Allergies suck! Especially in 2021 when they make you cough your lungs out! As we all know, coughing is now illegal worldwide due to the chance that it might be from COVID... Anyway, I hope in the future I won't have TT chapters as back-to-back uploads. I had a serious case of writer's block in Resistance and this one was eating at me for a while. Sometimes scratching the itch does the trick. Also... how the heck did dragonthought work better than normal here? I thought it would be a pain. This was much easier to write like this than in two-leg speak.
Cerise hovered above the grass field behind the healing-nest-stack on the outskirts of Vale. She had approached this nest-stack so many times from this direction, whether it was delivering injured two-legs or it rested along her flight path. Only this time, a giant hole took up most of the wall of the nest-stack. But this hole wasn't from evil-beast-Grimm, evil-heart-two-legs, or even a natural collapse. It was just… there. Some see-through-rock-windows were cut through, but not shattered. The ground and grass around the hole weren't disturbed. No cracks formed around it either. It was almost like it was built like that.
Law enforcement and military metal-movers lay on the field, red and blue lights flashing. Nosey-news-two-legs stood behind yellow-alert-string on the black-rock-road. Nalia stood closest to the hole, staring inside. Cerise nosed down and glided to the other dragon's side. She touched down and stared into the hole herself. The inside wasn't filled with fake-stone-concrete or make-strong-metal, but cave-line-rock. Unless her eyes were deceiving her, the hole was deeper than the nest-stack was long. A hiss escaped her throat and she flicked the tip of her tail. This is unnatural.
Nalia snorted. I believe that's the understatement of the month. She paused and glared into the hole, tunnel rather. Nothing that large and long could be considered a hole. Aaron's in the building right now. He's not seeing any evidence of this inside.
"None?" Ruby asked as she dropped from Cerise' back. She crossed her top-legs as she stepped in front of the dragons. "Do you two feel that?"
I do, but I can't put words to it, Cerise said. She felt… strange since she touched down.
Nalia shifted on her feet. I believe you call it vertigo. She peeled her lips back. Dragons aren't supposed to experience that.
"But it's more than that. It's like…" Ruby moved her head from side to side. "It's like that plus the feeling you get from remembering something pleasant that happened."
Which makes this thing worse, Cerise mentally growled. Who knows what this thing is, or where it leads?
"There is that." Ruby looked up at Nalia. "Aaron said someone had drone footage of the inside?"
He's bringing the construction worker with him now. Nalia gestured with her snout to the left side of the healing-nest-stack. As she said, Aaron walked around the corner of the nest-stack with a two-leg-animal-parts female in a see-me tunic and a soft-hard-helmet.
Cerise glanced at Nalia. Do you smell or hear anything in there? Is there any life?
Just cave air. Nalia flicked her tongue through her lips and toward the tunnel. I might have heard a roar from inside, but it could have been another dragon echoing off the buildings. She sniffed. That happens too much in these cities. I'm still not used to it.
Cerise? Ruby mentally called. Use my eyes. We're about to watch the drone footage.
I will, Ruby. Cerise rested her head on the ground. Nalia did the same beside her. While keeping her eyes open, she poured more of her mind into her Gem's. Her sight blurred until it came back more colorfully than she could see with her own eyes. She always marveled at how her Gem could see. Of course, Ruby felt the same about her. I'm here.
I can feel that. Her Gem nodded. "Show us what you've got."
"I hope you can make more sense of this than I could." The builder showed Ruby the see-through-Scroll. It showed the female throwing the fake-eyes up and it turned toward the tunnel. The tiny-metal-bird flew forward and into the darkness. A light appeared in front of it as it continued. The tunnel started curving some time in.
"That's strange," Aaron said. "I didn't see any turns while looking down it."
"Even stranger, I didn't turn. I kept my drone on a straight-line path. You'll see my confusion coming up." A few seconds later, the view turned around, looking at the walls and the curve behind it.
"Wait a second," Ruby started, "That's too steep. Does this thing curve in on itself?"
"I flew this forward and back. My guess is three times, but don't quote me on that." The view on the see-through-Scroll faced forward again and the tiny-metal-bird continued flying. The tunnel straightened out and a light appeared at the end.
"There we go…" Ruby whispered. The tiny-metal-bird approached the light, but nothing could be made out on the other side. The view flew out of the tunnel… and over a mountain with a sprawling forest at its base.
Cerise tried to stay in her Rider's head as she tried to process what she was seeing. That shouldn't have been possible. Then again, before Rider-mate-Aaron and Nalia came to Remnant from Alagaësia, that was impossible. But this place, it wasn't anywhere in Alagaësia. The too-tall-Beors had no forests this size around them. This wasn't the Spine or any mountains in Du Weldenvarden either. While she hadn't seen all of Remnant, the mountain range didn't look familiar. The tiny-metal-bird turned in the air and recorded the distant sky. Even in the daylight, parts of three moons hung in the blue. A dragon flew below the view, but it was too far away to make out any details.
"What's the phrase," Aaron crossed his arms, "I don't think we're in Armen anymore?"
"Yep." Ruby popped the 'p.' "Anything else mind-blowing through there? Aliens maybe?"
"I believe I saw a dragon in the sky at some point, so I figured it's from where you guys are from."
Cerise felt a thought burst through Ruby's mind. "Probably just far to the east. We never fly past the Edda River." She looked at her mate. "Yang and Halcyon should be almost here with the gun truck. We'll go through when they get here and make sure."
"Gun truck?" the builder asked. "I thought you said it was your place."
"Well, they're on their way, and it's better safe than sorry." Ruby faced ger mate and gestured with her head toward the line of flashing lights. "Clear their entry then get back to the dragons. I'll make some other calls. Let's get this sorted out."
With that settled, Cerise pulled back into her own head. She blinked rapidly and raised her head off the ground. The tunnel loomed in front of her. She fought the urge to flick her tail.
We're going in, Nalia said, a hint of amusement in her mental voice.
Get serious here. Cerise stood up, never taking her eyes off the closed-to-sky-tunnel. I make it about a mile and a half. Twenty minutes at most. Not even close to long enough to get me.
We'll see. Nalia rolled out her shoulders. Wish this thing was wider though. We can walk side by side, but we can't fight if it comes to that.
Cerise snorted. I back off, you take 'em?
That, or have Ruby freeze them. Your saddle secure for a fight?
If it's not, Ruby will take care of it when she gets up there. Cerise paused. There are dragons on that side. You and Aaron escaped here. Could more have escaped… elsewhere?
Nalia stiffened. It's… possible. She faced Cerise. Why did you have to give me that kind of hope?
I gave it to myself first. Cerise turned her head toward a loud, rumbling sound coming up the black-rock-road. The old fire truck Ruby converted into a tank rolled onto the grass. Four legs stuck out and rested on the ground. Yang sat in the front and spoke with Aaron on the ground. I believe it's time.
Both dragons' Riders approached their soulmates and climbed the saddles. Ruby pat Cerise' neck. "I know you don't like these, so let's make this quick."
Can we expect any backup?
"Arya and Fírnen are on their way… and Weiss and Saphira know the contingencies. If something happens, those four will keep things orderly."
Nalia snorted. That's encouraging.
"Cut her some slack," Aaron said. "She's still a stranger to magic. She wasn't born among it like we were."
Cerise could feel the Look her soulmate gave Aaron even though she couldn't see it. "Keep talking and see what happens. Let's get going."
The dragons gave each other their own look before stepping off together. That strange vertigo/pleasant memory feeling grew in strength until they stepped onto the impossible-hard-rock. Even then, it could be ignored without much problem. The tunnel grew dark faster than it should have. Light from the glorious-open-sky should have come in a lot farther. Without being asked, Ruby cast a simple light spell. A red orb hung in front of Cerise and maintained its distance.
About a half mile in, Cerise noticed the walls curved. She stopped and looked behind herself. She could no longer see any light… because the walls behind her had curved that far. How? I never turned.
Let's make sure we can go back, Nalia suggested. After a few seconds of stomping around each other, both dragons were walking back the way they came. After only a few seconds, the light came back into view.
"I'm in Yang's head," Ruby announced. "No change on their end. We'll stay connected as long as we can." Cerise snorted, and after another ungraceful dance with Nalia, continued toward the unknown.
Somewhere in the turn, she began to feel… tingly. It almost felt like thousands of tiny-crunch-bugs were crawling under her scales. Cerise kept walking through it. Through her link, she felt her Gem squirm from a similar feeling. But as soon as the feeling came, it disappeared. Cerise growled but no sound left her body. She was liking this impossible-evil-closed-tunnel less and less.
After a half mile of the turn, the tunnel straightened with another light far down. "See anything, Ruby?" Aaron asked.
"Hold on…" Ruby said. If the past was any indication, her metal-fake-eye was trying to see what was in the light. Cerise squinted as well. All she saw was white. "Still waiting…" She sounded confused. A few seconds later, she shifted in the saddle. "I'm not seeing anything. Either this is going to be a video game or movie like reveal, or we're going to Heaven."
"Well, I don't want to die," Aaron started, "so I hope it's option one… That being said, I don't like this."
I think I smell rainforest, Nalia said. And… I think I hear something. Low growling. It doesn't sound hostile, but I'd suggest telepathy until we know what's going on.
I agree, Ruby thought. Cerise heard the telltale clicks of the safeties of Ruby's impossible-range-scythes being ticked off. Here's hoping there's nothing hostile on the other side.
Cerise and Nalia slowed down but kept moving. While Cerise tried to keep her stride relaxed, her muscles were battle-tense. She didn't like going into situations blind. Dark shapes appeared in the light, but not like they just walked into view. I see something. One… no, two figures. The smaller one moved out from behind one of the bigger ones. As they got closer, the shapes resolved into figures. They're dragons. They're both dragons.
Nalia took a few quicker steps before slowing back to Cerise. If I know them, pinch me. This would have to be a dream. Two steps later, her ears fell. Oh… they're too short. Aaron patted his soulmate on the neck.
Other than size and shape, the lack-focus-shapes didn't gain any detail as the dragons in the tunnel approached. Colors only started to come together when Cerise thought she was only a hundred two-leg feet away. She stretched her mind toward the forms. As she said, she felt two minds, but they didn't feel like any dragons she knew. She didn't notice any recognizable words. Her traitorous tail flicked without her wanting it to. What dragon wouldn't notice their mind being touched? But… maybe they did. The two color-shapes jumped away before much longer.
Cerise stepped out of the strange-feel-tunnel and all became clear. She stood on the same cliff that the tiny-metal-bird showed. In the sky, the three not-right-moons hung low over other mountains in the range.
Well, we're here, Ruby said. Any idea where to go now?
Wherever those other dragons went, Aaron suggested. At least it will be a start.
Cerise touched her right wingtip to Nalia's right shoulder. Vert and I have hatchlings. Maybe those you know had them too.
Nalia snorted and glared at Cerise. I don't know if you're trying to help or making fun.
As Yang would say, yes. Cerise jumped off the wrong-world-cliff and rose above the peak of the not-home-mountain. She heard a dragon's yelp and turned toward it. A darker-than-Nalia-green dragon flew toward the tallest mountain in sight. She thought she saw a hatchling's head poking out from behind one of the larger dragon's legs.
Nalia joined Cerise in the sky. Should we follow?
You tell me. Cerise glanced at Nalia. I only know two dragons that I didn't know when I hatched, I'm not related to, or don't look up to me from the moment they hatch.
In that case, follow from a distance, stay in sight. We don't want to scare them.
Fly casual. Cerise blinked as she started flying forward. Don't you say it, Ruby.
If we knew what we were flying into, I would. Ruby patted her soulmate's neck. They're your people, Cerise. Lead the way.
Cerise and Nalia flew together toward the mountain. Far ahead, the not-known-dragon landed… among many others. All the strange dragons stopped then ran into a cave. A few minutes later, five dragons walked out of the cave. But it wasn't a nature-made-cave. The ground was fake-rock-flat-smooth. The entry to the mountain was dwarf-rock-carved like a grand-meeting-nest.
The dragons from new-home Remnant touched down and looked at the dragons in front of them. Five dragons stood there, though all were unlike any Cerise had seen before. Two were dark as the night skies with silver scales dotting their sides and wings. The female of the two had silver teardrop scales beside each of her eyes. The dragon in front of those two had teal scales with yellow stripes throughout and what she believed to be orange wing membrane. That was one color Cerise could never be certain of… but as she watched, she thought she saw some of the other dragon's scales change color. This… color-wrong-dragon had enlarged scales around her eyes and a tail that curled completely at the tip. The other two had what looked like water-breath-gills on their necks. The older female of those three had deep blue scales while the other had emerald scales darker than Nalia's. She also had an honor-full-battle scar running from her left ear, under that eye, and across her snout. The two had the same spiral patterns on their wings… and more membrane between their toes. A hatchling peeked out from behind the darker-than-Nalia-green-male's legs. These two were the ones she and Nalia saw in the air. All but the hatchling had some sort of jewelry or bag, whether it was a leg band on the darker-than-Nalia-green-dragon or a bag and a string of pearls around the blue dragon's neck.
Uhhh… Cerise? Ruby's surprise filtered through their mind-link.
I know. Cerise blinked at those in front of her. Now that she managed to wrap her mind about these dragons' appearances, she acknowledged their stances. The five bigger dragons, though none of them could have seen one year, stood tense. The black scaled male stared at Cerise like a maybe-threat.
But the hatchling stared up at the newcomers with child-light-eyes. She, at least Cerise thought it was a she, started jumping around and chirping up at the blue and green dragons. The larger dragons looked down at the hatchling with the green growling and pulled the excited-scaly-ball to his chest. The hatchling silenced for a second before pointing a paw at Nalia and chirping. A few of the young dragon's scales changed with her mood swings. All other natives faced the largest dragon.
Now they see Ruby and me, Aaron said.
No hostile movements, Nalia ordered. I'd much rather not meet new dragons with a fight.
The other dragons growled and chirped among themselves. Cerise thought she heard some repeat-sounds that might have been growl-words. Nalia, I may sound like a fool, but did dragons communicate vocally before?
Not that I know of, Nalia responded. We have always used our minds. As far as I know, we only learned languages to speak with the other races. Never this. I- Nalia froze, Cerise did as well. An unfamiliar mind was touching theirs.
Cerise flicked an eye to the one responsible, the black scaled female. She almost fought the not-welcome-mind, but stopped herself. She felt their minds, it was only reasonable to let this dragon do the same. It appears one of them is telepathic.
The black scaled female straightened so fast she almost left the stable-big-rock-ground. She growled and chirped excitedly at the wrong-colored-dragon in front of her. All but said dragon faced the female. The wrong-colored-dragon raised her head high and stepped forward. She growled and chirped with meaning, but she might as well have spoken about flashy-light-fun-boxes.
Cerise blinked at the dragon in front of her. Gem?
Your people, Cerise. Ruby said. The black scaled female's jaw dropped. You're co-leader of the Riders. Take the lead. I'm here if you need me.
Thank you. Cerise turned her attention to the dragon using her mind. You act like you understand our thoughts. Can you? The other dragon stared for a few seconds before growling once. She received a few looks from her fellow natives, but none said anything. Nod if you can understand what I am telling you. The black scaled dragon blinked and nodded. Ah. Good to hear, but we can't understand you.
The black scaled dragon blinked and nodded again. She started word-growling at her other dragons. The five bigger younglings word-growled amongst themselves while the hatchling cocked her head at the much bigger dragons. She wiggled out of the grasp of the darker-than-Nalia-dragon's grasp and looked around the ground. Her ears raised and she pounced on a two-leg-head sized rock. She started word-growling at the rock. Just as Cerise was about to admire the mind of a hatchling, the other native dragons jerked their heads to the hatchling. The darker-than-Nalia-dragon yelped, pounced forward, and ripped away the rock. Cerise cocked her head. That was different.
"-ous! You know that!" the darker-than-Nalia-dragon… said. Cerise jerked her head up. "You can't use your magic whenever you want!"
"But daddy…" the hatchling whined.
"No buts!" the blue dragon growled. "You were already in trouble before! That goes double now."
"But-"
"No, stay quiet and stay by me." The apparent father pulled his hatchling underneath him again… that was the first time Cerise noticed these strange dragon's use-tool-thumbs. These other dragons were getting stranger and stranger.
Did everyone just hear them talk? Aaron asked.
Good, Ruby said. I'm not the only one.
"But," the male black scale started, "did it work? They've certainly reacted."
The wrong-color-dragon cocked her head at the female black scale. "Moon?"
"They now understand us," 'Moon' said.
"In that case," the wrong-color-dragon locked eyes with Cerise. "Hello, strangers. I am Queen Glory of the Rainwings and Nightwings. It's my honor to welcome you to Jade Mountain." The blue-scale-female gave the Queen a look but said nothing.
No lies… Hold on, Cerise. Ruby pulled herself up her soulmate's neck and turned on the mind-word-band. You're good.
Cerise dipped her head to the cold-hard-stone beneath her and bent a knee. Nalia took the same position beside her. "The honor is ours, your highness." Her voice came out of the mind-word-band. It always sounded strange to her. "We apologize for entering your kingdom without permission. We did not know the land on this side of the tunnel was claimed."
Paws and claws shifted on the stone. "Moon, you're the best with human," the voice of the black scale male said.
"But… but…" the hatchling stammered, "I enchanted it so everyone could understand…" Cerise stiffened. Enchanted? She raised from her bow to see confused faces, much like she had seen on all two-legs. Her face certainly couldn't contort like that.
Blue-scale-gills sighed and nuzzled the hatchling. "River, I love you, but you're being a pest." She said 'pest' like whenever Ruby called perfect-little-Angel annoying. The dragon raised her head to face her relative. "Turtle, could you get her out of here?"
Turtle nodded. "I'll let the delegations know what's going on here too." He scooped River up in one of his front legs. "Come on, little minnow. Let the adults do the talking." He walked toward the entry to the not-cave. He passed a mud brown dragon who was watching those outside.
Cerise gave her best attempt at a two-leg smile. "Hatchlings. They are the same everywhere." Moon translated for the others. Cerise let her attempted smile fall. "I also apologize for that. We speak with our minds, not our mouths. These things on our heads allow us to speak audibly."
"Interesting." Queen Glory kept a neutral face. "I would like to know how that works." Her voice carried her curiosity, but not in a way that meant she would pursue it.
"I am afraid the specifics would stump most of your smartest dragons." Cerise shifted her wings. "I believe we haven't introduced ourselves. I am Cerise Longtail, co-leader of the Dragon Riders. The human on my back is Ruby Shadeslayer, my Rider." She gestured a wing at the other two who walked through the not-right-tunnel with her. "These are my seconds in command, Nalia Quickwing and Aaron Benson." She paused. Rainwings and Nightwings. She wasn't sure where the 'Rain' part came from, but the night almost certainly referred to the black scaled dragons with other colored scales to make them look like the night sky. Assuming those were what they called themselves… Halcyon will never let me hear the end of this. "To name ourselves further, you may call us Brightwings."
She caught Nalia's sideways glance before the older dragon faced the natives. The Brightscales don't need a bigger ego.
I know. It's all I could come up with. I'm not a diplomat.
Fake it 'till you make it! Ruby mentally chirped.
Queen Glory dipped her head. "Again, welcome to Jade Mountain." She raised a leg and gestured at the black-scale-male. "This is King Deathbringer." She pointed at Moon. "My Seer, Moonwatcher."
The blue-scale-female took a step forward. "I am Princess Tsunami of the Seawings, and…" she shifted on her paws, "…if all goes well, first in line for the throne." She didn't sound incredibly excited about that prospect. Still, Cerise bowed to the princess as well, though not as deep. When she raised, Princess Tsunami had a surprised look on her face. The blue-scale-female shook her head. "Also, I'm the Headmistress of Jade Mountain Academy, which is where we are now." The Princess gave the Queen another look and shook her head. She sounded much more confident about that title. Tsunami gestured to the now empty space beside her. "The two that just left were my brother, Prince Turtle, and his daughter, Princess River."
Cerise looked at the rock the young Princess jumped on. "And… the hatchling made it so we could understand each other?" She returned her attention to Tsunami. "Do you remember the wording she used?"
Princess Tsunami hesitated before sighing. "I guess you already know. Yes, she's an Animus, like her father used to be." She contorted her face as if in deep concentration. "As for the words, I think it was just 'Enchant this rock to make everyone around it understand each other."
Cerise blinked. That's it? she thought.
No lies, Ruby thought back. Maybe… these 'Animus' dragons can control their magic better than you can?
I believe we're dealing with a completely different form of magic, Nalia said. I was examining these dragons when River acted. There was a surge of energy, but not like I've felt from a magician. It felt more like a Relic being used.
"If I may," Aaron said out loud, "maybe if you try to speak your words, they will be able to understand." Cerise turned her head to the two-leg and cocked it. "The spell was everyone, not everything. The translation bands wouldn't qualify."
King Deathbringer snorted. "Of course, the human speaks better dragon than the dragon."
Cerise narrowed her eyes. Aaron knew better than that. She'd growl at him to make her point. "You know magic doesn't-" Cerise cut herself off as her voice reached her ears. Nalia whipped her head to her partner as well. "How…" Cerise heard her own no-sound-voice come out of her mouth, only a little deeper than what she would have thought. But she was just anger-growling. She felt it. Her jaw couldn't make the sound-words two-legs could.
Nalia cocked her head. "Does this work for…" She shook her head out. "Yes, it does." Her sound-voice sounded exactly like her no-sound-voice, though her jaw also didn't move to make the right sound.
"I stand corrected," King Deathbringer said. "Now they're all speaking dragon."
Queen Glory shot her mate a look, then returned her attention to Cerise. "From my understanding, you came here through a tunnel on my side of the border. What brings you to my Kingdom?"
Cerise forced herself to growl-speak. "I wish I could say it was a simple matter of exploration. We were called to investigate the appearance of a giant hole in one of the largest hospitals in the city of Vale." The natives' expressions ranged from surprised to horrified. "We came through to investigate."
"Is everyone alright?" Princess Tsunami blurted. "Please tell me no one got hurt. River would kill herself if she hurt anyone."
"No one was hurt," Nalia said, "but the humans are nervous. They don't know what caused it or where it leads." She faced where the three moons hung in the sky. "Since there are two more moons than there should be, I can say with confidence this isn't anywhere on the planet they know."
"The… planet?" Queen Glory shook her head, some of her scales turning dark green before returning to their normal hue. "I believe it's our turn to apologize for what happened. I assure you, Princess River held no ill intent."
"She barely knows what she can do," Princess Tsunami continued. "Obviously, we need to train her better." She gave Cerise and Nalia pleading looks. "Please don't take this out on her. She's just a dragonet."
"No one was injured," Nalia assured. "In fact, no one inside the building was even aware the tunnel appeared. Aaron could even look out the windows the hole covered up. As of right now, there is nothing to apologize for."
Glory and Tsunami sighed. "My heart almost stopped there for a second," Tsunami said.
The Queen smirked at the Princess. "Wow. You made Tsunami beg. Not even her mate can do that." Tsunami glared at Glory, but in a way that reminded Cerise of blood-bond Ruby and Yang. Glory straightened her face and locked eyes with Cerise. "We'll ask her to try to move it. Magic isn't an exact science. It could take-" Moonwatcher gasped and fell forward, limbs and wings sprawled on the ground. "Moon!" Queen Glory pounced to her Seer's side. Deathbringer fell as well and put a wing over the downed dragon. Tsunami stood tense and sent a stone-melt-glare at Cerise before turning her attention to Moonwatcher.
Cerise stood stiff and stared down at the in-pain dragon. Her traitor-lips pulled themselves back. Did anyone see what happened?
Heart attack? Aaron offered. Sneak attack?
Look at her eyes, Nalia hissed. There's something going on in her head. Cerise did as told. The black-scale-female's eyes lost almost all their color. Only the edges were darker, which let Cerise see just how much the dragon's eyes shook.
I'll say, Ruby said. She's… seeing things. But they're going so fast I can't make sense of them. But from what I can see… I don't know if she'll get up wanting to attack us or not. I believe I can officially say we're dealing with magic that we know nothing about.
I have to agree with you there. Cerise didn't move any more forward, but she did feel her partner-of-her-heart-and-mind shift forward in the saddle.
Moonwatcher stayed twitching on the ground for another minute before her eyes retook their previous green. She lay sprawled and long-fight-breathed. She tried to push herself up, but dread-name-Deathbringer kept her down. "Easy there. That was a long one. Take your time. Let your legs come back."
Princess Tsunami growled. "Three moons, Moon, if this is another prophecy…"
"Not here." Queen Glory shook her head. "When it's just us."
"It's okay," Moonwatcher groaned. "They're all mind readers. They know."
Some of the wrong-color-dragon's scales turned green and orange before changing back. She nodded at Moonwatcher. "In that case, what did you see?"
"It's not a prophecy. It's just… one of many futures." Moonwatcher shook. "But there's… war. War that crosses a planet. War that makes the Sandwing War of Succession and the Breath of Evil look like a dragonet playfight." She lifted her head and stared at the much larger dragons, though not with kill-eyes, but life-friend-eyes. "These four are at the center."
Cerise and Nalia glanced at each other before facing those in front of them. "We could have told you as much," Cerise said. "While I can't speak for your wars, this one has lasted long before our Riders' Grandsires' Grandsires were born. We hope to end it."
Princess Tsunami narrowed her eyes. "Doesn't everyone hope to 'end' their wars?"
"Relax, Tsunami." Moonwatcher managed to push hold-fast-Deathbringer off and stood on wind-shake-legs. "There was more than battles. More than all the bad. We gain allies, friends, societal and technological advancements, Sunny finds a mate, and-" Moonwatcher winced "-and no major hostility between us and these dragons and humans and… others."
Queen Glory and Tsunami exchanged a glance. "How likely is this future?"
Moonwatcher shrugged like a two-leg much better than Cerise could. "I saw these four with my own eyes before any vision. But, if I may, your Highness, I strongly suggest that we open diplomatic relations with these dragons."
"Did their war reach Pyrrhia like some of the Breath of Evil?" Glory asked.
"…Yes, but not in any sufficient numbers to threaten anything more than a single Mudwing Troop." Moonwatcher nodded at Cerise. "If they're our allies, they will make sure nothing of substance makes it through."
Glory and Tsunami glanced at each other again, this time with a make-fun-plan look in their eyes that Ruby and Yang sometimes shared. "We'll talk more about Sunny later." She faced Cerise again. Moonwatcher gave her Queen a when-my-scales-turn-pink-glare.
"I take it this Sunny is a friend of yours?" Nalia asked.
Tsunami nodded. "Someone that might as well be our sister. Just don't call her sweet, even if that's the most appropriate descriptor." She gestured toward the Academy entrance with a wing. "Come inside. We can discuss things away from prying eyes." Cerise and Nalia exchanged a glance. Tsunami's tone had turned around. The blue-scale-female looked between the two of them and shrugged. "While Moon's prophecies make my scales itch, she hasn't led us wrong before. There are few I-"
A dragon's scream stormed into Cerise' ears, one she heard as both a roar and a two-leg-pain-yell. Deathbringer and Moonwatcher pounced to body-block their Queen. Tsunami immediately dashed toward the academy-cave entrance and past the mud brown dragon, who followed right after.
"Hitta," Ruby said, though her partner-of-her-heart-and-mind didn't see what on. Ruby pat Cerise' neck. "I have the rock. Go." Cerise bounded toward the entrance but had to slow when she reached it. The close-rock-walls were too close for her to take at any speed. Many smaller dragons of all colors lined the walls, most looking deeper into the cave-school. Others turned their heads to Cerise and hugged the close-rock-walls even more. One yellow and black one peeked out from a side tunnel before ducking back.
Cerise followed the sound of the screaming to a cross-tunnel and a large crowd of young dragons. Princess Tsunami and the mud brown dragon were pushing through. "Make a hole! Make a hole!" the male of the two said. Tsunami just pushed herself through the crowd. Cerise raised her head to the ceiling to look over the crowd.
A grass green dragon with strange, rounded wings writhed on the cold-head-hurt-rock. His front right leg was turning… white. On the other side of the group from Cerise, one white dragon held another against the close-rock-tunnel. The held dragon sniffled. "I'm sorry…" She sounded like she had a good-melon-of-water stuffed up her snout.
"Winter! What happened?" Tsunami demanded as she reached the downed dragon.
"Allergies," 'Winter' said. "It's that time of year."
"Get her out of here!" Tsunami thrust a paw toward a tunnel that couldn't hold a six-month-old. Winter dragged the sick dragon away. The culprit sneezed again and ice spikes grew from the not-that-cold-rock.
Cerise stopped a growl and faced the downed dragon. She felt her soulmate climb her neck. Is that… frostbite? Ruby asked.
It seems some dragons here breathe ice like we breathe fire. Cerise blinked as she saw cold-only-ice on the ground around the downed dragon. Nothing makes sense here. She paused. You've healed frostbite before.
But not in front of so many witnesses… Cerise felt her partner-of-her-heart-and-mind think over her options. To heal or to protect herself? Really, Cerise knew what her Rider would choose. Get me closer.
"Clear the way!" Cerise ordered. All heads except for Tsunami's, the mud-scale-male, and the ice-bitten dragon's whipped to the voice. "I'm coming through." The crowd pressed into each other as Cerise stepped forward. She glared at a red-scale-male and a yellow-scale-male closest to the ice-bitten-dragon. "You two, hold him down. Keep him still." The two glanced at each other before they placed their front legs over the ice-bitten-dragon's body and limbs, though neither touched the injured limb.
Tsunami gave Cerise a skeptical look as the larger dragon broke through the crowd. "You're a doctor?"
"No." Cerise moved her head to the right and her Rider jumped off and toward the ice-bitten dragon. "She is." Cerise laid a steady-paw on the ice-bitten dragon's bitten leg and dipped her head toward his. "Be still. There may be pain, but you will feel better." The pained dragon didn't say anything but fell mostly still. Gem, you're up.
Ruby placed her paws on the ice-bitten limb. Her eyes Maiden-glowed. "Heal this wound. Warm the leg. Let there be no damage." Cerise heard those words in the magic-tongue, but she couldn't feel the energy drain from her soulmate. It wasn't needed. Her Aura, though, flowed like a cool-move-river.
The ice-bitten dragon whined and squirmed but those keeping him down didn't let him go. But the scales on his leg began to regain their grass-green-color. The ice-bitten dragon opened his pain-shut eyes and tried to look at Ruby. The treatment was going well, so Cerise listened to the dragons around her.
"Where did that dragon come from? She's the biggest I've seen!"
"Why are they letting a human touch Maple?"
"Is that a Leafwing? She's definitely not a Seawing."
"Auklet, do not let mother know you were here."
"Humans! So cute! Ah! That one's wearing a hat!" Nalia and Aaron must have arrived.
"I think I heard that human say something earlier."
"No way. Humans can't be Animuses."
"That Scavenger's healing Map-Ow! What was that for?"
So many others were whispering about Ruby. Cerise raised her eyes and looked at the surrounding dragons. All other heads focused on easily-squished-Ruby. Nalia stood in the close-wall-tunnel Cerise came through with her head nearly touching the too-low-ceiling and Aaron peeking out from behind her neck. Future-seer-Moonwatcher raised her head over Nalia's side to look in as well. Cerise touched her mind to the black-scale-female. Can you get us out of here? I don't like the look of this crowd.
There's a side tunnel back here, Moonwatcher thought back. I can get you to… at least a room where you won't be cramped.
Cerise fought not to narrow her eyes and peel her lips. You claim to see the future. Why didn't you see this?
Moonwatcher did snort. I'm no Clearsight. I typically can't control what I see, especially if I don't know what to look for.
"There," Ruby said. Cerise returned her attention to the ice-bitten dragon. The wounded leg was completely healed. Maple stared at Ruby with jaw hanging loose. "All better. Still feeling a bit chilly?"
"Ye… yeah." His voice was scream-sore.
Ruby made a show of moving her top legs around before thrusting them at the healed dragon. Cerise felt some of the warmth herself. Some of the white dragons shifted away from the heat. "Better?"
"Yeah… thank you." Those keeping Maple down stepped away and the healed-dragon rose to his feet. He tested his weight on his Maiden-warmed-leg. "Are… are you one of those Animuses I've heard about?" Dragons started murmuring again.
"Alright, alright," Tsunami called. "Nothing to see here. I'm sure you've all got classes or homework." She shooed the other dragons away with her wings.
"Come on," the mud-scale-dragon stepped up to Maple's side. "I'll get you to the infirmary."
"Thanks, Clay." The two dragons walked further into the not-dwarf-carved-mountain.
Cerise, Nalia called. Cerise turned her head toward her friend. This way. Nalia turned around as best as the too-close-rock would allow.
Ruby jumped up Cerise' back. Well, that was unexpectedly eventful.
I can't argue. Cerise turned around in the intersection, ignoring the fun-screen-person-stares she and her Rider received from the other dragons, especially with the way some of them looked at her partner-of-her-heart-and-mind. I don't like how they're looking at you.
Why not? It's how people back on Remnant look at me.
Not all are friendly. Some are looking at you like I look at a nice cow.
Oh… wow… That's a first… but some are nice.
Yes. Let's keep the Queen that way. I'd rather avoid having to keep hungry dragons out of Vale. Cerise paused as she continued down the too-small-tunnel. But if Moonwatcher is right…
I mean, some things sound good, but why did she bring up this 'Sunny?'
Cerise shrugged. Maybe she finds her mate among those in Mor'ranar Vera.
Yeah, well, that's later. Diplomacy now.
Yeah… Cerise stopped herself from groaning. And you think you hate politics…
The first one off (maybe more) involving a series of different dragons. I highly recommend Wings of Fire. I don't know how it's a kid's series. It's a lot more... murdery than the books I read as a kid.
Since I'm likely there and back before I upload next… Later losers! I'm going to Disney World!