The drive home was similar to the trip over, backtracking along the same rocky roads and gullies, thought there were some differences. For one thing, with Ana the orange-speckled white dragon now in the picture there was not enough space in the van, so Bob thoughtfully volunteered to ride atop the roof.

For another thing, Alan was in incredibly good humor, with Ana besides him in the passenger’s seat, singing his praises. Despite his jaws clenched on the steering wheel and his arms and legs caught in a tangle of wires and pulleys, the coyote was grinning like an idiot.

*You’ve been so sweet to us, Alan! Driving us over to the Dragon’s Gate, helping me become a dragon-how can I repay you?*

Alan dropped the steering wheel, and the car began veering violently to the left.

*Oh it’s fine, Ana! We all need to work together to survive in this harsh desert.*

The coyote then grabbed the steering wheel again and straightened the van.

Ana threw her arms around Alan's neck and gave him a hug, followed by a peck on the chin.

*If you’d ever like to do anything, I would really be interested in getting to know you better, you sweet coyote.*

After a brief break to make sure the road ahead was straight, Alan dropped his grip on the wheel to continue the conversation.

*How about dinner at my place? What do you enjoy as a meal? I’ll sure I can find it for you!*

*That'd be nice! I enjoy scorpions.*

*Oh there’s plenty of scorpions around my place! I can set up a little pool and we can have a swim!*

*Please keep your mouth on the steering wheel.* Pooence cut in the conversation as the van arced right and threatened to topple into a sandbank. The remaining carp sloshed around in the tanks next to her.

Meanwhile Bob was hanging atop the roof, busy trying to talk to Poonence through the open window, though the swerving, rocky road kept interrupting the conversation. Even so, the green dragon was also in a great mood after the experience, while Pooence a bit more perturbed.

*Man wasn’t that a great trip?* Bob exclaimed.

Pooence looked at the green Eastern with some concern. *I’m still speechless that you came from carp, Bob.*

Bob paused. *Well there’s other ways we get dragons, Poonence...*

*Maybe this is a ‘Long’ thing, I dunno, and I kinda don’t want to think about it further.* Pooence muttered, quickly changing the subject.

*So what do you plan to do now?*

*I guess every year, I’d like to come back to La Poudre and turn more of my carp into dragons.*

Pooence frowned. *Bob, you do realize that our desert community cannot sustain multiple more dragons, right?*

Bob stopped.

*You’re right Poonence, I’m sorry.* He nodded. *I’d like to turn more of my carp into dragons, but how do you think I should go about it?*

The underwater panther gave a slight hmph in reply. *You’re learning. Well, we have a year of planning. We’ll need to find a good area where a dragon can live and not conflict with us underwater panthers or humans. It’ll probably have to be close to human settlements. Probably golf courses.*

Bob shrugged. *I’m sure we can handle that.*

*What about you?* The green dragon continued, before a bump sent his head flying upwards. *I promised that if you would help me find the Dragon Gate, I would Xin'an Pond big enough for all of us. I intend to keep that promise.* Bob threw up his hands.

*But now I need your help to do so.*

At this, Pooence finally smiled.

*You are still a fool Bob, but you are willing to learn. I will try my best to teach you, and we'll work from there. Starting with those plants of yours...*

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Bruce Springsteen- Growin' Up

Courtesy of  TheRoguez!