Chapter 29 Dragon Breath

Toadette stared at the Dragon. It's black and red scales were shining in the light emanating from the lava. His fierce yellow eyes were squinting at the Brigade. Toadette also noticed that his mouth was drooling. Disgusting, goopy saliva slid like a snake down the left hand side of his mouth, landing in the lava with a sizzle. Toadette swallowed a lump forming in her throat.

"Those eggs are mine," the dragon growled. He sounded like a cat, hissing at an enemy that it felt would cause it harm. Although, in reality, the dragon was much more likely to cause harm to them than they were to him.

For once, Toadette began to understand why Toads were seen as cowardly. Mind you, it was a stereotype that she had despised for most of her life. She had made a vow to herself when she was a child that she would do her best to be brave, to be fearless. But now, that vow just seemed like a childish dream, something that a little kid would do when they were playing pretend.

Toadette exchanged a look with Captain. He was shaking in his shoes, staring at the Dragon while little whimpers escaped from his mouth. Mail, Blue, and Yellow were also in a similar state. They were clinging to each other, like getting in a huddle would provide them with the comfort that no one else could. Toadette had the strongest desire to get in the huddle with them.

"If you think," the dragon continued, "that you are walking out of here with those sand bird eggs, then you are sorely mistaken. As a matter of fact..." the dragon cackled. "You are probably the stupidest bunch of Toads that I have ever met. And I have met a lot of Toads. There fear was absolutely adorable. Before I roasted them alive that is."

Toadette noticed that purple fire was starting to vent out of the corners of the dragon's mouth. The Mushroom girl's eyes grew wide as her heart stopped.

"Goodbye. And good riddance," the dragon said.

The dragon took in a deep breath and moved its neck forward intensely. Purple fire came spewing out of its mouth. It was beautiful, yet absolutely horrifying. The fire seemed to be crackling, almost as if it was in the mood to eat. Toadette could feel its heat as it came closer to her and the Brigade. She saw Bank step in front of her, his arms outstretched.

"Bank, no!" Toadette cried.

"Toadette, it's okay."

Toadette's mouth hung open. Bank's back was reflected in her eyes. She wanted to get up, to push him out of the way. But she couldn't. She just could not move. A tear fell down her cheek. She braced herself to get toasted.

But it did not happen. As a matter of fact, the light of the fire seemed to have gone out. She opened her eyes and saw that Mrs. Sand Bird had gotten in front of Bank. She was using her wings as a shield, blocking the fire from marching forward. The dragon reeled back.

"What is this!?" he cried.

Mrs. Sand Bird spread out her glorious wings. Toadette felt a pang of pity when she saw that the front of both of the wings were black and smoky. Nevertheless, Mrs. Sand Bird didn't seem to care. She stared at the Dragon with a heated glare.

"If you so much as let one ember Singe the tops of their heads," she said intensely. "You are in for a humongous wake up call."

The dragon looked at Mrs. Sand Bird in shock.

"What in the world is a sand bird doing in my lair?"

Mrs. Sand Bird grinned.

"I am here to help my friends. And avenge my cousin."

With that, Mrs. Sand Bird dove toward the dragon. She hit him like a torpedo, slike an arrow aimed at his chest. The dragon pushed her off before he could be dunked in the simmering lava. He breathed in, and fire came spewing out of his mouth. Mrs. Sand Bird flew out of the way just in the nick of time and sent a gust of wind sailing toward the Dragon. The dragon struggled to stay in his position. Mrs. Sand Bird, with a smile, sent another large gust at him, pinning him against the wall. She went over to him, but the dragon clawed her in the face.

"No!" Toadette cried as Mrs. Sand Bird howled in pain. The dragon grabbed hold of her neck, starting to squeeze and choke her.

"As soon as you are dead," the dragon snarled. "I will have a feast of both fried sand bird and fried eggs!"

Toadette felt hot tears start to form in her eyes. Never before had she felt so helpless. She had no idea what to do. None of the Brigade seemed to have the slightest inkling of what to do. Thankfully...

"Guys!" Sunny said as he picked up a piece of brimstone off the floor. "We need to get the dragon's wings!

Toadette realized that Sunny was right. Her tears disintegrated as a smile befell her lips.

"Good idea, Sunny!" She picked up a piece of Brimstone, and the other Bridage members did the same. Captain even pulled some sharp tools out of his backpack, a grin on his face.

"Come on, Brigade! Onward!"

With that, Toadette ran with Sunny and the Brigade over to the ledge overlooking the dragon and Mrs. Sand Bird. Toadette started hurling the rocks at his wings. It was extremely satisfying to hear the wings of the great beast rip and tear. However, the dragon looked at them with a snarl and swung his tail. He sent most of the Brigade flying over to the other side of the volcano. Mail and Yellow almost fell in, having to hang onto the ledge for dear life.

Toadette looked up at the Dragon as it loomed over her. She saw it turn its head from left to right. Its eyes then locked onto Bank, who was all out of rocks. He grinned wickedly.

"Perfect."

The dtagon breathed in, and Toadette could see that fire was starting to escape. She looked at the Dragon. Then she looked at Bank, cowering in fear. In that instant, she didn't feel afraid anymore. She rushed forward with a piece of very large brimstone in her hand. She stepped right in front of Bank and flung the rock into the dragon's mouth.

What happened next was astounding. The dragon put his hand to his throat, choking and gagging. Then, Toadette saw that his wings were starting to catch on fire. Purple fire. His entire body also seemed to be burning and shriveling up. The dragon examined himself in horror. He tried bashing his body against the wall, trying to extinguish the flame. However, his efforts were entirely in vain. By the time he was done, his wings were pretty much gone. He fell into the lava, his body being consumed by flames of orange and violet.

Once he was gone, Toadette could breath again. She looked over at Bank.

"Are you alright?"

Bank smiled.

"Never better."

He gave Toadette a hug and kissed her on the cheek. Toadette felt her skin grow warm, particularly where his lips had made contact. She turned to the rest of the Brigade with a smile.

"Woah ho," Sunny said. "So I guess its official!"

Toadette nodded and kissed Bank right back. Bank blushed crimson as Toadette turned back to the shocked Brigade.

"Come on guys," she said proudly. "Let's get the eggs out of here."

AN: Don't go away! There is one more chapter after this, so stay tuned! :)