Mishi Gets in Trouble

 The day after Mishi had been kidnapped for a few minutes, the group was sparring out on the training grounds. Mishi was starting to act more serious, and his dragon friends were starting to get worried. He wasn't so carefree anymore, and it was almost as if he wasn't Mishi. Now he still had his moments where he would laugh, but getting captured had affected him. 

 The group was hoping a sparring match would get rid of some of that tension, but it didn't seem to work that well. He was too focused on getting stronger. Elle watched him get frustrated when a shot missed, and she shook her head.

"Hey guys, I need a break."

Mishi sighed. "But we just got started. Come on!"

Elle sat on the ground stubbornly. "Nope. Come on guys, sit down for a moment."

The dragons sat down first, and finally Mishi gave in. Elle stared at him.

"Mishi, do you know how we got as strong as we did? We are kids, and I've noticed some of the older people don't want to spar with us either. Do you know why?"

"Because you practice every day?"

"Why?"

"To get stronger?"

Elle smirked. "Rowan, care to tell him."

"Because it's fun! We aren't practicing, we are playing."

Elle nodded. "Mishi, you aren't having fun today. It's kinda bringing down the mood."

Mishi sighed. "I know. I'm sorry. I guess I got frustrated with the fact that you all warned me, and then I wasn't strong enough to escape capture."

Abrecan chuckled. "They cheated. They had a water half-dragon."

"Still, that was stupid of me." Mishi said with a smile. "I don't want to deal with that again."

"You will only hurt yourself if you train like you did today. Just keep playing. Strength will come in time. For now, you are a kid. Don't be afraid to rely on friends and adults." Anora responded.

"Thanks guys."

 The group turned as they smelled Arne's scent approaching them. He waved at them as they stood to greet him.

"Hello kids, I have some news. Zukufu, your father, Zukame, is here."

"Dad? Why is he here?"

Arne sighed. "News reached him of something that happened yesterday to you."

Mishi looked more worried now than he had the past few days. "Oh… "

He walked towards the Main Cabin where Arne stayed and his friends followed. As they made it to Arne's office, Arne held the dragons back as Mishi was led inside. Mishi hesitated when his back up didn't follow, but knew he had to do this alone. 

 He walked in and saw his dad sitting there looking angry. He looked down, not wanting to make eye contact with the angry Phoenix in human form. He was sure he saw flames in those eyes.

"Hi dad…"

"Zukufu, come here."

Mishi stepped forward. His dad surprised him by wrapping him in a hug.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah dad, I'm fine. My friends were there."

"Arne sent word that a student here had seen you in Phoenix form and that he saw you get captured from a distance. When he ran over to see if you needed help, he saw you getting freed already by your friends, and ran back to make his report. So, in your words now."

"I wanted to fly for a moment, and my friends warned me that it was a bad idea. I didn't listen. A water half-dragon attacked me, putting out my flames. I was then covered in a metal net while my flames were out. My friends came in and saved me quickly, and we made it back. I'm fine, and they never hurt me."

"You know what this means, right?"

"I broke your rules of staying in human form while here."

"You're coming home."

"But dad!"

He looked up and made eye contact with his dad. His speech faltered. He saw not just anger, but worry. 

"I'm sorry, dad." He said, looking away again.

"Tell your friends goodbye. You'll be back one day, but not until you learn to listen. Understand?"

"Yes, sir."

 Mishi left the office and saw his friends standing there.

"Well, I broke my dad's rule for being here. So I'm going home."

The dragons all ran over to hug him.

"Please come back to visit." Anora said through tears.

"I will, don't worry about it. Dad already said I could after I learn to listen."

Rowan sighed. "Ugh, I guess we will never see you again."

Mishi laughed as he punched Rowan in the arm. "Have a little more faith in me, why don't you?"

Mishi looked at Elle. "Hey, thanks for what you said earlier. I'll be having fun and playing more while I'm home. You better be ready to fight when I get back."

Elle chuckled. "Good luck trying to beat us."

With that they fell into another group hug, with some added tears due to the idea of missing someone who was part of their group. 

 Zukame walked out of the office and looked at the group.

"Thank you for being there for my son. I know he will be excited to see you all again. Thank you also for saving him."

They bowed their heads to him as he and Mishi walked off. They followed until they turned into Phoenixes and flew off. Mishi turned for a moment to look at them as he let out a goodbye screech. Zukame then hit him in the back of the head for making such a loud noise, and then they flew off leaving the dragons on the ground laughing. 

Rowan sighed. "Yeah, it might be a while before he comes back if he has to wait until he learns to listen to his dad."