No Men Allowed!

"I must say it's an amazing transformation, Skittles," said Taeda.

"Oh be quiet, it's not like I do this for fun."

"I beg to differ."

"Just shut up," Skittles growled as they rode up to the gates of the city. It could have been worse, he admitted that, but wearing a dress always brought his spirits down. It wasn't only that, it was that he had to look feminine as well as act it. His hair was worn in a strange manner, that made it look like it was styled with a wet curling iron. The rest of him looked rather nice and in place, including his tail.

When they came to a stop at the city gates a guard called down, "Who wishes to enter?"

"Your Grandmother!"

Even though the guard was high up, Skittles could hear her make a sound of amusement and annoyance. In a few minutes the gates had been fully opened, and Skittles entered unhindered. With a smile he was greeted by a few women that he had made friends with. He had always traveled though this town to get to his home, which wasn't far from the temple of Fate. Every year he would make his way on the trip, no matter what, even with the mission. This year though he was later then he should have been, it was a surprise to see the women were all waiting for him.

"Skittles!" said a tall thin black haired human, "We've missed you so much! It's nice to see you again, but who are they?" She pointed to the angecur.

"The red one is Taeda, and the other is Fulmen. They decided to come with me on this little trip I'm taking."

"You aren't going to your regular destination?" said a silver eyed woman with blue-gray hair. She had been the first one that Skittles had gained the trust of, and she was always the most dangerous to be around. Most of the time she acted as if she had something stuck were it shouldn't have been. 

"I'm going past it," He said in a girlish voice. He really hated this.

"Why don't you dismount and come with me, I need to speak with you." said the same Blue-gray haired woman.

"Is there something wrong, Sprite?" 

"Yes, get going, I'll meet you at my house if you're going to stay and talk. Just remember that I'm waiting, Skittles." with that she turned and walked away in a huff.

Taeda jumped onto Skittles head and asked, "What's got her hair in knots?"

"She's always like that. I think it might be because she's the high priestess of this place." He looked at the other women form atop of his horse. Why not stay a little and talk?

***

He had come to the outside of Sprite's house. It was a small and humble place with a garden filled with different flowers. With a deep sigh he ascended the stairs of the house and knocked on the white door. 

The door opened by itself, and Sprite called from inside, "Come in!"

Skittles, mildly frightened made his way into the comfy country motif home. He quickly found the tea room in which Sprite was sitting in with a large book. She gestured for Skittles to sit down.

As he was doing so she said, "I know what you really are, and what your purpose is." 

He stopped dead, "I'm sorry...?"

"I know that you were sent to "destroy" the world, and I know that you're a man."

Skittles plunked down into his seat. He asked, "Have you been leading me on for all these years?"

"No, not exactly...I just found out all this information today." She fingered her hair, like she always did when she was nervous. "You know you aren't destroying the whole world right?" 

"Well, things seem to be a bit foggy with the new development."

"The dragon? I suggested that you should get the twin egg, but I thought that would drive you over the deep end more so."

"I really don't know what to say."

She smiled, "Not a word. Let me tell you what I have to first. You aren't really destroying the whole world, only the corruption itself. Which means you have to kill some unfortunate people."

"Wait a second, Sprite, doesn't that mean I'm corrupted too?"

"It does."

"So what's the point of giving me a dragon if I'm going to be destroyed with it?"

"You can't be killed again dimwit, you were dead once already!"

Skittles twitched at the thought. It was true though, so he looked Sprite right in the eye, "So doesn't that make me the hero?"

"No, you kill hundreds of people in the name of the God of Death and Goddess of Life, it makes you the villain for killing so many."

"But I've only killed about a thousand, and they were all asking for it!"

"Let's just hope... this dragon has more sense then you do."

Taeda, who had been sitting silently, decided to take a part in the conversation. "Why did we meet up with Skittles? I'm only asking you since you seem to know so much."

Both Skittles and Sprite nearly jumped out of their skins. Sprite was the first to recover her breath with a smile. "You two met up with Skittles to help him though some hardships. It may sound silly now, but you'll understand later. You will end up being his best friends."

"You're wrong."

"How so, Miss Taeda?"

"That sounds utterly ridicules."

Sprite rolled her eyes. She could never understand how Skittles put up with it, but she wasn't about to question it. Then again, when she was speaking with the lesser god she was going to ask why they had to put Skittles though such a horrible ordeal. 

"Hey, Sprite, is there anything else you want to tell me?" Skittles asked. He had concern in his voice, which was very odd.

"Hmm, no, not really. You should get going though."

"But I just got here."

"It doesn't matter! You should hurry to the temple! You don't want to make Loda'Bukira and your new bondmate upset."

"Bondmate?"

Sprite clasped her hands together and brought them up to her forehead. This was a gesture to the gods that the person needed some celestial help. It was normally given as in insult to the other person. "I should explain things more in depth, but for now you'll have to keep this book." She got up and went to an old wooden bookshelf that was warped from the weight of the books. She pulled out a book with a thick leather binding, that seemed to be falling apart from the seems.

"That thing looks ancient."

"That's because it is." 

Skittles whispered, "Oh." She was one of the few people who could make him feel stupid.

"Read this book and learn what's in it inside and out. Understand?" 

"Yes, and thank you for putting up with me," Skittles said as he gingerly held the book. It read The Big Book of Bishel Dragons in fading gold letters. This was going to be an interesting predicament. 

"Listen," Sprite came close to Skittles face, enough to make him fall back into his chair. She leaded over him, her personality seemed to take a one eighty as she spoke. "I wish you luck Skittles, and I really wish I could go with you on this adventure... but... Anyway, leave quickly. They may have found out about your secret as well."

Skittles, who had suddenly blushed, whispered, "So be it." He gently moved Sprite out of the way, and headed to the door. With Taeda and Fuleman at his heals he mounted his horse. 

"Hey, Skittles?" Taeda said questioningly.

"What?"

"You think that Sprite has the hots for you?"

"She can't, Taeda."

"But--"

Fulmen interrupted, "Leave it be, Taeda, this is an affair of the heart."

Taeda looked at her companion, with confusion in her eyes. She could never understand how anyone like that could feel. Shaking her head she chalked it up to people being strange, and jumped aboard.

On that unsavory note they left the city and head to their destination.