TADRE

Mission almost impossible

TIME LAPSE... 2 MONTHS AND LOTS OF TRAINING!

LUNAS' POV
"And collect the black flag before you run out of time!"
Gulp. Not good. A daunting natural obstacles course stod before me. Do I have to fly through that? Loops, walls, hurdles, all the horrifying toppings. One loop was on fire! It won't hurt, but its' a trust thing. Whats' worse? Doing it blindfolded! I'll be able to see, but my rider can't. Then we switch. Sapphira patted my head, the go signal. I take off, diving and spinning my way through the course. The course took a few seconds. Then it was my turn in the dark. The blindfold was soft but provided no comfort. Sapphira nudged my neck. I flew quickly, as quickly as before. Sapphira and I had special signals for each maneuver. Diving, for example, was a nudge and a pat. The signals got more complex as the moves and tricks did. Jack was grinning smugly when we took off for round two. I don't think he's smiling anymore. I felt a sharp nudge. Faster. I pumped my wings with more force. The wind began to whistle. A tap and a nudge. Spin left. I spun left. A tap, a nudge, a shove. Spin left down. I began going down while spinning left. A double nudge from her right leg. Straight up? I begin going straight up. Then a sharp left leg nudge. Back down? Then a tap. Go forwards six strides, then straight down. I flew forwards quickly and dropped straight down. More whistling. An urgent pull on my reins. Stop? Let me see if I can... I flare my wings out. My tail fins strained to stay open against the wind. I flick my body so it was parallel to the ground, instead of perpendicular. I stopped soon after. I hovered for a while awaiting instructions. Nothing. I reached for land. Water. I don't really like water, but I guess it'll work since I can't sit and hover much longer. I glided into the water. I didn't get any instructions, so I ripped the blindfold off. A flag was on my saddle, but no rider. I looked around, and my rider was reversed into a dragon. Huh. I flew up to her, and she changed back and landed on the saddle. Then her combat boots glided into the stirrups. They clunked as her heels bumped the edge of the stirrups. She bumped my sides, and we came back up.
Violet cheered "One minute flat! Good job Sapphira!"
Jack huffed. I looked at him.
Sapphiras' POV
Luna was smiling. I patted her neck.
I asked her telepathically "You weren't going as fast as normal where you?"
She said "About half normal speed..."
I began laughing. Violet had somehow understood the conversation.
Then she said "So that wasn't your fastest! This time goes as fast as possible Luna."
Luna warbled, and Violet blindfolded her. Then she touched Luna with her staff and repeated the command. She took off like a rocket. She slowed for turns, but only slightly. I gave commands at about the same speed, as not to impede Lunas' progress. We were back in a few seconds. My braid was falling out of its' uniform design. I patted Luna, who wasn't even sweating.
Violet grinned and reported "Five milliseconds flat. Much better than before! With a practice that can be improved on!"
I patted Luna and whispered something to Violet. She shook her head and pointed to the course. I was laughing. We weren't even close to full speeds. I asked Luna for as fast as she could, for real now. This was our mark for term 1. I scratched behind her head. Her tail fins became longer, and her muscles tensed. Violet nodded. Go time..... and we're back! That was all the thoughts I had in the entire second during our flight. Jack was glaring from under his cloak hood. His dragon was laughing at Lunas' smiling face. Violet didn't look surprised.
She said "Nice. Now improving that could be difficult... but no time now. Not for a few months actually. I've got a message from the superintendent."
Jacks' hood fell off his head. We landed by a river with a small waterfall.
Violet said "Where was I? Oh yes, the message. Well, she said you two will be partners and will be sent to search for new riders next semester! I'm proud to call you my students!"
My brain spun. Us? I think you got the message wrong, Ms. Dargo! I felt Luna stabilize me with her tail. Her saddle seemed far from my head. I felt Luna get pulled off me, and I fell off to the grassy ground. Ow. My brain hazed over, leaving tingly darkness. I woke up next to Luna, chained in a cell.
Aw, COME ON! Three student guards snarled at me. One was a werewolf and the other two white were-cats. I found Luna next to me. Seriously, guys? You had to go there? I rattled the chains. Luna did similarly. I screamed for Shinely, but the guards got confused.
The were-cat with a black streak on its' face said "Who is Shinely? We know no Shinely, whatever it is!"
I asked, "What school is this?"
The were-cat said "DRA. Dragon Riders' Academics. We found you and this dark beast in a clearing. Now, dark rider, explain what your likeness is doing on the border of us and our allied school, TADRE..."
I laughed and spat "I'm under TADRE! If you ask Violet Dargo, she will confirm that for me!"
A loud bang confirmed where I was. TADRE dungeon. Shinely and Violet came down the stairs on their dragons. Shinelys' silver Lunar dragon and Violets' Plasma, Air, and Lunar dragon were growling. Shinelys' dragon looked like Luna, but much bigger and metallic silver. I rattled the chains. The helmet. Of course. I pulled it off. Shinely stepped away. What? Violet flashed something in the students' eyes. I was drug away, Luna close behind. What is going on here? I tried to speak, but a paw was over my mouth. Max. The moon was full, and Max was having trouble keeping going straight. Am I a werewolf or something? I see my reflection. I was wrong, not a were-creature... I think. What is this called? A dragons' eyes stared at me from my own face. My face had a black Plasma & Air dragon tattoo covering over half of the left side. I didn't see what the fuss was about. Sure I don't remember the tattoo or the eye shift, but who cares? Surely it can't be that serious. I growled and tried to wiggle free. You can't keep dragging me away like this! I fought some more. Violet chained my wrists and handed the chains to Max and Shinely. They made no eye contact with me. I tried to break free, but the chains held fast.
I cry out "LUNA?!?"
Luna came and blocked Max and Shinely from moving. I almost got away, but Violet used her staff. That staff can control dragons like a leash controls a pug. She shuffled over. I growled at my teacher. Let me go.
"Nope."
"Who are you?"
"Nope."
It clicked.
I warned, "Violet, get out of my head."
She shook her head. I lunged forwards, but Luna tripped me. I stood up and tripped again.
Luna.
Sorry, she made me. She wants you on the ground!
I stood up and dodged my dragons' sweeper tail. Max growled, I snarled. He backed off. I made myself look bigger. Violet looked thoroughly amused.
That's' it. Imma transforming!
What? Sapphira, I don't think that makes sense.
I Don't Care.
I cut the conversation short. I felt a tingle in my shoulders. Good luck restraining me now! I changed into a Plasma & Air dragon. Shinely pulled the chains, but I prepped for taking off. Then I noticed something. Is she threatening Luna? Her staff was at her own throat, but another dragon was in front of Luna. A ball formed in me. Sorry, Shinely. BANG! The dragon stumbled to the left. I tried taking off, but I couldn't fly. My tail was being bound. I sighed, and let it happen. I can't escape anyway. I changed back to my human form.
I asked, "Why are you doing...this?"
It came out like a hiss.
Violet replied "I did it to Jack as well, it deactivates your powers. They just get in the..."
I retort "Way? You can't deactivate my powers. They're a part of me. They make me who I am."
Violet was now in the were-wolf form "They destroy people! It's for safety reasons! And it doesn't hurt... much.."
I scream "Much? No way, Dargo. No way."
Bang. The chains are on the ground thanks to my dragon. I crouch on all fours and snarl at my teachers. They draw weapons. I slide onto my dragons' back. The saddle is warm and comforting.