A/n

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

Chapter 28 Echoes of the 'Past'

-Neutral pov-

Unexpected meetings can take place in the most unexpected places and ways between two individuals. And yet, such events can change the course of lives in ways never imagined by either involved.

-Lara's pov-

I got back to Carona from chasing Saber into and through the forest, not the happiest that he had escaped me for the moment. After I had come back through the entrance to Carona, I had to take the time to catch my breath from searching for him. The amount of his stamina had surprised me for it had been the same amount of stamina as my own, and I had never met anyone that had stamina like me. He also seemed to like the apes, have some kind of advantage in the forest. Yet, I will find him somehow at some time catch him, mark my words, he will be mine!

"Lara," asked a voice.

I turned to the speaker to find it was Tarra but, what is she doing here at this time of night? "Oh, hey Tarra," I responded, "what brings you around here?"

Tarra smiled slightly, "Well I was wondering how your… activity with Saber was going," she said. "I would assume that since you do not have Saber in tow, he got away from you."

At the question, I looked away from her for I did not want to admit the truth that Saber had been able to get away from me. I mean it only made me desire him more, but still, it is not nice to say that my future mate was able to elude me. I replied with a slight tone of frustration, "Yes," I uttered, "Yes he did. You do not need to help the Chronicler record it in the volumes he is supposed to have, you know!"

Tarra giggled quietly at my reply, "I am surprised you have chased him for most of the day as I hear you have. You have never taken any interest in a male before," she remarked, then paused. "Actually, you usually make them go away and leave you alone normally. I never thought you would go after one that is not a dragon," Tarra said. "Yet, my mother used to tell me that when a dragoness is in heat, they can do stranger things than normal. I guess you can never tell what you can do, right Lara?"

I stared at Tarra in slight shock at the implications she was making, did Tarra think I was some kind of tramp or hussy?! How can she think that of me?! I am… okay truthfully, I am interested in Saber for he had proven to be nice and willing to listen to others. The majority of dragons around my age see me as just a purple dragoness, like I am a piece of meat or some sort of prize, so… yeah, that is why I want to be left alone. "Wait, Tarra, you have it all wrong," I shot back. "You describe me as some kind of tramp or hussy, that is not what I am!"

Tarra smiled kindly at me as an adult dragon does to a dragonet. And yet she is younger than me by a little more than a year, "Of course you are not Lara. You are in the heat of your mating cycle, it is natural for you to have less self-control. It is completely understandable," she assured.

Tarra just did not appear to understand what I am telling her as she was clearly taking what I say the wrong way. She is also treating me like this is my first mating season, I have been having regular mating cycles for the last two years almost three now, which is more than her! I have just never found a dragon that I felt was a choice I could live with the rest of my life. That is what having a mate means and entails is to spend the rest of your life with them. There are few exceptions, when a dragon and dragoness mate, it is to confirm the bond between them. When they are mates it is for life, I only wish one of my dragonethood friends were still…

Well, as I was stating, most male dragons would try to get my attention. However, the majority were just after me because I was a purple dragoness and saw me as just some kind of trophy. I felt like that was degrading as I have standards I want in a male before I considered making him a mate, a dragoness needs to have qualities they want in a dragon. Most males around my age here in Carona did not meet all of the standards I have. I just want a male that can see me as myself and not just a purple dragoness, is that too much to ask for? Because of that, I developed a disinterest in mating… well, that was the case until I met Saber, all that changed.

When I first met him I admit I might pin the same view I have of dragons on Saber, but to my surprise, he showed himself to be vastly different. Saber was naturally nice seemingly, kind and easy to talk to. He thought about others before himself even if that ended up hurting him. Saber's eyes did not wander when he was talking to me, most dragons would be eyeing my figure and I hate that! He listened when I was speaking and took in what I said, which was a welcome change from what I usually get from others. Saber made me smile with little effort and he was rather funny at times. Then he said things that… well, my two dragonethood friends would… it was strange. I also had begun to have feelings come to me when I am around Saber that I have never experienced before and those feelings felt warm and wonderful! I focused back on Tarra, "Tarra, stop treating me like this is my first mating season. I have gone through four mating seasons, being on my fifth now and that is three more than you have experienced."

I had more experience in mating cycles than Tarra so, she should not talk like she knows more than me! Anyway, she is less likely to take an interest in a male than I would, she runs from dragons during her cycles, not to say I do not understand, poor dragoness. Tarra has taken up hiding during her cycles now, yet I know it is not entirely her fault. Not after… she went through… those apes had done horrible things to her! And she really has not fully gotten over it and I do feel sorry for her.

"Well that is true, but this is the first time you have gone after a male while you are in heat," Tarra commented.

That may be true but… I have never been around one like Saber, so I think I deserve a little understanding of this. I felt my face beginning to heat up at what Tarra was saying, "I-I do not know what you are talking about," I snapped back, trying to cover myself.

Tarra giggled again and gave me that knowing smile of hers and that was not helping me in hiding my blush. Wait, why was I blushing right now anyway? "There is no need to be embarrassed Lara. Saber is nice, he listens to others and tries to cheer up those around him. H-he is really a nice um… human, but he is the first human I have met, so I do not have any other to compare him to," Tarra said.

I stopped worrying about my embarrassment when I heard the change of tone in Tarra's voice midway through that last comment. I took a closer look at Tarra for the way she was talking sounded like she… wait, is she starting to blush herself now?! She is developing an attraction to Saber? I felt feelings at this realization that I have not felt for a long time, this burning anger I was feeling towards Tarra… I was jealous of Tarra?! That cannot be right, she is my best friend, I should not feel these emotions towards her. Yet, should she get closer to Saber… NO! She cannot have him, HE WILL BE MINE! I got closer to Tarra and growled quietly to get Tarra's attention. Tarra looked up and locked her eyes to my face, which was at the moment showing the anger that was flowing within me. "No, Tarra you cannot have Saber, he is mine," I snarled quietly.

Tarra took a couple of paces back and she looked at me nervously, "L-L-Lara," she stuttered.

"Um, I doubt that Saber would agree with Lara, but that is just me saying that," said a new voice.

Upon hearing a new voice my anger weakened to a degree before both Tarra and I looked over to see Fredrick, who has just spoken as he came up to us. I growled at Fredrick at what he had said while he just stared calmly back at me, "What are you trying to say Fredrick?"

"I am stating Lara, that you are being extremely possessive of Saber right now which is probably because you are fully in heat," he replied. "Still being a male I would not know as we males do not go into heat."

Me… being possessive to an extreme, I was most certainly not! I… I was expressing an interest in Saber, it is as simple as that, nothing more. Tarra seemed to calm down a bit before she faced me again, "I do not think that Lara sees it that way Fredrick," she said with a growing smile.

The jealous anger that had been driving me instantly disappeared and the feeling of embarrassment returned with my face kept heating up as this conversation went on. Fredrick chuckled at what Tarra said, why were these two teasing me? "You would be right if that deepening blush is anything to judge by," he remarked. I was blushing that visibly now, that cannot be, but my eyes widen in the realization that both my friends were right. I could not think of a reply to what they are saying, I started to stuttered and spluttered in an attempt to reply to them. "I am not saying it is exactly bad. I mean we have gotten to know Saber better now. We have seen that he is a really nice… human," Fredrick said

Tarra was next to speak, "At least it shows you have a preference and a good preference on your choice of a male."

I kept trying to reply to my friends, to deny what they were saying, "N-no you are… you are wrong I… I," I tried saying but then turned my face away from the both of them. I knew my cheeks had to be crimson by now and I was trying to hide it!

Fredrick and Tarra were laughing a little louder, "No I would say that we are completely correct," Fredrick responded.

Tarra nodded as she was trying to contain her laughter though she was failing at doing it. I was fighting off the feelings of embarrassment that were growing, "It… It is not," I hesitated, "it is not like that!"

I shook my head with my denial and I would ignore them, then putting thought into action and held my head high as I walked past both of them ignoring the blush on my cheeks. They watched me as I went back towards the temple and then followed me. I ignored them as they kept teasing me for I have done nothing to be ashamed of! I am old enough to make my own decisions and choice of possible mate are one of those decisions.

I left both Fredrick and Tarra by saying I was tired and went to my room in the temple and when I got to my room I went and lay on the bed. Was there anything to what Tarra and Fredrick said? Was I just chasing Saber due to my heat? I feel there is more to this than that, there is something about Saber… that is kind of familiar that I could not place. There was something about him that attracted me in a way that had not happened to me before. I would find Saber tomorrow and… we would discuss our… relationship with each other! It may be my heat, but this needed to be settled once and for all.

I would guess he has either made a place to sleep in the forest tonight or more probable, he has likely gotten back to the place he was staying here in Carona. Saber was able to somehow get around without being noticed by those around him. I stared at the ceiling thinking about what I would say to him for I want to be friends with Saber… hopefully more than just friends soon enough. I do not really care that he is not a dragon, it would be nice if he was, but I like him for who he is. Saber is unlike any male I have ever met before. He is nice and honest to those around him yet he does not boast, not that I have heard anyways. It is a welcome change from how many male dragons around my age that I have been around tended to be like. They try to impress me with the 'deeds' that they have done. Saber, even when he had been telling us about the journey he was on that had him end out here, never once said anything in a manner that could be considered boasting.

I was starting to close my eyes and fall asleep when I heard a sound that made me bolt upright in the bed. The sound was a piercing howl from something outside the city and it pierced the quiet of the night. I was out of bed and to the raced down to the entrance of the temple to see what was going on. I was the first there, still not the only one there for very long as many of the dragons my age and younger were coming out to find out what was happening.

"Arkanis, what is that noise," asked one of the younger dragons, probably now just old enough to be considered a dragon and not a dragonet.

"I do not know little one, but whatever is producing that cry would be in great pain by the tone of their voice, I would imagine," Arkanis replied.

The howls seemed to be getting louder as time went on and whatever kind of creature is screaming like that needs help! That howling… whatever is causing it would die if it went on for too long, "Arkanis, the creature that is making these cries requires help, we need to find it," I stated firmly.

Seconds after I had said this, there was a roar that unlike the ones previously felt and sounded like it would tear the sky apart. The other thing that I would not doubt shocked all who heard this was that it sounded more draconic than the previous howls of pain that we had been forced to listen to. Nevertheless, like the howls, it still was a scream of pain, all of us just stood there in shock or horror at hearing the roar. Arkanis was the first to come out of the feeling of shock and spoke, "Lara is right, we must find the source of those cries quickly for I doubt that we were the only ones that heard them!"

All of the dragons and dragonesses snapped out of their stupor and listened to the instructions from Arkanis. He began to divide us into groups to search the forest, "The forest is vast, but do not let that sway you in this. We must find the poor being before others do!"

With this final instruction, the groups set out to search the forest for whatever we had heard. I was in the group that was made up of; Fredrick, Tarra, and one other dragon and another dragoness that I had seen on occasion around the city. I look up at the night sky thankful that it is the full moon tonight as the moonlight would aid in the search. I just hope that whatever had made those howls would still be alive when it is found. It was easy to know who Arkanis meant when had said 'others' he was referring to the apes. They would most likely be looking as well… if they were not the ones causing the dragon or dragoness pain they would not be kind to them.

-Saber's pov-

I find myself staring up at a wooden ceiling and felt the familiar tatami floor under me, meaning that I was back at the dojo. I blinked a few time to make sure I wasn't seeing things and nothing changed, so then, had my adventures in the dragon realm been a dream? They had felt so real… more than any dream I have had. Yet back to the point and reason I was on my back laying on the floor. Did this mean someone had been able to beat me by pinning me to the floor in a match? It didn't happen often, but it occurred from time to time. I sighed at this development. I don't like to lose, I doubt anyone does, yet I still go through a period of disappointing reflection every time I lose a match.

"A deep sigh that was my young student. What is so troubling that can make you do such," asked Master Kai.

The sound of Master Kai's voice has always had a soothing effect on me for some reason, but then Master is the only one who even cares that I'm alive. So then Spyro and the others were nothing more than figments of my imagination? I'll give that my imagination is incredible but still, to be that believable? Yet the sound of Master Kai's voice could disburse my anger and sorrows in no time at all. It was so comforting to hear Master Kai's voice, I have wanted to talk to him for so long! "I… I don't know where to begin Master."

Master Kai chuckled softly, "The beginning tends to be the best place, it is. Perhaps another fight with your uncle you have had?"

I sighed again, I knew what Master Kai had said was true, but, "No, at least not more than usual." I paused for a moment, "Well, Master I have been having really strange dreams lately."

"Is that so, tell me about them," Master Kai said.

I told Master Kai about the dragon realm and the beings I met there. It was wonderful to be able to talk to my Master. He was always easy to talk to about anything at any time.

…

The first thing that registered was the pain of a huge splitting headache among other things and I was taking deep shuttering breaths. I found I had a bad taste in my mouth as well as I was trying to remember what had happened to me last. My memories began to come back slowly though, but I came to realize that what had just happened between Master Kai and me was a dream or illusion in my head.

Well, that's just crapitastic! I wanted to talk to Master Kai more than anything at the current moment. Spyro and Seth would be good for the idea too, I know they will also listen and not think I am a certified mental case. Not that either Seth or Spyro are likely to know what a mental case is or means, but still I need someone like them to talk to right now! I just needed someone to listen to me get plenty of things off my chest, they have really… Really piled up as I haven't been able to talk to anyone I can trust not to judge me or think I am just plain crazy!

I forced my eyes open, even though my eyelids fell like they weighed hundreds of pounds. Still, I eventually opened them and looked around and I found I was still by the lake from earlier and I was stomach down. I lifted my head, realizing that I was still a dragon like before, so I guess that means I was underbelly down instead of stomach… this is going to take some adjusting to for body and mind, I can tell! And no doubt that my bad luck will have a field day while I do said adjusting, perfect! Whatever had happened to me and the pain that had accompanied it must have caused me to blackout. I remember that there were those voices and I was asking them questions, and then they turned me into a white dragon, the stuff after that is hazy to me.

I vaguely recall… pain, the likes of which I had never felt before. It was then fragments of my… the insane experience started to come back. It hadn't been the pain I had felt… it had been agony in a form I have never been acquainted with before and would rather not be again! The voices had gotten to a screaming volume, they had almost turned me into a blathering and drooling idiot from the chaos the created! If that wasn't terrifying enough, then the images that had come into the experience and that made things worse! I didn't know or understand any of them and I don't think I want to at this point. The voices and images combined had nearly broken me in mind, body, and soul! As I reviewed what had happened I began to see how very close I had come to drowning and being lost in the beneath the sea of chaos that the voices and pictures had created! I had come extremely close to losing it all; my mind, body, and soul… everything and that's what terrifies me the most out of all of it!

As I kept reviewing the memory of the event, I found to my utter surprise that there were memories and knowledge in my mind that weren't there before. It took me some time to understand what these memories were exactly. In fact, the more I looked and went through them the more puzzled I became by them. Let me just say that it is weird when you can recall experiences that are clearly someone else's and not yours at all! Add to that, I could also have a near complete understanding as if I had lived through the experience myself even though I hadn't. It was freaking uncanny and honestly creepy in some cases in ways that I wouldn't admit out loud!

I was still going through these foreign memories and I heard noises like whispers, to which I looked around trying to find the source of the whispers. As the whispers began to get louder and cleared up I realized that it was some of the voices from before whispering. I shortly understood that those voices were coming from my mind and not from the forest around me. Yet I was thankful for their numbers and magnitude of them had lessened tremendously. The chaos that had been in my mind was still there, however, it had calmed to the point that I could keep it much more manageable. Well contemplating about the things that had happened to me recently wasn't going to do much for me at the moment. So on to other things like adjusting to my new body among things to do.

I tried to get to my paws, but had difficulty for my 'new' body was shaking and trembling from both the memory of agony as well as my unfamiliarity I had with them. It was on the third attempt that I was successful and so I stood taking a more detailed look of my surroundings. The lake I had seen already had stopped glowing now and had the appearance of a huge mirror and there were four big trees close to the shore of the lake. The trees' foliage blocked most of the moonlight that was coming down, it just filtered some of the light through. Except for where the entrance to the path I took to get here and one other break in the trees on the opposite side of the clearing from the path. The rest of the lake clearing was enclosed by the closely growing trees that formed a wall around the clearing.

This place was now a quiet glade, not silent as there was a slight whisper of wind. The lake was absolutely still as the shore was steep and so the wind went over the lake without causing any disturbance. One could call this place serene looking at it as it is now, No signs of the previous event remained here, it was like none of it had happened. I know it had as my appearance plainly said, but there was nothing else to suggest anything of the kind had occurred here.

Well, as things were right now I have completely no freaking idea what I should do, this is just perfect! I looked down at my paws and shifted my weight since I hate to be idle, I need to have something to do to keep my mind occupied. Unoccupied thinking time is a dangerous thing, more so for me, rest assured of that! "I guess testing how good I am at walking on all fours is someplace to start," I muttered to myself.

While I am a master at walking on two legs, I would think to do the same thing on four legs shouldn't be that much different, right? So in theory, one front leg forward then opposite side back leg would be next. After that, do the mirror of that and that should make up the mechanics for walking on four legs. With that in mind, I should have this walking down in no time! I put my left forepaw forward and then moved my right hind leg ahead. The second I placed my right hind leg forward on the ground, however, my balance felt off and that didn't bode well! Curse you bad luck! I knew I was in trouble and my theory was not as sound as I had thought and hoped! As if it was fate was following my thought process, I felt myself losing my balance and I fell to the left and hit the ground on my side. I exhaled with a few gloomy tones in my breath, "Okay, I now know firsthand that walking on all fours is not as easy as dragons and dragonesses make it look. Who would have thought that going from bipedal to quadrupedal would be so difficult when it comes to walking?"

I knew there had been a couple of changes when I had gone from two to four limbs when those voices… whatever they were did the work. First I don't have 'knees' anymore… though I doubt I need them with my current leg structure. I have an arm like limbs on both my hips and shoulders instead even if my back legs feel like they have three joints and not just two. The front legs are fine, it is the back 'legs' that are what I don't know how to use right as of yet. There is a reason that humans have forward bending legs, it is so they don't need to crawl all their life. Second, my balance was off due to having a tail where I didn't before along with wings to add to the mix that made up my balance got out of whack. Add that to having a completely different center of gravity and it just is a recipe for disaster. Nevertheless, I'm not one to give up when this is hard, I shove my way forwards!

I rolled to my belly and was about to get back up to my paws to try again, I needed to get walking as a dragon down soon. I have no inkling or notion as to when I would be a human again… or if I will be period for that matter! I fell again in my second attempt and following third to my growing frustration. I was about to get back up to try again as I would not let this issue get the better of me when I started to hear noises from somewhere else in the forest.

At registering that, I swung my head around attempting to pick up what the noises were and it sounded like if my… um, draconic ears weren't deceiving me, voices of others. Dragons and dragonesses to be precise if I was processing the vocal tones right, at least their speech patterns were much more intelligible, so it's unlikely apes. And I have to admit draconic hearing is a noticeable margin better than human hearing… average hearing at least, the point is that the change was still an improvement. I got to my paws slowly as I was still sore from my, incident earlier this evening. I could now make out the sound of paw falls approaching the clearing where I was. Oh boy, I was about to get company… and I haven't prepared for it yet, I've been occupied with other things like keeping my sanity intact!

My nose, which I can say without reservation or uncertainty is a far cry above the capabilities of my human nose at picking up an array of smells. In the direction of the paw falls, I smelled dragons, and how I know the scent of dragons is beyond me for the moment, doesn't make sense to me. But I just roll with this for now as I needed no more problems to worry about then I have already. I took a deep breath to get a better reading of the collections of scents. Let me see… one… no, two male dragons and multiple dragonesses, two… nope, there is definitely three. I could make out three different scents of dragonesses, one, in particular, stood out for some reason.

The distinct dragoness scent was harder to place as to why I could pick it out of the rest though it was easy to differentiate between it and the other dragonesses' scents even if they were all different in a way. Okay, I may have only been a dragon for a short period… however long it has been. With this new sense of smell I had, it was hard to describe in words what the sensory information it would tell me. I really couldn't put it into words to describe what it was like at all to do the idea proper justice. The best way I could say it was that the third dragoness's scent… smelled pleasant. No question about that, but that was the only word I could think to use and it confused me. Although the scent felt somehow familiar like I had smelled it before, I was unable to remember where or how that is even possible. Maybe it is some kind of déjà vu for smelling? Sure, I will go with that until I can come with a logical explanation for this and I will put forth the effort to do so later.

-Lara's pov-

I was focused on the task at paw, and that was saying a bit as for most of the day Saber had been on mind. The forest was vast and time was of the essence as Arkanis had mentioned, we had to get to the creature that had been howling before the apes did. The search had gone on for a time, I would guess twenty minutes or so and still, nothing had been found. It wasn't until my group which Fredrick and Tarra were also in came into a glade with a fair size lake in it that such changed.

By the lake, there was a dragon alone, why they were here who but the Ancestors can say? He seemed as confused as we were at seeing us here as we were at seeing him here. Said dragon also paused on Fredrick, Tarra and myself, which didn't make sense at this time. I took a moment to study the dragon and as I did my thoughts came to a halt and I froze. The dragon had white scales as his main scale color and that is close to unheard of! The only ones that I knew who had such a color were Koren and Azreyel, there had been no others.

The dragon was bigger than me by an amount, he had a solid build when it came to muscles overall. His wing membranes and his underbelly were a gleaming silver which was complementary to the white of his scales. The dragon's head was oval in shape with his snout curving downward a tiny amount… much like Azreyel's had done, but it could just be a coincidence. He had elongated ears, which are a tad uncommon and were a little under a foot in length and were pinned back against his head. From a short bit behind his ears, there were horns growing straight back parallel to his head and were segmented. Yet, as I looked at his eyes, my breath caught and I could only stare for they were vivid aqua-green exactly as Azreyel's had been.

Memories of finding out that Koren and Azreyel had suddenly disappeared without any trace came back to me. I had been told that it had been an accident that had caused them to vanish, but that had not sounded right. That was the story that I had been told over and over, but something in me just could not believe it. And here in front of me was a dragon that did resemble Azreyel more than just an amount. There were enough features that were the same that got me to pause and wonder. Could this dragon possibly be Azreyel? If he was, then where had he been all this time since he 'disappeared'? If not, then why Ancestors does he look so similar even if he is older?

"Hey, where is the group you are supposed to be with," Fredrick posed.

I was still staring at the white dragon, but the thought that he had never been seen around Carona did go through my mind. He would have had to be were he in a group to search, so then, how did he end out here? The dragon in our group then spoke up, "That is not the issue right now, we need to continue our search."

"Um," uttered Tarra, "does a-anyone e-else find it u-unusual that h-he has w-white scales?"

I was still staring as I could not stop myself, "Hey Lara, what are you doing just staring," questioned Fredrick, snapping me somewhat out of my trance. "We have a creature to find, you know the one that made those howls, you heard what Arkanis said."

I know what Fredrick says is right, but with this dragon looking so much like Azreyel, I just cannot help myself. The dragoness whose name is Calloe I believe then spoke, "Fredrick is right, we need to find the source of those blood-curdling howls."

She is right of course and I am probably just seeing things that are not there just because I wanted to see it. The white dragon cleared his throat softly a moment after Calloe had spoken, "I think I can help you on finding the source of the howls you heard," he said, and it was not what he said that got me feeling shocked, it was that the voice was Saber's.

-Saber's pov-

So, let me take a moment and list stock on what kind of situation I find myself in as it is a doozy. My troubles with walking as I am now are not nice, I admit that and do not like to state that shortcoming, but I can deal with that. Yet, I'm also facing down five dragons three of which I know but they have no idea that I'm me. I have no clue as to why they are out and about at this hour even when I am and I doubt it is a customary practice. That's my hunch, which could be wrong, but I think it's right on the money, but who knows.

The other point of this circumstance was Lara and she was clean of dirt and grime that had been gained from the chasing of me. So ostensibly, she found the time to get a bath between the times we had seen each other. I would have done the same but silly me, I have been occupied with other things. I guess I shouldn't use voices breaking my mind and body while ripping apart my soul as an excuse, I doubt many if any would believe me. I was tired and wasn't interested in dealing with Lara and what she showed me earlier. Then there were another dragon and dragoness I haven't met as of yet, so yeah… awkward situation indeed.

All of us just stared for a few minutes, they at me and I at them, Lara in-particular seemed entranced by me. Again, I WASN'T in the mood or ready to deal with her… shenanigans, yes, that was the term I will use! Nope I don't want crap shoved onto my plate, certainly NOT after the night and day I have had thus far and it ain't over yet! I took deep breaths to calm myself for I really don't need to blow up at this meeting. I have far better control than to let that happen so easily, Master Kai's work with me had made sure of that. Nonetheless, now that I take a second look, Lara is giving me a different expression than this morning and what she gave all day. It seems more like nostalgia for some reason with her face showing an air of trying to remember something. It was better than the look of lust and desire she had been showing me all day!

"Hey, where is the group you are supposed to be with," Fredrick asked me.

That brought me a bit of curiosity for I have no real idea to what he's referring to, so can I get a "I beg pardon?" It's completely natural for me at least to wonder what in the hell is going on when others expect me to know. So, I cocked my head to the side trying to guess why dragons would be out in the forest in groups. I still assume that dragons being out in the forest at the dead of night aren't natural and the question inferred such. I tried to come up with a viable reason that this circumstance would be occurring but I came up with a big fat zero on any possibilities. Well, when you can't think of a reason, then ask someone else if they can, that's my mentality. I was going to ask, though I never got the chance to for the dragon I didn't know spoke up, "That is not the issue right now, we need to continue our search."

Wait, did he say search? The plot thickens, that could explain some of the answers that are becoming clear… well, clearer for the time being. "Um… does a-anyone e-else find it u-unusual that h-he has w-white scales," Tarra in questions, stuttering as she did.

Uh huh, is there a problem with me having white scales, I personally think my scales look neat and they are mine after all. Then, it looks like I'm back at square one with the black dragoness, a step back for me and Tarra. She is back to the stuttering but that as it may she is in a crowd so I guess I can let it slide. Fredrick glanced over to Lara who still had her gaze glued to Yours Truly, not that I minded really at the moment. That is kind of odd, but my mental state is fragile right now from the recent experience that nearly shoved me off the edge of sanity. "Hey Lara, what are you doing just staring," posed Fredrick. "We have a creature to find, you know the one that made those howls, you heard what Arkanis said."

And what is the problem her staring at me I might ask, I have none whatsoever with Lara staring at me. Fredrick could just shush as she just MIGHT like what she sees and why shouldn't she? Did… did I really just entertain the thought of Lara liking my present appearance?! Those voices must have done a real messy number on my views of logic and life, or I am seriously losing the marbles I have remaining! Unfortunately, I can't tell which and that's scaring me good, I need less to worry about not more!

Plus, hold the phone, Fredrick had just said something about howls if I heard correctly and my ears had been doing their job right thus far. Then could they be talking about when I was… oh fiddlesticks, I was in a deep mire. The dragoness that was a stranger to me then spoke, "Fredrick is right, we need to find the source of those blood-curdling howls."

That was my situation as it currently stands, and I hadn't asked for any of this nor done something to deserve it. And I don't think this is my bad luck is entirely responsible for, not my luck's style other than putting me in pain. And in my defense, I had little if any control when I had let out what I had. Hell, I didn't know I could produce the sound I did, I had never produced anything like that before. Still, it's obvious that they are indeed referring to what had come with my uh, fit earlier. I don't think it was that loud though I was too blinded by pain and agony at that time to really give an accurate assessment and so yeah, whoopty do for me. I don't know if I should be glad that others care or be insulted that others think I can't take care of myself, I could go either way on this subject.

I sighed at this whole conversation, but then I had an extremely entertaining thought come to me. That was me wondering what kind of faces they would pull were I to tell them not only am I, the 'creature' that they are looking for? I mean, there are three dragons here that knew me as a human who had no idea that I was a dragon now. Why not find out by telling them, at the very least I should get a good reaction from Fredrick, Tarra. I honestly don't know what to expect from Lara and that makes me hesitated momentarily. But the surprise is half of the amusement of things like this and I could seriously use a pick-me-up… of any kind at the current moment. So, I clear my throat softly before speaking with a smile, "I think I can help you in finding the source of the howls you heard."

Now I may be a dragon, yet my voice hasn't changed, it is pretty much the same which makes this, oh so much more interesting! It's one of the moments I wish that I had a camera to take a picture of the faces I get for they're freaking hilarious! Fredrick gaped at me in disbelief, his eyes went wide that help enhancing the effect of his face. Tarra just stared with her maw was hanging open like Fredrick's showing the shock she felt. As for Lara, her eyes rolled up and she fainted right on the spot and was splayed on the ground. I knew that I would get a neat reaction, but I hadn't expected let alone hoped I would get a response this good, it was PRICELESS!

It was hard, but I was managing to not laugh at what I was seeing, and I would bet most would be cracking up right now. I continued to watch their facial expressions with a growing smile, which was becoming more comical when the dragon and dragoness I didn't know looked between the three. I don't doubt attempting to make sense of what was going on, they didn't know me, and I haven't met them, so the humor wouldn't make sense to them. I was trying to hold in the amusement I felt in response to this scene, which was getting harder by the second let me tell you. Well truthfully, the keyword is TRYING, however, as I am myself, it didn't happen for all that long, I failed within a minute with snickering coming from me and held the rest in for now. Fredrick's expression looked almost like a perfect replica of the face Seth had the day I found out that he and Spectra spend time with each other in the mornings.

"Fredrick, you look exactly like a friend of mine one time I impressed him so, I will say the same thing as I did to him. Unless that is some kind of jaw exercise to prepare for a meal that I don't know about, then I recommend you close your jaw post haste. You look like a slack-jawed idiot," I said. Fredrick slowly closed his maw and gained a confused look, I would bet due to the same two terms of what I said that Seth had trouble understanding. "Anyway, back to the point at hand, um paw… uh, this just is getting awkward, or maybe it is just me."

The dragoness I wasn't acquainted with spoke up, "You said you could help us find the source of the howl correct?"

I nodded, which felt different than I was used to, the elongated neck and everything. The unknown dragon joined in while Tarra and Fredrick were still recovering from the fact that I was now a dragon, "Then please do proceed."

"The source of the howls is right here," I stated flatly referring to myself.

The four dragons looked at me confused, I left Lara out as she was still out on the ground and had yet to wake up. I'm a tad worried when she wakes up for, I have now become I assume her IDEAL MATE OF CHOICE! I really don't want to go through chase again, I think it is in my… let me rephrase that, it is in everyone's best interest that we leave Lara where she is for now.

"Wait what," Fredrick questioned.

That is Fredrick for you, I guess because he questions what another tells him and hasn't gotten rid of his paranoia. I am somewhat used to this, but it has been a year, almost two since I had to take this kind of thing. I sighed in exasperation for apparently, I would have to say it straight out and in a way that even a child won't misunderstand.

"The source of the howls is me. Is that clear enough for you all," I said with a deadpanned tone.

If they didn't understand that, then I have no idea how to be any clearer and I'm fair at dumbing things down for others even if it can be messy! Be that as it may, with dragons I have been forced to admit that there are just some who are too… I want to say dumb and stupid, but that's not usually the case in the dragon realm as it would be in the human world. No, I chalk it up to naïveté and that makes it frustrating and difficult to attempt to give explanations for things. There was silence for a minute, and then Fredrick chuckled nervously, "Um Saber, I have a hard time believing that," he replied.

"Oh really," I returned. I have a feeling I shouldn't get into the precise reason why I had howled like that, this situation already isn't nice or pleasant for me, I would rather not make it worse. I doubt they would believe me first of all and it is kind of pointless to think about how things were to run if I were to tell them as I won't. Yet things stand staying silent is not an option I think, "You would be surprised what can come out of your mouth, or maw I guess it is now when you are experiencing pain that words cannot describe! I did not think I could let out sounds like that until I did."

There was an awkward silence that followed my reply, so this was going to be a long night! Long story short, a brief time and summary later, I along with the group of five dragons including my three friends were making our way along the path through the forest back to Carona. I suppose Lara, Fredrick, and Tarra could be called friends for the time being. It really depends on what one's definition of friend is and mine is different than most peoples have.

We did so in silence, which I wasn't really complaining about as that meant no questions I had to either answer or decline to reply to. I had gotten better at walking by this time, not perfect, but at least I hadn't fallen again yet. I was also now given time to think and gather my thoughts on what had transpired recently. I still found it funny that Lara who still hadn't woken up yet was now being carried on the back of the dragoness, whose name I never had caught. I still don't know the exact reason why Lara fainted, I only have a guess I have yet to confirm. My estimation was, by all appearances too much for her to handle in the looks department or something like that!

Well, tonight had certainly been a… full and busy one, to say the least, a night of hell for sure! I had so much going through my mind I don't know where to start! The facts as I know them now are vastly different than what I knew this morning. The things that had occurred after I had shaken Lara off my… well, my tail which I now literally have had been the most mind shattering. They had come very close to being literally shattering of my mind, body, and soul and not much does that to me! The realization of me being a dragon was huge and that I had supposedly always been one… I didn't know what to really think. It explained quite a bit of my odd quirks and some of my mannerisms I have always had, but there are still so many unanswered questions.

The biggest question I had currently was when and how leaving from the dragon realm happened. The point of me being able to come back was fine, but there was no sensical explanation as to how either event had occurred and that for whatever reason bugged me to an internal level. Then with what has happened since then, I'm left with asking why it happened and why to me. However, the last line the multitude had said before turning me into a dragon, was what worried me most of all. "Now you have returned. You will soon be needed to defend the dragon realm from the ancient enemy's return." I mean, by the sound of what is said, there is a lot in store in my future which I haven't chosen.

I will be expected to defend the whole dragon realm from some kind of enemy or lead others in the same thing. I mean, I don't have a problem with playing the part of the hero, yet I want a clear and unmistakable stake and reason before I put my life on the line! Also, the expectation of doing something is all well and good, but I say if I'm not decided what I do, then whoever expects me to do something needs to get off the 'crack' they are smoking. First of all, I don't have a clue how to use the elements while I am like this and I'll need time to figure it out. Yeah sure, it may be the same as it is while human, yet I'm inclined to think not. My justification for that is if the memories that aren't mine are anything to go by, element usage is somewhat more complicated than simply working with emotion. Second, I am still learning how this body works and I am rather bad at using it right now and that needs correction as soon as possible. I can walk though I doubt that will be anywhere near enough for what I will get into the future.

Then there is this 'Ancient Enemy', which I have little to no information to work with. What are they and where do they come from and most importantly, what the hell do they want?! There is just not enough information that I have… actually, I have no info on them! Maybe I am worrying too much, but I think I am somewhat justified when it involves me and likely many others!

It didn't take long before we arrived back at Carona and our group proceeded to the temple where Arkanis with the help of other dragons was managing things. I have to say, after observing for just a few minutes I had a bit of new found respect for Arkanis. The old dragon really was a pro at organizing others to get things done and that's a real skill. I could only wish that those like him were in the positions that the guardians held, things would be better for most and a great deal more would get done… but that's my own opinion. Arkanis caught sight of us and turned to face us fully, but he got a worried expression when he saw Lara being carried on the back of the older dragoness. He glanced over at me, however, didn't seem to give me much attention as he seemed more worried about Lara. "I see you have returned Calloe," he remarked. "I assume with news of some kind. Although, I am curious as to how Lara ended up in the state that she needs to be carried."

The dragoness, whose name was apparently Calloe spoke up, "Well, I do not exactly know about that, however, we found," she started.

I couldn't suppress the snicker as the dragoness was saying this, still, I did manage to make it a snort instead of me laughing. Arkanis turned his attention back to me and took a longer look than he did the first time. For a split second, I swear he had an expression of… was it shock, perhaps relief, or maybe something else? There was definitely a look of recognition, I couldn't mistake the look, why he was giving it is more my question. However, Arkanis composed himself and adopted a look of stern but mild interest meaning that he can be serious when necessary which is nice to know. "Is there a particular reason you find amusement in her being like this young dragon," Arkanis posed.

Apparently, Arkanis doesn't know I was me yet not surprising, after all, I was a human the last time and now I was a dragon with the scale color that no dragon or dragoness has. However, as amusing as this is, I took a second to calm down and focus as this was a more serious conversation. "Well, I could not be sure, but she seemed to um, faint not too long after seeing me. So, I guess in a way you could say it is a bit funny for it appears I am too much on her eyes for her to take, yet that is just me," I replied.

Arkanis had definitely recognized my voice, the reaction of his eyes widened ever so slightly at hearing me was proof of that. He then took the time to look me over another time, a bit more detailed than the last time, "Fascinating, it is unexpected that you should be able to change your form. Curious and still more curious, how could this happen to you," he asked.

I would love to know how all this happened as well as I still have no idea how any of what happened to me occurred. From the transformation to a dragon to nearly losing my mind and soul, none of it makes sense to me. "Yes, I agree that it is captivating and compelling as this is, I have no idea how it was actually done," I admitted. "I did not know it was even possible until the event happened… however long ago it did."

There may have been more talk between Arkanis and me, but then Lara let out a groan which drew our attention. She raised her head and looked around appearing confused, "What happened," she questioned.

Lara was obviously incoherent and so didn't remember I would bet anything since just fainting. Oh, is she in for a shock and it isn't intentional, "That is what we would like to know Lara, what happened to make you faint," asked Fredrick.

I have to wonder, is Fredrick really so dense to not know? I grant you, he may be young, still, Fredrick had shown he was fairly good at reading a situation. I expect this from Spyro more than anyone else, I guess Fredrick just doesn't know much about females. "I do not know, I… saw… something that I could not have," said Lara.

What the… that's… kind of… do I say flattering or insulting, I could go either way with that kind of reply. I mean, by the way, Lara is saying what she is, it's like she saw an angel or something. Now, I'm flattered and all to be seen that way, but I ain't an angel! I would be kicked out of heaven faster than I could say, 'you can't do this to me' and that's a fact. My standing problem that gets that treatment is I'm too well acquainted with the devil and it isn't in a good way.

Anyway, I think it is time I help settle this developing mess before it gets too far out of hand… or paw. And where I might be efficient at 'damage control' and proven that in the past, that doesn't insinuate I enjoy doing the job of Mr. Fix-it if I could avoid it. Yet, as the saying goes, 'an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure' and it can be true. Then again, sticking your neck out is risking getting whacked in exchange and I had learned that through personal experience. We'll see how this goes, "I can assure you, Lara, I am not a figment of your imagination, nor is my current appearance," I stated clearly. "Do not write me off as such, also I would rather not have to um," I hesitated, "deal with you taking into account your present condition, so do not take offense."

Lara's head shot up and around to end up stared at me while I looked at her with indifference, that's until I saw a smile spread across her face. My face faulted at the sight, I mean I wasn't expecting Lara's smile wasn't the lust-crazed one she had earlier and that's not what I was getting. I still feel I should worry for some reason though… oh dear Fiddlesticks! Well, if I were to say that Lara moved fast, I would be lying. Her speed was that of greased lightning, if not a bit faster! I felt the impact of her tackling me in an embrace in the form of getting the breath knocked out of me as I was knocked backward to the ground. Dang it, this is what I was afraid of her heat coming into play and so of course, I struggled against her hold on me. Yet another lesson on why I should have heeded my hunch about worrying about the smile Lara had, it was on the money! She had got and tricked me hook line and sinker, gosh darn it!

Those were my thoughts until I felt something wet against my neck right under my jaw. I twist and crane my head, trying to see what was going on only to find that Lara was… crying?! Okay, maybe I was wrong with my hunch for I had never intended to make Lara cry, I'm a gentleman, after all, so to make a female cry is just wrong and horrible! Yet, I don't even know why she is and this is getting REALLY awkward!

"Is it," Lara sobbed, "really you?" Heard a sniffle, "I thought I," there came another sob, "would never," a convulsion rock Lara, "see you again!"

Uh huh… what in the hell is she talking about? I'm more confused than before, nothing she had said made any sense to me with what I knew. Certainly, what she just said gave no hints to what she was inferring to, it's like she's mistaking me for someone else. And where that may be possible, I'm pretty hard to mistake for someone else, mostly since I'm the way I choose to be. So, things just got more complicated for me in more ways than I care to count and I avoid that the best I can. That leaves me with the question, what comes next for me or do I not want to know?

A/n

And that's where chapter 28 will leave off, hope you're liking the rewrite please some of you take the time to write reviews, thank you for reading this.