it. He let out a scream and tried to fly away, yet the attempt was in vain for he would have no such luck today, not with me in the mood I was in. I grabbed him within the blink of an eye and held him tightly, he WOULD NOT escape this! He drove me to this point, so it was time for him to pay the price, "Oooooh, and just where might you be going little House Fly? If you leave now, you miss everything! The very valuable lesson you need to learn and then there is the fun we are going to have! Oh ho, yes indeed," I chuckled darkly.

"That's fine by me," IC shot back to me.

Sparx shaking as he squirmed in an attempt to get out of my iron vice like grip was amusing, but there was no chance I would let that happening today! Not after coming this far dang it and so help me, he would learn that pushing me is not something you do! Spyro was looking at the scene, mostly at the two of us, "Saber…"

My demonic smile disappeared for the moment while I glanced over at Spyro, "Don't worry Spyro. Sparx and I are going to have a LOT… of fun. We are going to have so much fun in fact we will never forget it, I promise it won't hurt very much for very long," I said.

The relentless rambler was still struggling desperately, "Let me go!"

My demonic smile returned as I gazed at him, "I think not, said the hungry spider to the fly," I snapped, And I found myself laughing at what I was planning to do to Sparx and how fun it would be in ways words can't describe! I did drag the dragonfly off to a more… private area to commence the work that needed to be done. And once out of sight, I got down to business of making sure Sparx the dragonfly understood that messing with me is not a wise idea.

=Due to the violent nature of this scene, it cannot be described, please relax until the next scene=

The next morning I woke up to find all the dragons were getting ready to head off to a place they called Warfang. With what I had heard from some of the stories and descriptions of this dragon city from just listening to the talk between the dragons and dragonesses, it sounded different than any city I knew and it was definitely an inhabited place, but it was a difference from any place that I'd heard of or read about. Although apparently, there was a very diverse population in this Warfang… maybe something like New York City. The facts do lend credence that there were similarities along with differences in this world or realm.

Nonetheless, in all seriousness I'm left to ask myself, should I go with them or not as there are very differing results with either choice. Let's say I don't travel with them, then where does that get me, pretty much nowhere or at least no farther than I am currently. I would rather not consider what kind of issues would come my way if I travel alone, I just know it would be worse than it is now. I highly doubt my bad luck would leave me alone for very long, it's just too prompt and persistent not to do that. The other choice was to travel with this group of dragons the best I could and that came with its own set of difficulties. I'm not saying that I was against going with them, it would be somewhat safer to go with the dragons than going alone. But still, I'm the lone human as far as I've seen in the Dragon Realm, and I've already made an impression to work with with some. Plus, I keep getting mistakenly compared to 'apes' that are about as smart as bricks. And yet, I can't find it in me to blame those making the comparison as they don't have much else to reference me to.

Thus is my conundrum to work with in this, so which way do I go forward in this you might ask? Well, going with the dragons to this Warfang can't be much worse that wandering around this world by myself I would think. So with the matter settled in my mind, I went searching for the one dragon that I knew much about to confirm with him. I found Spyro within five minutes, he was talking with some of the bigger dragons who I assumed were adults older than Spyro himself. I did take in that the conversation was one that I wasn't a part of, and the piece that I got by listening didn't help to tell me much about the subject matter. So, instead of interrupting and being rude providing a less nice image and I don't need to help that along, I waited. Manners were one idea that Master Kai taught me and had gotten ingrained into me well along with martial arts.

So, to be polite I waited for them to finish, then it will be my turn as things would move along faster that way as well. It was the dragon that Spyro was talking to that noticed me first, "Well it seems that your… unusual companion would like a word with you, so I will take my leave." The dragon I didn't know said.

It was nice that the dragon didn't call me an ape, since apparently humans look enough like them that I'm mistaken for one of them. After getting a view of the brutes, being compared to them was fairly insulting in a few ways. Spyro turned around with a surprised look plastered on his face, "Saber what are you doing here," he asked.

I looked at Spyro incredulously for he had asked a rather obvious question or what should be a question that shouldn't need to be answered vocally. I'm left to wonder just how dense Spyro could be, and yet, I'm also wary in receiving an answer. No, I really shouldn't think such things about my new-found friend, he didn't deserve that. Yet, I couldn't help but wonder if it was because Spyro was so nice and naïve or if he was just so innocent that he didn't know better that caused this with him. Shaking my head slightly, I looked at Spyro, "Well first I assume that you intend to go with those here back to this Warfang, correct," I posed.

Spyro nodded at me, "Yes I was planning to, sorry I-" he started.

I held up a hand to stop him, "No worries, I had a feeling that would be the case. My question is since I obviously cannot fly as I have no wings which is clear for any that look, can I get some kind of general direction in which I can head to meet up with you later," I said.

Spyro gaped at my statement, "Wait you are coming with us all," he questioned incredulously.

"Well, that should be obvious I mean, what else can I do? I am in a strange world that I know almost nothing about, humans apparently do not exist, and I really have nowhere else to go. You are the only one in this realm at the moment I can call a friend or even know anything about. If I were to stay around here… well, let us just say I doubt that the apes and I would get along and I really do not want swim through waves of apes anytime in the near future among other things," I said that in a matter of fact tone.

The lightbulb with wings at that particular moment chose to interrupt and it made me really had to wonder where his sense of timing came from. It was getting to be a freaking annoying pain, "What makes you think you are coming with us?"

I glared at Sparx with annoyance, it was becoming a norm for me lately, "The last time I checked, I did not ask for your opinion bug boy! Perhaps I need to reeducate you on how fly paper works again! Only this time I will use a FULL ROLL," I growled back.

IC was shaking, but he didn't back down to me, "You already use all of it so, you cannot scare me," he challenged.

I let out a bark of maniacal laughter for IC knew nothing of what I'm capable of and it would terrify him good if he knew. Yet if he were aware, then it would not just spoil the fun, but take away the chance to show him what I could do. "Is that right IC? Then you will soon learn how wrong you are about me, I do not let others I state consequences to out of them easily! And unfortunately for you, I have a second roll of duct tape IC ready for use, so you better start running," I shot back as I began laughing while the thoughts of what I could do to the dragonfly ran through my mind.

Sparx screamed and ran away, which was a picture I committed to memory. What a wonderful sight and music that is to me. Spyro looked at me with a frown, "Can you not be a little nicer to Sparx," he inquired.

The question caused me to pause due to what was implied for I've taken a liking to Spyro, which is fairly rare for me. But for me to be 'nicer' to Sparx, who I don't get along with and I don't think I ever will, that is a tall order. Even with Spyro as nice as he has shown himself to be but come on, doesn't he notice how freaking irritating Sparx is?! Or how he so asks for the punishment he gets, and I deliver… I sighed as I knew my justification wouldn't hold or fly in this since Spyro is a friend, so I should try. It won't be easy when I know IC is involved, but as I looked at Spyro, I couldn't help the heavy exhale that came as I forced a smile, "I suppose I could try to be a little nicer." Then a smile appeared on my face, "I could start by not telling him that in actuality, I have three more rolls of duct tape rather than the one I told him about."

The chuckle that had been coming, got stuck in my throat at seeing Spyro's glare, anger evident in it. I swallowed and looked away scratching the back of my head figuring that I had stepped a tad farther than I should have in that comment. As Spyro kept glared at me, I sighed in resignation for the longer things went on, the more awkward things became between Spyro and me. "Okay I… I promise I will try to be a little nicer to Sparx in future. I am sorry it is just so much fun to tease and taunt him like I do," I remarked.

It was then Cynder came trotting up and I was thankful she did, because I was sweating at the glare Spyro was still giving me. She looked at me, "So you are coming with us to Warfang I take it," Cynder asked.

That left me in no doubt that she had overheard our conversation, "Well, that was my plan yes, I just need a direction to head in. I will meet up with you lot at a point later today, seems to be the most logical thing to do to me. I hope none mind someone like me following, but I really don't have anywhere else to go as I do not know anything about this place," I justified.

Spyro just looked at me, "If you do go with us, are you sure you can keep up," he asked.

I smiled back and laughed at the question, "Oh do not worry about me Spyro, I will keep up just fine, believe you me," I replied confidently.

Cynder smiled and then looked at Spyro who was in would seem in a state of shock for whatever reason. "Warfang is in that direction," she said, motioning to her right in as far as I could guess in a south easterly direction.

I nodded in understanding as well as in thanks before I turned on the spot, grabbed my pack and slung it over my back. I headed for the rocky wall that was the cliff face that was the walls of this bowl and began scaling the rock. It was just starting up the wall of the valley, when I heard the 'oo-ing' and 'ah-ing' of the dragons below. It took me what I would estimate to be about fifteen minutes or so to reach the top. I took the time to catch my breath as I looked around and saw that I was on the path I had started on when I got here to this world. I was hunched over and grabbed my knees attempting to slow my breathing as well as the beating of my heart that had come from the activity I had just done. My heart was racing at a good pace… I'm no puff ball or slacker, my practice of martial arts keeps me in great shape, but I'm not used to climbing up a near vertical wall that was more than fifty feet in height for both ascents. But then, this is what I get for not getting enough sleep lately, I've never been fond of climbing damn it!

Now I'm right back where I started earlier that's just dandy and not the good kind of dandiness. Curse you God, Satan and whatever other deities that are laughing at my situation, I'll get you back! My situation wasn't helped when I heard a commotion from below and upon spinning around, I saw all the dragons taking flight out of the valley. As I watched the dragons fly off, I could feel my face was scrunching up in frustration and despair. I couldn't stop the groan from escaping me in the form of a whine, "OOOOOOHHHHH that is just unfairrrrrr!"

You know it is times like this not being able to fly is a real disadvantage and it's not nice to have that fact shoved in my face. I took the time to calm down and get back in the right mindset and then started trekking as complaining won't help me at all. After I began to walk after a minute or two, my heart and breathing started to slow down and resume its normal range.

I continued traveling through the forest that was the same one that I'd been in for most of the time I had been here, trees on both side and no site of an end to this forest. The stream that had been there since the beginning of me coming to this world was still on my right. I was at this moment, rare as it was lately alone, and it felt odd to me that I didn't like this. I'd normally be on my own and left to my own devices and I did not mind that. In fact, I preferred such a thing for myself usually, yet here I disliked the idea. I'd gotten so use to being around Spyro in such a short period of time and it was so unlike what I've experienced. I felt a shiver of revulsion at the thought of Sparx being a part of the company I'd gotten use to as well.

And since I had the time right now to review what had happened to me thus far, I say why not do so. It's a habit I've developed long ago to help deal with the things that life does throw at me, and that's before my bad luck contributes to the mix. Would this be something that I will be doing more often in future? With what gets sent my way combined with this new environment and who knows what else would cross my path, I fear my sanity will come under attack much more frequently than I'm used to along with my safety. Going with events that had occurred recently, indications say it was going to be a good long while before I had any prospect of getting home, if I had any at all of course.

However, I can't complain all that much about the situation as things could be SO much worse, I have to look at the bright side and everything. Plus, there was the fact that I had met Spyro and that's significant to me. The meeting alone was something huge for me, Spyro had turned out to be one of those people or in his case dragon that could accept me for who I was and that's incredibly rare. My flaws though I hid them well from most everyone the majority of the time, can and usually do drive others away from me. I shook my head to clear my mind as the fact of the matter is that Spyro had stuck by me even with me being so different than others. I hadn't thought he would have after what I did to stop him from going down to take on the group of apes and possibly get hurt.

Then there's Spyro's 'Brother' Sparx, the dragonfly and he's a different subject entirely. The dynamic that existed between Spyro and him still confused me a great deal. I mean sure, I understand that they were raised together as family, and I feel very sorry for Spyro having to go through that since I don't doubt it was a real hell at times… those unlikely being few in number. Yet, Spyro seems to be somehow able to just ignore Sparx's personality… I haven't a clue how! Anyway, they were brothers yet not even alike in personality at all, an uncanny pair in more ways than I cared to count.

Sparx himself, I could sum up in two ways, which fit him to a 'T', 'Comic Relief' and 'Annoyance to be rid of'. If I had my way the fitting description I would give, or action would be even better, would be 'Bug Go Splat'! Maybe since the two were raised together Spyro has learned to tolerate him, the skill has to have become second nature. I wish I could figure out how to do that, it would help my nerves so much! Then there were times that I really wanted to come up with a good way to kill Sparx. At the same time calling 'A dead bug flying' or just 'PULL' before shutting him up for good.

My mind recalled the odd experience I had when I was unconscious, the vision, dream or whatever it had been. It had answered few questions while giving me more to think about. First, why did that guy look like me? Second, he implied that the place we were was a place I had been? Yet for some reason I felt a feeling of déjà vu there and I couldn't understand why?

I was suddenly snapped out of my thoughts by a cold shock and looking down, I saw that I'd stepped in the river which had curved into my path. I was thinking too much about things, and it was causing me worry unnecessarily and that was bad for one's peace of mind. I really needed some peace of mind that was something I had to admit. Oh well, those dragons can fly so they don't need to worry about obstacles. Unfortunately, I do, so I have to make up for lost time, so I started to run down the canyon. I would not be counted out just because I couldn't fly, I would prove that I could do what others could even if not in the same manner if I put my mind to work.

-Spyro's POV-

Our group was flying over the Whisperglade Forest heading towards Lake Qilin which was where our group would stop for the night. Yet, my mind wandered and went back to settle on my new friend Saber as the flight continued towards Warfang. It had become very clear that he was different than apes quickly since our meeting. He has no fur except on his head, but it's more than just Saber's appearance that makes him different than apes. Then Saber said he would catch up later, but he was traveling on the ground by himself and after what he had done earlier the apes might want to harm him. He was also going by or through part of Dragon Ridge that was east of Whisperglade Forest and surrounded Lake Quilin, and that was not an easy trek on the ground. I hope he will be okay even so, I cannot stop worrying about Saber.

"Spyro are you okay," asked Cynder.

I looked over to my right and saw Cynder flying next to me, her face showed that she was worried. "I am fine Cynder," I answered.

Cynder huffed at me for that, "You are not fine, your face shows that," she said to me.

Averting my gaze at my mate's accusation, yet I still felt Cynder's stare on me. Should I tell her that I was worried? However, that was an understatement in itself, "Well, I am worried about Saber," I admitted.

As I glanced back at Cynder, her expression was that of disbelief, "Oh really? Why is that," she asked.

I nodded to her in reply, but still added more, "Saber is good at getting into trouble without much effort."

Cynder's expression shifted to confusion, "What do you mean," she inquired.

There was a need for me to carefully consider how I say my answer, but after a slight pause I did came up with an answer. "Very similar to my ability to draw trouble only worse. I… well, I think he said it like, 'He was a mag net for trouble' or something like that, I really do not understand what he meant. He said that it was a na-ack whatever that is, Saber seemed to say odd phrases I do not understand," I said.

Cynder looked even more confused than before at my answer, "What is a 'mag net' or a 'na-ack' for that matter," she asked.

Shrugging in reply since I did not know what any of the 'words' meant any more than Cynder. Saber's manner of speech had been odd and somewhat difficult to comprehend, "I have no idea really, maybe it is a human thing?"

-Saber's pov-

I was making good time through the forest of trees and the sound of rushing water also had been telling me that the stream or river had grown and was moving along faster than before. I was still moving along at a fair pace, since I was running along at a more than decent pace. Now, I'd always loved running for as far back as my memory could go, it was the big reason that I took a run every morning without fail for the last fourteen years or so. The activity also got me out of the house that I had grown up in, a real plus in my view. It was also one of the reasons that I kept in such good shape over all most of the time and had the muscles to show for that.

I was keeping an eye out for roots so that I wouldn't trip and kiss the ground under me, I avoid that when I can. I was still keeping close to the river to make sure that I kept going in a southeasterly direction as Cynder had indicated Warfang was in. The other reason I was sticking close to the river was I recall hearing some of the dragons saying that they would be heading for a lake. Rivers empty out into lakes or larger bodies of water, thus if I follow this river I should find this lake they had been talking about in theory.

Out of nowhere, a sneeze came and I barely had the time to cover my mouth in time from the unexpected sneeze. It could be something in the air or something along those lines, I can't say, but who knows what brought it on. The sneeze had been random, and I couldn't figure the cause of it, but I see nothing out of the ordinary. The first sneeze was followed by a few more and became a trend for several minutes. It makes me wondered what in the hell was causing me to sneeze like this for it's not something that happens with me often.

I've heard the philosophy for someone sneezing because another was talking about you, but come on, that idea is ridiculous! Normally don't put much belief in such superstation since such things have little if any basis in fact, hence it's illogical as well as completely and utter nonsense! Nevertheless, at this moment with all the weird crap that had been happening lately, I was beginning to be a little more willing to take a chance in the illogical. If this is being caused by someone talking about me, then it would be nice if they would stop!

I sneezed once again and as most people do, I closed my eyes out of reflex. So, I missed a root in front of me until I tripped over it, fell forward as I tried and failed to regain my balance. I UNINTENTIONALLY preformed three fantastic cartwheels with my attempt to recover my balance but ended out on the bank of the river in the water face first. I slid a good distance I would guess before I finally came to a stop in the mud on the bank of the stream. I pulled my head out of the mud and took a breath, spat out the mud and stream water that I had gotten in my mouth while sliding to a halt.

Then, I brought my right arm up to prop my head up and sighed with my face smeared with mud. My clothes were soaked through and I was cold, all I could think to do at the moment was to stay where I was on the bank still partly in the water. One thought kept coming to mind at this moment, which was I guess that I was overdue for a shot of bad luck, now that I think about it, so I supposed I should have expected this. Upon reviewing the last few days, they had been extremely different than anything I had ever experienced to say the least.

Now that I'd the time to think I try something the Master had suggested by looking at one's situation from a different perspective. The fact was that ever since I'd met Spyro my luck had gone through a small change that had an effect that I was only now beginning to notice. While I was with him, my streak of bad luck didn't strike as hard or as often and that's a big thing for me! Little if anything I've come across can change the consistency of my luck or really put even a dent into the job it does. So, when I had found out that Spyro had a very similar knack of drawing trouble as I do, I fully expected it to amplify my bad luck's power. Nevertheless, what actually seemed to happen was that both our abilities canceled each other out somehow, and that was beyond my understanding. My luck's power is notorious for being untouchable and unaffected by pretty much anything thus far in my life.

As time when on, I stared to feel the cold temperature of the water and it moving start to get my body heat to go down. This helped me to decide to get out of the water right quick, "What am I going to do now, I can't run soaking wet," I asked myself.

It was then unfortunately that I imagined Sparx's reaction to me being like this, "You took so long, was it because you fell in the stream ha?"

It was as clear in my ears as if Sparx was next to me physically saying it and that in turn of course made me mad. The vein in my forehead began to pulse and pound, my face began to twist on its own with anger easy to see on it. While in my mind I was thinking, 'That… that… insect, that… that… little misbegotten son of a blind jawless house fly! Wait till I get my hands on him! How dare he say that about me!'

My anger was growing every second and spread through my body. I knew that I had promised Spyro that I would be nicer to Sparx however, I knew my thoughts and imaginations of how IC would react had more than a shred of truth to them. There had always been something about Sparx from the first moment we had met, whether it was his voice that grated on my nerves in such a way I couldn't ignore it. Perhaps it's the crap that came out of his mouth in copious amounts, that could be the reason, then again, it could have been his manners or lack thereof. Oh hell, it's much more likely that it's very well a mixture of the three for all I know, I can't say I know, nor did I care in any way! The point was clear as day to me, IC and I hadn't, didn't and wouldn't get along period! That's the way it is, no negotiating it, no changes will be made!

I felt my body temperature becoming hotter all the time, the searing anger in my body raging inside me and kept spreading. I chanced a look at the river and could only stand and stare with a dumbfounded look on my face. An impossibility was occurring in front of my very eyes, still there was steam coming off my body along with a faint red glow surrounding me like an aura. Somehow in some way the 'heat of my anger' wasn't figurative any longer, but literal now and I couldn't explain how that could be.

In my mind there was a battle that had raged so many times before with a variety of different subjects. In this my practical and logical side of me explained the 'why' and 'how' of the situation that I was in. They would fight the reckless and illogical that would be trying to say otherwise. Normally, I was more of a practical minded individual since that had proved to be safer and more effective. Yet, now that mind set was losing to the illogical side for the first time in many years. For I don't know how, but somehow in a way that either science or logic couldn't explain my raw emotion was being transformed into some kind of power that I'd never seen.

It was then my thoughts turned to Spyro as he seemed able to manipulate the basic elements with his emotions. I had been mystified on how that idea had worked when he tried to explain it to me for his explanation had made no sense. It seemed like some kind of magic to me and I don't believe in magic, but now, I'm starting to think there may be something to the point here at least. Still, somehow I was doing something similar and I still couldn't understand how it all worked. My logical mind was screaming denials at this event that brought up so many questions that I couldn't answer.

My anger had drained by this time and replaced by confusion and uncertainty, this in turn it appeared to make the heat and odd red aura disappear. Well, I was still left confused about what had happened and how and nothing was coming to mind. Nonetheless, looking on the bright side of things, I noticed that my clothes were dry regardless of the method employed and I'll take that. With the point of dry clothes settled, I really should get moving towards the lake that is likely the meeting point.

I kept making my way through the forest the sun moved across the sky showing the passage of time. It was as the sound of rushing water got louder ahead of me that I felt that I was getting somewhere. However, I was forced to slide to a halt and then work on not falling forward from my momentum. I manage to not go forward, but backwards onto the ground and not forward and then downward. Why do I say forward and downward, because I had stopped at the edge of a cliff that dropped off below. I took a moment to slow my breathing and heartbeat before I moved back to the cliff edge and looked down.

The first thing I figured from what I was seeing would be that I found the lake that I had been likely looking for. It was quite large I have to admit, and the river fed into via a waterfall which was fifty meters to my left. The lake was to my best estimation, between forty and fifty meters below where I stood. This lake was lined with cliffs two-thirds of it whereas the other third was open. The way down from the level I was at to the shores of the lake appeared to be rough, steep graded and rather unappealing to me. However, as I looked over the cliff again which was the alternative way down, I wasn't much liking the idea of jumping either.

I sat on the cliff debating which way to go to get down to the lake's shoreline weighing the pros and cons. After my unusual experience with the heat and steam before, things had been getting weird since I got to this world. The water did look deep enough to be able to slow me down and not injure me if I were to jump. The reason that I was hesitating jumping was I am somewhat uncomfortable with great heights. But as sitting here just going through the argument of whether I take the long way or the short way, I came to the decision that I would just need to pick one and get to it.

I checked my pack to make sure it was shut and ready, then I walked a short distance and faced the cliff. Honestly, I was questioning what I was about to do, but it's too late to do that so, I began running towards the cliff edge. When I got to the edge I let out a curse as I leapt off, "FIDDLESTICKS," I shouted as I launched out a distance away from the rock face and began going downward. Wind whipped past me as the lake surface below rapidly came to meet me as the seconds passed with me in free-fall. I prepared myself to dive into the water, it was a skill I learned during my high-school years, swimming and diving, and I am glad I learned it now. I hadn't thought I would use this skill set, but it was coming in handy now, so I won't complain. My entry into the water was good though I certainly felt the impact and it was not the nicest, but not anything I couldn't handle.

I swam upward and broke the surface of the lake and glanced up to where I had jumped from and shook my head at the distance it was. After that, I set my sight on the shore of the lake and began swimming towards it at a steady pace. It took ten minutes for me to get to where my feet could touch sand and I walked the rest of the way out of the lake. Once I was on dry land, I decided to test out whether what had happened to me before had been a fluke or if the same idea of heat would occur again. I thought of things that the lightbulb with wings would say to me with my current situation and lo and behold, an aura of heat surrounded me like before. Steam came off my wet clothes as the heat dried them and within a minute I was dry from my swim. Thankfully, my pack is pretty much waterproof, so I'm not worried about the contents of the bag.

With myself in order, I glanced around to see if there was evidence that those I had been with this morning had been here. I saw nothing that would suggest that they had been, and the sun was starting to sink into the horizon by this point. That fact in mind presented two possibilities, first, one was that as unlikely as it was, I could have gotten here first, and it was a possibility though rather a funny one as they had less obstacles than I did to work with. Second and the more likely, something or someone had slowed the down and they had to stop before getting here. Whichever the case is, it left me with a choice to make, which was should I stay here by the lake, or go and look for the dragons?

I pondered the choice as there were pros and cons for both options. Stay here and the dragons not show up, I would be alone for the night in a place that I know nothing about and I don't like that idea or what would probably come with it. However, go out looking I could miss them, or it would be lots of work looking as I haven't a clue of the path they were traveling on. Before I could decide which choice to go with, I felt a shift in the air current and upon looking up, I saw dragons flying into the valley from above me. I suppose that gives me the answer to make the choice to go with on this, no need to go out looking for them. And to think they thought I couldn't keep up with them, yet here I am having beat them to the meeting spot. Go me!

I walked forward toward the dragons and dragonesses now landing as I had seen Spyro in the lead of the… I don't know what the term would be in this case, a flock, maybe a wing or flight? Once I got to be among the dragons, which none appeared to notice me for some reason or another, I started making my way in the direction that I had last seen Spyro in. Nevertheless, on my way I accidentally had bumped into a crimson scaled dragon and they turned to see what had hit them and saw me. They promptly made a sound that I took as being minor disgust and with me having the keen sense of hearing that I do, I happened to hear the reaction.

This caused me to sigh with slight annoyance before I turned to face the dragon with a look of contempt plain on my face. It is an expression I've gotten enough to not be fond of the reaction directed at me. I took a moment to get a better look at him and I noted he had a gold underbelly and wing membranes that were a little lighter gold than Spyro's had. I also noticed that he was on the scrawnier side and thinner than the average dragon. Actually, on closer inspection the figure of the dragon had an overall body figure more like Cynder's own odd as it may be. "You apparently have a problem with me, care to elaborate why," I posed not making much of an attempt at being nice about it.

"What do the apes call you," asked the 'dragon'.

Two emotions instantly manifested themselves in my head, the first was anger at the fact I was once again being compared to those intelligence deprived fur-balls that were called apes here. The second was that of surprise at the sound of the voice. I'd learned that like humans, dragons' gender could normally be determined by the pitch and tone of the voice. For the voice with this 'dragon' made it obvious that it was not guy, but girl in point of fact. This also explained the odd figure or rather the more feminine figure because she was a dragoness.

I focused my mind back on the matter at hand taking deep breaths trying to calm myself. I knew that she didn't understand anything about me much like any other dragon or dragoness that had seen me. She was most likely going off the closest thing she knew and that unfortunately, in my case was apes here in this place! I highly doubted she was intending to insult me or slight me in any way, dragons didn't come off that way. So, I forced myself to smile the best I could which, the action didn't help me since it made it appear to be an obvious forced smile that twitched at the corners. I looked at the dragoness who clearly was confused at my reaction, "Miss, despite what some might assume about me by how I look, I am in no way related to those creatures you call apes. There is the possibility that they may have come from a similar origin as me, but whether that is true or not, is not the issue to be debated. Still, the point is that I am not like them in any way nor of the same mind in any facet. I am what is called a human being and I can assure you there is an exceedingly large difference between humans and apes," I stated flatly.

The dragoness just sat there and stared at me like I was something odd and it very well may be something I said. So, in order to cover myself, I decided to go further in the hope that she and the others who were listening would comprehend. "Well, first humans have a lot more intelligence compared to those apes. It should be observed by my clearer speech for I do not slur, nor do I have difficulty with enunciation. Second you can see I have an incredible lack of fur or hair covering my body, all I have is the hair on the top of my head. Finally, if I was with the apes then, why would they be trying to kill me," I continued.

It was at that point that the dragoness started to laugh, "You are really funny," she commented.

"Huh," I uttered.

I was taken aback by her reaction for the last thing I expected was amusement from one that had not thought much of me by the hint of disgust they had shown. My eyes met hers and she was looking at me with eyes the color of the solar flares I'd seen pictures of in school.

"My name is Flare, what is yours," the dragoness inquired.

I had noticed a fact ever since I met Spyro that one's name could say a good deal about you, more than it could for human beings. Dragons in this particular point, their name tends to give reference to their element they work with and sometimes a clue as to the type or facet of personality they might have. I smiled slightly back at her, "My name is Saber it is nice to meet you," I returned.

After my meeting and conversation with Flare I set out again in search for Spyro. The task shouldn't be so hard, I mean he's the one purple dragon among all the other colors. I, being a human and smaller than the majority of the dragons my smaller size allowed me to move through the crowd fairly easily. It was at times like this it was a good thing to be human! While I made my way through, I could overhear the comments that were pointed at me as dragons began to notice me:

"Who let that thing around here?"

"Is that some kind of runt of the apes?"

"I thought that thing was left behind, we should just shoo it away."

Oh boy, my popularity and infamy proceed me, and they are growing the longer that I'm here. After getting experience around the apes here, I knew there were going to be those that would be afraid or revolted of me. I'd also gotten this kind of reaction on occasion back home in my world and learned to ignore it and so, I did so in this as well. When I'd finally spotted Spyro, I made my way towards him greeting one of the few here that didn't see me in a possibly bad light. Spyro was slightly surprised to see me as I think most if not all thought I wouldn't keep up in this trip.

We caught up on what had happened during the day and the sun almost set as Spyro and I headed towards the camp that had been made. As we walked, I caught the scent of meat and that caused my stomach to growl in order to remind me food was required. It had been a long time since breakfast this morning and there had been no lunch other than some food I happened to have in my pack. I smiled slightly at the thought of food in whatever form it would have for I'll admit with pride that I like and work for food, preferably three meals a day when I can get them. The thought that I would get to see what dragons eat in a short period of time came to mind. Spyro looked over at me with a smirk, "You hungry then," he asked.

I chuckled softly, "Um, I guess that my stomach spoke for me and did so loudly enough that you heard it? Then thinking back, breakfast was the last meal I had and that was a small one, so it is understandable that I would be hungry at this time," I answered.

Spyro laughed at my answer and gestured ahead of us in the direction of the middle of the valley, "I assume that the hunters are getting close to being done gathering the meat."

I didn't need Spyro to tell me about the food that we were getting closer to, I could smell the meat already! The two of us came into the camp by the lake, and I saw the growing pile of meat that was dinner. Spyro and I broke into a run since I was betting that Spyro was as hungry as me. As we got closer to the pile of meat, I began to pat my pockets and in turn my pack as I was running. Thankfully, I have good balance and coordination that I can do such things while running and not kiss the dirt.

What I was trying to find the switchblade that I kept with me for this and other occasions that come up in which I need something to have as a tool for food. I do have manners and use them when they were needed, and that knife was the only thing I had in the subject of utensils. It's part of one of my credos, 'it's better to be prepared', which has saved me in more ways than one many times before. It was then that we met up with Cynder, Oryha, and IC and shortly thereafter, I could feel several gazes on me as I continued to search for my switch blade.

"What are you doing," piped up Oryha.

I glanced over at Oryha with slight surprise for I'd seriously thought the question would come from IC. In fact, I had been hoping and counting on that so that I could-I mean… ugh, never mind, not something I should be plot-I mean expecting to do, yes that's what I meant to imply. "Oh just looking for something," I replied, my hand closed on the desired switchblade as I was speaking.

I pulled out the switchblade which was closed at this time, and I say that for a specific reason! It was at this point that Sparx looked at me and opened his mouth doing what I had been secretly been hoping he would! "What's that," he asked curiously.

YES! Oh thank you whatever deity has it in for this stupid sucker and him being so trusting of me when he shouldn't be by this point. I would thoroughly enjoy this, and I wanted to see the fly scared spit-less! I composed myself as to not ruin the wonderful surprise in store for that makes what's about to happen much better. I then sighed convincingly as had becoming habit whenever Sparx opened his mouth as I didn't want him to suspect anything from me. It is time for an educating lesson for the dragonfly why annoying me like he does is not a wise decision. That's my plan, and I couldn't stop the smile come to my lips as I focused my attention back on Sparx, "I am glad you asked that question, and to give you a satisfying reply, allow me to show you what this object is. Now please, allow me to demonstrate," I said holding the switch blade in front of me.

As I held out the switchblade for everyone to view since Spyro, Cynder and Oryha had also shown an interest in the closed switchblade. Sparx got closer to get I assume a better look, which was playing out so perfectly for what I was planning. But to be fair, I made sure that he was far enough away from where the blade would whip out, so that when it would come out there was no risk of harm. I can't hurt the fly as I don't think he deserves to get seriously hurt and I did promise Spyro that I would be nicer to Sparx. I'll not do that to a friend though IC was close enough to have a front row seat, in the nose bleed section as it were! Now on with the show!

I flicked the switch to open and the four-inch blade swung out and forward in to position as it was designed to. Others would exclaim it was wrong of me to do this knowing it would scare the dragonfly good, but they're not having to deal with the annoyance so they can shut up. I know that this is wrong of me to do but, it was so worth it the second I saw IC's face! The look of shock and surprise on Sparx's face as the blade swung to be directly in front of him, it was a face that could only be described in one word, priceless!

I kept my gaze on Sparx who, once he had gotten his breathing to slow down, glared at me. Okay, I'll admit that I might've toed the line a bit… perhaps stepped over the line just a tad, yet he did ask for it. Soooo, that's my justification meaning it's not my fault, so he has no real right to complain about what happened. I glared right back at Sparx with a smile, "Now do not even think of blaming me for what could have happened. You did ask to know what this was, did you not?"

"You did not have to show it," IC shot back.

I gave him a look that one gives another when they state the obvious, "Um, that is what it means to demonstrate or show something! Take this as a lesson to be more specific the next time you ask something and then, listen to me when I do something for you IC. A piece of advice you would do well to heed," I said this calmly but firmly.

By the time we got to the pile there were already dragons and dragoness eating and I'm not being one to be left out of a meal even with crowds and lines. I expertly weaved in and out of the multitude until I finally got to the food. I took a moment to watch all the dragons and dragonesses eat for a few long seconds. If I were to say that the way of eating dragons used showed a lack of human or more what American society would call good table manners, it would be an understatement. I can say without reservation that the majority of the girls at the dojo criticize my table manners though I don't listen to those criticisms. Well, were they here now, they would have fainted with horror and disgust at how the dragons and dragonesses were eating for they made my manners look close to be fit for royalty!

It was much like the times I've seen young children eat with their face using no utensils nor hands. Dragons ate it seemed in much the same manner and it wasn't taken as a bad thing around here it would seem. As it was, me being a guy, I decided to go with the flow and use the same manners that seemed to be the norm here. At seeing that I decided that as the phrase goes, 'when in Rome do as the Romans do,' meaning do as I was seeing, so dinner is served! I darted in and grabbed some meat quickly as not to get my hand bitten off since dragons have sharp looking teeth.

Dinner itself tasted fine, even if I don't know what the meat had been, and I wasn't inclined to ask what the meat had been. It was completely possible and likely I wouldn't know what the creature was by what it was called here. I had just taken the meat and made a fire putting my survivor skills to use and cooked the meat on a stick. So, when dinner was on its magical journey to being made into fuel for my body, I went looking for a good spot to settle down for the night.

Once I found what I wanted, I sat down and relaxed for the first time since getting here to this world. Upon hearing a belch, I glanced over in the direction of the source only to see it had been the lightbulb with wings. I felt a sigh of annoyance escape me since IC was laughing at the burp he had let out like an idiot. His actions told me that IC was a complete novice when it came to belching, he hadn't a clue how to do such a thing 'properly'. Some would say that I don't do belching properly either, but they don't see it as an art like I and some others do. It can be refined in different ways to make it have so much more effect and impact if done right. The next thing I saw, there was a flash and I was forced to blink a few times to clear my vision. I looked over where Spyro and his 'brother' were and saw a little smoke coming from Spyro's mouth. My brain was processing what I had just witnessed for if I had seen right then Spyro had just belch fire. If that were true, then that's what I call nice potential to add to the belching art!

I saw with the corner of my eye, Cynder and she was giving me a glance in an obvious attempt to get my attention. I got up and walked over to her, "Uh, you wanted to ask me something Cynder," I asked calmly, curious as to what Cynder wanted me to do.

"Saber stop those two, they are embarrassing," Cynder whispered to me.

Embarrassing she says, not that I don't agreed with her sentiment, but something in me says the reasons that we see this as embarrassing are different. I looked back at her with a quizzical look an eyebrow raised in question, "Are you sure you understand what you are asking me to do? I mean, I agree with you that those two are embarrassing however, I think our views of how and why would be extremely different," I started in the form of a warning.

"Just do it," Cynder said this in a tone of firmness and finality.

I shrugged in reply as she hadn't let me finish my warning as to how I could solve this problem. If she thinks I see things the same way she does, then oh boy is she in for a surprise! I would attempt to tone my performance down… as much as I could which was very little in this. Yet, when I belch, I do it with gusto and pride! "If you say so, just do not get mad if this is not done the way you may envision," I warned.

Shifting my gaze to Spyro and Sparx who were still belching and laughing, Spyro burping fire with his belches. Seeing this, just told me that is would be best to separate Spyro and the pathetic belcher that IC is showing himself to be during and after meals. In my view, those two making idiots of themselves verses Cynder's view of likely the rude manners. My position was pretty much that of master watching beginners who think they're experts honestly. Although I had to admit, Cynder was right in one way, they were embarrassing themselves! The best way to correct that is to show them how belching is REALLY DONE! And who better to show that than a master like myself I say?

I waltzed over to the two belching fools that were carrying on, "Alright boys break it up please before you do something that you may end out regretting." I gazed at Spyro, "Spyro stop making a fool of yourself at the behest of this brother of yours and before you burn up the plant life around us." I faced the one that had been annoying me a great deal since I met him, "IC for ONCE stop goading him on, shut that mouth of yours and keep it that way for a while! It would give us all some peace of mind for a little while," I said in a commanding tone.

"Why are you interfering," Sparx was asking this with his eyes locked on me.

That was it, the lightbulb with wings was indeed asking for it and I fully intend to deliver as only I could. I can do belches in two sizes and those would be 'sprint for the hills size' and 'Oh My Freaking God *BOOM*' size! Either way you slice the idea, both drop the spectators nine times out of ten, to which I take a bow! In this area I would prove to Sparx that I alone reigned supreme period and will have that position until I decide to give it up! I continued to stare at the two belching and laughing, I let another sigh, "Enough boys you're embarrassing yourselves," I said louder.

"What would you know," IC shot back.

I scoffed at the lightbulb with wings as felt a smile creep across my face at the question. Well Cynder can't say that I didn't try to warn her for I did as this was what I expected to come. Let the match… no, my overwhelming performance begin! "What would I know you ask IC when it comes to belching, more than you as I state is that all you got?! Step aside and let me show you how it is done," I said before I let loose first belch of the night and it wasn't quiet as it echoed for a good second, it was the way to start a belching performance.

Spyro, Sparx, and Cynder gaped at me, Cynder was glaring at me with horror, Spyro was looking at me with what looked like bemusement, Sparx however was looking at me with a look of indifference. The next thing I heard was Spyro laughing as well as rolling on the ground. Cynder was on the ground covering her nose and groaning and coughing that sounding like 'Foul'. To those reactions I bowed to what I had delivered, but IC gave me a smirk, "So you can let go and play then try this," Sparx's retort was followed with a belch directed at me.

I took a whiff almost lazily and would admit it was a little foul and I called it 'little' because it was the lowest rank on the scale. If there was any rank lower on said rating scale, then I would have used it as I've smelled worse. It was somewhere between a two or three on a scale of one to ten, and anything below a five isn't really worth noting and anything that hits nine, ten or higher, is awesome. There was certainly no reaction from me as it didn't make me flinch or recoil at all and I say, if you don't recoil at least from a whiff, then you are wasting your time!

So, the lightbulb with wings would have to do far better than that to even get me to flinch. I'd smelled far more foul belches back at the dojo so, I had an accurate scale to judge by. In fact, as I recalled there were times when one of my sempai* who was two years above me let lose a belch which could drop an unprepared person to the floor. Now the league I'm in, I didn't even have to let a belch out get the people who knew what I'm capable of will run for cover as they covered their mouths and noses at the slightest hint of me preparing to unload!

Let's just say there is very good reason I'm not allowed to drink anything with carbonation in the dojo. The last time I'd been 'allowed', the results were that I cut the fumigation bill for the dojo down to zero for a year… actually more like two years! I didn't think the dojo had that many rats as residences but the last belching contest that I participated in proved there were a non-small number. I mean I thought we the students, at the dojo kept things clean, but I dealt with the rat problem we unknowingly had! Anyway, the challenge I gave that sempai seemed appropriate in this case, "Not bad… for a novice amateur that is! Now let me show you how to do, take 'the filthy finch', BURP, BURP, BBUURRPP(cock a doodle do tune)."

Sparx grimaced from the smell, but not to be dissuaded he didn't back down, "Okay what about this, BBBBBBBBUUUUUUUUUURRRRRRRRRRPPPPPPPP!"

It was better, but still a long way to go to reach where you get a long-distance view of my league. Still, I'd a retort in mind that by past experience would shame even a fairly accomplished belcher. I took a deep breath and tilted my head to either side feeling my neck crack in preparation, "Very well IC, I will give you that you got a little potential, but I have been going easy on you up till now. It is time I get serious! So, let us see how you handle a pro, here is the foul horn BBBUUURRRPPP(sounding like a fog horn)."

Said belch echoed through the valley, IC was sent flying backwards a way and Spyro leaned back or maybe he was forced to. When you deal with the ammo I'm packing, prepare yourself for the extreme force that WILL come for when I belch, I see no reason to hold back! Sparx was laughing between his coughing, "Is that you best, I have seen better," replied IC.

I glared at the lightbulb with wings rolling my eyes at his stupidity. Granted, Sparx is stupid, he had proven that many times to me since our first encounter, yet he was taking this too far! It's all fun and laughs until someone drops to the floor choking on the fumes in this kind of thing. "Uh, let me think about that… hmm um No! That was nowhere near my best and NO, I will NOT be doing my best shot here IC! I will not change my answer on that one, no matter what you say," I stated firmly.

"Why not? You scared I can out do it," he challenged, to which I snorted at.

He hasn't a clue what my best shot can do, "I have no fear of you coming even close to paling my best performance you idiot. My reason is that I, unlike you do not do things that make things in others' lives harder just because I can! Due to that, the problem is my best shot is uh," I paused for a moment, thinking of how to word my response, "I believe the best way of putting it would be a 'knock out', literally people drop with… appreciation, among other reasons, so absolutely not," I returned.

IC was replying with his retort and I was only half listening when I felt an all too familiar tingle of my danger sense warning me. Knowing it meant that pain would come if I ignored it, I resorted to my normal response to warning tingles. That being stop, drop and roll out of the freaking line of fire quick! Not more than two seconds later came a crash and when I looked back at the place I had been, and I saw Cynder, her right forepaw holding Sparx down and her left forepaw would have been had I not moved. My gaze shifted to her face and it made me flinch, I'd one word immediately come to mind looking at her face, 'Crap' as she was mad! "That is enough you two, more than enough! If you want to have a stupid contest then do not do at all, got that," snarled Cynder.

This would be one of the many reasons I avoid dealing with girls, they can get really scary when they're mad. I do the smart thing and don't get into these situations whenever possible. I was glad once again that I had developed the reflex of reacting to those warning tingles. I smiled nervously smiling at Cynder before speaking, "I got the point Cynder, it is the lightbulb with wings that needs the lesson drilled into him," I said.

Cynder glare got if possible, even scarier with what I said, which gave me the impression that I said the wrong thing to get out of this. I'm starting to understand why some called Cynder 'the Terror of the Skies', she could be scary when she wanted to be. I began to back up to make some distance between me and Cynder. As I was backing, I bumped into someone whom had I could feel very warm scales, "Oh it is you again," said a feminine voice.

I twisted to see who had spoken. I looked up to see the crimson dragoness that I had bumped into and met before the meal, "Oh uh… hello again Miss Flare," I chuckled slightly.

She looked up and grimaced, "It looks like Cynder still wants to talk to you," she remarked.

I groaned as I watched Spyro try to calm Cynder down without success, "My problem is not what she will say to me. It is how she will say it that worries me," I remarked.

I took the time to step away from Flare to make some space, so I got no innocent bystanders hurt from what would occur. By the time I had, I saw Cynder charging at me, the only thoughts that came to mind were desperate, what did I do to deserve this punishment, and this is going to hurt more than normal! Cynder may not look very heavy at first glance yet, I found out she has a good amount of muscle in her as she slammed into me. I crashed to the ground with Cynder pinning me and within the first few seconds my brain got the first wave of signals from my nerves, it was horrendous! All my mind could do at first was scream 'Good golly, the pain'! Since I studied martial arts I'd learned to ignore such ideas as pain for a time. This had helped in developing a very high pain tolerance, it's very nice to have, trust me! Still, Cynder was certainly pushing me to my limits and then some with the pain I'm feeling right now.

It had been a while since anyone had such control over me during a scuffle and I'd never been fond of such things. I started to hear a ringing in my ears, one that I felt was familiar, I couldn't recall why though. Time seemed to slow down, seconds felt like minutes that lengthened to hours and that told me that my body was starting into an adrenalin rush. The feeling of reaction overriding commands from my brain, I couldn't stop it even if I wanted to by this point. I felt my body act on pure instinct and reflex, my arms shot up and grabbed right behind Cynder's shoulder joint and applied pressure on the joint. The results, Cynder's hold loosened as the pressure that my hands were applying increased. The next thing that anyone knew Cynder's and my position were reversed with Cynder on the bottom and me on top. The next moments Cynder tried to push me off only to find that I was gone.

I appeared five feet behind her like I'd just been there all along, Cynder quickly got to her feet and faced me. While she did that I just settled into a defensive stance that I'd a tendency to use in a fight with some of the older students to great effect. Cynder once again charged me with her head down to no doubt ram me. The moment just before she hit me, I sidestep to the left letting Cynder start to go pass me. My right arm hooking around her neck and clasping my left hand and I began to lift Cynder using her momentum from her charge to overturn her to have her land on her back.

It was shortly after that my mind came back into focused like a switch was flicked on and I felt the last of the adrenalin that had been pumping dissipated. I shook my head to clear my head of the effects of the adrenalin before I looked around in an attempt to assess the situation. My sight stopped dead at seeing Cynder was on her back on the ground and was staring wide eyed at me not in anger, but in shock. I took a second to rewind the last moments in my mind and my eyes got wider as I recalled what had happened. I switch over to martial art mode as I had come to call it when I react in my own defense and don't think actively. The idea hadn't happened in many years, but it had come out and embarrassed Cynder in front of a large number of dragons and dragoness. I'd but one thought in my mind as I gazed at Cynder, this is not going to end well at all for me!

Long story short, once I'd managed to extricate myself, I made the decision to find a spot that had some distance between others for me to get sleep for the night. This was as much to get away from Cynder for the time being as to be by myself. I did glance down at my right arm to see the reminder of how I had been right when I thought things would not end well. My forearm was clean from blood and my right sleeve had gone from long sleeve to short sleeve, since I'd torn the 'sleeve' into bandages for my injured arm. "I have got to remember to keep an eye on dragon tail blades, they are a pain in the a**, literally," I muttered to myself.

I finally saw a spot that met the needs I had in the form of a tree ahead of me, it was not huge, but not small either. So, I broke into a run and as I reached the tree, I kept running up the trunk for about ten feet. As I felt my momentum waning, I used the last of it to propel myself up to grab one of the lower branches that were a good twelve feet off the ground. I once again was grateful that I had incredible reflexes as I missed the limb that I had been aiming for. I caught the one right below it thankfully before I pulled myself up onto the limb and decided to go a little higher and so climbed three more branches up. When I got to the branch I had decided on, I swung up to it and settled into a sitting position and let out a sigh.

I took a glance down and I had to admit I was a lot higher up than I had originally thought. At least I estimated that I had gone up about fourteen or fifteen feet up off the ground yet, I was actually one and a half times that distance. Of course, that meant that I had that much to fall if I did, but thankfully the branch that I was on was a wide one, so I would probably be fine. I felt the weight of the events of the day ease and felt myself relax as the exhaustion of the day began to get the better of me with my eyes closing.

…

I was running, every stride accompanied by a splash of water and it was raining hard around me. I felt fear, as unusual as it was, I was afraid yet, this was a familiar fear that I had experienced before. It meant I was in a very particular dream, blurry images had surrounded me and the boom of thunder rang out at random. I could feel myself shaking, I couldn't stop for some reason that I couldn't explain. The foliage that was all around me swayed in the slight breeze from the storm raging around me. I felt my mind racing thinking that I needed to hide so those who were chasing me wouldn't find me. Although these thoughts were ridiculous in every way for some reason my fear was putting me into a panic that was overwhelming my normal logic.

There was a boom of thunder and as if someone had opened the sky as the rain got heavier and soon turned in to a deluge of water coming down. Then out of the darkness of the night I heard a cry that was something between an angry roar, a blood curdling scream of pain and despair. This only made my condition worse since it gave me a feeling of pain and sadness and I didn't comprehend why. However, I turned and ran the opposite direction as fast as I could for no apparent reason. As I was running, I could hear others behind me where I had been but then, I tripped on something under me and fell to the ground into a puddle of water from the continuing rain.

I found myself crying, "What did I ever do to the ancestors to have this happen to me!" I heard myself saying this before everything around me faded.

…

I woke up with a snap with my eyes flying open breathing erratically. It was a dream I had on occasion, however it had been some time since the last time I had the particular dream I did. The dream itself had never really made sense to me and just was confusing, yet I always felt that there was something about the dream that was important. As the dream faded, I decided to roll over and try to sleep again since it was still night.

Chapter End

A/n

This is where I will leave off for chapter 6. I'm hoping that your readers are liking the changes thus far. Sorry that the chapter have been taking so long, have had less time than I would like to work on this with life as it is. Still, please some of you write a review to tell me what you think, comments are appreciate. Working on more chapters and hope to have them up soon enough, we'll see how things go.