(As I looked out the window in my room, I wondered if I would see my beloved Natsuki again. That’s when I feel something - a tap on my tail.)

Garangolm: “Hey, Lunagaron! What’s good, my dude?”

(Huh. That was the first time he’s ever called me by my full name - he normally calls me “Luna” for short, while I tend to call him “Garan”. But there was no sign of Malzeno - or as we call him, “Mal”. But I didn’t expect Garangolm to come back from his date with Gammoth so soon.)

Lunagaron: “Wow, Garan. That’s…that’s the first time you called me by my full name.”

Garangolm: “Oh, yeah. I figured it was time to show some respect, you know? And speaking of respect, I had a great time with Gammoth. She’s pretty awesome.”

Lunagaron: “That’s great to hear, Garan. I’m happy for you. Did Mal come with you guys or…?”

Garangolm: “Nah, he’s off doing his own thing. Probably sulking somewhere, knowing him.”

Lunagaron: “Oh. Well, maybe he just needs some time to himself.”

Garangolm: “Yeah, maybe. Anyway, enough about Mal. What have you been up to? Seen Natsuki lately?”

Lunagaron: “No, not since our last battle. I’ve been…keeping busy with training and stuff.”

Garangolm: “Ah, gotcha. Well, hopefully you’ll run into her again soon. I know how much you like her.”

Lunagaron: “Yeah…yeah, I do. She’s amazing.”

Garangolm: “Hey, don’t worry about it. She’s bound to come around sooner or later. And in the meantime, you’ve got us - your awesome friends - to hang out with.”

Lunagaron: “Thanks, Garan. That means a lot.”

Garangolm: “Anytime, Lunagaron. Anytime.”

(Suddenly, the door bursts open and Mal flies in. He looked different - he has a more sturdy appearance, with most of his body, wings, and head crest being covered in silver and gold plates and blades resembling armor, and the parts of his body that were already gold becoming a darker, richer color. The Qurio are no longer present on his body, with the patch on his chest being replaced by a thicker section of armor plates, and his red wing membranes are now dark purple instead, with his horns also being less twisted.)

Malzeno: “What-eth is the meaning of this?!”

Garangolm: “…dude. LOVE the new look.”

Malzeno: “I art the same Malzeno that thou used to know. I’ve just-eth gotten rid of the Qurio.”

Lunagaron: “Wow, Mal. You look…different. What made you decide to remove the Qurio?”

Malzeno: “I hath realized that they were holding me back. I needed to be free, to fully control my powers.”

Garangolm: “Well, whatever works for you, man. You look like a total badass.”

Malzeno: “I care-eth not for thy flattery, Garangolm. But I am glad-eth that thou art impressed.”

Lunagaron: “So, what’s next for you, Mal?”

Malzeno: “I shall continue to grow stronger, to become the strongest Elder Dragon of them all. And perhaps…take a mate, to further strengthen my line.”

Garangolm: “Well, makes sense. You’re the only one of our friends who wasn’t gotten a girlfriend yet. Hold on, let me check if Gais is okay.”

(He rushes to a viewing point to look at the Yawning Abyss to chat with our friend Gaismagorm, or “Gais” as we like to call him.)

Malzeno: “I care-eth not for finding a partner for the sake of love. It is simply a matter of strengthening our kind.”

Lunagaron: “I see. Well, I hope you find someone who is compatible and can help you achieve your goals.”

Malzeno: “I shall. But enough-eth about me. What hast thou been doing, Lunagaron?”

Lunagaron: “Oh, just training and trying to become stronger. Hoping to one day be able to protect those I care about.”

Garangolm: “And he’s been pining after Natsuki, too.”

Lunagaron: “Garan, come on…”

Malzeno: “Ah, Natsuki. She is a fierce fighter. I’ve fought alongside her before.”

Lunagaron: “You have? How was it?”

Malzeno: “It was…challenging. She has a quick mind and an agile body, and her attacks are precise and deadly. But it was also invigorating, to fight alongside such a skilled hunter.”

Garangolm: “See, Luna? Even Mal thinks she’s cool.”

Lunagaron: “Yeah…I know she is. I just wish…I wish things had gone differently between us.”

Malzeno: “What do-eth thou mean?”

Lunagaron: “We had a falling out. I said some things I shouldn’t have, and now…I don’t know if we can ever be friends again.”

Garangolm: “Hey, come on Luna. Maybe it’s not too late to make things right.”

Malzeno: “I agree-eth with Garangolm. It is always better to try and make amends, rather than letting a friendship wither away.”

Lunagaron: “You guys are right. I’ll try to talk to her and see if we can work things out.”

Garangolm: “That’s the spirit, Luna! And we’ll be there to support you, no matter what.”

Malzeno: “Aye. We art friends, and nothing shall ever change that.”

(Suddenly, I get a phone call from my friend Magnamalo - or “Magna” for short. But…he seemed panicked - something was wrong with his wife Somnacanth, or “Somna” for short.)

Lunagaron: “What is it?”

Magnamalo: "It's about Somnacanth! I-I-I don't have time to explain! Meet us in the Lava Caverns!"