Ghost's PoV
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I winced as intrusive light briefly obscured my vision. Shaking my head, I allowed myself a few moments to get used to the brightness. I groaned, my head pounding like an iceberg had been dropped on it.

I managed to stagger to my feet, only to crumple, my legs giving out. The throbbing in my head increased tenfold as gravity made its presence known. I growled in frustration, but I was exhausted. Too tired to try and get up again.

I finally glanced around, taking in my surroundings. To my surprise, I was in a small cave in a forest. There were bloody, smeared tracks leading into the cave, then turning and leaving. As I craned my neck to get a better look, I realized they stopped and then simply disappeared. The mysterious dragon must have flown away.

I grimaced as an intense wave of pain washed over me, causing me to double over. I dug my talons into the floor and gritted my teeth, my eyes shut tight.

I could hardly stand this. It was awful. Crippling pain as I had never before experienced.

I gently twisted my head around to check myself over, wincing as I forced my stiff neck to move. A strangled hiss escaped my clenched jaws.

I inhaled sharply once I saw the state I was in. No wonder there was so much pain. I was covered in gashes and bruises. Many of the injuries were crusted with old blood, some had even scabbed, but others didn't look so well. They scales around a few select wounds had a sickly green-yellow tint to them and I recoiled as a foul smell hit my nose. I probably had a broken bone or two as well.

I experimentally moved each of my paws. Nothing seemed to be broken there. As evidenced by my earlier attempt to stand, it was safe to say none of my legs were broken. But the persistent stabbing pain in my chest....broken ribs. Again.

I sighed, resting my head on my paws, clenching my jaw as the pain in my ribs intensified. Nothing I could really do with my situation. Everything hurt too much to move. I'd just have to wait it out.

Eventually I found my eyes drifting shut. I allowed sleep to overtake me, glad to get away from my pain for at least a little while.

I was young again, back in the old hut with Avalanche. A smile graced her snout as she tickled me, laughter bursting from my mouth. "Avawante!" I squeaked, trying to get away. "Stawp!" Without warning, she pinned me to the ice, looming menacingly over me. I hesitated, fear beginning to overcome me. I watched as she slowly raised a paw and brought it downwards, slicing my throat as a strangled scream was torn from me.

Suddenly the landscape shifted, and I was on the tundra, a fierce blizzard swirling. I could vaguely make out a draconic shape in the distance. The figure got larger and closer, and I yelled, "Wolf!"  I could tell it was him, he was identifiable by his silver scales and dark cobalt eyes. Stalking even nearer, he snarled, "Wolf?" I nodded frantically. "Hey...." I trailed off as he let out a harsh laugh. "He's dead. And so are you." The dragon lunged, jaws snapping at my throat.

I gasped, eyes shooting open. I groaned, head pounding, gingerly lifting it from the ground.

I was tired, my sleep was plagued by nightmares, I was startled awake too early, and unable to get back to sleep. Great.

'What a dream', I thought groggily.

I yawned, hearing some bones clicking and cracking. A hissed as a sharp pain stabbed through my chest and radiated outwards. I shook my head slightly before realizing that something was off. I shifted uncomfortably, unhappy and sore.

I licked my dry snout, exhaling and watching the puff of breath float away. My tongue flickered out and I smelled the air. There wasn't much of anything, except for the stale, pungent, vile scent of sickness.

Was that me?!

I weakly turned to check on the wounds. They didn't look good at all. A few had split open again, while others were steaming, and some were even oozing a strange mixture of blood and something else. My scales had turned an ugly shade of green, which was concerning. Something was wrong. Dangerously so.

I gagged, bile rising in my throat, and quickly turned my head away, just pushing down the urge to vomit. Only then did I notice how hot I was.

'When did it get so warm in here?'

Small wisps of steam rose off my burning scales as I sought desperately for a way to cool myself off. Unfortunately, I was coming up empty-clawed. The snow around me had melted and the icicles overhead were dripping.

My muscles began to cramp and freeze up, making it nearly impossible to move. I whimpered as pain rippled through me, searing white hot. It felt as if my very veins were on fire.

A single thought flashed through my mind.

I'm going to die.

**A/N: helloooooo!! I've missed y'all a ton! I apologize for the inactivity, real life can be a biatch sometimes. I've been so busy trying to get schoolwork and stuff done that I haven't had much time for anything else. But don't worry, I'm still alive and well! Or at least, until test stress crushes me. Anyways, I'll try to write some more as son as possible. Also must update my art book. If you've read this, comment "pancakes". Stay warm, my bread rolls! Don't burn! I love you guys!! ❤️❤️ -cycriss**