°~《Epilogue》~°

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~20 years later~

I flew with Peter through the canopies and down tree trunks as we raced away from the opposing team of younger dragonets chasing after us. Since his hatching, he had grown to be much like his father. Not only did he manage to inherit Dan's silver scales, but he also became just as adventurous. Not only that, but his children held the same adventurous spirit as well.

I take a quick turn around the bottom of a trunk only to be tackled by multiple fledglings, "Where did you find more reinforcements?!"

A golden fledgling jumped away from the pile of scales first, "We got Nana! We got Nana!"

I let out a dragonet roar and pushed all the tiny bodies off of me. The golden fledgling was still celebrating her victory as I pinned myself on top of her.

The small child let out a high pitched squawk, "Nana, you're squishing me!"

I looked down at the youngest of my grandchildren and great grandchildren, "Oh my, this comfy seat seems to be talking!"

The golden child only whined some more, "Nana, I'm not a seat!"

Peter lands a tails length away from where I was teasing my great grandchild, "Okay, I think that's enough, mom. Sarah's going to become a golden pancake if she's under you any longer."

I released little Sarah as she happily trotted away to greet her own grandfather, "Pap Pap! Did you see me?! Did you see me?!"

Peter smiled, "Yes, Sarah. You caught Nana. Now go find your mother before she starts getting worried. Same goes for the rest of you."

I shook out my scales as the fledglings all flew off, "Who's the one who told you about pancakes?"

Peter padded closer to nudge his muzzle against my cheek in a short embrace, "I overheard aunt Sam talking about how she really wanted to eat pancakes again. After asking what a pancake was, she gave me an hour long rant about pancakes and how much she missed them."

I couldn't resist laughing, "That sounds just like her."

A long whistle followed by a quick short whistle was heard through the park and both of our ears perked at the familiar sound.

Peter spread out his long silver wings, "That sounds like our cue."

I silently agreed and quickly followed behind as he lead us both out of the park to where our handlers were waiting. Tuskon and Marcy had waited for us and smiled patiently as Raa[1], their youngest child, ran circles in the grass. Terra was also sitting nearby as she enjoyed soaking up the sun's warmth. Peter landed on Tuskon's arm while I went to land on Terra's.

I accepted a strawberry from Terra as Tuskon faked a hurt expression, "You're not even going to come say hello?"

I laughed within the mindlink, "You're not the one giving out strawberries."

Tuskon shrugged and pulled out a small bag of sunburst berries, "Then I guess you're not interested in these lame things and I'll just have to give all of them to Peter."

My mouth was filled with the last of the strawberry as I looked up in shock, "What!? Don't give them all to him! I want some too!"

Terra didn't mind my sudden take off and simply went back to bathing in the sun. For the most part, she understood that the fire lizards had a way of communicating with their handler. No one even had to tell her, she just figured it out on her own over the years. Yet, even though she figured it out, I still couldn't connect a mind link with her no matter how hard I tried. Though despite that, neither of us minded the set back.

I landed on Tuskon's arm next to my son and appreciated being scratched behind my ear tufts before being given a sweet golden orange berry. Being like this reminded me of the days Dan was still here. I no longer felt overwhelmed with sadness whenever I recalled those fateful events, though I would never let myself forget the deep bond we held for each other.

Tuskon gave each of us another berry, "You sure you don't want to come back to patrolling?"

I sent a negative response down the link, "Nah. I quite like being with Terra."

Tuskon didn't press any further as Peter started a conversation between the two caretakers he had grown up with. I had taught him all that I could for the few months I was able to control his energy. After learning about sicora hunting, he had his heart set.

Hunting sicora was always more Dan's thing than it was mine. Sure it filled me with pride to see those creatures dead, but I wasn't fond of going out looking for them. Instead, I was allowed to "retire" and took that chance to live with Terra.

Being surrounded by art filled me with the peace I had longed for these many years being trapped as a dragonet, and even though I couldn't mind link her, Terra and I got along splendidly. After going to live with my new caretaker, Terra received many proposals. It was too bad for the sutors that she didn't have any interest in marrying. She had already put all of her love into art with no room for anyone, with the small exception of a tiny, artistic, green dragonet.

Her own Kymari mental illness made it tough at times, yet because it was practically the opposite of my depression, it seemed to balance everything out perfectly. Terra's overzealous mood swings brought enough energy for the both of us to make it through the day, even when I wasn't entirely in the mood for it myself.

Right before I had left to live with Terra, I finally was able to figure out what the room next to the bathroom was for. While the room next to the kitchen was Tuskon's work/weapon room, the other was another small bedroom.

I was very happy for my two original caretakers and came close to staying purely for the fact I thought Kopa was adorable. Needless to say, I'm content with my decision in leaving. With Kopa now being in his adolescent years, he was a bit moody and had decided to stay home while his parents and younger sister came to greet us. Unlike Kopa, Raa was a sweet heart. I was crossing my fingers that she didn't become as moody as her brother when her own time came to enter adolescence.

I hum in anticipation. Whatever was next to come in my life, I think I would be ready.

I had broken free from the chains that held me down, and can finally fly free.

*~End~*

[1] Raa is pronounced Raw-uh. It's weird.

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