"Do you really have to do this alone?" the concern laced through the lightning drake's voice.

Silver smiled at him and softly nudged his muzzle with her own, "I'll be fine Zepos. You have to trust me."

"But... you just got back..."

They were sitting at the entrance to Sky Mountain as Silver prepared to leave once again. It was the day after they had the meeting, and Zepos had been nearly begging for her to either stay or let him come with her. She found it rather sweet, but a little annoying at the same time. Yes, she had just arrived back, but this trip would also give her a chance to get her head around everything that had happened. She couldn't do that with him around.

"And I'll be back before you know it. I won't be gone as long as before. It'll just be there and back. Two or three weeks max," she said.

He hesitated, before sighing softly, "Fine... fine. Just be safe, please."

"I'll try my best," she smiled.

They looked up to see Retrix approaching with a group of five other dragons with him. They had planned that for the first small stretch of the journey they would travel together. The Himalayas were on the way after all. Previously they had avoided the large mountain range because it was a very difficult area to fly through. That's what they had been told anyway.

Zepos looked at the group mournfully. He had wanted to join them as well, but he had been tasked with another job. While they were away Zepos and another group of dragons would be scouting the borders of China for the next few weeks. Iraliene had set up a group of lightning dragons that could go around and free others from A.O.D.H, while being relatively safe themselves. But they weren't dew to leave for another day or so.

Silver turned to look at the group of dragons that had been tasked to Retrix. It was a rather diverse group, with an acid, a life, a mind, fire and a wind. She blinked in surprise when she recognised the wind drake. It was West. He grinned his cocky smile when he saw her look.

"What?" he said, "Aren't I allowed to come?"

"I just... didn't think you would want to," Silver replied.

"I've been stuck underground for the better part of my life Silver. I'm not gonna' pass down an opportunity to travel, especially to the highest mountains in the world," he stated.

"Fair enough," she chuckled.

"You ready to go?" asked Retrix.

She nodded her head. Giving a final smile to Zepos, she launched into the air, followed by the rest of the dragons. They were quick to rise high into the sky, catching the strong updrafts that circled near the top of Sky Mountain to propel them forward. The illusion that had surrounded Sky Mountain had long since been broken, and they had no use for it anymore. A.O.D.H knew where they were regardless. All they could do was prepare for another attack.

Silver looked back at the dragons following her, and smiled. It was good to have them around, but she was looking forward to travelling on her own. The group would travel the first day together, then they would split up, heading in their separate directions. That was the idea anyway. The dragoness looked forward again with a sigh, just taking a chance to enjoy the wind against her wings.

* * *

Once they were out of the mountain range the winds changed once again. The updrafts and gusts that were common in those sorts of places disappeared, and they found themselves flying lower to the ground then before. In front of them was a long plain, mixed with forests and the occasional town. Up in that corner of China the population was spread thin.

The dragon's formed into a 'V' formation, creating a large wake and making it far easier for the dragon's behind to fly without getting exhausted. Of course, the dragon at the front had to switch out occasionally so they could get a rest as well. It was the best way for a group to fly, allowing them to preserve energy far easier.

It was a rather silent flight, as it was hard to talk while in the air. So instead Silver found herself deep in thought, barely noticing the hours that went by or the scenery that passed under them. The mind dragon with them was making sure they were invisible to anyone below, or at least trying to. For the average mind dragon, it was difficult to create an illusion for more then five people, or dragons, at once.

'There's the Himalayas!' the mind dragon said excitedly into their minds after a number of hours of flight, causing them all to look up in interest.

A large series of snow capped mountains rose into the horizon, ominous and frightening in the distance. While Sky Mountain was the largest mountain in the world, it wasn't the tallest. That title still belonged to Mt Everest, which was almost visible in the rows upon rows of mountains.

"We should rest for the night!" yelled Retrix over the wind, "We'll reach them in the morning!"

They all agreed. The sun was getting low in the horizon anyway, and there was a perfect clearing to the right that would be a great place for them to sleep. Slowly they circled down and landed, one by one, on a small hill. As far as they could tell it was a rather remote place, but there was a roadway past the trees to their left. They should be relatively hidden, but even if they were seen most of the Chinese were rather friendly toward dragons.

"Never flown like that before," stated West as he landed, shaking himself, "Certainly makes it a lot easier."

"Easier then flying on your own," grinned Retrix.

Silver chuckled softly, nodding her head in agreement. The dragons slowly settled down, curling up near each other to generate warmth. The dragoness didn't fall to sleep strait away, instead opting to sit and watch as the sun slowly melded into the night sky. Retrix saw her sitting a little way away from the rest of the group. Frowning, he slowly walked over to her.

"Hey, you doing alright?" he asked.

"Yeah," she smiled at him, "As good as I can be, considering the circumstances."

"I'm sorry about your brother... He was acting strangely for the entire time you were gone. I should have realised it sooner," he grunted.

"It's not your fault. It's no one's fault. It's just how it is," she sighed softly, looking to the ground.

"You seem tired. You should get some sleep," he tilted his head.

She chuckled softly, "I am tired, but not that sort of tired."

"Oh?"

The dragoness hesitated, before deciding that it was probably best to speak about it rather then keep it hidden, "I guess... lately, I've just been thinking a lot. The future is so uncertain for us all, and I have no idea how many of us are going to live, and how many of us are not. I'm being pulled so many different directions at once... it's hard to keep up with it all. And ever since I've reached equilibrium I feel as though I've stopped... caring as much."

Retrix frowned at that.

"You know... when a dragon reaches their breaking point, they loose something of themselves. Usually its what causes them to break in the first place. For me... it was my untold horror of what Eldawin planned to do, and my refusal to do that. That's what caused me to break, at least in part. O'hen said that I had lost my... moral values I guess, and I was more prone to doing some questionable acts in the future."

"O'hen? The time dragon?" The drake titled his head, "Did you meet with him again?"

"Oh, yeah. He's been teaching me how to control my metal," she grinned, "Sorry I didn't tell you, but it never came up."

He snorted, "So have you done any of those... questionable acts?"

Her mind flashed back to her battle with D.E.D, and the amount of blood that had spilled over her. She shivered slightly, before sighing and nodding her head. It was still fresh in her memory, and as much as she tried to block it out... it still haunted her.

"I ripped a dragon apart. Remember Tetrad?"

"Yeah, that earth dragon who broke my wing and nearly killed you. You killed him?"

"I did. I took control of the metal they used to make him and ripped him apart. Literally. It had been so easy, so simple. And the scary thing was... it felt... good. To have that sort of power over someone else," she shook her head.

He nodded softly, "I think I understand what you mean. To have power, that much power, it's addicting. It's what can destroy someone."

She smiled softly, "I've promised myself I won't let it get to my head. But it can be hard. It's a good way to get yourself killed."

"You'll be fine," he lightly bumped her with his wing, "You've gotten through much harder things then the lure of power."

"Thanks," she grinned before letting out a small sigh, looking out into the sky.

It was clear of any clouds, and a crescent moon occupied it. Stars circled around it, their many different shapes and sizes creating stories in the night sky. Silver's father had taught her a number of things about the stars, but ever since she had left America, they had changed, telling different stories. The two dragons sat in silence, watching the night sky.

Suddenly Silver spoke, the thought that had been bugging her for the entire day voicing itself, "What if he's right, Retrix?"

The void dragon frowned, "Who?"

"Eldawin... what if he's right?" she said softly, "I'm not saying I agree with him. Wiping out the entire human race... it's monstrous. No, that is wrong. But what if he is right in saying that... the only way we can be free is their destruction. The only way we can finally live in peace is to wipe out the thing that is keeping us from reaching it."

"No, of course its not," he frowned, "Why has that even been on your mind?"

She sighed, "Maybe it's because of what I've lost, but as much as I don't want to admit it, it makes sense as to why he's doing what he is."

"You can't seriously be considering it Silver?" he growled.

"I'm not. I have a number of humans that are close friends Retrix, and as I showed before I was captured, I would willingly give up my freedom to keep them safe," she said, "But not many other dragons will think the same way. You saw the mixture of reactions that they had in Sky Mountain, and there human presence is sought of... accepted."

He was silent, waiting to see what she was trying to get across.

"How many dragons would even consider letting themselves be captured for the sake of saving a human's life? Most of our race hates humans, with a passion, and with over eighty percent of the dragon population under human control, I don't blame them. The thing is... how do you convince dragons to fight for something they hate so much? Especially when the other option is complete freedom over the world. Do you know how many of us want to be able to fly where we please, whenever we wish? Do you know how many hatchlings have dreams of exploring the world and all its wonders? I was one of them, but with the human race there... we can't exactly do those things."

"So you're wondering how it would be possible to convince dragons to fight, and possibly give their lives for, a cause that they disagree with?"

She nodded her head softly, "Yes."

The drake sighed, looking to his paws, "I... I don't know. Maybe you're wrong though... maybe a majority of the dragon population will agree that it is wrong to wipe out the population."

"I hope so... but even if that is the case, would they be willing to die to prevent it?"

Retrix didn't have an answer to that, and once again the two of them lapsed into silence. It was a hard question, but Silver was right. How would they be able to build an army when they were fighting for the less desirable cause? And then there was also that other question... was it worth it? Was it worth laying down one's life to protect the race that very nearly has destroyed it in the first place?

* * *

Morning came quickly for the group of dragons, and they slowly rose from their sleep. Silver was curled around herself, breathing quietly as the sun's glare caught her shell. Retrix had already woken up, and was watching her, debating on whether or not to wake her up or not. She looked so peaceful, as if all the troubles from the previous night had faded away. He didn't want to bring her back into it all. Watching her like this... it ignited that passion that had been missing for the past nine months. He shivered softly, before leaning down and gently nudging her awake.

"Silver, it's time to get up now," he said.

The dragoness groaned softly, her golden eyes flashing open and focusing on him. With a small huff she began to move, and he stepped back as she rose to her feet. She shook herself, creating a metallic jingle with her shell. Her tired gaze moved over the dragons slowly getting up.

"You sure you want to do this by yourself?" asked the void dragon with slight concern.

She looked at him and with a slight grin, "Don't you start as well."

"Hey, we're just concerned about your wellbeing," he said, "Especially after what has happened."

"Well maybe some time away is what I need to heal," she stated with a snort.

He hesitated, before sighing, "Okay, I understand."

She tilted her head, "Don't worry too much Retrix. There are just some things I need to sort out in my head, and to do that I'll need a couple of days... to just fly."

He nodded, "I know. Just make sure to come back this time."

"I always come back," she smirked slightly, before leaning forward and nuzzling him.

Before she pulled away, Retrix suddenly pulled her into a kiss, causing her eyes to widen. She grunted softly in surprise, before purring and meeting him with her own. Both dragons murmured softly before pulling apart.

"That's two each now," said Retrix.

"Ha?" she said, a little dazed.

"Two kisses from Zepos, two from me," he said with a small smirk, before turning and trotting over to the rest of his group.

She watched him go, before letting out a small sigh and shaking her head. That sly dragon. She chuckled to herself. She knew it was one of the reasons why she loved him. But it didn't help the conflicting emotions rushing through her after that kiss.

"What's this? He gets a kiss and I don't even get a hug? I'm offended," said West's familiar voice.

She turned, startled, to look at the wind dragon and trying to fight the rush of heat that flowed into her cheeks. Shaking herself she stood upright and gave him a glare. He chuckled and flicked his tail.

"What? It's true," he said, trying to sound dignified, "This may be the last time we ever see each other. I could be captured again... or die, and you can't even bring yourself to give me the most common of farewells."

He gave a fake sob.

"You're impossible," she grunted.

West smirked, "Oh, you have no idea."

He lifted his wings and tilted his head. The dragoness sighed, before letting out a chuckle and stepping forward, hugging the wind dragon. He purred softly, and then stepped back, seeming overjoyed.

"That wasn't so bad," he grinned.

Silver rolled her eyes, before gesturing back to the pack of dragons waiting for him, "Just get going."

"Haha, I'll win you over yet," he declared, dancing backwards before turning and trotting over to the group.

"In your dreams!" she called after the wind drake, before laughing to herself and shaking her head.

With Retrix leading, the six other dragons pushed off and into the sky, heading directly toward the white peaks that could still be seen in the distance. Silver watched them for a moment or so, before beating her own wings a couple of times and lifting herself into the air. She turned to fly parallel to the peaks, and with a flap of her wings she launched herself forward, her shell retracting to form a ring around her left horn, leaving her to speed far faster then she was usually able. For some reason, she wanted this trip to be over as quickly as possible.

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

Hey guys! New chapter! I hope you enjoyed. Vote if you did and comment what you thought. I actually enjoyed writing this one quite a bit. And for all the 'Silpos' fans... just wait. Zepos will probably have his time in the near future ;) Anyway, next chapter will be out soon. Until then... See Ya!

Pennator^^