Two weeks had passed since the re-bonding of Ezra and Whiplash, the entire crew of the Ghost feeling the tension release as the two boys fell back into their old routine of banter and occasional squabble. Yet they still respected each others new maturity and status, letting each other deal with their responsibilities.
It felt like the whole ordeal of Bonding Sickness had just been a bad dream.

Fawn would be lying if she said that she wasn't worried if might come back. But looking at her little brother, she doubted it would make an appearance soon.

~~~~~~

Hurricane yawned widely as he half stumbled down the ramp of the Ghost, following Hera, Kanan and Fawn to the briefing room on Chopper Base. It was way too early to deal with any news about anything. Fawn seemed to have heard her dragon, sending him a sympathetic and knowing look over her shoulder.

"You didn't have to come, you know" she said gently, "you could've stayed in bed."

"I am well aware" Hurricane let his head fall to Fawn's level, "but, you are my rider, and a well respected figure in this rebellion. I need to be on top of everything, to represent dragon kind and set an example for the dragons here."

Fawn's eyes softened as she smiled gently at her friend. "You're such a good dragon" she said, scratching underneath his chin making the scaley beast purr deeply.

The small group stepped up to the holo table, taking respective stances as Commander Sato arrived.

"I apologize for waking you so early" he said, voice firm and unwavering, "but we must re-evaluate the plans for our strike on the Imperial factory on planet Lothal. We received word from a Fulcrum Agent that there will be more reinforcements than first anticipated. As well as some new weapon the Empire has been developing that could be a major threat to the dragons we have fighting for us. I fear it is the same weapon that they used on Kabera."

Fawn set her hands on the rim of the holo table, leaning forward. "With all due respect Commander, when the Empire hit Kabera, the only highly threatning weapon they had was a prototype weapon that destroyed half of the Fire Moon. The only thing strong enough to hurt the dragons that the Empire has are their modified Star Destroyers.

"The blasters the Star Destroyer used, sir, were reinforced with kyber crystal energy of a massive size. Thats how they managed to penetrate the dragon armour and the dragons scales. But only a huge vessel with a stable power core could handle that level of intense energy. To take that level of power and put it into a smaller sized weapon, it would overload and destroy everything within its radius."

Sato nodded to the duo. "Yes, you make an excellent point Bridger."

"Nice one" Hurricane murmured holding up the underside of his paw that Fawn quietly high fived.

"With that knowledge in mind, the Empire might've found a way to recreate the weapon used in the Kabera raid, of they have developed an entirely new type of threat. Now, Fulcrum didn't go into detail when they described this weapon, they aren't very well informed on it. They said construction is mainly focused-"

A loud beep suddenly went off from the holo table, a transmission symbol being projected.

"Sir, we are receiving a request to transmit from Kabera" a soldier monitoring the communications spoke up.

The Commander sent a questioning glance in Fawn's direction who shrugged. "Put it through."

The hologram image came up of Lux Bonteri.

"Lux?" Fawn blinked, "what's going on, is everything alright?"

"Hello to you too, Fawn" Lux replied, his eyes tired, "no, everything is not alright. It's Raxia, her wounds are acting up and she's summoned you immediately for a conference."

"Right now?" Fawn felt her shoulders sag at the thought of travelling at this hour.

"I did say immediately" Lux smiled slightly before frowning again. "But her wounds do need to be seen to, Logan and Hope have attempted to use Force healing but they don't have enough power to complete the job. And Raxia never specified what she wanted to talk with you about."

"She never does" Fawn sighed, pinching the skin between her eyes in an attempt to clear away the last of the sleep there.
"I can be there within the within hour, I'll see if Ezra wants to join me."

"Sounds good," Lux then turned to Commander Sato. "Terribly sorry to have interrupt this briefing Commander."

Sato waved a hand in dismissal. "No need to apologize, Bonteri, when will Fawn be returned to us?" 

"Not for a few hours I imagine."

"Very well," Commander Sato turned to look at Fawn. "Try not to linger? This weapon needs to be looked into and you are valuable when it comes to information about dragon related topics."

"Of course sir, thank you" Fawn glanced up to Lux. "I'll see you soon?"

"Logan, Hope and I will be waiting for you at the mountain. Safe travels Fawn."

The hologram flickered then disappeared.

"Well" Fawn stretched, "better go see if Ezra is willing to join me for a visit home."

"Good luck trying to get him out of bed" Kanan smirked.

"Oh I think Kabera is a pretty good motivator."

~~~~~~

Snoring met Fawn's ears the second she slid open the door to the cabin. All four occupants omitting a sound of varying levels of noise. Zeb and Bludgeon, ever the deep sleepers, rumbled loudly. Whiplash was draped over Ezra's stomach, the two boys softly snoring. The dragon occasionally snorting and releasing a small spark of energy.

Fawn snickered into her hand, while Hurricane rolled his eyes with a fond smile.

"Dorks, all of them" Fawn heard her dragon say through their bond.

Fawn grinned down at him before approaching the bunks, laying a gentle hand on Ezra's shoulder.

"Ez, wake up" she whispered, shaking him. "Come on sleepy head, while we're still young."

"Mmm?" Ezra hummed groggily, eyes barely open.

"Good morning."

"Mmm."

"I'm going to Kabera to visit Raxia."

"Mhm."

"Do you want to come with me?"

Ezra's eyebrows knitted together in thought, before he opened his eyes more. After a moment he mumbled out a "M'kay."

He looked down at his dragon and lightly scratched around his horns, the young hybrid waking with a soft cat like 'mrrp'.

"Hey bud, feel like going home for a little while?"

Whiplash rolled onto his side, hesd lifting as he yawned. "I guess, why are we going-" he yawned again, "-to Lothal?"

Ezra smiled at the response. "No no, Kabera, Whiplash, Fawn and I are going to Kabera, want to come with?"

Whiplash studied Ezra with half lidded, tired eyes before nodding, head dropping back into Ezra's side. "Fine, but I need kaff before we leave."

"Honestly I could go with a cup myself" Fawn rubbed at her eyes and stepping away from the bunk.

"I'll make some and breakfast to go, be ready in ten, okay?"

"Sure thing" Ezra sat up, stretching his arms to the roof. "But what's the rush?"

"Raxia" Fawn replied exiting the cabin.

Ezra stared at the door as it closed, turning to meet eyes with Whiplash. "Raxia?"

Whiplash crooned softly, horns dipping ever so slightly. "She's still not fully recovered from the strike, those Star Destroyers really did a number on her. Fawn uses Force healing to help her."

"Poor Raxia" Ezra said sympathetically. "I can't believe the Empire actually managed to hurt her this badly, she's a Ritchemprea dragon."

W

hiplash stepped off Ezra as he moved to get up. "Even Ritchempreas have weaknesses Ezra, all dragons do. I've just never understood how the Empire knew what type of fire power they needed and where to direct it to properly damage her."

Ezra pulled a fresh shirt from his drawers, sending a worried look at Whiplash. "Damaged? Wait, how bad is it?"

Whiplash cringed, instantly wishing he phrased it differently. "She...she'll heal, it'll just take awhile longer than we expected."

Ezra merely nodded, feeling strangely numb as anxiety now fully flooded him.
He never really thought about Raxia after the raid. She looked awful after the attack, but he had read about Ritchemprea dragons during his studies to become a Dragon Rider. They were meant to be tough, stubborn, and above all, powerful.
He assumed she would be fine because of her breed and the healers on Kabera.
But it had been six months, and if she was still hurting...it must've been more serious than he originally thought.

"Ezra?" Whiplash bit his lip, "sorry, I really shouldn't have said it like that, I didn't want to make you worried."

Ezra tried to smile reassuringly though it mostly looked like a grimace. "You don't have to apologize bud, it's better that I know." He locked his belt in place, then grabbed his boots from the corner of the dresser. Sitting on Zeb's bed, being careful not to bump the sleeping Lasat, he started to pull them on.

"Could I do anything to help Raxia?"

Whiplash chuckled, leaping down to the floor, sitting in front of Ezra. "Keeping Fawn out of danger would probably stop Raxia from getting grey scales."

The boy looked away from his dragon, worry creasing his forehead.

Whiplash sighed, placing a paw on his best friend's foot. "Hey, really, she'll be okay, it's sweet of you to offer to help. As long as the healing sessions happen and she rests, Raxia will be fine."

Ezra smiled softly at that, nodding in agreement. "Okay...I trust your judgement."

"You should" Whiplash pushed his claws against Ezra's leg, "now come on, I need caffeine." He trotted to the automatic door, looking over his shoulder at his rider expectantly when it opened.

Ezra chucked, standing to follow Whiplash who bounded down the hall.

~~~~~~

Fawn tapped her fingers against the steering handle of the Phantom Two to the beat of the song playing on the system. Hurricane lay on the headrest of her chair, head on Fawn's shoulder, and accepting the small pieces of yogan she passed up to him.

Ezra sat in the co-pilots chair, eating a toasted sandwich and bobbing his head in rhythm. Whiplash rested on his lap, taking slow sips of the kaff in his small travel cup, eye ridges relaxing at the taste.

The final notes of the song faded out, leaving the ship in silence. Ezra swallowed his food, turning to his sister. "Logan wrote that?"

"Sure did, with some help from his friends" Fawn replied. "His band's music has become a real hit across Kabera."

"I can imagine, that is gonna be stuck in my head for hours" Ezra chuckled then pressed a button on the stereo, a new song flowing out. "I had no idea Logan could sing so well."

"It's a hidden talent, when I rescued him from his village he was as silent as falling snow. I honesty thought he was mute for a few days. Then when he was in the library, I overheard him singing to himself. It was a song of his people. I gave him a device with popular songs around the universe then began singing them when he was around. I hoped he would learn them and be encouraged to sing with me."

"You can sing too?"

Fawn smiled sheepishly. "Not very well, but yes. I'd tried multiple things to get Logan to talk, singing was my last plan."

"And it worked?"

"It was a slow process at first but he eventually began to sing. We worked up from gentle songs to full out rock. It was such an incredible feeling when he began yelling the lyrics."

Ezra laughed, imagining a tiny Logan standing on a table belting out the words. "When did he actually speak proper words to you?"

"After two weeks of the singing plan, he was spoke softly but it was more than enough progress for me."

"I wouldn't mind hearing you sing sometime?"

Fawn exhaled a chuckle, shaking her head. "Those days are long gone I'm afriad Ez, I haven't sung in years."

Ezra was about to press when they dropped out of hyperspace in front of the star cluster.

"Whiplash?" Fawn said, flicking some switches to prepare for the jump.

Whiplash yawned, passing his empty cup to Ezra and stretched. "Too early to bust out a Sonic Charge" he mumbled, leaping up onto the dash.

"You've been up for half an hour, had a double caffiene shot of kaff and you're still tired?" Hurricane asked incredulously.  

"Shuddup" Whiplash grumbled without much heat. His tail sparked with energy, the end spikes spitting yellow electricity. He swung it up then smacked it against the control panel of the shuttle, the energy travelling across the ship quickly.

"There, enjoy" Whiplash leapt back to Ezra's lap, curling up and covering his head with his wing.

Fawn pressed a button, looking at the dragon with mild amusement. "You know, ever since we rejoined the rebellion your sleeping schedule has been thrown out the window."

"And my will to live followed it" Hurricane added smoothly then yelped when Fawn smacked him lightly.

"Oi, no statements like that, we've talked about this," she said sternly.

Hurricane gave her a weak smile. "Sorry...forgot."

Ezra glanced at Whiplash who looked back with concern lining his features.

'Is it normal for him to make comments like that?' Ezra asked through their bond.

'I've never heard him talk that way before' Whiplash replied.

"Alright guys," Fawn turned back to the controls, "here we go."

Fawn pulled the lever back and the ship jumped through the Star Cluster.

~~~~~~~

After affirming who they were to the communications crew, Fawn piloted the spacecraft towards the docks. The shuttle touched down on a landing pad on Raxia's mountain, steam hissing from the ports of the legs. The door folded open, the occupants inside departing from the ship.

True to his word, Lux was standing at the entrance of the cavern. Beside him was Logan Krieger and Hope Raceborn, and their dragon companions, Chaser and Emerald.

The two teens broke into a run to meet the arrivers, simultaneously
hugging Fawn tightly who gave away a surprised laughed.

"Well hello to you too!" She put her arms around them.

"We missed you" Logan grinned up at her.

Hope nodded with a smile of her own, "how's the Rebellion?"

"Good, I think the dragons are helping the chances" Fawn let them go.

Logan then turned to the boy next to Fawn. "Hey Ezra"

To Ezra's surprise, the togruta  hugged him as well. Getting over his momentary alarm, he put his own arms around the teen. "Hello Logan," he said as Logan stepped back with a smile.

Emerald bounded over to her brothers, touching heads with a happy purr. Chaser clasped wing talons with Whiplash when the siblings separated.

"Fawn" Lux said, approaching the Gray Jedi.

Fawn clasped his hand when he offered it. "Hey, how is she?"

"Trying to remain strong, but we can see she's struggling."

Fawn's lips went into a firm line, "I...I see." 

She then turned to the teenagers behind her. "Um, Logan? Could you please take Ezra somewhere for an hour or two?"

"What?" Ezra looked offended, "Fawn, why can't I see Raxia with you?"

"Because I'm going there to Force heal her and have a conference. One thing you don't know how to do, and the other you don't like sitting through. I know you Ezra, you'll be much more entertained with Logan."

Ezra sighed, a little upset he couldn't see the great Ritchemprea dragon but nodded all the same.

"Thank you," Fawn placed a hand on his shoulder then turned to Logan. "Try to keep him out of trouble?"

"I can try" Logan replied.

Fawn placed a hand between his head tails and kissed his forehead in a motherly way. "Hope? You gonna join them?"

"No thanks, Emerald and I were gonna head to the library."

Fawn nodded then after giving a smile to Ezra, walked with Lux towards the entrance, Hurricane in tow.

"Alright boys," Hope leapt up onto Emerald's saddle, grasping her short horns. "I'm outta here."

"See ya Hope" Logan waved.

Emerald leapt off the cliff edge, catching the updraft, she soared towards the lower part of Kabera's buildings. The four boys left at the edge watched them leave.
Logan then cleared his throat.

"Sooo, Ezra" Logan tucked his hands behind his back, a slight gleam in his green eyes. "Do you like video games?"

Phew this was tricky to write. I wanted it to be a clean segway into the next big part of the story.

Hope you enjoyed

Star-Wars-Dragons out 🐉