-Prologue-

One thousand years have past since the Fire Days Campaign, the war between the Sylvanian and Anathian civilizations, and although the Anathian's gained victory and in time drove out the Sylvanian, unfortunately their land surface had become cold, the seas frozen and the weather changed.

The inhabitance of Anathea in time acclimatised and thrived and the events of the Fire Days Campaign lives on in both history and legend. A very popular legend shrouded in time states that centuries ago during the dominance of the Sylvanian race a great duck by the name of Dante Duncon stood out and became the planet's saviour over the Sylvanian Overlords. The legend tells that Duncon did so with a seemingly normal face mask that transforms into a high-tech mask, and with it, Duncon single handle defeated the best Sylvanian's fighter.

Most Anathian's place belief in this great legend, whereas many others stated however that this is just something of mere myth and legend; a story to tell young ducks. One ruler did place some belief in the legend and sent top soldiers to search for the legendary Duncon mask; as addressed by the wisest and eldest of Anathians stated this great mask is out there ready to be found.

-1-

The ice winds howled through the evening air and the snow fell at a rapped rate has a set of figures were slowly making their way through the thick layer of fallen snow, which covered the ground. Their line of movement heading towards the capital city. The figures were wrapped tightly from head to toe in thick layers of clothing.

They slowly started to make out the faded outline of the city over the pass in front of them. However, as the snow fall was so vast and the wind oh so strong one of the three couldn't go another step further and was forced to stop. His companions who were a little in front halted and turned to see that their friend had stopped.

As he slowly went to sit down in the snow to catch his breath one of his friends rushed over to him and tried to get him up from the snow. "It's not safe out here old friend!"

He looked up at his leader through the snow, the tip of his beak was blue and his eyes glazed over a little. "I'm so sorry Cairon, but I just can't...' he shouted through the snow.

But Cairon wasn't going to let his friend stop in fear of his friend passing out in the cold and cut him off. "Please now Anakin I know that you are exhorted we all are, but we must keep it together and have to keep on moving." he said to try and rally his friend; all the time keeping a hand firmly on the bag over his shoulder.

"The weather Cairon its just to hard to keep going!"

"I said to your feet soldier; our mission is almost at an end.

This time next week Anakin we can retire, so please we haven't much further to travel I know that if we stick together we can do this. We just have to keep on moving!" he said to try rally his friend to his feet.

At first Anakin didn't act, time may not have been on his side Cairon had to get through to this brave soldier. "It is highly important that we get back please keep fighting on Anakin, as our king truly needs what we have found and fast." stated Cairon.

This time Cairon actually taking the decision to move his hand from the bag, which no doubt held something truly valuable and offering down towards his friend in hoped of helping him up.

Anakin looked up at his friend, he saw this act and with a smile nodded and was helped up by Cairon. "If we get back in one peace Cairon you'll definitely own me one big time!" Anakin said as he slowly got back to his feet.

"Okay… Okay Anakin; I'll do anything, now just up on your feet let's just keep on going." The third standing firm smiling, putting his heart as rest. The three companions continued on wards; over hills and across vast valleys until at last they saw the city of Athida spread out like a map below them; the moon had begun to glow between cloud over the cities roof tops before them changed from grey to silver. It was a sight Cairon had longed to see for so many a time now. He was happy to be so near to home.

Mahla McMillon a female royal guard has been sent on a border patrol, she flies out on her compact jet-powered ice-cutter. Mahla actually enjoyed border patrol; gliding over hills and catching the sweet crest of the wind, even the heave snow didn't worry her.

It was time on her own and she truly felt free and alive. She brought the gliding down to the ground, high up on the hill side she served the land ahead of her, here through her glass-scooper she spots a set of tracks. "Tracks, this far out here!? Looks like they are still fresh the snow hasn't covered them over yet." She focused in and followed the tracks.

"There they are!" she gasped as Mahla caught a full glimpse of the three of them. She saw that they had moved in from the south and that they were continuing on north in the direction of the great northern gate to the capital city. Mahla knew that she had to get to them and fast; she then kicks starts her glider, which catches the wind and takes her up into the air. Mahla uses the wind and rides down to the border wall to discover who these strangers are.

The third member of Cairon's group pointed to the sky; as he spotted the figure as she flow past overhead and called out to gain the others attention. Mahla waved and the three travellers waved back as she glides over head. "Look sir there's someone coming; looks like a female Anathian."

Cairon rubbed his eyes and drew his gaze in the direction of the pointed figure; he too could just see sight of the figure on the gilder. "Yes Wingate you are correct and it seems to be a royal guard!" agreed Cairon, as she flow close over head.

As Mahla pulls out into the lead she giggles as she so recognises one of the travellers to be Cairon Thurborn a soldier of the royal guard. 'Its Cairon a true Anathian hero, no doubt he's back from another one of his great mission from the elders. He's the best no one can beat him on the snow!' Mahla waved and the three travellers waved back. The wind continued to howl Mahla landed; the glider cutting a wave in the snow.

The wind continued to howl, Mahla ran and hugged Cairon, he smiles warmly and then burst into laughed in delight. "It has truly been a long time young Mahla; it's great to see you." addressed the officer, as he just caught the looks on his companions face.

Mahla looked down at the bag, eyeing it up with some curiosity; at seeing this Cairon pulled away, drawing her attention quickly to the others. "These are my two companions Wingate and Anakin.' he said turning sharply way to introduce the others. 'And Wingate and Anakin this young soldier is Mahla McMillon." Mahla nodded at each duck politely.

Anakin stepped forward and stated proudly. "I knew your father, truly a damn good soldier to serve with, my dear."

Mahla nodded back politely. Cairon said. "It looks as if you've mastered that glider of yours."

"Oh you think so, thank you Cairon. Father on the other hand is still worried about me you know, but he must see I'm in my 20's now and a member of the Anathian army he truly has to see me has an adult not his little girl!" she blushed ever so slightly.

That night, as they camped by fire light high in the sky above them in cloaking hides a fleet of Sylvanian ships. "Lord Dragoslav we are in range of Anathea!" said the pilot turning to face his overlord; the pilot was a thin scaly green lizard Sylvanian with brown spots all over his body.

Their leader smiled as he saw the planet come into view. The Sylvanian overlord was a tall thin well built figure of a Sylvanian. The leader opened up a comm-link to each ship and addressed his troops.

"The time has come my fellow comrades, you have been loyal and stuck by me and now I return your risk. I have stirred you well and I now march you into battle! My Sylvanian comrade prepare yourselves for total war!"

"Prepare to De-Cloak; let the Anathian's see our proud and noble army.' ordered the red skinned lizard. 'Now!" he continued giving out the order. 'At long last the Anathian's will pay dearly for what they did to our ancestors!'

A loud rumble of engines with out warning filled the snow filled sky. Cairon and the others sat up alert, they looked around each with concern on their faces. Mahla caught a glimpse of light and colour through the dark cloudy sky. "There it is, look!" she cried out pointing to the far left.

"Gosh yes and here it comes!"

"It's a Sylvanian battleships!" cried Cairon, as they could see a large fixed-wing battleship from the Sylvanian kingdom over the arisen through the cloud cover.

"Its damn enormous." said Wingate, truly troubled by the sight before him as the fleet approached them.

Mahla could see the full force of the approaching army; it truly filled the sky. "Cairon it looks as if there's 20 or so ship; my heart is pounding Cairon." As further ships followed on behind it; the sound of their engine's was now defining; with a hand on covering her ears Mahla just can't believe her eyes. Mahla had heard stories of the Sylvanian ever since her childhood, but never actually though she would ever see a battleship.

"Don't worry child. Mahla I'll send a message to the main Sylvanian ship; you help Wingate and Anakin gather up our things." stated Cairon truly hoping that there was nothing to fear, but all the same he tightened his hold on the bag.

'If they don't answer there could be a race on our hands; and we may not win.'

Mahla helped the others quickly grabbed their rucksacks and their weapons; while Cairon sent a message to the main battleship. "Sylvanian battleships, I am Cairon Thurborn of the Anathian army. Please now I ask for you what is your purpose here!' His message was ignored by the Sylvanian overlord; his heart rate quickened.'I warn you take back to the sky's, this is not your world."

Mahla looked up at the ship. "Look at the evil design." She said to herself in a whisper. 'The Sylvanian! Damn them, what are they doing here?' as she picked up the pace; strapping equipment onto her glider.

Cairon looked over at Mahla and the others. "We must get going right away. I fear that the Sylvanian's presents must be considered as hostile. We must get back to the city and to our king, Jabbar and our race must be warned before it's far too late." So without another thought they carried on through the snow.

Mahla on her glider staying low overhead, whilst Cairon, Wingate and Anakin carried on on foot. Cairon stayed in the middle bring protected by Wingate to his left side and Anakin to his right. 'That girl truly knows how to read the winds.' his thoughts got the better of him.

On board the main Sylvanian warship the overlord Dragoslav looked down at the group of ducks. "After all this time, this fowl planet of ice will once again melt and flow with our tremendous fire. I the last of the Sylvanian Overlord will show them our power, our might! Now that I'm the leader of the army the ancestors of Dante Duncon will soon pay for what they willingly did to our kind. "

A larger more muscular defined Sylvanian stepped forward to his master's side; he had the shoulders and chest of a warrior. His skin a nasty looking orange, this Sylvanian had three ship horns perturbing from his chin, and his hooded black eyes didn't seem to never leave Dragoslav. He was in Sylvanian battle armour. "And oh Overlord Dragoslav what a military force you command!' stated General Shastra loyally to his leader. 'Each member will serve you to our glory."

An eyebrow was quickly raised Lord Dragoslav relished in his comrades remarks, the overlord gave out orders to his crew. "Chimalli pilot the ship straight at their main gates, we don't want those ducks getting the chance to group, gathering their force and enabling them to stand ready to defend themselves."

Chimalli turned to face Lord Dragoslav. "Yes sir, but it's this damn snow. I truly can't see a damn thing through this blasted white stuff!" replied Chimalli, who was having trouble seeing through the snow.

"Look here Chimalli you little Brogaim worm, you keep us flying straight and I'll kindly keep you a live, now stop your whining! It is in your best interest and keep us on course to the capital of this filthy duck filled planet!" Lord Dragoslav order from the captain's chair with his claws hooked over the chair's arms.

Chimalli quickly nodded; the small Sylvanian knew that he shouldn't argue back with the overlord and quickly turned back to his workstation. "Yes Overlord Dragoslav, straight to the capital has you command!" he quickly replied piloting the ship on course for the city.

Lord Dragoslav then quickly turned his attention to General Shastra. "I want you General Shastra to warm up the guns; we don't want those ducks having the change to stop our attack, so I want you to be ready to fire on my call!"

"Yes my glorious overlord.' General Shastra replied bowing his head to his master and turning to leave the cock-pit. 'Guns will be loaded and ready to fire at your signal."

A female Sylvanian stepped forward placing a clawed hand on Lord Dragoslav's shoulder. "Oh my great and strong overlord, please let me step out with General Shastra and deliver your rage and might."

He looked over his shoulder; he focused in on her eyes. "Keilana if you wish it?"

"Oh yes my overlord I do; it would my honour to fight in your name." she answered.

"Then go princess; you are truly a dark one, you have my permission to stand by General Shastra's side. The war I bring will be sharp and swift; I know you will deliver it for me." replied Lord Dragoslav.

"That it will my overlord, that it truly will." Chimalli guided the ship through the snow filled sky, as she came to stand with the general the route in front of Chimalli was barely visible, but he ploughed on.

The route in front of Chimalli was barely visible, but he ploughed on guiding the Sylvanian ship to the main northern gate. General Shastra realised that Chimalli was a young Sylvanian and so the general came walking over to the small and slender green lizard to ask him. "So there pilot have you ever been to war before and had the glory to taste of victory Chimalli?"

"I Shastra must admit that sadly my eyes have not yet seen the true glories of war,' he held out his hands truthfully; then looking away from the general's gaze.

'but general don't go under estimating me I am trained for combat, I was one of the best in my year and when the time comes oh yes I will prove myself. Fighting at every damn turn for our race you'll soon bear witness!"

"And I will be by your side soldier, it can get messy, but know this Chimalli you'll see this to the better end." he laughed leaving the deck and heading to the gun-room.