A/N: Hey, real quick! Just want to make something really clear, real fast. I get this question once in a blue moon, and it makes me feel bad that it isn't totally 100% clear, but I'll make sure it's explained here really quick, because it's a really detrimental part of Defying Code.

Sometimes people ask what the difference between a user-made gamer and a self-programmed gamer is. I'm going to copy-paste my reply to one of my readers :) A user-made gamer is a gamer in the Arcade that has a game day, like Vanellope and Ralph. This also includes characters like Sonic, Felix, Pac-man, Bowser, Mario, etc. They are made by humans, or, in Tron (and Arcade) terms, 'user' which, in Tron, is sort of like a God, someone above them (hence the 'Oh my User' term, said in my story, as opposed to 'Oh my God') - Self-programmed gamers are born into the Arcade, from two user-made gamers. Ralph and Vanellope made Tessa, therefore she is a self-programmed gamer, or a 'faux-code' which is derogatory/slang and is similar to being called a mud-blood, in the Harry Potter universe. Both coding's are totally different, in their programming, and you will find it to be a key plot point in Defying Code. Thanks for reading, guys! :D

*Chapter 33*

After what seemed to be an hour of trying not to panic, Tessa was positive she was headed in a direction that was beyond her. She tried her hardest to get a feel for exactly where she was. She head in the direction of the western sun, she knew Dead Zed's exit's peaks hid the setting sun's rays. She panted lightly and tried her hardest to calm herself down. She knew nightfall would be soon, and she was praying that somehow she would stumble upon The Flip Side; she knew Zane would likely be looking for her. With a sudden rush of adrenaline, Tessa quickly darted her eyes around to the nearest, climbable tree. She immediately took to the bark and grabbed branch by branch. As if an expert in tree climbing, she had successfully began to hike up one of the tallest trees around; she figured getting above the canopy, to see where she was, would help.

As if her jumbled mind clouded her judgement, she grabbed a branch that wasn't the sturdiest of branches. Tessa exhaled a hard yelp as she immediately slipped and rocketed from the high branch, and to the jungle floor. She hit a few billowy leaves and branches on the way down, though she hit the ground with a thud. She coughed a loud groan and laid on her side in agony. She carefully pushed herself into a sitting position and looked around, her vision was blurred by oncoming tears. She inhaled a shaky breath and finally was still. She remained silent, as if sitting frozen would aid to her problem. She finally let herself be calm as she listened to the jungle; she wondered if the jungle was feeding on her nervous energy. Anything she gave out, she received. She finally sat and peered about, as if to finally inquire to the jungle that she was ready to receive any of it's knowledge on just how to get home.

As her eyes scanned the rich, wet foliage, she felt her eyes land on something that made her jolt clear out of her skin. She froze and gazed into the face of a certain creature that just so happened to be curiously gazing back at her, through unfaltering, unblinking, massive green eyes. Tessa raised her eyebrows and felt her skin turn to stone. She gazed at the creature's head as a whole, the rest of it's body was lightly hidden in the foliage it just so happened to be trekking through. This creature had tan, scaly skin, large green eyes and a bat like snout. The top of it's head was crowned with light and dark brown fur, a mixture of little feathers were prominent as well. It had large, bat like ears that laid flat against it's head, probably so not to show too much interest in it's new prize before it. Tessa felt her heart race in her chest; she knew the creatures in Dead Zed were hostile, though she had to wonder if maybe there were some that were friendly. She knew getting her hopes up, at this time, was probably not wise.

Tessa finally felt heat hit her skin, yet again, and she tensed into action. As smoothly as she could, she began to scoot backwards; she winced as her leg suddenly sent shooting pain up to her hip. She exhaled a hard, nervous groan and continued to scoot backwards to the safety of a nearby tree trunk. She raised her eyebrows in stunned fear as, suddenly, the creature's ears popped up in surprise, it perked it's head up and cocked it in a curious way, though much to Tessa's dismay, it quickly began to emerge from it's little hiding spot. It stepped out, on all fours, stout legs, bumbling paws and large, black claws. As the creature gently fumbled into view, Tessa felt her heart sink harder. As large wings, which were tucked to it's body, and a large tail came into view, Tessa knew she was done for. She put her hand up and continued to scoot; she uttered a noise of compliance, as if to beg for the creature to leave her alone. It's body gently rumbled a curious, purring like noise as it gently marched closer. It opened it's mouth only barely, but it was enough for Tessa to see it was armed with large, sharp teeth.

"No, no, no," Tessa worried as she suddenly came in contact with the tree trunk she was trying to retreat to safety for. She largely lugged her bag off of her back and opened it. She quickly swiped out a cookie that she had packed herself for Academy. She largely waved it around, "Here, want the cookie? Take the cookie," Tessa whispered in panic as she largely chucked it across the clearing.

Tessa was surprised to see the large dragon train it's eyes solely to the cookie; it watched the cookie rocket away from the two, and in all of it's bumbling glory, it bounded off in search for the long lost treat. Tessa flinched and watched the long, large creature bound away like a playful dog. She furrowed her eyebrows and felt shell shocked. It's long tail was crowned with two sets of tail fins, one closer to it's body and one massive sail on the tip of it's tail. She inhaled nervously as the dragon bounded through a few bushes. She knew, however, that once it found said cookie, it was bound to be back for more. Tessa took this small gap of solitude to assess the damage to her leg. She flinched and noticed that there were three large, angry looking spines sticking out of the side of her lower leg. She winced and hovered her hand around it, as if to attempt to grab it, though she chickened out. She exhaled a noise of pain and readied herself, though she largely flinched as the bushes, from far away, began to loudly rustle.

All at once, the large, tan and bumbling dragon hobbled back to her. It chomped down on it's tasty treat, though it's eyes and ears were perked, as if it had just been given manna from heaven. It tucked it's wings close to it's body and kindly hunkered down, as if it were plainly aware it was frightening the young girl it had happened upon. It laid it's ears flat, though it kept it's eyes kind and curious. It lightly cocked it's head in curiosity, yet again, and slowly approached Tessa once more. Tessa raised her eyebrows in scared annoyance, she wondered just how many cookies she would have to sacrifice in order to get this bumbling, oversized puppy dog off her case. She quickly rummaged through her bag, yet again, and couldn't find any more food. She largely looked up at the approaching, curious creature. It very lightly barred it's teeth, even though it didn't seem to be out of aggression, Tessa didn't want to take her chances.

Out of that spark of adrenaline she wasn't used to, she threw her hands up and out lightly, in a fit of not really knowing exactly what she was doing. The jungle floor lightly reverberated and sent a shock wave out towards the approaching dragon. Grid lines, on Dead Zed's game floor, shone hot purple as her code glitched outwards, as if to warn the creature to stay back. Tessa eagerly watched as her ears rung with the electric, humming buzz that was present. All at once, her purple code rippled over the dragon. She furrowed her eyebrows largely as the dragon flinched and sat down in a fit of confusion. It grimaced a small, rumbling noise of confusion as it shook it's head, much like a feline shaking itself free of water. Tessa's eyes widened as the dragon's code lightly blobbed about; she felt her heart jolt with a sense of sudden camaraderie. The dragon's coding blobbed about in the same, hot purple coding Tessa had.

"You have a purple code color too!" Tessa said quietly to herself as she relaxed her shoulders, though she immediately tensed, yet again, as the dragon locked it's confused eyes on Tessa once more.

The dragon remained still, as if it were now aware it had spooked Tessa to no end, as if, with that single swipe, the creature was able to read Tessa's information. It laid it's ears flat and lightly lowered itself, so to seem less intimidating. It remained still and hugged it's, surely massive, wing span to it's flat body. It's eyes held trained to hers, in an apologetic, guilty sort of way, as if it were obvious it had accidentally caused emotional grief. The feathers and fur on it's head and along it's long spine lay flat as well, it's eyes held an incredible amount of wisdom, as if Tessa had merely bumped into a stranger that didn't speak her language. Tessa and the dragon sat poised in a stale mate for a few minutes. She winced lightly as she tried to get to her feet, though she slumped back down to the ground and exhaled a few hard pants. The spines in her leg remained jammed in her skin, as hot blood soaked her jeans. She lightly glanced at the dragon and wondered if the smell of the blood was enticing it; it merely sat like a vulture, waiting for it's prey to die. Tessa grunted nervously and lightly waved her hand, as if to threaten to send her code in a harsh wave at the creature, yet again.

"Go," Tessa urged, "Get out of here, leave me alone!"

The dragon lightly raised it's ears, as if to signify listening. It lightly cocked it's head and sat up straight, though after a moment of contemplation, and eyes that curiously scanned Tessa's body, the dragon began to make it's way over to Tessa once more. Tessa flinched and felt her heart sink.

"No, no, stay back!" Tessa yelled as she largely waved her hand in front of herself, "Don't make me wreck you, cause I will!"

The dragon flinched lightly, though it continued to press on. It's long tail swayed just barely as it approached, it slithered like a snake along the jungle ground, though it's tail fins were stout and opened wide, as if it needed them for balance. Tessa sunk into the tree trunk and felt her heart begin to race as the large creature approached her. It was no taller than Tessa, when on all fours, though it was easily six times Tessa's height in length; not to mention it's wing span, which it hid well. Large, bat like wings and claws hugged it's body tight, as if it were protecting one of it's only means of travel. It echoed a grumbling, purr of curiosity in it's large chest cavity as it got practically feet from Tessa. Tessa slumped her shoulders and felt a prayer shoot through her code, as if to beg for forgiveness from this massive beast. She felt tears sting her eyes as she suddenly covered her face with her hands.

"Please don't eat me," Tessa complained as tears immediately streamed her cheeks.

She felt a hard frown form over her face in fear; she knew her wrecking abilities, against such a powerful being, was useless. She scrunched her eyes tight as she could feel the dragon's strong presence inch into her comfort bubble. It's hot, powerful breath laced her lower legs, as well as a few loud sniffing noises that emanated from it's prominent snout. Tessa remained still, though she jolted once she felt the warm, scaly snout of her new dragon friend push into the backs of her hands, which covered her face. Tessa lightly removed her hands and gazed into the face of the dragon; it's brilliant green eyes remained trained to her, though they lightly closed as the creature tenderly nuzzled it's face into Tessa's. Tessa finally exhaled a gentle giggle and winced lightly. She was surprised to feel the dragon, before her, let out a small sound of reassurance, as if suddenly this creature was eager to care for Tessa. As easily as she could, she slid her trembling hand onto the snout of her new friend. It lightly sniffed her and lulled it's eyes closed yet again.

Tessa shook her head lightly and wrinkled her nose, giving her new friend a massively confused, incredulous look. She let her fingers feel the contrast in texture on it's snout; from the scales, the top of it's head smoothed into velvety fur and feathers of all shades of browns. She exhaled a small noise of disbelief and continued to lightly pet the creature before her. It seemed to like the new presence, as if it too had been alone for quite some time. Though, with as much cunning stealth as the smart creature could muster, it lightly wrapped it's strong claws around the spines on Tessa's leg. As quickly as it could, it bounced away from Tessa, which yanked the spines with it. Tessa exhaled a hard, loud cry of agony as she gripped her leg. She panted hard and gazed angrily at the creature, who was now standing a dozen feet away. It stood on three legs, one of it's front hands was confidently gripping the three, bloody spines that were stuck in Tessa's leg. The creature look more than poised, it's ears were harshly perked atop it's head, as were the feathers that lined it's head and spine. It's eyes were wide with surprise, yet a huge gloss of success washed over the creature. It barred it's teeth, as if to form some sort of positive smile in Tessa's direction.

"User almighty, you jerk!" Tessa hollered as she hugged her leg to her body.

She exhaled a few hard groans, though she was surprised to see the creature gently set the spines down and await some sort of punishment. She furrowed her eyebrows lightly and finally got a good, clear look at this creature. It was beautiful, though the look of degrade still hung in it's eyes, after the loud words of anger Tessa spewed minutes prior. It looked humbled in confusion and sadness, almost, as if it were ready for a beating. It laid it's ears flat and remained still, as if to await it's light doom. Tessa raised her eyebrows in surprise and was stunned to see imperfections on the dragon's snout. Large scars, old and new, dotted it's face and head. She also noticed a tear in it's left ear, they began to lightly raise in confusion, as if to question if said beating was going to happen.

"I-I'm sorry, I'm not going to hurt you," Tessa breathed as she finally got to her feet, albeit clumsily. She gazed down at her leg, which was now spineless and bloodied. She shot the creature a thankful smile and crossed her arms, "Thank you... You're really not going to eat me?"

The dragon lightly sat up as Tessa stood. It gave her a curious, happy gaze, as if it were happy not to be punished. It cocked it's head lightly and let out a small, grumbling noise, though it barred it's teeth lightly and made another noise, this time a little louder, though it were as if it were a triumphant, grumbling honk of a noise. Tessa beamed a curious smile and let the dragon approach her, yet again. It got close enough and gently nuzzled it's snout into Tessa's center. Tessa exhaled a gentle giggle and held her hands on the creature's cheeks. It closed it's eyes and sniffed her lightly, though Tessa was floored to see it wag it's tail slowly, back and forth; she knew, no matter what creature, a wagging tail usually means happiness. Tessa beamed a curious smile down at her new friend and pet the top of it's soft head.

"Alright, boy, just you and me I guess... Though, I'm not so certain mom and dad will be thrilled that I brought a whole entire dragon home," Tessa laughed softly to herself, though she felt her eyes fix on something on the dragon's back; it was a roughly made leather saddle, sat flat to the dragon's long spine. Tessa furrowed her eyebrows and suddenly felt a pang of worry hit her skin, "You had a rider?"

Tessa continued to lightly pet her new friend's head, though she suddenly felt a strange feeling, as if she wasn't alone with the dragon. She glanced about the dragon's saddle, though it looked torn up, as if there were a sign of a struggle. There were gentle scuffs and rips in certain places. Tessa eagerly peered about, though she figured that losing a dragon, especially of this size and friendliness, had to be near impossible. She warmly peered back down to her new friend and heaved a soft sigh.

"Did you lose your owner?" Tessa wondered gently, though she felt her heart sink as the dragon's ears lay flat, and it peered up at her through grief stricken eyes. Tessa lightly pet the top of her new friend's head and heaved a soft sigh, "Looks like it, huh... Guess we're both lost out here."