A Night of Dreams

Chapter 4:2

Ruffrunner

I regret to say that I never really studied up on the archipelago warlords, their armies, weapons, ships, or even their freakin' names! But I think I can safely say I know them when I see them, and, let me tell you, what stood before me was 100% a warlord and his army. This guy had to be at least eight feet tall, maybe nine! He had pale pink skin, a little dark auburn facial fur, and deep brown, malevolent eyes that looked at me as if I were a toy to test his new power out on.

He held the stone in his hand, its red glow pulsing like a beating heart. Crypto's head barked and chattered with fear. He was a zombie, so his head could survive away from his body, but, disconnected from it like this, he was totally helpless. The warlord smiled at him threateningly, then chucked his head across the beach, and I mean across the beach! I watched, eyes wide with terror, as Crypto was hurled high in the air, screaming, until I couldn't see him anymore. I only heard a distant splash from the ocean.

He flexed his hand afterward, laughing manically. Even his soldiers seemed thoroughly impressed by his new strength, looking almost as horrified as I felt. I backed away, whimpering, terrified! I had no idea what to do! What could I do!? I was so tiny and helpless! The only strength I had ever had came from Pouncer and Crypto, without them, I was nothing. That's what I was thinking, shriveled up in the sand as this monster marched towards me, stepping over Crpyto's limp, lifeless body.

Finally, my instincts must have kicked in, because I turned around and started running, just running back towards the destroyed remains of the sanctuary. I slipped and slided on the huge sheets of ice strewn about the ground, turning around pretty often to see him hot on my tail, just marching forward like a machine, that threatening smile plastered on his face. I just kept on moving, my body already exhausted from surviving the sanctuary's collapse and even flying around all day to begin with. My adrenaline was up full blast, but it was barely pulling me through.

My vision was becoming blurry, I was losing my balance. One of the soldiers had gotten the jump on me. He leapt over a slate of ice and pointed a sharp spear at me. I was so screwed up, I almost ran right into it. He shoved the tip of it right in my face, forcing me to back away. More soldiers came toward me, swords and spears drawn at me. I kept backing up until I bumped into something. I looked up to see their boss staring down at me, a black shadow cast over his face. He reached down and grabbed me by the neck.

His grip was strong, too strong! It was like being held by a vice. I barked and whined and scratched at his hand, just desperate and too afraid to think straight. My friend was gone, my brother was gone, any chance of me having power for once was gone. I had been so close to getting that stone, it was in my paws for gods' sake! But there I was, pathetic and defeated, staring into the eyes of the monster that had bested me. My arms went limp. It was over. There was nothing I could do anymore.

•••

The next thing I knew, I was in a metal cage under the lead ship, a muzzle over my face and my little wings tied by leather straps. Crypto's body parts had been gathered up and placed in an open wooden crate, likely to be sold individually or something sick like that. I felt the ship moving, rocking along the waves as it undocked from the beach. It made me feel ill. I lied there in the darkness, just thinking about all that had happened. It was the only thing I could do.

Being in a cage like that really brought back memories of hatchlinghood. I'd actually be lying to you if I said it wasn't the least bit nostalgic, being crammed into a dark, musty, space where you could barely turn around. That feeling of helplessness that filled your body and the fear of the unknown and paranoia creeping in since you had no idea what would become of you. It was all too familiar to me, even years later. Of course, it wasn't exactly the same. The ship hull wreaked of salt water instead of potent chemicals. There weren't any wild screams that lasted well into the night and filled my dreams with pain and agony. And, of course, there was no Pouncer by my side.

I guess I had started crying at some point, I tasted fresh salt under my muzzle. All I could think about was Pouncer. Throughout my life, he had stuck with me. Even when we were freed from that horrible laboratory, when he had a chance to up and abandon me for good, he still followed me wherever I went, even into the most perilous of danger. He was my brother, my greatest companion. And, yet, I left him behind. I traded him off for someone else and didn't even realize it, and, worse yet, I shamed him for trying to do the exact same thing.

"Pounce... I'm so sorry..." I whimpered under my muzzle, but it was too late. I screwed up and there was no fixing it.

Then, just as I thought I was completely broken, finished, without any second chances, I heard something in the distance. It sounded like a loud crash, like something being demolished. My tendril ears perked up, naturally alerted by the sounded. Then, the rest of me did when I heard more explosions like it and sounds of shouting, and it grew louder. I tensed up as another crash came from nearby, rocking the ship I was on. I looked around, getting panicked again. What was happening?

I started hearing a commotion up above. Swords being swung. Humans shouting. Roaring. Dragons roaring! Suddenly, the roof above me gave way to blazing fire and collapsed around me, my cage thankfully keeping me safe.

"Sorry if we're late!" A familiar voice called out.

I looked through the bars of my cage, and my eyes nearly exploded out of my skull. The sky above was filled with dragon, hundreds of dragons! There were colorful Flamewhippers fighting alongside Dragon Island soldiers, working as one! And, before that glorious backdrop was my brother, Pouncer, holding Crypto's in-tact head in his paws, and Dart, giving that terrible smile I hated so much. I couldn't help but mimic it though underneath my muzzle.

"What's say we get you out of there" Dart said confidently, "We have a battle to win, afterall!"

Crypto roared powerfully in agreement as Pouncer tossed him into the open crate with the rest of his parts.