The physical checkup was weird, the guy kept poking me and prodding me until he said I was fit enough. I mean, I get it dude, I'm fat, so what? I still ride my dragon.

"I do not think you are overweight," Luna cooed into my mind.

"That's just because you grew up thinking that I was normal."

"Not true. I have seen many humans, but never have I thought you to be too big."

"Thanks, Luna. Oh wait, you're here at the training place, right?"

"Here?," Luna questioned.

"Surprise."

"You finally came. How exciting! Do you plan on training? We may even get to begin dual training! Oh, that would be quite fun."

"I'm kind of being forced."

"Well, I'm sure we can still have fun together."

"If you say so...," I mutter aloud.

"What?," Quinten perked up.

"Nothing," I state in monotone as I follow down the spiral staircase. This place is so busy, it feels like everyone has to be here, I think as some one rushes past me, almost knocking me down.

Quinten was planning to introduce me to Rider Jesada, and I was kind of nervous to meet her. She was going to be my trainer, I hadn't met her but I already knew she was going to be able to beat me if needed. I thought to all the action movies I had seen where they learn to fight and the mentor always beats them up so badly, but at the same time building their skills. I shuddered, I did not want to fight anyone.

Quinten approaches a man, asking about Jesada when I feel a tug on my shirt, I looked down and was so surprised.

"Tholus!"

"Hello, miss."

"Hey, how are you," I got down to be at his eye level.

He was still so bashful and refused to look me in the eyes," I-I'm fine, miss."

"Ah, ah, ah. What did I say about calling me 'miss', call me Alyson."

"Oh, yes, pardon me Miss Alyson."

I chuckled," What are you doing here?," I looked around for a sign of the man, Corin, who thought he owned Tholus.

"My master is here, he is to tryout for the Dragon Chamionship."

"Dragon Championship?"

"Yes, a contest to determine the best dragon in Alagaesia."

"BOY!," a loud, sharp voice pierces the air and Tholus' body stiffens.

"Coming master!," he turns to run off, but Corin is already behind him.

"Boy! I've told you not to wander," he raised his hand to strike Tholus, then he saw me," but it seems you always find something when reollect you." Corin lowers his hand," Final Rider of Earth, how lovely to see you again," he takes my hand in his and kisses my knuckles.

I pull my hand away." Hey."

"Boy, go fetch Valor, we are leaving."

Tholus turns to go, but I grab his arm and turn him back to me. "Wait! Tholus, it was great to see you again."

Tholus smiled and ran off into the crowd.

"It seems you've taken a liking to my boy," Corin smiles.

"Your boy? He has a name," I crossed my arms.

"Not a very good one," Corin grunts.

What a fucking asshole. God, such pretentious, wannabe jackass.

"I ca-..." I started to go off on him when Quinten rejoined me.

"Ah, Alyson, it seems you've met Rider Corin," Quinten nodded to him.

"Hello again, Rider Quinten," Corin smiled," It's been so long."

"Too long," Quinten agreed.

"It seems you are close with the Final Rider?," Corin asked but he said it more like a question. He then turn to me and winked, it was so brief I almost didn't think it was real, but knowing what I knew about Corin, it was.

"I've been asked my the Queen to bring her here for her training."

"Ah, training," he grinned at me. "I suppose it's not quite enough to enter into the Dragon Championship?"

I opened my mouth but Quinten spoke first. "Not quite, she's still a fairly new Rider." I scowled at Quinten, but he was unphased and kept his attention on Corin.

"A pity. It would have been a pleasure to compete against such a beauty," he winked again and I knew my face visibly reacted in disgust, but Corin merely turned back to Quinten. "I'm sure you have already entered."

"Ugh... no, not yet, but Erea and I are still planning to enter."

"Good, it will be nice to have some healthy competition," Corin smiled.

"Yes, maybe this year we'll finally defeat you and Valor."

Corin chuckled," I suppose it's healthy to dream. It was good to see you, Rider Quinten. And it is always a pleasure to see you, Final Rider," he reached for my hand again but I hid them behind my back quickly.

"Yeah, great to see you again," I gave a flase smile. "Be sure to tell Tholus goodbye from me."

Corin withdrew his arm," Of course," his face turned sour. He turned away and stalked outside.

I watched him go and I just couldn't help but hate him, he was just a douche. Entitled dirtbag.

Quinten turned to me, his smile gone," Jesada isn't here today, but they'll send word she has pupil. I assume you will ride back with Luna?"

"Yeah," I push past him. I didn't know where I was going, but I really like having a dramatic exit. It was just too bad that Quinten followed me and ruined it.

"How do you know Corin?," he blocked my path.

"None of your business," I said and stepped to the side, but Quinten copied me like a mirror.

"Seriously. Alyson, how do you know him.

I crossed my arms again," You don't get to be mad at me and ask me questions."

Quinten's jaw tightened," Fine, I'm not mad. How do you know him?" Quinten sounded serious, like he really needed to know for whatever reason

I let my arms fall to my sides," I don't know him, I met him on my first day here."

"How?"

"He... He sent Tholus to find me."

"And?," quinten asked eagerly.

"And nothing, I met him, I don't like him, end of story."

"That's it?"

"Yes, why do you are?"

"I don't," he huffed. "He's just... not good company."

I laughed at him mockingly. "Says you, you guys sounded like best friends."

"It's complicated."

"You say that about everything," I mutter.

"I've known Corin for a long time, just steer clear of him."

"Believe me, I want nothing more."

"Good,"Quinten looked awkwardly away, out conversation was now flat.

"Well, I have to go find Luna, to get a ride," I spoke with venom.

"Alyson," he side stepped and blocked me again. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean that."

I sighed, This place is too much. "It's fine. I need to talk to Luna anyway," I walk around Quinten and wander to a large opening that leads outside. Quinten didn't follow me this time, which was a relief, I couldn't take his whiplash of emotions.

Outside was filled with dragons and riders, bustling around, all on their own mini missions. I couldn't spot Luna is the sea of colors.

"Luna?"

"Yes, my acorn."

"I'm outside."

"Yes I see you," Luna said before landing in front of me. She had startled me and I hear her chuckle, happy to scare me.

"Don't do that!," I clutched my chest.

"Come, let me introduce you to some of my new friends."

I mounted her back and she flew low to the ground a few hundred feet from the building where a large obstacle course was. She introduced me to many dragons, all of which were nice. Wow, Luna must be really popular, she knows so many people.

"Don't flatter me, acorn."

"Stop easedropiing."

"I would if you blocked me."

"Eh, too much work."

"Oh, it is my turn!"

Luna stepped up to the start line and then bolted forward, flying low and fast throw the hoops, then soaring upwards to make it over the steep wall. She was so quick, it was like watching just a flash of white. she dived back to the ground and then weaved in between the stills with spikes, rounded the corner and flew as fast as she could back to the start.

"Wow!," I smiled and clapped for her! "You did so good!"

Luna laughed," I was so slow. Many are faster."

"That was insane, I could barely keep my eyes on you!"

Luna looked slightly embarrassed," It really wasn't that great."

"It was amazing," I assured.

"You know, some Rider will ride their dragons through the course."

My jaw dropped," You're joking!"

"No, I am not."

"That's crazy, I would fall off!"

"Well, perhaps you will learn how to keep a hold in your training."

"Ugh, don't remind me!"