A Chance Encounter. (Closed: Devi, Orion, and Aakesh if available and necessary )

So far, everything was typical. The sky was blue, wind blew, and Orion was basking on his favorite rock. Orion had met many passerby's sitting on this rock, and today he felt would be just the same. For just over 3 years, Orion had wandered around the surrounding rogue lands scavenging small creatures and plants for food, and even the occasional treasure he would use to learn what he could about the world around him. Orion was as intelligent as an 11 year old homeless child could be. He could speak, but he only knew the words he heard other dragons using as he passed by, or when he would meet them on this very rock.

    And so Orion sat. He inhaled his basic air and exhaled his basic worries once more as he sat and enjoyed the serenity of the moment. He knew by mid day, some other younger dragons would come and play in the field near his rock, but he liked to bask in the morning sun, just before it reached the tree tops and was blocked out. Then, he knew, he would grow anxious and want to go play. Time and time again he had done this. Day after day, week after week, and only would he stop if he was caught by the adults. He would give it a day or two, then return and play with them again. He knew no names, nor did he even speak with the younger dragons. They, like Orion, were young. Only difference was they didn't know how to talk, which was fine with Orion. He didn't know how to talk that much either, and he didn't want to disappoint.

    Curiosity building. Heart racing. Fear. Pain? Red

    Red.
    Orion was bright red.

    Orion listened painfully as a distant roar, no, a distant whooshing sound grew closer and closer, louder and louder. It's only wind! It can't be anything. Orion tried hard to excuse the impending doom he couldn't quite place. Was it bad? Could it hurt him? He didn't know, and not knowing was what scared him more than the massive dragons he saw off in the distant skies he so yearned to visit. Ever since Orion was young, however, he knew to remember one thing above all else. The dark lands were bad. His parents may have left him, but even they had enough heart to ensure he would remember not to go there. Orion never understood fully why it was bad, but he assumed the massive, imposing figures silhouetted in the morning sun were understandably worse than the graceful that glowed in the morning suns rays. Although harder to see, they were much happier looking, and much brighter. He wished he could one day meet them, and in doing so his scales would finally find their true beauty, and stay that way.

    But those were dreams, and right now the frightening noise was a nightmare he could not ignore. By now it had become almost deafening, and Orion finally understood why. He didn't know what it was, but it had just crossed between him and the sun, and it was blocking all of the precious sunlight. Orion immediately stood and stared at the strange, writhing mass in front of him. What is this?! he thought as he prepared to flee. Orion had heard many words, but the one that could best describe this creature was not one of them. 'Sky' and 'Storm' made sense, but-

    Storm! It's... Orion looked back up from his thoughts in horror as the creature touched the ground with it's crooked and wavering tail, and started wrecking havoc on the forestry below. Nothing could describe the destruction he was witnessing, and the dragons flying from the scene were making it all the more horrifying for the young dragon. I have to run! Now!

    Orion turned and sprinted, but with every glance back, he noticed it grew closer and closer. As much as Orion didn't want to admit it, he knew he would never outrun it. He knew, as well, that he couldn't hide. Not a single living thing around him seemed to be staying behind to watch, and that didn't make him any more curious than he already was about whether he would survive or not.

    Not but a few seconds from the rock did he notice it seemed to be pulling him towards itself. "No! Stop! I don't want pain!" Orion screamed as he felt his wings catch the wind and his claws scrape the soft ground. Whatever this twisting behemoth was, it was pulling him in, and was probably gonna eat him. Tears formed as the wind started battering him with sand and debris the closer he got to the beast. Orion screamed in a mixture of fear and agony as he was engulf in the strong winds and debris, and eventually fainted from the strange spinning.

    Orion had no idea what came next, but he assumed he had ascended to the heavens, and was now returning on his last breath. Orion shot through the sky towards the ground. Orion, not trusting his own strength, refused to halt, or even slow the decent, with his wings. As he approached the ground, however, naturally instinct finally took hold of him and he unfurled his wings and slowed slightly, but not enough.

    Orion landed awkwardly on his hind legs, and then tumbled hard onto his back and wings until he had skid to an eventual stop. Pain lanced through his every move as he tried desperately to get up and run from the demon that had taken him, but couldn't find it, or even hear it for that matter. He also couldn't recognize anything. not only was nothing destroyed like his home on the rock should have been, but he couldn't even recognize the types of bushes that were prospering in the distance. Of his years of roaming, he had never seen this place. Was this really the after life or what? Not long after, though, did Orion succumb to his injuries, and fainted once again. Little did he know the storm had just torn away his old life and thrown him into the territory occupied by Light Wings, and he had no idea how it would change everything he knew.

(Requests for more info/clarification is allowed to admins, duh. I hope this isn't bad!)

On the dawn of a summer's day Devi was busy doing his duties, mainly seeing tribesmen about certain matters. Yes sometimes it was boring and dull yet it needed to be done, as it was coming towards mid day he luckily finished most of his tasks. After helping position a new statue, which one of the masons had made to replace the old ones. Happy with the result he proceeded towards the border wall of the palace, as he needed some time alone. With all that was happening mainly with what happened with Sleenia he had been feeling fairly down recently.

Jumping into the air as his destination was a random place in the jungle either to get a lunch time snack or simply to relax. He began to wonder where Aakesh was today, most likely either doing something with Hyruu or his own thing. He felt guilty for not talking with his son much, yet there was a time and a place. While his mind wondered he spotted what seemed to be a wild boar, smiling he quickly dived under the tree line aiming his claws towards his prey's hide. Success, digging his sharp claws within the flesh was easy as he quickly ended its life. Only as he landed back onto the ground stopping in a small clearing he picked up a strange scent, it was another dragon yet different from the tribe.

Grabbing his catch with his jaw he tracked the scent to being a few hundred metres or so, only then did he realise. Dropping the catch slowly onto the ground he spotted what seemed to be a small white hatchling, gazing around he looked confused and worried. Not recognising the little one he wondered if he was a rogue dragon, or if a parent was nearby he didn't want to start a fight incase they thought he was hostile. Yet he waited a moment looking down inspecting the hatchling's scales with almost unique patterns running along his back. Just from viewing he guessed the little one was around 12, of course it was hard to tell with size differences. Slowly he lowered his snout as his blue eyes softly gazed over him, nudging him slightly with his nose he hoped for a response. At first he worried if the young one was dead, yet he could see him breathing, lowering his body as he laid close by so his size wouldn't scare the hatchling.

Orion had felt no greater pain. He had once before fallen and hurt his foot, but that passed soon after. Orion could tell this was no good sign. His back spines and wings hurt like they had been torn off, and his hind legs were still jarred from his landing. Speaking of which, when did he land? What time was-

Orion heard a sound approach, and smelled a dragon nearby. His initial fear that the beast had returned faded, but was it a dragon from the sunset, or the morning? Orion knew nothing about where he was, and he was very unaware what dragons inhabited this place. His breath and heart rate rose again, and Orion prepared to run, but something happened. His eyes, something was wrong with his eyes... what was it?

He couldn't see. He couldn't see!

Orion began to panic. Did this mean he was asleep? Was it permanent?! All the while, the dragon continued to approach.

Finally, Orion startled awake, and was met with the beast from before.

"No! Go away from me!"

Orion turned and ran, but the floor disappeared and he began to fall. Things were twisting and spinning, then, nothing.

Orion was stirred from the strange dream by a nudge. Was this reality?

Orion slowly opened his weak eyes and croaked, but immediately closed them again. Orion was not only injured, but completely exhausted. No playtime had ever made him this tired. Orion felt like he could just fall asleep, but then he remembered the dragon who nudged him awake. Was he safe?

Orion groaned as he tried to stand, but he fell again and whined, his eyes still closed. As he lay there, he began to weep. Tears poured in rivulets from his tightly shut eyes, and Orion tried croaking out words.

"H-help...! M-m-mom... D-d..."

And Orion slipped back into the world of the unconscious.

Frowning slightly as he watched the hatchling stir waking up, hearing his cries he quickly moved a little closed. "Hey.. hey..I'm here.. your alright.. your safe.." pressing his snout slightly against the hatchling's trying to reassure the clearly terrified young one. Using his paw to wipe his tears carefully, noticing him heading back into a dream like state. Sighing he decided to help, picking him up slowly and carefully as he rested the hatchling in his forearms using his neck to provide warmth. Thinking that it wasn't a good idea to move away from the area incase his parents turn up, still he kept watch. Curling his tail round his side providing a pillow like surface for the hatchling.

Orion new something was off about the world he was in, he just couldn't tell. It had something to do with the sky... Yes. There was no sky. No sound, either, could be heard in... well there was nothing. He was in a dark place that somehow was well lit by a sun that wasn't there. The more he thought about it, the less he actually saw until everything was gone, leaving Orion standing in the dark and empty void. Images of people, places, smells, and everything he remember seemed to be slippin away, or, did, until he realized he didn't know what it was that was slipping away, more that it was just a feeling that something was slipping away.

    Orion had, in fact, undergone an extremely stressful ordeal. He had a slight concussion, an obliterated left wing lying beneath him, and both back feet were still bleeding and raw from the harsh landing. In addition, the trip through the twister had earned him very weathered scales, a completely dry mouth and throat, and small cuts, scrapes and bruises littering his scales and plates. The only thing in tact was his mind, which would surely recover perfectly with the appropriate care. His body, however, would require time before it was back to it's youthful sheen.

    As some time passed, the young dragon stirred again from the barrage of mental trickery caused by the concussion, and again he found it nearly impossible to speak, barely getting any croaks to be heard before he eventually was able to look around. As he did, however, he was met with the gaze of a particularly larger dragon. Orion's first instinct was to run, but as he processed the idea, he realized the warmth soakin through his aching body. Orion's heart swelled at the idea of such a being holding him so tenderly, but he could tell another spell of dreams and confusion was nigh on it's approach. Before he fell back into the swirling mental pool of unconsciousness and disorientation, Orion squeaked out a few words.

    "Help... M-me... W-wat-t-t...er..."

    And with the few barely legible words driftin on the air, Orion's eyes once again fluttered closed.

After what seemed to be an eternity, as he felt the hatchling stir once more he managed to hear his stuttered words. Frowning he looked around for a nearby source of water yet failed to spot one close by, he had to do something otherwise.. He tried not to think about it, only moving the hatchling out of his grasp into his maw carefully. It was the safest way to carry the young one, as he didn't want to chance putting him on his back. With the hatchling in position, swishing his tail behind him he leaped into the air. Within moments they where above the treeline as his destination was the tribe's palace, after closer inspection he noticed cuts and bruises along the hatchling's legs. Frowning he quickly sped up his pace, not long before he landed on his own balcony rushing inside his rather large den. Placing the hatchling on his luckily soft bedding area, as he dashed towards the waterfall which he got his fresh water from thanks to the tribe's system. Placing the water in a bowl filling it to the brim he placed the cool water next to the hatchling's maw. "Here.. drink, take your time" deciding to help he carefully lifted his snout with his paw tipping the water into his mouth slowly.

Orion faded in and out consciousness during the flight. Being in the air made it seem all like a dream, but landing in the palace is what made it all to real. The pain and the fear were always there, but he knew that the sweet air and comfy feel were something he had been deprived of for much too long.

Orion heard the elder dragon saying something, but it didn't register. Water sat before him in a gleaming bowl that could have easily been a holy artifact. Orion winced and whined his way over, but began practically inhaling as much water as possible. All the dust and dirt and other debris stuck in his throat was wash clean, and Orion once again was flooded with gratitude towards this kind dragon. This time, however, he began to glow a light shade of red.

// Could always have Aakesh join if you want, later if need be //

Smiling as he noticed the hatchling taking in the water, stroking the base of his head with his paw. Chuckling as he saw the shade of red, "What's your name little one? I'am.. Devi.. " Moving close to the side of the hatchling, laying close by he placed a wing over him. "You have nothing to fear.. your in a safe place, Lets.. take a look at your feet alright.. It might sting a little.." Using his tail to grab some cloth on the other side of the bed, surely it would help cover those wounds. Wrapping it slowly around the cuts one by one, being sure that the scales underneath where protected. Using his paw to continuously stroke and gently run down his neck aiming to comfort him, "After we have you cleaned up we can talk about getting you back to your parents okay? I'm sure they are worried about you"

Throughout the elder dragon's tending to his wounds, Orion had to try hard to not purr while being pet and held, and wince when his feet were addressed. When he could feel his voice return, he almost immediately wanted to yell in delight because of the joy this dragon had brought him. Literally no other dragon had treated him this way, and he was already prepared to commit his life to sticking to the side of this dragon like glue.

Orion finished his long drink and looked to the larger dragon with wonder. "Do..." His voice, still being raspy, squeaked with awe. "Do you come... from the sunset?"

All the while, Orion's light blue and orange eyes stared in gratitude and amazement, and his scales once again took a dive, only this time they became duller, and started adjusting to match the bedding he was lying on.

Smiling as he raised his brow towards the sunset question, his blue eyes looking down towards the curious one. "Sunset? Well.. I'm part of the lightwings.. we mostly have golden and white scales." chuckling as his paw moved from his nose all the way past his head onto his spines, giving off a soft growl to reassure the less scared hatchling. "Does that feel better?" he asked smiling moving him slightly into a more comfortable position allowing him to rest against Devi.

Orion new this must be the dragons he saw silhouetted in the evening sun. He could tell the graceful flight he saw was a mirror image of the kindness and affection he was receiving. A soft growl from the older dragon only enforced his comfortableness in the strange new place, but he soon grew aware of his pain once again.

    When the golden dragon that had saved him asked about his condition, Orion had nothing to say. Nothing could describe what was wrong, but he knew it wasn't good. As the dragon moved Orion, however, he became acutely aware of something wrong with his wing. His wing was hurting like it had back where he landed, but until now he realized he hadn't actually moved it to be sure. As soon as he was comfortable, Orion moved his right wing and brushed it along his side to check for any major cuts, and found none. When he went to move his left in a similar fashion, however, he was greeted with a sharp pain and emitted a quick cry of pain before turning and staring at it carefully, as if to say "Something is wrong."

    He new it must have been how he landed, and he cursed himself for not catching the wind sooner, but right now he needed assistance. He looked to the golden dragon and whimpered. "It's hurting." As with most fall injuries, Orion's innermost wing bone had cracked along the center due to his landing directly on it.

Frowning slightly as the hatchling cried out from pain, quickly he carefully held the wing only gently to stop him moving it. "Shhh shh.. its alright.. it looks like you have injured your wing, where gona have to bandage that up. This will hurt.. okay but soon the pain will be gone for good alright." frowning he didn't want to cause pain to the hatchling yet it needed wrapping and securing. Carefully using the cloth again he wrapped around the now folded wing, continuing to comfort the young one "Its okay.. its okay.. nearly done, soon you will be right as new" Using his other paw to gently hold the hatchling's chest area, to make sure he wouldn't hurt himself. Soon enough the worst was over, comforting again he briefly licked the side of his head without thinking . Then again the youngling was brave and deserved comforting.

Orion squirmed and grunted while the elder worked, but Orion could tell it was with good intention. Although the worst was done, Orion still was holding back the tears caught in his puffy red eyes. "Better?" he asked, hoping the pain was over. Orion almost let the comfort get too far, and started fading a lighter shade of red, and knowing it made it worse. "S-sorry...."

It wasn't like Orion to be so red. In fact, he hadn't even turned red in the last week. Why was he so happy? Was it the kindness of the dragon, or were his scales telling him something?

Softly gazing downwards towards the hatchling, "Yeah.. better.. why you saying sorry? There's nothing wrong" smiling as he began stroking his head again. Continuing happy to know that he was alright now, "So.. whats your name? Or don't you have one?" chuckling covering the little one with his wing again yet leaving space for the injured wing.

Orion remembered the dragon had shared his name. Derrick? No. Dan? Del? Del... Delve...Devi! Devi was his name! Orion turned to look at Devi and smiled, but stuttered slightly from the shock of all that had happened. "O-Orion... My name is Orion, a-and you are Devi!"

Orion's smile disappeared and morphed into a yawn as he realized how tired he still was. As much as Orion was hoping to play today, he wasn't going to survive a minute more without practically falling asleep. Or, wouldn't have, that is. Orion was now lying his head down and purring softly in his sleep.

Smiling happily he replied to Orion, "Well its nice to meet you Orion..Get some rest okay?" quickly noticing the hatchling yawning, he certainly seemed drained. Smiling softly letting out another soft growl reassuring the young one, resting his head close by to Orion's as he kept watch over him. Soon enough he too crashed sleeping soundly next to the hatchling.

Orion stirred, sometime later, with a start. That had been, by far, the weirdest dream he had ever had. A storm that ate him? Pfft. He could do better.


Then he saw it.


The large face of the golden dragon sleeping softly in front of him. It was all real. Panic began to fill him as he realized his wing was actually hurt, and his rock was not there anymore. His rock was so precious, he didn't know he would make it.

Orion could tell it was morning, and decided it would be perfect to find a place to bask. He knew he got in somehow, but where? He soon, however, spotted the source of the light and very lightly stood to go the the balcony. He had to squeeze his eyes closed to not whimper when his body's aching came back at full fore, but he pushed through it and struggled over to the light. Once there, Orion studied the sky to his left and saw the sun and the significantly smaller dark spots that must have been the dragons of sunrise. When he looked to his right, though, he saw just the ocean. No spots glowing in the sky. This is it! The dragons of sunrise! Orion grew giddy, but his excitement had caused the painful twitch of his wing, and the subsequent whine that was sure to wake the dragon Devi.

Stirring slowly as he sighed slightly as he woke up from a cry, opening his eyes slowly as his body began to wake up. Brushing his golden tail across the floor, gasping slightly as he realised Orion wasn't next to him. Quickly glancing around he soon spotted him clearly in pain, pulling himself onto his feet he frowned with a sad look. "Hey.. Orion.. its best not to move around too much, If you want a look around I can carry you" carefully picking up the small one with his paw resting him against his chest for now. Purring with his soft growl as his scales provided a nice calming sensation.

Orion immediately turned gold, and he snuggled closer to Devi for help. He was beyond overjoyed that the stars had granted him his wish and given him a father from the dragons of sunset. "Where am I?" Orion wondered curiously. The palace was beyond his imagination, and the possibilities were endless. Maybe they even had a place for dragons like him to climb, or a cave to play hide and seek (he was especially good in the dark).

Smiling as he raised a brow towards Orion, "Well.. your in the palace of the Lightwings..Were near the topic of the grand structure too" Walking outside onto the balcony to clearly show the view from above. Chuckling he continued "With the Ocean not to far from us, and the Jungle below we have quite a paradise here." Sighing slightly as he waited a moment only to ask the hatchling something which was important, "Orion.. how come you where all alone? Are your parents nearby?"

Orion marveled at the view, but turned in confusion at the question. "Parents? But... I thought my wish was for the sunset dragon to be my parents, right?" Orion grew a slight bit fearful that what was going on wasn't what he had wished for. As such, his scales turned a rose gold, and seeing this, Orion started whimpering in anxiety.

Raising his brow again as he gave Orion a slight confused look at the name Sunset dragon, though he realised that in fact Orion didn't have parents. Frowning slightly as he felt sad for the little one, very much like when he first found Aakesh. Suddenly he realised he was frowning and quickly smiled towards him, "Sunset dragon? thats a cool name.. Orion its alright I can take care of you, where kind and caring here of course your welcome to be part of our family" purring again as he rested him against his chest, "So don't be sad little one, hey just think of all the friends you will make" chuckling as he stuck his tongue out.

Orion looked up and smiled. "Really? You think I'll make friends? I only played with the baby dragons at my rock when the adults weren't there so they wouldn't shoo me. Friends like that?"

Orion was once again the healthy gold of Devi. Even though he was more scratched, he had joy written all over his battered form.

Chuckling smiling as he replied sitting down on the baloney so he could use his other paw to gently tap his muzzle playfully "Yeah of course friends silly, hey... if you wanted me to look after you.. you would have a brother" using his paw holding him up to stroke his belly comforting him further. "So what do you say? Would you like to be my son?"

Before Orion would be able to answer to that question, a whoosh would be heard as Aakesh stormed inside the corridor. Considering the speed he was flying even inside the Lightwing palace, it was a wonder he hadn't crashed somewhere yet. But as he stopped on top of Devi, his face was showing how worry he was.
"Devi ! What are you doing here ? You didn't come home this night ! Are you okay ?" he asked, not having even landed yet.
That was when he spotted the little hatchling next to the golden dragon. Aakesh had a frown, hovering slightly lower with his four strong wings as he studied the young dragon.
"Who's that ?" he asked, starting to understand what happened.