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Chapter Text

Nimblenight(Aizawa) was walking by a river. He always had trouble sleeping. He knew his small Weyr(clan) that had taken him in accepted it. his species of dragon didn't form Weyr's easily, mostly they only form Weyr's with their young. Even his parents didn't like his ability to temporarily disable other dragons' abilities. nor did they like the white lights that he could create and control, that came from him.

He was just glad Nezu had found him, and let him stay. He knew that his 'sensei' was a dragon. why he decided to hide his form was not his business, so he didn't ask. Another thing that set his small Weyr apart from others, was that his Weyr was not made up of just one species of dragon. As he walked he smelled something, and from the smell he knew what it was, it was an egg, but no scent of parents, so he followed the smell and found a soft green egg with darker lines to help it blend in with the water it was halfway in.

'A telolecithal (frog) egg? Why is there only one? And where are its parents?' I think to myself, smelling around for any scent. I found one, it kinda smelled like the egg but was very weak. 'They abandoned their egg!?' I think shocked, and kind of mad.

I went back to the egg, and created a magic light and used it to hold the egg with some water. I would take it back to the clan. I started to walk, but I saw something further away, completely in the water, I went to it. It was another egg, light blue with coils on the top and bottom helping it stay in place. I sighed and brought out another light and picked it up, keeping it underwater.

'Why are there two abandoned eggs here?' I asked myself as I walked. Before I stopped, I saw a silver egg with some silk, spidersilk?, around it hanging from a branch. 'Another one?' I questioned and took it with me. I now having three eggs.

I continued looking around. now convinced there might be more eggs abandoned here. And not long after as I was walking by a cave, I saw a light grey egg with some purple specks, I picked it up and went in. just in case. Further in, I found a few different eggs, one that was a pale orange that was by a heat vent, a black blending into red almost hidden by the gems, and a pale yellow. The egg was fascinating in the way that it seemed to shine. I grabbed them all and left after looking around for more.

'I now have seven eggs.' I mentally sighed as I continued my search for more abandoned eggs. Going by the forest, I found yet another egg. this was a darker yellow with black markings like lighting, 'eight' I think now just counting the eggs as I find them.

I continued, looked up because I smelled another egg, and saw a deep blue egg with small spikes to make sure it didn't fall off, said cliff. I sighed, climbed up, and grabbed it. 'nine'. I looked around and saw a soft pink egg in a nest further up the cliff, so I went up to it and grabbed it, 'ten'. Looking around again, I saw a dull grey with pale yellow on the bottom hidden in a hole. 'eleven'.

I saw a spot I could take a break on as I was still on the cliff went there and smelled an egg. 'Another one!? Are you serious?' I thought and looked around. It took a bit, but I found a black egg with waves of purple, kinda like a shadow? 'Twelve' I gathered the egg and laid down for a bit.

After my small break, I went back to looking around. I could smell one nearby but couldn't see it, I was careful with my moves as I didn't want to break the egg. I finally saw a very faint outline of an egg, I smelled it 'yep, this is the egg' I thought and gently gathered it 'thirteen'.

I sighed again and went back to looking around, following scents of eggs. I soon found one. It was a pale red with some white, I picked it up, and I noticed how the temperature kept changing, fascinating. I put it in a spot of my light, just like I have been doing. 'Fourteen' I think as I followed yet another scent.

The scent led to a very decorative nest, with lots of things in it. Inside with the things was a soft peach colored egg with hints of a soft pastel red at the bottom. 'Fifteen' I thought as I also put the egg in a spot of light.

I followed another scent. 'There are a lot of abandoned eggs...' I thought worried. I was led into the swamplike area, and I found a dark brown egg with some lighter brown on it. I was getting more worried as I kept finding the eggs. 'Sixteen' I continued counting as I put it with the others.

Not even that far away was a soft brown egg with some very soft yellow. It also had some animals around it? More specifically, deer. I sniffed the egg, making sure it was healthy before putting it in a spot of light and moving on. 'Seventeen.'

I walked around before finding a pastel pink egg with small splotches of yellow on it. I smelled it 'acid?' I thought using my light to gently pick it up and continued. 'Eightteen'. I was now by the back of the forest, when I saw a dark purple egg hidden in a tree. 'Nineteen' I think as I went and collected the egg and moved on.

I was nearing the middle of the forest, when I caught a scent, it was faint sure, but still there. I followed it to a clearing, there I saw a dark green egg with strokes of black, helping it hide in the grass. Unlike the other eggs, though... the Dam of this one... she was nearby... but not moving... 'Poor dragoness, what happened?' I thought as I moved closer slowly.

She was gravely injured. Something was definitely wrong. I quickly went to her egg, turning to look at her again "don't worry, I'll keep your dragonet safe" I said to the sires body.

I gently picked up the egg and put it with the others. 'Twenty'. I thought sadly and continued looking around, just in case. But I didn't find anything else, so I rushed to my Weyr, keeping the eggs safe was now my priority. I got to my cave, and put the eggs that needed the water in a small depression filled with water, and quickly made a nest for the others beside them. I gently put them all down and wrapped around the ones in the nest, while keeping an eye on the ones In the water.

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NimbleNight's POV:
While I still had duties as a potrol warrior, I made sure to watch over the eggs. To keep the ones in the nest warm, and make sure the ones in the water are okay. I kept an eye on them when I was home, and when I was done with patrol I would rush back, just to make sure the eggs were safe. They were now mine to protect, and I would keep them safe. Nezu had come to check on me. I have never done anything like this so he was concerned, and seeing as he was our leader he thought that he should check on me.

I had just finished my patrol and was now rushing to get back to my cave. I don't like leaving the eggs alone. I got back and checked on them, I knew that Nezu was nearby when I'm gone. No one was allowed in my cave when I wasn't there to keep the eggs safe. I could still smell his scent in front of my cave, but never in it.

I smelled them. the eggs were healthy. I looked over to the two in the water, they also looked healthy. I could see they still had the same vibrance in their color, so they where still alive. I sighed as I wrapped around the nest to keep them warm. "How long until they hatch?" I asked myself out loud. I only really moved away from the eggs to eat, and get some water from the river. I refused to take any time out of my cave where the eggs are, other then to patrol. Otherwise I stayed with the eggs.

"Are you alright, young one?" I hear. Twisting my neck to look over my shoulder, I saw it was just Nezu.

"I'm fine, just worried. I still don't know what happened to their parents, I only saw this ones dam, and she was dead with grave injuries." I said motioning to the dark green egg with black strokes on it.

" I figured. don't worry too much, we will find out what happened. As for the eggs I think that they will hatch in a week or two." Nezu said before leaving.

'I hope I can continue to keep them safe when they hatch.' I think to myself while I lick my mane clean. After I finish I wrap my body around the eggs again. I was curious as to what species of dragons they would be.

I was keeping the eggs warm when two dragons came into my cave, there are very few who willingly come into my cave. I sigh not wanting to hear them be loud. "What do you two need?" I asked. looking over to them, hiding the eggs from the two dragons veiw.

"We just wanted to see why you don't leave your cave anymore." the yellow dragon said his wings opening a bit, and the feathers on his head smoothing out.

"Yeah! Why haven't you left your cave?" The blue-purple dragoness asked, her mist shaped into what looked like feathers on her forearms, and the end of her tail.

"It's none of your concern, Soundsun, nor yous Mistcall" I said, while making sure the eggs were hidden. I would let them know AFTER the eggs hatched, NOT before.

"Come on, just tell us!" Soundsun said, his feathers fluffing up a bit. His wings opening more to show more expression (too much in my opinion).

"No" I said again. but before any of us could say anything else, Nezu came in my cave again.

"Now you two, he doesn't have to tell you if he doesn't want to. now out of his cave, so he can rest." He said leading them out of my cave. thankfully.

I sighed and took a nap, wrapped around the eggs. I needed my rest, and it helped pass the time. hopefully the eggs will hatch soon.

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A week later:

I was rushing back to my cave. I could feel something was different today, and I needed to be in there to see what was different. 'Is it the eggs?' I think as I rush up to my cave. And I was thankful I did.

I looked at the eggs, seeing them all shake, even the ones in the water were moving. I used the vines Nezu put up so I can 'block' the entrances to my cave. I then created some lights so the young ones could see when they hatched, but wouldn't be seen from outside my cave.

The first one to hatch was one of the ones in the water, the blue one to be specific. A little dull blue paw with grey claws broke the egg, and soon the little one pushed out of the egg. It was a male from what I could tell, wish small things of fur covering an eye, and went to his tail, as well as being on his elbows and heels. He had fins on his back showing that yes, he was a waterdragon that looked like a drake.

The next to hatch was the dull gey with soft yellow egg, a leg pushed through the egg, breaking it, out of it came a wyvern. With a grey-peach colored scales a small yellow tuff of fur on his head, and on the ends of his two tails. With red under-wings with yellow lines. And with a yellow under-belly.

The third egg to hatch was the dark blue egg with the small spikes, I paw broke through it, then a leg, it took a tiny bit, but finally the dragonet was hatched. With dark blue scales, with a light blue-grey under-belly and a small spikes on the end of his tail, he looked like a drake, but when he stood he tried to get on his back eggs, 'he must be built for running' I noted.

It didn't look like the others where going to hatch. I grabbed some food for the three that did hatch and fed them. They got tired so I nuzzled the one still in the water, and wrapped around the two that were still in the nest. 'At least I know the eggs would hatch in these few days' I think to myself falling asleep, now with three of the twenty eggs hatched.

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Nezu had given me the next month off so I could keep an eye on the dragonet and eggs. I have named the three that had hatched. The water drake is now 'Waterlurker' as he keeps lurking in the part he is in while watching the other two. The two tailed wyvern is now 'Silentflight' as when he was trying to fly he didn't make a lot of sound while doing it. And the running drake is 'Speedrunner' as I was correct and he was a runner, a fast one at that. They all seemed to be having fun, playing with each other and with my lights.

I put down the food Nezu had just dropped off for me, my cave entrance was still covered so the others couldn't see the dragonets. I wanted them all to be hatched before I let the others in the weyr meet them. That and it was extra protection, while I keep an eye on the dragonets, Nezu is keeping an eye on the others so I know who not to let near the dragonets. It's logical really, it keeps the dragonets safe and the danger away from them.

"Little ones It's time to eat" I called out. Waterlurker got out of the water just enough to get some food and sit by the water as we are close enough for him to go back in. Silentflight crawled over, 'probably tired from trying to fly' I can't help but think. And Speedrunner ran over from the other side of my cave. They all sat down and ate some food, it was needed so they could grow up healthy.

"Hey, Nimble! Can we come in?" I heard Soundsun ask.

I sighed before responding. "No, and I know Nezu had told you not to ask, and that I would open my entrance when I want you to."

"But you hate when anyone comes over" He whined.

"I have a reason this time, no I will not tell you why." I said making sure the dragonets finished their food and drank some water. I really just wanted him to go away for now, I wanted to have my full attention on the dragonets, and the eggs, just in case something happens. I listened to him whine, but go away from my cave. I looked back the three dragonets looking at me.

"Don't worry, you all will get to meet the others in our weyr soon, we just have to wait for all the others to hatch first." I said to them, I don't know why, because they more than likely didn't understand me in the slightest. I talked to them, even the ones in the eggs, I don't understand why I feel the need to do it, but I do.

I continued to watch over the three dragonets, watching them play, it was amusing when Waterlurker hid in the water just to splash the other two. It also helped to keep them clean.

The day continued, I cleaned the dragonets and went to my cave entrance that was still closed, opened it a bit and brought in more food left by Nezu. I brought it over to the dragonets so they could eat. They need more food than me as they are very young, so I made sure to feed them appropriately. And they played enough to burn some of it off, so I wasn't very worried on that account.

It was weirdly fun and entertaining just to lay down and watch them play. I still kept an eye out, but for the most part I watched as they had fun. They still tripped sometimes, but would imitatelly get up again, so I think they are fine. I also noted things about them, like how Waterlurker likes to lurk in the water until they are close enough to splash. How Silentflight didn't like walking and kept trying to fly or keep his tails of the grownd, and how Speedrunner kept moving by running or moving his tail.

I felt like more of the eggs would hatch today, but I didn't have any idea as to when they would hatch so I just kept an eye on them. I cleaned my main as Waterlurker splashed again and got some of the water in it. 'So what do I have right now? Three dragonets and Seventeen eggs, soon to be less eggs and mote dragonets' I think to myself.

I looked at the water again, and saw the green egg start to shake a bit. I got closer to the water, unlike the others, and more like Waterlurker, or of a frog, the dragonet pushed out of their- her, soft egg. She looked like a tadpole, her legs for arms would be out fully in a few days from what we know of amphibian-drake type dragons. She had dark green scales, a lighter green under-belly, and lines of yellow, like that of a poisonous frog, she also had big black eyes.

I nuzzled her carefully until I felt an egg in the nest shake and I hear it starting to Crack. I looked over and mover my head closer, it was the light grey egg with purple splotches. I watched as something broke through, I couldn't tell what it was, then another, and another until there where four of them. And finally a head broke through, and the dragonet broke out of her egg, she was a light- purple western dragon, but the light purple on her wings blended into a darker purple. She also had stipes of red on the ends of her two tails, wings and under her eyes.

I nuzzled her too, and I felt another egg shake, and Crack. I looked and it was the soft pink egg, it cracked more as the dragonet in it tried to get out, and soon I saw a soft brown snout pop out. It was followed by a soft dull pink with splotches of the soft brown body. She was also a western dragon, the membrane on her wings were a darker brown that had a darker dull pink and grey pink under it.

I nuzzles her and cleaned the two newly hatched dragonets in the nest, the one in the water was clean as all dragons hatched in water was. The water would imitatelly clean the dragonets. The three that had already hatched came over, or in Waterlurker's case closer in the water, to see the three eggs that gad just hatched.

"Look at that, we are getting closer to being able to meet the others" I said to all six of them.

I grabbed the ones that slept in the nest and put them there, and wrapped around them, I nuzzled the two that were in the water as I was both big, and close enough too. And we all soon fell asleep. 'Six dragonets, Fourteen more eggs' I thought as I fell asleep.

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I now think I might be getting more attached than I thought. When I found the eggs, I told myself that I wouldn't get attached, but I just can't help myself.

I keep the eggs that are still not hatched warm by wrapping around them. I also had a part of my body in the water in case the ones there needed warmth. A few days have passed, the Amphibian dragonet, who I now named 'Riverseeker', now had her legs fully, and liked to come out of the water to jump around and splashing with Waterlurker.

The purple one, who is now named 'Echocall' made similar sounds like that of a bats echo, and would do this while walking, the jacks on her head-fins and tail would move. I'm starting to thing she might rely on hearing more than sight. It could actually be useful for dark caves and places, because with it she won't run into anything. She also messed with the jacks on her head-fin when confused or nervous.

The pink one, who is now 'Softfly', was sitting with Silentflight. She wasn't actually sitting on the ground, but kinda just floating above it, and more so used her wings to move and steer in the air. But they seemed happy just relaxing for now, very much unlike Speedrunner, who was running around the cave.

I am very thankful for how big my cave is, because it means the dragonets will have room to run around. They won't have to force themselves to be comfortable in a small area, and instead can have room to grow. Nezu still dropped food off, with this I found out how long Riverseekers' tongue is, 'it really is like that of a frog' was my thought at the time. They all were getting along so that was good, at least they aren't fighting.

I felt one of the eggs shake, I looked at the eggs and saw the soft peach with soft red on the bottom, small cracks formed. I could hear the others come closer to see the egg hatch. And soon a soft pastel grey paw pushed through, then a snout and after a bit the,western dragon, dragonet has hatched. The dragonet was a female, with soft- pastel grey scales, a peach under-belly, and a small black main, that went to her tail. It looked like she had black/red eyes, her membrane on her wings was a soft peach color.

I cleaned away the shell and cleaned up the dragonet, giving her some food that we had leftover. I could see the others wanting to play with her, but I wanted to let her get ready before she went off to play. 'I wonder if she is going to be the only egg to hatch today' I think to myself. I looked at the others "look, little ones, you have a new sister" I said to them, I don't know why I said that, but I went with it as I will more than likely keep all the dragonets that hatch.

Before I could name her, another egg hatched. It was the Silver one, admittedly it still had some of the spidersilk on it. This dragonet wanted out, because they hatched fast, it was a wyvern, that was dark grey in color, with lighter grey on the ends of, 'his' I noted, wings, tail and paws. There were small slits on the tips of his wings, 'I wonder what those are for' I think as I clean up the shell and dragonet. I gave him some food so he doesn't get hungry.

I made sure the two new dragonets where healthy, I nuzzled them to help them know my scent as I memorized theirs. I looked at the two of them I felt what names would go to them, a thing my species able to do that I don't question, and nuzzled the one that hatched first. "Hello, 'Craftspring'" I said before nuzzling the other "and hello, Silkglider" I said before looking to the rest "looks like you also have a new brother." I told them as I looked at the now two resting dragonets.

Before I could do or say anything, I again felt an egg shake, it was the black egg that blended into red. A sharp looking paw broke through then the head, then the rest of it, 'him'. I cleaned up his shell as he opened his red eyes. He was a sapphire red with a deep red under-belly that looked like it blended into the membrane of his wings. He looked to be a wester dragon, I cleaned up the dragonet, nuzzling him like I have been doing.

"Hello,'Redstone' welcome to the world." I said to the dragonet. 'With how the last two times only three eggs each have hatched will this be the last egg?' I think as I watch as he tries to get out of the nest. I picked him up by his scruff and put him back. "No you can't play just yet little one" I said to him and hot some more food and fed him, it looked like it made him sleepy.

Before the others could get close to the nest, or water, to rest yet another egg shook. It was the last pink egg. I used light to get it away from the others just in case. I pink paw pushed through the egg and seemed to curl in, like it was holding the egg.

I watched ad the egg broke and out came a light pink drake with a darker pink line on her back and tail. She also had yellow eyes with a black sclerosis, very gray looking. I used light to clean up the shell and gently pour some water on her to get all access acid off of her. I quickly fed her and sniffed her, 'no more acid on her' I noted before nuzzling her, I grabbed her scruff and put her in the nest.

All the dragonets where now asleep, Riverseeker and Waterlurker where resting on the part of me in the water, while the others and the eggs where in the nest. "Ten dragonets and ten eggs" I say quietly before falling asleep.

Chapter Text

A few more days have passed. Now, there are only three eggs left to hatch: the pale orange one, the one that kept changing temperature, and the green egg with black streaks. I looked around at all the others; they were all having fun. Riverseeker was swimming in the water, occasionally getting out to hop around, and all the others were running, trying to fly, or, in Silkglider's case, spinning a web (I found out what the slits on his wings were).

The pink drake I ended up naming 'Acidrunner,' and the others that have hatched also got names: Caller, Crocodile, Yellowgem, Lightningstrike, Shadowsight (with their shadow 'dark shadow'), Hiddenlight (who I turned a piece of light into a necklace so I can keep track of her), and Calmsound. Now we just have to wait for the last three before I introduce them to the rest of our weyr, as my dragonets.

I chuckled as I felt Yellowgem on my back near my head, trying to clean my mane. He didn't like things being messy, unlike Lightningstrike, who keeps making those of us with fur look like we have fuzz from his static. It drives Yellowgem nuts, to the point where he will whack Lightningstrike with his tail. He tries to help us not look like we just got struck by lightning. I do help as their sire (dad).

I know how shocked a lot, okay all but Nezu, will be seeing as I chose and claimed them as my dragonets, and I am their sire. As they all think I hate dragonets, I will save them, yes, but they think I'd just give them away, not claim them as my own. I will be ready to stop them from being too loud, especially because of how sensitive Echocall's hearing is. 'I'll keep you all safe,' I think to myself, as Yellowgem finally got off me and went to the nest. They had all just eaten and were starting to want to take a nap. Even if they were all almost hatched, they still preferred to sleep together.

They were still playing when I felt one of the three eggs shake. I looked over; it was the one that kept changing temperature. Two tails broke through, one of a blue Ice dragon, the other of a red flame dragon. Soon the dragonet hatched; the two sides split perfectly down the middle, the left side flame dragon, the right side Ice dragon. He was a drake, with his left under-belly grey, and his right a slight pink. I think I know who his biological sire is, and I don't know if I want to give him to him.

I cleaned away the shell and cleaned him up; his left side was warm while his right was cold. I fed him and let him rest as I felt the pale orange one shake. My attention turned to it as the dragonet desperately broke out of its egg.

A black paw broke the shell, and not much longer, the dragonet was hatched. He was almost all black with a sand-colored under-belly. He was a western dragon; the membrane on his wings went from red to yellow. I cleaned the shell away again and fed him; he tried to snatch the meat away as I fed him. He was a feisty one, but still, I cleaned him and got him to sleep.

I felt the last egg shake; the others have been watching and were excited and got more so when I said, "last one then tomorrow we get to meet the rest of the weyr." A little emerald green paw broke out, and soon a head with a dark green tuft of fur on them. They finally got out, and I saw that the tuft of fur went down his entire back; he was a drake. He had a darker green, almost black, under-belly, and bright forest, almost toxic, green eyes. He also looked like he was built for speed. 'Noting this all down,' I think to myself as I also fed him after cleaning away the eggshell and cleaning him.

The others were very much excited; not only did they get new brothers, but they also get to meet the rest of our weyr tomorrow. "Go play for now; it's still not time to sleep yet," I told them, making them go back to doing what they were doing earlier. I sighed to myself as I thought about tomorrow, how I have to bring out all the little ones to meet EVERYONE in our weyr. I didn't really want to do that, but it was Nezu's request, so I have to.

I kept track of time, and when it was time to eat, I called them over as I used my light to bring in the meat Nezu dropped off. "Food time," I said, and they all came to me so we could all eat. I watched as they ate and made sure they were sharing with each other. I was very happy with all of them; I would do my best to be a good sire to them. 'I will do my best and more to keep you all safe,' I think as I ate when the dragonets were done.

I gathered them all up; the two that wanted to be in the water got there and snuggled up to my side, and the others were all in the nest, where I could keep them warm. I knew what the three new dragonets were going to be named. They would be, in order from first hatched to last: Iceburn, Daybreak, and Forestcall. I wonder what the dragonets will be like when they are older, a thing for future me, right now, I get to sleep with the dragonets. I need sleep to keep them safe after all.

I cleaned my mane one more time before laying my head down to rest. I could hear all of the dragonets breathing as they all slept. I smiled and put out my lights for now, until tomorrow. I finally let myself slip into sleep, with the dragonets, my dragonets.

Chapter Text

Today was the day Nimblenight was not really looking forward to: the day his dragonets meet the rest of the weyr. He knew and understood it was important that they met the others and socialize, but that didn't mean he had to be happy about it. He was the first awake, as usual, as the only others with him were his dragonets, and they needed their sleep. He used a dim light to bring in the food Nezu had brought because the dragonets were laying on him, and he was not going to wake them up.

It took a while, but finally, one by one, they all started to wake up. When they were all up, Nimblenight made sure they ate and got a drink from the pool that wasn't slept in. He knew they were still sleepy from waking up, so while they were getting ready for the day, he made sure they were all there.

'Waterlurker, Riverseeker, Speedrunner, Acidrunner, Silentflight, Silkglider, Redstone, Yellowgem, Lightningstrike, Calmsound, Softfly, Caller, Crocodile, Echocall, Daybreak, Craftspring, Shadowsight, Hiddenlight, Iceburn, and Forestcall,' Nimblenight counted them all. By the time he had made sure they were all accounted for, they were all ready to meet the rest of the weyr. He cleaned them as they started to roughhouse with each other, as dragonets do, and got dirty.

Nimblenight got up and walked to the entrance of his cave. He had a light around all the dragonets so they wouldn't get lost or accidentally left behind as they went to the middle of the weyr's territory where Nezu would be calling the others to meet the new dragonets. "Come along, young ones, it's time to meet the rest of our weyr," he said to them and opened the entrance to their cave. He led them all down the mountain safely, making sure that they didn't get hurt on the way down. He did have to pick them up if they got tired on the way down, but they got their energy back fast, so he didn't have to carry them for long before they were walking again.

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They finally got to where they needed to be, and no one besides Nezu was there. All the children hid under Nimblenight, and he made sure to keep them hidden as the others started to show up. Nimblenight saw some of them looked shocked that he was now out of his cave, which was fair; he hadn't left it in a few days or so. "Welcome everyone! Today we have a few new faces, young ones!" Nezu said to the others, getting their attention, especially because they couldn't see the new faces (because Nimblenight was keeping them hidden for now).

Soundsun raised one of his wings. "Nezu, I don't mean to sound disrespectful, but I don't see any new faces here?" he said, confused.

"That, dear Soundsun, is because they are hiding and being hidden by Nimblenight here," Nezu said, pointing at him.

That seemed to shock everyone but Nimblenight, Nezu, or the dragonets (who were still hidden). Nimblenight let out a low growl, a warning to them, a show that should they harm any of the ones he hid, he would not show mercy. Soundsun and Mistcall looked more shocked when he did this; he never growled at any of them, even if they annoyed him. He didn't move, though; he stayed still, keeping the dragonets hidden under him. They were under his protection; he didn't care if they were his weyr or not; he would protect these dragonets.

Nezu looked at Nimblenight. "Nimblenight, would you please let those who could be here see the new faces? They need to be able to meet them," he asked.

Nimblenight looked at him for a bit before moving a bit and bringing out the dragonets, keeping a light around each one. He ignored the gasps of the others as they saw the dragonets come from under him. All twenty (20) of them finally got fully out from under him, but they stayed basically right by him. His lights stayed around them to make sure he could keep them safe easier; he did NOT want the dragonets to get hurt by them.

He tuned out Nezu as he explained the situation to the others; his focus was on making sure the dragonets were safe and not too scared. "It's okay, young ones; they won't hurt you," he whispered to them. "And if they try, they will deal with me; no one shall bring any harm to any of you."

"Nimblenight," Nezu said, getting his attention, "Can you please introduce the dragonets please?"

Nimblenight nodded and introduced them, pointing out who is who. He still kept the dragonets by him until he could put all his trust in the fact they wouldn't harm the dragonets. He saw that Soundsun and Mistcall wanted to get closer, but Nezu told them to let him and the dragonets have space so the dragonets could get used to the weyr.

He looked up and saw that it was about time to feed the dragonets; he knew it was true when they started nudging him and calling for food. He picked them up and with his lights made sure they were safely on him before making a quick way up to his cave. When he landed and let them down, he brought over the prey that was caught and gave it to the dragonets.

He watched them eat, making sure they all got some and made sure they also got a drink of water. He then watched over them as they started to play with each other. He smiled, happy that he could watch over them. Though he knew he would have to introduce them to the others when they got back from going between territories, he was not looking forward to that either, especially because 'Redflame' had been upset since his ex-mate, one he used to love, ran off. He mentally shook off the thought for now and watched over his dragonets, knowing that he was here to protect them, and now the weyr was too.

Chapter Text

Nimblenight's POV:

"I know, little ones, I know you don't want me to leave, but I have to. I have to patrol today, but I promise I'll be back later," I reassure the dragonets clinging to me as I prepare to leave. They protest with more sounds, clinging onto me even tighter. I patiently wait for Nezu to arrive; he said he'd watch them while I patrolled, and everyone in this weyr knew how much he cared about dragonets, whether they belonged to our clan or not. I trusted they would be safe with him. "I know you don't want me to go, little ones, but I have to. You'll be safe with Nezu until I get back, I promise you that," I continue to talk to them, even cleaning the ones I can reach as they cling to me.

"They seem upset that you must go on your patrol, young one," I hear Nezu say with amusement in his voice.

"Yes, Nezu, they are very much upset. Even if I tell them that I promise to return after a while, and that they will be secure and safe with you, they are still upset," I respond, turning to him carefully.

"Well, that is how young ones are. They don't want you to leave; they love you. To them, you are their only parent, their sire," Nezu explains.

"I know that, trust me, I do. But I have to go; I can't risk our clan, our weyr, getting attacked by those against what you believe is right. They want to attack just because we are a mixed clan, not just one species," I say with worry.

"I already know, young one. Trust in me like you have been. Plus, it's time for them to eat, and you need to go," Nezu says, pulling out some food for the little ones. "I have brought something for them to eat, and while you are gone, I can start on their lessons, beginning with their speech. Then, when they get to a point with that, we can move on to other things," Nezu explains, luring the little ones to him so I could go on my patrol.

I nod. "See you soon, Nezu, and please make sure they don't get too hurt from roughhousing with each other," I say as I leave, hearing him make a sound showing he understood.

Nezu's POV:

I looked to the young ones; I felt bad for all of them. We needed to find out what had happened to their parents, or in Forestcall's case, what had killed his mother. The young ones were still eating, not noticing when Nimblenight had left, in favor of eating. I knew it was rude of me to trick them, but he needed to get to his patrol. I shook off my thoughts and prepared to start the lesson in teaching them to communicate with each other and us better.

"Okay, young dragonets, it's time to learn," I say, getting their attention. Some of them come to me. "Don't worry; this will make your sire come back faster," I say, making them come over faster. I nod and memorize their looks along with names into my memory better. I decide on teaching them the word 'Sire' first, for when Nimblenight returns.

"Okay, young ones, can you say 'sire'?" I ask, carefully pronouncing the word to help them. I watch as they try to copy the sounds I make to say the word. I can tell that they really want to learn; I think the thought and promise that doing this will bring their sire back faster helps a lot. "Sire," I say slowly again for them, knowing repetition helps dragonets learn better. I watch them keep trying, getting close sometimes as they try to copy the sounds.

This goes on for a while with me saying the word slowly and watching them try to say the word or even just copy sounds that I make. In time, they will learn; it just takes patience with the dragonets as time goes by while teaching them. I keep an eye on them, giving them breaks when needed, and making sure they don't hurt themselves. I also make sure they get a drink as time passes while we wait for their sire to return. Soon enough, Nimblenight lands in front of the cave, capturing the young dragonets' attention as they all run to him, clearly missing him after his absence since morning.

Nimblenight's POV:

I feel the relief from all the little ones as I walk back into the cave from my patrol; they're happy that I'm back, that much is clear. "Hello, little ones, did you have fun with leader Nezu?" I ask them as they surround me while I carefully walk with them by my side. "I hope you did," I continue before looking to Nezu. "Thank you for watching them, Nezu; I really appreciate it," I say before asking, "Did they behave for you?"

He nods, "Yes, young one, they behaved. We were just working on how to say a word; it will take time, as it does with all dragonets, but we will get there with time and patience with the dragonets," he tells me, nodding to my question about the dragonets behaving before leaving to rest in his own burrow, as his species prefers it to caves.

I look back to the little ones and lead them to the nest and water pool, cleaning them up and making sure they aren't hungry before laying them to sleep. I wrap around the nest and put part of my tail in the water for Riverseeker and Waterlurker. I lay my head down and close my eyes; I know they are safe here in my cave because I will not allow them to be harmed in any way before they can protect themselves. And even then, I will try my best to help them. Making sure they are all asleep, I finally let my mind go and fall asleep myself with all my little ones with me.

Chapter Text

No one's POV:

The dragonets had woken up before Nimblenight and started 'talking' in their own way as they were still learning. "Sire is still sleeping," said a dark blue dragonet drake to their siblings.

"He has been working a lot, Speedrunner," said a soft pink dragonet that seemed to be slightly floating.

"That is true, but shouldn't he have woken up by now?" said the soft peach-colored dragonet, as they moved their mane out of their face.

"We did wake up early, so maybe not yet, kero," said the dark green frog-like dragonet in the water.

"Oh, how much longer until you can come fully out of the water, Riverseeker?" A dark purple dragonet asked, tilting their head to their mentioned sibling.

"Not much longer, I think. I can already come out, but just not for long," 'Riverseeker' responded to the question. But before anyone else could speak, Nimblenight started to shift, waking up; the dragonets knew he would be leaving soon then, and 'Nezu' would come and try to teach them to speak.

"Finally, he's getting up," said a black dragonet, their tail moving with slight agitation.

"Calm down, he needs sleep, you know this," the youngest of all of them said to the black dragonet.

"Be quiet, Forestcall!" The seemingly always agitated dragonet hissed at the mentioned dragonet.

——————— Nimblenight's POV:

I woke up to what I think was the dragonets talking, at least in their own way. It was adorable, though I do wonder how long they have been awake before me. I heard a hiss and looked to see that it was just Daybreak hissing at Forestcall again; I do not know why, but Daybreak always seems to want to challenge Forestcall.

I let out a yawn, drawing their attention to me, then I got up and got their food, seeing as they didn't appear to have moved away from me while I was asleep. I grabbed the food and evenly split it, seeing as I didn't need to take it to them as they had followed me to the food to eat. I kept an eye on them, even having to move Hiddenlight and Shadowsight closer to one of my lights, for two reasons: to be able to see Hiddenlight, and to help keep Shadowsight's shadow calm.

I knew that I had to leave soon; I could smell Nezu getting closer to my cave, so that meant I would have to leave for patrol, and he would keep an eye on and teach my dragonets. I gently wrapped the dragonets in my lights as I grabbed Echocall and started to clean her. The others—and her—didn't like bath time and would run, which is why I wrapped them in my lights so they couldn't run and hide from me. She struggled in my grip, but in the end, I got her clean and moved on to one of the others, wrapping her in one of the lights so she couldn't free any of the others—I learned that the hard way. The one I ended up grabbing after her was Lightningstrike; I used my ability on him so he couldn't shock me to get away as I cleaned him. You learn to do that after the first time.

I continued this process until I had finished cleaning all of them. When I finished, Nezu came into my cave.

"Good morning, Nimblenight, you finishing bath time, I presume?" Nezu asked, walking up to me and seeing the dragonets still in my lights before I released them.

"Good morning, Nezu, and yes, it was, they needed to be cleaned," I said before standing up. "Now I should get to patrol. Keep them safe, Nezu," I finished what I was saying before leaving the cave and leaving him with the dragonets.

———————

No one's POV:

The dragonets watched as their Sire left; they knew he would be back later, they just had to wait until then. Not that they did not like Nezu; the creature was just off. The dragonets could smell dragon on him, but he didn't appear as a dragon. That's what had confused the dragonets. But the dragonets couldn't think of that now as the creature, Nezu, started his lessons with them, trying to help them speak and understand what is being said to—or by—the dragonets.

"Now, young ones, I know you may find speaking in a way we can understand is hard, but you just need to try your best and push yourself to try," Nezu said. The way he always spoke formally made a lot of the dragonets confused, even if the word they were being taught was easy. That word being 'sire' for Nimblenight, for two reasons: One, it gave the dragonets something to address the dragon that is taking care of them. And two, it would make that dragon very happy to have the dragonets call them 'Sire.'

"The way he talks is so confusing sometimes," a dark purple dragonet muttered sleepily as they tried to stay awake, sitting by their sibling 'Lightningstrike' as the air around them had a hint of electricity in it, so it helped keep the dragonet awake.

"This is a good opportunity to note the differences in speech between our Sire and Nezu," another dragonet said, this one a dark blue drake, Speedrunner, was looking at his sleepy sibling when he had said this.

It was getting late, and Nezu had finished his lessons for the day. When Nimblenight finally got into the cave, the dragonets ran to him as Nezu informed Nimblenight of the day and how it went before he left, leaving Nimblenight with the dragonets, who were waiting for this time.

———————

Nimblenight's POV:

My attention was on my dragonets as Nezu left, as they all tried to get my attention. I had to remind them to eat and to get something to drink. After that, they seemed to all 'talk' to each other. I hope Nezu was right and they would be speaking one of these days.

My attention was drawn when Yellowgem made a call to get my attention; that is when I noticed that they were all looking at me with what I think is determination. They all started to try and say something; this was shocking me as they were trying to actually say something I could understand. And soon what they were trying to say came through.

"S-sire!" all the dragonets said. They all had called me 'sire.' This made me extremely happy; they saw me as their 'Sire'—or 'Father.' I smiled gently at them before I spoke.

"Yes, little ones, I am your Sire," I said with a clear, yet still sleepy, voice to them. I was extremely happy as I got the dragonets ready for bed and fell asleep, happy that I was the first one to hear the dragonets' first words. My eyes closed for rest, my dragonets by my side and my lights above us as we all slept.

Chapter Text

Nimblenight's POV:

It has been a month now, and the dragonets are getting better at talking. Now it's time for them to learn to hunt. We all need to learn at some point, especially when I can't always be there to help them. It will also help them use their abilities better, but I am also going to have them try hunting without using their abilities.

"Come on, we are almost there," I say to the dragonets following me.

"How far are we going?" Iceburn asks, his two tails gently swaying behind him as we walk.

"Just a bit farther, so there are more things to hunt," I explain, feeling my lights that I had gently wrapped around the dragonets to keep them close.

"Are you sure about this, Sire?" Creature asks. He is one of the more shy dragonets.

"Yes, I am sure, Creature, and don't worry, I will not let anything hurt any of you," I answer the dragonet as we get closer to our destination. I am not upset with them for getting impatient or nervous; they are dragonets, after all. It's natural for them to feel that way. We arrive at the spot, and I dim the lights around them. I quietly turn to them and whisper so only they can hear me, "We are here. Now, you all remember the rules and what I taught you, right?" I ask, and they all nod to show they remember.

"So this is where we will catch the weak prey?" Daybreak asks, looking more than thrilled to be hunting.

"Language, Daybreak. And yes, this is where we will practice hunting. This is where a lot of beginners start. We will move to different areas when you all get better," I explain.

"Is there a river or pond nearby so Riverseeker and I can practice?" Waterlurker asks, his size almost double the others.

"Yes, it's just over there," I say, pointing my head in the direction of the river. "But we will take turns, so I can keep an eye on all of you, and so some of you can learn to be more patient." After I say this, the dragonets begin to discuss who will go first. Some, like Daybreak, are eager to be the first; others, like Caller, are more reluctant.

---

Time passes, and I continue to help the dragonets learn to hunt, ensuring they don't hurt themselves too much in the process. Riverseeker and Waterlurker are the easiest to manage as they prefer to hunt in the river or any body of water, making it harder for them to get hurt. Silkglider makes webs to catch prey, and Caller goes for plants, discovering he can eat them as well as prey. Acidrunner is improving at not melting the prey and using her acid to lure it into Silkglider's webs.

Crocodile likes to hide in the mud and ambush his prey, showing remarkable patience for a dragonet. Lightningstrike, less patient, will run and, if fast enough, tackle the prey and shock it with his ability. Speedrunner hides and then chases his prey until it runs out of stamina or gathers them all into a spot for the others. Craftspring uses the scent of some plants to attract prey, either letting others catch it or aiming for the head with the sharp spear on her tail. Softfly hovers over the gathered prey and waits until one is alone before dropping onto it, making it harder for the prey to escape.

Yellow Gem stands in a ray of sunlight to attract prey that likes shiny things, gathering them into one spot. Redstone hides among the red flowers and pounces on prey with his hardened claws. Some dragonets take longer to find what works for them. Daybreak still needs more lessons on patience and sneaking up on prey instead of yelling, "Get over here, you weak prey!" I need to work on his temper, and I need to help Iceburn with both his flame and ice abilities. Forestcall has a habit of getting hurt even when he doesn't mean to.

This process takes time, and they still need practice to improve their hunting skills. Riverseeker and Waterlurker also get to practice swimming in the river. As the sun lowers, I look up and say, "Alright, little ones, back to the cave," getting their attention.

"Is it time to return to the shadows for slumber already?" one of the dragonets asks, tilting their head. I am still getting used to how this one speaks.

"Yes, Shadowsight, it is time to get home and to bed. We can take the extra prey and eat it in the cave before going to sleep," I explain, making light harnesses around the dragonets again. They all come close to me as I do this, and we start our way home. Even if some dragonets deny being tired, I can see them yawning and struggling to keep up their energy. We walk back to my cave and eat the rest of the prey. I then put the dragonets in the nest—Riverseeker and Waterlurker have already gotten into the water in my cave—to sleep. I curl around them as usual, lay my head down, and listen to the sound of their breathing, making sure they are well before allowing myself to fall asleep.