Writing style: Friendship, protective siblings.

Characters: Geminitay, Fwhip, Mythical Sausage.

Genre: Fantasy, magic, dragon-shifter.

For Seth189
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Gem was running. The angry shouting of the townsfolk driving her onward.

Her long body slithered through the thin streets, tail whipping into strangers.

Her wings stayed tight to her body as thunder boomed overhead.

She'd built a life here, a home, and for what? To be treated like something evil, something vile?

Her head whipped to the side, not giving her any warning for the wall she crashed into. She hissed, her wings flaring to try and gain lift.

Once again, she was painfully reminded why she couldn't. Her wings pressed painfully against the bindings, not strong enough to break them.

She growled, claws scrambling to gain a grip. A swift kick stopped her.

And they were all around her.

She roared, spewing flames and embers. She hissed, scales rising like an irate cat.

Something heavy was thrown on her, pinning her down.

Something sharp was jabbed at her, and Gem was once again so glad she was in her shifted form rather than her much weaker human one.

Someone tugged at the net, dragging her away. She hissed, diving deeper into the dragon side.

Rain poured down. Whoever was with her cursed under his breath.

Rope fell away, and Gem could untangle herself again. Her serpentine body slithered out, long tail wrapping around her feet. Her wings ached, still bound by those wretched bindings.

She hissed, the spines along her neck and back rattling in fury.

She had a good look at him now. Two boys. One with short, ginger hair and a dorky smile and the other with darker hair, who watched the treeline for anyone else, a hand on his blade.

The ginger boy held out a hand to her. She recoiled, snarling.

His hand drew back, the smile falling. Gem vaguely wondered if she botched her chance at getting this dumb contraption off her wings.

The darker haired boy whistled, drawing her attention.

Something smelled... nice. It was a nice smell. Fish?

Dried fish wrapped in green plants. The boy had moved aside, giving her space. His brother hovered close, ready should something happen.

Gem sniffed at the offering before lunging at the fish, greedily scarfing it down like it would run away.

The ginger boy reached forward, slowly approaching the young dragon. His hand found the metal binder that kept her grounded.

SNAP!

The binder fell away with a clatter, tumbling to the dirt. The dragon paused in her feast, surprised to feel the painful weight of the binder now gone.

Her body shifted instantly into her much preferred human form (still equipped with her wings and tail). Relief flooded her veins. She was free once more.

Huge orange scales wings spread out after so long of being bound.

The boy was speechless as the dragon shifted into a girl he knew all too well.

"Gem?!"

Gem Taylor, he and her had grown up together. They were siblings in all but blood.

Looking back, the signs were there. The fangs, the accidentally lighting stuff on fire, the constant consumption of meat.

Gem smiled, letting her fangs show. "Hey Fwhip, Sausage. Thanks for helping me."

Sausage was faster at recovering. "No problem..."

Her wings spread, glinting a beautiful amber in the torchlight. And she was gone.
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Word Count: 563