Sorek

A flash of bright light.

Pain, searing pain.

Nothing.

Sorek groaned. What happened?

"Sorek! Are you okay? Wake up!"

He recognized that voice. "Penny? What's going on?" He sat up, putting a claw to his forehead. Was his head supposed to hurt?

"Oh, thank the Shadowbinder! I was so worried!" His Spiral friend helped him up, relief softening her otherwise worried features.

Sorek took a step forward and stumbled. He waved Penny away with a muttered assurance. The Pearlcatcher looked around his friend's lab, trying to glean information. "What happened, Penny? One second you were telling me about your latest concoction, and the next I'm passed out on your floor. You didn't spike the punch again, did you?"

The brown dragon offered a smile that seemed more like a grimace. "I'm sorry. I don't really know. Either something got bumped, or the potion was unstable, I can't say-- but it blew up right in your face. I was so afraid I had really hurt you. I'm glad you're alright," She looked so contrite, Sorek almost couldn't be upset about her next words, "But Sorek-- oh! I hate to tell you this-- Something... something did happen."

She led him over to the mirror on the wall, his confusion and apprehension growing with every step. What had changed? Were his scales now bright pink? Was half his face gone? Did he have an extra tail? A discreet glance behind him told him that no, he still had one tail. Thank goodness. But then... what?

It seemed to take forever, but the short trek to the mirror finally ended. Sorek gulped and Penny wrung her claws as he faced his reflection.

He was totally unprepared. Strange or even macabre was what he had expected, but... Antlers?