Chapter 76

Emeralds POV

I jumped into Jeremy’s arms after hearing that huge thud. My mom jumped into my dad’s. I was scared. He held me tight until my dad said, “It’s just the Nightmares. They must have heard you were back and wanted to come see for themselves.”

“What?” I asked as my dad went outside as if nothing was strange about it.

Topaz stayed just inside the doorway, staring in shock at the creatures.

“Hey guys.” My dad said in greeting.

I slowly followed behind Jeremy because even he was nervous. We have never seen these creatures before.

The creature made a strange sound. It almost sounded like a squeal mixed with a roar of some sort.

“Yes, she is here. You have heard correct.” He said.

I couldn’t believe he knew what it said. That he could communicate with the Nightmares back and forth.

Jeremy stopped when he hit the doorway in shock.

On the grassy part of the back yard sat three humongous creatures. One was blue, but all different shades of blue. It had scales that were shiny and reflective then had some that were dark as night. The scales reminded me of a dragon as well as the size and the wings it had. They were huge but right now were folded up along the back of its body tucked in. The claws were huge jutting out from its front and back legs. They were white and super sharp. There was a mane just like a lion around the head made up of hair that appeared so soft. It looked like as if somebody had recently brushed it. It was shiny and a lighter blue than the rest of its body. The face had no ears from what I could see, but a tiny hole on either side of its head. Then the eyes were huge and diamond shaped with a black iris, blue eye and a black ring around it. The snout was large with two small holes at the end for their nose. When suddenly the creature opened its mouth to suddenly make a loud, high pitched squealing noise at the sky, I was able to see that the mouth had very sharp teeth, and two rows of them with bigger pointed ones on front and smaller ones in the back. It also blew out a puff of smoke from its mouth.

The other two sat there quietly. One was a bright bubble gum pink and the other one was a dark purple which almost appeared black. The purple one lifted it’s back leg and scratched at it’s head almost like a dog scratching at it’s ear.

My dad said, “Relax. I said she has returned but I didn’t say for how long did I?”

“They can understand you?” I asked as I slowly stepped out from

behind Jeremy.

“Yes. Since I created them, I am one of the only ones to understand them. You know how as well or at least you used to. I guess lien with your memories they might have to come back slowly.” He said shrugging.

“How do you know do they are boy or girl? What are their names?” I asked.

“Well this blue one in the middle is a boy. It is one of the oldest ones even though it does not look it. The other two are younger and both females.” He said.

“Wow, they look cool.” I said. I was nervous and hesitant. I think they could sense it but luckily instead of them becoming standoffish they actually stayed perfectly still.

That was until pink and purple one though that was taking too long.

The purple one came to stand next to the pink one making huge foot prints in the ground with how big they were. She sat next to the pink one on her other side and laid down. Then pink one then followed suit and gave most a weird a sigh sound.

My dad said, “They are basically showing you that they pose no threat. Like I said they do not attack without my command. Only I know that word so they will do no harm and pose no threat.”

I nodded.

I squeezed Jeremy’s hand for reassurance as I felt him tug on me telling me no don’t do it. I nodded at him showing him that it is okay. That I’m a big girl and I wanted to reach out and touch the pink and purple one.

Even though their eyes were on the side of their head I knew they could see me and sense me walking baby steps closer to them.

“They can see everything in there surrounding area even though it may not seem like it. They can sense changes in the weather, atmosphere, people. I wanted to make sure that they knew who to protect and safeguard and who not to. They are very smart creatures. Surprisingly for my first attempt at these creatures I did an amazing job with them. Training was a little harder especially because my original done was so stubborn, kind of like me that it took some time. But I was able to do it and since then it was a breeze for them to have certain attributes.” Dad explained.

“Where is the original one? Is it still alive?” Asked Jeremy curiosity getting the better of him.

“It is. They can live for a very long while. Unfortunately not eternally like we can. They are still animal like creatures after all. But they can live a very long time.” Said Chad.

I slowly but tentatively touched the head of the purple one first. The scales surprisingly instead of feeling cold and slimy like I thought they would for whatever reason, felt the complete opposite. They were warm to the touch and not slimy at all. They were very smooth. The scales were even more shiny and reflective up close. They had different colors of purple to each and every scale which made every single one unique.

This one didn’t move as I touched her.

As I touched her memories came back to me. In one I was riding on the back of one. I couldn’t tell if it was this one or a different one but it was dark in color. Another time I was asleep on the back of one lazing around in the backyard. Another one I was in a cave with one playing with a ball.

“I played a lot with these creatures growing up, didn’t I?” I asked dad.

“Yes. Very much so you did. I remember there was one in particular where I told you that I did not want you riding when you were younger because you had a small cold. Even though you hardly ever caught anything and it was very rare, you still caught a touch of a few illnesses here or there. I remember I told you specifically you could not go out and play because I did not want you feeling worse. You did not listen to me. You went out and called her over to come and get you. The purple one you had named—“ he explained.

“Pixie.” I interrupted.

“That is correct. You named her Pixie.” My dad said proudly. He seemed happy that I was remembering things. “She came and got you and took you back to her cavern. I was so upset to find you gone. But I knew you were safe. Pixie’s dad which is my original one let out a cry and I knew that she had taken you back with her. Their cries and sounds can be heard to certain people for miles. Once I came to get you which was within a few minutes after realizing you had disobeyed me. I found you fast asleep against Pixie. I knew you did not feel good that day. But you are so stubborn here or there.” He explained.

“Did I disobey you a lot?” I asked as I still rubbed her snout.

“No. Hardly ever. You were a very smart baby. Usually if I told you something was dangerous you automatically listened. I hardly ever had to tell you something twice.” He explained.

“That’s good to know.” I said.

Jeremy came over and started to finally let the purple one as he saw it didn’t harm me at all.

“The good thing about Nightmares is that they can tell when you are soulmates. So they know automatically not to harm the other and to protect them with their life.” Dad said.

“That’s good to know.” I said as Jeremy seemed pleased with himself that he was petting the creature too.