The Unanticipated

The first couple of days with Clem were rough on everybody. Nobody knew quite what she needed, and since we were staying in Mabel's nursery, rather than my cave, everyone seemed to be involved. I was constantly waiting for her to deteriorate whether it was because I was doing something wrong, or because we had yet to find her another Gull Wing hatchling. I seemed to be more protective, but simontaniously more easy going with Clementine. I think it is because I have so many people who are helping us. Mabel made a small leather fur lined pouch with a simple leather strings, making it into a necklace. Though opposed to typical jewelry used for vanity, this was a makeshift baby bijorn for Clementine. Mrs.Horn came and went often, but bottom line was she didn't live here and couldn't constantly be here like Mabel and her family. Paul was no good with dragons, believe it or not, but he was pulling in every favor he had trying to find another Gull Wing. Mabel and Ava were a huge help. Clementine's metabolism was way faster because she was so small, so she required way more feedings, and had to "relieve" herself more often. She also couldn't leave the nursery, as she couldn't go for more than a few minutes without needing extra heat. We couldn't get Valorous in and out of Mabel's cabin to translate, so we had to try and figure out her baby hatchling babble ourselves. Like I said she was hard work. Not to mention every little thing she did had to be recorded.

"Just leave her for awhile. The Mouse and her annoying mother can take care of her. What is so great about hatchlings anyways?" I heard Cortelco in my head. He had always been a jealous dragon, and always wanted me to pay attention to him. I knew he was the type from the first time we saw Meadow. His instant dislike of her was obvious.

"Telee you sound like a clingy girlfriend. Clementine needs me, and she needs heat, she will get scared without me, and that might make her sick." I tried to explain rationally.

"She won't get sick she will be fine. I will fly you around, if you come out. Hatchlings aren't fun like me. I am strong, rare, and cool too." Cortelco continued trying to convince me.

"and ever so humble." I replied rolling my eyes.

I looked to my palm where Clementine was blowing steam at my finger nail, then licking the steam off, making it shiny once again.

"She is cuter than you." I said mocking Cortelco.

"I was way cuter when I was her age." he said defensively.

"Telee I love you, and we will be equals and friends as long as we live; but you were an a**hole as a hatchling. Worst one I ever reared." I laughed just thinking of him as the tiny terror he had been.

"I was a delight." he said seriously, which made me laugh. "Seriously name one time that I was a bad hatchling." He said obviously forgetting his entire childhood.

I rolled my eyes. "Seriously? One of our first bonding experiences was you throwing a temper tantrum, trying to make me watch my own death, then blinding both of us." Silence was the response I got.

I knew Telee could see through my eyes at the cute little nail cleaning I was getting from Clementine. He couldn't deny my example, or that Clem was cute, but he would try his best.

"That little peachy frog will get old fast, then you will regret all of the awesome stuff that we could have done but you wasted your time." He said obviously running out of excuses.

"Telee we very well may be near immortal. Even if I waste time, which I am not, I still have plenty time to hang around you." I told him trying to both reassure him, and get him off of my case.

"Fine. But why does Meadow get to be in there?" Cortelco said, out of everyone he was the most jealous of Meadow, though they have minimal contact. After all its not like he is complaining about Wisp and Nymph.

I face palmed myself growing frustrated of my Spirit Speaker's whining.

"Clem needs other Gull Wing hatchlings, but we don't have any available, so we are using all of the small dragons at our disposal. She just happens to still be small enough to fit into the nursery." I explained. "No more whining go play with the others or be broody by yourself." I told him. I could hear a huff all the way from the roof where he had spent most of his time since I have stayed here.

Wisp and Nymph were playing with the bedding hopping over and under the covers and rolling around chasing eachother. I decided Clementine needed to be warmed again, and as soon as I walked towards the heated nest the two black dragons ran over, fully prepared to snuggle with the tiny hatchling. I think they may enjoy the warm bed and very clean environment that this nursery provides, opposed to my cave. Clementine was asleep quickly. I could hear Wisp and Nymph mumbling to eachother as they were beginning to nod off as well. The sound of tiny snores soon came from all three small dragons. Daisy came down with Meadow. Both knew at this point to come down quietly in case Clementine was asleep. Meadow hopped over to the nest, though there wasn't enough room for the growing Spirit Speaker. Meadow grumbled then laid down in front of the nest. Daisy came and whispered to me, "How is the baby doing today?" she asked. I smiled and picked up the girl and brought her in for a cuddle.

"She is fine, just a bit lonely now. What about you? What have you been up to?" I asked the girl, more than happy to talk about something other than hatchlings.

"Mabel and the dragons are giving me Dragon Ninja training." she said with a tired sigh.

I was a bit confused as to what she was talking about 'dragon ninja?', but I decided not to interrupt.

"Callalilly is teaching me how to stay still and quiet for a long time. Switch is teaching me how to land quietly, even though she doesn't even have arms. Vainglorious is trying to teach me and Meadow how to fly quietly, but he is so much bigger than us it is hard. Mabel is teaching me self-difference." she said getting the last term wrong.

"You mean self-defence?" I asked.

"Yeah that. Mabel said I wasn't as strong and fast like you, but my camouflage and wings make it easier for me to escape. So just in case I can't run away I gotta learn ninja moves. They also make me camouflage fast when a certain sound goes off, but they don't even tell me when that is gonna make the noise." Daisy said throwing her hands in the air at the last bit.

"Well I am very sure that you will be the best dragon ninja there ever was." I patted her head and smiled. She grinned back up at me with a smile that showed a few baby teeth missing.

"Hey did you get a visit from the tooth fairy for all of those missing teeth?" I asked her making the best conversation I could with a small child.

"Yeah but since I grew my wings she doesn't give me money anymore." She told me with a goofy grin.

"Oh really, she always gave me money when I was your age." I responded with a grin of my own.

"Yeah she leaves me treats now. She left a note once. It said that kids with wings, like me, don't need money. So she leaves me candy and snacks that I can't get here." she explained. It made sense that the tooth fairy, AKA Mabel, came to the conclusion that money is useless to a girl who can't go shopping.

"Is that so. Don't sweets and junk food make your teeth fall out faster though?" I asked.

"Well that's what Ava said, but Mabel said that maybe the tooth fairy wants to get my teeth faster." Daisy said quite seriously.

"Ahh that does make sense, I bet dragon teeth are super rare for the tooth fairy, since we are the only kind of dragons that have pillows." I replied still grinning at how serious this conversation sounded. I heard a squeaking noise and went back to Clementine. Daisy continued the conversation, no longer in a hushed tone.

"but you don't use a pillow in the cave." she pointed out.

"Well Daisy I don't have any baby teeth left for the tooth fairy to take. So I don't need a pillow." I spoke to her as if this was a serious conversation and not the childhood fairytale that it was. Though after learning dragons were real, living with dragons, and turning into one; it made me wonder how many fairy tales were actually true.

"You know it is eighty-five degrees (Fahrenheit) outside today. You could prolly go outside with Clem today." Daisy blurted, completely changing the subject.

"Did Telee tell you to say that?" I asked her knowing the answer, but before she could respond I smelt an unfamiliar scent. The scales on the back of my neck pricked up, as I suddenly felt nervous. Someone uninvited was on my territory. My pupils restricted and my eyes turned yellow.

"Is everybody okay? What is on our territory?" I asked all of the dragons, including Daisy

"What do you mean Ivy?" Daisy asked looking scared. I couldn't focus on her though.

"Something smells off." I could hear Switch say. That was followed by several confused grunts in agreement.

The smell was getting stronger as the seconds passed. I needed to take action, even if this was another one of Ava's tricks. I grabbed the leather necklace pouch for Clementine and I put it on Daisy. I quickly put a hand-warmer in it, and threw it around Daisy's neck. I softly but hurriedly put a nervous Clementine in the necklace. I grabbed Daisy's shoulders and looked her dead in the eye.

"Daisy you need to take Clem and Meadow, and hide with Rose's hatchlings. Camouflage around them, and keep them all quiet. You need to protect all of the hatchlings, Valorous will help. Now fly to Rose and Reticent's cave and protect those babies." I explained in a serious deadpan voice. Daisy obviously wanted to ask questions. She was confused, scared, and had tears threatening to fall; but she knew this was serious and there was no time for questions. She nodded her head and went to the elavator along with Clementine and Meadow. Wisp and Nymph hopped on my shoulders, ready to assist. I began heading out of the nursery.

"Rose, Reticent, I am sending Daisy over with my Gull Wing hatchling and the little Spirit Speaker. She will guard all of the hatchlings until we know we are safe. Leave them when she gets there. Daisy will hide them with camouflage, and Valorous will protect her. You two are noticeable and need to stay away for now, we also may need to fight."

I could hear Rose growling through my mind, obviously not wanting to leave her offspring, but soon I heard Reticent say "Mama we are ready." I began my next instructions.

"Valorous go to the Gull Wing's cave, it is your job to keep Daisy and the other hatchlings safe." I commanded.

"I promise to keep them safe Mama." Valorous responded.

I got to the cabin door and looked to the two Shadow Sights that were now flying in front of me. "Wisp, Nymph, your job is to scout the area. Try and figure out what the strange smell is. Be careful and don't get caught. I kissed each of their heads before sending them off, only now wishing I had done the same with Daisy and Clem.

"Everybody stay away from the scent until I figure out what the threat is." I could feel a consecutive nod. I continued tracking the foreign smell, I came closer and closer to the edge of my territory. My walking became silent as I began to creep closer to whatever it was that I was investigating. It smelt human, but also like an animal. Then I heard Nymphs voice. I stopped in my tracks "It is two big humans, they have two big sticks, and a big bag that is moving."

Then Wisp's voice began, "They are male like the Bill human. They are pulling the sack with a rope."

A moving sack? Sticks? Then it hit me.

"Girls what do their sticks look like?" I asked.

"Parts of the stick are wood, and some parts are metal on one." Wisp said.

"The other stick is all metal, and grey, and they are skinny at the end." Nymph said.

Those reports made me flinch. Up until now I had hoped that this was all a drill made by Ava, but no this was definitely real.

Though I couldn't see him thanks to the early morning's dim light, I could feel and smell Cortelco behind me.

"Hold back and stay quiet Telee. You are a bigger target, those sticks are called guns, and they can kill in an instant. I crept closer to the point where I could hear the men talking.

"You sure this doe piss will block our scent?" the man with a beard asked.

"It worked for this one didn't it?" he stated as he kicked the bag. I heard a muffled groan come from the back. Something was definitely alive in there.

"Yeah, but I heard the one on this territory is freakishly strong, and this one isn't even fully grown...probably." the bearded man said a little bit uneasy.

What dragon were they talking about? Telee? No he may be rare, but he is average strength, unless these men are misinformed. Valorous is strong, but not many would risk their lives for a Creek Creeper. Try as I might I couldn't figure out which dragon they were talking about, until I heard.

"Come on how strong can a dragon be if it used to be human?", the shorter man said.

It was me, they were talking about me. I was the freakishly strong dragon they were talking about, and it sounds like they have another False Human in the bag, possibly a child. I wanted to just run up and clobber the two men, but I doubt even I am bulletproof, at least not all of me, and if I die so does Cortelco. I found myself wishing that I had brought Somnolent so he could just puff poison, and be done with these men. Though if that happened there is a chance that the False Human could be harmed too.

"Use me you idiot. I'll just show them their deaths and scare the s*** out of them, make it extra gruesome." I heard Cortelco's voice behind me.

"You my friend are genius." I said. Suddenly both men were on the ground crying. Their eyes were fogged over, and it was easy to tell that Cortelco was working his magic.

Firstly I broke both guns in half over my knee, just in case they managed to somehow grab them. Next I tied the men together, as well as binding their feet. Cortelco stopped showing them their deaths, and they passed out from the fear.

"Nice job Telee." I told him with a wink. We walked over to the sack that had become still since the men's screaming began.

"You didn't scare this one too did you?" I asked Cortelco, who shook his head no. Not bothering with the knot, I clawed open the bag, revealing a False Human. He was obviously playing dead thinking the men had been killed. The smell of deer pee was now stale in the air blocking the ability to properly scent anything. The False Human was bound, gagged, and blind-folded. Before I could begin to untie him I remembered that our situation still wasn't positively over.

"Wisp, Nymph, circle the area and see if there are any other threats nearby." I told the two Shadow Sights.

"Daisy, how are the hatchlings?" I asked her.

"They are all safe Rose's hatchlings behave like her." she commented.

I decided that the two men that we had caught needed to be questioned. I picked up their unconscious bodies like they were nothing more than pillows, and I walked to the river with them. Cortelco picked up the, still bound, False Human. I hadn't had a good look at him yet, but from the goat-like horns that protruded from his hairline it was apparent he was a dragon.

While waiting for the human men to awake, I decided to observe and possibly talk to the False Human boy. I took his blindfold off, but kept him bound, just in case he was a threat.

"Who are you?" the boy said trying to sound brave. I didn't respond though, I was looking him over. He looked to be about fifteen. His scales were red and shiny, which seemed even brighter against his dark skin. His horns were about eight inches long and black, matching his hair. They had a curve to them, reminding me of a goat.

"Lady you are too old to be checking me out. I might not be human, and I may be extremely handsome, but I am a minor." the boy said instantly stopping my observation of him. Well at least his dragonesk appearance hadn't ruined his self esteem.

"What can you do?" I asked him.

"Uhh being as I am tied up not a whole lot." he said with a smirk. I mentally hit myself for being so vague.

"Since you have grown your horns, what inhuman abilities have you received?" I asked, this time being more specific.

"Oh that. Well I am strong, I can grow talons, and I can do this." he blew fire at his restraints, instantly burning them off. I watched in amazement.

"Why didn't you do that before? When you were in the sack?" I asked.

"Those idiots kept saying how they were going to nab someone just like me, and how lucky they were to find another human turned dragon, but the one they were after was super strong." he said then pointed to me. "I assume that is you." he said with a smirk.

"Yes, I am the "super strong" one. So don't try any shit kid, I am strong and fast, I know the territory, am fireproof, my senses are stronger than that of any animal, and I have an army of dragons at my disposal."

"You for real about the dragon thing?" he said not seeming fazed by the whole super powerful thing. Cortelco who had been sitting silently behind the boy this entire time, breathed a warm breath down his back.

"F*** what was that?!" the boy yelled.

"That was Cortelco, one of my many dragons." I said with a smile, "and minors don't curse here." I said as Cortelco walked around the boy then wrapped his body around me. I sat down on his leg like it was a bench, further showing my lack of fear.

"No other strange humans are here; just the ones with you." I heard Wisp say.

"We are coming to you now." Nymph said.

"Everyone, the threat has been taken care of you may return to normal." I told all of the dragons.

I looked back to the boy who now looked shocked.

"What the hell lady!? What just possessed your eyes?! They looked like a snakes eyes!" he yelled. causing me to laugh.

"You can do that too. Don't worry too much, even Daisy can do that. I like to do it to scare visiting humans." I said. "One more big question... what's your name?" I asked in a mock serious tone.

"I am Xander." he said in a bit of a mumble. I could tell he was lying by the sudden increase in his heartbeat.

"Okay kid, that is a cool name; but what I asked was what is YOUR name." I said calling him out.

He let out a sigh, "My parents named me Herbert. I got teased enough for that before I grew horns and scales. So I changed it." he explained. "So my name is Xander now."

I nodded. "Yeah that sounds rough, naming your kid Herbert seems like a cruel joke. I probably would have teased you too." I told him, trying not to smile. "My name is Ivy." I said introducing myself as well. I could hear the flapping of wings nearing, and knew that they came from Daisy and Meadow. "The other False Human here is Daisy, she is only six, so be nice, Xander." I told him, confirming that I would be calling him Xander.

"False Human? he began to ask, but Daisy and Meadow landed next to us distracting him.

"Woah that one can fly?" Xander started.

"Yes, that one can." I said with a snicker.

"That one has a name. I am Daisy." Daisy said with a huff. "and this is my Spirit Speaker friend Meadow." she said gesturing towards Meadow, who quickly did the closest thing to a curtsy that a dragon could do.

"We dropped off Clem at the nursery already. He looks like a Princess Hoarder." Daisy said while side eyeing Xander, she seemed to dislike the boy.

"He has a name." Xander mocked Daisy's earlier statement. "I am Xander." Xander told Daisy.

I smiled at the banter, but knew we had some things that needed to be done before much could be learned. I looked over to the two humans that were still unconscious.

"Daisy honey, can you go get Paul and Mouse? They can deal with those two morons." I asked the girl. Daisy nodded, and with Meadow behind her they both took to the sky towards Mabel's cabin.

"Xander what do you know about dragons?" I asked the boy seriously.

"Uh they seem to reside here...?" he said, but it came out as more of a question.

"Okay as you can see dragons are real." I said as I pointed to Cortelco. Then I pointed to myself and Xander, "We are dragons too. We are called False Humans, because we start out just like humans. This guy behind me and the smaller white dragon you saw earlier, are called Spirit Speakers. There are many different kinds of dragons around the world, and quite the variety live here." I said a bit proudly at the last bit. "Not a lot about False Humans is known, because I was the first recorded one, making you and Daisy the second and third. You both managed to find this place on your own, and so far we are all very different. Though we all have the ability to grow and lose our claws at will, we all have scales, we all have horns, we can speak to dragons with telepathy, and we are all inhuman in one way or another: whether it be wings, strength, speed, camouflage, or blowing fire. I will introduce you to our other dragons with time. I will have you read a book that gives information on all known dragon species. Now with all that being said, here are two more dragons." I jestured to the tree line. Xander looked back and forth trying to see any dragon, assuming they would be big like Cortelco. Only the dragons that came out were cat sized, and revealed themselves first with bright yellow eyes and sharp toothy smiles, that made Zander flinch. That was until they came out of the shadows and he saw that they were two tiny fluffy black dragons. Wisp and Nymph circled Xander seemingly examining every part of him. Wisp climbed up his back and sat on his shoulder, brushing her soft black fur on his cheek. Xander stiffened and tried to remain still, as if he thought that would keep him safe.

"Are these dangerous? What should I do? he whispered to me. Those are Shadow Sights, the one on your shoulder is Wisp, the other is Nymph. You will be fine around them. They could give you a nasty bite if they wanted too, but that is about it, and they won't do that unless I tell them to. They make good spies, since they blend into the shadows." I explained. "Shadow Sights often live in people's houses without the humans ever noticing. I picked up Nymph and started petting her. Which caused Wisp to instantly drop into Xander's hands, expecting to be stroked as well.

"Pet me dammit. I am fluffy." Wisp yelled at Xander. Xander's eyes shot open in shock.

"What the Hell was that?" he asked rubbing the back of his head.

"Pet me, not your own head." Wisp said once again.

I laughed at the boys ignorance. "My guess given your confused state, and how frustrated Wisp seems, is that she is telling you to pet her." I explained with a grin. "Dragon telepathy remember. Also Wisp isn't the most patient dragon around."

He looked down at Wisp who nodded; though the only way you could tell was that her yellow eyes were moving up and down. Xander started to stroke the small fluffy dragon. You could tell that he was beginning to calm down, but before I could further explain I could hear an ATV coming towards us. I could also smell Daisy, Mabel, Paul, and Ava. Which didn't shock me, but still annoyed me.

"Listen kid there are three humans coming, all of them are good people but the older lady is annoying as Hell. You need to behave around the older lady, no biting, fire breathing, or other dragony things unless she asks for it specifically. She will cling to you like static and nag you like a mom if she finds you disrespectful or too interesting. I could kill her in the blink of an eye if I wanted to and she still has no fear." I explained quickly but stopped as the ATV came through the woods.

"How did you know who was coming?" he asked.

"Same way I knew about you; I could smell them." I said curtly. Then I got ready to introduce him. Please let this go well.