I've recently learned that I don't like machines. I don't think I could ever be part of the Tech element like Sprocket is. Nope, Undead all the way for me... don't ask me why I'm not Life, I really don't know.

Ever since I met Sprocket and she forced me into some sort of clinic, some weird wombat thing keeps looking at me and writing stuff down, along with asking me questions. I don't bother to answer, instead inspecting my claws as though they're the most interesting things in the world.

When he touches me I shoot a cyan shockwave at him. He shrieks, now scared thanks to the manipulation, and runs off. I snicker.

"Okaaay..." Sprocket said. "That'll teach him to keep his paws off me," I shrug. "He's not hurt or anything. Just scared."

Sprocket nods. "What are your powers then?" "Aura wielding and manipulation," I reply. "All I did just then was manipulate his aura a little to cause a bit of fear. Scare him off of me, you know?"

"I get it," she nodded. "But he really didn't mean any harm." "Oh I know, I just don't like strangers grabbing at me if you can believe it," I point out. "What can I say to that?" She chuckles.

"Right, so you look fine, except you're covered in bruising and scars and stuff under your scales. How did that happen?" "Fights," I reply. "They're good fun."

Sprocket, Eon and all of Spyro's group (they'd come in to watch) seemed surprised. "What... kind of fights?" Sprocket asked reproachfully. "Training," I answer. They all feel relieved after that.

"Right, I think we can do something about this, but you'll need to rest up afterwards, okay?"

"No can do," I state. "Rest is a luxury I can't afford. I've got my training to do." "But you can't train if you're hurt," Sprocket pointed out. "It's not all just plain fights," I shrug. "You can't fight all the time. Sometimes it's a battle of the mind."

"I guess," she was confused, but I couldn't be bothered to say anything else about it. "Right, so when can I get going? I'm late for my training."

"Who do you train with, then?" Sprocket asks. "Some of my training involves some stuff only I can do, so I train alone," I explain. "I can't be bothered to let someone else try and keep up when they just can't."

"Well why don't we train together some time?" The elf offers. "I'm sure I could keep up."

I laugh. "Feeling threatened, are we? Oh! But don't forget the nerves! Let me guess; you think I'm going to try and kill you over your habit of riding me like a donkey. Metaphorically kill, of course."

They all look at me in various stages of amusement, shock or - in the elf's case - annoyance. "Oh please, I could've said worse," I roll my eyes. "Actually, I should probably go before I do. Goodbye!"

I move for the door, but Spyro uses his tail to knock it shut. "Nice try."

I grunt. "Jerk." "I'll take it," he shrugs. "I've been called worse." "You will be called worse if I'm around you much longer," I mutter under my breath.

"So why can't she just go?" The elf asks. "I second that," I say. "Because she's in no condition to be out there," Sprocket said sternly. "Stealth Elf, if Spyro or Eruptor or anyone else was covered from head to toe in bruises and scars, would you send them out?"

The elf sighed, her ears drooping a little. "No, you're right. I wouldn't. I'm sorry." She's trying so hard to mean it. She genuinely is. But I'm the only one who can force emotions. I decide to pretend I believe that she's for real since she really is making the effort. "No problem. You're not the worst person I've come across."

I look to Sprocket. "But seriously, I'm fine. I've got my training to get back to. I can't put all that on pause just because of a few old wounds I don't even feel."

"Look, you don't exactly have a choice," Sprocket tried to reason with me. "Besides, have you ever thought that if you're not letting yourself get healed, you'll have to miss out on more training later on due to getting that healed? That would just take much longer. This is the quickest and easiest way."

I sigh irritably. "Fine, fine, whatever. But I reserve the right to complain." "Agreed!" She nods. "I'll make sure everything's set up!" I watch her fiddle about with more machines. Great.

"Alright, lay down," Sprocket advices. "We're gonna put you under for this because it would be pretty painful otherwise. Just relax. Once you're up again, don't get up."

"Wonderful," I sigh. She then drags a machine over me before she holds a rubber thing over my snout, causing me to inhale gas and fall asleep.

~•~

When I wake up again, I'm still drowsy and a horrid ache is covering my body like a blanket of sharpened thorns, but at least I don't have the headache this time. I sense my surroundings with my powers, realising I'm still in the same clinic place as before. Sprocket is still here and that wombat thing is back, albeit a little cautious of me. I suppress a smirk despite the weakness and pain and begin to listen in on their conversation.

"... right?"

"Everything's looking good, Hugo. She'll be fine. A lot of the wounds have sorted themselves out. We might have to do this one more time just to clear everything up, but we can't do it right now, it would be too dangerous."

"She's not going to like the news."

"No, but I'm afraid she doesn't have much of a choice in the matter. We can always let her try some target practice once she's well enough to, but until then we'll need to find another excuse to keep her around. We need to monitor her."

"Hm... we could set her on rounding up sheep."

"Does she look like a sheepdog to you?"

Thanks, Sprocket.

"I'm just saying, we might as well make her useful if she's going to be stuck here."

"Hugo, she's not going to be used to herd sheep. Now think; what would she be interested in doing that wouldn't involve too much action for her?"

...

"Ooh! I know! Do you think she likes books?"

"Uh... I don't know, Hugo."

"No, I mean books about battle strategies or past wars or something like that!"

"Why would we give a potential enemy ideas on how to attack us from right under our noses?!"

"Why would we help save the life of a potential enemy?"

...

"Good point."

Wait, save my life?