Terri
(Or, Come Wisdom And Come Fire)
"How could I hate the monsters, I'm becoming one!"
I think I took a wrong turn somewhere.
I wish I had a map. Then this probably wouldn't have happened….
Terri thought, sighing as she dug her talons into the hot sand.
How did I even end up here?
Well, I guess it'll pay off if Crusoe's here.
She blinked rapidly, a small fleeting fear dashing through her chest.
What if I don't recognise him? What if he doesn't recognise me?! For all I know, he's probably a dragon too, and he'll think I'm not, well, me!
She tried to collect her thoughts.
Okay. I'll just review what I know so far.
Cuia's been captured by those soldier guys, which might be partially my fault, I'm apparently immune to fire, which is nice. Did I have that before? I never actually got close to fire, like, to try touching it and stuff. Maybe I just….never noticed?
An uncomfortably warm breeze buffeted her partially opened wings, causing her to rebalance herself.
I wonder how big this desert is.
Upon staring forward, she figured it wasn't going to be as easy to pass through like the mountains had been.
Okay. I'm not gonna be punching anyone anytime soon,
Lifting up her bandaged talons and flexing her claws to painfully prove her point, she verified this.
Oh well. I guess I'm not going to find anyone if I don't look, am I?
She took a step forward, frowning.
But….what's…
A low rumble echoed from the path behind her.
It's coming from the river.
The rumble turned into a roar, a buzzing sound that she recognised all too well.
Engines.
She picked up her pace, the sand thankfully cushioning her steps enough to the point where her pain was almost nonexistent.
There's a dune over that way that's big enough to hide me, I think.
Curling in her talons, Terri made a mad dash for the wall of sand, looking back and glimpsing multiple scout ORVs.
They probably have a ton of tranquilizers in there,
I can take out a few before I'm captured, if I want to go for a suicide approach.
Nope, I'm good.
She clawed her way up the dune, flinging sand behind her before she finally fell over the other side.
"Oof."
I hope they didn't see me.
The roar of the engines grew louder and louder, almost blocking out her thoughts.
She gulped in fear.
Just keep going, keep going…
Terri kept her scales pinned against the side of the dune, trying to make herself smaller.
After what seemed like was maybe two minutes passed, the engines died down as the sound of the vehicles slowly faded away.
I think I'm good. I'm good.
Whew.
I can't wait to be me again.
She inhaled, wondering how long it would be before that was an option.
I'll just have to hope I find someone I know.
A bead of warm sweat trickled down between her eyes.
Huh. If I don't thirst to death first.
She straightened, standing back up.
The sand hadn't changed, and the sky was…
Wait, was the sky that color before?
The air above her had begun to turn a dark shade of brown, beginning to look alot like the ground underneath her.
The wind picked up, showing a surprising resistance to her position, almost knocking her off balance. Sand began to sting her eyes, before she forced them closed.
Is this what a sandstorm feels like?
Opening her eyes as less as she could, Terri began to forge forward through the coming onslaught of burning sand and stinging winds.
I can keep going.
I WILL keep going.
Larger things began to fly into her path. Tumbleweeds, dead grass, even on some random occasions, dead leaves.
(I can explain that, leaves can be blown from the areas with trees into the desert.)
Her ankles began to sink with each step further, the desert acting as if it wanted her to stay, to drown beneath the endless waves of sand and silt.
Push. Forward.
She gritted her teeth. Sand granules bounced off her scales like millions of tiny bullets, all trying to break inside her body, to destroy her very being.
The wind decided it wasn't playing anymore, as it began to throw wave after wave of sand atop her, pushing her down, forcing her back.
The sun was no longer visible from the nigh-blackened skies, the billowing clouds of dark sand blotting out all outside sources of light.
Fear began to course through her veins, powering her forward.
I'm not going to die from some stupid wind and sand! I have things to do! I can't be held down by this!
This fear, quickly and rapidly swirled and transformed into anger, became something powerful.
Something she never knew she had, not until recently.
A warm glow washed over her, the sand suddenly ending its seemly relentless assault against her body and mind.
W-what?
She stopped squinting her eyes, opening them wider.
What the…
She let out a gasp in awe.
Her body was glowing. The sandstorm was rushing past her, no longer able to touch or harm her. Upon closer inspection, it almost looked like the sand was melting as it touched the light surrounding her.
Am-am I o-on fire?!
She stared down at her claws. Fire danced along their tips, though still leaving her unharmed and unburned, as one usually would be.
I can MAKE FIRE?
She nodded, grinning.
"Sweeet. I think I like this. Was I able to do this while…."
Trailing off, the ground suddenly began to wave back and forth. Was it supposed to do that?
The last thing she remembered was that the ground seemed a little closer than usual….
She woke up with a throbbing pain coming from her chest.
Owww... What is-
Terri was surrounded by desert dragons.
She stood up quickly, startledly shaking the sand piled by the storm off her body.
I must've run out of energy and passed out.
"W-who're you?" She stammered, shaking out her wings and blinking the sand out of her eyes.
"I'm pretty sure we'll be asking the questions here." One muttered, rolling their eyes.
"Yeah, like why you were stupid enough to get yourself caught in a sandstorm of that ridiculous size." Another accused.
Well, I was being threatened by the possibility of being captured by some marauding G.I. Joe types.
"I d-didn't see it bef-fore." Terri stammered.
(Goddamnit Terri, this is the second wrong turn in a row! You had ONE JOB! This wouldn't be a problem if you weren't so directionally challenged.)
"Of course you didn't, you SkyWings aren't supposed to live in the desert really. Even with those huge wings, another sandstorm like that and you'd get tossed around like a lost handkerchief."
Well… Maybe with this new power I wouldn't.
"Anyways. What brings you so far out here? The nearest outpost is at least seven miles away." The first dragon said.
"Um, I was looking for a friend of mine." Terri replied quietly.
"Oh. What's their name? I might recognize them. Unless it's a SkyWing, I suppose. I don't usually speak to them."
"Crusoe. His name's Crusoe." She replied shakily.
"Hm. Doesn't sound familiar, but definitely a SandWing name, since I can't see a SkyWing being named that."
"Uhm, y-yeah."
The lead dragon's expression softened. "So, where were you heading to before the storm hit?"
"Er, the nearest town."
"Scorpion Den then? I'd be careful there, if I were you. Most of the dragons there are pickpockets, swindlers, the lot."
Terri felt a small fear begin to grow in her chest.
I sure hope he's not there.
"Oh! I almost forgot to ask, what's your name, by the chance I might encounter you again?" The dragon asked curiously.
"Seriously Sonora, we did this last time! Let's just go back to the outpost, we need to finish our game!" Another SandWing complained.
"Shut up Acacia, nobody asked you." Sonora snapped back.
"I'm Phoenix. And I kinda...do, hope we meet again. It was erm, pleasant, compared to most confrontations with other dragons. Thank you." Terri answered, using her fake name from before.
"Well, it was nice meeting you too, Phoenix! I do hope you find your friend." Sonora said, dipping her head sympathetically.
"Soonooorrraaa, come oooonnnn!" Acacia groaned, already lifting off the ground with the other tree dragons, who shared similar looks of annoyance.
"Fiiiiine, but I still have to have the cushion chair when we get back!" Sonora insisted, spinning around and quickly flapping after them, leaving Terri alone in the quiet, hot desert once again.
I guess I do need to thank her, because now I think I know the next place to look.
Finding the Scorpion Den wasn't as hard as getting there. She figured after seeing groups of dragons heading back and forth from one general area, that it would have to be the place.
I hope nobody asks why I didn't fly here.
The 'town' was massive, it was almost a city, really. Sandstone buildings dotted the outsides, but within the walls were streets packed with countless dragons of almost every color,
Filling the shops and market stands lining the streets.
She held back a gasp of awe.
How will I ever find him there? That place is massive!
The front entrance looked safe enough, she figured. The SandWing guard standing nearby made her a bit uneasy though.
I hope they don't ask me anything, or better yet, I hope they don't ask a question I can't answer.
Terri hesitated, stopping her steps.
I wonder if there's actually any scorpions in there.
The entrance was wide, probably wide enough to fit at least two Sherman M51s inside.
(It's a type of tank, here: wiki/Super_Sherman )
She gulped.
I wonder if I'll actually ever find him…
It wasn't long before she actually stood before the entranceway before she began to feel slightly jumpy.
If I'm talked to I'll just um, answer the question, if they have any. I think I'd rather not be here very long.
The guard eyed her suspiciously as she walked by.
Terri held back a small whimper of fear in hurried along, dashing through the gate.
She looked back, seeing him shake his head as if he had thought that was quite funny.
I'm not here to stay, so who cares what others think of me?
She was instantly barraged by the sounds and smells of the rumbling city, hearing a cheer go up over most of the voices in the street from what she assumed was a tavern, and smelling multiple odd foodstuffs, but of the few she saw, she found most of them peculiarly appetizing, since before then she wasn't really much of a meat eater, being previously an Avian.
(OwO) Wow, do dragons really eat roasted lizards?
Wait,
Is that cannibalism orrrrr….
I don't care, but it sounds tasty-ish. Too bad I don't have anything on me.
If I had my spear, I could…
Nah, I don't think I'd make that trade either.
I'm not here for sightseeing anyways, I'm here to find Crusoe. Or anyone who could help me get Cuia out.
Where to look, where to look….
Hm. A library, maybe? I do know he likes books a lot.
I wonder where I would find one though.
Maybe someplace has a map I can use.
She wandered through the streets, apologizing anytime she accidentally bumped into anyone, not that they seemed to care that she did so or apologizing.
Shady-looking dragons occasionally eyed her from the corners of the dark, sun-obscured alleyways, looking away when they realized she had nothing for them to steal or 'bargain' for.
The blistering sunlight eventually got to her, leaving her dreadfully thirsty, and not hungry in the least, due to having eaten more berries after finding where Crusoe was being held.
After all, it was a desert.
Eventually she came across a small wooden crate, with a small tent over it, forming a makeshift merchant's stand. The sign painted (rather sloppily) over the box read 'High-quality maps', and the young dragon behind it was busily organizing painted scrolls.
Terri stopped before the box, frowning. "Er, hi."
The young SandWing turned around, smiling happily. "Oh, hi! Are you here to purchase a high quality map?"
Terri shook her head. "I don't have any money. Can I just...look, at one? I need to find out if there's a library here."
"Oh, it's just down the street that wa-WAIT, HOLD ON, you have to buy the map first." He said, catching himself.
Terri raised an eyebrow. "I think I'm good." She dashed down the alleyway the dragon had stopped himself from pointing to, narrowly avoiding a cart full of strange red cacti.
Weird. Maybe it's rare, or special?
The street winded around into a small courtyard that appeared to be seemingly vacant. Gusts of sand drifted along the street behind a chained gate, locked with a metal lock that had been sanded soft by the winds.
Huh. Is this the library?
A small wooden sign with faded white letters hung above an empty doorway, showing an open scroll with the word 'Library' faintly painted underneath.
Would Crusoe really come to someplace like here to hide?
She checked the gate, finding that the chains were only dummy-locked.
Pulling it open, she shivered involuntarily at the grainy screech of the sand-filled hinges.
Awfully well-managed, I can see.
She walked cautiously across the deserted street, toward the derelict library.
The wooden door was tilted to the side, one of the hinges no longer in a single piece. The sandstone window sills were filled with wooden bars, probably to once deter thieves. Not anymore though, for they looked weak and brittle, due to the lack of moisture in the air.
The wind howled through the empty street, as a tumbleweed decided it wasn't needed anymore, rolling away. (Like my life expectancy)
Terri could swear she heard voices over the echoing wind, but maybe she was wrong.
Maybe it's not Crusoe. I don't know. Maybe some thieves, or bandits or something. I'll take the highway just in case.
She ascended the tan sandstone stairs set into the wall of the building, quickly stepping onto the sand-coated roof. A large domed skylight sat in the center of the roof, allowing her to see inside.
Cautiously, she flattened herself to the ground and crept slowly over to the thin glass, peering in.
There are dragons in there. Um, five, if I can count correctly.
I wonder what they're doing down there.
"I'll ask you two geniuses one more time," One snarled. "Where is the Cloudburst?" He wore a red kerchief around his neck, almost like some kind of bandito.
"Funny. You act like we'd even let you have it!" A female voice growled back.
"Sinai, I don't think these are guys we wanna mess with…" A timid male voice said.
The timid-sounding dragon caught the dragon apparently named Sinai's shoulder.
The first dragon was obviously grinning now. "Yeah Sinai, listen to your little brother. He knows what's up."
Sinai shook her head, crouching and waving her tail menacingly. "Not today. I think I'd rather go down clawing your face than by our own weapon."
Weapon? I wonder what it could be…
"Sure, sure. What if I…" The first dragon snapped his claws together, and the other dragons behind him approached Sinai's brother.
Sinai faltered. "No. Leave him out of this, he has NOTHING to do with this!"
The bandito shook his head sadly. "You know what to do boys,"
Sinai's brother tried to run, but was struck in the head with a large dictionary. He stumbled, falling to the ground.
"No!" Sinai wailed, trying to run to him but was pressed back by one of Bandito's accomplices.
They need help.
Sinai's brother struggled to stand, his knees wobbling as he put his weight on them.
One of the bandits raised his barbed tail.
Sinai roared, headbutting her attacker and spinning away from him, turning to tackle the other bandit.
She was too late.
Sinai's brother cried out in pain, the bandit having sunk his tail barb into his leg.
Okay, I maybe could have stopped that.
The bandito stood in the back of the library, watching Sinai burst past the first bandit, then become cornered.
"You see Sinai?" He chuckled, grinning horridly. "One way or another, I always get what I want. Tell me where it is and your brother can live." He said, bouncing a red cactus in his talons.
Hey, I saw one of those earlier. Do they cure their venom or something?
Wait, why am I still up here?
She breathed in deeply, imagining herself locked in a battle with the sandstorm from before, her scales feeling warm and fluid.
Hurrah!
Terri punched her claws through the thin-glass window, melting a hole through the center and shattering it simultaneously before she landed on the ground below, the discarded books around her instantly bursting into flame.
The Bandito shrieked. "F-flamescales?!"
Sinai peered through her captors, blinking rapidly.
Terri smiled, her fires extinguishing. "Sorry I'm late."
Bandito SandWeen boi stopped his hyperventilating enough to realize that Terri was in fact NOT a flamescales and ceased his freaking out, thinking it was probably a trick of the light.
"Er, ahem. No matter, you're still outnumbered, and outgunned." He said, waving his tail threateningly.
One of the bandits dashed forward to attack her. Terri grinned and lit her tail ablaze, whipping him across the jaw and sending him out the door screaming, as he tried to bat out the flames coating his face.
Terri sighed. "It's a shame really, when they think they have a bigger gun but never check the caliber."
(Everyone in Carmen Sandiego: HE DIDN'T PROTECT THE FAAACE!)
The Bandito sputtered, looking side to side.
"Th-this. Isn't. Over!" He leapt out the window behind him, the sound of breaking glass and wooden bars proof of his leave.
The other bandit had already scrambled out the side door, Terri realized as she looked back.
"Sinai, right?" Terri asked, calmly walking over.
"How do you know my name?" Sinai growled suspiciously.
"Your brother is more important at the moment." Terri established.
Sinai looked across the floor at his shivering form. "You-you're right. We need to find a brightsting cactus."
"Was that what the creepy bandito was holding?" Terri asked, looking back toward the gaping broken window.
Sinai nodded. "Wait, you shouldn't-"
Terri had already sprinted and leapt out the window, tucking and rolling before she landed in the alleyway. The Bandito's tracks were clear, heading straight through the gate.
Oh boy.
She sprinted after the tracks, slamming her elbow into the swinging gates.
The Bandito came into view, as he waded his way through other dragons blocking his path.
Oh no you don't.