{"sf1_id":1189048,"sf2_id":"keNb9b9e","title":"Don't Stop Believin'-Chapter 10","author":"Azure Drake","words":4093,"posted_at":"2017-06-02T21:59:41.000Z","tags":["Adventure","Anger","Armor","Character Development","City","Dragon","Dragoness","Drama","Emotion","Family","Fantasy","Female","Feral","Flight","Friendship","Human","Humor","Love","Male","Non-Anthro","Outdoors","Plot Development","Romance","Scalie","Story Progression","Story Series","Straight","Western Dragon"],"url":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/1189048-don-t-stop-believin-chapter-10","original_url":"https://sofurry.com/s/keNb9b9e","image_url":"https://cdn.sofurryfiles.com/submissions/thumbnails/e4/57/e4572203-dca7-4e60-b457-2daaf2408ba4","description":"Another look at Sierra's past.","content":"**Several Years Ago**\n\nI flew with Eric on my back, on our way to the dragon city.\u0026nbsp;\n\nFor several months, I haven't come back home. But one day Eric wanted to see where I lived and of course I was nervous because he's a human and the dragons who live there wouldn't take him lightly.\n\nBut Eric insisted that everything will be okay. As long as they think he's not a threat. I would've argued, but he would've kept on insisting.\n\nI seriously hope that he's right.\n\nI see the mountains in the distance, we were almost there.\n\nEric hollered over the wind, \"Are those the mountains?\"\n\nI hollered back, \"Yes! We're almost there!\"\n\nI flew over the mountains when I've got close to them. Eric shrieked when I flew over them. I laughed when he screamed. Kinda funny in a way.\n\nI flew over the forest in the mountains and kept on flying. Then as soon I was sure we were close to the city, the world began to shift. Then when it was done, the city was up ahead.\n\nI flew over the city, and I could hear Eric gasping on my back in shock and awe.\n\nI flew to the other side of the city after I flew over it and found a spot to land outside the city. I flew down for a landing, my wings slowing down my speed and I landed my hind feet first. Then my front feet.\u0026nbsp;\n\nAfter I was done landing, Eric climbed off my back. Landing beside me he dusted himself and he looked at the big wall that surrounds the city.\n\nHe muttered, \"Wow.\"\n\nI grinned at him, \"Impressed?\"\n\nHe looked at me and nodded, \"Very impressed. I've never seen a place like this. Has this place been around for a long time?\"\n\nI nodded, \"Yep, my ancestors built this city, stone by stone, and so far this place is still standing.\"\n\nEric giggled, \"Well I'll be the first human to walk in this city.\"\n\nI had a nervous look on my face, \"Eric...I really don't like this. I mean, my kind doesn't take lightly to yours.\"\n\nEric placed his hand to my face and said, \"Sierra, don't worry. I can maybe somehow convince them that I'm not a theat. After all, I won't give them a reason to kill me.\"\n\nI looked at him, \"What would happen if they do attack without reason?\"\n\nHe shrugged, \"Well if they would, then it'll my fault for coming here.\"\n\nI shook my head, \"Please don't talk like that. I...I really don't want you hurt. I don't know how I would feel if you...Die.\"\n\nHe shushed me and said, \"I'm not gonna die, ok? Trust me.\"\n\nI closed my eyes and sighed and said, \"You really do inspire confidence, don't you?\"\n\nEric giggled, \"That's who I am, I always inspire confidence.\"\n\nI giggled as well, \"I knew there was a reason why I like being with you.\"\n\nEric then said, \"Yeah and besides that, you haven't been home, ever since you've been attacked by that dragon slayer. It's already been so many months since you've left. Don't you think you should come home?\"\n\nI sighed, \"I'll admit, I'm kinda homesick.\"\n\nHe gave me a kiss on the nose, \"I won't die, I promise.\"\n\nI smiled and said, \"Good, and if anyone attacks you, I'll protect you. I won't let anyone hurt you.\"\n\nHe nodded, \"Good.\" Then we both heard a roar in the distance and another and another.\n\nI looked up at the wall and saw that a few dragons are flying down to where me and Eric are. I held out my paw and pushed Eric aside, \"Eric, get behind me.\" He did as he told and ran behind me, just in case.\n\nThe dragons landed in front of me, their wings spraying dust because of the wind. As soon as the dust cleared I finally got a clear view of the dragons.\n\nTurns out one of them is my best friend from my hatchling days. My red dragon friend took his helmet off and he beamed at me, \"You...You're alive!\"\n\nI beamed right back, \"Hello there, old friend! It has been awhile!\"\n\nHe walked up to me and nuzzled me, \"Yeah it has, where have you been?! You've been gone for a long time!\"\n\nI giggled and scratched my neck, \"Yeah, well, it's a long story.\"\n\nThen before I could say anything else, Eric came out from behind me and waved, \"Hello there!\"\n\nI shot a glare at Eric. Damn it, Eric! My red friend saw Eric and he glared at him and hissed, \"Watch out, it's a human!\"\n\nMy red friend was getting ready to blow fire at Eric and so did his buddies who came with him. I stepped in between Eric and my red friend and glared at him, \"No.\"\n\nMy friend's face went wide and he exclaimed, \"Are you crazy?! He's a human!\"\n\nI shook my head, \"Listen, I know what you're thinking, but he's not evil. He's my friend.\"\n\nMy friend cocked his head at me, \"Friend?! He's a killer!\"\n\nI shook my head again, \"NO! He's not! He's my friend and he-\"\n\nMy friend interrupted me by shouting, \"My mate died recently because of THINGS like him!\"\n\nMy face went wide. My friend's mate died? Since when? Oh my poor best friend...\n\nHe sneered, \"He is not a friend, he's the enemy and he should die!\"\n\nI hissed at him, \"Listen damn it! He's not who you think he is! He saved my life! I was staying with this human for a long time and he doesn't view me as a monster! He has stayed with me day by day, until I was fully healed. But even when I've felt better, I still stayed with him.\"\n\nThen I took a step towards him and sneered, \"I know you're my best friend, but if you ever hurt Eric, I'll kill you.\"\n\nMy friend's face went wide and he looked at Eric, then back at me, \"He...He saved your life?\"\n\nI nodded, \"Yes. He did. He has saved me and he doesn't want to kill me. He's...Very kind.\"\n\nMy friend still stared at me, confusion on his face and his friends are confused as well. I could hear them mumbling in their helmets.\u0026nbsp;\n\nMy friend then walked to Eric and lowered his head to his level and my friend asked, \"Did you really save her life?\"\n\nEric nodded, \"Yeah, I saved Sierra's life.\"\n\nHe cocked his head at Eric, \"Sierra?\"\n\nI answered my friend before he could ask Eric, \"Eric gave me a human name. So we could communicate with each other. He wouldn't pronounce my name anyway.\"\n\nMy friend looked over his shoulder at me and then he looked down at Eric, \"You...Really did save her, didn't you?\"\n\nEric nodded once more, \"I didn't want her to die. I...Found her dying in the woods one day, and I've realized that she was wounded and hurt and she needed my help. I patched her up and she stayed with me. I've been taking care of her.\"\n\nMy friend looked at him some more and finally he sighed, \"Well...What do you want?\"\n\nEric grinned and said, \"Well I was hoping that I could stay in this city for a little while. Sierra has been talking about this place for a while now, and I've wanted to see it.\"\n\nMy friend hissed at Eric and that's when I butted in, \"Come on, he won't cause trouble. I know what you're going through, but please don't make this hard. Look I promise if Eric causes any trouble, I'll take him out of here. Please...For me, as your best friend.\"\n\nMy friend closed his eyes and sighed again, \"Arrrgh...Alright.\"\n\nOne of my friend's buddies said, \"Sir? Are you sure? He's a human.\"\n\nMy red friend looked at Eric and muttered, \"You can...Come inside our city. I can't guarantee your safety. After all we do hate your kind.\"\n\nEric smiled, \"Thank you.\"\n\nThen my friend shot a glare at Eric, \"But if you EVER try anything to hurt my best friend, I'll kill you, do I make myself clear? I am an officer in this city, so don't push me.\"\n\nEric's face went wide and then he nodded, \"Yes sir.\"\n\nMy friend backed away from Eric and whirled around to face me, He narrowed his eyes at me, \"I seriously hope you know what you're doing.\"\n\nI just grinned at him, \"You just need to get to know him. He's very kind, you'll see.\"\n\nMy friend shot up his head and said, \"Follow us.\" And with that he walked away from me and Eric and so has his buddies.\n\nAfter they walked away, I turned my head to look at Eric and asked, \"You okay?\"\n\nEric nodded, \"Yeah I'm fine.\"\n\nThen I shot a glare at him, \"Eric, what are you thinking?\"\n\nHe shrugged, \"What?\"\n\n\"You just came out from behind me just to say hello to my friend! And he doesn't know you! What were you thinking?!\"\n\nHe shrugged again, \"I was trying to be polite.\"\n\nI shook my head, \"Trust me, when my friend's angry, you shouldn't be polite.\"\n\nEric just giggled and said, \"At least I'm alive! Right?\"\n\nI muttered, \"BARELY alive.\"\n\nHe waved me off, \"Quit you worrying. I'm fine. Now lets get in the city before your friend changes his mind.\"\n\nI still glared at him and then I softened my gaze, \"Alright Eric, lets go.\"\u0026nbsp;\n\nAnd with that, Eric smiled and he ran after my friend and his buddies. I followed along.\n\nAncestors, that was too close for comfort.\n\n\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\n\nThe day after me and Eric have entered through the gate to the city. Things have been well so far. Even the mayor of this city had a meeting with Eric and made him promise not to cause trouble and Eric agreed.\n\nSoon afterwards, he got to meet my uncle. At least my uncle was kind and caring towards Eric, just like me. Cause so far most of the other dragons just glare at him when he walks by them.\u0026nbsp;\n\nI really feel sorry for Eric. Everyone except for me and my uncle are treating him like he's an outcast. It wasn't fair. They don't know Eric. Why judge him if you don't know him? Cause he's a human that's why. That's why they judge without trying to get to know him.\n\nBut I do know him. Eric is my friend. And I care about him. Nothing will ever change that.\n\nRight now me and Eric are staying in a motel in the city. Sitting on a pile of furs. Just enjoying each others company.\n\nSee what me and him are doing right now is, he's teaching me how to read. See for a while now, Eric has ben teaching me how to read. I was pretty curious on how to read his language. Even before we came to this city, he has been teaching me.\n\nEric brought along a book on this trip. So he's reading the story to me and also teach me how to read the words. It's a romance novel of some sort. Which, I really don't know what that is by the way. I mean my kind has a library here in this city. But I haven't read anything like this before. My kind doesn't write this kind of thing.\n\nEric pointed at one of the words in the book and asked, \"What is that word?\"\n\nI leaned my head closer to the book, squinted and said, \"Lo...Lov...Love.\"\n\nHe beamed at me, \"Great! You're really getting the hang of this.\"\n\nI nodded, \"So far, anyways.\"\n\nEric said, \"Nah I'm not kidding. It didn't take you long to say 'love', you really are good at this.\"\n\nI grinned at him, \"Thank you.\"\n\nBefore anything else could happen, I heard footsteps and I raised my head to see that my red friend has entered the room. He just stared at me and the human.\n\nEric smiled up at him and said, \"Hey Dragon.\"\n\nMy red friend glanced at him and just said, \"Hey...Human.\" Then he just stared at me.\n\nI smiled at him, \"See anything you like?\"\n\nMy red friend said, \"Uh...Old friend...Or...Sierra...Can I talk to you?\"\n\nI cocked my head, \"Why?\"\n\nHe narrowed his eyes at me, \"In private?\"\n\nI only stared at him for another minute and then I nodded, I looked down at Eric and said, \"Hey listen, I'll be back later ok? You gonna be ok by yourself?\"\n\nEric nodded and gestured her, \"Sure, go talk to your friend. You probably have a lot of things to talk about.\"\n\nI slowly got up on all fours and muttered, \"Yeah, a lot of things.\" I looked at my best friend and said, \"Alright, lets go.\" Then I trotted near my red friend and he led me out of the room.\n\nHe walked me up to the roof of the motel and he sat down on his haunches and I sat down as well, in front of him. I cocked my head and asked, \"Alright...What's wrong? You don't look happy.\"\n\nMy friend lowered his gaze and muttered, \"I'm not.\"\n\nI sighed and said, \"Is it about the human? Look he's not doing anything wrong.\"\n\nMy red friend said, \"I...Just don't know if I can trust him.\"\n\nI lowered my face to his and gave him a comforting smile, \"You can trust him. He's different than the other humans. He's really kind and sincere. And he has NOT once hurt me. He really cares.\"\n\nFinally my friend raised his head and he narrowed his eyes at me, \"Does he really? Listen, if you think he cares, then does that mean that ALL humans care about us now? No. Things don't change over night.\"\n\nI shook my head, \"Of course it wouldn't change over night. I know that there are still humans out there who don't care about our kind. But I've realized that not ALL humans are evil. There are some out there who really care and don't attack us. There are some who do listen for reason.\"\n\nThen my friend had a tear fall down his face, \"Of course not all of them do. Because my mate was pleading for that human not to kill her. But he attacked her anyway, and she didn't do anything wrong. My mate is the most kindest dragoness in this city and one human killed her. All because she was different than him.\"\n\nHe sighed and said, \"I thought I've lost you too. You were gone for a long time, but now it turned out you were staying with...Eric. I thought you were killed as well.\"\n\nI shook my head and smiled, \"I was never dead. I almost did, but Eric saved me.\"\n\nMy friend said, \"You're my best friend, and I...Don't know what I would have done without you.\"\n\nI cocked my head, \"How long has your mate died?\"\n\nHe had a sad look on his face, \"Several months ago. I can't be exact how long really.\"\n\nI nodded, \"I'm here now. You don't have to worry.\"\n\nMy friend looked at me, deep into my eyes and then he got his head closer to mine and pressed his snout to mine for a kiss. I gasped and backed away slowly and just stared at him.\n\nMy friend turned his head away in guilt and muttered, \"I...I'm sorry.\"\n\nI shook my head and waved my paw at him, \"It's alright. I understand it.\"\n\nHe looked at me and asked, \"Do you...Remember we were together when we were younger? When we were teenagers? Remember our first mating together?\"\n\nI nodded and took a step toward him, \"I remember everything.\"\n\nHis lip started to quiver, \"I...I know that I was with someone else...But...I was still in love with you.\" My face went wide and then he waved his paw at me, \"Look don't get me wrong, I do love my mate so much. She was...Pretty beautiful. In a way, she was...Like you. But not totally like you. I do love her. But...I've also loved you.\"\n\nI put my paw to my face and said, \"How come you didn't tell me all this? Why didn't you tell me sooner?\"\n\nHe looked at me and said, \"Because I was afraid I would lose you, and I...didn't have the nerve to tell you. And plus...You were with someone else and it was too late.\"\n\nI put my paw to the ground and took a step toward him, \"If you're talking about the drake that I was with, he didn't love me like you did. He was only interested in me for my body, not for me.\"\n\nMy friend giggled, \"Well, you do seem to attract a lot of drakes who are no good for you. But...Except for me.\"\n\nI got closer to him and said, \"I never knew you've felt this way about me. I don't know what to say.\"\n\nHe started to cry now and muttered through a sob, \"You don't have to say anything.\" Then he finally broke down.\n\nI just stared at him. Poor old friend. I never knew he felt that way about me. I walked real close to him and I wrapped my wings over him to embrace him, \"It's alright. I'm here.\" Then he leaned his head to my neck and sobbed into my scales.\n\nWe were like this for a long time, my wings still over his body. He finally pulled away and I lifted my wings off of him and he said, \"Can I...Can I ask you a question?\"\n\nI nodded, \"Anything.\"\n\nHe gave me a smile and asked, \"Would you...Would you like to go out with me sometime?\"\n\nMy face went wide after he asked that. Why was I shocked? Just because he's my best friend, doesn't mean I can't be with him that way.\n\nBut for some reason, my brain and body are telling me no, but why? Is it because we were suppose to stay friends? What's going on with me?\n\nMy red friend cocked his head. Still waiting for my answer, \"Well? Can you? Just this once?\"\n\nI sighed and said, \"I'll think about it. You've just lost your mate. I...Still think you need some time for yourself, ok?\"\n\nHe smiled and nodded, \"Ok. Hey at least I've had the courage to ask, right?\"\n\nI laughed, \"At least you've finally grew a pair of balls and asked!\" Then we both laughed.\n\nHe exclaimed, \"God even when you're not a teenager, you still haven't changed.\"\n\nI shrugged, \"I had...A little bit.\" I giggled.\n\nThen before I could do anything else, I saw that Eric has shown up on the roof with us. He walked to us and asked, \"Is...Everything ok?\"\n\nI gave him a reassuring smile and said, \"Yeah, everything's fine.\"\u0026nbsp;\n\nThen I looked at my friend and he looked down at Eric and smiled down at him, \"Yeah, we're fine.\"\n\nThat's when Eric said it, \"Look, whatever your name is, to tell you the truth...I know what you're going through. You said you've lost a mate? Well...So did I.\"\n\nMy friend's face went wide and then I said, \"You weren't the only one, my friend. You see...Eric was with someone before he met me. But a bunch of knights forced themselves on her and killed her. Eric still remembers her. In fact, he has named me after his mate. Sierra.\"\n\nHe looked at me, then he looked down at Eric and asked, \"Is that true?\"\n\nEric nodded, \"Sierra was beautiful. I can still feel her up to this day. She died a few years ago. By the king's knights. I used to work for him, but I don't anymore. I'm nothing like him, and I never will be. That's why I didn't kill your best friend, I've helped her and saved her. I would've done the same for you.\" Then Eric gave my friend a smile.\n\nMy red friend stared down at Eric for another moment. Then surprisingly, he wrapped his paw around Eric and hugged him close to his body. Eric's face went wide. And frankly so did mine.\n\nMy friend looked at Eric and said, \"Thank you. For...Saving my friend, for taking care of her, for...Caring for her safety. It really means a lot to me.\"\n\nEric smiled at me and while he was being hugged by my friend, Eric patted his body, \"Like I said, I would've done the same for you.\"\n\nMy friend giggled and finally let go of Eric, \"I don't know how my best friend deserved your friendship, but I'm glad you gave her your friendship. It...Really changed my outlook on you.\"\n\nEric then shrugged and grinned, \"So am I forgivin?\"\n\nMy friend laughed a bit and nodded, \"Yeah, you're forgivin. You're not the human I've thought you were.\"\n\nEric rolled his eyes, \"Yeah, yeah, I know. I've been getting that a lot lately.\" Then he glanced at me, \"Right, Sierra?\"\n\nI rolled my eyes and said, \"Oh whatever, human. It took me a long time to trust you. And it only took one day for my friend here to trust you.\" Then after I said that, we all laughed.\n\nAfter we were done laughing, my red friend looked down at Eric and grinned, \"Well...Eric. Maybe me and you can hang and talk sometime. You know just us guys, I could use another pal in my circle.\"\n\nEric beamed and said, \"Sure! I'd love to!\"\n\nI rolled my eyes, \"Well perfect, now that means there's going to be a no girls allowed sign at your place.\" Then I glared at my red friend, \"In case you've forgotten, he was my human first!\"\n\nMy friend laughed and said, \"Don't worry, I'll be sure to take turns sharing him with you.\"\n\nEric raised his hands in defense, \"Hold on there! I'm not going to be played like a toy!\"\n\nMy friend giggled and looked down at Eric for the last time, \"See you around, Eric. And thank you for looking out for...Sierra. She needed it.\" And with that my friend flapped his wings and took to the skies. Flying away from the motel. Leaving me alone with Eric.\n\nI looked down at Eric and smiled, \"Eric...Thank you.\"\n\nHe smiled back and shrugged, \"He just looked like a nice guy to me. There's no need to thank me.\"\n\nI said, \"I think you've just made another dragon friend, other than me.\"\n\nEric nodded, \"Yeah...I guess I did.\" Then he whirled around, looked over his shoulder and asked, \"So you ready for more reading lessons tonight?\"\n\nI nodded, \"Definitely, lets go.\"\n\n\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\n\nThe sun woke me up from my slumber. Morning already? Good god the nights go by fast.\n\nI raised my head from the furs and let out a yawn. I looked down and saw that Eric is not with me anymore.\n\nI gasped when I noticed. Eric? Where did he go? I got up immediately on all fours and bounded out of my motel room to look for Eric.\n\nI ran outside the motel and while I was looking for Eric, I saw a beautiful sight on the street.\n\nEric is playing with a lot of hatchlings, the hatchlings chasing him around laughing. Eric hollered while he was running, \"Can't catch me!\" Then Eric tripped and fell to the ground and then the hatchlings who chased him all jumped on him.\n\nThey were all laughing and Eric was laughing as well.\n\nI giggled at the scene. Imagine a human playing with a lot of hatchlings. You don't see that everyday. Boy the hatchling's parents would be impressed. Shocked at first, but then impressed. I think Eric will be accepted here sooner than I thought.\n\nWhile I was looking at Eric playing with the hatchlings. Suddenly, my body felt weird when I was looking at him. It was this weird feeling in my chest. I raised my paw to my chest.\n\nFor some reason lately, before me and Eric came to the city, every time I was looking at Eric, I started to feel weird.\n\nA thought crossed my mind. I think I know why my body was telling me to say no to my best friend's proposal for going out with him last night.\n\nIt's because....I'm falling in love with Eric...The human.\n\nEric is kind. But how could I have fallen in love with him?\n\nCan I fall in love with a human? I wonder now.","series":{"name":"Don't Stop Believin'","previous":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/1188640-don-t-stop-believin-chapter-9.json","next":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/1189316-don-t-stop-believin-chapter-11.json"}}