On Check VIII: Heading East


A tall but plump goat of white fur, Amalt, was walking in a forest. He saw a dragonling moving swiftly around trees, and a lot of potential.
- Would you like to join me? - he smiled.
- Only if you can catch me!
The girl was hard to reach, but Amalt took a deep breath. The blow was so strong, it took her straight into goat's arms. She felt grumpy, but she kept her word.

Another time, Amalt saw a streak of tigers who were going to move. A crying cub drew his attention.
- What happened, little one?
- I don't want to go... I'd love to stay home and take care of it... It's childish, I know...
- Absolutely not. I call it patriotism. You should be proud!
Aron's eyes lightened up. His mother knew and trusted Amalt, so she let Aron stay with the goat.
[FAST FORWARD TO THE PRESENT]

Para-Wan the bat was giving a speech to the Progress League.
- Prosperity in our country caused the values to fall. Looking at it pains me. The intelligentsia gathered here can see that the only solution... is crisis. Only crisis can strengthen the spirit of our kin.
Applause broke out in the audience. Among them was Magnigla the pangolin, a scientist. The speech gave him an idea...
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

An infectious disease appeared in the Land of the Wind. Sensing a threat, Amalt called his trainees.
- Something's wrong. I can't contact other Warriors of The Wind. From now on, you two mustn't separate. Ideally, you should live together.
Tibya and Aron's faces screamed "No way!", but they obeyed the wise goat.
Aron couldn't stand Tibya's mess, while the dragon suffered from the lack of hideout. After days of conflict, tragic news reached them...
After dealing with a disease, Amalt passed away.
Tibya immediately thought he had caught it from her, even if she didn't have any symptoms. She started blaming herself for all the evil. The mental breakdown made her curl up on the attic. Aron wanted to make her pull herself together, knowing that they shouldn't split up. Seeing no effect, he shouted:
- Fine! Be a crybaby here, I still need to do my duty.
And he left.
But after a few steps outside the house, he started rethinking his decision. He had a dilemma: what was more important - the Land of The Wind's good or his ambition? He humbled down, went back to the attic and tried to speak to Tibya in her language - the language of feelings.
- Tibya, I know you're in pain, I'm too, but we can't let this take over. There are ones who need our help. Not mine, but ours...
He sighed, covering his face with hand. Then he added:
- I can't do this without you.
The dragon lifted her head up and smiled brightly. But that wasn't the only result. Suddenly her mood changed and she was raring to go.
- Thank you, Aron. Now, what are we waiting for? Let's go!
The Tiger was surprised by the instant shift, but didn't want to waste this boom of energy.
Because it turned out The Wind had surceased, Aron couldn't use its power to float. To solve this, Tibya was holding him while flying on her own. They were quite high up in the air, when the dragon laughed:
- I've heard that cats always land on their feet. Wanna check that?
- What? Wait a minute-
Tibya let Aron go.
- I’M NOT A CAT! - the tiger shouted as he was freefalling into distance.
Of course, the dragon wouldn't do any harm to her coworker. Before he could fall to his death, she caught him.
- Very funny - Aron rolled his eyes while shaking from fear.
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The two heard that the one behind the pandemic might be Para-Wan. They were looking for him on a defensive wall wide enough to put a market there. Aron and Tibya found the bat and started chasing him. The dragon flew ahead. She could almost reach Para-Wan with her arm.
Suddenly, the bat stopped and they collided. The knockback confused Tibya. Aron slowed down to check if she was alright. Para-Wan took the chance and gained some distance.
For some reason, Tibya could no longer fly. However, she had an idea.
- Aron, didn't you say you can run on all fours?
- Don't even think about it.
The next minute, the dragon was riding happily on the embarrassed tiger's back as he swiftly avoided obstacles. Para-Wan quickly returned to their view. However, the two and the bat were separated by a giant gap in the wall.
- Jump - Tibya ordered.
- I won't make it.
- I'll use my feathers to glide. Trust me.
Aron made a big leap. In midair, Tibya spreaded her head feathers to the side. It seemed to work as they landed safely on the other side. Unfortunately, Para-Wan disappeared.
- I can't believe your wannabe wings kept us flying - Aron doubted.
- They didn't. I got my power back!
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Another time, the two Warriors of The Wind met a toddler kappa. It didn't speak coherent language, but could still find a name for Tibya and Aron. The kappa pointed at the tiger and said:
- Kiki.
The dragon burst into laughter. Seeing that, the creature chuckled. Annoyed Aron didn't comment.
Then, assuming that Tibya would laugh again, the toddler gestured towards her and babbled:
- Buba!
Her face froze. That couldn't be said about Aron, who smirked and said:
- Who's laughing now?
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Some day, a raccoon dog got into Tibya and Aron's way. The figure was holding a regular rabbit - seemingly a pet - in his hands. The character was also wearing a distinctive dark coat. Amalt had told his trainees what such clothing means.
- The Temple of Five Elements! - they pointed out.
Motkun looked at them wisely and said:
- That's right, sprouts. You must be Warriors of The Wind. Why do you still limit yourselves?
- Because we're not heretics! - Aron answered.
The raccoon dog sighed.
- It's a fight, then. Prove your superiority.
- There's two of us, but you are alone! - Tibya noticed.
- Who said I'm alone?
Not sure what to expect, the two made a few steps back. Suddenly, the rabbit jumped out of Motkun's hands, morphing into a mobian.