Chapter 30

Santa Monica Mountains, California, United States

Because the mountainside was so densely covered in trees and brand new vegetation, Emperor was forced to land in a clearing a little way off from where he thought the crash site was located.

"We'll just have to hike in," Gen said, sliding down the side of her dragon. When on the ground, she turned to help Faraday dismount. Then she remembered that he was a squirrel and could climb trees and jump between branches with ease. The nimble little guy sprang off the side of the dragon's back, gracefully landing in high grass—nearly disappearing.

"It's simply fascinating the more that I learn about this meteor," Faraday said in an excited voice, adjusting his bag on his back and bounding forward to join Gen. "I deduced that it could grow diamonds based on its composition, but now it makes even more sense that it can grow anything like trees, rocks or any other resource that we needed."

"Like treacherous ones if in the wrong hands," Emperor related.

"Exactly," Faraday stated. "So we will just have to be responsible with it and hopefully that intention will help us to get it from the aliens."

"Let's hope," Gen said, looking up a steep hill that was the general vicinity of the crater site. However, it was a large and dense area and would take a long time to explore if they didn't know where to go specifically.

"I'm getting another communication," Faraday said, pressing on his earpiece more firmly. "It says: ‘When the ground beneath your feet turns to ash, and the air carries a sulfurous blast. You'll know you're near the star's final rest, where its shattered heart lies in the mountain's breast.'"

"That's somewhat helpful," Gen replied. "But also, that could require us covering a lot of land."

Emperor shook his head. "No, I think that we can allow the temperature of the ground and our noses to guide us. It sounds like we're looking for something related to volcanic activity."

"Good call." Faraday reached down, grabbing a bit of dirt and sniffing it. "This area is clean."

"It is," the purple dragon agreed. "But I'm sensing a major heat source to the southeast. I say we head that way."

Gen held out her hand. "Lead the way. You're much more connected to the earth than I am."

"That's because I'm barefoot," he retorted.

"Is that your way of asking for some shoes?" Gen teased. "I bet that Jeremy Bearimy and Juergen would make you some cool shoes."

Her dragon glared back at her, having taken off in the lead. "I won't wear shoes…or anything else. Dragons are meant to be free besides from their riders' saddles."

Gen smirked. "Fine, no shoes for you then. I'd probably have to tie them for you, anyway."

The group started forward, climbing over thick vines and negotiating through dense plant-covered areas. Emperor had to knock down new trees several times to clear his path. He made it look easy, swiping his claws at the thick vegetation, knocking it to the side.

Faraday had the easiest time of it, skirting under the plants, disappearing for a moment before surfacing again ahead. However, after a few minutes, the squirrel began sneezing violently, one after the other.

"Are you okay?" Gen asked, thinking that he was having an attack of some sort.

He nodded, sniffing. "Yes, it's just that I'm allergic to pollen, flowers, trees and dirt. Oh, and peanuts."

Gen laughed. "You're like the weirdest squirrel ever."

"I'm not a squirrel, remember?" he said, climbing up on Emperor's back when the dragon offered his wing, the gesture indicating that he could have a ride. When Faraday was back in the saddle, he looked down at Gen. "As a man, I was allergic to pretty much everything. When I became a squirrel, nothing changed."

"I see," Gen consoled. "Well, hopefully we're getting closer and being up high on Emperor will help."

"We're definitely close," Emperor said, looking ahead.

Gen and Faraday followed his line of sight, seeing what caught his attention. The dragon was right, they had arrived at the meteor site based on the way the ground was smoking, sending wisps of sulfur and ash into the air.