*All characters copyrighted to Poseidon Simons

Chapter 18

Crystal And

Nino

"It's hopeless...I was an idiot to think everything would be alright."

"Jack, don't give up!" An odd voice that he'd never heard before spoke to him. The odd thing was, though he'd never heard it, it sounded familiar.

"Why not? I'm finished."

"Never! C'mon Jack, you fought a beast that wanted you for lunch! You saved an entire village from destruction! You've never given up before!"

"How would you know? I can't remember what happened to me a month ago. I just lost."

"So?! You've lost before and gotten back up. You can make it out of here if you'll just answer Trent! He can help you..."

"Shut up. You have no idea what I've been through."

"WHAT?!!!!!!" The voice shouted angrily. A bright light filled Jack's vision as the voice grew louder, "You dare say that to me?!!!!! I have been through more than you can imagine. If it hadn't been for my friends, I would not be here right now. You already know you can trust him, so trust him!!!!! This is your chance at a life!! TAKE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Jack winced and shut his eyes. When he opened them again, he saw Trent kneeling over him, trying to get him to answer. He shunned Trent and turned his head away.

"Jack, say something! JACK!!!!"

"Jack?.."

"What is it?!"

Crystal's voice sounded hurt when she spoke next, "A--are you okay?.."

"Crystal! Oh Crystal, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to shout like that."

"When are you coming out?"

"I'm not."

"But Jack! You did nothing wrong!!!!!"

"We know that and so does everyone except those who are going to punish me. I'm doomed."

"But what about Ania?"

The thought caused him to flinch. He hadn't thought of her. She'd be heartbroken if something happened to him! He couldn't do that to her. Jack closed the link with Crystal and turned back to Trent, "Trent?"

"Jack! Jack, don't worry, I'm gonna get you out of here."

"Thanks Trent." Jack fell asleep with a smile on his face. He was sure he was dreaming when the first voice talked to him again.

"What did I tell you?"

"Okay, so you were right. Big deal."

"Damn right it is. You did good Jack."

A black-scaled hand held his shoulder. Jack looked into the eyes of a black mountain dragon who seemed to want to be friendly. Jack smiled, "Who are you?"

The black dragon chuckled, "A very close friend, Jack. I can't tell you yet, but you'll understand soon."

Ania cringed as they heard someone walk to their door. An officer motioned for them to come out as he opened Kim's door as well. They were led to a room below the first floor, where Jack was being kept. Trent was there, making a sleeping Jack more comfortable. The movement caused him to wake up. Unsure but hopeful, Ania tried to talk to him, "Jack?"

"Ania?" He asked sleepily. He glanced at Trent, who nodded to an officer. The officer stepped aside and let her in. Jack embraced her when she came by him.

"Jack, I was so worried when I heard you scream like that..."

"Yeah? Well it's over with now. I'll be fine." Both glanced back as the door closed, leaving them alone together. Jack sighed and sat up, "Ania, I'm sorry I scared you like that."

"Did you have a choice?"

"Yeah. I got so worked up when I first heard Trent outside the door that I rammed into it with this arm first." He held up his broken arm, "I swear, I have not been thinking lately."

She smiled at him, "Well, so long as you're okay." She gently kissed his cheek, watching as he blushed deeply.

"Oh damn, not again." Jack turned to her and stared her right in the eye, "Ania, you'd better leave."

"Why?"

"Ania, there have to be security cameras in here. Do you really want to put on a show for everyone?"

She blushed at the thought, then nodded and got up, "I'll see you soon?"

"As soon as possible."

"Then I hope it's soon."

Over the next few days, small trials were conducted. The first was to decide what to do with Johnny, but once everything was explained, and proven, they agreed that he'd had a legitimate reason for coming back and excused him. This led to the next trials, where Jack had to prove time and again of his powers. Ania helped him there. Everyone knew she could not speak, for before the trials had begun, they'd tried to make her say something. So they asked her questions about specific objects, which Jack answered for her while his back was turned away. This astounded the crowd that had gathered there, and after he proved he could speak to animals, they graciously let him go. Cory had appeared in court once to try to keep them in jail, but he had been easily forced down. They ordered him home, and Lisa went back, assured by the court that if Cory ever tried to do anything to her, they would see to it personaly that he got equally punished. The day before Don was supposed to come back, they spent in Wrall city, free of wories for once. Jack bought as many candies as he could and brought them to Crystal, who gobbled them up happily. They were waiting for Don in good spirits when he came by.

"Ready to go?"

Jack forced himself to nod, though he was still terrified of the idea. Ania and Crystal came with them, which made Jack happier and more open to the idea of getting in the backpack. He crawled into his own little compartment, that could be reached from inside where Ania and the rest could visit him. Ania stayed with him the entire time, "I can't believe I got to see a giant anthro!"

"We're heading back to the larger island. You're gonna see more of those than little anthros. Heh, you might even get to see the Deep Rockers!"

"The band?!!!!!" She asked excitedly.

"Are there any other groups with that name? Oh! that reminds me." Jack closed his eyes and spoke to Crystal, "Crystal, when we get there, I have a fairy dragon I want you to meet."

"Who?"

"The giants he lives with call him Nino. And watch out for Vitara when we get to Don's house. She can get a bit too energetic for her own good."

"Who is Nino?"

"A friend of mine...I think."

"You don't remember?"

"I don't remember, other than I know him. From what I remember, he hasn't had as much contact with Anthros as you. His vocabulary isn't as good as yours."

"Good, then I can teach him. It's always fun to have an advantage over the males."

"You're bigger than he is, you know."

"I am?"

"At least I think you are..."

There was an amused chirp as she poked her head through to his compartment, "The possibility makes this cramped trip well worth it!"

Jack laughed, then turned back to Ania, "It's going to be interesting when we get there."

"Oh? What did Crystal say?" He told her, causing her to smile, "And how do you plan to find this Nino?"

"He lives with the Deep Rockers. We find them, we find him." Jack gasped and clutched the first thing he could when Don started descending. It just happened to be Ania. Instead of flinching or gasping, she smiled and held him closer. The fear of falling was soon replaced by an intense heat inside him. He shook as he looked at Ania, afraid that he was harming her. She easily made him stop clutching her and wrapped his arm around her waist. A kiss melted every last fear he had. He didn't notice a thing as Don jerked to a landing, then set the backpack down to let them out. The top flap opened and they walked out, into Don's home. Jack and Ania almost didn't get out, until Johnny intruded and dragged Jack out.

Hana picked up the phone as it rang. Carl had left only five minutes earlier, promising to be back that evening to make sure she'd get to sleep without trouble. She had grown to enjoy his company over the week, and even looked forward to them somewhat.

"Hello?"

"Hana, it's Kia. Don came back."

"And?"

"He has Johnny Greenwood with him. I thought you wanted to know more of what happened. Here's the address."

Hana wrote it down and put it in her pocket. She grabbed Ingrid and headed out the door, locking it before she left. Ingrid took in the sights and sounds eagerly, as she always did when they walked, until they reached the apartment. Kia and Player were there, waiting for her, "Well? Where is he?"

Kia grabbed her before she could bang on the door, "Calm down first, Hana. They're our friends. We know they are completely trustworthy."

"I'll make that decision for myself, thank you." She wrenched her arm free and lifted it to knock on the door. It opened before she had a chance. The anthro who opened the door smiled, "Hey Kia, Player. We brought some new anthros home with us." He carefully stepped back and motioned to the couch inside, "Johnny's over there with them."

Player waited for Hana to walk in first, then started going in as well. Before he could get very far, he felt something climbing up his throat and opened his mouth. Nino flew out, happy to get a chance to explore. Player grumbled and walked the rest of the way in. Johnny shouted hello to them, but because he was so small, it sounded like he was far away. Hana went straight for the little anthros.

"Are you Johnny Greenwood?"

"Yes..." He said. His voice was much quieter now. Player came over to hear what they were saying, not noticing the little fairy dragon animal that suddenly took off. Johnny backed up a little, "I'm him."

Hana scowled, "My husband vanished on the day he was supposed to meet you."

"What, you mean that Gareth guy? Don told me about him, but I never met him...Why?"

"HE'S STILL MISSING!!!!!!!"

"What the--it's almost been an entire month!"

"Exactly. I wanted to know if you knew anything about him, but I guess not..."

"Look, I'm sorry, but I can't help you. I would if I could..."

Hana sighed and sat down, holding her head in her hands. Player glaned around to see where Ingrid had gone off to, and saw her reaching up at Nino. Nino occasionally landed on her nose, making her laugh. When he looked back at Hana, she was crying. Kia had already gone to her, so Player decided to stay with Ingrid.

"Is that Nino?" A femanine voice asked. Player stopped walking and searched for the voice.

"Yeah, that's him. Go say hi." Player turned around and saw a little anthro pointing at Nino. An almost silver fairy dragon flew above him and landed on the floor by Ingrid. Player watched, confused.

"Are you Nino?" The silver fairy dragon asked.

"Yeah. You?"

"I'm called Crystal."

"You're pretty..."

"Don't even think about it." Crystal chirped angrily and backed away.

Nino landed on the ground and chirped softly as he walked closer, "What? I said something bad?"

"Don't get any closer, Nino."

"What I do? I just want to be nice. You are pretty."

"Crystal, don't do that." Player turned to look at the little anthro, who was watching them. The little anthro glanced at him, "Umm...could you get me down there? I kinda need to talk to Crystal."

Player smiled, "I can talk to her for you. Animals understand what I say."

"They understand me too. Please?" Player glanced back at the two fairy dragons. Nino was still trying to slowly approach Crystal, and Crystal looked about ready to fight. He nodded and held out a hand. The little anthro climbed on and smiled, "Thanks. I'm Jack."

"Player. I'd shake your hand, but..."

The little anthro laughed, "Ah, that's okay." He held up his other arm. It looked like it was in a sort of cast, "I don't want another of these anyway." Player smiled and gently set Jack down. Jack ran over to Crystal's side, "Crystal, he's just being friendly! He won;t act like all those other males you hate so much. I promise!"

"Right. I still don't trust him." Crystal settled down and let Nino come closer. She still acted uneasy, but since Jack was there, she didn't do anything.

"Where you from?" Player smiled. Nino was learning!

Crystal glanced around, unsure, then answered, "I came from this island. Jack found me on the little island and we came here."

"You are from here? Want to see my nest?"

Player blanched, "No Nino! She will not."

Crystal chirped, confused. Nino explained, "The giant is my nest. I call him nest."

"Yeah, and I still don't want you to."

"But you are a nest! I still call you that because you are that!"

"He's your nest?!!" Crystal chirped in a way that sounded like laughter. Jack chuckled as well. Crystal settled down a little more, "You're alright Nino. I like you."

This brought a surprised look to Jack's face, "Already? That was easy!!!!!"

"Yeah, well you didn't tell me about his nest."

"I didn't know about his nest!"

"You want to see it?"

"Please."

Player growled, but sat down and opened his mouth. When Nino and Crystal were both inside, he spoke, "You owe me big time, Nino."

"No I don't."

"Yes you do. This is humiliating!!!!!!"

"Jack?"

"Yeah Crystal?"

"Thank you for brnging me here."

"Umm...you're welcome?"

"I mean it! I like Nino...He's cute."

Jack still couldn't believe how easy it had been. Player sat where he was, trying to hurry them along, "You've shown her by now Nino. Come out."

Jack listened to Nino's voice, "Not yet. She's having fun."

"I am, you know. This is the strangest nest I have ever seen."

"I don't care. Get out of me."

The fairy dragons reluctantly came up and flew out of Player's mouth. Jack smiled and watched them fly around. The more Crystal stayed with Nino, the more she liked him. Player had moved to the couch, taking the baby with him. He started playing with her. Jack watched, enthralled, "It would be great to have a kid of my own..." He thought to himself.

Crystal heard him, "Then why don't you ask her?"

"Crystal, I told you. Not unless she wants to!"

"Look at her. She desperately wants to. She's been watching both young ones more than anything else." There was a moment of silence, then Crystal asked him a question, "Jack, would it be okay if I stayed with Nino?"

"What do you mean?"

"He wants me to stay with him...I want to."

Jack smiled, "Then why are you asking me? It's your choice, not mine."

"I can stay?!!" She chirped happily.

"Sure, why not? You'll just have to convince Player of the same thing."

"I will ask him." Nino said as he flew down to Player. Jack started walking toward Player to see what the reaction would be, "Nest, Crystal is staying."

"WHAT?!!!!!!!! No way! You are not going to get me to agree with that!!!!"

"They stare at you again, Nest."

"What the--" His head shot over to the anthros in the room. Everyone was staring at him, wondering what he was shouting about. He sat back in his seat, grumbling, "Alright, fine. She can stay, but if you think I'm going to allow any more living in there, then you are sadly mistaken." Player shook his head, "I can't believe I'm doing this..."

*All characters copyrighted to Poseidon Simons

Chapter 19

The Vet's Office

"Okay, I did what you said. Now what?"

"Now you can relax, my friend."

"Wait, you're leaving?"

"Well, yes. Why?"

"Who are you? What is your name? Why is it I haven't spoken to you unless you start the conversation?"

The black dragon smiled, "I've been hurt for a while is all. You could easily have started the conversations yourself, you know. And I still won't tell you my name unless you tell me what you've been doing while I was healing. I'm not quite there yet, so I still have no idea what's been going on."
"What?"

"I was there only during the fights you had. I haven't been able to see everything you do, Jack. I'm curious. Who's the fairy anthro that's always with you? How did Crystal come into the picture? I'd like to know."

"Her name's Ania. She--"

"Jack, wake up."

Jack rolled over and tried to get back to sleep. He wanted to talk to the black dragon more.

Whoever it was that was trying to wake him grumbled and shook him harder, "Jack, it's time to get up! C'mon!"

Jack rolled again, mumbling and trying to block out the light. All of a sudden, ice cold water splashed on him, shocking him fully awake. He jerked up, favoring his arm and shielding it before any more wter could get thrown on it. He'd been fortunate. Someone had wrapped plastic around his arm during the night, and the cast hadn't been touched at all. He frowned up at Kim, "Did you have to do that?"

"How else am I supposed to wake you without getting everyone else up? Ania has ben trying to tell me something since sunrise, but she can't hold one of Don's pencils and write with it. I need you to tell me what she's trying to say."

"Uh...okay..." Jack got up and stretched, wincing when he accidentally started stretching his broken arm. The pain passed quickly as they walked to Ania. She smiled an hugged Jack when he came, "She understood."

"Huh?"

"I wanted you, but I couldn't wake you. I kept trying to ask her for help, but she doesn't understand sign-language at all. Tell her thanks for me?"

Jack turned to Kim, "I think it's okay now. She says that she wanted you to wake me up...she couldn't. Umm...she says thanks."

"Okay." Kim smiled and left them.

Jack turned back to Ania, "What do you need me for?"

"This." She leaned up and kissed him, "I've been wanting some time alone with you ever since we got out of the prison. I found the perfect spot for us to stay undisturbed."

"Where?" Jack started sweating with anticipation. He'd been wanting this for a lot longer than she had!

"You aren't worried anymore? What changed you?"

"I can't remember a thing about my past. I might as well just let it go and enjoy the present." He smiled at her, "I won't try to stop you anymore." He kissed her this time, leaning into it and taking her breath away. When he let go, there was a stunned yet joyous look on her face. She scrambled down from the heater and ran through the house. It took Jack a little longer, but he made it down and followed her. She poked her head out from behind a corner whenever he took too long to catch up, and eventually led him to an old mouse hole. A quick search showed that Ania had already looked through the place. There was a blanket laid down in one spot, and beside it was a huge breakfast. He crawled through the mouse hole and stood up. Jack checked and found that there were no mice in the entire building. They really were alone, "Ania, what if they look in here?" She smiled and motioned to a wooden plank. After a little shoving, it covered the hole nicely. They propped it up with whatever they could find in the wall, and smiled when their work was finished. Jack glanced around, "Ania, where's the light coming from?" She sat down on the blanket, which had two lit candles.

"I told you it was perfect."

"You were right. You'll never cease to amaze me, Ania."

"I don't plan to stop either."

Johnny yawned as he woke. Kim was just getting back in bed, so he asked why.

Kim smiled, "Ania wanted my help to wake Jack up."

"Why?"

She sighed and laid down in his arms, "She found the mouse hole. You know, where we go whenever we want some time alone?"

"Really?" He chuckled, "Our secret's out then?"

"Afraid so, dearest."

Johnny gazed at Kim as she settled down to get more sleep. She looked beautiful, as always, but he saw something more, "Kim, have you done anything to yourself lately?"

"What? No, why?"

He wrapped his arms around her tightly, "You look even more ravashing than usual, love. It's too bad we never found another spot like that mouse hole..."

"Johnny!!!" She giggled and tucked herself closer in the bed, "Who said anything about needing another spot? Remember the lock you attached to the breadbox?"

"Yeah, but we'll have to wait for Don to get his morning toast, or he'll rip the lock right off. The lock can't hold his strength."

"So what? He isn't that absent minded anymore. He bought another breadbox for his bread so we could use this one. He won't intrude on us."

Johnny took in a huge breath through his nose, grabbing as much of Kim's smell as he could. She laughed and turned in the bed until they were staring face to face.

A few more days passed, and soon they reached the time when Jack would be allowed to take his cast off. Jack smelled his arm and immediately held his arm out as much as he could. It smelled horrible! A long soak in a cup of warm water took away the smell. Don, for some unknown reason, left the cup in the microwave. Jack grinned and reheated the water every time the heat left it. It was like having a personal pool all to himself. He felt bad about hogging it and invited Johnny, Kim and Ania in. Johnny and Kim declined, saying instead that they were going to be busy. Ania came in, tempting Jack so much that he gave in and smothered her with a kiss. She returned it eagerly, and they soon were heatng the water by themselves.

When they finished, the water was nowhere near clear. They dumped it out before anyone saw them, and washed the cup out. They dressed and went to look for Johnny and Kim. They found them jumping into a backpack, "Johnny? What're you doing?"

"Huh? Oh, Vitara's got a vet appointment today. Do you realize you two have been in that microwave all night?" Jack and Ania blushed, but managed a smile. Johnny grinned widely, "Wanna come?"

Jack backed away, already frightened by the thought. Being told that they wouldn't be flying didn't help much, "Um...do we have to?"

"Please Jack? I haven't gotten to see any other giant anthros yet. Can we go?"

Jack sighed and started climbing into the backpack. Ania gasped with delight and jumped in right behind him. A fear-filled hour later, they stopped moving. Don whispered to them in the bag.

"I set you guys down on a chair. I'll take Vitara for her check-up, so you guys just stay put, okay?"

"Sir?" A voice asked. It sounded like a man's voice, "Why are you whispering to that bag?"

Don coughed and opened the backpack a little, pretending to search for something. He pulled out a handkerchief, "I was looking for this and talking to myself. Is it Vitara's turn?"

"Yes, is she ready?"

Jack peeked a little through the opening and saw Don lift up a kennel, "I brought her in this. She won't be able to run around until we let her out this time."He smiled and put the handkerchief back in, whispering as he did so, "Stay out of trouble, okay?" He closed the bag and stood up. Jack found a different spot to peek out of as Don walked away. He was fascinated by all the animals, and tried talking to a few.

"Hello?"

"Who's there?"

Jack turned to the new voice. It was a little fairy dragon in a tiny cage. The creature didn't look very old, perhaps just a few weeks old, "Hi there. I'm Jack."

The fairy dragon chirped in wonder as he was set down by Don's backpack. Jack now had a clear view of the little thing. It was a light green, with wings outlined in white and a large blue spot in the center of each wing. For some odd reason, Jack thought that his colors might have been planned that way, "I'm called Kyle by the owners. I was named after one of their sons."

"Where at?"

"A fairy dragon breeding ground. My parents were Beauty and Prince. I'm their youngest."

"So why are you here?"

"The owners are taking me for a check up once a week to make sure I don't have any problems. I keep hearing them talk about selling me as a pet to someone. They want to make sure I'm in top condition."

"And you're okay with that?"

"That's how it's always been. The owners were especially upset when Silvia ran away. They talk about her constantly, how she escaped when she was just hatched. She was supposed to be one of the mates that made Beauty."

"Huh...It was nice to meet you, Kyle."

"You too, Jack."

Jack started trying to talk to other animals in the place. A pet polar dragon spoke with him for a short time, but that pet's appointment was too soon for them to talk much. Jack sighed and slid back inside the backpack, "This is boring."

"Well, sit still for at least an hour, Jack. Vitara's due for her shots today."

There was suddenly a shout, then some frightened yelping as a pet shot past them, knocking the backpack to the floor. The bag had opened slightly, giving Jack a clear view of Vitara as she ran through the door. Don was chasing her, and not catching up. They all did their best to keep quiet as the backpack was lifted again. Jack found himself covered under Don's hankie as light poured in. Johnny screamed as he was lifted out and the bag closed. Jack threw the hankie off and looked around. Kim and Ania were still there. Only Johnny was missing, "What happened?!!!!"

Kim sobbed where she sat, "I was--I saw what happened. Someone took him out of the bag..."

Ania scooted closer to her and tried to comfort her, "Jack, can you go find him?"

"I'll try." He got up to the opening and glanced out. No one was paying them any attention. He slid out and hid as he landed. So far so good. Someone shouted in pain, and Jack saw Johnny flying so close to the ceiling that he might as well be clinging to it. The vet that had taken Vitara at first was chasing him with a net, swinging and trying to catch him. He was trapped after the third swing. Jack carefully made his way down to the room he'd seen the vet go in, and slipped inside.