4- Family
Story by Rifty on SoFurry
We're back to our heroes after their time off.
Black flames enveloped homes, hundreds of dragons and moles screamed in terror as their scales and fur melted from the heat. Parents cradles their hatchlings as they were burned alive. Buildings crumbled as smoke covered figures burst through them with enormous strength. Warfang was being reduced to rubble. The citizens were all destroyed.
Blue eyes shot open as Rift woke from his nightmare. He had been seeing this nightmare on and off for years, his partners dismissing it as an overly irrational fear of loss. He looked around him. Scales of black and white huddled up with him in the middle, the two sleeping dragons always enjoying the heat the fire drake expelled.
Groaning with weak hips, the orange dragon wiggled out of the reptile pile. He slowly lifted himself as the aches from the past week ran through his body. Looking over to a small nest, he verified his daughter was sleeping comfortably. Kissing her forehead, he made his way out of the cave, staring out at the lake.
Kara stirred once her body felt the cold morning chills where scales should be. Her brown eyes confirmed her suspicion. Her most troublesome dragon was not present. With a sigh, she nudged her black drake, watching as he moved his goggles back to the top of his head. They shared a small kiss before the white dragoness looked to the cave exit. "What are we gonna do with him Sithris?"
Stretching with a soft yowl, the electric drake rubbed his eyes. "All we really can do is wait for the nightmares to pass. They always do. We've already tried mating him to exhaustion last night and it's done nothing. I guess losing his home, mate, and dying sticks with you."
The Wind Guardian shivered. The memory of being tortured to death still fresh in her mind, even almost a decade later. Had it not been for Rift and Sithris freeing the last life dragon, she would still be gone. She leaned against her black mate. "Dragon's Claw is almost ready. I also signed off on that memorial. It won't bring them back, but it will serve as a reminder."
"Rift still refuses to sticky beak." Sithris chuckled. "To think all it took was you threatening to castrate him, and me bringing in a big pair of scissors. Remember the look on his face? I swear he went so pale that you looked dark by comparison."
Kara giggled. "What really did it was he knew I was serious. You've got double the endowments, and he bends over more than my sister after a few barrels of mead." She smirked as she saw a white trail leading out of the cave. "Like last night."
"I like talking about those things more than anyone, but we gotta get back to work today guys." Rift walked in and gave the lazing dragons deep kisses. His scales were dripping water, and much to Sithris' disappointment, free of his scent. "Zap should be here soon to watch Neala." He lifted a large strawberry from outside and chewed on it. "I had a fun week, needed a break."
Sithris grinned. "I could tell by your nonstop moaning and submission. If you want to be a dragoness, we can get a potion. I'd imagine Kara would like another go as a male."
The dragoness burst into laughter as Rift gave Sithris the middle claw. "I'm not risking that again. Besides, I remember you multiple times presenting yourself Mr. Proper." He patted his tail spade on the black drake's head.
The electric dragon was about to retort when the yowl of the hatchling caught their attention. The three adults quickly moved over to Neala, smiling as she stirred, the little one giggling. "Hullos!"
The three smothered her in loving kisses as a bit of pride welled in the black drake. While Neala had the persistence of Rift and the heart of Kara, she had preferred Sithris' sophisticated speech pattern, and a knack for tinkering. His thoughts were interrupted as another dragon arrived.
The lime green eyes and golden fur revealed the last living nature-life dragon, Zapras. He had been trapped in Dante's Freezer for a millennia, frozen solid in an avalanche. The fluff dragon was freed by Sithris and Rift, thanking them with reviving Kara. Eight years later, he had mastered his element, and spent his time trying unsuccessfully to court Silvus' sister.
"Neala! My you've grown. I'd say you have grown a lot since I was last here! How do you three not nearly die at her level of cuteness!" The life drake exclaimed dramatically. He saw Sithris give him a thumbs up for the effort.
Rift shook a paw. "Two of us died before, wasn't very fond of it. As for Neala, she stayed with you all week while we were… dancing." He scooped the hatchling into his paws and nuzzled her. "She is dang gorgeous though. It does melt my heart knowing she's our daughter."
Neala nibbled his snout and jumped on his head. "Help Uncle Zap! An evil dragon has captured me! Please rescue me so I may resume my inventions!"
The life dragon got into a fighting stance and slowly tapped Rift on his nose. In dramatic fashion, the fire drake rawred and slowly lowered to the ground. "No, it cannot be! Nothing can withstand the power of the snoot boop. I am defeated!"
With the smiles of Sithris and Kara, Neala hugged Zapras with an admiration that only a hatchling could have for an idol. "You saved me from the evil fire dragon. Uncle Zap, you're my hero."
Rift slowly got up as he and his mates kissed Neala's forehead and hugged Zapras. "Anything happen last week?" He saw the look of discomfort form on the fluff drake. "You're not filling me with confidence Zap, what happened?"
The life dragon cleared his throat. "Silvus asked me to tell you that you need to see the other Guardians. Warfang is going to make a change and as Fire Guardian, you have to officiate it… followed by him telling me that Rose doesn't like roses." He couldn't help but fantasize about Silvus' sister and wishing she had feelings for him.
The fire drake sighed and looked at Kara and Sithris. "I swear things always goes downhill when we take time off." He rubbed Neala's head and looked at Zapras. "Thank you for watching her. We'll be back tonight."
With a nod from the fluff drake, Rift, Sithris, and Kara exited the cave and took off, heading to Warfang.