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

12. 12 Knoweth Thy Enemy

A/n

Here is chapter 12. I'll leave it at that so I don't spoil anything.

Chapter 12: Knoweth Thy Enemy…

Have you ever been around someone that causes you to seriously come up with strategic methods to make them feel pain while you sit and enjoy watching? Sadistic I'll admit, but I have a side like that with some individuals; so sue me. Back to what I was saying, I was having those kinds of thoughts with such a one, even if they were a pair in one body. I was coming to terms that Neval and Nergal were not just different, but as polar opposites as you can get in my view and I have known them so short a time. The only reason I hadn't enacted one of the said methods I had thought of earlier, was Neval… the actual personality wasn't bad; in fact he was rather innocent just tied to another that is anything but innocent!

"…Dumb adults forcing me to have to work with this white freak. What do they know?!"

And there is the proof of my point. I looked over at my traveling companion who at the moment was obviously the douche Nergal. Doesn't he know I can clearly hear him call me a white freak? Although I agree with him on the first part of the guardians being dumb adults; I would ask does he know I have excellent hearing and so can hear him like he was talking to me. This is where I get my pet peeve of someone talking about me like I'm not even there, but am all the same. But who is being force to trudge through this crap, is more a matter of opinion.

"Why is it that I get stuck with the unusual rarity?"

This is just getting to be painful to listen to; like nails down a chalkboard.

"Are you aware Goldie Scales that I can hear you calling me some form of unnatural being; or is it that you do not care?"

Nergal snorted at my question.

"Why should I care that you can hear me say the truth, you white scaled freak?!"

Truth he says. Oh I'm tempted to show him what saying the truth really is about! Nergal is a real piece of work and enforces the definition of a douche! Okay… if he wants to hurl insults at one another; fine by me!

"Why, you ask? Because, it works as motivation for me to say better comebacks Mr. Douche. … Actually, now that I think about it…"

"You can think at all stupid?"

… That was a fairly decent comeback; I'll give the douche that. … Maybe this shows I will get some healthy competition in this kind of thing, rather than having to accept that monkeys are the only ones to be close to matching me. I ignored his verbal stab at me and continued.

"… I have been meaning to inquire your preference in the name by which I will regularly address you."

Nergal gave me an expression that was a mix of a deadpan look and loathing. I take that to mean proceed then!

"So what will it be; Mr. Douche, Goldie Scales or Casob?"

"Huh?"

I smirked; he had walked right into this one and I'll enjoy giving him what he richly deserves.

"Oh right, I should have said; C.A.S.O.B, stands for Constant Annoying Son Of a Bi***, hence Casob. Now… pick your new name or I will pick it for you!"

I said the last line in a flat no nonsense tone. Nergal huffed at me.

"You think that calling me names will change anything."

Clearly he hasn't experienced the interest and entertainment that can come from verbal banter. To be able to demoralize your opponents who normally deserve it, sarcastically and in any other way… just produces a feeling of enjoyment that can't easily be beat!

"Perhaps not for you; yet it certainly does for me, as it lets me call you a term that fits you more than your name tends to. You can ask the Incessant Chatterbox about that."

Nergal was silent for a full minute. If he thinks that he can get out of this by saying nothing and not answering; he is dead wrong!

"Have no preference? All righty then! I get to use whichever the situation warrants, Mr. Douche."

Nergal's head jerked and so I waited to see what would happen.

"Nergal! Give it up will you; we are already on the journey, so stop insulting him!"

"Hello… Neval."

Neval turned to me and dipped his head.

"I am sorry that he said those things to you. He is… like that."

"… It is okay Neval. I have come to expect that from the Douche."

Neval looked at me with curiosity.

"You keep using the term 'douche' when you talk about Nergal, but what does that word even mean?"

I was surprise that Neval actually pronounced 'douche' correctly; most dragons don't say many of the human terms right. Nonetheless, Neval wants to know the definition of a 'douche'? Who am I to deny him that knowledge?! I hope he's ready for this!

"The term 'douche' comes from the place I grew up around. It is use as a term applied to one that is; an idiot, one who is a waste of oxygen. However, in the context in which I use it…"

I glanced over as I noted a head jerk from Neval, meaning I was speaking to Nergal. So now is my chance to put him in his place! I fully intend to do just that!

"… Means a jerk; which is selfish and a manipulative bast***. But a douche, though they may have many of the same traits, have them much worse than a jerk; still that sums up what a douche is. Does it not fit you well, Nergal? You are very much a douche."

Nergal glared at me, which was funny. I mean, I was a little over three feet taller than him. Not to say that Casob doesn't have the ability to back up what he says, but when facing one another; it is comical! However, I of all people know that size isn't a factor to judge by when it comes to calculating what someone is capable of.

"And you perverse dragon, are a stupid covert introvert."

… Did he just accuse me for being a pervert! … No, dragon kind doesn't understand that subject as far as I have seen, so I doubt it. Still ouch on the introvert piece! I'm surprised that Nergal knew the term Introvert and its meaning and by the context that he uses the word, he does! Then for him to tell that I am one; heck, even if he had guessed that, I'm impressed! It's true that I'm a covert introvert, but I'm working on it… with a little help from my friends, but still! He shouldn't be calling me one when he's just as much of one! Like the pot calling the kettle black again!

"That was a bit much for a comment you Casob. But hey, if you want to make yourself out to be a complete jacka**, then by all means keep going; I will not stop you."

We were about to continue our… contest when a soft giggle was heard. Both Nergal and I stopped our argument and began to look around for the source of the giggle that had interrupted us. Within a short period I spotted a pair of baby blue eyes.

Those eyes were of course part of a head, but most of the owner was hidden and obscured by the foliage that they were hiding in. I made my way forward a little bit to try to get more of a view of whoever was watching Nergal and myself. Nergal seemed to have noticed that someone was watching us as well. But he went in a different direction then I did.

"Excuse me, who is there?"

I waited for an answer from whoever was there. I know there was someone there as I had seen their eyes and I could catch a faint scent of a dragon… no dragoness if I'm not mistaken by what my snout was telling me. I approached the place where the dragoness was and yet still no response. Well I guess one more attempt to have her show herself by choice before she faces me whether she wants to or not.

"I will not hurt you, so please come out."

It was after I had said the last plea; that the dragoness came out from the trees she was hiding behind. Now that I got a look at whom the baby blue eyes belonged to; she looked to be in her late teens. She stood at seven feet two inches or so and had about a length of eight feet seven maybe almost eight. The dragoness had a sleek yet athletic build overall, but she still had a visible hourglass figure. Her scales were silver, a bit darker than my underbelly color; and her wing membranes and underbelly were a turquoise color.

She had two pairs of horns. The first pair came out of the back of her head behind her ears and grew backwards and downwards to go parallel to her neck. The second pair were two inches inward and parallel to the first pair and the bases were four inches lower than the first pair. I looked back at the dragoness's tail blade. The blade had a crescent shape to it, kind of like Getsuga; however, unlike her the crescent blade connected in the middle and not nearer the bottom of the crescent. The last thing I noticed about her; that being she had accessories. And when I say accessories I mean bracelets and a choker. All five of those metal pieces had moonstones inlaid into them. So with this dragoness's scale color, it was made difficult to determine her element. I cracked a smile in hopes I wouldn't scare her off for whatever reason.

"Hello, my name is Saber; and you are?"

The dragoness backed up a bit, which wounded me a tad, still I can understand. I am a dragon she has never seen and likely a color she hasn't seen either; dragon kind as nice and friendly as they are, still have a fear of the unknown like humans do.

"M-my name is Luna."

Her voice was quiet… she could give Tarra a run for her money in talking quietly. It is again one of the moments I swear that someone needs to say, 'cue awkward silence'. I cleared my throat.

"Um… well, you would not know of a village around here known as the lunar village, would you Luna?"

She stared at me for a minute and didn't say anything, though she nodded. Well it took a little while to get Neval back around me and it was somewhat annoying; but once he was with me and Luna, she was nice enough to show us the way to the lunar village.

-Scene change-

It was rather easy to tell when we got to the village; both from seeing dragons, cheetahs and moles and seeing the structures for housing. Yet there were also more, human looking creatures that were actually not human here as well. The interesting thing about the buildings and structure was that the vegetation didn't interfere or hinder any of the village, but more was integrated into the buildings.

Luna led us to what was probably the village central square to see a large figure that was upright. Neval and I stopped a little way into the central square, while Luna kept going towards the figure that had taken Neval and myself by surprise. The figure whose back was to us, turned and I saw the creature had many human characteristics.

"Ah Luna, good to see ya."

I took a moment so that I could get a complete and accurate view of the speaker. First and plain fact was that from his voice he was obviously male by the deep tones he spoke in. Now, by what I could see this… man I think, for he looked very similar to a human being; though he was bigger than the average human. Where average height for man is around five foot six, maybe five foot seven; this guy would shame most if not all professional basketball players as he stood at a good seven foot three or so.

The man has light tan skin color much like you would see with Native Americans and those of that ancestry. His eyes were an amber color which seemed to only add to the rugged or wild and kind of feral look this guy had. Overall, I wouldn't say he was a bodybuilder or anything, but he had muscles that even I wouldn't wish to test without a very good reason to do so.

He had clothes, just not ones I had expected to see in the dragon realm. He wore a black jacket that looked to be made of leather and had spikes of some sort though they weren't made of metal as you might expect in the human world. There wasn't anything under the jacket so his bare chest was visible and I had to admit even I was impressed by the muscular build I was seeing. The guy was wearing pants that appeared to be similar to jeans, though I can't say if the material is the same or comparable. His pants has tares in multiple places and were ragged and torn around his mid shins and revealed bare legs and feet below.

I noticed he was armed; seeing that he had a long sword that was if I were to guess about the same length if not a bit longer than Yubashiri. Then there was a… I believe that is a compound bow on his back… wouldn't want to be on the target's end of that weapon. I also spotted several knives of varying length and width on his hips and thighs. It was plain and obvious to me without even getting to know this guy, from sheer observation; he was a hunter and likely an expert at the idea!

"Uncle Wolfe, I found these two out in the forest."

… Uncle… Wolfe? I don't know if I should laugh or stare dumbly. Well the guy looked to Luna and smiled. I caught a glimpse of sharp canine like teeth in his mouth; I swallowed hard at this not knowing what to exactly expect from this man.

"Is that sooo Luna?"

I blinked; I thought I had been hearing things before, yet this Wolfe had one heck of an accent! It reminded me of a person I knew that lived in the south eastern United States… what is it called… oh yes, a southern drawl and did Wolfe ever have one! Wolfe faced me and Neval before he continued.

"The names Wolfe Shadowmane and don't you go forgettin it ya hear. So then y'all, what be you doing around here then and where might ya have been comin from?"

-Scene change-

After our discussion with Wolfe Shadowmane, I found out that he wasn't a bad guy really, much nicer than his appearance would suggest. He had shown himself as kind and in short a gentle giant in many ways. Yet I wouldn't doubt that he could easily harm another if given enough reason.

Well after meeting with some of the inhabitance of the village, we were invited to the evening meal. Hey, free dinner; I won't refuse or complain! Everything was going smoothly; I was starting to think that this would be an easy assignment. I could be back to Warfang within less than a week. This trip had been very helpful to release the pent up tension I had accumulated. I was in a good mood… that was until I heard what I thought for a second was Neval's voice, yet I noted the subtle difference in tone. It was Mr. Douche! I swallowed the mouth full I was on and then glanced over at… Nergal.

"You have something to say Goldie Scales?"

"Humph… the world would be a better place if you weren't around."

I froze as my anger flared up at Nergal's hissed statement and took a moment to get myself to calm down. Okay, I pride myself in being able to taking an insult, most of those that are thrown at me, but there are certain things that I will react to. When someone says it would be better if I weren't around or born; I take that rather badly. I had thought along that line a few times and it never would go well! I gave my reply in a low and cold voice.

"Nergal… you do not want to go there."

Nergal smirked at getting a reaction out of me.

"Oh, why is that white freak? You are unnatural and so should not have even been hatched."

… If he wanted to slap me like that; then I will give him a freaking haymaker in exchange!

"That so Nergal? I could say the same of you. You should not have lived through that purge you did and talk about. I would not doubt that there had to be others that were better than you. Yet here… you unfortunately are."

Nergal's glare became venomous at what I had just said.

"How dare you; you white scaled freak! You know nothing about that!"

I matched his glare.

"Same to you, Nergal; do not talk about things you have no clue about!"

I got to my paws and turned on the spot and stalked into the forest.

-Scene change-

After the fight Neval and I… or really Nergal and I had; the last thing I expected was Neval to chase after me, but he did. I had gone deeper into the forest so that I could clear my head. It hadn't taken long for Neval to catch up to me; I have been forced to admit that Neval isn't as useless as I had originally thought he would be. After he followed me for a good ten minutes; I turned to him to tell him to go away but he beat me to speaking.

"I am sorry for what Nergal said to you!"

I was about to answer, when I felt a freezing cold sensation course down my spine. I came to an abrupt halt at the feeling. That was more than a danger sense warning! It was a warning of a situation that could likely end with me dying! Such sensations are very rare… I mean I have gotten them in the numbers that are still in the lower single digits. The last time I felt this was just before I came back to the dragon realm. It was when I encountered that dark creature and that experience had scared the daylights out of me! As I stood where I was, I began to feel the same dark intent I had from when I had faced down that… 'thing'; it was the intent to kill, there was no question. That intent was directed completely and utterly on me. There was someone or something out in these woods that was seriously out to end my existence and wouldn't be deterred judging by the magnitude of the killing intent!

However, if what is responsible for this intent is what I think it is; then this would get messy, especially with Neval here with me. I have felt this killing intent before myself once, yet I know it more through the memories I have seen at night. It was foul; it was ugly and not to be underestimated! I believe I'm about to meet one of the ancient enemy very soon. And I would bet they won't be one to slack on their methodology on white dragons! That said methodology being, kill on sight; show no mercy and leave no evidence! They were here to kill me and would be meticulous about it. I would be dead before first light and there would be nothing for anyone to find if they get their way!

Well, if what I know thus far is anything to go by; wherever it was coming from would accept I assume little if nothing less than my bloody corpse in front of it! Only that would assure them I was no longer a threat to them. That outcome to be obtained by whatever means necessary, even if other corpses ended up beside mine. If it's really the ancient enemy, then there would be more than one body lying dead here! In this case it would be Neval's corpse; he would be a witness and they don't leave those alive able to say anything anymore than they would leave me living and breathing. The ancient enemy hadn't been discovered yet by anyone that had lived long enough to say anything; doubt they intend to start now. I needed to get Neval out of here and I needed to do it now! I may not like him or even less Nergal, yet they don't deserve to die because of me. If he isn't here when it appears then there is a chance he will be overlooked and ignored. I turned to my left where Neval was simply standing watching me.

"Neval… listen to me and listen good! If you want to be alive to see tomorrow; turn your rear around and haul it back to the lunar village! Do not look back and do not come back for me for any reason! Do you understand me?!"

Neval looked at me and hesitated.

"But…"

I was trying to find the direction that the intent that was directed at me was coming from. I could feel it was getting closer. Still I took a moment to turn and give a dead serious look.

"I was not giving a suggestion or recommendation Neval! I told you to GO, NOW!"

Neval flinched, but he turned after a couple of seconds and ran off back the way we had come towards the lunar village. This left me alone with whoever or whatever was set on having me lying dead and then cleaned up before the dawn!

-Scene change-

-Neval's pov-

I do not understand why Saber told me to go back to the village; however, Saber had sounded serious and kind of scary! What did he even mean when he said 'if I want to be alive to see tomorrow'? It almost sounded like he was saying to leave him to die… but how would he know if someone wanted him dead and why would anyone want him gone… well Nergal is different in that, still why would anyone want to get rid of Saber? Something about all of this feels wrong!

"I would not complain if he was not around. One less dragon that is like those accursed ones who brought about the purge!"

"Nergal! How many times do I have to tell you to let it go?!"

"You will never get it; they were afraid of mirror dragons. That is why they slaughtered everyone else; they were afraid of what we could do. Well, they will see the power they fear!"

I ignored Nergal when he got like this; he would not listen, he never does. I burst through the overhanging trees and came to the edge of the lunar village. I stopped to catch my breath.

"Oh it is you again; you were with that white dragon from before."

I looked up to see the silver dragoness that Saber and I had met earlier today. I was still taking in great gasps of air, but I managed to speak.

"Yes (huff) I was with him."

She smiled a little at me.

"Well there were some other dragons and dragonesses that just got here a few minutes ago and they seem to be from the same place you came from."

Wait… others from Warfang? Who and why? I proceeded further into the village to see what Luna was talking about. I was shocked to find that those who I have seen with Saber often were there and… so was the Shadow Guardian Spectra!

"Ah, Neval there you are."

I regained use of my tongue at this point.

"Guardian Spectra, what are you doing here?!"

Guardian Spectra smiled kindly at me.

"Well Saber's friends were very worried and wished to check on him as he left without saying anything to them. You would not know where he is at the moment, would you?"

Well I do know, but… with how he had acted… I mean he had literally shouted that last command to go at me. I sighed, it would probably be better to just tell them.

"Well, Guardian Spectra; I was with Saber a little while ago. We had… a disagreement and he went off. I followed so that I could apologize to him, but he was… acting, I do not know… different than he was before."

"What do you mean different than before?"

I glanced over at the purple dragon Spyro who had spoken.

"Well he suddenly went all stiff and then looked around like he was searching for something. The next thing I know Saber tells me, 'If you want to be alive to see tomorrow; turn your rear around and haul it back to the lunar village'. He follows that with, 'Do not look back and do not come back for me for any reason'. He sounded really serious about it, and so I came back here."

"Are you sure that is what Saber said?!"

That came from the black dragon that I think is the younger brother to Guardian Spectra. I nodded in answer; not understanding why all these dragons and dragonesses were looking so horrified.

"Is that bad? I have heard that Saber often snaps at others; so I assumed that was what he was doing."

Guardian Spectra got everyone's attention back to her.

"There are times he does do as you say Neval; however, I do not believe this is one of them. Saber… attracts… odd creatures to himself without much effort. And by the sound of it, he may have drawn a very dangerous one to himself this time."

-Scene change-

-Saber's pov-

When I had heard Neval disappeared into the trees on his journey back to the lunar village; I focused all my senses and faculties on the fight I would be in tonight. I had no doubt it would be the fight for my life! I felt a second wave of cold wash over me and I level my gaze in front of me. I was expecting to see something like what I saw back in the park again; that impossible 'thing' that had attacked me. I believe now more than ever that it had been one of the ancient enemy! And now I was about to face another once again!

I watched frozen and rooted to the spot staring in controlled fear and panic as I heard something approaching from the shadows of the trees. Can anyone blame me? The last time I had this feeling of eminent foreboding; I had a monster try to kill me! Yet what came out of the shadows wasn't what I had expected at all. Out from the deeper in the woods came a white dragon limping. I looked at the white dragon in mild shock. Why? For it was Koren… or at least close to what Koren looked like now. A questionable version of my first true friend now indeed, stood in front of me. However the difference in this was this 'Koren' looked beaten up and there were other subtle things I could see that weren't right and didn't match what I knew.

"Asreyel, help me."

Was this really all that was, in the ancient enemy's way of thinking needed to drop my guard?! I am nowhere near that dumb! They couldn't know what Koren actually looked like now as he has no physical body of his own anymore… though I still don't understand how that works. They either have an extremely low opinion of me or they had little credible information and knowledge on me. I can't really determine at this time which explanation is the more likely or which the better of the two is. Still, I felt anger at how this enemy was using the appearance of my friend to kill me.

"Cut the crap! My friend is dead; you using your guess on what his appearance would be, won't fool me! So let's dispense with the illusions and tricks shall we!"

"Asreyel…"

I brought my tail blade to the neck of the one who was posing as Koren. Said 'white dragon' stopped what he was doing and looked at me.

"I said to cut, the, crap! Or I will slice your neck clean through!"

I flicked my tail blade slightly and it clicked to extend its length. 'Koren' backed up and began to laugh. The laugh sounded off and within two seconds had two distinct tones and those tones clashed badly! The form of Koren became enveloped by darkness and shifted. The appearance seemed to melt into the darkness. The first thing that became recognizable was the shining crimson eyes. They were the same shining crimson eyes that I had seen from that 'thing' that had attacked me before I came back to the dragon realm. Those eyes locked onto me and I exerted mental discipline to keep myself from panicking. Whatever material made its body seemed to form from the darkness around it.

However, this time unlike the last one; the figure didn't take on a draconic shape, but a more humanoid appearance. It stood at around six feet tall and was covered in black cloth that rippled and flowed over the figure. It had no defined features other than the basic human shape. Its face only had its glowing red eyes and no other seeable feature. Actually the thing's appearance reminded me of the many drawings and pictures I have seen of the being 'the grim reaper' or death. I settled into a fight stance as I faced my enemy.

"You must be one of the ancient enemy, I presume?"

He… at least I think it is a he as in male; chuckled evilly at my question.

"Well, well; so you know of us then? Must come from the knowledge you receive from previous white ones; history knows nothing of us. Still, yes you are correct of who we are."

Honestly right now, I was scared sh**less at facing this guy who fully intended to kill me and very likely could do so! Yet, I steeled myself and I faced this punk glaring at him. This was serious business since my life was on the line! There was no chickening out now!

"You may have killed many white dragons before now, but that won't happen this time! Don't you dare think I'm just going to drop dead for the likes of you ya punk!"

The laughter that came for this enemy was bone chilling… and familiar. Within seconds which seemed like a small eternity of having that laugh echo in my mind; I realized where I recognized it from. It was the same laughter from some of the memories, some of the most violent ones I have had to see! This was the guy who had tortured some of the more resilient white dragons and dragonesses before they died. The punk strode forward coming closer to me.

"We are glad you say that you won't drop dead; if you did, then this would be no fun at all and certainly wouldn't be worth the time and effort to come and take care of you ourselves. But can -you deliver what you say? It has been quite a long time since any of you have given us problems; but then you white ones have always been dangerous. The last one of you white ones that gave us enough trouble for us to have to deal with you ourselves lasted for about two minutes. I only hope you last for more than those few minutes."

The feeling of danger to me increased tremendously at that reply. If I wasn't in firm control, then my body would be shivering and shaking right now! I was aware that this guy was talking about Crystan. This will be the hardest and most serious fight I have ever been in!

"Just who are you?!"

The punk laughed again and it was like a dagger was being shoved into my brain. Images from the memories that involved this guy flashed in my mind and some of the voices whispered to me. Most of those voices if not all were doing so in pain, anger and many with fear. With this, came a name to my mind as the sound of his laughter kept going. The whispers had been sure in the name they had kept saying to me. I don't know why the particular name came to me, but it did and for some reason seemed to fit him.

"You will die soon enough, so we see no reason to give you our name."

"Darkhar!"

He stopped and just looked at me. I ignored and shut out the memories of pain that had been caused by this Darkhar… and there weren't a small number! I only took in the information about him that could be of use to me in this fight. And the information I did get… didn't give me any confidence in my chances of living after this fight!

"How could you know that?"

I was silent and didn't answer him. I just strengthened my defenses and stance. Darkhar huffed and seemed to settle into a fighting form.

"It matters not; it is time for you to die white one!"

I felt and sensed Darkhar rush forward at an impossible speed towards my left side and even as I turned to see that I was too late to avoid the strike. I couldn't even brace myself before the blow came.

CLANG

I was sent sliding twenty feet to my right, but the blow hadn't done much physical damage as far as I can tell. Don't get me wrong, the strike on my side still hurt like hell; yet I hadn't sustained a problematic injury. This is weird as I can't recall this ever happening before. A hit that should have had the force to pierce my scales… didn't do that at all? I have to be missing something in this. It was then I heard Darkhar.

"*Groan* this feeling… but that should not be possible!"

I turned to face Darkhar again. He was clutching his claws that were shaped like hands somewhat, though they looked damaged. … Wait, he got hurt when he hit me?! How did that happen?! Shouldn't it have been the other way around? Oh well, I'm not complaining! Darkhar glared at me with a murderous aura being projected from him.

"How is it… that you have armored Orichalcum scales?! None of you white ones have had them since the second generation after the war!"

I was baffled at what Darkhar had said. Armored Orichalcum scales? What in the hell is he talking about?! And what does Darkhar mean that white dragons haven't had… those kinds of scales since after the war? What war does he mean? … Could he be talking about the Great War?! Thoughts kept racing through my brain.

I was silenced as Darkhar slammed into my upper chest. I let out a grunt of pain as I felt the wind knocked out of me as the hit landed. I managed to keep on my paws though I was heaving, trying to get air back in my lungs. Once again, the strike didn't do any crippling injury; his claws didn't penetrate my scales… almost like they couldn't. Still the blow had hurt horrendously mostly from the impact, but no life threatening problems from bodily function… yet. I heard a screech in front of me and I glanced over to see Darkhar… his claws looked broken! The screech which had come from Darkhar changed from one of pain to that of fury. Then by some unknown means he made them back to how they were previously. Great, that's not helpful for my life threatening plight!

I tried to fight back against Darkhar, yet it had been made plainly and painfully obvious in the first fifteen seconds; that Darkhar had far better speed of movement that I did. I could barely keep up with some of my senses on where Darkhar was let alone what he was doing. I was only able to predict what he was going to doing from guessing from his previous movements and using the knowledge I had on the ancient enemy. My eyes had become about useless as Darkhar was moving faster than I could track now. Darkhar made all the monkeys I have met look like babies when it came to the art of fighting. Hell he made me look like a fresh green amateur! It was my hearing that was giving the brief warning before the blows Darkhar hitting me with kept coming one after the other.

Amazingly I hadn't gotten major injury from this just some cuts and scratches from all the attacks. Now that's not to say I was fine or taking this like a pro; the impact from each hit, felt like I was getting hit with a baseball bat. Yes, my uncle did hit me with a baseball bat in one of our arguments… broke my left arm with it. Hell if I know where he got the bat; I didn't know he had one! The force from each blow felt similar to me and they hurt dang it! My stamina was being drained quickly by each hit I took from Darkhar!

Within five minutes I knew that this fight was going bad! I hadn't gotten many hits in on Darkhar and fewer actually landed on the intended target. All the while the punk was hitting me at his leisure and… was pretty much toying with me. Yes he hasn't killed me, but apparently my scales would make that much harder. It was only a matter of time at this rate! I started to get desperate and reckless! This guy has to have a weakness of some sort! Some limit for his speed; or something… ANYTHING for me to work with! I barely sensed Darkhar get behind me and rush in close to strike me. DANG IT, CRAP, I'M ABOUT TO BE FORCED TO FACE THE MUSIC!

*PFFFFFFFFFFFFT!*

"Gah?"

I couldn't help letting out a sound of confusion; after all neither of us had expected the… I think that was a fart. There was perfect silence for around two seconds; neither of us moved. Then I heard a sniffing sound. Did this guy have a sense of smell then; that's kind of a surprise? Instantly after that, the guy I had been fighting jerked back and covered his face. He roared in pain and that was mixed with coughing.

"RAAAH! (COUGH COUGH) OHHH NASTY! (COUGH COUGH)."

Wait… was that fart from before… me?! I sniffed the air… WHOA! I felt nauseous and vertigo immediately! … *Cough* … *wheeze* … Yep… *hack* definitely me! I know no one else that can let loose gas no matter the end it comes out of, and have it be SO FOUL! It is just my rear end tends to trump my mouth in terms of offensive odor levels, by a RIDICULOUS amount! I mean, my belches may be foul and rank; but what comes out of my rear is akin to noxious and usually toxic fumes! I have forgotten just how dangerous this rear end of mine can be; it is better than a bio weapon respectively when loaded. … No one should dare get behind me! If they do, they face my butt and that would put the entire skunk population to shame with the near deadly fumes my a** produces; Mwah ha ha ha ha! Can I or can I not clear a room?!

Now back to the fight I was in; after I had… dropped da bomb… yes I will go with that. The air in the general area wasn't just foul in the smell, but now was rich in methane vapor. I swear there was a lightbulb above my head and it just went to full power, in other words I have an idea! I looked over to see the punk getting to his… um feet, if that's what they were. I wasn't going to give him the chance to attack me again! His attacks though hadn't killed me yet for the reason of these… Orichalcum scales as the punk had called them; his attacks had still hurt like hell and then some! With that kind of impact, given enough time he could I have no doubt kill me! I took a breath, not nice for me by the way; and let out a small fireball that was a tiny bit bigger than the flame of a match.

-Spyro's pov-

"Well, Guardian Spectra; I was with Saber a little while ago. We had… a disagreement and he went off. I followed so that I could apologize to him, but he was… acting, I do not know… different than he was before."

I may not know Neval well, though I have heard of mention of him from some of the dragons and dragonesses at the temple. Yet when he and Saber had met almost two weeks ago, they had seemed cordial to each other. Perhaps something happened to change that to a worse standing between them? But Neval is nice enough, so why would Saber have any disagreement with him? Saber tends to go with what is decided or rather he nods and does things his way; that is why some of the guardians have such a problem with him.

Still… 'acting different' with Saber that can mean a lot of things. He is not like any other dragon that I know; he is unique. I think it would be better if Neval clarify what he means by different.

"What do you mean different than before?"

Neval glanced over at me.

"Well he suddenly went all stiff and then looked around like he was searching for something…"

… That did not sound good! Saber has some odd habits, which I assume he got living in the realm of humans. But his senses were the best I have ever known in any race! If he had been on the defense due to something; then it was to be taken seriously!

"… The next thing I know Saber tells me, 'If you want to be alive to see tomorrow; turn your rear around and haul it back to the lunar village'. He follows that with, 'Do not look back and do not come back for me for any reason'. He sounded really serious about it, and so I came back here."

That sounded really bad! If what Neval said is true; then… Saber is in danger!

"Are you sure that is what Saber said?!"

I turned to Seth who had asked the question. Seth, by the look in his eyes had come to the same conclusions as I had. Neval nodded. My heart sank; Saber was on his own and very likely in incredible danger… so why are any of us standing here?!

"Is that bad? I have heard that Saber often snaps at others; so I assumed that was what he was doing."

I think most of us in the group were too worried to answer Neval. Thankfully, Spectra got everyone's attention back to her and answered.

"There are times he does do as you say Neval; however, I do not believe this is one of them. Saber… attracts… odd creatures to himself without much effort. And by the sound of it, he may have drawn a very dangerous one to himself this time."

I was about to say we should go looking for Saber, but was stopped by Sen speaking.

"Hey dudes and dudetts, all of you need to majorly chill out. You all are putting out some killer gloom vibes dudes. Don't worry yourselves friends, my bro can hold his own; so mellow out dudes and dudetts."

… Sen's way of speaking has not gotten much if any easier to understand. It was then we were interrupted by quiet laughter. Into the area came the large creature that had greeted us when we had got here. I still think he looks very much like Saber did when he was human.

"The fire breather has it right y'all. You're worryen too much; it ain't healthy for ya."

The 'man's' face suddenly became dead serious.

"Besides… the forest is a very dangerous place come nightfall…"

The man trailed off in what he had been saying. Sen then chose to talk again.

"It's like I said before dudes and dudetts; my bro can look after himself. Bro will be fine; you all wait and see him walk out of the forest without a scratch like surfin through the barrel of a wave, it's awesome."

*BOOM!*

We all looked in horror as we saw a massive explosion in the deeper part of the forest.

"But… my bro has always had serious thrill issues as long as I have known him dudes and dudetts."

-Saber's pov-

The effect was as immediate as it was enormous. A second after I had let out the fireball, it ignited the methane. To say there was an explosion… would be a monumental understatement! Yes there was fire and lots of it like in an explosion, but the sheer force that was present… was a different matter entirely! I saw the ignition of the methane vapors, but that was it; between the blast and flames that came from them, the flash from igniting temporarily blinded me. I felt my paw leave the ground along with the rest of me as what felt like the force of a speeding bullet train hit me. I flew back, crashed through a lot of trees as I went; yet they did little to slow me down with the force that had launched me.

I kept going on the destruction path, obliterating trees that were in the way that I sailed. This being what I call a sailing plow as it clears whatever is in the way of the direction you're going. After about a minute of making a new forest path by means of me doing a sailing plow, I finally came to a stop when I made contact with a large boulder. I don't think there really is a place on my body that isn't in pain from that idea I had just done, but on the bright side I'm still alive and not near that punk who has it out to kill me! I was gasping, trying to get breath back in me as I had all of the air knocked out of me by the explosion. I felt myself falling forward off the boulder that had stopped me and I crashed to the ground. I wheezed.

"Note… to self *wheeze* passing gas *wheeze* then basically *wheeze* lighting a match *wheeze* is a really dumb idea."

I felt my body shutting down from the beat down I had just put it through. I only hope someone finds me before Darkhar does! I blacked out before I even hit the ground.

-Scene change-

The first of my five senses to start to function again was my hearing. I felt pain… oh did I ever feel pain from all corners of my body, of varying degrees of the said pain. I couldn't move much at all and yet even the parts of my body that could work which were involuntary functions, hurt as they did what they do. The sounds that my ears were picking up were muddle, like as if I had water in my ears. I couldn't get a clear or really an accurate translation of what I was hearing. My brain was running at less than half of full capacity… more like a fourth really.

It was after a few minutes… or hours… I can't really tell at the moment; then memories of the events of last night came back to the forefront of my mind. Coming to the lunar village, the stuff with Nergal and finally, meeting Darkhar and the fight for my life against him that followed. Honestly right now, I should be grateful to be alive! Yet, this still left a rather important fact I couldn't deny; the fight may be over, but the attempt on my life is still on. If I take stock of how things stand; I'm running out of times I can get through by the skin of my teeth! This was the third attempt the ancient enemy had tried to kill me. That was two more than almost all white dragons and dragonesses survived and for those who did make it out of the first try on their lives, rarely make it passed the second!

If I want to live to see old age, then I need to come up with a plan and fast! I mean Darkhar made Adolf Hitler look like a joke in how he went about with extermination! This is serious business!

I was, after however long, able to manage to open my eyes. My vision wasn't clear and so the world was an unfocused swirl of colors and blobs. It didn't help that it was still dark meaning it was still nighttime. I groaned from the surge of pain that came when I opened my eyes. I wish whoever is having a jolly good time shoving sharp blades into my eye sockets would STOP doing that!

My hearing had begun to clear up the jumble that it was receiving so some sounds were becoming more recognizable. I felt warmth being pressed into me and as it was the pain I was immersed in began to dull slowly. I tried to breathe in deeper breaths to help get oxygen to my brain and muscles; but the first deep… well gasp, burned like my lungs were being roasted over an open fire. By now sounds that I was hearing had turned into voices.

"If he is not injured badly, then why is he gasping like that Spectra?!"

I tried again to get a large gulp of air and still felt the blistering burning sensation. It was obvious that Darkhar had taken more out of me than I had realized. Granted physically I may not be a bloody mess, but that is the outside. My insides had been buffeted around and felt like they had been put into a mixer and then nearly got set to puree, before being poured back into me! I found myself slipping back into blackness and though I fought to keep awake; I lost and fell back into the embrace of nothingness.

When next I was able to have coherent thought; the pain I was in had lessened considerably. I still hurt, but I could ignore it far easier than before. All five of my senses were now back to functionality again; not in tip top shape, but they were working again and that is progress to me. I opened my eyes and saw that my vision was still blurry, just not as much as the last time I had seen the world. It was brighter now, likely because it was day… early morning were I to figure correctly by quality of light and temperature.

I wasn't able to contain the groan of pain as I got myself to a sitting position. My vision went white and had spots randomly throughout; a sign that my equilibrium hasn't been fully restored yet. As my sight cleared to an extent, I could see something purple getting bigger; but it still looked like a wavy blob to me.

"Saber?"

… Okay, the blob can talk then, that's neat. It was a few seconds later that my brain kicked into high gear and I began to receive full input from my senses. Now that's not bad as that's what is supposed to happen, but… let's just say that most intelligent living beings develop filters for a reason! I was to learn once again the reason the hard way. So let me start from the top and work my way down.

First up would be my ears. I was suddenly bombarded with sound and most of it; I swear was far louder than it should be! What was presumably birds chirping and whistling; it sounded more like air horns next to my ears or sirens blaring. If that wasn't enough, then there came an ear splitting boom of I don't know what and it drowned out most other sounds for a couple of seconds. That boom resounded around every six or seven seconds. I wanted to cover my ears, yet I was having difficulty standing with all four of my paws planted firmly on the ground! So nothing available to cover my ears!

Next my eyes; I have experienced having the world spin or at least the feeling of it from seeing the idea when your sight goes bad. However, this is one of the worst if not the worst and most violent spin cycle I have ever seen in my life. I held the urge to puke; still it took a lot of effort not to hurl! The vertigo sucked, and made balancing an active battle for me! The said battle, I quickly lost and I fell forward. I didn't hit the ground as the 'purple blob' seemed to catch me.

Moving on; the next in line is my nose. I was smelling so many different scents that I didn't know what most of them were! Some were nice, others were fine and not very notable; and then there were the smells that… I would rather not be registering right now… yes I'll leave it at that. Nonetheless, there was one scent I was able to identify even in the haze I found myself in; and that was Lara's. Her smell was coming from in front of me… so maybe she is the purple blob; the blob's color does match Lara's scales now that I think about it.

Everything below my neck was shaky and was having problems keeping me upright. All in all I was in not so great shape currently. Although it is fairly understandable, seeing as I was beaten rather heavily by Darkhar however long ago that was. And that punk has really mean punches and any other kind of blow or hit you care to say.

"HEY BRO, YOU DOING OKAY DUDE?!"

I flinched in pain. Did Sen have to bellow that question at me?! That hurt to hear!

"Why do you see the need to yell Sen?"

My sight was beginning to sharpen finally; the shapes and blobs were becoming somewhat easier to recognize.

"Saber, Sen did not yell at you."

I brought my head slowly to where the source of the voice had come from to see that the purple blob from before was indeed Lara. Yet what she had just said didn't make sense! Sen had bellowed at me!

"Do not take what he may say the wrong way Lara. He has been through quite an ordeal, if the changes in the forest are anything to go by. Saber may not be fully recovered yet, actually I very much doubt he is."

I looked over to the older female voice and saw black, but it wasn't recognizable yet. It was at that point that it felt like I hit a steel wall. My brain gave the command to shut down and I couldn't do anything about it.

The next time I woke up was far better than the last two times! I still wasn't at a hundred percent, but I was a lot closer than I was previously. I looked around so that I could take in my surroundings. To my surprise I found that I was back in the lunar village, which wasn't that shocking to me. It meant that someone had found me before Darkhar had time to locate me and finish the job of killing me. No, what surprised me was seeing all of my friends here… and when I say all; I mean all eight of those I can call friend or something more. Then there was also Spectra; why she was here I couldn't even begin to guess. It was Spyro that first noticed that I was up.

"Saber, how do you feel?"

I stared at Spyro for about ten seconds, mostly while my vision focused and sharpened.

"I have had much better days."

At the sound of my voice, the rest of my friends and Spectra looked to see me awake. Lara was the first to reach me; thankfully she didn't crash into me, but she did cuddle and glue herself to me. She had a worried look on her face, which I would expect from her by now.

"So… what are all of you doing here?"

The general response from my friends was that they were worried about me. I suppose I should have at least said 'goodbye' or 'see you later', something that would say I was going to be fine. But of course me being myself, I didn't think about that. It was then that Spectra asked the question I had been dreading for quite a time, it just came after the undeniable proof of my suspicions.

"Saber, it is clear you were attacked; who attacked you? Who would have reason to wish you harm?"

… What do I say to answer? What can I say that any of my friends would believe?! Now don't get me wrong, I trust all of my friends; but would they really take me at my word were I to tell them the truth? I mean I was attacked by a creature that history has been lost on… undoubtedly by their work. I… I really don't want any of my friends involved! If they do get involved then they'll be attacked and their lives will be in danger! So what can I say?!

"Um… well… I, never got a good or clear view of… my attacker."

It is normally against my morals and statues to… lie to others, but I was doing so to protect them. That is how I will justify lying to my friends and to my mate; it still hurts to do this to them! I barely managed to keep a straight face on my delivery; still I was trying to get them to drop the subject.

"I see, that is unfortunate."

I still held my breath even with Spectra's acceptance. The older black dragoness may have taken my answer; my friends are likely not going to take my answer. They know that I have keen and amazing skills of observation, and so me not seeing at least something of the one that assaulted me is not like me. Even if I hadn't seen Darkhar in his entirety, I would've doubtlessly seen enough to make an educational guess as to who had tried to kill me.

I felt a gaze on me. I turned my head to see Lara with an expression that plainly said she didn't believe me. I heard bodies moving and to my growing discomfort, I saw all of my friends except Lara going their separate ways probably to explore the lunar village, leaving me and Lara alone. I made the effort to swallow the lump in my throat that had developed, yet the lump was stubborn and remained. I faced Lara a tad nervous; it was very hard to look her in the eyes. I wished to avoid getting Lara involved possibly causing her to get hurt. However, that would require me to blatantly lie to her and that didn't sit well with me in the slightest at all!

"Saber…"

My stare met hers.

"Why did you lie to them?"

Lara's voice and tone left no doubt that she was completely and utterly serious. I had lied and she knew it and now she wanted to know why. I couldn't tell her; not if I wanted to keep her safe from the danger I faced! It hurt to do it, but it was necessary for her safety. I frowned, but stayed silent.

"You would have seen something. Now answer me; why did you lie to them?!"

Lara's voice had increased in volume. I sighed before I spoke.

"I… I cannot think of anything else Lara."

My mate pressed her snout against mine so that I couldn't look away.

"That is an excuse, not an answer! Tell me why?!"

I would on any other subject, be more than happy to tell her what she wants to know! Nevertheless, on this subject… I can't. The more one knows, the more dangerous your life becomes. I won't do that to the dragoness that has been able to accept me, faults and all!

"…Yes Lara, I did see the one who attacked me, yet I cannot tell you. I am sorry Lara, but I just cannot do it! It is fine okay, I am alive and that is what is important. Given a few days, I will be fine and things will go on like nothing happened."

Lara's face screwed up in anger. She then separated from me and stocked off. I sighed at this digression. I haven't heard the end of this argument; no, ifs, ands or buts!

-Lara's pov-

Saber was being so stubborn! He had lied to me, and when I had told him I have believed everything that he had said. I was mad and infuriated at Saber, rare as it is for me to be. It is not wrong for me to be; I was worried about Saber. I mean he was attacked last night and even though he is not physically hurt badly, he could have been! He had not been able to get up when he had been found! And he is treating it like there is nothing to worry about; almost like he had expected it somehow! Saber will not even say what attacked him, and I do not know why?! He will not give a reason. Does he not understand how worried I am for his sake; not to mention the rest of us, his friends?! I was lost in my thoughts as I wondered the lunar village and so I was not really looking at anyone as I walked. So I was surprised when someone said my name.

"Excuse me, but is your name Lara?"

I came to a halt and turned to where the voice had come from to see a black dragoness. Her scales were the same shade of the night sky and royal purple wing membranes and underbelly. But what captivated me were the dragoness's eyes, which were a periwinkle color. I believe I have seen those eyes before, yet I could not place where or when. Yet how does she know my name? I nodded at her to answer her question to me, and then within seconds I found use of my maw again.

"Yes it is. However, how did you know that? And who are you?"

Instead of replying to me, the dragoness came forward and… nuzzled the crest of my head gently and lovingly?! I was about to protest at this action; nicely of course so that I did not hurt this dragoness's feelings. I do not know this dragoness… nonetheless; this feeling of being nuzzled in this particular fashion does feel familiar. The realization hit me hard. I knew who this dragoness was, but I could not believe I was seeing her after all the time that had passed.

"Um… Umbra?!"

I heard Umbra chuckle as she drew back from nuzzling me.

"So you do remember me then Lara. You were still a dragonet the last time I saw you and now look at you; a grown and beautiful dragoness. I do not doubt Tiama would be proud of what you have become."

Tiama, my mom! Could she be here?! I have only seen her once since she left to look for my dad and I was only eight when she left the first time, even if I had started training so I had been busy. Then the one time she came back to Carona, she had not stayed long… and she had seemed… occupied with other things at that time. I would like to see her again… I have missed mom a lot.

"Umbra… is… is my mom here in the village?"

Umbra was quiet for a minute, before she answered me.

"Yes she is Lara… but... well, she is different than she was the last time you saw her."

What does Umbra mean? …Well, I guess I will find out later. Wait! I have not told Umbra about Saber! She would want to know and she deserves to know as she raised him. I remember how Umbra had been heart broken when the elders said that Saber and Koren were gone… I need to tell her!

-Saber's pov-

I think Lara may have taken my explanation of last night's event or lack thereof… kind of badly. No, she had been fairly mad at me for not saying anything about the ancient enemy that was obvious! I guess as I didn't really get into detail of my attacker… or really talk about him at all. With her trying to get me to tell her about that subject specifically; that could have gotten her mad. I mean, I think she is worried enough about me alone; without me adding to her pile of worry by telling her that there are ancient beings out to kill me. … No, I don't think that would go over well when I do tell Lara about that detail. I'm not looking forward to the time I do!

Well, I suppose I should go and find her and apologize to her about my lack of explanation. I looked around the end of the village I was at and found no trace of Lara. Okay… so, I get to spend the time hunting Lara down. There are times like this one that this dragoness drives me close to my limits of tolerance! She makes situations so much more complicated and work, than they need to be. Yet… I find myself doing things like this without being able to find a viable excuse to get out of it like I used to. … Oh the methods that I once used that Lara has changed in me… never thought a girl would have such an effect on me.

Anyway, I began searching the lunar village for signs of Lara either being there or having passed through. I hadn't been searching all that long… probably ten minutes or so when I bumped into another dragon. I took some steps back before I apologized to the dragon of course as good manners are always important.

"I am sorry for bumping into you, I was looking for someone and did not keep track of where I was going."

I gazed up at the dragon and was taken aback slightly. This dragon was different… and when I say different I mean unlike any I have seen yet and I have seen some unusual dragons! His body had more a serpentine form to it rather than the normal draconic figure I have become accustom to seeing. The height he had came mostly from his neck… I think, holding his head up where it was; that was around fourteen feet three inches. The dragon's length was… I think around seventeen feet! His main scale color was rich brown while the under section was green. He did have wings coming out of his back… just don't know if that's where his shoulders are or not; with the serpentine body, it is confusing. The dragon still had arms and legs, not saying he was a snake or anything. His horns came out behind and above his eyes at a thirty five degree angle the curved to end out straight at the ends. I couldn't see his tail blade at the moment.

"It is quite alright young… dragon."

Was that a pause I heard? The brown dragon was staring at me like… oh no… not again! The stare was like the ones I have gotten from those who see me as… odd and different. Pretty much as the one and only white dragon that I know of and seemingly that everyone else knows of too; I get stares of surprise, incredulity and disbelief. And let me tell you, it has been getting tiring and irritating to say the least! I couldn't help the sigh that escaped me.

"Yes, my scales are really, truly white. I know it is different, but I cannot help how I hatched, thank you. So could you please… stop staring! It is getting uncomfortable for me."

The brown dragon shook his head.

"I am sorry, it is just I have not…"

I cut in as I really didn't want to get into a discussion about how I'm the only dragon to have white scales or anything further than that. I know it is rude to do this, but I wasn't in the mood. Not after what I had to deal with last night and this morning.

"Seen a dragon with white scales; yes I know. It is the joy of being the only one… yea, go me. Sorry to cut this short, but I am looking for someone and I would like to do so as soon as possible; so nice talking to you."

I turned and continued my search for Lara. I wasn't trying to be mean or anything; it's that I have had my fill of being gawked at and others asking about how I can exist as I do. It gets old REALLY fast! Plus I haven't the faintest clue how to answer how I could be a white dragon! I don't want to get into thinking about what Bahamut said!

It took me around half an hour to find Lara and when I did I noticed she was talking to a black dragoness. Well it appears she has made a friend, how nice for her; kind of wish it were that easy for me to do sometimes, but such is apparently my lot in life, so meh. The dragoness had scales that were the same shade of the night sky and royal purple wing membranes and underbelly. The dragoness stood at thirteen feet seven inches or so and had an approximate length of fifteen feet. She had horns that were short and started behind her ears like most dragons do. Her tail had fan like fins on either side of the end where the tail blade tends to be… I guess those fins could be her tail blade… in a way. Who knows how that works? The dragoness's eyes were a periwinkle color I noticed as I caught a glimpse of them. I observed that the dragoness and Lara were talking to one another and so I listened in to see when would be a good time to make my presence known.

"Yes she is Lara… but… well, she is different than she was the last time you saw her."

… Hmm… I'm kind of curious what they're talking about; but that's my fault for listening on a conversation from the middle, little understanding of the subject matter. Lara seemed troubled about the answer the dragoness had given her… actually Lara was rather distressed about whatever they were talking about. Well I feel kind of awkward coming in right now, yet with this silence that's settling… I can't do much else. I cleared my throat to get their attention before I spoke.

"I hope I am not…uh… interrupting anything important."

Lara turned around to face me and her eyes went wide. … Why is she looking at me like I'm somewhere I shouldn't be? Should I have kept my peace and stayed silent?

"S-Saber, how long have you been there?!"

… I feel like an adult catching a child doing something they know they shouldn't be doing… and red-handed at that!

"Um… I came in on 'Yes she is Lara… but… well, she is different than she was the last time you saw her' part. Is this something that I should not hear? Because if it is, I can come back later; it is not a big deal. I am a guy that can tell when they are out of place and are not exactly wanted where they are."

It was clear this conversation didn't involve me, so best I make myself scarce for the time being. I would like to avoid attempting to understand 'Girl talk'. The last time I tried to do so… I would rather not recall as it ended out with me running away from a mob of extremely pissed off girls. Although I kind of remember them as tall figures wearing black cloaks and swinging scythes… but I could be recalling incorrectly. I was scared of those girls as I thought they were going to kill me back then! So yeah… I don't have any interest in understanding 'girl talk'!

"Saber wait!"

I waved a paw at Lara in a signal that it was fine.

"Do not worry about it. Finish the chat with your friend and we can catch up later."

I walked off before she could say anything else. I really had no destination in mind, so I just walked around thinking to myself. I did this for a while, I can't say for exactly how long for I don't know; when my attention was caught by movement. I had walked into a quieter part of the village, but what had stopped me was someone moving to stare at… well me. I turned to my left to see who it was that was staring at me.

I found myself looking at a blue dragoness; her scales were a lapis shade of blue. Her underbelly and wing membranes were sky blue. She stood at thirteen foot four with her length being about fourteen feet ten inches. The dragoness's horns were I would guess two and a half feet long and curved upward to a degree. Her tail, which was currently in view as she had curled it around to be in front of her, had a tail blade that… kind of reminded me of Lara's tail blade to a fair extent; it was just not the same color as Lara's. Yet what held me spell bound and unable to look away from this dragoness were her eyes. As I stared at her eyes, which were azure blue; I realized I had seen that azure shade of blue… every morning for weeks now! The dragoness's eyes were the same azure blue as Lara's eyes were and Lara was the only other I have seen with that eye color. I also began to see a few other similarities between this dragoness and Lara as I continued to look at her.

I swallowed hard at the understanding that was coming to me. … I believe… I have… just met my… "Mother-in-law"! If one goes by genetic inheritance and I have seen that is still plays a part in the dragon race then there is little doubt that this blue dragoness would be Lara's mother! I was finishing my observations when the dragoness slowly walked up to me and used her right forepaw and touched my neck. I tensed up for a moment, but she only seemed to be feeling my scales; why I can't begin to guess!

"Your scales… are really white… it has been a long time… since I have seen white scales."

Her voice came out barely above a whisper and her voice sounded… somewhat broken and distant in a fashion. I glanced back to her face as she looked at me. That expression… I have seen it before, but it has been quite some time since I have. It was the expression I would see on kids that got lost at the festivals back on earth. The blue dragoness's face said she had lost… something or someone… I don't know which, but her face looked hollow with a tint of fear and filled with sorrow. Her eyes were… empty, the light that showed life was still there, yet it was rather dim. This dragoness was more going through the motions of living than actually living life. … Oh boy, this is going to be… I don't know how this will go honestly.

"Um… my name is Saber. What is yours?"

The dragoness looked at me, but I was sure she was staring at whatever was behind me.

"Name? … I… my… my name is… Tiama."

… What do I say now?! I'm no psychiatrist! I'm more fit to be a patient than a doctor!

-Lara's pov-

"Do not worry about it. Finish the chat with your friend and we can catch up later."

I watched as Saber quickly walked off. I wished he had stayed! I mean, I am talking to Umbra; his mother, the dragoness that raised him in his early years! What do I do now?! Umbra walked up to be beside me and watched Saber walk away.

"I assume you know that dragon Lara? He had a unique color to his scales. I assume he has them changed to that color somehow. An interesting choice in color though."

I turned to Umbra. I guess, now that I think about it; there have been dragons and dragonesses that have thought Saber gets the color of his scales changed. Some do; I cannot understand why though. What do I tell Umbra?! Should I just say that he is Asreyel even though he goes by the name of Saber now and dislikes the name Asreyel now? I do not see the difference, but Saber has been insistent.

"Um… yes I know him. His name is Saber and his scales are actually completely a natural white in color."

Umbra stared at me in shock.

"His scales are white? But how can that be?"

I sighed before I answered her.

"Because… even though his name is Saber now, that was Asreyel."

There was silence between us as Umbra took in what I had said. Then she started to whisper.

"Asreyel? My dragonet… that was my dragonet?"

Umbra looked to me, her face beginning to show hope. I nodded to her in answer. Tears of happiness began to flow from Umbra's eyes.

"He is alive, my dragonet is still alive. My little Asreyel lives!"

Umbra charged off in the direction that Saber had gone. I am happy that Umbra is happy, but I cannot say how Saber will react when Umbra gets to him. She will no doubt snuggle him like she always did. I do not think he will take that well. It took a while for me to get him to accept my hugging him without flinching or stiffening. And at first he flailed around and struggled to get out of my embrace. Saber isn't the Asreyel we once knew; I think he has improved a large degree. However, there is a lot he does not remember and Umbra may have a little harder time adjusting to the changes he has gone through to become the dragon he is now. … I think I should go and be there should things go badly! I ran after Umbra so that I could be there when Umbra reaches Saber.

-Saber's pov-

I feel awkward with this dragoness that is very likely my mother-in-law. Other than saying I had white scales and telling me her name; she had said nothing else and simply stared at me. And I would bet she hasn't the faintest idea that her daughter Lara is my mate, if she knows that Lara still exists at all that is. With what Lara has told me of her mother, she disappeared when she was still a dragonet around the age of seven or eight. Arkanis had taken care of Lara from that point on until she was looking after herself. Then Lara has only seen her once after that when she was thirteen and shortly vanished after she had appeared that time. Lara's mother had been looking for Lara's father, and tried to help… my 'parents' look for me and Koren as well.

As I kept looking at the blue dragoness, it was like she was trying to remember something and I was kind of reminding her of whatever she was trying to recall. Hell it could possibly be myself she is trying to remember, as she would have likely known me when I was a great deal younger. Her expression was painful to see. She looked so lost, mostly in the sense of the mental and emotional aspects. She appeared so sad and unaware of the world around her that she wasn't looking at me but through me. I have never had to deal with an adult like this! Yes, I have helped a child that has been in this position, but not adults.

I was trying to think of something to do to help this dragoness… maybe get some brownie points with the mother-in-law. That would be a helpful thing for me to do for the future. It was then I began to hear fast approaching paw falls coming from the direction I had come earlier. I turned to look at whom or what was coming this way to see the black dragoness that Lara had been chatting with before. Okay why would she be coming this way? Does this mean she and Lara are done talking then? Wait… is she coming at me?! OH NO! I had little time to think more as the next thing I know; the black dragoness crashed into me. Now I found myself in the… embrace I think it was of the said black dragoness! When I say embrace, I mean she had all of her legs wrapped around me in less than two seconds; some might say to surround me, I would say to imprison me! Her tail had encircled my central underbelly and her wings had covered much of my upper body. This dragoness was now using her tongue to lick my head over and over. WHAT THE HELL?!

This position feels wrong! I was being restrained against my will! I am being confined by this adult dragoness that I don't know! Lara is the only one I allow to touch me in such an intimate way; this goes far beyond intimate touching! I need to get her off pronto! I struggled against this dragoness, but her hold was stronger than I expected. I twisted my neck around trying hard to get free of this crazy dragoness that was doing who knows what to me! I take back her hold being stronger than I expected; it was getting stronger the more I struggled!

"Saber!"

I heard Lara's voice and while I struggled; I managed to turn in the direction that the dragoness had come from to see Lara. I can't think of a time I was more grateful to see the dragoness that's my mate! OH COME TO ME SALVATION!

"LARA HELP ME! THIS DRAGONESS IS HOLDING ME DOWN! GET HER OFF OF ME!"

I screamed this at the top of my lungs! My brain was gone to 'panic mode' and was on something like autopilot in a way, but for escape. I am not fond of physical contact by others normally; of course there are exceptions like my friends, but little else. Adults specifically I have reservations and problems with due to the things my uncle has done to me! I continued to struggle against the dragoness's hold on me. That's when I started to hear the voice of the dragoness that was denying me valued freedom!

"My darling little Asreyel, I was beginning to think I would not see you again! And now you have returned to me my little dragonet!"

It would seem I was right before; this dragoness is crazy! … Hold it, did she just say Asreyel?! … Why… why does that arrogant snob keep haunting me?! Why won't he leave me alone?! To hell that he and I were once one being; we aren't any longer and good riddance I say to that guy! I struggled harder against the black dragoness.

"Umbra… please let him go! I can explain, but you need to let him go!"

That was Lara and amazingly this black dragoness let me go. I am grateful for the mate I don't deserve! I collapsed to the ground with my body convulsing from the extreme contact. The last time I had an adult in such close and intimate contact had been hell unlike any other; and so my reaction, unfortunately was due to an ingrained response I had. I had developed said response after the worst beating from my uncle I had ever received. I had barely been able to drag myself to my room and then it had taken more than a week for me to get moving properly again! And that was after going to a medical clinic myself… that was horrible! So my shaking was justified in my view! I needed space between me and others; it was ingrained in me so deep, it had taken months literally for Lara to get to the hugging me without me doing a lot to get her off me and that was before our relationship. The first real hug I had gotten that I hadn't flinched or felt the urge and need to escape that I can remember, was during the second mating session between Lara and me. It is sad I know but it is the truth.

Lara came over to where I had collapsed. I was still shaking somewhat, yet as Lara's head touched mine, something completely incredible happened! My body relaxed and I stopped shaking from just her touch! I couldn't explain this happenstance with any logic or any other rhyme or reason I could come up with. My body's reflexes that had been developed over the years… were calmed and disarmed by a simple touch of a female?! I have never thought that would be possible, but then again Lara is far from ordinary to me, so maybe that has something to do with it.

"Feeling a little better now?"

I stared into Lara's eyes as she was now above me looking down.

"Somehow yes, I… feel calmer. I do not know how you were able to do that, still I will not complain really."

Lara just smiled a little wider and my heart skipped a beat… I swear this dragoness… oh well moving on. I got myself to a sitting position and once more faced the black dragoness. I have my reservation about this; I mean she had just attempted for whatever reason to take my person freedom of having space! That's something I have learned to guard and hold dear! And I still don't know who she is! That just makes this worse! I however, remained calm.

"So Lara, who is this dragoness? I assume that since you were talking to her that you are friends or at the very least know her name."

Lara nodded slowly.

"Yes… she is… her name is Umbra… and she is… your mom."

I sat on my haunches looking at Lara like a dumb dull witted idiot for a full minute as my mind kept going over what Lara had just said. As it clicked my eyes widened.

"… SHE'S MY WHAAAAT?!"

Chapter end

A/n

AND A VILLAIN APPEARS AND GETS CLOSE TO DOING IN OUR PROTAGINIST! I will leave the story off here for the moment. I hope you have enjoyed these last two chapters. Now before anyone asks me; I don't know when I will get the next chapter done! I start school again soon and that complicates things and cuts down on writing time. I will do my best. My goal is to have it done before then end of the year along with the revision I am working on and mentioned in the previous chapter. I know that I leave this at a bit… okay a cliffhanger; but that's the best place to leave off in my view. Saber has finally met his 'mom' once more and others from his past that he doesn't remember. Anyways, take the time to review and tell me what you liked or disliked; any question you have… you get the idea. I look forward to the next time I can entertain you readers!

sandshrew master

First, I would say maybe it would be good to think about signing up and making an account with fanfiction. I can reply faster and better if you had an account. You have good ideas, it's just would be better if you could give me them outside of reviews as well as easier.

KeyBlader Zen

I'm hoping I have explained Neval's… problem/dilemma. It was how it was explained to me by his creator Vulpimaru.

HolyCross9

As you can see, it isn't Neval, but Nergal that has a problem and it isn't Saber but other dragons and dragonesses. Nergal just uses Saber as an outlet for his hatred.

Megblaster

As in this chapter we finally meet one of the ancient enemy, we can see there are different than Neval/Nergal. Nergal is as I stated a couple of times, a douche. Darkhar is really out to kill Saber along with the rest of the ancient enemy.