X Isle
There is a small volcanic island covered by a lush but eerie forest that, although the volcano is still active, has yet to burn down. In the dark depths of the forest, a large stone cold cave rests quietly beside a calm icy river that flows peacefully through the forest. Every tree produces some sort of berry, making food shortages unheard of. Scientists have tried to study the island countless times with all explorations ending in complete failure and often the loss of men. However one scientist was able to catch something amazing on film; a dark figure with glowing ice eyes glaring at him from deep within the forest…

A Tree Climbing Kind of Day
A sleek figure slipped out of the water onto a grassy bank. Water rolled off his dark gray fur to the ground. His broad streamlined head swung around to examine his surroundings, blood red eyes searching the trees. His name was Yama, named after the tall mountain that rose at his back. His mountain. He only shared it with his twin brother and their little sister. He was doing his daily patrol on this side of the island. Riq was patrolling the other. Yama shuddered at the thought of his cold-hearted brother. The three scars on his left flank tingled as he strolled through the forest. The scars were a lingering reminder of his brother's hot temper. It wasn't that Riq was much bigger or tougher than he was, but he was quick to act violently. Yama on the other hand preferred to talk his way out of such situations.
Plucking a few berries from a nearby bush Yama raised his head to sniff the gentle breeze that blew through the trees. There was something unfamiliar there, farther south. Cautiously, Yama slunk through the trees towards the strange scent. Ah, it was a Pteri. It must have flown here from a nearby island, Yama thought. He stepped out from the bushes to stand near the tree.
Hello Little Bird. What are you doing up there?" Yama called.
The little brown bird ruffled its feathers, hopping from foot to foot. Yama could see that the feathers down it's front were stained dark red, the color of blood. Since it obviously wasn't going to reply Yama was about to move on when the tinkle of metal reached his ears. Inspecting the bird more carefully he spotted several gold bangles clanging together on it's long tail. He also spotted a gold and silver clip on its left wing that looked like it was worth something. Yama decided to try again, "why don't you come down Little Bird, I won't hurt you.
The bird narrowed its jet black eyes. "Big brother said not to talk to strangers," it said, more to itself than to Yama.
I'm not a stranger," Yama said. He showed the bird the berries in his paw. "I'm a traveling salesman! Do you want some candy?
Big brother also said not to take things from strangers," the bird said its high voice steady but cold.
They're not poisonous," Yama persisted, he sunk his claws into the bark of the tree hoisting himself up. He tossed one of the berries into his mouth, "See?
Big brother would be mad," the bird said.
I won't tell if you don't," Yama said pulling himself up to the branch the bird was perched on. He offered the berries to the bird again. "They're really good, you sure you don't want?
The Pteri cocked its head and hopped forward. Without warning Yama lunged forward grabbing for the birds tail. It simply sidestepped and fluttered off the branch. Yama managed to lean over and grab a ring and pull it off its tail. It landed again farther down the branch and glared at him. Yama hissed back.
Big brother was right," it stated before spreading its wings and flying away.
Yama cursed it under his breath and looked around. He was in a precarious position. The branch he was on was barely able to hold his weight, if he moved he risked it snapping and dropping him to the ground. Up in the trees there wasn't much room to spread his wings, besides, he didn't like flying much in the first place. The sky was no place for a Lutari. He popped another berry in his mouth and tried to think of another way down. What would Kai do? Yama wondered. His levelheaded sister wouldn't be in this situation to begin with. She was probably basking around the spring by their den. Unable to come up with a good escape plan Yama examined the ring he had swiped from the pteri. It was good quality. Yama smirked, at least he had got something good from all this.
Yama heard a snap and whipped his head around. There was another snap and his body jolted downward. Oh no, he thought. The branch is going to break, just my luck. Thinking quickly he spun around to hang upside-down from the branch. He released his front paws and arched his back. Stretching out his long body he gripped the tree trunk. Quickly releasing the branch with his hind claws he swung forward so that he was hugging the tree. The branch crashed down behind him. He carefully slid down, sharp claws peeling the trees bark in long strips. Once safely on the ground he looked over the wreckage and whistled. Well, he thought, that was cool. Having had quite enough excitement for one day he decided to head straight back home to retell his adventure to Kai, his golden souvenir clamped firmly in his teeth.

Treasure
Yama's obsession with treasure started sometime ago when their island was used as a stop for the Krawk Island smugglers. Before Riq became annoyed at them and chased them off of course. Yama had spent endless hours watching the smugglers from the shadows of the trees. The riches that the pirates possessed had quickly entranced him. He began his own collection of gold and jewels by stealing small things from the smugglers. A ring here, a bracelet there, it was no big deal. However he quickly wanted more than the small bits of jewelry and started stealing bigger items, diamond necklaces and bolts of silk. This was when the trouble first started, he was caught while rummaging through the pirates goods. Since it was a first offense Yama was able to talk his way out of severe punishment. They did however clap an iron cuff around his left paw engraved with a big X. "Three strikes and you're out," they threatened. Try as he might Yama couldn't figure out how to get the thick metal bracelet off.
When Riq saw the cuff he was enraged. He immediately flew down the mountain to terrorize the pirates. Riq's persistent attacks drove the smugglers away. They rarely use the island now and Yama is forced to search elsewhere to fulfill his insatiable need for rare and valuable goods. He frequently swims to nearby islands in search of treasure and is more than willing to use tricks and thievery to get what he wants.

Strange Encounters
Yama was lounging in the sun close by their den. Kai was at the cave and he wasn't sure what Riq was doing but the sun felt so good that he didn't really care, either. He jumped when something crashed in the forest near the beach. Without hesitating he raced towards it, vaguely aware that Kai was following.
Emerging into a clearing from the forest he spotted a pair of dragons, one noticeably larger than the other. The large blue one turned to look at them.
Wow, Lutaris! I never thought I'd get to see a real one!" he exclaimed, voice filled with excitement. The purple dragon sat down looking annoyed. Yama then noticed that Riq had appeared nearby tailed by a black eyrie.
Well aren't we getting some interesting visitors today," Kai remarked.
Visitors?" Riq snarled back, "They're intruders!"
The purple dragon rolled his eyes and replied, "We won't be staying long."
Yama smiled and looked back to Riq.
You won't be staying now, get off our isle!" Riq snarled, "You too bird."
Now, now Riq they look tired and the eeyrie looks lost, we can help them" Kai suggested, "Then they'll be off before long."
Yes, see I only got tricked by that thing on an isle near here and ended up here, I only want to get off" the eyrie countered.
Guiltless I should've figured" snarled Riq. "You're still intruders so get off our isle!"
You think everyone is an intruder Riq!" Kai snapped back, her fur bristling.
Can you have your quarrel another time?" the big blue dragon interjected, "I'm Sakarei the last Shedrein Dragon and this is Ynitum one of the - " Before Sakarei could finish his companion smacked him.
What did I tell you about that?" Ynitum hissed. Turning to the lutaris he said, "Look, I don't want any trouble."
Yama nodded. "Don't mind Riq he can be a bit uptight."
Is he always like this?" the eerie asked, "I'm Kagejiyuu, your friendly traveling merchant, might I've got something I could interest any of you in?"
Yama smiled mischievously at Kagejiyuu.
Don't you even dare, Yama" Kai teased.
TREE!" BOOM! "AHH, ANOTHER TREE!" BOOM! "RIV-" SPLASH! A new voiced suddenly shouted and water rained down on them from the nearby river.
Oh no, don't tell me she found us" Sakarei said.
What in Neopia was that?" Riq asked with a growl, "Another intruder, what is this intruder attack X Isle day?"
Ynitum glared into the trees. "How about we disappear before she finds us this time. We need to get off this planet already."
You can do that?" Sakarei asked excitedly and then moved his right wing in front of him and looked at it in confusion.
Yes, do get off and I don't care where" Riq growled.
Ah, hey that's a cool heart where'd you get it?" Kai asked when she noticed the blue one looking at his wing.
Now I'm all wet, stupid forest, stupid cat, stupid life!" the new voiced complained and some water flew out of the trees.
You didn't have that before did you?" Ynitum asked Sakarei.
No, I just noticed it think Ghira or that Ghost did something when we met them?" Sakarei replied with worry.
Mutant dragons!" a sky blue dragon exclaimed as she stepped out of the forest, pointed at the Lutaris and then looked at Kagejiyuu, "And some weird feathery dragon?"
I'm an eeyrie and those three are Lutaris, the only dragons here are you and those two" he corrected her.
Did dragons only exist during your time Velheir?" Sakarei asked her as he looked up from his wing.
The sky blue dragon shrugged, the jewel around her neck began to glow red and she chanted something weird.
Drehv la su den dan; Dtri esh av thh hrev Wruv iz sen hrev." Ynitum's tail glowed ice blue for a split second and a black heart appeared afterwards. "There we go, now I don't have to follow you guys for the time being and I can go look for your clan Mutiny" the sky blue dragon smiled.
Ynitum said something in a strange language. "What is this?" he asked, attempting to scrape it off.
How come he gets a cool heart, I want one too" Kai commented.
No you don't, it looks stupid Kai" Riq growled.
You can't get it off Mutiny so don't bother, but now I feel relieved only five more of you Shuron Drachens to find and I've gotten all of you with it" the new dragon said happily, "Then that stupid human will let me go and I can be free!"
Ynitum snarled. He sprang back and grabbed Sakarei's wing. "Airim ot tropsnart," he growled and disappeared in a flash of light and rush of wind.