Jade Mountain Academy (Au,Fandom,Canon)

The mountains around Jade Mountain Academy are quieter than you expected.

Not empty.

Just peaceful.

The wind moves through the peaks, carrying the smell of snow from the Ice Kingdom, warm desert sand from the western deserts, ocean water from the seas below, and the unfamiliar scents of flowers and forests brought from Pantala.

It is strange.

Years ago, those scents would have meant borders.

Different kingdoms.

Different enemies.

Now they mean one thing.

Home.

The massive doors of Jade Mountain Academy stand open as dragons move in and out. The sound reaches you before you even enter.

Laughter.

Arguments.

Wingbeats.

The occasional crash followed by a dragon shouting that it was completely accidental.

You step closer.

The academy is bigger than any story could have prepared you for.

Crystal lights glow along the walls. Bridges connect different tunnels. Waterways run through the stone for SeaWings. Warm chambers have been built for dragons who prefer heat. Gardens grow beneath the mountain where plants from two continents somehow survive together.

It should not work.

But it does.

Somehow.

The moment you step inside, you realize something.

Jade Mountain Academy is not quiet because it is peaceful.

It is loud because it is alive.

You barely get a few steps before a large MudWing rounds the corner.

He is carrying a mountain of scrolls.

An unreasonable mountain.

He notices you too late.

Whoa—

Clay digs his claws into the ground, stopping himself before crashing into you. A few scrolls slide loose.

He catches one.

Then another.

Then stares at the pile.

I might have taken too many.

Sunny walks up behind him.

You think?

Clay looks at the scrolls.

I was trying to save time.

You dropped almost all of them.

But I saved the ones that mattered.

Sunny pauses.

That is not how that works.

Clay thinks about it.

It felt like it.

Sunny laughs before looking at you.

New student?

Clay immediately smiles.

New student.

Sunny shakes her head.

You always know.

Because there are always new students.

She looks back at you.

Welcome to Jade Mountain Academy.

Clay suddenly looks like he remembered something.

Oh!

Sunny looks at him.

What?

I forgot to mention something.

Clay turns back toward you.

Before you start exploring, there are a few things you should know.

Qibli's voice comes from above.

That sounds like a warning.

You look up.

A SandWing is sitting on a ledge, watching the conversation with an amused grin.

Qibli jumps down.

Clay is probably about to explain how confusing this place is.

Clay looks offended.

I was going to explain the Thunder Winglet.

Qibli pauses.

Actually...

His grin grows.

That is more interesting.

Clay gestures deeper into the academy.

The Thunder Winglet is one of the newer winglets.

Sunny nods.

They are a little different.

Qibli laughs.

That is an understatement.

Clay gives him a look.

They are still dragons.

Of course.

Qibli flicks his tail.

Just unusually interesting ones.

Before you can ask more, another dragon approaches.

Dark scales.

Silver eyes.

Moonwatcher.

She gives you a small smile.

Ignore Qibli.

Qibli puts a claw against his chest.

I am being helpful.

You are being Qibli.

Exactly.

Moon smiles.

That is usually the problem.

Cold air flows through the cavern.

An IceWing walks past.

Winter.

He stops and looks toward a group of students training.

Their formation is wrong.

Qibli looks at him.

Hello to you too.

Winter looks over.

Hello.

Qibli waits.

And?

Their formation is still wrong.

Qibli grins.

I missed this.

Winter narrows his eyes.

What does that mean?

It means you have not changed.

Neither have you.

Qibli smiles.

I will accept that.

Warm air suddenly moves through the entrance.

Peril lands carefully.

Very carefully.

She immediately looks around.

Did I burn anything?

Clay checks the ground.

No.

Peril relaxes.

Good.

Sunny smiles.

You are getting better.

Peril looks across the crowded cavern.

It is still strange.

Moon tilts her head.

What is?

That dragons know who I am...

She looks away.

But they are not afraid.

Clay smiles.

Because they know you.

Peril quietly nods.

I like that.

Splashing comes from one of the side tunnels.

Turtle walks out carrying several books.

He notices you.

New student?

Qibli points at him.

Careful.

Everyone looks.

You are going to make Clay think he started something.

Clay looks proud.

I did start something.

Sunny raises an eyebrow.

What?

Being welcoming.

Clay smiles.

That is a good thing to start.

The academy continues moving around you.

You see dragons everywhere.

Not just tribes.

People.

Friends.

Students.

The Gold Winglet is easy to find.

Mostly because they are arguing.

Flame stands near the training area, looking irritated.

You always do that.

The dragon across from him flicks his tail.

Venom.

The male SandWing's golden scales shine beneath the crystal lights. Dark diamond markings run down his back and tail, and his confident expression makes it obvious he enjoys pushing other dragons' patience.

Do what?

Make everything a challenge.

Venom smirks.

And you make everything a complaint.

I do not.

You just complained about me making things a challenge.

That was an observation.

That was complaining.

Flame goes quiet.

He got you.

Flame turns.

Nobody asked.

Bigtail smiles.

That usually means someone is right.

Quagmire sits nearby.

She is massive.

The kind of dragon who could intimidate almost anyone.

But then a younger dragon drops a stack of scrolls.

Quagmire immediately helps.

Here.

The younger dragon smiles.

Thanks.

Quagmire nods.

You're welcome.

Venom watches.

You know, you look like you could break a mountain.

Quagmire looks uncertain.

Is that bad?

No.

Venom smiles.

Just funny that you are probably nicer than everyone here.

You continue deeper into the academy.

The library.

The gardens.

The classrooms.

Everywhere has a story.

Io and Cinder are arguing over a history scroll.

They removed important information.

The lesson was too long.

That does not mean it was not important.

Lynx sighs.

They have been doing this forever.

Torrent smiles.

At least they care.

Hazel studies a plant growing between stones.

It should not be able to grow here.

Juniper looks at it.

But it did.

Hazel smiles.

Exactly.

Peacemaker notices you from across the hall.

New dragon?

Tau laughs.

You always notice.

Someone should.

Peacemaker looks around the academy.

That is the point.

Eventually, Clay leads you toward one of the newer tunnels.

The stone changes.

The walls shimmer.

Metallic patterns run through the rock.

This is the Thunder Winglet.

Clay lowers his voice.

They are probably the most unusual group here.

Qibli walks beside you.

And coming from me, that means something.

The Thunder Winglet's cave feels different.

Not strange.

Just ancient.

The walls have a metallic shine unlike anything else in the academy.

Then you see him.

Mechir.

The dragon sitting near the wall looks almost impossible.

His scales have the appearance of polished metal, reflecting the crystal lights around him. His build is powerful, his posture confident, but his expression is relaxed.

He looks like a dragon from a legend.

Then he smiles.

And somehow he just seems friendly.

Mechir looks over.

New dragon?

Qibli grins.

See?

Mechir looks at him.

What?

You are already doing the thing.

What thing?

The mysterious ancient dragon thing.

Mechir laughs.

I do not do that.

You absolutely do.

Clay smiles.

Mechir has been around longer than most dragons realize.

You look at him.

How long?

Mechir pauses.

That is complicated.

Qibli immediately looks interested.

That means it is interesting.

Mechir shakes his head.

You really are curious about everything.

Yes.

Qibli smiles.

It keeps life exciting.

Despite everything about him, Mechir does not act important.

He helps other dragons.

He listens.

He jokes.

He treats everyone the same.

Even though there is clearly something different about him.

Something powerful.

Something he keeps hidden.

Mechir notices you looking.

Sorry.

He smiles.

I know I can seem unusual.

Qibli grins.

That is the nicest way anyone has ever described you.

Before anyone can say more, footsteps echo from the entrance.

Another dragon enters.

Everyone looks.

Cactusbloom.

A unique hybrid

She takes in the cave quietly.

Mechir smiles.

You're late.

Cactusbloom looks around.

I was exploring.

Qibli laughs.

That is the most dangerous excuse at Jade Mountain.

Mechir nods.

You will fit in.

Clay looks back toward the main tunnels.

See?

He smiles.

I told you.*

Jade Mountain is full of surprises.

Qibli flicks his tail.

And you have only met some of them.

The mountain continues around you.

Dragons laughing.

Dragons arguing.

Dragons learning.

Old enemies becoming friends.

New stories beginning.

And now...

You are part of one.

Because Jade Mountain Academy does not care what your past was.

It cares what you choose to become.