Mourning of the Festival

"How much fruit did you get?" Called out Rubs from a few trees away.

"I got a basket of melons, cocoa beans, and mangos," I responded, "Do you think that's enough?"

"It should be. There is already plenty of food and drinks. These are just back up," Rubs landed next to me, "I'll take your basket to The Arboretum."

"Thanks, I need to find Shell and see if she needs any food." We parted and I looked to located Shell. She wasn't in Paprika's room so I figured she was walking around. The kingdom looked very nice. Every single hut had flowers and ribbons decorating the interior and exterior. The younger dragonets, 2 to 3, were running and jumping and teasing others if they had a date for tonight. Then they would all give an "eeeeewwwww" as a rebuttal.

One of them threw a ball to high for the others to catch. To prevent it from falling off the edge, I whacked it back to them with my tail.

"Thank you Skeffer," responded Macaw. Macaw is the youngest of the group and is Paprika's nephew.

"Hey Macaw, have you seen Shell anywhere." I asked.

"Shell? Oh yeah I saw her going that a way," squawked Macaw pointing to the hospital then he ran back to the group.

I followed his directions an strolled into the infirmary. The only patient a Nightwing who had a wet towel on his head, but most of the nurses were either sleeping or admiring Shell, who was writing stuff down and making sketches of everything in sight. I gave Shell her food, plopped her into by pouch and left for Glory's hut. I had no business a being their but I like to sit inside and relax.

And eat all her food.

Making it to the Queen's household, Glory was there along with other dragons inside. I stepped in and saw a MudWing, a barbless SandWing, a SeaWing, and two NightWings which one had bandages over his eyes. They are the dragonets of destiny.

"We will send over dragons who can act as staff, hey Scheffler, and plants and scrolls for study material," said Glory as I walked towards the cabinets. I grabbed a mango, broke off a chunk and handed it to Shell, then sat down on a cushion in the corner of the room. The MudWing made a waving gesture to me. As they continued their conversation, I learned their names were Clay, Tsunami, Sunny, Starflight, and Fatespeaker.

When they finished, Tsunami said to Glory, "So who is your friend?"

"That's Scheffler," she responded.

"Hello," I announced with half a mango in my mouth. Sunny and Starflight started to play around with Shell. Although Starflight just sat there and froze when ever Shell would crawl on him.

"You don't look like a normal RainWing? Are you a hybrid?" asked Clay.

"Sea and rain," I flashed my bioluminescent scales.

Fatespeaker looked at me intently, "Are you ok with being a hybrid?" Everyone quickly looked at her, "I mean, if it's not to personal." She quickly responded defending her question.

"That ok. I fine with being a hybrid. Nobody picks on me for one, so it doesn't bother me."

Or at least I think it doesn't.

For a few hours, we talked about ourselves and The Dragonets told me about their adventures of saving the world and the Jade Mountain Academy. They were here in the rainforest because the school got out for summer break. After our conversation, the sun was just starting to go down and the festival will be starting soon. Shell decided she wanted to stay so she would not be trampled by a bunch of drunk dragons.

I stepped outside and hovered over to my hammock to put away my satchel, but a sloth made himself comfortable in my bed. "Sorry buddy, not your spot." I took him over to a nearby branch and plopped him on a nearby branch. I then walked towards the Arboretum.

Rubs told me he got us a spot up high of the left side of the stands. The entrance started to get crowded so I looked for another entrance. Moving over to the western side, I saw the SandWings singers, called The Dust Devils, and other acts getting ready. I instantly saw the blacktail of Yucca.

"Hey Yucca," I called out. The group of SandWings turned their heads to look at me then to at Yucca.

As she walked up, a singer, who was finishing her makeup, snickered "Ooooooooh Yucca. Are you hiding someone from us?"

"Yucca's got a secret boyfriend," commented another.

"No he's not!" Yucca barked back, blushing a little, "He is a guy I met yesterday at work." She turned to me. "So what brings you around?"

"I was just looking for another entrance, wandered over here and found you. So I would to welcome you to the rainforest, were we have plenty of rain and plenty of forest."

"Well it's good to be welcomed," she replied with a smile.

"So when does your act show up?" I asked.

Yucca pondered for a second, "We are after the IceWing Fire Brothers then three acts later after Ninja Super Party."

Don't ask me about the IceWings. I have no idea how that works.

"Ok then. I'll be sure to watch," I grinned back at her, "Good luck."

"Thanks, I'll need it," she said and then walked back towards the group.

I got my wristband and made my way to the stand which Rubs was at. "Hey bro."

"What's up bro."

"Nothing bro, just going to watch the concert up here. What about your bro?"

"Bro I'm doing the exact same thing bro. You wanna watch it together bro."

This is a thing we do for fun. I looked over the railing seeing the center stage, which was decorated with huge pink and yellow feathers and gold painted all over floor. Basically the Rio Carnival. Dragons of all tribes were everywhere. "I thought Paprika was going be with us," I mentioned, admiring the crowd that are in the process of taking their seats.

"She told me she was going to sit with her girl friends and meet up with us later," Rubs handed me a banana smoothie.

The sun has completely set and the show starts to begin. Jambu was the host for this years festival.

"Thank you all for attending this year's Skyfire Festival," announced Jambu, "We have prepared a wonderful show full of singing, dancing, magic, comedians, and many more. So put your claws together for our opening act, Prismatic Rain!" The crowd exploded in cheers and applauses.

The show continued for about an hour and a half, showing off many different acts, then the Dust Devils walked onto stage. I could see Yucca, who was 2 dragons from the center, wearing a purple robe and streaks of red makeup. "So which one do you think is the hottest?" Rubs nudged me, "I think the tall, lead singer is pretty cute."

"You always go for the tall ones," I hope Yucca is ok, she seems a little nervous, "I don't know, they are all equally attractive."

"Suit yourself," he said.

All the lights focused in on the stage. The way the singer moved and danced was mesmerizing with their voice. Almost hypnotizing. They all moved in unison except for one. Yucca. She seemed to be lagging behind, off by a step or two, and here voice didn't seem to vocalize as well. But once the lights moved off of Yucca, she ran off stage.

What! Why did she leave in the middle of the act? "I'll be right back," I said tapping Rubs' shoulder. He flicked me a confused thumbs up. It didn't seem like anyone noticed Yucca sneak out. I quickly ran down the stairs and around the back of the Arboretum. Two BIG MudWing bouncers, wearing sunglasses and gold chains, blocked the entrance to the backstage. As I walked closer, they straightened up and looked me dead in the eye, "Only actors and staff are allowed beyond this point."

"I am an actor," I said confidently and kept walking through. A large claw grabbed my neck and slammed be against the nearest tree.

"You're going to have to try better than that next, but for you, there won't be a next time. Right." The security's face was inches away from mine. All I did was smile back at him. They both picked me up and launched me away from the entrance. I landed face first into the dirt. If they want to play hard then I won't play at all.

I walked around the corner, turned invisible and walked back out. Sneaking past the bouncer and on to backstage. I looked around for Yucca. She wasn't in the spot for her act but as I asked the other performers, I found her.

She was sitting against a wall, with her head in buried in her arms. I sat down next to her, "It must be pretty nerve wracking being on stage." You could hear sound of light, muffled sobs. "If you want to talk about anything you can tell me." I patted her shoulder.

Yucca waited a moment then spoke, "I love singing and I'm pretty good at it, or at least I think I am." She looked up at the sky through the trees. "I've done singing all my life. But my Dad has always been my singing partner and this is my first time performing without him. It's like I'm on stage alone."

"I know that feeling. I haven't seen my mom is a while and it can feel like I'm alone. But you have the other singers. Aren't they your friends?" I asked.

"Not really. I joined the group not to long ago and I'm not to familiar with them. We joke around with each other but that's about it. I don't really have that many friends that will talk like we are doing right now." Yucca turned her head and smiled at me.

We continued to talk about things unrelated to the show to get her mind off of it. I told her about the different animals and plants in the jungle and my secret relaxing spot and she told me about her family. After a little while of conversation, the NSP act finished.

"I guess I'm up next," Yucca said standing up.

"Are you up to do it? Because you don't have to go out their if you don't want to."

"I think so. Maybe. Maybe not. No, I'm not. But I have to. I wish my Dad was here." She plopped back down onto the floor.

"How about I go on stage with you," I said without thinking. "I could be invisible and stand next to you. Whenever you get anxious, I'll be right beside you."

"You'll do that for me." Yucca turned her head and looked me in the eyes. You could see a hint of purple shimmer in the center. I nodded. "Thank that really helps." We got up and I turned invisible. Yucca walked over to other Dust Devils, they all marched onto stage and I followed.

The stage was a lot bigger when you were on it. The crowd of cheering dragons grew out wider as it went further.

The lights dimmed down unto to us. Yucca and the other Sandwings began their act. Just like before, their voices and the way they moved with the beat of the music locked you in a trance. The harmony was amazing. I saw Yucca slip a bit and she began to get nervous. I wrapped my tail around hers and she relaxed. We moved together slowly not to seem unnatural.

I never realized it until now, but Yucca was beautiful. Everything about her was perfect, especially while performing. It was nice being close to her. We continued until the final part of the song ended. The crowd exploded in cheers and applause. The Dust Devil all bowed. Yucca mouthed "Thank You" while her head was lowered.

We exited off the stage into the back. Yucca instantly gave me a hug. "Thank you Scheffler. I don't know what I would have done without you." I turned a little pink.

"It's no problem. I just try to be a good person." I shot her a smile.

"Well I have to go know, so stop by the store every once in a while," she smirked back and walked away towards the other Sandwings.

I snuck back out past the bouncer and back up to were Rubs was. Paprika was also there. "Heeeeyyy your back," Rubs said in a groggy voice, "We thought you died." They both were propped up on the side of the viewing box.

"Are you guys drunk?" I questioned.

"Noooooo, we are watching the show," Paprika mumbled, "Hey look Scheffler's on. Rubs look, it's Scheffler."

An big open mouth smile appeared of Rubs's face, "Oh yeah and there's three of him."

"Come on let's get you guys home," I said picking them up onto their feet.

"But the show just started," they both complained.

Somehow I got them both home from the Arboretum to their homes. I dropped of Rubs at his hut and he passed out in his doorway. Luckily, Paprika didn't. Which made it easier to get her into her bed. Just as I walked out of the door she called out to me.

"Hey Scheffler."

I turned around, "Yeah what is it."

"You know your a nice guy and we've known each other for a long time," she looked at me with dog eye.

"Is the alcohol talking?"

She got out of her bed and stumbled to me, "And there is the question I've wanted to ask you for a while." Whatever this question was seemed to scare me. Paprika inhaled and said, "Will you tell me a bedtime story?"

I slammed the door and walked away.

After 20 years this is done. This took ages for me to finish. I have been really busy with school and Scouts. Which btw I just made Eagle Scout and that a big accomplishment for me. Please let me know how I did with this chapter since it's my first time writing something with a relationship aspect. I will try to not take forever to write next time. Let me know what you want to see happen next and if you want you own characters to appear. See you next time.