Chapter three!
Bing Bong lived with the dragons for several years now, getting to know their way of life thanks to Ashia, who became his mentor.
She taught him the basics of being a dragon, such as flying skills, that he'd gotten pretty good at, along with hunting, tracking, and fighting. He was nervous about the fighting part since Bing Bong never fought anybody before, but he was a fast learner and got used to it.
One day he and Ashia were out doing another round of hunting for the Queen. Bing Bong usually hated having to feed her. But it was the only way he could be accepted.
The two stood around their pile of food ready to bring it back, when a rumble in the ground began, almost knocking Bing Bong off his feet.
"Ah! Ashia, what was that?" He yelped. Ashia looked worried.
"Whispering Death!" She proclaimed fearfully, getting into her fighting stance. Bing Bong gulped, he knew what those things were alright, nothing but teeth and spines.
He heard the infamous whispering, then the ground split near them, revealing the jaws of death. It's clouded red eyes narrowed at the sight of them, and their food.
"Mmmyyyy fffooood…" the Whispering Death snarled in its scary voice. Ashia roared back.
"No! This food belongs to her Majesty! It isn't yours, filthy scavenger! Leave us be!" Bing Bong smirked back, baring his teeth that appeared in his mouth. He always now felt excited whenever a fight against a rogue dragon happened.
The Whispering Death rushed in at them, shooting out its rings of fire. Bing Bong and Ashia both leapt out of the way. Bing Bong jumped, landing on the beast's back, trying to bite him.
The Whispering Death turned, hissing. Bing Bong smiled nervously.
"Uh, hi," he said shakily, before feeling himself flying in the air, slamming against a tree and laying there, stunned. He watched, body sore, as Ashia kept doing her best to fend off the Whispering Death. She shot fire, did everything, but unfortunately her enemy suddenly shot a spine from his tail, striking Ashia right into her heart.
Bing Bong's eyes rounded in shock and grief. "NO!" He screamed furiously, struggling to his feet, seeing her collapsing to the ground in pain, lying there. The Whispering Death got ready to rip her apart, but he wouldn't have it. His vision going red, Bing Bong gave out an ear splitting dragon roar, charging his rival, and grabbing his tail in his sharp teeth, biting and pulling the Whispering Death away.
The dragon glowered. "Biiiggg misssttakkke, Ffffurry. Yyyoouuu maaadddee a biggg ennnemy of me!" He threatened, but Bing Bong wouldn't cower in front of him, his back arched, tail swishing.
"Just scram! I'll kill you right now if you don't leave!" Bing Bong screamed, tears flickering in his eyes. The Whispering Death glared threateningly.
"IIII'llll be baacccckk, ttthhhisss isssn'ttt ovvverrr…."
With that he dove into the ground, slithering away. Bing Bong spat in his direction.
"Well that's fine! I'll be waiting!" He screamed. "You'll pay! I swear it!" Shaking, he turned at the sound of Ashia moaning pitifully.
Bing Bong wandered over timidly, nudging her with his nose. "A-Ashia?" He asked in a small voice. She opened her eyes, giving her friend a weak smile.
"You did well, Bing Bong. But, I-I don't think I can last much longer," she coughed weakly. Bing Bong nuzzled her, crying.
"No, you need to live! I already lost Riley, I can't bear to lose anyone else I love! I need you!" He sobbed. Ashia placed a wing around him.
"Just continue to be strong, friend and remember what I taught you. I will never be gone, I shall be with you even...after…" she coughed again, blood coming out of her chest. Bing Bong's tears fell, as he nodded numbly, watching her eyes drift shut, head falling down limply in death.
Bing Bong's heart overflowed with sadness, tears falling down his face as he sniffled quietly, letting loose a huge roar, mourning the death of Ashia. Trembling, he curled up near her body, closing his eyes.
…
Bing Bong dreamed. He was back in his normal body. From afar he could see three people he knew. It was Riley, Joy, and Ashia all sitting together around a picnic basket.
Riley looked over to see him. "Over here, Bing Bong!" She exclaimed, laughing. Bing Bong smiled widely, running over to join them. But then, darkness suddenly covered everything, and his friends were screaming.
"G-guys?" Croaked Bing Bong in fear, halting in his tracks. A demon arose, holding a flaming sword, swinging it, and wiping them from existence.
"No! Y-you killed them!" He screamed, sinking to his knees, crying after losing his friends all over again, darkness swallowing him up…
….
Bing Bong gasped, waking from his nightmare, still lying near Ashia's body. It was getting dark, and he had to get back. Small tears leaked down as he nuzzled her one last time, then covering her with leaves, sticks and dirt for a memorial.
"Goodbye," he said softly, and took to the air, back to the Nest.
The Queen was quite furious when only he returned, and told her what happened to Ashia.
"YOU FAILED TO PROTECT ONE OF MY SUBJECTS. I CAN BANISH YOU RIGHT NOW!" She bellowed. Bing Bong glared back.
"Please give me another chance, Majesty. I've already lived here for five years. If what I have done so far isn't good enough, then I should just leave!"
The Queen hissed, before she remembered something.
"A RAID TO A VILLAGE OF HUMANS HAPPENS IN THREE DAYS. YOU WILL JOIN US. PROTECT THEM WELL OR YOU'LL NEVER COME BACK."
Bing Bong bowed his head, moving away and flying to Ashia's old nest which was now his. Freya came over.
"A-Ashia's dead?" She asked. Bing Bong looked up at the Nadder with sorrowful eyes, nodding. Freya couldn't find any stinging remarks, but just glared, and went on her way, leaving Bing Bong alone.