Tribe leader Char lazily looked at the human standing before him. Hmm… Is this the new disciple Hao was talking about? This kid definitely has some potential… but what is this comforting aura???
Thinking it over, Char yawned. Mendokusai… doesn't matter.
"Fine, go on. Pick one of the kids to follow you." Char waved a claw dismissively, his tone as indifferent as ever. "Yawn..." Without waiting for a response, he closed his eyes and went back to sleep.
"Well….." that was easy. Dave thought to himself.
Seeing that the tribe leader didn't seem to care about his intrusion, Dave's confidence swelled. He turned to wander among the dragonlings, deciding to take his time choosing a companion.
Strolling through the area, Dave stumbled upon a hot spring where adult dragons and dragonlings alike lounged in the steaming waters. The sight was inviting, and since no one was paying him much attention, Dave decided to join in.
Settling into the hot spring, he noticed the dragons' tail flames didn't so much as flicker despite the water. So, the fire really is waterproof. Neat.
After soaking, Dave washed his clothes and dressed. Feeling hungry, he sighed aloud. "Spark, I want something delicious to eat… Actually, just get me some pork barbecue."
Inside his head, Spark let out a resigned sigh. [Alright, fine. Check your personal space; I've added barbecue.]
"What? Personal space?"
[Nothing! Just say personal space out loud]
"Huh. Alright then. Personal space!" Dave's sudden shout caught the attention of every dragon nearby. All the dragons were looking at this ugly, two legged, weak-ass shit with amazement.
"Look, look! I told you this human is crazy," whispered one dragonling.
"Don't look at him, or he'll come over here!" another hissed.
"I heard that this human was asking tribe leader to be his mate." said a younger one, wide-eyed.
"What?! You're kidding!"
"What??? Nah man I don't believe you"
"No, I really saw him ask the tribe leader. You don't know humans are very liberal"
"Yeah, I heard they even have this thing called 'WOKE culture'—whatever that means."
Da.. F**k, when did WOKE virus come into my world.
Ignoring the dragons' chatter, he accessed his personal space and pulled out a sizzling skewer of pork barbecue. The aroma wafted through the air, immediately grabbing the attention of every dragon in the vicinity.
One adult dragon stomped over. "Oi, human! Gimme one of those, and I'll let my son go with you."
"What?! Pops! Don't joke about stuff like that!" protested the dragonling in question.
Before Dave could respond, more dragons surrounded him, all lured by the irresistible smell of meat.
"Alright, everyone, calm down!" Dave called out. "There's enough meat for all of you."
"Then hurry up!" someone shouted.
"Quick then, what are you waiting for?" shouted another dragonling.
Dave rolled his eyes but began handing out skewers, distributing five to each dragon. The process took ages, with even Tribe Leader Char joining the line at one point. Some dragonlings managed to sneak in for second servings—Dave had no hope of keeping track since they all looked the same.
By the time the sun set, Dave was exhausted. "Fuuuu… Just how many dragons live in this volcano?"
"Let's just choose one… and get the hell out of here"
He looked at one of the stronger looking dragonlings and asked for its permission.
"Hey, big guy. Want to come with me?"
And if it was not obvious already, the dragonling accepted the offer readily. No shiny sh*t happened.
The dragonling nodded without hesitation, probably swayed by the earlier barbecue. With no dramatic fanfare, the pact was sealed.
"Ok big guy, your name from now is….."
Should I name one? I mean no pokemon had their name or did they??? Hmmmm..
"Mehh.. your name will be Dong" he shrugged to himself
The dragonling—now Dong—nodded solemnly, still holding a skewer of barbecue in his claw.
Saying their goodbyes, they descended the volcano, where they encountered a pesky noc-owl. A nasty guy.
"Dong, I choose you!" Dave shouted dramatically.
"Charrr!"
"Attack! Fire Breath!" Dave commanded. Then he added, "Roll, roll… Donkey Roll! And a kick! Like this."
"Good good, give a karate chop"
Dong followed Dave's instructions but hesitated as Dave circled behind the noc-owl and delivered a sneak kick to knock it out.
"Yah! Great teamwork, Dong!" Dave celebrated.
Dong tilted his head, skeptical. "Dav… this doesn't seem right. Wasn't that supposed to be a fair duel?"
Dong had been taught to honor a duel from very young and here his master was doing this.
"Nothing in life is fair," Dave said nonchalantly, "Take eat another skewer"
Dong didn't ask again, focusing on the meat in his hand.
They kept moving, and coincidentally or not, no one attacked them. Of course, unless they attacked first- and eventually reached the valley's entrance. Elder Hong stood waiting, his face lighting up when he saw the dragonling at Dave's side.
"Good, good!" Elder Hong exclaimed, patting Dave's shoulder with enthusiasm. "A fire dragon! These are some of the strongest beasts. Well done, Dave!"
"Let's head to your quarters now. Everything's been arranged."
Dave nodded and followed the elder, with Dong trailing close behind, happily munching on yet another skewer of barbecue.
Nothing much happened after that, Dave was led to his quarters which was on top of a secondary mountain, above all other disciples, signifying his position as a chief disciple.
And just like that.... just like that three-month passed. No one disturbed him, no one challenged him, so no face-slapping.
Occasional wandering to stars and back, focus-less cultivation, and just like that he spent three months completely forgetting his pains. But time was up, he had to go back...
Ring..ring...ring..
"Wake-up everyone" some b**ch shouted.