Dragon's rule Ch 8

Ch 8

The Riders and Dragons fell into a routine; partner training one day, weapon training the
next. They carried on with this for a month until the Dragons, excluding Rubia who was about the size of a cat, were the size of horses. Then the teachers and students met in the den one day. "Riders and Dragons, attention please." called Nenya. "Due to all your hard work, we decided you have earned a break. Tonight there will be a ball!"

Everyone's interests were piqued. "If there is anyone who would like to invite someone
from your homes or elsewhere, talk to me, we'll get them here." Ice, Emily, Steel, Smoke, and Cassandra all stepped forward. They gave the information of each of their guests. "We've made gowns and tuxes for you." said Bronze Star and moved aside revealing a clothing rack. She handed Emily a puffy yellow dress, Light a sparkling black dress, Cassandra shining red dress, Titianna a light purple dress embedded with light blue gems, and Sophi a red and black dress. Ice received a tux with a blue undershirt and tie, Dark a red undershirt and tie, and Lee a white undershirt and tie. "Ok everyone, at six meet in the dining room, dressed and ready. Your guest will be there as well. See you later." said Nenya.

The Riders and Dragons gathered together in the Den after the Riders put their new
clothing away. They talked excitedly for some time discussing who they invited and who they would dance with. "I'm with Lee." said Light. "I invited my wife." said Ice. "Your wife?" said Sophi surprised. "I only told you about my past, we never discussed current personal life." said Ice casually. Sophi shrugged, it was an odd excuse but what was there to do? "I just invited a friend of mine." said Emily. "Same here well sort of." said Cassandra blushing a bit. "So who wants to dance with me?" asked Dark. "Oh I might as well, our clothes match." said Sophi. "What about you?" Light asked Titianna.

"Well if you haven't noticed, I'm kinda interested in Billy." "Well yeah but are you going to ask him?" questioned Light. "Maybe, once the dance has already started I mean." She and the other girls laughed. "So, what about you guys?" Emily asked the Dragons. "Well, were still working that out amongst ourselves. You'll know when the dance rolls around." said Beauty. They hung out with mild conversation until five thirty rolled around. With a bit of hesitation, they went to go change. All the Riders emerged in their fine new outfits, all of the Riders except Light that is.

"Come on Light, I'm sure you look fine." said Titianna. "No way, I look horrid in anything
fancy, and I hate dresses!" responded Light. "Come on sis, were all in fancy clothes, you'll fit right in." said Dark. Silence was his only response. "Well I give up, you give it a go." said Dark looking at Lee. "Um, my love, wouldn't you like to dance with me?" asked Lee. There was a sigh followed by the door opening. Lee took Light's hand. "Don't worry, you look stunning, and this will probably be the only be a one-time thing." said Lee with a smile. "Yeah, that's what Billy said about dressing up for the dinner." said Light. "Well." said Lee unsure of how to come back at that. "The next time it happens throw a princess tantrum. You know, cross arms, stomp foot, that kind of thing. I'll show you how." said Titianna. Light managed a smile.

"Yeah, thanks." Light replied with a smile. "Come on then, let's get going, I have a date." said Ice straitening his tie. The team proceeded to the dining room where five strangers awaited them. The first was a female wolf neko with silver hair and eyes wearing an ice blue dress. Beside her was an orange haired fox neko with green eyes in an orange dress. She was linking arms with a man with orange hair and green eyes wearing a tux with an orange undershirt and tie. Next to them was a blond boy who looked to be the age of ten with yellow eyes wearing a tux with a yellow jacket and tie. Standing next to him was an adolescent boy with silver hair and green eyes. He had a shinning red jacket and tie. Ice ran to meet the wolf neko, Emily went to the boy and Cassandra to the silver haired male.

"This is Alecia, my wife." said Ice. He then pointed to the fox neko "That is my sister in-law, Alysia and my brother Jin." This is Sam." said Emily. "And this is Nikoli." said Cassandra. Everyone exchanged greetings and the guests marveled at the Dragons. "Welcome one and all." said Billy emerging from behind them. He was dressed in a tux with a light purple shirt and tie, as well as a light purple cowboy hat. "Before we begin," he approached the Princess. "My Lady would you do me the honor of dancing with me this night?" "Of course I would. I was actually going to ask you, funny how things work out." she said taking his hand. "Alright everyone, time to make an entrance, get together." All the couples liked arms. "Lilly, Mye, please enter." A yellow lung and a purple wigged dragon entered. "Alright then Dragons, pair up."

Frost and Lance stood side by side, Flame and Flower stood together, Beauty and
Barquse paired up. Mye the purple dragon stood next to Smoke. "An old friend?" Sophi thought to Smoke. "Indeed, we go way back." The yellow lung Lilly stood beside Steal. "I've known her since we were hatchlings, and have had feelings for her just as long." Steel thought to Ice. Rubia, who had no dance partner for the night, settled on Light's head. "Ok everyone, let's go." said Billy he lead them to the back of the dining room and to two great doors. They were opened from the other side by Jewel and Bloodshed. The dancers walked into a grand ballroom that was larger than the floor of the arena and was gold with columns rising to a second floor balcony. The ceiling was high and dome shaped with a grand chandelier hanging down. A live orchestra
played in the back of the room.

Other people were already dancing on the floor and dragons flew in an aerial ballet
overhead. "Welcome friends!" said Bronze Star. She and Nenya who each wore decorative
dresses stood by Jewel and Bloodshed. "Have a wonderful and splendid evening." said Bronze
Star. "Yes, enjoy yourselves tonight." said Nenya."What they said." said Billy leading the group into the room with the Princess beside him. The dancers stopped to look to them and celebrate their entrance. "Tonight is one of the nights where Dragons and Riders can split up. We are in the same place and we can keep our minds linked after all."

The Riders split up and the Dragons took to the air. Billy and the Princess went to a
balcony. "So you were plan'en to ask me?" asked Billy. "Yeah, you've got a certain charm about you. I noticed when we first met." Billy twirled Titianna. "I know what you mean, I found you beautiful the moment I saw you. Not to mention kind and elegant, and you are one heck of a fighter." "You mean that?" "Of course. I don't think I could bring myself to lie to you." "The same goes for me. Do you think maybe you could come to the Den more often?" Billy held her close. "I'd be delight." he replied as they danced together happily.


Emily and Sam danced together shyly. "Thanks for inviting me." said Sam. "I wanted to
for a while but this gave me the chance." said Emily. "Well maybe we can dance aging some
time?" Sam suggested hesitantly. "I hope so." said Emily with a smile. "Really? You mean that?" Emily nodded. "Then I will be looking forward to it." Cassandra and Nick, a long apart couple danced together silently. Though they had been apart for such a long time, they knew each other well so they felt ne words were necessary. Speaking at all risked ruining their precious moment.

"So mister Awesome can you dance?"Sophi asked Dark. "I don't know, I never have
before. Only one way to find out." he said with a shrug. He took Sophi's hands and tried to dance in a circle but he tripped. Sophi caught him. "How 'bout I lead?" she laughed looking down at him. Dark smiled embarrassed and nodded.

"Who'd of thought we'd actually get to dance together in a place like this and dressed up
in all of this." Lee asked Light. Light nodded and looked to the ground. Rubia tilted her head. "What's wrong?" asked Lee. "Well. . . I'm nervous. All these people, all these splendid dresses. They are all so well dressed and look beautiful, they look like they belong here, while I . . " Lee gently put his hand under Light's chin and lifted her head till their eyes met. Rubia gave a little squawk as he did so and flew down to the floor. "You look marvelous, don't think anything against it. No matter what you wear, you are absolutely beautiful." He kissed her gently. He then held her close and she began to dance. "You know," said Light. "A lot of people have told me that, but you are the first one I've ever believed."

"I can't believe it has been over a month." Alecia told Ice. "I know it felt like an eternity." "I wonder when we'll meet again." "As soon as I get my post, I'll be sure to visit you every day." "Visit? Oh no that won't do at all. I'd much rather move in with you. "Move in huh? If the rules allow it." "And if they don't?" "If they don't, no rule can stand in the way of our love." Alecia laughed. "Now that's the man I married. Alysia laughed next to them. "Not nearly as good as the
man I married. Sister dear, you chose the wrong brother." "It's good to see you tooAlyssa. Jin my brother I hope she is not hassling you too much." Jin laughed, a cheery sound. "No not one little bit. We get along just as well as you two don't you know." Alecia smirked. "Good, because if anyone was to harm my sister, they would deal with me." Ice laughed. "There is nothing in this world like family." The four of them laughed as they danced on.

Overhead, the Dragons flew side by side, mimicking each other's moves. "So we area
lot like our Riders." Lance said to Frost. "Uh huh." said Frost. "And our Riders our sole mates." "Uh huh." "So does that make us soul mates?" "Maybe." said Frost coyly. "Don't you mean uh huh?" "If you do, then I do." "Uh huh." said Lance. The two placed their foreheads together and held each other's forepaws, their necks forming the shape of a heart.

"Did I ever tell you your scales shine like the sun?" Flame told Flower. "Romantic chitchat? I don't mean to shoot you down but I don't fall for that kind of stuff." Flower said with a little flick of her tail. "Oh well, did I ever tell you you're the fastest dragon I have ever seen?" "Now that I heard. I'm still listening." "Well, what do you think of me?" Hummm" Flower tapped her chin with a claw. "Tell you what, if you catch me, I'll tell you." "What" "Reddy set go!" Flower took off at full speed, moving around all the dancing pairs in the air. "Ah hey! No fair!" said Flame chasing after her.

"Thanks for dancing with me." Beauty said to Barquse. "No problem, sometimes it's fun
to dance with friends. And saves us both some trouble." "Yeah, maybe next time we'll both have actual dates." "Yes, good luck finding that special someone." "Yeah you too." the two spun in a playful circle. "Who'd think you'd invite me?" Mye said to Smoke. "Well I know you'd do the same for me." "Yes, but I just couldn't imagine you being a Ridden Dragon." "I know, I didn't think I'd make it but somehow I did. So anyway, I haven't seen you since we were hatchlings, you look splendid." "Ah same old Smoke, always thinking of me first." "Or just plain thinking about you." said Smoke as they flew side by side.

Steel and Lilly flew upside down and side by side. "You've always been the best flier."
Steel said to Lilly. "Hay, you've been pretty close to matching me. I've never seen winged
dragon with your skills." "And I've never seen a lung with your grace." "Guess that makes us a good pair." "An exhalant pair." said smoke clasping Lilly's paw.

Riders, Dragons, workers, nobles, and guests alike enjoyed a wonderful night of dancing
and romance. Just before the ball ended, Rubia contacted the group on Nenya's behalf. "Hey
guys, Nenya said to stay here afterword, she wants to talk to us." So as the dancers on the ground and sky departed, the Riders and Dragons gathered together after the ones with guests, escorted their guests to the exit and finished saying their farewells. Once everyone was gathered Nenya addressed them.

"Sorry to end the night on a bad note but some of our dragon scouts have noticed a bit of
odd activity in the Land of Outcasts. Lee, we already know you are Yomi's old assassin, do you know anything of his plans." Light's face turned pale. "But… not everyone knew he was an assassin." "It's fine Light, I told them during your scare." Lee reassured her before looking at Nenya. "I don't know of his exact plants, but he often spoke of waking an old friend to take control of Riders past and present." "Interesting. Oh forgive me Riders, most of you must not know much of Yomi." "Light and I have from some merchants in our town." said Dark. "Well who doesn't?" asked Nenya. Cassandra, Sophi, Emily, and Titianna raised their hands. "I've heard only rumors." said Ice.

"Yomi has been jealous of the Riders and this Kingdom for centuries." said Nenya. "He
was with the Original Riders but he never got chosen. After his rejection, he vowed to find a creature stronger than a dragon and master it. He would bring that best here and take our land to become the master of each and every dragon, Ridden or not." The Dragons growled. "No one can rule every dragon." said Flame. "No one person can control any dragon without that Dragon's permission!" said Frost "We are not meant to be controlled." said Steel. "And we never will be!" said Flower. The others roared in agreement. "As much as I'd like that to be true," said Jewel "we must never underestimate an enemy." "Tell me about it." said Lee looking at Light.

"What creature is stronger than a dragon?" asked Sophi. "There is not necessarily a
stronger creature, but there is an old enemy." said Bloodshed. "Yes, the Fantail Parasites. They are age old creatures." said Jewel. "They are said to have died out with the Original Dragons, but. .. "said Nenya. Rubia spoke up in their minds going off on her thought "If I still exists, then they might exist." "Right, and the fact that Yomi is still alive singles he has made a bond with a creature that has a Dragon's life, they are one of the few things that do. But that is just my suspicion, he could have found another partner."

"So what did . . or do they look like?" asked Ice "Kinda like snake sized leaches." began
Rubia. "They have fins on the top and bottom of their tails, giving them their names. They are typically dark brown or black. Their mouths are round and are said to have four talon shaped fangs that can pierce dragon scale. Little ones are easy to kill but big ones, that is to say dragon sized ones, can only be felled by a dragon fire. I know all of this because a dragon in its egg has all the knowledge and sometimes memories of their parents." She added for the Riders.

"Your forgetting one small thing." said Nenya. "Only a grown dragon's fire can kill an
adult parasite. As dragons age they gain more and more magic, and get a hotter and stronger flame. This was the knowledge back in the day of Original Dragons, we do not know in the least what a modern dragon's flame will do the to them." Suddenly, Flame let out a horrible cry. Everyone looked to see Rubia's description of the beast in living form latched on to Flames ankle. He sent a torrent of flame at it, but the creature held fast.Rubia sprang to Flame's side and used her bright red flame. The parasite let go and lay still.

"Well now we know our fire doesn't work." said Flame inspecting his wound. He promptly
healed it. "How did that thing get in here!?" roared Jewel. "Knowing Yomi, he probably sent a guest here, with a parasite in toe. This is just a message, he has Fantails." said Lee. "Well then, we'll just have to learn how to kill them." said Light. "The small ones Rubia can handle but the large ones." began Nenya. "Attack them from the inside." Said Bronze Star. Everyone turned to her "Send magic and dragon flame down their gullet, that should do some damage." "But it won't kill them! I could if I was big but that would take years!" exclaimed Rubia. "We can worry about that another time." Said Nenya beckoning Rubia to her hand. Rubia landed and she petted her gently. "As Lee said this is merely a message. The real trouble won't come for some time I think. Let us worry about that, all of you need to focus on training. Don't worry we will come up with a plan." Rubia nodded and flew back to Light.

"So do you think there is any more of them?" asked Emily. "No, one is enough to get the
point across." said Lee "Are they any danger? I mean just a hole in the ankle and it didn't hurt that much." said Flame. "It is said that they can take control of a dragon's body." said Bloodshed. "Let's hope that's all a lie. If Yomi is breeding those things than he could control a vast number of dragons." said Titianna. There was a silence broken by Jewels words. "I suggest all Dragons learn this things scent so you know if others are near." The Dragons did as she instructed. "I'm sorry this night ended so badly." said Nenya. "No need to apologize, this was a learning experience after all." said Cassandra. Everyone nodded. "And besides, it doesn't have to end badly, we could hang out for a bit." suggested Billy. The team did just that, talking and enjoying each other company till late into the night when they decided to head off to bed.