Work Text:
"ONH BREADK OCG DOUH GORG."
The Monarch of the Pineapple Isle hummed their ancient song as they watched the murals in front of them closely, as though studying them would solve all their problems. But they wouldn’t. And they couldn’t allow anyone to find the solution but them. Already, they had faced a most dangerous foe, and came out on top. With hope, the whole island should be sleeping in the aftermath of the tainted Guardian’s attack, and they would remain the only one still awake. Watching and waiting as always to shield those under their rule.
The Guardians of Nature, albeit from an entirely separate timeline to their own, had been corrupted by the hand of the Beast of Deceit. And not just them. Their own kin had met the same fate. The dragon would make sure Shadow Milk Cookie paid in full for his arrogance. How dare he assume he could control a mighty and proud dragon?
"IHN LIFE EKANS, NAG DAOND."
Ananas Dragon Cookie’s sharp eyes trailed over the images engraved into their walls, each one of them with a story to tell. Until eventually, their gaze landed on exactly what they had been searching for. A single carving depicting two dragons, surrounded by the words of their sacred language. Carefully, almost reverently, they reached out to touch the aged stone, memories flying around their head as they did.
"AHN ARK ONH ADAOND BRAAT."
This wall’s story? It was one of kinship, camaraderie, and blood. It was the story of the Golden and Red Dragons. The full story. The true story. The one you’d never find in the myths, legends or history books. Ananas chuckled mirthlessly at the thought. Cookies always got it so wrong.
What those pathetic mortals believed to be a tale of pure vitriol and rivalry, was in fact a tale of two siblings. Born of the same clutch, and raised alongside each other. Earth and fire. Shield and sword. Two parts of the same whole. They couldn’t be more apart, and still, they were connected. After all, what siblings didn’t absolutely despise each other, and yet would die for each other?
"ENDT NMOC, WYIT BREADK DAOND..."
“Hold on just a little while longer, Pitaya Dragon…” Their eyes met the cold stone portrayal of their sibling’s own. Not them, not truly, and yet somehow so alive. Pitaya would make it out of this alive. “I’m coming for you. I will free you from this madness. And when I do, we’ll make that serpent pay for what he’s done to you.” In a moment of rare, unrestrained weakness, unknown to anyone else, they bowed their head, letting their horns touch the stone. “ARK TILTHEND DIGH AHN BREADK…” Their Dragontongue echoed through the deserted halls of their temple, each word a sacred and solemn promise. One that as long as they lived, they were sure to uphold.
They didn’t know how long they stayed there, standing in front of that mural. But it was certainly long enough for their mind to wander. Their memories haunted them, and thoughts of the present and what might occur taunted them. It was hardly the battle that was to come that gave them pause, nor was it the outcome of that battle. After all, Ananas knew they would win, and bring Pitaya back to their senses. They had to. It was what followed the outcome.
It had been a long time since the two siblings had seen each other. So long, that Ananas had started to fear the worst, and it was all too easy to assume that feeling was mutual, eternal rivalry aside. What would Pitaya say, when they saw the sibling they’d thought had died with the rest of their kin? No doubt they’d be furious. Maybe they’d challenge Ananas to yet another fight. And then after that fight, and only then, might they calm down. Might.
Ananas sighed, leaning away from the intricate engraving. They supposed it was time to turn in for the night. Even ancient dragons needed their rest, and the Golden Dragon had a long and brutal fight ahead of them.
“Anun?” That is, they would turn in, were it not for the dragonling that had managed to sneak up on them in their musings. “Abwuuuu!”
The elder dragon turned, looking down to the younger in question. They’d thought it impossible before now. After all, their kind had vanished from this very earthbread eons prior. All but a lone few dragons were long dead, lost to the ruthless throes of war or the raging sands of time. Why would they get their hopes up now, that a hatchling would appear? And a Flower Dragon, no less. At least Lotus Dragon was sure to dote on the little bud, when the two finally met.
“Whatever is the matter, child?” They asked the young Flower Dragon with a frown. “You should be asleep. Cuddled up next to Hollyberry Cookie and the rest of your rabble.” Just what were they doing here…?
Snapdragon Cookie merely tilted their head in turn, attention floating past Ananas Dragon and towards the pictures behind them. The adult dragon watched in surprise as the dragonling’s eyes lit up, a huge grin on their face as they floated over to the mural. “Baba!” They screamed in pure delight, reaching out with two tiny clawed hands to touch the carving of Pitaya Dragon. “Baba!”
“W-What did you say…?” Ananas Dragon Cookie’s eyes widened as they processed what they had just seen and heard. Snapdragon Cookie looked back at them, still smiling, hands still on the carved stone. Oblivious to the storm they’d just created.
‘Baba’. Snapdragon Cookie had called Pitaya, ‘Baba’.
Pitaya was this hatchling’s parent. Not by blood, clearly, but by bond. By oath. They had found this dragonling then, lost and alone, and had taken them in as their own. Likely, they’d even found Snapdragon as an egg. The hatchling had clearly imprinted on them; they’d recognised a mere image of them easily enough. Then in that case, Ananas realised, freeing Pitaya of this corruption was all the more vital. Their child needed them. Perhaps now more than ever.
“Oh, Primordials help me. Of course…” Snapdragon, having realised by now that the mural wasn’t the real Pitaya Dragon, started whining. Ananas strode over to them, the very picture of calm in the dragonling’s plight. If their sibling was a parent to this little one, then that made Ananas responsible for them by default. Typical Pitaya. Always leaving Ananas to deal with their problems. “Of course you’re their dragonling…” They sighed. “Why on Earthbread wouldn’t their mess get bigger?”
The dragonling lifted their arms, still on the verge of tears, wanting to be picked up. Ananas supposed they could lower themselves enough to indulge the little one. They were barely hatched, after all. And yet, they had also fought so well before. “I’m sorry you can’t see your parent right now.” And they found they meant it. From the bottom of their soul. At the reminder, Snapdragon started wailing.
“Hush now, little sprout. Dry your tears. It’s most unbecoming of a mighty dragon.” Ananas Dragon Cookie rubbed calming circles into their back, being careful to avoid their wings. “And we will get them back, child. Hollyberry Cookie and I will not rest until they are free.” They hoisted the dragonling into their arms, resisting the urge to flinch back when Snapdragon buried their face in their chestplate. “You will see them again…” They assured the child as they looked again at the mural, trying desperately to believe their own words.
"CRUIN DIGH BRAADE NAG, NAG IHN."
Ananas Dragon Cookie continued their song; perhaps it would provide some comfort to the little one. They turned so that they were leaning against the wall, sliding down it so that they were eventually sitting down, and carefully supported the dragonling like they were one of the most precious things they’d ever held. Ananas would guard the child with their life. Pitaya would have their head if they didn’t.
"AVERLORE TILTHEND.
"IHN WYIT DAOND..."
They didn’t have to wait long for company to appear. “Snapdragon!” Both dragons perked up at the sound. A familiar enough voice already, if quite annoying for the Golden Dragon. “Snapdragon Cookie, where are you?” And just like that, Hollyberry Cookie rounded the corner, disturbing their peace once again. “Oh, there you are, little one!”
“Howwy!” Snapdragon shot out of Ananas Dragon’s arms, dashing right over to her.
Ananas had to admit, they envied the dragonling’s speed. “How did you get in here, Hollyberry Cookie?” They stood to their full height, staring her down as Snapdragon nuzzled their head against her chest. “These chambers are restricted to all non-dragons. No cookie is permitted to enter.” Again, she proved to be a thorn in their side.
The cookie grimaced, looking genuinely apologetic. “Ah, I’m sorry. I… guess I was so worried about finding Snapdragon, I didn’t even think.” Ananas huffed at that. “The Mango Tribe Cookies said they went this way, so I just followed.”
“Of course you did.” Well, they could certainly see why this nuisance got along so well with Pitaya. “Well, as you can plainly see,” They nodded to the dragonling in her arms. “The child is safe. You can both leave now.”
Hollyberry Cookie had the nerve to chuckle. Chuckle! “You enjoyed their company, didn’t you…?” There was a look on her face that promised trouble. The same look that Ananas had seen on Pitaya so many times before. The dragon felt a pang in their chest. They truly were so alike. It made them wonder. Were Pitaya and Hollyberry Cookie closer than she suggested…?
“Far from it, Cookie…” They narrowed their gaze, willing her to leave. But she didn’t. “Simply protecting a dragonling as any self-respecting adult would.” Hollyberry Cookie still wasn’t budging. “And once again, you can go.”
The Cookie held up a hand in surrender, the other supporting Snapdragon as she backed away. “Alright, alright! I know when I’ve overstayed my welcome! We’ll leave you in peace.” She turned to go, but was stopped in her tracks by a string of babbling below her. “What is it, little one? We really should be getting to bed now. It’s late, and I’m sure Ananas Dragon Cookie would like to sleep too.”
“Howwy! Atata!” Snapdragon pointed first at Ananas, and then at the mural behind them. “Baba!”
Ananas froze. No Cookie had ever been allowed to lay their eyes on these images, sacred as they were. “Now, wait a moment-!” But even they had to admit defeat the second Hollyberry caught sight of the mural. It was hopeless. There was really no stopping this Cookie.
“I-” Hollyberry Cookie’s breath hitched, completely forgetting her previous objective to leave in favour of approaching the wall. “I didn’t see this before…” She reached out to touch the carving of Pitaya Dragon, carefully tracing the ridges. Ananas didn’t stop her. What would be the point?
They sighed. “You weren’t supposed to.” Snapdragon Cookie hovered over their heads as they all stood side by side, dragons and Cookie alike mourning what they had lost.
Hollyberry didn’t say anything for a while. “...You and Pitaya are more than just kin, aren’t you…?”
They too fell silent for just a second, barely able to find the words necessary for once. “Just as you’re more than just friends…”
Her head whipped round. “How did you-?!”
“I always thought they’d end up with someone a lot like them. And you are disgustingly so.” They answered, a small smirk on their face. “You came all this way just to even have a hope of receiving my help on their behalf. You persisted, annoying as it was, when I said no. You fight for what you believe is right.” Ananas placed a clawed hand on their hip, grin getting wider. “All things my sibling would value greatly in a partner. And not just anyone would have a close bond with their dragonling.” Hollyberry Cookie looked down at Snapdragon, who by now had fallen back into her arms and a deep slumber, calmed by her mere presence. Ananas tilted their head.
“And then, there’s your guilt. It comes off you in waves.” They mused, turning back to the mural. “You feel guilty for what happened to them. A guilt so deep it can only belong to a greatly valued loved one…”
Her silence spoke volumes. “I should have found them sooner…” Hollyberry said, not even able to look Ananas Dragon Cookie’s way. “The second the war was over, I should’ve looked for them! I knew they were fighting Shadow Milk Cookie! The second he reappeared on the battlefield, I should’ve known something had happened!”
“Yes. Perhaps you should have…” Ananas spoke bluntly. “But Pitaya’s a grown dragon. As much as I hate acknowledging it, they’re fully capable of fending for themself. And you cookies truly had believed the Beast of Deceit was long gone with the rest of them…” They practically spat the title of their enemy in disgust. “Pitaya would not want you to wallow in self-pity. They’d want you to fight.”
Hollyberry sighed. “I suppose you’re right…” Her next question caught them off guard. "Do you think they heard it too? The Dragontongue song...?"
Ananas Dragon Cookie paused. "Perhaps they did." They let out a low, rumbling chuckle. “And of course I'm right, Hollyberry Cookie. I always am.”
She laughed, more like her boisterous self now. "I expect nothing less." There was a beat of silence, and then… “So… Did you enjoy spending time with Snapdragon?”
Huff. “...They’re precious.” They said through gritted teeth. What was that about her leaving again...?
“I’ll take that as a yes.”