DRAGON HEROES
So here we reach the final stretch of the Hawaiian Islands, where the group returned to the Big Island to enter the tournament taking place at Mauna Loa. This is going to be somewhat of a two-parter at this point, so plenty of stuff going on in this story and the next. Let's see how they all fare here!
Rise to the Challenge
Chapter 1 – Return to the Big Island
Tails could hardly believe that the Hawaiian trip was almost over. He, Blaze, and the dragons had only one day left before they head back to Japan, and it was also the day for them to participate in the Hawaiian Championship Tournament, which was taking place on the Big Island's Mauna Loa. Of course, they had visited the island days ago when the dragons were up to taking on their fourth trial, but they had never set foot on the huge volcano before. While he continued piloting the Tornado, he looked back to the Nightriders concert and could tell that the event was still fresh on everyone's minds at that moment.
"Last night was certainly a lot of fun," he said to Blaze, who sat next to him.
"It sure was," agreed Blaze. "And I bet the dragons really enjoyed themselves, having that rare chance to play alongside with the Nightriders and all."
"Too right, you are, Blaze," said Bowser, as he remembered how much fun he had riffing on the electric guitar they provided him for the concert. "It's too bad they couldn't stay longer since today they had to start their tour in Canada, but at least we'll get the chance to see them eventually when they come to Japan."
Tails nodded, knowing that they will meet the Nightriders again when that time comes. He thought it was nice of them to install their apps on his friends' phones, and he was impressed with the vixens of the band.
"Looks like we're almost there now," said Blaze.
"Yes, I can see that," said Tails as they got closer to the Big Island. He readied his plane to make the landing. This was also the signal for the dragons to lower their altitude.
"Back to the island we've been before we visited Kauai," said Cynder. "I could only wonder what we'll be in for when we go to Mauna Loa."
"I think it's going to be a lot like the tournament in China that Jakkin and Torden participated in," said Draco. "Then again, I could be wrong since it could be possible Hawaii would have its own way of doing tournaments."
"There's only one way to find out," said Torden. "And I'm looking forward to duking it out with the other combatants."
"Now, don't get cocky there, bud," said Jakkin. "You probably are forgetting that I'm going to take part in the tournament as well."
"We all are, Jakkin," said Percival. "So all we have to do is just do our very best."
"Exactly what Percival said," agreed Cynder. "Now come on, let's get a move on, but not before we have our breakfast."
Draco relished at the idea of having breakfast at this hour as he was hungry as usual. Blaze smiled as she watched the other dragons chattering away. What they did not know was that she was planning on entering the tournament herself.
Princess Ash kept her distance as she spied on the dragons and the Tornado. However, she was capable of hearing what they were discussing about, and as she continued eavesdropping on their conversation, a devious smile crossed her face.
"So, Cynder and her friends are going to enter the tournament in Mauna Loa," she said quietly to herself. "Maybe this could be the opportunity I've been waiting for!"
Despite having bested Cynder in their first encounter in Maui Island, Ash did not feel any satisfaction, hence ending the fight prematurely. She could sense that they have grown a lot stronger from taking on the trials of the Hawaiian Island Challenge, so now she believes that they could be worthy opponents after all, especially Cynder. Ash never felt the need to take on the Island Challenge as she was already a strong dragoness in her own right, and she had been doing some intensive training of her own after her encounter with Cynder's group.
"They may be stronger than they have been," she continued to whisper to herself. "But they are still no match for me, for I am the strongest Twilight Storm in the world!"
The very thought of Cynder really embittered Ash. She looked back to the years when she first saw her as a teenager, how she had been given the chance of being trained by Blaze the Cat, how she had excelled greatly, and of course, how she had… killed her mother, Queen Vildouleur.
As she remembered the very last thing she detested about Cynder, Ash's hatred for her and her group intensified, and she vowed that they will all pay for the deed with their own lives. She also thought about Blaze, and she was just as resentful of her, because she believed that she denied her when she was much more powerful than her adversary. Ash was determined to get her own back, and the only way she could was to ensure Cynder's demise. Grinning evilly, Ash plots out her revenge as she gathered her thoughts.
I'll show them, I'll show them all, she thought. I am going to enter the tournament, and I will make sure Cynder doesn't win. One way or another, I'm going to be the Champion of the tournament, and I'll take over the world, after I kill Cynder and friends, including Blaze the Cat. I am going to make them pay for the death of my mother, I swear it. The time for revenge has come.
Soon, Ash arrived at the shores of the Big Island. She looked up to where Mauna Loa rests, and she saw to it that she will arrive there before Cynder and her friends do. As she continued staring at the volcano, a family of anthropomorphic lions approached her, curious yet unsuspecting that she was not very friendly. This irritated Ash greatly for she hated mammals.
"Aloha!" greeted the father of the family. "It's not every day that a dragon stops by in our beautiful, peaceful island!"
Ash did not reply, but she bided her time, waiting for the right moment to shut the lion up along with the rest of his family.
"So, what do you think of our island?" continued the father. "I'm sure you got something nice to say about it, right?"
But Ash still remained silent, and then she turned around to face the lion family with a solemn, piercing expression on her face. The family's enthusiastic mood suddenly changed to bewilderment, yet innocent about the situation.
"What, what do you have in mind?" asked the father as Ash approached him up front. Her serious expression changed into a twisted smirk, and before anyone could realise what was happening, the Albino Twilight Storm went for the kill, starting with the father lion.
Author's Note: So we see the comeback of Princess Ash, and her secret is finally revealed! Pretty good plot twist that she's the daughter of the Dark Queen, isn't it? And alas, those poor lions...
