No explanation will matter after we begin~ (Plot)

[Ember]

Too late, Ioth relayed to Ismaroth from His. Then, like a switch, Ioth was in battle mode and he darted away from the Wingleader at Iskierka's command. Sorry E'rro, but I'm not about to wait until you decide to remember that we have to fight to get out of here. Although... Above you, Ismaroth, the blue warned in growly tones to the much younger brown. Iskierka would abandon this battle if it got too bad but until then she was indeed a member of Burimyu and their...comrades were still land bound.

The blue slipped past Jeth shortly after Onyth did, making another blind slash for whatever he could reach before peeling away to assess things. His fellow former Bendener gave him a heads up and he twisted around to get in a better position. You are so kind, Onyth, he growled out to her, words not matching the almost apathetic tone in the blue's mindvoice. Frankly, Ioth didn't care much for anything besides making sure nothing hurt His (and by extension of that, himself). Ioth, go for the blue Onyth is baiting. I don't recognize that one.

Oh, Iskierka knew the Selenitas people were not on their side but between a Wastelander and a Selenitisian the bigger threat was rather more obvious. The bluerider let Elysia nad Onyth lead the way. She and Ioth had more experience than the greenpair and Ioth was a fast, agile blue but Iskierka would rather fight smart and provide support if things went worse. It was already bad. Ylonth says there's more company. And lots of it. Definitely bad.

----

Nuoth was tense as she kept her position near Ismaroth. She didn't want to fight these people. Not when she could see a couple of dragons she recognized through Hers as Selenitas folks. There wasn't much choice unfortunately. It was attack or be destroyed and the greenpair didn't much like that option for any of their little band. We'll be careful Nuoth. We just need to buy some time for Darya's wing and then we can get out of here. I hope so, Nuoth replied quietly.

Nuoth was all ready to try and support Ismaroth when Kairodeth betweened to descend on him but noticed too late the green coming from below. Since she'd already been moving upwards and the green passed by Peppeth's claws only managed a couple minor scratched on Nuoth's right back leg. Still, it was enough for the green to keen in pain and twist away sharply from the other green's partner. Nephele let Nuoth dodge as she liked while she chanced a look around. She wasn't entirely surprised to noticed Iskierka and Elysia teaming up. She couldn't see R'fuin and Ylonth from where she was, but she knew Ismaroth was busy. We're on our own, Nuoth.

She directed the green away from Ismaroth. No point clogging the brown's airspace. Once they had a little breathing room, Nephele had the green between to a higher altitude. She was still listening for any orders but Nephele was more interested in surviving and making sure others did too. When they had a moment to realize who had attacked them Nuoth paled a little noticeably. Peppeth...once a friend and now an enemy. She almsot wished it hadn't been one of the dragons she'd actually known.

[archenstone]

Uminth had obediently started to form up with Jeth when a dark green rushed towards her. Uminth, who was not used to fighting, reacted by folding her wings in and dropping several meters. Even so, she could feel the sting of where she was barely nicked. The would wasn't even big enough to challenge her flight, but it only the beginning and Uminth was a bulky green. Uminth reopened her wings after only dropping a few meters. As she rose back up near Jeth she could only watch as she went for Jeth's belly. As the green continued pass Uminth tried to give her a resounding tail smack, though it was likely she wouldn't connect.

Uminth's eyes now held traces of red orange. So, she had a choice between the two greens right? She reached out for Jeth That green is busy teasing our wing mates. Lets flank her and spoil her fun. Then she reached out to Peppeth and Viaqueth Jeth and I are going to flank that green. Distract her if you want. She banked, altering course to come at Onyth from the side. As the closest green she was the obvious choice right? In the back of her mind she hoped Jeth would follow. After all, why would he agree on what she said?

Kalina's fear was redirected as it seemed Uminth took first blood in this quarrel. She had held on as Uminth dropped, feeling the stinging feeling on the wind tip unlike that of thread burn, but still uncomfortable. She looked to Uminth's wing as the green rose to rejoin Jeth. the small tatters along her outer most tip didn't look like they'd impede flight much. Even so, Kalina saw green ichor drop away for a second of two before the minor would was bare. She sent Uminth reassurance. They would get home after this and have it tended.

You're going after the one that just hurt you? Why not the other green? She could feel Uminth's anger at being the one struck ripple across their link. I could go after the other one if you really want Mine. Kalina pondered, No, I think this one is the more dangerous one. Better to keep an eye on her right? At least, I hope so....Thought Kalina.

[Tashe]

Ismaroth had just processed Ylonth's report of more dragons when Kairodeth disappeared. Immediately snapping his wings shut, Ismaroth dropped like a rock and barrel rolled in the opposite direction in which Nuoth was traveling. Using fire, he called out to his team as he simultaniously twisted around and shot a short blast of fire upward toward Kairodeth. Betweening so that he was adjacent to the male's left side, he released what was left of the firestone in his second stomach, aiming for the Dragon's rider and wings rather than just the Bronze himself. He didn't particularly love using fire as a weapon in the skies, but in close range combat like he was in, he was more likely to hit his target rather than another of his team. Backwinging, Ismaroth climbed, using the split fractions of seconds to replenish his firestone and reach out to Azrath, Ylonth and Nuoth, he didn't have time to contact them all individually. A second sweep on their way Azrath, your team must go faster. If they join, even Legatus cannot take that many Dragons. No rejoining. Once gone, stay gone. Everyone in the air right now can Between mid combat. My wingmates, pair up. Attack in twos. He rolled to dodge a smaller dragon who shot by him.

They wouldn't last long, Ismaroth and E'rro. Not against two older, upper colored Bendener Dragonpairs. The Burimyuan Wingleaders might be good at what they did, but in time, they would fall to their enemies claws. And if they did, it was a death sentance. No chance of being taken prisoner, or being left to die under the assumption that they would, no they would be killed mid-flight just to make sure they were no longer a threat. But there wasn't time for E'rro to think about it, he continuously watching the air around them for Kairodeth or any of their enemies if they so chose to attack them out of Ismaroth's own sightline, all the while remaining alert for his Dragon's request for a Jump. The Brownpair just hoped Darya's team all Betweened before the second Sweep joined the fray.

Perhaps, if they survived this battle, it would be a good idea to teach everyone at Burimyu how to Between from the ground.

[Zephyr]

As the wing made its way to its designated spot, K’ian felt the tension in his wingriders. It was like a palpable thing that weighed down on his shoulders. He hated having to tell them to attack their friends, but there was nothing to do it. To ensure that the wastelanders were not usurped, the exiles had to be eliminated. There was just too many variables involved in their existence. But…was that him talking or was that H’nes? What would happen if the Selenitans rebounded and took their weyr back? What would happen to he and Romeoth? They would most likely be killed…and he didn’t want to die. So for his own preservation, he would do as he would told, and for the same reason, the riders behind him would do as they were told.

Romeoth relayed Taith’s fears to K’ian, and the man took a second to think about his words. Yes. They should, but it was at that moment that his orders from Kairodeth came to him. His eyes scanned the dragons on the ground. One was being unloaded by his young rider, another brown was slowly rising to the air, more were already in the air. They didn’t have any time to waste. Romeoth spoke privately to Taith at first, You may look out for guards if you will, Taith. I want you to take down the loaded brown. We cannot risk them taking more Selenitas supplies. He a better opportunity than Chaoth, but he wanted to make sure someone was at least targeting the large brown. Then his words were broadcasted to the entire wing. Attack the dragons on the ground as they rise! Watch yourselves, and do not let them get the upper hand! With that, Romeoth betweened.

The bronze popped in behind the still grounded Jagjith. With as little sound as he could muster, the dragon moved to swipe at the base of the brown’s neck with his claws. At the same time, he would strike out with his dark muzzle, hoping to wrap his jaws a little further up the brown’s neck, and pierce his spine.

---

Jeth was already making his way towards Uminth as his wingleader’s words made their way to him. The thought of attacking friends twisted his gut, but the thought of anyone hurting L’am hurt him more. Sending calming waves to his rider, Jeth prepared to converse with his partner when a shadow passed between them. The dark green dragon struck at Uminth’s wings, causing the green to drop a few meters. The scent of ichor met his nostrils. Before he knew it, the dark green was coming at him, attempting a strike at his belly. Jeth was caught off guard, but her first strike at his partner gave him enough time to counter-strike. As she struck at him, the blue was already curling in on himself, arching his back and moving his stomach away from her blow. Her blow did his home though, the blow wasn’t fatal. At the same time, he kicked his hind legs out, aiming to slash at Onyth’s stomach as she did his. Right away, the near black blue wheeled away, winging towards Uminth. He didn’t notice a blue flying by after Onyth and he felt claws slash through the scales on his flank. Hissing in pain, Jeth whirled around, eyes whirling with red and orange. He heard Uminth’s words though, and it calmed him some from the blind rage growing within him.

It would so him no good to blindly attack the blue that attacked him. Their best bet was neutralizing the dark green dragon. Sounds wonderful, Uminth. He agreed with his partner’s plan. He hated attacking friends, but that was melting away with the ferocity with which he had just been assaulted.

Following behind Uminth, the dark blue dragon betweened right before Uminth struck Onyth, appearing on the other side of the green. At the precise moment that Uminth struck at Onyth’s side, Jeth struck her from the other side, eyes glaring red and orange and red daggers at the dark dragon’s hide. Tail thrashed in rage as claws swiped out, aiming to attack the dark green dragon while she was preoccupied with Uminth’s attack. One of them had to land, after all, the green couldn’t do two things at once, right?

[Sebz]

R'vor's gut twisted in agony as the fighting began. He didn't want to fight the exiles, he had known some of them and considered them friends. Fighting wouldn't lead to any solution, it would only bring death and destruction to both sides. Because it was true, both sides would suffer losses, and honesly, R'vor wasn't sure that he was willing to risk it. He glanced to his wingmates in dismay, eyes settling on Serissa. What if she was hurt? R'vor didn't think he could handle that.

Piwoth was a different story. As soon as the first cry of alarm was raised, his blood started to boil and he switched to his batle mindset, the one which R'vor hated so much. But it was kill or be killed, and since Piwoth was not planning on dieing just yet, he would take joy in taking the lives of anyone who endangered himself or his rider.

They waited for orders as the bloodbath began, the noises the dragons made when they were hurt clawed R'vor's stomach, and thouroughly enraged Piwoth. Orders eventually did come, so R'vor, with resigination, looked down at the battle infront of him, trying to figure out the best way to attack.

He wanted to harm, but not kill. Killing would be avoided at all costs, and he figured with the chaos going on all around him, his failure to execute the exiles would not be notised. Getting Piwoth to withold the death blow would be dealt with when they were forced to cross that bridge.

A large bronze was still grounded, a large target for a dragon who was considered small for a blue to take on, but Piwoth insisted, so R'vor allowed the blue to do what he wanted. It was true the bloodthristy nature of Piwoth worried R'vor from time to time, but he was glad to be on his blue now. The battled hardened dragon, would perhaps provide him safty.

He looked at Serissa one last time before betweening, yelling "Be careful," which was punctuated by Piwoth's rumble of agreement. Piwoth betweened and reapeared right above Weith's back, and folded his wings, attempting to plunge down ontop of the bronze, claws outstretched and mouth open to deliver a vicious bite to the base of Weith's neck.

[Sheari]

The bronzerider cast a glance at T'mund as he had his outburst and began cutting the lines to the supplies on him. Yes, remove from your dragon everything already on him so that you can flee. Oh never mind that the weyr is desperately hurting for the very same things now falling to the ground that you could had gotten out with. Darya beat him to the punch but it really wasn't his place to step in and yell at the brownrider so he let it be. R'men deftly leaped from Weith, grabbed firestone and fed the bronze. Before he could completely swallow a chunk R'men was already giving him another. A last resort, because after all, who didn't like a fire-breathing dragon? We must be quick, he commented dryly, retaking his place on Weith.

I will guard you and try to give you time to reload and relay your supplies[/i] Weith said to Jagjith. With that the wiry bronze folded his wings and leaped into the air. Without the layer of fat that he had once had he was quicker to get airborne. Leg muscles rippled as he launched. I will cover Jagjith until Chaoth leaves,[/i] he relayed to Frosstyth. The other loaded brown still had all of his supplies and so would take less time to be able to flee. R'men could only observe now and warn Weith of oncoming attackers.

~*~

"Oh no," Anusha may have mumbled if the wind from flight hadn't carried her quiet words away. Before the wing was too close she pulled Akos and Vyran from her pocket. The green struggled at the sudden intrusion of a hand into the warmth and she bit at the glove that held her. The greenrider could feel the pressure of the teeth but they were too small yet to actually pierce the leather. She quickly sent the white Salamandyr and image of her weyr, and he coiled around the base of Vyran's neck so he might take her with him. Ina weyr far away the two popped from between and fell to a bed beneath them.

No...[/i] whimpered Minth as she recognized her friends. Weith was easy to spot, the only "enemy" bronze in sight and Chaoth was not hard either, from his red-brown hide. I am sorry, brothers,[/i] she softly said to Weith and Chaoth, careful to keep the words for them alone before she broke contact and swooped down. She extended her claws into a half-hearted attempt to gouge at Chaoth before she altered her wings up. She was small and quick, and they were large and slow. Greens were best at "hit-and-run" attacks anyway, right?

~*~

He was barely off the ground, one foot still touching earth, before Jagjith was being attacked. Really?! The bronze altered course quickly to dive at Romeoth. He compacted his body and employed his weight to try and knock the offending bronze away from the young brown. As he shifted his body a cry in his mind alerted him to a blue above him, jaws closing in. R'men leaned forward to try and meld into the neck of his mount to lessen any blow that might come his way. Like a lunging runner he pushed his front half forward to move his body as he felt a weight settle on his hindquarters. His eye's whirled red and he used the new weight to sort of push himself toward Romeoth.

It was foolhardy, true, to engage another dragon with one already on you, but he had promised Jagjith he'd protect him and Weith could now only hope that his open jaws and extended claws gouged into the enemy's hide and redirected him away from the brown. R'men grabbed the short blade he kept at his side and turned after righting himself. He saw Piwoth and, though the blue was not quite within reach of the man, he was ready to stab the dragon should his face and head get too near him.

[Lotty]

In an instant everything began, but it was only an instant that C'zan even needed. He was trained for this and all moments like it, so it was at the first flinch of Kairodeth's wings that Viaqueth set his own body into motion, making sure to be a hard target to spot much less capture and maim. Catching words with Peppeth - the dragon he was paired with - did not even beg to distract him for a second and with ease the turquoise dragon spun on a wingtip to give the passing Onyth a cursory glance. That wailing call that bounded up the sky to him would not trick him anymore than his tiny green counterpart, for as seductive as the siren's song was - he'd kill to dance with another dragon clearly as talented as he - it was ultimately ignored and excused as nothing more than a trick by which they could lure their victims. Confidence was abound in Viaqueth, he thought any dragon to meet him to be the most unlucky sap, but he wasn't stupid nor willing to be boxed in.

So it was that with short rhythmic beats he followed the path Peppeth laid out, stopping for a breath in the madness only to between and emerge from what one could mistake for the same whole in space that his comrade did right before him. If anything, it seemed that his emergence was a moment too soon and he had no time to predict the way Nuoth would twist away from the hit delivered by Peppeth. In this go around, Viaqueth only caught a claw full of air, but he would not be dissuaded by this, instead he ringed around in the atmosphere left behind and quickly assessed the situation. It seemed in the moments since ignoring Onyth's trap Uminth came away with a wounded wingtip, all the while oblivious apparently to the threat that Ioth posed by joining. He took it upon himself to contact Uminth and Jeth, since attacking the other blue was not an option provided his wingleader's commands. We can do little to distract but we'll try for the blue that follows the dark one...

Careful he was not to forget his partner though. As little as he liked working with the natives, he knew from the urging of C'zan that it was necessary and required for the success of the operation. To Peppeth he spoke I am going to lead the exile sheep astray. Watch my behind in case the little lamb comes back for more... we'll dine when this one is finished. The lamb of course being Nuoth. After she was marred he knew she got away, but he doubted her desire to enact any kind of revenge, and for the moment could go ignored. Should she defy expectations, at least Peppeth would hopefully linger to intercept as he dove in a showy elliptical pattern, swinging himself towards Ioth talons primed and ready even from afar. He only intended to play for a moment... long enough for his wingmates to sandwich Onyth.

--

There was a disruption in the normal swing of things, though was that ever a surprise when taking account the catalyst? It was as if he was fulfilling a prophecy really, appearing in ghost like perfection to the scene, once again proving to be in the right place at the right time. Or wrong place at the wrong time, but that was all up for debate. As it was, K'sel and Pettahth seemed compelled to throw themselves into the fray as an unaccounted wildcard, waiting only for the perfect moment. Without a Weyr or even a wingleader to guide them the jungle denizens knew the inherent risk... they were on their lonesome and as such vulnerable to attack not only by the Selenitas wings they intended to antagonize but by confused Exiles. It was for that reason they had to work fast and quietly with the element of surprise on their side.

Sure, there was that desire... he wanted to join the mess at the top of the skies (and yes Nuoth in the process) especially with the dragon being as agile as any blue was, but weaving through the familiar territory that the lower altitudes provided made for great shelter. Besides, K'sel convinced Pettahth of the great dynamic they would offer, weaving down below amongst the big boys, and so their focus remained more grounded...

Despite the rider's abhorrence of all things bronze, Piwoth's attack on Weith could not go ignored, and the small brown, free of the same biases that riddled his bonded immediately sprung from their hiding spot: an overgrown peel away trail that curled from the main clearing in which they were fighting. With a single deliberate motion Pettahth did his rider's biding, attacking Piwoth and more specifically aiming to dismount the rider atop him in the process. As cruel as it might have seemed, to so coldly assault former countrymen, at least Pettahth was spared from such complicated emotions... K'sel simply would not allow the dragon to breech the gates on his memories. After living for so long in the wild anyone who threatened his freedom was as good as dead.

Sweeping past Piwoth - they did not wait to find out if they made contact - the brown found a patch of ground from which he could bounce off of with his hindlegs, and the pair immediately rose to height again, to survey the field and watch for the retaliation that was sure to come. While the dragon's eyes whirled a defiant red, K'sel made a beckoning motion at anyone who would notice. Bring it bitches.

[archenstone]

Acknowledged Taith said. V'rael kept eyes up to warn Taith against any upward attack and Taith zeroed in on Chaoth. He shifted his wings, considering his best angle of attack and Betweened. Out came Taith from between only several meters above Chaos. He twisted, bringing his rear claws forward as he fell towards Chaoth. Their Wingleader wanted to make sure that the brown didn't lift off? He figured landing on the brown was suffice if he could get on top of Chaoth before the Brown moved.

[Ruby]

A'en could feel Whuyth tense as they got their orders - take out the greens, then the blues. More important, though, A'en was to watch Kairodeth's back, and he was certain to go after their leader. Well, that was simple enough. A'en held a half-second after Kairodeth went Between, to make sure the lower colors got moving (and R'kel went where he intended), then gave Whuyth the instruction to follow Kairodeth Between.

It was good he waited. Had he been a split second earlier, Whuyth would have gotten a gout of flame to the face, but without fuel Ismaroth's first flame burnt itself out by the time the Brown crossed the patch of hot air that marked where it had been. Just that, though, was enough to make Whuyth bellow, pulling his head back and winking between and away. Whether it had hit Kairodeth A'en didn't know, but Whuyth's left cheek was tight and blistering by the time they returned to open air. Luckily, Whuyth had long ago learned to ignore pain, and A'en to harness it. Bellowing again, Whuyth climbed right after Ismaroth; size-wise, he could have been the sandy Brown's dark twin, so he was able to keep up with Ismaroth and E'rro, harrying them from behind with slashes of claws and snaps of teeth. Yes, A'en hoped one of those attacks would land, but honestly, that was his secondary purpose - ideally, Whuyth would be enough of a distraction that Kairodeth would be able to appear unseen to strike the killing blow.

With that in mind, Whuyth surged higher, an especially powerful wingbeat bringing him even with Ismaroth's hindquarters. Reaching out, the dark brown tried to seize his lighter companion, attempting to pull him out of the sky... or hold him still long enough for Kairodeth to do his work.

--

Attack the dragons on the ground, hmmm? Serissa asked Ildyth silently as the pair skulked towards the back, I think not. I'm no coward to attack those who have no means of escape. And yet there they all went, even R'vor. Serissa considered just staying in the forest, but... somehow that didn't seem like it would work out. So she followed her Wing into battle. For now.

It was seeing the battle that did it, though. Even Serissa could tell that half the dragons were pulling their punches, and the ones that weren't probably wouldn't be able to land their strikes anyway. Directing Ildyth to circle somewhere in the middle air, between the desperate battle above and the ambush below, Serissa remained undecided. If she stayed here long enough someone was sure to take care of her problem for her, of course, but...

And then she saw it. It was Ildyth that called her attention to it, actually, bubbling in to her brain, Look SeriMineLove, Piwoth is attacking that big bronze! I need to attack a bigger one!![/i] Ildyth prattled on, comparing the sizes of all the bronzes he could go for, but Serissa had made up her mind. There was too much insanity, here, and if everyone would just stop killing eachother they'd see that almost all of them were on the same side. Or so she assumed anyway. Know who's bigger than Weith, or at least comparable, Ildyth? Romeoth is. But he's our... Now that Serissa had made her decision, though, she wasn't about to let herself out of it.

Romeoth. If we can take him out, we'll have the whole ground, and we can work on the upper wings. It'll have to be surprise, though, no time to rally help. You ready? An affirmative from her dragon had Serissa crouching close to Ildyth's neck as the Blue dove. At first he seemed to be aiming at Jagjith, but at the last minute he pulled up, aiming to crash himself into Romeoth's side (the one opposite Weith) instead. Claws were out, eyes whirling red, clearly this was an attack in earnest. As they closed in, Serissa urged her dragon, Call them, Ildyth! We have him, now we just need them to take him down... But the Blue was too focused, now, on Romeoth's throat. If he could just rip it out...

--

T'mund yelped and rubbed at his shoulder where Darya had punched him, but it didn't stop him. "But why are they engaging? Call them off, send them Between! Better some few of us look like cowards and escape with our lives than..." But it was too late, and a roar from above dragged T'mund's eyes skyward as Azrath finished giving orders. Jagjith might have taken the Blue's tone poorly at another time, but if nothing else the Brown knew more about diplomacy than his Rider did. Crouching, he jabbed at T'mund mentally, trying to get the boy moving.

It didn't work.

T'mund, still looking at the sky, suddenly dropped his knife and ducked, wrapping both arms over his head with a squeak. That was likely what saved Jagjith, who whipped his head around just in time to see Romeoth's claws flying at his neck. The Brown dropped his chest to the ground, feeling claws rip his shoulders and jaws tear a chunk out of his neck. But he'd gotten low enough - Romeoth wouldn't be able to get a grip on the Brown, this time anyway. As the dragons in the air seemed to multiply, Jagjith dropped a shoulder, rolling away from the fighting dragons - and from his Rider. The Brown had always been far more impressive on the ground than in the air (few dragons could pull off a roll like that without damaging their wings, but Jagjith, in this one aspect, was special).

Struggling to his feet again, the orangey brown stayed low, calling out to his rider as their entire world turned in to chaos. T'mund! Mount up, now! We must go![/i] The rider was lying on his side, curled into the fetal position around the knife he had retrieved. T'mund! NOW!![/i]

[Rei]

As Ismaroth rolled Kairodeth’s talons slashed at the air where the other male had been just a fraction of a second before. The bronze’s massive wings flared outwards to stall midair, as the younger brown twisted, and then beat in one powerful downward stroke to propel him upwards and just out of range of the stream of fire shot his direction. Fire. Our opponents have flame where we do not. Be wary. He announced to his wing just as Ismaroth disappeared and promptly reappeared adjacent to his left. A soft curse left R’kel’s throat as the flame shot his way, the man pulling up safer coordinates as fast as he was able. Unfortunately it wasn’t quite fast enough. The large bronze flung his wings upwards to block his rider as the leading edge of the fire stuck him at the exact same moment the pair transferred between.

The extreme cold of between dampened the effect of the fire but the bronze’s left wing had still been scorched. Not enough to take him out of battle or disable him but certainly enough to irritate him. As Kairodeth emerged from between at a higher altitude he let loose an angry bellow, eyes whirling in furious crimson shades as R’kel mentally reined him in. Letting the bronze have too much control now would make for poor decision making. A brief examination was given the battle. The grounded dragons were now under full attack by Romeoth’s wing. Once they had been neutralized it would be but a simple matter to clear out the air. Especially if they took out the main leader.

Thankfully it looked like Whuyth had taken just that initiative and had pursued after Ismaroth, driving the Burimyu dragon upwards. Very good A'en. A grin spread across R’kel’s face and he laughed before passing an image along to his dragon. Kairodeth blinked between in an instant to reappear in a roll directly below Ismaroth, back talons slashing upwards as they sought to rend the brown’s underbelly. Vying to disembowel him even as his brown Wingsecond grabbed for the Burimyu brown’s hindquarters.

~~~~

As Uminth whipped her tail in her direction Onyth neatly twisted to avoid it. Amusement coloring her gaze as the chubby Selenitas green made to pursue her. Oh so the young one wanted to play hm? The battle scarred female intentionally slowed her movements to allow the other green to get into range. A dragon with battle experience might have caught Onyth’s subtle change in speed but an inexperienced one such as Uminth wouldn’t.

Onyth brushed clear amusement against Ioth’s mind when he spoke to her but nothing else. The dark green trusted her male wingmate to keep her back covered. They had worked together as a pair fairly often and she trusted the blue with her life. The female's trust was like her bonded’s, not something easily won, but her partner had proved himself worthy of that trust time and time again. Hence when Jeth too started to pursue from behind Uminth, Onyth was not the least bit worried. She almost instinctively knew that Ioth would take care of Jeth. Which meant her target was glaringly obvious.

Where as the two pursing Selenitas dragons radiated anger, there was only confidence and excitement running through Onyth. She hadn't survived near fifteen turns on a Benden fighting wing by simply being lucky. As they both drew in range Onyth quickly snapped her wings shut and dropped to a lower altitude. Elysia confidently passing along the necessary coordinates just as both Selenitas dragons struck, Jeth and Uminth’s talons only striking the air where Onyth used to be as the ex benden fighter slipped between to reemerge right above the recovering Uminth.

Without a moments hesitation Onyth stuck, her back talons seeking to shred the chubby green’s wings even as her front ones slashed for the crouching rider on her back. The sudden scent of blood and ichor caused the dark colored female to trill in pleasure before she used her opponent as a springboard, shoving off Uminth to shoot upwards towards Viaqueth.

A call of challenge rang in her throat as she shot towards the wasteland blue. Preoccupied as Ioth was with Jeth it was up to Onyth to now cover him in return. A brief sentence was brushed across Nuoth’s mind as the green banked towards her intended target. The small one is yours, do not hesitate. There could be no hesitation. The longer this drew out the worse it was going to go for them. The grounded wing needed to hurry, they were quickly running out of time....

~~~~

Things to note
Things got a bit clustered this round. Please be careful to read every response before you make one yourself.
Any questions feel free to pm me.

[Rowana]

Dropping away from the place where Nuoth used to be, Farryl felt Peppeth wilt underneath her. I hurt her, Farryl-love, the green whimpered. The normally friendly green felt as though her heart would break. This was worse that when her friend left her alone, far worse. How could she live with herself knowing she caused one of her friends pain? Frosstyth's voice entered her head and Peppeth nearly went to him for comfort. It took all Farryl's will to keep her flying in Viaqueth's wake.

Frosstyth! Peppeth wailed in response to her brother, just managing to keep the conversation private. I hurt Nuoth! I hurt her! How will she ever forgive me? Farryl-mine says we must fight or they will hurt us, but...but... Oh, Frosstyth, I am so sorry! Will you tell her? She must hate me. She probably will not want to speak to me! Farryl cut Peppeth's moaning short as Onyth drew closer to their pair. Please, sweety. It'll be alright, we need to focus. So does Frosstyth. You don't want him to be hurt either, do you? Peppeth reluctantly agreed, returning full attention to the battle at hand.

Nuoth had between even higher and Farryl was relieved. The more she could avoid Peppeth having to face those she knew well, the better. Even so, facing the fast and deadly Onyth and Ioth was not exactly her favorite plan either. At Viaqueth's request, Peppeth held her distance, watching for any sign of Nuoth or if any of the others needed help. While she was reluctant to leave Uminth and Jeth, she was more than happy to leave Viaqueth to the mercy of Onyth, at his request of course.

~

The order came and T'ke found himself wishing he could faint on command. That would certainly help him get out of this mess, though not with his pride, what little was left, in tact. Let's get this over with, he mumbled reluctantly. Cheer up, T'ke, Garaeth prodded gently. It will be over soon! Is that the best you could come up with? You're slipping. Chuckling despite everything, Garaeth moved into a dive, aiming for the grounded dragons as their leader had ordered.

Part way down, T'ke was shocked and amazed to see Serissa and Ildyth were attacking Romeoth! Were they mad?! Surly the Wastelanders would not stand for that. They would be dead, or worse, the Wastelanders would take it out on the rest of them! Shells, what are they thinking?! T'ke moaned. One small part of him, however, wished he had half as much courage as that. More than a little reluctant to attack, most of the other dragons had acted first. T'ke didn't like the idea of trying to take on one of the huge browns all by himself, so he decided they might as well try for the lone blue. At least no one could say they didn't make an effort, right?

Zooming down in a tight dive, Garaeth flew towards Azrath from behind. His aim was to slam into the other blue's back, not necessarily enough to hurt him, but hopefully enough to keep him from getting far off the ground. As the older, more skilled blue, Azrath would have the upper hand in a drawn out battle, T'ke was sure. But he had to do something or face H'nes and R'kel's wrath when they got back. If they got back in one piece. Maybe having Azrath rip them to pieces would be less painful.

~

Merridan cursed Ismaroth's orders. Did he really expect her to run away like a little hold girl while her friends were in trouble?! She knew E'rro was right and she knew she would listen, but her heart burned with the shame of such an act. One of these days, Mer clenched her fist. One of these days I will not run. No matter what anyone else says! Chaoth was a few dozen yards off the ground when Mer spotted the green blur headed their way. Chaoth already knew she was coming, his voice calm even now. You are forgiven, sister, he answered Minth softly.

They needed height more than anything. Mer urged Chaoth into curving his ascent, letting Minth graze his left side. Her claws dragged along his skin, but most of the damage was to the packs. Three came loose as the green's claws sliced their straps and they tumbled below. Mer ignored it. They still had a large number to take back with them. Taith was the bigger concern, as the brown appeared above them. Mer knew they would never avoid the attack, but they shouldn't have to if C'oar and Frosstyth were there as promised. Already they were nearly high enough to between.

Once the sky was clear, Mer fixated on Burimyu in her mind, sending the firm image to Chaoth. I leave this to you, the brown told Frosstyth, with a note of thanks. He sent one final message to Ismaroth and Azrath before the pair vanished from the air. We are clear. Good luck.

((Written with permission from Archenstone and Teddy, have fun you two!))

[dragon]

Chaoth was moving. But not fast enough. Someone had already zeroed in on him. But Frosstyth was quick on his ball. Not only ready and prepared to defend the other, loaded brown, but warfare moves was something he and C’oar had practiced religiously after that accident. There would be no more accidents, no more failing their wing. Cutting hard sideways, Frosstyth suddenly flipped over upside down and interjected himself between the dropping hostile dragon and Chaoth, body slamming Taith with all of his bulk.

Gogogo! He urged his wing mate while meeting the smaller brown with his own talons, heaving his powerful wings downwards in an upstroke beat reversed. Particularly agile, that was something Frosstyth was not. He was still more agile than he was supposed to be, solely on determination, adrenalin, and practice. But power he had. Even when suddenly body-slamming another dragon while upside down. It would have been far easier to do right side up, but his Rider was on his back … there was no way he was going to expose C’oar directly to a dragon’s talons if he could help it.

What he attempted next was a bit iffy. He grappled for purchase on the other dragon, determined to get a solid, meaty hold on Taith and attempt to roll him sideways in a seemingly out of control tumble, clearing the path for Chaoth’s exit. The lumber was still pressed against his belly, protecting him from any kicks he might have otherwise sustained. But if he could get that tumble started, he could at least drive the other dragon pair off. All while he kept his neck arched back along his own shoulders, forcing C’oar to duck out of the way as he presented Taith with nothing but a roaring mouthful of wicked teeth. No sir, no throat to bite here.

In this close of proximity there was little C’oar could do. But there was something he could do. Especially being shoved somewhat sideways by the bulk of Frosstyth’s neck. Slipping a blade free from his belt he threw it at the quivering dragonflesh so close to that of his own Brown’s. It was a solid, powerful throw. If it was a still target, as it seemed to appear to be, he couldn’t possibly miss. Not that a thrown knife would really do that much damage to a dragon that big. But they were not still, they were wrestling mid-air, air currents and body motions all factoring in to whether or not that knife landed where it was supposed to. Furthermore, C’oar wasn’t aiming expressly for the dragon so much as he was the harness. If he could cut that harness, the Rider would fall off.

The dragon would have to either break off to keep his Rider, or break off to catch his Rider. Either one would be a boon to Burimyu in this situation.

Teach this one who to not mess with!

Quite without any awareness from C'oar, Frosstyth took a few other matters in his own talons as well. There was a slight problem with this battle ... too many of the dragons on opposite sides were all siblings and had been quite close. Half the battle was half hearted at best. While that did bode well for the dragons in question surviving the battle, it did not bode well for some of them surviving going home again.

He addressed Peppeth in soothing tones, much like any big brother would comfort a stressing younger sister. She will forgive you, Peppeth. If only in time. I will make sure she knows you are sorry. he promised, before formulating the next stage of protecting what was left of his clutch siblings from ill fortune.

He addressed Garaeth and Peppeth at the same time, aware that both were not at all interested in actually fighting and were only to save their own skins from those they shared a Weyr with. Brother, sister. Meet me there, go now. Do not come back. I will be there very soon. he promised, before sending them a very clear image of a random location that was pretty far away ... but also was not Burimyu. It would get them safe, away from the battle, away from the wastelanders, and if he could at all convince certain people, he would bring them home with him. They would be together again! It was perfect! Except he had no permission for it ... not even from his own Rider.

In the mean time, he had to get rid of this young brown. Frosstyth heaved with his wings again, twisting his body around to try and dislodge Taith and toss him more or less back at the other Wasteland dragons. If he was so eager to rend dragonflesh, he belonged with them anyway.

[Ember]

Iskierka and Ioth were glad they'd taken a moment to observe. Had they not they certainly wouldn't have been good back up to Elysia and Onyth. battle was like an intricate dance, or so the bluerider though. There multiple partners all doing something a little different that would affect the steps you could take. There was little point in attacking the ones Onyth had been baiting when they decided to go after Nuoth instead. Ioth cared little for that green though. She was not his current partner, someone else could help her if she couldn't handle it herself.

It was the first pair of blue-green they'd attacked that chose to retaliate. Ioth commented, These fools apparently can't count that there are two of us. Watch your other side. Not that he intended on leaving her to fend for herself. Even as he growled in anger at Viaqueth daring to attack him when he was going to help out his partner he brushed the minds of those on his wing. Beware, fire. He let out a vicious blast of flame in the blue's path but didn't wait to see if he'd hit. It would give him enough time to get to Jeth.

Using every ounce of speed he had, Ioth had his claws extended as he aimed for the blue on Onyth's other flank. The blue could either move or take the full brunt of Ioth's fury slamming into him. Onyth could deal with the green and he'd deal with the blue. Seemed a fair enough trade. Iskierka rested low on Ioth's back, pleased with the partnership. She'd never admit it but she did trust Elysia and Onyth. At least, as far as covering their back in a fight went.

----

Nuoth wanted to join up with a partner, really she did, but she didn't have the time to search one out. Not with dragons trying to attack her. She would have liked to assist Ismaroth - power meant little if they couldn't land a hit and Nuoth was fast - but that wasn't an option if Peppeth thought to interfere. The only thing that helped calm the green at all was the all too sudden appearance of a friend. Just as always, Pettahth seemed a spectre to the green. Still, she spared a moment to say The sandy brown is a friend to all the Burimians.

And then she had no more time. Battle moved on regardless if its participants did. As Onyth and Ioth dealt with their opponents the other green addressed her. Nephele's face darkened at the order but she urged Nuoth to do it anyways. She didn't want to attack Farryl and Peppeth any more than her dragon but there was no choice. No hesitation. We need not kill, Nuoth. Fight to disable or fight to buy us time. That's all we need, Nephele said sternly but not unkindly. Nephele was a bit of a colder being than her dragon; she saw no reason not to attack, even if she didn't like it. Nuoth was far kinder than she. Truly not a dragon meant for battle.

Nephele gave her dragon between coordinates in the hope of catching Peppeth off guard. As the disappeared into the cold abyss, Neph tightened her grip on the straps even though she couldn't feel them. They came out behind the smaller green and Nuoth brushed a My apologies, friend across Peppeth's mind before slashing for her wingsails. She attempted to grab hold of Peppeth's wingjoints then. If she could foul up her flying and force her down...although Peppeth may not give her the chance to land a hit at all. She was even faster than Nuoth, afterall.

[Kisha-Ra]

Azrath’s tail lashed back and forth across the ground, sure sign of his inner tension. Imaroth says not to return here. His wing can all escape once we’re gone.[/color] Azrath passed on the message to his rider and the rest of the wing. Jagjith has trouble.[/color] The blue observed privately to his rider.

Darya had seen the bronze coming in for Jagjith, and assumed the large brown had been able to avoid the attack with his roll, but now Azrath drew her attention to the other dragon she could see that while claws and jaws had not hit the intended mark Jagjith had been hit. Even worse the brown’s rider lay curled on the ground, not visibly injured, but clearly with no intent to move. Darya flung herself back off her blue and darted for the brownpair, half tempted to kick T’mund until he got up. The only reson she actually abandoned that plan was because she didn’t think violence would have the desired effect. ‘Jagjith, can you fly as you are? Enough to get Between at least?’ Darya trusted that if the brown didn’t feel like talking with her he’d at least answer through Azrath.

Darya didn’t bother to warn Jagjith about what she was going to do to his rider, no doubt the brown already expected violent action on that score. Darya stooped and grabbed the back of T’mund’s jacket in one hand, using the handful of leather to haul him upward until she could grab the collar of his jacket and shirt in the other hand, drag the skinny boy to his feet and shove him at Jagjith with the force of her ire behind it. ‘Mount up.’ Once again the bluerider’s voice was icy cold with fury. ‘Jagjith can’t leave without you, and although you’re fairly worthless right now, I rather like him.’ Darya turned on her heel as she felt a surge of fierce joy, then a wave of panic from her own dragon.

The sorce of Azrath’s panic was clear as the heavily laden blue pitched froward slightly and staggered from a blow from an airborne blue. Lifting his head as his attacker peeled off Azrath sent a lick of flame after the other blue, more intended to discourage Garaeth from coming after him again than to actually score. Ildyth attacks the enemy bronze![/color] Azrath reponded to Darya’s urgent query as his rider sprinted toward him and flung herself back up onto his shoulders.

Strapping herself down Darya quickly weighed her options and prodded Azrath to speak to Jagjith again. Chaoth is gone, the sooner we go the sooner everyone else can. Darya would know if you are willing to go Between from the ground. She also wishes you to take coordinates from us.[/color] Better give Ildyth coordinates too. They’re dead if they stay here now. Darya projected coordinates to Azrath, but not of Burimyu, she didn’t trust the other bluepair that much. Azrath dutifully passed them on to Ildyth. You can escape with us, come.[/color] He invited seriously, Darya already had a suspision that more than one of the ‘enemy’ had coordinates, if not for Burimyu then for a nearby location, many of these people and dragons were friends; friends fighting them under duress but friends none the less. Send word onto Salenth to stay alert, tell him to expect extra dragons to come back.


J’on kept a tight contact with Rinagth’s mind, directing her more with the idea of what he wanted her to do than with words, and it worked, so far as he could tell, wonderfully. Since they were on a threadfall wing and not a combat wing normally, there was no reason for Rinagth to seem good in combat, despite the fact that all the right instincts were there. So Directed his green in a way that made her seem less experienced than she really was, and far more nervous.

Clinging to his straps the greenrider leaned into Rinagth’s dive as she followed Garaeth in an attack on the ground bound blue, however when Azrath flamed after Garaeth Rinagth pulled up sharply and looped once above the blue and brown still on the ground as if overly cautious about her own hide.

Frosstyth. J’on directed his green. Rinagth needed no more than that, she roared and shot upward, talons at the ready. This was so much fun, almost as good as Flight! Or it would be if the wastelanders weren’t taking it so seriously, the green was rather irritated with them. Why should the others have to play iof they didn’t think it was fun? The green came at Frosstyth from the rear, though the brown was well forewarned by her challenge, front and rear claws slashing, aiming to mark the brown’s hindquarters if he didn’t meet or retreat in time. He was hers, all the males were hers really, she was just marking this one a little early.

[Zephyr]

The taste of ichor in his mouth and the feeling of his claws slicing through flesh gave the big dragon a temporary sense of victory. He didn’t realize that the brown he had attacked had lowered himself to the ground, protecting himself from the worst of the bronze’s wrath. At first, he remembered wondering why he hadn’t bitten more deeply into Jagjith’s spine, why he hadn’t pierced the dragon’s backbone with his claws. Before he had more of a chance to ponder this, something or someone slammed into him from the side, slightly knocking the bronze away from the brown he had been on top of previously. Romeoth was surprised by the attack, but he had gathered his composure enough to brace himself against the worst of the attack. Suddenly, as Piwoth landed on Weith’s back, there was a little more weight pressing against Romeoth’s body and all thoughts of the brown was pushed out of his mind.

K’ian retained presence of mind to look up, noticing a pale blue blur heading for Jagjith. For a moment, he grinned, sure that Serissa would have his back and that she would successfully ground the brown dragon. That moment passed though, and K’ian saw Ildyth veer. Now the blue pair was heading straight towards Romeoth. Shock overtook him as the blue slammed into Romeoth’s other side. He hadn’t even enough time to warn his dragon about the attack. Rom…it’s Serissa and Ildyth… Romeoth was busy trying to fend off two dragons now when he spoke to his rider. What? Are you sure? Well, he was pretty sure. Why were they attacking them? Hadn’t he made it clear what happened to traitors? K’ian’s gut twisted. He didn’t want to have to deal with this treason too. Maybe it was an accident? Romeoth rumbled, reaching out to slash at Weith’s face with his foreclaws, trying to get him off of him long enough for him to perform his next move.

Whether or not Weith had ben repelled from Romeoth’s being, the bronze sobered immediately. His sad words entered K’ian’s mind. It wasn’t an accident, mine. I know how much you wanted to believe about the best in these Selenitans, but they will do whatever it takes to preserve their way of life. The bronzerider’s mind whirled, he saw the sense in his dragon’s words. Whether or not he agreed with them, however wasn’t the point. Ildyth had attacked them, and they had to deal with this. K'ian's voice was defeated when he spoke again, Just try and not hurt Serissa, please.... Romeoth rumbled acknowledgement. All of this since Romeoth attempted to push Weith away happened in a few seconds. Enough time for Romeoth to turn around, his back facing Weith. Snarling, the bronze’s eyes flashed red and orange. In an instant, his claws came out and he grabbed the blue, angling his bulk downwards against Ildyth, pushing him towards the ground.

Romeoth slammed Ildyth against the ground, pressing the blue against the earth on his side (this was done to try and protect Serissa from getting crushed) with as much force as he could to restrain him without hurting him overly much. There was a moment…Romeoth’s eyes flashed a little bit of yellow before his voice entered the blue’s mind, sadness permeating his every word. I’m sorry friend. With that, his head darted out towards Ildyth’s neck, closing his jaws around the blue’s throat ( trying to go for the quickest, most painless death he could think of ) while his hind claws rested on the blue’s soft underbelly, digging in to keep his balance on the blue's form. K’ian never relished the taking of a life, in fact he hated the Wasteland practice of killing anyone who got in their way. Unfortunately for him, and for Serissa and Ildyth, they hadn’t given him a choice. The Wastelanders had no tolerance for traitors, and by attacking Romeoth, the pair had automatically made themselves traitors. He just hoped and prayed that Serissa made it out of this okay. A dragonless rider posed no risk to their operation.

---

Jeth barely had enough time to react when Onyth winked away to between. The dark blue dragon narrowly missed running in to his green partner by folding his wing into his body and wheeling to the side. He felt Uminth’s scales brush against his as he passed her. He recovered himself in time to see Onyth appear above the green dragon and he called out to Uminth’s mind. Uminth, above you! He was about to fly up and aid his partner, when he saw a blue dragon speeding towards them, claws extended. It seemed he had a choice, help Uminth, or avoid this new dragon’s attack. It only took him a second and Jeth had decided upon self-preservation. Folding his wings in, he dipped down several feet, spreading them out to stabilize himself in the air. Only moments after, he felt the air of the blue’s passing over his head.

Eyes whirling with several shades of orange and red, Jeth turned quickly to face the other blue, voice brushing against Uminth’s mind once more. These dragons seem intent upon separating us, Uminth. I hope you can handle the green on your own. With that, Jeth snarled and gained his altitude back in a second, beating his wings hard against the air to launch himself at Ioth’s back, hoping the blue hadn’t had enough time to turn himself around after his attack towards Jeth.