Colonel Doug Widget, who was about to sacrifice himself to defeat the evil computer technology taking over his world, reached out with his hand to touch Dragon Little and to transfer the computer virus to her - to transfer the death and the sacrifice to her. 

Dragon Little reached with her hand, oblivious to the fact that her sacrifice will kill her while Colonel Widget was but a dream of her father’s. I was about to leap from my hiding place, but not even my dragon’s speed could reach her fast enough. 

Suddenly a spark in the circuits on Captain Widget’s face made him jump backwards. 

Another spark appeared on his face. 

“What’s happening?” he hit his face, trying to put the small fire out. “Oh! My tears! My tears are shorting out my tech! There’s no time! I have only a few seconds before the tech is wasted!” 

Now he was standing, heroic, the fear gone. “I appreciate your willingness to help, little girl. But this is my sacrifice. I will see you on the other side!”

“Wait! Aren’t you scared?” 

“I was scared when I had time to think about it, so I cried. Now there’s no time left. Time to save the world!” 

And he leapt to stand next to a big circular dish aimed at the sky. He touched it and energy began to transfer itself visibly from him to the dish. The dish began to send this energy in all directions, to all the technology that covered the world. 

Dragon Little looked at him silently. 

As the energy was being transmitted, Colonel Widget began to wither, his skin began to age, and he seemed weaker and weaker. 

Dragon Little approached him and touched him warmly. 

He glowed for a fraction of a second, and the glow disappeared. 

Colonel Widget finished the transfer and fell to his knees, then to the ground, dead. His body turned to dust. 

Dragon Little looked around the roof: The technology that covered the face of the planet was disappearing, withdrawing. 

She whispered, “You died a glorious death. I will remember you always.” 

I watched her admiration with concern. In trying to teach her it was okay to cry, Dragon Father may have also taught her to wish for a glorious death. With the adventures she had daily and the dangers waiting for her outside her father’s dream, that may have sad repercussions in the future. 

I hoped that would not be the case. But only time will tell. 

—Told by The Red Dragon