Snek is a Good Boy

Part Twenty-Seven: Dragon Reunion

[A/N: This chapter commissioned by Fizzfaldt and beta-read by Lady Columbine of Mystal.]

Panacea

"So cute," Vicky cooed, leaning in to rub the silver-scaled dragon under the chin as they headed back down the street toward the castle portal.

"Sooo cute," echoed Crystal, stroking its wing, which flared slightly to press into her hand. Its entire attitude radiated serene assurance that such attention was only its rightful due. "What's its name, Aunt Carol?"

"Her name is Argent," Carol said, leaning on a brittle knife-edge of pride. "And you needn't make fun of me."

"They're not," Amy said, cuddling Twilight and rubbing her belly the way she liked it, while the hearth-dragon's hind legs kicked gently. "We're not. You're just feeling insecure because this is a whole new thing for you, especially since you didn't trust it before. Believe me, I know exactly what you're going through."

"Why didn't you …" Carol closed her eyes, shook her head, and cleared her throat. "Why didn't you tell me it was like this?" Argent made a soothing rumble in her chest, and rubbed her head up against Carol's jaw. Amy watched as the tension in Carol's posture visibly relaxed.

"Well, first because it's not something anyone can describe without half an hour and exclusive use of a thesaurus for different versions of the word 'awesome'." Amy grinned at Carol's momentary sour look, mainly because it was true. "And second, would you have accepted what I had to say without trying to pick it apart?"

"I …" Amy could tell that Carol really wanted to say yes, but her foster mother's innate honesty, bolstered by the hearth-dragon in her arms, killed the words in her throat. "It's different now. I know how you feel."

"And I know how you feel." Amy gave Twilight a speculative glance. "Are you two helping us connect like this?" It wasn't telepathy, so much as a stronger level of empathy than they'd ever felt before (which, sad to say, wasn't hard to achieve). Twilight chirped happily in the affirmative. "Oh, okay, then. So apparently this is a thing I didn't know about hearth-dragons."

"Oh, yeah," Riley piped up. "If there's already any kind of emotional connection between people bonded to hearth-dragons, they can improve the connection. Bridge the gap, sort of thing. Now, I know Brandish isn't fully bonded yet, but the link is already there and neither side is fighting it. So, it's as good as done."

"Wait, people fight that sort of thing?" asked Crystal. "Are they nuts?"

"Sometimes, it's just a passing connection. Or the person or the dragon isn't ready for a bonding." Riley shrugged. "This is why a normal bonding usually takes days, to make sure both sides are ready for it. I'm just gonna say, the way we're going two for two with Panacea and Brandish, there's probably a lot of capes on Bet who could use a hearth-dragon in their life."

"Argh," groaned Crystal. "I don't want to sound like That Person, but if I say what I want to say, I'm going to sound like it anyway."

"Let me guess," Eric said from behind her. "'Why does she get one, and not me?' Am I close?"

"Shut up," Crystal retorted, which was answer enough. "Okay, fine, I'll say it. How come Aunt Carol gets a hearth-dragon when she didn't even want one, and I don't when I've wanted one ever since I saw Twilight?"

Amy would never be sure if the words came from her, or the understanding she had with Twilight. "Sometimes it's not what you want, but what you need. You're not nearly as broken as me or Carol." She gave her cousin a cheeky grin. "I'm certain that if you spent a few weeks here, you'd find one to bond with. But it wouldn't be as quick as happened with me and Twilight, or is happening between Argent and Carol."

Vicky nodded thoughtfully. "Sort of like triage. Someone with a sore knee comes in ahead of someone else who's been in a traumatic car accident, you'd see to the accident victim first. Even if that knee is really, really sore."

Amy's grin broadened. "Doesn't stop 'em from whining about it." She tilted her head and glanced toward Riley. "So, what sort of hearth-dragon is that one, anyway?"

"Oh, Argent's part of the lunar strain. A moon dragon, if you want to call her that. Once your mom's fully bonded to her, she'll be stronger and faster when the moon's up, and she'll be able to see perfectly in moonlight. There might be some other minor effects, but those are the major ones." Riley looked pleased with herself. "Hearth-dragons are fun."

Vicky snorted with amusement. "Wait, so Mom will be a … were-hero, I guess? Like a werewolf but not as fuzzy?"

"Now, now," Sarah said austerely. "No making fun of Carol. She's going through a lot right now." Along with the note of amusement, her voice also held a tinge of sternness.

Vicky nodded contritely. "You're right, Aunt Sarah. Sorry, Mom."

Neil cleared his throat. "Not to change the subject, but I'm gonna change the subject. Riley, you obviously like hearth-dragons and they like you. How come you haven't bonded with one of them yet?"

"Well, I gotta tell you, the state I was in when Snek first brought me here, I would've needed about ten of them to bring me back around to 'normal'." Riley shrugged, as though her statement was nothing out of the ordinary. "But the boss took a special interest in dealing with my problems, so now I'm about as well-adjusted as you can get. I like hearth-dragons just fine, and they like me, but we don't need each other to the point that we're going to bond."

Sarah frowned. "I'm sorry if this sounds like prying, but … well, to be honest, that sounds like there's a lot being left out. Do you feel comfortable with telling us why you were in such a bad way when you got here?"

"Wow, Mom," Crystal spoke up. "Whatever happened to not digging into her past, like you said earlier?"

"You kind of did say that, Mom," Eric agreed. "And with the way Snek rescues people who really need it, the fact that she needed the Master's help when she got here isn't surprising at all. Not to me, anyway."

"Also, Earth Bet's kind of a shithole," Amy added. "We all know it. There's a lot of walking wounded out there." She wasn't even being sarcastic when she said it.

"Not as much of one since Snek showed up," Mark noted, causing everyone to look at him in surprise. He raised his eyebrows. "What? It's true. Snek's eaten two of the three Endbringers, and I've heard there's a brisk betting pool over when—or if—Behemoth is ever going to show his face again."

"He'd be wise not to," Riley said with some confidence. "Snek likes his spicy food. The hotter, the better. I've seen him chow down on literal demons with hellfire for blood like you or I would go through a bucket of spicy chicken wings."

Crystal began to giggle. "If Behemoth hasn't heard of any of this, he's in for a serious surprise when he shows up again. I think I'll sell tickets."

"Don't expect to sell many," Vicky advised her. "Snek does not waste time when he's hunting Endbringers."

"Wouldn't that make him the Endbringer Endbringer?" asked Eric, faux innocently.

Neil made a noise of mock annoyance. "Brat. Beat me to it."

Amy glanced at Carol, who chose that moment to look back at her. The empathic link, it seemed, was still going strong. Argent didn't seem to be as playful as Twilight, though she was definitely as affectionate, snuggling into Carol's arms and wrapping her tail gently around Carol's wrist.

Good, Amy decided, giving Carol a slight smile. She definitely needs this. I know I did.

After a moment Carol smiled back, before returning her attention to her hearth-dragon.

Glory Girl

The Master of the Castle already ticked all the boxes when it came to the 'totally bullshit' stakes, so Vicky wasn't surprised when his only reaction to Argent's presence in the group was a nod and a smile. It was like he'd either known all along what was going to happen, or had even arranged for it to turn out that way.

She wasn't willing to bet on which one it was. Nor was she about to argue with the results.

"Welcome back," he said, removing a set of goggles which included an intricate multi-lensed magnifier; it seemed he'd been using this to examine one of the tentacles when they arrived back in the castle. Vicky wasn't too certain that all the lenses were made of normal matter, considering how some of them seemed to disappear and reappear, and at least one changed places on the magnifier as she watched. "The Dragonmark has returned, and will no doubt be pleased to meet you all, and reacquaint themselves with Victoria and Amelia. I trust your sojourn in the village was enjoyable?"

"It was a lot of fun," Crystal confirmed. "Dad took the big tankard challenge in the tavern."

"Passed it, too," Riley added. "Oh, and the Travellers are back too, boss. Looks like they caught up with the Cragmores. They're flush with gold, so they collected the bounty. No injuries."

The Master of the Castle smiled and nodded approvingly. "That's very good to hear. The redoubtable Ms Meinhardt has justified my faith in her several times over now."

"Uh …" ventured Vicky. "No disrespect intended, sir, but from what I've seen, you could personally pinpoint and zap bandit gangs from orbit with the greatest of ease. How come you do it this way?"

"Vicky!" Amy hissed. "Not cool!"

Fortunately, the Master didn't seem offended in the slightest. "An excellent question, Victoria. The answer is threefold. First, as you may have noted, my focus is broad. I watch over, and protect, entire worlds. While I am capable of narrowing it to the level you describe, that would force me to relax my vigilance over the wider sphere. Second, bandits are like roaches; while they do little damage individually, they are legion. Were I to devote my time to eradicating them all, it would draw an unconscionable amount of time from my greater projects. Third, there are many people for whom the pursuit and apprehension of such malefactors brings enjoyment and fulfilment. Thus, I find it easier to locate and place such people in appropriate roles and allow them free rein to perform their allotted tasks, than try to do it all myself."

"And that's what you've got Snek for," Eric said in tones of sudden realisation. "He takes care of the mid-range stuff for you."

"Indeed, young Eric. He began his time with me as a simple familiar, but I have added several improvements since then. I am quite proud of the way he has grown and found friends of his own. He is truly a good boy." The Master raised his head at a triple knock on the door leading out of the laboratory. "And there he is now. Come in, Snek. Your friends have returned."

The door opened and Snek slithered in, looking somewhat less scuffed than he had before. Even the minor damage to the hat showed subtle signs of repair. "Hello, friendss," he said happily. "Ssnek likess your clothess. Very nicce." His gaze switched to Argent. "Friendss have found another hearth-dragon. Iss very pretty. What iss name, pleasse?"

Carol straightened her back and held Argent a little closer, to which the little dragon didn't object at all. "Her name is Argent, and thank you." She took a deep breath. "Also, I want to apologise for the times I've been rude to you. It was unfair of me to be that way, especially considering how much you've helped my daughters."

Vicky caught Amy's slow double blink out of the corner of her eye as Snek slithered closer. The giant snake reared up slightly so that he could smile at her from eye level. "Ssnek knowss angry blonde lady wass unhappy. Iss good that you have found hearth-dragon Argent. Friendss?"

Leaning in toward her mother, Vicky murmured, "Boop him on the snoot. He likes that."

Carol's smile was a little strained, but it was there all the same. Shifting her hold on Argent to free one hand, she reached out and tentatively fist-bumped Snek's nose. "Yes, friends," she said. "I'd very much like that."

Argent let out a rarr that sounded approving, and spread one wing across Carol's chest in what seemed like a hug, while Snek's smile widened. "Ssnek likess having friendss. Go play with dragonss now?"

"You guys go ahead," Riley said. "Imma stay and help the boss. Have fun."

"Thanks for showing us around." Crystal went over to Riley and gave her a hug, which was reciprocated. "You're pretty cool. It's been great."

"Heck yeah," Eric agreed. "I don't know what I expected when I came here, but this wasn't it."

Riley beamed at them as she began to pull on her protective gloves. "That's really good to hear. Let me know how it goes with Cirrus and the others."

"Totally."

Lady Photon

Meeting the Master of the Castle had been a rare experience in Sarah's life; he was impressive without being domineering. The Castle itself was thoroughly intriguing, not least due to the rooms with the magic wardrobes. Sarah had also enjoyed the trip to the village, the hearty fare in the tavern, and the drink that had come with it, though that experience was topped off by Carol's unexpected acquisition of her hearth-dragon companion.

But the full-sized dragons threatened to blow all that out of the metaphorical water.

They were huge, but their size was only part of it. The power and grace inherent within their forms was breathtaking, and they were smart. On the other side of the coin, as Vicky had noted, they were extremely vain and soaked up attention as readily as hearth-dragons did.

Sarah just had no idea what to make of them, even after introductions had been performed.

||It's good to see you again, Vicky,|| the one called Finesse said in that weird broadcast mind-speech. ||I see that Twilight is doing well with Amy.||

||And Carol, is it?|| added Cirrus. ||I must congratulate you on your upcoming bonding. You have done well, the two of you.||

"I … uh … thank you." Carol honestly looked more than a little taken aback herself. Argent was in her element, of course, trading happy chirps with the other hearth-dragons flying around. "Is there … anything I need to do? To look out for?"

Cirrus seemed to consider this for a moment. ||Do not neglect her. Until the bond matures, she will need to be with you or in your near vicinity. Let your own feelings be your guide; they will be a mirror of hers.||

"And what if …" Carol stumbled over the words. "It'll be a whole new world, when I take her back home. She's inquisitive, curious. What if she goes exploring and … and gets lost?" There was real worry in her voice, more anxiety over someone else's welfare than Sarah had heard from her in some time.

Cirrus chuckled. ||Your concern speaks well of you, but fear not. The bonding process has already begun, so she will always know where you are, and you will know where she is. She may get lost, but she will never lose you.||

"Well, that's definitely good to hear," Carol said, cupping her hand under Argent's chin. "Isn't it? Because I know just from looking at you that you're going to be all sorts of trouble. Aren't you?" Belying her words, her tone was downright fond. Argent crooned in reply, and snuggled a little more closely into her embrace.

"She's raised two daughters," Sarah explained. "Crystal and Eric are mine. From what I've seen of Twilight, once she and Argent get more confident about exploration, they're going to be getting into everything."

Finesse chuckled. ||You have a fine understanding of hearth-dragons, I see. So, which of you wishes to come flying with me first?||

"Oh, I can fly on my own, like Eric and Crystal," Sarah said, lifting a few inches off the ground by way of demonstration. Out away from the side of the mountain, her two children were already swooping through the sky along with Vicky, accompanied by most of the Dragonmark. Even Amy was seated astride another dragon, with Twilight flying alongside. "Carol, you can go with her. I'll be your wing-woman."

"That works," Neil agreed. "Mark, you want to go with Cirrus? I'm pretty sure another one of these big strong dragons will be able to get me up there."

"No, I'll be fine." Mark settled down on a conveniently flattened rock, adjusting the hang of his rapier so the hilt didn't dig into his ribs. "You three go ahead. Knock yourselves out."

Sarah shared a glance with Neil, who shrugged. It was hard to get Mark out of his shell at times like this, but it wasn't as though he would come to harm on this rocky ledge.

"Okay, then," she said. "Let's go flying with dragons."

Cirrus beamed. ||You're going to love it. I always do.||

Flashbang

Mark was so proud of Carol as she tentatively climbed aboard the dragon called Finesse.

She'd always been so set in her ways, demanding that others bend first. It was no great admission to say that her will was stronger than his. Coming on this expedition, she hadn't been happy with matters and had been quick to find fault, and he'd fully expected things to go wrong because of it.

He hadn't expected her to find common cause with a cute little silver-scaled dragonet, who was even now perching on Carol's shoulder with wings half-spread in anticipation, chirping encouragement. That should be me. I should be the one telling her that she can do it.

Hell, I don't think I could even bond with a hearth-dragon. I'd be scared of it going wrong somehow.

When she was settled, the dragon moved toward the cliff edge, then brought its wings down as it leaped out over the void. From what he could see, the transition from ground movement to flight was so smooth as to be unnoticeable. Neil, on Cirrus' back, was already airborne and whooping with exhilaration.

At that moment, he felt a pang of envy toward his brother-in-law. He's always been more of a thrill-seeker than me. Not that Neil was much of a risk-taker, but compared to Mark, most people were downright daredevils.

It was truly an inspiring view, out over the stunning vista supplied by the Dragonmark's eyrie. The colossal, winged forms of the dragons swooped and turned with insane agility, accompanied by both their tiny cousins and the flight-capable members of New Wave. All that was missing was … him.

I should be out there with them. Enjoying the moment. Sharing the joy. Guilt dug its claws into him as he watched them. Look at me, the guy who goes all the way to Narnia and then doesn't actually do any of the fun stuff. While my wife does things she never did before in her life.

Finesse swooped by and Carol waved, Argent doing barrel-rolls alongside her. If only to justify his decision to not go out there and join her, he pulled his phone out. He noted with mild astonishment that he actually had bars of signal—how the hell did they pull that off?—then opened the camera app and started taking photos. The air was crystal clear, and he fancied he could see sunlight shining off every vivid scale on each of the dragons—of both varieties—out there.

There was a friendly chirp in his ear, and a weight settled onto his shoulder. He half-turned his head, to see a hearth-dragon leaning in to peer inquisitively at the screen of his phone. It had shimmering orange scales on top of its head, fading to salmon under its throat; the colours of sunrise, if he thought of it that way.

"Hello, there," he said quietly, trying not to do anything that might scare it off. "I'm taking photos, see?" Framing one of the closer dragons, he tapped the icon that took a picture.

The hearth-dragon made a noise of interest, so he took another picture, then hit the selfie icon and angled the phone so it could see its own face in the screen.

That got its attention. Leaning in even closer with its wings spread for balance, it admired its likeness on the screen, then deliberately posed before reaching out with its forelimb and pressing the photo icon. There was an electronic click, and it chirped in triumph.

"Okay, let's see how that turned out," he said, and flicked through to the photo the hearth-dragon had just taken of itself. It was actually pretty good, even considering that the cute little critters didn't have a bad side. "Nicely done. You may have a talent there."

The hearth-dragon chirped in definitive agreement, then gestured at the phone. Mark didn't have to know dragon-talk to understand that as 'please may I take another photo?'. It somehow even managed to put it as a polite request rather than a demand.

"Sure," he said, and opened up the camera icon again. "Another selfie?"

Raising its head, the hearth-dragon squawked, drawing the attention of several of its fellows that had been flying around nearby. They swooped over and landed in front of Mark; with a series of chirps, they looked intently at the phone, some spreading their wings or otherwise posing. As Mark began to wonder exactly how smart these things were, the one on his shoulder tapped the icon again, taking a second photo.

Panacea

Amy slid off the dragon's neck onto the ground, still grinning broadly. "Thank you," she said. "That was a lot of fun."

||Any time,|| the dragon—his name was Katabatic—replied. ||It's always fun flying a bonded rider.|| He moved back to join his fellows, and Amy caught his thought-speech directed at the other dragons; ||Did you hear that? She thought I was a lot of fun!||

Smiling privately to herself, she headed back toward where Mark was sitting with a bunch of hearth-dragons around him. Vicky and Crystal landed on either side of her and fell into step. "Whoo!" Vicky enthused. "That was just as amazing as the first time!"

"It was definitely right up there in the 'holy shit' stakes," agreed Crystal. "Hearth-dragons are crazy, but in a good way. How was it riding one of them, Amy?"

Amy held up her arm as Twilight swooped in to land on it, then gathered the hearth-dragon into a cuddle. "I kind of regret not doing it the first time we came here, but then I wouldn't have met cutie here, so I guess there's not a lot to regret." In her arms, Twilight squawked in agreement. "See? She says the same thing."

As they reached Mark, the hearth-dragons looked around and chirped in greeting, which was returned by Twilight. "So what are you up to, Dad?" asked Vicky.

It was then that something stirred in the emotional band, and Amy saw that Mark had a hearth-dragon perched on his leg, as he showed it photos on his phone. He looked up at them a little sheepishly, as he scratched the back of its neck. "You are never going to believe this …"

End of Part Twenty-Seven