DRAGON HEROES
Happy Halloween! It's time for a spooky story! This will certainly have some jumps and chills, but hopefully not nightmare inducing, heh. So anyway, let's start reading and see what horrors and terrors await for our heroes!
The Lost Treasure of Dracula
Chapter 1 – A New Mission
The Pyre Squad looked worryingly at each other, knowing that they will be severely reprimanded by the Dark Queen for their failure to capture the dragons they fought with, not to mention the mecha that they ended up getting destroyed. They've flown for hours back to the Obsidian Devourer Headquarters, they weren't looking forward to facing the Dark Queen, and already it was over past midnight.
"Who is going to speak to Her Majesty?" asked Ciara.
"This is a really tough question," replied Cronk. "You know for sure that she will really chew us out for failing."
Ciara looks at Scorcher. "Since neither of us as willing to face her wrath head on, I say you shall be the one to bring the message," she said.
"Me?!" shrieked Scorcher. "Why should I be the one to tell the Dark Queen that we failed and wrecked the robot?"
"Because you're the one who really has the spine, you chicken!" exclaimed Ciara.
"Forget it, you two!" huffed Scorcher. "I'm not reporting!"
But after over a few minutes of arguing over who will be the one to report to the Dark Queen, Scorcher had no choice but to do tell her the news. Nervously, he approaches the two large dragons guarding the entrance to the Dark Queen's chamber.
"You three are late," said the first guard. "Her Majesty has been waiting all night for you to come back."
"We are absolutely sorry about that," faltered Scorcher. "It has been a long journey and our mission didn't go according to plan."
"You're going to have to take it up with Her Majesty, I'm afraid," said the second guard. "Now get moving, the three of you."
The two guards tapped their lances and the door slid opened. The Pyre Squad slowly made their way into the Dark Queen's chamber.
Inside the chamber, the Dark Queen's throne was set with its back facing the Pyre Squad. The terrible trio knew that this could only mean one thing: that the Dark Queen is not very pleased.
Scorcher stepped in. "Um, good evening, Your Majesty," he said meekly. "We are very sorry for our late appointment."
There was nothing but silence.
"About our mission…" Scorcher said as he became more flustered. "It didn't go as we hoped it would be, and as for the robot, well, er, it, uh, it was completely trashed."
But still only silence was heard. Scorcher was becoming even more worried.
"It wasn't our fault!" he cried hastily. "Those meddlesome dragons are even more than we could handle!"
The Dark Queen solemnly placed her glass of wine on the arm of her throne. "So even you couldn't carry out a simple order," she finally spoke. "Why am I not surprised that you three are just as incompetent?"
"We only had a minor setback," said Ciara. "I know we are capable of accomplishing every single task you assign us!"
The Dark Queen turned her throne around so she can face them. Her face was still concealed in the shadows. "If that was true, then surely you wouldn't have had such trouble getting rid of six traitorous dragons, would you?" she asked crossly.
"Er, no, Majesty," stammered Cronk.
"We are trying the best we can to do your bidding," said Scorcher.
"Perhaps I shall find new ways to get you three and my followers motivated," said the Dark Queen. "Like maybe make the penalties for failure much more severe."
"Oh no, anything but that!" pleaded Ciara. "Please, do keep us from experiencing the worse you could do and we'll do our very best next time!"
The Dark Queen glared at the Pyre Squad doubtfully. "Since you are very insistent in letting you pass," she said. "I will inform you that there is an opportunity for you three to prove your worth."
The Pyre Squad were confused. "An opportunity?" they asked.
"That is correct," said the Dark Queen sternly. "You see, there has been rumours going on about a mysterious artefact that is somewhere in Eastern Europe, presumably in Romania."
"What's that?" asked Ciara.
"How am I supposed to know?" growled the Dark Queen. "All I hear is that it is a very powerful artefact, and if we could possess it, we shall be able to harness its power and dominate this miserable world easily."
The Pyre Squad were dumbfounded. They had never imagined that something like that would possibly exist. "So what is that supposed to mean?" asked Scorcher.
"It means that it is now your job to investigate the place the artefact is said to be hidden and retrieve it," said the Dark Queen. "If these rumours are true, then it is most likely to be deep within the Bran Castle."
"So our new mission is to go the Bran Castle and find this mysterious artefact for you to use," said Ciara.
"Like you should have figured that out already, you simpletons," said the Dark Queen with great disapproval. "Now do something immediately before I change my mind!"
The Pyre Squad jumped on their heels. "Affirmative, my Queen!" they said quickly and hurried out of the chamber.
The Dark Queen turned her throne back and continued sipping on her wine glass. Already she was becoming more and more agitated that even the most hardened agents of her faction cannot be able to follow orders. She considered consulting her trusted advisor Sardius, but she has bothered him enough already. All she could is ponder on the competence and loyalty of her followers and wonder what she should do them if they ever fail their missions.
Outside the Obsidian Devourer Headquarters, the Pyre Squad flew on their way to Romania. Knowing that they dare not mess up again, they thought hard on how they will try to find the mysterious artefact inside the Bran Castle.
"We don't know for sure if we'll be able to find this artefact," said Scorcher. "The Dark Queen is asking too much of us."
"I'll say," said Cronk. "I mean, does she really believe in such fables like that?"
"Well, it is up to us to make sure that we don't let her down again," said Ciara. "You heard what she said she is planning to do to those who fail her."
"Yeah, we did," replied Scorcher and Cronk.
"This mission has to be done immediately," continued Ciara. "This is the only way we can show our loyalty to the Dark Queen."
"Pardon me for asking, but how long is this flight going to take us?" asked Scorcher.
"It's at least several hours," replied Ciara.
"And this mission has to be done now?" squeaked Cronk. "But it will be past morning by the time we arrive, and we haven't had any sleep since we were defeated by those meddling dragons."
"We might as well rest during the day over there," said Ciara. "Besides, I've been hearing about this Bran Castle, and they say that strange things happen over there at night, so our best bet is to look for this artefact when it's dark."
"Maybe you're right about that," said Scorcher. "Sleep during the day, then wake up when it's night time so we can do the dirty work."
"Exactly," grinned Ciara.
"In that case, we better pick up the pace so that we can get our rest sooner," said Cronk.
"The only thing that worries me is if what if we find those traitors over there?" asked Scorcher.
"Let's forget about them," said Ciara. "I don't want to think about Cynder for the time being, but if we ever come across them, they'll get what's coming to them."
Scorcher smiled devilishly. "I like the sound of that," he said.
With that, the Pyre Squad flew faster across the ocean, feeling certain that they will be able to accomplish their new mission this time, and aware that they will be rewarded if they do.