New Arrivals

Six months passed and the DDP didn't come to observe Cortelco yet. They weren't aware of my scales and claws. I wasn't about to bring forward that information, I wasn't afraid; I just found scientists annoying. All of the dragons had grown to their adult sizes, and it was time for the DDP to come and retrieve Un, Deux, Trois, One Two, Three, Four, Uno, Dos, Tres, and Quatro. They would find out about everything I hadn't told them, but they would probably too be busy with the eleven dragons that they needed to load into trucks comfortably and manage to hide from human eyes until they were released. At least that was my hope.

"Master they are here." I heard Un say.

"Stop them until I get there." I told the Princess Hoarder that would leave me today. I jumped onto Cortelco's back, and he flew me across the lake, past the forrest, and to the clearing next to the driveway. I got off and ran to the end of the long driveway to where the cars were being held at a stand still by Un.

"Thank you young drake. Now go and wait with the other young dragons." I said out loud. He nodded and began a comfortable pace down the driveway.

I looked at the four three semis and growled

"Show me your badges!" I yelled at them, making sure my claws had elongated and my eyes yellowed. I could smell the fear radiating off of them, and I loved it. I couldn't scare anyone who lived here. They either knew me too well, or thought of me as a mother. I saw hands holding badges coming out of the windows of the trucks. You attack a guy once, and after that they never want to come out and chat. Not that I am complaining.Cortelco flashed me an image of all of the young dragons gathered together ready to leave. I looked back at the trucks.

"Why are there only four trucks?" I asked, not trying to sound terrifying...but still intimidating. We are taking them in groups. First load will be for Cora Horn's Blade Runners." a DDP agent said in a shaky voice.

I scoffed at him. "Listen Kevin is this your first dragon haul ever?" I said in a condescending voice.

"Actually m-my name is.." he began to say.

"Just answer my question Kevin." I said acting annoyed.

"Y-yes this is my first haul." he answered in a quiet timid voice.

"Okay well if you are this afraid of me, just imagine the two ton lizards you are about to pick up that are made of knives, and are super fast. One of those could swallow you in one bite." I said, but was interrupted by Cortelco.

"You know they won't eat people Mother. Why are you scaring the poor man?" he asked, taking pity on the stupid DDP worker.

"Let me have my fun." I responded to him mentally.

"Now I don't respect you because you fear me, which is why those dragons won't care about you either. So grow a pair and do your job." I finished.

I could tell the poor man was holding back tears. I nodded my head and ran back to the house.

Cortelco had drawn lines into the sand and had each dragon clutch divide into slots. The Blade runners were acting like hyper spoiled children. They were hissing at eachother and squirming. I could hear them arguing about who had the strongest scales. I rolled my eyes. Mrs.Horn's method of dragon rearing was if they whined for it they got it, being as she still only sees dragons as animals. So they had no training, despite me offering. After all they were never taught that they would live alone someday and actually have to fend for themselves. I could hear a mental groan from Cortelco as he had to corral them back into their respective section. Then were Mabel's dragons. she leaned over in a sort of group hug with all of the, now dragonesk Herd Hiders. They no longer were taking the form of baby animals. Although they were trained with my dragons, they were still very close to Mabel. She had tears running down her cheeks, and the four dragons were whimpering. Peculiar sat behind Mabel and was trying to comfort her by covering her back with a wing. Lastly there were my three. Each stood proudly and calmly letting out an occasional gruff or mumble as my other dragons (their teachers) were giving their farewells and well wishes. I walked over to Un, Deux, and Trois. Remember everything you learned here. I don't just mean your lessons. I mean compassion. When the time comes for you to find a mate and breed, remember to protect your eggs. Remember to raise your hatchlings with kindness, but also teach them to be strong. All of dragon kind rests on young dragons like you, and hopefully we all did a good job in raising and preparing you for life in the wild. I grabbed a large thick silver chain from my pocket, and plucked one of my scales off I strung it on the chain, and put it around Un's neck. I did the same for Deux and Trois. Only dragons raised by me and my dragons may have one of my scales.

I looked back towards the Blade Runners, whom didn't want to get into the trucks and were fighting against the DDP workers. I put two fingers into my mouth, and whistled loudly which stopped everyone. They all turned to me. "Uno, Dos, Tres, Quatro. Can't you see that these men are only trying to load you four into trucks?" They looked around only now noticing.

"They are here to take the you because you are the shiniest. Without you all future Blade Runners will be dull no shine at all. They looked at eachother now concerned and proud. Each of them walked into a different trailer, and allowed men to shut them.

"I can't believe those idiots are my age." I heard Cortelco say. I giggled a little at his comment.

"Kevin!" I yelled. The man from earlier stood straight and saluted me causing me to mentally face palm myself. "You have now seen that dragons can understand what humans say. The other dragons know what is going on, and will not fight you. But remember respect is key, do not show fear." I nodded then turned back to my most recent hatchlings.

"Mother they will tell the others about your... looks. When they get back to HQ." Cortelco said worried. I was always in awe of how well spoken, sound, and emotional, that he was.

"It is inevitable Telee (Tell- Ē). Whether or not they see that you are special or not they will come for you too. We will let them have a glimpse, but together we can scare them off. "If my mutant creepy ass, plus the Shadow Sights don't scare them, we have the power of the original eight, and if all of that fails...You can control their bodies and make them leave. believe me if we don't want someone here, then they will go away." I smiled.

I love all of my dragons, even those I am sending away, but in a short six months Cortelco and I formed a deeper bond than that of my other dragons (he even earned the nickname Telee), which I think is good, because we will be together until the bitter end. Though I have had my other dragons longer, they act less human and are happy to spend time alone, like true dragons. I really did raise them properly, I have no idea how that happened. I was a natural at this. I puffed my scaley chest out proudly only to hear.

"Mother leave the chest puffing for Vainglorious it doesn't suit you." Cortelco said with a haughty tone and what looked like a smile. Next came four semis only three this round, meaning it was time for my dragons to leave. I walked with Un to the trailer.

"I don't see why I can't just fly. Look at this, they put hay in the bottom. HAY. Like I am some sort of animal. These men and women don't spend time around dragons. All they know is you can't fly because humans would see you, and that you are not human. So they will probably treat you like any other inhuman creature. I am sorry my species is so neurotic." I explained softly.

"So what if human see me I can over power them easily." He said.

I hit the back of his head. "You were taught better than that. Only harm others if you have to, and once humans find out something exist the whole world will be searching for and hunting dragons. So be good, be smart, be strong, be happy, and stay safe." I said as I threw my arms around him. I will always remember you." I said, then walked back to do the same with Deux. He was much more cooperative than Un.

"Ooh look how soft this hay is." Deux said excitedly. He usually slept in damp rocky areas with the Gull Wings, so hay seemed like a good thing to him. Cortelco came from behind me with a large copper pipe in his mouth, and dropped it in the trailer with Deux.

"This is what is called a travel snack." Cortelco explained, not wanting to show favoritism because the other two won't get gifts. Then I walked to Trois.

"Okay sleepy." I said knowing this nocturnal dragon was hating being awake in the morning. "I want to have a deep emotional talk with you, but I know you are very sleepy, so I will keep it short. You are a very rare dragon, and that means you have the great task of breeding and staying alive, and hopefully unharmed..." before I could finish talking Trois loaded himself into the trailer, laid down, and fell asleep.

I ran down the road with the trucks until they left my property. I watched as they disappeared into the distance, not noticing the four trucks that had come to a stop and all had badges out the windows. I rolled my eyes.

"Patty." I pointed to a women in a passenger seat.

"Actually my n..." she tried to say but much like 'Kevin' I cut her off.

"Why does everyone fear me. Is it only for my looks and reputation?" I asked.

"Well...um... Yes you do look scary, and there are scary rumors; like you have super speed, super strength, and you don't get cold. I never heard about your scales though that is unexpected. And from what I have heard you act unexpectedly. We are afraid of you because we don't ever know what you are going to do." she explained. The entire time second guessing herself, and doing her best to not offend me.

"I see." I said. "Go ahead I think your biggest hurdle in loading these guys is their emotional state. Try treating them like a newly widowed wife. I will do the same with Mouse." I said.

The drivers looked confused as I said Mouse, but the drove on anyways. Minutes later more semis could be heard. I rubbed Mabel's back as she continued crying with her first batch of hatchlings. Then I noticed two extra trucks. Why were their six?

Mabel's dragons were loaded, and driven off. Then Paul stepped out of one of the extra trucks. Mabel ran to him and embraced him in a tight hug. "Daddy they're gone. I had to say goodbye." she told Paul, and she shoved her tear stained face into his chest.

He held his daughter, but looked at me the entire time. "Honey, it is time I talk to Ivy you can listen and join in if you want." he said calmly to his daughter. She smiled, and they both walked over to me. Then I heard a loud roar. come from one of the extra trucks.

"Ivy sorry for the lack of warning but..." Paul started.

"What did you do?" I said frustrated. I could clearly smell new dragons, now that all the others had cleared out.

"Well the DDP thought it would be a good idea to make your property a reserve for Gull Wings. So we brought over two young Gull Wings. to add to your flock." he explained, all the while moving and touching his fingers.

"I know humans are stupid. I said to the loud dragon who was still making a lot of noise, but trust me you will like it here." I said mentally.

"Why trust you?" she replied.

"I am Mama. This is my territory. I love my dragons, and have three other Gull Wings living here. I raised them, and I am not totally human." I replied to her. The fact that I said I wasn't totally human seemed to calm her down.

I breathed a sigh of relief. Finally both dragons were out of their trailers. I could immediately tell that the rose gold one was the female who had been angry. Next came a large bright red male who stayed silent until seeing Blithesome. He ran to her and immediately tried to woo her.

"Do you have names?" I asked the female dragon.

I am Rose and the male has no name." she said. I nodded. Then called for the nameless male.

He strode up to me with all of the confidence in the world. "The blue female said you are Mama." he said.

"Yes I am Mama, because I have raised my dragons from eggs. If you wish you may call me Master. If you are to stay here I must give you a name. I named the others when they were hatchlings, is it okay if I name you now?"

Suddenly he didn't have as much confidence and he turned to a very happy Blithesome. She nodded her head.

"Okay, you may give me a name." he responded.

"I shall call you Dashing. As you seem confidant, strong, and you have a nice colored hide." I said with a smile. The dragon gave what appeared to be a smile. He liked his new name.

"So how do you two know eachother?" I asked the new dragons.

"We shared an egg." Rose said.

Twin dragons are rare. I was surprised about these two.

Reticent seemed quite interested in the new female, but was too scared to approach the rather intimidating female.

I walked with Rose over to Reticent, who seemed to be glued in place. "Rose, this is our Drake Gull Wing, Reticent." I said introducing the two. Neither appeared thrilled to meet eachother, but I could smell the sleu of emotion between them. Interest seemed to be the major emotion.

I looked to Blithesome and Dashing and they had their necks wrapped around eachother and were purring.

"Love at first sight?" I asked Blithesome.

"Yes. He is perfect." Blithesome simply responded before returning her focus back to Dashing. Reticent tried to walk over to Blithesome for the comfort she always provided him, but Dashing growled at him. I stepped between the two, growling back at Dashing. "No violence will happen in my territory, unless I say it is okay! Reticent is from the same clutch as Blithesome, he is not your rival." I explained to the new drake. Peculiar popped between me and Dashing.

"I will explain the rules to the new ones." she said.

*Everyone else's POV*

She walked around the dragons quietly looking them up and down, then making eye contact.

"Why are her eyes slitted now?" asked a random DDP worker.

Paul responded, "When she is talking with the dragons her eyes restrict like that."

Snickering could be heard coming from Mabel, Bill, Will, Cora, and Jasper. Whispers could be heard from them, though Ivy obviously didn't notice. "It is still funny to see her emotions on her face, but for her to stay silent." Bill whispered.

Everyone seemed to agree. This however went on for some time, and was getting boring. Then a loud roar could be heard, followed with another. The second coming from Ivy. she stood between a scared Reticent and the new male Gull Wing. They were obviously talking; when Mabel's Gull Wing, Peculiar, popped in between them with a picky demeanor. There was no doubt that Mabel was the one who raised that one. Then Ivy whipped her head and walked towards Paul. Every bone in this girl's body was serious.

*Back to Ivy*

I turned away from the dragons, letting Peculiar deal with the orientation.

"Paul! Take note, I will need mean to come out and carve caves out of my cliffs. If Gull Wings are expected to live, and possibly breed here, they will need somewhere to nest. This needs to happen ASAP. I live in a cave myself, so I know what they will need." I told Paul and his men in a serious tone. They all looked scared at my demanding tone, then I mentioned living in a cave and they got a bit confused.

"The house only has one bedroom and one nursery, so Mrs.Horn stays in that house. The other house is for Bill and his family, there are no spare bedrooms. Mabel does have the space, but honestly after sleeping in the cave, I realized it is a lot easier to sleep to the sound of a waterfall than it is to sleep with Mabel's snoring." I explained to the men. I used Mabel's real name because they would have been confused if I had said Mouse. "Now if you would excuse me I have some unexpected tennants who need a tour."