DragonBorne Ch. 32

It was a fair weathered weekday at Portside. Naturally cloudy with a small breeze, it was the perfect day to enjoy a nice walk to work or a fishing trip down by the beach. Except, Zeelo wasn't at work. It was just past afternoon and he was lazing about in his bed upstairs at Luthais' house. With the window blinds cracked open and the tube TV on at low volume, one might think that he had a day off and that he was enjoying it. No, today he had a stuffy nose, a sore throat, and a warm bowl of soup on the nightstand. Sonny slept at the foot of his bed with the canine's nose sitting over his knee. Understanding that his person was sick today, the awoofy refused to leave his side.

Quietly, the now eighteen year old young man was laying back with his head elevated, watching a show he normally didn't get to see due to his work hours. He was fidgeting with his keys that usually sat on the nightstand, trying to find his appetite to finish his soup.

He focused tiredly on the screen. His eyes felt puffy and glassy from the illness he was fighting off. One part of him wanted to sleep, but the other part of him refused to close his eyes, knowing that he would wake up with a clogged nose and a stuffy throat again. Recovering was always a horrible juxtaposition between feeling better and waking up feeling like he got hit by two more Mack Trucks than the night before.

In his sickly daze, Zeelo failed to notice the soft sound of big, cushy padding paws running uncoordinatedly upstairs. Sonny's ears flicked warily and he tensed, bracing for an impact his person didn't see coming.

Something the size of a medium dog tumbled into the room with big, flopping ears and waving wings! Avizandum's eyes were wide with wonder and a penchant for playtime. The small red dragon cub wiggled his fat tail while dancing his paws playfully across the wooden floor. He immediately spotted Zeelo on the bed and made a big, flapping leap onto it with the gusto of a springy kitten! Right into Zeelo's lap!

The young man flung upwards with a crackled cry of shock– and perhaps a groan of pain. He hardly had the time to soak in what had happened before Avi started to dance across his chest while licking his face! Zeelo put his hands up pleadingly to try and hold back the playful attacks! Sonny had already bailed to the floor!

"Avi, no!" Zeelo said with a strained voice! "I'm not feeling well! I don't want to play…"

Avizandom's tail frantically flicked back and forth! "P-play! Zee, play!" He squeaked excitedly with the best words he could muster!

Zeelo grabbed his paws, holding him back while coughing. "No, no play! I'm not feeling good."

Avi was pushed down gently, and he sat his butt at the side of the mattress and tilted his head. He sniffed Zeelo's face before giving him a big, loving lick between his eyes! Zeelo grimaced, tightening up his brows to tolerate the excess slobber wiped across his face. Avizandum licked him a few more times before smiling and wiggling his wings, his nose inches from Zeelo's.

"Kiss… better!" He purred like a giant cat and squeaked like a baby gator. "Bad… away? Better? Prrr'lay now?"

Zeelo gently pushed him back to sit on the edge of the bed again.

"It doesn't work that way, Avi. Thank you, though."

The Draco cub wasn't entirely understanding. He tilted his head again, flicking one of his ears in confusion. He sat down, staring at Zeelo pleadingly for play time. The young dragon couldn't grasp the concept of a cold.

There were more footsteps ascending up the stairs before a dark shadow filled the doorway of the guest room the young man was staying in. A familiar shadowed silhouette of a big, bulky D'nno woman. Branwen's piercing eyes cut through the darkness on her face, her expression lighting up when she found her baby upstairs. Then that joy melted away to a moderate grimace. She was carrying a tray with tea, cough drops, and medicine on it.

"Avizandum, leave Zeelo alone." Branwen ordered. "Go back downstairs and wait with Galahad. We are going outside soon."

Everything about the baby's demeanor changed when he heard the word "outside"! His tail excitedly wiggled, his wings flailing out of sync! His paws tippy tapped on the edge of the bed before he jumped down and ran circles around his mother. He stopped to rub himself against her legs with a deep churr.

"Mumma! Play!"

"Yes, we'll go outside and play, my cub. Mumma must take care of Zeelo first…" She said with a purr.

Avizandum bounded energetically around the room, impatiently excited to go outside. She waited until he was away from her legs before she started to move forward again. She kept her eyes on the cub while making her way over to the nightstand. She was gentle as she rested the tray on the polished wooden surface, setting the delicate tea cup down on a coaster.

"Thank you, Bran." Zeelo said with a strained cough.

The disguised Draco peered over into his soup bowl and frowned.

"Zeelo, you've hardly touched your soup. You can't take these antibiotics without something in your stomach."

"I know… I just feel too nauseated to eat." Zeelo replied. "I don't mind eating cold soup."

"Hmm… Alright." She mused. "Just be sure you take them within the hour so you don't mess up your schedule."

Zeelo chuckled, "Since when were you a medical expert?"

The Draco chuffed. "Someone has to know these things when Luthais and Garnet are away. Besides… I know medicines, I've been taking care of your grandfather since before you were born."

"I remember you being so confused back when I got hypothermia… I'm guessing that wasn't one of the things you've ever had to treat?"

She picked up and held the soup bowl in her hands, warming it with her plasma to heat up his soup in the same fashion that Galahad would.

"No, and healthcare was a lot more available for Galahad and I when we were Star Warriors actively. I couldn't take you to the hospital because I don't keep money on me. I find, harvest, and hunt my own resources." She said with a curious purr. "I admit that I was so scared that day, I wasn't thinking clearly. You were right when you told me not to go in looking the way that I did. That old city used to welcome and know me when it was just a small town. Things have changed a lot in several hundred years."

"What was that town like back then?" Zeelo questioned.

Branwen tapped her chin with one of her fingers. "It was quite small. It was smaller than Portside. Back then, the residents lived off of primitive tools powered by mana ores and got around by riding raindeer and mountain ox. Your great-grandfather and I rescued that town one time, and that's how we became friends. Of course, after he saved me."

Zeelo's eyes widened, urging him to sit up farther. Sonny had joined him on the bed by now to get away from the baby dragon. "Really? I don't think you guys have ever told me that story."

"No, I don't believe that we have. Perhaps I can tell you that one tonight? I intend to join Galahad on his daily walk as usual. Avi is itching to go outside and play, too."

He laid back on his pillow, understanding that now wasn't the time for stories.

"Alright… Thanks for taking care of me."

"Anytime, Cub. Now let this be a lesson to you! You and Amani went gallivanting out in the rain on a pleasant little date, and now you're both sick…" She grumbled. "At this rate, I'm going to be known as Branwen the Nurse rather than Branwen the Guardian Draco…! I already have to take care of Galahad. You're too young to be getting sick!"

Zeelo raised his shoulders over his cheeks and smiled. "It's only a cold, Branwen… It happens…"

Her expression softened, her brows relaxing with the rest of the muscles in her face. She couldn't help but worry about them.

"That is true… With this blasted allergy season rolling in, it's more common for mortals to catch a cold. Even I've been sniffly lately. Thankfully I can't catch anything you have, but my nose isn't fond of the pollen…"

Zeelo chuckled, "I'd think since Pops and I are Paladors, that we'd be exempt from contagious illnesses."

"You're still half organic, Zeelo. You're more resistant, I'm sure; but not immune. That's why I haven't allowed Galahad near you. His immune system has been failing." She said solemnly. "So you get well soon."

He was preparing to speak, but got caught in a coughing fit! He covered his mouth and turned away. Branwen reached for a cough drop, opened it, and gave it to Zeelo. After some time, it helped ease his coughing fit, allowing him to breathe. Avizandum was leaning up and over the side of the bed in concern, even as Zeelo stopped.

"My, your cough sounds unpleasant." Branwen stated. "Will you be alright?"

"Yeah… Don't worry about it." Zeelo answered dismissively. "You can go and take Pops on his walk. I don't want to keep him waiting."

"Hmm… Very well, Zeelo. Rest well. Come, Avi."

Avizandum smiled at his mother, nudging his head against her leg before bolting out of the room! He jumped and played through the hallway on his way to the steps. Carefully, he bounded down the stairs, to the living room, jumped over the previously sleeping griffigale, and fluttered his wings to jump and slide on the rug at the front door.

With the startled skitter of the owl-cat's claws clicking the floor and the clattering of the coat rack by the door after it fell, Galahad jumped from the couch and whipped his head towards Avi! The red dragon cub whined, trapped and tangled in a wad of coats. He backed up to rid himself of his attacker, but a light jacket was caught around his neck and head. Galahad only laughed and shakily grabbed his cane.

Rustily, he stood on his weak knees and walked to the door where the small star-dragon was crying for help. Branwen was making her way down the stairs when Galahad gently unraveled him from his coat prison. Avizandum poked his head out of the untangled coats and shook his head! His large ears flopped around and slapped the side of his head as he did so.

"You silly boy. You shouldn't run in the house." Galahad said with a jolly laugh. His voice was more weathered and cracked with age, sounding more tired. He rubbed his hand over the top of Avizandom's head, scratching him behind the ears.

"Uncee Gala… Prrr…" Avi said with a playful rumble. He placed his rather large, cushy paw on the man's shaky hand. He smiled with his mouth open, showing off his little teeth! "W-walk?" He squeaked.

The old man smiled back. "Right you are, old chap! You can run all you like out there."

Branwen met them both at the door and pulled the rest of the coats and things off of Avi. She then picked the rack back up and put it all away with care.

"Avi, you bring a tornado everywhere you go…" The Draco commented softly.

"Well, he is the son of a tornado dragon." Galahad stood up straight —as straight as he could— and placed both hands on his cane. "He doesn’t pay much attention. Hope he catches on."

Branwen grumbled at the idea. "Cubs are clumsy little things. He just gets ahead of himself."

Avi waited innocently and impatiently at the door, staring up at the adults while thumping his paws on the floor. He knew they were talking about him, but he didn't comprehend the context exactly. All he cared about was going outside! He patted his paw against the door, asking to go as soon as possible.

Once he was given his wish and Branwen opened the door, he slipped out of the door before it had been opened completely– just barely squeezing through a crack. The cub padded across the porch with bounding energy and laughed and giggled all the way down the steps. He tripped on his paws on the last step, falling off into the grass with a grunt! He tumbled and rolled, but was fast to return to his paws and excitedly gaze up the porch at his mother, who was holding the door open for her best friend. Galahad carefully made his way down the steps with Branwen holding his arm for support. With every slow step down, Avi grew more excited! 

This meant that he was going to visit the park and the shore, where he could run and play with other kids and have many new adventures! Maybe he could get his mother to run and play with him? Or have a nice game of tug of war with Galahad! Maybe they could all dig for treasure and find something cool in the sand!? Every thought in his little head was running a mile a minute, and he just couldn't wait!

"Mumma!! Mumma! Uncee! W-walks!" He cheered with a trill! As soon as they were on their way, the small dragon chittered and squeaked with joy while dashing circles around them both. His natural, feral noises soaked in his words as he cried out with joy and giggled contagiously. He was still figuring out how to separate his dragon vocalizations from clear words.

"I swear, this young dragon puts more years on my life…" Galahad mused.

"If only that were true." Branwen answered softly.

Galahad smiled at Branwen. "Please, return to your true form now. I know you don't like being in that disguise all of the time."

"Are you sure?" Branwen asked. "I don't mind staying this way if it's easier for you."

"I would prefer you to be comfortable. No matter the form, it doesn't change how gentle you are." He responded and patted her on the shoulder. "You've had to go several centuries walking by my side in disguise. There's no need for that anymore."

The Draco would argue, but she knew that her friend was stubborn. He would insist the whole way. "Alright, if that would make you happier."

Her form glittered and sparkled in a beautiful light, her two-leg shape disintegrating in a cloud of stardust and reforming back to the colossal draconic form the locals knew her for. Even as her body reformed, she kept a slow pace beside Galahad down the familiar stone path.

On their way, they made a turn down a path different from their usual route. It was thickly forested and lined along the sides with bushes and rocks. It seemed to be an older path that leads to the park, one not usually taken due to the new one being shorter. With it having less traffic, it gave the old veterans some relief and privacy. Obediently, Avizandum marched playfully at his mother's side. With her steps being slow, every now and then he would walk around one of her paws and push himself up against her with a happy rumble.

"Where is Roark today? I haven't seen him at all." Galahad questioned.

"He's busy helping fishermen fix a dock out by the coast." Branwen said, keeping her eyes ahead. "There was an accident last night when one of the fishing boats docked. No one was injured, thankfully. The dock is in worse shape than any of the fishermen."

"Gorblimey! When you say that it's bad, how bad do you mean?" Galahad retorted.

"An anchor fell off onto the dock and destroyed the planking. Though, Roark implied that those boards hadn't been replaced in years. So I suppose it was well overdue."

Avi started ahead a few feet as they approached a small version of the long wooden thing that looked like his dad that helped them across the big streams in town! As he thought of it, that is. He made an unnecessary jump over the first plank and patted his paws over it as he landed! To him, it was wondrous and fun to walk over and look down between the planks at the trickling water running through the gully. The big thing they were walking over was painted red and had carved dragon heads on both sides of the railing on each end. It was supported underneath with cement. 

It was too small for Branwen to walk on, so she jumped across. It was a piddly distance for her. She could practically stretch herself across the gully without much of an effort. Galahad enjoyed the casual stroll over the bridge, keeping an eye on Avi so he didn't trip over him.

Sticking his head through the railing bars, Avizandum watched some wiggling minnows scrambling their way out from underneath. He licked his little lips and popped his head out from between the bars, looking at his mother from across.

"Fishes!! Rrr fishes, Mumma?"

"Not yet, my shooting star." She purred deeply. "You just had lunch an hour ago. Your father will bring home dinner tonight."

His ears dropped, curving his brows inward with a pout. "No… Fishes, Mumma…"

Galahad gave her a grin and a raised brow. "He's made up his mind."

The elder dragon pulled her lips back and furrowed her brows, shaking her head. "That won't get you any fishes faster, love."

She carefully placed her paw on the railing, leaning her long neck down over the bridge and scruffing him in her teeth. She pulled him off over the bridge, allowing him to dangle helplessly from her mouth while Galahad walked the rest of the way. The cub wiggled and squirmed, but it was without much effort knowing that he couldn't power his way out of his mother's jaws.

Galahad dipped his head courteously at her and they continued forward down the path. Avi frowned, seeing the big wooden version of his father become distant by several feet. Branwen didn't set him down until they were far enough away from the bridge where something else would surely distract him.

For a while, Avizandum didn't have as much of a bounce in his step. He remained fairly disappointed until they got closer to the park. Once the sound of chirping birds and playing children filled his ears, he started to get excited again. He followed close, eagerly awaiting to emerge into the park. As his mother had predicted, distracting him was no issue.

The path they were walking had gone from being old and weathered to fresh and new, a cobblestone walkway that circled around the entire park. There were very few people here today, but a couple of playing children were making a gaggle of noises at the playground. The cub smiled and wiggled his tail before looking up at Branwen. The big guardian dragon that he called Mumma felt his gaze and returned it with a loving thrum in her throat. She lowered her face down to him, nuzzling him delicately with her nose.

"Come, Avi. Let us find somewhere to rest and then you can go and play." She cooed. Avizandum licked her face and churred lovingly at her.

The young cub trotted alongside his mother towards one of the long sitting things that was at the edge of the park path. It sat in front of Viviane's memorial statue, giving all who seek rest in the park a view of the town hero who once saved them.

Branwen always stopped to look at it, pondering what she was like in her life? She had always been under the impression that she knew every Draco from their world. To hear of one that she never knew insinuated that there had to be more that didn't live in their colony. Had they escaped, also? Viviane's tale was one that made her sad. This would have been her mother-in-law if she ever had the chance to meet her.

Breaking eye contact with the stone replica of the water dragon, she helped her friend carefully seat himself. She then joined Galahad beside the bench he was sitting on. With the grace of a lioness, she lowered herself down onto the grass and laid with her front legs crossed and her wings folded. Her jaws opened wide to release a calmed yawn, her forked blue tongue rolling out of her mouth. Avi crawled between her front legs, curling himself into a ball in the small crevice created by her crossed paws.

Galahad pulled his pipe out of his pocket, haphazardly looking over some chew marks on the shaft from a time when Avizandum got his little teeth on it. Absent-mindedly, he popped it into his mouth. The Draco side-eyed him with a grumble and a huff.

"You've barely been sitting for a minute, and you're already lighting your pipe?" The Draco scowled.

"Branwen, I have gone all day without. You should be happy that I've exercised this much restraint." Galahad argued. "If I wanted someone to prick my conscience, I would have brought Aeterna."

With an annoyed "Hmpf", Branwen pinned her ears back and looked forward again. "Well then, maybe you should have her help you around every now and then? She is your sword, after all."

Galahad waved his hand around in a dismissive manner. "And hog all of the fun from you? I could do no such thing. Besides, I'm sure that she doesn't want to spend her time helping an old man walk around."

"The only reason I nag you is because I care about your health." The Draco said defeatedly. "I know it annoys you, but you've gotten more cantankerous in your old age."

His grouchy body language melted away, understanding that everything the dragon said was out of love. The wrinkles under his eyes creased more as he furrowed his brows and raised his cheeks. He removed the pipe from his mouth, blowing out a ring of smoke as he has always familiarly done.

"I'm sorry. You are right though, I have gotten crankier. If it weren't for all the pain I'm in, I would forget how old I am. Every ache and crack on the outside tends to keep me with the times. It makes me feel frustrated."

The Draco hummed. "I know… The only thing I can do is make sure that you take care of yourself."

In the middle of their conversation, the guardian dragon stopped to huff repeatedly while scrunching her face into a comical grimace. With every inhale, her nostrils flared until she sneezed! A wad of plasma shot out of her nose, frying a small portion on the ground! Avi jolted in surprise, sitting up between her arms while sniffing the scorched area on the sidewalk.

Galahad chuckled, glancing up at Branwen in an entertained fashion.

"Are you sure you didn't catch a cold from Zeelo?"

She shook her head, sniffling obnoxiously. "You know that I can't. It's these blasted allergies. Everything is trying to bloom…"

An adorable giggle left her cub before he scrambled out from between her legs. He tumbled over to the side of her arm, falling onto his face in the grass. It didn't slow him down! He jumped right back up and kept going.

With an excited dash towards the statue, Avi made a lame leap for the elevated pedestal Viviane was perched on, barely catching himself using his claws. He scraped his back claws against the side until he was standing on the pedestal right underneath his grandmother's memorial. He was tucked between her front legs, glancing up her long neck to gaze wondrously at her chin. She had her head raised high, watchfully scanning proudly into the sky and over the park.

From his perch under his grandmother, he carefully scanned the park with the imitated grace of the great statue behind him. He looked over his "kingdom" like a little king. He was looking for the first place to start playing, finding plenty of wonderful attractions that left him feeling torn! Among it all, he kept returning his attention towards the playground where all of the kids were playing.

Having made his decision, he started to climb down when he noticed a bright white color in the corner of his eye! A tall, beautiful white Custodian girl was walking down the way with a familiar orange butterfly-eared chinchilla resting on her head between her ears. Avi's own ears perked up high and his plans were derailed at the sight of the two familiar faces!

"Untee Veri!!" He squealed in delight!

He jumped off of the pedestal and spread his uncoordinated wings to sloppily glide a wide distance! Upon his landing, he stumbled into a happy dash towards Verity and Pumpkin!

The disguised Light Matter opened her mouth with a wide smile, kneeling down and holding her arms out for the baby dragon!

"Hi, Avi!! Come here and let me give you a big hug!"

Avizandum jumped into Verity's arms, and was immediately cradled by her! He purred and grumbled happily while nuzzling his face against hers. Pumpkin leaned down from between her ears and patted her nubby paw over his head!

"Awwww, he's gotten so big! Hi, Avi!" Pumpkin chirped cutely!

Verity held him out in front of herself with her big Custodian paws under his arms. "I'll say! You're going to be a big Draco when you grow up!"

Avizandum wiggled his butt as it hung, kicking his back legs excitedly with his tongue lolled out of his mouth! "Vrrr-eri!! Veri!"

"Still trying to figure out your words, huh?" Verity smiled warmly. "Keep trying, and you'll be speaking clearly in no time! Especially with such great parents!"

Branwen displayed a big smile of pride at the compliment, perking her ears forward while waving her tail behind the bench. "Yes, he's having a hard time separating his natural sounds from his words. He can be slightly difficult to understand sometimes."

Verity beamed! "Aww, but that's one of the cutest things about him! I'm sure there will be a day where you miss this."

"Hmhm, no doubt my dear." Branwen purred in agreement. "What brings you all the way from home? How is Pumpkin and her mother doing?"

Verity placed the cub down on the ground, leaving him to run in a circle around her before dashing back to his mother and jumping into her arms.

Pumpkin waved her tiny paws joyously! "My mother and I are great! We've been doing all kinds of fun things together! I asked her if she wanted to come today, but she said she was tired."

Branwen's eyes were soft as she listened to the small chinchilla. She dipped her head in understanding. "So I see. Well, it's always a delight to see you, Pumpkin."

Verity added, "We went over to the house Galahad and Zeelo are staying at, and Zeelo told us that we would find you here at the park. It had been awhile, so I decided to make the trip here to do a check up on Avi and Galahad."

Galahad's aged face lit up with surprise before turning his gaze towards his dragon companion. The guardian beast and mother glanced down at him solemnly before lowering her head between her front legs and nudging her baby.

"Avi, why don't you go play with the children at the playground?" Branwen cooed softly. She flicked her eyes to Pumpkin afterward. "Pumpkin, could I trust you to keep an eye on him at the playground and play with him for a while?"

She flapped her butterfly-shaped ears and floated off of Verity's head. She put her front paws together and wiggled her fluffy tail! "Absolutely, Miss Branwen!"

The small orange chinchilla flew over to Galahad for a quick and loving greeting! "Before I do though, I'm happy to see you Mr. Gally!"

"Likewise, little Pumpkin." Galahad grinned, taking his pipe out of his mouth and holding it away from Pumpkin so that she didn't get a whiff of all that smoke. "I see you've been doing very well."

She nuzzled herself against the side of his wrinkled face, pressing her squishy cheek against his and hugging him! "Yes, yes! I'm still so grateful that you helped me find my mother! I have you and your whole family to thank for me being so happy!"

He reached his hand up and pet it down the back of her head with a warm smile. "And that in turn makes me very happy. I hope you get to grow up big and strong, lassie."

She levitated further from his face, bouncing and dancing in the air as playfully as she always has! "I might not get very big if I take after my mother. But that's okay, I'm still going to be strong!"

"No doubt." Galahad chuckled.

Pumpkin looked between everybody, waving her paws excitedly! "Okay, I'll take Avi to the park so you grown-ups can talk!" She zipped down towards the baby dragon, poking his nose with the tip of her paw. "Come on, Avi!! Let's go play!"

Branwen nudged her nose behind her cub's butt, pushing him forward and encouraging him to run along and play. After a hastened lick to his mother's nose, he jolted away to chase after Pumpkin! There was notable silence as the children made a great distance from them. Once they were out of range of attention, Verity put her paws together with a deep sigh and looked at Galahad.

"Gracious… It's gotten worse than I thought." She commented. "I can sense that you're sicker now than you were before."

Branwen's head lowered, resting her chin on the edge of the bench. "Aye… I've begun to sense it myself. Not that I couldn't before, but I've been more sensitive to it over the last few years."

Galahad took a small breath of his pipe, doing his best to hide his stress over it. He breathed out the smoke away from them. "Hmm… I have gotten noticeably worse, I'm afraid."

"His eyesight is starting to go. He can't see well." Branwen mused sadly. "However, our heart bond has grown in strength again. It confuses me… We lost a lot of those abilities when he got sick. Yet, he's gotten sicker, and the bond has improved. It makes no sense to me."

Verity puzzled, looking over the Draco curiously. It was interesting that Branwen was unaware of the reasons, whereas she herself noticed it pretty quickly.

"You seem stronger." Verity commented. "My safest assumption is that you're finally reaching your peak."

Galahad chortled! "You mean to tell me that she wasn't already as strong as she could be?"

Branwen added on his statement. "Normally I would say that it is impossible. However, I can't deny that I have felt more at peace with myself ever since I settled here. The energy in me feels less like a rattled storm and more like a river. At least, that's the best way I can describe it…"

Verity placed her paw on Branwen's shoulder. "It's just as your mother said; power doesn't always come from intense training. Power also comes in believing yourself and having faith in your own strengths. You used to doubt yourself so often. You have more control of your light now."

Verity motioned to Galahad. "All of the great skills that came with your bond with Galahad is a two-way street. But he had all the confidence that you lacked." She hummed. "I think… Maybe by finding peace with yourself, you're starting to compensate for the power he now lacks. It's brought your bond's skills to life again. His light comes from you, after all. He's probably lived this long in his ill state because of you."

Branwen raised her eye at Verity. "But that seems like such a simple solution to something that's so complicated."

"Not entirely…" Verity replied. "The power of will is much stronger than you think. How can we put our all into something if we don't even believe we can do it? And when you're working through damage to your heart and soul, believing in your strength is not easy to come by."

Galahad nodded. "As cheesy as it sounds, Verity makes a point. I hurt less when you're around, my friend. Something about you just shines brighter these days… I think you're healing, Branwen. And with healing comes a better you… I should know. I became a better me because of you, and I reached beyond the stars. If you hadn't helped me become a better man, I would have died never knowing my potential."

Verity walked away from Branwen and seated herself between the dragon and Galahad. She looked out across the park, watching Pumpkin and Avi play with some Waddle Dee and Cappy children. They were running circles around the slide, each taking turns climbing up the ladder and sliding down! Avi tried to stand on the slick plastic, his legs wobbly as he rushed down into the grass while flapping his wings. He was enjoying the playground obstacles while he could, because someday he would be too big unless he shapeshifted!

Her lips curled with a joyful grin before looking at the cub's mother.

"Avizandum is a fine example of how much you've healed. And look at all this joy that you've made! Avizandum personifies how you've recovered. He brings so much jubilee to the people of this town, and you've given the guardian dragons of Portside a legacy. It brings me joy to see how happy and healthy your family is. I'm sure your father and mother would be delighted to know that their own legacy has survived."

Branwen felt her cheeks run warm with a gentle blush. "Well, yes… A lot of great things have occurred since his birth. Roark and I are blessed."

"And I couldn't be happier to have been witness to it." Galahad included. "I know it has been hard for me… But I have not felt so much joy for so long. Zeelo is growing into a fine young man, my best friends have been doing well, and Avizandum brings hope for a better future for Draco kind."

Branwen's smile softened, raising her head off of the edge of the bench. "Now if only Leon would come around more often… It's been nearly a decade since I last saw him."

"That is a name that I haven't heard in a while." Galahad chuckled.

"I always get so worried about Leon, that talking about him often makes me start overthinking…" The dragoness growled. "With Firush running around, I can never be sure if Leon is safe out there."

Verity put her paws together and leaned forward with a hopeful beam. "I'm sure he's fine! You know him. He gets caught up in his ventures and he loses track of time. Who knows, maybe he found more Dracos?"

Branwen huffed. "If so, it sure would have been nice if he told us by now. With everything that's been going on, I wouldn't mind a visit every now and then."

"Have you even told Roark about him or your heritage?" Galahad pushed.

This urged her to pause, pulling her lips back in a flustered manner. With her brows pulled together and low, she glanced towards the statue, flicked her attention towards her son  playing at the playground, before returning her attention to her friends on the bench.

With a weighted breath, the dragon pulled her ears back.

“All he knows is that Azymondias was my father and I have a brother. I've not disclosed any inheritance or history of my family. What is there to inherit?"

There was a troubled hum from Verity, gently holding her paw to the side of her face in concern. "Even if that's the case, it's not right to hide things from your family. Avi will grow up never knowing either, and that's not fair to him."

The dragoness' face muscles loosened as she lowered her head again. "I know… But what if it burdens them as it has me?"

Verity cooed, "I don't think it will. If you all tackle it together now, I know things will be fine."

"If you say so… I suppose I need to find the right moment to talk about it with Roark." Branwen finished. "I'm still taking small steps."

The trio of adults continued to converse while keeping an eye on Avi and Pumpkin. Jubilously, the children ran circles around the swings during a giggle-filled game of tag. There was a young Cappy sitting on Avizandom's back, which the cub didn't mind at all. The dragon easily outspeed all of the other children, though he didn't understand the context of the game. He wasn't supposed to be chasing anyone, he just did so because he saw the kids doing it. There were a couple of protests from children who were sticklers on the rules of the game, but most did not care.

Pumpkin flew around, playfully pulling Avi's ears gently before flying away. He shook his head and cackled with an excited squeak, leaping into the air to try and catch Pumpkin with his front paws! The Cappy kid on his back fell off into a sandbox that he jumped over, thankfully having not been hurt. He got back up, shook the sand off, and chased after the young dragon. It wasn't until halfway into their game that Verity called Pumpkin from the bench. She wiggled her large butterfly shaped ears and placed her attention on her caretaker of the day with a curious "Hm?"

"Pumpkin, it's time to go! I need to get you back to your mother for your training." Verity said sweetly. "We'll visit again soon!"

"Aww, okay… Coming, Miss Verity!" Pumpkin squeaked in compliance. She flew over to Avi, giving him a gentle peck on the nose! "Bye-bye, Avi! I need to go back to my mama! Take care!"

Avizandum didn't understand why she needed to leave so soon, stopping to watch his friend fly away towards the bench. He frowned, his adorably large ears lowering against the side of his head.

Soon a distraction would grace his fleeting attention span when he was tackled by other young children, who were all giggling in a gaggling pile! The cub growled playfully, easily standing up under all of these youngsters. He dashed away to hop circles around the playground once more before leaping onto an empty swing, causing him to rock back and forth!

"Galahad, be sure to take care, okay?" Verity asked. "And don't go pushing yourself! I know that you like to do things independently…"

"I promise, lass. I'll be just fine." He smiled. "Besides, I have the best caretaker in the world, innit? With her on me arse, I doubt I'll be allowed to do anything that would get me in trouble."

Branwen chuckled with a loving rumble. "He does make a fine point. I'm always around these days."

Verity held her paws at Galahad's cheeks. There was a bittersweet twinkle in the Light Matter's eye. "I mean it, now. We don't want to lose you so soon."

His fun grin faded to a genuine smile. He leaned his head sideways into one of her paws, reaching up with his free hand to pat the back of it. "Don't go getting all soppy on me, Lady Verity. I'll be here next time you return. There's way too much for me to still do."

She pulled away just as Pumpkin returned. The orange chinchilla hugged Branwen's nose, then offered the same to Galahad! She nuzzled her cheek against his before hovering up between Verity's ears and landing on her head.

"Bye-bye! I love you guys!" Pumpkin chirped with a wave of her paw. "We'll be back real soon!"

"Indeed we will! Branwen, with you discovering more of your skills, it looks like I'll have to come by more often." Verity confirmed with a delighted giggle. "If I didn't have work to do at home, I would happily live here in Portside! I can never get enough of the sunshine out here, or the delicious ice cream and seafood…" She sighed. "It's too bad we don't have the time to get any. Maybe next time."

Making sure that she didn't have an audience, Verity walked away while surveying the park. As she left down the path, she returned to her true form. For only a short few seconds, her shining, serpentine form floated above the ground and she disappeared into a rift that she opened herself. Just like that, she was gone.

Branwen could sense her presence vanish, and she exhaled before glancing at her friend again.

"Considering all of the doors to the Sanctuarium are locked, suppose she's still getting around using that break between dimensions?"

Galahad placed his hand on his chin. "I can't say that I understand what you mean."

The Draco flicked her ears, glancing down at Galahad with concern. "The secret path we used to take… Don't you remember?"

"What are you talking about, Branwen?"

This broke her heart, visible by the raised eyes and frown on her face. "Surely you didn't forget? I'm talking about that secret way into The Sanctuary…" she said quietly.

Galahad furrowed his brows, looking up at her as if he truly didn't understand what she was talking about.

"... The Sanctuary… Oh, you mean where we went a few years ago when Roark got sick."

"By Elyna's legends, Gally… You can't tell me that you forgot about Sanctuarium?"

He chuckled, "If there was a secret way in, why did I have to open the door?"

She chuffed disappointedly. "Galahad, you know about that path. You and I used to take it all the time… The only reason Arthur didn't take that path when you and Roark got sick is because it's dangerous to navigate and the path is rather small."

Reading into her troubled voice, Galahad creased his brows close together sadly. He scratched the side of his head, his finger getting lost in his scraggly white hair.

"Blimey… I must admit, I've been having a harder time remembering these days. I can't say that I remember where that path is."

Branwen flicked her eyes towards her son to make sure he was okay, spotting him still sitting on the swing set with his head hanging off of the side. "For a time, you used your memory as an excuse. But you really mean it this time, don't you?"

"I'm sorry…" He said softly. "I knew these days would come. I still have so much that I must teach Zeelo, but I can't do that if I can't even remember it."

He leaned forward, putting his hands on his cane and staring at Avizandum.

"Now that you've jogged my memory, it's starting to come back to me… Don't suppose we could stop by the store on our way home? Perhaps I should pick up journaling again? I know you don't want to hear it, but I don't think I'll live long enough to teach Zeelo everything I wanted to."

"Gally…"

"You know that it's true. If I wait too long, I might not remember anything." He huffed in annoyance. "I've been thinking about it a lot lately. I've been considering giving my inheritance to Zeelo… Aeternitas seems keen on him, though I am unsure of that inheritance..."

Branwen replied, "Why not Valda? She's got far more training in combat than him."

"Come on now, you know that Valorie doesn't want that dusty old sword." He mused. "She's got her place here on Techstar. Aeterna knows that. The only grievance I have is the responsibility that comes with it, as well as the risks."

Branwen grumbled in reply. "I was going to say… What about Anselm?"

"... I do fear that. But if we live in fear, then nothing will ever change. He is a smart boy. I need to start making my plans while I'm still cognizant."

Branwen eyed him suspiciously. "I understand… But what plans exactly?"

"My plans of inheritance, of course!" Galahad chuckled. "That's several centuries of belongings! And all of those traveling journals… I want him to have them all. They'll teach him everything he needs to know about the galaxy, as well as the monsters that live in it. There's even maps of uncharted worlds in there that you don't even see on galactic maps."

 "Even your Starlight Study journals?" She asked with wide eyes. "There is private knowledge in those."

"That was information made for the Champion of Starlight. And if the Champion of Starlight is gone, they need to go to someone else. If he is to inherit that sword, he needs to know what's been going on when the time is right… I'll leave it up to you and Aeternitas.”

Branwen was clearly unsure about this decision. She kept an eye on her son, even as she pondered what this would mean for Zeelo. Galahad broke the silence by clearing his throat and putting his pipe away

"Anyway, I could go for something to eat. I know it's not dinner time, but maybe we could get the ankle biter a snack?" Galahad smiled. "How about it?"

"... Yes, that sounds delightful." The Draco said with a soft breath.

She turned her head up towards the playground. Avizandum was rough housing with a Waddle Dee kit. There was a lot of giggling and laughing, but every so often, the cub was just too strong for these children. He easily shoved and pushed them around innocently. Thankfully, he knew better than to use his claws. Branwen couldn't help but worry about him. She remembered how she was as a cub. Draco children are naturally strong in nature. He didn't have anyone to play with that could handle his strength and rough play style. There were multiple times that she had to step in and tell him to be careful. Yet, these children still flocked to him.

She stood from beside the bench, waiting for Galahad to muster up the strength to get up. She was preparing to call Avizandum back to them when Galahad began to grimace as he balanced his hands on his cane. It got gradually worse; a sharp, throbbing pain from his chest! He gripped his heart, holding his hand over the injury that inflicted him with his ailment. Branwen's eyes grew a stark white and panic overtook her expression!

"Galahad? Galahad, what's wrong?!" The dragon thrummed. "Is it your wound??"

The old man struggled to speak, crumpling forward and exclaiming in response to the pain! Branwen lifted her paw under his chest and stomach to help him stand. Her ears pinned back, finding it hard to watch.

Galahad's cane fell out of his other hand, placing said hand on Branwen's paw with a tightened grip. By now, the commotion had gained the attention of other adults in the park, as well as some of the children. Avi's ears shot forward, as he recognized the sound of Galahad's voice.

"Uncee Gala?" He squeaked. He squeezed out from under some of the children, running back to his mother and weaving around the legs of a few gathering adults.

He wandered up in front of them, climbing onto the bench so he could get a better look at Galahad. The cub didn't understand what was going on, but he understood enough to know that Galahad was hurting. He tilted his head and whined, carefully scooting closer to him and looking for where he was in pain. With a quick scan, he noticed Galahad's hand on his chest, which Branwen's assisting paw was partially covering. He didn't want anyone hurting! Avi leaned on his mother's paw and squeezed his head down towards Galahad's chest and attempted to lick his supposed wound.

Branwen used one of her fingers to gently push the cub away, encouraging him to sit on the bench.

"Avi, not now… Leave him alone." She said quickly, but softly. She then eyed the few people around them, curling her tail around her body and sweeping it towards them! "Back up, give him space! Don't overwhelm him."

Avizandum didn't take the hint and got back up on her paw. This time, he was met with a slightly more stern response. She nudged him with her paw again, furrowing her brows.

"Avizandum, leave him alone. Sit down… Mummy's got him."

"Okay, Mumma…" He whined pitifully, ducking his head low.

Her expression softened again, seeing the fear in her son's eyes. He shouldn't have to see this. "... Go play with the kids, Avi… Uncle Galahad will be fine."

The young Draco was hesitant. Her efforts didn't convince him that things were alright. Yet, his mother's words were absolute. If he understood anything, it was that he needed to obey his parents. Avi slunk off of the bench, leaving Branwen to help Galahad stand while waiting for his pain to subside. All others who had gathered backed away respectfully, abiding by the Draco's demand.

Branwen's paw was firm against his chest to offer support. She stayed calm on the outside, but a sharp eye would see that her anxiety was spiked through the roof. No matter how many times he was inflicted with pain and sickness, it never ceased to frighten her.

Avizandum, on the other hand, was sitting on the ground still eyeing his mother. The children playing made his ears swivel and flick, but he couldn't look away. It wasn't until he felt that he was being stared at that he started to divert his attention. He glanced around, looking between the adults and whoever else was nearby. Most everyone was paying attention to the duo of friends, so that couldn't have been it.

He stood still while continuing to search for who was watching him. It wasn't any of the children, and his mother was busy. He turned his gaze into the foliage and trees that lined the park. Within the shade of the blooming spring plants, he caught sight of two glowing eyes and a silhouette staring at him! This individual was hiding amongst the bushes, likely drawn over by the commotion. Now, though, they were fixated on Avizandom's curious green eyes.

The shadow tilted its head, and Avizandum mocked this movement. They teetered their head the opposite direction, resulting in the same reaction. This entertained the silhouette, making them comfortable enough to crawl out from under the bushes just enough to reveal the tip of their nose and part of their face. What Avi saw was something much like himself! She was green like a vibrant watermelon, but her eyes were bright and hazy without dark pupils.

The red Draco cub smiled while waving his little tail excitedly! Another cub? Was she new to his town? He flicked his eyes up towards his mother, recalling that she had told him to go and play with the children. Did this count? This other Draco looked only a year or two older than him. Avi flashed a happy, toothy smile at her and tapped his paws playfully! She pulled her head back into the bushes and ran away, but this only urged him to follow without a second thought!

 Into the bushes he went, tripping his way through the sticks and brush! He bursted out on the other side, waving his soft round nose across the air then down to the ground. He picked up the unfamiliar cub's scent, which was quite easy to do. She had a wild musk about her that insinuated that she lived completely wild.

Avizandum shook the leaves off of himself and kicked into a sloppy and fleet footed dash! He wanted to make a new friend, so he followed her scent closely. He found himself jumping across rocks, felled logs, rain-caused trenches, and even old and overgrown paths that had long been forgotten. As he turned a corner of trees, he was met by a green individual jolting suddenly at his rushed appearance! Both of them had been startled, leading into the duo of cubs straightening out their paws and leaping backwards away from each other with their wings sprawled!

The young female hissed and growled, her claws flexed and teeth bared! Avi was none the wiser, his body language easing before hers. What was a momentary moment of surprise for him became a happy tip-tap of his paws! He flapped his little feathered wings, squeaking and churring in delight at a potential new friend.

The other Draco– rather, Dracomare, had her unique flipper shaped wings spread out widely with her tail lashing and flared. At the base of her tail were fins– it was difficult to know if they were for flying or for swimming. It was clear that she had never met another cub before and was frightened by his jovial and social approach. She waved a paw at him, gently popping him on the head for scaring her! It was enough to knock him out of his excitement! Avizandum recoiled with a startled squeak, folding his wings close to himself and curling his tail around.

"Rrrr-play?" He asked cutely. He lowered his body to the ground, glancing up at her pleadingly.

"You s-scared me!" She hissed, having better language skills than him. Her voice was squeaky and somewhat shaken, and she still struggled to enunciate properly.

He brought himself up a few inches, putting his front paws together. He appeared to be sorry, pulling his ears back and whining. "Sorry… prrr'lay?"

"I don't know…" She said gruffly with her tail in the air! "I shouldn't talk to any more strangers!"

Avi swiveled his tail, standing up taller in a friendly, welcoming stance! His paws patted the ground excitedly. "Friend! L-let's be friends!"

He gently poked his paw against her shoulder and jumped away with his chest down and butt in the air! There was hesitation in her eyes, but she would be lying if she said that she wasn't interested in this peculiar red Draco. Her stand-offish demeanor was melting away, much to her chagrin. She was thoroughly intrigued to meet a Draco around her age. Looking into his little, sparkling green eyes, there was nothing but love and boundless curiosity. Both had never seen another their age. She had a hard time denying the pull he had on her.

Slowly, she lowered herself down with her hind end pointing upward. Avi jolted serendipitously at her returned posture and he leaped forward with a happy growl! He vaulted over her before making a U-turn and tackling the young Dracomare! They rolled across the growing Spring grass and she yelped with surprise! She kicked him off, a small giggle escaping her.

"H-hey!" She barked, "You're strong!"

Having landed on his side, he rolled himself over and shook himself off. He smiled at her, growling delightedly.

The green Dracomare tapped her paws around, finally letting go of her rough facade. "My name is Melina… What's yours?"

Avizandum raised his head and upper body, flashing a joyous smile at her! "A-... Avizum!" He said, poorly pronouncing his own name. Safe to say his name was too complicated for him to repeat.

"Avizum?" She parrotted as she tried to commit his name to memory. "That's a silly name!" Melina squeaked with an exuberant giggle!

Avizum, as she knew him, ran in an excited circle before stopping to tap his paw against her nose and ran away to instigate a game of chase. The message was received, leading to Melina shrieking with sudden laughter and chasing after the red Draco! Although she was not allowed to talk to strangers, and she wanted to come off as tough, her mask was now gone. The invitation for playtime was too irresistible!

The cubs laughed and dashed into the forest that surrounded the park until they had wandered far enough away that Avi wouldn't recognize the location if he was paying attention. He was having too much fun to be concerned. He felt safe with his new friend and wanted to explore with her. Not once did the young dragon think of his mother's panic when he's found to be missing.

Melina pounced on Avi, both of them rolling down a hill in a tangled mess! She pinned him at the bottom, and he playfully kicked at her belly in a poor attempt to get her off. He managed to lightly nom her ear in his mouth and shook it, but she only chuckled and squealed. When his little needle teeth chomped a bit too hard, she yelped and pulled away, allowing him to make his escape!

She rubbed her ear with her paw before growling and chasing after him! Melina wasn't hurt, but she planned to get him back! She followed him on his path of zigzags and loops around bushes and trees, before the two of them ended up climbing one of these very trees. Leaping, gliding, and tumbling around; their play-fight found its way up near the ocean. They were still in the woods, but Avizandum could hear the sound of the waves and smell the briney, fishy scent of the water.

The two children found themselves in a small clearing in the forest just outside the lighthouse yard, where Melina launched herself into Avi's side, elbowing him and knocking him over. She grabbed his ear and shook it roughly, but it was too rough for him. He growled and cried, before squealing and shoving her off roughly! By now, the playing had become less fun, causing him to curl up and stare at her pitifully while holding his long, floppy ear.

The Dracomare girl was confused by his outburst, jolting back and sitting halfway with her tail coiled around her flank. Her ears pinned back, narrowing her eyes in question.

"W-what's wrong?" She squeaked.

He thrummed like a troubled crocodile, shaking his head while holding his ear still. "That hu-rrrt…" he whimpered with a guttural churr from his throat. "Ow… Rrr mean…"

"I'm sorry." She chittered while pulling her head down. "I di'n't mean to."

Avizandum furrowed his brows, giving her a cute stink eye. Even if he was angry, it was difficult to be intimidated by him. With little tears building in the corners of his eyes, he never met anyone who played as rough as him.

She inched closer to him, only for him to recoil away while turning his face. Instead of being saddened, Melina puffed up her cheeks and exhaled.

"You're being a big cub." She retorted. "Let me see."

"Rrr-no…" Avi grumbled.

Ignoring his protests, she grabbed his paw with one of hers and pulled it away from his ear. He flared his nostrils and yanked away, but she kept him put by keeping a grip on his paw. The young male huffed, his angry scowl melting into a sad whimper. There were a few small puncture wounds in his ear that were likely no worse than a fish hook jab– which Avi had felt before. That wasn't a fun day for him, but obviously he lived.

Her rough and rather curt demeanor diminished into an apologetic purr when she saw a small trickle of starry blue blood. She sniffed it before licking it clean. This made the troubled Avizandum untense, his little feathered wings falling at his sides. Once what little blood was gone, she pulled away and nuzzled the side of his face before sitting down in front of him.

"Mrr-better?" Avizandum mused sadly.

"Clean! It's what my daddy would do." Melina purred. "He says that we should take re… respos-... Responsabilly for our actions."

He perked up, starting to feel less angry and upset. "T'ank you." He purred.

She bowed her body down, smiling at him while swiveling her tail again! "You want to play some more?"

He seemed unsure at first, but he eased his way into accepting her play proposal. He gingerly smiled and nodded.

After having a long breather, Galahad was sitting on the bench again holding his hand over his chest. Branwen never left his side, continuing to loyally care for him until he was ready to move. By now, most of the people had disappeared and gone back to whatever they were doing by Branwen's rather stern demands, or caring for their children. She had assured them that this was normal, and they allowed her to take care of it herself.

She remained unaware that her cub had disappeared, having expected him to listen to her demands and go back to the playground to play with the children. It was unlike him to not listen, but he hadn't disobeyed in his mind. To him, running off to play with Melina was still considered playing with the children.

"I think I'm well-rested enough." Galahad said with a sigh. "I'm hungrier now than I was before." He finished with a half-hearted chuckle.

"This happens more frequently these days. Are you sure that you don't want to see a doctor?"

He waved his hand at her, laying it over her nose and patting it softly. "What good would it do? Nothing else has worked. All I can do is wait out the pain."

"Hmm, but it's only temporary."

"As with anything else, so why spend the money?" Galahad replied matter-of-factly. "Anyway, now that the show is over, let's go on ahead and get out of here…"

The Draco helped the man off of the bench, handing him his cane and making sure he could stand before she herself righted her posture. Now that she had nothing to worry about, she turned her head towards the playground where she could still hear the sound of jovial screams of fun from various children.

"Avi, let us be goin—" The black dragon stopped mid sentence to immediately notice the jarring absence of the small red Draco amongst the even smaller children! "Avizandum?" She called again.

"Where did he go?" Galahad questioned, jolting himself to high attention.

"Avizandum?!" Branwen exclaimed! "Avizandum! Come out this instant!"

Regardless of the dragon's bellows, there was no such sign of her cub anywhere. This of course caught the attention of the children at the park, as well as plenty of other parents. Anxiety boiled like acid through her stomach, a moment of her greatest fear being realized: Her baby had gone missing!

The large beast bounded across the park, sniffing wildly over the grass in a desperate attempt to pick up a scent. She stomped and scrambled, looking behind benches, around the statue, and even in trash cans! She even stuck her eye to the children's jungle gym that had multiple climbing ladders and tube slides attached to it. The more she searched, the only thing she found was heightened panic and perhaps a startled child or two.

Galahad hastened over to her in the midst of a panic attack, holding his hand up and snapping his fingers! She spread her wings and reared up before worriedly shuffling her front paws with her claws out!

"Branwen, calm down! It's most likely that he is fine." He stated loudly! Once he had her attention, he softened his voice. "He couldn't have gone too far. This is a very safe town. There are also eyes everywhere, and almost everyone who lives here and knows him. He can swim well, he can't drown, and he's smart enough to stay away from fish hooks these days…" he said with a small cough.

"I can't believe I let this happen! This is awful! I shouldn't have ever let him out of my sight… oh, I should have let him stay on the bench…" Branwen rambled with a worried thrum. "I'm a terrible mother!"

Galahad reached his cane up towards her nose and whacked it! She yanked her head back and hissed with a rumbling growl before grabbing her nose and glaring at him with wide, appalled eyes!

Galahad replied grouchilly, "None of that tosh! I'm too knackered to listen to you wail and moan about how bad of a person you are. It was an honest mistake. Even I lost sight of my sons every now and then. Let us retrace our steps and start where we last saw him, and sniff him out from there…"

"Right, right… Hit me with that stick again though, and I'm going to throw it into the ocean…" The Draco huffed.

The cubs had parked themselves in the clearing from earlier, remaining there to play hide and seek! Still, Avi's understanding of the game's rules were linear, so was Melina's. There was no order to who was hiding and who was it, and it often spiraled into more play fighting and chasing. It was evident that they had worked up an appetite though, as their play fighting became sluggish and tired. After they were done playing, they ran to find the nearest stream, where Avi took her to catch some minnows.

They sloppily padded and pawed through the water, snapping their jaws skilllessly while chasing the itty bitty squirmy fish! Their hunt was not for naught, though, as the young'ns managed to get a notable amount of mouthfuls of wiggling snacks! They sloshed water everywhere, getting each other muddy and messy. The whole time, they giggled and laughed at each other, slapping their paws through the stream to throw water at one another.

"These are yummy!" Melina squeaked in delight! "This what you eat all the time?"

Avi shook his head with vigor while wearing a big grin and sporting a fishtail in his mouth. "Mm, Mumma and Daddy hunt."

"My daddy hunts, too! He would bring deer, fish, fruit, vegetables, and even tasty rocks!"

"And Mumma?" Avi asked while wiggling his tail.

"Mmm… I don't have a Mum." Melina cooed.

He was rightfully confused by this, having always had his parents. He raised his eyes while tilting his head as he usually does when something doesn't make sense to him. "Melina… Don't have Mumma?"

She sat up straight, shaking her head "no". "Just me and Daddy. I lost my Daddy, so I'm looking for him! He's big and green, and has huugee antlers! Have you seen him?" She finished, sitting on her back legs and butt while holding her front paws out to further insinuate that something was large on the mention of his antlers.

Avi shook his head in denial, having not seen such a character. "Just Mumma and Daddy."

"Okay…" Melina said, sounding saddened by his answer. Her ears raised and she perked up again, opening her mouth with an idea! "Maybe your Mum and Daddy have seen him!"

Avizandum was ecstatic at the idea of her meeting his parents! He jumped to his paws, practically standing on the tips of his toes! "Meet Mumma and Daddy!!"

"Yeah!! Meet your Mum and Daddy!"

There was a loud rustle in the brush nearby, causing both young dragons to go on the alert! Their ears stood up straight, and Avi's wings flared! There was a large shadow approaching from under the trees with glowing eyes! The young male squinted, doing his best attempt to figure out what it was. His hackles raised and his tail flicked aggressively, bearing his little teeth and growling. He had no discovered ability yet, so all he could do was try to look scary. Oddly enough, even as he stepped in front of Melina to defend her, she did not seem scared or even remotely nervous.

Once the unfamiliar intruder got close enough, Avizandum still stood his ground while growling up at another dragon that he didn't recognize. She was much smaller than his mother, white, covered in shimmering scales, and marked in pink heart patterns. The Frostbiter was thoroughly surprised to find- not one, but two cubs! Melina expressed excitement at the arrival of this small ice dragon.

"Amora!" She squealed! "Look, look! I made a new friend! You were right, there are other Dracos living here!"

Amora's eyes grew with delight, bringing one of her paws to her heart and gasping! "There are! So what I heard was true! You don't seem to be the one that I'm looking for, though… What a rarity… This could be a problem. If Firush finds out…"

Avizandum kept his wings spread widely, wrinkling his nose while hissing and making pathetic sounds that could be confused for a roar? It was more like a befuddled cat-lizard. If not for his sharp baby claws and needle sharp shredding teeth, he would be completely harmless. Amora was charmed to see so much fight in such a small Draco cub.

"Hey, it's okay…" Amora cooed with a soft voice. "I'm Melina's caretaker."

Avi stopped growling, whipping his head towards Melina confusedly. "No Mumma, though?"

The female Dracomare giggled! She bounded lovingly to Amora, nuzzling her nose and the side of her head against her chest. "She's not my Mum! She's trying to help me get my daddy back!" She smiled at Amora. "You said that you thought there were other Dracos here. Is it because you think Daddy's here?"

"No, but I heard there were sightings of beasts that look like Dracos here. I came to see if we could find help… I know where your Daddy is, but I can't take you to him until we get him to feel better."

"Oh… Right…"

Amora lowered her head down towards Avizandum, carefully sniffing him. He backed away, still feeling uncertain about this unfamiliar dragon. She picked up a familiar smell on the cub, reeling her head away with haste with the same reaction you would expect of her receiving an electrical shock!

"By the stars!! You smell like… you smell like Branwen!"

Avizandum's demeanor shifted entirely at the mention of his mother's name! This dragon knew his mother, so she must have been a friend!

"Rrr, Mumma!!" He squeaked shrilly! "My Mumma!!"

If Amora wasn't already white, she would have lost all color! She came looking for help, but she didn't anticipate to find Branwen. Better yet, to find her offspring!

"We lost her and Galahad's trail so many years ago. I can't believe it, she's been here in the Steamgear region all this time…" Amora showed visible fear. "Firush can't know… He'd ruin everything. If she found a mate, then…"

She turned her head away, holding her claws up to her mouth and practically chewing on them. "I shouldn't have come here… Goodness, and if you're here, little one… She must be worried sick!"

Melina smiled! "He was going to take me to meet his parents! Maybe they can help!"

"Oh no, dear, you don't understand! His mother has a history with my boss. If she finds me, it won't be pleasant…"

In the midst of her panic, the haunting sound of a draconic howl carried across the town. It was scarily nearby! Amora practically shook, but Avi responded quite differently. He smiled at the sound of his mother's call, and he was even more excited to introduce his friends to her!

He was startled when Amora grabbed him by the scruff of his neck in an attempt to take him out of the forest and put him in the open where he could be found. Branwen's wrath was a punishment well-known among her ranks, and she wasn't keen on being fried by her storms.

Her attempts did not work in her favor, seeing as she barely escaped the clearing when she spotted the enormous shadow of the familiar Draco tracking her child. Avizandum's gleeful cries of seeing his mother alerted the storm dragon. Amora was caught in a terribly misunderstood position. When the two females locked eyes, Amora froze like a deer caught headlights. Meanwhile, Branwen's own gaze widened in horror as she immediately recognized this Frostbiter as the one commonly seen by Firush's side! And her beloved cub was clutched in her teeth!

‘That’s it!’ Amora thought. ‘I’m dead! I’m a new set of boots! A new set of belts! A new set of armor! I’ll be the boots with the fur! Cowboy boots! With spurs on the heels!’ She wailed in her soul. ‘The clear lightning damage will be the best selling point! A feature! I’ll be a cheap luxury!’

Galahad was safely tucked in Branwen’s pouch, though he didn't recognize the individual nearly as quickly as his dragon companion. Branwen's eyes washed over in a color of rage, wrinkling her lips to show her teeth. And unlike her son, this sight was horribly frightful! It was no wonder the cub was brave enough to attempt to scare Amora, considering who he was being raised by.

A wretched growl rumbled from the mother Draco's throat before a warning, soul-shaking roar escaped it!

"What are you doing with my cub?! Put him down!!"

Melina's excitement to meet his mother was immediately crushed, as she was far more terrifying than she was expecting. Try as she might, she couldn't find her courage and hid behind Amora's leg. Branwen was so fixated on the misunderstood situation that she didn't notice the other cub.

Down at the beach where Roark was assisting in rebuilding the dock, the sound of his mate making howls to call their cub back had already drawn his attention previously. He went from being mildly concerned to startled when he caught wind of her furious roar! It wasn't far from where he was working, and he knew that it meant trouble.

He was holding a pile of planks in his mouth and laid them down over what was already rebuilt. After stuttering and stammering, he jumped out of the water and turned his attention towards those in the midst of construction.

"I'm terribly sorry, I need to make sure that my mate and cub are fine… That didn't sound good."

"Aye, Roark! Go take care of it!" One man replied. "Don't worry about us, we can take care of the rest."

"Thank you…"

He took to the sky, rushing himself up on the bluff near the lighthouse where he heard his beloved's roar. He was grateful that it was nearby! He roared in return, calling out to her to tell him where she was at.

Amora lowered her body down against the ground, significantly more frightened now that she heard the sound of another! She wasn't sure if she was about to see a Draco or Dracomare, but she let the cub go and backed away with Melina curled in her tail. The latter mentioned was tempted to run, so she started to squirm out of her tail.

"P-please, it's not what you think… I came here looking for help, a-and I found your cub—"

"I don't trust the words of anyone who works for Firush! You are not welcome in my territory!"

"I-I know, I d-didn't know you were here!" Amora cried out! "But please, you need to listen! Firush has captured another Draco and corrupted him. I have his cub with me, and I just want to reunite them! I even know where Firush is going to be next. You can tell the Star Warriors and they can intercept him!"

Branwen reached her paw out to her son, pulling him close against his will. His joy to see her had fizzled, and her anger made him worried.

"I cannot believe you! You will compromise our position if I let you leave, and I could be ambushed if I go with you!" The storm dragon growled! “Firush has killed too many of my kin… I won’t trust anything you say, pawn!”

"Wait, wait!! Please don't kill me!" Amora begged! "I'm telling the truth!"

"I know your master has been looking for me! Give me one good reason to believe that this isn't a trap!"

Roark landed in the clearing nearby, running to his mate's side. Amora knew that if she stayed, it would be a losing battle. Though she could show them Melina, the young cub had already run away out of fright in the middle of the storm dragon's bellowing wrath. Branwen rightfully didn't trust her, and she didn't expect her to. The two Dracos watched her closely, the male appearing to be more confused than furious. Regardless, she wasn't about to stand around and give Branwen the time to convince her mate that Amora was a threat.

"Starshine, what is the matter?!" Roark asked.

"I found our cub in the possession of one of Firush's soldiers!" She rumbled with ire!

"What?!" He barked!

Galahad wanted to get some words in, but there was too much going on for him to be heard. He felt that the Frostbiter was telling the truth, and wanted to give her a chance. He watched as Amora had started cowering away with her body curled together close. The moment the storm Draco wasn't looking, she ran for her life! She sought out Melina in a bush nearby, scruffed her by the neck, and disappeared in the brush.

Branwen whipped her head towards the movement, roaring furiously and chasing after the ice dragon without another thought! Electricity tickled her fur and charged in her open mouth as she bellowed wrathfully! She wasn't going to let that Frostbiter escape! If Firush discovers their nesting place, then everything will be over.

Roark grabbed Avizandum, keeping the cub close in his pouch while running after his mate. The baby argued and fought from being stuffed in his father's pouch, making little cries that could be compared to a troubled bear cub! He was afraid for his friends, and was rightfully upset at his mother chasing them off. Galahad, on the other hand, was roughly jostled in her pouch. It caused him to ache and hurt.

"Branwen, that's enough!" Galahad exclaimed! "I can't handle this kind of movement!"

She was stuck in a stream of tunnel vision, so she didn't hear her friend's calls at first. He yelled for her again and again, but she was determined to prevent her family's position from being compromised. Galahad had to take matters into his own hands, calling out "Barrier!!" And summoning a green shield in front of her. It caught her off guard, but she couldn't react in time before she smashed her face into it! From behind the wall, she spotted the Frostbiter flying away over the trees and disappearing. She was furious!

"Galahad, what have you done?!" She exclaimed! "She's getting away!"

"Killing that poor Frostbiter is going to make you no better than Firush! Listen to yourself!" Galahad argued!

Roark caught up to her, having overheard Galahad's comment. He panted, looking at his mate with utter horror. "But if that was one of the enemies, what's stopping them from coming back with an army?!"

"My thoughts exactly! Firush will burn everything to the ground and take everything…"

The shrill cries and growls coming from Roark's pouch caused her ears to swivel towards her son. The cub crawled out of the pouch, sloppily gliding to the ground and running past his parents to try and catch up with his friends. Branwen wasn't going to allow this! She scruffed him in her mouth and gently plopped him on the ground in front of herself, before placing her paw on his tail. It didn't hurt, but he knew exactly what that meant.

"And you, Avizandum Stormbringer!" Her voice churned angrily. "You are in very, very big trouble, little dragon…"

His ears flattened straight against his neck and he curled up on the ground with his wings practically covering his face.

"Never, ever run off like that again! Some monster could have taken you away from me!" Branwen snapped. "I was scared. I thought I had lost you…!"

Roark looked back and forth between the two before eyeing his mate. "I feel like I'm missing some context."

She sighed, scruffing her cub in her teeth and sticking him back in Roark's pouch. Avi preferred to be in his mother's pouch, considering it was more stretched out than his father's. His mother's anger discouraged him from trying to escape again, though.

"I'll tell you everything when we get back to the cave…" Branwen replied. "I'm so frazzled, I can barely think straight."

There was a disappointed exhale from Galahad. "I think she was telling the truth. I saw something with her… my vision wasn't clear enough, but I thought I saw something green behind her. Had you not reacted irrationally, we could have gotten her to talk."

Hearing this, her ears flattened against her head while looking at her cub. His head was flopped out of the pouch sadly, looking as though he had been whipped.

"I just never thought this day would come. Things have been so safe around here, that I wasn't expecting to see Firush's lot."

"I don't blame you for being afraid." Galahad replied. "What a mess this has been…"

Branwen turned her head towards Roark, nuzzling him.

"Get Avizandum home… I'm going to take Galahad back, and then we'll talk."

Galahad spoke up, "If I may… I'll call Arthur and have him send some warriors down here to patrol tonight. If by some chance that was a trap, we can't be having any more stragglers getting in. If anyone sees that Frostbiter again, we’ll see if she’ll talk."

"I'll patrol tonight, too, after dinner. That makes me uncomfortable. Until I get some answers, I'm not sure I'll be able to sleep tonight…" Branwen said lowly. 

Having flown Galahad back into town, Branwen kept her promise to him and got him something to eat. Both of them were troubled by the events that occurred, and idly talked about it on their walk home. By the time they had returned to Luthais' house, Luthais was home and watering his plants out on the front porch. He lit up when he saw his friends approaching his yard, until he detected a troubled aura from them both. He frowned, expecting to hear bad news just by the emotions he was sensing.

"Hey, what's up?" Luthais called out with a wave. "Did you take Avi home? I thought I heard a ruckus from the shoreline."

Branwen replied, "I did… He ran off today and scared us both silly."

"Hm, he scared you silly." Galahad corrected.

The dragon huffed. "... Yes, I was scared silly."

Luthais placed the watering can down on the porch, walking down the steps to meet Galahad halfway through his yard.

"It sounds like you found him, though! So that's good.”

Galahad shook his head, stopping in front of the Ethonian wearing a grim expression. "When he ran off, he was found by a Frostbiter… One of Nightmare's."

That semi hopeful attitude Luthais was sporting rolled off of his face as quickly as those words hit his ears. "W-what?"

Branwen sat in his yard, folding her wings halfway and curling her tail around her legs. "I'm afraid so. It was one of Firush's right hands… I fear that our location has been compromised."

"Oh no…" Luthais murmured. "That might put Portside on his radar. What are we going to do?"

"I'm going to call Arthur and his men, and I'm going to request active Star Warriors to patrol this town tonight." Galahad ensured. "It's so frustrating… If my condition wasn't so bad, I would go patrolling by myself."

"Garnet and I have no plans tonight. We've done our daily routines, so I'll go in your stead." Luthais offered. "Caizah should be back from his hunting trip soon, too. I'll give him a call and let him know."

"Thank you." Galahad replied. He turned his eyes up to Branwen, raising his hand for her to nuzzle her nose into. "This is where we part ways. I'll see you tomorrow."

Branwen raised her paw as she leaned down to him. "Does that mean you're going to be here alone tonight? Someone needs to be around to take care of you and Zeelo…" She said sadly. "Garnet is susceptible to the cold Zeelo has."

"You already said that you would patrol tonight, too. Keep your word. If anything comes up, I can call you by heart…" Galahad finished. His words brought ease to her soul, having forgotten he can do that again. Knowing that he could call her from anywhere like when they were younger allowed her to leave easier.

She backed away, spreading her marvelously wide wings across his yard.

"Well then… I'll return home to join Roark and Avi for supper. That little dragon is in a lot of trouble still…"

Galahad smiled softly, curving his brows inward. "Try not to be too harsh with him. He is only two years old. I'm sure that he had a reasonable alibi for running off… He's not a bad kid."

"Hmm, I know… But I can't handle the idea of any more of my cubs being killed. You know that."

The old man shared his sympathy. "I understand the feeling. That was how I felt when Zeelo went missing. Just be sure that you show your son plenty of love tonight. He doesn't deserve to be punished."

The dragon smiled at her friend dearly. Usually she was keeping him on the right track. She dipped her head at him and purred.

"Thank you for your words, Gally. Goodnight."

She jumped into the sky, making a mighty flap and taking off on a wake of lightning. Galahad bittersweetly gazed skyward. He then patted Luthais on the arm and turned around.

"Come; we have calls to make."

"Mm, right." The Ethonian replied. "Can't have monsters creeping around Portside…"

As the sun set over the ocean, Branwen nervously watched the sky turn red on the horizon. The Draco couldn't contain her fear should her, Roark, and Galahad's peaceful home be found. She wanted to be hopeful, but that cynical side of herself repeated that she knew it was too good to last.

After a lot of thought, she wasn't angry with Avizandum at all. Even so, the small cub hardly moved from the nest at the back of the den, looking away from his mother. How Branwen wished he could speak better so she could understand what she obviously missed. He was smart enough to understand that he felt upset with his Mumma but didn't want to make her angrier.

By late eventide, when the sun was low and the sky was a dusky purple and blue, Roark returned home with a net full of fish, various crustaceans, and coconuts. Avi loved chewing on coconut shells! It was a fine treat for the small cub. He finally left the nest when he heard his father return home, as he was a hungry little dragon! He was sheepish around Branwen though, holding his head low and ears down. She didn't express frustration towards her cub, though. She felt more worried than upset.

Avi carefully stared at his mother, as if to ask permission to eat. He was responded to with a gentle smile and a welcoming raise of her paw.

"Avi, dear… Come over and eat." Branwen purred. "I am not mad."

The baby crept over, lovingly nuzzling himself under her paw before peeking out from between her toes at her.

She moved her paw away to get a clear look at him. "Mumma is sorry, Avi. I am not angry with you… I wish you could understand why I worry so."

"Hmm… Yet, it is likely best that he doesn't." Roark added before grabbing a fish from the pile. He leaned over towards Branwen and offered it to her from his teeth. She grabbed it by the tail, nuzzling him before doing so.

She crunched her jaws down over the fish, biting a large chunk of it off. What was left, she offered to her baby. Avi perked up! He stood on his hind legs at the snack and snatched it from her teeth excitedly! He curled up on the floor by her and started to chew on the large back end of the fish.

"Avi… Why did you run away?" Branwen finally asked, having calmed down enough to question her son on the matter.

With a chunk of fish meat dangling between his teeth, he crunched it down before licking his lips. "Mmm, play, like rrrr-Mumma said. Melon is friend! Mumma scared friends…"

Both parents looked at each other with confusion. Roark shrugged, leading Branwen to return her attention to Avizandum.

"I'm sorry for scaring your friends. Is this Melon your friend?" Branwen cooed. "Is the white dragon Melon?"

The child looked to have been pondering her question, trying to understand exactly what she was asking. "Mmm… Melon and Mumma."

"Was that Melon’s Mum?" Branwen asked for clarification.

"Rrr-yea!" Avi said with a mouthful.

Though this information was incorrect on his part, it was the only thing the parents could go off of. Branwen began to realize that perhaps Galahad was right? And maybe even the Frostbiter had been telling the truth. Did she have a cub with her? And if so, was she really a Draco? Were there survivors that Firush previously missed? This troubled the celestial dragon greatly.

She stopped questioning her son, allowing him to continue his meal. She nuzzled and licked Avi, urging a lick out of him in return; a fishy one over her nose!

"I love you, Avi. Please, don't run away again." She requested.

"Rrr-okay, Mumma." He purred.

"What do you think?" Roark asked.

Branwen sighed. "Hard to say. It sounds like I might have misunderstood. But you can never be too careful with Nightmare…" She grumbled. "Even if that Frostbiter was honest, what's stopping her generosity from being used against us?"

"Do you think that could be post-traumatic thinking, my love?" Roark added as he laid on his belly and curled his long body.

"Maybe…"

Branwen rested near the mouth of the cave as she had dinner with her family. The dragons all enjoyed their meal together in moderate silence, considering the cub was a little loud and ravenous. Avi crawled over the fish and munched away at the food, his fuzzy face wet and covered in fish scales. Branwen was charmed by his wild behavior, remembering when she was that way. Though, as any good parent would do, she continuously reminded him to step back and not walk all over dinner.

Her stomach felt as though it was tied in several knots, and she admittedly was not as hungry as her mate and child. Imaginings of a nasty sort surfaced in her mind, born from the fear of their lovely home being found and ruined. Roark could see this unrest in her eyes, and every so often would offer her his own food as a positive gesture.

Avi ran circles around the pile to find new things to chew on, eventually moving on from the fish and crustaceans to gnawing on a large coconut to get to the milk and meat inside. He was ready for dessert.

Branwen chomped down a few more fish before putting her paw at the pile in front of her and scooting it towards her mate.

"You can have the rest, Roark. My stomach is upset with nerves."

"Oh, but you must eat. If you're still planning on patrolling, you'll need your energy to stay up all night. You've had a long day." Roark mused. "If I must, I'll go patrolling for you."

She shook her head. "No, no. You had been working on the docks all day."

The obnoxiously loud crunching from Avizandum's teeth breaking into the coconut stopped, his attention taken by something in the fresh glittering night sky. He licked his lips, attempting to pry coconut shell fibers out of his teeth. He inched his way out of the den far enough for his little paws to sink in the sand. One of the stars seemed to have come alive! It sparkled and glistened brightly, ever so slowly getting larger.

"Mumma!! Papa!" He squealed with joy! "A frrr-lling star!!"

Branwen raised her head high, glancing down to Avizandum at the entrance. Roark did so as well, getting up from his spot in the den entrance and stepping outside. Turning his head up, his eyes widened and became green in deep thought.

"Starshine, come outside! What is that?" Roark said, still pointing his nose to the stars.

Branwen's tail flicked before moving from her spot in front of their meal. She exited their cave to study the sky with the rest of her family. She inhaled sharply, the large glittering object having gotten close in the clear sky. It's appearance bounced like a trotting animal and was moving at a comet's pace! A wake of prismatic light followed behind it like an aurora. It cast a glittering, colorful streamer of light in the night!

"It's a Draco!" Branwen exclaimed! "And judging by those colors… It can't be…"

"What??" Roark purred with question, "Do you know them?"

"I think I do…" She answered musingly. 

Branwen spread out her wings, illuminating her markings brightly before running along the edge of the beach! She released a sing-songy howl, one that was similar to her calls to Avizandum when she wanted him to return. It had a peculiar sound, though, that no one else knew the tune of. She bellowed four times until a similar roar echoed through the sky from the falling star. To them both, it was like a secret handshake, or a code. Her eyes lit the brightest of blue in glee, a tearful smile covering her muzzle. She waited impatiently with her pinions pointed out, waving her wings to gain the attention of this star-traveling dragon!

The trajectory of this glittering comet changed, honing in on Portside Bay. By the time it was close enough to show a draconic shape in the light, the stardust shed away into various casted particles to reveal a glowing white dragon running on stardust to substitute his lack of wings. He bounded excitedly down towards the sand, his legs and underbelly covered in glowing and glittering rainbow dust! Upon his landing, the star shine fell off of him and blew everywhere alongside loose sand. He had no visible horns, but sported a notable mane like a lion! Prismatic tiger stripes on his hind end faded away into his white fur.

He shook his whole body clear of the dissipating stardust before sitting to scratch himself behind his black-tipped ears. He had pretty blue eyes and a light blue pattern on his nose that looked– well, like a cute little feline nose!

His glow faded as Branwen ran to him with more glee than a kitten in a yarn store! The white lion-esque Draco was met with an affectionate bonk on the noggin with her forehead, to which he returned equally as affectionate! Roark was slack-jawed, and Avi watched on in confusion by his father. Branwen and this strange dragon pranced around each other with light-paws and big smiles– both of them gabbling back and forth.

"Branwen!!" This rich-accented male hollered! "I've not seen you in years! By mother's scales, I'm so happy to see you!"

"Aye, I was just talking about you today!" Branwen jumped with her wings fluttering! She raised herself on her hind legs and shoved her paws against his side with gruff, teasing affection– nearly knocking him over. "Where have you been?! I'vee been worried sick! You never answer my magic letters!"

He straightened out his legs, tensing to hold himself up! "I'm sorry!! I've been occupied. I got a little lost in the Dark Sector, so I must not have received your messages."

Still leaning on him, she huffed- "Right. So you didn't forget to answer?"

"No!" He chuffed loudly before trying to shove her off! He jammed one of his paws against her cheek, squishing it up under her eye. "Get off, you're heavy!"

"Calling me fat? That's not how you talk to a lady…" She fussed teasingly, bouncing to her four paws.

Roark nudged his son with his nose, urging him to follow. The red Draco strode across the sand to meet with his mate and this strange male. Feeling uneasy, the sea serpent felt himself puff up like a toad. Still, he kept a sociable air about himself, keeping a neutral expression while coming up beside his mate. He was nearly touching shoulders with her by the time he stopped, coiling his tail around the back of her. At first she didn't notice this defensive posture. When she did, however, it left her feeling mildly amused. Avi hid behind his father's legs, feeling more wary of meeting other strange dragons after his adventure today.

"My dear," Roark emphasized quite obviously, "who might this buck be? You seem quite familiar with him." He finished kindly, even though there was a twinge of concern.

Before she could say anything, the newcomer lit up with wide eyes full of hope and glee! He wasn't blind to the defensiveness of this male, but he cared more about the fact that there was even another Draco in the first place!

"By the stars!" He said! "Arthur was right! There is another Draco down here! You must be Branwen's mate, Roark? Pardon my sudden intrusion. I am her brother, Leon."

Never had Roark stuck his paw metaphorically so far down his own gullet. There was an exclamation following his introduction, but it didn't voice itself as immediately outside as it did inside.

"U-uhm… Eh-hm! Brother?" Roark choked. "Forgive me, I didn't quite notice the um… Family resemblance right away. Unless your relation is surrogate?"

Branwen laughed! "No, we're related. We take from opposite sides of the family from each other. Our mother had a lot of white, you see. Those on my father's side of the family had colors ranging from black, gray, and purple."

Leon chuckled, as he was entertained by the obvious assumptions. "Branwen and I both take after our father's body type. I have mother's antlers when I show them. Though, they're not quite as grand as hers were…" He finished disappointedly.

Roark shook his head, holding one of his paws up.

"Hold on a minute… Branwen, you never told me what your brother looked like?"

Leon raised a brow, turning to his supposed sister with a raised lip. “You haven't talked much about me?"

Her ears pinned back, eyeing the two bucks. “Anytime I talked about you, I always ended up worrying. I'm sorry."

"Bran, I'm sorry, too. I know how you are…" Leon sighed. "I lost track of time out there, as well. I have a lot to tell you, but perhaps I should save that for later?"

He shifted his attention between both of the parents, the tip of his tail wiggling with anticipation.

"Those at SW HQ told me that you both had a surprise for me! Everyone was all secretive about it. When Arthur contacted headquarters saying that there needed to be warriors on patrol down here, I took that as my chance to race over to see you." He sat his butt down on the sand, still wiggling his tail. "I only returned to headquarters a few days ago. I figured I could help patrol while I'm here…"

Branwen sighed in relief knowing that Galahad did, indeed, report to Arthur. She gave him a warm smile, perhaps even a blue blush under her cheek fur at the thought I've introducing her child.

“So, aside from yourself, does anyone else not know what that surprise is?”

“Those closest to Arthur seem to know, but I think most everyone else doesn't. I even asked Onyx, Sable, and Aslan. None of them knew, either.” Leon shrugged his shoulders with an entertained smile. “They were just as confused as I was! Aslan got worried, but I think he calmed down when I told him that it didn't seem like anything bad. You might be seeing them soon thanks to me… I didn't know that it was meant to be this big of a secret.”

She held an exhausted breath at the idea of tons of visitors dropping by at once. Perhaps it wouldn't be so bad? After releasing her breath, she only simpered forgivingly.

“It's fine. But yes, there is a surprise. I would have told you sooner if I could have contacted you. It's been at least two years now, but I want you to meet Avizandum… Your nephew."

Leon's jaw could have dropped straight through the beach! His ears perked forward, attempting to register what she just said. He watched slack-jawed as Roark lifted one of his legs to reveal the small, nervous red cub eyeing the large white dragon.

Avi realized that he was completely visible, and coiled his tail around himself while curling up under his father. Branwen encouraged him with a nudging paw. His large and floppy ears raised somewhat, slowly gathering that he was allowed to interact with this other Draco.

"... A cub." Leon ushered. "The stars have been graced by a miracle! A new Draco was born to illuminate such dark times for our kind. He's beautiful."

Avi crawled out from under his father, slowly lifting himself off of the ground with his head raised high. "Rrr?"

Branwen nuzzled the side of her nose against her son, gazing up at Leon. "Avi, this is your Uncle Leon. He's family, like Uncle Gally. Say hello."

Avizandum's tail began to wave, a small smile of curiosity finding its way over his muzzle. He was okay to interact with Leon. He was excited to have a new uncle! And one that was so big, too! Uncle Galahad was frail, Avi had to be careful with him. Leon, however, looked strong and tough!

"Rrr, Uncee?" He purred.

"Yes, uncle!" Leon replied, crouching his body down against the sand, practically touching noses with this small dragon. His eyes were glassy. "It's nice to meet you, Avizandum."

Avi licked his nose before squealing and running away! It was a shrill squeal of joy and excitement, leaving him to run circles in the sand and bound over Leon's muzzle several times! The third time, he tripped and flopped over his face like a wet towel. Leon laughed, tilting his head sideways and allowing the cub to slide off. Avi jumped back on his head, nestling himself between Leon's ears and tucking away in his thick mane.

Leon brought his head up, carefully keeping it straight. He offered a teary grin between Branwen and Roark. He then focused on his sister, wearing a softened look with immeasurable emotion.

"After all these years, what convinced you? You said that you never would again."

She smiled, leaning her head under Roark's chin. The sea serpent purred like a truck motor and grinned like an idiot.

Branwen churred emotionally. "Helping raise Galahad's grandson… He made me realize that I was tired of running. I was toiling over those feelings for so long until I met Roark. It felt like the natural thing to do. I still tussle with those feelings, but I don't regret anything."

"I'm not sure how often you've heard this, but I'm very proud of you, sister." Leon said honestly. "Goodness, I really did miss a lot."

Avi slid down Leon's head, bounding from the edge of his muzzle to Branwen's! Leon scrunched up his face from being kicked in the nose! Using his uncoordinated wings to sloppily glide, Avi just barely landed on her nose, clasping it with his paws! She grimaced, tensing at the feeling of his claws grabbing her sensitive snoz! Roark raised his lip, turning his head sideways with his cheek bubbled under his eye, imagining how much that must have hurt with a quiet "Ooo…".

Branwen tensed up her face, practically biting her own lip while her growing boy crawled up between her ears, got comfy in her mane, and started purring like a tiny lawn mower.

With a sharp inhale, she licked the edge of her nose to heal the tiny scratches left on it by her rambunctious cub. "Mm… Yes, no regrets, my dear."

"I see." Leon mused, rubbing his own nose. "The pleasantries of fledglings."

Leon soon added. "On the mention of Galahad earlier, may I ask how he's doing?"

Favoring the scratches on her nose, Branwen shared glances with her mate, her eyes going soft. "He has seen better days. I don't know how much longer he has with us. I have a lot to tell you, as well…"

"Judging by your tone, I would assume it's not good news." Leon rubbed his nose again. "I also heard from Arthur that one of Firush's own was seen today?"

"Aye," Branwen confirmed. "It was one of his Frostbiters. A female claiming that he took another Draco and that she had his cub. She was asking for my help, but I assumed it could have been a trap."

"Hmm… A pure white one with heart patterns?" Leon mused.

The storm Draco pulled her head back, furrowing her brows. "Do you know her?"

"I do. Her name is Amora. I've met up with her a few times on my travels." Leon stood up again, shaking his butt to get rid of the loose sand. "One could say that she doesn't exactly like her job… The few times that I've seen her, she has attempted to give me updates. Firush is cruel to her, so I can assure you that she had no plans of luring you into any traps."

A pit of guilt formed in the black dragon's heart, thinking back on earlier today when she tried to hunt and kill that very Frostbiter. "... She must've been telling the truth… What have I done? I suppose this partnership of yours must have formed during our parting."

"Mm, yes." The lion-like dragon confirmed. "I've been looking into the disappearance of various Dracos across the galaxy. His trail has been quick and difficult to track."

Roark added, "So it's true that he's the reason we're doing so poorly?"

"I'm afraid so." Leon grumbled. "If not only for various hunters who work for Nightmare or just want the dragon parts… We're nothing but big game for them to challenge each other over. Dracos are easier to control so long as Nightmare has Firush, so there's high reward for them to be captured alive."

A snarl formed on the black dragon's nose, slamming her paw into the sand.

"I'm tired of running…" Branwen seethed. "Dragons are among the most powerful creatures in the galaxy, we shouldn't be reduced to prey. But we are no match for that army Firush commands."

Leon dipped his head. "Amora, though… If we can find her again, she might be able to help us. If she's here, that means Firush's squadron must be here on Techstar, too."

"Oh, he is…" Branwen said with acidic ire. "I came across him a few years ago during one of our flights across the ocean. We had to go into hiding because he was hunting us."

Roark pointed his head towards their cave.

"Why don't we bring this conversation inside? I brought dinner a bit ago, so perhaps you could join us?"

The white dragon held his paw against his chest, lowering his head respectfully. "It would be an honor to dine with you. I would delight in getting to know my brother-in-law. However, I'll be leaving to patrol the perimeters after I eat. If I find any cub or Amora around, I will bring them back here."

Avi brought his head up from his mother's fur, yipping excitedly! "Melon!!"

"Don't mind that, he's been talking about this melon person all night." Branwen cooed. "Now that I know that there is some truth to this, that must have been the cub. Avi met up with Amora today."

Leon chuckled, "I see, so he made some friends? Hopefully I can reunite them then."

"Indeed… I  owe Amora an apology. Had she mentioned that she knew you, perhaps I wouldn't have been so aggressive? I'll come with you on your patrol tonight. I planned to anyway before you got here."

Leon replied, "I'm sure that she didn't take any offense. Knowing your history with her boss, it's hard to say anyone is really to blame here."

The family left for the shoreline cave that was tucked safely underneath the lighthouse bluff. They would enjoy the rest of their dinner together, sharing stories and allowing Leon to get to know her new family. He was caught up on their recent adventures over the last several years ever since she took in Zeelo. By tomorrow morning, she promised to introduce him to Zeelo and take him to see Galahad and their friends. Such reunions left Leon looking forward to the next day. Branwen and Roark, in that same spirit, had their hearts put at ease after learning more about Amora. The Storm Dragon still felt guilty, but she would do what she could to make amends for her rash reactions.