"Silver... wake up."

The dragoness groaned slightly and rolled over in her nest, not bothering to even try and interpret whose voice she was hearing. She was tired, and that was that. It was the first good sleep she had had in ages. A snort sounded from behind her as the sound of padding feet walked away from her nest. She let out a small sigh, thinking that they had gone away. Resting back into her nest she relaxed again, wanting sleep to take her. A strange orange light flashed in the corner of her vision, but she ignored it. Soon however her metallic nest began to slowly warm up, causing her to shuffle slightly. The heat continued to build up, causing her to shift, uncomfortable. Her sensitive scales began to take in the heat, causing her body to flinch away from the metal.

Suddenly she jumped up, letting out a yelp of both anger and surprise as the heat burnt her slightly. She glared behind her to see a chuckling fire dragon sitting a few metres away from the nest, the last flickers of fire dying from under it. Not wanting to get burnt again she quickly hopped out of the nest, still glaring at her brother.

"Morning sleepy head," Raize grinned his goofy smile that Silver hadn't seen in such a long time.

"What time is it?" she shook her head, trying to get rid of the dizzy feeling that came with rising too fast.

"Oh, nearly mid-day, Iraliene asked me to come and get you," he said, tapping his tail, "And I decided to do it. I haven't visited you're cave before, I don't think."

The dragoness smiled slightly and glanced around her cave. The metal statues she had created gleamed slightly in the small slivers of light coming from the entrance. It was quite spectacular really, and any dragon that wasn't used to seeing them would be stunned, which Raize obviously was.

"You got quite the collection here," he said, looking around.

"Yeah," she smiled slightly, "It's a hobby."

"I didn't know you liked to make stuff," the fire drake glanced at her.

"Well, I do. It's a relaxing time waster," She gave a small laugh, "Anyway, let's get going. I'm guessing the queen of Sky Mountain is probably itching to give me a talking to."

"Yes, she said you've been avoiding her," he titled his head.

"Not exactly untrue."

"Haha, I thought so. I would probably do the same in your case," Raize gave a laugh, "But... I'm already in her bad books, so I'm bringing you in."

He puffed out his chest and spread his wings slightly as he said it, standing up straighter, before snorting humorously and relaxing again. Silver laughed as well. She missed him being like this, and it was good to have her brother back.

"Then we better go," she said, "No use keeping our leader waiting."

With a grin they raced toward the exit of Silver's cave and leapt out, flapping their wings in air and racing toward Sky Mountain. The two siblings played in the air, reaching to get passed the other and struggling to stay ahead. The fire dragon was faster then he used to be, using his fire to boost himself forward in the air, but Silver wasn't exactly slow either, and by reducing the shell on her back to nearly nothing she managed to keep up with him.

"I didn't know you could do that either!" he called over the wind, looking in wonder.

"Oh, I don't do it often," she called back with a grin, "But the sky feels amazing like this."

"I bet it does," he grinned and raced forward again, leaving Silver behind and causing the dragoness to push forward with another burst of speed.

They raced into the mountain and slowed down, Silver letting her shell grow back to its normal size once again. The other dragons working on the floor below watched them fly by curiously, before realising who the pair were and quickly avoiding eye contact. The siblings entered The Nest through the mostly repaired tunnel before flying upwards toward Iraliene's cave. Raize left her to go in with a simple 'good luck' and then flew back the way he had come.

Silver entered the large cavern once again and took a turn to the far right, landing as she came into a rather large space filled with rarer dragons. She stopped for a moment, before letting out a sigh when she spotted Iraliene lounging in her usual spot, a large lump of rock with a smoothed surface allowing her a great view over what was happening in the room, not that her size allowed her to do that anyway. Because of this the life dragon instantly spotted Silver and a small smile spread across her maw.

"Silver my dear, why don't you come over here for a moment," she called, sitting up and watching the metal dragon with soul binding eyes.

Avoiding eye contact with Iraliene, Silver began to make her way forward. She glanced across the room, spotting Celestia in the corner with her three hatchlings, safe and sound. The light dragoness flashed her a smile, before scowling one of the light twins who had just burnt another dragon's foot. Silver also made eye contact with Retrix, who was sitting and talking with a mind dragon. He flashed her a small grin, and she couldn't help but look away with a small blush. She remembered the previous night all too well.

Focusing back on the queen she came to a stop in front of her, and sat on her haunches. Gravon was sitting beside her mother, the gravity dragon seeming a little pleased to see her, and she couldn't help but wonder what Iraliene had planned for her.

"Good morning," the queen of Sky Mountain greeted her with a slight nod of her head.

Silver dipped her head back, not saying anything and shuffling her wings slightly.

"I'm sure you know why I've called you here," said Iraliene.

"I have an idea," muttered the silver dragoness back.

"Good, so it shouldn't come as a surprise to you that I've called for the favour you owe me."

Again Silver didn't answer, looking down at the stone floor and half wishing she could disappear. A grunt of laughter came from Gravon's direction as he watched her in slight contempt. His dislike for the dragoness had grown over her time away, and now it was his chance to get her back.

"You couldn't avoid this forever Silver," snorted Iraliene, causing the metal dragon to look up again.

"I know."

"Good, because I suspect you to make you're choice of a mate by tonight."

"What!" Silver let a small growl.

"Don't be so surprised, young one. I have given you enough time, over five months, you should have chosen one by now," the life dragon tilted her head, "And Silver, I won't be taking no as an answer. I'm tired with your stubbornness over the matter. You will choose, or I will choose for you."

Beside his mother Gravon grinned, causing Silver to growl in response.

"Why are you so insistent on me doing this?" the metal dragon looked up at Iraliene, "Why is this so important to you?"

"I am not willing to see another species of dragon go extinct," the queen of Sky Mountain narrowed her eyes.

"Another?"

"A while back, close to two hundred years now, there was a species of dragon born called a storm dragon, or weather dragon if you like. The first of them was a drake name Kaeda, an extremely powerful individual who used his power in a way I haven't seen before or since. He never reached equilibrium, but he very well could have. But he was cocky, and stubborn. He ignored my advice of finding a mate and chose to remain as he was. He died at the young age of twelve, taking a canon ball to the throat while fighting a number of battle ships, the first version of D.E.D. if you will. Since that day I swore that I would not see another dragon species go extinct, not while I was alive, and I have worked toward that goal. So far, I have been successful, with mind dragons and gravity dragons. I will not allow your species to go extinct, and to be sure of that you will have eggs, soon. Then I will allow you to do as you will."

"That doesn't give you the right to make me do this," growled Silver.

"It gives me every right. I have seen your type before, and with the amount of times you recklessly through yourself into danger one day you won't make it back!"

"You don't know that!"

"I do know that! How many times have you seen death, Silver! How many times has your life been saved by the presence of others, or by the mere luck? How many times have you been so close to death that you thought there was no hope of coming back! Ha? How many times!?"

The metal dragon glanced away with a snort, not willing to answer the question. There were multiple times where her life had been saved within moments of it being taken away, and many times where it would have been quite easy for a dragon to kill her.

"I have had enough of your stubbornness!" snarled Iraliene, sitting up straighter and looking down at the smaller dragoness, "You will choose by tonight, or you know what will happen. That is the end of this discussion. Choose wisely."

A mix of anger and frustration welled up inside Silver. She felt the urge to roar, to cry out, to argue back, but the green dragon was right. She had to choose, there was no other way. So, instead, she turned away and padded back toward the exit, her claws itching for something to destroy. But what could she choose? Who could she choose? Or more accurately, whom should she choose?

"Hey Silver," came a friendly voice from beside her.

She looked up to see Celestia standing beside her. A small tired smile crossed her features and she let out a small sigh.

"You all right?" asked the light dragoness.

"Yeah... sort of... not really," she growled.

Celestia chuckled slightly before turning toward where her hatchlings were watching her, with another light dragon looking over them, "Selia, look after them for a couple of hours would you?"

The other dragon nodded her head and drew the hatchlings a little closer.

"Now, my friend, let's talk shall we," Celestia said, nudging Silver's side.

"Okay," the metal dragon sighed.

"Good, now come on, follow me."

The two of them flew out of the cave and made there way toward the exit of Sky Mountain, before exiting and rising into the expanse of the blue sky. Other dragons were flying around as well, though most of them were in groups, schools more accurately, being taught by the many teachers that were around the area. It was a rather warm day as well; warmer then usual, though there had been slightly strange weather for the past couple of days. Silver suspected that Raize's equilibrium might have had something to do with it.

"Silver," said Celestia, gaining the other dragoness's attention, "Why are you so reluctant to choose a mate?"

Silver glanced at her friend in surprise, "Why are you asking?"

"I just want to know. I heard what you said to Iraliene, most dragons did, and I want to know why?"

"I'm not ready for that Celestia," the metal dragoness let out a sigh, "That's the reason."

The light dragon laughed in response, "I seriously doubt that. If it is the reason, then it is a pretty weak one."

Silver frowned at her friend.

"You're never fully ready to make that commitment. To give yourself to another dragon is something that is difficult, especially for you I reckon, so you need to make sure that you trust and respect a dragon before you make the decision. And as far as I know, you are already quite close to a certain someone."

The younger dragoness faulted slightly with that and a small blush formed, "Yeah, but... what if that's a mistake?"

"I don't think it would be. Zepos is an amazing drake; one that I know would love and cherish you, for a long time. And forgive me if I'm wrong, but you love him to don't you?"

"Yes... but love isn't the only thing that builds a relationship. You also need trust, and companionship, and you have to a good friendship as well, and communication."

"You have all that with him," Celestia stated with a tilted head.

Silver looked away, "I just don't know Celestia."

"Oh come on, he's perfect! Unless there's another drake that you can think of, which I doubt."

The metal dragoness faulted slightly and couldn't help but think back to the previous night, of the kiss she had shared with Retrix. It wasn't as if she had wanted to kiss him, but she had, and the more she thought about it the more she realised that there was something between them. It was slightly different then her relationship with Zepos, but similar as well.

"Is there another dragon?" Celestia said, looking at her with interest.

Silver's silence was the only answer she needed.

"Who is it?" the light dragoness exclaimed a little excitedly.

Silver let out a sigh, knowing there was no use trying to hide the information from her, "Retrix. The void dragon we rescued from A.O.D.H."

"Aaah, I suspected something was between you two, but wasn't to sure," she grinned, before frowning, "That makes it complicated."

"Exactly."

"So... who you gonna choose?"

"I don't know!"

"Who does you're heart yearn for?"

Silver growled, "That is impossible to answer."

"Well... " Celestia let out a frustrated rumble, trying to think, "Hey, I got an idea. You point out what you like and dislike about each dragon, then you can decide."

"Okay..."

"Good! We'll start with Zepos first!"

"Hmm," Silver thought for a moment, "I've known him longer, he's charming, caring and trustworthy, and always there if I need him to be, and I know that I could always count on him, not to mention our elements work well together. But sometimes, he can get annoying. I mean, he's a bit possessive, and always wanting to be with me. Sometimes I just have to say no."

"Okay, and Retrix?"

"Well, he.... Understands more then Zepos, I think. He's daring, confident, and smart, and I enjoy talking to him, quite a lot. But, he doesn't have the same caring nature Zepos does, which probably comes from the fact he hasn't been around many dragons for much of his life."

"Did that help?"

"Not one bit," grunted Silver.

"You're helpless," muttered Celestia with a sigh, "You know if you don't choose by tonight Iraliene will choose for you."

"I know."

"And don't think you can run away again. A.O.D.H is really after you now, and I doubt you would last long."

"I know!"

"So what are you going to do?"

The metallic dragoness sighed and came to a stop as they finished circling around Sky Mountain, trying to think of a way she would be able to avoid choosing for just a couple more weeks.

"I've got it!" Silver suddenly cried out, figuring out something that would allow her to choose in her own way.

"What?" Celestia frowned, "Have you chosen?"

"No, but I've got an idea. A test, if you will," the metallic dragon grinned.

"Okay. What is his test?"

Silver let her smile grow, and quickly explained her idea to the light dragoness. Celestia frowned, a little sceptical of it, but in a way she could see how it would work. There was only problem.

"What about Gravon? I wouldn't underestimate him. He may very well be successful in this test," warned the light dragoness.

"He won't be a problem," Silver shook her head.

"Yeah... but..."

"He won't be a problem," she repeated, "Now, lets go see if Iraliene agrees."

* * *

The two dragonesses made their way back through Sky Mountain toward the cave once again. Silver was feeling a little more confident now, and the threat looming over her didn't seem as massive. She just hoped that Iraliene would agree with her idea. If she didn't... well it wouldn't come to that.

They landed in the cave and Silver quickly made her way toward where Iraliene was sitting on her pedestal. The life dragon frowned at her as she approached and rose up onto her legs.

"I am surprised Silver, I didn't expect to see you so soon," Iraliene said, tilting her head with interest.

The metal dragoness smiled slightly, "I've got my answer."

"And who is the lucky drake?" Iraliene smiled slightly.

Taking a deep breath Silver stood up taller, trying to make herself look as regal as possible, "Anyone."

"What? Anyone?"

"Yes. I will mate with any drake, on one condition. They have to defeat me in battle first."

The few dragons near them gasped slightly at her announcement. A few of the younger drakes looked at each other, slightly excited, and Gravon, who was still sitting near his mother, grinned. He stood up and padded forward to join his mother.

"That is not what...." Iraliene was cut off by her son.

"Yes. That is a great idea," the gravity dragon said with eagerness.

"Gravon, this isn't you're decision."

"Oh, come on mum. It'll be fun," his eyes glinted dangerously causing Silver to growl slightly.

The great life dragoness regarded him for a moment, before snorting, "Fine. I will agree to your terms."

"Good," Silver nodded her head.

"And I will be your first challenger," grinned Gravon, his tail twitching eagerly.

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Hey guys! New chapter! I hope you enjoyed, vote if you did and comment what you thought. I feel like this chapter was a bit rushed. But anyway, next chapter will be out soon. See Ya!

Pennator^^