Howdy, my beloved readers! We are back with another chapter of this lovely AU. Better still, weekly updates will now be a thing. Meaning, you will see Chapter 6 next Tuesday. Also coming that week will be my new biweekly-vs-weekly fic, "Five Summers." Makes sense that this will fall on the week of Christmas, huh?

My dragon recommendation of the week is "The Pit Dragon Chronicles" by Jane Yolen. It's a fantasy/sci-fi series taking place on a hostile planet where dragons are bred for pit fights and food. The main character, Jakkin, steals a hatchling to train, so that he may buy his way out of bondage. This one is interesting, because the dragons are seen by human society more as animals than as partners or sentient beings, even though there are questions raised concerning how true that actually is.

Anyway, enjoy!

Taiyang was leaning back against Quake, a cup of mulled wine in one hand. He didn't normally drink so late, but he desperately needed to calm down. He sipped it slowly, shaking his head. "You definitely take after your mother. I can't believe you put yourself in danger like that, and are being rewarded for it!"

Ruby could barely keep from grinning. She had just finished recounting the story of the fight at the Violet Broodery, and what had happened afterward. The Dragon Rider who had saved them turned out to be Glynda Goodwitch, second in command to Dragonmaster Ozpin. After the fires had been put out and the broodery's dragons calmed, she had called him to the site. He had arrived on the back of an ancient-looking earth dragon with rough scales that looked like tree bark, and sunken-in gray eyes. The dragon had looked at Ruby for a long moment before muttering something to Ozpin, then sitting down.

"The first thing he said was 'You have silver eyes.' I thought that was weird, but I guess there are stories about people like that. Anyway, we talked for a bit, and he asked if I wanted to go to Beacon. I was like 'Of course!' and he was like 'Well, all right.' I didn't get at first that he meant like this fall, but he totally did, and EEEEK!" Ruby squealed, jumping up and down.

Yang was grinning. "Just couldn't wait, could you?" She glanced at Taiyang. "Ozpin talked to me too. He said that I show a lot of bravery and initiative. He looks forward to teaching me. Pretty neat, huh?"

Taiyang breathed a long sigh. "I don't like that you two put yourselves and the dragons at risk, but I understand why you did. Judging by when Glynda arrived, the whole area probably would have caught fire without your help."

"And they would have gotten more eggs," Ruby added, eyes flashing. "Those jerks stole like seven before we got there!" She glanced toward their own eggs. By silent agreement, the family had gathered in the egg barn. After a robbery so close to home, they were going to be doubly vigilant concerning their own small brood.

"So, about that silver eyes thing…" Yang tilted her head. "What was Ozpin talking about?"

Taiyang smiled. "Well, you probably know this by now, but all dragons that aren't injected with Dust are born with silver eyes. They may change color over time, but all natural hatchlings have that same silvery color. Stories say that people born with silver eyes, or dragon eyes, are naturally more attuned to dragons and can communicate with them better."

Yang grinned at Ruby. "Well, at least there's a reason why they all like you best."

Ruby huffed. "This again? They do not."

"Just watch," Yang said, her smile not wavering. "You're gonna be the most popular person at Beacon. Ruby, the dragon-eyed dragon whisperer!"

"That's the last thing I want!" Ruby exclaimed, horrified at the very thought. "I just want to take care of my dragon and learn to fight. I don't want to be around people."

Taiyang ruffled her hair. "I'm sure you'll be able to handle anything that happens, whether it's dragons or people." He sighed. "I'm just disappointed that you won't be going to Beacon with one of our dragons. I can only spare one this year."

"Well, Beacon has good eggs, right?" Yang asked.

Ruby nodded. "Yeah, but I won't be able to choose what kind of dragon I get. At Beacon, they put the students in a room and let the dragons choose when they hatch." She shrugged. "Well, I'll love whatever dragon I get."

Taiyang smiled. "I know you will, sweetie." His Scroll started buzzing, and he walked into the next room.

"So, Yang. What did you think of that fire dragon?"

"It was so fierce!" Yang said, clenching her fists with excitement. "And mine's gonna be even fiercer!"

"With you as its rider, it definitely will be," Ruby replied.

"Really? Are you sure? Well, that's wonderful!" Taiyang said as he walked back into the room. "I'll see you in the morning. Thank you!"

"What's up, Dad?" Yang asked as he hung up.

"That was Mrs. Violet," Taiyang explained. "She wants Ruby to have one of her dragon eggs for when she goes to Beacon!" He looked at Yang. "And she has something for you as well."

Ruby gasped. "Really? But they lost seven eggs. Can they afford that?"

"That's what I asked. She says that they would have lost all of them without you girls, and will still have enough to keep her staff and keep the place running till next year. I'll be helping out over there when I can, of course." Taiyang smiled. "Looks like you'll get your wind dragon after all, and the Violet eggs have always hatched reliable dragons."

"What's Yang getting?" Ruby wondered as she sat down. The lightness in her chest was starting to make her feel a bit dizzy.

"Not sure," Taiyang muttered. "I did tell them you were going to get a fire dragon, sweetie. Maybe they have something special for that."

"Like fireproof pants?" Yang laughed. "That would probably help."

The next day, when the egg was brought over, Yang found that she was almost right. The gift was a fireproof sack that was specially-designed for carrying hatchlings.

"The bond between a rider and dragon needs to be developed from the very beginning," Mrs. Violet explained. "Being close to the hatchling at all times is essential, but it's harder when you have a fire dragon, since they burn most materials. My grandfather had one, and says that carrying her around in this helped make her the most loyal fire dragon anyone ever saw."

"Wow!" Yang fingered the tough material. "Thanks. I'll definitely use it."

Ruby was hugging her new egg, unable to keep from squeaking at intervals. It was a large, coppery egg with a few black freckles on top. "It's perfect! I can't wait till you hatch, little Storm!"

"Storm?" Taiyang looked at her. "You chose a name already?"

"Yep!" Ruby nodded. "I want my dragon to be named after Tempest, so I thought Storm would work. I thought of a few others, but Drizzle sounds too wimpy and Hurricane just makes it sound like I'm compensating, you know?"

Yang laughed. "Storm sounds nice. I think I'll hold off on naming my hatchling until after I meet it." She walked over to the eggs and placed a hand on the biggest one. "Go big, or go home, right Dad?"

Taiyang shook his head. "Size isn't everything, but that is definitely a promising egg." He clapped his hands once. "Well, you two had better get to bed. Mrs. Violet has volunteered to take you to get your eggs injected in the morning. It's about time the Dust started settling in. I'll stay here to make sure everything's safe."

Ruby nodded, placing her egg next to the others and kissing the shell. "Sleep well, Storm."

Yang patted her egg once more. "I don't know about you, sis, but I got a good feeling about this next year."

…

The journey to Beacon took several days. During this time, Blake hardly ate or slept. Her new hatchling was doing enough of that for the both of them.

Whenever it woke up, it opened its tiny jaws and barked and squawked and chirped until Blake gave it another mouthful of jerky. At first, she had to chew it up. By the third day, however, the dragonet started chewing small pieces on its own.

"You're just a bottomless pit, aren't you?" Blake sighed, watching her charge with half-lidded eyes.

The dragon tilted its silver-freckled head and squeaked.

"Hopefully, this plan won't land us both in the pits…"

Another squeak.

Blake tilted her head at the hatchling. "What is it? Haven't you had enough?"

Yellow eyes blinked inquisitively at her. It was amazing how like hers they were.

"What did I say?" She paused. "Pit?"

The dragon bounded over, putting its front paws on her lap. It squeaked happily.

Blake stared at the tiny creature before letting out a snort. "Well, crap. I went and named you. I guess we're stuck together, Pit, for better or worse." Hoisting the cheerful creature onto her shoulder, she forced herself to her feet and continued walking.

She had to carry it on her shoulder, or in her arms, as her early attempts to carry it in her bag had ended with the dragon soiling the satchel, and most of their supplies, forcing her to dispose of all of it. She only had a pocketful of jerky left, and was determined to make it last.

When she finally got to Beacon, she was captured. It wasn't by accident: She knew that trying to sneak into Beacon would take too long, and would be nearly impossible while carrying Pit. Since leaving an egg on the doorstep was no longer the plain, she decided that being honest was her only option.

So, when the yellow-green wind dragon landed in front of her, bearing a rider with large goggles, green hair, and a crooked riding jacket, Blake calmly walked up. "I'd like to see Ozpin."

An hour later, she was sitting in a well-furnished office. Pit was curled up on her lap, tail twitching in agitation. A second door behind a desk opened, and Blake found herself staring at the face of Dragonmaster Ozpin.

He smiled at her and nodded at Pit as he sat down. Placing a coffee mug on his desk, he folded his hands. "If you had gone anywhere else, that hatchling would have already been killed," he said without preamble.

"I know." Blake placed a protective hand over Pit's back. The freckled earth dragon warbled nervously. "That's why I came here."

"I see." Ozpin took a sip from his coffee. "Why don't you start at the beginning?"

So, Blake told Ozpin all she knew about the White Fang. As most people knew, it had started as a peaceful organization with the purpose of attaining equal rights for the Faunus of Remnant. For many years, along with the usual acts of discrimination, Faunus were forbidden from studying dragons. No Faunus could attain a brood license. No Faunus could enroll at a dragonry. No Faunus could go near a dragon unless it was to clean stalls.

Around the same time places like Beacon started accepting Faunus students, the White Fang became more aggressive. Eggs were stolen. Technology from the Schnee Dust company was taken from transports. Faunus started using dragons to fight back. For many, that was simply proof that only humans should be allowed to control such creatures.

As reactions to the White Fang became more violent, its leaders decided to take drastic measures, and began injecting eggs with more than one kind of Dust in order to make hybrid dragons. Adam became convinced that such beasts were outlawed to keep control over the population, and that the Schnee Dust Company was directly involved, since they were the only ones legally allowed to inject eggs.

Blake admitted that she had gone along with his plans, up until the first death. The first hybrid had been one of fire and water. Steam had wafted from the creature's scales day and night, until breathing nothing but moist air caused its lungs to collapse. The next had been a lightning dragon. Its first time touching metal had quickly ended its life.

Yet, Adam refused to stop. Dragons either lived short lives if they held promise, or were killed immediately if they didn't. Unable to watch the abuse any longer, Blake left with an egg, hoping that she could send the authorities after her former comrades, for the sake of the suffering dragons.

Ozpin examined Pit, brows furrowed with distaste as he took in Blake's story. "It seems that, ironically, the dragons that he didn't find strong enough were the ones most likely to survive," he murmured. "Whatever the other type of Dust used was, it was a small amount. This is still mostly an earth dragon, and few will likely be able to tell otherwise."

"So, he won't be killed on sight?"

"Not if I can help it," Ozpin declared. "You have brought me some valuable information. So, I have a proposition for you: I will begin a search for the White Fang and send as many Riders out as I can. In exchange, I would like the opportunity to examine your friend. You will study here in the meantime, and learn how to care for him."

Blake's back stiffened. Does he mean…? "You're going to train me to be a Dragon Rider?" she breathed. Her cat ears twitched as she stared down at Pit.

For years, she had wondered what it would be like to be a Rider, defending Remnant from the Grimm with her life partner. Yet, it had never been a possibility. Now…

"Okay," she replied, managing to keep her voice under control. "On one condition: I want to be enrolled as a human. I'll hide my ears."

Ozpin frowned. "You don't need to hide yourself at Beacon. Faunus students-"

"-are a minority," Blake finished. "Even if you see us as equals, others won't. Also, with the White Fang after me and Pit being a hybrid, I don't want to draw more attention to myself."

Ozpin looked at her for a long moment, then sighed. "Very well." He smiled a little as he looked at the dragon. "So, Pit is his name?"

"Yeah. He's a male dragon?" Telling the sex of a dragon was very difficult, and could usually only be done by breeders. Blake wasn't even sure if Adam knew that Brand was a male.

"Yes, not that it matters much." Ozpin stood up. "I've had a trainee room prepared for you. Don't get too used to the space, though. Your three teammates and their dragons will be living there in a little while."

Blake stood up, smiling when Pit immediately crawled up to her shoulder. "Thank you, sir."

"No, Miss Belladonna," Ozpin said, gently stroking Pit's head. "Thank you."

…..

On the night before her departure, Weiss went to Glacier's stable one last time. She held onto the hope that the Faunus stable hand might not have patched the hole in the wall after all.

When she got there, of course, the dried cement proved her wrong. She placed a hand on the wall, trying to listen for the ice dragon's familiar keening. Then, eyes steeled with determination, she crept around the wall and to the front door. She hesitated for only a moment before pushing the large door aside and slipping in.

No one was there. The stable hands had all gone home for the night. There, in a stall at the end of the barn, was Glacier.

The air was cold and silent as Weiss closed the distance between the entrance and the stone platform. In the faint moonlight that trickled through the windows, she could see a metal collar attached to a thick chain. Her father put it on every night, to keep the dragon from escaping or lashing out. The ice dragon's eyes were closed as she approached.

"Hello, Glacier," she murmured, smiling at the thin, snowy face. "I'm leaving in the morning. I…I wanted to see you one last time before I left."

Glacier opened one deep blue eye and stared up at her. A low keen rose in his throat.

Weiss knelt on the ground, glaring at the chain. "It really does sound like you're crying." She placed a hand on the dragon's snout. "I wish I could-"

Just as her hand touched the frosty scales, however, there was a sudden drop in temperature. Glacier's head shot up and he let out a loud, haunting cry that sounded like the wailing of a thousand ghosts.

Weiss jumped aside, backing away until she felt the cold, stone wall. She stared, eyes wide, as Glacier tossed his head back and forth, rattling the collar and hissing like he was possessed by some demon. Snarling, he lunged toward Weiss, causing his chain to creak.

Then, a warm hand grabbed her arm, pulling her to the door and out into the night air. She took in deep breaths, trying to expel the frost from her lungs, when she saw who had saved her. It was the old Faunus stable hand. His pointed ears were twitching.

"Shouldn't have gone in there, missy," he muttered. "He gets really irritable at night."

Weiss panted, shaking her head. "He…He attacked me…"

"Of course he did," the Faunus said, mopping his brow with a handkerchief. "That's what ice dragons do. They're unstable and fierce when their handler isn't around, even if they know you."

Weiss folded her arms across her front, shivering as she thought of the white-blue egg that was being packed away for her journey in the morning. She swallowed a few times before managing to shakily nod at the stable hand. "Thank you, um…"

"Rusty." The man flicked an ear and smiled. "I won't tell your daddy, but you'd best get home. And leave the dragon-handling to me, at least until you learn a few things from Ozpin. Okay?"

"Yes… Thank you again." Weiss could barely return the smile, and walked back home in a daze.

I always thought Father was exaggerating… But, if ice dragons really are unstable, should I really be going to Beacon with one? She thought of the egg, and how excited she had been until this point.

Then, she took a resolute breath and shook her head. No. I can handle it. My dragon will only be a danger to Grimm. I'll make sure of it.

Just the same, when she went to bed that night, the sound of Glacier's unholy wails echoed in her head for hours.

Coming up with names for all of the dragons has been a fun part of making this story. Pit's name honestly came as I was first typing this chapter, but it fit pretty well. I'll see you next week! In the meantime, happy holidays!

Commissions are still open with two slots. PM me for details.

If you wish to pledge to my P/atreon, my username is Solora Goldsun.

Peace out!