Young Writers Society

Chapter 5

Soon after Gale returned, Quake came into the dragonet’s room grumbling to himself. He must have just been in an argument with Surge or Shear because his mind was full of frustration and irritation. He wasn’t thinking of anything specific, so Shadow had no idea what had put him in such a bad mood.

“Come on dragonets, it seems I’m in charge of making sure you clean up the training area today.” He growled.

“But we just cleaned it yesterday!” Gale complained.

“Quiet! I don’t have the patience for your whining right now. Clean it up.”

Gale was about to give a few more reasons why they didn’t need to clean the training arena, but Aurora stepped in.

“Quake?” She asked walking up to him cautiously.

“What?” He growled in annoyance.

“Would it be alright if we cleaned the training area later? Hailstorm, Tempest and I are still recovering from the training with Surge earlier. Can we have a just a bit more time to rest? Please?” She asked, doing what Shadow could only imagine as being puppy dog eyes.

Quake seemed to relax as his anger faded away. Replaced by a pleasant peace. Shadow knew Aurora had that effect sometimes. She was just so kind and gentle. Nobody could stay mad at her for long.

“Ok you can do it later.” He sighed in a far off voice as he left the cave. Aurora sighed in relief as well.

“Thanks Aurora,” Tempest said kindly as she got out of the stream and walked up beside her. Tempest leaned against her slightly while their tails twined around each other.

“I don’t know how much more of this I can take. All they care about is that stupid prophecy. We don’t matter to them at all,” Tempest sighed sadly. The safe comfort of Aurora made even the hard heart of Tempest melt as she revealed the true emotions in her heart. “Oh Aurora. I wish we could just be normal dragonets.” She whispered. Almost crying as Shadow felt her heart ready to collapse from the despair and hopelessness she felt.

“I don’t.” Aurora whispered comfortingly.

“If I was a normal tree wing, I would never have met you or Gale or Boulder or Hailstorm. We can make it through this because we’ll always work together no matter what. Besides, Shear isn’t that bad. I know that Quake and Surge don’t like us very much but maybe if we treat them nicely, they won’t be so mad all the time.”

Tempest chuckled sadly. “Don’t ever change Aurora. We could use your optimism.”

I wish you were right about them. If only the guardians were not set on making our lives miserable then maybe your plan would work, you kind little dragon. You’re so nice to everyone and see the best in us all. You just can’t accept that some dragons are just cruel. Tempest thought with a smile as she put a wing over Aurora and pulled her close for a moment.

But the world needs dragons like you. So I’ll protect you from the cruelty of the world for as long as I can. If this world is cruel to us I’ll be cruel right back so you don’t have to. I know someday you will save the world with that kindness of yours. Never loose it Aurora.

Tempest hugged Aurora tighter for a moment and Aurora was glad she was able to comfort Tempest even if only a little.

The dragonets rested for a little while longer before Boulder got up with a groan.

“Come on guys. Lets go clean the arena now before Quake gets mad at us again.”

Gale and Hailstorm both groaned but they joined him.

I know guys. It sucks for me too but it’s better than getting clawed for it later. Boulder thought.

When they arrived at the arena Surge was already there and growled at them when they walked in.

“I thought Quake told you lazy lizards to clean this up! So why is it still as messy as before? Hmm?!”

“Quake said we could rest for a bit longer since we were obviously tired after YOU nearly beat us to death this morning.” Tempest growled back.

Surge’s mind felt even more stormy than usual, and Tempest was only making the clouds darker.

“That…” Surge hissed like a snake about to strike. “…was to teach you a lesson about the real world. You should be grateful to learn that lesson here instead of out there where it could end up getting you and your friends killed!”

Surge took a moment to calm herself slightly before continuing. “Regardless. That doesn’t excuse you from doing your chores. Quake!”

Quake seemed to be back in his terrible mood when he entered the arena.

“Yes?” He asked in an annoyed growl.

“These dragonets seem to think you allowed them to rest when they should have been cleaning the arena.”

Quake looked at them first in annoyance, then confusion.

Wait. Did I? I remember telling them they could do the arena later… but why would I say that? Quake thought.

For some reason the memory felt fuzzy when he tried to recall it. Shadow recognised the feeling. Like a word you can’t remember but still feels as if it’s right on the tip of your tongue. He must have noticed the other dragons were staring at him because his thoughts were interrupted by a feeling of awkwardness.

“Oh, um. Yes. I did tell them that. They have been doing well in their classes lately, so I let them have a little break.” He awkwardly excused before turning to the dragonets. “Make sure you do a good job this time or I won’t let you put it off next time.” He warned.

“Yes sir.” All the dragonets replied with varying levels of sincerity.

Surge left in a huff. She hated it when the dragonets were right about something.

Quake left as well. His mind was still a little fuzzy, but he soon gave up trying to remember and assumed he had simply forgotten his reasoning for letting the dragonets have some extra rest.

Shadow ignored it too. He didn’t really care about the guardians all that much, and they had listened to the requests of the dragonets before, so it wasn’t that big of a deal. Besides, no one could hate Aurora and she was so innocent that it was no surprise the guardians agreed to what she asked more often than everyone else. Especially if she really wanted something. She always got what she wanted when she used her puppy dog eyes on them.

Shadow smiled as he imagined her begging Quake to give up some of his prey.

Ha! As if that dragon would let anyone have even a hair from his share of prey. No matter how adorable Aurora is she wouldn’t be able to convince him to do that. Ha, ha. Shadow chuckled to himself.

He imagined how she would look as her puppy dog eyes and pleading expression turned to disappointment. Then he focused back on the dragonets they were cleaning the arena and weren’t thinking about anything really interesting.

“I guess this is as good a time as any to eat and get some more training done.” He muttered to himself.

As he lifted off his thoughts once more turned to the flame wing that was arriving soon. He was giddy with excitement. Soon he’d get to hear the thoughts of a flame wing and who knew how many other dragons.