Life was interesting now that I had roommates. The morning routine was different to say the least.

I ended up being the cook, totally not because their cooking sucks, but I also get up earlier than everyone else anyway. so I just do it because it's always nice to wake up to a hot meal.

The days have been slowing down more now too since the school let out for winter break. The midterms happened and I ended up placing third this time around. I went up against Cynder in the semifinals and I got spanked. I just couldn't get a good hit on her to save my life.

Anyway, now that we're on break I've been taking it easy and lounging about most of the time to try and stay warm. I feel really lethargic, at least this time it wasn't for a bad reason, but it's been getting old. I think I'll have a day of movement.

I get up off the couch I was resting on and stretch out my back like a cat and I get a resounding pop as a response. It felt good, but it made me want to take another nap.

I begin heading for the door with a yawn.

"Hay, where ya off to Sam?"

"Just out for a fly Lumus, just tired of being tired, ya know?"

"Sounds like a plan, mind if I join you?"

I stumble a bit and look at her, "I mean, you can," I grimace, "but I like to fly fast."

"It's fine, I'm not looking to race." She gets up and stretches as she walks over. "Just want to stretch my wings. So let's go before it gets colder"

"Ok then," I open the door for her, " let's get going."

The flight started off relatively slow, I was still trying to warm up in the winter sunlight. We were just cruising along, enjoying the flight and each other's silent company, at least I was anyway. However, I soon got tired of waiting to warm up and just went for it. I brought in my left wing and began to dip downwards. It made it a little colder, but I got the adrenaline going so I pull up and rocket into the air. I fly in many different directions and do anything I can think of, what really mattered to me was that I could fly. The freedom I felt, the weight lifted from my shoulders every time I soared through the sky. I didn't ditch Lumus though, I stayed close by. Every time I did a close pass I could hear her giggling. I probably looked like an idiot, but that's ok. I'm having fun and I'm getting some exercise.

I spent the next half hour having my fun, but I felt guilty that Lumus couldn't join in on the fun. Then I had an idea.

"Hay Lumus? Wanna give it a go?"

"I can't fly that fast Sam and I certainly can't fly as well."

"Well, then we can just go for a lap around Warfang then." I smile toothy

"What are you planning?"

Without answering, I start up a tailwind and push us both along at high speeds.

She was surprised at first but then she started laughing.

"I've never gone this fast before. Woohooo!"

I couldn't help but take joy in her happiness. I just wish she could do this under her own power.

We continue going around Warfang like this for a while until Lumus gets tired. We perch on the top of the temple for the view of the city. She's winded from flying so fast, but she was smiling. I place a paw on her shoulder and send her some of my energy.

"Ah, much better, thank you."

"Don't worry about it, now let's get you home before you catch a cold."

With that, we take off for home.

Somewhere up north

A lone Grublin walks into a dark cave with a look of worry on its face. "Sir, we have some new reports coming in from the scouts."

A cloaked figure made his presence known from the shadows, "don't just stand there, give me the report."

The Grublin gulped nervously, "Well sir, the city is currently vulnerable. Most of the dragons have entered a hibernative state. Moles are the only thing protecting the city for now."

"I see, put together a small force to go test their defenses. Use the undesirable recruits. It'll be a win either way, and if this fails I don't want it to look like a coordinated attack. The last thing we need is for them to build more defenses before our real attack."

"I'll get right on it sir." The Grublin quickly scurries out of the cave and away from the cloaked figure.

The cloaked figure moves out of the shadows a bit and one could faintly make out the outline of a muzzle and from the right angle one could see the blood red eyes of this mysterious figure glaring out at the world with an undying hated.

In the Guardians' chambers at Warfang

Flare was pacing the room and glowing red while spreading heat for the rest of the guardians,"There have been more and more Grublin sightings as of late. It's worrisome…"

"There's not much we can do, all of the adults are restricted to indoors due to the effects that the cold have on them" Volteer replied

"Except for the ice dragons of course" Cyril cut in

Everyone rolled their eyes.

Terridor took the floor, "other than the ice and fire dragons, we have no one to guard the walls besides the moles and our cheetah allies still in the city. Our only real option would be to ask some of the students to help out since the cold only makes them a little less energetic."

Cyril shakes his head, "I would like to avoid asking Spyro and Cynder for anymore help, they already fought a war for us. It wouldn't be fair to ask them for anything else"

"For once, I would have to agree with Cyril. They already dread having to go into the city now, we shouldn't give them any more reason to hate it" Volteer added.

Flare stopped his pacing and looked at all the Guardians, "I don't think those two are capable of hate, they've experienced too much of it as it is. They would never want to feel hatred too. Besides Sam has made it easier for them, he's truly a gift. All four of them would probably be willing to help anyone in this city if they were needed."

Terridor stood up, "I have no doubt about that flare, so for now, let's inform the ice and fire dragons to be on call at all times and inform the top 25 students to be prepared if we need them. As for that, make sure the moles and cheetahs have all the rations they need up there."

A few days later

"So I know we're on call and all, but do you guys want to join us for our little workout session?"

Spyro and Cynder both groan, Spyro picks his face up up out of the pillow and looks at us with baggy eyes, "I don't know how either of you can possibly think about wanting to go out in this cold."

Cynder, not even bothering to look up from the pillows, mumbled, "you're both lunatics."

Lumus giggled on the side, "it's only because you're not moving as much."

Spyro's head falls back into the pillows and they both groan again.

"Just let them be Lumus, the cold is just having this affect on them since they're older. That'll be us next year unfortunately."

We both sigh and head out for our now daily flight.

Lumus has been getting better at flying at high speeds and we've only been at it for about four days. She's been getting faster too. I'm starting to wonder if she has some wind dragon heritage.

However, that thought is short lived. The peace was interrupted by Warfang's alarm. We're under attack.

"What's going on?"

"I don't know Lumus, but let's get to our posts on the wall and find out."

We split and head to opposite ends of Warfang, as the top four students we were each assigned to one of the cardinal points of the city in order to provide it with the most protection. We won't be seeing each other until this whole thing is sorted out.

I get to my post relatively quick and what I find is concerning. As far as the eye could see in any direction, there were Grublins. It was a full on swarm. There was no organization to it at all, but there were numbers, that was the scary part, we're outmanned. At least we're not out gunned. This is gonna be a fight.

I'm on the west side of Warfang with 3 other dragons. I'm grouped with an ice dragoness named Crystal, a fire dragon named Smolder, and an earth dragon named Quake. I've been assigned to lead them, but we as a group take orders from the adults on the wall and our task is to take out all the stragglers. That means any that get too close to the wall we take out. It makes me uncomfortable to actually take a life, but I'm going to defend myself and the ones I care for.

The adults begin the adult with a grand display of fire power, quite literally. The adult fire drakes spread out across Warfang's walls and made sweeping passes over the hoard. The smell of burning fur and roasted bug was immediately prevalent. We went for a full on ranged assault so the fire dragons used everything they had and had to retreat back to the walls to recharge. The ice dragons froze a large spread of the ground between the wall and the horde to delay their advance. Now it's our turn. We're just meant to buy the adults time to recharge on gems and finish the job.

Our group is focused on trap and destroy tactics. I'll gather them with my wind and Crystal or Quake will trap them while smolder takes them out. It's more precise than the adults' carpet bomb, but it also takes longer to effectively execute. That's why it was left for the clean up.

We spend the next hour or so picking off the remaining Grublins. The Adults did one more sweep and a few of them we're sent to check the other sides of the city. After that we swept the area for any survivors and ended their suffering or just plain out executed the ones who managed to evade it all. It wasn't a pleasant experience, it made me feel dirty all over.

I hope lumus held up ok, she hates hurting things more than I do.

I went straight home after I was relieved and took a nice long bath, I ended up being the last to get home so I had to heat my own water too, so much for just relaxing. I took my time in there to groom myself since I was last though so I guess it wasn't all bad. I've been meaning to give my scales some extra attention lately. Well, more than usual anyway.

Getting out was a bitter sweet experience. The bath was just so comfortable, but I felt so refreshed when I got out. I'm gonna sleep well tonight.

I pause a little bit at the thought of sleeping well tonight.

Lumus must be feeling terrible right about now.

'Hay Susan? Where is she at the moment?'

'She's in your room Sam.'

'You let her in again!?'

'It's bad Sam, it was for the best.'

'Oh… I see, thank you Susan.'

'What for?'

'For taking such good care of us'

I can feel her smiling at that, but I'm not gonna make a witty remark. I need to go comfort one of my friends.

I walk up to my door and get ready to knock, but I hear sobbing from inside so I just open the door. She was curled up in a tight ball in the middle of my sleeping pile crying.

I walk up to her and just gently lay down and curl up around her to give her some comfort. Then I use my wind magic and bring all the pillows in and make ourselves our own warm little space.

As I'm getting ready to fall asleep she grabs my paws and pulls them under hers and puts me in the position of hugging her. Then She lightly squeezes my paws and whispers a simple thank you.

I'll never admit it, but I started purring after that with her still in my embrace and I fell asleep soon after.