Draco, Ember, and Moon all stood at attention in front of the dragon king. "I've done my best to train each and every one of you," he said. "Your six years are over, and by tomorrow's sun you'll be headed to the city of Minite. You'll only have eight fighters platoons to help. I can't risk sending more because of… Equestrian spotters."
"We'll be fine, Father," Ember said.
King Draco stood from his throne, walking to them slowly. "We've had our scouts make reports of rebel griffon bands," he said. "Before Draco had us stop, they've gathered intelligence and reported any attacks to us. If you find them, be sure to have them join you."
"Will do," Draco nodded. The king stomped his foot, and three fighters entered the room, carrying three large crates.
The fighters placed them in front of each of the new warriors. "I've spent the past month having these for each of you. They're made of the rarest minerals in the Dragon Kingdom."
They nodded to him and carried their own. "When do we leave?" Moon asked.
"At five in the morning," King Draco said. "Be careful, watch each other's back… and may we all meet again."
They nodded again, then left as the next squadron of fighters entered for their speech. "So, this is it," Moon sighed. "Out of all my years I never thought I'd go to war."
"Neither did I," Ember chuckled. "I always expected to end up beside my father."
"What about you Draco?" He didn't respond, but his mood wasn't anger or sadness like the last times they spoke about this.
Draco couldn't put his finger on it, but instead of anxiety or fear, he felt… excited. Eager… energetic. "Draco." He shook from his thoughts, glancing to Ember who had her claw on his shoulder.
"Um… what?" he chuckled. The two laughed, pushing aside the door and going out into the afternoon air.
It was the only place just the three of them could go to hang out or talk or whatever. Draco leaned against his usual spot, Moon nestled himself near the ledge, and Ember flew onto a slightly higher cliff. Moon smirked as he saw Draco staring at their dragoness friend. Ever since her Illness, they seemed to be looking at each other more and more often. Her new dark orange scales drew his eye even more, and her curved figure kept his gaze glued.
Moon looked towards the moon, a sense of reminiscince filling his mind. He sighed as he rested his head on his forepaws. "You alright, Moon?"
He rubbed the side of his face, then turned to Draco. "Not really," he chuckled. "I've lived for a thousand years, but not once did I expect fighting a war I'm not a part of."
Draco nodded, coming over to sit with his legs hanging over the ledge. "I get it," Draco said, gazing out to the moon. The stars were dimly lit, but he enjoyed their presence anyway. "Are you… afraid or anything?"
Moon shifted uncomfortably. "I've seen wars, read of wars, and watched a war," he whispered. "Many die, and few live to mourn others."
Draco frowned, somewhat happy from the sound of dying in battle.
"And you?" Moon asked.
Draco sighed, shivering as the autumn breeze chilled his ears. "Call me crazy… but I'm, actually pretty excited," he chuckled sheepishly.
"You're excited about going to war and possibly never coming back," Moon deadpanned. "Tell me this doesn't have to do with… you know."
His smile vanished as the subject was remembered. Though ripping the griffon emperor's throat out seemed enjoyable, a greater sense of pride was what really surfaced.
"I don't know why… but it just feels right," he shrugged. "Fighting sword and hand, somewhere I've never been, making it peaceful for other countries. I'm not sure… but we'll all be together at least."
Moon chanced a glance to Ember, who was watching the two out of the corner of her eye. "I just hope we all make it out."
"Don't say that," Draco stated sternly. "We're all coming out the same way we came in. Every hair, scale, and nail is coming out in one piece."
"This is war, Draco. Ponies, dragons, griffons, minotaurs, diamond dogs… they all lose friends," Moon practically muttered. "I've lost many packs to territorial fights. I'm no leader, I just watched for them."
"I'm no leader either," Draco said, patting Moon's back.
"Pft, that's very much modesty," Moon scoffed. "You were ten, and I could tell that Ember trusted you beyond your years. You were my first friend in a long time, but I realized that you not only wanted a friend, you wanted to be a friend. I'm much older, but I trust and have faith in you."
The teens looked knowingly at each other, then held hand-to-paw and shook strongly. "Whatever happens, Moon," Draco began, "I'm glad as Tartarus I met you."
"And I, you," Moon grinned. "Just leave some for us, will you?"
Draco laughed and gave his brother a hug. "Gladly."
Ember watched as Draco stood up and went back into the tunnels, snapping back towards the valleys when he turned to her. When she heard the rock door roll to the side, she let her breath go. She could see Moon looking at her, a small grin on his snout. He nodded for her to come, and she glided down gently.
They sat in silence for a moment, before Moon broke that silence. "Did you two mate?"
Her orange scales burned red in her face. "No!" she exclaimed. "We didn't have intercourse! We were fifteen! Why would you even ask that?!"
Moon shrugged. "When I was born, ponies were marrying at thirteen," he explained. "And my mother was always direct. Rubbed off, as they say. So if you didn't mate, what has you two so flustered?"
Ember's blush died down, but not completely. "Nothing," she mumbled. "Hormones, I guess."
Moon lifted his head and sat up. "He likes you."
Ember groaned as she heard that. "Did Flare tell you this?"
He shook his head with a laugh. "My mother taught me to gauge a ponies' emotions just by looking at them," Moon grinned. "Dragons aren't so different, just a bit harder. I've had six years to get it from you and four to see it from him."
Four years? Four years he's been interested in me?
Ember shook her head and shuffled in her seat. "You can't be certain about that," she countered.
"No, I can't," Moon shrugged. "Though I can put two and two together. He likes you, you like him. I don't see what the problem is."
"There is no problem," she emphasised. "And we don't like each other like that. Draco's a very good friend… nothing more."
It was clear she was denying it, being a princess and all. He remembered when he used to hear his mother tease somepony about a stallion she liked. She would say that just because she was a princess, didn't mean she couldn't love like others. Ember didn't have anything to keep her from pairing with Draco, and it was clear as day that he was very interested in her.
"Nothing more," Moon repeated. "Just think about what I said. Don't be afraid of your own emotions."
She rolled her eyes, Moon standing up and making his way towards the entrance. "Dragons aren't afraid of anything," she called.
Moon pushed open the door, turning his head to the side. "Or you're just afraid of being afraid," he replied.
The rock pushed back into place, leaving Ember alone. She exhaled deeply, growling lowly before shooting off a stream of fire. It dispersed through the air, fading away in the breeze. She was wearing the same sweater Draco had given her almost a year ago. She has to admit, wearing clothes during the cold seasons had benefits. Though she burned his socks during the eigth day of her Illness. He wasn't mad or anything, just amused.
It would only be a few hours now, before they went to the Griffon Empire and would start their campaign. She was afraid, confident, terrified, and excited. This was her chance to show those idiotic dragon teens that she wasn't some delicate flower. That she didn't need someone to watch over her. She was going to show them that she could handle herself. She was strong, maybe even stronger. This was her chance to show them. The fertile morons, Flare, her father…
…and Draco.
He was so fearless, so eager to fight. If she had been the same eight year old, and somepony or someone told her that he was one day going to be a powerful fighter, she would have laughed. But now, all she could do was stare. His toned upper body, the handsome face, his strong arms, and his chiseled legs (she'd sneaked a peek once) were all the signs of a strong warrior. Eveything about him made him a dangerous foe. He was smart, cunning, powerful, skilled, and caring.
They had done all different kind of training exercises with other teens. Whoever Draco was assigned with, they would have the least casualties and the most wins. He was getting attention from dragoness' and dragon teens looking to settle a score. He would wrestle them like they were a griffon warrior, with no mercy. The closest he got to injuring one was with Rough Spine. The biggest dragon teen in the Kingdom. Draco was a head shorter, but his swift grapples and dodges made him nearly break the dragon's arm.
She had to tell him now, before it was too late.
Multi-Mat Arena
Draco cracked his neck, rolled his shoulder, and raised his arms. "799-799," he shouted. "Last time we'll get to do this. Ready?"
Moon cracked his knees, then his back and smirked as he lowered his body. "If you're ready to lose," he taunted. Draco smiled, then charged forward.
Moon did the same, closing the distance quickly. He slid under Draco, using his paws to take his legs right out from under him. Draco grunted as his face hit the mat, and did so again as Moon grabbed hold of his leg and twisted his arm behind his back. He pulled with all his might, slowly getting his arm back onto the mat. He flipped over, crushing Moon, then rolled right off as the wolf-pony yelped and let go in pain.
It was his cue to get back on his feet, then jump back as Moon tried tripping him up again. Draco grabbed hold of one of his hind legs, pulled him up, and used his entire body weight to body slam him. Moon shouted in pain, but wriggled out from underneath him and grabbed his neck and two legs. Draco's arms couldn't reach behind him in his awkward position, but he could still move his body. He rocked onto his side again, making Moon get off before he was crushed again.
Still on his knees, Draco locked into a battle of strength and endurance with Moon. They pushed and pulled their arms and paws for an advantage, but the more one got, the harder the other tried. Draco suddenly twisted to the side, flipping Moon onto his back. Draco jumped over and used his legs to pin Moon's hind ones down while his arms pulled the wolf's shoulders together. Moon grunted and growled as his muscles were strained, but he kept trying to break free.
Moon pulled his leg free then pushed Draco's out from under him. His massive weight came down on him again, but this time he was ready. Rolling over, he pulled Draco's elbow in the opposite direction, trapped his leg under his neck, and pulled his head with his other paw. Draco got a hold of his free hind leg, then under his front legs to put pressure on his back. They grunted and pulled to their limits, yet neither backed down. For several minutes, they stayed in that complex lock, but fatigue passed over each like a blanket.
Moon's collapsed on top of Draco, who panted hoarsely while his friend's tongue hung out as usual. They laid with their bodies opposite one another, laughing as they shook their paw and hand again.
"Truce?"
"Truce."
Draco and Moon lazily walked over to the far wall, then carved their score onto the wall. Eight-hundred little lines spread across the entire wall, their names in the center.
"Guess I should turn in early," Moon panted. "Get ready for tomorrow and everything."
Draco nodded, his hands on his knees as he struggled to catch his breath. Moon left him, and after he felt he was ready he looked around the room one last time.
Gonna miss this place
He pulled of his sweaty shirt and sweater, leaving the multi-mat area and heading to his room for the last time. When he got to the intersection to his friends' rooms, he saw Ember waiting. Her body drew his eyes in again, but he focused on the small smile she had on. Ember ogled his chiseled torso again, her eyes widening when she breathed in his musk. It was enough to get a twitch from her tail, but she controlled herself. They stared awkwardly at each other, unsure of what to say now that they were alone again.
Tell him. Just tell him.
C'mon, c'mon. You can do this. Come on. Tell her.
Ember cleared her throat, but her words refused to leave her throat. The same went for Draco, whose mouth opened but all that came out was a syllable. They laughed sheepishly, then stared at one another silently.
Damn it.
Damn it.
Ember wrapped her claws around him, and he did the same a bit slowly. Neither of them needed to know how red their faces were. She inhaled his thick and masculine odor while he savored the multiplied smell of sweet lilac coming from her. Her claws wandered up his back, and his hands roamed across her scales. They pulled back, gazing at each other once again.
"Whatever happens," Ember began. "I'm glad I met you, Draco."
He smiled nervously. "We're getting through this," he said. "We'll be back soon. You, me, and Moon."
She wanted so badly to just close the distance, just go for it. And he wanted nothing more than to just take her now. But…
…her claws slipped away.
"Good night, Prince Draco," she smiled.
He sighed softly, but gave her a small grin. "Good night, Princess Ember."
I sense him
The five brothers cheered as they patted the Nera'ak's scaled back.
Where is he?
Far. Extremely far. But he's alive.
The link worked, Jaqeluu! Reku'un is a Signa!
Jaqeluu laughed as Agner noogied him.
When will I meet my partner?
In time, Nyla. For now, we need to assemble Loki'ir's survivors.
And then we find Reku'un so we can finish off the war.
AHOO!