A/n

Here is the next chapter, again the story in general overall has not change, but details have, so enjoy the story!

Chapter 15: Found at Last!

-Neutral pov-

Gratitude is a subjective idea and is different for each individual in both how it is displayed and taken. Sometimes it is shown through a kind word or a nonverbal gesture, where other times it is shown through action. And all like receiving thanks for actions done to help others, to be noticed and recognized for one's efforts. Saber is no different in this, he appreciates being thanked for what he does for others, especially when he had gone out of his way to do something.

But, when you expect gratitude and receive responses that show the opposite, it can be harsh to accept. To have one's efforts rejected or worse is not a pleasant feeling for anyone to feel or experience. Unfortunately, Saber has gotten the opposite of gratitude more often than thanks for the things he does. And so, once again, he was on the path to learning firsthand that life isn't necessarily kind to those that try to help others.

-Saber's pov-

I reached the campsite and saw that to my benefit, Cyra and Seth were still asleep, to which I let out a deep sigh of relief. I quietly made my way over to my pack and dug out a cloth and took out Yubashiri and finished cleaning it off the blood it had acquired. I have the habit and practice keeping my things well maintained, including cleaning my sword after use. After I'd returned Yubashiri to its sheath, I went to a tree and sat down against it decided to wait for the two dragons to awaken and got to thinking.

I've found that taking the time to review what information I'd acquired recently is usually a good thing to do. And lately, there had been changes and a dangerous one today even that I needed to consider. Our party would be traveling through the middle of Pyria today, probably get to the mountains tomorrow. It wasn't that apes had the most influence that worried me for I don't doubt that Seth, Cyra and I could handle anything they would throw at us. Nevertheless, with the appearance of the 'Silence Killer' Mara, I was forced to reassessed things. The group that Mara belonged to being assassins were very good at the art as evidenced by the lack of knowledge and the unexplained disappearances that happen. That was the mark of a truly good assassin, not to be noticed and or found out.

Heck, even I hadn't been able to sense Mara as she moved, I would have to work on a change that and quickly if I was to live a measurable time longer. Mara may have said that she would kill me just yet, but it is only a matter of time I would imagine. This means I needed to get back to the basics of martial arts of tracking an opponent for that would be my best defense and preparation against Mara and her fellow 'Silent Killers'. I've got the feeling I would meet more than her from that group sometime in the future and I wasn't looking forward to that. Then there was this leader of the apes, 'the Ape King', who worried me even more now. If Mara was correct I would assume this king was smart like her and that could be problematic in different ways. We also still had the original problem that gave the reason for this journey being needed finding Ruben. We still didn't know where he was being kept and that made things harder, searching randomly doesn't help since it takes more time.

After about half an hour of thinking and waiting, Seth stirred from his sleep. He yawned and stretched looking around after that and saw me, I was still deep in thought at that moment. "Saber what are you thinking about," he asked.

That question snapped me out of my thinking and looked at Seth and I smiled at him, "Oh just reviewing things from the last few days," I replied.

I took a moment to study Seth's face and it was different from yesterday and the change kind of took me a little by surprise. It was plain as day that Seth was serious about this journey where he had been uncertain about some things before. Seth looked like he was going to reply, but Cyra stirring drew our attention before that happened. Not a second after we glanced over at her, my danger sense went off. I instantly moved my head to the right as the sound of a sneeze came from Cyra's direction, and less than a second later a loud thunk came near my head. My gaze flicked over to my left and see a foot long icicle-like shard sticking out of the tree where I had been mere seconds ago.

My breathing sped up at seeing how close I came to having a good size hole made in my neck. I know that Cyra unlikely meant to send an ice spear my way, but that had come too close for comfort, so what the hell! "Yo Cyra," I snapped, "watch where you aim please!"

Cyra shook her head and then focused on me blinking in confusion, the look on her face said she was still half asleep. When she came to full alertness and looked at me then to the icicle that was very close to my neck and head. I smiled in such a way that didn't show happiness at all, but more to mask anger, "Good morning Cyra. Slept well I hope, if you could next time face the opposite way so that you don't nearly send ice to make a hole in my neck it would be appreciated."

She looked embarrassed, "I am sorry I did not mean to," she muttered.

I sighed in acceptance as I knew that Cyra hadn't tried to impale me, "I know Cyra, I am just asking for you to be a little more careful the next time. I am mortal and can get hurt and injured just as much as anyone else. I would prefer that I do not get hurt if I can avoid it, but I would not like to give any the opportunity to test my tolerance out thank you. Anyway, you two, let us get going and start trekking for the day then shall we," I said.

We had begun walking in the same direction as we had been going yesterday in heading for the mountains that I believe Ruben likely is. Thankfully Cyra it seemed had calmed down, at least she wasn't jumping up and down chorusing 'we're going on an adventure' and that was a mercy! As we walked I took in every sound I could and identify what it was putting to use my survival skills. I had very good hearing, better than average for humans and I was wary since this morning's meeting with Mara. She was trouble with a capital 'T', so I wanted to be ready and alert for when she shows up again. And I guarantee she will at some point, I just don't know when, and she would unlikely give me much warning.

We came into the plains portion of Pyria by mid-morning, grassland stretching as far as I could see other than the mountains in the distance. There were a few areas of foliage here and there around the plains, but not much more in the order of coverage from attacks. We stood looking out over the plain for a little bit as we were still in territory that apes had less influence over. I took a deep breath, "Well here is the last point where you can change your mind," I remarked. "We are at the point of no return here, so you two sure you still in this with me?"

Seth nodded in conformation to my question, his face serious and confident, "I do not think I have been any more serious about anything in my life," he replied.

Cyra nodded her head in agreement with Seth, "I am in absolute agreement with Seth on this," she said.

It's nice to know that I will have the company, I feel there will be a need for that, more so after encountering Mara. So, I smiled and nodded, "Glad to hear it, now that is out of the way we can move forward with no regret or questions."

On to the plains, we went still moving forward towards the mountains, I would say there was a difference, yet I would have been lying were I to say that. The only noticeable difference was you could smell the stench of ape in the air and on the wind, which was horrendously foul to my nose! We continued forward though I think we were all a little on edge now just know where we now were. I was the most on edge, mostly as I knew was waiting ahead of us even when Seth and Cyra don't. I expect Mara to pop up soon enough and I was on-guard for when she would as she had proven I needed to be careful.

After a few hours of travel, we stopped for a meal and water before we would continue on. It was nice to know that the water was clean enough to drink and I grant you I have drunk far better water than this stuff, but 'beggars cannot be choosers' as the phrase goes. While Seth and Cyra were eating, I decided to go ahead to do some scouting. I hadn't seen any apes since we had traveled today in Pyria and that was bugging me. Two dragons and the 'ape killer' as they had called me were waltzing through territory that can be considered as "theirs" yet, none of them had attacked us. That the apes were giving an expected response made me more suspicious than if they attacked us really.

As I was exploring around the general area, I had the feeling I was being watched and with where I was, ignoring such wouldn't go well and could be fatal. So, I stopped and focused on my senses to locate the one or group that was observing me. It was then my danger sense went off and I moved out of the way due to reflex and it developed for a good reason. I say that as I saw a blur move past where I just was a moment ago and the sight of gray gave me an educated guess on who it was that had just tried to attack me. And so, my gaze came to be on the monkey I had met earlier, Mara. She looked over to where I had moved to, her yellow eye registering slight surprise for a second before assuming the customary indifference. "Kee kee kee I am surprised, you have impressive reflexes, studying you is more interesting than I thought originally," she remarked.

I was quickly growing to dislike this monkey and I hadn't liked her from the moment I met her really. So, I glared back at her for what she had just done and tried to do was just plain rude, "What happened to 'I won't be killing you today'," I posed flatly.

"I haven't yet have I? I never said I would not be trying," Mara replied.

Crap… she did have a point because she hadn't technically said she would leave me alone nor had she mentioned anything about not making attempts at killing me specifically. Is this what it feels like to have a stalker follow you as they do? If it is, it was creepy as hell and I don't like it at all! However, it seems Mara is in a potentially talkative mood, which meant I could possibly get information from her. That was an opportunity I wouldn't say no to if I could work with it, "Since you seem to be in a talkative mood, would I be right in assuming you are the reason we have met no apes as of yet," I inquired.

"Kee kee kee you would be right," Mara answered.

She lunged at me again, but I was ready for that and evaded her strike even if the margin I did it by was smaller than I like to have. Now should I be able to offer something, perhaps I could get Mara to cough up the info I was interested in. I'm pretty sure she would have a clue as to where captured dragons would be, she seems to be high enough to know that kind of thing. The risk for me is I would likely have to give an opening to attack me for the exchange and that is dangerous. But to gain, sometimes you have to face the chance to lose something for it plus, this would be a measure for Mara's capabilities to me. "Hey, Mara I have a proposition that I think will interest you," I challenged.

Mara stopped and looked at me for a moment, and then gave a sniff, "What might that be," she queried.

I had an idea as to what I could offer, but whether Mara would take the bait, I can't say at this point. "Let us have a match of you versus me, if I land a blow on you in five minutes, I get one piece of information from you. Should I not do so, then you can ask me any one question and I will answer," I offered.

"Kee kee kee, I like that idea, very well I accept your terms," Mara returned.

Now from what I have gathered about Mara, I suspect she could get to me faster than I can approach her. A direct frontal assault would not have a high chance of success for me with what I knew and I wasn't going to kid myself right now. Yet, I'm pretty confident that I can counter Mara when she attacks me, countering is sort of a specialty of mine. So, I took a defensive stance and drew Yubashiri making myself ready to react to Mara. I did get a good view of her weapon as well and Mara used some kind of cat claws attached to gloves on either hand. The claws themselves were made of some kind of crystal and looked very sharp from what I could tell.

I took a deep breath, "Time starts now, go ahead Mara, your move first," I stated.

She looked at me like I said something crazy, but she shook her head and rushed forward at me with rapid speed. I reacted by sidestepping her followed by a quick spin in a circular motion, whipping Yubashiri around, "Ryukansen," I announced.

It was gratifying to feel my sword make contact on her Mara specifically her back if I guessed right. The monkey flew into a nearby tree and after slamming into it fell to the ground though it didn't disable Mara. Well, suppose I didn't need the five minutes though I am not chalking it up to skill, rather surprise on Mara's part. And speaking of the monkey, she got back up and looked at me with a look of… I don't exactly know what. "Kee kee kee It would seem I have underestimated you, that hasn't happened in a while. Still, a deal is a deal so what is your question," she said.

So, she actually keeps her word, but is it out of integrity or something else… I'm leaning towards the latter pretty heavily myself. We'll see if I get the info I'm wanting from this monkey and go on from there I guess, "Where are the dragons and or dragoness that came here to Pyria and did not leave," I questioned.

Mara blinked, "Is that why you and those are traveling with are around here," she asked. Then she started her laughter again, "Kee kee kee that is an easy answer, to an unexpected question. They are being held in a cave in the mountain closest to where we are right now north of here."

I was blown away at this for not only had she given me what I asked for, but she had also done it without hesitation. There is something not right about this, it smells fishy and a foul stench it is! What I had asked for wasn't a small thing as the dragons were probably seen as prisoners. I would expect one not to give that info would, at least without a good reason that usually benefits them. "What are you planning giving me this info so easily? I doubt giving me this information comes without a price," I said.

"Kee kee kee accidents happen to grunt labor all the time, it is not my concern," Mara replied. Then she focused her gaze on me, "Beside the observation I will get will be worth the ones sacrificed for it."

Before I could say anything, she jumped into the nearest tree and disappeared from the area as far as I could tell. Yet, what she had said before leaving had caught my attention for it was not what I would have thought to receive from her. She had pretty much said it isn't her issue at the apes that will likely be lost soon enough due to actions of Seth, Cyra and me. And Mara had also said that she would be observing what went down and learning what she could from that, mostly with me I would assume. I'm forced to admit that she had some shrewd logic, but I couldn't argue with it either and be justified. This monkey gets more confusing the more I learn about her and I'm not liking the development.

Well, I got what I had wanted from the encounter overall and I'll take that for the time being and go forward from there. It is time to use the information that I had just gotten as there had been an amount of work put in to get it. I returned Yubashiri to its sheath and I jogged back to Seth and Cyra at a fair pace. And when I did get back to Seth and Cyra I got down to telling them what I found out. "I am confident I have an idea of where to look for the one we are searching for now," I said. I quickly explained what I had gotten from Mara though I didn't tell them about the monkey as that may not go over well right now. Once I got the point across of where Ruben likely was, my two companions were onboard with me. We trekked for hours and got to the shadow of the mountains that we had been aiming for and likely would have gone on, but night had fallen so that was unwise.

The three of us did find a spot to work with to sleep for the night, each of us taking a turn to keep watch. I trust apes less than they are coming to hate me, so it was best we don't give them an opportunity to jump us and take us unawares. When morning did come, little was said between the three of us as we prepared. I think all three of us knew what would need to happen for us to get to Ruben and all come out of this alive. Apes hadn't bothered us last night, but we had heard them a distance away from where we had camped last night. Honestly, it had sounded like some sort of event had been going on, I can't say though. It had quieted down a little after dawn, and I had gone to scope out what we were dealing with after my morning routines and I hadn't liked what I'd seen.

There had indeed been a makeshift camp that was supporting a good number of apes that I'd seen. There had been a cave entrance at the far end of the camp, but getting there would not be easy for anyone. Apes may be dumb, but they aren't blind, at least most I've come across are not blind or deaf. The most efficient way to the care was straight through the apes' camp and they would not make it a stroll or picnic. There was no real good cover to work with either around the camp, just fire-pits and 'tents' of sorts. So, the situation as it stood was not the nicest, but certainly not as horrid as I feared it might be.

The three of us did take another look at a cliff overlooking the area in front of the cave later in the morning and saw little change in the number of apes milling around the area. The stench that was coming from the apes was bad, and it is my understanding that dragons have better senses of smell than we humans do, so if it's bad for me, it has to be horrible for my companions. The apes were clearly on-guard but weren't expecting an attack as seen by their somewhat lazily going about the camp.

After taking in a second view, I couldn't help but mutter, "Well this is going to be interesting."

Cyra let out what sounded like a sigh in response to my mutterings, "There are a lot of them down there," she said, not sounding scared if anything she sounded excited for the fight to come.

"Yes," remarked Seth, "there are a good number of them, so what do we do?"

Seth sounded apprehensive about what we were about to do, so I put a hand on his shoulder, "Numbers are not the key to a fight, it is who endures the longest that will be the ones that come out. In this instance, we will need to rely on outsmarting the apes which are normally not that hard to do. So, remember we are here save another that is the goal," I assured.

"How do we do that," posed Seth.

I took a moment to think about the possibilities of what would work on causing confusion among the apes. Confusion would be our ally for us against the apes, but stirring up enough was a tad more complicated by what I saw in front of me. Yet, if they could be distracted for a time, one of us could sneak into the cave and check on if Ruben was there as I suspected he was. I was the best fitting one of the three of us to get to that cave, but that would put the task of distraction on Seth and Cyra. "Say, could you two buy me say five minutes or so of keeping the apes' attention off of me," I posed.

My gaze flicked to Seth and Cyra seeing that the two looked at each other and then smile which I took as a yes they could. Now the smile I was seeing was one I've had myself and it isn't meant to look nice, it was one of non-nice glee. I didn't regret my previous question exactly, but I'm glad that such an expression isn't directed at me. "Okay, while you are keeping this horde of idiots busy, then I will take a look inside the cave and free any I may find there before I will come out to help you," I stated.

Seth and Cyra nodded and then they jumped over the cliff flying down towards the apes. If there was such a thing as a humorous fight, then this was in the category in my mind. That was my thought as I watched for half a minute as Seth and Cyra caused chaos among the apes. I shook my head and muttered, "All that is missing is a Holy Hand Grenade."

I quickly made my way to the cave entrance, avoiding all notice as the apes were much too busy to bother with me. By the time I got to the entrance of the cave, I took one more look back and saw Cyra and Seth keeping the apes busy very effectively. I continued forward into the cavern that the ape had been guarding using stealth to my advantage and I got a good distance in before I came to the place that the prisoners were being held. I looked over the prisoners and saw there was three of them, two female if I judge their figure right and one male. The two females were adult size and the male was more Seth's and Cyra's size.

One of the female's scales were a dark pine green color while her underbelly was an acid green. Her wing membranes were not the acid green that her underbelly was but more yellow-green shade. Her face was much like Cynder's however this female's horns were yellow, not white. I couldn't really see her tail from where I was. The other female had black scales and red underbelly and wing membranes. Horns lined the side of her head again like Cynder but this dragoness's horns curved forward instead.

The male dragon had golden yellow scales and silver underbelly and wing membranes. He had two horns on the side of his head that came out around the same place Spyro's did. His horns though looked like lightning bolts. His tail was the only one I could see out of the three dragons and his like his horns looked like a lightning bolt. If I had to hazard a guess as to the identity of the dragon I would have to say it would be Ruben. I would also assume that Ruben was a dragon who used electricity just by what I could see.

I glanced around and saw no apes, which surprised me for there to be no one to guard dangerous prisoners didn't make sense. I looked back at the three dragons once more and I realized why the apes hadn't seen a need. The marks I saw said they had literally beaten the three dragons to the extent that they could barely walk. Still, I crept forward still looking for any signs of guards so that I wouldn't be caught unaware. I listened for any sounds other than the fight going on outside and heard nothing. What had me on edge was I'd see no signs of Mara or any like her around yet and I expected to encounter one of them around here by what she had said.

When I finally reached Ruben who was the closest and gave him a once over more closely. He wasn't in good condition, so I took out some of the red crystals that Seth and Cyra had told me dragons use for healing. I pressed one of the red crystals I had against Ruben and it started to glow slightly. The more serious gashes and injuries started to heal as I pressed the crystal against him. It still was quite a sight to see injuries heal themselves with just the help of a red crystal. I couldn't understand how the process worked, still, in this instance I was willing to just know that the process did work without knowing how.

At the moment Ruben groaned and shifted I was starting to become hopeful that things would work out in this situation. Ruben raised his head slowly and opened his eyes and then shut them quickly and gave another groan of pain. I had got a quick look at his eyes which happened to be an electric blue. He shook his head again and then looked at me, I smiled hoping that would reassure him I was doing what I could to help him. What I got was Ruben opening his mouth and pointing it my way.

Now the majority of the times that I had a dragon or dragoness point their maw at me it didn't end well. The same held true in this case, for the next thing I feel was the electricity that shot out of Ruben's mouth slam into me and I was immediately sent flying to the opposite wall. I hit the wall hard and crumpled to the floor jerking and twitching unable to move my body properly. It took a few minutes to clear my head, thankfully I had just enough time to prepare for that electric shot so, it didn't catch me off guard completely. My experience with Spyro shooting me with electricity had taught me that with dragons you need to be ready for the elements they use and they could prove it thoroughly.

While I was clearing my head and collecting myself, Ruben it appeared was taking the crystals I had been forced to drop and was working on reviving the two dragonesses. I knew it would be in my best interest that I explain to these three what was going on as soon as possible before there were any misunderstandings, preferably before the two dragonesses regained their senses fully. The misunderstandings that could come in this kind of situation could be serious injury or potentially lethal consequences for me. Yet, that was proving difficult due to me just having been electrocuted, it was taking an effort to get to my feet slowly and shakily so. I groaned as a wave of pain surged through me, "I got to admit that really smarts more than the time Spyro hit me with electricity."

You know the sound of static on tv or phone, that's what I swear was going in my head as I was doing what I could to clear it. That static was making it difficult to concentrate and as most dragons seem to think I'm some sort of ape at first meetings, being unable to concentrate was bad. The sound of movement in front of me drew what attention I could muster, "So, you attacked Spyro before! Then it is unfortunate you have met me," challenged a male toned voice.

As the voice was male I assumed it was Ruben challenging me and he was making the mistake that I was worried about. I may not have the nicest life, but I much more prefer to be alive than dead as bad as things can be sometimes. "Whoa hold on, I did not say that in the way you think," I said.

"I will not listen to things that an ape says," Ruben shot back.

If there was ever a shot of something that speeds things along for me, it was the mix of adrenaline and anger. My head sped up the pace of being clearer now with the situation as it was developing. I mean Seth, Cyra and I travel here and we're on freaking day three, those days had been harsh in a couple of ways all to find Ruben. I would also add we had been going through ape controlled Pyria no less, so how does he respond to this kindness?! Not a single thank you for healing him, he just attacks me instead! I grant you, having been imprisoned would probably make him a tad paranoid, however, this was ridiculous!

I felt the heat start to sear in me, "What in the hell," I shouted with flames bursting into existence around me. "We come the whole way here from Warfang to look for you, more than two days of travel to make it here! When I finally find you while Seth and Cyra are keeping those dumb apes butts busy, what do you do," I nearly screeched.

To say I was unhappy was an understatement, I do not like taking the punishment I haven't earned and being shot with electricity, sent flying into rock is something I haven't earned. "Do you say a single thank you for come and even healing you? NO," I snarled. "You shoot me with a bolt of electricity instead and sending me flying into a rock wall." I was glaring at the yellow dragon as I kept going, "Do you have any idea what it feels like to be shot up with electricity?! It hurts like most would not believe if you survive it! So, how can you be so gosh dang ungrateful? I should not have ever offered to go looking for you, but nooooooo, I have to be a good friend and agree to come to look for you for Spyro!"

I was breathing hard from the venting I had just done unintentionally, but it still happened. Nevertheless, I still was mad and frustrated and was having difficulty calming myself, it could be getting electrocuted that has my temper so short. I don't think that anyone is they dragon or human could blame me for being angry with what had happened to me. But I still needed to vent and as I heard the fight still going on outside the cave I decided that would be the best use for my much-needed venting, so I sprinted off towards the entrance.

A/n

And that's where chapter 15 will leave off, hope you're liking the rewrite please some of you take the time to write reviews, thank you for reading this.