The contest went on that Smaug and Darkstalker should test who was the most brilliant dragon.

Smaug was maybe cunning, but so was Darkstalker. All in all, I did not know, nor did I predict, how this would go. Not many had gathered to watch this silly contest, but those few were me, my friends, and even Prince Zakor. The king and queen couldn't be here because they had to attend important meetings. Well more critical than watching some young dragons have a game of wit.

It was boring as I've never considered myself a sharp-witted dragon. I was brilliant when I needed to be cunning, too. "who do you think will win?" Isila said from her spot beside me on the grass-filled hill. I huffed, blowing hot steam out of my nares. "I do not know, Isila," I answered honestly before my attention was turned back to the lame contest.

I didnt want to stop them because they seemed to have fun. They were both smiling. Well, Darkstalker's smile was more of a smirk than Smaug's, but at least they were having fun. It took some hours before the dragons that had gathered there. Me, Isila, and my other friends, along with Prince Esil, had gotten enough and started to head back to the mountain.

I stayed back, though, to tell the combats off, but that is when I noticed something that I couldn't tell yet.

So with a sharp blow from my wings, I was in the air, grabbing the attention of my friends as well as Darksalker and Smaug. "what is it?" I heard Smaug ask me as his eyes studied my posture. I narrowed my eyes as I saw something approaching in the distance.

"Something is coming," I warned. Even my sharp eyes couldn't see this far. "warn the king and queen," I said. Isila and Prince Esil nodded, slinking back into the safety of the mountain.

Soon Darkstalker and Smaug were by my side, both using their eyes to detect the trespasser. Or trespassers. Now that they were closer, I could see more than one.

"What is that?" I ask. the two males at my side shrug "we better check it out," Darkstalker says and starts to fly against whatever the thing is. Smaug and I follow him. The closer we get, the more we can see the trespassers. It seems like they can fly, but they choose to walk. Also, they have four legs and seem pretty furry. But they're more significant than any mammal I've seen.

when I look closer again, I start to recognize them, and I am still in the air. "what is it?" Smaug asks as he, too, stops in the air. Darkstalker, on the other talon, does not control and continues to fly against the creatures. "its ichneumon, the one creature that we dragons fear" I shudder before a growl ripple me. "we need to stop Darkstalker and warn the kingdom."

Smaug nods though I know he has never heard of an ichneumon before. I've not either before I started to reach. And my parents have told me scarce thing about them, only that they can kill us with no sight at all.

"Smaug, I need you to fly back and warn the kingdom. I will go and stop Darkstalker before he can fall to their paws," I say. Still, Smaug gave me a petrified look "what?! No, I will not let you take on those things alone! what if they kill you?!" I sighed and brushed Smaug's wing my mine. "I need you to do this. I cannot let our kingdom fall to these moons. Go now, and if you hear anything, do not look back. Just fly on," and I flew away from him, leaving him for what would maybe be the last time.

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I didn't know what to expect when I dove into the battle with the ichneumon; that was certain, but I knew I wouldn't let my kingdom get infested by these things.

Even if that were the last thing I did. which wasn't saying much since I was overpowering most of these mongooses. "Rrr... Keep back!" I snapped, jutting my chin at one attacking ichneumon. It fell to the earth with a shattering yet small thud.

Huh never thought they wouldn't put up a fight. How did they even kill dragons?

Well, I saw one ichneumon bigger than the others and even armored. He held a small-looking pointy thing and sneered at me as he came forth. I gave him an amused glare. "so you're their leader or something?" I clicked untested. The ichneumon snorted and growled "yes, and you must be one brave flying lizard if you wish to die so soon," I growled at him but was still masued but his measly threats. "and why do you choose today of all days to attack the dragon race? And why us?" I snapped in question.

The ichneumon leader shrugged and pointed his sword at me "well, one, today seemed like a good day; you dragons weren't that alert like you usually are. And two, you Sky Dragons are the direct descenders of Fire Dragons, our one mortal enemy. While we appear small, we have a lot of enemies, and our kind is barely clawing for a foothold in these lands. Your kind drove us away because we were too weak to do anything for you! my family died by your ancestors' claws!" he snarled, his voice tinged with sadness and anger.

The two most strong emotions when it comes to revenge. I sighed, my tail lashing idly about. the other ichneumons didn't even try to attack only tried to look scarier and more significant, which by the way, they were doing a terrible job at. I've seen dragonets that look scarier.

"well, killing us won't quench your awful lust; trust me, I know. And at last, killing is not the way to go around this!" I hissed, getting more annoyed by teh minute. Just looking at him had me reeling back. With a snarl low enough to qualify as a rumble, the ichneumon charged at me, sword bared and teeth ready.

But he barely touched my chest before I flung a talon at him, knocking him to the ground with the sword clattering to his side. His minions rushed to him, their worry pouring out like the water of a destroyed ram. I sighed when one of the less small ichneumons turned at me, his face fiercely set in a growling hateful expression "you will pay for that!" he shrieked and grabbed his leader's sword and rushed at me, only to suffer the same fate.

When the others understood this was a fight they would never win, they fled like sniveling cowards. I shook my head and looked over at the two big ichneumons, and stepped to them. They started to whimper in fear and anger when my bright (e/c) burned their skin. "come across us again, and I will not hesitate to rip your petty little heads apart. And next time, get better weapons!" I slunk, leaving the two to cower in shame and sorrow.

This was a battle they would never have won.

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