The 'Dragon Defender'

Change Wings

"So where are the Changewings now?" Adriana asks as Asher collects himself, glancing around as if expecting them to appear at any moment. "They headed back to the Sanctuary," I explain. "They're both pretty key to the island's defence; being able to hypnotise at a moment's notice is pretty useful in that respect."

"It must be," Plasma agrees. "What else do you do to defend the place?" "Well, we have the Sentinels posted outside," I hum, which instantly intrigues him. "Sentinels? How did you find Sentinels?"

"They were there when I first arrived on the island," I shrug. "They're our first line of defence. Then there's the Night Terrors and the Cave Dwellers that keep an eye on the place while they're out. And usually when someone is caught having entered, the other dragons will keep them where they are and try to find someone able to help get rid of them."

"Wait, so you don't just kill them?" Asher asks. "Not usually," I chuckle. "Usually Nadder spines, Death Song amber, Speed Stinger venom or something of the like will be used to keep them from escaping or venturing too far while we try to get one of the Changewings over to hypnotise them. Then I'll have them dumped on some random island nearby while they're still out cold. I don't want to kill people who just stumbled into the wrong place or were just curious, but if they actively try to harm the dragons they likely won't see the light of day again."

"Ah, fair enough."

"And the raids?" Plasma prompts. "On the hunter ships?" "Oh, there's no real stories there in general," I wave it off. "Though once I did end up getting captured in dragon form with the intention of using me as bait against the Dragon Master. No idea how I kept a straight face."

The others laugh at this, though Plasma still seems very invested as usual. "I should probably go let Selene know I'm back, but I'd be happy to tell you more another time, if you'd like," I offer. "Yeah, that would be great," Plasma agrees. "It was good to talk with you again."

"Pleasure's all mine," I reply, getting up. Asher and Adriana do the same. "We should probably head out, too," Adriana notes. I nod and we start walking back to Selene's cave.

"I didn't realise you and Plasma were close," Adriana notes almost immediately. "I wouldn't say close," I shrug. "But we've started talking more recently. He's cool."

"Just cool?" Adriana teases. "Did you see the way he was looking at you?"

"What way was he looking at me?" I ask. "Are you serious?" Asher chimes in. "He's crazy about you."

"He just likes mythology," I shrug. "He said before that he always liked the myths about me."

Asher pinches the bridge of his nose at this. "Are you... are you kidding me? Genuinely."

"... What would I be kidding about?" I look at him in confusion. "What exactly did he say?" Adriana demands.

"Uh... he said that he always liked hearing about myths and legends and that he especially liked all the Dragon Defender stuff... and that he thinks it's an honour to know me for some reason."

There's a moment of silence, then Asher lets out a long sigh. "You are just... I love you and all, Indigo, but you are the dumbest person I've ever met."

"Then dumb this down for me, because I don't see the problem here."

"There's no problem!" Adriana assures quickly, an excited grin on her face. "Indigo, Plasma likes you!"

"Well I'd hope he would."

"No, as more than a friend!"

"Oh. Okay."

"Okay?!" Adriana looks dumbstruck at my lack of a reaction. "Just 'okay'?! I know you said before that you weren't interested in this stuff and all, but it isn't a hypothetical anymore, Indi; Plasma clearly has feelings for you!"

"Well too bad for him," I shrug. "He's a smart guy, he'll get over it. I'm not interested."

"So you won't even give him a chance?"

"Why would I give him a chance when I'm not interested?"

Adriana is silent for a moment, not really having any answer. She then turns to my brother, as if expecting help from him "... Asher?"

"Hey, I'm just glad I don't have to worry about her choice of mates," Asher holds his hands up in mock surrender. "I'm staying out of this one."

I chuckle at this. "Fine by me. Look, Addie, I'm still not interested in that sort of thing, regardless of Plasma as an individual. Besides, I'm sure you're just mistaken; Plasma just likes hearing all the stories. I'm sure if I told him the myths about Valka or the Berkians he'd be just as invested."

"Oh, he'd love to hear them, I'm sure," Adriana hums, smiling innocently. "But like he said, you're the favourite."

"What can I say? He has good taste," I joke. "And now if you'll excuse me, it looks like Melanite is just waking up from her nap and I think I'm overdue for some playtime with her."

~•~

"It's so good to have you back," Selene smiles as she watches me tickling Melanite, who's shrieking with laughter. "Good to be back," I reply. "I'm just glad all that nonsense with Berk has been sorted at last. I took away all their memories of Morphwings. Worst case scenario is that the villagers mention us and the group will get suspicious. But I doubt more will come from that, they'd have no leads."

"That's fair enough," Selene nods. "Though... Indigo, dear, remember what we were talking about before the situation with Asher?"

I think for a minute, then shake my head. "Sorry. Asher kind of took precedence that day."

"I understand," she nods in agreement. "We were talking about... well, about you staying here. And I know you worry about your own pack and you have your reservations, but I really think-"

"I'll do it."

She pauses a moment, not expecting me to agree so easily. "I'm not talking about staying permanently," I clarify. "But I promised Adriana that I'd stick around until Asher is completely better.... and... I've been thinking about things a lot recently. My place with my pack. My place with my family..."

I scoop Melanite into my arms, petting her gently. "Valka doesn't remember me. She was the only human I was truly close to. We understood each other. We had the same goals. Same need for secrecy. I felt like... I don't know. But now she doesn't remember a thing about me. Any side of me. And nobody aside from you guys will know me as anything other than some living legend. Some kind of infallible story you tell to children. I only have my pack and you guys now that see me as a person rather than just a fabled ally or enemy."

"Indigo..."

"I thought after a while that... I don't know, maybe I could try trusting the humans again. I know they're not all bad, and I stand by that, but... like I've said before, humans aren't my business. They're wild, and unpredictable, and cunning, and cruel, and... they may be human, but they aren't humane. So I'm giving up. I'm sticking to dragons, just like back when things were so much simpler. I've thrown my lot in with them. With you. And... and I think that might mean setting aside being the Dragon Master for a while. After everything that's changed in the last few days, I need to reassess my entire life, because I can't continue the way I always thought I would."