Flurry Heart's Story: The Ghost of Grogar

Scorch hacked his way through the skeleton army, causing their bones to scatter and pile up in a heap on the ground. He was a little worn out, so Buttercream sent some magic healing his way with the power of her singing. Singe and Aster stood back to back with their shields up, surrounded by a dozen brute skeletons. Aster signaled to Singe and Singe ducked down as Aster used his magic to swing his sword around all of them and cut their heads off. As they tried to retrieve their skulls, Singe took his chance and crushed them all with a spikey mace. Lily and Barb took a break from healing their friends to start casting offensive spells on more of the skeletons, while Spike backed them up. Even Buttercream had resorted to fighting some of the smaller skeletons that were giving Scorch trouble. Before long, they had taken out all of the skeleton army.

“I think that’s all of them!” shouted Discord.

“Not so fast, archer!” mocked Wrathulu as he directed his staff at them.

The staff fired a red laser from its tip, which everyone dodged quickly. He fired more blasts, but the magic-wielders began firing their own blasts back at him. Discord and Aster both took out their bows and fired several arrows into his head. He was too big for any of them to sink that deeply, but it was still painful. While he was distracted, Scorch finally took his chance to fly up to the tower to rescue Billow. Wrathulu noticed him and tried to grab him with one of his tentacle hands. Scorch dodged his tentacles, while his siblings all came to his aid.

“Oh, so you think flying will do you any good? We’ll see about that!”

Wrathulu then cast a spell on all of them and their wings instantly folded up against their backs. Scorch plummeted to the ground and bounced off one of his lower tentacles behind him. They were now tasked with having to fight the monster without their ability to fly. Scorch was still close to the tower so he began to climb up it to reach Billow. Billow looked down to see him. They locked eyes and smiled at each other.

“Here he comes! Get ready!” said Beo Tuag.

Scorch finally made his way into the tower and climbed up over the balcony. He wiped the sweat from his forehead and stood proudly with his sword in his hand.

“Princess Billow, sorry I’m a little late,” he said.

Billow blushed and looked nervous. Beo Tuag floated behind her and gave her a push. Now closer to the handsome Northern Drake, she finally spoke.

“Hey Scorch. Sorry you had to see me like this.”

“That’s okay. It looks nice on you.”

“You think so? Well thanks, though I still don’t think it’s my sty –WHOAAAAAH!!”

Suddenly, the ground beneath them trembled and the tower started to topple over. Wrathulu had fired a beam into the base of the tower. With no ability to fly, Scorch wasn’t sure how else to rescue Billow, but he grabbed hold of her and wrapped his arms around her. Billow reached for Beo Tuag to keep her afloat, but Beo Tuag was caught up in the rubble. Before they could hit the ground, Spike had already cast a telekinesis spell to slow them down and land them safely.

“Thanks, Spike,” Scorch said.

“Any time, bro,” Spike replied.

They all turned to see Wrathulu was now smacking the ground with his tentacles to fight back. Buttercream stayed safely behind a rock but continued to sing and play her mandolin. Her singing gave everyone their confidence back and they slowly began to pry open their wings. Scorch found the courage to fly back up to the monster, but he was quickly sent flying back by one of the tentacles and buried underneath some rubble where he lost his sword and shield.

“Scorch!” called Billow as she rushed to help him.

“I’m okay!” Scorch said.

Just then, one of the tentacles wrapped around Billow and pulled her away towards Wrathulu.

“Hey! Lay off, will you!” she scolded.

“Not a chance, little princess! You’re mine now!” Wrathulu laughed.

Scorch pushed the rocks away with all his might and noticed that Beo Tuag was next to him. In his desire to save the beautiful dragon princess, he forgot he wasn’t able to lift the axe like her, but he reached over, wrapped his fingers around it and slowly began to pick it up.

As Wrathulu was laughing, he then felt a spike of pain in the tentacle he was holding Billow with. The tentacle fell to the ground and Billow pushed it off her and spread her wings to fly. She landed on a nearby rock and Scorch and the tentacle landed next to each other. She then noticed something very strange about Scorch. He was holding Beo Tuag in his claw. The axe chose him!

“I knew it!” Billow said.

“Scorch…you’re…YOU’RE HOLDING BEO TUAG!!” shouted Buttercream.

Everyone else cheered Scorch on as he took a moment to catch his breath.

“It’s good to meet you, Scorch,” said Beo Tuag.

“What?! Oh. Yeah, that’s right. You can talk to me,” Scorch replied.

“I normally don’t choose to let others wield me outside of the royal family, but I like you.”

“Really?”

“Yes. I also gravitate to dragons that I feel can be good romantic partners for the royals, and you and Billow are perfect for each other.”

“Thanks…er…wait what?”

“SCORCH, LOOK OUT!” shouted Singe.

Scorch looked back and saw another one of Wrathulu’s tentacles coming right at him. He quickly swiped at it with Beo Tuag and cut it clean off. Wrathulu tried to blast him with his staff, but Scorch used the axe to reflect it at his face. Wrathulu groaned in pain and everyone began to fight back and cut off more of his tentacles.

“Oh I am so hot for him right now!” Billow said, amorously. “Well, what am I sitting around like a hatchling for?! This Princess has had enough! No messing with my future king!”

She wiped her makeup away with her forearm and then tore off her dress to reveal she still had on her bikini armor and weapons underneath. Using two throwing axes, she tossed them at Wrathulu’s face and then pulled Scorch’s sword out from underneath a rock. Wrathulu was weakening quickly and the spells that Barb, Lily and Spike were casting were too much for him to fight back against. Billow cut off his arm that was holding his staff, preventing him from casting anymore powerful spells. Scorch took one final swipe at his neck with Beo Tuag, causing the Squizard’s head to fall off. The brave dragon prince hovered down to the ground and landed heroically with Billow by his side. Wrathulu’s body then collapsed behind them and burst into flames.

“WHOOOOOOO!” everyone hollered as they gathered around the couple.

Buttercream pulled two pom-poms out from behind her back and started reciting a cheer for the pair.

“S-C-O-R-C-H! He gave that squid one big headache! GOOOOOO SCORCH!”

Scorch and Billow waved to everyone and posed heroically with their weapons.

“Billow, you didn’t tell me I could wield her too!” Scorch laughed.

“I didn’t know you had it in ya!” she replied.

“Of course you did,” Beo Tuag remarked. “I always choose a good man for the Soder Dracos princesses. You were both meant for each other.”

“Beo, stop!” Billow said, blushing.

“B to the I to the L-L-O-W! She was sent right from above you! NOOOOOOW KISS!” Buttercream continued.

Scorch blushed even harder now as his little sister teased him. He put his hand behind his head, while still holding Beo Tuag in his other hand.

“Hey! Butter, come on, I don’t think now’s the time for-WHOA!”

Beo then moved herself around Scorch as he held her. It caused him to spin around and bump right into Billow. They lost their balance and fell down to the ground with Scorch cushioned by Beo’s soft belly. Their snouts made contact and they stared into teach other’s eyes. There was a moment of awkward silence as everyone paused. Only snickering from Butter and Singe could be barely heard. Discord snapped his fingers. Everyone was back in the same room as before without their costumes or weapons. Scorch and Billow were now on the table, still staring.

“Awkwaaaaard,” said Discord.

The pair finally cracked smiles and everyone else burst into laughter. Scorch got up and helped Billow to her feet before they hopped down from the table. Billow called Beo Tuag over to her hand.

“HA! Best night of your life, eh bro?” Singe teased.

“That’s the most romantic thing I’ve ever seen!” Buttercream said, pressing her hands against her chubby cheeks.

“Alright, knock it off, you two,” Barb said, giving both of them noogies before walking over to her brother and his damsel. “Everyone, I think it’s time we give Scorch and Billow a moment alone.”

“That’s a good idea, Barb,” said Discord. “Don’t worry, we’ll all keep ourselves busy in here.”

Barb then led them over to a set of doors with a balcony just outside. She opened the doors and let them both walk out to talk. Barb smiled and gave her brother a wink before closing the doors and pulling the curtains. Scorch and Billow were now finally alone and had a chance to get to know each other. They both smiled and walked out onto the balcony. Scorch sighed contently and initiated the conversation.

“So, Billow, you’re the heir to the throne of Soder Dracos. Does that mean you’ve been using Beo Tuag ever since you were born?”

“Not exactly. Royals usually have to come of age or just be ready. I actually have your little sister to thank for helping with that.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Back when I first met her and Nightwatch, they kinda helped me with my parents and some other crazy stuff we were dealing with. I was young and not that appreciative of them back then. Don’t get me wrong, I love my parents, they’re just a bit overbearing at times. Thankfully I get along with them a lot more now. I think it really touched Beo to see me open up to them and she took notice of how I was definitely ready to start learning how to wield her. ”

“And do you have any siblings?”

“Yeah. Two younger twin brothers. They’re crazy little eggs, but I wouldn’t trade ‘em for the world.”

“Well you’ve met all my siblings, but we never really took the chance to introduce you to Mom and Dad. I did tell them about you though.”

“What did they say?”

“Heh…well they pretty much did exactly what Singe and Butter have been doing for days now: teasing me to no end. I have no doubt they’d like you. Do you think your parents would like me if we met?”

“Oh I’m sure they would. They’re pretty protective of me, but I told my parents about you and they had the same reaction. They’ve really been itching to get me with a man lately. It’s getting kind of annoying, but it’s tradition for royal heirs in Soder Dracos to start looking at this age. If Beo likes you, they surely will. Dad and Beo have known each other for ages. Both he and Mom can pick her up and talk to her like I can. It’s amazing you can do it now too. I didn’t think I’d see that happen this soon.”

As they continued speaking, Billow let Beo Tuag float over next to a nearby potted plant where she would remain while they spoke. They walked out to the edge and sat next to each other on the crystal railing.

“So I’m the first guy to lift and talk to Beo since you?” he asked.

“Yup. She really saw something in you.”

They both paused for a second and looked at each other. Billow inched herself closer to him as she spoke. Scorch grew a little nervous to ask his next question, but he was already doing so well with her; he knew she’d take it well.

“I think she said something about how the axe helps choose a mate for the heir. Is that true.”

“Yep. That’s part of the tradition and Beo’s really good at reading others. She knows love when she sees it.”

Billow inched in closer to Scorch and placed her hand on top of his. They both looked down at their hands making contact but did not move them. They locked eyes once again and stared lovingly. After a few seconds, Scorch said one more thing.

“Well…I guess she chose well.”

They continued to stare. Billow grinned mischievously and giggled, causing Scorch to smile bigger. He didn’t feel so nervous anymore. Somehow he felt very brave. Billow then slowly got down from the railing and started to walk past him in the direction of the semi-circular balcony. She looked back at him, still grinning. Without even thinking, Scorch got down from the railing and walked after her. Before he knew it, they were both walking on all fours with their wings folded up against their backs. They walked in a circle, still looking at each other as they went. Billow continued to smile as she could not take her eyes off him. Scorch did the same. Whatever was happening, they both liked it and somehow knew what they were doing. After they walked three rounds, they stopped and turned to face each other. Still standing on all fours, they raised their rumps in the air and slowly wagged their tails back and forth like two cats about to pounce on each other. Finally they ran forward as if to hug, but began wrestling playfully. Scorch had done plenty of wrestling in his life to practice for wrangling rituals, but he had no idea Southern Drakes were also good at it. It wasn’t such a serious, rough match. Instead they were softer on one another, but continued to make an attempt at pinning the other down. Billow got behind him at one point and wrapped her legs around his abdominal region and her one arm around his neck while her other arm was under his left arm. He used his right arm to grab her and pull her down. She allowed him to do the same to her; only he used his arms to pull up both of hers. He underestimated her and she wrapped her tail around one of his legs and tripped him. They rolled around several times until they managed to stand back up and start over again. They laughed and smiled all the way.

Scorch finally managed to get Billow turned around and have her belly facing the ground. He pinned both her arms down with his so she could not reach for him. Billow continued to laugh and allowed him to win. She was enjoying it whether or not she could beat him. Their hearts were racing in all the excitement, but they finally started to calm down. As Scorch snuggled himself up on top of her, he opened his wings.

“I gotcha,” he said.

“Hehe. Yep. You got me,” she responded, flirtatiously.

Scorch then took his hands off of Billow’s arms and allowed her to roll over underneath him. She giggled and let the tall, handsome Northern Drake rest himself on top of her. He joined her in laughing as they both calmed themselves down.

“That was dragon courtship, wasn’t it?” Scorch asked.

“It was, and I haven’t seen a male drake do it nearly as good as you,” Billow told him as she put her arms behind her head.

“So I’m not the first guy you’ve courted?”

“Mom and Dad have had me give several suitors a try. They were nice, but they didn’t seem to click that well with me. Since I’m the heir, they’ve been wanting to get it done a little sooner.”

“Well Dad’s told me about courting before. I’ve seen him and Mom do it plenty of times, but I didn’t think it would come so naturally.”

“Wait…this is your first time courting a girl?”

“Sure is.”

“Wow. Well if this is your first time, you really know what you’re doing.”

“Dad says it’s a biological thing and dragons just sort of do it without even thinking. Either way, it’s the best experience I’ve had with any dragoness.”

“Hehehe…”

“Hehe…”

They both giggled, closed their eyes and started to nuzzle their snouts, as their tails joined and wrapped around one another. Scorch felt the warmth and tenderness of her pudgy body against his as Billow felt his firm, muscular build. Both complimented each other perfectly. In Nordo Dracos, a fat dragon and a slim dragon often made the perfect couple so one could keep the other warm during the winter. Scorch never had an issue with the cold, but the warmness of cuddling with a girl was something he had really been missing out on. He had definitely hit the jack-pot tonight with Billow. She was smitten at first by his good looks, but now she also saw him as a protector and an ideal mate with how strong he had proven to be. Scorch admired her ability to be both tough and also feminine. She truly was made for him. They parted their beaks and went back to staring lovingly.

“I had fun tonight, Scorch,” she said, hugging him.

“So did I. I’m glad we met, Billow.”

“There’s just one little problem.”

“Oh?”

“As great of a job you did courting me, I gotta say, this balcony just isn’t big enough.”

“Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. I almost hit the railing several times.”

“You wanna get away from here and maybe find a bigger area to wrestle in?”

“Definitely.”

Scorch got up and helped pull Billow up by her hand the same way he did when they first met. She held onto his hand and used her other one to bring Beo Tuag back in. They took off flying to look for a better place to court in. Beo Tuag complimented her royal wielder.

“You did great,” she said.

“Thanks,” Billow responded.