Entry #11:

Dragons, like werewolves, are highly territorial and protective. They will fight fang-and-claw to protect their possessions and the people they love.

A guttural growl dragged Twilight back to consciousness. The world was dark and damp, smelling like rust and decaying flesh. He could not move - every fiber of his being screamed in pain. Something warm pressed atop him and covered his entire body like a shield. It rumbled against his skin as something slithered and smacked the ground by his feet. His senses were muddled, and he could not determine what it was. However, the smell it emanated was familiar - he felt safe.

The growl turned to a hiss. A warning. A threat. The thing atop him shifted, pushing down as if to hide him. The Rancher whimpered, trying to focus on anything. A foul smell hit his nose - something was coming, and it was not a friend.

"Leave."

The Ordonian saw something blue glinted in the dark. Another strike at the ground broke the solid rock. His protector was getting more agitated, ready to lash out at anyone who came close.

"LEAVE!"

Whatever that thing was approaching them did not heed that warning. Its footsteps quaked the earth beneath them - they were too heavy for a silent attack. A mouth pulled further into a fanged snarl, and the weight above him lifted suddenly. A pained roar shook the entire world, and the younger werewolf winced at how the sound hurt his sensitive ears. Polished white gleamed in the darkness as scales, fangs, and claws danced and ripped through flesh and blood. Something huge collapsed on the ground, and then an eerie silence.

The Hero of Twilight breathed unsteadily, nearly gagging at the pungent smell. His sight had gotten clearer, and he saw a white, blond, and blue figure crouched among the monster corpses. It stalked the perimeter of the place - was it a cave? - before returning to his side and climbing atop him protectively. A nose nuzzled his hair to confirm he was still safe and alive before its owner settled back and watched out for the next danger.

…It did not take long. There were many of them this time - all heading in their direction. His protector arched back and rumbled a similar warning as footsteps approached closer. Fangs snapped, and nails extended as the figure crouched above him to a fighting stance. The footsteps skidded to a pause, noticing the tense situation.

"Easy there, Cub." That voice - Time - spoke in a quiet voice. He presented his empty hands as he walked slowly toward them. "It's us. We're not going to hurt Twilight."

His protector - Wild - bared his teeth in response. His pupils were nearly thin lines as he glared at the other heroes. The elder werewolf lowered himself to a kneel as he edged closer. He bared his neck to the Champion. "It's okay. You're safe. Pup's going to be safe and okay."

The dragon sniffed the air, recognition finally flickering in his eyes, and he let his ears droop. The Hero of Time let him bury his face in his neck as the other man whined. Twilight blearily watched as the hero gently rubbed his protégé's back and murmured soothingly.

"Ssshh. It's okay now. You did well protecting him. I'm glad you're both safe."