DRAGON HEROES

Here comes the next story in the series, and it looks as if things are really going to pick up here! I can hardly wait to get to the finale, so I hope to get these done as soon as possible! Enjoy!

Scourge of Evil

Chapter 1 – Mind Control

Another day has passed for the dragons as they stayed at the Fuji Five Lakes. Today, the sun was shining brightly, giving Mt. Fuji a very beautiful appearance. Lily was enjoying her swim in Saiko Lake, while Draco, Jakkin, Torden, Percival and Darky were having their breakfast.

"We should be finding a spot to set up our village soon," said Percival.

"We will once we find the best location for it," replied Draco.

Lily soon fished out some trout for the dragons to have at lunch. The water was cool and fresh, which made it ideal for swimming.

"This is really fun!" exclaimed the pink dragon. "Come on in, Draco! The water is fine!"

"Uh, no thank you, Lily," answered Draco. "I'm not really the kind that likes to get wet all the time."

"Oh, yeah, I forgot," laughed Lily in embarrassment. "You're a Charizard, and your tailflame could be doused out if it got soaked, my mistake."

"You seem even more cheerful than ever since we've become Japanese citizens," said Torden. "That sure is something we've never expected."

"I always love it when good things happen!" exclaimed Lily. "It makes me smile every single time."

Draco scanned the area for Cynder, but found no sign of her. "Where's Cynder?" he asked.

"I have no idea where Cynder could be, Draco," replied Jakkin. "She doesn't talk much anyways, least when we're not fightin' the Pyre Squad."

"I think I have seen her going over to the hills at the other side," said Percival. "When I asked her where she was going this morning, she said she wanted to meditate on some things all by herself."

"She was longer than usual to return to camp," said Draco. "I think I better go and see what's going on. Hopefully, she's alright."

"Don't go without me, Draco," said Jakkin as he got off his seat. "I'm comin' with you too!"

"Count me in as well," added Percival.

"Please let me come with you, Draco," said Darky. "I just want to feel like as if I'm part of the group."

"Alright, you can come with us, Darky," said Draco. "At least there's no danger in where we'll be going."

"I'm going to stay here and keep an eye on Lily," said Torden. "Good luck finding Cynder, you guys."

Cynder stood all alone at the hills that situate on the base of Mt. Fuji. As the wind blew around her, she meditated very deeply, sensing something not quite right. Although she can't fully predict the future, something inside of the Twilight Storm dragon could sense that something terrible is about to happen. She wondered if it could be something to do with the Obsidian Devourers. Throughout the previous encounters with the Pyre Squad, Cynder noticed that their motives are becoming direr each time. Soon enough, Draco, Jakkin and Percival arrived at her location.

"What is that you guys want?" Cynder asked the moment she sensed their presence.

"Cynder, Lily has brought some lunch for later," said Draco. "We'll be having some trout by then."

"Aren't you going to be coming back to camp?" asked Percival.

"I will after a short while," replied Cynder. "Right now, I just want to have a look around the mountain."

"Very well," said Darky. "It's just that we have to find the right spot to establish our village any time now."

"That will be fine," said Cynder. "You guys can go now and let me indulge in my solitude for the time being."

"Not until you tell us what is goin' on," insisted Jakkin.

Cynder sighed in exasperation. "If you really want to know, I've been having some images in my mind," she answered. "They were really disturbing ones."

"Sorry for prying even more, Cynder, but what kind of images?" asked Draco as he, Jakkin, and Percival start to become worried by her response.

"I don't know for sure," said Cynder as she looked out to the horizon. "They seem to be visions of the future or something, but whatever the case, I say we need to stay on guard, because I have a feeling that there's trouble brewing out there."

Jakkin thought Cynder was being a bit pessimistic. "I guess it must be the Pyre Squad," he said. "Well, we've defeated them several times now, so I don't think we'll have any more problems with them."

"We'll let you be until you come back to camp then," said Draco. "Lily and Torden must be worried sick about us, but we'll let them that you just needed some time by yourself."

"Okay then," said Cynder. "See you guys later."

With that, Draco, Jakkin and Percival made their back to the lake, while Cynder continued looking into the distance. She wasn't completely sure, but she could feel that her premonitions might be true. The Pyre Squad was the least of her worries when it came to the Obsidian Devourers, for she sensed that somewhere out there is the driving force of the sinister organisation, and whoever it is would prove to be more powerful and dangerous than anything she and her group have faced up to this point.

It has been over a week since Bowser had left his castle in Australia. He was hoping to meet up with Draco, Cynder and Darky to check on how they've been doing with their journey. Fortunately, he was able to get one of the Koopalings to take care of his castle before he left. As he travelled across a Japanese forest, he thought deeply about his dragon friends.

"Wherever they might be, I could only hope that they're alright," he said to himself. "Then again, Draco and Cynder are young adult dragons, so they should be able to take care of themselves along with looking out for Darky."

He looked around the peaceful forest, admiring the scene, but then, he suddenly felt uneasy when he sensed something ominous.

"Something doesn't seem quite right," he muttered. "It's almost as if I'm being watched…"

Sure enough, unbeknownst to the Koopa King, sinister eyes were staring at him, waiting for the right moment to strike. Just as Bowser trudged cautiously while scanning around the forest, three figures jumped right in front of him. Shocked, Bowser stepped backwards as his eyes were focused on his assailants. They were the Pyre Squad trio Ciara, Scorcher and Cronk, but Bowser doesn't know them yet.

"Well, if it isn't the mighty Bowser Koopa," sneered Ciara. "We've been so eager to finally get the chance to meet you!"

"I have no idea who you three jokesters are!" exclaimed Bowser. "Who are you, and what do you want with me?"

"You don't know who we are? We're the Pyre Squad, high-ranking enforcers of the Obsidian Devourers!" proclaimed the dragon trio. "Together, we strike fear on non-dragons and hybrid dragons!"

Bowser took a fighting stance. "Well, if you are here to cause trouble, then you've got another thing coming!" he growled as he cracked his knuckles. "I've heard about the Obsidian Devourers, and there's no way I will stand for it that they do any harm to non-dragons and hybrids!"

"Come on and fight us!" encouraged Scorcher. "Show us all your power!"

"You're asking for it!" thundered Bowser. He lunged straight at the Pyre Squad, and delivered them a beating before pummelling them to the ground.

Bowser smiled smugly. "Not so tough now, eh?" he gloated, but then the Pyre Squad slowly got up and recovered.

"That's the kind of strength we need for a new recruit!" laughed Cronk. "Now you shall meet our queen of darkness and evil!"

Bowser could only wonder what is going on when a tall, shadowy figure appeared. As the figure came into view, it was revealed an evil looking black dragoness with curvy horns and blank, glowing yellow eyes. Bowser may not have met the Dark Queen, but he could tell who she since he had heard about all kinds of notorious dragons before.

"Vildouleur!" he snarled.

"Indeed, I am!" declared Vildouleur. "The ruler of the Obsidian Devourers and all of dragonkind, and you will become part of my entourage!"

"What are you talking about?" asked Bowser disdainfully. "I fight evildoers like you!"

"I think not," said Vildouleur. "You will be fighting a group of young dragons, one of which is a Twilight Storm and another is a Charizard, since I can detect your feelings!"

"You mean Draco and Cynder? Where are they now?"

"They're at Mt. Fuji, not far from here," replied Vildouleur. "Now go and destroy the group!"

"I will destroy you for threatening their lives!" roared Bowser. "Feel the burn of my powerful Fire Breath!"

Bowser unleashed a torrent of flames from his mouth to incinerate Vildouleur, but what he wasn't of was that the Dark Queen had the ability to teleport. Just when his fire breath could hit her, Vildouleur disappeared into thin air, cause the attack to miss. Bowser was stunned, and before he knew it, she unleashed a stream of shadowy claws which struck him from behind. The Koopa screamed in agony before feeling his thoughts slip away. He didn't sense that he was losing control of his body.

"Now, you are under my control, and you will do as I say!" demanded Vildouleur.

"Yes, my Queen…" Bowser droned obediently in a deep, growly voice. His eyes have been blanked out and thick black outlines were pronounced around them.

Vildouleur laughed evilly. With the mighty Koopa King Bowser now under her spell, she had one objective for him to carry out – the elimination Cynder's group.

Author's Note: Uh-oh, Bowser's under the control of the Dark Queen, which means he's gone evil again! What will happen next?