Shattering Reality - COLLAB WITH @AtomicDaDragon

Chapter 13

Oh Chapter 13, the unlucky *cough cough lucky very lucky* Number!

Atomic's Perspective

Why is he here?

More to the point, how?

I'm here, Atomic. Those words echo in my head like a bell.

''Yeah, It's me. Surprise,'' he says dully, seeing the baby dragon.

I look at him, because I almost forgot how he looked.

A grey wolf, with a tuft of acid green fur, almost like hair, on his head. Acid green spots and stripes almost cover him head to tail. His tail is long and fluffy, with jagged edged, like he was fighting. His paws are small, but his claws are sharp. His ears are alert, and the inner ear fur is acid green. His wings are almost the same size as his body. They look like small dragon wings, with jagged edges,  acid green membrane, and grey-black bones. His eyes are black, no whites to be seen. His underbelly fur is messed up and knotted. In his ankles, are broken chains. His ankles are bleeding a little.

''Ted!'' I half run, half fly over to him. ''Hello! What did you do to get in chains?''

I've never been this happy since I left Sera's village. It was so peaceful there.

''Where did you go,'' he asks angrily. ''Who are these people? And I escaped from a prison. I became a murder suspect when you left.''

I explain everything to him. His tail twitches in agitation as I tell him about the ambush on Serafina's village, and I sense sadness from her. He whimpers when I tell him about the lab, and my hair and scales being cut. ''Thankfully, Alex healed me,'' I add quickly. I tell him how we met Alex and Majirica. I tell him about the forest camp, leaving out the angry letter. I tell him about Volkov and her rebellious elves. I tell him about the Island of Spirits, and Ruby. ''Never liked mermaids,'' he shudders. ''Don't trust her.'' I tell him about our entrance into Laza Bane, and the battle that happened last night. And, finally, I tell him about the prophecy.

''Wow,'' I all he can say. ''I would have saved you every time,'' he says, puffing out his chest, trying to look tough. Ella, Sera and Alex laugh, despite their tears. ''Ted, never will you look tough to me. Not even if you became a evil, demented dragon as big as the earth.'' He looks at me with puppy eyes. ''Maybe then,'' I add. Sera just laughs harder. I can't tell if her tears are from the dragonlings or laughter anymore.

''Who let you in,'' I ask him.

''I did,'' says Elyssia, standing in the doorway. ''I am sorry you had to find these baby dragons. It was not-'' But Sera cuts her off.

''Why were they here? Who killed them? And how did the humans find our city? I thought it was hidden by magic!'' Ella holds back her arms. Elyssia raises her hand, and Sera falls asleep.

Now I'm angry. ''What'd you do to her,'' I ask, my voice hitting a new octave in panic. Whatever she did, I don't like it. ''What did you do to Sera?''

''Saved myself,'' she replies angrily. ''That halfling is out of control. Take her away.'' Halfling? Sera would really kill her.

A dragon bursts through the wall, and grabs Sera. He flies away.

Ella and I lose it.

''YOU CRAZY PSYCHO ELF! GIVE SERA BACK NOW!'' That was just the beginning, oh, trust me.

''WHERE DID YOU TAKE HER? WHY WERE THE DRAGONS EVEN IN HERE? GIVE HER BACK NOW! AND WHY DID THE HUMANS FIND THE CITY? YOU'RE TELLING ME YOU HAD NO GUARDS IN HERE DURING THE FIGHT? NO ONE TO PROTECT THE CASTLE? THIS CLOSE TO YOUR OFFICE? NO. YOU MUST BE LYING, I CAN TELL, AND TRUST ME,  I'VE LIVED WITH PEOPLE WHO LIE ABOUT WHO THEY ARE, AND EVEN WHAT THEY KNOW.''

Then Ella yells;

''YOU THINK YOU CAN TAKE AWAY ONE OF THE THREE LIKE THAT? NA. I'M FINDING SERA, EVIN IF I HAVE TO DO IT ALONE. WHY DID YOU DO THAT? WHO WAS THAT DRAGON, I'LL KILL HIM! DID YOU PUT HIM UNDER A SPELL, AS YOU ALWAYS DO? I'LL SAVE US WITH AN INFALLIBLE SPELL TO HAVE HIM DO MY DIRTY WORK!' NO. I WILL NOT LIVE WITH THIS! I WILL KILL ANYONE INVOLVED. NEVER MESS WITH ME, ELF, BECAUSE I ALWAYS WIN. DRAGONS WILL ALWAYS WIN.  EVEN IF WE NEED TO KILL THE ENTIRE HUMAN RACE, DOWN TO THE LAST CHILD, TO SAVE HER, ATOMIC AND I WILL DO IT. MAYBE I'LL JUST SWOOP IN AND TAKE YOUR RIGHT HAND MAN SOMETIME LIKE IT'S NOTHING. GIVE US BACK QUEEN SERAFINA ANDROMEDELLA BYSTROM, OR YOU'RE DEAD.''

Then Ted yells, although a little weaker than us;

WELL, I'LL DO WHAT EVER ATOMIC WANTS. SO YEAH, I GUESS YOUR DEAD. SERAFINA WILL NOT STAY IN THAT DRAGON'S TALONS FOR LONG, BECAUSE YOU HAVE ME TO DEAL WITH. I'LL ACID RAIN THIS CASTLE. YEAH. WHAT SHE SAID. SO STAND DOWN, BECAUSE SERA'S COMMIN' BACK.

I yell again.

''I'LL MELT YOUR FLESH, AND THE FLESH OF THAT DRAGON IF YOU DON'T GIVE HER BACK. I'LL BLOW UP THE WORLD WITH A BOMB NAMED AFTER ME. A HUNDRED OF THEM. NO MOTE RESISTANCE FOR YOU, A HEAVEN FOR ME. I'LL TAKE YOU TO THE ACID FALLS OF RANAHORA AND HAVE YOU BATHE THERE UNTIL YOU DIE! YOU WILL GIVE US SERA, OR FACE THE MIGHT OF THE DRAGONS, WOLVES AND DWARVES, BECAUSE I'M VERY PERSUASIVE, AND PAY WELL. REBELS REBEL. THAT'S WHAT I'LL DO.''

Elyssia smiles smugly. ''it is happening,'' she says.

''What's happening,'' Ted asks, though I can feel it. I tremble.

''The separation effect. You see it in couples who have broken up, and divided families, but much weaker. It is strong on you, because  of Blossom's prophecy. Yes, I know who Blossom is.

''But what is it,'' Ted asks.

''Where people are close together, and they separate. I thought it'd be obvious, young one. Serafina, Atomic, and Ella are close because of the prophecy, therefore, it could drive them insane to be separated for too long.''

''Like I'm not already,'' I hiss.

Ted growls, hackles raised. I crouch next to him, ready to pounce.

''You are all feral wild creatures. You cannot help me in any way.''

''Maybe she's just intoxicated,'' Ted suggests hopefully, whispering. I shake my head. ''Her words would not be so smooth.''

Then my head hits the floor with a loud thump.