Starlight sneaks across the field of an unknown world and lays down behind a large bush. She places two claws on the collar around her neck and quietly says, "I'm in position." She was dressed in a gray Pirate Hunter uniform that had been custom made to fit her size and body type. A ring at the base of her tail was where the uniform ended, and kept the fabric from tearing when she moved. At the end of each of her legs just above each of her hands and ankles was another ring holding her uniform together. This left the lower portion of her hind leg exposed, but made it more comfortable for her, and kept her uniform tidy. The collar around her neck was another ring in her uniform with a communicator set into it. The shrubbery in the area kept her hidden from view as a group of mean looking, reptilian people passed by. They entered a building that she was positioned just outside of but it didn't appear as though they noticed her.
A voice comes in over the communicator quietly saying, "hold your position and move when I give the signal, Jewel." The voice on the other end was that of a strong, and determined woman who was clearly in charge. "We need to time this perfectly or it's all over. Just make sure to get in and out before they realize what's happening."
"You worry too much, Shard." Said Starlight with a smile as her color shifts causing her to completely disappear. "I've been practicing my Cloak Scale since before you were hatched."
"I worry too much?" Spoke the voice sounding both a little skeptical and irritated at what Starlight had said. "You're the one that has to taste my food before letting me eat."
"Would the two of you stop already?" Said another voice over the communicator who was clearly tired of listening to the conversation. "We need to focus on the task at hand. You can finish your argument when we're done."
"Alright, Miss Deathlight." Said Starlight, keeping her voice low so that the only people who heard her are the ones she wants to. "You win this one." She hears the shot of an energy weapon and starts moving in to execute her part of the plan listening to the ensuing battle. The reptilians that she'd seen enter the building rush out headed in the direction of the battle. "You have 4 Wyverlisk Pirates headed your way. Be careful." She sneaks around a wall to avoid the Wyverlisks, eyes focused on where she was going. She couldn't help thinking about the battle and the wellbeing of the one she called Shard.
I appreciate the heads up, but stay focused, Jewel. Starlight heard in her head snapping her thoughts back to the task at hand, and what she was supposed to do. Your mission is the most important. I chose you for it because getting past the defenses would be easy for you.
It's getting the prisoners out that will be the hard part. Thought Starlight as she looks at two humans who were being guarded by a pair of Wyverlisks. She crept toward one of the Wyverlisks and pounced on them, knocking them out as she shed her cloak. She then used her long tongue to knock out the other one as quickly as she could so that they wouldn't be able to sound the alarm. She looks at the prisoners and softly says, "it's going to be ok. I'm here to rescue you." She walks over to them and lowers herself down to them so that they can climb onto her back. "Climb on and hold tight, ok? I'm getting you out of here." They do as she said and she takes off moving faster then even a cheetah Felian could hope to achieve. I have them.
At least we have that going for us. Starlight heard in her head as she ran back the way she came hearing the voice over the communicator soon after. "This fight has already gone south. We have to withdraw."
"Easier said then done Katt." A male voice came over the communicator followed by the sound of an explosion. "We're pinned down."
"How do you expect us to get out of this unscathed?" Called Tinami Deathlight who seemed rather irritated at the thought of retreating.
"Don't worry." Said Tabbitha Katt clearly smiling at a thought that had crossed her mind at that moment. "I still have an Ace up my sleeve, but it does come at a cost. So I'm going to need a bit of help getting back." Before anyone could react to what she said there was an explosion of energy that shorts out the communicators.
Starlight gets back to the ship the moment the communicator shorts out, feeling panic rise within her as she thought, Shard! Please, answer me! Say something! She wanted to go back to help the others, but knew she could neither leave the humans nor take them with her. It felt like an eternity, before she saw Tinami Deathlight, the Phoenix-like Emberra woman, and Yoshi Swiftpaw, the young male Cheetah Fellia on their way. A human male named Jonathan Teufelshund followed close behind them carrying the unconscious Tabbitha Katt over his shoulders as they all ran to the ship. "Hurry, get her aboard. I'll treat her there." Everyone boards the ship with Tinami Deathlight heading to the Ship's Control Center while the rest of them go to the medical ward. "Teufelshund, how large was the Nova Burst, and how long did it take for her to pass out?"
Jonathan Teufelshund lays Tabbitha Katt on the Medical bed as he says, "It tossed everything away from her, Starlight." Starlight places a clawed hand which glows with energy on Tabbitha Katt. "After that she took five steps before she dropped like a stone. I haven't experienced anything like that Energy Burst before. It was so hot, and bright that it reminded me of a summer's day in the Crystal Desert."
"Shard's Nova Burst is a very powerful Defensive Ability." Starlight said moments before seeing Tabbitha Katt start moving which makes her smile. "However, it uses most of her spiritual energy to use its full potential, and that leaves her weak and vulnerable. She's been trying to control the size of the burst and how much energy goes into it. It looks like she hasn't quite gotten the hang of it yet, and don't worry Yoshi. She'll live, but she's going to need lots of rest. The first time she used it she became so weak that she nearly died due to a severe illness. We were lucky that Pirate Hunters came to investigate the colony."
"The Trillim Tragedy?" Asked Yoshi Swiftpaw when Starlight finished talking about what happened. "Did she cause it?"
Starlight shook her head and said, "it was a Pirate Raid, and she got so scared that she unintentionally used her Nova Burst. I did everything I could, but nothing I did worked. I never felt so helpless in my life. She barely remembers what happened that day, but I can recall everything as if it only happened yesterday."
Tabbitha Katt grabs a hold of Starlight's clawed finger and says, "sorry for the scare, sis, but it was the only way to get everyone else out safely. Bright side is, it didn't kill me." Starlight huffs and something similar to embers escape her nostrils, but Starlight picks her up in a warm embrace.
"Promise me that you'll only use that as a last resort." Starlight said, still holding on to Tabbitha Katt as tears escaped her jewel like eyes and Tabbitha Katt hugged her back. Everything fades around them leaving them in an empty Training Room as Tinami Deathlight rejoins the group.
"Don't worry I don't intend to use it unless I really need to." Said Tabbitha Katt feeling the fatigue due to her energy loss after using her nova burst earlier. I thought I had more control over it this time. I'm so close to perfecting it. I just know I am.
You might not be strong enough to perfect it. Starlight mentally tells her before they both end their embrace while she looks at the rest of the group. "My sister is going to need help until her strength returns." She shifts her weight picking up Tabbitha Katt, and settles on her hind legs looking far more massive then she did earlier.
This made Tabbitha Katt look like a small child in her arms in comparison as she says, "you really don't need to fuss over me. I'm fine." Tabbitha Katt pushes herself away from Starlight, but is caught by Yoshi Swiftpaw when she falls.
"I got you, Tabby Katt." Said Yoshi Swiftpaw, putting her arm around his shoulders, and helping her stand, making sure that she was stable enough to walk. "If you get yourself hurt I'm going to kick your butt. I mean it." Tabbitha Katt chuckled a little at what Yoshi Swiftpaw had said, but made no comment, and instead focused on keeping her feet under her. The group walk out of the training room and are greeted by Dragen, a Male Spinytailed Wyverlisk and Senior Hunter in charge of training Tabbitha's group.
Dragen smiles and says, "you all did very well in your hunter trial, and the strategy you used was inspired. I couldn't be more proud of you all, and Tabbitha, you surprised me with that Energy Burst of yours. It's hard to believe that such a frail body could hide such power. Though I suspect that you're all tired. So I've decided to let you all relax for the rest of the day, but don't get used to it. Training will begin at sunrise tomorrow as usual. Dismissed."
The group go to the dining hall to get something to eat and give Tabbitha Katt time to rest and regain her strength. Yoshi Swiftpaw sits Tabbitha Katt down at a table, staying with her while everyone else gets their plates and making sure that she's alright. "Why were you fighting Starlight? She's only trying to help."
"Because I'm not as frail as she seems to think I am." Tabbitha Katt says in frustration as she props herself up on the table and rests her head on her left hand. "I love my sister, but I wish that she'd stop treating me like a hatchling."
Starlight sets a plate of food down in front of Tabbitha Katt and says, "can you really blame me for wanting to protect you?" There was an assortment of meat with some vegetables, and fruit, but what stood out the most was a small cluster of berries with a golden glow. Tabbitha Katt was so hungry that she started eating as if she'd gone for weeks without food not really caring what it looked like to the people around her. "You're all the family I have, and my people may as well be extinct. Before you came into existence I was alone. Seeing the light in your eyes gave me hope again. If I were to lose you I'd be heartbroken." By the time Starlight had finished speaking Tabbitha Katt had finished her plate and was drinking what had been provided. "Feel better now?"
Tabbitha Katt takes a deep breath as she sets her drink down and lets it out before saying, "yeah, I feel much better. Thanks Jewel." She then leans on Starlight as everyone else ate and drifts off to sleep feeling the full weight of the Hunter Trial she'd gone through. Despite this she was able to perceive everything around her as if she were awake thanks to a mental link she shares with Starlight.
Tabbitha Katt feels Starlight pull her close and nuzzle her for a moment mentally saying, that's it my dear sister. Rest, and regain your lost strength. "I'm going to take my sister to her recovery pod in the barracks." Starlight raises up onto her hind legs, unnerving every new recruit in the dining hall, many of which fell to the floor on seeing her sheer size. "I'll see you later." The sound she made as she carried Tabbitha Katt to the barracks didn't help ease the tension either. Neither did her seemingly disappearing and reappearing on the other side of door frames. Occasionally Tabbitha Katt heard some of the more seasoned recruits laugh at the reaction of one of the newbies. Starlight was met outside the barracks by an old, male Grey Kingbird Avarian who stood tall and proud as she approached him. It was clear that the old bird was a veteran hunter more then worthy of his retirement, and the respect everyone gives him. Gray Wing. "It's good to see you father."
Starlight heads into the barracks with Gray Wing following close behind saying, "and it's good to see you as well. I see that Tabbitha is as reckless as ever."
"Don't start with me, Gray Wing." Said Tabbitha Katt as she opened her eyes and glared at Gray Wing for a moment before Starlight set her in an altered sleeping pod. "You're always giving me a hard time."
"You're an amazing woman, Tabbitha." Said Gray Wing with a seemingly blank expression on his face as he talks. "You're strong willed, and have a great deal of potential, but you can't rely too heavily on your Nova Burst. It's far too unpredictable. Next time it could kill you." Before Tabbitha Katt had the chance to respond Starlight activates the pod sealing her inside and inducing a deep sleep. Only her sister's mental link could reach her in the darkness of her slumbering mind. "I worry about the two of you, my dear."
"I know that father, and so does she." Starlight says as she sits down beside the pod, and checks everything over to make sure that it is working properly. "She just hates feeling helpless. Her Nova Burst is her greatest strength. Even though it's also her greatest weakness. That's why I need to find the Sunsoul. It's the only thing that can strengthen her weakened spirit. Have you had any luck?"
"None." Gray Wing says resting one of his taloned hands on the pod looking in at Tabbitha Katt as she sleeps. "If anyone knows anything about its whereabouts, they're either dead or in hiding. I have heard rumors of gem-like shards resembling the Sunsoul's description. They supposedly landed on Avari at about the right time to be what you're after, but I wouldn't be able to tell you where they are."
Avari? Thought Starlight, a little surprised at the information that she'd received on the Sunsoul. "But that's your homeworld, and you haven't found them?"
"Not yet." Said Gray Wing, shifting his wings a little as he pulls his hand away from the pod and looks at Starlight. "Avari is a large planet. It will take time to find them. Until then you'll have to show a little more patience."
"But without those shards…" Said Starlight, but stopped when Gray Wing raised a single talon causing her to lower her head. "I'm sorry father, I didn't mean anything by my outburst. I'm just worried about my sister."
"That is understandable." Gray Wing said as he lowers his hand while Starlight settles in and curls up around the pod. "However, there are still things that must never be said aloud, or even thought about if it can be helped."
"Yes Father." Said Starlight as she closes her eyes to get some rest of her own. "It will never happen again. I promise." She drifts off as Gray Wing turns to leave without another word as the sound of his taloned feet mark each of his footsteps.
Deep in the realm of dreams Starlight walks over to a small Draken Hatchling that was curled up on a patch of warm Lava Rock. The hatchling looked a lot like her, but was covered in rippling sunstone scales and had six pairs of long crystal spikes along their spine. The end of their tail also split in two and the top of their head had two little points where their horns will be when they grow up. She settles in next to the hatchling and says, "you're looaking a lot better, Lightshard, but how are you feeling?"
"I'm still really tired from that Nova Burst, but I'm alright." Said Lightshard, revealing herself as Tabbitha Katt, as well as the truth of what she really is. "You don't need to fuss over me. I'm a lot stronger then I look, and you know it." Her voice was small with a bit of a reptilian chirp to it making it clear that she really was just a hatchling.
"True." Starlight said, patting Lightshard on the head with a smile on her face. "But your spiritual development would be much farther along if you hadn't been using your energy the way you have been." She chuckles for a moment nuzzling Lightshard with her muzzle before the smile fades away. "I know that you're stronger, faster and more skilled then most of the other cadets here at the academy. However, that doesn't mean that you're invincible. You have the body of a young adult human when you should have the body of a young drake. In this form you're much too frail to just rush into combat without a plan of action. If you were to face even one of the creatures that I have, you would not survive. I know this because I barely survived them myself, and your Nova Burst takes its own toll on you. Despite it being the most powerful ability you have."
"I get it, Jewel." Said Lightshard as she slowly picks herself up into a sitting position revealing that she's barely the same size as Starlight's head. "I appreciate that you're looking out for my well being, but I want to be out there. Among the stars, hunting Pirates, and... searching for what's been calling to me. I know that I can't stay here forever, but I feel ready for the hunt. What more training could I possibly need out there?"
"Well." Began Starlight as she recalled everything that they'd learned so far about all the known Pirates of the Annaverse. "Since there's a Draken group of pirates out there, you'll need some mental training to keep your thoughts from them. Swiftpaw, Deathlight, and Teufelshund will also need to have similar training. You'll also need to learn how to control your dreams to keep them from stealing information from you. We can do both right now while you sleep. Which would you like to train for first, Shard."
"Right now I just want to rest." Lightshard said as she lays back down and curls up on the warm stones while Starlight watches her. "I don't think I've got enough strength for Dream Training right now."
Starlight curls up around Lightshard as she says, "then get some rest. There's still plenty of time before your first real hunt." The two of them rest through the night as Lightshard gradually regains her strength. The sunstone scales began to give off a dull glow which began to grow brighter and brighter. After a while energy resembling tiny solar flares began to flow off of them with Starlight's scales absorbing it upon contact. This causes them to ripple with golden energy for a few moments before returning to their gleaming white.
The next morning Tabbitha Katt was the first one awake, opening the pod from the inside, and trembling a bit from an unknown chill. Looking down the side of the pod she saw Starlight sparkling as she shifted next to the pod making her smile. She leaps out of the pod and stretches feeling refreshed and ready for training. She lays a gentle hand on Starlight's head, waking her up and causing her to lift her head as she rises to her feet. Starlight nuzzles Tabbitha for a moment while thinking, it's good to see you with your strength back, my sister.
Tabbitha replies with the thought, it feels good to have my strength back, sis. To be honest I'm not sure what I would do without you, but even you can't protect me forever. I need to…
You don't need to do anything yet, Shard. Starlight thought, interrupting Tabbitha and causing her to look away. The best thing we can do right now is train, but once Hunter Training is over we can start looking for the Sun Shards. I speculate that acquiring them will strengthen you far more then practicing your Nova Burst ever will. Now, let's get to the Training Room. Tabbitha nods and the two of them head to the room where they had their Hunter's Trial. There, Jonathan Teufelshund, Tinami Deathlight, and Yoshi Swiftpaw were waiting for them.
"Tabby!" Called Yoshi Swiftpaw as Tabbitha and Starlight approach the group while they wait for the training to begin. "You're looking a lot better."
"You looked half dead by the end of the trial." Tinami Deathlight bluntly commented as she stood there with her arms crossed. "If you were trying to get yourself killed there are easier ways to do it. If not you didn't need to pull a stunt like that anyway. It was just a trial. We weren't in any real danger."
"Neither was I, Tinami." Tabbitha retorts, looking rather serious at first before softening a little as she speaks. "Sure, using my Nova Burst leaves me severely weakened, but I know my limits. It never uses more then I have on hand. I've used it enough times to know that much. Problem is I've never been able to fully control it. Jewel told me that…"
Starlight places a clawed hand on Tabbitha's shoulder as she interrupts with the thought, that's enough Shard. You don't need to tell them. If they knew what you really are there's no telling how they'd react.
Tabbitha turns to Starlight for a moment before looking back at her friends and says, "She told me that I may need something to stabilize my Nova Energy first. Unfortunately, she doesn't know how to find what I need for that. So I'm S O L. At least until I'm a full fledged Pirate Hunter. Anyway, Jewel came up with a special training exercise that should help in our future hunts. However, it's best to do it late in the day. So I'll tell you more about it later." Starlight smiles and bumps into her a little with a slight gleam in her eye before picking Tabbitha up and rising up on her hind legs. "Hey! Put me down! This isn't funny!"
"You need to learn to get out of a tight spot like this sooner or later, my Sister." Starlight said as Tabbitha squirmed trying to get free of her grip so that she could stand on her own once more. "It's better to learn now rather then when the danger is real."
"Your sister has a good point, Miss Katt." Dragen said as he walked over to them, catching everyone's attention and causing Starlight to drop Tabbitha. With her quick reflexes Tabbitha lands on her feet and moves out of the way as Starlight returns to her four legs. "And that's what today's training is going to be about." Training that day was tough and for the first time Tabbitha was having a difficult time with it, but she was still too weak to use her Nova Burst. They were given breaks to eat and rest before getting right back into training. By the end of the day they were all sparring, with Starlight squaring off against the other four of the group because of her Draken advantages. Her Draken speed made it very difficult for most of them to hit her, but Tabbitha and Yoshi had little to no trouble keeping up with her. Starlight's size gave her a strength far greater than all of them combined, but that didn't stop them from getting in close to her. Some of them even used Stun Blasters when they couldn't get close enough to her for an attack. She'd bump them with her tail, hands and nose, holding back her full strength so as not to hurt them. Everyone knew that Starlight's tail, claws, horns and breath abilities were powerful weapons, but she never used her claws or horns against them. Her breath on the other hand she would only use weaker puffs to keep from harming them as much as possible. These puffs of energy would stun most of them for a moment or two, but Tabbitha and Tinami Deathlight had a sort of resistance to it. Tinami Deathlight's feathers repelled the prismatic energy breath as if it were a splash of water hitting Duck feathers. The diamond scales that made up Tabbitha's combat armor on the other hand absorbed it to fuel her energy weapons. Tinami Deathlight used her wings to give Jonathan Teufelshund cover while the two of them attempted to distract Starlight.
Meanwhile Tabbitha and Yoshi were working on getting close enough to give the others a better advantage on Starlight. The two of them take advantage of their speed forcing Starlight on the defensive in an attempt to avoid them. However, Tabbitha had a plan and used her surprisingly great strength and speed to launch Yoshi toward Starlight. Yoshi lands on Starlight's back and grabs onto her horns to keep her from hitting him with her prismatic breath. This gave Tabbitha the opportunity to catch Starlight by the tail, and weigh her down to slow her movements. This gave Tinami Deathlight, and Jonathan Teufelshund the advantage they needed to get in close enough to end the match. They all had a good laugh as Starlight says, "you all worked so well together. Now how about we get something to eat from the dining hall." They head to the Dining Hall, grab their food and Tabbitha shares with them details about Starlight's special training.
Once they were all seated at the table with their food Tabbitha said, "we all know that there's a group of Draken Pirates. Well, being a Drake herself, Jewel knows more about them then anyone else in the Alliance. She's been trying to teach me everything she knows, but I've only scratched the surface of her knowledge. One thing I do know is that all Drakes are telepathic. Which means they can get into your head without you realizing it. Jewel proposed training exercises to combat their mental advantage. We can start them after we eat. After all, there's no more training scheduled for the day."
"However, I think that it would be best if we start with Dream Training." Said Starlight after swallowing a large chunk of meat that she had in her mouth. "That way your minds can get accustomed to defending themselves. After that we can work on your mental defenses while everyone is awake. We may even be able to work on Mental training during our Physical Training."
"The Alliance Council is still reviewing the results from our Hunter Trials." Said Tinami Deathlight as Tabbitha takes a bite of food from the plate in front of her. "Apparently they're trying to decide if it's safe to let a drake become a Pirate Hunter. My father seems to think that it's only a matter of time before she turns on us like the other Drakes."
Tabbitha spits out a piece of meat at the mention of such a thing and with a raised voice says, "that's absurd! My sister would never do something like that!" In Tabbitha's outrage her eyes had turned a brilliant golden color, and there was a slight sun-like aura around her with tiny ripples of energy rising off of her. Her outburst caught the attention of everyone in the dining hall causing everyone to stare and murmur among themselves. Starlight wraps her clawed hand around Tabbitha's shoulder, and all that energy was absorbed by her scales giving them a golden radiance.
Tabbitha's eyes return to their natural blue color before shifting to more of a gray as Starlight says, "that's enough Shard. There's nothing we can do if the Council decides to refuse me a place among the Hunters. Besides, I'm better suited for the medical core anyway. As long as they accept you as a Hunter I'll be happy, but no matter what happens I'll always be proud of you sister." Tabbitha lets out a faint chuckle, and her eyes turn to more of an aqua color. "Promise me that you'll never let your anger influence your actions."
"I promise you, Starlight." Said Tabbitha as she grabs onto one of Starlight's claws to assure her that she was being genuine in her promise. "I will never let my anger dictate my actions. I'll try to find alternate solutions to my problems. It just sickens me that so many people see you as a monster just because you're a drake. You haven't done anything to warrant such disdain."
"Even so." Said Starlight as she nuzzles Tabbitha with her nose for a moment before getting back to her point. "It was a member of the Alliance that took us in. So for Gray Wing's sake don't think ill of the Alliance just because a number of them think ill of me. Now finish your dinner so that we can get to dream training." You've been looking forward to it ever since I mentioned it to you last night.
"Alright, Jewel." Tabbitha said before getting back to her meal as Starlight moves her hand off Tabbitha's shoulder. But if we're dream training, we'll have to let the rest of the team in on my secret. If we don't they might freak out when they see me as Lightshard.
Understood, but wait until after the mind link to tell them. Starlight mentally told Tabbitha wanting to be sure that she was truly ready to reveal herself to her friends. That way you can properly gauge their reactions, and possibly even ease them into it.
Alright. Thought Tabbitha running scenario after scenario in her head trying to figure out the best way to tell them as she finishes her plate. She looks around the table seeing that everyone was done eating and with a nod everyone gets up and leaves the dining hall. They head to the barracks and Tabbitha makes sure that they're alone before saying anything. "Since none of you have ever felt Telepathy, we'll have to do a Mind Link in order to get the dream training to work."
"Mind Link?" Jonathan Teufelshund said in confusion, clearly not knowing how someone is supposed to accomplish such a feat. "Is that even safe?"
"You really have nothing to worry about, Teufelshund." Starlight said, trying to reassure them that the Mind Link is nothing to be afraid of. "It's not as dangerous as it may sound, and building a Mind Link is really very simple. All you'll need to do is touch my forehead with yours, and I'll do the rest. I've used the Mind Link on Shard to insure her safety when she was still just a hatchling. Now, however, she no longer needs it, but for this exercise I think that everyone should join the Link." Yoshi was the first to step forward having known Tabbitha since they were both children back on Trillim. Tabbitha showed them what they needed to do, closing her eyes to accept the Mind Link before letting Yoshi join the Mind Link with her and Starlight.
Once the Link was formed Yoshi was astonished to hear Tabbitha think, welcome to the Link, Yoshi. It feels good to sense your thoughts. Tinami Deathlight, and Jonathan Teufelshund joined the Link soon after and Tabbitha welcomed each one when their Link was forged. Alright. How do you all feel? I hope this isn't too much for you to take in.
This'll take some getting used to, but I think I'll manage. Thought Jonathan Teufelshund as he leans against the wall with his hand on the side of his head. And you grew up with this? No wonder you're so quick to defend Starlight. Sharing your thoughts like this takes some serious trust.
Well, we still have plenty of time before curfew. Tabbitha thought as Starlight examined the team to make sure the Link wasn't weighing too heavily on them. How about we just relax so that everyone can get used to the Mind Link. Besides, I have something that I've been wanting to tell you for awhile now. I just wasn't sure what to say, or how you'll all react. You all know how I'm much faster and stronger then I appear to be. You all also know about my Nova Energy and how powerful my Nova Burst is. Well the reason for all of that is… Because I'm a drake, and my Draken name is Lightshard of the Talon. As given to me by Starlight of the Talon.
What! Tinami Deathlight, Jonathan Teufelshund, Yoshhi Swiftpaw all thought at the same time out of sheer astonishment.
How is that even possible? Thought Tinami Deathlight, trying to wrap her head around the recent development. You look just as human as Teufelshund. How could you possibly be Draken?
It's due to a very rare Pre-Hatchling Condition that she happens to have. Explained Starlight, trying to help ease them into the knowledge that they'd just acquired. It's a sort of energy deficiency that makes it nearly impossible for a drakeling to grow properly. It's much like a nutrient deficiency in that sense, but that's where the similarities end. Draken souls take the natural sugars we absorb and transform it into a form of elemental energy. That energy is then used to build, sustain and protect our complex physiology. Lightshard's, however, has a hard time with this function, and it takes a long time for her to build the energy she needs to sustain herself. Any drake with this condition wouldn't be able to survive in a Draken body for very long. So as a sort of self preservation they take on the form of the first non draken creature that touches their egg. For her it was Mrs Katt. She found us in the woods near the colony a day or so after I'd hatched. I wasn't sure what was going on at the time. So I tried to protect my unhatched sister, but Mr Katt distracted me with the one thing I couldn't resist. A handful of life fruit, but he called them Glow Berries. I was so hungry that I devoured them, and before I knew it, me and Shard's Egg were in their house. They kept me out of sight whenever Alliance Hunters stopped by to check and see how they were doing. They didn't want them to take me away. When Shard hatched Mr and Mrs Katt were confused, but decided it best to give her the name Tabbitha and say that she was their daughter. You all pretty much know the rest.
After the raid on Trillim Jewel and I were worried that if anyone found out I was a Subform Drake that they'd think we had something to do with it. Tabbitha thought, placing a hand on Starlight's shoulder trying to rein in her temper as best as she could. It's not like they don't already suspect her to be involved anyway. I'm sorry, but it looks like it's almost curfew. If you don't want the Dream Training we can easily remove the Mind Link.
Are you kidding? Yoshi thought with a toothy grin on his face, and both his clawed hands behind his head, clearly impressed by her courage.
Tinami Deathlight pipes in soon after with, you're not getting rid of me that easily. We need every advantage we can get.
No way I'm backing out now. Thought Jonathan Teufelshund, looking almost proud that he knows Tabbitha's secret.
Tabbitha smiles as she thinks, thanks guys, I'm really glad that you're my friends. We should get to our pods before the Hunter Patrols see us standing around. They all nod and head to their rooms as quickly as they could with Tabbitha being the first one in her pod. She watches through everyone's eyes seeing Yoshi Swiftpaw leap into his pod followed by Tinami Deathlight landing in hers. Jonathan Teufelshund was the last one in his pod, but soon after getting in their pods each one falls asleep.
Jonathan Teufelshund, Tinami Deathlight, and Yoshi Swiftpaw meet up in a field within the realm of dreams. The grass they stood upon was lavender with red tips and the flowers seemed prismatic in nature. There was a crimson forest to one side of them up against a mountain and what looked to be an ocean to the other side of them. They find themselves looking around at the unfamiliar surroundings trying to get their bearings before spotting Starlight at the base of a cliff. They run toward the mountain, but as they get there Starlight stops them and says, "not another step, my friends. I'd hate to see any of you step on Shard." They hear something scrape across the lava rock beneath the cliff and look down to see Lightshard sleepily stretching. "Ah, Welcome to Dream Training, Shard."
"That's Tabby's true form?" Exclaimed Tinami Deathlight in response to seeing the Sun Scaled Drakeling as she sat up on the lava rock.
"Yes, Tinami." Lightshard says with a look of irritation on her adorable dragon-like face as she sat there soaking up the warmth from the lava rock. "It's really me. This is what a Subform Draken Soul looks like. So don't start poking fun at me."
"I'm sorry." Tinami Deathlight says with a little chuckle as she tries to regain her composure, and keep herself from laughing. "I was just expecting something that looked a little more imposing. Like a Drake half the size of Starlight, and not one that's 18 inches tall."
"So what if I'm small for my age." Said Lightshard and she leaps up onto Tinami Deathlight's shoulders catching her by surprise. "I'm more then enough for any hunt."
"Not if we're going up against other Drakes, Shard." Said Starlight as she picks up Lightshard with one hand and sits down to explain the training. "Alright the importance of Dream Training is to keep the enemy from gathering information from your subconscious while you sleep. Right now, however, your training will be to adjust to the training method. If you can successfully defend against me here then and only then can we move on to the next step. Think of it as a game of Hide and Seek, but with telepathy. Now." She sets down Lightshard who quickly joins the rest of the group before Starlight lets out what sounds to be a blood thirsty roar. "SCATTER!" They all take off in different directions with Tinami Deathlight heading up the mountain and Jonathan Teufelshund heading into the woods. Yoshi Swiftpaw dashed past the cliff and Lightshard disappeared into the grass. Each of them looked for their own place to hide so that training could begin. If you don't find a place to hide soon I'll catch you all for sure. Lightshard sat in the grass watching Starlight just stand there for a while before walking toward the grass she was hiding in. In response Lightshard took a deep breath and pulled all her energy inward before changing her color to match the grass. She closes her eyes and taps into her sister's mind in order to conceal her location, and to see what she sees. Very clever Shard, but that trick won't always work. Starlight scans the grass looking for any trace of Lightshard down to the slightest misplacement of grass.
Starlight's head strikes into the grass, and with a squeak Lightshard is pulled out by her tail as she thought, I've been caught! Starlight carries her back over to the Lava Rock and sets her down in what looked to be a nest that had been dug into the side of the cliff. "Sis, why did you have to scare me like that?"
"Come now, Shard." Said Starlight with a stretch as she prepares to hunt down the rest of the team hiding within the Dream Realm. "You were the closest, and an enemy will take any advantage that they can get. Remember that. Now rest while I look for the others." Starlight takes off into the woods to look for Jonathan Teufelshund since he was likely the next closest person. Who knows your friends might even be able to rescue you before I get back. Lightshard uses the Mind Link to tap into Starlight's sight and see where she was going.
Careful, Jon. Thought Lightshard hoping that the early warning helps Jonathan Teufelshund prepare for Starlight's pursuit. She's headed your way, and moving fast.
I appreciate the heads up, Katt. Thought Jonathan Teufelshund, clearly already having a plan for how to deal with Starlight. Swiftpaw, Deathlight. Do either of you think that you can get to Katt?
Already building a strategy. Thought Starlight as she quickly closes in on Jonathan Teufelshund preparing to catch him so that she can move on to the next teammate. I'm impressed, but that won't save you if you can't stop me. When she gets close to the archway, which he was on the other side of, he sets off a remote bomb which causes a rockslide. This catches Starlight by surprise as several large rocks fall on top of her pinning her down and causing her to be buried soon after. "Very Good, Teufelshund, but not good enough." The pile of rocks exploded sending him flying several feet, and tumbling several more before stopping inches from a large hole. Several rocks roll past him falling down the hole and into an underground river as he picks himself up. Looking at where the rock pile was he saw Starlight walking toward him in an aggressive stance with her eyes fixed on him. Energy arches across her scales surrounding her in a prismatic cloak moments before she fires a beam of the same energy from her mouth at him. He dives out of the way before rolling into the river and the training picks up from there as three prismatic copies of her appear. They scatter, each one picking a team member to pursue while the real one focuses solely on Lightshard.
By the time Tabbitha awakens she's panting and trembling from an adrenaline rush that she hadn't expected. Starlight hands her a bottle containing a liquid with the same golden glow as the berries that she has with every meal. She gulps it down as she sits on the side of her sleep pod, and after downing the last swallow she gasps. She wipes her mouth and hands Starlight back the now empty Trillim Bottle as she says, "that was intense, Jewel. Why did you have to focus the majority of your energy on me?"
"Because, your mind is used to this kind of exercise." Said Starlight as she gives Tabbitha a quick check up to make sure that she wasn't having any adverse effects from Dream Training. "I wanted to go a little easier on the rest of them because this is their first time visiting the Realm of Dreams in this manner. I didn't want to cause them any sort of mental harm, however, I would like to check in with them to make sure that they're alright." Tabbitha gets to her feet and the two of them meet up with the others who were fine for the most part, but were a little tired. Jonathan Teufelshund and Yoshi Swiftpaw both had massive headaches, but Tinami Deathlight seemed to be fine. Starlight treated each of them and made sure that they were in good shape for the event's that were planned for the day.
They all do some early morning training, before going to the dining hall for breakfast where they refuel before the graduation ceremony. Wise Bird, the Grand Master Hunter of the Academy, stands before a large group of promising youth hoping to be the ones that are graduating. He makes a speech before calling up the graduating Hunters which included Tabbitha and her team, before giving them their Hunter Licenses. Each one was also given a Hunter's Insignia in the form of a Ring to signify that they were Pirate Hunters. The majority of new hunters wore it on their fingers whereas when Starlight received hers it was put on her right horn. As Wise Bird gave Starlight her Hunter's Insignia he quietly said to them, "You're hunters now. Regardless of how the rest of the counsel feels about it. Take good care of your teams, and stay clear of the Draken Pirates. They're very dangerous. They may not harm you, but you'll not be in good company if you're captured." Once the ceremony was over they celebrated becoming official Pirate Hunters for the Galactic Alliance. Starlight felt apprehensive because of what Wise Bird said to them, and it made her very uneasy about what was to come.
Tabbitha couldn't help picking up on Starlight's worries and said, "everything is going to be alright, sis. We're hunters now. More then that we are Nova Team. We chose that name together, which makes the five of us as close to family as Hunters come. We just need to look out for each other and not get in over our heads and we'll be fine. Besides, now that we're hunters we can look for those shards that Gray Wing was talking about."
"That may be true, but Gray Wing also said to stay clear of the Draken Pirates." Said Starlight remembering everything that she's heard about what happened with the other drakes so long ago. "If they have even one of the shards then collecting them all is going to be difficult to say the least. If they have all of them then… Retrieving them is going to be impossible without at least one of us being captured in the process."
"I understand, Jewel." Said Tabbitha, trying her best to reassure Starlight that everything would work out in the end. "We won't go after any Sun Shards without a solid plan. Especially if they're in the possession of the Draken Pirates." This made Starlight smile, clearly feeling better about the events to come, and joined in on the celebration.