"Whiplash!" Ezra yelled, scrambling to the edge of the cavern.

He looked over the edge, his heart thudding against his ribcage in fear.

"Whiplash!" He shouted.

The dragon was clinging to the wall, his claws and tail barbs locked into the rock. His eyes were wide, chest heaving.

"Buddy! You okay?!" Ezra called, still recovering from his sudden panic attack.

Whiplash took a few gulps of air, visibly shaking as he recomposed himself. "Yeah!" He replied, looking up. "I'm fine."

Ezra exhaled a shaky breath he didn't know he'd been holding, he huffed a laugh. "Well come back up here before you fall and I lose you for real."

Whiplash glanced down at the murky darkness below and gave a strained chuckle. "Yeah, I'll be up in a moment." His talons dug deeper into the stone as he pulled himself up, his tail adding extra support to the climb. He'd trained to do this sort of thing so he wasn't phased by this, what troubled him was the fact Ezra almost fell. The boy might've grown but he was still a kid, a kid fighting a war and a kid that could die any day-
Whiplash shook his aggressively. No.
That wasn't going to happen, he'd never let it happen. Not on his watch. While he was around, Ezra was guaranteed survival. He would make sure Ezra didn't perish this young in age. Even if that meant he had to step up and take the dark fate for him.
His claws hit a loose rock in the wall, jolting him from his thoughts.

"Whiplash!" He heard his rider yell.

The dragon grunted, latching back onto the steep cliff. He'd slid a few feet down, but it could've been worse. "I'm okay Ezra, get back from the edge" Whiplash called up. "Better to have only one down here than two."

He watched the boy retreat from the looming side of the cavern then kicked up with his back legs. He ran up the revenue, talons puncturing the stone as he moved. His breathes were short and his chest was starting to burn but he refused to stop. The cliff edge was overhanging, he wouldn't be able to climb that in his situation. Well, time to take a risk. 
Leaping upwards, Whiplash gave a flap of his wings, pushing him up to the stalactite ceiling. Kicking off the roof without the sharp death spikes, Whiplash landed on the cliff top gracefully.
Ezra stared, mouth agape at the stunt that had just been pulled in front of him. "That was bloody brilliant" he said.

A crack echoed through the cavern as the stalactites trembled before falling like bombs. Ezra went for his lightsaber but Whiplash's barbs fired first, breaking through the first line of stalactites before his tail lashed from nowhere, smashing the rest to peices before they could reach them. The splinter sized remains cascaded everywhere, some landing on Ezra and Whiplash who promptly shook himself.

"You weren't kidding about those things falling" Ezra let his lightsaber fall back to his hip.

"Yeah, deadly drukers I can tell you that" Whiplash reattached his barbs to his tail, shaking off the remains of the stalactites. "Well, I fell off the cliff, so I guess you can say 'I told you so' now" he smiled.

Ezra stared before giving a huff. He punched Whiplash's leg at full force.

"Ow, hey, what was that for?" Whiplash grinned.

"You almost died, I'm not gonna gloat because of that" Ezra crossed his arms.

Whiplash's eyes softened slightly. "I've been through worse than that, besides, I've been trained to climb caverns and stuff like that. I was fine."

Ezra rolled his eyes. "Yeah alright."

"So," Whiplash began. "I suppose that's all gonna happen again when we go back?"

Ezra froze then tipped his head back with a groan.

"We'll take extra precautions next time" Whiplash promised. "Hey, where'd your torch go?"

Ezra patted his belt, his eyes going wide. "No no no no" he looked around the turf around them but the small silver cylinder but it was nowhere to be found. "Crud" Ezra hissed. "It must've fallen down the revenue!"

Whiplash glanced over the edge. "Well, it's probably long gone now."

"Way to state the obvious genius." Ezra was on the verge of losing his cool when a soft blue light gently lit up the area. Looking round, the boy's mouth fell open.

"What? Did you forget I could do this?" Whiplash asked. His whole body had lit up, becoming a blue and yellow beacon.

"I-I guess I did" Ezra stuttered, still getting over the shock of seeing Whiplash's glowing form. "But won't it radiate heat?"

"I've learned to control how much heat this move produces, it only gives off a smidge, trust me. We'll be fine."

Ezra couldn't help reaching up and placing a hand on the side of Whiplash's neck. The scales still felt cold but the smallest fraction of warmth could be detected. "Brillant" he grinned in approval. "Nowhere near as warm back when you became a living heater when the Ghost's temperature control busted. Don't think I've ever been that cold." 

"Like I said, I've been learning how to control it" Whiplash shrugged. "Come on, we'd better keep moving."

Ezra looked back at the gap between the rock cliffs, something wasn't right.

"Hold on" Ezra grasped the dragon's wing. "The rebels came here to hide from the Empire didn't they? Which means they had to get over the revenue as well."

"So? They probably had jetpacks?" Whiplash reasoned.

"No they wouldn't have, they knew about these mushrooms which means they couldn't have fire on this planet. Natural or not. That being said, how the heck did they get over here? You barely made that jump and you're a dragon."

Whiplash looked back on the cliff, realizing Ezra's logic. "So...what are you thinking?"

"I'm thinking that this revenue wasn't here before."

Whiplash glanced down on Ezra. "What are you on about?"

"Look, if they didn't want the Empire to follow them down here, they might've blown up the pathway."

"There's a flaw to that plan Ez, the mushrooms would've exploded and killed them because of the toxins."

"You're not hearing me pal, the rebels have been here for years, they might've discovered a soloution to surviving the poison. Think about it, if a base was set up on a place where dangerous plants were growing, wouldn't there be a way to avoid dying?"

Whiplash's tail thumped on the ground as he poundered on the new information. "Ezra, you might be onto something" he said. "So if they blew up the pathway, there has to be another way out."

"Exactly, so, if you see anything that could be a hidden route, speak up."
________________________________

"Would you rather go a week without flying or a week without talking?"

"You love making this hard for me don't you? Alright, um, ugh I don't know. Talking?"

"You wouldn't last one day."

"I take offence to that."

Ezra laughed from atop Whiplash's back. "Okay your turn."

"Fine. Would you rather be stuck in a cave with Krykna spiders or stuck in a cave with Fyrnocks?"

"Seriously? Do you want me to die?"

Whiplash chuckled, grinning mischievously. "Make a choice Ezra."

"Okay alright, Fyrnocks then, I can connect with them."

"Good choice."

Whiplash suddenly froze, horns flicking up, eyes wide.

"Whiplash? Buddy-?" Ezra asked.

"Shhhh" Whiplash hissed sharply, horns revolving slowly. "I think I've got something."

"The rebels?"

"No...it sounds too big to be-" Whiplash suddenly leapt across the cave just as the ceiling fell in. "Crap" he snarled, tail swinging.

"What the hell?!" Ezra coughed, waving the dirt out of his face.

"Ezra duck!" Whiplash shouted, jumping to the side so suddenly it threw Ezra off.

The boy tumbled to the ground, narrowly missing a clump of mushrooms. A sudden roar shook the cave, making Ezra screw up his face as his ears rung painfully. A replying snarl then thuds of fighting. Ezra lifted himself on shaking elbows to see what the calamity was.
A large, tough looking cat stood its ground, tail swinging furiously. A pair of blue feelers stuck out in between its ears, long teeth going past its chin, and scruffy purple fur covered its entire body. Whiplash was baring his fangs, pupils slits and barbs unhinged and ready to strike.

"Whiplash what is that thing?" Ezra stared.

"Don't know, don't care. He's gonna pay for trying to spring attack me" Whiplash replied.

"You sure you can handle it? It's almost as big as you are."

"Ezra, I'm a dragon, I'm pretty sure I can handle a cat" Whiplash rolled his eyes, taking up a ready postion.

The cat struck first, leaping straight at Whiplash's face.

"Bad move" Whiplash growled, his teeth cutting into the creature's leg, throwing it across the cave.

Unfortunately, the cat was tougher than it looked. Digging its claws into the ground, it stayed upright, bolting straight for Whiplash again.

"Round two" Whiplash's barbs clicked in anticipation.

The cat unexpectedly didn't go for his front, instead leaping and climbing the walls, landing on the dragon's back. It bit deeply into Whiplash's shoulder making him roar.

"Kriff, hang on bud!" Ezra scrambled to his feet.

"Ezra stay back-!" Whiplash's warning came too late.

The cat changed targets, leaping off of Whiplash and headbutting Ezra harshly to the ground.

"HELL NO!" Whiplash's teeth latched around the cat's leg, yanking it back to himself.

The cat snarled rolling over, talons digging into Whiplash's chest making him snarl in rage. Moving to attack, he was met with air. The cat had nimbly leapt over the dragon, landing behind him. Before Whiplash had a chance to turn, the creature took hold of Whiplash's neck, throwing him across the cave where he hit the wall. He slumped to the ground with a grunt. Shaking his head with his legs trembling as he tried to stand, he fell again.

"Whiplash!" Ezra shouted in panic, sitting up again. How in the hell was he getting beaten by a cat?!

Speaking of the feline, it had snapped its head around to where Ezra stood, green eyes narrowing towards the small male.

"Good kitty?" Ezra lifted his hands in a sign of peace.

The large beast snarled and before Ezra knew it, the cat's tail slammed into his ribcage, throwing him across the cave. Half winded, Ezra coughed roughly, a hand over his most likely bruised chest. He looked up and then, with a yell, he rolled to the side as he was narrowly missed being crushed by the creature's giant paw.

"Don't wanna connect ay? Alright, plan b" Ezra grabbed his lightsaber, swinging it at the large cat.

The beast hissed as it slashed over its leg, face contorting with pain and rage. Its blue feeler shot out and wrapped around the green blade.

"What the hell?!" Ezra exclaimed in shock. "How can you do that?!"

The cat easily tugged the weapon from the boy, throwing it aside so it clattered far from the boy's reach. It then turned back to the boy, a deep growl rumbling in the back of its throat. Ezra pressed himself back against the rock wall. Even with his lightsaber he was defenceless. This thing could grab the blade without getting hurt at all. The cat snarled, jaws opening. Ezra winced, turning his head as it lunged forward.

"DON'T YOU TOUCH HIM!"

Whiplash came barreling from nowhere, his head smashing straight into the cat's side. A crack confirming he'd broken some ribs of the feline. It rolled across the ground, standing quickly with twisted fury on its face.
Whiplash breathed in sharply, yellow light building up in the back of his throat.

"Whiplash! Whiplash don't! Wait!" Ezra yelled.

Whiplash roared, his lightning blasting from his jaws. The light was so blinding, Ezra had to cover his eyes. Lightning crackled across the walls, bouncing around the tight space. The creature reared up in alarm and fear as the brightness and heat closed in on it. Snarling and hissing, it leapt at the ceiling and quickly burrowed through it to escape. Pebbles and dirt dropping as it dug furiously to get away from the dangerous opponent. 

Whiplash watched it go, snorting in victory. "Coward" he rolled his eyes.

"What is wrong with you?!"

Whiplash looked round in surprise. Ezra stood, eyebrows furrowed.

"Didn't you forget about the mushrooms?! Whiplash, we could've died because of what you just pulled!"

Whiplash's horns flattened against his head, eyelids lowering to glare dryly at the boy. "Well I was out of options Ezra, and it's not like you were doing anything to fend it off."

"Excuse me?"

Whiplash glared for a moment before his nostrils flared in a sharp exhale. "Let's just keep moving, that thing might come back."

"Sir yes sir" Ezra muttered sourly, trailing behind the dragon.

Whiplash suddenly paused, looking over his shoulder. "Are you alright?" The tone was still a little pissed, but the dragon's eyes held a fragment of concern.

Ezra nodded once, not wanting Whiplash's eyes on him. With a sigh, Whiplash turned again. "Okay then, come on."

Ezra couldn't help but notice Whiplash's slight limp, it compeled him to ask if he was okay but his anger made him hold his tongue. Whiplash would've said if he couldn't walk, he was gonna be fine. Then and again, he was as stubborn as his rider. Ezra shook off the thought.
Whiplash was fine.
Like the reptile said he was a dragon.
A limp was nothing.