SIX DAYS LATER:

The waters of the river flowed past with hardly a ripple, the surface almost as smooth and flat as glass, broken only by the formation of the riverbed below. Fish of many sizes and shapes swam calmly against the current, their streamlined bodies effortlessly piercing through the waters, their underwater world peaceful and undisturbed.

Up until the second the water above was broken by a powerful force, and one of the large trout was seized by a pair of toothy jaws.

Spyro pulled his head back out of the water, his catch of the day thrashing desperately in his jaws. A quick biting down saw an end to that, his dagger-like teeth piercing deep, ending the fish's life in an instant. Satisfied, he turned around and began trudging his way through the river, which was currently deep enough to be submerged up to his chest, making his way back to shore. He dragged himself out of the water, shaking his body in the same manner a dog would, shaking off all the excess water from his person; he then hopped up onto the ledge overlooking the farmland and laid down with a heavy thump, before helping himself to his latest catch.

It was favorite spot to eat; where he could watch the Brisby family go about their day as he enjoyed his meals.

A full week. That how long it had been since the day he saved Elizabeth from the weasels (and by extension, Timothy from his pneumonia). Since the day the little mousey family found themselves welcoming a dragon and his fairy into their home. And since that day, things had certainly seen a big change for everyone involved.

After several days of tilling the soil, the farmland was now primed and ready to start planting seeds; a task that would've normally taken them just shy of summer to complete had been finished in but a few days, thanks to Spyro's helping claw. In fact, that's what they were doing now; he laid there, snacking on his fish, as he watched Elizabeth and her children (minus Timothy), along with the help of Auntie Shrew and Zoe, performing the very simple task of planting the coconut-sized corn seeds into the dirt. It wouldn't be long before the earth was warmed enough by the spring sun for them to start growing, and with it their means of food and sellable goods would be produced.

Timothy was also coming along very well; thanks to Mr. Ages medicine, the young boy was healthy enough to move about the house without issue, though he was still confined to it. Elizabeth was insistent on following Mr. Age's warnings that Timmy stay inside the house for at least three weeks, much to Timmy's disapproval. He was ready to get out of bed and venture into the new life that had been brought to them, but his mother's word was final: it would be another two weeks before he would be able to meet Spyro face-to-face.

The tell-tale sound of fluttering wings prompted him to look up from his fish, just in time to see Zoe approaching him while dusting her hands off from the dirt she had gotten on them. He snapped up the last bit of meat hanging from his mouth and swallowed it just as she reached him.

"We're almost done with the field." She told him. "Just a few more rows and we'll be ready for harvest."

Spyro grunted with approval, reaching down for another bite of fish.

As he ripped the next helping free, he looked over to see Mrs. Brisby making her way to the front of her house, discussing something with Auntie Shrew. The mouse looked strangely fretful, moreso than usual, alternating between glancing at her house and talking to the shrew in a worried tone. The dragon cocked his head in confusion.

"What's that all about?" He asked as he swallowed his mouthful.

Zoe followed his line of sight to see the two rodentkin in discussion.

"I'm not sure." She admitted. "She's been acting strangely all day, ever since breakfast."

That long? Well, that was concerning.

Spyro got up, shifting his weight onto all fours; using a fore-paw, he proceeded to swat the corpse of the fish away, sending it soaring through the air and back into the water with a splash. All that remained was a small patch of blood-soaked grass and a few broken scales. That way, it wouldn't be left to rot in the Brisby's farm, where it could make them sick.

They had enough of that as it was.

"I can't just leave you all behind! What if Timmy needs me?"

"Brisby, I've spent my entire life looking after furlings in need. We can stand for you to be away for a little while."

"A week or two isn't a little while!" Mrs. Brisby objected, fretfully wringing her paws together. "And I've never made the journey without Johnathan before. I don't think I can do this."

"Well, dear, Johnathan isn't here anymore." Auntie Shrew said sympathetically yet firmly. "And you're going to have to take his responsibilities if your family is going to survive."

"So, what's this all about, then?" Zoe asked cheekily as she and Spyro approached the two rodentkin. Both looked up to see them approaching, with Zoe fluttering next to the Spyro's head; the dragon's footfalls were almost supernaturally quiet for a creature of his size as he slinked forward with all the grace and light-footedness of a giant cat.

Mrs. Brisby gave Spyro a welcoming smile, but it didn't last long as she lowered her gaze in troubled thoughts.

"Today's the day Johnathan and I would travel to Dapplewood." She explained to the two. "To buy our food, supplies, and other necessities for the year, as well as partake in Moving Day's tasks."

"Dapplewood?" Spyro asked, glancing at Zoe.

"It's a Rodentkin colony founded right on the edge of Feywild." Zoe explained to her dragon. "Perhaps the only place in all of Nimh where Fairies and Rodentkin can interact on peaceful terms." She then turned to Mrs. Brisby. "And the only place you can get tools and supplies that would otherwise be out of reach for a wildlands mouse, correct?"

Mrs. Brisby nodded. "Yes. But the journey to it is three days on foot from here, and three days back." She told them, once again looking worried. "Depending on how long I stay during Moving Day, it could be anywhere between six to ten days away from home…and with Johnathan gone and Timmy sick, I'm just…" She sighed. "I'm not sure if I can do it."

Spyro cocked his head in questioning. "But you need to, don't you?" The silence he got in response was all the answer he needed. "Then we will help you."

Zoe nodded, swooping down from above and landing next to Auntie Shrew with a dramatic flair of her wings. "If it's the kids you're worried about, then I've got that covered easily." She said with pride. "I'll make sure the little furballs don't overwhelm Ms. Windbag over here."

Auntie Shrew gawked in offense. "Ugh! Well, I never!" She exclaimed, poking at Zoe with her walking stick. "I'll have you know that I am an experienced furling caretaker!"

"Experienced is a kind way of putting it." Zoe stated simply, crossing her arms. "My point still stands: I can help the shrew watch over the kids while you're away."

That was a little reassuring, but there was still another issue to deal with: the journey itself.

"But how will I even get to Dapplewood?" She then asked. "I can't possibly make it all by myself."

To that, however, the fairy merely grinned, showing off a mouthful of sharp teeth.

"Who said anything about going by yourself? Or on foot, for that matter?" She asked as she motioned behind Mrs. Brisby.

To Spyro.

It took a moment for the confused mouse to put two and two together, but when she did her eyes widened comically.

"Wait…y-you mean ride him?!" She squeaked, alarmed by the very idea. "L-Like a rabbit?!"

"We Fae ride Corgis, but yeah." Zoe confirmed, causally picking her nails. "What, never ridden on a mount before?"

"O-Only as a passenger!" Mrs. Brisby exclaimed, frantically waving her hands in objection. "A-And that was only a guinea pig! B-But to ride a Dragon?!" She clenched her hands against her chest, vehemently shaking her head no. "I wouldn't last a second in the air!"

"Oh, you won't be flying." Zoe continued to explain. "But even on foot, Spyro's much faster and more enduring than any mount known to Fae or Rodentkin. On his back, the trip to Dapplewood would only take a fraction of the time it would take if you made the journey by yourself."

"That would certainly be beneficial." Auntie Shrew muttered aloud, rubbing her chin in thought. "But is it safe for a mouse to ride a dragon, though?"

"It'll be a bit of a bumpy ride, for sure." Zoe admitted. "But I think we can whip together a suitable saddle to make it doable, even for an inexperienced rider."

The task of 'whipping together' a suitable saddle was simple enough; Johnathan old rabbit saddle was a perfect fit for Mrs. Brisby, though it took a bit of work to get it to fit on Spyro. Using some ropes, they positioned the saddle between Spyro's shoulders, just in front of his wings at the base of one of his dorsal spines, looping the ropes around his chest and torso in a style similar to someone wearing a backpack. The dragon laid motionless next to the house, watching patiently as both Zoe and Auntie Shrew worked around him, securing the saddle in place.

"There we go! That ought 'a do it!" Zoe exclaimed as she made the last adjustments to the ropes. She flew up to Spyro's head level, placing her hands on his snout to get his attention. "Okay, listen. You won't be able to just take off and do whatever this time around: you got to keep yourself at least somewhat level so Mrs. Brisby can hang on without getting killed. Capeesh?"

"What's a capeesh?" Spyro asked, tilting his head slightly in questioning.

"Focus." Zoe snapped, tapping his nose with her wand. "Remember: go steady and even. Keep your back level at all times and no fancy movements. Got it?"

"Yes."

The fairy nodded with approval, petting his nose.

As that exchange was taking place, Mrs. Brisby was busy getting everything ready for her trip, as well as saying her goodbyes to her children. She was currently in their bedroom, giving Timothy his daily dose of Mr. Age's medicine before her departure, the rest of the furlings gathered around her.

"Are you sure we can't come, mother?" Teresa asked, disappointment heavy in her voice. "I mean, Spyro's big enough to carry all of us."

Mrs. Brisby shook her head no. "He is, but that doesn't mean it will be a safe trip." She told them. "Besides, we only have one saddle, and even that might not work as we hope. We'll have to be careful until we can come up with something sturdier for all of us."

She understood her daughter's desire to go. All of them had their reasons to visit Dapplewood, and of course were saddened that they couldn't come this time. The trip to Dapplewood was one of the only times of the year they had any contact with fellow rodentkin that weren't Auntie Shrew or Mr. Ages; Teresa, in particular, had been eager to see her friend Abigail after all this time, and the boys their own friends in Dapplewood.

But sadly, it just was not to be this year.

The front door opened, and Auntie shrew stuck her head through it. "Alright, Brisby. We've got everything ready and waiting for you." She called in.

"Coming!" Mrs. Brisby called back. She then turned to her children, giving each of them a hug and a kiss on the forehead. "Promise me you'll behave yourselves for Auntie Shrew and Miss Zoe while I'm gone."

"Yes, mama." Timothy murmured weakly.

"Will you be okay?" Teresa asked, the thought of potentially losing another parent weighing heavily on her mind.

"Of course she's gonna be okay; she's got Spyro with her!" Martin said, his voice full of confidence in the dragon.

Mrs. Brisby giggled at that. "Yes, he'll be with me at all times, so I think I'll be safe."

There was no way this was safe.

When Elizabeth saw the tiny saddle tied to the back of the giant dragon, she almost laughed at the absurdity of how it looked…until she remembered that she was the one who was going to be riding in that saddle. She desperately wanted to object, but ultimately found herself unable to resist as she was pulled along towards Spyro by her aunt and fairy friend. They pulled her along until they were at his arm, which was folded against his side as he laid patiently waiting for her to mount him.

"Are you sure this is safe?" She squeaked, looking up at the wall of purple scales before her.

"Perfectly so!" Zoe exclaimed in a chipper manner. "Now let's get you up there."

Brisby ultimately gave in, nodding in agreement as she began climbing up the side of Spyro's arm.

That in itself was a sensation unlike anything she had experienced before: the dragon's scales were rugged around the edges, but smooth across the top, feeling like she was climbing up a wall of smoothed river-stones. She could also feel him breathing and his heart breathing; could actually feel the air being pulled down into his lungs beneath her paws, and feel the steady beating of his mighty heart flow up her feet and vibrate through her body. For a brief moment, it felt as if her heart and his were beating in perfect unison.

That would be a sensation she would not forget in a long time.

Eventually, she scaled the face of scales and spikes until she reached the saddle; taking a steady breath, she pulled herself up and gingerly sat down on it, folded her legs to the right in a side-saddle position. She could still feel the soft beating of his mighty heart through the saddle, and she-

"Woah, woah, woah, wait a minute." Zoe interrupted as she fluttered up to their level, eyeing the way Brisby was seated. "Side-saddle? Nonono, you're not gonna wanna ride side-saddle for this."

Elizabeth blinked. "But I've always ridden side-saddle." She objected. "That's how does are supposed to ride."

"Maybe when you're on a guinea pig or even a hutch-rabbit, sure, but this is a dragon we're talking about here." The fairy stated, folding her arms across her chest. "You're gonna need both legs, one on each side, to keep a good enough leg-grip to hold yourself in place, otherwise you'll slide off the moment he starts moving."

Mrs. Brisby frowned. Didn't sound very lady-like to ride like a buck. Surely it couldn't be that bad-

"Spyro." As all Zoe needed to say.

And all Spyro had to do was to shift his weight a bit to the side; Mrs. Brisby gave a squeal of alarm as she was nearly slid out of the saddle, grabbing onto the nearby dorsal spine with all her strength, leaving her clinging to the dragon's hide in a very undignified fashion. She could hear the titters from her aunt and children as they couldn't help but laugh at how silly she looked.

"Like I said." The fairy told her with her own chuckle, flying over to scoop her up in her arms and lift her off the dragon. "Both legs, either side, for good leg grip."

Brisby merely nodded, still a little shocked from the near-slip she took, as she was lifted up over to the saddle and sat down on it; this time she positioned herself as instructed, with a leg on each side and a foot in each stirrup. It was a little embarrassing to be sitting in such a manner, her skirts bunched up around her thighs, but at the same time it felt like a more comfortable fit; her back was certainly more comfortable with it. She took hold of the rope tied over the front of the saddle, which was made for her to hold onto, and was ready to go.

"You ready?" Zoe asked. When the mouse nodded again, she flew back and turned to Spyro. "Alright, get up slowly and steadily."

Spyro did just that, unfolding his front limbs and positioning them under his chest before pushing up with all four legs, slowing rising from the ground in the same manner a cat would get up from laying down, his movement as slow and deliberate as possible. Even then, it was a frightening experience for the height-fearing Mrs. Brisby, feeling herself suddenly rise up from the earth, the world dipping down around her; she squeezed her eyes shut and clamped down onto the saddle with all her strength, what little there was of it.

Eventually though, the movements stopped, and she dared to open her eyes, only to find herself…not as high up as she imagined. Spyro was, after all, only the size of a Nimh fox, which wasn't that much taller than a Nimh rabbit or cat. Still, for someone who got nervous just climbing up a ladder, it was a struggle to stay calm, but it wasn't as bad as she imagined it to be.

Spyro lifted his head up and turned it around a bit, just enough to look at her out of the corner of his eye, checking to see if she was alright. She gave him a soft smile of reassurance, despite her knuckles turning white from how hard she was gripping the rope.

"You doing okay?" Zoe asked as she flew up to her level.

"I-I-I think so." She stammered, loosening her grip just a touch.

"Here's hoping, because you haven't even started moving yet." The fairy said in jest. "But before you go, I've got something to help us keep in touch."

Mrs. Brisby watched as Zoe reached into her skirt pocket and pulled out a large sky-blue crystal that was cut in the shape of a flat hexagonal diamond. She then brought up her wand and tapped the surface of the crystal twice with it; a wavy yellow light enveloped both wand and crystal for a few seconds, pulsing like a heartbeat, until it faded into nothingness.

"This is called a Speaking Crystal. It's a magical trinket we fairies use to communicate with each other over great distances." Zoe explained as she handed said crystal over Mrs. Brisby. "Whenever you get to Dapplewood, or perhaps take a break part of the way, just tap the surface of the gem three times to activate it, and we'll be able to speak to you even from all that distance away. Remember: three times on the surface. Got it?"

"Y-Yes." Mrs. Brisby said as she took the item in her shaky paws, tucking it into the security of her own skirt pocket. She didn't quite understand how such a thing would allow her to talk to someone far away, but she trusted Zoe on it.

Spyro glanced back in confusion and a little concern. "Isn't that the Speaking Crystal you use to speak with King Oberon?"

Auntie Shrew's eyes went wide as dinner-plates. "EXCUSE ME, SPEAK WITH WHO-?!"

"I reprogrammed it to connect to my wand instead." Zoe explained to Spyro (ignoring Auntie Shrew's outburst), pointing to the wand in question. "She won't be calling the King of the Fair Folk by accident anytime soon." She then tucked her wand back into her sleeve, turning to the dragon. "Just follow the trail, Spyro: follow the main path in the trees and it will take you to Dapplewood. You'll pass by the Fitzgibbons Ruins on your way there, so if you don't see them, you're going the wrong way."

Spyro nodded before beginning the journey with a few first steps. His passenger squeaked again as she felt herself lurch forward at building speed, but otherwise stayed strong and in place as the dragon made his way out of the glade and into the forest.

"Goodbye, mommy!" Cynthia called after them. "Goodbye, sad purple monster!"

"Don't you worry! We'll keep everything in ship-shape until your return!" Auntie Shrew assured her.

"I'm taking your bed if you don't make it back!" Zoe finished, earning a whack on the back of the head via Auntie Shrew's walking stick.

To the common passerby, it would seem like a normal day in the forest. The wind was blowing through the leaves, the birds were singing in the trees, critters were scurrying through the undergrowth, and all seemed well. Just your average, beautiful day of early spring.

But then things would change: the birds would suddenly stop singing, and the critters would dunk into their dens, leaving the forest silent of all animal life…until they would hear it, softly in the distance but quickly growing louder: a quick, repetitive thudding, like a giant heart beating as fast as it could. The ground would begin to shake, softly at first but growing with every second, accompanied by the distant yet ever-growing cry of fear.

Then, with a great rush of wind, he came racing through the trees: the mighty Jendovahzoor, or Spyro if you wanted to, bounding through the forest like a cheetah across the savanna, or like a velociraptor through a jungle. His claws tore at the earth as he ran across it, leaving long grooves along with his footprints. His tail lashed in the air behind him, and his wings, even when folded to his sides, shook and fluttered their membrane in the wind. His lungs heaved massive amounts of air, pumping his body with the oxygen needed to race at such speeds, and his eyes blazed with primal excitement as he ran as fast as an El-ahrian. And on his back, clinging to his back for dear life and regretting so many previously-made decisions, was the tiny Mrs. Brisby, screaming long and loud as they sped through the forest.

"How are you faring back there?" Spyro's telepathic voice thrummed in her head, allowing him to speak even when running full throttle.

"I don't know how you talked me into this!" She cried, cloak whipping in the wind behind her.

"If you have the spirit to complain, then you must be faring well!" The dragon laughed as he bounded over a fallen log, soaring through the air before landing on the other side with cat-like agility.

"I'm praying to Frith to see the next sunrise!" Mrs. Brisby exclaimed after they landed from the jump. "Can't you slow down just a little?!"

"We're trying to make it to Dapplewood as soon as possible, aren't we?" Spyro asked as he continued to run at top speeds.

"Yes, but we don't have to make the entire journey in one day!" She told him. "Can't we go at a slower pace, please?!"

Spyro glanced back at the mouse clinging to his back; it had only been about ten minutes since they left, and she was already wanting to slow down? Mortal limitations truly were something else, weren't they? Ultimately, he complied with her request, slowing his sprint down gradually until he was walking at a normal pace; faster than a mouse could walk, certainly, but no longer overwhelmingly so.

Mrs. Brisby slumped in her seat with a heavy sigh of relief, no longer having to hold on for dear life.

"Thank you." She gasped, no longer fighting the urge to faint, or throw up, or perhaps both.

Spyro glanced back at her again, this time with an odd look in his eye. "You know, one would imagine the wife of the Johnathan Brisby would be more adventurous." He stated simply.

Mrs. Brisby, for her part, merely hmphed in response. "Johnathan was always the more adventurous one of us." She admitted, taking the moment to relax. She smiled a little. "He would've loved a chance to ride a dragon like you."

"And I would've been honored to meet him myself." Spyro admitted with a draconian croon, turning his gaze away to observe the scenery of the forest in front of him.

For the next couple of minutes, things were quiet between the two, neither of them having anything to say. Spyro focused on keeping himself level as he made his way through the trees, while Brisby slowly grew more comfortable with her ride, her posture becoming more relaxed as she began to see that there was no danger with it.

Then, rather out of the blue, Spyro asked a question:

"How did you become the wife of Johnathan Brisby in the first place?" He asked, glancing back at her again. "From what I've been told about him, he never seemed like the type to settle down with anyone."

Mrs. Brisby, however, seem unphased by such a blunt question. In fact, she seemed amused by it.

"A lot of Johnathan's friends use to say that all the time when he first brought me back to Rosebush City." She told him, smiling fondly at the memories. "Justin told me that Johnathan was known for being a bit of a play-boy back in his day; always flirting with women but never giving up on his life of the adventure…"

She paused, her smile fading just a touch as she recalled the sadder memories.

"…it happened one day when I was by the river. I was just another wild Feral-Born, scavenging for grass seeds while on the lookout for predators, when I spotted him floating downstream, clinging to a floating stick. He was barely conscious, weighed down in body armor and surrounded in a cloud of his own blood. I didn't know what it was, but something inside me just told me to save him. Just as he was about to slip under, I swam to him and pulled him to shore. I remember the water being icy-cold, and his armor being very heavy, but somehow, we made it. He was covered in wounds, like those caused by claws, as if he had escaped a fight with a cat. I remembered the way he looked at me, half awake and barely aware: the way he smiled before passing out.

The next few weeks we spent together, as he healed from his wounds, and we grew to know each other. He taught me how to speak, how to read a little, and helped me become more than just an animal in the wild." She reached down and picked up the edge of her cloak. "This cloak was his first gift to me, made from the cape of his old armor. It's one of my most treasured possessions."

"I see." Spyro murmured softly, his ears instinctively perking up a little at the word 'treasure'.

Mr. Brisby nodded. "When he was well enough to travel, he took me back to civilization with him; first to Dapplewood, where I met Auntie Shrew, and then to Rosebush City, where I met King Nicodemus, Justin, and Mr. Ages, along with a few other of his friends. We were married soon after, and when we had Teresa and Martin, we moved out to the Lee of the Stone…well, your stone, I suppose, and the rest is history."

"You missed me by one year." Spyro told her as he stepped around the curve of a small stream. "I began my journey to the Dragon Realms just one year before you moved here, if what Teresa said is accurate." He then looked down, giving a small huff of a sigh. "…I wish we hadn't missed each other. Perhaps if we had met back then, we would've known each other longer. Maybe things would be better now if we had been closer then…for both of us."

Mrs. Brisby's own gaze fell in thought. That was something to wonder, wasn't it? What would things have been like had they met that day instead, and if they had known each other for that long? Would things be different than how they currently are? Most likely? But would it be for the worse…or perhaps, for the better. Perhaps, if they had known a mighty dragon that far back, Johnathan wouldn't have had to go on his summons alone and could've come back.

It was a nice thought, but just that. A lot of what-ifs and things that never happens…probably best not to dwell on such thing-

Spyro stopped.

The mouse lurched a little in her seat, a small spell of dizziness taking over her as she recoiled from the sudden halt. She looked to see Spyro staring upwards at something, his eyes widened with a look on uncertainty.

She looked past him to see what was wrong: there, standing over the path that led out of the forest, were two giant trees whose branches formed a great arch over said path. Both trees were truly unique, their trunks forming around two enormous chunks of amber that glowed orange in the dim light, the telltale twinkling of magic surrounding them. It truly looked like the magical gateway to another world…or, in this case, the exit from one. She recognized these trees; she and her family had passed through this very arch to get to the Lee of the Stone when they first moved here.

"What are they?" She asked in wonder.

"Border Trees of Feywild." He said, his voice a touch worried. "They mark the edge of the territory, all around the kingdom…" He stared past them at the path further beyond. "…I've…never set foot beyond this point. Ever."

"Not once?"

"I was never allowed to." He explained, not once taking his eyes off the trees. "They always said it was too dangerous to go into the world of the Rodentkin. That they wouldn't see me as anything other than a monster. And when I was small, I had every reason to accept their wishes…but now that we're actually going to cross it and go into a Rodentkin kingdom…I'm not sure what to think."

She could understand his concerns. Even relate to them. She had the exact same feelings when she had been brought into the world of her kin for the first time, all those years ago. But then, she had Johnathan to hold her hand and guide the way.

Now, it was her turn to be the guide.

"Well, we'll never know unless we take that first brave step." She told him. He perked up at that, glancing back at her, to which she smiled warmly. "It'll be okay. I'll be here."

That seemed to do the trick, and the dragon gave a happy thrum at her words. He then turned back towards the archway, looking up at the glowing, amber-filled trees one last time, before taking a deep breath and stepping forward. He acted as if he expected an invisible barrier to stop him from going any further, but even with all his trepidation, he passed through the arch with no issue whatsoever. He looked to his left, and then to his right. Nothing had changed.

He was out of Feywild.

"How does it feel?" Mrs. Brisby asked.

Spyro stared out into the distant forest for a moment.

"Good." He ultimately decided. "It feels good."

As they continued on, neither of them noticed the way the glow of the trees began to change, flashing on and off in rapid succession.

"King Oberon! It's an emergency!"

Oberon looked up from his desk to see a guard that had all but slammed his doors open, eyes wide and breath frantic.

"What's going on?" He demanded.

"It's Jendovahzoor!" The guard gasped. "We just got the signal from the south-eastern trees! He's passed the border! He's in Rodentkin territory now!"