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Dart, in front, pushed the gate open as slowly as he could, leaving some low creaking from its hinges, and poked his head through a small space between metal and wall. His voiced reached my ears as he beckoned me and Ly a moment later, "The coast is clear. C'mon." I followed him out of our dungeon with a swinging tail and Ly behind me. It was about time that we made our escape. I was looking forward to finally getting out of this hellhole. Part of me was beginning to become wary of small spaces. But I think that was an exaggeration. Maybe I was starting to go nuts already. Then again...Maybe it was just the thought of Ly yapping so much that was making me crazy. After we formed our temporary alliance, and while Dart tried to pick free of my neck from that magic induced shackle, we decided to wait awhile for nighttime to show. We wouldn't exactly be sure if it was night or not, but we would wait for a bunch of time to go by and then spring our escape. I knew dragons would probably guard at some parts of the fortress, but even I figured no dragon would stay awake forever. They're bound to fall asleep sooner or later. That was our time to rise out of this darkness. Probably wouldn't be any guarantees, no, but it was still worth a chance. I padded out into the corridor, darting my gaze back and forth down each end to make sure it the coast really was clear. He was right, no guards roaming the dungeons. Before this while we waited around, I haven't seen any guards going by our cell for a long time. They don't seem to do that a lot since I been staying here. Sure earlier my ears had picked up the loud creaking of another gate of another cell opening up, a dragon or two probably dropping off some human prisoners for the night, but that was about it. Things were very quiet since then. It was like they weren't expecting any prisoners to escape. That there wasn't any need to guard us directly. We'll take advantage of that. I shot my gaze down at Dart, who was staring off towards one end of the hallway. I never thought in my life that I would temporary team up with a human...Even the one I secretly stalked at his village. I thought for sure he was stubborn enough not to accept my offer, but I think he did see his lack of options. I can tell he didn't trust my kind so very well, he probably doesn't still, especially with the way he looked and talked to me before, and after. I didn't exactly like the way he accused me of working with Messina earlier, even though he CLEARLY saw how me and her were talking to each other. I wouldn't work for the bitch for the life of me. But I guess I cannot blame him...Even while I take offense to that. But I did grow concerned for him when Ly said that he couldn't escape this place on his own. Cliffs and lava rivers and everything. He needed my help once again, and I sure as heck know I needed his a bit ago. There was no way I could've broken out of that chain on my own. My wings were free of those damn clamps and I could fly, but they wouldn't help me out when that chain held me back. This was our big chance of getting out of here. Least my chance to get out of here, and I've given him my word that I'd get him out of here. I tried to save him before, and failed, and it was the least I could do to make up for that failure. Gotta still keep my word since I wanted to make sure he was safe back at the village anyways. And make sure Ly is safe and free too, since I was kinda starting to care about her safety too. I'm sure if I left them both behind here, it'd totally drive me crazy. I hope when all this is done, I'll go back to living alone and flying alone. I could SERIOUSLY use some alone time after this. Behind me, I saw the little dragon froze stiff at the gate while me and Dart were standing outside. She looked pale with fear. Her head was shaking to no end as her wings shivered on her back. She muttered non-stop, "I can't do this, I can't do this, I don't think I can do this, there is no way I can do this." I exhaled a sigh. This is going to be harder than I thought. I reassured her, lowering my head to her, "Don't be scared. We've got to go now, little one. We have to move before a guard spots us." "Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh I SO cannot do this!" Ly rambled on in fright, "I clearly foresee this going to end badly. You'll have your wings ripped off and tossed in the lava, Dart will have his insides squished out and then be burned to a crisp, and I'll totally have my tail bitten for making Messina mad. We'll never make it out of here! I am going to be in SO MUCH TROUBLE!" I whispered loudly, "Ly! Calm down!" She quivered, her bottom jaw shaken, terror still inside her eyes. I took a deep breath and said, "You can't stay here forever. I can't either. I don't think you want to stay miserable and alone for the rest of your life, do you?" She whined. I went on, "Just trust me, I'll keep you safe. Just be calm and do exactly as I say. Ok? If we stay here out in the open talking among ourselves then we'll definitely be in big trouble, and I don't think you want to see what happens next. Let's go." The lone human nearby surprisingly helped out too, "Come on, Ly, we don't got much time. You can do this." Ly still appeared hesitant. She shifted around on her paws nervously. Then she sucked in some air smoothly, then nodded timidly. I nodded right back, then glanced toward Dart to ask, "So...Which way do we go?" Dart replied, "Well before we leave, I'm gonna need a weapon, a sword of some kind. Can't leave this place without one. Man's gotta eat...And defend themselves." I pointed out, "When it comes to that, us dragons don't need one." He hummed in thought, "They handed me one at the arena. They must have some room where they keep those weapons. Have you seen something like that?" I nodded slowly and thoughtfully, "I may have before I was taken there. I think I remember where it's at." Dart said, "Let's hope we don't take all night to find it. This place is gigantic." My form pushed past his as I began leading the way, "Follow me." I heard him grunt behind me. I imagined my tail almost struck him. Hope for his sake that doesn't become a habit. I did know what he was talking about. Before I was at the arena, and at this so called throne room, these trips did feel like they took a long time to reach. But I was somewhat certain which direction to go and which paths to take to find that room. Dart did make a point...He can't fight anything with his bare hands. Better to give him a weapon than hear him whine about not having one. I was wandering between the cells, seeing groups of humans inside each. I didn't like humanity too much, but when I saw all those people earlier trapped in them, it felt all wrong. What Messina was doing was wrong. I wouldn't think of treating people this way...Unless there were some very horrible ones that totally deserved it. I doubt all these humans deserved it. Part of me hoped that they'll be able to live in peace again, but who knows WHEN and IF that may happen. I certainly cannot do anything to make it happen now. I have to stick to the plan I already have. Besides, I don't think that was my job anyway. I'm not a protector of all humanity. I'm just a dragon that likes being alone, and is trying to escape from a wrathful dragon queen with two smaller cellmates. I glanced behind to see if that young human and the little hatchling were still behind me, but I caught them standing at one of the cells. Ly was behind Dart while he was looking through the bars. I frowned. What's he doing? Is he looking for something? I spun, speeding my movements back to them with a swishing tail. I said when I got back to my cellmates, "What are you guys doing? Didn't I say follow me?" Dart apologized, scratching behind his head, "Sorry...Got a little distracted." Ly added, "I was just wondering what he was doing." I ordered like I was one of the irritating guards of this place, "Well let's get going. We don't have time to chit chat." I was about to turn around to leave when Ly said, "Wait, Celine." I groaned, evident annoyance shown on my face when I gazed to her, "What now? I'm already near to not caring anymore and about ready to leave you behind." I never totally meant it, but it wasn't beyond the realm of possibility. Ly asked, motioning her snout at the bars as a couple humans had got closer to stand behind them, "What about the others? We can't just leave them here." Trying to guilt me into carrying more baggage...No way. I shook my head, "There's no time for that either. That's a lot of humans for me to carry. I'd have to make many trips to get them all out of here. That'll take too long." Dart concurred, "Celine's right. We have to get out of here now while we have the chance." One human woman that seemed middle aged overheard what we were saying and started asking while being suspicious, "You're escaping? With these two creatures? Impossible!" But another human that was male and younger than her beside her begged, having a pleading look on their face, "Wait! Take me with you! Please!" I narrowed my eyes at them, as a few more joined the fray. Those poor people...They have no idea what they're asking. Dart immediately shushed them, "Shhh! Be quiet guys! Listen, I can't get you out now, but I'll bring back help and put an end to all this cruelty, alright? I promise. Just hold on as long as you can." With that, Dart forcefully pulled himself away from the bars and started heading down the path we were taking, "Let's keep moving." I nodded in agreement and went after him, with Ly following soon after without argument. I can tell though with a glance that she was still worried about their safety. I can really tell me and her are different. She wasn't wary of humanity at all, unlike me. She wanted to set every last one of the prisoners free, knowing what they're going through. I'm sorry, Ly...But I can't do it. It's too much of a risk of getting caught and possibly killed. It's not my place anyways. Besides...The only human that concerns me is Dart. Soon as we were out of the hall of dungeons, I began to go by memory and started leading through more corridors with the little ones in tow. A couple times when there were multiple pathways I had to stop and think which way to go before I made my decision. Going through the fotress wasn't all smooth sailing. There were a couple of run ins. One room had a bunch of dragons still wide awake and were chattering up a storm, maybe having their fun time tonight. We had to be careful of sneaking by them. Another dragon had popped in front of us a short bit later and we almost accidentally run into him. But luckily he was heading toward another direction. I thought maybe most of the dragons in this place would be asleep right now, but I did consider every possibility. At least we haven't been caught...Yet. After taking a lot of time to get there, as I expected, I had finally come across the room that looks to be storing a bunch of human weapons in big shelves. Swords, axes, daggers, spears, the like. I looked at Dart standing right beside Ly, shooting my horned head through the opening, "In here." The young human rushed in with Ly while I stood out in the hall to be on the lookout. Dart said in awe after a long moment, "Wow...They ammassed quite a collection here. Enough to be a blacksmith's shop." Ly commented as well, gazing upon the weaponry, "They all look very sharp and pointy...I hate sharp and pointy things." Dart said, "Ah, well, best not stand at the end of one of them. Now...Which do I choose?" Oh come on, seriously?! I whispered through the opening in the room in a hurried tone, "What does it matter? Just pick one and let's get going." He gave me a glare, "Don't rush me." I glared right back. Don't tell me what to do. I'm risking my neck for you and you're busy being picky, human! Curling my wings in, I breathed in slightly to calm my nerves. I was just alternating keeping an eye out here for any wandering trouble while spying him rummaging through things in the room. He soon picked up a dagger and stuck it in his pants. Then he found a belt with a holster for a sword and hooked it around his waist. A second afterward he picked a sword, examined it briefly, and stuffed it in the holster. It fit in quite nicely. Ly found something of interest on her end. She said as she grabbed it off the shelf in both forepaws, "Hey Dart...This looks interesting." She twisted her body around to show it to him with a smile on her face, "Look at this. Kinda pretty." I cocked my head curiously as I can see it clear as day. That doesn't look like an ordinary weapon. It was like it was some kind of little blanket with two little handle like things to grab on to at each end. Its color is mostly green and has two golden stripes trailing down the material. Dart held it close to him after he took it from Ly's paws. He stated, "Huh...Why would they have something like that in here?" I agree. Why would they have a strange thing like that in weapons storage? What would one human in the arena do with that? Cover the dragon's eyes with it before they chop its head off with an axe? Dart nodded to himself, swinging it over his shoulder, "Eh...I'll keep it just in case." I told him impatiently, "Are we done here yet?" I growled, flaring my wings and thrashing my tail, "LET'S GO." "Okay, okay." Him and Ly finally emerged out of that room. Dart reported, looking up at me, "Alright, I'm good now. Happy?" I suggested, glancing down one end of the corridor, "We'll head for the arena. I'm sure it's not far. That big opening above there will be our exit." Dart nodded in agreement, "Right. Time to get the hell out of here." Before the three of us could leave, however, we heard something that rang throughout the halls of the fortress, "Keep away from me!" My eyes literally shot at the direction we came from. That sounded like a woman. Like she was having trouble. Dart suddenly moved himself TOWARDS that sound, and I immediately stopped him with my big form and spread wings blocking the way. I whispered in a orderly fashion, "Don't even think about it!" The young human argued with another glare firing directly at me, "Someone must be in danger, they could need our help." I warned, my head quickly lowered to his, "But this could be a trick! We don't know if it's a female dragon or human. This might be a trap, they might be on to us somehow." "Get out of my way." But I rejected with words, "Dart, I said I'd get YOU and Ly out of here, not rescue a butt load of humans as well! I can't carry a lot, remember?! This isn't part of the plan!" Another shriek occured, ringing against my perked ears. Dart shot back, "It's like you said, PLANS DO CHANGE. You do what you want, I'm saving that person NOW." His little form darted between me and wall, scurrying down the corridor. I stared at him leaving us angrily. God is he so stubborn! Why did I even care about him a little? Ly moaned in fear, "Are we going to be in trouble?" I sighed, padding after him as I folded my wings against my back, "Come on." He's REALLY going to be the death of me. Ly didn't argue with that, she followed along and the two of us dragons caught up to Dart as he was already further ahead. I didn't know where that sound came from. It could be anywhere within the fotress. This could take a long time, therefore, wasting our time for our planned escape. I should be leaving right now, I didn't want to do this, but for Dart's sake, I guess I didn't have a choice either. Well, Ly could be feeling better about things a little bit, if it is another human we are rescuing. I hope this isn't a trap. I AIN'T going back in that damn dungeon! We stopped at a two way path, all of us glancing around thinking where we should go. The scream happened again. Dart thrusted a finger towards the left path, "This way." We took it. Judging by the distance, we must be not too far. What puzzles me is why this human, if it really is one, isn't inside their dungeon with everyone else. Something's going on. Another shriek came from within a room ahead of us, "Leave me alone!" When we showed up at the opening, we saw that this was a bedroom, with a pile of furs and blankets laying at the corner. A black scaled dragon had cornered a beautiful young woman with long silver hair. She was on her butt, trying to scoot away from him. She hadn't seen us but her captor, who had their back turned to us. I frowned in thought. What's going on in here? The woman yelled, "Take me back!" The black drake shot up his head with a smug tone, "Stop fooling around. It's not nice to play har- YOOOOOOWLLLLLL" He howled in pain, after Dart had run into the room and swung his new sword hard down onto his tail. The blade had cut close to the tip, oozing crimson pulsing out of the wound. The lady gasped, scooting herself further away onto the pile of furs and blankets. Before that dragon could react, I immediately jumped in. I hurled myself on top of his back, pinning him down as he started thrashing in fiery anger. But he didn't get free. I grabbed his horns, trying to twist his head while his scaled form and wings continued to try to buck me off him. Then, a loud CRACK erupted around the room. It reverberated all over the walls. The drake's head lay limp when I turned it loose. I had snapped his neck. He was gone. I huffed, snorting at his corpse. Phew...Haven't killed a dragon like that before. That was payback for all the humiliation I endured at the claws of all these bastards. Dart grunted as he managed to yank the sword that was still embedded in the black tail. As I was getting off the body, Ly came running in, her eyes wide and filled with shock. She cried, "Oh my gosh! You killed him!" I snapped, growling in irritance, "Of course we killed him! It was either him or us!" The hatchling looked and sounded so freaked out while she was speaking rapidly in a panic, "When you guys were planning to escape I didn't think we were gonna do THAT! I'm gonna be sick. Oh this is very bad we're SO gonna die! Messina will NOT like this! This is SO crazy! YOU GUYS ARE CRAZY!" Yeah...Like you haven't thought of that before. I eyed towards the opening of the room. Someone could've heard him scream. We gotta get out of here and fast. My ears caught Dart's voice, "Are you ok?" I twisted my neck, seeing Dart with the bloodied sword in his hand had kneeled near the silver haired woman that was still on the furs and blankets, blinking and quivering with fear. She was looking right at me, probably thinking I'm a monstrous dragon like the one I just killed. Typical humans. Dart noticed her looking at me and shook his head at her, "Hey, it's all right, they're with me...I hope." I rolled my eyes. That last word said it all. I knew he still didn't totally trust us. Like I said...Typical. She moved her gaze to him now. Then she exclaimed, "Wait...You're that new boy I kept seeing." Dart nodded, smiling, "That's right. I remember you. My name's Dart." I tilted my head in thought. I guess they must've saw each other before the escape attempt. Why wouldn't they? Humans do tend to mingle...Surely in times like this. He went on in a determined tone, "And we're getting you out of here now come with us." He grabbed her arm and helped her on her feet. When he brought her to where I was, standing beside me, the silver haired lady looked up at me in gratitude, "I can't believe this...Thank you." I shook my head, swishing my tail and curling my wings, "Don't mention it." She pressed, glancing at Ly then back at me, "How did you get involved with him?" "There's no time to explain." I pushed my paw towards the opening, saying without taking eyes off her, "Come on, we have to leave. RIGHT NOW." Dart nodded in agreement, "She's right, let's go." We were moving ourselves for the exit, with Dart holding on to the girl by her hand. I stopped short when I noticed Ly still staring at the dead dragon we're leaving behind. I said, nosing her side urgently, "Come on, Ly." Ly seemed to have snapped out of her trance, then nodded and hurried along. I was looking at the new human with us as we ended back out in the hallway again. Well...I guess I'm helping another human escape. This wasn't a trap after all. What did I get myself into? I hope things don't get any worse on the way out. When we made it back to that two way path we came across earlier, several dragons in different colored scales were on the way from the other path. They must've heard that commotion. We didn't have the time or place to hide. They spotted us right away. One screamed, "Hey! Escapees! Get them!" Dart yelled, "Oh crap, run!" As my would be fellow escapees turned the corner for the armory, I spit fire at our would be pursuers. They all stopped and ducked below my flames. I kept at it, keeping them busy for a moment, then closed my snout and ran after my companions. One of them yelled out, "Don't let them get away!!!" I caught up to the others as they ran at full speed. I glanced behind me, seeing most of the dragon guards chasing after us from a good distance. I started picking up speed, leading the way for the arena since I was sure we were close to it. Several moments later as the chase continued on throughout the torch lit corridors, we were speeding in the tunnel. I recognized the tunnel that I was in that took me to that gate to stand out in the middle of the arena. The gate was luckily left open for us and we rushed out into the arena. The crowded voices of the guards echoed out of the tunnel. I spun, building up my fire power within my throat, and spat a fireball at the gears of the gate. They exploded, and then the large metal gate dropped down quickly and slammed shut. The guards were trapped at the other side, roaring and carrying on, grasping at the holes in the grate. I just bought us a bunch of time. I blew up the gears at the other gate at the other end of the arena just in case. Nobody could get in here so easily now. The only other way they could get in here so easily, was that huge opening above the arena. They were trying to ram their horns and shoulders at the gate, but it wouldn't budge. It was stuck tight. I shot my attention up at the round opening above, clear of any flying dragon that may swoop down and try attacking us. I nodded, then looked at the two humans with me and Ly, "Alright, let's do this." I lowered myself to the ground, motioning my eyes to my back, "Hop up." The silver haired girl nodded timidly while Dart put away his sword in the holster, "I'll try." She slowly got up close to my side. But it was no easy task for her. She tried grabbing my scales to climb on me but couldn't. Then she PAINFULLY took my ear when her hand mistaken it for my horn I guessed. I was crying out in pain. That was the most painful thing I felt in all my years. And the most humiliating. I snorted smoke at her. Why did it have to be this hard to climb up my back? The girl gave me an apologetic smile, then she leaped up so high that she managed to have her hands on my back. Then shortly after when she was kinda slipping, Dart gave her a bit of a boost, and FINALLY she swung her leg over my back. I can feel her sitting on me now. I turned to Dart now and said, "Your turn. Hurry up." Dart looked nervous. He was shaking his head, "Forget that. I'm not getting on your back." "Are you kidding me right now?" I said, my eyes shooting daggers at him, "We do not have time to discuss this." The girl encouraged, "Come on, Dart...This doesn't seem so bad." I advised her, "I agree...I guess...Just don't fall off." He argued with a shake of his head, "I'm not taking risks of you flying upside down and dropping me in the lava...Or have me falling to my death either way!" "Oh for the love of-" My body rose, giving the girl on my back a slight gasp of surprise. I had my chest facing him as I said, "Fine! We'll do things your way." I sat, the girl on my back trying to hold on, and took the other human in my front paws. I clutched him against my chest, then advised, "Alright, hold on. We're out of here!" I sprang off the ground, flapping my clamp free wings, taking us up for our exit in the sky. It felt good to be flying again. I thought I'd never get a chance to do it again. I can feel Dart shaking in my paws, digging his fingers into them, while I can feel the girl on my back holding on for dear life and feeling her legs tucking in. I was about halfway up when I noticed something was off. Nobody else was flying with me. I looked downward, spotting Ly still standing exactly at her spot on the ground. I wrinkled my brow. What is she doing? I flew back down, only hovering above her by a few feet. I shouted, "What's wrong, Ly?! Fly!" Ly's face appeared hesitant. She stuttered, "I...I can't!" "What?" I looked towards the crowd of dragon guards behind the gate they're trapped behind. Instead of breaking it down, now they're trying to lift the gate by paw. It's not as easy as it looked, but it was working. They only lifted it a couple inches already. These guys don't quit. We were quickly running out of time. We had to leave, and leave now. Dart yelled in my paws, "C'mon, let's get out of here!" I yelled too, "What are you waiting for?! Flap your wings! FLY!" Ly screamed frantically, "I can't! I can't!" "Why can't you?!" "I don't know how! I don't know how to fly!!!" My eyes went wide. No way! Dart let off a shocked exclaim, "What?" I moaned, "You gotta be kidding me." First she tells me she sees visions, then says she can't breathe fire, now she's fessing she cannot fly?! What is wrong with her!? I groaned, then quickly came up with an idea. I turned around in midair, flapping my wings still, and offered with a twist of my head, "Grab my tail, Ly! Hurry!" Ly jumped up several times, trying to reach for my tail. She cried, "I can't reach! I CAN'T REACH!!!" "You can do it!" I used my wings to push myself down a bit more. I yelled again, "Grab it!" Ly wrapped her forelimbs around my tail tightly finally. I could feel her weight trying to drag me down to the earth, but I held on in mid air with several flaps. I was not about to have gravity drag us away from our freedom. I shot a quick glance at the gate again, seeing the gate was lifted high enough for a couple dragons to crawl under to pursue us. Shit, here they come! I was beating my wings furiously to the skies, ordering everyone, "EVERYBODY HANG ON!" We were getting closer to reach the ceiling, through that round opening. Another dragon was over the opening and saw us coming. He roared at us prisoners and spouted fire. I angled to the right, feeling the hotness fly by me, and fired back with my own as I still flew upward. The flames struck the dragon at his wing, and he was spiralling downward headfirst. After he spiraled past me, I was finally, for the very first time since I got here, flying above the fortress. It definitely was bigger than I thought on the outside. How could the queen get someplace like that was a wonder, and who built it is what I'm wondering too. But I didn't think about it. I was flying over the stone fortress, trying to get away from the two dragons giving chase still in the air, spying a volcano from a far distance spewing smoke and lava, leaving that molten river trail. I can see the cliffs of the gorge too. Ly was definitely right, no human could get out on their own. I checked on the silver haired human on my back and Ly on my tail. They still held on for dear life. I was flying away from the fortress, over that river of lava, over a forest that was so black with no green and hardly any sign of life. I wouldn't like living out here. What dragon would? I heard Dart saying, "Head this way!" I looked at him within my paws, pointing away to a direction, "Let's head that way!" I saw he was pointing at the gorge. I think I got what he was getting at. "Hold on!" I angled to his direction, beating my wings away. I warned, "I'm going to dive!" I tucked in my wings and dove down, down in the gorge, the forcing winds rushing up at us. I spread them out wide again, gaining air as I was now deeper in middle of the crevice. I didn't see the lava that fell down the gorge at the bottom, but I mostly think it was flowing at the other direction upon landing. Probably. I looked back over my shoulder, still seeing the pursuers chasing me. I didn't lose them yet, but I was getting there. I flapped harder than I ever did before, seeing the walls were becoming a bit narrower, like they were closing in on us. I took the chance flying through that bit of narrow space, my wings scraping against the cliffs. I huffed out, as I saw I was still flapping. That was close. I looked back, and saw only one dragon was still after me. Well, looks like that only took care of one. I gotta shake the other guy off! Suddenly the silver haired woman cried, pointing ahead, "LOOK OUT!" I followed her eyes with mine, and found that the other dragon I thought was down was actually ahead of me. He was flying right towards me. Apparently he must've flew over that narrow spot, got ahead of me a little bit, and is now pulling this stunt. The dragon fired his breath at me, coming at me fast. I dodged with a flap. That fire attack accidentally hit his partner squarely in the face, and he went down. Then I retaliated with my own fiery breath, knocking another dragon out of the air since he seemed momentarily shocked at what he'd done. I glanced behind me, making sure there were no other dragons flying after me. There weren't any. We were all alone now. I let out a breath of relief. We lost them. Then my heart beated happily. We made it...We actually made it! We did it! Take THAT, you one eyed bitch! Nobody owns me! NO ONE! I asked everyone, glancing over my shoulder, "Is everyone all right? Everyone still hanging on?" Ly confirmed, moving up and down on my tail, "I'm hanging in there, Celine!" The human girl on my back reported too with a wave, "I'm fine!" I looked at Dart in my paws once more. He answered, "I'm good, as you can see." I nodded, flapping some more, "Just hang in there! We'll keep flying through the gorge and keep flying as long as I can till I think we're totally far away from here." Dart agreed, "Sounds good to me!" No way I was stopping this now. I want to go somewhere that I can breathe. I breathed in calmly, the rush of wind blowing on my wings temporary enticed me. It feels so good to fly again. I hope I don't ever be in that kind of situation ever again. ***** Inside her quarters, in the quiet night after a LONG, STRESSFUL day, Queen Messina was basking in awe, rolling on her back within the pool of colorful jewels she laid out on her floor. She hummed, closing her eye, basking in pleasure. Oooh, it felt so good. Wallowing in all her sparkly stuff always relaxes her. Hopefully there wouldn't be any interruptions. She had enough of everything for one day. Especially that damn human and that damn dragoness. They, mostly the human, really got on her nerves. Her slaves don't usually do that. Calling her an ugly toad. Bah! Absurd! She's more BEAUTIFUL than any toad. She'd squash them just by merely LOOKING AT THEM! Usually SHE'S the one that gets the upper claw, mentally, with her prisoners. They seemed to be the most resistant to her tactics. They were the most special cases...And the more ridiculous of types. They were getting on her nerves worse than that hatchling, Ly, and she's almost had it up to her scales with that annoying, mind-boggling rat. Especially when that hatchling isn't giving her or Garo what they want... She definitely has plans for those new slaves that kept on defying her. No way will they stay defiant to her forever. Sooner or later...They will crack. The strong willed ones always break. And she will make that happen. Especially to that son of that dragonslayer. While still rolling around within her treasure, the image of that person appeared in her mind, as it did more than once since her conversation with that human boy. Squall...She hasn't heard that name in years. That boggles her mind. He was supposed to be dead. How could he still be alive, and sired a boy!? How?!!! Messina took a deep breath, then continued to shift her form around on the jewels. She hasn't seen him at all since his son showed up. There was no need for her to stress out over him. Besides he probably is dead now. Ancestors, there's no reason to feel stressed out about anything now. She'll feel SO much better after tonight, and she'll feel even MORE better after dealing with that defiant boy and that bitchy, spunky dragoness sometime later. Oh, she CAN'T WAIT... "Your Majesty!" Messina's body jumped in surprise. She growled deeply in frustration, shooting her one eye at a red dragon standing at the entrance of her room. She blinked once. The red guard said shortly after, "It's very urgent." This had better be good...Or she might rip out his throat with her claws for interrupting this FINE night. Messina rolled to her fours, stretching out her wings a moment before folding them against her back before walking over to meet him. She demanded, "What calls whatever you're seeing me urgent that you have to interrupt my ALONE time?" "Sorry..." He explained, acting a wee bit nervous, "But we have prisoners that have escaped their dungeons." Her heart almost stopped at the words. She demanded, raising a confused brow, "What are you talking about?" He clarified, "It's as I said. A few prisoners have escaped tonight and killed a couple of our dragons. They already fled the fortress." "WHAT?!!!" She reared back her head, ranting, "How did this happen?! Impossible! No one has ever escaped my clutches! I'm TOO GOOD for that." The red guard said, "But they did, your Majesty. It's almost incredible." "What did you say?!" Messina yelled, making the drake's form twitch, "Nothing they do can be as INCREDIBLE as ME! How many have escaped?" He answered after hesitating, "About...Four of them. Two humans and two dragons." Four? FOUR HAVE ESCAPED??!!! She growled, "Did you say TWO dragons?" "Yes, ma'am." He went on, "One of them is that dragon prisoner you recently acquired, and the other is that hatchling with the...Visions." Messina snarled, flaring her wings and thrashing her tail against the ground, "That blue cunt! I should've killed her when I had the chance! And that little brat! Oh, she's REALLY getting on my nerves! She'll be GROUNDED FOREVER!" She loudly ordered, "Well what are you waiting for, you idiot?! Don't stand there talking to me! Take some dragons and scout all over the area! Search everywhere possible! No one escapes from me! If you have to, kill them but bring back the hatchling alive! Understand?!" The guard bobbed his head up and down urgently, "Y-Yes, ma'am!" He backed out and ran down the hall to fullfill the order. Messina growled with fire in her eye. Talons and tails, how could this happen!? She knows who the two dragons are already, and she can only imagine what one human was. The son of that dragonslayer. Like father...Like son. Oh, if she ever sees them again...She will make them PAY for REALLY defying her. ***** The wind was still rushing at my face and blowing my hair as I was still held in Celine's paws. She continued to fly us away, even after the gorge had ended. We were at it for a very long time, with still no signs of other dragons after us. I gazed over Celine's limbs to look down. Apparently we were distant enough from the fortress and that volcano that the landscape has changed. We were over a different kind of forest with green all around. And the sky was clear from smoke, now showing stars sprinkling across the night sky. The air smelled fresh too. Everything seemed normal, like it once was. Well...Except I was held by a dragon and above ground. But everything else was normal. I'm glad it worked. Even I partly cannot believe that it worked. I was afraid I wouldn't make it out of there alive. And at least I wasn't the only human to make it out of there. Celine really came through with her end of the bargain...Even though I had suspicions of her and her kind. I still did to be frank. Just because we were out of there, didn't mean I totally trusted her. I half trusted her to get me out sure, mostly because I did not have a choice in the manner. I did see her roast a few dragons that got in the way as well... ...But she could still turn against me. But, a deal's a deal. I was gonna be done with dealing with her and Ly, done dealing dragons for a while. We'll just have to land somewhere and then we'll be done with each other. They'll be out of my life, and I won't have to worry a thing. I hope so... I hollered, "Hey, Celine. I think we're far away now." I pointed a oncoming little meadow below, "Let's land down there!" Celine replied, "Glad you said so! My wings are getting tired." She glided slowly for the meadow. Several moments later, she put me down gracefully instead of dropping me onto the soft grass. I watched Ly had let go of her tail and landed on her fours, as did Celine softly. I stared at Ly as the big blue dragon lowered a bit for the silver haired girl to slide off her back beside me. I almost forgot that Ly was hanging on by Celine's tail. When she said that she couldn't fly and was doing that, I was speechless. What dragon would not know how to fly? I figured tiny, baby dragons wouldn't be able to fly so well, cause they're babies...But Ly wasn't that little. She's about as big as me, sort of. Surely she was big enough to fly around like a grown up, almost. Why couldn't she know how to fly? First she can't breathe fire, now this. Part of me cannot think THAT was an act. Just sounded too ridiculous to be one. I wouldn't be acting if that got on Celine's nerves. Oh heck, she probably did. I'd be angry too if I had found that part out WHILE trying to escape. She really is a weird one... I turned to the silver haired girl that I had seen from the fortress a few times. After I escaped my cell with Celine and Ly, before we got to the weapons storage room, I was trying to find her again in hers. I wanted to tell her that this wouldn't be the last time she'd see me, and that I'd bring back help whenever I can. It was basically going to be the same thing as I told her cellmates that had begged to leave with me. But I was shocked I didn't see her. But what I was even more shocked was I found her in a different place in the fortress, and now she was outside with me. I guess I wasn't going to leave her behind after all. Speaking of her cellmates, I felt bad for abandoning them, but, as odd as it was to totally agreeing with a dragon, Celine was right. There was possibly no way we could've saved them all now. Celine wouldn't have been able to carry us all out of that fortress. Heck, she was lucky she managed to carry two humans AND a little dragon out of there while she could. I will bring back help. I swear I will. I asked the girl in concern, "Lady? You ok?" She looked at me with a nod and a smile, "Yes, I'm fine." Then she quickly gave me a hug, "Thank you for rescuing me. I've been waiting to get out of there for ages." I smiled, patting her back softly, "Hey...It was no problem. We were just on our way out." Ly was cheering and hopping around happily. Me and the girl were watching her after she let me go. Ly was clearly happy with the outcome. To be away from that prisoned fortress. She really was...Behaving like a happy, normal child. Celine was shaking away at her scales when Ly came up to her happily, "We did it, Celine! We made it! We really made it!" She came up to me and the new person next, "WE. ARE. FREE! Oh, we are SO free! Messina won't be angry at us, cause we are FREEEEEEE!" She giggled cutely. The silver haired woman was smirking at the cute dragon. I can honestly say...I share her enthusiasm. Celine, however, didn't look amused. She gave the little dragon a annoyed look. She commented, "You know, little one...You could've told me you didn't know how to fly. Might've planned our flight escape a bit better." Ly's eyes went wide when she glanced at her. Then she drooped her head down in embarrassment and so did her wings. She stated, "I'm sorry...I was afraid you'd laugh at me." Celine replied, "I didn't exactly laugh at you when you said you couldn't breathe fire. Why would I laugh at that?" Ly raised her snout a little, showing a small grin, "Messina did." She reassured, "Well, I'm not that witch, so don't worry." Ly smiled brightly, then went and rubbed her face against the bigger dragon's scaly chest. She said in gratitude, "Thanks for getting me out of there, Celine. You are so my hero." Celine said after taking a breath, seemingly not too happy with her personal space being violated, "Well...You're welcome." She pushed the little one away with her paw, the little one's tail wagging behind her, "It's all over now. And now you get to go back home...And I can finally get some peace and quiet." "Yay!" She cheered, jumped back, continuously hopping around on the grass, "You're right! FINALLY! I can breathe easy, I don't have to put up with meanie dragons, I can drink some nice, cool water, I can walk freely in large spaces, I can roll around in grass, I can look at the skies without anything blocking the way, I can go home, I can...Find my mommy and daddy..." Ly stopped jumping like a rabbit and was gazing around frantically, a frightened look suddenly growing on her face. She asked in a feared tone, "Wh-...Where is my home? Which way is it?" Celine shook her snout, frowning in question, "I don't know, little one. No one knows where you live." "But..." The yellow scaled hatchling cried, "But I don't know where to go! I don't know which direction it is! I don't recognize ANYTHING around here! I'M LOST!" She was already having tears filling up her eyes, "What am I gonna do, Celine? I don't know what to do. I'm scared!" Celine tried to reassure her, "Ly, calm down." But she continued with some tears falling down her cheeks, "I can't! I never been MORE scared since I was taken away from home! I can't figure out where I am! If I don't know where, how can I find mommy and daddy?" The silver haired girl asked beside me apparently out of concern, "Aren't they looking for you? Do you think they would find you?" Ly balled, shaking her head furiously, "I DON'T KNOW! I don't know how far I am from home! They would find me if I was nearby but now- Ah! I've been gone for a long time, they might either be worried about me or thinking I've gotten eaten by a bear or something! I heard bears are dangerous, SO dangerous, but I don't know what they look like, I never seen one before, and I'm afraid if I meet one and I don't know it...Oh gosh this is bad! And I don't think I can hunt too well either as great as them! I'm gonna starve if I don't eat something!" Celine tried to start, "Ly-" The little dragon dipped down her snout and shut her eyes tightly as more tears fell down, "Oh, where am I?! Where are they?! What am I gonna DO!!?" Celine came up and tried to comfort her again with a wing. She said, lowering her snout down to her level, "Ly. Shhh. It's all right, Ly, it's going to be all right. I'll help take you back. You won't go alone." Ly sniffed, lifting her head, looking the big female deep in the eye, blinking away the tears in hers. She asked innocently, "You...You promise?" The blue older dragon answered, assurance in her eyes, "Don't worry, I'll stay by you until then. Everything's going to be ok." I was just standing there still with the silver girl, watching this scene unfold, watching Ly shortly smiling at Celine in happy relief and gratitude. That thing was honestly making me feel a little bad for her. The way she looked, part of me could not think that was an act either. It looked about as real as the fact she couldn't fly...Among other things. Was I really wrong about her all this time? Is it possible that... Celine felt they were being watched. She looked at me and the other person with me while Ly wiped a tear off her cheek with her wing. She demanded with a narrow of her eyes, "What are you looking at?" I narrowed up mine too, "Nothing...Just find this peculiar." "Hmph." The silver haired girl asked, "Excuse me...But...What do WE do now?" I turned my head to her and answered, "Well...We keep going. Me and you." Then I merely focused back on Celine, "And I think we're done with each other." Celine raised her head above Ly, whose smile was quickly off her lips, to reply, "I think we are." The hatchling started, "Celine-?" But she continued, "We're finally away from that place. You choose to go wherever you want. But may I ask...Where will you go?" I replied, "If you MUST know...I'm going to take this girl someplace she can stay, and find help, and put an end to Messina's madness. That's my goal." That's one part, but I also want to go home and find my family. No need for her and Ly to know that. Celine hummed, "Still thinking about that plan? And I thought you'd rather spend the rest of your life in one piece." I shook my head with a shrug of my shoulders, "I ain't gonna forget all those poor people we left behind. I gave them my word. I ain't letting them down." Celine shot back her head, waving me off with a paw, "Fine. I don't care what you do. You're on your own now. Our teamwork is over. Just stay away from the fortress after you find help, alright? I ain't coming back to rescue you." I said suspiciously, "I ain't expecting you to anyway. Heck they'll probably kill me anyways for defying them so much." "That's also my point. Just stay the heck away from there and let everyone else to their job. That's my final advice." I rolled my eyes at that. Pfft, like I'm gonna do that. She looked down at Ly and said, "C'mon, Ly...Let's go." But Ly refused, "But I don't wanna leave Dart." She looked towards me with those sad eyes that are still wet from her crying, "He's my friend." My eyes blinked at her statement. The way she's looking at me...She really doesn't want me to go... Is that honestly...Sincere? Not an act too? Celine shook her head, "Sorry, Ly, but he's not MY friend. Besides, he doesn't want to come with us. I'm giving him what he wants." She mumbled, her chest letting out a sigh, "Wish I could give myself the same benefit." She turned her body, her wing beckoning to follow, "Let's go." The silver haired girl called, "Hey wait!" Celine looked to her. She said, "Thanks again for the help." I gazed at her too. I wouldn't trust her completely if I were you... Celine replied without modest, "Like I said...Don't mention it. You do whatever you want now...And I'll do what I want. And stay away from dragons from now on." The woman nodded slowly, awkwardly in agreement, "I...Intend to." Then the big dragon looked at the little one again. She said, "C'mon, Ly. Let me take you home." Ly didn't have her eyes leave me and the new girl. Then she said sadly, apparently realizing there's no use arguing about this, "Ok...Goodbye, Dart." I nodded a bit in polite response. Then she spoke next to the woman beside me, "And bye...Whoever you are." The silver haired girl replied with a small smile, "You can call me Alex. It's nice knowing you...For a short bit." Ly stated fondly, "Alex...That's a nice name." I frowned. It is? Sounds like a boy's name if you ask me. "Ly." Ly looked towards Celine, who was staring impatiently at her. Finally the whelp relented with a sad nod, though a little reluctantly, and the two of them walked off to one direction side by side, their tails swinging behind them. Alex waved her hand goodbye when Ly looked back at us for a moment while Celine didn't. I did the same, just a bit out of courtesy for the little dragon. Shortly, after watching them leave till they were far enough away, I let out a breath. Good...They're finally gone. I don't have to worry anymore. Then I turned to Alex. I said, "Well...Let's get out of here." Alex asked, nodding, "Which way are we going?" I looked around the area for a moment. Hmm...Which way should we go? Gotta start somewhere. Then I pointed a path that I can see at a different direction than where the scaly creatures took, "I guess we'll go that way...We'll walk for a little while and then make camp somewhere." Right when I said that, my stomach growled. My eyes shot wide open. I smirked after putting my palm over my gut. I said, "And maybe find something to eat around here. My stomach's been bothering me here and there. I haven't eaten a thing all day." Alex reported, "Me too, but only since this morning. I'm starving." She began her trek for the path, "Let's go." I nodded, then went with her. I let out a relaxed breath as we wandered away from the meadow together. I'm so glad we made it out alive. I know I planned to travel alone when I tried to leave my home that night, but least I don't have to go alone now like I thought I would. I kinda didn't feel like it like I used to, considering everything that happened to me. I got myself a traveling companion. Now...Let's see where the road takes us.