"Dragon's Heart"
Authors: Robert Brown and Francis Tolbert

Disclaimer: This story uses characters created and copyrighted by Sega of
            America, Inc. and Archie Comics (except where noted, in which case
            they were created and copyrighted by us or by another and we have
            permission to use them).  The authors hereby give permission for 
            this story to be downloaded and/or printed at 1 copy per user as 
            long as (1) no changes to the story are made without our express 
            written(not e-mailed) permission and (2) no attempt is made to 
            profit from this story.  If either or both rules are violated, it 
            will be considered a violation of copyright law.

Author's Note: Hey there ppl!  I'm gonna keep this author's note short & sweet.
(OK, who's that cheering??  That you, Francis?)  Just a little warning: there
are elements of this story that are quite unusual for us.  I won't say what,
but once you find them, you'll know.  
               OK, I have to say something else.  I was kind of worried about 
this story, so I asked one of our longtime fans, Richard S. Chew, to take a
look at it before we posted it.  He made some suggestions that has put my mind
at ease about this story.  Till next time, Happy Reading.

Cast of Characters(in order of appearance)
Dulcy
Sabina
Sonic Hedgehog
Princess Sally Acorn
Diana
Princess Sondra Acorn***
Miles "Tails" Prower
Princess Lydia Evergreen^^^
Bunnie Rabbot
Antoine D'Coolette
Knuckles Echidna
Rotor
Uncle Chuck
Tanis Shi-rat***
Donovan###
Nadia***
Lupe
Voltaire***

#24

     Dulcy hung upside-down from a tree branch, trying to get some sleep.  For
the past few nights, she had been having trouble getting to sleep, and the fact
that a late-winter snowstorm was raging wasn't making it any easier.  She 
wasn't bothered by the cold, but her tail tended to slip off the snow-covered 
branch if she didn't pay attention.
     But even when she did get to sleep, her dreams had been troubled.  She
kept dreaming about her mom, which she liked.  But all her mom had done lately
was look at her with sad eyes, which disturbed her.  Never had her dreams been 
like that, and the dream was recurring.  Try as she might, Dulcy couldn't rid
herself of the thought that her mom was trying to warn her about something.
     After a few moments, Dulcy finally drifted off to sleep.  But as soon as
she did, her dream started again.  She could see her mother hovering before
her as clearly as if it were really happening.  But that was all she was doing.
The sadness in her eyes made Dulcy feel like she wanted to say something, but
couldn't.
     "Tell me!"  Dulcy cried.  "Tell me what it is!"
     "Oh my daughter," Sabina said, rushing forward to hug Dulcy.  "Finally you
have let me in."
     "Ma?"  Dulcy said, confused.  "But this is all a dream."
     "Not quite, Dulcy," Sabina said.  "I don't have time to explain, but you
must listen to me.  The time has come in your life when you will be forced to
make some very hard choices.  I am sending someone to guide you through it;
someone you have already helped and who is eager to return the favor."
     "Why can't you come?"  Dulcy asked.  "I miss you so much."
     "I miss you too, but it's not safe for me to come.  Even if it was, I 
wouldn't be able to make it to you in time.  Do you understand?"
     "Yes Ma."
     "Good.  But is one other thing I must warn you about.  Evil is threatening
you, and you must face it.  I only pray that you'll have the strength to win."
     "Evil?  What evil?"
     "I must go now.  Everything will be made clear soon, I promise.  Take care
Dulcy."
     "Ma?"  Dulcy asked as her mother's image began to fade out.  "No!  Don't
go!"
     "Farewell."
     "Ma!"  Dulcy yelled, waking up.  Looking around, she realized where she
was and caught herself just in time before her tail slipped of the branch.  She
twisted around and landed on her feet.  "That was a weird dream," she muttered,
stretching and shaking the snow off her.
     "Yo Dulce," Sonic called, running up to her with Sally right next to him,
"everything OK?"
     "Sure Sonic," Dulcy said.  "Just had a bad dream, that's all."
     "Are you sure, Dulcy?"  Sally asked.  "You've been having a lot of bad 
dreams lately.  Is there anything you need to talk about?"
     "Nah, everything's cool."
     "OK, if you say so," Sonic said.  "Sally and I are going over to the War
Room to see if we can figure out where Robotnik's hiding the Lightning Emerald.
Wanna come?"
     Dulcy shook her head.  "I got some things to think about so I'm going for 
a flight.  I'll be back later."
     "All right.  Catch ya then."
     Dulcy waved as Sonic and Sally ran off.  She spread her wings and took off
for the open sky.  She knew that it was more than just a dream, but she didn't
know how much more.  And what was this evil that was threatening her?  A lot
didn't make sense, and she hoped it would soon.
     As she flew over the Lava Pools, she spied an approaching figure.  She
hovered in midair, curious about this.  As the figure came closer, she easily
made it out as a dragon.  In fact, this was the dragon she had helped out a
couple years back during her first flight to Dragonsnest.  "Hey!"  she called,
waving her arms.  "Over here!"
     The female dragon waved back and flew over to Dulcy.  "Greetings, 
Protector," she said, making a slight bow in the air.  
     "Oh come on.  Just call me Dulcy."
     The dragon smiled.  "OK, Dulcy.  You've grown since I saw you last."
     "Aww," Dulcy said, turning suddenly shy.  "I haven't grown that much."
     "Don't joke about that; you're almost an adult now.  And that's why I'm
here."
     "What?"  Dulcy asked, remembering her dream.  "Did my ma send you?"
     "So she was finally able to get in touch?  Good.  We'd better head back
to where you're staying.  There's a lot you need to know, and not that much 
time to learn it."
     "OK," Dulcy said a little uncertainly.  "Follow me."  She winged off 
toward Knothole with the other dragon close behind.  
     Sondra and Tails stood on guard duty, searching carefully for any sign of
intruders.  "It's been a while since we took this seriously," Sondra said, 
scanning the Great Forest.  "But with Snively active and not bound by the Race,
we have to be on guard."
     "Especially with Dorian on his side," Tails said.  "I'm still surprised he
hasn't led Snively straight here, especially now."
     "Miles, we've been through this.  I don't mind you saying this to me, but
I don't think you should let Lydia hear what you're saying."
     "And what is that?"  Lydia asked, poking her head through the trap door.
     Tails jumped.  "Umm, hi Lydia," he said.  "Nothing to worry about."
     Lydia pulled herself up through the floor and stared at Tails.  "This 
wouldn't have anything to do with Dorian, would it?"
     "You know how I feel," Tails said.  "Until he's out from under Snively, I
refuse to trust him."
     Lydia glared at him, red eyes glinting.  "I don't really care what you
think, Tails.  Fact is, I love him.  That's all you need to concern yourself
with."
     "Calm down you two," Sondra ordered.  "You both know better than this.  
How are we supposed to beat Robotnik when we're fighting amongst ourselves?"
     "Whatever," Lydia said, cutting Tails off before he could say anything.
"Listen, I'm supposed to relieve you two.  So get out of here before I change
my mind."
     "We're gone," Tails said, grabbing Sondra and flying off.
     "I wish you guys wouldn't fight," Sondra said.  "I hate being in the 
middle."
     "Sorry," Tails said.  "Let me make it up to you tonight."
     "You gotta let go of the anger Tails, especially if he does repay his 
debts to Snively and comes back, I don't want a war here."
     Tails sighed and said nothing more.  But Sondra could see on his face that
he was still holding on to the anger.  She had to find a way to help him
through it.  Maybe Tanis could help on this.
     Suddenly, Tails dipped down toward the ground.  "What's going on?"  Sondra
asked, grabbing him around his neck.
     "Dulcy's flying in," Tails said, landing quickly.  "And it looks like she
brought a friend."
     Sondra watched in wonder as Dulcy flew toward the War Room with the other
dragon close behind.  She grabbed Tails' arm and ran to where they had landed.
"Dulcy, who's this?"  she asked as they got close.
     Dulcy started to say something, but then everyone else started to show up.
"I remember you," Sonic said, running out of the War Room with Sally right next
to him.  "You're the one we helped a couple years ago."
     "That's right," the dragon said.  "I don't know if I ever told you my 
name, but it's Diana."
     "So, Diana, what can we do for you?"  Sally asked.
     "Actually, I need to talk to Dulcy, alone.  Do you have a place we can go
without being disturbed?"
     "Well, there's the power ring pool...."
     "Sounds fine.  If you could just show me the way."
     "I'll do it," Dulcy said.  
     "And we'll make sure no one bothers you," Sally offered.  "Think you could
help me spread the word, Sondra?"
     "Sure thing Sis," Sondra said.  "How long do you think you'll need?"
     "I'm not really sure," Diana admitted, "but I'll let you know when we're 
finished."
     Sondra looked at Sally, who just shrugged.  "OK.  We'll just let everyone
know not to go there until we say so.  I'll take the south half, you take the
north Sally."
     "Sounds good to me.  Meet back here when you're done."
     Diana watched as Sondra and Sally took off in opposite directions.  "Now
then, Dulcy," she said, "we'd better get to talking."
     "If you don't mind me asking," Bunnie said suddenly, "how's that daughter
of yours that I helped hatch?"
     Diana smiled.  "Dorothy's doing fine.  Maybe I'll bring her by for a visit
one day."
     "As long as we are not having to babysit," Antoine said.  "I still haven't
recovered from the last time."
     "If you'll excuse us," Diana said, and started walking away.
     "Umm, Diana," Dulcy said, "it's this way."
     Some time later, Diana and Dulcy were settled comfortably by the power
ring pool.  "This is a beautiful place," Diana said, pushing some snow into a
pile and leaning against it.  "It's so hard to believe that you are the ones
that have kept the dream of restoring Mobius alive."
     "We do what we can," Dulcy said.  "But now with the Race going on, there's
only so much we can do."
     "Race?  You mean the Race for the Emeralds?"
     "How do you know about that?"  Dulcy asked.  "I mean, no one here knew
about it until Knuckles showed up."
     "I'd love to hear how you're doing, but that must keep for another time.
Dulcy, did your mother ever have that talk with you?"
     "We got separated before she could, but Rosie laid everything out for me."
     "You mean the princess' nanny?  She's still alive?"
     "You'd be surprised who's made it through the war.  But what does this
have to do with me now?  I've already started migrating to Dragon's Nest."
     "Yes, but until now you haven't been of age to bear a child."
     "Are you saying that I'm now of age?"  Dulcy asked, standing up.
     Diana nodded.  "I know Rosie told you everything as best she could, but
there are certain aspects of this that only affects dragons, especially 
Protectors."
     "Do we have to deal with this now?"  Dulcy asked, getting uncomfortable.
"I mean, I don't have to migrate for another six months or so."
     Diana sighed.  "Maybe I'd better start at the beginning.  I know you know
that we dragons lay eggs, but do you know that we also carry around the child
inside us for five months before we lay the egg?"
     "We do?"  Dulcy asked.  "I didn't think we had to deal with all that."
     "This would've been so much easier if your mother had talked to you about
this.  I don't have the time to make everything clear.  Let me just say that
your first true mating season is very important.  If things don't work out, 
you may not get another chance."
     "What do you mean?  I'll be around for a lot of years."
     "The first mating season for a dragon determines the course the rest of
her life will take.  If you don't mate, you'll never be able to bear a child. 
And according to tradition, the first one you mate with is the only one you can
ever mate with; you'll be with him for life."
     "But there are no male dragons!"  Dulcy protested.  "At least, none that
I know."
     "There are a few; I could introduce you to them."
     "But I'm not going to mate with someone I don't even know!  And then to 
have to be with him for the rest of my life!  I'd rather not even mate at all."
     "That is your choice," Diana said seriously.  "But know one thing.  As a
Protector, you not only have a duty to protect all dragons, you also have a
duty to continue the line of Protectors.  Any dragon has a chance to give birth
to a Protector, but Protectors have a greater chance.  You have to at least 
consider everything."
     Dulcy was silent for a time.  "I understand what you're saying," she said
slowly, "but I just can't see mating with someone I don't even know.  And from
what you've said, I don't have much time to decide."
     "No you don't.  And even then, you wouldn't have much of a choice.  If you
see a male dragon when you are in season and he performs the mating ritual, 
your will to resist him would disappear.  Of course, none among us would ever 
dream of abusing that weakness, but you had to know that it is a possibility."
     Dulcy sighed and turned away in frustration.  "What choice do I have then?
All my life I thought that I would be able to find someone like Sally found
Sonic.  But I'm not ready for this!"
     Diana looked down at the ground.  When she spoke next, her voice was 
carefully measured.  "Would it be easier for you if you could choose someone
that you knew?"
     "Of course it would.  But like I said before, I don't know any male
dragons."
     "There may be a way for you to choose somebody here at Knothole," Diana 
said heavily, "but this solution may be more trouble than it's worth.  It may 
very well risk your life and the life of who you choose."
     "Diana, you're making even less sense than you were before.  As far as I
know dragons are the only species on Mobius that have to mate with other 
dragons."
     "Dulcy," Diana said, looking at Dulcy intently, "have you ever heard of 
the Dragon's Heart?"
     "Dragon's Heart?  No, I can't say I have."
     "I'm not surprised.  It's not something that we dragons are proud of.  In
fact, we're actually somewhat ashamed of it.  It's a bit of a long story, but 
you should hear it.
     "Long ago, when we dragons were first getting established as a species, we
were often looked upon with fear and mistrust.  We weren't bothered by it in
the least, being a secretive race.  In time, we came to relish the solitude
that everyone's fear gave us.
      "But then something happened, something dark and evil.  We didn't realize
that the fear could grow and change into hate and were quite unprepared for 
what followed.  We were hunted down in all corners of Mobius, easy prey for 
those who we still assumed feared us.  If nothing had happened, we could've 
easily been driven to extinction.
     "Finally, a brave dragon came forward and challenged all those who would
oppose us.  He was strong, courageous, and he had the powers."
     "A male with powers?"  Dulcy interrupted.  "I thought only the lady 
dragons could develop them."
     "A female Protector is rare enough, but a male one is one hundred times
rarer.  But this was no ordinary Protector.  No, he was also the only king our
kind has ever known.  By himself, he captured all who had ever killed a dragon,
and brought them before what remained of our kind.
     "He could've killed them then, and there were many among us who wanted him
to do so.  But he refused, saying that we would become exactly what they feared
if he were to stoop to that level.  Instead he freed them, after putting a bit
of a scare into them.  They fled back to their homelands, but with a new sense
of respect for dragons.  The hunts stopped soon after, and we began the slow 
process of rebuilding our society.
     "But the damage had already been done.  Though many dragons survived the
carnage, only a few Protectors did.  Seeing a future where the species might 
die out if there weren't enough Protectors, the king made a great sacrifice.  
Seeking the help of a Holy One, he gave his own life so that the Dragon's Heart
crystal could be created.
     "The crystal was formed from the king's heart itself and imbued with a 
specific magic.  In times of great need, a creature of a different race may use
the Heart to transform himself into a dragon only long enough to mate with a
Protector."
     "So you're saying that someone here could become a dragon just long enough
to mate with me?"  Dulcy asked incredulously.  "I don't believe it."
     "You don't have to, but it is the truth.  Legend holds that the Heart is 
buried deep in some forgotten cavern far away from anywhere civilization has 
ever touched.  Only a Protector can reach the Heart, and then only if she and 
the one she has chosen is judged worthy.  
     "The way to the Heart is a secret more closely guarded than the existence
of the Heart.  I do not know the way, as the Heart has never had to be used.  
Even if you find it, it's sure not to be an easy travel.  But I do know there 
are other risks."
     "Aren't there always?"  Dulcy muttered sarcastically.
     "Remember what I said about having to stay with a particular dragon after
you mate with him?  If you use the Dragon's Heart, you obviously can't because
the male will not remain a dragon.  But you cannot be with anyone else and 
you'll be alone except for your child.  I would prefer you using this only as
a last resort, but the choice is completely up to you."
     Dulcy pressed her hands to her head.  "This is too much to deal with," she
said.  "I need some time to think about it."
     "Of course, but I need an answer tomorrow.  Delaying any longer than that
could bring about consequences."
     "OK, whatever.  I gotta go for a flight to clear my head.  Tell everyone
I'll be back later tonight."  Dulcy spread her wings and took off without 
waiting for an answer.
     Diana just watched her go.  "I hope she makes the right decision," she
wished silently.  "Then again, I hope the decision is not made for her."
     Dulcy flew around the Great Forest, heedless of the snowstorm that was 
developing.  She had more on her mind than ever before, and it didn't look like
she was going to settle anything anytime soon.  She headed back toward the Lava
Pools, hoping to gain some peace of mind there.
     "Is something troubling you?"  a voice asked in her ear.
     "Huh?"  Dulcy said, whipping her head around.  Knuckles was sitting on her
harness, riding as easily as if he had done this before.  "Mind giving some
warning next time?"  she asked, looking ahead just in time to pull out of a 
dive.
     "Forgive me, but I felt that something was going on which could affect the
Race," Knuckles said.  "Anything you wish to discuss?"
     "Sorry Knuckles, but this is something really private."
     "I see.  If that is the case, perhaps you would like to speak to Tanis
instead?"
     "I just said...."  Dulcy began, then actually considered it.  "You might
be right.  If anyone can help me sort this out, he can.  Thanks for the advice,
Knuckles," she said, turning around again.  But Knuckles had already left.
"That's getting on my nerves," she muttered, winging off toward Sanctuary.
     Around this time, Rotor was heading toward his workshop to finish 
tinkering on his latest project.  "I need to get my mind on something," he 
muttered.  He opened the door and stepped inside, shaking the snow off his 
coat.
     "Oh, hi Rotor," Uncle Chuck said, looking up from the table.  "How's
everything?"
     "Hi Uncle Chuck," Rotor said tiredly.  "It's starting to get really nasty
out there."  He looked around his workshop and then did a double take.  "What
happened in here?"
     Uncle Chuck looked around and smiled.  "Oh, I was waiting for some 
experiments to finish so I decided to tidy up a little."
     "A little?"  Rotor asked.  "This place has never been this clean.  Next
thing you'll tell me is that you cleaned up my closet."
     "Oh, I took care of that yesterday," Uncle Chuck said, looking back at the
table.  "In fact, I found a circuit board in there that I didn't recognize, 
which is what I'm working on now.  Any idea what this could be?"
     The only sound that answered him was the sound of a slamming door.  Uncle
Chuck looked up and saw that Rotor had left, not even bothering to take his
coat.  Uncle Chuck looked at the door a moment, shrugged, and went back to
work.
     At Sanctuary, Dulcy had just finished talking to Tanis.  "So that's the
story," Dulcy said, sighing.  "What do you think I should do?"
     Tanis sat and thought for a moment.  "To tell you the truth, Dulcy, I 
don't know," he said finally.  "This is an intensely personal decision for you.
But I do have some questions that might clear things up."
     "Fire away, Tanis.  Can't hurt."
     "First, do you want to have a child?"
     "Of course," Dulcy said before thinking.  "I mean, later on.  I don't 
think I'm ready to be a mother now."
     "OK.  Next, which do you think you could more live with: having a child
before you think you're ready, or not having one at all?"
     Dulcy thought long and hard about that.  "I don't think I could live 
without having a baby," she said slowly, "but I don't think it's fair to bring
one into the world if I'm not ready to take care of it.  But if I had to 
choose, I'd have to say having the baby.  At least I have a lot of friends 
who'd help me out."
     "Fair enough," Tanis said, smiling.  "I can tell just by your answers that
you've matured quite a bit over the last couple years.  Here's another 
question.  Would you want to mate with a dragon you don't even know?"
     Dulcy shook her head emphatically.  "Uh-uh, no way.  If I even consider it
my mind threatens to shut down.  But then my only choice is to use the Dragon's
Heart."
     "It looks that way.  Is there anyone you know who you trust enough to ask
to use the Heart for you?"
     "I know a lot of animals like that," Dulcy said.  "But it's not exactly a
matter of trust."
     "I see.  Well then, is there anyone about whom you care enough to ask to
use the Heart for you?"
     One of the doors to Sanctuary flew open and Rotor stormed in.  "Tanis, I'm
sorry for coming in like this," he started, then stopped when he saw Dulcy
there.  "Guess I came at a bad time, huh?"
     Dulcy smiled and held up a hand before Tanis could speak.  "Actually, 
Rotor, your timing is perfect," she said.  "As a matter of fact, we were just
talking about you."
     Rotor raised an eyebrow and even Tanis looked modestly surprised at that.
"Why am I suddenly getting a very bad feeling about this?"  he asked.
     Back at Knothole, Uncle Chuck was just putting the unusual circuit board
back in Rotor's closet when his nephew ran up to him.  "Look out Uncle Chuck!"
Sonic yelled, pushing him out of the way.
     "Ow!"  Uncle Chuck moaned as he hit the ground.  "What was all that about
Sonic?"
     "You open that door, you get buried," Sonic said pointing.  Then he saw
the door was already open.  "Way past weird," he said, peering inside the 
closet as if half-expecting something to jump out at him.
     "Oh, that," Uncle Chuck said, picking himself up and shaking the snow off
his coat.  "I straightened it up the other day."
     "If you can do that to this closet, maybe I should get you to help me 
clean my hut."
     "I'm not a miracle worker, Sonny-boy," Uncle Chuck said with a half-smile.
"But seriously, do you know of anything bothering Rotor?"
     "What makes you ask?"  Sonic said, walking with his Uncle back toward the
workshop.
     "I don't know, but he stormed out of the workshop a little while ago 
without saying a word.  Is he mad at me or something?"
     "Rotor did that?"  Sonic asked, surprised.  "Man, I never thought I'd see
the day when he lost his temper.  He's got the longest fuse out of everyone
here."
     "I know, that's why it seemed so strange.  I can't figure it out."
     "I'll ask around, see if he's talked to anyone about this."
     "Thanks Sonic.  For now, let me get back to work.  Let me know if anything
turns up, OK?"
     "Will do, Unc," Sonic said, waving.  He sped away as Uncle Chuck closed 
the workshop's door.
     Rotor sat down on one of the benches in Sanctuary very suddenly.  "Is this
some kind of joke?"  he asked slowly.
     "Not even a little bit," Dulcy said seriously.  "Let's face facts, Rotor.
Out of all the guys I'm friends with, I'm closest to you.  Besides, you're the
only one not hooked up."
     "Gee thanks," Rotor muttered.
     "Oh, now I didn't mean it like that," Dulcy said.  "You're the best friend
I have, and the only one I could actually see asking to do this for me."
     "You think that much of me?  I guess you're my best friend too, even 
though I never really thought about it."
     "Thanks Rotor, it means a lot to me for you to say that.  I know you'll 
need some time to think about it.  If you want, I'll give you a lift back to 
Knothole."
     "That'd be great.  Thanks."
     "You came here for something," Tanis said as they were about to leave.
"What was it?"
     "After what I just heard, Tanis, it doesn't seem all that important," 
Rotor admitted.  
     Tanis smiled.  "In the meantime, I think I'll go see someone about the
location of the Dragon's Heart.  If anyone knows, he would."
     Dulcy and Rotor nodded.  They waved and walked out the doors and were soon
out of sight.
     Tanis sighed and walked to the altar.  "I am pretty sure this would not
violate the covenant," he said, kneeling down in front of it, "but I come to 
ask your advice, Almighty One.  The last time I acted without permission, You
called me to account for my actions.  I will not make the same mistake twice."
     A pleasurable feeling filled him, and Tanis smiled.  "Thank you," he
whispered, rising to his feet.  He chanted a few arcane words under his breath
and disappeared from sight.
     On the edge of Knothole, Donovan and Nadia were sitting sullenly in their
hut.  They both knew that they should be looking for the Kavenoff, but the
thoughts on their minds didn't remotely resemble anything having to do with 
that crazed skunk.  Both had the same problem, though they differed as much as
is possible in how to solve it.
     But all that got pushed aside the moment Tanis showed up.  "I need a 
favor," he said calmly.  Then he got a good look at them.  "Is there something
wrong?"
     "Nothing a few hours in the bedroom wouldn't fix," Nadia grumbled.
     "How many times are we going to go through this?"  Donovan asked.  "You
know we can't deal with a baby right now, especially since we're not even
engaged yet."
     Tanis sighed.  "I'll leave you two to resolve that on your own.  However,
if you can put this aside for a little while, I need Donovan to try to find the
location of the Dragon's Heart crystal."
     Donovan perked up immediately.  "The Dragon's Heart?  But why would you
want to know that?"
     "I don't; Dulcy does."
     Donovan chuckled to himself as Nadia looked on, perplexed.  "I have no 
idea what you're talking about," she said.
     "I'll fill you in on the way," Donovan said, standing.  "Time for you to
see the library."
     Nadia winced.  "I'll get the string so we don't get lost."
     Tanis nodded.  "Are you going to give the information to me, or go
directly to Dulcy with it?"
     Donovan shrugged.  "We'll figure that out once we have the information," 
he said, putting on his trenchcoat as Nadia put on hers.   They waved as they 
headed out and activated their rocket boots.
     Tanis watched them go before returning to Sanctuary.  As he prepared 
himself to cast his spell, his eyes fell on Donovan's computer.  "Sometimes I
think I should have learned how to use one of those," he thought.  Shaking his
head, he muttered some words and disappeared.  
     Rotor hung on to Dulcy's harness as she flew over the Great Forest.  He
was thinking hard about what she had requested of him, but his thoughts weren't
really going anywhere.  He knew how important this was to Dulcy, and was 
flattered that she thought so highly of him to ask him.  But he knew what she
was asking went above and beyond the call of friendship, and he wasn't so sure
he could bring himself to make that leap.  But everytime he thought of telling
her "no", he couldn't do it.  
     He noticed Knothole in the distance below them, so he instinctively braced
for landing.  However, Dulcy continued on past Knothole.  "Hey," he said,
surprised.  "I thought you were taking me home."
     "Oh, sorry Rotor," Dulcy said, winging around.  "I was just heading to
the Lava Pools.  It's sort of a habit for me when I want to be alone to think."
     Rotor nodded understandingly.  "To tell you the truth, I could use a place
like that right now.  Why don't you go there and I'll see if it'll help me."
     "Sounds like a plan," Dulcy said, winging back toward her original
destination.  "But you might want to get in my pouch; the updrafts can be
tricky enough without having to worry about you falling off."
     Rotor nodded and slid around until Dulcy could grab him and put him in
her pouch.  It was nice and warm in there, a sharp contrast to the cold wind
outside.  He snuggled down, getting himself comfortable, but left his head
out so he could see what was going on.  
     Dulcy was worried about how Rotor would take all the acrobatic manuevers
she usually performed around the Lava Pools.  But as soon as she felt that
first updraft, she forgot that he was even there.  Her whole being was filled
with the ecstacy of freedom this place gave her.  She gave in to the feeling,
letting her wings carry her wherever they wished.
     Sitting in Dulcy's pouch, Rotor saw a change come over her as she flew.
No longer did she look worried or pensive.  All that was in her face was
peace.  But that wasn't the only change.  She was not the clumsy dragon who 
still had trouble making her landings.  No, she had become graceful, powerful, 
even beautiful.  
     It was then that Rotor found himself lost in the thrill of the flight. 
Every twist and turn Dulcy performed made Rotor's beat a little faster.  When
she soared to an unbelievable height, Rotor caught his breath in awe and 
wonder.  When she dived to the ground, pulling up just above the surface of
the lava, Rotor cried out in joy and excitement.  But perhaps most important
of all, Rotor found himself wishing that he could fly like this, even if only
for a short time.
     Donovan and Nadia worked their way through the enormous stacks in the
Library, looking for anything even mentioning the Dragon's Heart.  "Anything
yet?"  Donovan asked, closing a large book and replacing it.
     "Hmm?"  Nadia asked, looking up.  "Oh, sorry, got caught up reading
something."
     Donovan's eyes narrowed.  "What were you reading?"
     "Nothing," Nadia said innocently.  
     Donovan shrugged, then made a grab for the book.  Nadia tried to get it
out of his reach, but he moved too fast for her.  He frowned when he saw the
title of the book.  "We talked about this," he said, slamming the book down
on the table.  
     "Hey, who said when I was going to use this," Nadia retorted, snatching
the book up.  "I might be preparing for when we win the Race."
     "If we win," Donovan muttered.  "And knowing you, you were going to use
it as soon as we get back to the hut."
     "Looks like you'll never know," she said, smiling.  "Meanwhile, I'm going
over to the journal area.  Maybe I'll get lucky and find the journal of the
Holy One who created the Heart."
     "Good idea.  I'll check on you in a few hours to see how you're doing."
     It was night by the time Rotor and Dulcy returned to Knothole.  "I hope
I didn't scare you with all that," Dulcy said, helping Rotor out of her pouch.
     "Not at all, Dulcy," Rotor said.  "In fact, it did help me on a couple
things."
     "So you have an answer then?"  Dulcy asked, hopeful.
     "I didn't say everything was cleared up.  Let me sleep on it; I'll tell 
you in the morning."
     "OK.  Good night, Rotor."
     "Good night, Dulcy.  See you in the morning."  Rotor waved and walked to 
his hut.  He threw his cap, coat, and tool belt on a chair and sat down on his 
bed.  He knew now that he could see himself becoming a dragon.  But he still 
did not know if he could bring himself to do what Dulcy needed.  Still 
troubled, he laid down and fell asleep.
     As soon as he was asleep, Rotor began to dream.  In his first dream, he
saw Dulcy flying listlessly around Mobius.  She looked tired and worn, as if
ill.  Her scales had faded to a greenish-gray and her bright pink hair had 
become almost white.  He felt an overwhelming sadness from her, and he wanted
so badly to find out what was wrong.
     A squadron of hoverships closed in on her, but she showed no signs of 
resistance.  Instead, she meekly allowed them to capture her and take her to
Robotropolis.  Once there, she almost seemed glad as she was loaded into the
dragon roboticizer, and she smiled when the change was occurring.
     Rotor strained to wake up, and for a moment thought he had.  But then a 
new dream started.  It was about Dulcy, again, but what a change from the first
one.  Here she looked alive and happy, flying the way he had seen her at the
Lava Pools.  But there was something odd about her flight, and in a moment he
picked it out.
     There was a little dragon flying with her!  It looked to be a female, and
a Protector besides.  She had the cutest pink hair, like her mother, but her 
scales were a light gray, like his own fur.  Her flight was fine, even though 
her landing was a little rough.  Rotor chuckled as she landed flat on her face
and Dulcy helped her up.
     Rotor smiled to himself, but then received a shock.  Once the child dusted
herself off, she reached into her pouch and pulled out a red cap and a tool 
belt, much like his own.  She put them on and looked in his direction.  Rotor 
saw something in the eyes of the dragon, something he only saw when looking 
into a mirror.
     Rotor woke up, filled with a feeling of peace the likes of which he had
never felt before.  He saw the sun rising and smiled to himself.  His decision
was made; all that remained was to tell Dulcy and find out what he had to do
to make himself worthy.
     After a quick shower, Rotor dressed and headed out to tell Dulcy the good 
news.  The rising sun lighted the snow-covered ground in a warm, orange light.
Not too far away, Dulcy was hanging upside-down from the branch of a tree, like
she usually did.  He walked over and tapped her cheek.  "Wake up, Dulcy," he
said softly.
     Dulcy yawned and stretched.  She let go of the branch and rolled to her 
feet.  "Morning, Rotor," she said, yawning again.  "So, made up your mind?"
     "Yep.  I decided I want to do this for you."
     "Oh, thanks a lot, Rotor," Dulcy said, picking him up and giving him a big
hug and a kiss.  "I gotta go find Diana."
     Rotor leaned against the tree when Dulcy put him down.  He was feeling a
little light-headed and dizzy, and he wasn't sure it was just from being 
squeezed.  He took a few deep breaths to clear his head and went back in his
hut to get some breakfast.
     Later that day, Diana, Dulcy, Rotor, and Lupe were gathered by the power
ring pool.  Diana had once more requested a private talk with Dulcy, but there
were some wondering why Lupe and Rotor were in on it.  "I asked Lupe here 
because she and her clan are the only ones left on Mobius that know the ancient
rites needed for you to prove yourself."
     "Thank you, Diana," Lupe said.  "We have tried hard to continue the old
practices for as long as we can.  But with the Kavenoff's attacks on us, there
are less than a handful left unroboticized."
     She turned to Rotor and stared him in the eye.  "Diana has explained to me
the situation, and I want to make sure you are fully willing to go through
with this.  Understand that if even the smallest part of you is against this, 
it could result in your death."
     Rotor looked at Dulcy and smiled.  "I'm sure," he said.  
     Lupe nodded.  "Very well.  The remaining members of my Wolf Pack are 
building a small tent deep within the Great Forest.  I'll lead you there and
we'll begin the tests."
     "In the meantime," Diana interjected, "you have your own tests to undergo,
Dulcy.  If you'll follow me."  Diana spread her wings and took off into the
morning sky.  Dulcy waved goodbye to Rotor, gave him a quick kiss, and flew off
after Diana.
     "So, what does this involve?"  Rotor asked.
     "Now, it wouldn't be fair to give you any advance warning," Lupe said,
smiling.  "You'll see when you get there."  She walked off without another word
and Rotor followed behind her.
     Donovan closed and put up yet another book and sighed wearily.  "Any luck
yet, Nadia?"  he called.
     No answer.  "Nadia?  Everything OK?"  Still nothing.  Donovan walked over
to the section Nadia had been going through the last time he checked.
     He found her slumped over a table, face-down on top of a book.  "Don't
tell me...." he began and walked over to her.  He was half-expecting her to
have fallen asleep over the book she had found earlier, but he was wrong.  He
couldn't tell much about the book she was resting on, but he could make out
that it was written by hand, which meant it was one of the journals.
     Donovan gently slid the book out from under Nadia's face, trying not to 
wake her.  "Huh?"  Nadia asked, opening her eyes slightly.  "What's going on?"
     "Sorry, dear," Donovan said, smiling slightly, "didn't mean to wake you."
     "No, no, I shouldn't have fallen asleep.  I found something, but I can't
read all of it.   Last thing I remember was trying to decipher it when I just
couldn't keep my eyes open."
     Donovan looked over the book.  "That's OK.  You're not used to pulling
all-nighters."
     "I'm used to them in the bedroom," she said with a wink.
     Donovan stared at Nadia for a second, and she almost swore that he was 
blushing.  "Uh, yeah," he said and looked back at the book.  "But anyway, I
think you found it."
     "OK, but what's all those weird symbols written in red?"
     "It's a special code used by Holy Ones when they only want another of 
their number to be able to read it.  Tanis showed me it a few times, but never
taught me how to read it."
     "Which means it's probably important," Nadia pointed out.  "Do we have
enough time to get Tanis to translate?"
     Donovan checked his watch.  "Nope.  In fact, we should've left for 
Knothole over an hour ago.  I can drop it off there if you want to go home and
get some rest."
     "Already had some.  You're the one that needs it; I'll go.  Besides, it'll
give me a chance to visit with Sondra."
     "Fine," Donovan agreed with a yawn.  "But I want to copy those symbols 
down and show them to Tanis.  Maybe it's something that Dulcy needs to know
about."
     Nadia handed Donovan a piece of paper.  "Already copied it.  You did
teach me to be prepared."
     "And I see you were listening."
     "Now get to Sanctuary and then get to bed.  I'll be home as soon as I 
can."
     "Yes, Mother," Donovan said sarcastically.
     Nadia grabbed Donovan close and kissed him deeply.  "Well, if you want to
make me one...."  she said when she broke.
     "Uh-uh," Donovan said, pulling free.  "After marriage, which will be after
the Race, I hope."
     "Can't blame a girl for trying.  Now go on.  I'll be home to tuck you in
soon."
     Donovan muttered something under his breath and left.  Nadia left soon
after, with two books under her arm.  
     Rotor followed Lupe through the Great Forest.  He had a pretty good idea
of where they were, but he couldn't be completely sure.  "Can I at least ask
where we're going?"  he asked.
     "Almost there," Lupe promised, pulling her coat closer around her.  "You'd
think it'd be warmer in the forest than on the open plains, but it's freezing!"
     "I hardly notice," Rotor muttered.  
     They walked along for a few more minutes then came across a small tent.
"We're here," Lupe said, taking off her coat.
     Rotor looked around, surprised.  The ground was completely free from snow
in a large circle around the tent; even the trees were free from it.  In a 
moment, Rotor saw why.  A large bonfire burned behind the tent and was being 
tended to by what must have been the remaining members of the Wolf Pack.  They
all looked a little worse for wear, but were in generally good spirits.  "They
seem happy for looking so rough," Rotor observed.
     "Normally, we've just been moping around," Lupe confessed.  "You can't 
imagine how happy we are to actually have something to do other than try to 
rebuild."
     "So, what's my first test?"  Rotor asked, trying to get on a more cheerful
subject.
     Lupe led him to the edge of the bonfire and motioned for the other wolves
to step back.  "In order to prove yourself worthy, you must first demonstrate
control over the basic elements of nature: fire, earth, water, and wind."
     "Isn't lightning an element too?"  Rotor asked.
     Lupe nodded.  "Yes, but there is no safe way to test that, so there was
another test devised.  We'll get to that later.  Right now, you must prove
yourself over fire and earth.  Deep in the heart of the fire lie six stones of
different sizes.  You must reach in and take them, one by one, and bring them 
into the tent.  There you will see six depressions in the ground.  Each stone
will fit perfectly into one of the depressions.  You must place them correctly
on your first try."
     "You're kidding, right?"  Rotor asked with a small laugh.  "There's no way
I can hold those stones without burning my hands off."
     Lupe gestured to one of the wolves who handed her a pouch from his belt.
She opened the pouch and took out a handful of fine powder.  She threw the
powder on the fire and it turned from yellow-orange to a blue almost as bright
as Sondra's eyes.  "Now if you are truly worthy, the fire will not burn you.  
But beware, if you doubt yourself for even a second, the fire will consume 
you."
     "What about the stones?  Won't they burn me?"
     "Perhaps, but surely you can handle a little pain."
     Rotor smirked and took a deep breath.  He reached for a pair of gloves on
his toolbelt but Lupe stopped him.  "I thought you understood.  You can't have
any help in this, even as far as to protect your hands.  Oh, one more thing.
You have to take the stones at a walk to the tent; no running."
     "Anything else I need to know?"
     "Not until the second test.  Good luck, Rotor."
     Rotor bravely stepped up to the fire's edge.  He put a hand near the fire
tentatively, ready to pull it back at the first sign of pain.  But that sign
never came, even as his hand passed into the flame.  Rotor sighed in relief and
reached for the first stone, which stood out as a grey blob in the bright blue
flame.
     "This is easy," he thought.  Immediately he felt the fire's heat close 
around his arm as the flame turned an angry red.  "Easy there, Rotor," he told
himself, refusing to pull his arm out.  "I'd better take this seriously or it's
the last thing I'll ever do."  The heat died down and the flame slowly resumed
it's blue color.
     Rotor quickly grabbed the first stone and pulled it from the fire.  The
stone was hot, but not unbearably so.  He carefully walked into the tent and
saw the depressions Lupe had told him about.  The stone he carried was small
enough to fit in any of the depressions so Rotor chose the smallest one and put
it in.  The fit was perfect and Rotor went outside to get the next stone.
     Dulcy flew behind Diana, following her moves exactly.  "So when are we
going to start the tests?"  Dulcy asked, executing a wingover maneuever.
     Diana pulled up suddenly and faced Dulcy.  "Actually, that was your first
test," she said.  "I had to make sure you could fly as well or better than any
dragon."
     "So how did I do?"
     "We wouldn't be moving on to the next test if you had failed.  Now I have
to check your powers.  All Protectors have six main breath abilities; I want
you to show me them now."
     "Six?  But I've only discovered three!"
     Diana sighed.  "This is what comes of you spending your adolescent years
away from your kind.  What powers do you know of?"
     "Well, I have fire, ice, and a sleep gas.  I also can make a smoke screen,
but I don't think that counts."
     "You're right, it doesn't.  The other three powers are poison gas, acid,
and lightning.  If you don't know about them, maybe you'd better reconsider
your decision."
     "No chance of that," Dulcy said seriously.  "I started this, and I'm 
seeing this through to the end."
     Diana nodded and smiled.  "Let's begin then.  We'll start with what you
do know.  Use your fire to melt the snow off the tree directly below us, but
don't burn it or any other tree."
     "Piece of cake," Dulcy said with false bravado.  She lowered herself near
the tree and breathed out a thin stream of flame.  She circled around the tree,
melting the snow off from top to bottom.  In only a few minutes, the tree was
completely free of snow, but was completely unsinged.
     "Very good, Dulcy," Diana said.  "Now use your ice breath to put the snow
back."
     "Very funny," Dulcy muttered.  "Now how am I going to put snow on it and
not freeze it?"  She thought for a while until she came up with an idea.  "Out
of the way, Diana."
     Diana moved aside and Dulcy aimed her snout straight up in the air.  She
breathed a wide cloud of ice breath and flew out of the way.  When the cloud
got high enough, it crystallized and flew down on the tree as snow.
     "Very impressive," Diana praised.  She was about to say something else, 
but the sounds of arguing interrupted her.  She flew lower with Dulcy right
behind her.
     Two animals were arguing beneath the tree Dulcy had just been tested on.
"I'm telling you, it was just empty of snow!"  one of them yelled.
     "And I'm telling you, you're losing your mind!"  the other one said.  
"It's the middle of winter!"
     "Good way to check your sleep gas," Diana whispered to Dulcy.  "Make sure
they don't know what's going on."
     Dulcy didn't say a word, just exhaled slowly.  Two wisps of a greenish
smoke coiled down from her nostrils.  The wisps disappeared before they reached
the ground, but the two animals suddenly started to yawn.  In a few seconds,
they were sitting against the tree sound asleep.
     "Excellent," Diana said.  "You obviously have control of these three.  But
about those other three...."
     "Can I have some time to try and find them?"  Dulcy asked.  "Anything in
the rules against that?"
     Diana considered it.  "Nothing at all, but I can't give you that much
time.  Thirty minutes, that's all."
     Dulcy thanked her and flew off.  Diana watched her go and sighed.  "I hope
she does," she said to herself, making enough noise to wake up the animals 
below her before flying off to find a place to rest.
     Rotor walked into the tent for the sixth time, straining with the weight
of the last stone.  He struggled to the last depression and dropped the stone
in it.  Immediately he crossed his arms and hunched over.  His hands had been
badly burned by the last few stones; some fur and skin had even been torn off 
because of the last one.  The heat that filled the tent from the still-hot 
stones wasn't helping matters either.  He staggered to the tent flap and back 
outside.
     Lupe was waiting for him, holding a large wooden bucket.  "You've passed
the first test," she said.  "Now you must master water and wind.  There is a 
small spring near here; fill this bucket in the spring and return here.  You
will have to cool all six stones in the hut with only two bucketfuls.  It can
be done; I've made sure."
     Rotor took the bucket, wincing as he did so.  "How are your hands?"  Lupe
asked, concerned.
     "Never better," Rotor said through gritted teeth.
     Lupe sighed.  "Very well.  I'll lead you to the spring."  She motioned for
him to follow her and he did so.  
     After only a minute or so, they found the spring she had mentioned.  He 
knelt down by the edge and dipped the bucket in.  Screaming, he snatched his
hands out of the water and dropped the bucket.  The water was very cool, a
very nice feeling to his burned hands.  But there was something else in it, 
something that set every nerve on fire.
     "Did I mention it's a saltwater spring?"  Lupe asked.  
     "No, you didn't," Rotor said, a bit angrily.  Trying to block out the
pain, he reached into the spring and pulled out the bucket.  "Any rule saying
I have to walk back this time?"  he asked.
     "No, but if you spill any water, you might not have enough."
     "Point made."  Rotor struggled to his feet and carefully made his way back
to the tent.  The intense pain in his hands made him think about quitting a
number of times.  But everytime he was about to, he thought about Dulcy and 
knew he couldn't let her down.
     He was able to use the first bucket to cool the first four stones, and 
the second was just enough to cool the other two.  The hut had completely 
filled with steam, but Rotor hardly noticed.  His hands were now so badly 
damaged they had gone numb.  All he wanted to do was go back to Knothole and 
get his hands bandaged.  He stumbled to the tent's entrance and pushed aside 
the flap.
     Lupe was waiting for him again.  "You've passed the second test, but now
you must face the final one.  You must spend the rest of the day in here with
neither food or water.  During this test you will be assaulted by visions and
dreams, but listen to nothing they say.  They have no power over you except
that which you give them.  You must remain in the tent until I come in and tell
you otherwise."
     "But my hands," Rotor protested, showing Lupe the charred appendages.
     Lupe brought out another pouch.  This time, she scooped something that 
looked like mud into his burned palms.  "This will deaden the pain and begin
the healing.  Will you stay now?"
     Rotor nodded as he felt the ointment take effect.  "I'm not giving up," he
said.  He turned around and went back to the center of the tent and sat down
cross-legged.
     Lupe smiled to herself and tied the tent flap closed.  "Let no one enter,"
she instructed the other wolves.  "I need to gather some things for when Rotor
is done."
     Diana stood up and stretched her wings.  Dulcy was taking longer than she
should have, and now she had to be found.  Diana flew up into the sky and in
the direction she had seen Dulcy take off in.
     It didn't take long to find her.  Dulcy was back at the Lava Pools, but
she wasn't flying this time.  All she was doing was sitting by the edge of
one of the craters, staring moodily into the lava.  "I know you're here, 
Diana," she said without even looking up.
     Diana landed next to Dulcy.  "You seem very troubled, Dulcy.  Haven't
found the other powers yet?"
     "I found two," Dulcy admitted.  "I figured out how to breathe acid and
poison, but I can't get a handle on the lightning."
     "Let's see those two, and we'll go from there.  Use your poison on that
plant over there."
     Dulcy turned her head to face the plant fully.  She breathed out a cloud
of black gas that completely enveloped the plant.  When the cloud dissipated, 
all that was left of the plant was a dried up, brown husk.  "I hope I never 
have to use that for real," Dulcy said quietly.
     "Understandable.  Now show me your acid."  
     Dulcy pursed her lips and shot a stream of acid at a nearby crater.  The
liquid hissed and bubbled when it contacted the rock, eventually reducing the
whole crater to a pile of goo.  "Not too fond of that one either."
     Diana sighed.  "You've done well so far, but without showing me your
lightning, I can't pronounce you worthy.  Maybe we'd better tell Rotor to stop
now; there's still time to turn back."
     Dulcy shook her head so hard her hair got messed up.  "I've gotta at least
try.  I feel like I'd be letting him down otherwise."
     "I admire your resolve.  Breathe your lightning at the center of this
lava pool, if you can."
     Dulcy closed her eyes and forced every thought from her mind but the job
at hand.  She willed the lightning to come forth from wherever it was inside
her.  But nothing happened.  She tried again with similar results.
     Dulcy could feel her anger rising.  She knew that if she had just one
more day, she'd find it with no problem.  But she was out of time.  And now, 
it was going to cost her any chance of having a family.
     Somewhere, deep inside her, Dulcy could feel a charge building up.  She
stopped in surprise, and the charge immediately dispersed.  "So that's it,"
she thought.  All at once, she flooded her mind with every single thing that
had ever happened to make her mad.
     The charge built up again, ten times faster and twenty times stronger
than before.  Dulcy's eyes snapped open and she focused on the center of the
lava.  She opened her mouth wide, and a bolt of lightning issued forth.  The
lightning arced into the pool, making the already hot lava boil furiously.
     Dulcy's head lowered.  She was exhausted; that lightning blast had taken
more out of her than she realized.  She was somewhat aware of Diana praising
her and calling her worthy, but she was almost too tired to care.  She smiled
and muttered something in Diana's general direction.
     Diana grabbed one of Dulcy's arms and started to lead her back to the
Great Forest when an unusual sight, to her anyway, stopped her.  Princess Sally
was flying toward them, carrying a book under one arm.  "But how did you...?"
Diana began, but couldn't finish her question.
     Sally smiled as she landed.  "I had an encounter with the Deep Power 
Stones," Sally explained.  "Listen, I know you don't have much time, but I was
told to give this to Dulcy.  I couldn't help but read some of it, so I know
what's going on.  This book has the location of the Dragon's Heart crystal, and
how to get it."
     Dulcy shook her head to clear the cobwebs.  "Thanks, Sally," Dulcy said.
"Guess I should be going to see how Rotor's doing."
     Sally arched an eyebrow.  "You chose Rotor?  I'm sure there's a very
interesting story behind this, but I know you don't have the time to tell it.
Just understand that I expect to hear about everything when you get back."
     Dulcy looked at Diana who simply nodded.  "OK, Sally.  But do you think
you could keep this quiet for the time being?"
     "No problem.  Just make sure you both come back, OK?"
     "Gotcha, Sally.  See ya later!"  Dulcy spread her wings and took off,
heading back torward the Great Forest.
     "You think they have a chance?"  Diana asked Sally when Dulcy was out of
earshot.
     "I'd say they have a very good one at that," Sally said, smiling.
     Rotor sat in the center of the tent, bathed in sweat.  It wasn't the heat
or the steam that was really bothering him.  Apparitions, for lack of a better
word, swirled around him.  He could see them out of the corner of his eye, but
they always faded when he tried to look directly at them.  
     Rotor had closed his eyes to block them out, but then they started talking
to him.  "This is a fool's errand," one of them hissed in his ear.  "You know
it's a lost cause."
     "Yes, give it up," another said.  "This foolishness will be the death of
you."
     "If you go after the Dragon's Heart, you'll never come back," promised a
third.
     Rotor sat quietly, not letting the voices provoke him.  He felt something
like cold steam hit his skin now and again, and he knew they were trying to
get him to react.  But Lupe's words kept ringing in his head.  "They have no
power over you," she had said.
     "I just have to keep believing that," he whispered.  "I can't let them
fake me out."
     "Oh, I have no intention of faking you out," a new voice said.  "I suggest
you leave, while I am allowing you to."
     Rotor involuntarily shuddered.  This new voice was fraught with evil and
pain.  Every instinct in his body screamed at him to run.  But he stayed put,
trying to ignore the voice.
     "This is your last warning," the voice said angrily.  "And to show you I 
mean business, take this!" 
     Rotor took in a deep breath, planning to let it out slowly.  But the 
breath was forced from his body in a scream of pain and surprise as Rotor felt
a taloned claw rake his back.  "You have no power over me!"  Rotor yelled.  "I
will not leave!"
     The voice chuckled.  "That is what I was hoping you'd say."
     Dulcy flew down to the tent, landing lightly just in front of the opening.
"How's he doing?"  she asked the guards.
     "I thought I heard him yell before," one of them said.  "It sounds like 
something's wrong, but I cannot check to make sure.  If I'm wrong, I'll ruin
the test for him."
     Dulcy listened closely.  She didn't have to listen long as another scream
erupted from the inside.  "I'm going in," she said, pushing the guards aside.
     Just then, Rotor flew out of the tent and into her arms.  "Rotor!"  she
yelled, quickly laying him on the ground.  His entire body was covered in 
scratches, burns, and bruises.  His eyes were swelled shut and one of his legs
was bent at an odd angle; it had to be broken or shattered.  
     Dulcy laid her head against his chest and listened for a heartbeat.  It
was there, but it was growing fainter by the second.  "What did you do to him?"
Dulcy demanded, grabbing one of the guards by the throat and lifting him high
off the ground.
     "What's going on here?"  Lupe demanded.  Then she saw Rotor.  "By the
Almighty, what happened here?"
     "That's what I'm trying to find out," Dulcy said, squeezing a little on 
the guard's throat.
     A choking sound emerged from Rotor's mouth, along with a trickle of blood.
Dulcy's head turned back to him and she dropped the guard.  She didn't know
where it came from, but she knew he was going to die.  Something snapped inside
her.  Without any idea of what she was doing, Dulcy called up all her powers at
once and directed them at Rotor.
     Diana came flying in hurriedly, almost falling as she landed.  "Everyone
get back!"  she yelled, pushing the wolves behind her and shielding them with
her body.
     A bright light emanated from Dulcy and Rotor, temporarily blinding Diana
and any others who looked at it.  When the light faded, Dulcy and Rotor both
lay on the ground, unconscious, but seemingly all right.
     "What was that?"  Lupe asked, hurrying toward them.
     "My kind call it the 'Soul Share,'" Diana said with reverence.  "Only two
Protectors in all our history have ever been able to do it until today.  Legend
holds that it can heal any wound, any disease, but takes a great deal out of
the Protector who uses it.  I never thought I'd see one in my lifetime.
     "How did this happen?"  Diana asked, turning back toward the tent.  "He
was not supposed to be harmed."
     "No one went in or out until he came flying out," one of the guards said.
"I swear on my life!"
     Diana walked to the tent and tore aside the flaps.  Most of the steam had
dissipated by now, but she could still see the glint of a black scale among
it.  A red eye winked at her between two red horns, and she heard an evil
chuckle as the last of the steam faded away.
     "Voltaire," she muttered, frowning angrily.  "How is that accursed dragon
still alive?"
     Moans from Dulcy and Rotor made her turn her head.  "How are they doing?"
she asked Lupe, walking over to them.
     "That 'Soul Share' as you called it, seems to have healed him completely,"
Lupe said, shaking her head.  "I've seen some pretty miraculous things in my
time, but never anything like this."
     "They'll need some time to rest," Diana said.  But when she saw them
standing up, she said, "Then again, maybe not.  You two OK?"
     "I'm fine, Ma," Dulcy said groggily.  
     "What hit me?"  Rotor asked, leaning against a nearby tree.  "I feel like
I got into a fight with Dulcy and lost."
     "Close," Diana said gravely.  "You were attacked by a dragon, a dragon
named Voltaire."
     Dulcy's head snapped up.  "That's impossible," she said.  "He's been dead
for years!"
     "So I thought too," Diana admitted.  "Apparently he's survived.  And he
must know what's going on.  Beware him, Dulcy.  If he catches you when you're
vulnerable...."
     "I don't want to hear it," Dulcy said.  
     "But I saw no one go in," swore the guard whom Dulcy had threatened.  
"There's no way we could miss a dragon going into the tent."
     "Voltaire's powers have been twisted to evil," Diana explained.  "But
somewhere along the way, he picked up some other abilities, including the
ability to project his dark soul anywhere on Mobius.  Normally, all he can
do is observe in that state, but the steam inside the tent must have acted as
a medium for him to act physically against Rotor."
     "I thought all dragons were good," Lupe said.
     "Not this one.  From what I've heard, his heart is as black as his 
scales."
     "A black dragon?  Is that the one who attacked Lydia?"  Rotor asked.
     Dulcy nodded.  "Now you know why I acted like I did.  If he's on to what
we're doing, we'd better get moving."
     "But I didn't finish the tests," Rotor protested.  "Are you sure it'll
work?"
     "You stayed in there until he threw you out," Lupe said.  "I'd say that
qualifies."
     "I read how to get the Heart on the way here," Dulcy said, showing the
book.  "It won't be as hard as I thought.  There's just an incantation we
have to say."
     "So why'd we have to go through all that?"  Rotor asked.
     "If the Heart doesn't judge us worthy, it either won't appear, or make us
explode," Dulcy said.  
     Rotor rolled his eyes.  "Well, if you can get us there, we'd better leave
right away."  He climbed up on Dulcy's back and she spread her wings.
     "Give this back to Sally," Dulcy said, handing the book to Diana.  "Tell
her we'll be back tonight, I hope."  She lifted off and winged south, toward
Deep Canyon.
     As soon as she was out of sight, Tanis appeared.  "Has Dulcy left yet?"
he asked.  "I must talk to her."
     "Too late, Shi-rat," Lupe said.  "She just left."
     "And you know you cannot stop her once she's begun her journey," Diana
pointed out.  
     "Then I hope they will be careful," Tanis said gravely.  "Great 
consequences could occur if they are not."
     Dulcy flew strongly over Deep Canyon, past Dragon's Nest.  She flew all 
the way to the northern end and landed at the bottom.  The canyon was so deep 
here, not even the midday sun could reach its depths.  Fortunately, some plants
had developed phosphorescent properties so there was enough light to see.
     Rotor slid off Dulcy's back and together they walked to the cliff face
which was somehow free of the snow that blanketed everything else in sight.  He
had been feeling a little weird since Dulcy had healed him, but wasn't sure
what it was about.  And then, he had no more time to think about it.
     "I am Dulcy, a Protector," she said solemnly.  "I have come in search of 
the Dragon's Heart, that I might bear a child and continue the lines of the
Protectors."
     "I am Rotor, her chosen," Rotor said, standing beside her.  "Dulcy has 
asked me to use the Dragon's Heart for her, and I have agreed."
     "We have been proven worthy according to the old traditions.  Now we seek
to enter and embrace our decisions."
     "We bid you open and reveal to us the Heart."
     Their voices echoed through the canyon.  For a moment, only silence 
answered them.  Then a rumbling shook the entire canyon.  The rocks in front
of them shifted around and formed an arch just large enough for them to walk
through.
     "I guess we go in," Dulcy said as the canyon quieted.
     "Makes sense to me," Rotor said.  They walked through the arch into a
dark cave.  They walked at a slow pace until the saw a soft red light up ahead.
They picked up their pace and came out into a large room.  The room was filled
with jewels of all shapes and sizes, but all of them were red.  
     In the center of the room, atop a large pedestal, stood a heart-shaped
jewel glowing softly with a reddish light.  It was fairly large, larger perhaps
than the item for which it was named.  There was an aura of power and peace
flowing from the jewel, filling them both with a strange mixture of emotions.
"That must be the Dragon's Heart," Dulcy said, reaching for it.
     "Wait Dulcy," Rotor said.  "Do you really think it would be out in plain 
sight like this?  It almost seems too easy."
     "Be not afraid," a voice sounded from the Heart.  "You are wise to be
cautious, but all is as it seems.  Come, stand before me, that I may judge 
you."
     Dulcy and Rotor stood in front of the pedestal and waited.  A red beam of
light shot out of the heart and enveloped them both.  "Your hearts and pure,
and your cause just.  You are worthy to use my power."  The heart lifted from 
the pedestal and floated into Rotor's hands.  
     "Thank you," they said, backing out of the cavern.  When they exited the
arch, it collapsed in on itself and the rock face was as it was before.
     "How do I use it?"  Rotor asked, turning the jewel over in his hands.
     "Let's get to where we're going first," Dulcy said.  "No need for you to 
learn how to fly if you're not going to stay a dragon.  Besides, we can't 
afford to waste any time."
     "I suppose," Rotor said, climbing on Dulcy's back.  "But it would've been
nice to fly, just once."
     Dulcy smiled understandingly.  "Well, from what I read, the transformation
will last for a few hours.  I'm not sure how long we'll need, but there may be
enough extra time for one lesson.  It'll also depend on the weather," she 
added, glancing at the sky.  "Looks like another snowstorm's coming."
     Rotor smiled himself as Dulcy spread her wings and flew up out of the
canyon.  A small twinge sounded in the back of his mind, and he quickly tracked
it down.  "Umm, Dulcy, I wanted to talk to you about something," he said
slowly.
     "Not getting second thoughts, are you?"  Dulcy asked, slowing to a hover.
     "No, it's not that.  But I think something happened when you healed me
before.  I feel--I don't know.  I guess I feel closer to you than I ever did."
     "Not surprising," Dulcy said, smiling at him.  "They don't call it the
'Soul Share' for nothing.  When I healed you, we actually exchanged souls for
a moment.  When we got our own back, a piece of the other stayed behind.  I
feel the same way, Rotor, or maybe even more."
     "That does explain a lot.  Thanks."
     "Anytime," she said, making a beeline straight for Dragon's Nest.  
     "Isn't that your nesting grounds?"  Rotor asked when he realized where she
was headed.  "Why are we going there for this?"
     "Well, can you think of a more private place?"  Dulcy countered.  "There
isn't any mating ground, and I'd actually feel comfortable at Dragon's Nest."
     "I see your point," Rotor agreed, and said nothing more.  
     They reached Dragon's Nest very quickly.  Dulcy made a perfect landing,
mildly surprising Rotor.  She turned her front to him, picked him up under his
arms, and set him on the floor.  "Are you ready, or do you need some time?"
Dulcy asked.
     Rotor shook his head.  "I'm feeling very comfortable about all this now.  
Is there something I need to say to activate it?"
     Dulcy nodded.  "The words should be inscribed on the Heart, but I don't
know if you know the language."
     Rotor looked at the Heart and saw some runes inscribed in it.  But as he
watched, the runes twisted and turned, changing into the language currently in
use on Mobius.  "I can read this," he said, relieved.  "For a second, I thought
there would be some problems."
     He held the Heart aloft.  "In the name of Bahamut, king of all dragons and
your maker, and all the dragons that have come before and after him, do I, 
Rotor, command you, the Dragon's Heart, to impart your power to me.  Make my 
heart a dragon's, make my body a dragon's, that I may help this Protector, 
Dulcy, continue the line of Protectors and fulfill her sacred duty."
     In the latter stages of his speech, the Dragon's Heart had grown warm to 
Rotor's touch.  As soon as he was done, the Heart began to pulsate, almost as
if it was beating.  Rotor shivered as he felt the power flow from the Heart,
through his hands and arms, and into his own heart.
     Dulcy watched as the magic began to take hold.  But then, a terrifying 
thing happened.  Seemingly out of thin air, a large, black-scaled dragon
appeared in front of her.  His red eyes and horns glinted evilly as he looked
at Rotor.  But Rotor, foucsed intently on the Dragon's Heart, did not see him
appear.  "It ends now!"  the dragon growled, swinging his tail at Rotor.
     "Rotor, look out!"  Dulcy cried, charging the dragon.
     Rotor raised his eyes just in time to see the tail approach with amazing
speed.  The dragon's tail struck the Dragon's Heart, shattering it and sending
the shards deep inside Rotor's chest.  Rotor was thrown against the wall and
slid down, leaving a few trails of blood.
     "No!"  Dulcy screamed, tackling the dragon.
     Voltaire just chuckled and grabbed the side of Dulcy's neck.  But instead
of trying to push her off or choke, he just held her neck with firm pressure.
     Dulcy went to slap his hand away, but found she couldn't.  It wasn't that
he stopped her, it was that she couldn't bring herself to.  With horror, she
realized what was happening.  He didn't want to fight her, he wanted to mate
with her!  She fought against him with everything she had, but she couldn't
even muster up enough strength to move away from him.
     Voltaire smiled.  He slowly stood, making Dulcy stand with him.  He began
to circle her, letting his fingers trace around her neck.  "You try to fight
me," he said in a low voice, "but even you must realize it is a losing battle.
You cannot resist me, accept it.  Soon, I will make you my own, and we will
begin a new line of dragons; the line of Destroyers!"
     Dulcy was entranced.  All her will to resist was gone.  The tears ran
freely down her face as she knew she would be forced to do that which she must
not.  Voltaire realized this and his smile only broadened.  But what neither
one noticed was that Rotor was starting to move.
     Not that it seemed possible; the crystal shards had pierced his heart,
stopping it almost immediately.  But the crystals had worked their way into his
chest and had made their way together.  As they touched one another, they began
to reform around Rotor's own heart, using their own substance to repair it.  
When they were done, the crystal evaporated, leaving a single, solid heart.  
And that heart, a dragon's heart, began to beat.
     Voltaire stopped moving directly in front of Dulcy.  "It is nearly done,"
he whispered.  "Give in; it will be much easier on you."
     "No!"  a strong, gruff voice yelled.  
     Voltaire looked away from Dulcy, almost breaking the hold he had over her.
"How can you be alive?"  he demanded, seeing Rotor stand.  "I saw you fall dead
with my own eyes!"
     Rotor advanced on Voltaire, a strange glint in his eyes.  "Yes, you saw
that; you are not mistaken.  But where my old heart was destroyed, a new heart
has formed."
     Voltaire involuntarily took a step back, but remained aware enough to keep
his hand on Dulcy's neck.  He watched in mute horror as Rotor began to change.
His entire body lengthened and grew more massive.  Wings sprouted from his back
and a tail from his backside.  His nose extended into a snout and filled with
two rows of sharp teeth.  His grey fur became scales the color of polished
and burnished platinum.  He had become more than just a dragon; he was now the
spitting image of....
     "Bahamut!"  Voltaire cried, half in anger, half in fear.  
     The dragon shook his head.  "I am still Rotor, but I now have the powers 
and memories of Bahamut at my disposal.  I give you one chance to leave."
     Voltaire breathed fire at Rotor, completely engulfing him in flames.  "I
am in control here," he said.  "Powers or no, you are no match for me."
     But his smug expression turned to fear as Rotor stepped through the 
flames, untouched by them.  Rotor's head whipped around, biting at Voltaire's 
neck.  His sharp teeth sank in deep, pulling away a chunk of flesh and scales.
     Voltaire backed away, bellowing in pain.  Even though he was no longer in
contact with Dulcy, she was too far under his spell to move just yet.  She
could do nothing but watch as Rotor and Voltaire fought each other.
     Voltaire's tail struck at Rotor, much as it had when he had shattered the
Heart.  But this time Rotor just caught it, digging his talons in between the
scales.  He hauled Voltaire in with one hand and swiped at the black dragon's
face with the other.  
     Three jagged lines of blood appeared on Voltaire's face.  Another swipe
from Rotor tore a hole in his left wing.  Blinded, in terrible pain, Voltaire
fell back, trying to distance himself from Rotor's onslaught.
     Rotor lowered his head and charged Voltaire, striking his opponent in his
midsection.  Voltaire was forced back from the blow, right off the edge of
Dragon's Nest.  Feeling himself fall, he grabbed on to the nearest thing to 
steady himself: Rotor's head.  But it wasn't enough, and he and Rotor fell off
the edge.
     "Rotor!"  Dulcy cried, finally free from Voltaire's charm.  She rushed to 
the edge and peered down.  A single form lay crumpled at the base; the white
snow had been stained red.  Dulcy knew there was no way that dragon could be 
alive.  But perhaps more importantly, she only saw one form.
     "Looking for me?"  a welcome voice asked above her.
     She looked up and saw a platinum dragon against the black storm clouds.
"Rotor!"  she cried again, happily this time.  
     Rotor smiled and did a loop in the air before landing.  "It's everything
I dreamed it would be," Rotor said.  
     "But how?"  Dulcy asked, confused.  
     "When the Heart shattered into my chest, it transferred its magic to me.
But from the memories I have now, Bahamut's own memories, it's not a temporary
thing.  This is what I am now, a dragon."
     "Are you OK with that?"  Dulcy asked, worried.  "I mean, you didn't agree 
to this thinking you'd always be a dragon."
     Rotor smiled and placed his hand on her neck, as Voltaire had done moments
ago.  But where Voltaire's touch had filled her with fear and revulsion, 
Rotor's filled her with happiness and pleasure.  "You know how I was feeling
lately," he said in a low voice.  "I was out of place, feeling like I didn't
belong in Knothole anymore.  Part of the reason I came along is because I 
wanted to feel needed."
     "Part of the reason?"  she asked, her voice soft and dulcet.  
     Rotor nodded, starting to circle her.  "I'd always cared for you as my 
friend.  But something's different now.  I'm not sure how I'm feeling just yet,
but I know it's stronger and sweeter than anything I've felt before.  There's a
whole other world open to me now, and I want to explore it with you by my 
side."
     Dulcy smiled and placed her hand on his as he stopped moving in front of
her.  "It would be my pleasure," she said, her voice full of emotion.  She 
opened her eyes and stared deep into his.  "All that I am, all that I will be,
I offer to you now."
     "I accept, and offer the same to you," Rotor said, returning her gaze with
the same feeling she showed.  "Let this be the beginning of a new life for us.
One that we will face together."  He moved closer to her and took her in his 
arms.
     Dulcy nearly melted in his arms.  For the first time, she was not going to
be the only dragon living in Knothole.  But somehow, she didn't mind.

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