#[ their dragons just taken to wing woW PAIN CUT ME DEEP ]

[worthyheir]

(because you said, and i quote, "destroy me" ... so have this from amaya)

dragonstone is bitterly cold this time of year, but she does not feel the bite in the air. truth be told, she does not feel much at all as she approaches the pyre. her chest aches with an emptiness she can never describe ( she thought she had known grief when she lost her dragon all those years ago, but this is a new hell, pulling her down into an abyss she cannot rise from )

the body has been wrapped && she can see nothing of the man she loved. no curls she used to run her fingers through, no kind smile that could make her lose her train of thought in an instant. nothing but cold gauze offered to the gods. she has been given the honor to begin the cleansing burn, but she hesitates now, leaning down to place one last kiss where his forehead should be. " until we meet again, my love. " it is all she manages as she pulls back to where her dragon stands.

the beast is a relatively new hatchling, just taken to wing, but she remembers the night the twin eggs cracked in the hearth. she had called for him then, as she held the newborn dragon in her hand. he had kissed the tears from her cheeks even as his own carved a trail across his face && the second bonded wrapped itself around his fingers. how carefree they had been then, how hopeful. she should have had years more, charting the skies with him at her side, ruling a nation together. instead, she chokes now on a whispered word.

dracarys.

she watches as the pyre goes up in flames. she does not know how long she stands there, only that the mourning party retires without her into the keep && what is left of him is nothing but ash. still, she stays, as thunderclouds begin to roil overhead && sheets of rain plaster her hair to her face. she cannot help the scream that escapes her, one lost to the howling of the wind but so full of grief she thinks the sound tears her very throat apart.

not a soul could tell that night where the storm ended && the woman began.

My muse has died. Send in your muse’s reaction.

[same-snake-different-skin]

Saving You? || Dragon Shifter!Dark x Reader

Oh boi @crowley-is-a-danger-noodle 's idea again? Yup! Seriously I love your ideas they're *chef's kiss*

Tw for slight violence, I guess?

Y/N saw the shadow pass above them before they heard the roar, and then the pounding of their heart as they ran, having absolutely no idea of what, or who, was behind them. The footsteps of whatever it was thundered closer again, and then they were gone and a sudden gust of wind had Y/N on the floor, and then a large black, slightly iridescent dragon, with eyes like a void, and spines running down it's back, alternating between a blood red, and a icy blue, was stood over them, teeth bared. The wings of the dragon were spread wide, blocking out the glare of the sun, and a vast expanse of the pale blue sky.

Y/N stared up at the Dragon, before letting out a curse, and then they burst into a fit of laughter, and the Dragon took a few steps back, before blinking a few time, and then sitting back on it's haunches, merely watching in amusement as Y/N continued to laugh.

When Y/N finally managed to regain their composure, they stood, and looked up at the Dragon, grinning widely. "Damn it, Dark, I thought we said no using wind to knock me over." They told the Dragon, and the Dragon, now known as Dark, huffed, flapping it's wings, creating a gust of wind strong enough to knock Y/N back over. A series of deep rumbles, like laughs, escaped Dark as he moved closer.

Y/N ignored him, moving an arm to cover their eyes. "Nope, I refuse, you're mean." They mumbled, and they heard Dark grumble, then a hand was gently pulling their arm from over their eyes, and Dark, now human, minus the wings and void-like eyes, was stood over them, holding a hand out to help Y/N up. Y/N reached out to take his hand, but then Dark was sent reeling backwards as a blur connected with his cheek, and then Y/N was in the arms of...someone.

"Hey, hey, beautiful, handsome, you okay?" The someone said, and Y/N blinked a few times, before looking at the someone. "Hey! You're awake, and okay! That thing was trying to manipulate you into coming to wherever it's lair is. Probably so it could eat you for it's next meal..." The someone trailed off, before grinning, and hoisting Y/N up onto a horse. Y/N scowled at the guy, and he gasped. "I just saved you from inevitable doom!" He protested, and Y/N got off the horse, folding their arms and growling at him.

"No you didn't! I was absolutely fine! I know Dark very well and he wouldn't dare hurt me." They told him, and the guy scoffed.

"Well, Dark is not who you think." He said, before standing up straight, and holding a hand out. "The name's Illinois." He introduced himself, and Y/N totally ignored his hand, beginning to walk back to the clearing where they'd been snatched from. Illinois threw his hands up, before moving to stand in front of Y/N, blocking their path.

Y/N heard a very familiar roar, and looked at Illinois. "Oh, great. Now you've pissed him off. Let me go!" They snapped, and Illinois shook his head.

"He's really done a number on you, hasn't he? Wow. Can't you see how dangerous he is?" He asked, and Y/N clenched their jaw, balling their fists. The roar grew closer.

"He hasn't done anything to me, you idiot. Now, for the last time, let me go before he gets here, otherwise you're going to end up meeting a very painful end." Y/N warned, and Illinois scoffed. "I'm not joking."

"Aren't you? I think he's ma-" Illinois' sentence was cut off by a fist flying into his cheek, and he stumbled, before hitting the ground as he fell.

"I warned you." Y/N growled, standing over him. Dark finally swooped down, a dragon again, looking ready to set fire to the area, but then he saw Y/N stood over Illinois, and he calmed, landing behind Y/N. Y/N turned to look at him, and grinned. "See! I can deal with people who are convinced I'm in trouble!" They told him, bounding over to the dragon. Illinois stood, grumbling, and then he realised that maybe he'd picked the wrong person to 'save'.

Dark snarled, horns flattening against his head as he lowered his head and bared his razor-like teeth. Illinois turned tail and darted off into the trees, and Dark perked back up again, and was human once again, within a few moments. His arms were then around Y/N, and Y/N returned the hug, listening to the low rumble coming from Dark's chest. They supposed it was a little like a purr.

"Maybe next time we won't end up with someone trying to take you from me." Dark mumbled, taking a step back and looking into Y/N's eyes. Y/N snorted, and nodded. They were fully aware of just how possessive Dark could be, but they had no complaints at all, they liked it.

They started walking back to the little cabin Y/N inhabited, reaching it pretty quickly, and Y/N turned around in the doorway, smiling at Dark. "I'll see you tomorrow?" They asked, and Dark hummed in response.

"Only if you want too." He told them, before the smallest of smiles made it's way to his face. "You know where to find me if you do." He told them, backing up a little, and Y/N nodded, before throwing all caution to the wind, and all but diving forwards, and pulling on Dark's tie to bring him down to their height. He seemed a little taken aback, dark eyes flitting about nervously, before he visibly calmed, and Y/N gave him a sheepish smile, before carefully pressing their lips to his for a split second.

Before Dark could really register what Y/N had done, they were gone and he was stood outside their house, immensely confused. Although, he couldn't help but wonder what an actual kiss from them could be like...he shrugged the thought of before taking his dragon form again, and taking off into the now dark sky, already planning out what their next meeting would be like.

Oh, he was going to figure out what that had meant.

[thegingertrekkie]

Lost in a Dream World

Part 12: bonding time

(Last chapter was skippable nsfw. If you want to read that it'll be on ao3)

"Rest now, I'll take care of you."

You drifted in and out of consciousness after that, dreams fading seamlessly into reality until you couldn't tell the two apart. Sometimes you'd see Kirishima doing various tasks in the cave, tending to a crackling fire or rubbing something over your skin. Occasionally he would be speaking to you, but his words sounded far away. There were times when you woke up alone in the cave and you wondered if Kirishima had just been a dream. When you finally woke up you felt light headed and weak, your stomach growled loudly. You were laying in a pile of soft furs and there was a small pile of fruits next to you in a makeshift bowl. The plump fruit made your mouth water, and you tried to eat it slowly but it felt like you hadn't eaten in days.

With your stomach full you stand up and wander to to the cave entrance, a refreshing breeze tickling your bare skin. The sun was just beginning to rise, birds were chirping in the trees, it was extremely peaceful. "My human! You're awake!" A voice called happily from above you.

Kirishima landed in front of you in his human form, two large red wings tucked themselves against his back. The closer he got the more the spot on your neck where he had bit you tingles and your hand rubbed the spot. He was wearing clothes now, a red and black stripped scarf tied around his neck, light colored pants with a tattered red cloth around his hips and knee high leather hiking boots. Kirishima wraps his arms around you and pulls you against his muscular body, nuzzling his face against your neck. Your face becomes a deep red and smiles brightly at you. He takes a step back and hands you a neatly folded stack of clothes. The clothes were nearly identical to the ones that the shape shifter had torn to shreds the night before. "I was beginning to get worried." Kirishima smiled, brushing your cheek with the back of his hand lovingly.

"Why?" You ask pulling your clothes on, his gentle touch made you feel flustered.

"You slept for about a week. I didn't know if the fairies had done something to you..."

'A week?!' You felt like you got punched in the gut and you choked on air. Kirishima looked at you with concern, rubbing your back as you held you head in your hands. "No, no, no... I need to find a way home. I got to get back to the kingdom... I-"

"Shhh, calm down my love" Kirishima said calmly, pulling you close to him again and stroking your hair "You don't need to worry about that. This is your home, I'll take care of you always."

You push the red head away and shook your head "No, I gotta go home! Kirishima, I'm not from here, I'm-"

"I know you're not from this world, but that doesn't matter now." He touches the mark he left on your neck and points to the fading bruise you had made on his neck "We're bonded now."

Your jaw drops and you don't know what to say. His touch had caused your neck to tingle and your heart started racing. Kirishima smiles, but you can see he's a little hurt by your reaction. He kisses your forehead and goes into the cave, leaving you in a stunned silence. Your mind is racing. What do you do now?

"I-I have people waiting for me back in the kingdom. I should at least go let them know I'm ok." You're lying, but you can't think of anything else. You needed Kirishima to take you back.

"Oh love... They probably all think you're long dead now, I'm sorry. You've been here for 10 days..."

"10 days?" Another slap in the face.

"You walked for two days straight before the fairies swarmed you" Kirishima explained, walking back to you and grabbing your hand, leading you back into the cave with him. "Time works differently here, and the fairy lights make human confused... Hey, hey, it's ok."

You don't realize you're crying until Kirishima wipes the tears from your cheeks. You break down allowing yourself to sob loudly. The shape shifter holds you tightly again cooing reassuring word into your ear. You feel hopeless, thinking about your friends back home. Did they think you were dead? Had they given up? What if you never found your way back? Kirishima comforts you until you calm down, and you sink down onto the floor.

There was a quiet buzzing sound coming from the ground and you look down to see your bag. Kirishima must have found it for you. You find your phone which has started going off with notifications. You had a signal and it was stronger here. Quickly silencing your phone you make sure Kirishima's back is turned before scooping up your bag and sprinting into the dense forest. Sprinting as fast as you can and holding your phone out in front of you chasing the phone signal. You push on, the tree start to thin and you realize you're walking uphill. Your legs scream at you as you make your way up a mountain, sweat dripping down your face. You can't stop, don't stop, keep going.

The lush green of the forest abruptly turns into black burnt rock as you climb higher and higher. The change of scenery makes you uneasy, but you almost have full bars. There has to be something nearby, something connecting your world to this one. It felt like you walked for hours, your feet ached and your throat was dry. You hadn't taken any food or water with you and you mentally kicked yourself. The air felt thinner and you were forced to stop and rest. Each breath was painful, and you realize you had only made it to the middle of the huge mountain. There was no way you could keep going in this condition.

You walked towards the edge of the mountain ledge, and marvelled at the sight before you. If your throat hadn't been so dry you would've gasped. All of Yuuei island was visible before you: the lush green forest below, the huge wall of the kingdom of magic, the black Edgelands that seemed to cut the island in half, and far in the distance you could just make out Todoroki kingdom. The water that surrounded the entire island was a deep blue, and you could see white clouds reflected on its surface. Over the Edgelands you could see dragons in all different colors flying around.

You look above you and your chest gets tight, a huge smile stretching across your face. There high in the sky above you was a portal. If you weren't so dehydrated you would've cried tears of joy. It didn't matter that you had no way to reach it, all that mattered was that it was there. It was clear proof that there was a way to get home. Your phone rang and you quickly answered it, continued to stare at your little gateway back to reality.

"(Y/n)! Oh thank God you answered! We've been trying to reach you for days! We were starting to think the worst might have happened." Kirishima sounded shaken, some of his words cracked as he talked.

"I'm fine... No I'm more than fine! I found a way home, I'm staring right at it!" Your voice was scratchy and hoarse, but your excitement was clear.

"Really? That... Wow! that's so great! I gotta tell everyone! Hold on!" You heard a thud, shuffling and rapid steps on the other end of the line and you could picture Kirishima running down the stairs at the UA dorms to the common room where everyone hung out.

You chuckled lightly listening to muffled sounds on the other line as Kirishima attempted to gather all your classmates. You were so excited to talk to your friends that you almost didn't hear the sound of footsteps behind you. A lump formed in your throat and your whole body went stiff with fear as the footsteps approached slowly. A head of sweat slid down your face. "(Y/n) tell everyone what you told me!" Kirishima's excited voice pierced through the silence, he was so loud "...(y/n)? Aw crap did the call drop already?"

You were cornered and paralysed with fear as your mind raced, desperately trying to think of anyway to get out of this situation. Kirishima kept calling your name and you could hear confused chatter. A hand landed on your shoulder, holding you with a vice like grip and you felt the tip of a sword against the small of you back. "What the fuck are you doing on my mountain?" A gruff voice hissed into your ear, making the hair on the back of your neck stand on end.

You didn't need to turn around to see who the voice belonged to. Your hand started trembling and you screamed when the tip of the blade dug into your skin. The voices on phone were silent for a moment and the Kirishima was calling your name, asking what was happening and begging for you to respond. The hand left your shoulder and snatched the phone out of your hand. You yelped and tried to grab it back, but your attacker had moved out of reach and put his blade in between you. "What the fuck is this?"

Your eyes met his intense glare and you whimpered "Bakugou please..."

A smirk stretches across his face "Good to know the rest of the world hasn't forgotten that they are beneath me"

The phone grabs the blond's attention again and he glared at it. "Your tiny broken magic mirror is pissing me off." Bakugou sneers, putting your phone up to his ear for a minute.

You wonder what Kirishima is saying to this Bakugou. Whatever it was it clearly made the man in front of you more upset. "Shut up with your bullshit lies, I'll do whatever I want with them. Kiss my ass and die."

Bakugou drops your phone to the ground and smashes it under his boot. You cry out as if he had just stabbed you again. He takes a step towards you and you take one back, your heel reaching the side of the ledge. There's no where to go. You put your hands up in surrender and look away, wanting to see the face of your classmate as his killed you. Bakugou puts his swords away and looks you up and down closely. His grabs you by the shirt and throws you of the ground away from the edge. The winds gets knocked out of you when you land hard on your back, you struggle to fill your lungs with air.

Before you can catch your breath Bakugou flips you on your stomach and pulls your arms behind you and begins to restrain you. You struggle against him, screaming and kicking your legs. In responsive he shoved your head against the ground. "Don't worry" Bakugou laughs and digs his finger into the side of your neck where Kirishima marked you "Your dragon lover will be here soon."

"W-what??" You cough right before Bakugou's hand comes down hard on your head and you black out.

[magicinthestory]

Sol's Hour of Need

One would think that he would be used to restless nights of nightmares and you would think that after last time he would just stay put but he couldn’t help it when he felt the walls closing in on him, however this time he made sure he had his phone, weapon, and Tomi’s jacket although that was for his comfort and he made sure to leave a note explaining that he was just going for a walk and to call if they needed him. He was then out of the door and walking down the street.

He just let his feet carry him in a random direction while deep in his thoughts, trying to sort through them but he just got more and more restless to the point that the only thing that pulled him from them was when someone ran into him and apologized before running off. He sighed and looked around to figure out where he was, eyes stopping on the house he was in front of him and before he realized it he had walked to the door and knocked on it. Just as he was about to leave it opened up revealing the taller dragon with lighter green hair but very similar lavender eyes.

“Solstice? What do you want?” Zander asked yawning, still only half awake so he barely managed any of the normal growls when talking to the dragon villain.

Solstice looked down for a moment. “I don’t know…. Sorry…”

He frowned, that was odd even for him. “Sol, what’s wrong?”

“Just a lot… Don’t worry about it...” The younger dragon turned on his heel to walk away.

“Do you need to talk it through?”

“Not with you…” He sighed softly but then it hit him that it was real concern in his brother’s voice and turned to look at him. “Spar with me...Like when we were kids and training.”

Zander blinked in surprise at the request. “What? Why?”

“I think….I think I need a physical distraction and you are the only person I can think of that I can go full out with, without fear of killing. Please Alexandros….”

He sighed and studied the male in front of him for a long moment, for the first time in years he was looking at his little brother, Solstice, and not the villain of questionable sanity, Eclipse. He finally nodded to him. “Okay...Let me get my things and tell Snow. I’ll be right back.”

Solstice nodded slowly and watched the door shut, leaving him alone with his thoughts again. As the minutes started to tick by he was worried that he wasn’t going to come back and he was wasting his time so he turned to leave again when the door finally opened up again. He smiled slightly to himself. “Slow as ever…”

He rolled his eyes but didn’t reply to the remark. “Come on I know a good place to do this. I hope you don’t mind flying.”

“What?” Solstice spoke in surprise but that was all he got out before he felt his arm being grabbed then his body being lifted off the ground. “Fuck…… This is so unstable you ass.”

Zander laughed. “I’m not going to drop you but fine.” He moved higher into the sky then he let go of Sol.

Solstice’s eyes widened even though he was only falling for a moment before he landed on the back of a full-grown dragon. “Πάω να κλωτσήσεις τον γαμημένο σου κώλο, τον Αλέξανδρο...” There was a soft rumble that could be laughter from the dragon below him. He sighed and sat up before looking to the city below them then to the sky above him. Sol hadn’t realized how much he missed flying until now, it was so peaceful and calming.

Zander’s ears flicked noticing his brother’s calming heartbeat then adjusted his wings to take them above the clouds, from up here the stars shown brightly and clearly.

He looked up to the sky, mind falling to childhood memories of stargazing with their parents then on to doing so at the lab with the kids as a way to ground them. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Are we almost there?...”

He nodded slightly and headed back down soon landing in an empty field. He waited for Solstice to get off before shifting back and stretching. “Wow, it’s been a long time since I’ve done that.” He looked to the other. “How are you doing?”

“I’m still going to kick your fucking ass, Alexandros. You said you wouldn’t drop me and then you did.” Solstice growled.

“We will see about that won’t we?” Zander sighed softly, they were back to the flux of emotion. “Lose the jacket, I would hate to ruin it, and draw your weapon. I’m assuming that is where you have the most improvement. You wanted to spar so let’s do it.”

Solstice glared at him but pulled Tomi’s jacket off and drew his scythe. He didn’t give the other more time than that before he came at him, slicing at him only to have the blade stopped with one-half Zander’s while the other came down on the shaft of the scythe, cutting into it but not through.

Zander then kicked his little brother away, watching him fall back. “That was sloppy, even for you Sol.”

He snarled and came at him again and again, each time the same results.

“Come one it’s like you are trying to lose. Are you? If you just wanted to take some hits then you should have just said so.” Zander baited. He knew there was more to all this but he had to break through the other’s anger. “You expect to be able to protect your team, your new life, like this?”

“ΣΚΑΣΕ!!” Solstice snapped and charged again, lightning infusing with the scythe but what he didn’t notice was that with the cuts in the shaft that the electricity put too much stress on it so when Zander stopped it again the shaft cracked and broke leaving him open and soon Zander and him on the ground with his blades at his throat.

“If this were a real fight you would be dead several times over.” He put the double-bladed staff together then away. Zander offered him a hand up.  “You better than this.”

“So once again I’m not good enough….” It was a comment more to himself as he was falling back to his thoughts. He ignored his brother’s hand and got up. “Sorry…”

“Sol we can stop if-”

“No!” He cut the other off

Zander sighed. “Fine, hands up.” He gave him a moment to get in his stance then they moved to simple hand to hand combat.

Solstice was still distracted but without his anger, he was doing better to block and defend and even got a couple of hits in himself although it was just muscle memory at this point so when Zander changed it up he got hit and was sent reeling. “Damn it to hell… This is pointless. I wanted a distraction but fighting you is just clouding my head with more memories! I Just Want To Forget It All!” His legs gave out on him and he fell to his knees. “Please I’m just want to forget it all…Or at least not sent reeling at a simple touch….”

Zander frowned and bent down across from him. “Ηλιοστάσιο…..Talk to me, please.”

Solstice looked at him, unshed tears filling his eyes. “You wouldn’t understand, Ζανντερ.”

“Then make me understand...I’m so tired of fighting you, Sol, so talk to me and make me understand…”

“I don’t even know where to start…”

“The beginning, Tell me what happened from your point of view.”

Solstice stared at him for a long moment before finally nodding and starting from the kidnapping on he told his brother everything that happened at that lab, his escape attempt, the kids, the torture and pain….everything. He even went into details that he never shared with anyone and talked about the last time he was taken before they left for the month.

Zander was silent listening to all of it and taking it in, he knew a lot of the technical details but to hear the emotions and pain in his little brother’s voice along with the tears that had finally broken through, It broke his heart. “I’m so sorry you had to go through all that….Sol, I really wish it was me over you or that I at least managed to get to you faster….”

Solstice shook his head. “It’s not your fault…”

“It’s not yours either.” He assured. He wanted to be able to comfort him but he knew better than to touch him especially right now.

“It feels like it is….It was even brought to my attention that is I hadn’t stopped my escape attempt that I could have gotten help and saved the kids months of torture and experimentation….That by stopping and letting then catch me that I made it worse for them…” His voice cracked and fresh tears fell.

Zander took a chance at that and moved to sit next to him and extended his wing to curve around Solstice without touching him. “Solstice, listen to me now, You did the right thing by staying. If you left you know that by the time you got the help they would have moved and those kids could still be in trouble or worse. And by staying I’m sure you gave them all something they dearly needed to survive.”

“And what is that?.....”

“Hope, protection, someone to look up to. Solstice you have always had one of the biggest hearts.”

Solstice suddenly snorted. “Sorry, to break up a tender moment but you sound like a motivational poster, but please go on and tell me what you admire about me.”

He rolled his eyes but cracked a smile. “Nah, don’t want to inflate your ego too much, Pride is often a dragon’s biggest downfall.”

Solstice laughed under his breath and bumped his shoulder. “And here I thought it was greed… Or wrath...”

Zander shrugged. “Two significant others and we saw the wrath earlier so you have them covered.”

“Gee thanks.” He smiled but it faded and he laid his head on his brother’s shoulder. “Really though, thank you… I’ve put you through hell over the years but you were still here to listen when I needed you…”

Zander brought his wing to actually wrap around his little brother. “I’m sorry too, I haven’t helped the situation any.” He sighed softly. “This doesn’t fix everything, you know that right?”

“Yeah, I know….but it is a start.” He pulled away. And got up to pull on Tomi’s jacket again. “Maybe we should spar more often though, It’s something…”

Zander nodded. “Yeah, sure thing. Now let’s head back before people get worried.”

Solstice scrolled through his phone. “Too late for that...and the new bruises won’t help with that…Crap.”

Zander laughed softly “Sorry.” He then shifted to full dragon form waiting for the other to climb on then took off heading home.

[littlemissheartfilia]

What’s In A Prince Ch 11

ITS BACK! That’s right! I don’t know why I have such a horrible habit of leaving fics for like years but HO BOY! Man has it been a year. But that’s no excuse, you lovely follower came here to read! And reading content is what I give you!! And with over 39000 words in the entire word doc this fic has now exceeded my own personal novel in length...wow. This chapter’s kinda short but it get’s the point across. Big things are coming! And every chapter brings us closer to the end! So enjoy you stingue fic gluttons! I present to you the eleventh installment of my most dramatic fic monologue yet.

Part(s): [1]   [2]   [3]   [4]   [5]   [6]  [7]   [8]   [9]   [10]

Summary:  As Prince of Sabertooth Kingdom, Sting Eucliffe must choose a queen before his coronation. Easier said than done when Sting becomes overly attached to his personal knight Rogue Chenney. But when unrest slumbers in the kingdom, can the two secret lovers escape with their lives?

Pairing(s): Stingue

Setting: Old Kingdom type setting. Weisslogia is the King making Sting the Prince.

The Black Dragon Assassins was vastly different than Rogue remembered their headquarters being. From his childhood he could see warm smiles turned into determined grins as young boys fought in the courtyard. He saw the golden and blue hibiscuses and the dragon lilies that lined every walkway of the headquarters. He remembered clear skies and the gentle guide of a trained swordsmen.

But now...as he walked back to his place of his birth he could see none of that. The skies had been overcast all day and the dark cloaks they were forced to wear put a damper on a lot of the color around them. Dobengal assured them they would need it so as to not attract attention when they finally had made their way down to the castle’s ground floor.

“King Jude has been made aware of your departure and many of our people await your arrival Master Rogue,” Dobengal said, his brown hair bouncing like the waves in the night.

Rogue nearly stumbled as he tried to keep up pace beside the assassin. Sting’s supporting arms were right there to keep him upright. “What’s with this Master, nonsense? When I left the Black Dragon Assassins I was a dragon kid nothing more.”

Dobengal didn’t turn as he led them into the woods. “A lot has changed since your departure.”

Now here they walked back into the hideout Rogue used to be so familiar with. He could see some barracks had been added. Others changed, and even more the stone fort had somehow grown smaller in the years he’d been away.

The banners displaying all the world’s royal families were gone, as were the uniforms each assassin assigned to each alliance were forced to wear. Around him every assassin was dressed in black formfitting clothes. Above them all Dobengals seemed the most modified, with a black mask covering his mouth and nose and a lavish black cloak. As Prince Sting looked around in awe Rogue was looking to his once peers in awe. Every assassin they passed took one look at him and bent a knee or gave a deep bow.

When he heard one of them whisper the name of his father he couldn’t stop himself. He ran to Dobengals side and demanded his attention with frantic eyes. “Where’s my father! Where’s Skiadrum?”

Dobengal made a noise of disapproval. He pushed Rogue’s erratic movements away from him and kept walking. “You might want to save your questions until we are inside.” Then he turned back to them, “People will talk.”

Once inside Rogue held his tongue as Dobengal led them through winding hallways. In all the years he’d spent growing up here he couldn’t seem to understand where they were going. All the colorful Royal Banners were gone. There were no more ornate rugs rolling down the stretch of long hallways. Now the only decoration the halls saw were the wall sconces every few feet.

As they walked Sting leaned into him and whispered, “What do you make of all this? You grew up here? It’s so...barren? No offense.”

“None taken. It wasn’t always like this. Dobengal is right. A lot has changed.”

Finally they reached the end of the corridor and Dobengal stopped before he opened two large swinging doors.

“The headmaster’s chambers?” Rogue echoed as if the sight of the door sent him whirling in memories.

Dobengal nodded once more and led them both inside. Rogue remembered it with oaken desks and walls full of library resources standing across from an armory as impressive as the halls of fallen warriors. Much to his disappointment this room was barren too. It held four decorative pillars surrounding a circle of stairs that led to a single pine desk. Dobengal stood beside it and gestured to the chairs beside the desk, just around the pillars.

“You have questions. I am here to answer...some of them,” said Dobengal as he crossed his arms and leaned his thigh against the desk.

“What happened?” Rogue asked first. “This place...it’s-”

“Different? Yes maybe that’s an understatement. Along with your shipping to Sabertooth Kingdom came a change in leadership here. One that has since died with the master’s of old. One that puts you in charge.”

Dobengal stared deep into Rogue’s eyes to make sure the knight understood exactly what was being said. Rogue was glad he had taken his seat because he felt his knees go weak.

“So Skiadrum...and Master Bolin-”

“Passed.”

Rogue looked stricken. He lost his voice and suddenly Sting’s loud brazen one filled the halls. “I don’t understand, what’s going on? What’s with all this mystery?”

“We’re assassins aren’t we? Its what we do.” A new voice spoke from the shadows. If it had not spoken no one would have noticed it was there. Around an empty book shelf came a surprisingly weak but studious looking boy. He couldn’t have been older than Sting yet still he walked and held his head high as if he were above even the dust spirits in the air. He wasn’t dressed like the others, instead he sported fine clothes fit for a nobleman's son. The newcomer turned to Dobengal. “Thank you for bringing them here, dragon. You are dismissed.” Dobengal put a fist over his heart and bowed before exiting the room.

“I apologize for all the smoke and mirrors that were required to bring you here. But you must understand by now that in times of war we can’t afford to take any chances.”

Sting raised an eyebrow at the boy. If he was going to say something the boy didn’t give him a second to think on it. “I had ordered Dobengal to bring you here once I got the note from our King. I hadn’t realized Master Rogue had made it out of Sabertooth Castle alive.” The boy got up and began pacing behind the desk. The whole time he kept his hands neatly behind his back. His greased black hair was going to make Sting gag if he kept watching him push his long bangs behind his ears. “This changes a lot of things from our perspective. Until now The Black Dragons Assassins had lost hope and pride. But with you here again, Master Rogue-” the boy pointed a finger almost accusatorily at Rogue. “-We can bring this organization back to what it once was. Ah but forgive me, I have forgotten to introduce myself.” Finally he extended a hand to Rogue. One that was oiled over in his many movements to temper his greasy hair. “My name is Kohaku Kagome. I served under your father’s name years ago. I only wish to implore my loyalty to you in turn.”

Rogue was reluctant in taking his hand. When he finally did he stood up and addressed Kohaku through the pain that was so clearly written on his face. “I believe you have us at a disadvantage. We know nothing-we’ve heard nothing about the Black Dragons since I sailed north to Sabertooth. What’s this talk of rebuilding it?”

“Ah, yes. I made sure Dobengal would not speak our secrets out loud. After you left us Master Rogue, Master Bolin left as well. It’s a long story I’m afraid, one I’m sure would bore you but it’s important to the history of our establishment-” Kohaku seemed to enter in another world as he flapped his gums. Sting and Rogue shared a look of horror as they witnessed the man’s speech but didn’t hear it. More than once he felt compelled to test them and see if they were still listening. Though he usually answered his own questions before either of the boys could then continued his rambling.

It wasn’t until five missing assassins and one spiraling mystery of espionage later that someone burst in the room to save them from the dreadfully droning voice of Kohaku Kagome.

“Prince Sting! Lord Rouge!” A familiar voice shouted and Sting couldn’t help muttering a “oh thank the gods” under his breath when Kohaku stopped to look at who had entered.

“Don’t just barge in so suddenly like that! Don’t you know the importance of history and-” But he was cut off as Yukino ran to the boys and pulled them both into big hugs.

When Rogue winced she touched a gentle hand to his wound and apologized. “It feels so good to see you both. And to see you still alive. I’m sorry I left so suddenly-”

“You left to find the Black Dragons didn’t you?” Rogue asked, a smile beginning to play on his lips.

“Yes. Only by the time I did they told me they had already taken you under their wing-” Suddenly Yukino grabbed Rouge’s wrist and led them away, as they all ignored the small protests from Kohaku. “-Come. We have much to show you.”

As they traveled down the corridors once more there was renewed vigor in each party's steps. Yukino seemed brighter than she had when they’d arrived on Fioren shores. Sting was stretching his arms as if waking up from a nap, or from Kohaku’s lecture. Even Rouge felt the pain in his stomach subside as he gazed upon his old friend.

“I’m so sorry Dobengal left you with Kohaku. You learn quickly that Kohaku treats everyone like that. He’s rather hard to take seriously sometimes. But he means well. Honestly Dobengal should have brought you straight to me but- well he likes a laugh from time to time. He probably thought getting Kohaku riled up was all in good fun.”

“Why do you speak as if you’ve known them your whole life?” Sting asked.

Yukino paused and giggled. “Oh I don’t, er I mean I haven’t. But I have been here a while and they all become pretty easy to read rather quickly. No matter. We have more important things to discuss.” Suddenly Yukino turned on a heel. “Rogue! Your father- Master Skiadrum...I’m so sorry.”

Rogue’s face hardened and he drew a sour look. “I heard. It’s nothing to be sorry for. The old man was getting past his time anyway.”

“But that’s not all. After the previous Master Bolin disappeared Master Skiadrum was chosen to succeed him. But Skiadrum was lured away- or so I’ve heard- on your behalf.”

“On my behalf?” Rogue echoed.

Yukino nodded. “He thought he was coming to rescue you from Giemma but he was ambushed. The entirety of the Black Dragons were raided in one night. But this was years ago. Right after Giemma took his seat in King Weisslogia’s court.”

Sting grit his teeth. “Of course he had something to do with that. Is there anywhere he hasn’t sunk his claws?”

“No one can confirm it was Giemma who attacked Master Skiadrum but the signs all point to that. Nonetheless by bloodline Lord Rogue is the natural successor to his father.”

“I can’t do it.” Rogue shook his head and backed away a bit.

Sting seemed to blow his top as he shouted uncaring in the echoing corridor. “What do you mean you ‘can’t do it’? Are you seriously going to pass this up? You must be insa-”

“My life was pledged to you. It will be pledged to you and no one else. I cannot serve as headmaster to the Black Dragon Assassins and stay your knight at the same time. So I cannot and I will not serve as this Master Rogue you all want me to be.”

Sting grew silent and Yukino intrigued. She barely breathed as she watched the boys exchange. “Rogue…” Sting breathed. “You don’t have to serve me any longer. You’ve already fulfilled your roles to me more times than I can count.”

“That hardly matters-” Rogue put a fist over his heart and kneeled before Sting. “-You are my King and my only King. I serve no one and nothing else.”

Sting didn’t have words but luckily Yukino broke the silence. “You may want to rethink that. Come, let me show you what you need to see.”

Almost clear on the other side of the building was an armory room. But in the very back of that armory room was Dobengal, his mask off smirking too handsomely for that devilish grin he wore. “How long did it take for Kohaku to put you to sleep?”

“Now’s not the time Lord Dobengal. We must show the lords what they came for.”

Dobengal’s smirk vanished. “Sometimes you’re too uptight. Fine.” He rose from his lean against the wall and opened a wall cabinet with a false backing. They all followed single file when he gestured inside.

Stepping through the wardrobe doors Rogue saw a small room with a platform that raised up the finest piece of assassins armor money could buy. Stepping closer Rogue saw it not only was form fitted perfectly to his size but it came complete with ten secret pockets and two sub-secret pockets under those. Multiple belts for any variation of utilities an assassin could use. But the most stunning piece were the ornate leather bracers. Each held twin hidden blades, activated by a switch in the palm.

“What...is this?” Rogue asked as he circled the clothing, studying it.

“Master Skiadrum was more sure than anyone that you would return one day. He had it made for you. He also made one for Frosch when the boy came of age. But the fat King of Extalia had it burned when he took Frosch back to his homeland.”

“I can’t accept this.” Rogue looked between Dobengal and Yukino, more firm than ever of his alliances.

Not to his surprise it was Prince Sting who spoke up. “You have to.” Rogue looked to him in confusion but Sting didn’t allow him to ask questions. “Rogue we’ve just started a war with possibly one of the most dangerous men on this planet. I’m going to need every man I can get on my side. And you’re going to need this outfit if you want to help me sneak back into our castle and take my crown back.”

Sting finished with a smile and extended a hand to Rogue. The Knight took it happily. They shook, not as Knight and Prince but finally as brothers in arms. And for the first time in his life, Rogue knew there was nothing he would fight harder for.