Disclaimer: I own nothing except my characters. Other canon characters are owned by their respective companies.

Exclaimer: To people who don't like the story, just don't read it.

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Legacy of Legends

Chapter 26

Resolution

Night had now fallen, and the residents of the dragon city were turning in for the night. The moon had now risen, and it was becoming quite late. The Fire Guardian, walked down the halls, a puzzled expression on her face. She was looking for someone out of curiosity. She had not seen him all afternoon. Walking around the corner, she happened to pass by Flame.

"Flame," she called out.
"Oh, Flare, what is it?" he asked.
"Have you seen Volteer? I haven't seen him all afternoon. Did something happen?"
The fire dragon shook his head. "I don't think so. Have you tried checking the Dining Hall?"
"Hmm…No, I haven't. I'll take your advice then."
Flame smiled. "You're welcome."

Flare continued on her path, heading to the Dining Hall. Nothing happened as it seemed. Then where was Volteer? Normally, she would see him at the library, or at the Temple Grounds. But she didn't. Maybe his absence had a connection to his behavior yesterday. Ever since Flare had talked with Pyrus, he started acting…odd. Flare thought of the possibilities as she walked. Then again, maybe she was thinking too hard.

Regardless, she continued her pondering up until she rounded around the corner, and entered the Dining Hall. The Dining Hall was fairly empty. Except for a few moles here and there, fixing and cleaning the place up. Terrador was there, eating by himself, along with Zaze, who seemed to be in deep thought. Flare stopped for a moment. Zaze; the electric dragon was usually found alongside Volteer. Maybe he knew where the Guardian was.

"Zaze," she called out.
Zaze however didn't respond. He just kept still, sitting there silently, his eyes closed.
"Zaze," she said, a bit louder this time.
Zaze looked up, and faced her.
"Oh, uh, Flare, what is it?" he asked, looking at her.
"Have you seen Volteer?"

Zaze sighed. This told Flare that he had an idea where he was.

"I haven't seen him all afternoon. I was too busy sparring with Pyrus. Did you see him by any chance?"
"Well I—wait." Zaze snapped to attention, turning to face her. "You were sparring?"
The sudden change in demeanor surprised Flare. "I-I was. Why?"
"With Pyrus? Like, he asked you for a rematch? Because he lost the Ascension Competition?"
Flare stared at Zaze. "How did you know that?"
Zaze blinked. He was beginning to sound smart again. "Now's not the time. And yes, I do know where he is."
"Oh, you do? Where is he?"
"He's at his room."
"Are you sure?" Flare asked.
"Yeah, go, please." Zaze then murmured the latter more to himself. "Make this easier for both of you."
"What was that?" Flare thought she heard him say something more.
"Oh nothing."
Flare raised her brow, but nonetheless left.

As Flare left, another dragon entered the room. It was Cyril, the Ice Guardian, and he had a smile on himself.

"What's up?" Zaze asked, as he neared him.
"Well, it's just purely great Zaze," Cyril replied.
"Why? What's going on?"
"Do you remember Pyre?"
"Pyre…?' Zaze thought for a moment, trying to remember the name. "Oh! Flame's father! Why?"
"Do you remember that he set out to find other surviving dragons?"

0 = 0 = 0

"It's sad though…dad has to leave."
"Huh? Why?" Pyre was leaving?
"They have to go back. Fix a few things back at the old place. I guess it can't be helped. Plus they also volunteered, and a couple of others to help in finding other dragons out there."
"Why don't you go with him them if you rather stick with him?"
Flame stared at Zaze. "My dad told me I'd rather stay here. He doesn't want me getting hurt or anything."

0 = 0 = 0

"Yeah, I do. I heard about it during the party," Zaze replied.
"Then I am happy to say that Pyre just sent us letter. The cheetahs had intercepted it and gladly gave us the notice that Pyre will be arriving some time early morning tomorrow."
"Oh really?" Terrador said, approaching the two.
"Yes, Terrador, so I expect all of us to be up and about early tomorrow."
"Understandable."
"So there's going to be more dragons around now here in the Temple?" Zaze asked.
"In a manner of speaking, yes; not all of them will be living here though; just those that prefer it here."
"I guess so."

0 0 0 0 0

He stared down at the floor, feeling…empty.

He was confused. It just…didn't seem all too fair for him. That was the moment. He was going to take a leap of fate and just give it all his best. And it was taken away from him. Just like that. A part of him died when he saw them in the position they were in. Then again, who could blame them? For all he knew he and she already had a prior relationship and the spark just kind of rekindled.

He sighed. Maybe he was just at the wrong place at the wrong time; or just plain wrong.

Whichever the case was, one thing was quite clear in Volteer's mind. He was never going to love again. It hurt too much. His heart could no longer bear the pang of the pain. Volteer just felt contented to lie down there, wishing to just slowly disappear from the Dragon Realms. Wishing to be back at the time, when things were a lot different. Wishing…he had acted sooner. He didn't bother wiping the tears that slowly streamed down his eyes. That was the only thing easing his pain. Closing his eyes, Volteer waited for sleep to come to him. To put him to rest, and at least temporarily stop the pain that was coming from his chest.

Volteer was so lost in his flood of emotions; he didn't even notice the door opening behind him.

"Volteer…?"

He knew the owner of the voice. Wiping away the tears discreetly, he didn't bother turning his head to face her. He just lied there on the pile of cushions.

"Y-yes…? What is it?"
"Volteer? Are you okay?"
He didn't answer. Flare thought for a moment, before deciding to enter the room. The door closed behind her, as she slowly padded over to him.
"…Volteer?" she asked with a tone of concern. "Did something happen?"

He didn't stir. He just lied there, motionless. Flare sighed. She knew Volteer long enough to know what was going on with him. Volteer rarely clammed up like this. Usually he was always up and about, chitty chatty. But when he clammed up, it usually was when he was serious…or when something was deeply troubling him.

"Come on…you can tell me," she said, standing near him now.

However, the response she got was something she completely didn't expect.

"Shouldn't you be with Pyrus?" Volteer replied. He sat up, and turned to face her. Flare cocked her head to the side as she saw Volteer's eye. They were slightly red. He had been crying. And what's this about Pyrus?
"And leave you here in pieces?"
"Well…" Volteer avoided her gaze. "I just don't want him to think that…you know…"
Flare raised her brow. "Know what?"
"That I'm taking up your time. He is courting you right?"

Courting? The gears inside Flare slowly began to turn, as the pieces fell into place.
"No." She answered firmly. "What makes you think that?"
"Don't lie to me," the electric dragon said, almost sounding angry. "I saw you—"
"Saw me what?"
Volteer bit his lip. He was hesitating, but decided to just say it.
"I saw you mating with Pyrus at the Training Dojo."

Flare blinked. That definitely caught her off guard. A flurry of thoughts crossed her mind, but one thing was clearly blatant amongst them.

"What?"
"You heard me."
Flare's brow furrowed, displaying her confusion. "I-me-Pyrus-what are you talking about? I wasn't mating. Let alone with Pyrus."
This time, it was Volteer's turn to be confused. "But I saw you at the training dojo…on the floor…"

The memory inside Flare's head clicked as she realized what he was referring to.

0 = 0 = 0

She crashed down the floor, with a loud thud, completely out of commission. The male landed on top of her, panting and tired, but was clearly brimming with more energy if need be. He was basically pinning her to the ground, incapacitating her. For a moment, the two were in that position. Not caring what there position would imply to an outsider who happened to glance at them. The door to the Training Dojo was closed anyway.

0 = 0 = 0

"Oh! That?" she replied. "That was me crashing down the floor. Pyrus really gave it his all."
"You mean, you two were just—"
"To make things clear, Pyrus was here for one definite reason. He wanted a rematch. He respects the decision you guys made, but he thought it was a bit unfair that he lost to me because he got out of bounds. You know, with pride and everything. So I accepted his challenge and…I lost. I smacked hard down the floor and he had to pin me to ensure his victory. There was nothing sexual in it whatsoever."

Volteer looked dumbstruck. No, for the better word, he WAS dumbstruck. The explanation he got felt like a smack to the face. He was never the type to jump to conclusions but this time he did; and he jumped high. Something deep inside himself told him that he was going to pay for this in some way.

"Were you crying because of...I was mating? Why?" Flare asked.
"I-I wasn't crying." Volteer looked away. "There was something in my eye."
Flare glared at him. "Really?" she asked sarcastically.
Volteer huffed. "Okay, maybe I was."
"But why would you be—"

That was when it dawned on her. Why Volteer was acting the way he was. Why he was crying; the reason for everything. It was really simple.

She looked at Volteer, as if seeing him in a new light. "Y-you were jealous, weren't you?"

Volteer looked away, unable to look her in the eye. This only confirmed Flare's suspicions. Volteer sighed. The jig was up. He let his emotions get the better of him. And now, Flare got the gist of it and realized that he had feelings for her. Well now was the best time to come clean. Still looking at the floor, he answered her.

"…yes. I was…"

Flare didn't know what to say. Her mind was confused and was trying to take in all the flurry of information she was getting. Her heart however was ready, and this was the chance it was waiting for. Walking over to him, she placed a wing over his shoulder. Volteer turned to face her, and for a moment, the two just felt contented to stare at each other.

"You should have told me sooner."
Volteer blinked. "Wha—"

He was cut off however as Flare stole a kiss from him. It was short, sweet and everything Volteer ever dreamed of. It made his heart feel all warm and tingly inside. After the short kiss, Flare looked at him and blushed.

"…you're not the only one…"
"Wait. Since when have you—"
"Ever since you saved me; that was when…I started having feelings for you. But I never said anything."
"Because I was already with someone else…" Volteer looked at the floor.
"Don't worry though." Volteer looked at her. "I'll wait for you; whenever you're ready."

Whenever he was ready? He smiled to himself.

"Well, I'm ready now."

And with that, Volteer leaned in and kissed her. Flare was taken by surprise, but she lovingly kissed back. One thing was clearly on Volteer's mind as they each showed how much they loved each other.

He was in love again. And this time, he wasn't going to let anything happen to the one he loved.

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Author's Notes:
Thus ends, the Volteer Social Link. I hope you guys enjoyed it.

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