Ember soared in wide, graceful arcs above the rooftops, her sharp eyes scanning the scene below. The houses stood intact, their walls unscathed, and the streets were free of the chaos she had feared. The damage had been minimal—averted, for the most part. Relief coursed through her like a warm breeze, though she didn't let it slow her wings.

Rex leaned forward in the saddle strapped securely to her back, his grin as sharp as a blade. "Good," he said, his voice carrying over the rush of wind. "Looks like my brothers actually take their jobs seriously for once." He raised a hand, pointing toward a flat, open space ahead. "Drop me off there."

Ember followed his gesture to a helipad perched on the edge of the city. Two figures stood waiting—Jedi Knights, their robes rippling faintly in the breeze. Their postures were calm, but even from this distance, Ember could sense their curiosity sharpening into something more intense as they noticed her approach.

With a powerful beat of her wings, Ember angled downward, her shadow sweeping over the helipad like a storm cloud. The Jedi's calm expressions shattered into wide-eyed astonishment as they realized what was heading their way—a dragon, her scales glinting like molten gold in the sunlight, descending toward them with a rider on her back.

As Ember's talons made contact with the helipad, they skidded ever so slightly on the rain-slicked metal, but she maintained perfect control, her wings flaring out to steady herself. Droplets of water scattered from her scales, and the late afternoon sun caught her wing membranes, sending brilliant flashes of amber and gold dancing across the landing pad like scattered flames.

The brown-haired Jedi Knight—his presence radiating both power and concern—stepped forward with fluid grace. His hand came to rest on Rex's arm with the familiarity of countless battles fought side by side. "I was worried for your safety, my friend," he said, his voice carrying genuine relief beneath its composed exterior.

Rex's blonde head dipped in acknowledgment, a ghost of a smile playing at his lips. He turned slightly, gesturing toward the dragon who stood alert behind him, her scales still gleaming with moisture. "Yeah, thanks to this one, General Skywalker, General Kenobi—" His voice carried the weight of recent memory as he continued, "—this is Ember. She saved me from falling to my death."

Ember held herself with quiet dignity under the Jedis' scrutiny, her posture conveying both strength and intelligence. The way she positioned herself—protective yet diplomatic—spoke volumes about her character, even as droplets continued to roll off her scales like liquid copper in the fading light.

Ember dipped her head gracefully, her golden eyes glinting with intelligence. "Greetings, you two," she rumbled, her voice carrying a regal yet approachable tone.

General Kenobi's smile widened, his calm demeanor unwavering. "You saved one of our finest clones," he said, inclining his head slightly in gratitude. "I thank you for that. What can we do for you in return?"

Ember's tail swished behind her, the motion deliberate and fluid, like a brushstroke across the air. "Nothing," she replied, her voice tinged with dry humor. "Just keep him out of trouble."

With a playful glint in her eye, she lowered her head and nudged Rex's armored belly with her snout. The gentle push made him stumble back a step, but his laughter rang out, warm and unrestrained. "I'll try," he said, patting her snout with a fond smile. "No promises, though."

Kenobi chuckled softly, his gaze flicking between the two with a mixture of curiosity and respect. "It seems you've made quite the ally, Captain."

Rex nodded, his expression softening as he glanced at Ember. "That I have."

Ember then spread her majestic wings wide, their scales shimmering in the dimming light as raindrops cascaded off their surface. "If you need me, call me," she declared, her voice carrying the authority of a creature accustomed to the skies. With a powerful leap, she launched herself into the air, her wings slicing through the turbulent winds of the approaching storm. The thunder rumbled in greeting as she disappeared into the swirling clouds above, a silhouette framed now and then by flashes of lightning.

SCENEBREAK

Ember's wings beat steadily as she swooped down, the wind tugging at her scales. She touched down on a jagged outcrop that jutted out from the side of the mountain, her talons scraping against the rocky surface. Ahead of her, the massive form of a volcano loomed, its craggy slopes blackened by the ash of centuries. The air was thick with the scent of sulfur, and the roar of distant thunder echoed from above. Lightning cracked through the sky, casting brief flashes of light across the volcano's towering peak, which vanished into the swirling clouds like a jagged tooth in a storm's mouth.

With a tired huff, Ember folded her wings tightly against her sides, her scales glinting darkly in the storm's oppressive light. The weight of the storm pressed heavily on her, urging her to find shelter. Her golden eyes narrowed, scanning the volcano's surface for any sign of a safe place. The fierce winds whipped her feathers, and she barely heard her own thoughts over the deafening rumble of thunder.

"I might as well find shelter," she muttered to herself, and with that, she moved with purpose. Her feet crunched over the rough stone as she made her way into the mouth of a dark cave that yawned before her, its interior promising respite from the storm's fury. She slipped inside, the echo of her steps quickly swallowed by the dark. Her breath slowed as the storm raged outside, but the peace of the cave felt temporary, fleeting—a brief reprieve from the chaos that constantly churned around her.

The sudden chittering snapped Ember's attention upward. Her golden eyes locked on a small dragon perched at the far corner of the cave, its scales gleaming in the dim light. Red spikes ran down its back like jagged, fiery spines. The dragon's tail flicked, and its sharp, narrowed gaze bore into Ember's.

"You're not welcome," it hissed, its voice a sharp, crackling sound that made Ember's feathers bristle. The little creature curled its lip, revealing a row of needle-like teeth.

Before Ember could respond, a larger shape stirred from the shadows, its massive form unfolding like a predator stretching after a long nap. A great dragon emerged from the depths of the cave, its scales patterned like a leopard's coat, golden spots speckled across a sleek, dark hide. It roared, and the sound vibrated through the stone, making Ember's chest rattle.

"Intruder!" the larger dragon snarled, its voice a deep growl that shook the very air. The small dragon hissed, darting behind the larger one, and the two squared off, eyes flashing with hostility.

Ember stepped back, wings fluttering in a mix of caution and annoyance. She had come to escape the storm, not to be threatened. But before she could make a move, the ground trembled with a sudden shift, and a bubbling pit near the cave's far wall erupted, thick, molten rocks splattering outward. The air became stifling, filled with the acrid scent of sulfur and fire.

From the rising haze, another dragon appeared—tall and imposing, with armored scales that shimmered like a living fortress. It raised a thick, clawed tail, swiping it through the air with authority.

"Take it easy, both of you," the dragon rumbled, its voice booming, yet somehow calm. "It's just a visitor."

The tension in the cave shifted, though the smaller dragon's red eyes never left Ember's form.

The tension in the cave hung heavy, broken only by the shifting of scales and the crackle of the volcanic pit. The larger dragon's eyes narrowed as it surveyed Ember with a sharp, calculating gaze. Around her, more pairs of eyes blinked from the shadows—hidden figures, watching her every move, assessing her with a quiet intensity.

One of the eyes, sharper and more keen than the rest, focused on her with an unsettling force. "Now what's your name, visitor?" the larger dragon rumbled, its voice as deep as the earth itself.

"Ember," she replied quickly, her tail flicking nervously. She felt the weight of the eyes on her, the entire cave seemingly closing in as she spoke. She stood taller, trying to maintain her composure.

"I'm just sheltering from the rain," she added, her voice more measured now, the words coming out slower as she tried to calm the rising tension. "Like any dragon would. I didn't mean to intrude."

The smaller dragon with red spikes hissed again but didn't approach. The larger dragon gave a low, rumbling sigh, its sharp claws scraping against the stone floor.

"It's not the rain you should worry about," the larger dragon muttered, its gaze flickering toward the smoldering pit. "It's the fire that burns within these walls."

Ember's feathers fluttered as she glanced around, wondering what more lay hidden in the dark recesses of the cave, and what kind of dragons called it home.

Ember dipped her head in an attempt to show respect, her wings folding tighter against her sides. The larger dragon's words lingered in the air, heavy with meaning. She swallowed, feeling the sting of the tension around her. The silence between them stretched, thick and unyielding, and Ember could feel the weight of the moment settling on her.

"What would you have me do to get shelter here?" Ember asked, her voice laced with frustration but tempered with a hint of humility. "It's raining cats and dogs out there."

The storm raged outside, and the sound of the pounding rain on the rocks seemed louder than ever, like a thousand drums echoing from the heavens. She could barely hear the distant crack of lightning through the cave's thick walls, but she felt the relentless power of the storm in her bones.

"I can't stay out there," Ember continued, her tail flicking anxiously behind her. "I'm not looking for trouble. I just need a place to wait out the storm."

Her golden eyes sought the large dragon's gaze again, hoping for some sign of mercy, some small gesture that would indicate she wasn't about to be chased out into the storm like an unwanted pest. The cave had grown colder as the rain beat down, the heat from the pit not enough to chase away the chill of the storm. Ember's feathers were starting to dampen at the edges, the discomfort pushing her to stand her ground.

The smaller dragon, still watching her with narrowed, suspicious eyes, hissed once more, but the larger dragon silenced it with a glance. "Stay for now," it finally growled, a reluctant decision. "But don't overstay your welcome."

Ember nodded quietly, grateful for the temporary reprieve. She kept her posture neutral, careful not to provoke any further suspicion. The larger dragon, after a long, lingering stare, turned and slithered back toward the bubbling lava pit, its massive form blending into the shadows. The smaller dragon, still glaring, seemed content to keep its distance, its sharp eyes never leaving Ember.

Once the immediate tension eased, Ember took the opportunity to move. She leapt up onto a flat plateau near the back of the cave, her claws scraping softly against the stone as she found a comfortable spot. Her wings fluttered briefly, shedding the dampness from the storm outside.

She let out a soft huff, then blew out a stream of smoke, the tendrils curling upward as the heat from her breath radiated through the cool stone. The air around her began to warm, the heat from her flame gradually driving away the chill of the cave. Ember laid down, curling her tail around herself like a protective shield, her snout resting comfortably on the stone.

With a deep, contented sigh, she closed her eyes. Better find sleep quickly, she thought to herself, her thoughts growing sluggish with exhaustion. The rhythmic crackle of the lava pit, the distant rumble of thunder outside, and the faint hiss of the smaller dragon's breath became a lullaby. The warmth of her own body heat spread through the cave, lulling her into a deep, much-needed sleep.