The Chronicles of the White Dragon Part 2: The Crossroads of Time

by Blackshadow999

When things of history thought lost begin to be seen once more; fear grips many, none can choose how events will turn out in the end. What is left from an ancient war is rediscovered by Saber, but he finds more than he bargained for. An enemy long forgotten returns! and intends to finish wha they started. A tale traversing and transcending even the bounds of time itself. Part 2of3

5. 5 Premonitions of Past and Future

A/n

All righty then people and loyal readers! Here is chapter 5! Um… I don't know how to put the changes to this chapter exactly. There were changes everywhere! Just read the chapter and you will understand what I mean. Now without further crap from me, on with the chapter!

Chapter 5: Premonitions of Past and Future

I look around to find myself in a place I didn't know. By now this is no longer unusual to me with everything I have gone through to get where I am now. So why would I note this? Well… You tend to know something is really different when you start to have one of those 'out of body' experiences as I was currently. I think a term for this is lucid dreaming or the idea when you know your dreaming. The idea of lucid dreaming would also have you being able to control the dream, but I don't have that. Well anyway, this would mean that I am of course in a dream or rather seeing a memory of another from the first person point of view. I'm telling you, seeing memories that aren't mine can really throw me for a loop in several ways. The non-horrifying ones are preferable over the near death or experiences that do end in death I get to see!

This particular memory was in a field of flowers. I or whoever this memory belonged to looked around taking in the view. The ground was made of a huge array of colors; all those of the rainbow and then some. The varieties of plant life were breathtaking; the flowers in particular were an amazing sight to behold. As I was taking all of this in something fell from above and landed on my snout. I crossed my eyes to see it was a petal on my nose and I glanced up to see I was under a tree that looked much like a cherry tree in bloom.

I faced forward again and noted that beyond this field looked grey and fuzzy. It was likely the case due to this being a memory from the distant past. In such memories, only parts or pieces of the scenery would appear like something I knew and be recognizable. The rest would often appear grey and fuzzy or be just black or grey entirely to fill for the absence of substance I would know. It had taking some getting used to at first, the lack of scenery, that existed in the memories from the distant past, but that idea of fill the lack of features with just black or grey had been constant. So I just accepted the idea even if I don't like doing that often.

I was snapped out of my musing when a light green dragoness came prancing up to where I was. The dragoness kind of made me think of what a cross of Cynder and Cyra might look like and that dragoness being a couple of years older than I am. I felt joy at seeing this young adult dragoness. Or rather the one to who this memory belonged felt joy at seeing the dragoness; I felt the feeling to an extent, but it wasn't the same. However, I guess I will roll with this and see where it goes.

"Vinya, you are a tad late getting here you know."

The dragoness giggled at the statement.

"No you are just early as you usually are Aires."

I chuckled at the reply. Her voice was beautiful; it sounded like sweet music to me, like the smoothest silk.

"Well silly me, I was excited at getting to see you so I came early."

Vinya positioned herself next to me and went down on her haunches. She finished off by leaning up next to me and breathed a contented sigh. She smiled at me before she spoke to me.

"Oh, and why would you be so excited about seeing me Aires."

She was staring at me while I was staring at her and words just weren't needed in this anymore. The feelings of happiness just filled the air around us.

The scene changed by taking a sudden turn in contrast in mood and scenery. The field of flowers vanished and with it all the warm and fuzzy feelings! Now as I looked there was impending darkness in front of me. The only source of light was a dim pale orange glow that was pointed at me like a spotlight. I tried to move, and I noticed that my legs were chained and shackled as I moved my hind legs. I attempted to move other parts of my body, but I had the same results as my hind legs.

That was all I could process as the waves of harrowing pain crashed into me. I tried to keep from screaming, but couldn't stop my maw from opening and howling in pain! The pain was horrible! I felt like every bone in my body was being snapped, shattered and ground into powder, and then put back together again to repeat the painful process over and over. Yet throughout this I heard someone laughing. The laugh was malicious, vicious and it was so dark the wasn't a shadow of a doubt that the one to whom it belonged was evil.

"The screams of pain are lovely, but where is your terror? It would make this so much more amusing."

The voice gave me some of the most serious chills down my spine I have ever had! Sarana's administrations paled in comparison to the vibes I was getting from this guy! … The owner of the voice could give the devil himself a run for his money on how evil one could be! The owner of this memory managed to stop screaming for a little time, which impressed me with the levels of pain he was feeling. He managed to ignore the pain enough to say one line.

"My brother... will come and... stop you!"

The evil one laughed again and more evilly and I hadn't thought that possible! I revoke my previous statement! This evil son of a gun could beat the devil on levels of evilness and villainy!

"I am counting on him coming; I hope you survive until he does. Though it won't matter if you do or not, the result will be the same."

The pain intensified and I continued to scream in agony! This went on for a while; so long that I lost sight and track of the passing of time as I was blinded by sheer pain. Then there came an explosion and I looked up to see another white dragon standing there. There was now light streaming into this place and now I could see the one to which the evil voice belonged. However, the figure was distorted, so I couldn't get a clear view of him. The pain got worse and it felt like it was about to break me in two!

"Well, well, how nice of you to show up Shadon! How noble of you to come to rescue your younger brother? How unfortunate that you are too late to do so."

It was as if there was a snap of something breaking and then the waves of pain faded away. Yet the feeling of my body was fading as well to be replaced by a cold numbness. I am well aware of what this feeling meant as I have experienced it several times in different memories; thankfully I never have experienced myself and never plan to. This feeling was death coming to claim its due! The body had gone beyond its limit and had given out and now didn't and couldn't recover. I raised my head with the strength I had remaining to gaze at the white dragon in front of me.

"Brother... I do not hate you... hurry and... run... away..."

The scene around was disappearing; again the scene changed. Now I was myself as I looked down on a different scene. I gazed around to take in the place I was now. It appeared to be some kind of ruins or at least, some type of set of decrepit buildings. There was writing on the walls and as I stared at the walls I found I could read the characters. That was surprising as the only characters I can read here in the Dragon Realm was those in the ancient script.

Suddenly I began to walk forward; I couldn't stop or control the actions of my legs. It was like someone or something else was controlling my legs. I walked through these… ruins I think they were; much of these buildings were quite different in their structure than anything I have seen before. So, after going a sizable distance, I found myself at the edge of a cliff. I looked down into a really deep canyon to see an extremely FAST rushing river; I was looking at this sight from the top of the cliff which only made the distance all that more noticeable. Yeah… I'm all for going for a swim and everything for fun, enjoyment and cleaning myself… but there are FAR better and safer ways to go about it than this! The next thing I know I had jumped off and was plummeting down into the canyon and the river was coming up at me at break neck speed!

Not wanting to have a literal nose bleed section view of my impending crash below; I closed my eyes. It is just a sight I can imagine would be one I wouldn't want to engrave into my mind. Seconds before I believed I would take the plunge into pain I would rather not know; I felt my wings open and had the familiar feeling of pulling out of a dive. My heart was beating at a rapid pace from the dive I had gone through; still I wanted to see where I was now. Opening my eyes I found I was feet above the river and now I was zooming down the canyon.

Great now instead of gazing from the top of a canyon I am near the bottom and flying through said canyon. There isn't a single opportunity whatsoever in this that freaking screams for my bad luck to strike me down where I glide! If this wasn't a dream; I would seriously fear for my wellbeing in more ways than one! Yet I was still unable to do anything to control my body; so wherever I was going, I wasn't going to change the destination in any way.

In front of me, seemingly to appear out of nowhere, loomed the end of the canyon and at that end was a HUGE waterfall with a lot of water pouring down it! … Come on; give me a break from my bad luck in my dreams! The problem was I wasn't turning or pulling out of my approach to the falls! OH FREAKING CRAPING FIDDLESTICKS! I tried to close my eyes, but this time I was not able to do so. I have never thought to say this as I don't have any knowledge of the subject but it seems appropriate to say; MOMMY!

The falls came rushing at me and I braced myself for the impact… which never came. All that I felt was an immersion in water, and very cold water I might add! Now I found myself in an underground tunnel. I flew down through this maze of tunnels. I kept flying onward to where I haven't a clue the end is of this ride. I get absolutely no say in my dreams ever since being turned back into a dragon in the slightest.

Nonetheless after a period of time I ascended up an incline and came to land on a plateau. When I had landed I looked around to see that I was in some kind of crystal cavern. The crystals were of every hue and color, they were beautiful as they shimmered and sparkled. Yet what caught my eye was a seemingly blank section of the cave wall, it felt out of place with the rest of the crystal cavern for a reason I couldn't explain. As I stared at the wall it began to glow. The glow shown brighter and then died down, when I gazed upon the wall it was no longer blank. No there was now an intricately decorated door that was certainly not there before.

I began to make my way to the door and as I did there was a loud click and the door opened in the middle and two doors swung back. In the doorway there was... white. It kind of reminded me of my experience in the ruins of Carona. I approached the doorway and was going to walk through but everything faded into nothingness.

…

I woke up suddenly; lying on my bed, breathing heavily. The dreams of the night had been like they have most nights; random, unsettling, some parts were disturbing and confusing. And then the memories would usually run together from one to another as I viewed or experienced them. However, the last part of the dream this last night was new to me. It felt different than the memories, yet still it seemed important. The place it had been; I have never been there. Nevertheless, the writing that had been on the walls there were unmistakably of the ancient script. It made me wonder if such a place still exists and if so, where is it?! I haven't seen ancient script anywhere in the library or around Warfang, but I for whatever reason get taunted in my dreams by seeing it?! It's so outright frustrating! I had more than a nagging feeling on this vision! It wouldn't leave my mind, like something was shouting at me to say this was important! I filed the information in my mind for later thinking and research when I can.

I slowed my breathing back to the normal pace I had. I calmed my mind from the dreams and nightmares of the night that had visited and plagued me alike. Ah, one of the wonderful uses of the meditation techniques I learned during martial arts training. Once I calmed down I perceived I was very warm while I was laying in the bed. That's not exactly unusual… anymore at least, but still, I was warmer than I should be; my body doesn't produce this much heat on a regular basis. So, of course this meant there was another contributing factor to my current state; one which was still something I was getting used to. I felt something or rather it would be more accurate to say someone moving as they cuddled me. I glanced down to see as I suspected Lara; the other contributing factor.

I wonder if she likes using me as a body pillow or something along those lines. She was snuggling and cuddling with me with a firm grip, which could suggest that she might see me like that. Who knows? I shouldn't and won't complain about this situation, as I found the feeling to be very pleasant to be like this. Now that I take the time to feel this, Lara felt very warm against me I must say. I would have never thought that would be the case more than a couple of weeks ago. Were I to be realistically, if someone were to have told me a couple of weeks ago that I would be sharing a bed with another and a female at that. I would say they were crazy and to stop doing whatever liquid or substance they were on or doing, because it's seriously messing with their head. Yet, recent events had changed my view and understanding in the subject of having a companion around me that is more than a friend in ways that I never conceived.

Anyway, this had become the normal sight I would wake up to since I had become mates with Lara. I suppose it is one of the perks of being with someone. I'm still rather new to this so I wouldn't exactly know all that well. I'm still wondering how I had landed a dragoness like her… How did I get lucky enough to have a girl like Lara come into my life?! My Ancestors must be watching over me and by some fluke found a way to get past my bad luck for once! It's normally the opposite of what my luck does to me. So what's the deal here?! Meh, I suppose that it doesn't really matter at this point.

I laid there on my bed thinking of events that had occurred recently. It had been a little over two weeks since Lara and I had gotten back to Warfang with Sen in tow and things were settling into a respectable routine. The interesting thing was the guardians apparently had no clue that Lara and I were mates or at least they had shown no signs that they knew anything about our relationship. But, be that as it may, I'm willing to give them a break as they are dealing with the rising ape problem, in which I don't envy them at all! Even I am nice enough to know they need a break with that kind of crap to deal with.

Back to my previous point, for sleeping arrangements at night, Lara tended to come to my room a little early and somehow wasn't seen; I don't fathom how she isn't seen but that's not the issue. She invited herself, not to say I exactly have ever said no to her. So I guess I let her into my room as much as she just comes in. Although, I don't know how she is missed by others; she is a purple dragoness for ancestor's sakes! How many purple dragons are there here in Warfang? Two, Spyro and her; one dragon and one dragoness; still in some way goes unnoticed. Then I'm the singular white dragon that everyone has either somehow heard about or seen at some point; so how our relationship has stayed quiet, is beyond me. I'm just thankful there are no such things as far as I have seen, along the lines of Paparazzi. My life would be so much worse were it to be put up for public scrutiny! But enough about the standing with Lara and me for now I think.

Not too long after Lara and I got back with Sen; the guardians of course wanted to meet 'my friend'. I would say they regretted that call rather fast; but in their defense, they couldn't have known what they were in for! … I still had a wonderful laugh when I would recall what happened when Sen had met the Guardians. I mean when I met the guardians for the first time; it was rather amusing for me; I had a ball being myself around them… more now than I used to but still! However, I don't think the guardians would agree with me that the meetings we have are fun by the end. It's mostly my doing, but in all honesty, they need to loosen up! Nonetheless, since when did the guardians or more specifically the males agree with me? The answer, rarely if ever do they agree with me. The past gatherings with them prove that.

That's my case and the way I choose to act and hold myself around the guardians. Yes, it's to Lara's minor frustration, but I am who I am. Now, in Sen's case… well… allow me to put it in a different and simpler way. If you thought I was rude and had a tendency to insult those in charge, then you would shortly learn that Sen can and usually is worse in a different way than I am! Where I don't give respect until it has been earned; Sen just rarely gives respect at all! I suppose he is just too easy going to do so much. Ah, I can remember it like it was yesterday.

-A day more than two weeks ago-

I had woken up in the morning exactly like I normally did. I thought my day would proceed according to my plans I make while I do my morning routines. However, that ended with one event; namely being summoned to meet with the guardians. I wasn't really given the option of saying no without being seen as completely rude and in the wrong. I could see trouble coming my way with this event being forcibly put into my schedule! I mean, why would I want to listen to a bunch of old dragons tell me what I do wrong? Sure they may be the leaders of dragon kind at the moment, but what do they know about what is best for me?! That is my business and no one else's!

I became disinterested almost instantly after being told to report to the council chamber. I have a policy on trouble I don't create for myself or voluntarily get involved in; avoid it like a freaking plague! I hate dealing with trouble I didn't make or sign up for; it's just a pain. The guardians tend to give me grief more often than not. That idea stems from the relationship we have; the guardians, mostly the males and I don't get along really well. I am perfectly fine with that standing. I have no reason or interest in changing my standing with them anytime in the near future. So, as they can't accept me as I am; sucks for them doesn't it!

So, in my view this was just something I was being forced to do to kill time that I could otherwise be using for something more constructive. It's not like I'm against killing time every now and then; this is just one of the ways I don't like doing unless I need a desperate boost in my mood and morale. I didn't require such a boost right now; I was feeling fine. However, what made this even more complicated was that it wasn't just me they called. Oh no, it was all of my friends I have made here and then the guardians included Sen. This was looking like it would be as fun as a barrel of rabid monkeys… you know, probably not the best comparison given my experience with monkeys. The overall point of this I guess I am getting at; is misery does enjoy company and this was looking like it would turn out to be a miserable event.

*Sigh* and to think, I had other things on my to do list for today! Well, I don't intend to let anyone else spoil my plans for today, thank you! Anyone is welcome to try, but they will fail; I guarantee that personally! With that resolve firmly in mind; I won't let this 'show' go on for long! When I say that, I promise that this meeting will either be short or I will make the atmosphere in the council chamber make being in hell feel comfortable and pleasant! I don't know if the guardians have learned by now; if I dislike something, I will let those around me know. I have a tendency to express displeasure and disinterest about things by first being as disrespectful as I can and become worse as time goes on to enforce my point! Should that not be enough for the guardians to interpret and get my point; then I will remind them just how verbally abusive I can be! I'll be as derisive, insolent and sarcastic as I need to be to get my meaning across. And to my credit, I can do those ideas extremely well when I have a reason or the motivation to. In this instance I have both; so they had better have a good reason for this summons! How much a degree I cause, is up to the guardians.

Then there was Sen with us going to this meeting. That changed the board in how things would go down. If it wasn't obvious already, Sen is usually laid back and easy going. That part of his personality makes him good at being the one who you can work with. But he has a 'quirk' with authority figures much like myself. Or rather it is better to say, he gets along with them as well as a fish does when it is out of water. With the situation as its development, this will be intriguing to say the least. I highly doubt he will get along with the Guardians any better than I do… likely he will have a tad worse relationship… we'll see how it plays out. As we walked Sen came up next to me.

"So bro, what is this about? I was like having a totally sweet dream of riding a killer set dude."

I turned my neck to look at Sen with slight confusion. First and most importantly, hadn't he been told he was meeting the guardians? Second, why was he talking about him dreaming about surfing on waves at a time like this?

"Okay, Sen this isn't really the best time to talk about surfing, whether you do it in your dreams or not. Secondly, what were you told about this that you can remember?"

"Well bro, I remember something about a meeting some guardians man, but it didn't make a whole lot of sense dude. What the other dragon was sayin just washed over my head like a totally gnarly wave does when it wipes you out, you know dude."

In other words, Sen didn't really listen all that well, but I don't know why I would expect him to. He has always learned by doing things rather than listening or something to that effect. Honestly, I was going to tell him what we were about to go into, yet I was stopped by a single thought that happened to come to my mind at that moment. Why not let the guardians handle Sen and then we get a clear view of how well they deal with resistance to authority? I wonder if they have improved since meeting me.

"Sen, just be yourself and everything will work out fine."

"Right on bro, I'm amazing at being myself man. Thanks for the sweet advice dude."

I managed to hold in my laughter at this reply. This would prove, I wouldn't doubt to be very amusing! When we had all got to the top floor with the room that the guardians were assumedly waiting for us in, we knocked and were let in. Inside were all eight guardians, which was somewhat rare as they do have duties to perform. Anyways, we took our places across from them. Sen had sat down on my left side and Lara took her customary position on my right and the others just pretty much formed a line one either side.

Now no matter how many times I enter here or who I come in with I swear; it feels like I am coming into a court room to go on trial every time I come in here! And that's after being put on trial by the media to turn public opinion against you. Terrador began in his stern, droning tone of voice, by stating how our actions were the wrong choice. Much of what Terrador said was directed at… oh of course me! I just automatically put on my 'poker face' to make it appear that I was paying attention, but I wasn't really.

Now, this is by no means the first time I have gotten a lecture; used to get them often enough at the dojo from some of the masters there. The only ones I listen to were the lectures from Master Kai as I respected him, but that's not the point. Let's just say my poker face has been developed over time and being forced to listen to many pointless speeches and lectures over the years. Terrador kept going on as he does with the criticism of me. I could have replied and retaliated, yet why do so early when you can wait and have a more effective delivery? I mean, you would think with the way Terrador talks about me; I'm the absolutely perfect example of how a dragon shouldn't be or act! It's kind of… I don't know… makes me want to prove to them that their way of doing things isn't the only way or the best way either. That maybe, free thinking does have advantages. Anyway, when Terrador paused to let the other guardians comment; Sen took that as his cue to say something about the subject matter of the lecture.

"Dude… if all we're here for is to get a like totally tedious lecture, then why are we here listening man? It is a real bummer dude; like taking a surfer's board man. It's so not cool dude. There are far more righteous things that we can do bro! So like, let's ride man."

I was trying very hard, not to burst out laughing at Sen's comment. The guardians stared at Sen, with looks of confusion most likely due to Sen's manner of speech and expression that I was used to getting as I tend to argue with them as well as insulting them! Oh I saw this coming, but Sen is just good at killing a mood! He outdid my expectations, bless him for it! We may get out of here faster than I thought we would. However, why not add some more fuel to these growing flames to speed things along and end this stupid and pointless meeting!

"Now Sen, you know that we have to listen to reproaching lectures sometimes. We got them often enough back at the dojo. Supposedly it does us good to get them; helps us shape up or something like that."

Sen rolled his eyes.

"Yeah I got that bro, but most of the masters other than Master Kai gave lectures that just dragged a person down dude. Master Kai's lectures were helpful and had good criticism; plus he usually kept them short man. Still dude, all these dragons have done is like totally dis you by saying how you do things wrong bro. Like a noob telling a real surfer how to ride the waves man. So unrighteous bro! It is really starting to drag me down like a strong riptide dude. Surprised you're taking this man; though you were always better taking hot aired tirades dude."

I thought about my reply, knowing that the guardians could hear our exchange. Should I be mean and slap them in the face, figuratively speaking? … Oh why the hell not! It's what they get for dragging us in here just so they can chastise.

"That is lesson that you should learn Sen."

"What kind of vibe you trying to send bro?"

"I am talking about the art of putting up a poker face and pretending in a way that convinces the speaker that you're listening to them, when you're really not. You think I would listen to a full lecture of this kind?! Why should I? I mean, yeah sure there's the occasional idea that comes up that I could improve, but that happens rarely. With the basic overall message being that I should shape up and it just being said in detail over and over. Stupid message if you ask me. I am fine the way I am, so I don't see the reason to change anything and shape up as others would imply. Plus some of these dragons can really keep going if you know what I mean."

I stole a glance at Terrador who was looking pretty peeved right now. I had been tempted to add a phrase in there, yet I had restrained myself as it would have gone a little far. I mean, . As a wise man once said, "Stupidity is doing the same thing in the same way over and over and expecting different results". The philosophy can be applied to the guardians in their attempts to point out my so called errors and get me to change. It's probably a good thing I didn't say that, very likely would have gotten into more trouble than I already am. Anyway, I think my work here in this meeting is done! Sen was nodding his head in agreement.

"You said it bro! I have only been here for a little bit and I'm bored. It's like being trapped in school man and starin out at the waves roll in dude. I was like hoping to learn how to breathe fire, kind of like Hawaiian dance bro. Imagine me doing that type of a sick trick while on a surf board dude. Do you feel the vibe I'm trying to give here bro?"

Oh how I have missed this! Being able to talk to someone and have them understand me without having to explain things to them! Granted, Sen's speech is different and full of comparisons it could do without; but if that's the price I have to pay to have someone to talk to and have understand me, I 'm good. Maybe having Sen around won't be so bad after all.

"Oh I feel the vibe Sen!"

Well long story short, the guardians were quick to dismiss us due to the actions and speech of Sen and I. It's still funny how some of the guardians are so easy to prod in certain ways! Well, when we were let go or rather when the guardians had enough of Sen and me; I got Sen aside to talk to him. I was still dead curious about how he had gotten to the Dragon Realm, and then had been somehow changed from human to dragon. There had to be some kind of explanation for this chain of events.

I'm sorry, it's hard for me to swallow the things and circumstances that led Sen here and I still haven't a clue what any of the events or happenstances were! Seriously, the way I got here was… well crazy doesn't quite say it. That event has run through my mind many times and I still get chills down my spine from it. Yet the fact of the matter was that I had been human still for a period of time while in the Dragon Realm. Sen was a dragon when I saw him again clear as day! When we got to a place where it was just him and me I decided to ask about the subject.

"Okay Sen, we need to have a talk, just you and me."

Sen looked at me with a blank expression.

"Dude, this is totally unlike you bro; like me on a longboard man. Never have gotten the hang of them. Anyhow bro, for you to start a conversation with another to know something dude? You're more the observer man; not to say that's not totally you thing bro. "

I sighed at that reply.

"Yes I know that I normally do, still I can't with this."

"Like fur sure bro… So like what do you want to chat about dude?"

"Well for starters, how did you get here?"

Sen thought a moment; then he began telling me about the day before he got here. He told me of how the Saturday had started much like most of his weekends did. He had gone that morning the hour journey to the ocean and going surfing. By late afternoon he had gotten back to town and had gone home to get ready to go to the dojo the next day. However, while he had been on the beach, he had found an 'odd shell' as he described it. The object sounded more like a kind of crystal to me, but that isn't the issue.

Back to Sen's story, he had been getting ready to go to sleep when the 'shell' began to glow and quickly began to shine brightly. The light coming from the 'shell' ended in a flash. The next thing Sen knows he says remembering heard a voice saying that he had a great work to do elsewhere. The next thing he knew, he was waking up to see Lara and me; doesn't ever flipping recall crashing or hitting the ground! What's bugging me is Sen's attitude about all of this!

Well, it was little to go on to understand the reasons of why he is here, though it does at least say a little bit of the how he got here. It's not much of the how, but better than nothing. I feel I should just say "square two is only slightly better than square one", even minimal progress is progress though it doesn't always feel like it. At least that's what I have to tell myself sometimes.

"So let me see if I have your story straight; the shell you found and brought back with you glowed and ended up flashing and then you were here waking up to Lara and me? That sound about right Sen?"

"That's totally what it seems like bro; isn't like righteous dude?! Like watching monster swells rollin in and just thinking about how awesome they will be to ride man."

My eyes rolled involuntarily at Sen's attitude. I know he is easy going and everything, yet how can he be so laid back in a situation like this?! He has been brought to a completely different world, by unknown and ridiculous means. The said world he had be put in had different creatures; many of which were ones that were legends or myths on Earth. The creatures that aren't myths or legends are some that can be found on Earth but are hundred and eighty degree versions of difference of what they are on Earth. Nonetheless, Sen takes this as if there is nothing wrong with the current situation and that it's some kind of blessing! This is one of the times that I question Sen's mental state and health, but throughout the years I have found that this is how he normally is. It's hard to rock his world, even if he put in a different one.

"Sen, I wonder sometimes if you take anything seriously."

"Oh of course I do bro. I'm totally focused in this dude. Like I would be prepping to do a cutback three sixty twist dude."

Really? You could've fooled me.

"Well... you could have fooled me with the way you act."

I shook my head before I looked back at Sen. There was one other point of his story that didn't make sense. I decided to ask about that point.

"And you have no clue how you became a dragon?"

"Nope bro, but it's like surfing on the crest of a sweet wave, dude. So I won't complain man. I say with how things flow here bro, things will be awesome dude."

… Yes, Sen could fit in with the dragon race's mentality with perfection and ease; accept things as they are and it was irking me! Perhaps it is my views of logic and my intelligence, which pit me so strongly against the dragon mentality. I don't know! Still, I would tolerate it as I try to do for others. Ancestors help me in this so that I don't sink into this world of non-free thinking! I'm already getting a horrid headache from try to see the logic of all of this. Where's some Advil when you need it?

-End of flashback-

I was brought back to the present when I felt Lara shifting again. She moved her head against my jaw pushing with a little pressure, but not to the point where it would be uncomfortable. She started to caress my chin and jawline while she slept on. All the while I could see as I looked down and saw some of her face; that she was smiling and that smile grew a bit as she did the caressing. Were I one hundred percent truthful… the motion of Lara rubbing her head against my chin and along my jaw felt… very pleasant. Hmm, if this is what I get to wake up to by having Lara as a mate; then I think I could get use to waking up like this and like feeling this soothing motion in the morning. Oh yeah, I think I could easily do so. … Where did that thought come from?! … I shouldn't have thoughts like that! I needed to change the current circumstances!

Still as mornings go for me, I felt the need to get out of bed and get to my morning routines. The need for familiarity and morning routine is how I calm the chaos in my mind that came from the memories and events of the previous day. In fact, the idea is such an ingrained habit, you could compare it an itch that you can't help but scratch! So to my… slight displeasure, I extricated myself from Lara's embrace. Admittedly I enjoyed being hugged by Lara, though I can't seem to figure out why that is. After doing so, I left the room and made my way down to the training room to start my morning like I always do.

After I finished my morning exercises, I began to wander around the temple just for the sake of my own wish to have time to myself. I still planned to go to the temple library later like I did most days, be that as it may, I wanted some time just to wander and think. That's why I take these early morning walks; they were for the sole purpose of obtaining a peaceful feeling and relaxed mind, which is what I needed badly with the treatment I get. It's not like I get beaten up or anything like I once did. However, nor do I get accepted by others. Dragon kind doesn't do the things that humans would to me, but being looked at like I'm some kind of attraction or weird creature like humans would to animals in a zoo, doesn't feel nice either.

Nevertheless, now there was no one gawking at me being different from everyone else. I have dealt with that type of crap back in the human world more than enough, I don't need it here! There was no one whispering things behind my back that they think I can't hear that I actually can. It is very annoying to have others whisper random stuff about me! It's like gossip only worse in a way, because I still hear what's said, but everyone else when they're actually talking to me; treat me like I don't know what is being said. No guardians wanting me to tell them things that they don't listen to or believe nor saying just what they think I'm doing wrong. And others wonder why I don't get along with them, it should be obvious! Just peace and quiet for me to enjoy; it is times like this that life isn't so bad.

"Ah it would appear that I am not the only one up this early it would seem."

I turned to see who had spoken and was astonished. No one is usually up at this time… other than Spectra and Seth on occasion. I was almost shocked to see who I did; for who am I to meet, but Arkanis. I hadn't seen him for months now as he tended to stay in Carona rather than being in Warfang, likely to keep the residents calm and from going into a panic. He has a gift for keeping others together; if only the guardians could be like Arkanis in that he listens to what others say to him. So, the question is; what's he doing here?

"Hello Arkanis, I am rather bewildered to see you here in Warfang. So what brings you here?"

Arkanis smiled at me.

"Ah we meet again Saber; I am here to check on some things."

Okay, if he says so then I take that. It was at this time I recalled one of the questions that I had planned to ask Arkanis. I mean, I had learned from the meetings I have had with the guardians, history is clear… or so they think. Perhaps Arkanis can help clear up the things I know and have learned that contradicted what draconic history said. No better time like the present.

"Um… Arkanis, I had a question to ask you."

Arkanis gave me his full attention at this.

"Well two questions actually, though both questions are related to one another in a way. The first one would be about history."

Arkanis smiled at this.

"It is nice to learn you have an interest in history, please continue."

I thought about how to word my inquiry. I already had my second question basically formed, which was about my origins. Yet the first question was a bit more of an immediate importance. I needed to know if I would have to convince others of the truth I knew or if the truth already was written down somewhere. If it was written down, then it would make things a little easier to get others to believe me. There was something in me telling me that danger was coming. I haven't an idea how to explain it better than that. Yet events as of late were only proving such a thought correct. That is the prospect I have and so I will work with it.

"Um… you see I have been doing some looking into the books in the temple library here at Warfang. Then from some of the things that I have heard from others; well I have noticed that history kind of goes back around three thousand years or so. I was wondering if there was anything farther back than that."

It wasn't exactly a lie; I try to avoid lying whenever possible. I was more implying things and that isn't technically lying as I'm not saying something I know is untrue. As an example, by what I just said; I have been searching the library for information. That's completely true as I have been going there and looking for anything I can actually read. I merely haven't had any real success in finding much that I can read with the books in the said library. Such a fact doesn't need to be made known right now. The information I had said I had gotten from others; was from the guardians and things that I have heard from others. So, overall I was implying, not lying. That's my story and I'm sticking to it! I see no real need to get into the specifics of how I acquired my information really. Arkanis seemed to think about my inquiry for a few minutes.

"The answer to your question is… yes; however I doubt that many books if any that would have such information still exist. Why do you ask?"

So yes… but no in the end. Well, that kind of puts me in a… hard position for the present and future. Presumably, Arkanis's answer would mean that there have been records of times farther back than the time of Malefor and slightly before that. In short, they just don't exist anymore. Great, that doesn't help me all that much. Plus now, Arkanis is asking me why I am curious about this subject and that's a delicate thing for me. The big question of course is; can I trust Arkanis? If I do so; how much should I tell him? … Well it is worth a shot I guess. I think I could trust Arkanis… at least far more than I could the guardians. I took a deep breath, hoping I wouldn't come to regret this decision.

"Um well… the reason I am asking is to confirm an idea I have."

"I see… and what is this idea you have young one? Or is it something you would rather not say?"

I felt a bit dazed at the reply Arkanis had given me. He didn't demand to know? He gave me the choice to decline! The guardians have never done so; I simply chose to not answer them. Perhaps this meant, Arkanis could understand my position to an extent. Well maybe, I could tell him some things then.

"It is not that I do not want to say the idea; it is just most would likely find it ridiculous. I have observed that dragons are not exactly the most open minded race, when it comes to things that contradict what they believe to be fact and truth. I stick out enough as I am; I do not need to be noticed more by such an activity as talking about events that others will not believe."

Arkanis chuckled a bit at my statement.

"Indeed, Malefor made the same observation long ago. In fact he was convinced that there was some force that was laying out history as it was for whatever reason. A very bright minded dragon Malefor was… indeed very bright..."

I felt like I had been figuratively slammed to the ground at this one comment! Three huge previously unknown facts have come to light with my research on the ancient enemy. The first was that Malefor has seen the long developed ignorance of dragons like I have myself. Second and probably the most astounding fact; he had seen some of the signs of the work of the ancient enemy in their manipulation of history. He may have been the last one before me to see this idea of others being involved. The third fact I figure comes from the two before. It was likely Malefor knowing those two things that made him a target for the ancient enemy.

Nevertheless, there was a hole or fallacy of logic within the facts about Malefor that mostly related to his fate. And that is what I can't seem to discern! Why corrupt Malefor instead of killing him like all before him had? Looking at it from the enemy's point of view; it would've been so much easier to bump him off. I assume the matter would be far less time consuming as well if they just kill Malefor. However, for some reason, they had corrupted him; making him into a type of puppet that they could control.

It didn't make sense! This group was many things; evil, brutal, cold and merciless. But one quality I have seen in almost everything they do; they do whatever it takes to protect themselves. Whether that was killing one that threatened them or making them disappear, the jobs they did were clean and neat. Even I can't argue that point about them! They're meticulous to the point that makes someone with serious and chronic OCD be comfortable with complete chaos!

The enemy will kill those who are deemed a threat period, no exceptions, no mistakes! Once the kill is done; the ancient enemy clean up the mess if there is one, and make it look undeniable spotless by any standard! No one ever sees, no one ever knows; it's pretty much their sacred motto they live by! That's why no one has ever really suspected their existence. Then Malefor's case came up and for whatever reason, which I can fathom, changed the usual method of dealing with problems. Malefor, the purple dragon had been the only oddity in this methodology in however long, likely many millennia that had occurred. I don't see the reason to change the normal MO for a purple dragon. They have killed a couple of purple dragons and dragonesses over the time that had passed, I knew that. So why do differently with Malefor? What am I missing?!

The more information I seem to learn and acquire on the Ancient Enemy; the more questions that come up. They had a goal in mind that was plain and clear! Yet I can't see or even guess the goal that they are working towards at all. Were I to hypothesis their goal by the information I have now, they desire only destruction of everyone and everything! If that was their aim, then they were doing serious overkill to make sure of the goal's success. The ancient enemy was powerful; I have many examples of this fact. So I think their goal is something else other than just complete destruction with all the work they are putting into this. Destruction is most likely just one of the results that come with the goal they are after.

"Arkanis, you are sure that was what Malefor thought before he changed right?"

I wanted to be sure of the information as it could play a role in this idea. Arkanis looked at me slightly confused, still he nodded slowly.

"Yes, he came to me and two of the other masters with the theory that someone or something had been manipulating history. He had some very interesting examples to prove his idea and point."

I began to think about this new knowledge I had. And as I unfortunately have a bit of a habit of doing, I began to talk out loud as I went over my thoughts. In other words I had become so focused on mapping out the idea and its tangents; that I forgot Arkanis was even there in the room with me and likely listening to me in my monologuing to myself.

"Then he saw some of the signs that I do and likely came to the same conclusion as I have as well. Of course I am not foolish enough to think that no one else has been completely blind to what they have done. Past experience, proves that fact without a shadow of a doubt! After all with all the unexplained disappearances and events that come to be written off as 'mysterious accidents' wouldn't just be ignored completely. The reality of those was someone getting killed by their pawns after all; there is no way that it would go utterly unnoticed by all others."

I started pacing as I kept going along this tangent of logic. I have always felt it helpful to map out all related information on a subject so that I can perhaps have a better understanding of the idea as a whole. As I would map an idea I would also try to read between the lines to see the events that had gone unrecorded and unsaid that could possibly explain more.

"Still in all of this, Malefor had to have been attacked by others even if no one else knew about it. That is the way the enemy does the work they do. Yet the question that is nagging me is why corrupt him instead of killing Malefor like they do with everyone else they have eliminated? It is a conundrum I cannot seem to figure out."

As I continued to think I stopped pacing for a moment as I thought about a possibility that might explain what I had missed. It was a slim possibility, but it was still one that could be an explanation in this.

"… Unless, they needed him to do something only Malefor himself or a purple dragon could do. If that is the case it would make sense to corrupt him rather than kill him. But what could that task have been that none other at the time could have done? Something to think about another time I suppose. Back to how this can relate to me; I have been attacked by them in some way, shape or form two times now and both attempts failed. If the ancient enemy does things like they have in the past, then they will begin to assault me with the intent to kill me themselves personally. After all their pawns have failed and then that… thing from before that came out of the shadows… it is very possible that was one of them. That one failed as well; they are too persistent to just leave me alone, so they will try again. That is what worries me the most! They are going to be coming at me and will be out to kill me; there is no question in that. I still know so little about them! What do I do?!"

This tangent wasn't very helpful to me at this time. It just made me worry more and more. It just went to show where I stood in this and I didn't like where it was. I felt almost like a lamb that will soon be attacked by a pack of hungry wolves!

"I would say you have learned quite a bit about this… ancient enemy as you called them."

The sound of Arkanis's voice snapped me back from my thoughts. I realized that I had been so focused; I had totally forgotten that Arkanis was here and had heard my iteration of the tangent I had gone through! Oh dear ancestors! Not even my friends have heard my thoughts and ideas on the ancient enemy! Hell I haven't even mentioned the ancient enemy to them at all. I don't want them to get involved and die because of me. Arkanis is the first to even know other than me that they even exist! I have been trying to not involve anyone else. I looked over at Arkanis to see an unreadable expression on his face.

"Um… Arkanis, I… I do not…"

Arkanis shook his head slightly before he replied.

"You need not explain yourself Saber. Actually, that is a very interesting explanation and one that fits the chain of events. It even fills in some holes that I could not understand with what happened with Malefor. This ancient enemy you spoke of must have been the ones that Malefor was so convinced were controlling the flow of events. Very fascinating indeed."

I nodded slowly. Wait… Arkanis actually… believes me?!

"Hold on Arkanis… you believe me?!"

He nodded in answer to me.

"Well… yes he was right; what I do not think Malefor understood, was the magnitude or the length of time that this group have been doing it."

Arkanis looked at me with interest.

"And you do?"

Well I didn't technically know the exact timeframe, but I had a ballpark guess. I shook my head.

"Not specifically no, but my best estimation would be in the neighborhood of five hundred thousand years; give or take an unknown margin either way, as a bare minimum."

Arkanis was silent at my reply. I know the timeframe sounds ridiculous; it sounds outright ludicrous to me too. But that is the best estimation I have from the memories and thus far they have proven correct. Anyway, I decided it was time to change the subject.

"Back to the other question I have… I… was wondering…"

I didn't know how to even ask this question in a way that wouldn't say I was desperate. However, the words simply came out in a rush.

"Did I have anyone who raised me while I was a dragonet? I mean did I have p-parents?!"

It was a question I have always wondered. The story I was told about my parents dying in an accident could be a lie and likely was I found out later. I have no memory of anyone who could be considered a parent. Arkanis smiled at me once more.

"Ah yes, you did. I take it that you do not remember?"

I shook my head slowly. I was ashamed at the fact I couldn't remember such a thing; granted it isn't my fault completely, but still it hurt not to be able to remember. However, I was dead curious about what my 'parents' had been like… if there had been any at all. I admit that there is the possibility that I was alone from the start, but it is unlikely. One of the few times the laws of nature work in my favor.

"What were they like?"

I didn't mean for the question to come out as an almost desperate plea, though it did. Arkanis took a moment to think and that moment was very long to me as I waited for the answer.

"As I recall, your father's name was Tetras and your mother was named Umbra."

Arkanis began to tell me about the dragon and dragoness that had raised me for the short time I had been in the dragon realm before going to earth. My father, Tetras had been an earth dragon with light brown scales. His underbelly and wing membranes had been a rich green color. He had been apparently a very kind dragon often going out of his way to help others. My mother, Umbra had been a shadow dragoness. She had scales the color of the night sky. Her underbelly and wing membranes had been a royal purple. Umbra had been a caring dragoness who by what Arkanis said very rarely let me out of her sight. As I was told by Arkanis, Umbra had a bit of a habit of spoiling me to an extent. It's hard for me to imagine being spoiled. It has never happened to me; I have had to take and look after myself for as long as I could remember.

As I listened to this I felt many things. It was foreign to me, the idea of parents. I have never had any experience with two individuals that cared about me or to that extent that I can remember. Only Master Kai, had been the closest person I could imagine being like a parent, but as our relationship had developed, that feeling had left me. He was my master, one I could go to for advice and could talk to about problems. He wasn't a parent. I didn't even think about the one who was supposed to be a parent or guardian to me. What that man had done to me… that kind of abuse… no one deserves that! And I had to deal with throughout the time I was growing up! I wonder, like I have from time to time; how I would have turned out if I had parents like Arkanis had just described to me.

"I wish I could meet them. Do you know where they are? Are they in Carona?"

If they were, then while I had been in Carona, I could have seen them and not even known it! Arkanis frowned at my inquiry.

"Unfortunately no; not long after your disappearance they left Carona and I have not seen them since then."

Dang it! Well so much for meeting my mom and dad! That's a mood dampener if there ever was one.

"Although, they raised you Saber; you are not their offspring."

And just when I thought my mood couldn't sink anymore; I'm proven wrong again. I glanced over at Arkanis.

"What do you mean I am not their offspring?! Did Umbra not lay my egg? Did they not raise me after I hatched from said egg?"

"Yes they did, however Umbra was not able to lay any eggs."

Wait! What does Arkanis mean by that?! Was she barren or something?! Then how did my egg come to them?! Who are the ones responsible for my egg coming into existence?! Before I had a chance to ask about what Arkanis was implying, he spoke again.

"Umbra found your egg on a particular night as it happens."

"Okay… what kind of night are we talking about in this instance?"

Arkanis began to explain about how century or so; there is a phenomena where there is a night when the moon which is usually yellow here, turns silver. This night is called "Silver Lumina" and on the night of this occurrence, magic in the general sense as Arkanis put it, becomes a lot stronger than it normally is for the night.

The odd thing was that on the night in question; there wasn't supposed to be this event. The timeframe and length of time specifically between the event's occurrences was off by a huge margin! The event wasn't supposed to occur for another couple decades. Yet on the night my egg was found, the moon changed to look like the Silver Lumina moon. The event according to Arkanis seemingly happened of its own accord for no understandable or explainable reason. Coincidence? I think not! I have no clue how the appearance of my egg and the event of a Silver Lumina moon could be related, but I'm not fool enough to think there is no correlation between the two! I just don't know what that commonality is.

Nonetheless that is a dilemma for later. Umbra that night affirmed by Tetras had been walking in the forest to deal with the sorrow of not being able to lay eggs and have offspring. Umbra so desperately wished for dragonets of her own along with Tetras. While she had been out walking Umbra had seen a flash of some kind from a clearing ahead of where she had been and gone to investigate. Upon entering the clearing Umbra had found my egg sitting in the clearing alone. After finding that there was no one else around there, she took my egg with her and returned to Carona. She brought the egg to Arkanis and when no one had claimed ownership of the egg; Tetras and Umbra asked to take responsibility of it. Then not more than a month later I hatched from the said egg. I swear the more I learn about my origins the more confusing it becomes!

After the talk with Arkanis, I headed back to my room to check if Lara was awake yet. Where I'm and early riser; Lara is most definitely not! When I got to my room I saw that Lara was still as I had figured fast asleep in my bed. Although, she had rolled around the bed, presumably trying to find me, but having failed as I wasn't there. I still don't know how people or dragons can just sleep the day away like this. I couldn't do such a thing! I walked to the bed and took some time to just look down at Lara.

I have begun to see Lara in a different light lately. I found, the more I would stare at Lara, the more beautiful she seems to become, though I know that technically nothing about her appearance has actually changed. I admit it could and is likely due to my draconic instincts that I see her like this and I don't doubt they play a part in this. I felt the effects from time to time when I wasn't keeping a watchful eye of the liquid miasma as proof of that claim on my instincts! Even so, I don't think that the feelings I had when it came to Lara were completely because my draconic instincts. Despite if those instincts may have somehow 'hooked' me on or made me 'dependent to' Lara in a way I can't comprehend fully. I can't say that's all that these feelings are for I would be lying.

I care about Lara; I will not deny such a feeling I know I have for her. I just don't know to what extent or length that care goes to. I only… I guess I'm still new and unused to emotions like this from lack of experience. I snapped out of my thoughts as I heard noises from below me on the bed. I refocused on the occupant of the bed to see Lara was stirring. Well it's about time she thinks about getting up! There's daylight burning as we speak!

Lara's breathing deepened as she began to come full wakefulness. She stretched while she was lying in the bed. I had to mentally slap myself for some of the ideas that crossed my mind as I watched Lara stretching. As I have confessed before, Lara is indeed attractive… okay, let's see any normal healthy male not stare at a view like this and not have thoughts of… pleasurable activities! I mean come on, Lara was showing me EVERYTHING! I can't help but stare at a view like that. I'm not gay so… I admit I like what I see with the picture Lara was unintentionally treating me to. If I didn't have the mental discipline I do… I would likely be jumping her bones as we… WHOA! Calm down Saber! You aren't some kind of lust crazed animal that would sink to those kind of actions! Yeah, understandable why I had to mentally slap myself and will likely do so again somewhere in the next five minutes.

However, I couldn't help but feel a small smile form on my face of its own accord at this sight. I turned away from the… view I had and went over to the window, which at the moment was covered with a curtain. Then I proceeded to throw the curtain aside and let the light of sunlight pour into the room. The second I moved the curtain from covering the window, light shown into the room; the room seemed to brighten immediately.

"So Lara, do you intend to lie in bed all day or are you going to get up and begin the day?"

Lara opened her eyes and sat up. While she finished waking up, I came around to the side of the bed that faced the door and as I did Lara turned to face me. Thankfully she now was underbelly down and so quite a few of the temptation that were included in the former view had disappeared. Though others did present themselves. Once again, I don't get how Lara has such gorgeous azure blue eyes… though that isn't the point!

"That depends, if you are with me, then being in bed most of the day sounds good to me. We can cuddle and become close while strengthening our bond."

Lara said this in a somewhat seductive tone. I wasn't just taken aback at that answer, I had to exert a lot of effort not to sink below the miasma that was, which I swear had attached heavy weights to my paws and was pulling me down as well! Were that to happen… I would likely pounce on her and mate with her right here and now! *SMACK* Ah, that's a little better after another mental slap that was harder than the first one. Back to the current dilemma, as it were. Lara was… blatantly stating she is interested in mating with me again, it's not that I don't exactly expect that from her. Lara has made it clearer than anything I come up with to counter that she likes me.

My worry and slight problem with this is she isn't embarrassed at all about saying that at all! … Am I that good at pleasing her?! I mean, it's very possible that I'm a natural at the idea; I really can't say as I have nothing to compare to. The issue is that what she's doing is fueling my instinct for an attempt to take control! I'm certainly not against mating with her again really. To have such an experience again; the things I would be willing to do. … *SLAP* Bad thoughts! There are things to be done today! There isn't the time for a session of that!

I am starting to wonder exactly what kind of affects our mating a little more than two weeks ago had on her. I'm not stupid enough to think I would be the only one to be affected by what mating does to those involved. Things don't work that way! I learned from some of the dragons I trust that the act of mating virtually fuels our draconic instincts, spurring them to highs unattained until that point! And for me that meant that my instincts made their presence known, then making sure I don't forget them in my mind. Hence, the strain on my mental discipline lately.

I'm only beginning to see some of the things that Lara's draconic instincts have changed in her. It wasn't anything huge or personality altering… I think it would be better if it did sometimes. No, it had been the smaller things I was seeing that had changed. From the way she held herself around me to showing the little signs of affection she does. All of it seemed to be done… to make me look… more presentable or something! It can be a little creepy sometimes! Humans wouldn't do anything like this for a spouse that I have ever seen. Then the thing that had gotten worse that scared me; Lara being able to read what I mean rather than what I say or do.

Back to the matter at paw, in all the cases other than mine so far that I have observed; dragons and dragonesses will let instinct take charge over intelligence. That's very dumb… oh ha ha ha, yes very dumb to do in my opinion! I wouldn't let mine gain the upper paw over my intelligence without a long and hard battle that I would do my best to have my intelligence win! So I really can't say just how Lara was affected by our union in the long term. I'm just worried at the possibilities I haven't seen yet…

"A tempting offer, I grant you Lara; though I will have to be polite and decline by saying no thanks. There is a need for us to show self-restraint."

Lara pouted for a little bit. I let my instincts cool down and go back to the quite urges and whispers that they have taken up doing. Lara eventually got out of the bed and came up next to me. She proceeded to caress my cheek with her own and out of an urge that I try to control, yet failing; I ended out leaning into the caress without thinking about it. My will and intelligence may be strong, but my instincts don't like to be ignored I'm finding out. That was one of the last thing my instincts did before dying down for the time being.

"So what have you been doing this morning, as I would guess you have been up for a little while now as you normally are?"

"Well… I took a walk and wandered around the temple. I do that lately as it helps me to… keep calm with the things that have been happening recently."

I tried to be kind of vague as I didn't really want to get into the conversation I had with Arkanis. There were things I had said and a subject I have yet to tell anyone BUT Arkanis right now. I don't think I'm ready to talk about the ancient enemy with others yet. Lara especially would be a problem to tell at the moment; she would likely become hysterical and wouldn't leave me alone for even a minute. … That's a scary thought! I would say that is even more of a thing I would rather not tell my friends at this time. I was worrying more than enough without having others worry about my wellbeing and make things harder.

In cases such as these; avoidance is an acceptable policy and being vague is the best way to go about doing so! Lara drew back from rubbing my cheek and stared at me with a slight smile. I was becoming growingly uncomfortable with that smile that was on her face… as it had been coming out more frequent lately.

"So, what did you see that was interesting this morning?"

Der… Where did that come from? Left freaking field!? I know she has been able to have amazing guesses as to what I mean lately… but this can't be a fluke with the frequency of the occurrence! I really don't want her to read me like this?! No one except Master Kai has been able to do that to me and that was enough trouble for me when it did happen! She is doing better than Master Kai did, and that is what's scaring me to my very core! I don't like others being able to read me like a dang open book you can just open whenever! So WHY HER?! WHY DOES IT HAVE TO BE LARA WHO CAN DO THIS?!

"Wha… what makes you think I saw anything out of the ordinary?"

If Lara hadn't known for a fact that I was not exactly telling the truth; she undoubtedly knows now! I was looking away from Lara, but still saw that Lara's smile transformed into a smirk. She moved closer to me; so close I could feel her body heat coming of her. I WANT MY PERSONAL SPACE DANG IT!

"You are avoiding looking at me directly in the eyes, which says you are lying. Then you asking that question is enough."

… Since when can Lara… reading body language like I would?! … No, please tell me that this isn't one of the things that changed when we mated! Dang her! She is playing me like a freaking drum! FIDDLESTICKS!

"How…"

Lara moved around so that she was now face to face with me and just kept smiling at me. Her face was so close that our snouts were nearly touching! NOOOO! I don't want her to be able to do this to me!

"I learned to make observation like that from watching you."

Smart! Very smart this one! That is probably one of the reasons I'm drawn to her; she can adapt quick like myself among other qualities we have in common. … Well, not like I'm going to get out of this without saying something; so might as well give her some of the truth.

"If you must know and the look on your face says you think you do. I came across Arkanis. He and I had a nice chat and that is all."

"Oh, I did not know that Arkanis was here. So what was your chat about?"

She would ask, wouldn't she? Mates though we may be, however that doesn't mean she needs to know every tiny detail of my life! I know she would disagree with me on that even so, it's my life and I still firmly believe I have overall say in how I run it without anyone else's opinion!

"The subject of our conversation is not for other ears. In other words I do not see a reason to discuss or recount what we talked about right now. So do not bring up being my mate means you need to know everything; you do not, no offense intended."

Lara looked a tad disappointed at my reply, however she accepted it. Then Lara, being how she is, pushed forward and kissed me before backing off and just smiling at me. Once I had come out of the daze that was induced by the unexpected kiss; I recalled the second part of the conversation that Arkanis and I had. It came to mind and I wondered if Lara knew or even remembered those who had raised me for a time. I will begrudgingly admit; that I'm starving for information of any kind of the dragon and dragoness that were the closest idea I had to parents! I have never known what it was like to have them and I wished to know who they had been.

"Hey Lara."

"Yes?"

"This may sound like an odd question, but do you remember my parents, Tetras and Umbra?"

Lara appeared surprised by my question, and then she adopted an expression of mild sorrow. She probably guessing I don't remember and she would be correct.

"You mean… you do not remember them?"

The way that Lara said that one question affected me in so many ways. I felt ashamed anew at the fact I didn't remember those who had raised me even if it was for a short time. If not for the talk with Arkanis, I wouldn't have known their names either. I have always secretly wished for parents like Arkanis had described for as long as I could remember. And who could blame me with the example or more the anti-example of a parental figure I have been forced to call uncle during my years in a living hell that was my life! Lara's question was also a reminder of a something I had learned since my time of getting to Carona. My memory had been sealed, and now it was unsealed, far be it some of those memories I once had never have come back. How would I know this, I still have the gaps in memory and that serves as enough proof to me. I lowered my gaze not wanting to look Lara in the eyes as I answered her question.

"No I… I do not remember them. I have tried, but there is just nothing there for me to recall anymore."

It was the truth, and I loathed conceding the fact. Whether it was due to the extremely long session in purgatory I had suffered through in the human world that had done this or something else wasn't the issue. It was that it had happened at all that hurt me the most. I suddenly began to feel something rubbing the crest of my head. I looked up to see it was Lara caressing the crest of her head against my own. It wasn't Lara's action that surprised me; but more the feeling of comfort that came from the action and the one who was doing it.

"Yes, I can remember them very well. It is kind of hard to forget parents that were as nice as yours were."

-Lara's POV-

"Yes, I can remember them very well. It is kind of hard to forget parents that were as nice as yours were."

It is sad the Saber does not remember his parents. They were the nicest dragon and dragoness I have ever met. They helped my mother practically raise me as my father had vanished not too long after I hatched. I admit Umbra rarely let Saber out of her sights; she was very protective of him. Saber seems so sad at the prospect of not being able to remember them and his tone is desperate, which I have never heard before. I wonder why he is so.

I began to describe how kind Umbra was to me when I was around her. Saber listen to me reminisce about the early days. The days when Saber, Koren and I would play and spend time together; before the time I trained for defeating Malefor. The times as a dragonet were fond and happy ones with both of them before they disappeared and I was told to forget they had ever existed for they were said to be gone forever. … Before the time I was alone, as mom went out of Carona and never came back. She had gone to try to help Umbra to find Saber.

"I was kind of jealous that you had two parents sometimes actually."

"Wait, you did not have both parents?"

I shook my head.

"No it was just me and my mom, my father was not around. Mom did not like to talk about him."

"Sorry, I should have not asked."

"It is okay."

I continued telling Saber about Tetras and Umbra. Of how they had helped my mom look after me; so often I would be watched be them along with Saber. Tetras was like a father to me during those early days. I know now that the qualities I wanted in a male came from watching and being around Tetras. That is just a credit to Saber on being like Tetras even if he does not remember.

-Scene change-
-Saber's POV-

Lara and I had lengthy discussion on my parents, which lasted until lunchtime. By the things that Lara had said, I had some awesome parents. Knowing that just makes it all the more painful to understand what I could have had, but was denied for whatever reason. We realized the time of day when my stomach rumbled with complaint of being ignored; it was followed by Lara's stomach following suit. we decided to get something to eat to help silence our stomachs complaints. After we had lunch we ran into the rest of our friends.

"Hey bro, where have ya been all morning dude? Were you getting some sweet action like a surfer does sweet waves man? Righteous bro; didn't know you had it in ya to do that with a babe dude!"

I stared at Sen with incredulity at his statement. Did he just imply… no, did Sen just say with that surfer lingo of his culture; that I spent my morning doing… 'it' with Lara?! …True I may have considered the idea, before denying my instincts. I looked around at my friends hoping they didn't hear Sen's comment. I was met with blank looks of confusion from everyone else. This is one of those few times I am glad dragons don't get inference; it's a wonderful benefit to my reputation! I glared at Sen with cold controlled frustration.

"Sen… you really need to think about what you say before you open your mouth. Some might misconstrue what you're implying and saying. Please don't incense the peanut gallery against me! If you do, I can assure you that you'll have just enough time to regret, but not enough to apologize."

Sen seemingly ignored my glare and my warning, and just kept smiling.

"So you were then, awesome bro; you're so lucky to have the gnarly move to do that with a bunny dude!"

You know I could take that as a serious insult or something entirely different!

"Grr…Listen Sen; what I do in MY room behind closed doors is my private life! I can do whatever I want in my private life as it is just that, private. There is a difference between one's private life and one's public life. Both my private and public lives are neither of your concern. My life is nobody's business other than my own you got that?! If you like you face the way it is right now, then drop the subject and don't bring it up again! As for the reference to my luck, there are a great number that would disagree with you on many different levels."

Sen took a couple of steps back from me.

"Okay I get it! Dude you need to chill out bro; I was just teasing ya man."

I narrowed my glare at him.

"Teasing me is a dangerous business venture Sen; you should know that by now!"

"Um… what are you two talking about?"

Sen and I turned to Spyro who had asked the question. I was trying to think of a way to explain this. However, I didn't get far as I felt an extremely strong shiver go down my spine. I froze on the spot at the feeling; it had been my danger sense, no doubt about that. I know that to ignore the danger sense is to dance with death himself and that is one of the most risky dance you can do! You shouldn't taunt or mess with death if you don't have to; he's a mean dance partner! Can be lethal in some cases!

Now that I think about, haven't had much of a response from my danger sense for an amount of time. Yet this was more than the normal tingle that would say I about to get into a fight or a situation that could end out hurting me. This signal definitely ranks in the top five of the strongest signals that would be my danger sense going off. That didn't bode well for anyone at all. As I'm in Warfang, a city full of Dragons, moles and cheetahs; everyone here is just as much a target as I am if someone should attack. I just hope I'm wrong!

"Saber what is wrong? You look off."

I stood still, though I heard Lara ask if I was all right. I began to look around trying to find the cause of the loud alarms clanging in my head warning me of danger approaching me. My danger sense has never been wrong yet, I doubt it would start now.

"Bro, you're geeking out… that's sayin something in your case fur sure. What's up dude?"

"It may sound cliché, but my danger sense is tingling! And when I say tingling I mean it is going off really bad! That's never gone well when that happens."

As if fate was waiting to answer me, and yes it does seem to enjoy doing so; I was proven correct in my final statement. Seconds after I said the last line; I caught sight of one of the moles running towards the temple and his body language said PANIC! Can I get anyone to say 'omen number 1!' I'm worried to even ask what number 2 could be and just how much worse it could be than number 1!

"Um… excuse me, my good mole, what is the problem that has you hurrying like you are?"

Please fate, please don't be prompt on answering me like you usually are! The mole stopped at hearing me as well as catching his breath.

"It is horrible… they came out of the forest without any warning… and are now…"

-bgm Symphony No. 5 in C minor "Fate"-

… Oh no! That sound!

The mole hadn't been able to finish his sentence before what appeared to be a large ball of fire came flying over the wall with the gate. The fireball went over the city and didn't hit the ground inside the city walls. The sight of the flaming object was more than enough for me to confirm that the trouble that had set off my danger sense was very likely responsible for the flaming object. I think it is time to get a look at who is having fun with the makeshift pyrotechnics.

Dang you fate! Did you have to Call right this second?!

-bgm end-

Well that's more than I needed to know and see! I ran off from where my friends and I were in the direct of the outer walls of the city. I didn't really hearing their questions or protest at me leaving so abruptly from any of my friends as I was already quickly sprinted off. I made my way through Warfang towards the ramparts to get a view of who was attacking. I had an educated guess as to who was doing this, but I want to be sure. As I was running to the ramparts I observed those inhabitances were staring dumbfounded at the objects flying over the wall. The closer I got to the walls and the ramparts the more of the inhabitance would be in a panic and succumbing to the chaos the pyrotechnics. Some of the fireballs landed in the city and from the direction that the object had landed in came loud screams. Ah the danger of fireworks; tis an accident waiting to happen.

After a couple of minutes I got to the top of the stairs that led to the ramparts and got an eye full of a sight I didn't want to see! Apes… and a whole massive sea of them. The legions of apes were marching across the plain in droves towards Warfang. I didn't even think to count them, there had to be thousands of them and that was being very optimistic even for me! Among the rear part of the ape army, were catapults and other similar war machines and those were where the flaming objects were being hurled from to rain down on Warfang. Dirty Apes for using neat looking pyrotechnics; that was so unfair!

I had known that the apes would likely attack Warfang as some point; keeping in mind how badly they lost the last time. And with me here; that guarantees that at least one silent killer would be with them, likely more than one. Kind of comes with me being as popular with them as I am. I'm the premium target for them… the line 'bonus points for hit the white one' comes to mind. This attack however, had occurred much sooner than I had expected! Kootoes to their leader the 'Ape King' for her quick organization; even I have to say I'm impressed at this. They had used the element of surprise to great effect; I couldn't have done better.

"Far out bro… that is a lot of… are those apes or monkeys dude?"

I jumped slightly as I heard Sen. I spun around to face him.

"Um… mostly apes I would guess, though I would surmise there are a few monkeys mixed in and are probably the ones giving the orders. One or more will likely be gunning for me specifically."

"So then bro… where do we stand in this… or is it better not to ask in this dude? Like an unseen breaker wave dude."

I sighed at his question.

"What do you think Sen?"

Sen looked back at the planes down below and then nodded.

"… better not to ask, got it dude."

I rolled my eyes at his answer. True, but still obvious! Well standing here and staring at the masses isn't going to help the current situation at all. So time to do something else more productive in changing how things were going. I turned around on the spot and running the way I had come. I heard Sen a couple of steps behind me as he followed me.

We made our way down towards the gate. Sen and I saw the panic and disorder that had taken hold after the projectiles started landing in the city. In other words Warfang, was in complete pandemonium. That would have been amusing and proof to me that the guardians aren't as infallible as they want others to believe; were this situation not so serious. There were some dragons trying to restore order and calm, but they were failing. We stopped a little distance from the gate and I saw Sen faced me.

"Bro… are we going to assist or what dude?"

I pondered the question. The pandemonium was too wide spread to contain or deal with at this time. So option one of try to quell the chaos is unlikely to work. The second option was to just go out and fight the apes, but that's just crazy! … However, since when something being crazy did stop me or even slow me down! I smiled grimly as I decided on my answer.

"Sen… how close to insane do you feel at the moment? If you still feel sane, then it is time you start having some serious suicidal tendencies come to your mind! Because we are going to have ourselves a dance, and our partner is likely death himself! BANZAI!"

I leapt into the air and flapped my wings hard as I climbed up to rise over the outer wall. I heard Sen behind me; well I guess that answers my question if he was with me. But then Sen has always followed me with little question. After we flew over the wall we landed in front of the gate, with the countless apes that we now stood facing.

"So bro… how are we going to do here? I have the same feeling I had surfing the Banzai Pipeline, when I was visiting my cousin in Hawaii dude."

I ignored the apes screeching at seeing us as they started charging at us. I gave him a look like he was asking something that should be absolutely obvious that I child could have answered it.

"What do you think?! We whip apes like there is no tomorrow until either we drop or all of them do!"

And so we began to do exactly what I had just stated. We fought with everything and anything we could muster to stem the tide of apes that were trying to overwhelm Warfang. We did okay for a little while, yet the endless numbers just kept coming. Pretty much you kill an ape and then two or more take his or her place… hence the dilemma. I knew this would be a fatal venture from the second I got my first look at the army of apes. Indeed a real dance with death and he was beginning to outpace me. That fact was starting to hit home a lot more now than it was five minutes ago! For Sen and I to get out of this alive, we would need an honest… non unlucky effected kind of miracle! Let's just say I don't help much in that normally!

Next thing I hear was roars and many of them. I look up to see dragons flying out of Warfang and counter attacking the apes. And it was about dang time if you ask me! I had still ended out fighting next to Sen as the apes kept baring down on us. Maybe now that we got reinforcements to help us in this fight; that might help us, but I'm not holding my breath for that. The number increase on our end was certainly a welcome boost in my view and I wouldn't doubt Sen's as well. Our only complaint in this battle is that all the help was going around us and not to us! As was apparent with the apes beginning to surround us instead of just being in front of us and started to close in on us.

"Say bro, things ain't looking so good for us at the moment, man. You see any way we could pull a major bail out dude?!"

I was thinking hard to come up with a way out of this position. The numbers of apes were quite a bit higher than the two of us. Now I could fight for a while as could Sen, but in Sen's case he still hasn't be able to use the fire element and that was a detriment. If that were to change, then our chances would rise on our survival! It is the best chance we had.

"Sen I think it is time you learn to breathe fire."

Sen looked at me with slight confusion.

"Bro what are you talking about? At a time like this dude? We're like in the middle of surfing in a barrel and can't change much man."

The apes began to move in on us, closing the circle they had formed around us tighter.

"Sen you remember the time that we took the last challenge from Katey?"

Sen instantly stiffened at my question.

"Dude… bro… you said you wouldn't ever bring that up again! We agreed to drop what happened like a bad habit man!"

It wasn't like I wanted to bring this past event up as it was downright embarrassing to me as well. I just knew that it would set Sen's temper off and that is what needed to happen for him to get the fire element going. As I had found that the fire element was brought out with a powerful passionate feeling, not the 'love' kind, more the anger variety. So I needed to have Sen lose his temper. The problem is that with Sen is so easy going and go with the flow kind of person that ticking him off and getting him angry is not so easy. This memory should be able to do the job. I ignored Sen's protest.

"She really pulled a mean trick on us, remember! Then after she did, we had to clean up the huge mess she made! I still never got those stains out of that shirt and I did like that shirt. And she didn't get into any trouble at all from anyone, remember!"

Sen was shaking with fury at what I had been talking about. It wasn't a fond memory for either of us. The experience I was mentioning took place years ago when we were between twelve and thirteen. It had happened on a day that had started like most did back at that time. I had gone to the dojo and Sen had been there as well. We had been sparring with each other when a girl came up to us.

-Flashback-

I had been dodging Sen's movements and he had been evading mine. We were making progress in the exercises when a voice interrupted us.

"Hey boys."

Sen and I stopped and looked over to the owner of the voice, only to see a thin girl that was about the same age as us. She had medium length black hair and brown eyes and was an inch shorter than Sen and she was two inches shorter than me. I was going through a growth spurt; what can I say? Anyway the girl, now that she had our attention spoke again. I was being polite as Master Kai had taught me to do and giving her my attention for the moment.

"You two boys want to try me on?"

I rolled my eyes at the challenge. I was used to this type of thing; I got challenges from students the same age as me or younger often enough; sometimes I even got a challenge from some of the older students. Most in the dojo knew who I was as I was one of the few students that personally trained with Master Kai and some are jealous that I do. I usually ignored such challenges as they were mostly made with hot air and cocky overconfidence. Sen was the one to answer her.

"Hey dudett, you really think that you could beat my bro that's Master Kai's star student of our year?"

The girl smiled. I didn't like that smile.

"Yeah I can."

-End of flashback-

Well long story short; she had goaded us into a fight with her. In said fight that was just outside the dojo, she had used a substance that blinded us for a short period. The liquid had exploded out of the can she had and painted the wall of the dojo rather heavily. It was some kind of mix of Soda and something else; all I know was that the liquid was sticky and stained like none would believe! The couple of seconds that explosion had occurred, was a long enough period to get in cheap shots and so we lost. The mess that the liquid bomb made was huge and by the time Sen and I were able to understand what was happening we were being lectured by one of the instructors about the mess and were told to clean it up even though we were not the responsible party.

The girl that we later learned was named Katey was nowhere to be found when the results of the bomb was seen. All the evidence of the mess and the cause thereof pointed to us so we were blamed. Master Kai hadn't been there that day; we ended out having to clean the walls of the staining liquid for the rest of the day! Cleaning said wall was tiring and painful work I can tell you! Katey had since apologized to us about the stunt years later. But neither Sen nor I forgot how things played out, though I forgave her; I don't think Sen has completely. His anger that was showing was a testament to that.

"She didn't just do a cheap shot dude; she got off scot-free and got us roped into clean up HER MESS MAN!"

As he yelled his last few words, fire jetted out of his maw. I smiled at the sight of Sen losing his temper and barbecuing a couple of apes as he did. Yet in all of this Sen was apparently oblivious to what he was doing.

"Sen you might want to watch where you point your mouth as you are breathing out fire."

Sen heard me and then took notice of the fire coming out of his mouth.

"Whoa dude! I'm breathing fire bro!"

Sen was turning towards me as he was talking.

"Yeah, whoopty doo for you Sen! Now would you point your flamethrower of yours the other way at the apes PLEASE! I'm toasty enough thank you without you heating things up for me!"

Sen did as I said and boy did he begin broiling the apes; let me tell you! Yes he lost his temper, yet Sen still had enough mental discipline to not lose it completely. And now his mouth was some kind of flaming jet; it was pretty cool to watch! I did help by taking down a number of apes as well, but I'm not about to let a healthy exercise being handed to me on a platter go to waste!

The battle at first seemingly was going well for our side; however, the numbers of the apes didn't thin or stop. Like before, when one ape fell one or more would take their place. It was better than having two or more replacing the one, but there is still the problem of the numbers not going down enough to make a difference. Even as I looked over the plain in front of Warfang and saw the endless legions of apes marching forward; I knew this was going badly. They were seriously going all out! We needed an effective method to mow down apes quickly and heavily! And we needed the method freaking yesterday!

The circle of apes closed in around Sen and myself, though we were dropping them at almost the same rate as they could replace the fallen. That didn't reduce the speed that the ring of apes surrounding us was shrinking at. I had to give the apes this; no matter how many of their own were killed they kept coming! They had strength in numbers. When the circle closed Sen and I; we lost sight of each other and got separated. I found myself facing many apes, yet I could see more than half of them were shaking as the approached me. This was likely due to the fact I shortly lost count of apes that had fallen because of me after this battle had started and that was a decent amount of time ago.

The next thing I register, something hit me hard in my right side towards the front of my body. The said object whatever it was knocked the wind out of me and I coughed up spit along with the wind that went out. I staggered a couple of steps; wheezing and gasping, attempting to get oxygen in my lungs so my body could get it to use! As I staggered and swayed, I turned; in order to see the one who had responsible for attacking me and what had hit me. However, I was struck again by the same object as it had the same feel as the first blow. The difference between the first strike and the second; was the second landed square on the base of my neck. This blow was more than just painful if not slightly more so. The other effect that the hit had on me was that it seemed to turn my legs into a jelly like substance. The result was that they couldn't support my weight and so I sunk to the ground.

As this was happening, I failed to notice the masses of apes charging forward and bearing down upon me. … I've heard of dog piling, but this is just freaking ridiculous! I now had a growing pile of apes trying to hold me down and it wasn't improving my chances of finishing this dance I'm with death alive. I may be very good at fighting, but even I have limitation as to how much I can do. Needless to say the apes began to overwhelm me and successfully pin me down… limb by limb.

I managed to raise my head to look around in hopes in getting someone to give me assistance. Yet, the sight that I got was one of horror to me far more than my own position! There was a group of apes that had Lara pinned and now had her in the position where they were in control. She couldn't do anything about it and that was trouble with a bold capital "T". I could see her struggling against the apes that had a hold over her. I was a sizable distance away from Lara and was dealing with my own issues with a number of apes.

Even as the apes that were trying to keep me down; memories began to come to the front of my mind. I couldn't stop flashes of memory going through my head. Memories that weren't mine and ones that reflected the pain of loss and regret. My own memories of Koren's last moments also flashed through in front of me. As I saw these memories and horrible ideas they depicted, one clear thought asserted itself that countered the memories; 'Never again will I let that happen!'

I struggled harder against the apes that were fighting me. I used horns, talons and tail to injury and maim the apes that were trying to hold me down by piling on top of me. I was beginning to be pinned down by the increasing numbers of apes that were going against me. I was apparently a very popular target with them; as much as I was human. I expected that more with the silent killers more than with the common apes, but go freaking figure! Yes indeed, the apes were out to kill me still and they were trying to use numbers to overwhelm me. I thrashed around my tail as it was one of the few parts of my body that wasn't being held down.

My tail's freedom wasn't due to the lack of trying on the part of the apes to hold it down. No the reason was, I have been impaling and slicing the apes that got the nerve or were forced to try to get a grip on my tail. So most of the apes were terrified to approach my tail and rightly so!

Still, my continuing problem with these apes was the one they were listening to. The said 'one' came into my view and the frantic drive of the apes now became clear to me. For I believe this someone was one that they fear slightly more than me and understandably so. However I can't say I am all that surprised as the one was a silent killer. Speak of the devil, there is one of them silent killers now! What was unexpected to me was this silent killer was one I haven't met before now! Dang it; they are coming out of who knows where like unwanted clockwork, just my luck!

"Your struggling is impressive, I will admit. Still abnormal dragon, you will meet death today."

The monkey's voice was cold, grating and extremely deadpan toned. It was certainly not one that was nice to be forced to listen to, but most voices one is forced to hear are ones that you don't tend to like anyways! I glared coldly at the monkey a short distance in front of me. In this battle, it would seem I get the unfortunate displeasure of meeting another member of the silent killers; yea for me! I liked this one as much as the other four of the silent killers, I had met previously… actually I like him slightly less than the others at the current moment. So he goes to the bottom of the ranking list! This one was another male like Shiek. So Shiek wasn't the lone male then… I was starting to think he was, it would explain a few things about him. Anyway, back to this new pain I'm being forced to deal with. He had fur that was black as coal. His eyes were a dark purple. He was the same height as Mara was, though his personality was rather different I quickly learned. He much like Exis, was one of the 'silent but deadly' type and very dangerous. I had to reply to his comment or I wouldn't be able to live with myself easily for a while.

"Already met Death, got to know him and he still hasn't drug me down to hell yet! It is not from a lack of trying either! You would be wise not to underestimate me monkey boy! Especially when I am working with violent and suicidal tendencies as my driving motivation! Just let me get the insanity going full steam, then we'll have a ball or at least I will ha ha ha!"

My main issue other than him trying to kill me which is nothing new to me is that I still haven't got a name from him! I mean all the silent killers try to kill me, so I am kind of used to that by now. However, I have a preference of have a name to go with the face, it helps me with the insulting. How can I criticizes and condemn him six feet under or more… well enough to consider the job of putting the monkey to rest in his grave permanently good and done; if I can't do it by name?! If you can't insult someone by name it just doesn't drive the painful spike in effectively!

I observed a quick movement from the monkey and the next thing I register I felt a chain wrapping and tightening around my neck. This brings me to his weapon of choice; a custom ball and chain combo in a bit of miniaturized version. He was good with throwing that chain and the small ball was heavy enough to direct the chain effectively to nail his target.

Now I was having a hard time breathing effectively with the chain around my neck and getting tighter with each passing moment! This is turning into one of those 'out of the frying pan and into the fire' type of dilemmas now. I was getting desperate by this point! I thrashed my tail around harder and felt the chain around my neck tightened.

It was then I felt something in my tail change; it started with a click. I don't know what was happening with my tail blade, yet I can say that something is changing and that will do something to my current situation. The next thing I know I hear something spring out and a lot of apes scream in terror. Okay, screaming apes is a good thing for me; let's see if that can help my breathing problem. Time follow the example of a scorpion! I swung my tail forward, bending my back to the point that my underbelly was curving outward. My tail came up over my back as I was trying to get this chain that was choking me off.

To my surprise and the surprise of monkey boy as I was calling him as I didn't have another name to work with. My tail blade came down in front of me; I was expecting my normal tail blade I have grown accustom to. But what came down were two long blades that cut through the chain like a hot knife through butter! Now my tail came into my sight, I find that the blades on my tail were now two and a half times the length they were before, putting them at a length of seventeen and a half inches or so. The blades were thinner and sharper looking than they were before and I like that at the current moment! The hexagon section appeared to have changed and was now slightly closer to the blade on my tail. All in all, my tail blade had somehow improved in length and sharpness; I think I can love working with this! The monkey leapt back just after my tail blade cut the chain. I whipped my tail back behind me and followed this by a... roundhouse sweep kick... just with my tail instead of my leg.

"HERE'S JOHNNY!"

I screamed the line as I swung my tail. I attribute the action to my temporary loss of sanity and working with suicidal thinking. The monkey flipped over my sweep as a counter. I missed actually hitting him directly, BUT I gave him a close shave on his back! When he landed he seemed to note that I had gotten very close to slicing him open! He then faced me and bowed to me.

"It would seem that I have indeed underestimated you. Your advice is wise and I will take it into consideration in future. You are different than the other dragons, much more intelligent. Fascinating how you have become a dragon though, human. Until our paths cross again."

After he finished his statement he vanished into the smoke that came from the battle. I was shock a bit that he had... not just guessed I had been human, but stated it as if it was a commonly known fact! Does that mean all the monkeys knew I was now a dragon? I don't know. Once again, I very much dislike those silent killers, they are nothing but problems galore! There were four the last time I went against them; now there are five of them to have to deal with… and who knows if and how many more to come! This is just great!

Well back to the previous dilemma before I was so rudely interrupted by little monkey boy assassin; helping Lara. I turned and looked to where Lara was the last time I had saw her. Unfortunately her situation had become worse as there were more apes surrounding her. I was not going to let her get hurt, if there is anything I can do about it!

"OVER MY DEAD BODY!"

I opened my maw and pointed it at the apes that were going to hurt Lara. I felt fury, yet it wasn't just heated or burning anger. I think it is what many might call 'righteous anger'. Anyway, you might think I was the man with a plan and knew what I would do to save Lara? Well… I haven't the faintest clue at the moment how I could do that, but with my luck normally, I would worry that it would hit me… Yet as my luck had shown as of late; when my life is in real danger, it tends to switch to hit everyone else other than me! That's what I'm counting on! I began to feel a feeling that I think I have felt before… Oh could it be?! Oh please let this feeling mean what I think it does!

The next thing I know, I shot a beam of light out of my maw directly at the apes. SCORE! OH HELL YEAH BABY! THAT IS WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!

Once again I had shot light from my maw! I knew I could do it! Let others deny that I can't use the light and that light isn't an element after seeing that. There is no way that what I had just done could have been missed by everyone! Oh and did I tell you the 'effect' said beam had? No? Well then let me tell you! I produced a four to five foot wide and two foot deep trench and said trench went forward for a good hundred meters... most likely more! That was better than what I did as a dragonet! And where once were a fair number of apes; now there were none! You might as well say I use a sci fi like highly over powered laser, for it produced the basic same results! It vaporized them in seconds. ... Wow! I will have to remind myself to be careful where I aim this shot from now on! It could be as dangerous as it is indiscriminating on the damage it causes! If Lara wasn't almost flat to the ground, she could have been caught in the beam!

Shortly after letting off the shot of light at the apes and sweeping them away. I made my way over to Lara, mowing over apes that were left over and were foolish enough to try to delay me along the way. When I finally made my way to Lara, I began to check her over.

"Lara are you okay?!"

She didn't answer me; unlikely able to even hear me right now. Lara was breathing… be it shallowly, still she was breathing and that was a good sign! My check over had only shown how bad those apes had hurt her. She had cuts and color developing bruises here and there all over her body. Nothing thankfully appeared to be broken or seriously injured. Lara hadn't answer me as now I saw she was apparently unconscious. I felt the righteous anger grow in me at seeing Lara like this.

"If those apes think that what they have seen me do is how I am when I am ticked off. Then they haven't seen a freaking dang thing yet of what happens when I lose my cool!"

I turned to face the sea of apes still pouring out on to the plain from the forest that bordered it. I seethed in the anger of the injustice and the wrongness of all of this. Those who were dying didn't deserve to; they had plans to do other things today! Yet these apes were killing and for no apparent reason other than its own sake! That wouldn't do and I would not allow this to continue! It was time they see what it is like to be on the dying end of this crap!

"IF IT IS A MASSACRE YOU WANT TO SEE; I'LL GIVE THEM ONE! DRESS REHERSAL FOR HELL BOYS!"

I charged forward opening my maw and charging light once more. I barreled into the horde of apes without any further thought of the consequences! I was officially mad and had snapped! One of my friends was hurt and maybe more of them I didn't know about. That was UNFORGIVEABLE and worthy of extreme measures and possible capital punishment in my book!

As I was attacking the apes with violent intent in the forefront of my mind; some of the catapults began to aim at me.

I pointed my mouth at the apes once more.

"SAY HELLO TO MY NEW FRIEND… THE LIGHT ELEMENT! HAZZAH!"

So without having to regale you with all the gruesome details of what happened in what turned into a battle of attrition between the apes and myself. To help understanding of the event at least, I will give some of the notable highlights of this battle. So first thing I proved before this battle royal; using the light element is like using an overpowered laser that can't be blocked! Needless to say, I literally slaughtered and massacred hundreds of apes with every shot of the light element from my maw.

" Behold the might of my powerful beam! "

Still, even with their numbers plummeting like they were from my actions; they were managing somehow to keep up with me. How the apes were doing the task was beyond my comprehension. Well after a while of blasting the apes and not receiving the outcome I had been aiming for; I decided to change things up. So I went to my human form as it possessed better mobility than my draconic form does.

I thought as the light element was as incredibly effective as some type of sci fi laser; then that laser would do more if it could move where it hits fast. That is logical tactics and that's what I was going for. Boy did I get blown away with what happened! When I took out Yubashiri and new blade I still haven't given a name yet and used the light element on them; the glowed brightly.

After the glowing light faded I look down to see that my swords had changed and now to my growing amazement and maniacal amusement. I was griping two lethal looking chainsaws that were five foot long and a little under a foot wide blades. The chains on these two chainsaws appeared to be made of light or some kind of laser blades. As a human, the light element had changed my weapons into different ones that were far more lethal… COOL!

… Well I did yell that I would show these apes how the Texas chainsaw massacre would have gone down if I had been there… I just didn't think I would get a chainsaw like weapon to use! Let alone two of them to work with! This upcoming event will put the story of the Texas chainsaw massacre to shame! Party time boys!

I don't think I really need to say that I had them running before too long; in a little less than seven minutes if I figure correctly. It wasn't too long after I turned human and showed them how chainsaws worked up close and personal. I can't say I blame them. I carved crimson paths through their ranks at speeds that even shocked me and I was the one doing the path making! Once the blood started becoming a river from the thousand apes I downed within the time it took them to start to run… actually closer to two thousand were I to guess. Anyways I effectively ended the battle with my actions and that's what can be taken from this.

The next two hours were spent getting the injured to the healer wing. The dragons there would be working overtime from this that's for sure. Of course I was among those who helped carry the injured to the wing. After that, the majority of us went our separate ways to get some down time.

-Evening same day-

The battle had been a somewhat long affair today. It had been a messy thing. First, it had come without much warning. Second, due to the lack of warning, there had been a lot of chaos among the dragons at first and that had caused problems. Those said problems ended up being solved mostly by my friends and I and yes that included Sen who had gotten better with at least using the fire element… can't say he is able to control it really, but that will come in time, I hope. The third and biggest thing to me; Lara could have been seriously injured… she only ended up getting an array of scratches and a number of bruises, but still!

The other thing that was bugging me was the lack of reason for the apes' attack. I couldn't see what doing this had done or gained them at all. If anything they suffered more loss than the dragons had. I wondered the halls lost in my thoughts. I did this fairly often in order to try to relieve the stress I had been racking up. Keyword trying; the night walks didn't always work, more like only half the time. This was one of the times that it wasn't working for me.

"Yo bro, like how goes dude?"

I turned around to see Sen. Yet; I wasn't really in the mood to be around Sen right now. Not with my stress levels being as high as they were now. They had reached a rather unhealthy level today; it was dangerous for me as I could snap and do real damage if I don't do something to lower the levels quickly!

"Sen, not right now please. I'm not really in the mood for anything like that."

"Dude bro, you sound really down man. It's like a total bummer for ya to be like that man. What's giving you such a bummer of a mood like some nook took your board dude?"

I gave Sen a look that said 'no duh'.

"No crapin duh Sherlock Obvious Homes! Now you have anything of value to say or not Sen?! If you don't best you shut up, it will help me not snap! And you know what can happen if I snap!"

I hadn't bellowed the reply, but it had been close.

"… Bro I haven't seen you in this kind of vibe for a long while dude! You need to unwind and like chill dude. Like I do when I go surfing one awesome waves bro… totally relaxing man."

I know Sen was right about unwinding, though I don't want to admit it. My problem is I can't think of an effective way to 'unwind' that doesn't leave a mess I would have to clean up later. That's the real reason why my stress levels had got this high! I sighed in frustration and didn't answer him.

"Bro, you are keeping in too much stress dude! Seriously dude, you got to let it out man. Rip and cut lose bro!"

It was getting harder to keeping a lid on my frustration and anger. I spun around to face Sen; trying to control my stress levels.

"And how would you suggest I do that Sen?! I have been trying to think of something to do to release this stress! But I can't come up with anything I wouldn't have to clean up later and regret doing at the same time! So unless you want to volunteer to be the dummy I vent said stress on, SHUDA UP!"

Sen didn't flinch at my tirade, like most others would. Nor even at the suggested idea of him being the one I would vent on, which would have most people that knew anything about me shaking in fear! It is one of the reasons that I don't show such things while I am around others. Sen had been around me during the few times I had blown up like this. I have been around Sen long enough or he had been around me for a long time so that I wouldn't hold in my emotions all the time like I normally do. He seemed to be thinking about an answer to my demand.

"Well bro, you could always go with your old reliable way of stress relief dude. You did jobs like that like a pro and enjoyed every moment man. It was very good at…"

I was well aware of what activity that Sen was talking about and it was one that I stopped doing a long while ago for good reason! Sen was of course referring to pranking another, and I'm not talking about the kiddy type pranks; no I mean the ones that if they go wrong could do real damage. Thankfully, with me they rarely went wrong if at all. If I had kept going and had been caught at some point; I would have been convicted of assault and quite a few other criminal offense along with that. Though, it would have been difficult to prove by anyone who tried. That's how good I was and still am when I find an excuse… I mean reason to do something similar and not get caught.

"Stop right there Sen! I swore that I wouldn't do such things intentionally to someone else! I did so before anyone got seriously hurt and there were some close calls on that."

Sen smiled back at me.

"Dude I know that, but still… there has like got to be someone here you have been wanting to get back at man. Like a noob or someone that embarrassed you and bossed you in front of a crowd bro."

Sen was so not helping my resolve of not doing what I promised not to! I just continued to stare at him.

"I know you turned over a new leaf on this bro and I respect you for startin clean dude. Yet I don't doubt there is someone who has gotten to you; there always is bro, whether they annoyed you or something else man. You need serious stress relief bro! You always felt better after doing someone seriously good dude!"

What Sen had said had made sense and I really did need to let out tension at the current moment. And the second line had struck me in the heart and mind; for it described someone I knew far too well! Now that I think about it; I have been a tad too nice to him lately and that had been giving him the idea he can get away with a substantially amount. That wouldn't do at all! And I have not teased him in any fashion or taught him the dangers of crossing me in any way for quite some time. That wouldn't stand, even were heaven to fall and hell were to freeze over!

Okay I may have promised myself that I wouldn't intentionally set up or plan to seriously prank another and follow through with such a thing… but in his case I'm willing to make an exception! I'll just have to keep things in perspective enough not to kill him! I made a promise to Spyro after all that I wouldn't kill Sparx, I never said anything else about not teasing him! I can get as close as I want to him meeting my old friend death as long as said friend doesn't do him in permanently! I felt a smile grow on my face as a plan came to mind. … A pure genius plan that would do wonders!

"You know Sen; you make a very valid point. I really have let this stress build up and that isn't healthy for me."

My smile grew wider. It was a smile that those who know me with either cause them to run or follow me in a heartbeat. In short I was planning something that would be amazing! Oh this plan would be so wonderful, yet simple and practical in application and execution!

"Bro, I haven't seen you smile like that for years! I have missed those days man. So who are you pranking and how badly dude?!"

I chuckled low as I anticipated what I was going to do.

"The who, is someone who has been stupid enough to tick me off multiple times. The how bad, I will prank this guy… as much as I can get away with! So it goes without saying that we clean up after set up."

"… Dude bro, count me in! So what is the plan man?"

Sen came up to walk beside me as I answered him in whispers.

"So you know where he is then?"

I laughed softly.

"Oh indeed I know where he sleeps at night; unbeknownst to him!"

"So bro when do we start dude?"

"Oh… I will explain the finer details on the way to retrieve the supplies needed for this. He doesn't seem to understand how dangerous it is to tick me off. He will know after this! Oh ho… yes indeed he will!"

"Righteous bro, this is one of the things I missed doing with you man! If only the whole posse were here; then it would be just like the good old days dude!"

-Chapter end-

A/n

I hope that answer some of the questions you as readers had for me to answer from the last chapter. Plus I got to give a new perspective of Malefor! I have been wanting to go with the angle of good corrupted to evil and I think I nailed it fairly well. Yet I leave that up to you readers to tell me. In other words, simple terms, keep the reviews coming! See you later when I finish writing the next chapter.

Guest
Yes Saber kissed Tarra, but it was NOT in a romantic way! Lara is his mate period. It may have been unplanned, but Saber is the type that takes responsibility for his actions even if they were unintentionally.

HolyCross9
I know that I really didn't explain why Sen is transferred or give a really good explanation on the how. Yet I will do so at a later point, just haven't really thought about it much as to the flow of the story.

Keyblader Zen
1. As I said in the PM, the catfight was a long time in coming.
2. I think no matter where or what you are you can find a way to insult another. No, Sen will not be the ***hole in this… at least all the time, on occasion yes. But as his personality is developing it does make for some wonderful laughs.
3. You need to remember that Saber has not had any close friends before the coming back to the dragon realm. Yes he had others around him who liked to spend time around him, but no one to really open up to. So he hasn't opened up until now. I would not say that Saber lies… exactly.
In chapter 2 of this part of the chronicles I wrote Saber thinking: "I am against flat out unnecessary dishonesty. Now stretching the truth or not saying the complete truth is a different matter entirely and I'm totally cool with those kinds of actions."
So Saber doesn't lie per say, just doesn't tell the complete truth all the time.

Zerox
Thank you for the praise. I am glad you like this story.

1dchouseman
Glad you liked the chick fight. Sen is still undergoing character development. I am hoping you have gotten a bit better picture of him in this chapter. And the end I think shows you who will be torturing who!

ArcticDragon Rider
With girls anything is possible (I mean that in a good way as well as the bad). They will make up eventually. It might take a bit, we will see.

Guest
… Well that would be rather funny, I will admit. Yet I see the need to pace the addition of new characters. I wouldn't want to just add character after character… Um… what I mean to say is I have got to pace myself and keep you readers reading… yes that is what I wanted to say. Although I agree that Sen will not be enough in this, though he is a start.

Vulpimaru

I hope my PM I sent was able to answer your questions. I am hoping to updating on a fairly regular basis, no promises but I will try.