“Go over.” Yuiops’s intelligent green eyes seemed to glint with something I couldn’t quite place, then decided to walk over to Kuperos. She bent down, putting her back down as if offering me a seat. I, of course, accepted, and slowly and carefully climbed on, and put my hands lightly on her neck. She accepted me, then proceeded to rise into the air.

The stars were coming out. A full moon shone above. Hello, Mensal. A voice in my head spoke. It wasn’t quite one of my thoughts, but a foreign thought, as if it had been placed there by someone else.

Hello? I responded slowly in my thoughts.

Hi, this is Kuperos, although that isn’t my name anymore. Due to us flying under the full moon together, and the feeling of trust coming from me because you saved my life, I have bonded with you. If you will bond, you may change my name and we will be partners in many more events to come. Do you accept it?

My eyes shone with excitement. Of course! Looking at her beautiful scales and her mesmerizing eyes, I asked, What powers do you hold? I will consider those when naming you.

She tilted her head, nearly knocking my grip on her neck off, then replied. I don’t want my powers to change your decision. I want you to name me.

I thought for a while, then responded, Your name is Iris Shiner. Iris represents the rainbow and shiner because of how you shine in sunlight and moonlight.

Iris Shiner dipped her head. Yes, that is my true name. Only my true bond would know that. You may call me Iris for short.

As Iris and I flew in circles, some more dragons appeared and roared (hopefully in approval) at us, but for some reason, I felt as if there was a blockage in my brain. I concentrated, then realized I could see a mental diagram. I cleared the blockage. The thoughts of every dragon around overwhelmed me, causing me to have multiple headaches. One of the thoughts was Yuiops’s. He communicated to me: From now on, I will only talk to you through this mental communication. I quickly made a blockage in my brain, only allowing Yuiops’s and Iris’s voices through.

Suddenly, all of the dragon’s voices calmed in my head. The only one I could hear now was Iris’s. We soared, and slowly, I fell asleep. I felt my back touching the ground, then fell into the dream world.