"I say, we leave! Humans are bound to have heard about the battle or the sound, and they'll be on the way here! But that's the least of our problems! Malefor also knows our location! It's not a question of "IF" he'll attack again, but "WHEN" our only chance is to leave New Warfang!" Blaze said, pounding on the table in front of him.
"Except that we could easily be attacked while we are traveling! What would happen if we tried to move all these people and were attacked on the move? It would be a slaughterhouse! Not only that, but how are you supposed to move over fifteen thousand people without being seen? Impossible!" Frost said rebutting.
"I say we attack the threat head on, and deal with it. We're going to have to go on the offensive at some point anyways! Why not do so now, when Malefor is weakest?" Quake argued.
"MALEFOR ISN'T WEEK." Nova said, coming into the room with bandages wrapped around her chest and wing, "If you assume he is, then you will pay the price. The only time he isn't week is when he is dead, but even then, he's already proven his ability to overcome that obstacle. He is never week, just like Spyro and Cynder are never week."
"Then what do you suggest we do?" Thunder said who again had been mostly silent for the duration of the meeting. Eclipse again had been grievously injured in the battle, and was unconscious in the sickbay, so Nova knew he was worried. They had all been injured, but none of it was too serious. Except Hydro of course. The guardians had given him and Decibel a final resting place. Even though they had no bodies to bury, Spyro had decided to light two lanterns and set them off into the sea. Quake had provided an indestructible material and Nova had lit two everlasting lamps for the deceased guardians. They would sail forever more, as nothing could put out the lights, nor could anyone destroy the lamps. Nova had made sure of that.
"I suggest we do several things. First off, I agree with Blaze. We have no choice but to leave. There are several reasons for this. First, our numbers are too few. We need reinforcements, and the only place I can think to get those, would be one of the other dragon cities. It's one of the reasons I don't agree with Quake. We have too few numbers. With Alpha Squads firepower down by about fifty percent, we couldn't possibly stand against the dark master and his legions. Oh, most definably, we would fell many foes. But in the end, we would get nowhere near our target. The other thing is we need to rethink our strategy."
"Yeah, and not use mine!" Ezio said, walking in, "I was a fool. I was stupid! While the strategies I developed were good, they were only good for one thing: Urban warfare. We aren't built for that. However, I was told that once the invading force breached the gates, our defensive positions increased in effectiveness drastically. What we should have done was set up a better early warning system, and then let them come to us, not we go to them. It was like Normandy Beach back there, and I would shudder to repeat it. Give me some time, I'll think up an appropriate strategy."
"And why should we trust you? The last time we fought - ."
"The last time we fought, we already knew what we were doing. It's only by Ezio that we didn't lose anymore once they breached the city gates. I remember the second siege of Warfang. We could have used those tactics then, it would have saved a lot of lives." Spyro said, entering the room, Cynder by his side, sitting at the head of the table, facing the door. It had only been a mere five hours since the attack, and everyone's nerves were still on edge.
"OK, fine, Ezio, do you have any other ideas?" Frost asked. Her friendly attitude towards him had worn off, and now she was miffed.
"Several. Spyro, I don't know how, but we need to hide our forces as much as possible. Once they realize were gone, they're going to be searching the entire planet for us. We need to hide, and do the striking, but in small amounts. In human terms, it's called Guerilla warfare. Doing so is highly effective, especially with our size. We'll just be a thorn in Malefor's side though, nothing more. Also, once we leave, New Warfang will become Malefor's, no matter how many troops he must lose." After that statement, silence emanated through the room.
"What do you suggest then?"
"Rig the place to blow. Hopefully we will take out a bunch of them with the place. In the meantime, we evac the place, get enough supplies for the trip and then get out of here. Face it we really don't have much of a choice." Ezio said.
"What about the humans? Do you really think that they'll just let us go? And how are we going to sneak over fifteen thousand people through populated areas? The only possible way would be to trickle a certain amount in and out every day, it could take years to get past a major population center! And what about camping? Making camp will take ages." Frost said.
"It will be difficult, but we will take things as they come. As for the camping and the work, EVERYONE will have to pitch in. EVERYONE cooks, EVERYONE hunts, and EVERYONE does EVERYTHING. The population centers we can avoid." Ezio said, running his hand along a map in the center of the table.
"Then which city would you suggest, young one?" Ignitus said. He had been keeping his peace most of the time, but had been almost silent throughout the meeting, which was somewhat unlike him.
"New Hvadia. We could try the larger New Ascari, but that would require overseas travel. Something that we could not achieve without several large ships, or a massive amount of aircraft. The only way is to find a large amount of land vehicles, and simply just drive there." Ezio said.
"It couldn't be that simple, could it?" Spyro said.
"Why not?"
"Because it's never that simple." Spyro commented.
"It probably won't be, but if we stick to non-populated areas, then we should be decently ok, unless we get attacked. For some reason, I don't think Malefor cares if humans discover our existence, so we need to move as fast as possible. We need to push ourselves till we reach Hvadia. Ignitus, would you be able to lead us there?"
"It would be my pleasure."
"Anything else then? Then we need to start now. Spread the word, get everything together. And we can't afford to be bogged down. I hate to say it, but anyone who falls behind, gets left behind."
"Great, now were nomads. It can't possibly get any worse!"
"Don't say that!"
Ezio had thought that setting up for travel for eight different dragons was a nightmare, but this was ridiculous. Setting up for over fifteen thousand people was downright insane, and Ezio found himself relying on other people finally. Ignitus had come out of his quiet state to help get everything going. Despite the imperfection of the logistics, under his guidance, the entire colony was ready to begin moving by noon, which surprised Ezio. Ezio decided that the first half of the morning should be spent on Nova's back.
"Man we have got a long way to go! And moving this many people on foot for a week or so is going to be slow moving. We REALLY need some wheels." Ezio said, reclining on Nova's back.
"And how do you suggest getting said wheels? Stealing that many vehicles is going to be tough without alerting the authorities." Nova countered.
"I don't really know, but I've got a few ideas." Ezio said.
"Like what?"
"Nova, you forget, I'm rich." Ezio said, smiling on her back, and gazing up at the fluffy clouds overhead.
"OK, great, so we don't even have to steal them, but the dealer is bound to ask questions."
"Not if he's smart. The only issue is finding enough to haul all our supplies, and then get a mass amount into huge vehicles like that. I'm thinking large tour buses." Ezio said.
"What?"
"Vehicles the size of a small house that can carry about fifty people, or more if you fit them right. If I could find a double decker version then I might be able to haul more, like eighty to one hundred. Even still, you'd need at least ten to haul one thousand, so that means were going to need over one hundred." Ezio said, thinking out loud. Ahead of them, Spyro soared with Cynder next to him. Spyro had ordered a loose formation, so they weren't as close as if they had been in combat.
"And where are you going to get that kind of transport?"
"Dunno. We'll find something here soon. Even if we have to attach trailers, or even get semis, we'll get it to work. If anything, what we'll need is for us to get as many as we can, and then ferry as many as we possibly can from a long term campsite, and then travel, non-stop until there all in New Hvadia. It's not optimum, but oh well, we make due with what we are given, not with what we want." Ezio said, shrugging.
"Ezio, did I ever tell you how much I like having you around? You're so damn full of wisdom." Ezio just laughed.
"I was almost expecting this. There was no way we could go anywhere but towards this place." Quake fumed looking out at the simply massive amount of lights that stretched off past the horizon. In the center of the mass lay a very pointy and very big structure.
"Paris, France. Haven't seen it in years. I forgot how beautiful it was." Jeeves said next to him on the ridge. About five miles behind them lay the mass of people that was the remnants of New Warfang. It had taken them almost three weeks to get there, and most of the populace of the former village turned city was tired of traveling for so long.
"If we are going to find anything for them to travel in or on, it'll be here. Do you have any ideas?"
"Several, each more wild than the first. I need someone to go in with me, I won't go by myself. You can't go, for risk of one of Malefor's Lieutenants being in there. And none of the humans can go in, I already checked, ALL of them are outcasts, but not for the wrong reasons. We need a human that has never been seen before." Ezio said, standing with his sword drawn and set across his lap. He had taken first watch.
"So what are we going to do?" Quake asked, glancing at him out of the side of his eye.
"I need to talk to Ignitus."
"You want what? You have seriously got to be joking me! Ezio, we have done a lot of things for you, but this is ridiculous. You want one of us to go in with you? Why won't you go by yourself?"
"Because if something went wrong, I want to be able to get out, or at least get some word to the village to retreat." Ezio countered Cynder's exclamations. Spyro only looked thoughtful.
"OK, so say one of us did go in. How the hell would you suggest us to disguise ourselves? Dragons aren't exactly inconspicuous. Stealth isn't our primary thing!" Blaze said. It seemed now that except for Nova and Spyro, who hadn't said anything, the entire squad was against him in this.
"There has got to be a better way! I can't think of one, but there's got to be!"
"There are several ways, but this is the safest and fastest."
"Then what, by ancestors' name, do you propose Ezio?" Ignitus said. Ezio turned to Jeeves.
"What? Is it something in my teeth?"
"You said you were once a dragon?" Ezio said.
"Of course. But that was a long time ago. Why do yo - ." Jeeves looked at Alpha Squadron then.
"Oh, no way! Ezio, you couldn't imagine what it's like!" Jeeves said, throwing his arms up and going ballistic.
"What is it?" Nova said.
"He wants to change one of you into humans!" Jeeves said, pointing at her.
"You must be joking."
"Why should I? It would only be temporary. That is, Ignitus, if you think you can do that." Jeeves said, looking at the massive chronicler. He looked kind of surprised.
"Of course I can, but it's not right. We don't do such things! I have the power, as any chronicler should, but this is downright disgusting. It would be like have a gender change!" Ignitus replied, looking kind of repulsed.
"Why not?" Ezio said, looking at Nova.
"It goes against the rules." Spyro said, looking up.
"What rules?"
"Most of them are unspoken agreements. Even though powerful dragons can do more than just control their elements, they do very little more. It's why Spyro and Cynder don't use the control of time to reverse everything that's happened. Things can happen, things that are not just bad for us but bad for EVERYONE. The rules themselves are called fundamentals, rules we do not break under no circumstances." Nova replied, not looking at Ezio fully. He had a general idea of what she was thinking.
"But, when times change, so should the rules. You're telling me that just because you're afraid of a little bit of change that you won't change the rules?"
"We aren't afraid!"
"Then do something about it! If you won't do anything, then I'll take one of the former Nighthawks in, unchanged. We'll see how well that goes." Ezio said, getting angry.
"What if we sent Cynder in?" Spyro said, Cynder almost went pale, but she held herself, "Using her shadow element. She couldn't be seen, and you could scout areas out."
"Impossible. Paris is a major attraction from around the world. The place would be too crowded for Cynder to sneak around." Jeeves said, thinking hard, "I suppose your right. It's either this, or go back to New Warfang. We can't go around, its way too spread out. We would have to go all the way out to the ocean, and then come back in through the UK. No way. We could go south, and try and pass through the Middle East, but that place is still pretty popular, and it's VERY dangerous. We have no other option except surrender."
"We cannot, and we will not."
"Then this is the only option." Ezio said.
"I see no other way. All we need then is to find a volunteer." Ignitus said, he went to get up, but Nova stepped forwards.
"I will do it." Nova said. Frost gasped in surprise, but Ezio smiled. He could think of no other person whom he would want by her side. Ignitus sat back down, mildly amused, but kept any comments he had to himself.
"Very well. Everyone leave. It should only be me and Nova in the pavilion." Ignitus said. The squadron turned to go, all of them looking slightly disturbed, but Ezio stood where he was.
"Ezio, come on!" Ezio didn't like leaving Nova behind, but he complied, rather reluctantly. The area outside was covered with tents; Ignitus's being massive to accommodate for his bulk. The area where they had pitched camp was populated by dense trees, and the village had had issues getting the tents wedged into the small spaces.
Several minutes passed by, and then the minutes turned into a half hour, and then an hour, and then two hours. And still they waited. Finally, the curtain was swept aside, and what stepped out stunned Ezio more than anything else he had experienced yet.
The female that stepped out had a perfectly formed body, very sleek. The tresses of her hair were tied back ever so slightly, and spilled down her back. She wore only a simple tank top, jeans, and sneakers, nothing more. When she stepped forward, she seemed slightly unbalanced. Her eyes were the purest blue Ezio had ever seen, making the sky above them seem pale in contrast. She seemed to be an almost perfect example of what represented Nova.
"How do you feel?" Ezio asked, approaching her. She leaned onto a picnic table and rubbed her head.
"Dizzy. Is that normal?"
"Hehe, no. Sit down, eat something." Ezio said, handing her some bread that he had grabbed as a snack.
"Thanks. Ignitus says that this will last for about a full seven days, and afterwards, it'll wear off, right at the time I was changed. Damn, this feels weird." Nova said as she munched down hungrily on the loaf, "Sorry it took so long; Ignitus had to teach me how to use quite a few of the new appendages. I'm still a little rusty."
"Yeah, I could tell, you looked a bit wobbly."
"Bah, bipedal design. So unstable. But that's not what bothers me, though; it's the lack of wings. Knowing that I no longer have the freedom of flight is tough."
"Don't forget that and try to jump off the edge of a building thinking you can fly."
"Yeah, that would be bad."
Ezio knew Nova would kill him if she could read his thoughts. At the moment, they were flying towards the city, with the sun just beginning to rise in the distance. The motorcycle Ezio had "Commandeered" made Nova slightly nervous, as she saw something with two wheels as even more unstable than two legs. But Ezio could say he was having an absurd enjoyment with the ride. Nova had opted to wrap her arms around Ezio's waist, and was holding on for dear life as Ezio rocketed towards the population center. Ezio found that her chest squeezed against his back was making him quite hot.
Finally, the road widened into a many laned highway, and Ezio had to slow to a much more manageable speed. The motorcycle easily wove in and out of the bigger vehicles. Ezio drew in sight of the outskirts of the city, and Nova tightened her hold as she saw the guard post up ahead. Ezio drew out a wad of bills.
"Now I only need to bet on the greed of human kind." Ezio simply drove up, and slapped the wad on the counter. The man's eyes grew wide, and he looked up and said something in French. When Ezio only continued to stare at him, the man simply grabbed the wad, shoved it inside his coat, and motioned for them to move along.
"All too easy." Ezio said, smiling back at Nova.
"How much did you give him?"
"About a thousand. Not much for me." Ezio said now slowing the bike down even more, and weaving through the crowd. The streets were far too congested for the motorcycle, and it was starting to get dangerous for them, so Ezio stopped the bike, and left it on the side of the road, safely tucking the keys under the front seat, and grabbing the bags from the side compartments. They continued onwards towards the Pointed Structure.
"What is it?" Nova asked, looking up in awe.
"It's called the Eiffel Tower, one of the wonders of the world. It's known as a very romantic location. Many couples travel hear. Too many sometimes. But that's the first place I want to go."
"Why?"
"Because of the view. Fortunately, there is a restaurant at the top. We can eat there while we plan our next course of action. I believe the restaurant is now called 58 Tour Eiffel, and it is open to anyone during lunch time. During dinner, it is reserved about three months in advance." Ezio said, peering upwards at the massive structure. They continued walking for the better part of three hours now, taking in the sights and the sounds of the city. Nova couldn't stop herself, she really enjoyed the sounds of the place, what with the street vendors hawking their wares, and the subtle scent of Champaign in the air, it was enough to make any person loose themselves, and that's exactly what happened. One moment, she was following Ezio, who seemed to know where he was going, the next, she found herself all alone.
"Ah, crap! Ezio? Ah man, now what am I going to do? He could have gone a thousand different places." She looked at the massive steel structure that was ahead of her.
"I suppose he did mention going to the restaurant there. I guess the best thing would be to head there. Maybe I'll find him on the way." Nova thought as she picked up her trudging again. Before long though, her course started to stray, and she had to take an out of the way route through the narrow streets. The population and crowds started to dwindle, and before long, Nova found herself in the middle of a quiet street, with ramshackle houses, and overflowing dumpsters.
"Yech. Who lives like this?" Nova said out loud as she trudged down the street. A dog barked somewhere in the distance. Nova couldn't shake the sudden feeling like she was being watched, and her hand instinctively reached for the small Glock that she had grabbed before she left, which was currently wedged into the small of her back. She reminded herself that the weapon had only one shot. The barking dog sounded as if it were getting close.
About half way down the street, Nova heard a sound behind her and swiveled around, gun now in her hand. Nothing was there, so she turned back around and continued down the street. Suddenly, a bottle was flung from one of the darken windows from the run down houses, and upon impact, it ignited, the alcohol inside flaming to produce a large concussive wave that knocked Nova off her feet. Two more arched through the air, intent on putting the disguised dragoness's life to an end. Nova had no choice; she used her light power to zap the two bottles where they were. The instant they were gone a group of Orcs rounded one of the alley corners.
"Crap, why can't you guys just leave me alone?" Nova said. The orcs only laughed in their low guttural sound. Several drew blades, and one pulled out its arm mounted cross bow, which Nova knew it could use to lay down a steady stream of dark magical energy. Most likely it was that one that was the leader. All of a sudden, the commander leapt high and forward, soaring over Nova as it went. Despite the fact that Nova had no warning of the attack, she had just enough time to bring up a magical shield to deflect the impact of one of the orcs bolts. Nova reminded herself that if it impacted, she would have much less defense than normal, because of the more fragile human form. The Orc landed, and brought out a blade attached to his wrist swinging around, and Nova produced a magical light blade, with which she parried and countered. In her frenzied attempt to ward off the commanders attack, she had completely forgotten about the other Orcs, and one of them was approaching from behind. When Nova got close enough, it lunged forwards with bloody intent.
Oh, no you don' laddie! I'll gut ye for pullin' such a dirty trick!" Nova saw a slight amount of movement, and all of a sudden, her body felt incredibly light and fast, almost like she was floating. She leapt high over the Orcs head, and saw its dark eyes grow wide. Just as she was about to land, she brought the blade up and brought it down on the orcs helm, splitting the steel and mixing the armor with brains and blood. She saw ever so slightly a man that was holding a massive blade and swinging it around faster than Nova thought possible.
Finally, the orcs turned and ran for their lives as the two chased them off.
"Haha! Ye'll think twice before ye fight against bane thee dragon again! Run yee blasted cowards! And maybe ye'll think twice before attackin' again!" The man, whom upon closer inspection turned to Nova, and bowed, surprising Nova slightly.
"Yee aren't the only dragon traveling this area in disguise. What brings yee to fine Paris?" The man seemed old beyond belief. His hair hung down past his shoulders, and despite the heavy Irish accent, his hair was complete silver, almost shimmering as he moved. The sword he wielded was nearly as big as he was, but he twirled it as if it were light as a feather. After a moment of consideration, he dissipated the massive blade into thin air.
"I should ask you the same thing. What is your specialty?" Nova asked. The man stared at her for a while.
"You haven't been here long, have yee miss? It's rude to ask a dragon his specialty where I come from. I however, am from the emerald isles. However, I got tired of all the fog and dreariness, and decided to see the world. If you really MUST know my specialty be gravity, and tis a powerful element indeed." The man said, starting to scowl a bit.
"I apologize. MY name is Nova. And as for my business, I suppose if your allied against Malefor's forces then – "
"Who now? The Dark Master? Ha! He hasn't been seen for over forty thousand years, haha. And tis a grand thing too!" The man said.
"He was seen last week."
The man's eyes grew wide, "I don't believe it. I would have heard about it."
"You haven't heard about it, because all eyewitnesses have been killed or are hiding. Cept me now, as I was fighting him."
"Preposterous! From the stories I've heard since I was a wee lad, it would take over one thousand dragons to kill him, unless there was a friendly purple dragon present."
"There were two. But that's all I can reveal in an unsafe location." The man considered her for a long time.
"Very well, I would be happy to escort you miss, if you would allow it."
"Thank you, Bane. It would be my pleasure. Currently, I was heading to a meeting to help reunite with a friend. The tower. Do you know how to get there?"
"With me eyes closed." And with that, Bane swiveled on his heels and traveled off, Nova following at a close trot.
It was nearly dark when Nova and Bane arrived at the base of the Eiffel tower. Nova was already looking around for Ezio. Bane had the feeling that he might have gone too far in helping the young dragoness.
"She'll most likely end up stabbing me in the back when I'm not lookin'." He said to himself, as Nova began calling out her friend's name. Bane was surprised that this dragoness cared so much about her friend. Suddenly, Bane spotted a man waving towards their direction. Nova hadn't noticed yet, but Bane was almost sure that the creature wasn't who she was looking for, as he could sense the man wasn't a dragon, but a mere human. However, the more and more that they stood around looking, bane was less and less convinced. Finally, the human simply buried his face in his hands in exasperation, and began trotting towards them, covering the large amount of distance between them rather quickly, even for a human.
"Nova!" The human called when he was within earshot. Bane felt himself go slack jawed.
"Finally, there he is! What?" Nova asked, looking at the incredulous look on his face.
"Ah human? Have you gone stark raving mad, lady? They're not exactly friends towards us!" He said. A small child turned towards him, looking at him quizzically, "What are you lookin' at lass?"
Ezio ran up and hugged Nova.
"Thank god, I wasn't sure if I would find you again! How did you get here without getting lost?"
"She didn't, we ran into some trouble, luckily I was there, else young Nova here would be six feet under right now." Bane said, approaching him.
"Really? Then you have my thanks, kind dragon. I will make sure you are rewarded." Ezio said, "Sorry for being forward, but who are you?"
"The name is Bane, good sir. And considering that you're not running about now, I'm gonna guess that your used to powerful dragons." Bane said, smiling slightly. He was beginning to like the human already.
"More than you could guess. Thank you Bane. I'd love to stay and chat, but we need to find another observation point. The restaurant 58 Tour Eiffel is already closed to all but the fanciest guests." Ezio said, glancing wistfully up at the peak of the structure.
"Wrong again! I can help you there. Even the richest humans don't have the kind of connections I have. The owner owes me a debt, and I haven't been there in ages. He has a wonderful private backroom that I'm sure he wouldn't mind lending to us for the night." Bane said, smiling, and beginning to walk away, beckoning towards them.
The back room turned out to be the highest point of the tower, and Ezio could not have remembered seeing a more spectacular view. The night air was warm and clear, and the only lighting for them was the stars above, the lights below and the candles that kept the place lit. The owner had indeed been very gracious when Ezio found himself lavished in some of the best food he had ever tasted, and that was saying something about him, considering that he had once lived with his own professional cook.
"All right then you two, I want to know your story. Where are you from, and what are you doin' here? Shoot, forget that, why does a human know about our existence Nova? We guard that secret the closest. If Zeus ever found out, he would have your head." Bane said, smiling and pointing at her with his fork, which currently had a very tender lamp skewered onto the end of it.
"Who's Zeus?" Nova said, and Banes eyes went wide.
"Who's Zeus? Nova, where you born yesterday? Asking a question like that is like asking what the earth is, considering you're a dragon! Zeus is the most powerful of dragons in the world. The only convexity dragon to ever have existed." Bane said, chewing slowly.
"Was the most powerful dragon."
"Excuse me, what?"
"WAS. Not anymore. And if you dragons place power over intelligence, then – "
"We do. The most powerful of the dragons is always the one to hold the dragons secret, and punish any wrongdoers as he sees fit. Otherwise, the law holder can be opposed." Bane said, smiling.
"Bane, have you ever heard of the dragon, Spyro?" Nova asked, staring at him intently.
"Every hatchling knows of the Legend of Spyro, but that's all they are, a legend. We have had several purple dragons, but none of them have lived past their hatch day."
"Why?"
"Because no one wants a repeat of Malefor. It would tear this world apart."
"Again? I doubt it."
"Again? What are you, Nova? Some ancient dragon that I'm not aware about?" Bane asked, looking incredulous now, and wrapping his hand around his knife. He seemed slightly tensed, as if he were preparing to strike. But Ezio knew better, as he would rather run.
"Bane, have you heard of the Dragon City, Warfang?" Nova asked, staring at him intently.
"Aye. Most dragons don't put stock in a dragon city; we think that it creates too many problems, such as the fact that if humans wondered around enough, they would eventually find it. None have thus far, but Zeus is getting tired of close calls. He would take them out and disperse the settlements, but they are too strong for him.
"Should I tell him Ezio?" Nova asked, looking at her friend.
"I think we can trust him. If not, we could always take him prisoner." The human said, and that entitled a slight growl from Bane.
"Bane, the remnants of New Warfang lie about fifty miles south of here in a dense wood. I say remnants, because we were recently attacked." Nova said.
"By humans?"
"No, something worse." Nova said, her face going into a state of reflection.
"What could possibly be worse – OH, that's impossible. Malefor returns? That's the only logical explanation!" Bane said, and he rose to his feet.
"Easy, Bane. Malefor will strike again, and soon, but we have hope."
"There is no hope against Malefor! He has survived far longer than anyone wishes, and his power only increases! And his Lieutenants are far worse than you might imagine. We remaining dragons struggle to survive at the edge of his communist society! If he has returned, then that means I should run!" Bane said, turning. There was a loud crash as Ezio jumped over the table, landing a kick squarely in the bottom of the dragons back, and knocking him down face first. Bane snarled, and reached for his element, but Nova stayed him, countering with her own, and smothering his element inside a shield that wrapped around the dragons body. Bane struggled with the dragoness turned human, and his forehead creased in concentration. Nova showed no signs of strain.
"By my ancestors! Nova, how did you get so strong?" Bane said when he slumped backwards from exhaustion. Nova only smiled.
"I am strong because I am a guardian." She said straightening up, "Do you mind not running, we have more to tell you."
"Very well, I'll keep me self at bay, but when we're done, don't expect me to just hang around.
"We do. You know the location of the citizens of Warfang. That is something we cannot let get into the wrong hands. Sorry, but you're the one who insisted." Ezio said.
"A lesson I've learned. Very well, I'll go quietly, seeing as I don't have much choice. But a guardian? That is ridiculous! We haven't had guardians in over fifty thousand years!" Bane said, getting up as Ezio got off of him, sheathing his dagger as he sat back down.
"And? What was the previous light guardian's name?" Nova countered.
"Why it was No – awe snap. I shoulda seen that malarkey comin', are you tellin' me your fifty thousand years old? Ye look good for your age, miss!" Ezio hissed slightly, surprising even Nova, but Bane completely ignored it.
"It is because I have time traveled." Nova said, calmly eating her food.
"If you're from fifty thousand years in the past, then that means that – wait, you don – oh no, now that's stretching my imagination. You don't mean to tell me that the legendary Spyro has returned?"
"What else makes sense?" Nova said.
"Impossible." Bane looked at Ezio, who was only intent on his food. After a while, he looked up to see bane looking at him, as if he expected to confirm it. Ezio opened his mouth to speak, but was cut off by a loud shriek in the distance.
"Oh, crikey!" Bane said, jumping up. Before Nova and Ezio could stop him, he bolted for the door, saying behind him.
"Get under cover! He'll see us!" And with that, Bane ducked into the hatchway. Nova looked out, and her eyes widened.
"Oh no! Jeeves told me what he looked like! That's Smaug!" Nova said, turning to run, but Ezio grabbed her arm.
"If we run, then he'll know. We have to stop his doubting. Just trust me on this one." Ezio said, drawing her close and peering into her sky blue eyes.
"What are you proposing Ezi – " The remainder of her sentence was cut off, as Ezio pushed her ever so slightly back, and flattened his body against hers, kissing her deeply and passionately. Nova went to jerk away, but Ezio held her fast. It was almost too much for her when she heard Ezio's words echo in her mind.
"Just trust me."
And Nova lost herself in the embrace…