Chico asks Choppun to watch over Dragon and the barrier. It doesn't go well. Requested by a tumblr anon!

Expected Disaster

"I'm so sorry that this is so last minute, but I'd really appreciate your help!"

Chico bowed her head and clasped her hands in front of her lap. Being asked by her grandmother to suddenly run errands had left her with little time to prepare Dragon or the sanctuary. She simply couldn't leave him alone. There was no telling what kind of trouble he would cause, and she certainly couldn't have him guard the sanctuary by himself when he was prone to sleeping at unorthodox times.

So, naturally, she needed someone to watch Dragon to make sure he performed Chico's duty while she was out.

Most of her friends were busy. Witch was off searching for new ingredients. Draco had entered a beauty contest in Puyo Hell. Seriri, Arle, and Carbuncle were off adventuring in an underwater dungeon searching for a jewel said to summon spices from all over the world as bizarre as that sounded.

She was unsure of who else to ask when she stumbled upon the stranger. He dressed like Arle, but he certainly wasn't her. The glasses and paper bag on his head had frightened her, but upon realizing he knew Arle, she asked if he could oblige her request.

Choppun looked down at her and didn't reply. Instead, he moved past her to enter the sanctuary with a stiff nod. It wasn't like he had anything better to do on a Thursday afternoon.

"O-oh! Thank you so much! I'll be back as soon as I can. Please don't be afraid to scold Dragon if he gives you any trouble," Chico exclaimed, smiling before quickly running out of the sanctuary and through the grassy field.

Choppun watched her leave. He turned into the sanctuary and entered through the back doors, which were left open despite the notice reminding Chico to close them. He gazed at the strange marble columns and took in the bizarre magical barrier at the far end of the sanctuary. Sunlight, dyed in a faintly violet hue, filtered in through the ceiling. There was an odd floral scent wafting around from the vases decorated with roses, tulips, and hydrangeas, but with his paper bag, he couldn't smell them.

He fixed his glasses and took notice of Dragon slumbering in front of the barrier. With Chico's pet asleep, he assumed it was going to be a very simple gig. All he had to do was coolly lean against a marble column and oust any intruder through a Puyo battle.

However, with his back turned as he took his spot against the nearest pedestal, he didn't realize Dragon had moved.

Something wet slipped onto his neck. Choppun shuddered from head to toe and slapped his hand over the sticky wet spot. He pulled his hand back, realizing it was drool. Blinking, he slowly looked up and found Dragon's maw opening wide enough to devour his head.

He screamed, ducking away in time before Dragon could chomp down. He scampered behind another obelisk as Dragon thumped his tail. He glanced around, completely unsure of what to do. Puyo wasn't going to help him fight a beast who weighed several hundred pounds more than him!

Dragon, on the other hand, had no idea who this stranger was posing in his sanctuary. He definitely wasn't Chico, her grandmother, or anyone else in their humble village. He was someone who brazenly invaded the place his master protected, and he also didn't like what he was wearing. Having a bag on his face and donning the outfit of one of Chico's friends was simply weird.

Ambling towards Choppun, who was quivering so severely that he could have feigned a heart attack, Dragon tilted his head. The stranger wasn't doing anything too bad. Maybe he was there to protect the sanctuary. He had fallen asleep when Chico was explaining that someone new was going to guard the barrier while she went out for errands or at least that was what she thought she said.

Taking his chances, Choppun dashed out and slammed his hand right at the beast's eyes.

Dragon immediately blew fire onto him, covering him in a brilliant orange blaze. He watched the man scream and roll on the floor. He swatted and batted at his shirt and boots, his paper bag singing to black.

As the man howled, Dragon stumbled back to his fluffy, warm bed. He settled down, curling his tail into himself. Satisfied, he fell asleep as Choppun's screams echoed throughout the village.

When Chico returned with groceries and fabric, all that was left of Choppun was scorch marks scuffing the floor.

"E-eep! What-what happened? I was only gone for an hour!" she cried, and in his sleep, Dragon smirked.