Wild Clutch 2

Donriven looked up at the sudden sound. He was working with herein on the Dragonder section that would open soon. Somehow he didn't think this sound had been an echo of their moving tanks of water around the cave. 
"I'm going to check this out." he told Herein, shoving the empty tank he carried onto one of the empty stands.
Donriven all but ran to the neighbouring Shadow Cave. The eggs there would be about ready to hatch. In his mind he already called out a relieved 'Finally!' before he turned the corner, ran down the stairs and saw the eggs wobbling. Looking past them to the opening into the Ocean that was used by the Sea Shadows he noticed that it was raining. Well, as long as the water didn't rise high enough to give them all wet feet, Donriven didn't mind.
"Call the candidates, Herein." he called to the Dragonder Keeper, "And keep those fishies away from them, some of them might not appreciate their company."
Herein nodded understanding the need of keeping the Dragonders away. He signalled his dragon Meryk to call the candidates while Donriven went out. The Laedrys might not mind a little rain, but Herein would rather stay dry.
Shortly after the 6 candidates entered the caves. From his perch on the first level Herein motioned the candidates on to the deeper hatching Caves. None of them needed to be in the Aquarium Room just yet. Some of them looked interested in what was behind the door he was guarding, but not many lingered.
Summoner entered first, the woman s
Closely behind Summoner came Burning Shadows of Night, or Shadows as she liked to be called. She was a queen of a dark people, but in front of the shadows no different than any other candidate on the sands. 
After the two women, Ebon Shadowfire flew inside the cavern. He was one of two evilly-inclined star dancers that had taken interest in this clutch. He was part ghost, making him look smoky and ever changing in the muted grey light that came from outside. He flew to the veiling and decided to wait for his bond on one of the unused chandeliers. 
Then, almost waving the star dancer away with a gesture of irritation on his face, came Rechen. Freedom had been good to him once again. he had kept low seeing as these dragons could mindread, but after this hatching he'd be on his way again to do whatever he wanted.... and whatever he wanted Rean to do.
Rean, dragging his feet, followed him. yet there was a spark of hope in his eyes that maybe, he would be able to break away from his brother if he bonded. The two took position near the opening, far away from any means to escape, with only the sea behind them. Rechen smiled mockingly at his brother, daring him to try to escape.
Last to enter, right after the two brothers, was Sanguin, another star dancer from Gineya with a lust for blood. Looking dark and gloomy the little winged creature about the size of a flitter flew to one of the tables lining the wall and waited. All the candidates did, waiting as the eggs started rocking more violently.
The first of the eggs to crack open was one of the smallest of the six. The hatchling rolling out was medium in size though, his wings pushed tightly against his body. His colouration gave a bit of a start to everyone in the room though. The previous wild shadow clutch had yielded red-tinged dragons, but this hatchling was tinted with a light grey-aqua. Showing no interest in the candidates on the floor, the Medium Shadowling gazed up, at Ebon.
"Will you come down, or should I get up?" he asked, "It looks cramped up there."
Ebon flew down and landed on the Shadowling's shoulder. Apparently he was able to ride the shadow as if he was solid because he too was only partly substantial.
"Let us fly outside, Kieran."
The two left, not even looking at the food and undoubtedly, no longer on the planet anymore. But the hatching continued. Two eggs broke at once, one rather large, the other a good medium sized. The hatchlings falling from the eggs were also tinged that same aqua colour. One was definitely a Black, strutting around with an attitude that would make everyone notice him. The second, a Small Shadowling, did not behave as foolishly and quickly bonded to the star dancer Sanguin. 
"I shall go with you, Sanguin." he just said, "Follow you as long as you treat me right. My name is Wyenig. How does that sound?"
"Perfect. We shall begin at once."
In a puff of smoke they too were gone and presumed halfway across the universe. The Black looked a bit stunned that someone had dared bond before him, but since his little brother was long gone, he could do nothing about it. In stead he turned to Rechen and angrily said:
"I hate it when they do that."
"Perfectly understandable, but it won't happen to me."
"We shall see." the Shadowling replied, "My name is Larusm."
Three eggs remained on the sands, that is until they all decided to hatch at once. The three dragons were thrown onto each other, a large ball of black fur twisting and turning. Then a cry sounded and a small Weak Shadowling, tinged in green and blue rolled away, hurt by the two other hatchlings that also got lose from each other. A Land Queen, also tinged green looked angrily at the Weak, shooing him away with her gaze alone, right in the arms of Rean.
"Help!" the hatchling called, "She's going to hurt me!"
"Shh, I know how you feel." Rean answered, "Try to not notice her and she'll hopefully go away." At least Rean hoped she would. That trick had never worked with his brother. 
The Queen turned to her brother, a winged Air Big, and made sure that he would not move before her. She had two candidates to choose from, two females for a Queen would never bond with a male, she was sure of that. She looked at them both, but finally, decided to settle for Summoner. Together, she knew, she might be able to control that body fully, keeping the other spirits as pets for her to torture.
Smiling ever so sweetly, she moved to her chosen and said: "I shall be known as Fahz'ien."
Summoner nodded and left it at that, feelings and thoughts racing to the upper hand, fighting each other as they crossed paths.
That left only the Big and Shadows on the sands. The Big looked at the vampire queen for a time and then nodded. She might be a bit rough around the edges, but all in all not a bad bond.
"You have come to me." Shadows said.
"I have." the Big answered.
"Would you have done so if there had been others left?" she quirked an eyebrow.
"I chose you and no-one else. Never doubt me and we shall rule."
"I shall have to keep you to your promise. What is your name?"
"Branacht."
With the last of the hatchlings bonded, all remaining candidates moved out, leaving the cave with the rain still pouring outside. Donriven sighed, guess it was back to the Aquarium for him.
"Did you watch?" he asked Herein.
"I did, I saw them move out too. Are you sure this was a good idea?"
"There haven't been that many that have hatched, and even Shadowlings aren't omnipotent. They age just like dragons, and there's no-one to teach them."
"The strongest survive?" Herein asked.
"No, not the strongest, the smartest. That Black was too cocky for his own good, and that bond of his..." Donriven shuddered, "My money's on the Weak."
Herein shrugged, "Back to work then?"
"If we have too."

Riders:
Summoner and LAND Queen Fahz'ien (f)
Rechen and AIR Black Larusm (m)
Burning Shadows of Night and AIR Big Branacht (m)
Ebon and AIR Medium Kieran (m)
Sanguin and AIR Small Wyenig (m)
Rean and LAND Weak Rio'tzan (m)