All images are stock Cody II, Chapter 1 As Cody stirred from sleep, the gentle hum of the ship greeted him. He blinked open his eyes and took in the soft light filtering through the windows of his room, casting a peaceful glow over everything. It was a far cry from the harsh light of their previous home on the asteroid. He stretched, feeling the weight of the dragon-like scales that now covered his limbs. Each movement was a reminder of the incredible transformation he had undergone. His mother, Dr. Amelia Branson, entered his room with her usual bright smile, instantly filling the space with warmth. "Let's see how you're doing today," she said before pausing mid-sentence. Her gaze flicked up to the shelf above Cody's bed, where a small toy dragon sat perched. "Firebelly, this is getting out of hand. When will it stop?" Confused, Cody asked his mother what was wrong. She pointed to his head. "You have horns!" Cody sprinted to the mirror, eager to see his reflection. The boy staring back at him was a startling contrast from his previous self - his brown eyes now a blazing crimson, matching the sharp obsidian horns that had suddenly grown from his forehead. He couldn't process what was happening - it was like something out of a fantastical tale, but this was his reality now. "Oh my gosh, this is so cool," Cody exclaimed, his voice trembling with excitement. Firebelly, the tiny toy dragon inhabited by an alien entity and made living simply shrugged. "The transformation to his true self is nearly complete," he said nonchalantly. "If he wakes up tomorrow with flippers for feet, that'll be the last straw," Amelia warned. Firebelly stretched out his wings and let out a contented yawn. "He will not have flippers," he assured her, "but I can't make any promises about a tail." "No more changes," Amelia demanded. "I am not the one making these changes," Firebelly replied calmly. "It is Cody's DNA that was altered when he was born on this world. His return here has activated his dormant genetic code and triggered this transformation." "You should have warned us," Amelia scolded him. "This is not the first time humans have undergone such transformations," Firebelly explained patiently. Dr. Branson narrowed her eyes. “You’ve hacked into my confidential medical records, referencing the colonists on Carina. It took generations for the first humans there to develop gills, so it's impossible for Cody to have mutated overnight while he slept.” Firebelly stood his ground. “Humans can adapt to their environment, and Cody is proof of that. He's thriving on this planet.” Cody turned around from admiring his new horns in the mirror. “Mom, I'm fine. This is who I am meant to be - an Ara.” Amelia smiled proudly at her son. “Cody, you may have some characteristics of an Ara, but you are still human like your father and I.” Cody shrugged nonchalantly. “I'm a mix of both, and that's okay with me. Now, about that camping trip we planned...” “Tara is already outside waiting for you,” Amelia said. The room seemed to brighten at Cody's enthusiasm as he grabbed his backpack, already stuffed with all the essentials he would need. Firebelly dived from the shelf he had claimed as his own and kept trinkets he’d stolen from around the ship. The small dragon landed on Cody’s shoulder. “Don’t forget to pack extra socks,” Firebelly said with a hint of mirth in his voice. Cody's feet were covered in thick scales and sharp claws that could easily rip through steel. He didn't bother with shoes and socks anymore. "Be careful out there, Cody," his mother said, her voice a gentle lilt that carried the weight of a mother's love and worry. "I will, Mom," he said, his scales shimmering with a newfound resolve, catching the light as he slung the pack over his shoulder. Firebelly remained perched on Cody’s shoulder, a guardian's counsel woven into the fabric of this alien world they called home. With one last look at his mother, Cody turned away and headed down to the airlock. Today wasn't just another day; it was a step into the vast embrace of the unknown, and he was ready to leap. He stepped out into the dawn, the door of his home closing with a soft hiss behind him. The air was crisp, filled with scents that were still new to him – the tangy aroma of alien foliage and the sweet nectar of blossoms he couldn't name. He took a deep breath, letting the unfamiliar fragrances mingle in his lungs. He strode toward the gathering of Ara beings, their ethereal forms like shining stars with tendrils of light reaching out. They moved with an elegance that felt both strange and familiar. Only Firebelly had chosen to remain in the physical form of the small living toy dragon. He had seen Firebelly’s true form, a glowing star of emerald with the same tendrils of light. Tara stood amongst them, donning a blue Fleet uniform and a breathing mask to navigate the thick air that made it hard for humans to breathe. A mischievous grin played on her lips, igniting a fire within him. "Did you sprout horns overnight?" she asked, eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Yeah, it’s no big deal," he replied nonchalantly. "And when are your wings coming in?" "I don't think I'll get wings, but I might get a tail. Firebelly is still deciding," Cody answered with a shrug, a hint of mischief in his tone. “I thought Firebelly said he wasn’t doing this?” “Oh please, if you believe that, I’ve got a bridge to sell you. I know Firebelly has something to do with it.” The group began their trek, venturing into the wilderness, where the plant life grew taller and wilder. Vines draped over branches like green ribbons, and flowers with petals that shimmered in the sunlight nodded as they passed. Tara's eyes drifted towards the vibrant flowers growing off the beaten path, but a sharp warning from Firebelly snapped her attention back. "Stay away from those," he advised. "The needles they shoot out may not be poisonous, but pulling them out is no easy feat." Tara backed away from the flowers as Cody pushed past Tara, eager to test his new protective scales. But Firebelly quickly intervened again. "No, Cody. Those flowers are defenseless against your scales, but using those flowers to satisfy your curiosity is cruel and irresponsible." "Why?" Cody pressed. "Because those flowers are coveted by a small squirrel-like creature as a delectable treat. If you were to recklessly provoke them, they would be left defenseless for weeks while they regrow their needles. It would disrupt the delicate balance of our forest's ecosystem." “Oh, I didn’t know, sorry.” “I could tell you a tale, if you will listen,” Firebelly said. “Of course I’ll listen.” Firebelly began. “The forest was once teeming with that flower, until a human family stumbled through and carelessly caused the flowers to eject their needles. The humans wore armor, and so could not be harmed. But as a result, the creature that thrived on these flowers decimated them until they were on the brink of extinction. The creature's unbalanced diet led to sickness and nearly wiped out its entire species. It has taken years for the ecosystem to begin healing from this devastation caused by thoughtless human actions. Cody's brow furrowed as he realized it was his parents Firebelly was talking about. "I don't understand, why did you forgive them and help us after what my parents did?" Firebelly looked at him with its piercing, alien eyes. "We are not like humans. Our customs and ways of thinking differ greatly. We couldn't communicate with your parents before, but we accepted their offering of a new Ara species as an act of repentance." Cody tried to speak up, to explain that his parents hadn’t been offering him as some kind of sacrifice for their mistake, but Tara's firm grip on his arm silenced him. She knew that this was their only chance to bridge the gap between their species. Despite his reservations, Cody had willingly undergone the transformation that turned him into a hybrid of human and alien DNA. As Firebelly spoke about Cody's important role as ambassador to the humans, he couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and fear at the weight of this responsibility. Overwhelmed by a mix of emotions, Cody could only nod silently in response. His journey was just beginning, but he knew he would never forget the lessons learned from this otherworldly community. The expedition continued, carefully following the path laid out by the Ara for them. Cody could feel the breeze weaving through the trees, playing tag with his unruly hair. It whispered secrets of the planet in his ear, tales only the wind knew. His scales tingled slightly, a silent song of adventure calling to him from the untamed world. The rustling of leaves became a chorus, punctuating their progress with a natural rhythm. Cody looked around, absorbing every detail, every shade of green and burst of color. His heart danced to the same rhythm, beating a tune of wild discovery. "Feels like it's saying hello, doesn't it?" Tara said softly, gesturing at the vibrant landscape. "Or showing us the way," Cody murmured back, feeling a kinship with the environment that was hard to explain. It was as if the planet itself was guiding them, its spirit intertwined with their own. Firebelly led them off the main path into a grove of trees that seemed to whisper secrets and the air hummed with mystery. Cody's feet crunched on the underbrush, his eyes tracing the patterns of light that danced between leaves. Then, a flicker. Something not quite like the rest of the forest's shimmer. He stopped, squinting against the brightness. "See that, Firebelly?" Cody whispered, squinting towards the odd glimmer. “Yes, that is who you need to meet next,” Firebelly replied. The trees parted to a clearing with a crystal jutting up from the ground in the center of the clearing covered in wildflowers. The clearing felt old, even more than old, it felt ancient, as if time itself had stopped. The two other Ara travelling with the group dropped low to the ground, their light dimming, and approached first. “Are they bowing?” Cody asked. “It would be the human equivalent, yes,” Firebelly replied. “Who is he?” “That is the Fourth Light of Ara,” Firebelly stated, a tone of deep respect in his voice. Cody's eyes widened as he watched Firebelly. Despite his status as the First Light of Ara, he was met with a rare display of reverence from those around him. This was no ordinary leader, Cody thought to himself, taking in Firebelly's stoic and commanding presence. He commanded respect without ever having to demand it. “Why is he so important?” Firebelly chuckled. “The Fourth Light is to us what Galileo was to humans.” “Really? Galileo was the most important scientist ever, he’s the father of modern science.” “The Fourth Light is a legend,” Firebelly explained. “He has traversed more galaxies than any other Ara. His discoveries propelled the era of space exploration forward.” Cody approached the shimmering crystal, feeling a sense of reverence and curiosity. As he bowed before the entity within, a deep voice resonated in his mind. "Do not worry about a tail," it said. "In your world of mechanical doors and machinery, it would only cause harm. And wings are just as useless." Cody's shoulders rose and fell in a nonchalant shrug. "Makes sense. Did you make me transform?" The voice responded matter-of-factly, "I spliced your DNA with our own before your birth." "Firebelly said you're Ara's version of Galileo." "I am not as familiar with your human history as the First Light. But to be compared to someone so revered in your culture is an honor." Cody leaned forward, his curiosity ignited. "Then who are you truly?" The voice seemed far away as it replied, "The door is unlocked. Come and we will speak face to face." As Cody's mind processed this invitation, he felt a strange pulling sensation, like he was being forcibly removed from his body. In an instant, he was back in control, firmly anchored within himself once more. "Stop that," the voice scolded. "He is not a helpless infant to be carried back and forth at our whims. He must learn to stand on his own two feet." Cody realized the scolding was not for him, but directed at Firebelly. Cody turned to face Firebelly shaking his wings in irritation. "I don't see a door," Cody replied. "He's not ready," Firebelly stated. "Don't coddle him," the voice of The Fourth Light retorted. "He can walk on his own or stand there until the sky falls down." As Firebelly stormed off in frustration, Cody's gaze shifted to Tara who was frantically scribbling notes in her science journal. Curiosity piqued and he asked what she was doing. "I can hear their conversation," Tara exclaimed with excitement. "This is the first time they've let me listen in. I'm learning so much about their society." "What have you discovered?" Cody probed. "The foundation of their government," Tara revealed, her handwriting becoming more frantic. "And it all revolves around Firebelly, the leader of the Ara, and his decisions. He made the call on what to do with you, but the execution fell to the Fourth Light, the senior scientist responsible for your transformation into an Ara hybrid. And there are strict rules about the division of responsibilities between the First Light and Fourth Light." Tara's eyes darted up to where Firebelly stood, kicking at a flower in frustration. “Firebelly, there’s an Ara up on my Uncle Max’s ship, which Light of Ara is he?” Firebelly twisted his head around. “He is the Sixth Light of Ara, the human translation would be, Secretary of State.” Tara went back to jotting her notes. “This is incredible, I’m going to get the Quasar Award for discovering how the Ara government works.” Cody huffed and rolled his eyes, unimpressed. "That's great for you," he said flatly, "but what about this door I’m supposed to find?" Tara flipped through her notes and confidently stated, "I've already solved that mystery. See, humans are limited by their three-dimensional perception, but the Ara have a different perspective. They see probability, spectrum, and all possible universes on a single plane. You just need to tap into your Ara mind to see what's right in front of you." Cody’s eyes narrowed as he strained to perceive what was hidden. Gradually, like adjusting to a dim room, the world transformed into shades of red, revealing the open door before him. He hesitated, then took a bold step forward, only to see himself exiting through the same doorway as he entered. All images are stock