The temple was one of the first buildings established in "Dragontown Kumandra". It was regarded as a place of study, or worship for all of dragon kind. For Pengudatu? A place of reflection and relaxation. Pengu was a very studious dragon. As the head of his family, he had to be so. Partially out of expectation, and partially out of personal pleasure. It was his job to look out for his siblings and all dragons. Though he was not a king in any sense of the word, their family was very prominent within the dragon community. There was a reason the last bastion of dragon resistance against the Druun was down to them.

He recalled that day so vividly. The Druun were petrifying every living thing they came across, increasing their numbers and spreading like wildfire. The dragon gem had been a last-ditch effort to stop them. It was a gamble, putting their respective powers together to drive the monsters back. Of course, they would need someone to use it, and it fell to their middle sibling: Sisu. Though Sisu had doubts, her siblings held the utmost trust for her.

And it seemed their trust was not misplaced. Sisu utilized the dragon gem to its fullest potential. The Druun were driven back, and the petrified humans were restored to life. But not the dragons. The sheer force of using the gem put Sisu into a state of hibernation for over five hundred years, and although humanity was restored, the rest of the dragons remained stone. When Pengu learned of this, he had tried to ascertain why this happened? He had been dead certain the gem would restore everyone, not just humans, but it became clear why: human discord.

The Druun fed off discord, for they were the physical manifestation of it. After the gem was used, the five tribes fought over the gem, coveting it like some kind of prize. And then on that fateful day, it was shattered. The Druun returned in full force, continuing their reign of terror. For six more years, they ran rampant, at least until Princess Raya found Sisu, and with the help of her new friends, banished the Druun, hopefully for good. It would seem the true reason the dragons had not returned the first time was because humanity had not earned the right to have dragons back. The second time, however? They had proven they were worthy. Not that Pengu would admit it that way, he wasn't arrogant and didn't view his race as superior. After all, they were all children of Kumandra.

Their entire family was reunited now, and that is all that mattered, and with their settlements established, they would continue to be so for generations.

"Pengu!"

Pengu snapped out of his thoughts as he heard his name called. Through the temple, he saw a myriad of colors heading his way. He recognized them as his brothers and sisters.

"Oh, hello everyone, didn't expect to see you here," Pengu noted. Unlike him, his siblings were not the studious sort.

Before he could evolve into a chat between his siblings and he, he noticed something peculiar: a shade of black near the back. It was a dragon, one that Pengu didn't recognize. What was curious about this dragon was his face. A rather prominent beard lay upon his face, one that appeared neatly combed. It was obvious this dragon took great care, perhaps not as vain as Jagan, but Pengu could tell this dragon held pride in his beard. But that wasn't all. Something about this dragon seemed for a lack of a better word…off. Just as he was about to question it, Sisu spoke first.

"Pengu, we need your help," She stated.

Sisu parted the way and allowed the black-bearded dragon to make his way to the front. The dragon was slightly hesitant in his steps but eagerly presented himself.

"I see you've brought a guest," Said Pengu.

"Pengu, this is Jarek," Sisu introduced.

A new face was a new face, and despite the odd aura this dragon radiated, Pengu wasn't one to be rude, "Hello there, I don't believe we've seen you around. Have you come from one of the other settlements?"

Jarek looked aside for a moment before he answered, "Actually I'm from Talon."

That raised Pengu's curiosity," Really now? I wasn't aware dragons lived in Talon."

He was certain there was a settlement near Talon, but the way the dragon answered, Pengu knew he meant directly from Talon.

"I think you better start from the beginning Skippy," Sisu said.

And so, Jarek did. He relayed his tale to the green dragon, and what a tale it was. Pengu wasn't sure what to make of it by the time Jarek was done, but he could tell right away he wasn't lying. At least, not completely.

"And then I woke up like this," Jarek finished holding up his claw for emphasis

Pengu eyed the claw curiously, his face never breaking a balance of confusion, wonder, and bewilderment. Carefully he took the claw, holding it as he examined it. It was a perfect dragon claw, nice form, and finely sharpened. But this form wasn't forged from birth, but instead a transformation. Though he had never seen this, this claw was once a human hand.

"So? This Sayua just stabbed you?" Pengu asked.

Jarek picked up something in Pengu's voice, and tasted his answer carefully, "Yes, I was stabbed and she pushed me in the river!"

"That's just awful!" Pranee declared, "I mean who goes around stabbing someone?"

"Yes, why did she stab you? Was it for a personal vendetta or something else?" Pengu asked.

"I don't know!" Jarek declared, "I mean I-I-I was just minding my own business, and then she just stabbed me!"

Pengu raised an eye, "Really now?"

"Geeze I never knew Kumandra devolved so much. This Sayua woman sounds like a real b-"

"Bad person!" Sisu suddenly cut in, "Bad person right? Don't want to say something in hallowed halls right?" Sisu shot her younger brother a reprimanding look.

Jagan got the message and kept his mouth shut.

Pengu looked at Jarek very closely, his eyes narrowed, but not suspiciously or cruelly. Wheels were starting to turn within the dragon's head.

"So what's up Pengu, can you help him?" Sisu asked.

And that's when Pengu's face fell, "I'm sorry...I'm absolutely stumped on what to do."

Though his siblings seemed prepared for that answer, Jarek on the other hand..."What?! What do you mean you can't help me!?"

"I'm sorry Mr. Jarek, but if your story is true, I'm afraid I have no idea on how to help you," The dragon admitted.

Jarek's face was etched with panic. It was clear he didn't like that answer, "But, you guys are dragons! Can't you just use your mojo! Crunch some numbers or something?"

Pengu granted Jarek a perplexed look, "Are you suggesting I use math to turn you back into a human?"

Jarek shrugged just a tad, "Well I dunno I mean you guys are probably wizzes at it...I don't know I'm desperate!"

"Sisu why don't you take Jarek back to our home? He probably needs some rest, perhaps a meal?" Pengu suggested.

"I don't need to sleep and I don't need-" Suddenly Jarek's stomach let out a growl, "Okay I guess I could eat."

"Hey no sweat, we'll take you home and scrounge up something for you," Said Sisu.

"He can have my buns!" Pranee suddenly exclaimed.

Sisu looked at her sister concernedly, "Sis, those are burned."

"Yeah, but you suggested the cream right?" Pranee reminded.

Realization hit Sisu, "Right, the cream, well guess we should get going Skippy."

Jarek was about to argue, his lips quivering as they were about to speak out a protest, but Sisu cast him a glance, one that told him to drop it. It wasn't an unkind gesture, but more like telling him, it was no use. Jarek was certainly no idiot, but he knew a losing battle when he saw one. And he was hungry, and at the mere mention of buns, his face lit up, then fell the minute he remembered the mention they were burned.

"Fine, lead the way," Jarek sighed.

The two sisters led their new guests back, leaving their other siblings behind.

"So you really can't help him, bro?" Jagan asked.

"No, but we should wait till Pranee and Sisu return before we talk more," Said Pengu.

While he said this, Amba continued to watch her sisters leave, their guests in tow. She could feel a sense of loss radiating from Jarek's body. It wasn't the loss she had felt from humans, but instead of a dragon.

XXX

The minute he entered their home, Jarek's eyes looked about for the aforementioned buns. And there they were, their tops blackened and burnt. Jarek grimaced a bit, but then his eyes grew wide and Pranee and Sisu began rummaging around, pulling out a canister of a white concoction. Pranee went to work putting it on the buns. Before long the blackened parts were covered in the white stuff, and Jarek knew exactly what it was.

"There! All done!" Pranee declared proudly.

"Dig in Skippy! Buns ala crème!" Sisu chimed in.

Indeed they were cream-covered buns. Sweet sticky buns with creamy goodness on top, "Really? I can have them?" He asked.

"Sure dig in! Just-" Sisu allowed, but was cut off as Jarek dug in.

Jarek practically dove upon the buns, taking one in each claw. But he wasn't neat in his eating, stuffing them in his maw greedily. As soon as he swallowed his licked his claws and went for the other ones. He wanted more and more he did have. Sisu and Pranee watched with wide eyes as Jarek devoured the buns one by one, and before long, there was nothing but crumbs upon the plate, and a very satisfied Jarek. His belly had a visible bulge, and his beard was laden with cream and crumbs. Wiping his mouth clean, Jarek then let out a brisk burp and releasing a satisfied sigh.

"Oh yeah, now that's the stuff!" Jarek declared giving his belly a few pats.

"Wow...you were hungry Skippy," Said Sisu.

"I'll say," Pranee added in.

Jarek sheepishly grinned, "Yeah...I just have a major sweet tooth, whole row actually," He joked.

It was one thing Jarek was glad he had retained in this dragon form: his love of sweets. Indeed it was true, ever since he was a child, Jarek held a whole row of sweet teeth.

Jarek just had one thing to ask, "Got milk?"

Sisu was about to answer when Pranee declared, "I'll get you some!"

As the violet dragon went to work, Sisu sighed as she knew her sister was laying it on thick, all because she wanted a boyfriend. Before long she gave Jarek his cup of milk, which he drank down just as greedily. And as he acted like a pig, Sisu couldn't help but chuckle.

After all, she too had the munchies after being resurrected. Maybe it was a dragon thing?

But at that moment, Sisu saw something quite clear: Jarek was frowning. And seeing this made Sisu frown as well.

"Hey, Skippy? How about I take you somewhere to rest?" Sisu suggested.

Looking to her, Jarek nodded, "Sure, I could sleep this meal off."

And so the new dragon numbly followed after. It wasn't as if he had anything else to do in his situation. As much as he didn't want to accept this, if an almighty magical dragon couldn't help him, it wasn't as if another miracle would be delivered in his lap.

As she was left alone in the room, Pranee had one thing to ask, "Do you want me to make you some more later?"

The dragoness received no answer, either because they were some distance away, or because it was too inappropriate.

"I wonder if he likes durian cakes?" She asked herself.

A/N: And so we meet Pengu. I tried to establish him as the level-headed one of his siblings. And I establish Jarek's chief trait: His sweet tooth.