The 'Dragon Defender'

The Grand Tour

(AN - Happy Halloween! In honour of today I shall be deciding what the characters would be up to on Halloween!

Indigo: Everyone just assumes she's already in costume as an assassin and she doesn't correct them. If she was slightly less cautious she'd walk around in public without her mask and pretend to be a cosplayer just to screw with people. Finds trick or treaters annoying at first but grows amused by it. Would probably be watching a horror movie in the background while working on other stuff. Would adore pumpkin spice

Plasma: Usually dresses up as his interpretation of the Dragon Master but didn't this year since it would be a bit weird now that he's actually in her company regularly. He's realised that the humans won't question his appearance and even compliment his eyes should he go out on Halloween and fully takes this chance each year, joining in the festivities. Is obsessed with ghost stories and always takes them at least semi-seriously. Always comes back to Indigo telling her all about the amazing haunted houses he's seen because he wants to give her ideas for the Sanctuary's defences

Asher: Always the one to take Melanite trick-or-treating, acts all dramatic about it but everyone knows he enjoys himself. Melanite always gives him some sweets at the end of the night. Usually wears simple costumes like a generic ghost or something, but since dating Adriana they tend to do couples' costumes. An absolute king of pumpkin carving, seriously get this man a pumpkin and he'll be away. Often the one to decorate

Adriana: Adores all the vibes. Plans out the couples' costumes for her and Asher and always adds her own little flair to them just for fun. Allows Asher to claim they don't watch horror movies because she's scared of them when really it's him that gets scared and doesn't want to admit it. Just wants to curl up under a blanket with her mate goddammit. Loves corn mazes but her luck with them varies from godlike to subpar so it's always a gamble whether the group allow her to lead or not

And there you have it, feel free to ask any further questions if you have any! Now back to the story!)

"This is the place," I announce as we approach the island. "This?" Asher questions, looking around. "Where's the Sanctuary? It's not actually invisible, is it?"

"There are Sentinels!" Plasma spots the guards immediately, purple eyes wide. "I must've flown by here a thousand times, how have I never noticed the Sentinels?"

"You were never looking for them," I shrug. "And no, the Sanctuary isn't invisible. I'll show you guys."

We land by the entrance and I let the group inside, much to their fascination. Plasma seems even more amazed by the sight of a hidden doorway within a cliff face, a quiet gasp escaping him. I glance at him, watching as he and the others morph back while Stylive heads off inside. He's the first to step forward when I gesture for them to follow her.

I let them all go ahead, sealing the entrance behind us, before we continue onwards through the caverns. "Most of the tunnels around here were dug out by our resident Whispering Death," I comment for their benefit. If I'm giving the grand tour, I might as well do it right.

"We expanded over time, had the Gronkles and other Boulder Classes around to help out a little. And from there we needed some stronger defences, hence the Sentinels and our Night Terror patrols. We also have some allies on the next island over; Slitherwing Island is pretty difficult to stick around on unless you're on their good sides. And then there's Valka, or... at least there was, I suppose. Either way, I'm sure our goals still align, so no reason to suspect we can't work together again, should we need to."

"So what about all the myths?" Adriana questions. "Probably just the result of some panicked hunters that managed to survive an encounter with me," I shrug. "I don't make the memory erasure stuff a secret, the invisible island thing is probably someone having a vague recollection of the island after hypnosis that they can't piece together and most of the other things I can't really explain will probably be the result of misremembering things in the heat of the moment. Shock is quite the drug, after all."

"What about the rumours that you can summon dragons at your will?" Plasma asks curiously. "Hm? That's a new one," I chuckle. "If I had to guess... maybe it was from this one time I was knocked into the sea while taking down a ship and managed to tame a Scauldron nearby? From their perspective I probably went down and then somehow rose right back up with an even larger dragon on my side."

"Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. And what about the myths about you having Night Furies here?"

"Oh no, that's completely true," I hum, causing Plasma to gape at me, purple eyes practically ready to bulge out of their sockets. "There are Night Furies here?!"

"Three, at the moment," I laugh. "A few eggs left to hatch. I can introduce you, if you'd like."

I don't miss the way Plasma seems to have quite the spring in his step as we head further into the Sanctuary. Guess I'm not the only 'mythical' being that he has an interest in. I can't blame him; Night Furies are incredible dragons, after all. I'd be just the same. Hel, I suppose in certain ways I am just the same.

We start to run into the other dragons, who seem rather surprised at the trio of human-like beings with me, but after a quick sniff and realising they're Morphwings, they're hesitantly left be. Asher and Adriana seem to pick up on this, though I think Plasma is still too distracted in his amazement at everything.

"Everyone's a bit weary of humans around here, is all," I explain to the former two. "Don't take it personally. As long as you stick with me they won't assume you're a threat or anything, and if anyone acts aggressive and I'm not there just tell them you're a Morphwing and they'll most likely back down."

"Uh, will do," Asher agrees, seeming quite weary of the situation, though Adriana appears more understanding. "How about we try and find those Night Furies?" She suggests all the same, glancing at Asher with a slight frown.

"They should be just in here, would be my guess." I check the eating hall, spotting a certain black dragon just as I expected. "There's one of them; Nightshade, I have some people who'd like to meet you, if that's okay."

Nightshade looks up at us, blinking in surprise when he sees our guests. He approaches in a more cautious manner than he usually would, which makes me chuckle. "It's okay. Nightshade, this is my brother Asher and our friends Adriana and Plasma. They're all Morphwings like me."

The trio all seem a bit shocked to meet a real Night Fury, but Plasma is practically vibrating with excitement, though I do note how he clasps his hands behind his back in a failed attempt to remain dignified. The way he keeps shifting his weight and squeezing each finger in order to try and let out his energy in a more subtle way is rather telling that he's fighting back excitement.

Nightshade's reaction to everyone also changes with my explanation and he quickly displays the usual playful tendencies I'm familiar with. "Oh! Hey! Nice to meet you guys!" He greets, tail wagging.

"I'm actually meeting a real Night Fury..." Plasma breathes, which strokes Nightshade's ego quite readily. "I like him. He gets it; I'm the best."

"Of course you are," I chuckle, petting Nightshade's head. "Plasma's a fan of all the myths and legends stuff, I think you broke his brain."

"As I should!" Nightshade puffs himself up, practically strutting over to Plasma. "Well, Morphwings are cool too, if you ask me; changing shape to look like humans? That's about the funniest thing I can think of!"

Plasma nods at this. "Uh, yeah! Thanks! Um, my apologies if this is a strange request, but could I maybe pet you?"

"As long as you get under the ear plates," Nightshade agrees, lowering his head. Plasma starts petting him, making sure to abide by their deal, causing Nightshade to purr happily. "Ah, perfect, that itch has been bothering me..."

I laugh at the pair, glad they're getting along, then turn to Asher and Adriana. "This is basically where we all eat or where I store spare food. We mostly just have fish nowadays, though. Beyond this, I'm not too sure what else is too interesting around here. Maybe the hatchery, I suppose. I'd take you to see the Alpha, but I don't know whether he'd like to be disturbed. I find it's best to leave him to his rest a lot of the time. If you wanted some food, go right ahead."