I wrinkled my brow with my eyes still closed. I slowly began to open them, when I felt pain shooting a bit at the back of my head. I groaned a bit, as my vision was blurry at first, but then started to come into focus. My body tensed up a bit, still feeling that throbbing pain still at my head. God...It hurts.

I started to sit straight up on a firm bed, looking around to see that I was lying in a small room. I had my eyes drawn to myself, seeing that I was shirtless. I looked at my arm, and saw that it was covered in a few leaves tied up by a small twine of rope. I frowned in curiosity. Where am I? I shifted around and saw out through a small window that it's night. Seeing a few stars twinkling and barely hearing the crickets outside. I reached behind the back of my skull and rubbed it tenderly. What happened to me? What was the last thing that I did?

I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath, trying to put all thoughts back to before. Trying to remember.

Ok...I remember that...The village was under attack....By Lost Souls....I freed Luna....And then....I got attacked by a Lost Soul, which that explains the cuts on my arm....I hit the back of my head on a rock after falling down to the ground and I think Luna was over me.

I opened them again, looking out the window. That's the last thing I remember before everything went dark.

Now a pit was forming in my pit, as panic was starting to get to me. Wait? Where's Luna? What happened while I was knocked out? Pain shot at my head again, making my face contort and groan. God, it really hurts.

I decided that I had enough sitting around, so I slowly planted two feet off the side of the bed and on the floor, and began to stand. I felt dizzy at first, almost falling back on the bed, but I held myself. I let out some air and pacing very slowly to the window, looking out of it. I see that the cheetah village is still intact. I do see a couple of houses destroyed. I even see a lot of cheetahs roaming around cleaning up the mess it happened today. I sighed in relief. Well I know that not everyone died.

Luna's face mentally appeared in thought. Luna....Where are you? Did....No, I can't think that. I better look for her.

With that thought, I turned myself around, finding my shirt laying at the end of my bed. I roamed to it and swiftly picked it up, putting it on while feeling another throb of pain hitting my skull again. I gritted my teeth, trying to let the pain subside. I started to take one small step at a time walking out of the room. When I emerged in another room that was lit up by a small lantern that has fireflies in it, I see two cheetahs in there. One's male and the other one was a familiar face. I saw Merana who had a look of relief immediately after seeing me. She ran to me with her arms wide, "Mike." She hugged me tightly, burying her muzzle into my shoulder.

I sighed in relief as well, knowing that she's ok too. I returned the hug and smiled, "Glad you're ok."

She giggled and removed me from the hug, stroking my hair off my forehead in a motherly way, "Me ok? I wasn't the one who went outside to fight. I was more worried about you. You haven't woken up for hours."

I grabbed the back of my head again, showing a pained expression, "I can see why. My head's killing me."

The male cheetah who has yellow fur asked me with a look of concern, "You feeling alright?"

I gave him a nod still rubbing my head, "My head's sore, but I'll be fine."

The cheetah responded, "That's good. I did try my best to heal your wounds with all the herbs that I had."

I asked when looking at my leave bandaged arm, "Are you some kind of healer?"

He answered, "Yes." He walked up and reached out to take a peek through the leaves at my wounds. I looked at them myself and see that they're almost healed. My eyes went wide. Yikes...I guess those herbs are powerful stuff. The male cheetah grinned on his muzzle and backed away, "Well I see that our herbs are healing your wounds well, they are quite handy. Also, good thing that dragon managed to save your life and brought you here. You're real lucky."

I gasped when he mentioned Luna. I said, "Where's Luna? What happened to her? Is she-"

Merana calmly held out both hands, "She's alright."

"But where is she?"

She pointed out the door that leads out of the house, "She's outside, trying to help clean up the mess."

I let out another sigh of relief. Well I know that she's alright now and is in the village. Now I just blurted out a couple more questions, even though I kinda knew the answers to them, "So what happened really? Did we beat them?"

She let out a whoosh of air, "We were lucky not all of us are dead. After I heard what Luna did outside the wall, we were starting to win the battle. Everyone fought every last Lost Soul, until there were no more coming." She formed a smile and waved a dismissive hand, "If you're worried what everyone's thinking of her, don't worry everyone trusts her, even the chief doesn't see her as a liar and a threat now."

I rose a brow, "No joke? That stubborn cheetah actually trusts her now?"

Merana replied, "Well he was angry that you knocked him out, but after he heard what Luna did from everyone, he's starting to calm down and trust her." She chuckled after that, "Everyone thinks of you as an ally too, after showing off your archery skills."

The male cheetah added, "I even saw you taking out several of our enemies. That's quite a skill."

I giggled softly and nodded, "Thanks." I turned around and walked to the door, "I'm going to look for her. She's probably wondering what's taking me."

Merana strode and cached up to me, "I'll go with you." Then her voice showed concern, "But are you gonna be alright? You said that your head's killing you. Maybe you-"

I waved her off, "I'm not resting, I'm going to find her." I jerked the wooden door open and walked out in the night. Merana followed up right behind me.

I heard the male cheetah who's the healer hollering behind us from his house, "Your wounds should fully heal in the morning, so you can take off the leaves when they're done!" I looked over my shoulder and waved in acknowledgment. Then we kept walking on the trail, trying to find Luna.

My eyes trailed on the destruction that happened around here. Seeing big wide gaps in the ground that meant that a big boulder landed on that particular spot. I even see the tree that I took cover at just fell over to the side by another gigantic rock. I let out a small whistle. God...What a battle. Me and Merana walked past by several cheetahs, about four of them talking amongst themselves. I think they mentioned that one of his brothers was killed today. I sighed. I'm just glad not everybody died...Including Luna. I didn't want her to die too. I wonder where she's at?

My eyes caught the big black form nearby. She was standing with chief Meadow who was talking to one of his warriors about the damage. At least, that's what I believe he's talking about. He looked stern by the look on his eyes. I patted Merana's shoulder and had her follow me. Seeing that we can see Luna from where we're at. Luna's eyes saw me and Merana coming and her ears perked up at the sight of me. She beamed and padded to me, curling her wings on her back, "Mike!" The chief of the village noticed she trudged away and saw us coming.

I ran up to her, while she was lowering her head to my level. I hugged her snout, my cheek pressed to her nose, "There you are. I was a bit worried about you."

Luna chuckled in my grasp, "You? Worried about me? I'm a dragon and you're worried about me? I was the one worried about you." I removed her from my embrace and looked into her silver eyes. She shone some worry in them, "I thought you were dead or something. You never woke up for me. I...I even saw those wounds on your arm too." She only moved her eyes to avert her gaze off me, "I thought I've lost you, but I didn't give up either. I...Went to look for a healer while the battle raged on and found him. I...I wanted to stay with you honestly, but-"

I gently rubbed her nose, "You know you couldn't. You had to save everyone."

She giggled a bit, "Yeah, I had to. And I fought with the cheetahs well."

Merana smiled when she mentioned that, "Pretty well. You certainly weren't Dark Storm fighting all those Lost Souls and protecting some cheetahs that weren't trained to fight. We were all very proud of you." She looked at Meadow still talking to his fellow cheetah nearby, "And he didn't believe a thing about you one bit. But you proved him wrong."

Luna giggled again and looked at Merana, "I can bet that you were relieved that he's alright too."

The older female cheetah shrugged her shoulders, "Well Mike's like a son to me. I know that I have a real daughter and her family too, and found out they're alright, but I had to wait and see if he'll be ok too." My heart started to feel warm at Merana's motherly concern. She...Thinks me as her son. I know I've only met her yesterday, and she's now saying I'm like a son to her. Well she does remind me of my mother in a way.

I then started grinning at them, figuring that she and Luna must've met while I was lying unconscious. Guess Merana really got to see Luna showing her true colors of fighting against the enemies and chatted while waiting for me to wake up.

Luna pulled her snout away from me and nuzzled the blue cheetah's chest with it, "Thank you for looking after him. After the battle was over, I wanted to stay by his side, but...I wouldn't fit in the house." I was mentally giggling in amusement at the image of her trying to fit in the small house. Boy, no way she'd fit in there to find me. I heard Luna's voice going on still, breaking through my amusing thought, "Plus I...Wanted to help everyone out here. Had to keep my mind off of him a bit."

Merana stroked Luna's scaled cheek fondly, "I knew that he'd be fine. Besides, us cheetahs are best at healing others."

Luna remarked with her tail thumping softly behind her, "Makes me wish that my kind knew how to make those herbs." Her eyes widened in amazement, "Pretty remarkable stuff your kind has."

Merana said with a shrug of her shoulders, "Well those herbs are powerful and are native in this part of the world. And...I'm sure that your kind don't have the instruments to make them as medicine."

The black dragoness licked Merana's neck, "No we do not. And thank you kindly for helping Mike."

Merana planted her furred lips on her nose for a motherly kiss, "You're welcome, dear."

I gestured to the dragon, "So...I see you were standing around with the chief."

Luna said, "Yeah." She twisted her neck to gaze at the cheetah chief still talking to one of his warriors, "He did seem surprised that I had risked my life to save others."

I narrowed my eyes past Luna's big form right at Meadow, "Did he give you any trouble?"

She looked at me with a chuckle, "Nope. Hasn't given me none since he saw me cleaning up the area. Hasn't really talked to me much though, but I'm sure he knows that I helped protect his village." She cocked her head, "Why? Would you kick his furry ass for giving me any?"

I was showing her a wide grin, "Yep."

Luna made a rumble in her throat, "Now I'm really starting to like you. You'll fight anyone who gives me trouble."

I nodded, "Trust me after learning about you, somebody outa look out for ya." I winked in emphasis.

Merana backed away from Luna, putting her hands to her hips with narrowed eyes, "And I would've helped Mike out. Only by pulling out his whiskers." She was winking at that too. I put a wrist to my mouth, snickering loudly. Gosh, Merana. I can see the pained look on Meadow's face. How his eyes would water and bug out of his skull. God, that would be priceless!

Chief Meadow who appeared to be done with his chat with another cheetah, came up alongside Luna's form, crossing his arms, "Did I interrupt anything?"

I shot a glance at him, "Nope."

Luna turned her snout to him, looking down after raising her head above us, "We were just talking, chief."

He looked up at her gaze and nodded, "Yes, I can see that. Just hoping that I didn't interrupt anything." The chief turned his eyes away from Luna and motioned his hand toward me, "I see you're finally awake."

I was forming a smug grin and remarked, waving towards Luna's chest, "I was thinking you wouldn't give her a chance. Apparently you are. Does that mean you're over it?"

Meadow slumped his shoulders and let out a sigh, "I....Suppose that I was wrong."

My eyebrows went up, "Suppose?"

He growled a bit in defeat, but then started softening up his look, "Look...I was wrong about before. I was just so angry at this dragon and...I didn't listen to reason. And...I guess I should've listened before." I can see it in his eyes that he means it. He really does see that he was wrong and me and Merana were right all along.

Luna settled down on her haunches, curling her tail around her, "I can understand why you'd hate me. Even though I don't like being treated unfairly, but I do understand why everyone would do that to me." Luna held up her head and closed her eyes with a sorrowful sigh, "I honestly do wish that everyone in this world has given me a chance...Years ago." I held a pity look for her. Poor Luna.

Meadow turned to her and placed his hand on her black scales, "I know and...How could we? You didn't look like a trustworthy dragoness."

Luna shrugged her wings and shoulders, "Until I defended your kind today."

He had a chuckle filled with shock and disbelief, "Makes me wish that I used that key to release you sooner." That's when he shot me a glare, his ears perked up, "By the way, I'm still angered that you struck me."

I laughed weakly and shrugged my shoulders, "Well you were being an asshole to Luna, and...I needed that key to free her. I didn't...Exactly have time to argue with you."

Merana was laughing a bit, "I would've done so myself, just to knock that stubbornness out of you."

Meadow groaned and looked up in the sky in annoyance, "Yes, yes, I know I should've listened to you two." He sighed and hung his head, "But I didn't."

Luna said in a comforting tone to the chief, "We all make mistakes."

Meadow looked up at her, rubbing her scales up and down in a smooth motion, "But I was about to make the worst one. I was about to...Kill someone who was innocent, and those two were trying to tell me the truth. And I didn't listen at all. I...I don't think I'm any better than you. I felt like I didn't have a heart." He seemed hesitant to talk about the next part, but he finally blurted it out, "I just...Wanted to kill you, because you killed my family years ago....In a fire you made to my house." Luna's eyes widened and then she was showing guilt in them afterward. Feeling guilty and sorry for the chief close to her. He gave her side a small pat, "After waking up in Merana's house, after hearing from everyone what you did, and seeing you after the battle helping cleaning up the huge mess in the village....I really believe that I was dead wrong." He let out a guilty sigh, "I should be the one chained up, not you."

Luna snaked her snout to the chief beside her, showing her this look that meant there were no hard feelings, "I don't blame you. You and everyone had every right to hate me. I...Did so many horrible things that I'm not proud of....Including your family and a lot of cheetahs." Meadow shut his eyes tight at the memory of his deceased family. Luna said, "But I want to make everything right. Help anyone in need." She shook her head, adamantly saying, "I know what I was, but I'm nothing like Abyss. That wasn't who I am. And...I'm sorry for what I did to you."

Meadow showed a hint of a smile, glancing his eyes to me and Merana briefly before returning them to Luna's, "And like those two...I see the truth. I see that you aren't lying. You are sorry for what you did to my family." He placed his hand to his chest, "And I do humbly apologize for my behavior too. You...Have earned my respect." He lowered his gaze to the grass, "Your actions won't bring them back though."

Luna showed another guilty look, letting out a breath that washed up on Meadow's yellow fur, "I do wish I could bring back your family. Cause you deserve to have them back."

Meadow locked his gaze back to her and patted her neck, "I know, and thanks." He showed his small smile again, and she showed hers.

I decided to cut in with a coy look and a shrug of both my hands, "So uh...You want to punch me back for punching you?"

Everyone was laughing at that, including the chief. He looked past Luna's face and replied with a smug grin on his muzzle, "For someone who's from another world, you can really punch."

I tilted my head with a toothy grin, "Really? Not angry at me anymore?"

He answered, "Since you're Lunasin's friend, I guess I can let it slide. I did deserve that punch for being stubborn." His eyes trained to Merana, "Maybe I'll have one punch from this one here also." Merana was raising a teasing brow and a grin. He went on with his eyes trained on me now, "And I wouldn't want to fight someone who'd defended my village. I heard that you're an excellent archer. And I even heard that you had saved two cubs during the battle. And for that, I'm grateful and I fully respect you for it."

I waved him off, "Nah, it was nothing."

He walked up and clasped my shoulder, "Nonsense. This village could use the skills of an archer like you." And he turned to look back at Luna, "Like we could have her by our side. Both of you are heroes of the day."

I saw that the female dragon was being modest about it as she shifted her weight with her paws left and right, "Aww...Thanks for the compliment." I was giggling at that and she looked down at him, "Nice to know that you care now."

Meadow replied, "And I'll be making sure that you won't be chained up ever again and feed you well too."

She waved a paw, "Oh, I've already been taken care of both those things. Don't worry."

I thumbed at myself in the chest, "Yep, I took care of one thing, and everyone else took care the other thing."

Luna giggled and stood up on all fours, ruffling her wings, "I have to admit, my stomach longs for your food some more." She rubbed her stomach with her forepaw, "I'm kinda hungry."

Merana laughed and turned her back on us, "Then come to my house and I'll be making you some meat." She waved over and started to trot off, "Come, dear."

I giggled and started to follow after Merana and Meadow, talking over my shoulder to Luna padding behind me, "You'll love her meat, big girl. Trust me on that."

I looked over and saw Luna's tongue licking across her own snout, imagining the taste of Merana's cooking and letting out a trill in her throat, "Can't wait." I giggled in response and we both followed the cheetahs up to Merana's house. She went in while me, Meadow and Luna are standing out in the front. Meadow sighed and turned to face us, "Well I suppose that you guys had enough of talking to me. I'm going to head off now."

Luna said, "Aw, you leaving us now? I was beginning to like your company."

Meadow actually laughed, "I'm really surprised that you're starting to like me now...Considering how I treated you."

The dragoness shook her black scaled head, her long tail moving behind her, "It really is all in the past."

He rubbed the back of his neck, his red cape being blown by the wind behind him, "Yes it is, but I think you'd rather be in the company of Mike here." He gestured to me, "Least, make up for lost time with him. You guys looked close when me and my kind found you that night, now get back to being close again."

Luna slightly nodded at the idea, "Well...Alright. Thank you for that consideration."

I waved, "You have a goodnight, cheetah dude."

He quirked a brow, "Cheetah dude?"

I laughed and shook my head, "Forget about it. Just go."

Meadow began to back away from us, "Alright, bye." He whirled around with his cape swishing loudly behind him. He took slow strides until he was out of our sight.

I sighed as we're alone now, "Well at least he gave you a break." I beamed and looked up at her neck, "No more chains."

Luna shot up her head in pride and relief, "Exactly! Whew! No more chains for this dragon!" We both bursted out laughing after that. Luna started to stroll off to the side of the house onto the patch of grass. She lowered herself onto her stomach, laying down on the ground. Sighing in content. She laid her wings close to her back and swished her tail across the grass a few times.

I walked up until I was standing beside her left shoulder, "Mind if I join you?"

Luna motions her snout towards a spot in front of her, "The chief did say that we should make up for lost time. So have a seat."

I smiled and padded up to that spot and sat my butt down on the grass, crossing my legs and laying my hands on my lap. I muttered and looked at the tall wall at the other side of the village, "Well...Talk about a rough day." I shrugged my shoulders, nodding a bit to myself, "I get kidnapped by cheetahs one night, and I end up fighting in a battle with them, then find myself knocked out. Talk about a rough day indeed."

Luna giggled, "Yeah, but I had to save your life...AGAIN. I know that you'd fought with a weapon this time, but this is twice I find you on the ground and save your life. How many times do I have to do that? First up at the mountain, now here." She was giving me a teasing smirk, "You're not a very good fighter, are you?"

I made a playful glare at her, "VERY funny. I was fighting better than on the mountain. I fought more longer than before!" She was laughing hard at that and I pointed at her laughing form, "And I rescued your ass today, cause you didn't fight well with that chain around you. So what do you think of THAT?"

She rolled her eyes with a snicker, "Well alright, you got me there." Then she was making another teasing grin, "But I think you need to practice fighting some more. You keep getting knocked to the ground. I can't keep saving your little butt, you know."

I groaned slightly, protesting again, "I did better than before!"

"Couldn't fool me! You were lying on the ground again!"

I was waving her off, snickering, "Whatever, I don't care."

She held a concerned look for me, "I am glad you're ok. I was worried. You didn't wake up for me."

I smiled at her concern, "I'm fine now. Thanks to you."

Luna used a talon to point at my leaf bandaged arm, "Barely."

I sighed and rolled up my eyes, "Yeah, barely, but I'm fine. Its just my head's sore from it hitting on a rock."

She winced as I can tell she'd pictured it, "Ouch. No wonder you didn't wake up."

I replied and made a gesture to her in appreciation, "But still thank you again for saving me. And glad that you're not in chains anymore so we can talk like before."

Luna giggled, curling her tail to her side, "Thank the ancestors, I'm not in chains anymore. I really was getting bored! Not to mention hungry!" Her snout was showing me a tease, "Probably should've made you bring some more food for me. Make you my servant."

I rolled my eyes at that, "Screw that, get Merana or Meadow to be your servant." I laughed after that and so has she, tossing up her head.

Then I see that Merana came out of her house and hollered to Luna, "Alright, I'm gonna cook some food for you, dear!" Luna twisted her neck and nodded. The blue cheetah disappeared from sight a second afterward. Leaving me and Luna alone again.

I smiled at her after the mother figure of a cheetah left, "I'm real happy you're not in chains anymore. Like you were worried about me...I was worried for you too. It really wasn't fair."

Luna dipped her head, laying her forepaw over the other, "Honestly...A part of me does deserve being chained up...After everything I did before."

My smile went away and I was shaking my head in protest, "You don't deserve that. You're an innocent girl."

She let out a sigh, "I wasn't always innocent."

I argued, "Luna, I know you're innocent and you never deserved it. You said you were forced to do all those things and it wasn't your fault." Now my curiosity was building up in me about her past once again and I asked with a small frown, "Luna?" She looked at me, "Do you have the strength to talk to me about it? You know I'll listen."

Luna softly started shaking her head, seeing the haunting, guilty look in her eyes, "....No. I...I don't want to talk about it."

I stared at her when she closed her eyes that appeared to be in shame. I nodded slowly to her with a mutter, "Ok."

Luna took a deep breath and let it out. Next she opened her eyes, they were lit up as she deliberately changed the subject, "Hey Mike?" I nodded at that and she asked, "Do you...Still want to go back home?"

I grinned, "I wasn't really planning on staying in the village forever. I love this place and all, but I have to get home."

Her muzzle had a big grin now, "Well I have good news about that. Throughout the whole day, I've been thinking about it and....I...I think I have a solution."

I gasped. What? Really?! I asked, "Really? You know how to get me home?" I got up fast off the grass, "Tell me! How do I get home?"

She laughed and waved her paw down, "Slow yourself down, little guy. I'll tell you." I let out an impatient huff and sat back down immediately. Luna said with a serious look, "Now listen, I don't know HOW to get you home, but I think someone else does." I wrinkled my brow, "He lives in the place where I'm from, where all dragons live, Wingspan. He goes by the title called 'The Great One'."

The Great One? The one who stopped Luna years ago? I nodded, "I heard of that guy and have heard you were from Wingspan from Merana. He was the one that stopped you years ago."

Luna confirmed it with a nod, "That dragon has a lot of knowledge throughout all the years he's lived in this world. He's very wise." She made a thump to the grass with her tail, "And I'd bet my scales that he knows something about this...Green light of yours, how you came here and what not. I may not know it, but I think he might."

I tilted my head, "Is there a guarantee?"

"I know that he'll know how to get you home. He's smarter than any of us creatures standing. I'll bet he knows something."

I giggled in excitement at the news, "That's perfect! So how far is Wingspan? If he's there, where is it? How far do we have to walk?"

She made a grim look and sighed, "Problem with that is....Wingspan's far away. Actually...VERY far away from here. Probably...Several days or weeks travel away from where we are up in the north. Trust me when I say it...I'm far from home."

My eyes went wide. Far? Very far? God....I didn't think it'd be THAT far away.

Luna narrowed her eyes at me, "Now I'm getting a feeling that you want to leave tomorrow, right? After morning?" I confirmed her feeling with a nod and she said, "Well since I know we have to do this, I want you to listen to me carefully. There are other dangers out in the lands beyond here. Other than dealing with Lost Souls and Dark Dragons, there are many dangers. Maybe more dangerous than them. I only want you to do what I say and no arguments. When I tell you to run, you run. And when you do that, there will be a guarantee that I'll get you there. And I promise you that I will. Understand? I will get you home."

Honestly...I was feeling nervous about the idea of traveling for days...Maybe weeks to find Wingspan that has the Great One in it. I don't know what we'll find up ahead.

But...I can see in her eyes that there is no other way. If there was, she would've mentioned it. But there isn't. I know we have to do this. I can count on Luna in this. She can help me. I trust her. I do trust her with my life. I know she can do this for me.

I nodded slowly, "Alright. And I trust you. We have to try." That's what Scott would want me to do. Mom and Gabby would want me to as well.

Luna narrowed at me for a few moments, until she softened that look away and formed a grin on her snout, "Good. And I'll be with you to the end, I promise."

I said, "Thanks."

Luna held her head up towards the dark sky, letting out a sigh, "Tomorrow after morning...Our journey begins." I looked to the sky as well, her words playing in my brain.

Tomorrow after morning...Our journey begins.

*****

I've woken up softly on the grass with my back pressed against the base of a tree. The crickets were loud around here and the stars were just twinkling away up in the sky. I don't even know how long I've been sleeping, but I was getting a feeling it was probably....Two hours ago. My eyes trailed around to the group I'm travelling with, including my girlfriend laying close to me beside me. Emily's head laid against my shoulder and she was sleeping peacefully. Since it was our third time sleeping outdoors, she seemed to have gotten used to it. Heh, she doesn't seem to be bothered by it at all.

I saw Rick laying close to the tree too, close to his daughter at the other side of her. I looked down at his daughter's lap, noticing that he'd placed his hand on it. I'm thinking he did that so he wouldn't let her out of his sight. What father wouldn't in a unfamiliar world?

I moved my eyes now onto Damon, the green dragon, all curled up on the ground. I see his hind foot twitched from his sleep. He's acting pretty peaceful as well. I sighed quietly to myself. Apparently, I'm the only one whose awake. I stared up at the stars. Really is a peaceful night. Ever since all four of us left the cruise ship, there hasn't been any trouble at all. No Lost Souls...No Dark Dragons....No wolfirs....Nothing. Basically all four of us have walked for such a long time, taking short breaks while having a few snacks we've gotten from the ship off course, and we kept on going with Damon in the lead.

I was just honestly happy we haven't ran into trouble just yet. I wasn't in the mood for it. But...Sooner or later, we'll probably run into it. Who knows really?

My thoughts went back to why I've woken up. I do remember what I was dreaming about and the dreams were what woke me up than everybody else.

I was dreaming about Mike. I had a depressed look now, dipping my chin to look at my lap. I was dreaming the time when me and Mike watched uncle Joshua doing archery in his back yard and it was around the time before mom died out at sea. Gosh, I haven't thought about that part in my life for years. I don't know why I was dreaming about it, it just came. I was remembering how Mike gotten into archery and for some reason gotten so good at it. I know most of all from that day I didn't want to shoot any arrows. I was...Just a chicken to doing that. The only thing I did do was just watch.

Really had to admit, thinking about it....Mike really did have skill. I know I wouldn't.

I was blinking my eyes, trying to calm my emotions so I wouldn't break down and cry right now. I'm not going to cry again. Mike would want me to be strong.

I hope that he's somehow escaped from our enemy and he's strong on his end. We haven't exactly found him wandering around in the woods like we were. But now that I think about it...If he's out here, then how would he know about heading to Wingspan? That's where we're going, but he doesn't know that.

I hope we somehow do find him. Or...If we don't find him before we get to the dragon city, we'll be leaving this world without him.

Then again...What if he's....Dead?

Scott, don't think about that again. Just close your eyes and go back to sleep. Maybe we'll find him.

I hope we do.

I laid my head against the bark of the large tree me, Emily and Rick are laying against. Watching Damon's snoring form two feet in front of us, he curled his tail around himself, the tip thumping on the grass. I gazed at him for another minute, until I was feeling sleepy again.

*****

I picked up a small wool bag, carrying it over my shoulder, along with my bow and the quiver full of arrows. Pretty much feeling ready to leave this place. I looked outside through the small window in my room, seeing the cheetahs wandering around during the day. The day I leave this village with Luna. I sighed. I'm gonna miss this place honestly, and I haven't even been here for over a week. But have to get myself back home. I can't live here forever. Besides, Luna's waiting for me outside.

It's already been a few hours since morning went by. Basically before I went to bed last night, after Luna was sharing me about The Great One probably knows the green light that probably brought me here and can figure out how to get me home, I told Merana that I was leaving today. She appeared to be saddened about it, but even she knows that I don't belong here. She knows that I have to go home. But I can still see the look in her eyes that she doesn't want me to leave.

She...Really cares about me.

I don't blame her, but I can't stay here. I'm not a cheetah, I'm a human. I know that I'm accepted as one of them, but I'm not REALLY one of them. I can't live in this world forever like they can, I don't belong here.

I'm sorry, Merana.

This morning after having something to eat with her and Luna, I started gathering up some things that I need for the trip. While I was at it, I believed that the whole village heard that I was leaving with Luna today, and they were saying good luck to me, or goodbye...That kind of thing. I have gotten some herbs that the cheetah from last night gave me, since Merana took me to his place. They were just in case one of us gotten hurt during the journey. He told me how to make them and use them which that was mighty considerate of him. Next, a dagger from another cheetah just in case I run out of arrows, or can't exactly find any way to make anymore of them, and even some apples for the trip too from Merana. Which was awful nice of her.

So now I came back here to Merana's to pack up my things in the new wool bag that I got as another gift from one of the cheetahs, along with the bow and arrows. Now I'm just ready to go.

I turned away from the window and made my way out of my room, barely running into Merana by accident, "Oof." I chuckled and back away from her, "Sorry about that. I didn't see you."

Merana was snickering at this, "No, it's my fault. I didn't slow myself down."

I puffed out my chest and let out my air, "I...I suppose you feel better after your walk?"

The blue female cheetah said with a sad look, "A little bit."

I was holding a pity look for her, "Aw, Merana, don't make this harder on me than it is. You know I can't stay here. We been over this." I was giving her a small smile, "Besides, I'm not a cub, I'm a grown up."

She chuckled, "I know." She hung her head, holding her hands together behind her back, "It's just...I don't want you to get hurt. You already were yesterday, don't think that you won't get hurt again."

Gee, motherly instinct from her. I shook my head softly, "I know I'm not invincible, and I know you don't want me to get hurt. But I won't. Besides, Luna will be with me."

"But the city of dragons is very far away. And I'm sure you know there are other sorts of dangers out beyond these lands." She was giving me a smile, "I'm glad that sweetheart Luna will be with you. That really is kind of her." Then her smile went away, "But I'm afraid that she can't protect you forever. She maybe a dragon with power, but even dragons have limits."

She kinda does have a point. Things really do have limits, and I suppose Luna has them too. But me and Luna can't let that stop us. I nodded, "I get your point. But we're still going. If The Great One knows how to get me home than Luna does, then I got to find him." I was showing her a smile, "Trust me, if I was a cheetah, I would stay here with you. Maybe even...Be your son." I sighed, "I never told you this before, and I suppose it's as good as a time it'll be."

Merana cocked her head, "What is it, Mike?"

My vision began to imagine Merana as Gretchen, my mother, in her place again like the other night. I explained as her form was now back to Merana's, "To be truthful...My real mother died years ago, and...More than once you remind me of her. Your kindness I guess is the reason why."

Merana's face went glum at my confession, "Aw...I'm sorry. I didn't know that. I kinda thought that you had a mother waiting for you back at home, but now...I'm sorry." She let her shoulders slump, "I...I wish you'd stay longer and let me get to know you a little bit more. If you didn't leave...I would've been your mother. You look like such a sweet boy."

I nodded twice, glancing at the floor, "Yeah...." I trailed off.

The female cheetah placed her hand on my shoulder, "I'd take good care of you. And I'd take care of Luna too. She deserves to have family as well....Knowing her past."

I giggled weakly and glanced to her furred face, "You really are TOO motherly, you know that?"

She shrugged with her shoulders, "Maybe I am, but...I do care for you both. I know you're not cheetahs, but I still care for you both." She firmly gripped my shoulder now, "Mike...I don't want you killed and....What if I don't see you again?" I furrowed my brow, "You know after you go home? You may never come back. Mike...I don't want you to go."

I was feeling my heart drop at the thought. God...She's really making this hard on me. Maybe I won't come back here after going back home. Maybe it won't be possible.

Mike...You have to go home. I know you care for her like she was your real mother, but...You have to leave.

With that I shook my head and looked her dead in the eye, "Merana...I can't." I think I saw her lip quivering a bit and I grabbed her wrist and softly dragged it off my shoulder. I was still grasping it when our hands are close to our chests, "I know you fear that I won't come back here...After going home. I know you care for me, I appreciate that. You really are like a mother to me. But I just...I just can't do this. I'm just too...Different. Too different than you and everyone else. I need to be with my own kind. Where I belong." I gave her a smirk, "Let me put at it this way...I'd never forget your kindness...I'd never forget your face....Heck, I'd never forget your name. I would always remember you."

I saw some tears make her furred face a bit wet when running off her eyes, and she slowly wrapped me in a hug. Sobbing softly into my neck. My chest ached with sadness, as I was feeling it coming from her. Poor Merana. I returned the hug letting her cry into me for a little bit. I think after finding out what I was going to do last night, she finally has broken down. I'll let her shed her tears.

About five minutes have passed...I think, before she rose her head off my body, looking deeply into my eyes and they were still a bit wet, "I'll never forget you either, Mike."

I smiled, feeling like I was going to cry too, but I didn't. I only held them back. Instead, I leaned in to press my lips against her furred cheek and kiss it. I asked with concern, "Are you gonna be ok?"

Merana was taking a deep breath and letting it out, "Yes...I think so. Goodbyes really are hard."

"I get the feeling." I stared at the door, while Merana was rubbing her tear stained blue furred face with her hands. Trying to compose herself. I looked back and said, "Want to walk up to the main gate of the village with me?"

She gave a weak nod, "I'll say goodbye to Luna too. See you both off." She started to trot slowly out through the front door, me following her from behind until I was outside. Luna was standing on all fours with her tail swishing back and forth. Looking eager to leave now.

I looked up at Luna as me and Merana got close to her, "I'm ready to leave, are you?"

Luna was grinning, "I already am. I don't have stuff to carry around."

I was laughing at that, shrugging with one shoulder that held my stuff, "Good point."

Merana sighed and looked up at the big girl, "I know that we haven't gotten to know each other all that much, but...I'm gonna miss you. You...Do deserve to live in a place like this. Not go back to the place where every dragon has turned their backs on you because of your past."

Luna held a sad look on her face and lowered her head to the blue cheetah, "I wouldn't mind staying here, but...Even I have to go back home someday, and...Now I have a reason to go home." She gestured her snout to me, "Him. If he wants to go home, then I'll help him." She turned her eyes to me, "I promised him I would." I was only nodding at her.

Merana replied with a small hint of a smile, "Well if you guys change your mind, you can always live here. This village is always welcome for you."

I remarked, "I pretty much doubt it, but I'll keep that offer in mind."

Luna made a nod, "Me too." Merana walked up and wrapped her arms around Luna's neck, pulling herself close to her chest. Luna was a bit shocked at this, but didn't fight the urge to drape her neck around the small form of the cheetah, "Thank you for everything." I didn't break the hug, I just stood there and watched. I don't know what would happen in the future. But I guess...If things don't really work out...If I can't go back home, then I guess I can live in the village for the rest of my life. As long as Luna takes me back here.

I can only find out what happens, when it happens.

Merana turned herself loose from Luna's body and patted her chest twice, "Ok."

The black dragon rose her head above our levels and looked down at the sweet motherly cheetah and me with her silvery eyes, "Alright...Let's go." She began to turn around, walking off on the dirt trail, while me and Merana were following up behind her.

With every glance that I've made, I saw that several cheetahs we'd walked past knew we were now ready to leave and started to give us a wave as we walked past each of them. Luna and I took their waves graciously. We trotted until we were at the big wooden gates at the wall that surrounds the village. Chief Meadow was waiting for us there. He used a hand signal to the guards up on top of the wall, to turn the mechanism to open up the gates. Which they slowly began to open as we drew closer to the chief of the village. Luna stopped in front of him, gazing down at him. I stopped right beside her, and Merana was just standing right behind us.

Meadow gave us both a smile on his muzzle and asked, "Are you sure you want to do this? You can stay here as long as you please. Even you, Lunasin."

Luna respond, "Thank you for the offer. But I need to take this human back home. He needs my help."

He nodded, "Then...I bid you guys good luck." I walked up and gave that guy a pat on the arm, grinning at him. He chuckled and thumbed for the two of us to go. Me and Luna looked at each other for a brief moment and with that, we both began to stroll out through the entrance of the village. To start walking out on the vast meadow outside the wall.

I looked behind me, to see Meadow waving at me, and to my surprise several cheetahs came to the entrance also and were waving too. I even saw Merana waving as well, and...She started to cry again. I held a pity look for the old cheetah. Merana....

The big gates began to shut behind us, and I was waving all of them back, beside me Luna was doing the same thing, waving her forepaw off the ground. With one final moment to Merana's gaze, the gates slammed shut with a hard thud. And that was the last moment of seeing her.

I sighed in a bit of sadness. Feeling sorry for Merana. Only that feeling has gotten worse. I'll never forget you, Merana. I glanced at Luna beside me still, locking her gaze still on the now closed gates. I'm sure she won't either. Luna felt she was being watched and turned her snout to me, with a small smile, "Well...I'm gonna miss Merana. She was so nice."

I nodded and turned my whole body to her, "Me too. But....We have to leave."

Luna's snout moved up and down in a nod, "I know." She sighed and turned her front to the vast land away from the village, "Ready?"

I turned to face with her, taking a deep breath, "Lead the way." Luna started to take one step at a time with each paw. Padding out on the meadow as I was walking now alongside with her. Shifting the weight of my stuff on my shoulder, not taking my gaze off up ahead. I did make a brief glance back at the village, since we're only about several feet away from the place.

Merana's face popped up in my thoughts. I wasn't lying to your face that you were like a mother to me. You were.

Goodbye...Merana.

I'll never forget you.

Then a tear formed and fell down my cheek slowly. I wiped it off and let out a quiet breath. I took my eyes off the village and kept walking without looking back with the black dragoness beside me. Our journey to Wingspan began.

*****

I was standing around on top of a hill in a forest, watching the sun go down. It looked beautiful from this spot.

Me and Luna ever since we both left the village walked for such a long time. Hours after we left, Merana's face was still fresh in my mind, her tear stained face, and a teeny tiny part inside me misses her still. But I know I'll get over it. I just miss her a little bit.

Now another thought came to me...What if I can't go back home? I mean, I know I'm not a cheetah and I belong back home, but then...What if I can't go home? Maybe I'd see her again. But I still don't know that for sure. This Great One seems pretty smart according to Luna, so perhaps he'll find a way of getting me home. If he knows something about the green light in the sky. Luna seems to believe that. She can really count on him.

If I...Do go home, then I'll always remember Merana. I don't think there will be a human like that cheetah. I haven't met another person like mom before. Only Merana.

I let out a trembling breath. Oh Merana....Even when I'm out of the village, you're still making this hard on me.

But hey, even if I don't come back, at least she'll still have her only daughter and her family keeping her company. That's a big positive, right?

I formed a small smile on my face and also made a small nod at the thought. Yeah...It is.

The sunset's light still shined over the lands, onto me as well. That's when Scott's face came into the picture now. I let out a sigh as these certain questions came to me again. Scott...Are you out there somewhere? Or are you dead by the enemy?

Are you walking around alone with Emily and Rick? Or did my efforts to save your lives been in vain?

I huffed in frustration. I'm still trying to accept if you're alive...Or not. This is hard. Hard to really know for sure.

But I'll tell you this....If you're dead and if I make it back home...Joshua would kill me. I was supposed to look after you.

I'm not doing what I'm told. I totally suck at that for sure.

My eyes were drawn around the area. Scott...

A voice close to me broke through my thoughts, "Mike?"

I jumped a bit, "Ah!" I turned my body fast to see Luna's form was actually close to mine. Looking down at me with curiosity in her silver eyes. I rolled back my eyes and groaned, "Thanks a lot, you scared me."

She snickered and settled the wings on her back, tail wagging behind her, "I saw that. Sorry." She lowered her snout to me with a teasing smile, "Thought I was a Dark Dragon?"

I found myself giggling at her expression, "No. I just didn't expect you to pop up near me. I thought you were tired and laying down?"

Luna held a bit of a worried face and shook her head, "No, you were just gone for several minutes and I was a bit worried for you. Wondering where you went. I also couldn't even sleep. I think it's a bit early to sleep now anyways. I think I just wanted to rest my paws." She lifted up her forelimb and swung it around, "My leg was killing me today."

I giggled again, "Aw, sorry to hear that." I bent down and rubbed my legs, "Well my legs are killing me a bit too, so I think it's great that we're not walking anymore in the night."

Luna waved that paw in a bit of a shrug, "Hope not. I wouldn't last forever!"

"Well neither would I!" We started to laugh together, the black dragoness sitting down on her haunches after lifting her head above my level.

She looked out to the sunset after catching her breath, "Not a bad sunset. I don't think your world has one of those, right?"

I chuckled, joining her gaze, "Actually, yeah it does." I made a crack, "I just don't travel much back at home like I do here."

Luna rolled her eyes still staring ahead, "You REALLY need to get out more. You never flown with a dragon before, and now you're telling me that you hardly traveled like right now. Seriously, you need to."

I let out a playful sigh and sidestepped to her only to nudge her side with an elbow, having her looking down beside me now, "I'm working on it!" She tossed up her head and laughed, her wings fluttered by the laughter she'd made. I added with a heated remark, "Remember what I said, if you're planning to carry me into the sky, just freakin warn me."

She had a mischievous smirk on her snout, "Perhaps, I won't warn you and just surprise you. You may love the surprise and love flying while at it."

I narrowed my eyes up at her, "Don't even think about it."

Luna made a playful growl, "Ooo....I'm thinking about it."

I held up my hand, "You do that..." I slapped at the air, proving my warning to her, "I'll slap your nose again."

Her eyes widened and she was moving her paw, waving me off, "On second thought...I'll behave."

I held up my chin in smug, "Thought so."

Then the dragon was adding with another devious smirk, "Or then again I won't." She gave me a wink afterwards and snickered.

I groaned, "God, now I'm having a bad feeling about this." She let out a laugh and I only laughed weakly myself. I did smile at her after that, finding this whole thing amusing.

We both looked at each other and she asked with a frown, "So, are you feeling alright? You did appear to be thinking about something. Or are you just staring in awe of the sunset with nothing on your mind?"

I shrugged my shoulders with a grin, "Why would I stare at the sunset in awe? It's not like I haven't seen a beautiful sunset before."

She shrugged her wings and shoulders, making them curl against her back again, "Well I don't know your world all that much."

I nodded slightly, "Don't worry, since we're together for...God knows how long, I'll tell you as much about my world as you want." I held up a finger, "Just as long as you tell me some things about YOUR world as well. I'm sorta curious about it."

Luna shot up her head, "Deal." She cocked her head, "So...What's on your mind? Merana?" She was having a sad look now, "Hey, I miss her too a little bit. A lot more than anyone else there. She really does seem like the motherly type. Has heart and all."

I nodded in agreement, "I miss her too...A little bit, like you. But I'll get over it." I hung my head and sighed while admitting it, "I was thinking about her, but I was also thinking about something else. Well....Actually SOMEONE else."

"Who?"

I let out a breath, "Look...I probably should've told you this a long time ago. But...I just wasn't sure if he was still alive. Let alone know exactly where he is. I sorta thought...I didn't want to trouble you about him."

She brought her head closer to mine, asking this with concern, "Who's him? What are you talking about?"

I hung my head as I began to tell this tale. The memories from that night were flooding in my head like a river, "Well...I did say that there were a lot of other humans other than me, and they were all dying." She nodded, silently urging me to go on, "But...I did not tell you who else I was with. See, he's a part of my family. He's my...Younger brother and his name's Scott."

Luna's face was brought real close to me, locking her eyes onto me, "A brother? You have a brother?" I didn't say a word, I only had my eyes to the ground. She bumped her nose at my chest, getting me to talk, "What happened to him? Where was the last place you saw him?"

I looked up at her eyes momentarily, "That's the problem...I don't even know where he's at." I hung my head again, "Let alone if he's alive or not. That's pretty much a big if. See...Last time I saw my brother, he was with his girlfriend and her father. We were all...Trying to escape the Lost Souls in this...Stone fortress of some sort. I was...Distracting the monsters, trying to buy my brother and them some time to escape. But...I don't know if they're alive. And...I have no idea where I was at before...I came to your mountain. That place was where I got one of those teleportation stones and got away. I was just...Lucky."

Luna hummed and was averting her gaze, "I'm sorry to say...I don't know where this...Stone fortress you're talking about is at. I have no idea one bit."

I sighed, I knew she never knew where it was at. Now it's been confirmed. I muttered, locking my gaze on her, "I figured you didn't know. And...What I can't figure out...Is if my brother's alive or not." I groaned and turned away from her, "I mean, that's a big if. I'm trying not to lose hope on that, but what if he's dead? What if his girlfriend and father with him are dead? There probably isn't a guarantee."

Luna moved her eyes to my back and held a pity look in them now. After a moment has passed, she nudged my back softly with her nose, "I think...He's alive."

My eyes went wide and I whirled around facing her. She smiled a bit, hope shone in her eyes, "If he's anything like you, then your brother's alive." She rose her head above my level and shook her head, "And if you're thinking that you'd trouble me about revealing to me about your brother. It doesn't. Maybe he's out there somewhere, and he's looking for you. Maybe...Thinking the same thing as you are. Wondering for the fact that you're dead or not. But...I can imagine that he's still alive. Trying to find his way back home...Like you are."

I shrugged my shoulders, softening my look, "Yeah, but he wouldn't know where Wingspan's at. He wouldn't know that I'm heading there."

She remarked with a snort, "So we'll find him then. We'll find him before we get there."

I asked with a stuttered tone, "But...What if he's dead and we're only looking for him for nothing? Like I said, there won't be a guarantee."

Luna nodded at that, "I know there isn't. But we don't know that. I can still imagine he's like you."

I hung my head, "Not that much."

"Come on, you really think that?"

I waved a dismissive hand, "We're two different...People. That's why I think that."

The black dragon said, standing tall over me, "Mike, look at me." I did what she told, looking up at her, "I understand your fear, and I understand your concern about troubling me about him. But I'm not. I wouldn't mind looking for him along the way. That doesn't trouble me at all." She was having a big hopeful smile, "I know he might not be alive also, but who knows? Maybe we might run into him. Or perhaps he might run into another nice dragon like me. I do figure that not all dragons live in Wingspan. Some of them live outside of it. Maybe he's on his way to Wingspan with that dragon too." She was waving a paw, "I don't know for sure. But I can only hope and imagine, he's like you and he's alive. He's thinking about you too, I can feel it."

I rose a brow, "That's a pretty odd feeling you're getting."

She giggled, "But I promise you, he's alive. And I choose to believe it. You'll see him again."

I smiled a bit, "I know you believe it, but lets not promise anything. You could be wrong."

Luna was giving me a nod, "I might. But...Don't give up that hope, Mike. Until you see if he's dead, or know for sure if he's dead, he's alive. And...You'll find him again, and I'll be meeting your brother too."

I was just looking at her, letting her words play out in my mind. Don't give up that hope....She's right. I won't. There isn't a guarantee, but he's probably alive. And she wouldn't mind searching for him too while we're travelling to Wingspan. Maybe we might run into him. He could be dead, but I don't know that. I haven't known that for the past few days. I need to stop thinking he's dead, cause I don't know that. I said to her with some hint of hope in my eyes, "Thanks."

She winked, "No problem." The dragon started to drew back her head and opened her muzzle for a yawn. Her tongue curling and all. I giggled quietly at this. She looks a bit funny doing that. When she was done yawning, she looked down at me, "Well I'm getting tired now." Me and her begin to notice that the sky and lands were getting darker, meaning the sun's almost out. She looked out at the sky and murmured, "Well...I think it's getting dark now." She turned her snout to me, "You coming?"

I turned my eyes to the almost went out sun in the sky, saying softly to her, "Give me a minute. I'll be right there." Luna stared at me for a moment, then got up off her haunches, turned her body and began to slink away from me. Leaving me alone to watch the sun go further down.

Scott appeared in my thoughts once more, and then the hope Luna gave me burned brightly in my heart. He's alive...He is alive. He's out there somewhere. I muttered out loud, like I was letting my voice carry out to Scott somewhere out there, "Don't worry, bro. I'm alive. I'm out here, trying to survive...Trying to find a way home. And...If you're out there somewhere...Don't worry, Scott...I'll find you. I know I will."