Storm thought for sure that Aurora was going to bite a head off.
And not one of the ones attached to his shoulders at that. But fortunately for his male 'pride' he managed to smooth things over with her.
Aurora's pregnancy had developed considerably and walking for her had become increasingly difficult.
Healers all agreed that the time for her to lay the egg was close at hand.
She slowly took him to his council and together they briefed him on everything that happened during his long slumber.
Kalipso in particular was over the moon to see he had awakened, with winter quickly coming to an end and the Spring Equinox celebration right around the corner, she feared that he would sleep through it.
After a long discussion with his council, Storm noticed that Aurora had become increasingly quiet. Concerned, he found her in the far corner, gently rubbing her lower belly.
"Everything all right, Aurora?" Asked Storm concerned.
She grimaced.
"It's nothing... the egg has just been somewhat restless for most of the day..." stated Aurora.
"Maybe you should go lie down? I can take things from here!" Suggested Storm.
"It's fine! Just a..."
Aurora hissed in pain as a particularly strong contraction took hold of her.
"Aurora!!?" Asked Storm.
"I think the egg has grown tired of being inside and wants to enter the world!" Stated Aurora.
Another contraction took hold and she doubled over.
"Razor!! Help me support her!! Kalipso!! Go tell Orian and Chrome!!" Ordered Storm.
Together they led her out and towards the infirmary while Kalipso flew off at high speed to go look for Orian.
...
Meanwhile, oblivious to what was going on with his mother and father...
Orian and Chrome was secretly watching as Lavander, Quill and Quicksilver were having a very intenseful debate in their favorite park.
Orian sighed.
"It was a mistake to come here!"
"Come on, Orian!! We promised your father we would try to make amends and even if we didn't, we owe it to them to explain ourselves!" Stated Chrome.
"How can I face them after how I pushed them away!?" Asked Orian.
Come on, Orian!! You almost lost your father!! Of course they will understand!!" Exclaimed Chrome.
The truth was that there was another reason why Orian stopped seeing his friends. His father had lectured Orian hard about the fact that he dragged his friends with him on his misadventure.
He took that lecture to heart and felt a great deal of shame for his actions, his shame made him distance himself from them.
He believed that by distancing himself from them, he was protecting them from his foolishness.
But he realized now that he was just running away from making amends for almost getting them killed.
Orian looked at his friends longingly before slowly turning to leave.
"Ohh no you don't!! Come here!!" Exclaimed Chrome.
He grabbed Orian by the tail and slowly dragged him towards the others.
When they looked up and saw them approaching, the 3 children squealed and rushed over to them, suprising both adults.
"You're Mercureum and Solaris!!? I can't believe we're meeting you!! The other kids will be so jealous!!" Exclaimed their friends.
"Where did you come from!! Are you really princes? Where did you learn to fight like that!!?" They were asking over each other.
Orian and Chrome looked at each other puzzled.
"W-what did you call us?!" Asked Orian.
"I realize that's probably not your real names, but that's what everyone in the city has been calling you since you fought our leader!!"
Quill suddenly stepped forward and tapped Chrome on the leg.
"Excuse me, Mister Mercureum ? You wouldn't be willing to fight with my mother would you?" Asked Quill.
Chrome choked in response to her question.
"Why would you want me to fight against your mother!!?" Asked Chrome.
"... It's just... my mother hasn't shown interest in seeing anyone since she was taken captive...
I don't want her growing old alone!" Stated Quill.
"That still doesn't explain why we need to fight?" Stated Chrome.
Orian leaned in and explained a particular fact about manticores that his friend was unfamiliar with.
In Maticore culture it was the females that initiated courship. They did so by challenging males to a duel and testing his Strength in physical combat.
If the male successfully impressed the female, then they would become a couple and usually stay together until something kills one of them, or until a stronger more dominant male bested the current champion.
"W-what!!! But I'm not a manticore!!" Exclaimed Chrome.
"I told you so!!"
"Not now, Quicksilver!!" Stated Quill.
"I'm not sure how to tell you guys this, but it's us?!!" Stated Orian.
"Who?!" Asked Lavander.
"Orian and Chrome!" Replied Orian.
His friends all laughed.
"Good one!!"
"..."
"You're serious?!!" Asked his friends.
Orian nodded his head.
"Orian... what happened to you!!?" Asked Lavander.
"We.... grew up... " stated Orian.
As shocked as Lavender was, it was nothing compared to Quill"s reaction.
"My mother has fallen for my friend that happens to be the same age as me!!!
And I encouraged her!!!
What am I going to tell her now!!?" Exclaimed Quill.
"Nothing!! This sounds like ,'Mercureum's problem, not yours!!" Stated Orian in amusement.
Chrome really felt like drowning his 'brother' in the nearest pond.
Fortunately for Orian, Kalipso's frantic calls saved him from suffering this fate.
"Orian!! Your mother's egg has come due!! Your father is calling for you!!" Exclaimed Kalipso out of breath.
"I'm sorry, guys!! We need to..." stated Orian.
"Don't apologize, muttonhead!! Just go!! You're family needs you right now!!" Exclaimed his friends.
Kalipso flew off with Orian and Chrome close behind.
...
At the Infirmary
Storm was currently pacing back and forth in the waiting area while The Grans and several different staff were attending to Aurora in a closed room.
Egg laying was somewhat traumatic for young females laying their first clutch, but not to the same extent that it was for humanoid creatures.
And so a dragon Matriarch was always on standby at the infirmary to help guide young females through the process.
Orian and Chrome joined Storm half an hour after Aurora was first admitted and together they sat and waited.
Aurora's anguished roars occasionally sounded from the room and it took every ounce of Storm's self control not to rush in there.
After an hour with no news, Storm began to fear for Aurora and for the Egg.
Fortunately for his sanity, the Grans soon thereafter approached with an update.