Act 2, Chapter 4

It was the same night. Nellie sat in her room, pouting angrily. She couldn't sleep. She was thinking about the day's events.

"It's not fair!" She yelled. "This is Roxanne's fault! All of it!"

After Nellie and Roxanne got caught fighting in the hallway, they were taken to the Elders' chamber. Roxanne's parents, a Lightning dragoness named Velma and a Memory dragon named Seamus, were called in to see the Elders, as was Seraph. None of the adults were pleased with the fight.

Telus looked at the two girls, disapproval in his eyes.

"This behavior is completely unacceptable." The Earth elder said. "Nellie, I would have expected better from you!"

"I'm sorry, Master Telus." Nellie responded, sadly.

"Apologizing does not make this instantly vanish from memory, Nellie." Attonita said, frowning. "Really, what was it that made you act that in such a way in the first place?"

"Well…"

"Isn't it obvious?" Roxanne asked. "She's obviously suffering from personal issues that-"

"Silence, Roxanne." Krystallos demanded, glaring. When Roxanne stopped talking, the Water elder looked over at Nellie. "Continue."

The young water dragoness explained how Roxanne had passed a note to her which depicted a suggestive picture of Rune and the lightning dragoness. She spoke of how she waited until after class ended and chased after Roxanne to confront her, how the lightning dragoness proceeded to taunt her, and how she eventually broke into a fight. Attonita shook her head.

"That was no reason to start a fight in the middle of a hallway." She said.

"There are much better ways to resolve conflict." Krystallos added. Nellie sighed. Roxanne was about to smirk, but the Lightning elder looked over at her.

"As for you, Roxanne, it is clear that you were intentionally instigating the fight by taunting Nellie. You are just as much to blame as her." Roxanne frowned.

Attonita and Krystallos looked at Telus.

"What do you think should be done with them, Telus?" Kyrstallos asked. The Earth elder had remained silent for some time. He shook his head.

"It is clear to me that the feud between these two girls will not disappear on its own." He began. "The two must put an end to it."

"How do you think that should be done?" Attonita asked.

"There is pent up rage in each of them. They shall release their anger in a fair battle in the arena in two days' time."

"Are you certain that is what should be done?" Attonita asked.

"Their quarrel will not cease until a victor has been decided."

Attonita and Krystallos nodded in agreement. The Water elder looked at the parents of the two girls.

"Is that tolerable to you all?"

The parents agreed to it.

"Then it is decided." Telus said. "It two days, Nellie and Roxanne shall do battle in the Palace arena. For now, they shall not speak to each other on school grounds."

When Seraph and Nellie returned home, the adult dragoness was very displeased.

"Of all the things for you to do, Nellie…." Seraph said. "Starting a fight? What were you thinking?"

"But Mom, I…" Nellie tried to start, but Seraph wouldn't let her finish.

"Save it, young lady! You're grounded for a week!"

"What?"

"For the next seven days, you're to come right home after school. Got it?"

"But, I-"

"I said, GOT IT?"

The younger dragoness sighed in defeat.

"Yes, Mom." She answered sadly.

"And you can be sure that I'm going to tell your father about this when he gets home."

"Yes, Mom."

Here it was, in the middle of the night. Nellie was frustrated. She would have to wait an entire week before she and Rune could go spend time together out in the city. To make matters worse, she had to worry about an upcoming rematch with Roxanne at the arena. As much as she wanted to teach that Yellow-hided bitch a lesson, Nellie wasn't much of a fighter. Roxanne wasn't much of a Magic user, but she was one of the higher-ranked students in physical combat. The Water dragoness was a large disadvantage.

Nellie paced back and forth, snarling.

"Damn you, Rox!" She yelled. "I wouldn't be in this mess if it wasn't for you!"

When Nellie's energy finally started to run low, she slumped over to her bed. As she laid down, she thought about Rune.

"He should be in Glenhaven by the time the battle starts…." She said to herself. She shut her eyes, sighing.

"I wonder what he'll think of me getting in a fight with that girl…"

As she slowly drifted off to sleep, she imagined Rune watching the fight, cheering Nellie on. After Nellie succeeded, Rune ran up and hugged her, while Roxanne walked off crying, her two stooges following suit. Nellie smiled.

Rune….

It was the next morning in Warfang. Albanion woke steadily woke up. He looked to his side. Elza was curled up next to him, sleeping peacefully. He smiled at her, running a paw through her beautiful blue mane.

Elza's hatchday had finally arrived. She was now thirty-three years old, although Albanion wouldn't say the number out loud. It didn't matter how old she was: Albanion loved her regardless. He did his best to be a good husband to her. And soon, he would do his best to be a good father as well. He and Elza already had experience watching over the two princes when Bane, Elenar and Urobos could not, but never thought about having children of their own before. But when Elza told Albanion that she felt empty without children to look after, they finally decided to have a few. Albanion had not thought of names yet, but that was a small matter.

Albanion kissed his mate, and gently shook her to wake her.

"Time to get up, Elza." He said, smiling. The dark green dragoness slowly awoke yawn.

"Good morning, Albanion." She said to him, still half asleep.

"Happy Hatchday, love." Elza smiled at Albanion.

"You remembered!"

"Of course I did."

Albanion got up from their bed and approached a dresser on the other side of the room. He reached inside and pulled out two large, dark grey robes. They were the signature Robes worn by members of the Deep Shadows. The robes were made of a magically charmed fabric that blocked most magic attacks. Albanion set Elza's robe to the side, and proceeded to put his on. He made the robes dissolve into pure Dark energy, had is surround his body, and then turned it back into robes. As he did this, Elza got up from the bed and approached her robes to put them on.

"Do you have anything planned for me today?" Elza asked, finishing with her robes.

"Well, for starters, I got you a gift." Albanion answered.

"A gift? What is it?"

"Shut your eyes, and you'll find out soon enough."

Elza smiled, doing as he commanded. Albanion then opened the unused, bottommost drawer of the dresser, and reached into the very back. Elza opened one of her eyes, but Albanion caught her.

"No peaking!"

"Awww."

After Elza shut her eyes completely again, Albanion resumed "searching" for the gift. In truth, he found it in the drawer early on. He was just making it seem hard to find to fill his mate with suspense. When he was done toying around, Albanion produced the Serenity Gem, holding it so that it didn't make any noise. He turned and held it before Elza.

"Okay, you may look."

Elza opened her eyes, and was delighted to see the shining White Gem on its gold chain.

"Why, that's a Serenity Gem!" She exclaimed with glee. "Where did you find one?" Albanion placed the chain around Elza's neck.

"I bought it from a trader at the Caravan." He answered. "I hope you like it."

"I love it!" Elza leaned forwards and kissed the grey dragon. "Thank you, Albanion."

"Your welcome, Elza." He said, smiling.

Albanion and Elza walked down the hallways of the Temple, heading towards the Main Chamber, where Elenar was. Many of the students wished the green dragoness a happy hatchday, while some guards made positive comments about the beautiful Gem that hung around her neck. Careful not to enrage Albanion, they said that the Deep Shadow had great taste and class to present his mate with such a fine gift.

Eventually, Albanion and Elza walked into the Main Chamber. Elenar was there, talking to Wraith and Urobos. Elenar spoke first when they two arrived.

"Aw, Albanion. I was about to summon you." The Queen said. She then looked at Elza, smiling. "Happy Hatchday, Elza."

"Thank you, Elly." Elza replied.

"What did you need, your highness?" Albanion asked.

"I need you and Wraith to head to the Southwestern part of Warfang." Elenar answered. "A terrible crime has been committed, and you two are the most qualified to handle it."

"What crime?"

"The Gilded Scales Bar has been burned down."

Albanion's eyes lit up in shock.

"I'll get right on it!" He sadly looked over at Elza. "I'm sorry, love. The things I planned for you will have to wait."

"That's alright, Albanion." Elza said, placing her front right paw on his front left. "I can wait for you to get back." Albanion smiled.

Wraith walked forwards, grabbing Albanion's shoulder.

"Come on, we've got work to do."

"Right." Albanion agreed. The two Deep Shadows walked out of the Main Chamber. Elza sighed, and then turned back to face the Queen and her father-in-law.

"Albanion certainly knows how to treat you, Elza." Elenar said, smiling.

"Well, he and Bane grew up together." Urobos added. "They behaved similarly growing up. Like brothers, really." The two dragonesses chuckled.

"Do you think it was fate that Bane and I became mates, while both of our best friends did the same?" Elenar asked.

"Well, I wouldn't say that." The Elenar sighed. She turned to face the green dragoness.

"Elza, you may have the day off from work."

"Thank you, Elenar." Elza turned to leave the chamber. "I'm going to go wait for Albanion to return. When he does, we'll come back here."

"Alright." the Queen said, smiling. "See you in a little while, Elza."

After leaving the Main Chamber, Elza proceeded to walk down the hallways of the Temple. As she did so, she watched the many young dragons traveling about the Temple. Elza smiled, placing a paw on the spot on her belly where her unlaid eggs were developing just behind her skin.

"Someday, you little ones will be running about in the same way." She said quietly.

"Well, isn't that an adorable thing to say to one's undeveloped children?"

Elza was shocked. She looked around for whoever spoke to her. She spotted a purple dragon with three horns standing next to a large stone pillar. The dragon was smirking a mischievous grin.

"And my oh my, what a lovely Serenity Gem that is. A gift from your husband, no doubt.

"Who are you?" Elza demanded. "Visitors aren't allowed inside the Temple during school hours without an escort!"

The purple dragon approached casually.

"Oh, but I'm not a visitor."

"Who are you, then?"

"Just a Magician, my dear lady." The dragon focused on Elza with his blood red eyes.

"Just so you know, that's no ordinary Serenity Gem around you neck."

"What?" The purple dragon grinned wider.

"Watch what happens when I do… this!" The dragon snapped his talons on the last word. Instantly, the Gem started glowing Blood red. Elza was shocked. As she looked at the red glow, she suddenly started entering a trance-like state.

"What did…..you…do?" She asked, staring into the light like a zombie.

"Just a fancy little parlor trick." The dragon chuckled. As Elza continued to stare at the light, her eyes changed from green, to pure white. The purple dragon chuckled evilly.

"Now that I have your attention, my dear, there's something I need your help with…."

Something seriously wrong had happened. A great number of Firefighters had been dispatched to the Southwestern part of Warfang. Hours ago, somebody alerted the authorities, saying that the Gilded Scales Bar had been set aflame. When Mole firefighters arrived, A massive green Fire was spread allover the place. Normal water did nothing to extinguish the flames. So, Water and Fire dragons were called in to combat the flames, the former trying to douse the flames, and the latter doing their best to absorb the flames into themselves.

When it was the middle of the morning, the flames were finally eliminated. It was a Pyrrhic victory: The Gilded Scales Bar was reduced to a smoking black wreck. Inside, the burned remains of Sieg the bartender and two earth dragons were found lying on the floor of the Bar.

Albanion and Wraith arrived on the scene, dispatched by Elenar to aid Grail, who was already there to conduct and investigation. Then the two Deep Shadows came to a landing, Wraith stared up at the Wreckage, his jaw hanging open.

"Shit!" He exclaimed. "What the fuck happened here?"

"It's our job to find out." Albanion responded.

"Well, yeah, I knew that." Wraith replied. "It's just…." He waved his paws in the air. "..Damn!"

The two Deep Shadows approached the front of the bar. Dragons and Moles were scattered about, trying to figure out what happened. The bodies of Sieg and the earth dragons were inserted into body bags and placed into an ambulance. Albanion frowned.

"You alright, Boss?" Wraith asked, noticing that the grey dragon was troubled.

"Sieg was a good dragon." He said. "He will be missed."

"I suppose so.." Wraith commented.

The two stepped inside the remains of the Bar. Just about everything was burned to a crispy back. Ash was allover the place. There was still some smoke floating about. Grail was surveying the area, a paw over his snout. White tape was placed on the floor, where the bodies were found. A few moles were investigating the area, trying to figure out what happened to cause the fire.

Albanion sneezed, which got Grail's attention.

"Bless you." He said, glancing at the two approaching Deep Shadows.

"Thanks." Albanion replied. "Have you found anything out?"

The older Deep Shadow shook his head.

"I haven't determined the cause of the fire, but I suspect foul play."

"Oh?"

"Yes. Sieg and the two others were the only ones in the Bar when it was set on fire. They were found lying just in front of the counter. There was little to nothing that could've prevented them from fleeing for their lives."

"Did you find any flammable materials lying around?" Wraith asked.

"We thoroughly searched everywhere we could, but found no such thing."

"Is that so…" Wraith had a look around the bar. He ran a talon along the counter, collecting a bit of the soot off it. He ran it through his talons, inspecting it carefully.

"What are you doing?" Albanion asked.

"Grail, what color were the flames again?" Wraith asked.

"Witnesses say the flames were a light Green."

"Interesting. Albanion, what was Sieg's element?"

"He was a Pain dragon." the Deep Shadow answered.

"Hmm…" Wraith looked over at his two companions. "Well, I can tell you this: The fire was started by a dragon."

"A Fire dragon did this?" Albanion asked.

"Not Likely." Grail answered. "None of the witnesses saw any dragons leave the Bar when it was closing."

"It may not have necessarily been a Fire dragon." Wraith said.

"What makes you say that?"

"A Fire dragon's Flame breath usually matches his hide color: either Red or Orange. If this was done by such a dragon, the flames would've been a matching color. However, they were green, which means a different breed of dragon did this."

"Do you mean a purple dragon?" Grail asked.

"Possibly."

"But no one saw any dragons approach the bar or leave it." Albanion said.

"Well then, maybe this purple dragon that did this had Time magic and was able to escape with out being seen."

"Well then, who could have-?" Suddenly, Albanion gasped in realization. "BENJAMIN!"

"Who?" Grail asked.

"You mean that Magician who was in here last night?" Wraith asked.

"Yes! HE was here last night! HE has Time magic!"

Grail and Wraith gasped.

"You think he did this?" Wraith asked.

"Whether he did or not, he's a prime suspect!" Albanion declared. "We need to find him immediately!"

"Where will we find him?" Grail asked.

"He's one of the traders in the Caravan that arrived from Faeshrine!" Albanion turned and bolted out the door. "Quickly! There could be a murderer on the loose!"

Grail and Wraith nodded and followed after their leader. When Grail got outside, he ordered a large group of soldiers to follow him. The three Deep Shadows then flew towards section of Warfang that the Caravan was stopped in. As they got closer, Wraith spotted something odd.

"Hey, is that….." He began.

"…Smoke?" Grail finished.

"Something is very wrong!" Albanion said. The three Deep Shadows picked up the pace, the group of soldiers following suit. When they got there, the three Deep Shadows stood in shock.

The entire Caravan, as well as several surrounding buildings, had been set up in flames. Horrible Green Flames

Far below, in the city of Warfang, a great number dragons, Moles, Cats, and other beings struggled to put out the raging fire that was spreading across the Southeastern section of the city. Queen Elenar, fearing for the safety of the children of the city, ordered all of the Dragon children to be taken to The Nexus and kept there for safe keeping. The Nondragon children of Warfang were ordered to be sheltered in the Underground Section of the Temple.

All of the Deep Shadows were dispatched to aid in the effort, except for Rose, who was sent to The Nexus to look after the dragon students who were sheltered inside it.

Elenar decided to hide in The Nexus as well. She and Cyrus flew up to the fortress as once. She wanted to find Elza and bring her with them, but the green dragoness was no where to be found. Urobos had gone to aid in the efforts to extinguish the fires.

"What's going on?" Cyrus asked. "How did this fire start?"

"We don't know, Cyrus." Elenar answered. "But we're doing our best to put them out."

"Why don't I go help?" the prince asked. "I am a black dragon, after all!"

"It's too dangerous, Cyrus."

"Oh, come on! I've been through more dangerous scenarios!"

"Cyrus, please. I don't want you getting hurt." The prince sighed.

"Alright."

When they came to a landing in the Fortress's outer grounds, the two dragons stood in shock. All of the guards that were supposed to be on patrol were lying on the ground, puddles of mud around them. All around them, dragons lied dead or dying. Someone, or something, had slaughtered them.

"Holy crap!" Cyrus exclaimed. "What happened up here?"

"I don't know…." Elenar answered, horror on her face. Suddenly, she realized something. "THE CHILDREN!"

The Queen ran forwards into the Fortress's main building. Cyrus ran after her.

"Mother, wait up!"

Elenar and Cyrus ran into the chapel, looking for Rose. The Queen and her son stood in shock.

Two dragons were standing before the statue of Bane at the front of the chapel. Three more dragons were lying nearby on the floor, dead. The three dead dragons were easily recognizable: Rose of the Deep Shadows, and the two Elders, Argos and Icarox. One of the two dragons was facing the back of the church, while the other one was staring up at Bane's likeness. The dragon facing forwards was none other than…

"Elza?" Elenar asked, confused. She slowly approached the front of the church. "What's happened here? Why are Rose and the Elders dead? And who is that?"

Elza did not answer. She only stared off into space like a zombie. The dragon beside her, however, started to chuckle.

"It's been a while, hasn't it Elenar?"

Elenar gasped. That voice….

The dragon turned around slowly. He had three silver horns, two of which were like a ram's. He had a golden mane and beard. He wore a monocle over one of his blood red eyes.

Elenar stared in fright, while the dragon merely grinned.

"Bergan." The grey dragoness said.

"I simply must apologize for not getting in contact with you sooner, Elenar." Bergan replied, casually. "I've just had quite a bit of work to attend to these past four years. Being the president of an entire company is no walk in the park, you see."

"What are you doing here? Where is Hope?"

"Who?" Bergan asked, cocking an eyebrow. "Oh, you must mean our daughter! Would have known it was a girl, had you elected to see every once in a while."

Elenar was taken aback.

"I've been trying to-"

"Mother, don't fall off track!" Cyrus yelled. "That guy's up to no good!"

Elenar's eyes lit up. "You're right."

"Ah, that young dragon must be your son Cyrus." Bergan said, smirking. "I simply must have a closer look."

As soon as Bergan said that, he instantly appeared behind the two dragons, struck Cyrus in the back of the neck where his head met it, and lifted him up by the tail with his front left pay. Elenar jumped at the swiftness of Bergan's movement.

"Hmm, he doesn't look much like father Bane." Bergan said, a displeased look on his face.

"Let go of me, you bastard!" Cyrus demanded, struggling to swipe at Bergan with his paws.

"He's got quite the foul mouth. He reminds me of our daughter."

"Put my son down!" Elenar demanded. The purple dragon grinned.

"As you wish."

Bergan dropped Cyrus on the floor and instantly appeared back next to Elza, while Elenar helped Cyrus right himself.

"Are you alright, Cyrus?"

"I'm okay." Cyrus answered, rubbing his neck where Bergan hit him. Elenar turned and glared at the purple dragon.

"Elza, attack!" She demanded. But the green dragoness did nothing.

"Elza?"

"Oh dear! Is Elza not following orders?" Bergan faked a concerned face. "Here, let me try." He turned to look at the green dragoness. "Elza, attack!"

Immediately, Elza leapt into battle, charging for the two other dragons. The green dragoness unleashed a great blast of Wind breath upon the Queen and her son, knocking them backwards.

"Oh, and bring the boy over to me!" Bergan shouted. Immediately, Elza struck Cyrus across the back of the head, knocking him unconscious. Elenar tried to snatch her son away, but the green dragoness blasted her in the face, forcing her back. In this moment, Elenar saw the trancelike state of Elza's eyes.

When the Queen had gotten back onto her feet, Elza had brought Cyrus before Bergan, who smiled triumphantly.

"What have you done to her?" Elenar demanded.

"Nowadays, they say that jewelry is the quickest way to a woman's heart." Bergan answered. Elenar growled.

"Release her, AND my son!" Bergan cocked an eyebrow.

"No, I don't think I will. I need to use them for a little while."

Suddenly, Bergan appeared a few feet away from Elenar. Before she could react, Bergan grabbed her neck with his front left paw and lifted her in the air. A small amount of Electricity ran through her entire body, rendering her unable to break free.

"Don't worry, Elenar. I'm not going to kill you. After all, you need to get to Glenhaven to save your other son."

"What…do…you…?" Elenar struggled to ask. Bergan chuckled.

"In the meantime, I'll take good care of Elza and Cyrus. I'll also be taking custody of The Nexus, and the children within it. I did design this fortress, after all. It belongs to me."

"What?.."

"I do believe it's time for you to be going."

After saying this, Bergan's eyes glowed completely red. Suddenly, a cloud of smoke appeared, surrounding Elenar. Bergan brought her closer and kissed her on the cheek.

"Till we meet again, my dear."

And with that, the cloud of smoke engulfed her completely, and vanished….

A moment later, Elenar appeared on one of the streets of Warfang. She was slowly able to get back onto her feet.

"Lady Elenar?" She heard someone shout. Grail, Albanion and Urobos ran up to the young Queen.

"Elenar, what happened?' Urobos asked. "How'd you end up here?"

"The children of The Nexus are in danger." Elenar said. She looked up at the fortress, and gasped. She pointed at it.

"Look!" She exclaimed. The others around her followed her direction, and gasped as well.

The Nexus was becoming surrounded by a giant black sphere of pure darkness.

"Who's doing is that?" Grail demanded.

"It certainly wasn't any of us!" Urobos exclaimed.

Once The Nexus was completely, surrounded, the Dark energy slowly faded away. The fortress had vanished without a trace.

"NO!" Grail.

"Who did this?" Albanion demanded.

"Bergan." Elenar answered. The others looked at her in shock.

"Bergan?" Urobos asked.

"Yes. He's kidnapped my son Cyrus and possessed Elza as well."

"WHAT?" Albanion shouted. "I'll kill him! Where is he?"

"I don't know where he's headed, or what he's planning…." Elenar said sadly. "…For now, I have to get to Glenhaven immediately. Something's going to happen to Rune."