Dragon Quest…20

the crows were enjoying the french fries
they love those
don’t they
said the dragon
watching the birds
scarf down the potatoes
yes
they love them
so do I
but finish the story
so you can go away
it will be my pleasure to leave
have no doubt about that
so once your species
increased in numbers
and made weapons
they hunted everything that moved
including us
they loved killing
we
naturally
did not like being killed
so we moved to a different reality
one where humans did not exist
great
so you moved where
my species doesn’t exist
and then…
see how easy it is to cut to the chase
I despise you
you are crude
impatient
rude
gross and…
gross
I’m gross
in what way am I gross
you moronic skinny dragon
I told you
I am not skinny
I am built for speed
I know some dogs
who weigh more than you do
there are no dogs who weigh more than I do
this is a fact
and I will no longer respond
to your insults
he said
so we moved
but trouble started
between the dragon clans
things were difficult
and fighting broke out
my father
King of the Green Dragons
won many battles
but my mother
he paused
was
killed
and my father’s rage
was…
too much to contain
the dragon nodded
dragons mate for life
so my father came to your reality
and searched for a human
he could trust
to hold his power
until he could return
and reclaim it
it seems that human
was your father
my father had put his power
into the statue
and apparently
gave it to your father
for safe keeping
he meant to get the statue back
but he never did
now I fear he’s dying
his lack of power
is causing him to fade
I don’t think he has long
unless
I can get the statue back to him
here
she said
giving the silver dragon to him
I hope he feels better soon
just like that
asked the dragon
you aren’t going to ask for anything
in return
why would I do that
it’s not mine
it belongs to your father
as the current owner
you may ask for anything
I don’t want anything
so finish eating
then go back to wherever you go
and take care of the baby dragon
Dusty landed on the pizza
and started eating
did you eat all of your own pizza
the crow nodded and continued to eat
who do you hunt
asked the dragon
those who harm others
those who don’t belong here
and just come to feast
killers
no matter their species
even if they’re just visiting
you have special weapons
and magic
some
your gun
never runs out of bullets
it does not
and it has ammo
for different species
have you ever killed a dragon
no
a dragon has never caused harm
I don’t hate you
I know
tell me
what’s going to happen
to the sister who took the baby
she will be banned
from traveling outside of our reality
is that all
I don’t know
but she is a princess
and she is young
all that princess stuff
is a waste of time
if you ask me
I do not disagree
but it is what we have
change it
can you change your
world
good point
the bird has eaten the rest of the pizza
he does things like that
and this is the longest goodbye ever
perhaps we do not want it to end
he said
a sword appearing in his hand
take this
it will protect you
if it begins to glow
 danger is near
it can cut through anything
and if someone takes if from you
it will disappear
and reappear in your hand
I want you to  have it
he said
placing it on the table
thank you
she said
picking up the sword
aren’t you going to argue with me
no way
she said
grinning at him
what is it called
it’s name is Eternity
he stood up and bowed
should you ever need my help
you have but to mention my name
I don’t know your name
so I think you’re safe
it is Emerald
I do have one request
name it 
when she is older
will you tell Coral Reef
about Wave
and what she did for her
I will
you have my word
he said
touching her cheek
may I ask something from you
like what
a kiss
seriously
didn’t we already do that
please
fine
she said
but just to be clear
you do know this is not
 a story about romance
don’t you
It’s our story
we can make it into anything
and everything is about romance
then he took her in his arms
and kissed her
while Dusty flapped his wings
and pretended to vomit
on the cardboard
that once held the pizza
you should go
as you wish
he said
farewell Hunter
farewell dragon
and he was gone
she turned to the crow
and said
the barfing was funny
now tell me how my mother
was involved with the crows and ravens
a story for another time Hunter
said the crow
bad guys are approaching

Dragon Quest…19

she went to the balcony
and waved at the dragon
he looked around
then realized she was waving
at him
he can’t be that dumb
can he
she asked one of the crows
the crow cawed
and shook his head
she waved the dragon
over and he took off
from the roof he was sitting on
changing into a person
when he got close enough
to the balcony
to land safely
we need to talk
she said
if I come inside
are you going to shoot me
how should I know
I guess it depends on what you 
say or do
what does that mean
it means
you’ll have to take your chance
how’s your wing
I hate you
she snickered
it’s not funny
it kind of is
she grinned
pulling out a kitchen chair
sit
he sat
I was talking with the Great Mother
and she said
you talked to Her personally
yes
She told me about my parents
the gifts
and that your father lost a lot of his power
and that balance has to be restored
She didn’t tell me what would happen
if it wasn’t
anyway
She said I had to work with you to fix things
so here I am
when did you see Her
last night
why
he shrugged
do you know where your father
got the statue
no
I was a kid when he gave it to me
I didn’t ask where it came from
he just told me to always keep it with me
and to never lose it
Dusty landed on the table
shook his feathers
and told the dragon
to tell her the story
what story
she asked
the dragon cleared his throat
and began
long before the planets
were in their current positions
you mean a really LONG time ago
yes
that’s exactly what I mean
continue
a really long time ago
he said sarcastically
when dragons owned the sky
there was chaos
everything was in turmoil
forming and un-forming
the worlds had yet
to make up their minds
but the dragons didn’t care
they flew where they would
making fire their own
they breathed it in and then out
and we became
along with everything else
basically a creation story
right
are you going to keep interrupting me
I don’t know
are you going to keep giving me a history lesson
the dragon
let out a sigh
then said
it was beautiful
there was no sky
not as it is now
but the dragons were happy
and free
when things calmed down
our kind made their home
on what you call earth
it had everything we needed
our species broke off and became
the dinosaurs you all love so much
interesting creatures 
but they could not transform
then your species arrived
they had no skills
we watched them stumble
and die
killing each other
even then
but we did not interfere
not to be rude
but could you get to the point
or are you trying to put me to sleep
this IS the point
you miserable human
I’m going to order a pizza
for us and for the birds
pizza is good for any meal
or even a snack
since I’m hungry 
and don’t have any food
in the fridge
that’s what we’re having
so while I’m calling
think of how you can tell me
what happened in a hundred words or less
I hate her so much
he said to the crow
if you cause her harm
I will peck out your eyes
one by one
and eat them
then I will continue
tearing you apart
a little at a time
considered yourself warned
so I would be very careful
what you say to me
I’m glad we cleared that up
you should be
said the crow
you should be

to be continued…

 

Dragon Quest…17

she hitched a ride
got home
fed
and settled the birds
on the balcony
and opened a jar
of peanut butter
she put an english muffin
into the toaster
and grabbed a carton
of grapefruit juice
out of the fridge
the bell tinged
and she made a
sandwich
of sorts
then she sat down
at the table and
thought about
what she could do
to help Wave’s mother
cope with the loss
of her daughter
a crow
tapped
at the balcony door
she let him in
and saw the dragon
on the roof of the building
across the street
she held up her hand
like a gun
and pulled the trigger
then she and the birds
went inside
and she locked the door
she got the statue off the shelf
and stared at it
what did you give to me
father mine
what were you thinking
what does this do
what is it for
and why did you think
I should have it
the dragon
felt warm
in her hand
what do you 
have to do 
with the dragon’s father
what power do you have
and how can I access it
she was suddenly exhausted
so she picked up the dragon
and dropped onto the couch
she was asleep within minutes
the crows gathered around her
and the dream began

 

to be continued…

Dragon Quest 16…

the dragon landed on the highway
and waited for her to run into him
she did
he was pushed back
leaving deeply rutted claw marks
in the street
she got out
and looked at the front of her car
we need to talk
he said
she got back into her car
and tried to start it
the motor decided
it was better to
die
so it did
you’re wasting time
 go away
I want to know how the statue
came to be in this reality
and when and where
your father got it
she started walking
three crows
began to follow her
she thanked them
and kept going
the dragon
in human form
trailed after her
she turned
and shot him in the leg
he shouted
and fell to the ground
she kept walking
one of the crows
went to the dragon
and pecked at him
then he flew back to her
two more crows joined them
the dragon
turned into his
dragon form
and started healing
he watched her walk
surrounded by black birds
as she grew smaller
his wound closed
he shook himself
and took to the air
she turned and
shot him in the wing
once again
he found himself
on the pavement
she didn’t slow down
please
turning
she said
I told you
it was a birthday gift
I liked dragons
not dinosaurs
I know that it has power
I don’t care
that it was your father’s
I don’t care
that you want to know more
I only care 
that my best friend Is 
dead
and if you don’t back off
I will
kill
you
you don’t understand
he said softly
it holds much of my father’s
power
I DO NOT CARE
she shouted
leave me alone
or I will shoot you
through the heart
and the birds
will have whatever
parts of you
they like

to be continued…

Dragon Quest…15

you can’t have it
the statue is mine
my father gave it to me
and I don’t like you
not even a little
so fly away
and never come back
I cannot do that
I need to know how your father
came to have statue
she got into the car
slammed the door
and took off
the dragon flew next to her
she tried to hit him
but he seemed to know
when she was coming
and easily kept out of her way
which made her even more angry
she slammed on the brakes
when a troll stepped onto the road
he held up his hands
and she shot out of the car
what
could you possibly want
the troll put his arms down
and looked at his feet
the dragon landed on the road
and sat quietly
hey skinny dragon
she yelled
this is none of your business
get lost
the dragon stayed where he was
she glared at the troll
talk
Mistress Hunter
we are sorry
about the loss of your friend
one of our kind was there
trying to stop the humans
our apologies
we failed
because of that
we are yours to call
should you need our help
she stared at him
then nodded
thank you
I accept your gift
and only in an emergency
shall I call upon you and yours
then it is done
said the troll
who turned
and went on his way
she got back into the car
and tried to ram the dragon
who took to the air
and circled her car
she stopped
took out her gun
and leaned out of the window
the dragon
flew off in the direction
she was headed

to be continued…

Dragon Quest…14

I had to get her to safety
surely you can understand that
I understand that my closest
and oldest friend
is dead
she said
flinging open the car door
where are we going
WE aren’t going anywhere
you did what you came here to do
now go back to your cave
any other dragon would kill you
for disrespecting your superior
you are NOT my superior
you stupid dragon
he sighed
I’m sorry your friend is dead
if I could bring her back
I would
but I can’t
the baby is safe
she was my priority
I would have given my life
to bring her to safety
well you didn’t have to give your life
Wave did
and why did you come back 
you could have stayed home and been a hero
I came back because
you and your friend were fighting
a battle that belonged to me
do you know what a grudge is
I do
will you hold one against me
her shoulders sagged
probably not
you did what you had to do
but you really are skinny
you know that
don’t you
I hate you
I heard you the first hundred times
you said that
and I still don’t care
you know nothing about dragons
maybe not
but what I do know
is that
you didn’t just come back to fight
you came back for the statue
yes
I did

 

to be continued…

Dragon Quest…13

the Hunter kept firing
never running out of bullets
she couldn’t see who was shooting
so she was unable to set her gun
to the appropriate
magical ammunition
she slowed her breathing
and reached out
toward the enemy
three men
she thought
two humans
one troll
they were close together
one of them shouted
that the dragon was gone
but the other human
wanted to kill something
anything
he was angry
that they missed their chance
to get rich
she pointed her weapon
at the man’s fury
and pulled the trigger
she heard him fall
and heard the other human scream
the troll
cutting his losses
took off at a run
she felt the man
lean over the dead body
and her shot rang true
then she turned toward the water
Wave was floating
her eyes open
no no no no
she shouted
splashing toward her friend
the portal opened
and the dragon
came through
I had to get her to safety
where are the shooters
but the Hunter
was holding Wave in her arms
begging her to breath
let me have her
he said
taking the woman in his arms
he closed his eyes
and placed his hand on her heart
a warm golden glow
covered Wave’s chest
then the light began to fade
I’m sorry
he said
she grabbed her friend and held her
rocking her back and forth in the water
soon others were coming to the surface
quietly watching her grief
finally
Wave’s mother came forward
IT IS TIME FOR US TO TAKE HER
DAUGHTER
no
please
help her
she begged
she can’t be gone
she just can’t be
it’s my fault
IT IS NOT YOUR FAULT
said the woman
I WILL TAKE MY CHILD NOW
she said gently
the Hunter loosened her grip
and Wave floated into the arms
of the woman who gave her life
I’m sorry
forgive me
THERE IS NOTHING TO FORGIVE
AND YOU HAVE AVENGED HER DEATH
FOR THAT
I THANK YOU.
the Hunter wiped the tears from her eyes
leaned forward and hugged the woman
Wave held between them
may you have clean and sparkling water
for all the days of your life
YOU AS WELL
NOW GO
YOUR DRAGON IS WAITING
she watched as the merpeople
disappeared into the lake
taking her friend with them
I am sorry
I…
she hit him
knocking him backward
then shoved him
and when he fell
she got on top of him
and started punching him
he didn’t move
when she stopped
she rolled off of him
and just laid on her back
staring at the sky
it’s my fault
I never should have come here
never should have asked for her help
I did this
the men who killed her
are responsible
they did this
she got up
and walked to the bodies
of the dead men
she took out her gun
and shot them each
a dozen times
then she kicked them
until she was satisfied
you’re really skinny for a dragon
she said
looking at him
I’m build for speed
he said
too bad you didn’t come back here
a lot faster then
isn’t it

 

to be continued…

 

Dragon Quest…12

i aM tIRed
IT IS HARD WORK
BEING BORN
YOU ARE DOING WELL
YOU ARE ALMOST OUT
OF YOUR SHELL
cAn yOu HeLP me
I CANNOT
YOU MUST DO IT ON YOUR OWN
wiLL yOu siNg tO mE
Wave began to hum
then started singing
a song of gentle waves
and starfish
of tiny yellow fish
and reeds
she sang
and the water rocked
them both
i aM bORn
said the baby dragon

***

the gold coins hit the water
and Wave appeared
holding Coral Reef in her arms
the dragon
radiated love and longing
his hands reaching for her
little one
you are beautiful
SHE IS BRAND NEW
said Wave
I can see that
will you let me take you home
everyone will be so happy
to see you
Coral Reef
snuggled closer to Wave
her tiny wings
held tight
against her golden body
dO i HAvE tO bE a priNCeSs
the dragon stared at her
i give you my word
you will be a princess
in name only
Coral Reef
turned her eyes toward him
dO YoU pRoMISe
i cAN pLAy wiTh oThER dRAgonS
I promise
the baby dragon
rubbed her nose against Wave’s face
i sHaLL mISs YoU
I WILL MISS YOU AS WELL
BUT PERHAPS
WHEN YOU ARE OLDER
YOU  CAN COME FOR A VISIT
pERhaps
said the baby
staring at the dragon
who nodded
and walked into the water
where she was put into his arms
thank you
he said to Wave
I am in your debt
then he turned
and walked back onto the shore
he stared at her
and leaned forward
you are absolutely terrible but…
he kissed her
and she heard the baby
giggle
she leaned into him
and kissed him back
a gunshot rang out
he turned quickly
opened a portal
and disappeared
Wave splashed as she
fell backward
while her friend
hit the ground
and started firing

to be continued…

 

 

Dragon Quest…11

i wANt TO cOme oUt
said the baby dragon
WHENEVER YOU’RE READY
chuckled Wave
I WILL BE HERE TO AID YOU
IN ANYWAY I CAN
WHY DO YOU RESIST
GOING HOME
mY aUNt iS uNHAPpy
AnD IT HuRtS
I AM SORRY
BUT THIS IS NOT A GOOD PLACE
FOR DRAGONS
EVEN NOW MEN ARE FIGHTING
TO OWN YOU
AND THEY WILL HURT YOU
AND YOU WILL SUFFER
cAN i StAy wITh YOu
YOU CANNOT
THIS IS NO PLACE FOR
A DRAGON
YOU BELONG TO THE SKY
NOT TO THE WATER
tOMorRoW i WiLl bE BOrN
I WILL BE HERE

***

tell me about the sisters
what am I eating
I told you
it’s pizza
the cat does not eat it
cat’s eat cat food
tell me about the sisters
the eldest
is silver
with rainbow markings
she is beautiful
and there were great celebrations
when we were told that she was reproducing
Offspring are not common
in our world
each dragon is precious
what’s the problem
don’t dragons like sex
or is it low sperm count
you are…
I am what
offensive in every way possible
but my shampoo smells like oranges
and that can’t possibly offend you
now tell me about the other sister
she is petite
blue
with silver markings
she’s quite lovely
but since the new egg
she has been forced into the background
and
what you’re saying
is that dragons are a lot like humans
you don’t deserve to take another breath
and yet
I’m still here
an unfortunate fact
that I hope to remedy in the near future
you can sleep on the couch
we’ll go see Wave in the morning
we need to talk about the statue
we do not
we do
it’s a very powerful object
and I should know
since it once belonged to my father

 

to be continued…

Dragon Quest…11

i wANt TO cOme oUt
said the baby dragon
WHENEVER YOU’RE READY
chuckled Wave
I WILL BE HERE TO AID YOU
IN ANYWAY I CAN
WHY DO YOU RESIST
GOING HOME
mY aUNt iS uNHAPpy
AnD IT HuRtS
I AM SORRY
BUT THIS IS NOT A GOOD PLACE
FOR DRAGONS
EVEN NOW MEN ARE FIGHTING
TO OWN YOU
AND THEY WILL HURT YOU
AND YOU WILL SUFFER
cAN i StAy wITh YOu
YOU CANNOT
THIS IS NO PLACE FOR
A DRAGON
YOU BELONG TO THE SKY
NOT TO THE WATER
tOMorRoW i WiLl bE BOrN
I WILL BE HERE

***

tell me about the sisters
what am I eating
I told you
it’s pizza
the cat does not eat it
cat’s eat cat food
tell me about the sisters
the eldest
is silver
with rainbow markings
she is beautiful
and there were great celebrations
when we were told that she was reproducing
Offspring are not common
in our world
each dragon is precious
what’s the problem
don’t dragons like sex
or is it low sperm count
you are…
I am what
offensive in every way possible
but my shampoo smells like oranges
and that can’t possibly offend you
now tell me about the other sister
she is petite
blue
with silver markings
she’s quite lovely
but since the new egg
she has been forced into the background
and
what you’re saying
is that dragons are a lot like humans
you don’t deserve to take another breath
and yet
I’m still here
an unfortunate fact
that I hope to remedy in the near future
you can sleep on the couch
we’ll go see Wave in the morning
we need to talk about the statue
we do not
we do
it’s a very powerful object
and I should know
since it once belonged to my father

 

to be continued…