A bond

"You ready?" I call out to Sheldon.

"The real question is; are you ready?" Sheldon mocks back.

"Can your fighting words hold up? Lets go!" I yell at her.

I make a run for her head. She stands her ground waiting for me to get closer. I do a faint and go to her left conjuring up fire around my right fist. I go in for a punch to her side. Sheldon squirts me with water drenching me. My flame nearly goes out but I push for more heat causing it to come back to life. Sheldon brings her tail up and smacks me away. I skid across the ground for multiple meters.

"Ow." I say laying on the ground.

"You actually held the flame this time. And don't act like that hurt. We both know you can handle a hit." Sheldon says smirking.

"Just because I have skin with the toughness of a dragon doesn't mean I can't complain." I complain.

"Oh stop belly aching and get up." Sheldon taunts.

I bring my legs up over me, pushing with my hands I launch myself up to be standing on my feet. I focus on heating my whole body but not to the point of engulfed in flame. Soon my clothes and hair are dry. The first time I learned I can heat my whole body up, I made myself too hot and my clothes caught fire. I was forced to wear rags for a bit there because getting clothes up here is difficult. Kem worked for weeks trying to find and make a spell that would make my clothes hold an enchantment of fireproof. When he did I became grateful, only downside is not all my clothes are enchanted and I have no way of telling if the magic faded or not.

Anyways I'm ready for another round with Sheldon. She is fast even on land so getting any attacks in is a challenge. It was so much easier when she was smaller.

"Alright." I say bringing my fists up ready for the next spar.

Sheldon tilts her head to point her horn at me. That broken one never grew back right so its still a small nub. This time she charges at me. With my fists I hit the ground with some fire to launch myself into the air over Sheldon. Watching for her tail, I spin mid air bringing my slightly closed hand to my mouth, taking aim for her back. With a deep breath I quickly blow out through my hand creating a flamethrower. I end up hitting her square in the back. Bending my knees I'm able to absorb the impact from hitting the ground.

She growls from the hit. With a tuck and roll she is able to turn and hit me with water before I can take cover. The water jet hits me hard sending me back into a tree. The poor tree snaps in half. I stand up and brush off the mud, leaves and sticks.

I look at Sheldon's injured back. "Pearl! Mitus!" I call out into the forest.

"It's not that bad. I can still fight." Sheldon growls.

"You may be able to fight but I refuse to continue til you are healed." I demand.

Sheldon charges me with her fangs bared. I stand my ground waiting. Vines pop out of the ground around Sheldon, tangling her limbs and pinning her to the ground. She tries thrashing only for the vines to tighten. Leaf and Arata step out from the forest. While Pearl pulls a rope bringing Mitus who is on one of her clouds down to the ground from above the trees.

"Where is the injury this time?" Mitus asks dropping the rope and jumping from the cloud.

"Her back." I tell him.

He goes to Sheldon with Pearl and they begin to work on her.

"Why won't you fight me all out?!" Sheldon screams from her restraints.

"You know why! Hurting you like this breaks my heart!" I yell back at her.

"But how are we supposed to know what we can handle if we don't push that limit!" Sheldon is furious. 

She gets out of control like this often now. This outburst is a mild one. I understand her anger since we will be fighting Gilton and Tundra soon. But I still hate hurting her. Thats why I ask Pearl to stay close by when we spar. Lately I have had to ask Leaf to be nearby too to hold her down for treatment.

Once she was done being treated Mitus nods to Leaf to let her go. Sheldon charges me again and I grab ahold of her horns stopping her. We growl at each other. Her out of anger and mine out of authority.

She shakes free from my hold. Sheldon turns slightly so I am in range of her tail. While I'm focused on her tail she reaches with her front claws knocking me down and pinning me on the ground under her.

"Why aren't you fighting back!?" Sheldon is seeing red. "Fine! I will make you fight me!" 

I can smell the pheromones coming from her. She is distressed. She turns to Pearl and charges. I bolt from the ground after her. Leaf tries to pin her again. This time she spins slicing through the vines with her claws and back spiked fin. She continues to charge at Pearl, who has her fangs bared ready for a fight.

Thanks to Blaze's powers my legs have gotten stronger so I'm able to catch up to Sheldon. Leaping into the air behind her my fist connects to the back of Sheldon's head knocking her down. Her face collides with the ground. With a tuck she rolls to her feet while I catch my balance not far from her.

Now her attention is back to me. Sheldon shakes the dirt off and starts shooting jets of water at me. I side step the first few and brace for the impact on the last one. While she thinks I'm distracted with the water I listen for her foot steps. Ducking I miss her tail swing. I jump at her from my squated position tackling her to her ground.

"Quick. Lets help." Pearl says.

"Stand down!" I bark to Pearl but more to Leaf. Who was getting ready to hold her with vines.

I can't hold Sheldon down now that she is much bigger than me. Meaning I will have to subdue her with smarts and timed brute strength. Sadly I have to do this to remain the leader of the group. All since I refuse, along with any of the others, to have a master contract on any of the dragons. I want them to be able to think and act for themselves. 

Those contracts are cruel. A contract where they have to obey my every command while still being conscious like I was when I first got here. What am I saying? My contract is still valid because it can't be undone til death.

 Sheldon has her fangs bared at me. She charges again, my vision blurs from tears building up. I clench my fist, jumping from side to side I get an opening on the rampaging water dragon. I bring my fist down on her head. Sheldon staggers and falls to the ground.

"Pearl." I choke out. My tears blur my vision more and I try not to cry but the sadness is overwhelming. I can hear Pearl bound over to Sheldon's side.

"Beat up by a cry baby." Sheldon mumbles from the ground.

"You know I hate doing this." I tell her.

"It's the only way though." Sheldon whispers while she closes her eyes.

"No it's not!" I yell before plopping down in front of Sheldon. She looks up at me with tears welling in her eyes. I place my forehead to hers. "You know this."

"I'm scared." Sheldon starts to cry.

"Talk to me." I tell her gently.

"..."

"Sheldon." I whisper gently.

"W-what if I'm not strong enough?" She sobs.

"You are so much stronger than you were. We all are. We also all have a little fear of what's to come. But if we work as a team." I bring Sheldon's head up with my hands. Wiping away her tears. "We can bring them down. Just like those other bandits and dragon robbers that we chase out of here."

Sheldon nods. Then closes her eyes to nuzzle me. I rub my face back on her smooth scales. 

"Leave me some room!" Pearl says smothering us both.

"Get off of me you lizard." Sheldon grumbles while nipping at Pearl.

"Says the water lizard." Pearl replies nuzzling me.

They soon do what we all consider sisterly love with their bickering. Leaf acts like he wants to join but is unsure. I wave him to come join. Leaf very cautiously climbs into the pile to join in on nuzzles, play growls and nips.