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Chapter Text

“The dragon must die. There's no other way.” Tarte Tatin began, the dark circles under her eyes showing her lack of sleep, “The Red Dragon will continue to return no matter how many times it's defeated. We need to take out the source. Pitaya Dragon.” The gathered crowd devolved into a mixture of confused and alarmed whispers. She knew this was going to be controversial, but she was prepared to answer the inevitable questions.
“But didn't they kill the Red Dragon?” A voice spoke up,
“It's made from Pitaya Dragon's form. As long as they live, the Red Dragon will return.”
Many of the cookies present exchanging glances, they had all seen Pitaya Dragon, or previously known as the Greenish-Red Dragon, take down the Red Dragon in an incredible battle, surely it would be best to keep Pitaya Dragon on their side if the possibility of the Red Dragon returning was a genuine concern?
“How do you know this? What if we kill Pitaya Dragon and then the Red Dragon returns! We'll all crumble!” Another voice spoke up, causing Tarte Tatin to clench her fist.
“I wouldn't have suggested this idea if I wasn't certain it would work. The Red Dragon uses Pitaya Dragon's body, through some deal Pitaya Dragon made, I'm not sure of the specifics but I do know it needs Pitaya Dragon to be alive.” She had overheard Pitaya and Hollyberry talking in the cave, enough to understand that there was a definite link between the two dragons. She was starting to get annoyed. Why are they doubting her? She had been fighting dragons since before some of these cookies were baked! She knew if they were going to do this, they'd have to do it now, she had heard from Hollyberry that Pitaya had started getting weaker again.
“Listen. Pitaya Dragon is weakened, meaning the Red Dragon will rise again soon! Have you not noticed the temperature as well? The first time the Red Dragon attacked, the valley became colder not long before it attacked! The same thing is happening again. This is the best time to strike. I promise you all that this will work.”
The hushed tones of the crowd soon became more urgent and approving, her conviction getting through to the crowd. She knew suggesting the Red Dragon could return any moment would cause the tide to turn into her favour.
“Remember. The only good dragon is a dead one.”

Pitaya groaned as the shock of their sword colliding against Hollyberry's shield reverberated through them. They had discovered that White Lily's soul had actually split, one half remaining herself and the other becoming Dark Enchantress which, unfortunately for them, meant their deal with the Dragonsworn remained and Dark Enchantress still able to distort it however she wished. They could feel their power draining slowly and it infuriated them.
“Pitaya? Is everything okay?” Hollyberry's voice cut through their thoughts.
They had fallen over at some point, Hollyberry kneeling adjacent, her shield and helmet sat beside her. She looked concerned, reaching up to cup their face in her hands before Pitaya moved them away.
“Everything isss fine. Don't worry about me! Worry about-” They flew up, readying a strike only to see Hollyberry hadn't moved.
“Pitaya. Something's wrong. You look tired, you don't strike as hard, I'm worried for you. We both are.” The little dragon hatchling, Snapdragon came bounding from behind her, babbling in agreement as they reached for Pitaya who lowered back to the ground to pick up the hatchling.
Pitaya wanted to tell her what was going on, but with the threat of war looming ever closer, the thought of giving her another thing to stress over was too much.
“I... musssst jussst be missssing my nessst.” They lied. They're still a dragon afterall and don't need a cookie's help, they'd figure out something. “Assss much asss I enjoy the thingssss your kingdom hassss to offer, I prefer to be ssssomewhere with a bit more heat.” They watched Hollyberry, trying to see whether she had figured them out.
Fortunately, she sighed, “You have been here for a bit, that is true.” Humming to herself, “What if I went with you? In case it's something else?” Her voice held slight suspicion, eyeing the dragon cookie across from her.
“You sssshould sssstay with your kingdom, I doubt they'd be thrilled with you going on another adventure ssso ssssoon after you returned from Beasssst Yeassst.”

Pitaya had been waiting for Hollyberry at the castle when she returned about 2 weeks ago, they didn't recognise her at first, demanding to know why they had Hollyberry's souljam. Her awakening had changed her appearance quite dramatically. Her hair was out for a start, no longer tied into her signature buns, instead flowing freely in the wind, a braid running alongside. Her usual ballgown replaced by stunning new red armour set with brilliant gold detailing, the red being a similar to the colour of Pitaya's scales. The helmet had feathered wings, as well as a golden wreath of holly leaves. Pitaya had just stared at her for ages taking it all in.

“I suppose you're right.” She cupped a hand around the dragon cookies cheek before leaning in and planting a small kiss on their nose. “I'll be waiting for our next spar.” Pitaya cheeks reddened as their tail began wagging.
“Of coursssse! I wouldn't misssss it!” They pushed down the feeling growing in their chest, one day they'd admit it, not today though.
As they parted ways, Snapdragon following Pitaya,
Hollyberry yelled out, “Make sure to say hi to Dragon City for me! Especially Tarte Tatin!” Her smile was infectious, they didn’t want to leave, but they needed to sort out what was going on with their nest, hopefully before anything happened.

Once closer to the entrance to Dragon City, Pitaya donned the disguise Hollyberry had given them, although it wasn't much of a disguise anymore since most, if not all, the permanent residents knew who, or more accurately, what they were. The disguise made the dragon cookie feel a little more at ease, all the same.

Then why wasn't it working?

Too many cookies watched Pitaya walk through the street from windows, only hearing muffled whispers as cookies quickly shuffled into buildings, leaving the street almost desolate. The usual hustle and bustle of the City, the drunken yelling from the inn, children playing, not one cookie came running up to coo over the hatchling. It was silent, Pitaya was nervous, they could feel something was wrong, they turned to Snapdragon, to gauge their feelings before a loud bang rang out.

Pitaya fell to the ground with a groan as ropes ensnared them, making them unable to move, they were being ambushed.
“Pwayya!!” Snapdragon calling out for their parent, desperately pulling at the ropes in an attempt to free them.
“Go get Hollyberry! Quickly!” Pitaya hissed, Snapdragon stubbornly refused, continuing to work at the ropes. “GO!” They ordered, this time the hatchling listened, weaving in and out of the cookies now emerging from cover. The guilt in their eyes at having raised their voice at their youngling but they needed them to get to safety, if they managed to get help too, that was a bonus.
The captured dragon cookie, now that their biggest concern was taken care of, could begin to assess their attackers. Various spears and swords among them, a few with bows. Nothing that the dragon hadn't faced before. A few others had seemingly whatever they could get their hands on. The crowd parted, allowing an older cookie through. She was missing an eye, the scars peeking out from under the eyepatch, wearing a red coat with golden trim with a matching tricorn hat, a cream feather adorning the back. She carried a large silver cannon on her shoulder. Pitaya's eyes narrowed into a scowl as they recognised the cookie before them. Tarte Tatin. She lowered her cannon to aim it at Pitaya's head, point blank.

A rush of pure rage overtook Pitaya, allowing them to morph into their dragon form, despite their weakness. The ropes snapping easily as they extended their wings, a few cookies being shoved back with the movement, before the now true dragon launched into the sky.
Various yells and screams were heard as the downforce flung several cookies off their feet, including Tarte Tatin.
The dragon, now free and in the air, changed back being unable to spare the energy required to continue in their true form. Even as a cookie, Pitaya was a threat, they wielded a giant sword that would make easy work of anything they came in contact with. They still had their large claws and even teeth if it came to that, meaning they were never truly unarmed.
A few of the cookies below were ones Pitaya recognised. The dragon saved their city not too long ago, these same cookies that praised Pitaya as a hero, now full of scorn and contempt. A betrayal not lost on the dragon, who pointed their sword towards the group, focusing on the leader, their eyes glowing a bright red.
“You dare attack me?! Even after I fought alongssside you to protect your city?! You pathetic, usssselesssss, inssssignificant, traitorousss little cookiessss!! I WILL TURN YOU ALL TO ASSSSSH!!!” They dived towards the cookies, the sword quickly meeting its first victim, being embedded into their shoulder, the thick jam pouring from the wound coating the blade and ground. Pitaya thought about how easy it would be to just slice straight through their victim's throat before hesitating.
The image of Hollyberry seeing Pitaya surrounded by the bodies of those she once called friends stopping them. They growled, kicking the cookie as they pulled their sword to free it, one of the hooks on the side tearing out a piece of dough in the process, before retaking to the skies. As much as Pitaya wanted to massacre the entire city for their treachery, they knew it would forever change how Hollyberry viewed them, they figured if they just injured their attackers enough that they weren't able to fight back, then surely she would understand, it was a fair compromise, they'd just go for arms and legs. Although looking at the cookie below, now choking on their own jam, the sword might be too much, deciding to follow their newly established rule, they dismissed the sword, they'd have more control with their claws.

A cannon shot goes off, barely missing Pitaya's head, who whipped around to meet the remaining eye of Tarte Tatin, if Pitaya had their way, she'll have none left when they're done. They swooped down, pinning her, the dragon readying to attack before a sharp pain in their side forced Pitaya to release her. A cookie wielding a spear, their face smug as Pitaya's blood dripped from the metal onto the dirt.
“You get tunnel vision too easily when you're angry, you leave yourself open!” Pitaya groaned as Hollyberry's words echoed through their head. They needed to listen to her more sometimes.
Pitaya charged at the cookie, catching them by surprise, a scream tore the air as claws tore into dough, jam now coating the dragon as they moved to the next target, as an arrow went whizzing past them.

Snapdragon flew as fast as their little wings could carry them back to Hollyberry kingdom. The perfectly maintained gardens that made up the grand entrance soon came into view. They sped through the markets, ignoring as cookies yelped and dived out of the way, causing chaos in their wake. Soon arriving at the main entrance to the castle, two large wooden doors, far too heavy for Snapdragon to open. The hatchling started banging against the door, desperately trying to get in, before a guard inside pushed it open. Without hesitation, Snapdragon forced themselves through the door and past the now shocked guard, screaming for Hollyberry. Many guards knew the little dragon and began trying to get them under control, with little success. Upon hearing the commotion, Hollyberry peered out from one of the meeting halls, quickly recognising Snapdragon's distressed cries and rushing over, the concerned and alarmed yells from the various Berry houses going ignored.
“What's wrong?” She asked as Snapdragon just babbled frantically, attempting to push Hollyberry outside. “I've never seen you this worked up before! Where's Pitaya-?”
The awful realisation clicked, dread filling her. “I'll follow you, go!”
Snapdragon being alone and in this much distress only meant one thing, Pitaya was in danger.
Hollyberry rushed to keep up with Snapdragon, as they sped away, turning the previous chaos into confusion as the marketplace now saw the Queen Mother sprinting through to keep up with a baby dragon.
“Your Majesty!” Wildberry chased after her, “You can't just leave a meeting!” The flash of pink hair as the doors slammed told him she wasn't listening, he quickly followed her behind her, “It's always that witch forsaken dragon…”

Pitaya pounced onto another cookie, tearing into their arms. It all felt so natural to them, the jam, the screams, the thrill. They had long since lost count of how many they'd injured, but the dragon's own wounds were just as many, slowly draining them further. Their armour only able to do so much .
Tarte Tatin, somehow only having sustained a few minor scratches, started reloading her cannon before aiming it at Pitaya, just before she fired, the dragon turned to her, diving to strike, her finger pulled the trigger as a familiar voice yelled over the noise.

“PITAYA!”

The dragon turned to face Hollyberry, causing the shot to slam into the dragon's side, instead of their chest. It was still enough to throw Pitaya back before slamming into the ground. The three new arrivals stared in horror at the scene before them. The main street looked more like a battlefield, pools of jam with discarded weapons laying nearby, injured cookies groaning and wailing sat against buildings, many being tended to. Hollyberry couldn't help but notice that all only had injuries to their arms or legs. Pitaya was holding back, if they had snapped and decided to slaughter anything in sight, there would be far more devastation. The weapons too were ones you'd grab if you were preparing to attack, not a scramble to get whatever you could defend yourself with, leaving Hollyberry with a daunting conclusion.
Pitaya had been attacked first, likely ambushed.

She rushed to the downed dragon, who groaned as she touched them.
“You disssstracted me!” Hissing as they sat up, clutching their side. Their armour being whittled away, providing far less protection than before. They had a few arrows sticking out, although mainly cuts and punctures. As she was looking them over, she heard an arrow go past her, barely missing them both, quickly raising her shield to protect them as Wildberry and Snapdragon followed her.
“Your Majesty, how sure are you it wasn't the dragon who caused this?” His tone was harsh, he didn't trust Pitaya, no matter what she said.
“I'll have you know,” Pitaya grumbled at Wildberry, “I didn't ssssstart thissss!”
“Look around you! If Pitaya had started this, then there wouldn't be buildings standing, let alone cookies.” She explained, Wildberry seemingly understanding, albeit reluctantly. Snapdragon nuzzled their way closer to Pitaya before starting to heal the older dragon's wounds.
“No!” Pitaya pushed them away, “Sssssave your ssstrength!” Their hatchling needed to leave! This was far too dangerous for the little one. Despite this, Snapdragon refused, continuing to stitch the injuries together with magic. “Sssnapdragon!” Pitaya shoved them into Wildberry's chest, “Get them away from here!” Pitaya hissed.
He didn't take commands from Pitaya, glancing at Hollyberry, a nod from her confirmed the order. He used the hand with the gauntlet to hold the increasingly belligerent Snapdragon, who began to bite and scratch at whatever they could in an attempt to free themselves. He shuffled back to a more covered position before tightening his grip. He couldn't help his eyes widen as he felt one bite dent the metal, grateful the gauntlet was taking the damage and not him.

Pitaya, despite refusing Snapdragon's healing, felt renewed from it, launching from behind Hollyberry's shield, attacking the nearest cookie, one armed with a bow. They could hear Snapdragon's cries, the noise setting their instincts ablaze, screaming at them to destroy the threats to their hatchling. At the same time, they wanted to stick to their rule, fighting to hold back despite wanting more than anything to tear this cookie apart.

Hollyberry had never seen Pitaya like this, they looked almost feral, their eyes glowing an ominous red, she had seen her fair share of gore over her many years, but seeing the carnage in front of her caused by them was a lot, even if they hadn't crumbled anyone.
She had only seen them not long ago, being all flustered and excited about their next spar to now, coated head to toe in jam, likely their blood mixed in too, their claws that earlier today were delicately running through her hair now being used to dig into the shoulder of someone she felt she recognised.

A glint of red and silver caught Pitaya's eye, as Tarte Tatin moved to new cover, reaiming her cannon towards them. Ignoring the groans underneath them as they turned to face her, they lunged at her with short of pure blinding rage.

Time felt like it slowed down, Pitaya was almost on top of her when she pulled the trigger, aiming right at the gem in their chest.

Everything fell silent, except for a haunting crack ringing out. The force from the point blank shot throwing Pitaya halfway across the city before crashing into the dirt. A pain like never before begins tearing through their body, sending every part of them in complete agony. Nervously looking down at their chest confirmed the worst.
A large crack runs down the centre of Pitaya's gem.

Wildberry can't hold Snapdragon anymore, the young dragon having crushed his gauntlet with their repeated bites, causing the metal to begin digging painfully into his hand at multiple angles. Not to mention the numerous scratches up and down his arms. He can feel sticky warm jam stuck inside the gauntlet, with how bent out of shape it is, he has no idea how he's going to get it off.
Hollyberry ran over, dropping her shield as she reached them, Pitaya hadn't moved, although as she got closer she saw their back rise and fall, their breaths were shallow and she could hear a hoarseness to them.
Pitaya begins trying to stand, only being able to move their arms underneath them before falling face down again, the impact sending another wave of anguish through them.
Hollyberry heard a small whine from the dragon as she moved them to be on their side, wincing at the sound, she's never seen them like this. She then looks at their chest, unable to suppress the gasp as her eyes land on bright red gem, its usual glow having dimmed, however the fracture running down the centre for about two thirds of its length caused far more concern. Her hands moving to touch it before she stopped, afraid that it may make it worse. She wasn't sure exactly what it meant, but she couldn't imagine it meant anything good. Snapdragon moved closer to Pitaya, unsure of what to do either, instead pushing their way into Pitaya's hands, trying to bring comfort to the older dragon.

Hollyberry heard Tarte Tatin's boots hitting the dirt as she made her way towards her. The anger and hurt becoming too much, standing up and whipping around to face her once friend.
“Why are you doing this?!” Her voice is choked up, feeling tears beginning to form, “What is wrong with you?!” She can tell Tarte Tatin wasn't expecting such a response from her. "Wildberry, stand guard, please.” Her tone lowering to address him, hearing them walk over. She knows as much as he dislikes Pitaya, even he would admit they aren't much of a threat in this state, and surrounded by attackers, they needed the cover.
“They protected you! They saved you!” She yelled to the attackers, her confusion and disbelief showing. “This is how you repay them?!”
Some murmured quietly, expressing what she hoped was some level of shame. Turning her attention towards Tarte Tatin, betrayal now being mixed into her expression. “Tarte Tatin, they fought by your side!” Hollyberry knew she wasn't a fan of dragons but Pitaya had done nothing to her.
“If Pitaya Dragon is killed, the Red Dragon will not return!” Tarte Tatin yelled back with furious conviction, “I'm doing this for Dragon City! You should understand!”
Hollyberry could understand the logic but it still wasn't right, especially after Pitaya had helped the city. They'd also all be more experienced, having already fought the Red Dragon prior. She wasn't even sure how Tarte Tatin knew about the connection, maybe Pitaya had said something during their battle that tipped her off? She clearly wasn't aware that there were other methods to void the contract that didn't involve Pitaya getting killed.
Another agonising groan came from Pitaya as they curled in on themselves, wanting the torture to end. Hollyberry dropped to meet their face, taking Pitaya's helmet off, the dragon was coated in a mixture of jam and blood. She quickly brought her hands to their cheeks as she noticed the dragon's eyelids begin to droop. “Pitaya?! Keep your eyes open! Stay awake!” She begged, Snapdragon moved out from under their hand and curled themselves up close to Pitaya's chest. She could tell the little one was crying as they began to try and heal the injuries they could, providing some relief, Pitaya mumbled something in response, likely annoyed that the hatchling was ignoring their prior command.
The scene was heart-warming if not for Pitaya being so wounded. A footstep behind her reminding her of the danger still very present. Before even being able to face Tarte Tatin, Wildberry already had stepped forward to block her approach.
“Stand back.” His voice was monotone and serious, Hollyberry now able to see the damage to their gauntlet, she was surprised she didn't hear any pain from the guard. She would discuss that later.

Pitaya groaned, they knew Snapdragon was healing them and they couldn't bring themselves to fight back. They had heard Tarte Tatin's reasoning for the ambush and hated it, they were not to blame nor were they going to be held responsible for Dark Enchantress’ tricks.
They tried to stand again, feeling Hollyberry help them up, summoning their sword to keep them upright as their legs threatened to give out beneath them.
Snapdragon moved to Wildberry, curling up on their shoulder, beginning to heal the injuries they inflicted on the cookie as an apology.
Pitaya's eyes focused on Tarte Tatin standing across from them. They glared at her as they took an agonising step forward, shifting their weight to Hollyberry as they lifted their sword and pointed it at the traitor opposite.
“ENDT IHN DAOND TNHD IND.”
Endless death awaits you.
Spoken in dragontongue, not a threat. A promise.
The words made the air feel heavy, no one except the two dragons understanding what was said, but everyone still felt the dread. Tarte Tatin visibly recoiled, almost dropping her cannon, any attackers still able to fight quickly backing away.

Pitaya hated the way their sword felt too heavy, their arms shaking from the weight, they were not weak. They would not be seen as weak.
Hollyberry watched as Pitaya took another step forward, quickly moving to grab them as Pitaya collapsed to their hands and knees, clutching at their gem, the fracture now down almost the entire length.
Pitaya's sword fell uselessly beside them, an awful mixture of blood and bile began to rise in their throat. Hollyberry stared in distress as Pitaya spat out blood and vomit, mostly the former.
They both knew it, Pitaya was dying. Their gem almost broken, causing them to be to weak to heal themselves or even stand. The contract other further siphoning any chance.

Tarte Tatin stared at the sight before her, the legendary dragon kneeling, undeniably dying and yet someone she had fought many other beasts by her side, someone she had fought dragons with, sat beside the dragon with heartbreak evident on her face. She couldn't understand Hollyberry's attachment, it didn't stop the small pang of guilt at being the cause of her grief. Why did she have to care about this dragon so much?

Hollyberry felt a slick scaled hand touch her face, her own instinctively moving to hold it in place. She felt a few tears fall despite her desperate effort to keep them at bay. Their hand was so cold, too cold.
“Hollyberry?” Pitaya's voice was breathy, the single word an effort.
“You're going to be okay. Just stay with me! Please!” She hugged her dragon tight, as if she was the only thing holding them together.
“Ind Gonit Dornanht Nhak Thnt Hidtn Ednt.” Pitaya pressed their forehead against hers, she could feel her heart feel become heavy at the words. Pitaya moved her face so their eyes met, using what remained of their energy to translate, “My heart, my ssssoul, my body and my sssstrength are yourssss. From now until the end of time.”

Chapter 2: Bad Ending
Chapter 3: Good-ish Ending
Chapter 4: Tragic Ending

Chapter Text

Forcing a weak smile as they felt the last of their life essence leave them.

Hollyberry watched as Pitaya's eyes glazed over, before they fell limp against her.
“Pitaya?...” She looked into their eyes, only seeing emptiness look back, her own widening in horror. “No... NO! Don't you dare!” She pulled Pitaya as close to her as she could, her nails digging into their skin. “Please! You can't…” Burying her face in their once white hair, now stained and matted with blood and jam. “Don't do this to me…” Unable to keep the tears back for a moment longer. She screamed.

Wildberry stared at the Queen Mother, he thought her unbreakable, determined and unshakable and yet here she was, being shattered into pieces in front of him. Another grief-stricken scream leaving her, feeling her despair in his own heart. He didn't know what to do, before feeling Snapdragon uncurl from his shoulder beginning to fly over to the pair.
“Wait! Snapdragon!” He called out, he doubted Hollyberry wanted the little dragon to see this.

Snapdragon sped up as they got closer to Pitaya, unable to feel their parent's usual hum of life essence. Squeezing in between Hollyberry and Pitaya, the latter feeling much too cold, while the former only able to make muffled sobs.
“Pwayya?...” They rubbed against Pitaya's face, waiting for a purr or hum, even just them pressing back in turn. They nuzzled into Pitaya's neck, their little body growing warm from their magic, desperately trying to find something to hold, something to stitch back. Something. Anything!
Nothing.

Wildberry cautiously approached, he’d never seen Hollyberry like this, nor did he want to.
She embraced Pitaya's body like it would disappear if she let go, hearing her cries whenever she lifted her head from their hair to breathe before returning, Snapdragon desperately trying to heal the unhealable, unwilling or unable to accept reality, he felt his throat choke up.
“It had to be done.” Wildberry looked over to see Tarte Tatin walking towards them. He was hardly a fan of Pitaya but he knew they didn't deserve this.
“Do not come closer.” He warned, trying to not let his voice crack, Hollyberry deserved to grieve without hearing such words.
“Hollyberry, you have to understand! It was for the best-”
Wildberry now stood mere inches away, cutting her off, “Do not come closer. I will not repeat myself again. Leave.”
“I have to talk sense into her! She's mourning a monster!-”
“I am not mourning a monster.” Hollyberry looked over her shoulder, her voice was faint and raspy, with a look of pure hatred in her eyes, startling both Wildberry and Tarte Tatin, “For I will not mourn you.”

Hollyberry turned back to her dragon, hers. And they had been stolen from her, by someone she once called a friend.
She closed their eyes before running her fingers through their hair, hoping to feel a purr that wouldn't come. Snapdragon shuffled as she picked Pitaya up in her arms, a way she had done so many times before, almost waiting for Pitaya to wake up and flail out of her arms, yelling at her for embarrassing them. But that didn't happen. They remained still, cold and empty. She made their head lean on her shoulder so she could pretend they were just asleep, Snapdragon curling back up on Pitaya.
As she walked out of a city she once adored, whose inhabitants once filled her with joy and happiness. Now all those memories were tainted.
Wildberry behind her picked up Pitaya's helmet, as well as Pitaya's sword.
She would thank him later, for not allowing this place to keep them as a trophy.
Just before she stepped past the archway, she stopped.
“You have made an enemy out of me today, Tarte Tatin. Pray we do not meet again.”

Epilogue:

Hollyberry returns to her kingdom, immediately cutting off any trade or support to Dragon City. She starts researching trying to find anything on funerals relating to dragons, with little luck. Eventually deciding to hold a small funeral, converting the patch of land near the castle where they used to spar into a memorial garden and burying them there. She tries to stay her usual cheerful self but everyone in the castle can see that the light in her eyes has dimmed. She is almost always seen with Snapdragon nearby.
Although the Red Dragon doesn't return, neither does the heat, the valley becoming colder and colder until many residents are forced to leave. As Snapdragon gets older, they stay almost entirely in cookie form, as they don't know how to control their dragon form safely.

Chapter Text

Hollyberry's eyes darted to her shield, the glowing souljam in the centre calling out the solution. Without hesitation, she reached over Pitaya to grab their sword, the dragon's eyes widening with realisation. “Hollyberry! No!-” She felt them weakly attempt to stop her, as she plunged their sword into her souljam, shattering it.

Wildberry watched as a bright light filled their vision, before returning to look at the pair. Hollyberry's new armour was gone, replaced by her usual ballgown, her hair tied back into her normal double buns, although they looked close to falling apart, so did Hollyberry in general. Dark bags under her eyes, grey streaks through the once vibrant pink hair. As if age had finally caught up with her.

Pitaya was sitting up, the dragon in distress for her, when a moment ago, it was the other way around.
“You aren't bound by that contract anymore!” She sounded so much more tired, “You said that before, if I destroyed my souljam-”
She suddenly felt Pitaya wrap their arms around her, pulling her closer. She couldn't think of the last time Pitaya had initiated a hug, if they had ever.
“Sssstupid…” They muttered, and yet they held her tighter, they never were good with emotions.
“I believe you're meant to say ‘Thank you’.” She teased, she knew they were grateful, just wanting to make the mood feel lighter.
“....Thank you.”
It was so quiet and yet to her it felt like they had yelled it in her ear.

Pitaya helped Hollyberry get to her feet, Wildberry quickly moving in to assist. They hated how they felt stronger now, they wanted to give this back, this was her strength, they had promised her.
They heard a noise behind them, turning to see Tarte Tatin, trying and failing to reload her cannon.
“I'm sssssorry for thissss. But I don't regret it.”
They didn't wait for a response before allowing the blinding rage to envelop them, feeling their form grow as they stalked over to the increasingly desperate cookie, ignoring the strain it put on the still damaged gem in their chest.
Now in their true form, they ripped the cannon from her arms and crushed the wretched thing beneath them before throwing the twisted hunk of metal towards the injured cookies they spared, no longer feeling any remorse or guilt. The now defenceless Tarte Tatin below them. They should've known not to trust her, from when she threatened to kill Snapdragon the moment they hatched to the constant hatred towards their kind. They'd dismissed it due to Hollyberry's trust but now, now they wanted nothing more than the treacherous coward of a cookie before them to be reduced to nothing but jam and crumbs. Without looking away, they spoke to the cookies behind them.
“Pleasssse cover the little one'ssss eyessss. They are sssstill too young to learn thissss.”

They leaned in, they could almost smell the terror wafting off the cookie below them, it had been a while since they deliberately crumbled a cookie, they wanted to savour this, give this cookie a death fitting for a traitor. But deep down, they couldn't.
Using their forelimb to hold her in place, they would make it quick, not for Tarte Tatin, but for Hollyberry.
Closing their jaw around the cookie's head, and with a single motion, tearing it off. They felt the dough stretch through their teeth, the horrid yet uncomfortably nostalgic taste of jam filling their mouth before they spat the head out. If she screamed, they didn’t hear it.
Maybe they were going soft.

Hollyberry couldn't watch, she was covering Snapdragon's eyes, her own closed tightly, the noise alone causing her to feel sick, Wildberry actually being so.
A few moments passed before she felt Pitaya's hand, back in cookie form, on her shoulder, “I made it quick.”
She opened one eye to see Pitaya in front of her, only managing to give a small nod of gratitude for Pitaya's mercy, if you could call it that. She understood why they did it, Tarte Tatin had ambushed them while they had Snapdragon, the uncomfortable question of whether or not the little dragon was planned to have the same fate clawed in her head. She didn't blame Pitaya, they had every right, it was just never pleasant to have the reminder of what Pitaya was actually capable of.

Pitaya looked down at their gem, almost split all the way through, it was still incredibly painful but another feeling was overwhelming them, dulling it out. An urge, a need.
They kneeled down, knowing if they remained standing while they did this, they were going to end up falling anyways.
“Pitaya? What are you doing?...” They could hear the concern in her voice, she knew something was up, she always did. They had to be quick now.
They dug their claws into the crack, ignoring the searing pain the action caused and Hollyberry's yells, forcing the gem to separate completely, breaking off one of halves from their chest, the only thing keeping them conscious throughout was their will to keep their promise.

Hollyberry stared at them with a mixture of several emotions, disturbed, concerned, confused, shocked.
It wasn't until Pitaya held the gem in front of her, offering it, that she realised what they were doing. “I promissssed you, in dragontongue no lesssss.” Pitaya began, “My heart, my ssssoul, my body and my ssssstrength are yourssss.” She could see their face going red, even if they were repeating themselves.
Hollyberry stared at the gem in Pitaya's hands, before looking at their face, Pitaya refusing to meet her eyes. “The gem holdssss a dragon'ssss ssssoul, their power, and…”
She saw them shuffle nervously, unable to finish their sentence, always completely hopeless with any emotion that didn’t involve fighting.
“And you intend to keep your promise?” She offered, Pitaya nodding, still refusing to look at her.
She gently took the gem in her hands, knowing they wouldn't accept no as an answer. The rush of energy filling her, it was a familiar yet slightly different feeling. She looked back at Pitaya, who was staring back at her, she tried not to laugh when she saw the slight wagging from their tail before throwing herself at them, holding them tight rubbing her face against theirs. Pitaya letting out a shocked noise at the sudden action before reciprocating.
She pulled away from them after a moment, gently brushing the few strands of their hair out of their face. “You old lizard! What am I going to do with you?”

Epilogue:

Hollyberry sends some healers and medical supplies to Dragon City to treat the injured, extending an olive branch. Although Pitaya refuses to go there alone anymore.
Not too much has changed in relation to the new gem situation, Hollyberry is a bit more hot headed than before, as well as being able to speak and understand dragontongue, she's about the same she was before awakening. She's slightly concerned about how Eternal Sugar is handling it, but she hasn't made any attempts to get her so it seems okay. However, Pitaya can no longer transform into their true form, they refused to admit this to anyone, using various excuses to explain away any suspicion. Until one day, Hollyberry catches them staring at a plush of their dragon form with more sadness than the usual annoyance, getting Pitaya to admit they sacrificed their ability to be a true dragon for her.