The two headed for one of the tunnels without a door. "We might need some help if your attackers are still nearby."
"Yeah, but it's unlikely they'd be around. The tunnels at the cave lead all over Pyrrhia. Still, having others to watch your back is helpful."
"Yeah, I think so too, but I'm still gonna get someone to help find him. Do you remember the cousin I mentioned, Tempo?"
"Yeah...but, Metalhide has a disliking for Nightwings, and a dark history with them." Opal reluctantly admitted.
"Oh, that's unfortunate-" Before she continued, a look of realization crosses her maw. "Wait a minute...I'm a Nightwing! What would he do if he saw me with you?!" She started fidgeting and panicking at the idea.
"I don't think he'd have any reason to hurt you. You did heal me, and you're not a loyalist to the Nightwings he hates. An outsider, just like him." Opal reassured Shadowflare. "Now, can we head on out?"
"A-alrighty then. Let's go and get those Rainburst Fruit." They head through the doorless tunnel. One each side of the passage held uniquely designed lanterns holding glowing crystals. "When I first discovered this passage, I was very curious to find out where it leads to. But because it was so dark, I decided to make some lanterns. Each one of them are homemade originals! When we're done, I can make you one if you want?"
"I'll decide later." But I think you would like the Fractured Gems. Should I….? Why not? "Speaking of jewels and the like, have you heard of Crystallis Rupturas? Otherwise called Fractured Gems?" Opal asked Shadowflare.
"No. But that name sounds interesting!" They stopped in front of a door with a neon turquoise painted tree carving. "Here we are!" She pushed the door open to reveal a giant orchard beyond the doorway. Tons of fruit trees and vegetable crops with lots of other plants spread around the vast expanse of the entire room. A little shelter was to the far left, and a small waterfall forming ponds and streams. The ceiling was riddled with holes that allowed sunlight to pour in. An identical door to the one they came in through lay across the cave. "This is my personal garden. When I discovered this room, I decided it would be that, and the spot where I would relax when I needed to."
"It's amazing...but aren't we gonna go?" Opal asked, growing anxious.
"Oh, sorry. I get distracted sometimes."
Who doesn't? Opal thought as Shadowflare opened her wings and started to fly. "Onward!" Seriously? What a dragon! She's not like the rest. Opal took flight and and followed as Shadowflare reached the door, opened it, and revealed a small cliff in a forest. They flew into the air, where Opal could see the nearby land formations, including Jade Mountain a little ways off. "Now which way are we going?" Opal looked around, then saw the treetops of the Rainburst Fruit patch.
"Right there." Opal nodded, and before she could react, Shadowflare had bolted in the direction of the trees. Opal quickly went after the eager dragon.
Shadowflare approached the trees, then hovered to the closest.
"These are beautiful!" She says to nobody in particular, as Opal had headed to a different part of the orchard. Shadowflare pulled off one of the fruits and bites into it. "And delicious!" She smiled, and ate it.
"Hello? May I ask why you're here?" Metalhide looked up at her,
"M-M-Metalhide?! O-o-oh, this is your fruit! I'm SO sorry for eating it. Sometimes I get very curious with things, mostly fruits I've never seen before! Please forgive me!" He was speechless, dumbstruck, and confused.
"Three moons, it was a joke! If I didn't want anyone to eat my fruit, I wouldn't have planted orchards around Pyrrhia! Help yourself to all you can take."
"Jeez, okay, a joke. But to let you know, there are jokes people can take, and then there are jokes people can take very personally. But it's okay, and thank you for the offer." Metalhide was astonished at how much she could get out in a single breath of air.
"Although, if you're here, then someone told you about this particular orchard. Is that someone a female Skywing? Named Opal?" He asked.
"Yeah, wait...where is she?" Shadowflare looked around, not seeing any visible trace of her new friend. As she pulled into the air to search, Opal burst out of the trees and onto Metalhide, engulfing him in a fierce hug. Shadowflare hovered, the thought Aww, family moment running through her head. He hugged her back, as a relieved look spread across his maw, while Opal cried tears of joy, happy that he had made it out of danger alive.
"I'm glad you're safe as well, dear. And you made yourself a new friend!"
"So, Metalhide, right? I hoping you're well….After what happened at your home…"
"Don't worry about that. Even Burn hasn't been able to pierce my 'metal hide' yet. But I didn't stay long enough to find out if she could actually do it. Thank you for watching out for Opal, and for patching her up. I owe you.