Four Months Later

I'm laying on my stomach in the park at the human town. Looking up at the clouds in the blue sky. The sun's rays were warming up my black scales. The clouds were moving slowly across up there. I took a deep breath and let it out with a smile spread across my snout. What a nice day. Then I heard a voice in front of me, "Hi." My ears perked up and I looked down at a human hatchling standing right in front of me. It was a little male, like he's probably below the age of ten. He had brown hair on his head and he had a big grin on his face. He was giving me a little wave, "Hi."

I chuckled at the little guy. Wow, what a brave little human. Wasn't scared of me one bit. I responded, "Well hello there, little guy. Having a nice day?"

He was nodding up at me, "Uh huh."

I wrinkled my face and tilted my head, "Say, where's your family? Are you wandering around alone?"

The little human hatchling answered, "No, my mom and dad are over there." He turned his body a bit to point at his family having a walk. They were just catching up to him.

I giggled at them, when his parents were right behind him, "I actually thought your boy was lost."

The mother placed her hand on her son's shoulder and replied with a shy smile, "Sorry about that. Did he bother you? It's just that our son is pretty hyperactive and he always runs off like that."

I waved her off with my paw and shook my head, "There was no trouble at all. I would've kept an eye on him, before you guys came."

The father said when he stood beside his mate and child, "Well least he won't run out in the street if a big strong girl like you kept watch over the boy."

I said, "I like hatchlings. They don't bother me none."

The parents chuckled deep in their throats and the dad said, "Glad you're the kind of girl dragon who loves children."

I made a nod at him, "I do." I was looking right at the little guy between his parents. Staring fondly at him, "I really do."

The little boy gave me a frown and asked, "Are you a momma?"

That question brought a surprised look to my face and then I shook my head to answer him, "No, little guy. I'm not."

He asked another question, "Why? How come?"

I replied, "I just don't."

He hung his head a bit, "Oh." Then he glanced back up at me and smiled, "You look like a momma to me."

I put on an amused smile, "How would you know that? We don't know each other."

The mother gazed down at her son, "Yeah, honey. How would you know?"

He answered with a shrug of his shoulders, "I don't know. I just do. She looks like a mom to me."

I lowered my head to his level and looked right at his eyes, "Thank you, uh....What's your name?"

He said, "David."

I nodded at him, "Well David, my name's Rain."

The human hatchling beamed at me, "Nice to meet you, Rain." Then he was trying to reach out to touch my nose, and his parents actually let him. They do know that I'm not a threat so they went ahead and let him do it. He touched it and he was rubbing it softly.

I was giggling at his touch and said to his parents when I rolled my eyes to gaze at them, "He's a cute little guy."

The father said this with a proud smile, "Thank you very much." Then he picked up his son with both arms and held him up and looked right at his son who gazed back at him, "Alright, David. We need to go."

Then the hatchling's mother said when she looked at her watch. Her face went wide at it, "Hey listen Rain, it's nice meeting you." Then she said to me in a rush, "But we need to get going."

The dad nodded at me when I rose my head above their levels, "Thank you for watching our son a bit. He really runs fast!"

I giggled at that, "I know another certain hatchling who runs fast, just like your son. And there wasn't any trouble at all."

David was waving at me when his father still carried him when he walked away, "Bye." I gave him a cute little wave back, as he was still carried off by his father and his mother walking beside them. I hummed at them. Cute little guy, indeed. Pretty odd, that little guy kinda reminded me of Brandon. Then I looked behind me in the park and saw a few other humans wondering around in the area. Not afraid of seeing a dragon like me laying in their own park. I let out a pleasant sigh at the thought. Four months....Four months since things finally changed. When both humans and dragons, are finally co existing together for the first time since sixty six years ago.

About four months has passed, since Marcus died and his spell has finally went away. Things couldn't have been better. On the night after Brandon is brought back to life after changing back into his human form and after Tommy actually remembered me, me, Jessie, Brandon and Wayne who were with me had a lot of explaining to do. We told him everything. What Marcus did, all that. After that, Tommy actually recognized Wayne and realized that he hasn't aged one bit. That's when Wayne said to him that he and Amanda stayed in the dragon city for years and never aged at all. That the magic from the city aged them more slower. Tommy has known about dragons living more longer by staying in their city, but he never figured that it worked on humans, too. He was shocked at that.

That's when Sierra, Frankie, Cody and Neal, with Amanda riding on his back all flew down from the skies and actually found us near Tommy's burning house. They were all relieved that we're ok and alive, and what's more they were surprised that Tommy didn't fight or scream at them at all. Tommy actually walked up to each of them and embraced them with open arms. Even Frankie! Tommy knew that Frankie wasn't real nice to him back then, but he figured that since Frankie's with them, that meant he changed. And the old human hugged my brother tightly for the first time in his life. Frankie took it well and Jessie afterward ran and threw herself into his chest too. Sobbing happily at him. Wayne and Sierra ran into each other and hugged one another too.

After our reunion came, and I remembered the wounds I've had when I fought Marcus, Brandon and Wayne suggested that I should go to a human town and get my wounds treated. Since dragons don't have the kind of things humans have. I didn't really argue about it and we all flew to a nearby human town. I can remember Brandon's weight on my back and Tommy was sitting behind him. Flying on my back for the very first time since years ago, and Tommy was loving it. We all found a town that has a hospital and we landed in front of it. That's when several nurses who were outside the building all screamed at us dragons and ran in the building. That was when about two minutes later a few police cars came up with the humans driving them and pulled out their guns at us.

Before they could shoot at us however, Brandon and his fellow human friends stopped them with their hands raised. And a even bigger surprise happened, when a male doctor came out of the building too and pleaded for the officers to don't shoot us. Also several other humans came out of nowhere too, along with another human officer! Turns out several humans who lived in that town, who has lived on from sixty six years ago has remembered my kind being friendly and kind, and we've co existed. They, like Tommy, has remembered our kind and are not hostile anymore. The officers who were pointing guns at us, were just the new generation of humans, so that's why they were shocked and afraid. But thank the ancestors for the humans who remembered, stopped them from shooting us.

My wounds were patched up by the humans doctors and I was feeling better throughout the night. Even my leg that was bitten deep by Marcus was feeling better. Brandon since he was naked because of his transformation, have gotten himself some new clothes. And he stayed with me throughout the whole night. Tommy and everyone else has too. All of them praising me for bringing an end to Marcus and his spell. I really have became a hero to them, but it wasn't just me. Brandon was one too, when he saved my life.

The next morning while I was laying around outside the hospital building with Brandon close to me and my friends were too, several humans who appeared to be the newest generation of them, have showed up and met us all. They were apprehensive about my kind at first, but the human doctor and several older humans who were with them, told them that we're friendly and wouldn't hurt a fly. I even gotten myself touched by a young human girl, that I've never met and to show them that we are friendly and kind, I nuzzled her. By the look in their eyes, they believed it and they all started walking up to Cody, Neal, Sierra and Frankie. Frankie for the first time in his life that he's surrounded by so many humans, was loving all the attention. Sierra, Neal and Cody were loving it too, they practically missed this! Been a real long time, since humanity has accepted them. I was happy for them, happy for myself. Things are slowly beginning to change to normal outside my home. After that day, word began to spread outside that human town and the whole world began to see my kind and accept us again.

With the coercion of me and my friends, we convinced the rest of my kind who has hidden in the dragon city to come out of hiding. And to their relief and surprise, they see that humanity has returned to normal and accepted them. My kind knows it's safe now to see humanity again. From what I've found out the humans who lived for a long time, recognized the dragons they've befriended and the dragons were happy to see them again. Just like I was happy to see Tommy again.

Now today in the park, me, Brandon and my friends, have joined up with Tommy and Diana to have barbecued meat with them. I just wandered off while all of us were eating and just laid here. Laying here under the bright sun, just enjoying this.

I let out a sigh, as memories of my first time meeting Tommy came to me. The night when I took him home by flight. Tommy....I'm glad it's possible again. I'm glad I'm talking to you again since years ago. You're acting like the Tommy that I know....The Tommy that I've loved. I held a paw to my chest and let out a breath. My memory of my first intimate moment with him came to mind as well. The moment we first shared a kiss, outside his house in front of the barn. Tommy...

I did tell Tommy that me and Brandon are together as mates now, and he seemed to take it real well. But does he still love me, right at this moment? When he's old right now?

If he still does after he remembered me, I hope he's not hurt because of me. I never meant to do that and never wanted to hurt him at all.

I hung my head a bit in guilt. As it was tugging at my heart. Tommy...

That's when I heard his old voice next to me, "Rain?" I shot up my head and looked down beside me, giving him a smile. He was grinning at me when he said, "What's up, big girl? You do know that me and everyone else are still eating barbecue right now." He spread out his arms, "You're missing the good stuff!"

I tossed my head and laughed, "Oh I know! I was just laying here. Enjoying the sun." I cocked my head and playfully asked, "Let me guess...Brandon sent you to find me?"

Tommy actually shook his head, "Nope. Actually, he knew that you'd be back. I volunteered to look for your big old black self."

I playfully giggled, "Speak for yourself! Look at yourself in the reflection. You're old right now!"

Tommy chuckled in his throat and sighed, "Yeah, I am. Now I'm the old one!" Then we both shared a laugh together and then he shrugged his arms, "But at least I'm proud to admit it!"

I lowered my head to his level and bumped my snout into his chest, "You better admit it. Or else if you didn't, that would mean you're delusional."

He rolled his eyes, "I wouldn't be the only delusional one here, if I did."

I shot a glare at him, "Not old, Tommy. I'm NOT OLD."

He raised his hands in defense, "Alright, alright. I get it."

I raised a brow, "Do you?"

Then he gave me a sly grin and answered, "Nope."

I narrowed my eyes again and let out a sigh, "I figured as much."

He giggled and patted my side, "Oh, you seriously never changed at all. Even after sixty six years ago, you haven't changed much." He was looking lovingly at my scales and then at my face, "You really haven't. Your scales still look beautiful."

I was slowly smiling at him, "I still look like a beautiful angel to you?"

Tommy said, "Surprisingly, yes."

I moved my head to touch his nose with mine, "You look like the same Tommy to me."

He had an unsure look on his face, "Even with the white hair and wrinkles?"

I was giggling at that and answered, "Yes, even with those things." I rose my head away from him, only looking down at my former mate, "I still see the human that I've met years ago, and he...Still has those same eyes." Then I looked away from him by looking ahead. He didn't see the small guilty look on my face.

Tommy was a bit worried and asked, "Hey...Are you ok?"

I nodded without looking at him, "I'm fine."

Tommy decided to walk up to my chest, facing me and pressed, "I find it a bit hard to believe." He planted a comforting hand on my chest. I can practically feel my heart beating against it, "Rain, what's wrong? You know me, you know you can talk to me. And you know I'd help you. It's not like I haven't done so before."

I gazed down at him, "I know." Then I took a deep breath and let it out, shyly looking away from him a bit, "Tommy...Do you remember the day we've first met? During the town fair?"

He slowly nodded at me and backed away from my chest a little bit, "I remember it well."

I looked down at him, "Do you remember the night we confessed our feelings to each other?"

Tommy held a guilty face and lowered his eyes to the ground. He let out a pained sigh, "I also remember that I've shot you and you ran away from me in fear. Not to mention, that you felt betrayed by me." He was looking up at me, "You do know that I'm sorry for hurting you. That I was calling you a monster. I never meant to do that. I just...Didn't remember you that day."

I shook my head at him, giving him a small comforting smile, "It wasn't your fault. It was all Marcus's doing. Besides...I still loved you, even after you shot me."

He sighed, "Yeah, but you've wasted all your years watching over me. To see that I'd call out to you by name. You were waiting for me for years and you've neglected yourself from your brother and your friends. I wish, none of that didn't happen. You didn't deserve that kind of pain and sorrow."

I shrugged my shoulders, "Well that's what I get for falling so hard for you. I just couldn't really...Let you go."

Tommy smiled, "But one young boy, who's almost the same age as I was, found you. And helped you do that. That he pulled you away from that pain and sorrow."

I replied, "Yeah, on the bright side of things, if I wasn't watching over you...My second chance at love...Wouldn't have met me." I shut my eyes at that, my lip was quivering.

Tommy took a guess at what I was thinking about, "Is it about Brandon?"

"No." I shook my head, "Well sorta...It's about you."

He tilted his head, "What do you mean, sorta about me?"

I let out a guilty sigh and lowered my head real close to his face. I was looking straight into his eyes and said, "Tommy, I'm not trying to cause problems and you know that I'm never the dragon to do that. But I need to ask you something, ok? I feel like I want the truth from you...As my friend."

Tommy was frowning at me and he cradled my chin with his hands, "What is it, Rain?"

I asked right away, "Tommy...Do you still have feelings for me? I mean...Do you still love me right now?"

Tommy nodded when he got the picture, "Ohhh....I see now. You're feeling some sort of guilt for me. You're thinking that-"

"I was thinking that since I'm with Brandon now and we both told you that we're mates....I'm thinking that I'm hurting you, because you probably feel that way right now. That I'm hurting your feelings." I was giving his cheek a small lick with my tongue and had a forgiving look upon my eyes, "I'm sorry, Tommy. I'm sorry, if I'm hurting you. I know what we shared was beautiful and I'll cherish every moment we had. Even giving you a first flight on my back, and that Christmas night we both shared."

Tommy was grinning at those memories, "I can remember that flight right now. I'll never forget that."

I responded, "Even the scarf you gave me."

He chuckled at that, "I still can't believe you gave that back to me." Then he let out a sigh of relief, "At least, the little thing has survived the fire in my house. It was a big miracle!"

I asked him again, trying to get back on the subject, "Look, please answer my question....Do you still love me?"

Tommy stared at my eyes and was deep in thought. He finally answered, "A part of me still does. I'll be honest....Even though, I didn't remember you at all for so long...I think I was feeling you still, but I couldn't really picture you. Your face looked really blank to me. But I was feeling you."

I had a curious look in my eyes, "Is that why you didn't shoot me that night when me and Marcus came to your house and fought? Even when you were close into doing it?" That really explains why he was looking at me kinda strange and was touching his own chest, he was feeling it.

Tommy remarked, "I was just glad, I didn't shoot you again. Only that time, I would've killed you. I wouldn't forgive myself for that. You really tried your hardest to help me remember."

I nodded in his hands, "I had to try. I didn't want you to hurt me again. Only Marcus."

He was chuckling, "Oh believe me, I would shoot that motherfucker if I remembered you." Then he bore a serious look and asked, "So what about you? Do you still love me?"

"A little. But my love for Brandon's more stronger. I was just...Feeling sorry and guilty for you. I wish that there was a mate for you right now."

He shook his head, "I don't need a mate, girl. Having you as my girlfriend back then, was enough for me. I wouldn't want anyone else."

I let out a trembling sigh, my warm breath washed upon him, "Tommy I loved you, but....I love Brandon now. And....I'm sorry."

He gave my nose a kiss and was actually smiling at me, "You don't have to be sorry. It's your life, just live with it. Don't be sorry for me."

I drew back my head a bit and had a look of confusion, "But I thought you said that you love me still."

He waved his hand in front of my eye, "Oh I always will, Rain. But...You and I both know that we can't be together now. What good will that do?" I put his hand to his chest, "I'm past my prime now. I'm old, and there's nothing we can do about it."

I closed my eyes and my lip began to quiver again, "When I was watching over you and when I've found out how many years has passed by....I wished you weren't old at all. To be honest, while we were together back then....I wanted you to live in the dragon city with me. If you did, if that spell didn't fall on humanity....You would still be young like Wayne and Amanda." My eyes were watered with tears while my eyes were shut. They fell out past my closed eyelids and fell down my cheeks, "You wouldn't grow old and die, if it wasn't for all that. I would always be your angel."

Tommy replied, "I...I would've said yes."

I shot my eyes open in surprise and sniffed my nose, "What? You would've?" I shook my head, "I would think you'd say no to my offer. Because your mother died and you were living in the last thing that belonged to her. Her house."

He nodded, "You're right, I was living in her house. But I would still live with you, despite that. Even I had to let go of something like that."

I asked, "Why?"

"Because I loved you, Rain. If you asked me to live with you and your kind, I would say yes. I really loved you, I wouldn't decline to live with my love in her own home. My mother would've let me do that. And you're right, I would be young now if I've stayed with you for sixty six years." Then he shook his head and went on, "But I wasn't and we both accepted it. And besides....We don't belong together now. That time has come and gone. You're someone else's angel now. You became mine, but you belong to someone else and he loves you. And I'm glad he found you." He was giving me a confident smile, "And let me tell you something, you have my blessing and support to be with him. He's a great kid. Don't worry about me, I'll be fine. I was never hurt at all. Your feelings matter. I'll always be your friend."

I smiled at that, "Thanks, Tommy. And....I won't worry about it again."

He kissed my nose about three times and said, "Good."

I said with a breath, "And Tommy?" He raised a brow in curiosity and I said, "When you die from being old....I'll never forget you. I'll always remember you."

He said, "So will I. You're the best thing that has ever happened to me."

I rose my head off his hands and kissed his cheek. Then I said, "Can you do me one favor, when you die?" He nodded and I asked, "When you die and if you find your mother and my parents, can you tell them that I said hello?"

Tommy stroked my cheek and answered, "Of course, I will. And just to give you a comforting thought...When I die....I'll always be YOUR angel."

My tears came down a bit more and I let out a trembling sigh, "Oh Tommy...." I shut my eyes and then I buried my snout into his chest. I started sobbing a bit into him. He wrapped his arms around my head and pulled me deeper in his embrace. I cried softly into his shirt, until a few minutes has passed. I let out a sigh, as I couldn't cry anymore. I rose my head above his level, got up on all fours and reached up with my paw to wipe my face off.

He was giggling a bit and remarked, "You better wipe those tears off. Don't want Brandon to think that something's wrong."

I gave my nose a deep sniff and giggled too, "Yeah, I know. I need to quit that." Then I began to turn my whole body away from him and asked, "C'mon. Lets go back to eating more barbecue."

Tommy held out a hand and rose his voice a bit, "Hey wait."

I turned my back on him and twisted my head to look behind me, "What?"

He said, "About the scarf, surviving the fire. I still have it. So do you want it back?"

I smiled and shook my head, "No, you keep it. Brandon gave that to you from me, for all the kindness you gave me. And you know it. I don't need it anymore. You deserve to have it."

Tommy walked up alongside my body and ran his hand across my scales with each step, "Well...Alright. I'll keep it then."

I responded, "Thank you." Then we both started to walk side by side back to the others. Letting out a sigh to myself. Feeling better that Tommy's not hurt because of me and Brandon. I looked down at him beside me and remembered what I said to him and what he said to me. I'll never forget you, Tommy.

And you'd be a great angel to a black dragoness like me. I would appreciate it a lot.

*****

Me, Sierra, Wayne, Neal, Amanda, Frankie, Cody, Eleanor, Henry, Jessie, my mom, Sebastian, and Joanna were in the park still eating our food that was made from a barbecue grill. It was all Tommy's idea to come here and eat and here we all are, eating away while Tommy and Rain went off somewhere. They better get back here soon. All the food's almost gone! Me and my fellow humans were sitting cross legged with plates in our laps, with the dragons laying on their stomachs eating only with paws and without plates. I looked to where mom and Sebastian are at. Mom's back laid against the old bronze drake's chest and his forelimbs were curled on her lap. She was basking in enjoyment of him. I grinned at those two. I knew they'd become close together. I knew it before they met.

Four months ago, about several days after dragons and humanity have reunited to co exist again, I actually brought Sebastian to mom to meet her in Leon for the first time in their lives. Sebastian haven't had a chance to meet her, since Marcus died. On the day when we all survived, and when me and my friends told him the good news that mom's alive, he was REALLY relieved. He really did care for her. I'm just glad that she's alive to meet him.

And speaking of meeting, before I got those two to meet, the old drake was pretty nervous. He did tell me he likes her, but he's afraid to meet her. I did reassure him however. Mom since she met Rain and the other dragons, wasn't nervous about meeting Sebastian at all. She loved my friends, including Rain, and she didn't have any hesitation to meet the old bronze drake. She even asked why I named Sebastian after her husband and my father. I told her it was because Sebastian's like a father to me and she'd love him. After I told her, she wanted to meet him too. I think after telling her that the old drake reminded me of my father, was another reason why she wants to meet him. When I brought them together at the parking lot of the motel where mom stays at now since our house was burned down, I was afraid Sebastian might scamper and fly off. But the meeting between those two together went well. They actually hit it off. Sebastian was real calm and collected, he spoke to her in a normal tone. Mom actually offered to have a walk with the old drake on that day and he accepted it gracefully. I knew the old guy can do it. He just needed my push to do it.

More than once, Sebastian would venture out of the city and meet mom, since humanity has changed and there was no threat of him getting hurt. He was even surprised at how everything in my race has changed up close when he's at Leon. So he was just intrigued by everything around him, other than excited to be with my mom. He even took her flying in the sky and from what mom told me, she was feeling alive after that. I knew how she felt, I feel alive too with Rain in the air. Sebastian two weeks after their first meeting, more than once took mom to the dragon city and was amazed of the place that I'm living in now. She was shocked at all the dragons in the streets! When it was late and when Sebastian would offer her to sleep over at his house, she didn't hesitate to say yes. She trusts that guy pretty much. I smiled at the thought. Sebastian really got what he wished for. He got to meet and befriend my mom and he's with her. According to him, he told me that he and her talked about their lost loved ones, and mom actually broke down and cried into his scales. Mom for the first time in her life other than me, has someone that she trusts the most to cry into. Sebastian would always hold her, I know he would.

Lately, since I keep seeing them close and together, I sometimes wonder if they're....Together. Like me and Rain are. But I doubt it pretty much. They didn't appear to get intimate with each other. So I'm sure that Sebastian didn't tell her how he felt towards her...Yet. Well things take time, so who knows when he does tell her. Since mom actually supports my relationship with Rain, I wonder if she actually will be with Sebastian in that way. I still don't even know, but she does seem to be REALLY happy for the first time since dad died. Maybe...She might give it a try. But only time will tell.

I glanced at Joanna beside the old drake and I was smiling in relief for the old dragoness. She hasn't coughed sickly since last month.

While Joanna was happy that dragons are with humans once again in harmony, Joanna was still sick after Marcus died. But one day about a month ago, she wasn't coughing as much as before. Then a few days went by after that day, she wasn't coughing anymore and Joanna was actually feeling better! Me and everyone that she knew were happy for her recovery. Neal and Amanda even offered her the position as owner at the Braveheart back after she recovered. Joanna however declined their offer, knowing that those two would make good permanent owners of the restaurant and she says she's retired. She does say that she'll miss being the owner there, but she feels her time being owner has passed. But she did say that if me or Wayne are going to sing there, she wants them to give her a holler so she'll get on stage and announce to the guests that we're singing. Neal and Amanda didn't have a problem with that offer. I'm happy that Joanna's going to live more longer now. I love the old girl. She even gets along with my mother as well. Well why wouldn't they get along? Joanna's the kind of dragon you'd hang out with.

I let out a pleasant sigh and glanced toward Neal now. I saw him taking another chunk of meat and swallowed it. While me and everyone was looking at him, we saw that his snout is now covered with barbecue sauce. I began to laugh and he appeared all confused as to why I'm doing that. I pointed and exclaimed, "You have sauce on your face!"

We all laughed, except Neal who perked up his head in shock. He looked down at Amanda beside him and asked, "Hey Amanda, do I have-"

Amanda was giggling like a maniac and she nodded, "I was laughing too, big guy. So does my laughter answer your question?"

He growled at her, "I suppose, it does." But then he was giving her a teasing look, "Hey I suppose you want to kiss this drake right now? I think maybe, I want to smooch with you."

He was lowering his head to Amanda when she scooted back away from the drake's barbecued face with a wide look, "Neal, no! You'll get my face dirty!"

He chuckled when he was close to her face, "If my face gets dirty, then yours will too." He was ready to press his snout to her little mouth, until she slapped his nose really hard. He cried out and jerked it back up, while all of us were laughing. He was rubbing his nose, trying to subside the pain on his nose, "Amanda, come on!"

Amanda held an innocent look and waved her hands in defense, "Sorry, I just didn't want my face dirty. Barbecue sauce is kinda sticky."

Neal groaned and lowered his paw back to the ground, "I would've licked it off, woman."

She crossed her arms with a narrowed look, "I wasn't in the mood for smooching anyways, now quit whining. I didn't hurt you."

He shot up his head, "Yes, you did! You slapped my precious nose!"

She waved him off, "Oh you'll be fine."

Jessie looked up at Frankie beside her and threatened, "Just to warn you, you dork. Don't kiss me when your face is dirty. I'll be in the mood for smooching when you clean yourself up."

He swallowed down the barbecued meat and he sighed and rolled his eyes, "Whatever. I'm not in the mood for smooching either." Now he was forming a teasing grin on his snout, "On second thought, maybe I won't because of your attitude."

Jessie shot a playful glare at him, "When your queen is in the mood and demands smooching, you better get to smooching."

He waved his paw, "I will, when you don't have an ego."

My mother while laying her back against Sebastian's chest was laughing at that, "Goodness! You drakes really have your paws full with them."

Neal and Frankie both looked at her and Neal snorted, "Oh we are. And trust us, we're dealing with two little females with balls."

Frankie added, "With egos!"

Amanda said to both of them, "You have egos too!"

Then the two drakes said this at the same time, "Whatever!"

Mom laughed again and said, "Maybe I should grow an ego too! That way any man that's with me, will treat me with respect."

Jessie held up her head in a regal way, "Yeah! Like a queen!"

Frankie gave a snort, "More like a princess."

She slugged his side and said, "Will you shut up?"

Neal let out a sigh and gazed at me, "Well that's great, Brandon. Now your mother's going to have an ego, like Jessie and Amanda here."

Sierra laughed beside Wayne, "You're saying it like it's a bad thing."

Neal narrowed his eyes at her, "I don't want another female with a bad attitude in our circle."

Sierra put her paw to her chest, "I have a bad attitude too."

Wayne thumbed beside his big blue girlfriend, "She is your best friend, buddy. You should know that."

Amanda giggled and nudged her elbow into Neal, "Yeah, my mom has a bad attitude."

The red drake just groaned, "Don't freakin remind me." Sierra was just snickering and he rolled his eyes, "She always gave me a bad attitude anyways."

Sierra shot at him, "That's what you get for befriending me, Neal."

Then Neal used his wing tip to point down at Amanda, "And that's what she gets for hanging with you. She's worse than you are!"

Both Amanda and Sierra said in unison, "Aw, but we both love you, you big red scaly pervert."

Neal reared back his head at Sierra, "What?! You get to use Amanda's trademark words?! Why isn't she slapping your nose, or whatever?"

Amanda answered for her adopted mother, "Because she's my mother. She can use my trademark words, whenever she wants."

Sierra was chuckling deviously, "That's right, YOU...BIG....RED....SCALY....PERVERT." She was winking at him and laughed so hard along with Wayne.

Neal snorted in irritancy at that, "This is bull crap."

My mom chuckled after that, "Hey if any guy doesn't treat me with respect, then I'll kick his butt." She exclaimed, "I maybe a mom, but I can throw a punch." She turned a bit in Sebastian's grasp and glanced up at his face, "Hey big guy, treat me wrongly and I'll punch your nose."

Sebastian shot up his head and laughed. Then he shook his head, "I'm not really the kind of drake who disrespects a female. Compared to Neal and Frankie here, I'm always on my best behavior."

Frankie rolled his eyes at that, "You think you're better than us? For an old drake, you're a show off." Sebastian laughed at the statement.

My mother was stroking his leg with her hand fondly, "Thanks, Sebastian."

I giggled and gestured to my father figure, "Don't give my mom that crap. You can be a dirty old drake. Heck, one time you told me that you had a fantasy of mating with this 'certain someone' and I sometimes picture it!"

Mom was looking up at Sebastian again with a teasing look, "Oh? And who is this 'certain someone', hmm?"

He was blushing at her question and he shyly looked away, "Uhhh."

Mom pressed him, "Well who is it?"

Sebastian answered with that red tint still on his cheeks, "Lets just say that she's really beautiful. Actually....She's kinda like you." I chuckled a bit at that. I know he's talking about her, but he won't admit it.

Mom fondly said to him, "Sounds like she's special. Maybe you should talk to her. You did say that you haven't went out with anyone since your wife died."

Sebastian corrected her, "Mate, to be exact. And yes...I haven't went out with anyone for a darn long time."

Joanna leaned into his shoulder and nuzzled him. He looked at her and she said, "I hope you tell her how you feel, hon." She gave him a wink, "You never know, she might love you back."

He looked down at mom and replied Joanna's statement, "I'll give it a try."

Mom continued to stroke his smooth scales on his leg, "Don't worry, Sebastian. I know you. You'd never treat a female wrongly. I'm sure, it'll work out."

Sebastian smiled down at her and lowered his head to the top of her head and used his nose to nuzzle her, "Thanks for the encouragement, Diana."

Mom reached up to touch his nose and added, "Just don't be a dirty old drake around her and you'll be good." She was giving him a wink and giggled.

Then Sebastian had an idea and brought it up, "I'll just give her a flower from the garden back at home. I'm sure she'll love flowers." He looked at me and I gave him a thumbs up for the idea.

Mother said, "You know me, I like flowers. And if she's anything at all like me, she'll love them."

Sebastian gave her a nod, "I'm sure she would."

Cody giggled while his son is between him and Eleanor, "Just don't take her to the Drake's Tooth and drink. Remember a dragon's imagination can go wild when you're drunk."

Sebastian laughed and nodded to the green drake, "Oh I might plan on it." Then he held up his snout to the sky, "Of course, she might not like these....'Shows' that happen sometimes at the tavern."

Amanda was waving her hand at the old drake, "Better not take her there then! She probably won't like seeing two dragons having sex in the bar together!" Neal just snickered when the memory of that night made her cheeks flush and then she shouted at him, "Shut up!"

Me, Cody, Wayne and Neal shot up our heads and laughed, while Amanda continued to blush. Sebastian nodded and said, "I think that's a good idea."

Jessie let out a whoosh of air, "At least, I wasn't there to see that before."

Frankie gave her a teasing growl, "Do you want me to take you to the tavern sometime? I think you might like the 'show'."

Jessie was blushing now and she glared at him, "No, asshole!"

Frankie had a disappointed look and grumbled, "You're no freakin fun. I told you before that dragons are more open to that stuff."

She thrusted a finger to his side, "Don't push your freakin queen, noble steed."

Then he made an imitation of her with a high girly voice, "Don't push your freakin queen, noble steed!" Jessie was shaking her fist at him and he tossed back his head and laughed.

In the distance, Rain and Tommy came back to all of us and Henry perked up his ears and head and exclaimed, "Hey, aunty Rain's back!"

Tommy was laughing and said to the hatchling, "Don't forget uncle Tommy."

Cody was snickering, "More like GRANDPA Tommy, to me."

Wayne gestured to the old man, "Yeah, you look too old to be an uncle to Henry. I think grandpa Tommy suits you."

He was waving them off, "Stop boys, you're making me old."

Sierra shot up her head and exclaimed, "YOU ARE OLD!"

Now it was Tommy's turn to exclaim with a wide face, "I KNOW!"

We were all laughing along with Rain, who was walking away from him and up to me. Tommy went to go to the barbecue grill and work on it. Rain's tall form blocked the sun and her shadow's towered over me, "Hey there, save any food for me?" She was lowering her head to where I was and said, "There better be food for this dragon."

I nodded and held up a plate full of food that was on the ground beside me, "There you go, big girl."

She was strolling around me, until she was right behind my back. She laid down on the grass and now I was pressing my back against her chest. I laid the plate on the ground and she used her claw to pick up one of the food and stuffed it in her snout. She chewed it loudly and swallowed it. She was humming in delight by the taste of it, "Pretty good."

I nodded and laid my head against her chest, hearing her heart beating, "You're welcome, Rain." Then I only rolled up my eyes and asked, "So what took you and Tommy so long? You have been gone for a long time."

She was chewing another meat until she swallowed it with a loud gulp. She answered, "Me and Tommy were just having a discussion. Nothing much. We were just talking about the past and all."

Sierra said this when she turned to Wayne, "You want to know what I think sometimes?"

Wayne asked, "What's that?"

Sierra held a bit of a glum look on her face, "That I sometimes wonder, what it'd be like if I saw two humans that I was romantically with together in the same spot? You know, like Rain gets to see Tommy and Brandon together. Like when I would see Eric still alive up to this day, and you Wayne are here talking to him."

Wayne gripped the crystal pendant that's around his neck saying this, "That would be cool." Sierra hung her head and Wayne comforted her by giving her blue scales a rub, "Oh, don't be sad. I'm still here you know."

Sierra looked at him and smiled, "Sorry, sometimes I wonder."

Wayne shrugged his arms, "Hey, can't help but wonder." Then Sierra lowered her snout to his mouth and gave him a kiss. Good thing there weren't any other humans and dragons in this area of the park, or they'd be shocked.

Neal hummed in thought, "Hmmm, you know. If Eric was still alive up to this day. I think it'd be great, if he was eating barbecued meat with us. That guy was always a hoot."

Rain actually liked the thought, "I never even met Eric WAY back then. But if he was alive right now, it'd be an honor to meet the human."

Cody nodded in agreement, "Me too. I sometimes wish I was born back then and met the guy. I just know him well enough from you, Sierra and Joanna." Then he glanced at me and Wayne, "If Eric was here, he'd be a pal, just like Wayne and Brandon here!" Then he looked down beside Henry, "He'd love this little guy too!"

Neal nodded at the thought of Eric meeting little Henry, "He would."

Sierra stopped kissing Wayne and glanced at Neal, "Now since the thought has come to me, I think Eric would love the taste of barbecue."

Neal hummed in thought, "I wonder what Eric would do, if he was drinking at the Drake's Tooth?" He was giggling now at his own thought, "Probably get kicked by Amanda, I'd bet."

Sierra was deviously grinning at her best friend, "He's not a pervert like you."

Amanda held up her head and said, "I know I never met Eric, but I believe mom. I think, he'd be a real gentleman."

Neal snorted, "Don't make me feel jealous of your fantasy with Eric, Amanda! I really loved that little guy!"

She held her wrist to her mouth and giggled, "I'm kidding, Neal. I don't even want another guy. I would just want you."

Neal began to smile at her, "That's a relief. I...Didn't want you to leave me."

Frankie glanced down at Jessie beside him, "Hey Jess, I know you never met him. But would you go out with Eric?"

Jessie shook her head and motioned her hand at Sierra, "When he's with her, no."

Sierra was chuckling in her throat, "Thanks for thinking of me."

Jessie put her hand to her chin with a teasing grin, "ALTHOUGH, if they're not together. Sierra has said that he was a knight and he was handsome. Maybe..." Frankie was hissing at his mate and she was laughing and gave him a reassured look, "Relax, I'm kidding. I love the knight who's next to me."

Frankie had a smile drawn on his face. He shrugged with a paw and lowered his face to hers, "Well he's not around for him to sweep you off your feet. I'm the only one who does it."

Jess kissed his nose and said, "I love you, Frankie."

He winked at her, "I know you do."

Joanna let out a pleasant sigh, "Ah Eric, that sweet young hon. I loved that little boy."

Wayne raised his hand and said loudly, "I thought you loved me!"

Joanna let out a laugh, "Oh I love you too, hon. I love all you little guys." Then she pointed at me with her claw, "Including him. Don't think I don't love you too, my other favorite hon."

My face went bright at that, "Aw, thanks."

Neal shot up his head and raised a claw, "Oh, by the way everyone. I have news about the gem from the Braveheart." We all gazed at him and he went on, "Since it was all my idea, about several days ago I told the humans to build this stage outside the human town of Leon and I'm bringing the gem to that stage, so humans and dragons can sing on that stage in one night!"

We all beamed at that and I asked, "Near MY hometown? That's great! When'll that happen?"

"Tomorrow night, actually. And I hope the humans who never used the gem, can get a handle on using it. Wayne and Brandon do make it easy."

Wayne laughed, "We really do."

My mom said this, "I did see that gem in the Braveheart a few nights ago. And I have seen Brandon use it. That thing really is magical."

Wayne grinned at her for that, "And guys like me and him, sing that kind of magic."

Cody shot up his head proudly and exclaimed, "Me too!" Eleanor giggled and nuzzled into him.

Henry was jumping up and down beaming at his father, "Are you going to sing again, dad?"

He nodded and looked down at his hatchling, "I think I will, little dude."

Eleanor let out an excited breath, "EEEEE! I'm excited."

Jessie grinned at Frankie, "Maybe you should give this whole singing thing, a try."

Rain nodded at the idea at her brother, "Yeah, you might enjoy it." She pointed down at me with his claw, "You can sing with Brandon and he can teach you the...Human lyrics of the human song."

Frankie hummed at the idea, "Hmmm....Maybe I will give it a try." Then he raised a claw, "Just this one time."

Rain beamed at him, "You'll do great, brother. I know you will."

He let out a nervous sigh, "I hope so." Jessie was giving him a comforting pat and he looked down at her as she was giving him this look. Telling him silently that she believes in him. Frankie smiled, meaning he got the idea.

Sebastian looked down at my in his paws and asked, "You want to go back to your home and watch that happen?"

Mom looked up and answered, "I won't miss it." Then she was smirking at me, "As long as my son's going to be there, I'll be watching."

Rain said to me, "I know you'll be up for it. You're used to singing larger crowds now."

I let out an excited laugh and said, "I can't wait."

*****

After what happened in the park, the next day has arrived and it went by fast, going into night now. Outside my hometown of Leon, lots of people have showed up, along with a lot of dragons arriving from the dragon city. Neal really has spread the word about this to his kind and the people really have spread their word about this event to other people outside Leon. When I'm riding on Rain's back through the crowd, it looks like there are about two hundred people here! Good god! She's surprised to see that kind of crowd too. We can both see the big wooden stage that the people in Leon have built in front of the crowd. The magic gem is sitting on the stage, like Neal said it would be. The lights on the stage were shining down on the stage and shining across the crowd. About three people have already sang on there, and only one human and dragon sang together on that stage. Surprised that they used that magic from the gem well. Apparently the thing works well outside the Braveheart!

Me and Rain have watched those performances, until we had to leave the crowd to get something to eat. We're done eating and as of right now, I'm riding on Rain as she's traversing through the crowd of people and dragons. We're searching for mom, Tommy, Sierra, Sebastian, Eleanor, Henry, Jessie, Amanda and Joanna before I get on the stage with Wayne, Frankie, Neal, and Cody. I think I can see them up ahead, close to the stage. Nice view, you get the front row of watching us sing! Me and the boys have agreed to sing on stage tonight and I just hope that they aren't just waiting for me to sing with them, and I'm late for it. I didn't mean to make them wait! I patted Rain's neck and she looked over her shoulder at me. I pointed at the direction ahead, "They're up ahead, I think."

Rain nodded and kept moving her frame through so many people. Rain was being polite to them with a look of apology, "Excuse me. Coming through. Sorry, excuse me." I giggled at this. I'm just glad I'm riding her, instead of walking. Also at least, they're moving out of the way for her.

As it turned out, I was right. Mom, Sebastian, Tommy, Sierra, Jessie, Joanna, Eleanor, Henry and Amanda were standing right in front of the stage waiting for us along with everyone else to get another performance on. I waved my hand and hollered, "Hey there!"

They all whirled around and mom waved back with a excited look, "There you are! You're a bit late!"

Henry was bounding towards us with the same look, wagging his tail back and forth, "Yeah, you made it!"

Tommy was laughing at this, "We were wondering if you were bound to show up. There's still a lot of people and dragons here!"

Rain laughed and lowered her body to let me dismount her, "Sorry if we were a bit late. You know me and Brandon here had to get something to eat. It's a bit of a slow go through the crowd."

I jumped off her back and grunted upon landing, "Oof!" I let out a breath and looked back at Rain who was rising her body of the grass, "Thanks for the ride. Saved my ass from the crowd."

Rain shot up her head, "Don't mention it." She winked.

Sierra shot her head to her left, "Wayne and the boys have already went to the back of the stage. They're just waiting for you."

I let out a sigh, "Drats, I was having a feeling they were waiting for me." I announced myself to them, "Well Brando's here!"

Jessie was excitedly jumping up and down a bit, "This is going to be great!"

Rain laughed at this, "Ancestors. You're acting like Henry, when you're jumping up and down like that."

Jessie exclaimed, "Why not? I'm excited to see my knight sing!"

I gave her a mock expression and put my hand to my chest, "What about me?"

Amanda crossed her arms with a teasing look, "Yeah, what about Neal?"

Eleanor added, "Or Cody."

Henry bounded up to her, "Don't forget papa!"

Sierra playfully rolled her eyes, "Lets not forget Wayne."

Jessie was laughing at that, "Alright, everyone! I'm excited to watch the boys do their thing!"

Mom was nudging her elbow in Sebastian, "You should get up there and join them."

Joanna gave his flank a pat, "Yeah, hon! Get up there and join the boys!"

Sebastian waved his paw at them, "No thanks. My voice isn't that great."

Tommy waved his hands at us and shook his head, "Better leave me out of this too. I'm too old for that stuff." He looked up at Rain, "Sorry Rain."

She waved him off, "Don't worry, Tommy. You can enjoy the show with me." He smiled up at her and she did the same back.

Sebastian smiled down at me, "I'll just let my son and the boys do what they came here for. They'll do great."

Rain lowered her head and bumped her nose into my arm, "Brandon sure will." I turned my gaze to her eyes and smiled. Then I gave her nose a kiss.

Mom walked up to me and said, "I'll be watching you, Brandon."

I turned my head and nodded at her, "Thanks for coming, mom. I know you'll love this."

Mom was giving me a small nod, "I know I will. And your father would love this too."

My heart jumped at that and I gave her a hug. I pulled away and said to everyone, "Alright guys. I'm out. Time to meet the boys. Hope you enjoy the performance." They all gave me a nod and I ran off from them, heading to the back of the stage to find Wayne, Neal, Frankie, and Cody waiting for me. Wayne was waving at me and I waved back as I jogged toward them, "Hey, I made it."

Neal shot up his head and began to walk up to the stage, "Then what are we waiting for? Lets do it, boys!"

Cody grinned widely, "Whew! Awesome!" He followed up behind his red pal.

Frankie shifted his paws nervously and sighed, "I'm a bit nervous about this."

Wayne waved him off, "Don't worry about it. This is really simple. You remember all the words that me and Brandon taught you?" Frankie nodded.

I gave him a confident smile, "You'll do great. And don't be nervous. If I can do it, anyone can do it." Then I added, "If you really feel scared, just look at your sister, or Jessie. Look at their smiles. When you do, then your confidence goes way up. That's how it worked for me, when I looked at your sis."

Frankie was grinning at that, "Alright, I'll do that." He glanced at Neal and Cody who are standing in the middle of the stage waiting for us. He took a deep breath and let it out, "Well, humans and dragons who're watching us....Here I go." And with that, he padded after them. He stood next to the other drakes and waved at the crowd.

Wayne looked at me and patted my back, "Ready dude?"

I turned my eyes to him and nodded, "Sure thing. Lets do it." And we both ran up the stage and joined the drakes on there. We all turned our gazes at the crowd and I saw mom and the others in there. They gave a wave to all of us and I waved back. My eyes especially locked onto Rain. She gave me a wink and motioned her snout toward me, not wanting to wait for this anymore. I was nodding at her and turned to Wayne, who he has his eyes on the gem behind us. It changed color, ready for Wayne to think of this song now in his head. I looked up at Neal, Cody and Frankie beside me, they were waiting to do this too. I was looking at the large crowd once more and let out a breath. Alright...Here we go.

Wayne stood beside me and closed his eyes, putting his thoughts into motion. That's when the gem began to play the music from his head loudly over the crowd and everyone, human and dragon, brought their attention on us. Neal, Cody and Frankie took their deep breaths and ruffled their wings. The music is the keyboard intro and it's from 'Don't Stop Believin'' by Journey.

Wayne sang first, as his voice ran over the crowd because of the gem, "Just a small town girl! Living in a lonely world!" He pointed at Sierra in the crowd, "She took the midnight train, going anywhere!" Sierra was smiling at that.

I was next to sing, "Just a city boy!" I raised my left hand high in the air, "Born and raised in South Detroit!" I shot it back down, "He took the midnight train, going anywhere!" Then the guitar solo rang out now from Wayne's head for about fifteen seconds. Neal beside me was tapping his paw on the ground in rhythm from that, he was giggling to himself, and Frankie and Cody did too.

Wayne went back to singing after that, "A singer in the smokey room! A smell of wine and cheap perfume!"

My turn came, "For a smile they can share the night!" I gestured my hand towards the crowd repeatedly, "It goes on and on, and on, and on!" I shot my hand at the crowd after that, "Strangers, waiting! Up and down the boulevard! Their shadows searching in the night!"

Wayne has his turn, "Streetlights, people! Living just to find emotion!"

Then me and him sang together when we both raised our arms high in the air, "Hiding, somewhere in the night!!!!"

The music break came for about ten seconds. That's when Neal took a step towards the edge of the stage and is now singing, "Working hard to get my fill!" He held up his snout as he went on, "Everybody wants a thrill!"

Cody spread out his wings and shaking his haunches back and forth as he sang, "Paying anything to roll the dice!" He raised a claw and winked at his son and mate in the crowd, "Just one more time!"

Frankie actually fought through his fear and sang next, "Some will win, some will lose! Some are born to sing the blues! Oh, the movie never ends!" He was waving his snout side to side repeatedly, "It goes on and on, and on, and on!"

Wayne shot his hand at the drakes beside us, "Strangers, waiting! Up and down the boulevard! Their shadows searching in the night!"

I was singing now, "Streetlights, people! Living just to find emotion!"

Then me and Wayne sang in unison and shut our eyes tight, "Hiding, somewhere in the night!!!!"

We both shot our eyes open as the guitar solo played again for another fifteen seconds. When the cue to sing came, Wayne sang it, "Don't stop believin'! Hold onto that feeling!" He raised his right arm to the sky, "Streetlights, people!!!"

Neal, Cody and Frankie sang together, "Don't stop believin'!"

Cody sang two words by himself, "Hold on!!"

Then Neal and Frankie shot up their heads and sang in unison, "Streetlights, people!!!"

I was next after them and I pointed at the crowd, "Don't stop believin'! Hold onto that feeling!" I held my hands close to my chest, "Streetlight, people!!!"

That's when me and the boys sang together now, "Don't stop believin'! Hold onto that feeling!" We all spread out our wings and arms, and sang loud, "Streetlight, people!!!"

Then me and Wayne pointed at the crowd at the same time, "Don't stop!" And that was it, the music stopped and everyone cheered real loud for us. Even Rain was happy for it as well. Me and the guys all made a bow to the crowd and me and the guys were ready to walk off the stage now.

But I stopped myself before I could take another step off of there. An idea came to me and I was forming a grin when the guys left me alone. Well...Might as well do it, since I'm still on stage. Mom will love this. I looked up at the stars in the sky. And so would dad. I nodded to myself. I'm going to do it right now. I ran back to the middle of the stage and everyone in the crowd just looked at me a bit confused, so has mom. I looked back at the gem and it changed color for me to do my thing. I looked at the crowd again and saw Wayne and the boys joining Rain and the others now. They were watching me in the crowd too, wondering what I'm gonna sing now. I said to the crowd with a proud grin, when the gem made my voice louder than normal, "This is for dad." I looked right at mom and she was beaming at me. I was nodding at her and then at Rain. Rain was winking at me, knowing that I can do it.

I took a deep breath and let it out, as I was closing my eyes and thought of the one song that brought mom and dad together years ago. The one that I've sang to Rain in the bell tower, months ago. I was about to sing, 'The Search is Over.'

The keyboard intro for this song played from my head and I shot my eyes open. Yes, here we go! This is for you dad!

I began to sing the song, "How can I convince you? What you see is real! Who am I to blame you, for doubting what you feel?" I was stomping my foot in rhythm, "I was always reaching!" I winked at Rain, "You were just a girl I knew! I took for granted, the friend I had in you!!"

"I was living for a dream! Loving for a moment! Taking on the world! That was just my style!" I shot my arm in the air, "When I look into your eyes!!" I shot it back down, "I can see forever! The search is over! You were with me for a while!"

I was walking to the edge of the stage, "Can we last forever? Will we fall apart? At times it's so confusing! The questions of the heart!" I held out a hand in front of me a bit and looked down at it, "You followed me through changes! And patiently you wait!" I looked at Rain, mom and Sebastian in the crowd, "Till I came to my senses through, some miracle of fate!"

All three of them were smiling at me, along with the others. I was singing on, "I was living for a dream! Loving the moment! Taking on the world! That was just my style!" I shot both arms in the sky and shut my eyes real tight, "When I look into your eyes!" I pulled them back down and opened my eyes, "I can see forever! The search is over! You were with me for a while!"

I was walking along the edge of the stage to my right, trying to reach out to Rain, "Now the miles stretch out behind me! Loves that I have lost!" Rain was coming up to me slowly with a grin on her face, "Broken hearts lie, victims of the game! Then good luck it finally struck like lighting from the blue!" Rain got close to the stage and lowered her head to me and I placed my hand on her nose, "Every highway's leading me back to you!"

Me and Rain were gazing at each other as I sang some more, "Now at last I hold you! Now all is said and done! The search has come full circle! Our destinies are one!" I was backing up from her slowly, "So if you ever love me, show me that you give a damn! You'll know for certain, the man I really am!!"

I was gazing at the crowd once more, "I was living for a dream! Loving for a moment! Taking on the world! That was just my style!" I looked at mom when I reached out to the crowd, "When I touched your hand!" I pulled it back and never took my eyes off of my own mother, "I can hear you whisper! The search is over! Love was right before my eyes!!" The music went on for a few more seconds, as I was breathing heavily from all that. Then it was over and I was just standing there. The crowd cheered for me and I saw Rain still standing at her spot and I ran to her to embrace her head.

We both pulled away and she said to me with all the love in her eyes, "That was good."

I smiled and kissed her nose, "And you're quite welcome." She giggled at that and that's when I saw mom climbing up the stage and ran to me for a tight hug. My eyes bugged out of my skull at that.

Mom said this as she was embracing me real tight, "Your father's proud of you, son." Then I could hear her let out a trembling breath, "Thank you, Brandon. Thank you so much."

I was grinning at that and hugged her back, "Other than doing this for dad, I did this for both of you." I rolled my eyes to glance at Rain watching us, "And...I did this for me and Rain." She gazed fondly at me for that. I said to mom after that, "I love you, mom."

She said it right back, "I love you too, Brandon." We were still embracing each other, as the crowd was still cheering. I gazed at the stars again, thinking about him again. I know you're proud, dad. I know you're proud.

I love you, dad.

*****

One Week Later

I said with a bit of a sad look on my face, "Gosh guys...You really are doing this."

Rain had the same look and said, "I honestly don't know what else to say, brother."

Jessie and Frankie both nodded. Frankie said, "I think the only thing you can say, is goodbye." Then he waved a paw, "Don't worry, we won't be gone forever. We'll come back home."

Jessie added, "Yeah, we're just going to be gone for a little while."

Me, Rain, Sierra, Wayne, Cody, Neal, Henry, Amanda, and Eleanor are all standing on the wall that surrounds the dragon city, ready to see Jessie and Frankie off. Ready to say goodbye to them. Since about three days ago, they brought up the fact that they're going off somewhere. Wanting to fly off and see the world. Truthfully, it was all Frankie's idea. He wanted to see what's out further away from home. He wants to see more of the world now, since he's curious of how much things really changed. Jessie agreed to go along with his plan and she wants to fly on his back with him.

Now it's noon and we're on the wall now, saying goodbye to our friends. I felt like I was about to cry, but I know I can't stop them with tears. They can do whatever they want in life. I'm sure all of us are thinking the same thing.

Henry bounded up toward Jessie and nuzzled her legs with his head, he looked like he was about to sob, "Aunty Jessie....Uncle Frankie....I don't want you guys to go."

Jessie and Frankie had pity looks for the hatchling and Jessie crouched down in front of the little guy. She was stroking his back between his wings, "Aw, don't be sad, Henry."

Frankie lowered his head to their level and said, "I know goodbyes are hard, but we'll come home."

Henry asked with his jaw quivering, "How long? Are you going to be gone like aunties Rain and Sierra?"

Frankie giggled a bit at that, "Nah, we won't be gone THAT long."

Neal had a small smile on his face, "I hope not. I like being with you. You became a new pal, since months ago."

Cody nodded in agreement, "That's what I feel. Things would probably be boring without you."

Frankie rose his head and grinned at them, "Yeah I know. But since I started to get to know that humanity's not all bad, I want to see the world. See the MODERN world, that's what I'm getting at."

Jessie was being nuzzled in the chest by Henry when she added, "Yeah, for most of my life I hardly travel. I want to see the world too."

Rain cocked her head, "So, where are you going?"

Wayne gestured his hand to them, "That's what I'm wondering. Where are you going?"

Jessie stood up from Henry's level and answered, "Well...I was thinking of telling Frankie to take us to Paris."

Me, Wayne and Amanda's eyes all went wide and I exclaimed, "God, that's a long ways from here! That's in Europe!"

Frankie shot up his head, "I'm just wondering how long do I have to flap my wings really to get there. But I guess I'll find out."

Amanda chuckled, "Europe is like across the ocean from the United States. You think you can fly over the ocean for a long time?"

The black drake smugly said, "I'm not a weak drake. I think, I can handle a long flight. I actually can't wait to see this Eiffel Tower that Jessie keeps talking about. She says that looks beautiful."

Jessie said this with her finger raised, "Only in pictures, I thought it was beautiful. But I want to see it in person along with Frankie." She looked up beside him with a smile, "I trust him for a long flight. I trust my steed for anything."

Frankie looked down at her, "Course you do! I'm trustworthy!"

Henry was backing away from them with a few tears down his face, "I'm gonna miss you guys." Then he turned around and ran into his mother. He was sobbing softly. I looked at the little guy and felt bad for him.

Jessie tilted her head in pity, "Awww, I'm sorry."

Eleanor cooed her son when she draped her limb around her son who has buried his face in her chest, "Don't worry, you'll see them again." Henry looked at her and smiled a bit.

Rain was smiling a bit at her brother, "You better come back home. I'm your sister and I'll miss you."

Frankie strode up toward her and nuzzled her with his cheek, "I will. I won't be gone forever, like you."

Rain was deviously smiling while he was nuzzling her still, "You better. I'll spank your scaly butt, if you don't."

Her brother laughed and pulled away from her, "You spank mine, I'll spank yours."

Rain adamantly declared with a narrowed look, "I'm your sister! You shouldn't spank your sister!"

He cocked his head a bit at her with a teasing grin, "I sometimes still wonder if you are." He gave her a wink.

Rain decided to give his shoulder a slug and she hissed, "I am your sister!" He tossed back his head and laughed hard at her outburst.

Sierra was chuckling at this, "You better treat her sister with respect, she will kick your ass when you come home."

Frankie grinned at the blue dragoness, "I bet." Then he looked down at me, "And as for YOU. Look after her."

I nodded at him, "I will." I pointed at his chest, "And you better treat your queen with respect when you're off with her."

Jessie walked up until she was poking her drake's side with a finger, "Yep, you'll be getting your ear twisted every time you disrespect me."

Frankie shot up his head, stomped his paw on the ground and groaned, "I know! I know the rules from which my queen has bestowed upon her steed!"

Then Jessie smiled at him, "I can't wait to go to Paris with you. You'll love that place. I'm sure that I will, that'll be my first time there."

Frankie looked down at her with his expression changed to a smirk, "Yep. And I can't wait to see what other things are out there, besides Paris."

Jessie was giving him a wink, "I'm sure, I'll think of other romantic places for lovers like us to fly off to." Then she turned to me and said, "I'll miss you, Brandon. I'll miss you all. And can you tell your mom, Tommy, Sebastian and Joanna that we said goodbye?"

I was smiling at her and nodded, "Sure, I will." Then I rubbed the back of my head and chuckled, "I know that I have Rain and everyone here. But I'll miss you guys too. Even you, Jess. You...Really are like a best friend to me."

Jessie was having a teasing grin across her face and pointed at Rain beside me, "More than Rain here?"

I laughed and thumbed at my girlfriend beside me, "Oh, Rain will always be my first best friend. You're just my second."

Jessie was snickering, "Well second's better than nothing."

Rain was giggling beside me when she gazed down at her, "I love being the first."

Neal snorted near her, "We can tell." Rain twisted her head to glare at him and he laughed at her expression, "I'm kidding, Rain. I'm darn kidding." Rain was smiling at him after that.

Jessie went up and wrapped me in a hug and sighed, "Be back later, Brando."

I returned her hug with my own, "When you and your drake with a big pride get back, you outa tell me about Paris."

Jesse has let go of me and said, "I'll tell you everything that we've done. We won't just go to Paris."

I had a worried look on my face now, "It still is a long way from here."

Frankie gave me a sincere smile, "We'll be fine. And if anyone tries to hurt her majesty, I'll kill them. I won't tolerate it."

Jessie turned away from me and onto Frankie, "And I know you will. A knight always has a sworn duty to protect someone."

Frankie replied, "Yep, especially his maiden." Then he was giving her a playful growl.

Jessie held up her finger and sternly said, "Keep your devious ideas to yourself, until AFTER we're alone." Neal and Amanda were laughing at that.

Frankie lowered his body to the ground, "I intend to wait things out, until they happen. Ready to go now?"

Jessie nodded and went to pick up her pack off the ground. Then she went up to the side of the black drake's body, she started to climb on him. Until she sat her butt down on top of him. When it happened he rose up off the ground with Jessie letting out a small giggle.

Cody shot up his head proudly at them, "Bye guys. And stay safe."

Rain said this with a tear falling down her face, "May our parents look after you, brother."

Frankie backed away from us and nodded at us, "Bye everyone." Then he looked behind her and asked his majesty on him, "Ready?"

Jessie had a fond smile on her, "I'm ready. Lets see the world." She was waving her hand at us, "Bye guys! Bye Henry!" Frankie then turned his chest to face the outskirts of the city. Spreading out his wings and flapped them a bit. We all waved and Frankie leapt off the wall to take flight with Jessie hanging on real tight on her lover. When Frankie flew far enough away from the city, we heard him let out a roar. A roar of goodbye.

Rain, Sierra, Neal, Cody and Eleanor all drew back their heads and roared too in return. Their roars echoed away from the city. We saw those two fly away, until they both disappeared from sight.

Henry was rubbing his eyes when they left and Cody nuzzled his son after he roared, "Well...Time to head home now. You gonna be alright?" Henry nodded at his question and Cody smiled, "And remember, they'll come back. They won't be gone forever."

Henry nodded again, "I know, papa." Eleanor gave her son a lick afterward and he giggled.

Cody rose his head and said to us, "See you guys around. Me and my family are going to head back home." We all nodded and with that, Cody and his family all strode away from us to walk back to their home.

I looked up at Rain and saw her tear fall down her cheek. I tilted my head in concern for her, "You alright?"

Rain gave me a smile at the question, "I'll be fine. This sorta reminds me of seeing my father flying off. Only Frankie doesn't have red scales."

I gave her leg a kiss and looked up, "I'm sorry about that."

Rain waved me off, "Don't worry, I said I'll be fine. My brother won't leave me forever."

I nodded at that, "That's right and I'll be keeping you company."

She giggled, "Oh, you know I love that."

Sierra let out a sigh, "We all don't like goodbyes. But we know they'll return. Your brother really is a strong drake. A drake who's willing to protect his mate from any harm."

Wayne was grinning at her, "Lets put at it this way. At least, we don't have to say goodbye to you again." Sierra glanced down and smirked at that. Then afterward, she lowered her head and nuzzled lovingly on his chest.

Amanda was looking out at the outskirts of the city for a few moments, until finally she said asked, "Hey Neal?" He looked down at her and hummed in curiosity. She went on, "When your mate years ago died....Did you remember the time you said goodbye to her? I don't think I've asked you that question."

Neal padded one step and he's right beside her now, sitting down on his haunches. Joining her gaze at the outside of the wall, "I do still."

Amanda let out a sigh, "I can remember the first time, I said goodbye to my mother Lindsey myself."

Neal draped a wing around her and said when he was gazing down at her, "She knows you love her still."

Amanda gazed at his red face and smiled, "Oh, even I know she does. I'm just remembering the time I said goodbye to her." She motioned her hand in the direction of Frankie and Jessie left off to, "I think saying goodbye to them, sorta reminded me of that time. I mean, I know they'll come back. This just reminds me of it."

Neal asked with worry shone in his eyes, "Is it a bad thing? I mean, I don't want you to feel sad about your mother again."

She waved him off, "I'm fine, my fine red drake. I'm just reminiscing a bit. But as always, thanks for your concern. You're always sweet."

Neal smiled at her, "That's good, and you're welcome as always."

Amanda looked up at the skies and had a look of wonder on her face, "You know....I wonder what my hometown in Montana looks like? It's been so long since I've been there." She chuckled a bit, "I know that everyone that has treated me like a druggie have all died by now, but I wonder what my town looks like? Is it still the same?"

Neal shrugged with a paw, "Who knows? Perhaps....Maybe I can take you there, someday?"

Amanda looked at him when he brought up the idea, "What about the Braveheart?"

He suggested, "I think we can have Joanna and Sebastian look after the place for a little while, while we're off to your former home. I'm sure we'll think of something."

Amanda giggled at him, "It's a long flight to get there. We're in Colorado."

He shook his head, "I don't care. If you want to go, I'll take you there."

Amanda was smiling at him and then she leaned her body into his, "I wouldn't mind if you did." Then she gestured to Sierra, "Course, I would miss my adoptive mother, if she's not coming!"

Sierra was laughing and she and Wayne strode up to join them. She sat down on her haunches and said, "Oh I'd miss you too, daughter." Then she motioned her snout at her, "If you want to go, then you can go. It's up to you."

Amanda let out a breath and said, "I'll think about it. Someday, I'll have Neal take me there." She was brushing the palm of her hand on Neal's scales and said to him, "When we get there, I'll show you the school that I went to. My old house. And....I can even show you my mother's grave. So you can say hello to her."

Neal lowered his head to where she was and nuzzled her nose with his, "Sure, I don't mind saying hello to her."

Amanda then planted her lips to his snout and kissed him. She was stroking his cheeks fondly and said this with care in her eyes, "I love you, Neal."

Neal kiss her little mouth in return, "I love you too."

Then when Neal rose his head away from her, Amanda looked at Sierra and said, "Hey mom."

Sierra cocked her head at Amanda, "What is it, dear?"

The brunette haired girl nodded at her foster mom, "Thanks for not leaving me again. You know, I never wanted to lose another mom."

Sierra was smirking at that, "You're welcome. I don't want to lose my daughter also." She looked down at Wayne, "Just like I don't want to lose another mate."

Wayne responded, "We're all back together since four months ago. I'm sure we'll never be separated like that again." Sierra nodded when she and him looked at each other.

Sierra said this to him, "I love you, Wayne." Then she said to Amanda, "And I love you, Amanda." Amanda giggled as she was pressing her body against Neal.

Me and Rain were grinning at this, then Rain said to Sierra, "We all love you too." Sierra eyed at Rain and was smiling brightly at that. Then when she looked at Neal, her best friend from hatchling days, he was smirking back, agreeing with what Rain said. He even gave her a wink and other than his wing wrapped around Amanda, he wrapped his limb around her little body also. Then we all looked at the outskirts of the city once again and I let out a breath. We'll see you again, Jessie and Frankie. Hope you guys have a fun trip.

So long, you two.

******

The next day came, after Jessie and Frankie flew off on their trip. Under the bright sun, me and Rain are flying over the forest to go to this place she wants to take me to. To the cavern with the light crystals. Rain flapped her wings against the wind as we flew past over several trees in a fast motion. I was smiling in anticipation at this. Sometimes wanting to go to that cavern, crosses my mind. But then I get myself sidetracked by other things. Now when Rain brought it up yesterday while we were snuggling in bed, that's when we both decided to go there today. Now me and her are up in the skies, flying there. I'm so excited.

Rain hollered over the wind with another flap of her mighty wings, "We're almost there!"

I hollered back while squinting through the rush of the wind, "Great!" When a couple more minutes have passed, she was started to smoothly glide down to the ground for a landing. When she flew through a clearing in the trees, she flapped once again to slow herself down, until she landed on her hind feet on the thick grass, then her front feet. Rain curled her wings upon her back and lowered herself to the ground. I started to dismount my girl and land softly on the ground. I reached above my shoulders and stretched myself. Then my legs, "Whew, made it."

Rain giggled and raised her stomach off the ground and stood tall next to me, "Not yet, you eager little human. We haven't made it to the cavern yet!"

I let out a playful sigh and whined, "Well get on with it, big girl! I want to see the crystals!"

Rain laughed, "Wow, look who's whining. You're a bit worse than Frankie! I remembered he whined a lot back then!"

I crossed my arms and made a teasing threat, "Don't keep me waiting. Or I'll wonder to a nearest pond, find a toad and throw one at you."

Her color drained from her face, "Noooo...." She narrowed her eyes, "You wouldn't dare."

I raised my eyebrows at her, "Try me."

She raised her claw in front of my face, "Ah, ah, ah. Throw a toad at me, and I'll NEVER take you to the cavern."

I let out a groan, "Ohhh, that's not fair!"

She shot up her head and giggled, "Well throwing a big ass ugly toad at me, is no way to treat your mate!"

I shot back, "You're the one who's keeping me waiting to see the big discovery of my life!"

She rolled her eyes, "Tommy wasn't a whiner like you back then. He didn't rush me to show him the light crystals, like you."

I stomped my foot and made a childlike voice at her, "Take me to the cavern!" Then we both shared a laugh together. I looked up at my girl and asked politely, "Please."

Rain was smiling down at me, "Alright. But only because you said please."

I pointed at her with my eyes widened, "You were going to take me there, anyways."

She admitted, while she was padding away from me, her long tail swinging back and forth and her wings were ruffling on her back, "You're right, I was. Now lets go, whiner." I rolled my eyes at that and quietly chuckled. I started following her after that.

When about a minute has passed, we both came across the mouth of the cave that'll lead us to the light crystal filled cavern. Rain kept going and I was following her still. My eyes trying to adjust to the darkness, "A little bit dark in here. I guess, I should've brought my flashlight."

Rain remarked while she's padding beside me, "I can see fine, just stay close to me. Once you see the light crystals, you don't need one."

I was trying to picture those crystals in my brain and I nodded, "I'll bet." We strode in the dark cave, until we can see a light in the distance. My eyes went wide at that. I think, we're close! When we emerged through that opening, I saw to my awe at the cavern we're in now, "Wow." Several bright crystals were sticking on the walls and the ceiling of the big cavern. And boy, they are bright! Joanna, Sebastian and Rain weren't kidding that they're beautiful and bright. This is...Amazing! They're different than I've pictured! I wish mom rode with me here and saw this. This is amazing, at that! I said to Rain without taking my eyes off of them, "This is amazing. They're bright."

Rain chuckled at my expression, "You have the same look Tommy had."

I giggled at that, "I can see why. And I can imagine Wayne and Amanda's faces when they saw this."

Rain replied, "Sierra brought Eric to this place too. And according to her, he loved this place too."

I started to walk up to the wall in the cavern, "Yep." Rain walked around too and laid down on her stomach in the middle of the place. While I went up close to examine them. Gee, with those things they can really like up a dark room in my own home. I said to myself as the lights from the crystals shined on me, "God...." I decided to grab and pull one off. But it was stuck and I gave it another tug with a grunt.

Rain laughed her head off, her laughter echoing the whole cavern, "Careful, don't want to break it like a hatchling."

I laughed too and looked over my shoulder at her, "How about help me out, instead of laying around?"

She waved me off, "Pull harder. I'm sure you'll get it." She winked and chuckled. I rolled up my eyes and pulled the crystal harder, until it finally came off and I stumbled back after that hard pull. I barely dropped the little thing, but I grasped it in mid air. I had a wide look and let out a whoosh of air. Rain laughed again and remarked, "I knew you'd get it. And caught it in time from breaking. Good job!" She was clapping her paws in amusement and giggling at me.

I whirled around and held the bright thing in my hand, squinting at the brightness of it, "I'll be taking that home with me." Then I lowered it on the ground and walked up to Rain with a wide smile, "This is great. I feel like I'm dreaming now."

Then she playfully cocked her head, "Like Cody would say, do you want me to pinch you?"

I shook my head at her question, "Nah, I'm good. No pinching this human." I looked up at the ceiling at more light crystals, "Man, if mom. Or...Even if my real dad were here, they'd love this place so much."

She asked, "Makes you feel like you want to live here, huh?"

I shrugged my shoulders, "A little. But I still love it, nonetheless."

She nodded and patted a spot in front of her chest, "Then lets enjoy this place some more. Sit in front of me." I nodded and walked up to her. She moved her forelimbs further away for my space and I sat down in front of her, with my back laid against her chest. I feel her heart beating as usual and it feels great. Both of us were enjoying this place in each other's warmth.

I let out a sigh after only a few minutes of silence, "Thanks for taking me here, Rain. I love it."

She nodded with her head above me, "You're welcome. Tommy loved this place, I knew you would too."

I chuckled and said while looking at the shining crystals still, "You knew right." She lowered her head behind me and nuzzled the back of my neck. I reached back with my hand and stroked under her chin. She rose her head above me and we were just sitting around in content.

Rain broke the silence after a long time, "Hey Brandon."

I pressed the back of my head into her, "What?"

Rain took a deep breath and let it out, "I haven't been to this place since Tommy was gone. Been a real long time. I can remember the memories of that day. Me and Tommy sitting close to each other in the exact same spot we're in now. Just enjoying each other's warmth and comfort, while gazing at the light crystals here. Feeling like we're both in a dream."

I replied, "And here we are now. In the exact same state." Then I hummed in thought, "You know, I think we should bring all our friends to this place. Including Henry. I'm sure he has never been to a place like this."

Rain smiled at the idea when she wrapped her paws around me, "That would really make him happy. He'd never forget this cavern as long as he lives. We'll have to tell Cody and Eleanor about this."

I said when I was stroking smoothly on her leg, "But I think we should do all that, after Frankie and Jessie come back home from their trip."

Rain said with a giggle, "I think that that would be a great idea. Frankie has never been to this place before in his life. He won't believe it, until he sees it. He'd love it, and so would Jessie."

I nodded in agreement, "I think you're right." I giggled a bit, "I can see Jessie's face going wide at the sight of all this and she'd say, 'oh my god, they're bright.' That'd be a hoot."

Rain said when she shot up her head, "It'd be a bigger hoot, if Frankie was having the same expression as she does! Now THAT'S something I want to see!" Then we both shared a laugh together and she added, "Perhaps your mom might find this place, a perfect romantic spot with the old drake. Heck, maybe Sebastian would finally tell her about how he feels about her here."

I giggled, "I hope so. He can't take his eyes off of her!"

She raised a claw, "Or his paws. Can't keep his paws off your momma."

I replied with my brows raised, "Got that right." Then we shared a chuckle.

Rain said when she let out a breath, "Tommy would love to come to this place too, again. I think it'll be worth it for him, before he dies and lives with the ancestors."

I replied, "That'll be great. Let the old man live to enjoy this wonder again." After I said that, a thought crossed my mind. A certain thought that has come to me more than once. It just comes and it goes away. Now as we're sitting here, it came to me again. The thought that sometimes bothers me. I had a glum look upon my face and hung my head.

Rain noticed I was looking glum and she asked with concern, "What's the matter, my mate? Is it Tommy?" She shook her head, "I'm not worried about him. I know that Tommy will die one day, but I'll be alright when he does. Besides, we're together now. That's what matters now."

I shook my head, "That's not what I'm thinking at all. It's something else."

She cocked her head above mine, "What? What is it?"

I turned my body a bit to look at her chest. I took a deep breath and said, "I was thinking about that night. The night when...I became a dragon."

Rain smiled at that memory, "I remember that night real well. I was surprised you became one to protect me."

I replied to that, "I did and it was all worth it. I mean, it felt great to be one. I've felt more powerful when I'm not human. In fact, I even breathed fire!"

Rain nodded fast twice, "I know and that surprised me too! For a beginner, you really did a nice job."

I said in awe as the memory of that night flashed before my eyes, "I did."

She chuckled, "You really did look liked the drake that I've pictured. I have to say, you looked pretty good in those scales."

I giggled and looked up at her, "Heh heh, thank you."

She said with a giggle of her own, "I honestly, still can't believe that my fantasy of you came true. You became a very handsome black drake."

I hummed when I remember a certain dream months ago came to me, "Do you remember that I told you one time, that was dreaming one time that I was kissing you as a dragon? Well the colored scales that I had in real life, were like the ones in my dream. I was black in my dream too."

She reared back her head, "Really? No joke?"

I shook my head, "Yep, no joke at all." Then I added with a finger raised, "But to be honest, I kinda also thought myself as green. I mean, green is my favorite color."

Rain grinned at me, "Well I like you better as black. Black just seems to fit you. I don't want green, or red, or blue. I like you as black."

I stared at her for a moment and then I was giggling, "Yeah, I agree with you on that. I don't look too bad as black. And besides, black is another favorite color of mine."

Rain remarked, "It's because I'M black. I know that's the reason why you like black."

I gave her a big toothy grin and also a nod, "You are black and I like you as black. Heck, I like the way your black scales shine off the moonlight during the night. You really look beautiful when you're shining."

Rain smiled at me, "Thank you. That's very sweet of you." Then I lowered my gaze to her chest and she had a worried look now, "What's wrong, Brandon?"

I was hesitant to ask, but I went ahead and asked her anyways, "Rain....This question sometimes bother me. But I want to ask you this, alright?" I looked up at her a moment later, "Do you....Want a hatchling? Do you...Want a hatchling with me?"

Her face went wide at that, "Huh? ....Why would you ask?"

I sighed, as I tried to explain it, "Ah well....It's because you sometimes feel like you want one. I know that for a fact. You said you never had a family before. And I sometimes think that....Well...You'd want to start one with me."

Rain nodded, "I did say before that I feel like I want one. But...We can't even start a family. It's not possible."

I let out another pained sigh, "I know it isn't. But...Me being that drake would've helped solve that problem."

Rain held a pity look for me when she knew what I was getting at, "Oh...."

I shook my head at myself in sadness, "But it sucks that I'm not and I feel bad for you. You would want my child, but I can't give you one." I looked at her face and went on, "I'm sorry, Rain. I feel really sorry for you. I feel worthless, when I can't give you a child. That I can't give you what you wanted." I kissed her chest, "I love you. But I can't give you what you want. I'm sorry, Rain."

She shook her head at me, "Brandon, don't be sorry. You shouldn't blame yourself. That wasn't what you are anyways. You're a human, not a dragon. We're born as we're born to be."

"But I can't give you a hatchling. I mean....Do you even want one? If I can't give you one, then-"

She waved a dismissive paw effectively cutting me off, "I don't care about that. I know I've wanted one, but I don't need one when I'm with you. I like you for what you are. That's what made you unique. You're unique, as the handsome human boy that showed up in my cave. I know that I pictured you as a dragon, but that's just a fantasy. A fantasy that came true, only once." She was giving me a smile, "You said so on the same night, when you confronted Marcus in the woods. You said that I would love you, despite that you can't give me a hatchling. And I do. I do love you, despite that. Don't say that you're worthless, you never were. Just because you can't give me one, doesn't mean you're worthless. Being with you is always worth it. We've been together since four months ago, and I'm glad we are. That when you're human and can't start a family with me, I won't let that stop me from loving you. I will always love you. And you know what? Even when you're human, you'll always be that drake. The strong, proud, handsome drake who saved my life. You even have his eyes. You're my hero, Brandon."

I stared at her for a second and then I smiled, "You...Don't care about wanting a family?"

She lowered her snout close to my face and whispered, "The only family that I'd want....Is you. Only you." Then she tilted her head and kissed me directly on the mouth. My eyes widened at that, but I started to kiss her back. We kissed each other for a bit and Rain pulled up her head and said, "I love you, Brandon."

I kiss her snout again and said right back, "I love you too, my angel...My rainbow." She kissed me once more, only a bit deeply this time when her tongue snaked into my mouth. I reached up to caress her cheek when we did that. We pulled each other away and we giggled, then I kissed her chest three times and now I turned my body and laid back against her chest. We both let out a content sigh, as my worries for not giving her a child are gone now. I won't let that bother me again. I love Rain and she'd always love me, despite not having a family with me. Every day that we're together, is always worth it.

Rain broke the silence once more and asked, "Well now that I think about it, what's going to happen in this world? What's going to happen to us? I know that we're both living in the city and we'll both age very slowly for a long time. So...What's going to happen to us?"

I shook my head, while both of us were staring at the light crystals, "I don't know. I would think if we've lived for a long time, like maybe another hundred years....I would think that we might see some flying cars up ahead. And maybe robots."

She eyed curiously down at me, "Flying cars? Where'd you hear that? Do cars sprout wings in the future or something? And what the hell is a robot? I never heard of such a name."

I laughed, "Oh forget about it. Who knows what happens in the future? Who knows what changes are ahead when we live for a long time? We'll just wait and see what the future holds for us."

Rain nodded slowly at that, "I'll be finding out along with you. I'll see how humanity evolves more than they already are. I'll watch those changes with you. No matter how many years have passed, we'll always be together."

I let out a breath as I began to relax in her limbs and her beating heart in her chest, "Yep." Then me and her just sat here in silence, the light crystals shining from the walls on us. She's right, we'll always stay with each other.

No matter how many years go by, we always will.

I love you, Rain.

Dad....Thank you so much for this. Thank you so much, for everything. Your death wasn't a loss at all, it was a new beginning for me. A beginning of my new life. Your death brought me happiness. It brought me to Sebastian, the old drake. He needed a family and he has met me and at the end, he ended up meeting mom. He loves us both. Sebastian would've thanked you for that. Your death, helped me in my search for love and it brought me Rain. She would've been alone still, if I didn't find her. But I did and it's because of you. Thanks to you, the search for finding love is over.

If it wasn't for your death....The dragons and humans would never get back together. If you didn't die, then no one would never know the truth about what happened years ago. Why Sierra disappeared, why humanity has suddenly forget, that Marcus was behind everything. Everyone was searching for the truth and your death brought me to the dragons, and I helped them look for the truth. And I did. I've found the truth and now the search for the truth is over, and things are back the way they should be.

If it wasn't for you, father....None of this wouldn't be happening now. I wouldn't have found Rain and Sebastian, and no one wouldn't know the truth. But it did happen and the search for everything, has come full circle. I'll always thank you for everything. I love you, dad. You're the best father that I ever had.

The Search is Over, father.

The Search is Over.

THE END