Rise of the Dragon Riders

Moving

"Attack! Wake the chief!" "No! It's too late! We're being overrun! They're overwhelming us! We have to surrender!" Chief-night-fury vaguely heard. The next morning he and his family woke to carnage. Their home was destroyed. "Let's go join the Colossal Cave. The Red Deaths will be happy to see us." Mother-of-twins' mate said. So the big family and friends headed off to their new nest.

Far South, three months ago.

A young female Night Fury came forward. "I'll go. I'm prepared for this." Her parents fussed, but she had decided. "Do you have a name?" Bigsmark asked her. "I'm called Night-fury-fast-flier. I love wild aerobatics." The nearly adult female answered. "I imagine we'll have a horde of newcomers soon." Bigsmark told her mate, Tarpits, who blinked.

Flashback end.

Night-fury-fast-flier had discovered a way out of the seemingly sealed nest, allowing young dragons to leave as they wished. Then Chief-night-fury, his mate, their children, Six-shooter, Makes-one-heck-of-a-bang, Full-of-surprises, Thing One, Thing Two, Smallest-boy, Night-fury, Lady-night-fury and their children, Cave-flyer and Mama's-boy entered through the crevice, calling out.

Bigsmark and Tarpits emerged, confused. "Our home was destroyed. We've come to stay with you." Chief-night-fury began. "If you'll have us." Mother-of-twins added. "Of course. Jumps-over-clouds! Was-human! Fast-flier! We have new additions!" Three dragons appear, Chief-night-fury's family recognising two. The third dragon had noticed Makes-one-heck-of-a-bang, intrigued. Both vanished, going for long flights to learn about each other.

Night-fury recognised Fast-flier. He approached, curious. "Did your mother have a silver mark on one ear?" She nodded. He called for her elder brother. "New-beginning! I've found your sister!" Flapping wings sounded, a familiar face appearing. "Sister?" New-beginning started. "Brother." Fast-flier said.

Chief-night-fury and Mother-of-twins noticed their eldest son flying in circles overhead, waiting for Fast-flier to finish so they could get to know each other more before the inevitable mating flight. Their eldest daughter saw her twin flying above her, quickly joining him. "Bang." He looked over. "Six-shooter." She smiled. "You like Fast-flier don't you?" He nodded, shy.

"She's a pretty one. Cave-flyer will also need a mate. I guess she could wait to see if I produce a son, but I think she wants someone close in age to her. Choose wisely: Cave-flyer or Fast-flier?" Six-shooter warned. He hesitated. Should he stick with Cave-flyer, a female he's known for some time, or Fast-flier, a new, unfamiliar female? He decided to take a risk and paired off with Fast-flier, to see how well he matched to her.

Their mating flight was quick. The pair whipped through the open air, before he grabbed her and they fell a fair distance, breaking apart. Gliding back into the nest, the two were met with roars and congratulating puffs of flame. They stayed close together, Bang protective of his new mate and the eggs growing within her.

Then mating season started, Mother-of-twins, Full-of-surprises, Six-shooter, Fast-flier, Bi-xi and Lady-night-fury laying eggs. Full-of-surprises, Six-shooter, their mother, and Fast-flier produced twins. Bang was now a first time father, blinking at his eggs. Fast-flier giggled, eyes showing fond exasperation. Three days passed without trouble, the expectant mothers curling up.

Near the end of the third day, Fast-flier and Bang's eggs started wobbling. At her side instantly, the pair dropped their eggs into the pool, staring at the water. Mother-of-twins, Chief-night-fury, Six-shooter, Faithful-brother, Full-of-surprises, Smith-flies-for-fun, Bi-xi, Pu-lao, Night-fury and Lady-night-fury did the same, waiting. Then, multiple muted blasts are heard. Ten tiny hatchlings break the surface, taking their first breaths and paddling hard toward their parents.