The Dinotopia series describes that long ago, the skybax rose above the canyons and chose the rainbow as its sign.
In the series, thousands of years before the events of the books, the advanced city of Poseidos was plotting to take over the rest of Dinotopia.
One boy, Gideon Altaire, who loved the forbidden mainland, defied the law and stole the Ruby Sunstone from the Air Scorpion, a new vessel built for conquest, cutting off the machine's source of power.
With the help of four prehistoric mammals and his hoverhead-friend (a type of robot) Fritz, Gideon made it to Highnest, a pterosaur stronghold and the Air Scorpion's first target.
Together the skybax and rider carry out a variety of tasks from delivering toys and medicine to escorting a convoy through dangerous territory.
After great labor and meditation, the matriarch chooses which element the youth belongs in (Land, Sea, or Sky).
Part of the training includes climbing on dangerously steep cliffs and making a leap across two walls, then the cadet carves his or her name into the rock.