They say when you read a book, it's like entering another world. 6 months ago, I found myself in that situation quite literally.

-

"You've gotta be kidding me."

"Nope."

"We gotta walk across that?"

"Yep."

"No handrails?"

"...Crys, think about this. It's a dino. I think it'd be crazy if it suddenly sprouted handrails on its back, saying 'Oh, lookie here--now people can walk across me just fine! Yipee-ki-yay!'"

I stuck my tongue out at my friend by my side, but was smiling all the same. Still...that did not stop the butterflies in my stomach. Standing in front of us was this seriously, huge brachiosaurus. I'm not kidding. It was gigantic. Its feet were firmly planted in the ocean floor (I have no clue how deep that lake is--but for those of you who don't know where we are by now, we are now out of the jungle, and in this large gulf of some sort. A lot of fat, fat pillars and islands were here and there, with grass growing plentifully on each--speaking of which, the brachiosaurus had its back to us as its head was dipped down onto such an island, munching away). It didn't mind our presence. Thank God it was an herbivore.

Unfortunately, the only way to be going somewhere without getting ourselves back lost in the jungle again was to cross this dino's back--our transport to the next island.

I didn't want to do this. Balance was not my forte.

"Come on!" Zil waved a hand at me as she strode forward towards its tail that lay on the promontory we stood on. "Let's get going while it doesn't notice!"

I wanted to tell her that I seriously doubted that we'd seem like harmless little flies to this gigantic beast, but my voice was lost again as I nodded numbly in return, following her as she stepped tentatively on its tail. Seeing no reaction from the dino, Zil then put her other foot on it. Then she walked onward, arms spread out, and deeming the dangerous trek safe.

Um...sure...

Finally, I followed her. And things seemed to go well. Its back was especially easy--large, and rotund in shape. It was the neck that was the difficult part. As soon as Zil put one foot on the base of the brachiosaurus' neck, it's head shot up out of the water--and I could feel its bones shift beneath my sneakers in sync with the sudden reaction. I almost lost balance.

"Zil!" I cried--at first because of my own panic and call for help, but then I saw her start to slowly slip off the dinosaur. Oh....oh please not again...

Luckily, her arms shot out, and she bent her body over, hands clawing for scales to grab onto. I suppose it was similar to climbing up a slide, however--her hands seemed to stick enough to the dino's back and she managed to scramble her way back up to safety. I hurried over to her, and knelt down beside her.

"You okay?" was the first thing out of my mouth.

And the only reply I received was a classic groan. "I think I just about have the worst luck for near-death situations."

I tossed my head back and laughed. "I won't disagree there." Then, holding my hand out for her to grab, we stood back up and looked up at the dinosaur's head. So it seemed the sudden movement wasn't to shake us off it's back--but instead, the beast was actually helping us...?

Puzzling, yes. But that's the way it seemed. It's muzzle lied peacefully on a high, grassy cliff above, which lead to yet another forest. And it did nothing but sit there, blinking and waiting patiently. Patiently for us?

"Awww..." Zil cooed. "It's so nice~"

I turned and looked at her strangely. Now I don't know about you, but at that moment, I was deeply, deeply confused. I once read in a school magazine an article about animal intelligence. The only time they have ever shown such kindness to people--or such annoyance, in some cases--was if for personal benefit.

So what benefit would this dinosaur have by allowing us to travel to the next forest? How did it even know that's where we were headed, anyway?

"Come on, Crys! What're ya waitin' for?" Zil chided playfully--already beginning to climb up the dinosaur's neck using the dull blades like a ladder.

I blinked, furrowed my eyebrows, then followed. I wouldn't allow this situation to go to waste, understand me, here. But I'm also thoroughly curious. This was a strange world, A Thousand and One Nights. When--and if--I returned to Earth, I will definitely pick it up for a read. Ancient fiction or not.

Once at the top and on safe land, Zil and I turned around to the dinosaur, who's head still sat there in the grass contentedly. Zil then squatted down in front of its nose, and patted it, smiling widely.

"Thanks, buddy," she murmured. I couldn't help but smile, and place my hands on my hips as I watched them.

And yet somehow, the beast seemed to understand her. It made a loud but low, grumbling but whining sound, and then slowly pulled its head away to once again resume its lunch.

Standing back up, Zil tensed with anxiety, shaking her clenched fists enthusiastically. "He's so cute~!"

I couldn't help but laugh once more. "He is, isn't he?"

"We should name him."

I gave her a skeptical look. "Zil, we probably won't see him again."

"So?" she whined. "Please, Crys? Can't we name him? Please? He deserves that much, don't you think?"

I opened my mouth to object, but I couldn't find it in my heart to do so. I smiled widely instead. "All right. What shall we name him?"

"Yes!" Zil cheered, then regained all seriousness, bending over the cliff to observe our new 'friend.' "Something cute--like him. Like...Squash?"

"Squash?" I scrunched my face up, but so amused--I laughed once more. "Why in the world 'Squash'?"

"Because he's orange...and squash is orange, right?"

"It'd be like naming him pumpkin."

"That's stupid."

"So's 'Squash.'"

"Is not!"

I shook my head, smiling. "Just pick something."

"...I still like 'Squash'..."

I couldn't believe it. "Fine. We'll name him 'Squash.'" It was so absurd--but so Zil, it fit somehow. After having unceremoniously dubbed the dinosaur, I joined her in bending over the cliff to observe our buddy. And I thought...maybe Zil was right. In some...weird...way, Squash was cute.

I stood up, content, and pat her back abruptly. "Well...let's keep searching and leave Squash to his meal."

Zil stood, saluting, but glanced back at the dinosaur out of the corner of her eye. "Aye-aye!"

I smiled, waiting for her to say her mental good-byes to the dinosaur, and once she was finished, we trudged on. Yet another memory that I could put in my mental scrapbook of this strange, terrifying, yet somehow wonderful adventure.

But back to finding Sonic and Shahra...

-

Things didn't start out small. The adventure exploded unto us--as did everything else. All the conflicts, all the troubles...we had no say. They were just suddenly there.

-

"Sonic!"

"Shahra!"

"Sonic!"

"Shaaaaaaaaaahraaaaaaaaaa!"

Our calls didn't end, even though me and Zil were pretty sure it was about midnight, by now. We were dead tired—having not stopped walking ever since meeting Squash. Although, we were probably making the situation we were in worse by wondering around aimlessly…but that didn't really matter to us. I could swear we must've been like zombies then. Exhausted, voices hoarse, and hungry—considering our last meal was breakfast, and lunch skipped because we were being pulled along by a river…and dinner not even thought of, since both me and Zil didn't know a thing about what you can and can't eat in a jungle…

There was a light thud beside me, and I stopped walking, turning to see what had happened. Zil had fallen to her knees. Softly, I knelt beside her, asking, "Zil, what's wrong?"

The response I got was a quite whine. "I'm tired…can't we just sleep here for the night?"

I thought about this for a moment. It was possible…we could create a makeshift shelter and just sleep for a little bit—

Okay…never mind. Just as those thoughts were running through my head, Zil had laid down fully on the grassy floor, then curled up into a ball and fell asleep soundly.

I smiled slightly. Well, we weren't in a terrible position. Sure, we were lost. Sure, we were hungry. Sure, we were exhausted. But we weren't dying. And Zil had the right idea. We should definitely get some rest—that would take care of the exhaustion. As for hunger…eh, we should be able to survive for a little longer. It wasn't like we were starving. As for being lost, perhaps when we wake up, we'll find them. Who knows? Maybe they'll find us while we're sleeping, and then—

And then, my mind and body shut down as I lied down, asleep as soon as my head hit the rainforest floor—quite literally.

-

I was such an overdramatic child then. I cried at nearly the littlest thing, screamed at the smallest ant, and quaked in front of the weakest foe. Yet somehow, I was needed. We all were.

-

When I first awoke the next morning, the strongest sensation overcame my heart. I wanted Sonic and Shahra back. It wasn't right anymore without them--me and Zil needed them back.

This resolve of mine was so strong and immediate at first, but a minute later and it instantly quailed. So there I sat on my knees, in the middle of dinosaur jungle--my one and only companion slumbering at my right--and the quickest-answered prayer I ever had. I was scared, I was lonely...but part of it was the adventure didn't seem right without them. They were the key part in it, after all. We needed them.

But a faint voice in the back of my head whispered, "Do they need you...?"

"Crys!"

My head snapped up at the call, and all at once, Sonic and Shahra--along with a strong burst of wind--stood in front of me, faces filled with worry and yet with relief. I couldn't believe it. Such an instantaneous answer to my prayer! Praise God!

My heart leaped as I leaned forward and hugged Sonic tightly. Somehow, my arms found their way around him without getting prodded with his spikes--but I didn't really register that. I was just so glad they had found us.

"Whoa!" Sonic laughed, putting a gloved hand on my back. "Missed me, huh?"

"Where were you guys? What happened?" My mind was buzzing--I couldn't really make sense of the situation. But they were back. Being half-a-day away from them will have this affect on you, readers--I tell the truth.

"When we noticed the t-rex begin to focus on you, we decided to distract it so you could escape," Shahra explained. Her face took on a faint shade of pink as she added, "Our plan didn't succeed like it was supposed to...but we were able to direct it away. It shouldn't bother us anymore during our travel to Evil Foundry."

Now having released Sonic from my grip, I felt my shoulders sag with relief. "Thank you...you saved me and Zil." With a smile, I added, "How did you guys find us, anyway?"

"You aren't far from where we originally were with the t-rex."

I blinked at this new proposition the genie gave me. "...really? Me and Zil have been walking non-stop since then. I figured we'd be pretty far. We actually broke free of the forest for a bit..."

Sonic tapped his foot, scratching his quills. "Maybe you walked in a circle or something."

Once again, my shoulders sagged--but this time, it was with dismay. "That's no good..."

"Cheer-up. Ain't that bad. A little walking won't do you harm," Sonic smiled. His foot still tapped, though, and I will admit--it is a tad annoying.

I stood up then, stretching. "Well...at least we can be fairies now. Maybe we'll get out of the jungle quicker."

Sonic nodded, then smirked. "My thoughts exactly."

I smiled, and then after awaking a very irritated Zil, Shahra changed us to our fairy forms. And still in early morning, we were off.

Along the travel, Sonic explained to us that he and Shahra had also found another world ring--a green one, this time. Again, me and Zil exchanged glances. This journey was going by fast--two world rings already, and we were only on the third day. But I suppose with Sonic around, something like that would happen, wouldn't it?

"...Sonic...Sonic, I'm tired."

Sonic glanced at the glowing light purple ball beside his face before continuing to look forward, keeping a careful eye out for enemies. "We should be almost out--forest's gettin' thinner."

"I know...but I'm tired."

"Whaddya expect me to do?"

"I don't know...can I sit on your shoulder or something?"

Shahra seemed a little startled at the idea--it was evident in the way her color lit up for a split second. "Zil, his spines could easily get to you from there. When he's running, they do fly around wildly."

"Not when he reaches over 80 miles per hour."

Now it was my turn to be startled. I stared at Zil strangely--even though she couldn't see my expression. "Since when did you have a speedometer in your head?"

"I'm gifted~"

I rolled my eyes, restraining a laugh. But Shahra, on the other hand, seemed interested. "Really? You can truly tell what speed Sonic's running at?"

I shook my head, beginning to intervene. "Shahra, she's not meaning literally--"

"Yeah, I can tell."

I blinked at Zil. "Zil--"

"No, really, Crys! I'm being serious this time! I can tell how fast Sonic's going!"

Sonic smirked. "That's cool."

I blinked, ignoring the hedgehog for the moment. "Shahra, is that possible...?"

Shahra bobbed up and down in an undeniable 'yes.' "Actually, it is. Fairies can have special senses unique to only them--remember how we can sense enemies?" I nodded--then bobbed, remembering she couldn't see my body movements--and she continued. "In the same way, some fairies have special senses for other things. Fairies more adapt to the wind element can tell speed, air pressure, upcoming weather, and such. Fairies more adapt to the fire element can tell temperature, and rare ones have the ability of telepathy--or in some cases, just knowing if a person is telling the truth, or if they have harmful intentions to another. Fairies more adapt to the water element can tell depth, have an exceedingly strong sense of hearing, and can tell exactly where a sound is coming from. Fairies more in tune with earth can tell where an object is--no matter if they can see it or not or how far away it is, and in some very rare cases, can sense death or the birth of new life."

Now it was Sonic's turn to be startled. "Whoa...now we're talkin' ultra-cool."

Zil buzzed around in a circle. "So I'm more adapt to the wind? Sweet!" she cheered.

Shahra bobbed again. "Although not all fairies have these abilities; there are the neutral ones--such as myself."

I thought a moment. "...I supposed I'm neutral, too. It's not like I have heightened senses or anything after becoming a fairy." And I'll be honest--I was a bit disappointed. Being more particular to a certain element sounded exciting--and not to mention, special. I already knew I was practically a mediocre kind of person in this adventure--my shade of gold revealed to that. I had a small hope, then, about being in tune to an element; at least something like earth sounded really cool. How awesome would it be to acquire the sense of when someone was going to die--or when new life was going to come?

Shahra seemed to notice my little dismayed spirit, because next she said, "Don't be completely sorrowful about this. Never forget--you're an explorer, Crystal. Over time, you might develop an adaption to an element. It's happened before."

I smiled slightly. I was thankful for her encouragement--I really was. Shahra was like a doting mother. "But I can't leave you alone in the group of 'neutrals.' And really, I'm content with being that. It's okay."

Somehow, I could tell Shahra was smiling back. "I'm a ring genie. I can change my adaption to an element. Don't worry about leaving me alone in that field."

I sighed, and waved a hand--although she couldn't see. "Well...either way, it'll be okay. Whatever happens, happens. Element or no element."

Shahra buzzed in a circle around me comfortingly, before refocusing on travelling beside our hedgehog companion. I looked up at Zil, and couldn't tell if she was looking at me or not--but it felt like she was. Averting my glance, I looked on the path ahead as well, trying to keep my mind from focusing on my own self-pity. I tended to wallow in that too much. Way too much, especially on this journey.

Thankfully, Zil offered me the change of subject that I needed.

"So...Sonic, can I ride on your shoulder?"

-

Author's Notes: Da Cougar here. Sorry for the long wait for this chapter! I know it won't thrill all of you so much--and I apologize for that! I really do! But next chapter, our group will be out of Dinosaur Jungle and diving into Evil Foundry--Ifrit awaiting~ Wa-ha~ Fun fun fun...