Hunter tossed a chunk of meat toward the hatchlings and the little black jumped for it. The white and emerald knocked him to the ground, and the red took the meat and swallowed it. The black growled and ran toward the black stallion. He was the only one that had developed enough motor skills to run on all fours. The others were getting better at it but they were getting better. The stallion tossed a chunk of meat to him and then to the others in quick succession. His magic gripped the meat and he tore thick chunks from it for each of them, held it above each of them, and fed them at the same time. He came down to the Lair in the mornings and late evening to do feedings of his own. Sorkeno still brought the black to him during the day for playtime in the upper hall. Hunter enjoyed the distraction halfway through the day to keep his mind from rotting from paperwork.
“There they go.” He said aloud as they slowed down and began to huddle together to sleep off their breakfast. “Finally.”
Sorkeno chuckled behind him as Kaiana looked over to the babies as she wrapped her body around them to keep them warm. “You have done well with them, Child.” She crooned to him.
“They're definitely getting more active.” He said to her.
“That they are. Even as young as they are, they are becoming more mobile and we have already had to alter their play area to keep them safely in the Nest.” She assured him before he could ask.
He chuckled and nuzzled her before he looked to Sorkeno and signaled for the golden dragon to take him back the throne room. There was only one entrance into the Nest and the dragons made sure to keep it blocked and the draglings safely in their place.
Twilight and her friends had left the Netherworld and had stopped in front of the Upper Citadel to get some fresh air. Their guards stood off to the side to allow the mares to move about as they wished. Rarity was sitting off to the side with a sunhat over her head while she sunbathed in a lounge chair. Twilight sat close by in a second lounge chair that had been brought out by the minions at her request.
“So are you and the Overlord doing better now, dear?” She finally asked as Twilight was sitting close by her.
“What? What do you mean?” The Alicorn asked the white mare.
“You were worried that he might still be a bit upset with you about that little misunderstanding about your letters. I was just asking if everything had been completely sorted out.” She clarified.
“Oh. Yes. He has been helping me write the letters lately. We sent one to the Princess last night.” She explained happily.
“I have an idea, Darling!” She exclaimed as she sat upright and waited for the Alicorn to reply. “Surely he has been invited to the Grand Galloping Gala, the same as we have been. You should ask him to accompany you.”
Twilight’s eyes went wide at her friend’s suggestion. “He never goes to Equestria! I mean he surely wouldn’t be interested. He hasn’t before.” She babbled on until she put her hooves over her own mouth to shut herself up.
“Exactly. What better way to show that the two of you have a solid friendship than to invite him personally. I know you worry about the Princesses thinking you’re not accomplishing anything with him despite how your letters are written. What better way to show them your progress than getting him to attend?” She explained further.
Twilight could see the merit in what her friend was saying but at the same time, she was hesitant to ask him. It wasn’t because she thought he would get angry with her. She didn’t want it to seem as though she was using him as proof of her own progress.
“But that’s the one thing I don’t want.” She replied.
“Pardon?”
“I don’t want it to seem like I’m using him to show off.” She explained.
Rarity made an understanding noise and nodded. “I see your point. Well, perhaps an extended conversation with him will help?”
“Do you really think he’d come to the Gala?” Twilight asked, her expression doubtful.
“One never knows, dearie.” Rarity said with a wave of one manicured hoof. “You have shown that he is quite agreeable when given the chance. Ask him to give you the same chance now. If you think he would enjoy himself then ask him.”
“Hmm.” Twilight leaned back and thought it over. “It’s a couple of months from now right?”
The other mare thought about it for a moment before she nodded. “A little under six weeks I believe.”
“Plenty of time to plan. What are you going to wear?” She asked, hoping to steer the conversation in a different direction.
Rarity sat up abruptly and looked at the purple mare. “By my stars! I need to design our gowns!” She shouted.
Her horn illuminated and Twilight watched as a bundle of drawing paper and a quill appeared as she began to draw out her ideas. Twilight gave a silent sigh of relief and relaxed back into her chair. She looked at her friends as Rainbow flew through the air doing maneuvers. Fluttershy had found several bunnies to chat with and Applejack was sitting with her. Pinkie was bouncing through the tall grass and enjoying the sunlight. Twilight closed her eyes and decided to think about other things.
“My Lady?”
“Wow!” She shouted at the sudden appearance of Soft Touch at her shoulder. The other mare looked as startled as she did and the Alicorn panted for a moment before speaking once more. “Yes?”
“Here you are.” She gave her a glass off a tray that was balanced on her back. “It’s a strong sweet lemonade that the cooks made for you while you sunbathe.”
“Oh. Thank you.” She replied and took the drink.
“Miss Rarity?” She spoke to the other mare who took the drink as well. “One moment while I take the others their drinks.”
Twilight sipped her drink and leaned back once more. She watched as Soft Touch called out to the others and they gratefully took the drink and rejoined Twilight and Rarity. Soft Touch waited till they were all gathered around before she spoke again.
“Is there anything else that you need? I can ask the cooks to have your lunch brought to you as a picnic if you wish.” She asked them, the tray now clutched gently to her chest.
Twilight looked at her friends who all nodded. “That would be wonderful, Soft Touch. If you want to join us you are welcome to.”
“I still have my chores to attend to but if I have the extra time I will take you up on that My Lady.” She said and walked back toward the Upper Citadel.
They watched as the creamy mare vanished into the Upper Citadels gates and out of sight before they began to speak. “Ya think she will ever use yer name?” Applejack asked after a moment.
“Unlikely.” Rarity said to her.
“She can if she wants to,” Twilight replied.
“I don’t think she will,” Fluttershy commented. “She is serving Twilight. The Overlord is pretty strict about titles.” She explained at their expressions.
Pinkie bounced in place before sitting down and taking a sip of her drink before speaking. “He’s not so bad. He lets us call him by his name.”
“Yeah. But I would bet if any of the servants called him his name he would be most unhappy.” Rarity added.
“That’s true as well.” Twilight agreed.
“Hey Twilight,?” The pink mare suddenly called her friends name despite the Alicorn being less than three feet away. “When is his birthday?”
“I have no idea. Why?” She answered.
“He needs a birthday party.” She explained. “Ya think he will tell me if I ask?”
“Maybe. I haven’t asked him anything like that so you can try.” The Alicorn replied with a smile. “The worst that can happen is that he tells you he doesn’t want to tell you. Just don’t hug him.”
They laughed as the pink mare shook her head frantically and joined them in laughing. The incident that had happened before had become a joke between them now. The mares all giggled and fell into easy conversation as the time went by. Pinkie smiled wide as Soft Touch and two others came to them with baskets over their backs. Soft Touch waited as they got out of the way and she tossed a plush blanket to the ground for them to sit around and the others all laid out their food choices and drinks. Soft Touch and one of the other servants went back to the Citadel while the other remained close by in case they needed anything.
Twilight and the girls dug into their food and were soon enjoying the options that had been spread out in front of them. “You can join us if you are hungry.” She said to the servant left behind.
“Oh, no need My Ladies. I am a cook and I test the food so I have eaten a little bit of everything so I am not hungry. But thank you for your kindness.” She assured them.
Twilight giggled and nodded in understanding as he turned back to her friends and her own meal.
Hunter paced in front of his throne as papers hovered around him. His mind went over the options for the newest trade routes and how to protect those routes once they were established. Gnarl wobbled into the room and waited as Hunter paused his pacing and set a small stack of papers in the minions awaiting claws.
“Have you rested Master?” The minion asked him.
“I slept fine Gnarl,” Hunter replied, his eyes flicked to the Minion Master for a moment as he was distracted by the notes on the front of his snout.
“Have you eaten?” He asked another question.
Hunter opened his mouth to respond and then paused once more. His head tilted slightly to the side as he thought over the question, his eyes looking around him. “Umm…No. I don’t think so anyway. Shit, I don’t remember.” He finally admitted with a laugh.
“You need to eat, Master.”
“I know. I honestly forgot.” He said as he set the other papers down and rubbed his face with one hoof.
“The mares are having a picnic just outside the Upper Citadels gates. Their food was just taken to them if you wish to join them.”
“I won’t interrupt their alone time.” He said to the minion. “But have a meal sent to me here.”
“Master you have been inside for the last three weeks. Since you returned from the Lair. Even your dark magnificence needs to see the sun.” Gnarl pressed. “Or go for a flight. I’m sure the Lord Dragon needs to get out as well.”
Hunter looked at the Minion Master as the advisor came up to him and took the remaining stack of papers from him. “A flight does sound nice I admit.” He allowed the minion to take the papers from him as he called out to the golden dragon.
Twilight looked up as a flash of gold went over their heads. “Looks like Sorkeno is out.” She said to them and pointed to the dragon above them.
“That is still the most lovely sight.” Rarity said aloud as she put a hoof to her face to shield her eyes from the sun. “I think Hunter is with him.”
Twilight looked up and began scanning the dragons head and neck for a sign of him. “Oh yep. There he is.”
Rainbow took to the air as the dragon dove out of the sky and barrel-rolled as he spiraled through the sky. Rarity gave a yelp as inspiration seemed to have struck her as she frantically began to draw out her ideas once more. Twilight smiled as the dragon slowed in the air as Rainbow neared him and his flight slowed to allow her to get close. The mare suddenly took off and the dragon’s wings beat to catch up to her.
“Oh no,” Fluttershy said aloud. “She’s racing a dragon.”
“I’m surprised Sorkeno went for it.” Pinkie admitted.
“I think Hunter may have been the one to fall for it,” Twilight admitted with a laugh. “He loves flying.”
“Have you taught him more magic yet Dear?” Rarity asked.
Twilight put her hooves over her mouth as a curse fell from her lips. “Shit!”
“Apparently not.” The white mare said aloud as she drew, amusement in her tone at her friend's sudden distress.
“I forgot. And he didn’t say anything but it wasn’t his job to remind me.” She gushed out of aggravation with herself. “I can’t believe I forgot. I swore I'd teach him how to teleport.”
Hunter stayed low on the dragons’ neck as the blue mare stayed ahead of them. “Come on Sorkeno!” He shouted and the dragon cast an eye back to him.
The dragon’s body surged forward and he drew up closer to the speeding mare. Rainbow gave a startled noise as the dragon’s nose bumped her flanks. Hunter barked a laugh as the mare tumbled backward over the dragon’s nose. She tumbled past him and he gave a toothy smile as she tumbled back. The dragon’s wings beat deeply as he continued to race ahead. Hunter gripped the scales as the dragon dove for the ground. The mares were all looking up as they free-fell toward the ground. The Overlord closed his eyes as the wind tore over his body, tangling his long mane and tail.
Sorkeno watched as the ground drew nearer and he heard Hunter shout behind his horns as he spread his wings and beat them toward the ground, causing a wind to go over the mares as he took off into the air once more. He heard laughter come from the stallion as they went back to their flight. He knew that Hunter loved to fly and he loved the thrill that came from the free fall.
Twilight used her magic to shield their picnic from the wind that came from the dragon’s wings. She laughed as they took to the air once more and were soon high above them. Rainbow returned to them, grumbling about getting bumped by a dragon.
“I’m shocked they were able to beat ya.” Applejack said to her once she sat back down.
“I got bumped on the ass by the dragon.” She informed them.
She looked at them and was clearly expecting them to be sympathetic. Her face fell when they all began to laugh nearly hysterically at her. Even Rarity put her designs aside to laugh at their friend. Their laughter faded as Soft Touch joined them carrying a platter of food and a drink. Twilight wiped a tear from her eyes as she looked at her handmaiden.
“Decided to join us?” She asked her.
“Oh no, this is for the Master. Gnarl said for us to bring his lunch out here for him.” She said to the Alicorn.
“Oh, he’s going to join us?” Fluttershy asked her.
“That is what I was told. It will be one of the few times I have seen him eat during the day.” She admitted with a smile.
“He don’t eat during the day?” Applejack asked her.
“Normally no. I work during the day and have been working under him for nearly five years and have never seen him have lunch. Snacks perhaps but never an actual meal.” She replied.
Twilight looked up as Sorkeno was coming back toward them and she put up another shield to keep grass and dirt out of theirs and his food. The dragon was speaking as he landed and he lowered his head to the ground to allow Hunter to jump off his snout. The Overlord rolled his shoulders and walked toward them as Sorkeno laid down and curled himself into a ball to rest on his own.
“You’ll have to forgive me for interrupting but my dragon claims to be tired.” He said as he glared over his shoulder to the now ‘sleeping’ dragon. “I’ve never heard of a dragon suddenly getting a flat tire.” He complained as he sat down between Rarity and Twilight.
“I think it was planned, dear.” Rarity said to him.
“Oh?”
“Yes. Your lunch is right there.” She said with a point of one hoof.
Hunter looked from the food to the dragon, then back toward the Upper Citadel and then back to the platter of food, a look of aggravation on his face. “Yeah. I got set up.”
She watched as his magic gripped the sandwich on the platter as he shook his head and Twilight had to bite back a laugh. He chewed his food and looked up to see them all staring at him.
“What?” He suddenly asked.
“Never seen ya eat before.” Applejack explained.
“Oh for the love of the Netherworld. I tend to eat either very early or at night. It depends on my schedule.” He told them.
Twilight chuckled at his quick defense and nodded to him. “That makes sense.”
Hunter got a sly look on his face as he looked at Rainbow Dash. “So how was the race against my dragon?”
The pale mare looked at him, her eyes wide. “You! He! He bumped me in the air!”
“I know he did. I told him to win.” He replied as he bit into his food again.
“I flew over his back and you only beat me because he bumped me.”
“Ooohhh.” Hunter cooed at her. “Sore loser?”
Rainbow huffed and crossed her forelegs over her chest. “In a real race, I would have won.”
“Excuses, excuses.” He snipped at her, clearly enjoying tormenting the Pegasus.
At his side twilight leaned on him as she began to laugh at her friend's expense. Her laughter set off the others as they all began to howl with laughter. Hunter winked at the rainbow-maned mare to show that he was simply teasing. He looked up as Sorkeno huffed a laugh at the mare’s expense and the Pegasus looked up at the sound of laughter from the dragon and she looked more annoyed than before.
“I’d apologize, but it was fun, so…Not sorry.”
Hunter ate his food while the mares teased the Pegasus mercilessly. The black stallion was quiet as the laughter began to fade out. He sipped his drink while they quieted down. He started to speak when a ripple went through the Netherworld. He dropped his drink and surged to his hooves, the glass shattering as it struck the sharp rocks under the blanket. The golden dragon looked at him and lowered his head as Hunter leaped the picnic blanket and leaped over the dragon’s snout and into his normal place. The dragon took the air as the sound of Twilight’s voice caught his ear. He glanced over his shoulder, his red eyes fell on her for a moment, but his gaze didn’t stay on her long. Something was wrong with his dragons and he needed to know what.
Twilight and the others stared at the dragon's wings knifed through the air, carrying the overlord away and back toward the Dragons Lair. She looked at her friends and they all agreed without speaking as they got to their hooves and galloped for the Upper Citadel. Her friends were on her heels as they raced through the hallways, aiming for the throne room, searching for Gnarl.
Hunter held tightly to the dragon’s scales, his heart beating rapidly in his chest. ‘Please don’t let it be her, please, not her.’ He thought to himself. His heart hammered in his chest as the dragon spiraled down the dragon’s entrance to the Netherworld. His connection to Sorkeno hummed through him and he could feel the dragon’s apprehension. They emerged into the Netherworld and the dragon’s wings tore the air as he hurried to the Lair. The dragons were all calling as Sorkeno angled for the Nest. They had barely landed when Hunter scrambled across the dragon's smooth scales to the Nest itself. His armored hooves nearly slid on the stone but he dug in for purchase and he surged over the stone ground.
“Kaiana!” He nearly screamed her name as he came into the main room and saw her laying on the ground.
The silver females head came up at his panicked tone and she surged toward him once she saw him, wrapping her body protectively around him as he panted.
“I am here, my Child.” She said to him, her voice soothing.
Hunter panted, his breathing ragged as he gripped her scales. He swallowed and tried to calm his heartbeat now that he knew it was not the silver female that was the cause of the upset. “What's wrong? What happened?” He panted out.
“One of the draglings has died.” She informed him.
“Oh. Damnit.” He said simply. The panic from before was wearing off as he gathered himself. “Which one?”
“The Emerald.” She said to him as she released him now that he had calmed.
“What happened?” He asked as he walked to the little form on the ground.
“It can happen suddenly. She was still young enough that the same ills that can affect an infant hatchling can still affect her.” She explained. “Only four remain.”
Hunter bowed his head at the crumpled form on the ground. “By the Dark. Where are the others?”
“Over there Child. They need you.” She said and used her head to show him where the other four now laid in a heap, visibly shaking.
Hunter trotted to them and pushed his way among them to allow them to huddle against him. The black and white crowded under his chest and the remaining green and red clamored to his sides, their bodies all pressed heavily against him. His armor creaked against the force of them but he didn’t leave them alone. He stayed close to them and allowed them to hide against him. Sorkeno had joined them and was moving the small body away to avoid upsetting the living infants further. Hunter stayed with them as they crowded him. The black stallion bowed his head once more as Sorkeno took the little body away.
“Damn.” He said aloud and nuzzled the four draglings with him in turn. “Easy now little ones. You are well-loved and we will do all we can to keep you with us.” His voice was soothing as they began to calm at the sound of his voice.
The white whimpered and he nuzzled her again in an attempt to soothe her. The draglings tightened their hold on him and he grimaced at the pressure on his armor and barrel. He shook himself to get them to release him a bit but they held firm. He set a hoof on the black’s scales and rubbed the thin scales gently. He began to hum to them, trying to use his voice to soothe them.
“I do not have my mother’s voice, but perhaps just the sound will help.” He said to them as he continued.
He looked up as Sorkeno and Kaiana joined him and wrapped their bodies around him and the babies, using their warmth to try to help soothe them. The two dragons were silent as he sang gently to the babies that were clustered around him. Minutes ticked by and they slowly began to calm and relax around him. Their grip on his body began to lessen and he thanked the Netherworld their grip had been no tighter, or he would have needed a rescue. The others all laid down close by and Maranna laid her head over Sorkeno’s side to nuzzle the babies gently so they knew how many were around them.
They calmed and slowly laid down on the ground around his hooves instead of clinging to him. He knew that the death of their nestmate had been upsetting as he folded his legs under him and stayed with them as well. He would not leave them to sit in silence without him close to them. He would not allow them to feel abandoned.