Summary/disclaimer: Time for another chapter of Heart of the Storm. Enjoy the 1080- word chapter. I don't own MLP, Lauren Faust and Hasbro do.

(Dragon Lands.)

Tempest found Sabre on the edge of the Lava Lakes that they had flown over, they had left Cyclone and Hiker to help Spike with the peace treaty, Sabre had also sent Granite and Windblade back to the Stormfront to contact Celestia the same way the Storm King had contacted Tempest a few weeks ago.

"You ok, Temp? I told you we could handle the dragons, they look tough but their pushovers."

Sabre said, gazing into the lava as Tempest's lips formed a teasing smile.

"Oh, so like you were during the invasion?"

Tempest teased as Sabre flashed her a smile.

"I'm sorry, who kicked who's butt again, Commander?"

Sabre joked back as both laughed before Tempest walked over and sat next to Sabre.

"Sabre?"

Tempest asked as she turned to look at the Colonel.

"Hmm?"

Sabre asked as Tempest sighed before asking in a voice that was so soft Sabre thought at first it wasn't Tempest talking to him.

"Are you… Happy with…. Us?"

Tempest asked as Sabre didn't answer, Tempest tried to stay strong before Sabre suddenly pulled her into a hug, causing her to blush as Sabre was an inch or two taller than her.

Sabre rested his head on top of Tempest's before speaking.

"Tempest, there aren't a lot of things outside of magic and war due to my…. Hard childhood, but one thing I do know is love…. And even if we haven't been friends and all that for long, I know I care about you a lot, not many Mares can be sweet and king and yet willing to bust skulls when she has to…. So, to answer your question, I am happy with us…. And even though we haven't been together for long, I'm happy I met you."

Sabre said as Tempest smiled, it wasn't a 'I love you', Tempest didn't expect those three words yet, but she was glad Sabre was at least willing to tell her he cared about her.

"Sorry to break up the mood, I have a question to ask."

A voice behind the couple said as Tempest and Sabre sprung to life, Sabre reaching for one of his Storm Pistols and Tempest reaching into her cloak for an orb as a grey dragon the size of Ember with sharp blue eyes and armor reminiscent of Dragons looked between the duo as she held up her hands.

"Easy, I'm not here to fight, my name is Inferno, I'm one of Princess…. Queen Ember's Royal Guard…. Or was."

"Was? What do you want from us?"

Tempest asked, preparing to kick an orb at the Dragon before Inferno turned to Sabre and spoke.

"You're looking for people to join that group of yours, the Equestrian Elite, right?"

Inferno asked as Sabre nodded before Inferno turned to look at both Unicorns.

"I want to join."

Inferno bluntly said as Sabre's eyes widened under his armor.

"What? Why would you want to join us?"

Sabre asked as Inferno crossed her arms and spoke.

"Ember keeps the others on such a tight leash I doubt any Dragon will dream of trying to overthrow her…. That's why I resigned from the Guard. Before you ask, she was fine with my choice."

Inferno said before Sabre turned to Tempest as the Unicorns shared a look before Sabre held out his hoof.

"Welcome to the Elite, Inferno, we could always use a Dragon."

Sabre said as Inferno grinned before shaking his hand as Sabre nodded.

"Head to Tempest's airship, but get your stuff first, we're heading out in 20 minutes."

Sabre ordered as Inferno nodded before flying off as Tempest tapped Sabre on his shoulder.

"Speaking of heading out, where are we going from here? Back to Cantorlot?"

Tempest asked as Sabre shook his head before reaching into one of his saddle bags and pulling out a map before unrolling it, revealing several circles and arrows drawn on them.

"No, we're headed to the land of the Zebras and then to Griffinstone... I'll let you pick where we head to from there."

Sabre said as Tempest looked at the map to see that both locations had the words 'peace treaty renewal' written by them in pencil that showed signs that Sabre was going to erase it soon.

"So, both the Griffins and Zebras haven't renewed their peace treaties with Equestria yet?"

Tempest asked as Sabre hummed before speaking.

"Not entirely, Temp. The Zebras are so well hidden not even Princess Celestia could find them, so we haven't signed a peace treaty with them…. The Griffins are a different story, the peace treaty was supposed to be renewed before you came to town…. That and they're not exactly the most 'buddy, buddy' with the Princesses…. But I think we can change both of those problems…. Before you ask, Celestia hasn't asked me to do that…. I just thought…."

Sabre started to say before Tempest rolled her eyes at her Coltfriend.

"That we deal with them before going home? We're have to put it to a vote, Sab."

Tempest joked as Sabre rolled his eyes at her as a Sky Skiff landed next to lake as Grubber and two of Tempest's Storm Creatures climbed out.

"Boss, a gang of flying Ponies just landed on the ship and dropped off a few crates before they left."

Grubber said before Sabre spoke up.

"Oh, if they have red armor, that would be the ERA, I told a group of Pegasus Ponies from the army to drop off a few supply crates for the trip to the land of the Zebras and Griffinstone…. And yes, Grubber, one of those Crates has food just for you."

Sabre said as Grubber looked as if he could cry upon hearing this as Sabre and Tempest climbed into the skiff.

"Well, we have a mission to handle, Grubber, let's go!"

Sabre said as Grubber nodded with a smile and hopped into the Skiff with the Storm Creatures before the skiff flew towards the Stormfront.

Author notes

Ok, the Elite is headed to the land of the Zebras first where your meet the next member of the team. I also want to point out that after these next two members are recruited, the Elite is going through some of the locations in the film. Next chapter will be on Thursday. Until then, Lighting Wolf out!