Published: 26th Dec 2020

I was gonna publish this a few days ago but it wasn't complete (I got lazy) and I thought I may as well publish it around Christmas.

Anyway, enjoy

*****This chapter will be in third person****

Several hours ago...

He'd never been one for the whole 'Team' idea. To him, it was all creatures for themselves. Maybe it would be ok for families to stick together, but he'd never really had that either. Not even a pod. He was alone, and that was the way he liked it. No one to worry about or protect. Of course, he got lonely, but he could make his fun! The ocean held endless opportunities. He was living life on his own, and certainly didn't expect it to change anytime soon!

So when he saw the intruder, his initial thought was to move away as quickly as he could. But something in him just, sort of, switched on. And instead, he found himself swimming closer. He didn't even know what it was yet. What was the harm in a little glance?

Seeing the strange creature up close, he figured out what it was. It was one of the strange two-legged land-walkers. They were dangerous—he was immediately on edge and readying to defend himself, or run—yet this one made to move to attack. It wasn't even looking at him.

It was moving, though. No, not moving. Struggling. It was trying to swim to the surface. It wasn't getting far. What was with the big deal with the surface? It's all choppy and chaotic. He didn't know what to think at first, he moved closer out of curiousness.

But then he realised what was wrong when the two-legged slowed and lost consciousness. He knew what was wrong, now that the creature floated aimlessly in the water, unaware. The creature needed air. It isn't built for the ocean like he is.

But why would he ever help one of them? Its kind hates his kind. Hunt them, kill them. For sports. He swam a circle around the thing. It didn't have any shiny claws that they use to harm his kind. It wasn't armed. For the first time in his life, he thought, maybe they're not all bad. This one wouldn't be able to attack him, much less harm him.

Finally, he made up his mind. There was no going back from this moment. So, he swam forward through the water and grabbed the creature firmly in his talons. He knew where he would take it.

He glanced around himself just to be sure he wasn't being observed, and seeing not a single soul paying him any mind, which was the usual, he shot off through the water with the creature clutched close to him.

He sped as fast as he could through the environment skillfully, swimming under and around rock structures so swiftly that if you blinked, you would see nothing but a blur of bubbles left behind.

Passing through schools of fish (and snagging a few as a snack), a pod of dolphins, and even swimming alongside a manta ray, he finally sees his cave in the distance. Nestled between rock formations on one side, and fields of seaweed and other sea plants on the other, it was the perfect home.

Shooting down towards the entrance, still clutching the creature tightly to himself, he twists at the last moment and folds his thins in against himself to make the tight opening. This was why this was his cave and nobody else's. It's practically hidden from sight, so no one ever bothered him. That, and the fact that the entrance is so small that most creatures can't fit.

He swam through the dark tunnel, knowing his way around like an expert before he finally surfaced at his den. He stepped up the sandbank and dropped the creature with a harsh thud so that it was laying mostly out of the water.

Snorting, he climbed out next to it and shook himself to rid himself of some water. This was his special place. So the creature better be grateful.

He turned to a pile of driftwood he had gathered earlier in the day, and inhaled, basically waking up his lungs. He had lungs, unlike most water creatures — he is capable of living above water— but he favoured his gills. Water was his home, after all! He let out a hiss and shot at the wood. A small ball of red fire came from his mouth and hit the wood, setting it alight.

The glow of the fire lit up the little cave–his den–and he rumbled in satisfaction. He likes a little warmth now and then. He didn't need it to see-- he's excellent at seeing in the dark. He even has a way of using sound to guide him! He is, after all, pretty spectacular! But the warmth is always welcome to him.

Huffing, he takes time to stretch his smooth teal body, before he turns to the two-legged curiously. Was it even still alive? It's chest isn't moving. Its mouth or eyes aren't open.

Hmm. Maybe if I nudge it a little?

He approaches the creature and crouches down, ready to jump back, before he reaches out a paw... And gently taps the creatures head. He watches, even hopping back in anticipation, but nothing happens. So this time he nudges harder. Nothing.

Getting a little braver, he grabs the creatures shoulder and tips it up onto its side. Still nothing. Getting frustrated, he jabs the creature right in it's back... A little too hard, apparently. Because although the creature lets out a rasping sound, the force of the hit sends it tumbling into the water again.

Alarmed, he lets out a little shriek and springs forward to grab the creature's leg in his mouth–just in time before it can disappear underwater– and drags it back onto the sand. It was moving now! He jumped back a little. Okay, so it wasn't moving a bunch, but it's tiny pathetic chest was moving, and it was shifting slightly. Like it was gonna wake up.

Curious and wide-eyed, he shuffled closer in the sand and crouched in front of the creature's face. He tilted his head, studying its features. Yep, this creature was not built for the water. It's too soft...and squishy looking. It'd be shark bait.

It was kind of funny looking. No scales. Weird fur sprouting from its head. And what is over its body?! It almost looked like if you would combine sand and kelp? That was the best idea he could come up with. Is it some form of armour? It doesn't look very protective. He'd seen some land dragons with weird scales and armour. They were so hostile.

Look at its useless limbs. He mused, leaning his head real close to get a closer look at the creature. No wonder it couldn't make it to the surface! Pssh. It's like it can't even swim–

The creature's eyes snapped open. He let out a shriek at the same time as the creature and jumped back at the same time as the creature. However, as the creature just shuffled back through the sand yelping... he was a different story. As he leapt back, his tail got in the way, he tripped over it, sending sand flying everywhere and tumbling backwards into the water with a splash.

Disoriented for a second, he had to find the right way up, and when he finally did, he poked his head out of the water, looking at the creature, who had nearly backed itself into the stoned wall, but had stopped itself, and was staring at him with wide eyes as it caught its breath.

Feeling self-conscious and embarrassed, he crawled out of the water and huffed, sitting down at the edge and looking at the creature (which had calmed down), before looking away quickly. Why did he have to trip over his tail?! It's embarrassing! Other dragons would hate him if he did that. He'd probably be cast out if he was in a pod or a flock.

He glanced at the creature, who was still staring at him. "What are you looking at? It wasn't my fault," he growled. "It was my tail's." he slammed his tail down briefly in the sand, glaring at it. Sometimes he wishes it was retractable.

"Hah, been there."

He looked up, startled at the creature speaking. Human talk. It's weird. It's even weirder that he knows it, but last year he spent a few months hunting around a two-legged home, and he caught more conversations than you would think from the creatures in their floating vessels. Boats, he learnt they were called. They're pretty fun to sink.

He's a little surprised that the creature seed to understands what he was talking about, but maybe his actions were enough to convey the point.

Warily, he looked towards the creature again, tilting his head docilely. The creature was looking back at him, apparently oblivious and unafraid, as it opened its mouth and continued to talk.

"I used to be so clumsy. Surprising, I know!" It gestured to itself with its limbs. "But, when I was like... twelve, I was always running about the village, making a mess."

Village. That's what they call their dens. But, it's like a group of dens. Above water. And they're made of trees mostly. Very flammable.

"Of course, I don't have a tail." It was still rambling. "Instead, I have a parasitic sister. She's not very smart. One time, I was about to light one of the fishing huts on fire, but she walked into it! What an idiot! She caught on fire. Particularly when I threw the torch at her." It let out a chopped sound, stretching its mouth in a way that wasn't threatening, even though it was showing its teeth. Hmm, It has really blunt teeth!

"yeah, we are... Were, pretty much the trouble makers." Its mood seemed to drop. "But... now I don't even know if she's alive. I hope she is."

He titled his head, acknowledging the change of mood. Did something happen?

"But we're pretty great together when it comes to pranking. I don't know what to do without her." It confessed, still with a solemn attitude.

He coos and lowers his head. "Must be tough, having a family." Yet, he still longs for one. Being alone... It is not much fun.

"You said it, sister." The creature exclaimed, but when he glared at it, it was quick to correct itself. "Uh, brother." It paused again, "Cool. I always wanted a brother."

He squinted. Brother? But we're different species.

"It's ok having a sister and all, but it would be easier to get along with a brother; Another man. No one whining about messes I make. I mean, she doesn't do that. She encourages me most of the time." It rambled. "Last month she dared me to set the butt of the Chief's right-hand man on fire." Chief. Sort of like the alpha, but only of a group of two-legged, not the entire species. At least, that's what he'd learnt from his time around that village.

The creature sighed. "It sure would be nice to be back home." It admitted. "But there's this whole drama with Alvin taking over the island and it's people, bla bla bla. Luckily I came up with a brilliant plan and lead a bunch of hopeless people to safety. I even rescued a baby!" It exclaimed proudly, which made him suspicious. Something tells me some of that is not true.

"Yep. They should be honouring me with a statue or-or something! But of course, the storm came... and the tiny boat pretty much flipped over... and I lost everyone." It started getting quieter with the further into the last sentence, looking rather sad.

He huffed. "You sure talk a lot for a two-legged."

The creature, despite not knowing what he said, responds merrily. "Thanks for the vote of confidence, I knew I could count on you!"

He rolled his eyes and looked away. "Strange creature."

But the creature had one last thing to add.

"The names Tuffnut, by the way. Figured I'd tell you if we're gonna be bros."

------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------

HAHAHAHAHA
YOU THOUGHT-
YOU THOUGHT I WOULD KILL HIM OFF DIDN'T YOU?!😂😂🤣
I could never.
Well, I could.
Cause I did. 😬
And I 100% planned on keeping him dead
as much as it pained me, but
I missed him,
And I have new plans for dear ole Tuff.
*evil chuckle*
😈
I guess this is my Christmas/ new year's present to you? (and myself)

I hope you all have had great holidays!

I probably won't publish again until the new year...

See you in 2021 (it can't come fast enough eh?)

🍰Eat Some Cake 🍰