Present Day

I beamed at Rain and Wayne, and asked incredulously, "Holy crap, so that's how Sierra met her first human before you? She met this ex knight named Eric?"

Rain gestured to Wayne with her paw as she sat down on her haunches, "That's what Wayne says. I remember back then around those times that a blue dragoness brought a human named Eric here to the city. I never met him honestly. But my brother did."

I rolled my eyes, "Oh boy, that probably wasn't good."

Wayne giggled a bit, "Well Sierra didn't take crap from anyone back then, so...."

I nodded, "Right, I got it."

It's now morning after last night and I remember it well.

I flew on Rain's back over the city last night.

And how I feel about it, it was the most fantastic thing that happened to me. Riding on Rain's back, felt better than being carried away in her paws!

I loved every minute of it. Even though I was scared at first, but I'm glad she convinced me to do it.

I needed it. After my full outburst to her about why I ran away from home, especially feeling guilty for leaving...Mom behind with Gerry.

I know that I've felt guilty, but I did learn something about it.

I know that I couldn't call the cops on Gerry for being abusive and there was no one else to turn to back at home.

I know that I hated mom a bit for defending Gerry and she didn't listen to me. I don't feel that way about her anymore.

I also think now, she'd want me to live.

My mom probably did call the cops on me for running away, but I'm also sure now that if she died, and no one has found me, then I'd be safe from Gerry. She'd also want me to live. She loves me.

I'm glad that I did leave them, because if she died, then I would die too by Gerry.

And I know now that it wouldn't be my fault that she died, it would be Gerry's.

Not mine, HIS. And I know that now.

And it's all thanks to Rain for helping me think that. She really cheered me up.

Of course, I also had to keep having the hope that my mom would leave Gerry and live on her life, either on her own or with a different boyfriend.

I believe that mom won't die, just like dad.

It's like Rain said, she's strong. For a female, she's strong.

And I have to agree with her. Rain's strong too, because of what happened to her years ago. And as I remember, when mom takes a beating, she still gets up. She is strong.

Mom....I know we'll see each other again one day.

I know you'll have the strength one day to leave him. I can feel it now.

I just have to believe that we will see each other again once more.

Someday mom...Someday.

After me and Rain woke up together in bed, she could really tell that I really felt better about last night.

And I thanked Rain for that.

Thank you, Rain. Thank you.

Soon afterwards, me and Rain decided to go see Wayne this morning, since right now we aren't hungry and ready to go eat.

So for about an hour, Wayne and Rain have talked to me about Sierra. All three of us, standing on top of the all together, as they told their tale.

Sierra...

Wayne's best friend.

We are talking about her, but I still haven't met her.

They still haven't told me about her right now.

Like where is she, that kind of thing.

I hope they'll get to that part, I want to know.

I actually want to meet Sierra.

Because the way Wayne talks about how she met the first human that she met named Eric and how she brought him here to the city for the first time, she really is a kind and caring dragon.

Just like Rain.

Then I heard Rain's voice saying this to Wayne and it brought back my attention, "Yeah and I remembered that day when my brother came home after he met Eric, he really was pissed and dumb founded. He was so enraged that one dragon would bring." She raised one claw, "ONE human to THE dragon city." She put her paw down, "And here I was in disbelief too. I thought all humans were evil back then."

Wayne laughed and said, "Well apparently Eric wasn't one of them."

I decided to pipe in, "So what happened to this Eric, do you know?"

They both looked at me and Wayne had a sad look on his face, "Well....Sierra and Eric have stayed in the city for a while and very soon, they both wanted to live where Eric stayed outside the city. So they've been staying there. Until...It happened."

I tilted my head, "What happened?"

Rain hung her hung with sadness in her eyes, "One day while Sierra was hunting, she saw smoke in the distance and very soon she had a very scary feeling that it belonged to Eric's house."

My jaw dropped a bit and I only muttered, "Oh...."

Wayne nodded and started patting Rain's neck, as he looked at me and went on with the tale, "Sierra came all the way back to Eric's house and found it ablaze. She wanted to go in there to see if she can save him, but the flames were so intense for her to go in there. But she also wanted to believe that Eric wasn't in there, so she just sat down outside to wait for the flames to go out."

Wayne sighed, "Finally after they all went out and after she went in....She found his burned up body in there. She really felt so sad and guilty for his death, she thought it was her fault that he died. Because she left him alone."

I asked, "So...What started the fire?"

Rain growled a bit and looked at me, "She found a shield laying outside the charred house that had the insignia, it was the symbol of the kingdom that Eric used to work for. That's when Sierra figured it was the king that Eric used to work for killed him. And soon after that, she killed him and his knights for murdering Eric." She sighed, "But after that, she felt guilty for it and she thought she became a monster. She...Felt so ashamed, she thought she hurt Eric so much, even when he's dead. Even the guilt she had for not saving Eric didn't go away either. It...Only made it worse."

Wayne went on after she said all that, "Sierra came back to the city next day and told everyone about Eric, but she didn't tell anyone at all, about what she did after Eric died. The dragons who knew Eric all felt sad for his death." Wayne shook his head, "But not as sad as Sierra, and when everyone that she knew, including Neal, tried to cheer her up, Sierra still felt so ashamed and guilty for her actions. She...Couldn't really let it go.  And after staying in the city for about a few days, she didn't want to live in the dragon city anymore."

He sighed, "One night, she packed up some of her things and flew away during the night, never coming back to this place for about a thousand years. She found a cave and lived in it and ever since then, she tormented any human who came near her forest. She thought that no human would be like Eric, that no one would be friendly just like him."

I had a sad look on my face, imagining what Sierra went though, "That's terrible."

Wayne started to smile, "She has been alone for years, but a thousand years later, she met me. She met me while living in her cave, the same cave she lived in for years."

Rain giggled at Wayne and said to him, "Yeah, for taking a nice photo of her and also getting chased by her, that's real clever of you human."

Wayne shot her a playful look, "Hey, at least I've met her, she needed it."

I nodded and gestured to him, "And basically, since you told me that part of the story before, that's how you ended up in the city with her."

Wayne looked at me and nodded, "That's how it was, yeah."

Rain smiled and nodded at me, "They became best friends soon afterwards. After Sierra didn't trust Wayne because he was a human, she still became his best friend soon after all that."

Wayne nodded again, "And I'm still glad that we've met, because she really did feel guilty for killing the king, but that guy was an evil tyrant anyways, so he deserved to die."

Rain narrowed her gaze, "But as it turned out years later, days after Wayne ended up in the city, they both learned that it wasn't the king who murdered Eric at all."

I frowned at her, "What do you mean? Someone else killed him?"

Rain nodded, "As it turned out, it wasn't the king after all. As it turned out, the real murderer was the mayor of this city."

My eyes went wide, "The what?"

Wayne had an angry look and said, "Yeah, it was him."

I shrugged my arms, "But why?"

Rain said as she waved her paw, "Because the mayor hated the humans. He hated them with a passion."

Wayne nodded in agreement, "It turned out HE was the monster, not Sierra. You see how we know that well...I'm sure you know that me and Sierra found Amanda outside the city and took her here?"

I nodded and he went on, "Well days after all that, Amanda found out what the mayor was planning, that he and a few of his pals wanted to start a war between dragons and humans."

My mouth opened agape, "God, really?"

Wayne nodded as his eyebrows were raised, "Hard to believe, huh?" He motioned his hand to the outskirts of the city, "He wanted his kind to fight our kind and he knew with a passion that his kind would win. No matter how much the humans changed."

Rain hissed, "Yeah, and the mayor almost killed Wayne, his parents, and Sierra at Wayne's house, by sending his lackey there. And that was the night before Amanda found out what he was planning."

Wayne went on their tale, "Amanda got kidnapped during the night, when the mayor found out he was being watched by her."

I started rubbing my cheek, still in shock, "God...Why would he do all those things?"

Rain answered, "His mate died, because of dragon slayers and afterwards he was on a revenge fueled madness. Secretly at every turn, the mayor would kill any human he saw outside the city."

Wayne nodded as I can see in his eyes that she knew what she was talking about, "Me, Sierra, Neal, and Cody, even the mayor's son, found out what he was doing and what happened to Amanda, and we all had to stop him." He sighed, "The mayor finally died and both our kind's worlds never went to war. All of us were safe."

I smiled at them, "That's good."

Rain still had a solemn look, "But after the mayor died, Sierra was so wounded, she was practically dying. So Wayne here." She gestured him with her head, "And the others along with him, had to save Sierra from dying. So they all had to fly to one of the human towns outside the dragon city. Since apparently, humans have more things to help her out with."

I got what she was saying and I said it out loud, "Because humans have more stuff than dragons do. Dragons don't have hospitals. Humans have the medical supplies to save her."

Wayne held a hand to his chest and he trembled at the memory, "Sierra almost died after we all landed at the hospital parking lot. I thought we've lost her. But the humans who worked at the hospital saved her life."

I frowned at him, "What the humans immediately went to save her?"

He shook his head, "No, not at first, but me, Amanda, Neal, and Cody, helped convinced everyone in that town that dragons are not monsters. That they're humans just like us."

Rain nodded, "From what Wayne said to me, it wasn't easy, but in the end, they all convinced those humans that they're telling the truth." She started to form a smile, showing her teeth, "Wayne and the others sang a song to the whole town, and that's the beginning of a new age for both our kinds."

I beamed when she said that, "I remember that you guys only said the humans and dragons did co exist. Telling me and Jessie that dragons have feelings like humans do. But you never really told me about that."

Wayne smiled and nodded, "That's how it started. Sierra lived and the humans embraced the dragons with open arms." He looked out at the outskirts of the city, "It was thanks to me that humans saw dragons as humans. That they were strangers, waiting. That their shadows, were searching in the night."

He looked at me, "That they were just people, living just to find emotion. But they were hiding, somewhere in the night." Then he patted Rain's body, "But thanks to me and Sierra and the guys, they didn't stop believing. And all of us co existed."

I just stood there smiling, "Wow...Talk about a story."

But then Sierra came to mind. But where is Sierra?

If the humans and dragons don't co exist anymore, and since Wayne's staying here, where is she?

I need to ask them now.

I want to know what happened to Sierra. What happened to Wayne's best friend?

I gestured to them, "Guys, this question has been bothering me for quite a long time, and I think it's about time I ask you that question."

Rain cocked her head, "What Brandon?" Then Wayne frowned at me, staring intently.

I rubbed the back of my neck, "Look, I don't know what happened and all, but...Where's Sierra?"

They both had sad looks on their faces after I asked that question and I said, "I mean, everyone here keeps mentioning her, but I never met her ever since me and Jessie started staying in the city." I shrugged my arms and asked away, "So what happened to her? Where is she?"

Then a scary thought popped up and I asked this, "Did she...Die?"

Wayne sighed unhappily and Rain only just hung down her head, looking at the stone ground.

I pressed them, "Look I'm sorry, but I just want to know." I started waving my hand at them, "I'll never ask again, I promise. If it's bad, I'll never ask anymore."

Rain looked at me with that sad look and only muttered with a whisper, "We don't know."

I raised one eyebrow, "What? What do you mean?"

Wayne scratched the back of his neck, "We don't know. For a long time, we really don't know."

I shook my head in disbelief, "What are you talking about? I thought you'd know."

Wayne sighed again, "Look...It happened on the day when humanity outside the city started forgetting dragons as friends." He gestured to Rain, "Including Rain's friend, Tommy." All Rain did was glance away, as the memory got to her.

I asked with concern, "So what happened?"

Wayne took a step toward me and went on, "The night before it happened, me and Sierra were sleeping close together at my house." Then he had a confused look on his face, "But the next morning, on the day when all that stuff outside the city happened, I woke up and...Sierra was just gone."

I sucked in a breath and said, "Gone? You mean...She was just-"

Rain looked at me and finished, "Gone. Just gone. She just disappeared."

Wayne shook his head, "All I can figure out is, Sierra must have got up in the middle of the night and just left. Me and everyone looked all over for her and...We never found her."

I had a sad look and looked down at my feet, "She's...Gone."

Wayne said, "Most of the dragons thought that she just died because of humanity. Because they didn't remember her a dragon, as their friend." He shook his head and looked at outside the city, at the landscape, "But I don't think she's dead. I think she's out there somewhere. Somewhere out there and...She's waiting for something. I don't know what, but I can feel it. I can feel that she's alive." He put on a smile, that's filled with hope, "I know one day, she'll come back. Come back to me. I know she will, I'm not giving up."

Rain lowered her head to his level and he leaned the side of his head onto her cheek. He let out a breath.

As I started to watch those two that are like that, I frowned at the look in his eyes. The way he talked about Sierra this time. They looked a bit different.

I know that Wayne talked about Sierra before, but the look in his eyes is now different. It was strange.

It looked like...Love.

Like Wayne...Really loved her.

Not as a friend, but...As a...A...

I shook my head at the thought. That's ridiculous. Those two are friends. That's crazy.

Those two couldn't have been together that way.

Could they?

I looked at Rain and frowned right at her. Did Rain love Tommy as well? Is that why she liked being with him so much? Is that why she watched over him for years? Were they more than best friends?

I looked right at Wayne after that. Actually now that I REALLY think about it, did Sierra back then fall in love with Eric? Is that why she felt so depressed when she lost him? Because she loved him?

Brandon don't be silly. You're probably just imagining things.

They are just friends who are about each other, nothing more.

Poor Wayne misses his best friend and Sierra's gone.

I hope she'll come back, after telling me all that. I would love to meet her.

I hope she does.

I hope.

Rain and Wayne looked back to me with smiles, after a moment of silence.

I asked them with concern, "Are you two okay?"

They both nodded and Wayne said, "Yeah, it's...Been such a long time since we've seen her."

Rain said, "Sierra's a nice dragon. And anyone that I know would give anything to bring her back here."

I nodded and assured them, "She'll come back." I shrugged my arms, "After all, anything's possible."

Wayne nodded and placed a hand on my shoulder, gave it a good grip, "Thanks, Brandon."

Rain walked a bit toward me and nuzzled my chest, "Thank you. That was very sweet."

Wayne had let go of my shoulder and I started petting the top of Rain's head, "You're both welcome." Then I assured again, "And I mean it, she'll come back."

Rain stopped nuzzling me and looked at my face, "I know."

We both just smiled at each other and Wayne coughed just to get our attention. We both looked at him and Wayne said, "Well just to deliberately change the whole subject, how about we go meet an old friend of mine? Her name's Joanna."

I frowned at him, "Joanna?"

He nodded, "Oh yes, Joanna."

Rain giggled and wen back to gazing at me, "Joanna is a old dragon who used to own the Braveheart, she was also the waitress there."

Wayne just grinned, "She's really nice to anyone who'll come into the restaurant. She's the most kind, caring dragon, I've ever met. She's like a mother to us."

Rain said, "She even calls everyone hon and sweetheart, she's that kind of dragon."

I asked, "So wait, Neal and Amanda are the owners of the restaurant right now and Joanna used to be the owner? What happened to her?"

Wayne then had a blank look, "Well Joanna...Got sick one day and she couldn't work there anymore. So Neal and Amanda, since they both love Joanna so much, volunteered to be owners of the place." He shrugged, "Just to do her a favor."

I nodded, "Ah, I see now." I remembered on the first day of staying in the city and the first time I've met them, Amanda mentioned they were doing a favor for a friend.

So that's what she meant. Makes sense now.

Rain beamed at me, "So do you want to meet her? Trust me, she's very sweet and kind."

I smiled and nodded, "Sure! I'd love to meet her!"

Wayne grabbed my hand and started pulling me, "Well come on, pal! Lets go see Joanna."

While I was being pulled by Wayne, Rain followed us behind.

I still had a smile on my face. Well I guess I'm gonna have another dragon friend. Even another old one, other than Sebastian.

I better remember to meet him at his house tonight, I'll bring everyone that I know with me.

Sebastian will be so shocked and happy that I've brought a lot of company with me.

Maybe he'll bring us to drink with him.

After all, I think all of us should have a good time.

*****

Rain's brother strutted on the streets, after having a long day at work. He sighed, as he walked back to his home.

Then he heard a voice of a female hollering for him, "Hey you!"

He stopped in his tracks, perked up his head and turned to the voice. He saw Jessie walking toward him and he growled quietly at her. Not liking her one bit.

Jessie walked toward him until she stood right in front of him. She gave him a big wave and a smile, "Hiya big dude, how are you doing?"

Rain's brother slowly started to glare at her, "As far as I'm concerned, I'm doing fine." He snorted, "Until you interrupted my walk back home."

Jessie's smile melted off her face and she narrowed her look. She put both hands to her hips, "Still being an ass to me right now? ....That's very cold of you."

Rain's brother said, "Only because I don't trust you and your friend." He shot up his head, "Actually, come to think of it, I don't trust any human who walks in this city. ESPECIALLY YOU."

Jessie brushed her hand and then her smile came back, "Look, I get that you don't like me. That I'm not exactly your favorite person right now."

He asked with irritation in his voice, "You're staring to figure it out now? Where have you been?"

Jessie spread out her arms and replied, "I'm right here, that's where I've been."

He snorted again, "Well I'm not really in the mood for talking to you, now bye."

He tried to walk away, but Jessie placed a hand on his body, "Wait, please don't go."

He looked back from the corner of his eye and asked, "What do you want, girl? Aren't you supposed to be with the other human who has a small dragonhood?"

Jessie removed his hand off his body and said, "If you mean Brandon, well he's with your sister right now. I tried to see them today at the motel, but they're off somewhere."

He rolled his eyes, "Why am I not surprised? That my only sister would risk her own life befriending one of the humans that she brought here."

Jessie shot a grin at him, "Well she's actually friends with both of them." He turned his head to hiss at her. Then Jessie raised her hands as if surrendering, "Sorry, did I hit a nerve?"

Rain's brother replied, "I have a lot of nerves, girl."

Jessie's smile melted away and narrowed her eyes, "Will you quit calling me girl? I told you my name already, it's Jessie."

Rain's brother said with a huff, "And I told you before that I don't care for your kinds names."

Jessie smirked again, "Well I'd give you a name, that would be great."

He growled a bit, "I already have a name." Then he turned his whole body to her and lowered his head to her level kinda quick, "You humans would rather give dragons human names, instead of trying to say our real ones? I think that's total hypocorism to me."

Jessie backed away from his head a little and said, "Well I think it'd be easier for my kind to give you a human name. Just so we could communicate with each other a lot more easier."

He blinked as he still glared at her, "We are communicating."

Jessie titled her head, "You really don't like me, do you?"

Rain's brother said, "You certainly have a knack for not following my expressions, not to mention the way I talk to you." He raised his head above her level and said, "And I certainly don't trust you because of how you and your friend escaped the city and causing trouble. Quite frankly, since I think that the two of you escaped to look for more humans to kill us, I think all of us should have let those wolves eat you."

Jessie had an apologetic look, "Look, I'm still sorry for what happened. I tried to escape with my friend because I thought your kind didn't care about me and him. I...I really thought that your kind kidnapped me and Brandon just to keep us as slaves."

Rain's brother hissed, "Look who's talking. Your kind didn't care about mine for years. And you accuse us of such things? That's crap."

Jessie sighed, "I know and I'm sorry."

He cocked his head while glaring at her, "And are you sorry for causing a fight with three dragons, before you tried to escape from the city?"

Jessie said, "Well the reason why I was angry at them is because they were picking on me, but yes...I'm sorry about that too. It's partially my fault for fueling the fire."

Rain's brother only looked down at her and Jessie said, "Look...I want to start everything over with you. I've already started over with your sister. So...Why not be friends with me?"

He cocked his head, feeling irritated, "Why?"

Jessie answered, "Cause I think you deserve to have a friend. Someone like me. Look, the other day while I was with your sister, she told me that you gave her a stern talk about us, trying to protect her. Saying that you'd kill us if we hurt her. Don't you think that's a little much?"

Rain's brother shook his head, a fierce gaze in his eyes, "Don't try to patronize me with your guilt trip. Because I'm not falling for it. You're not gonna make me feel guilty for protecting my sister from the likes of YOU. I think your kind is evil and always will be."

Jessie shrugged with her arms, "But we're not evil, we never were."

Rain's brother shot up his head, "Oh really? And you think calling us monsters and killing us like we are, doesn't make you evil? You're the evil ones, girl."

Jessie asked with pity in her eyes, "You really are heartless about me, are you?"

He slammed his paw to the ground and she yelped out a bit. Rain's brother snarled with his frills and wings flared, "Are you really this stupid?! I am heartless toward your kind, because you were heartless to us!"

Jessie started to say, "Look, I'm trying to be nice to you and-"

He sneered, "I don't want your kindness!"

Jessie asked with pity in her voice, "Listen, Rain's brother, I'm not trying to hurt you. And I'm sure that what you're saying about my kind is a little unfair." She took a step toward him, "Look big guy, what has happened to you? Why do you hate my kind so much? I'm just curious of why you hate me really?"

Rain's brother snorted, "Humpf. Since you're best friends with my sister, I'm wondering if she ever told you. But fine, if you want to know, I'll tell you." He took a deep breath and said, "Years ago, before you were born, your kind killed my mother out in the forest."

She let out a gasp and she placed a hand to her chin. Rain's brother went on with his tale, pain and sorrow in his eyes, "My sister was only a hatchling when she found her dying and mother died right in front of her. My dad wanted vengeance upon her death and he left me, to take care of her. He never came back after that."

Jessie held a sad look upon her face and Rain's brother said with anger in his voice, "You say that I'm being unfair to you and your kind, well look who's talking! Your kind murdered my mother and she didn't do anything wrong! She was very kind and you killed her. Your kind attacked her first, instead of getting to know her!"

He thrashed his tail behind him and said, "Well who are you to kill someone like that? Who the hell are you to judge us? You judge us, so why don't I judge YOU? I'm sure it makes perfect sense to judge back."

He growled at her, "My sister told me years ago that both our kinds have co existed and then they suddenly turn their backs on us. Even her human friend, Tommy did! He has made her feel so sad and betrayed, I wanted to kill him myself!"

Rain's brother softened his look, a bit of a hopeful gleam, "I'll be honest, as days went by, and as I keep seeing her with that human boy, I thought...She was really happy with him. And I was beginning to think that maybe humanity really has changed." Then he showed his glare again, the anger came back in a instant, "But I was wrong about him and that humanity has never changed. No one never changes! I keep telling Rain to stay away from Wayne and Amanda, because I didn't trust them before and I never will, because of what happened to my sister. No one never changes! Nothing has never changed!"

Jessie just looked at him and he said, "I bet you never forgotten us as friends, you attacked us on purpose again. Even when you get to know us, you still attack us! And that's bullshit!"

Jessie shook her head and softly said, "No big guy...You're wrong."

His eyes went wide at what she said and she shook her head again, "I'd never hurt you, even when I get to know you. I would always be your friend."

Rain's brother was just huffing a bit and he asked, "Then why did you suddenly forget about us? You tell me THAT."

She closed her eyes and shook her head, "I don't know big guy."

He narrowed his gaze down at her, "That's what I thought."

Jessie opened her eyes and narrowed them, "But I would never hurt you. And I never will." She took a step toward him, "And I'd never forget you as my friend."

He cocked his head and asked, "Why?"

Jessie formed a smile, "Because I care about you more than you think." She placed a hand to her chest, "I made some mistakes, judging you before. We all make mistakes. But...That doesn't mean we can't try to rectify our mistakes and I'm asking you to reconsider me and rectify your mistakes."

Rain's brother only stared at her and Jessie said, "I know you're not angry all the time. I know you have a big heart beating in your chest. I can tell. Do you care for your sister?"

Rain's brother answered, "More than you know. More than everything else."

She took a few steps toward him, until she placed a hand on his chest, "Listen...I want to be your friend."

He looked down at her with confusion in his eyes, "Why?"

She looked up at him, "Because, you remind me of my uncle back at home." She giggled, "He was always grouchy, but at the end of the day, he actually showed that he cared. The best way he can come up with." She nodded, "His name's Frankie."

Rain's brother still looked down at him and she sighed, "Look, I know that it won't be easy for you to forgive me and my kind for humanity's past mistakes, especially your mother. But...I want you to try. Put all your reserves and anger aside and let me be with you for a while. Lets get to know each other for a little while. Please...Frankie? For me."

Rain's brother raised a brow, "You're...Calling me Frankie?"

Jessie nodded, "Yes, I am. And you deserve that name. I'm giving you that name, because I'm your friend. Whether you believe it or not. I really am."

Rain's brother who's now named Frankie, looked down at her and his gaze softened. He asked, "You...You're serious?"

She nodded, "I am. And I can really understand your pain. Please Frankie, let me be your friend." She gave his scaled chest a rub, a tender rub.

Frankie let out a big, long sigh, until he said it, ".......Okay."

Jessie beamed and she threw her whole body against him in an instant. Hugging him. His eyes went wide and his body tensed. Feeling for the very first time that a human's hugging him.

Jessie removed herself off his chest and said with a happy gleam, "So...You said you were heading home, can I go with you?"

Frankie slowly nodded, still a bit unsure about his decision, "....Of course." Then he shot a glare, "But don't push your luck, girl. I'm not always this easy."

Jessie laughed and nodded, "Oh I know that for a fact." And with that, Frankie started to strut past her, walking in slow strides. Jessie walked beside him on his way to his house.

Jessie joked while she walked beside him, "You know something? I think we're going to get along just fine. We both have attitude."

Frankie groaned a bit and said while looking ahead, "I'm starting to freakin regret this already." Jessie laughed hard at that.

*****

Me, Wayne and Rain are in front of Joanna's house, standing in front of her front door. Rain raised a paw and knocked the door twice and we waited.

We heard some footsteps coming from the inside and the door opened, revealing a old magenta dragoness named Joanna on the other side. She smiled brightly when she saw Wayne and Rain at her door, but she hasn't saw me yet, "Wayne! Rain! It's nice to see you two!"

Wayne grinned up at her, "Hi Joanna, I haven't talked to you for about four days now."

She lowered her head to Wayne's level and nuzzled his face, "I know that, hon! Where have you been?"

Wayne laughed and reached up to stroke her cheek, "Been busy old lady, that's what."

Joanna let out an old lady laugh and said, "Ah well, I guess you're always busy these days."

Wayne gave her nose a kiss, "Well I'm here now, mom."

I smiled when he said that. Aw, he called her mom.

Joanna raised her head to look at Rain, "And you young lady, it's nice to see YOU again. When did you get back to the city?"

Rain nuzzled her neck and said, "Since a few days ago. I haven't been back here long."

Joanna reared back her head and said, "Well it's nice to you too, sweetheart. I've missed you." Then she raised her forepaw and let out a hoarse cough.

I had a worried look on my face. Oh, they weren't kidding when they said that she's sick. she doesn't sound so good.

Joanna laid her paw back to the ground and said, "So did you two come to visit old Joanna today? You can come in right now. I'd love some company today!"

Wayne said, "Actually, we also wanted to introduce you to someone."

Joanna cocked her head at Wayne, "Who hon?"

Wayne moved out of my way and gestured his hands to me, "Joanna, this is a new human in the city. His name's Brandon."

Her eyes went wide when she saw me, "A new human?" Then she giggled and asked Rain, "Rain, did you kidnap this human? How do I know that, it's because I know a certain blue dragoness who kidnapped Wayne here."

Rain giggled shyly, "In a matter of speaking...Yeah."

Joanna tossed back her head and laughed, then she coughed again. When she stopped coughing, she said, "Oh well, I guess we all kidnap someone every now and then." Then she winked at Rain.

Rain reached up with her paw and scratched her neck, "Well I thought he was dangerous, so-"

Joanna waved her off with a paw, "Don't worry a thing, sweetheart. There's no need for explanations. When there's a new human in the city, I'd want to meet him or her." She looked down at me, "And speaking of the human, I'm being rude by ignoring him."

I giggled and waved at her, "Hello to you too. And you weren't being rude, I was just being polite by not interrupting."

She lowered her head to me and said with a big grin, "Well hon, it's nice to meet you." She gave me a sniff.

I reached up to her nose and petted it, "Thank you, Joanna. And those two have told me a lot about you."

She rose her head and said, "Well I'm just glad those two did. I love it when all dragons and humans to talk to me." She closed her eyes and smiled some more, "I feel like I'm the company attracter. Attracting company is my specialty."

I laughed, "I can see why. You're a real charmer."

Joanna turned her body on us and walked back into her house, "Come in."

Me, Wayne and Rain followed in after her. As soon as we all walked in, we followed her into a big room filled with furs. My eyes went wide at that. She really knows how to keep herself comfortable.

She laid down on her stomach, in front of her stone fireplace. Her long tail laid straight out, "Have a seat everyone." She coughed some more.

Wayne and I sat down on the floor and Rain laid down on her stomach. Joanna giggled at us and said, "You know Rain, I'm very glad that you came back to the city. You know after all that I've heard outside the city, about humanity changing, I'm very worried about you. You're like a daughter I've never had."

Then she giggled again only moved her eyes up to glance at the ceiling, "Well come to think of it, I always think some of the females that I meet as my daughters. I probably had a lot more hatchlings than I thought."

Rain put a paw to her snout and giggled, "Oh I wouldn't mind being another daughter to you. You know that my mother died years ago."

Joanna nodded, "Yep, that's right. And I'm very glad you've met me. You, Amanda, Eleanor and...Sierra, are always like my daughters to me." She looked away, with a sad look.

I felt sorry for her. She must have missed Sierra too.

I know that I don't have children of my own, but really feel for her. When a mother loses a daughter, she really feels bad for it. She probably felt really worried about her too.

I looked at Rain. And I know that she was worried about Rain too. But at least Rain came back here with me and Jessie.

Joanna looked at Rain and cocked her head, "So how are some things outside the city? Still the same?"

Rain nodded, "Indeed." She shrugged her shoulders, "Basically, I've been watching over Tommy as usual."

Joanna smiled at that, "Tommy, that nice young human. I swear, I wished that he'd never forgotten about us dragons. I really missed him. Missed him visiting me when you bring him here. He's such a sweet young boy."

Rain puffed out her chest and let out a whoosh of air, "Yep...Me too." She hung her head and I placed my hand on her leg, in a comforting way. Rain looked at me and muttered, "Thank you."

Joanna had a guilty look, "I'm sorry about that, Rain. I didn't mean to-"

Rain looked at her and said, "No, it's alright." She sighed, "Sometimes, it can be hard to move on from someone. Especially Tommy."

Joanna nodded, "I can understand that completely, sweetheart. When my mate died, several years ago, I really had a hard time moving on from him. He was the most sweetest drake I've ever been with."

I tilted my head at her, "Who?"

Joanna gazed at me, "A dragon named Sierra had an uncle and me and him were together. He's pretty religious among other things. He was also the co owner of my restaurant, the Braveheart." She had her sad look again, as she thought about Sierra's uncle, "Oh I wish that he wasn't sick and died. This house just feels lonely without him. I remember all the times we've had together. We lay close, we twine our tails, in front of the fire. Oh...And how he always helped me out with the Braveheart, he was always sweet when it came to that." 

She sighed happily as the memories from that life came to her, "Oh my own restaurant. I can still remember those days. I've been there almost every day of my own long life."

Joanna grinned at Wayne, "And I can still remember the day I've first met you and your first performance there. The very first human who ever sang there. Talk about history in the making."

I looked at Wayne, a bit surprised. So Wayne actually performed at the Braveheart. Interesting.

Wayne giggled a bit, "I can never forget that night either, old lady."

Joanna laughed hard at that, "And you still call me old! You outa call Sierra that! I remember you called her that before."

Wayne gestured to her, "Well you are old. Even your old lady wrinkles on your face are still showing!" Me, Wayne, and Rain all laughed at that.

While Joanna, just shot a glare at us, "Very funny. You'll all be old too, someday and YOU'LL see all those wrinkles!"

Wayne pointed at her with a finger, "Oh I'll cherish every day of my young life."

Joanna coughed and coughed again, she covered her mouth with her paw and coughed once more, "You better, or else you'll start coughing like ME."

I said to her, "You really shouldn't joke stuff like that. I don't think all of us like to see you cough."

Joanna nodded, "Oh I know. And it sucks that an elder dragon like me doesn't do much these days. Usually the friends that I have bring me food here just to feed me. Especially Neal and Amanda and a few other dragons." She cocked her head, "So Wayne, have you seen Neal and Amanda today? How are they?"

Wayne smiled, "They're good. I talked to them this morning. I told them I was planning to see you and they told me to tell you they said hello."

Joanna smirked, "Aw, well you tell them I got the message."

Wayne nodded, "Sure, I will."

Rain got up on all fours and said to us, "I'm going to get a drink, I'll be right back." Rain trotted out of the room after that.

Joanna looked at me after Rain left the room, "And as for you young human, do you like staying here in the city?"

I grinned and nodded, "It's pretty good. Of course, at first I was a little scared of coming here, but I was great."

We all heard Rain hollering from the other room, "Actually his girlfriend was so freaked out and scared, she had the most high pitched scream, a human female could muster!"

Joanna's eyes went wide, "Oh! There's another new human here? A female?" Then she grinned at me, deviously, "Well I would figure a dashing, young, handsome human like you would have a mate. Young love is always special." She sighed when more pleasant memories came to her brain, "I remember my first mating, and that was YEARS ago."

I laughed and said, "Well to answer your question if there's another human and it's a female, yes and her name's Jessie." I nodded at her, "I'm sure you'd like her. She kinda has a mean streak." Then I hollered over my shoulder to Rain in the other room, "Which compares to a certain black female dragon who also has a mean streak."

Rain's voice is carried into this room as she hollered back, "I never had a mean streak! It was your girlfriend who has one!"

All three of us in the three room laughed and I hollered, "Whatever woman, you keep denying all you want. No skin off my nose. And second, Jessie's not my girlfriend!"

Rain yelled again, with a playful tone, "Keep denying THAT all you want! You want her like a drake. Also you keep staring at her curves!"

Wayne and Joanna laughed and I was just blushing. My cheeks turning scarlet. I whined to Rain, "Rain! I was doing no such thing!"

Wayne kept laughing as he spoke to Rain by hollering, "Yeah, for all we know, YOU might be looking at Brandon's butt every time he turns his back on you!"

Rain strolled back in the room with fast strides, an annoyed look on her face. She shot at Wayne, "You shut your mouth!" That time I started laughing and Rain just hissed at me as she laid down on her stomach beside me, "Brandon, don't make me regret bringing you to this city."

I chuckled a bit more and I reached out to rub her body, while teasing her, "Aw, what's wrong? Don't want to admit your dirty little secret?" She turned her head to snort at me and I laughed again.

Rain just glared at me, "Brandon, I did not look at your butt!"

I shot at her, "Then quit saying to everyone that Jessie's my girlfriend. We're not even together anyway."

Rain melted that glare off her face and said with a mischievous grin, "Then what are you waiting for? Don't let another male human come get her." She motioned her nose towards Wayne, "Wayne here is so handsome, I'd bet he'll swoop her of her feet!"

Wayne's eyes went wide and he narrowed them at Rain, "Rain, you leave me out of this."

Rain shot up her head, "Well how about next time, don't tell anyone that I was looking at Brandon's little butt."

Wayne started to shoot a grin, "I'll do whatever the heck I want, big girl."

She rolled her eyes, "I don't care."

Joanna giggled at me and Rain, "It looks like you two are close. You two remind me of Wayne and Sierra."

I looked at her and smiled then Joanna said, "And I remember the time when Wayne and Sierra were actually mat-"

Wayne cut her off with a finger raised. He gave her a stern look and she noticed it. She nodded meekly after that. Apparently getting the message. I frowned at this. What was that all about?

Joanna looked at me and said, "Well anyways, it looks like you and Rain are close."

I decided to just drop my frown and I nodded and said, "Ever since me and Jessie have been living in this city, me and my friend have been very close to Rain. I don't think I could live anywhere else. I like your restaurant, which Neal and Amanda are great owners by the way and me and Jessie don't ever want to leave this place, to live anywhere else, never."

Joanna cocked her head at me, "Oh well, I'm glad that you love the Braveheart and all, but you two wanted to live in the city? Don't you and your mate have families to go back to?"

I blushed again after she called Jessie my mate, and Rain saw it and laughed. I narrowed my eyes at Joanna, "First of all, Jessie's not my mate, nor my girlfriend."

Wayne corrected me with his finger raised, "Actually Brandon, mate and girlfriend are kinda the same thing."

I shot a glare at him, "Not freakin helping Wayne." I sighed and turned to Joanna again, "Well...We both ran away from home, so we don't have a place to live. That's why we're living here."

Joanna asked, "Why? Why did you young ones run away?"

I hummed to myself, "Well I don't really know why Jessie ran away, all she told me was she's tired of the way her life has been and she hated it. That's about it with her and as for me...It's a long story."

Rain said, "Lets just say it's bad and it has something to do with his mother and her boyfriend."

I shrugged my shoulders, "Like I said, long story. But what I can tell you is, one day me and my mother will see each other again. One day."

Joanna smiled at me, "Well I hope you guys do. Family, doesn't live forever."

I nodded, "Yeah, I know." I know you can leave Gerry mom. You just have to believe that you can. That you can live on your own.

I hope you can. I don't want to see you one day, if you're with him. I don't even want to see his face.

Plus, he'll still kill you one day too.

I will keep that hope mother.

Joanna let out a yawn and said, "Well, I had enough visiting today. I need to sleep. All three of you have a good day." She started to lay her head down on the furs.

Wayne got up on his feet and walked to her head. He leaned his head forward and gave her forehead a kiss. He said to her like a son would, "I love you, mom."

Joanna rubbed her nose against his chest in a loving matter. She said back, "I love you too, son."

I smiled at the scene as I got up off the floor with Rain. The scene making me think about me and mom.

Oh mom...I love you.

If you die, I promise that I'll live on for you.

But lets hope it doesn't come to that.

Rain came up to Joanna and nuzzled her, "Nice to see you again, Joanna."

Joanna giggled and said to Rain, "Very good to see you again as well." And with that, Rain turned her body to her and so did Wayne. They both walked out of the room, leaving me the only one to say goodbye to her for today.

I sighed and said, "Well it was very nice to meet you, Joanna. You seem to be one of the sweetest dragons I've met here."

Joanna smirked at me, "I tend to be sweet and it was very nice to meet you too, Brandon."

I walked up to her and gave her forehead a kiss. I said to her after that, "I'm sorry you don't feel so good."

Joanna shook her head, "Oh don't worry about it, hon. When I feel sick, I don't let it get to me. I still try to be happy about it."

I stroked her forehead a bit and she giggled a little, "You remind me of Wayne when you do that."

I smiled at her, "Thank you. Well at least you can have another human who is just like him."

Joanna said, "You really are sweet, hon. And I'm sure that your mother would be so proud of you for being that way. I'd be too. And I hope that you'll see her one day again. Despite the reason why you ran away, you still love her and you'd come back to her."

I petted her forehead again and said, "I will."

Joanna then said with a her nose rubbing my chest, "And if you ever want to talk about something, you can visit me anytime you want. And I hope you bring your friend Jessie here. I'd love to meet another human."

I nodded and said, "Sure, no problem." I started to back away from her and said, "Well have a good day."

I whirled around on her and her voice stopped me, "Brandon." I stopped and turned to face her. Joanna asked, while her head was still laying on the floor, "You and Rain, you really are close, are you?"

I stared at her and nodded. Joanna smiled and said, "Don't ever let each other go. She lost Tommy, she couldn't bear to lose you too."

I smiled and assured her, "We won't. I promise."

Joanna yawned again, "Good."

I waved at her, "See you later." And with that, I left the room to meet Wayne and Rain outside.

The two of them saw me leave the house and they started to walk away as I exited. I walked onto the sidewalk and before I could trot after them, a thought came to me.

Sebastian.

Well Wayne and Rain showed me their friend Joanna, I'll show them Sebastian.

I'll have them, along with Neal, Amanda, Jessie, and Cody to come with me to his house.

He really is a nice old dragon, just like Joanna.

I think everyone will love him.

Well now's my chance to tell them about him.

I ran after them, hollering for them, "Hey guys wait! There's something I want to tell you!"