"To the left a bit! No, a little more! That's it, now lower it down!" Fawn called.

The four dragons who were holding ropes connected to a platform of wood descended. The platform rested on the almost repaired roof of the stables.

"Fawn!"

The girl looked round to see Emerald flying towards her, Hope on the reptile's back. The dragon landed and walked forward so Hope was next to the Gray Jedi.

"It's finally coming together" the young girl said.

"Yeah, honestly, I thought this would've taken longer" Fawn replied.

"So did I" Hope agreed then looked at Fawn.

"When did you last send a transmission to the rebellion?"

Fawn sighed, eyes losing their sparkle.

"A while ago. I've been so caught up with Kabera's repairs I haven't been able to send a message."

Hope gave Fawn a sympathetic look. She knew Fawn was missing her brother. The days after the rebels left, the Gray Jedi wasn't in the greatest mood. Now six months had passed, and Fawn was back to normal. Sort of.
While she was definitely better, inside, she was still aching for her other family. Hope knew it. She'd seen Fawn as a mother figure and always knew what she was feeling. It was part of their bond. She placed a hand on Fawn's shoulder and gave it a squeeze.

"It's okay Fawn, I know you're doing your best to keep up with everything."

Fawn placed her own hand over Hope's.

"Thanks Hope" she said meaningfully.

"I know we haven't done Jedi training in a while, I'm sorry about that."

"Again, you're keeping up with everything else. It's okay. Besides, I've had Logan teaching​ me."

"Really? Remind me to thank the lad."

Logan Krieger was a nineteen year old, Force sensitive Togruta who'd lived on Kabera ever since he was five. Fawn had found him as the lone survivor of his village that the Empire had burned to the ground. At first, Logan was very nervous of the dragons, but after bonding with a Spiral Tail dragon called Chaser, he grew used to them. He'd been quite clingy to Fawn over the first few days of living on Kabera. But the Gray Jedi could sympathize. Over the years, Logan grew more independent and rather too rebellious for Fawn's liking. When she said this to Hurricane then dragon only laughed.

"He probably picked it up from you" he had said.

Fawn was fond and a little protective of Logan. She honestly sometimes considered him her son. He was an orange tanned boy with blue and white head tails. Logan was rather tall for his age and used two yellow lightsabers as his weapons. Ben trained him for a while until Hope came along. He changed Padawans and Fawn helped Logan perfect his skills. He was powerful with the Force, yet his kindness was what surprised people. He always jumped in to help anyone who was in trouble or danger. It was those attributes that Fawn appreciated about Logan.

"Fawn? Fawn?"

"Huh? What?" Fawn asked in surprise.

Her mind had drifted and saw Hurricane was looking at her.

"Yes Hurricane?"

"You went quiet."

"I'm fine, just thinking" Fawn assured him.

Hurricane glanced at Hope who looked at the dragon sadly. This happened to Fawn often. She'd go silent and think without realising what was going on around her. Hurricane had a feeling it would get his rider killed one day.

"I'm going to my room for a bit, com me if you need anything okay Hope?" Fawn said suddenly.

"Sure" the girl replied.

Fawn climbed onto Hurricane's saddle and the reptile took off. Hope sighed as she watched the two fly off.

"I'm worried about her" Hope admitted to Emerald.

"As am I" Emerald rumbled.

"But don't worry, Hurricane will look after her until she comes right."

"But will she ever? I mean, it's been a month and even the bonded dragons aren't okay. I've never seen Whiplash so different. It's like he's become an entirely different dragon."

It was true. After parting with Ezra, Whiplash went into depression. After a week, it ended but the reptile had changed. He kept himself busy with training from dawn till dusk. He fought more aggressively, was stronger and not to mention he had matured. His old, childish behaviour was history. No one would believe the dragon used to fetch sticks, act silly, and always crack jokes at the worst times. Because of all this, Whiplash had become leader of Gold Squadron. He was respected and valued by everyone. But the change had a few worried. Even thought she wouldn't admit it, Emerald was one. The other dragons that had separated with the rebellion were different too, but not as different as Whiplash. Kyber had grown more accepting, while Moonshine had become a little more rebellious. Bludgeon was stronger than before and Colour Fly's skills with fire were more advanced. In a way, they'd all become a little different.
________________________________

Fawn entered her large bedroom and went over to her drawers. Hurricane followed but sat down on the floor, a few meters away from his rider.

"Are you're alright?" He asked.

"Yes...no, I don't know" Fawn exhaled, looking through her drawers.

Hurricane rumbled in concern. Seeing Fawn like this hurt him.

"Fawn, if you really want to see Ezra again, transmit to the rebellion."

"No."

"Why not?"

"Well, those reasons are classified" Fawn replied shortly.

Hurricane snorted in distaste and surprise. Fawn never kept secrets from him, ever. The only one she didn't tell him about was when she'd fallen for Kallus. He found out on his own eventually though.

"Fawn" Hurricane said in a warning tone.

"You can trust me."

"I know I can, but I can't let you in on this, not this time" Fawn told him.

"I thought our bond was better than this" Hurricane said.

"I don't want to talk about it Hurricane so please drop it" Fawn said, still digging around in her drawers.

"Fawn, why won't you transmit to the rebels? I thought you cared about them."

"I do!"

"Then why won't you do it?"

"I can't."

"Why not?"

"Because I'm afraid!"

Fawn swung round to her dragon, eyes blazing and fists clenched. Her right one holding something tightly.

"I-I'm afraid" she repeated softly.

"Of going back."

She stepped behind her and slumped against the wall. Sliding down to the floor, she opened her hand to reveal a blue bracelet with silver charms. The one Ezra had given her as a farewell gift. The two were silent for a minute or two.

"Afraid of going back?" Hurricane asked.

"Why?"

"I left because I was afraid Kabera would die completely without me there to support it" Fawn explained, running her fingers over the bracelet.

"Now I see it would've been fine. I don't won't to return because I don't know how they would feel. Especially Ezra. You saw how devastated he was when I said I was leaving."

Hurricane nodded in acknowledgement. He recalled the sadness the air held that day.

"Fawn, honestly? I think it would be good for us to go back. Especially for the bonded dragons" he said.

"What do you mean?"

"Colour Fly came to me the other day, she said her mark had been getting itchy."

"The first stage of Bonding Sickness" Fawn realised, eyes wide.

"And if the dragons are getting it, I think the riders are too" Hurricane nodded.

Fawn gazed at the bracelet, fingertips brushing​ over the cold silver charms.

"I don't know" she sighed.

"I really don't know what to do anymore."

Poor Fawn.
Suggestions are appreciated.

Star-Wars-Dragons out 🐲