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Mangle

Mangle was feeling the breeze against his face as he circled yet another lap around the mountain. Hed flown up to the top and surveyed the council area. It was like a circular theater, where one could speak in the center while everyone had a view all around. It didnt interest him as much as the skyline while the sun was setting. He inhaled deeply, taking in the fresh air, feeling the rays of the sun on his scales. Yep, he could never give this up, and it brought him back to thoughts of this brother.
Sure, Garble and the other dragons would give Mangle a hard time, and he often got the short end of the stick, but he knew that they cared about him. Garble told him it was to toughen him up, so that he wouldnt be a weak dragon. Able to take what he wanted, and not let feelings get in the way. Yet, there he was, crying that his brother and friends were being subjected to untold misery. They were probably punished for the rebellion that allowed him to escape. He didnt want to think about that though, so he took off again into the air, hoping that the flying would help him not think so much about it.
While circling he saw the sentry dragon perched on a cliff on the side of the mountain. If there was one thing about that dragon that Mangle remembered from earlier in the day, it was that he looked strong. The way Mangle was frozen in, what was it, fear? To have that presence, that aura, he had to ask what he did. He swooped down and landed by the dragon.
Finos took notice, Hey kid, looks like you guys were telling the truth after all. I wanted to say sorry for spooking you guys like that earlier. Ever since the disappearance of the dragons, Ive been kind of wary of any visitors, even harmless dragons like you guys.
Mangle shook his head, Its alright, but I wanted to ask you how did you get so strong and scary?
Finos seemed a bit taken aback by the question, You think Im strong and scary?
"Totally, I was so scared when you stopped us, I couldnt even speak," Mangle said sheepishly.
"Well," Finos thought for a moment, "first let me ask you. Do you want to be strong and scary?
"Yes!" Mangle answered.
"Then answer me this," Finos asked, "Why?"
Mangle thought about his answer for a bit, Because I dont want to be the weak one anymore. My brother and his friends protected me, and I was the only one of my group to escape the mines, I was just so helpless. Once we got out, I broke down crying, cause my brother wasnt there to protect me anymore. Even when I could finally do something to help him, deliver this message, I was frozen scared stiff, I didnt even try to explain. I had Spike do all the talking. I dont want to be weak, thats why I want to be strong and scary, cause then I wont ever have to be weak or scared again. Mangle looked him in the eye with conviction.
Finos chuckled a bit when he patted the younger dragon on the shoulder. "Well, thats a good start," he said, but theres a flaw in your reasoning.
"Huh," Mangle asked confused, "whats that?"
"Being strong and being scary doesnt mean that you wont ever be scared or weak again." Finos said.
"So you get scared and feel weak too?" Mangle asked.
"Even right now I am," Finos explained, "See..I am very scared of losing my group, theyre my family, thats why I was so quick to jump to defend them even against you. And sometimes being scary isnt the best thing, I could have scared the thing that would have helped my family the most. So what Im trying to say is, dont try and become strong so you wont feel sad or scared, but instead use those feelings to protect your family. See, strength is great, but its useless unless its being used to protect someone. Like your brother, you think hes strong right?
"Yeah! Hes the strongest dragon I know, besides you, Mangle replied.
"Well, thats because he had something to protect," Finos said, "and that was you. Maybe you should find something to protect.
"Yeah!," Mangle agreed, but almost suddenly became down, but I couldnt protect Garble or the others they sacrificed themselves to save me." Mangle drooped bodily on to the cliff, it was happening again, the tears were coming back and that powerlessness feeling was enveloping him.
Finos grabbed him by the shoulders and turned him to face him, Hey Mangle, listen, I know its tough, but you have to believe me when I say, you cant give up and you cant blame yourself. Its not over yet, theres still hope that he can be saved, you have to stay strong for your new family.
Mangle looked up to him and nodded but seemed a bit puzzled, New family?
"Those other dragons you were with," Finos said, "You probably dont realize it yet, but I can tell you care about them too."
"They were the ones who originally got us out of the cellsI really owe them a lot," Mangle recalled.
"See, Finos said, "maybe this is your chance to be the protector, and protect your new family, and thatll give you the strength to so desire. Come on, hug it out, Finos hugged Mangle to get him out of his downer mood. "You up for another fly patrol?"
Mangle smiled, You betcha!


Magma

Magma walked out of one of the exits of the mountain. As he emerged, he saw that there was a grove of trees that he didnt see when they first arrived that must have been behind the mountain. Thats a good a place as any to take a nap he thought to himself. As he walked in the late afternoon, the trees providing shade, and the waterfall crashing in the distance, it was a level of serenity Magma hadnt experienced, ever.
"Wow, this is amazing," Magma said out loud to no one in particular as he sat against a stump, enjoying the quietness and rush of the water, "nice weather, quiet sounds, and no annoying dragons to get in my way."
"Youre welcome," answered back a mysterious voice that Magma didnt know was there.
Magma was startled and jumped straight up searching for the voice, Who are you? Show yourself, he demanded, putting his fists up in self defense.
"Whoa, whoa there dude, chill, no ones gonna hurt ya," came the voice, "Im right here, behind you." Magma turned and saw the adult dragon just lying there. It was no wonder he missed him before, he practically disappeared into the grass that was growing. "Im Ymon, Im the gardener of Mt. Vouderon."
Hed heard that name before, back inside, so thats who the other dragon living there was. "Heh heh, whoops, sorry about that," Magma apologized. He sat down on the stump, hoping that he didnt offend the gardener.
"Wow, you are really tense," Ymon noticed, "Dont like surprises huh?"
"Yeah, thats true" Magma said, "nice trees you got here."
"Thanks, I planted them myself, I also grew some of the crops that you enjoyed today, so Ill accept that thanks as well," Ymon said pleasantly, "any reason youre out here by yourself and not enjoying it with your friends?"
"I just really want some alone time" Magma said, "Theyre fine, but I dont want to have to rely on them for everything."
"Well thats a nice attitude to have," Ymon said, "but are you sure in doing so you arent just pushing them away?"
"What do you mean?" Magma asked.
"You still havent relaxed," Ymon said, "That means something is up with you."
"Really?" Magma asked confused, he thought he had calmed down, "how can you tell?"
"Trust me, I can tell," Ymon said, "Here, turn around real quick."
"Um okay?" Magma questioned as he shifted away from the larger dragon while sitting on his stump. He then felt two large claws grab on to his shoulders. Huh! Wha! he tried to protest, but Ymon was already working his fingers, and working a massage into Magma.
"So, whats bugging you," Ymon asked concerned, "You can talk to me about it if you want, might make you feel better."
Magma was unsure if he should be more honest because he was melting under Ymons massaging claws, but if it was going to make him feel better, anything was worth a shot. "Im just afraid that this group is going to go the same route as my last one."
"And how was that?" Ymon asked.
"Where I do all the work, and get none of the gratitude or credit, where I get taken advantage of," Magma sighed, "They seem like nice enough guys who wouldnt do that, but I still have this doubt that if I let them, theyll take advantage of me."
Ymon nodded, and thats why you distance yourself from them, so that way if you do get taken advantage of itll be easier to cut ties with them.
Magma sighed but nodded, This group might not even last, so I dont have to worry about it, but now I dont know if thats what I want, and it just makes me so angry.
Ymon nodded, Wanna know what I think? I think you need to chill out, and you are putting way too much thought into this, that you are sabotaging whats going to happen before it even happens.
"Huh? What do you mean? Magma asked.
"Youre worried about what they might do, instead of what theyve been doing. Sometimes the biggest problems are the ones we make up for ourselves, and they might not even exist, Ymon said, as he started moving further down Magmas back, rubbing out the knots.
"No, so what should I do?" Magma asked.
"Relax," Ymon said with a smile.
"Easier said than done," Magma answered.
"Well, at least this massage will be a good first step," Ymon chuckled, "Now lie on the grass so I can get your other muscles, you are really tense."
Magma giggled, being more at ease than hes been in the last few days, Alright.

Sharp

Snort

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Posted previously at: 2014-02-16T06:21:12 | Posted previously by: CEO_Gladstone