Chapter 20: Secrets and Tests
Hey everyone I'm back with a new chapter. Sorry about the wait. I had some trouble figuring out how to do the next episode but I think you'll like what I have planned. Please Review and Enjoy.
We find ourselves at Red Fountain during exams. As each specialist was tested those who passed were able to draw slots for their spot in the upcoming exhibition. Those who didn't receive a failing grade and would be left out.
In the simulator, everyone was watching as Brandon was running down a corridor with a minotaur right on his tail.
"Come on Brandon." Ragnar said.
"Don't worry man he's got this." Sky said.
"I hope so." Timmy said when Brandon turns around just as it attacked.
Ducking the minotaur's fist went through the wall causing it to come down on it trapping it under rubble.
"You know what they say. You shouldn't pull your punches." Brandon said before bringing his sword down destroying it.
"Yes!" Everyone cheered as Brandon walked out in triumph.
"Phew, that was a close one." Brandon smiles.
"Congratulations Brandon because you won you are allowed to draw for your spot in the exhibition." Codatorta said placing a box in front of him.
Reaching in Brandon moved his hand around and pulled out an orb.
"Congratulations Brandon your event will be our big closer." Codatorta said.
"Thank you sir." Brandon bows before walking over to his friends.
"Way to go Brandon. You drew literally the best slot in the whole event." Ragnar said as Toothless roars happy for him.
"Thanks guys I got really lucky back there." Brandon said.
"Yeah but we still have the opening slot up for grabs." Sky said.
"The opener and the closer, single handedly the most important parts of the exhibition." Timmy said.
"Ragnar, you're up!" Codatorta said.
"Okay you ready bud?" Ragnar asks as Toothless nods.
Both walked over but Codatorta stops them.
"Sorry Ragnar, no dragon this time." He said surprising him.
"Wait what? But Toothless and I are a team." Ragnar said.
"And I respect that, but you won't always have him by your side. You need to be able to fight without him as well." Codatorta said.
Gulping nervously Ragnar walks Toothless back to his friends.
"Uh wish me luck guys." Ragnar said.
"Hey you can do this man." Sky said.
"Bloom and the rest of us helped you prepare for this. You got this." Brandon said as Ragnar turned around and walked towards the simulator.
"Good luck." Codatorta said clicking the buttons and it opens.
As the other Specialists watched Riven stood in the back watching Ragnar on the screen.
But when the light died down Ragnar's eyes widen seeing himself in a familiar dark cave.
"Oh no, not this again." Ragnar gulps as he heard a familiar scuttling.
"This might be a little harder for Ragnar." Brandon cringed.
"Something you wanna share Brandon?" Sky asks.
"Let's just say I think I know what Ragnar is about to fight." Brandon said.
Drawing his sword, Ragnar made a flame in his other hand as the scuttling got closer.
Thinking quick Ragnar flicks his hand and small embers shoot out and hit the webs making a few more lights.
In front of him Ragnar saw a giant web and in it he saw the giant spider coming down.
"Oh no." Ragnar cringed.
Outside the simulator, Toothless raises his head worried for Ragnar and lets out a light growl.
"Me too Toothless." Brandon said.
'Alright Ragnar if can't overcome this obstacle you'll never grow as a Specialist.' Codatorta thought.
Firing a web the Spider goes in for the attack but Ragnar jumps down to a lower level before looking up to see the Spider was chasing him.
Drawing a dagger, Ragnar threw it snapping the web making it fall down and tumble across from him.
Charging in Ragnar swings his sword, the spider tries to counter but Ragnar slices the leg off causing it to scream in pain.
"Not so tough without all 8 legs now are you?" Ragnar asks going in for another attack but the spider whacks Ragnar back making him drop his sword and fall down to a lower level.
Shrieking the spider moves in and stabs his legs trying to finish Ragnar off.
Acting quickly, Ragnar grabs a rock and smashes it against a leg making the Spider scream in pain allowing Ragnar to get up.
As the spider shook off the pain Ragnar remembered what Bloom told him.
"Alright concentrate and believe in myself." Ragnar muttered before taking a deep breath and an orange aura surrounded him.
Letting it out Ragnar released a powerful fire breath burning the spider.
"Yes." Ragnar grins when suddenly a web shot out tying up his leg. "Huh?"
Swinging its head the spider flung Ragnar down to the lower level landing across from his sword.
Groaning in pain Ragnar looks up only for another web to hit his left arm pinning him to the ground.
He tried to move when another web shot out trapping his legs.
Looking up he saw the spider making its way down towards him.
Struggling Ragnar moves to the right trying to grab his sword as the spider got closer and closer.
Landing down the spider's teeth were ready but Ragnar grabbed the handle and swings his body up stabbing the spider in the face causing it to scream in pain.
"Come on." Ragnar growls as flames formed around his trapped hand allowing him to burn the webs away. "Thank you Bloom." Ragnar smiles before swinging his arm giving the spider a flaming left hook.
As it stepped back Ragnar thrusts his sword forward impaling it through the chest killing it.
"Yes!" Brandon cheers alongside Sky and Timmy.
"Whoo! Atta boy Ragnar!" Timmy said.
"I couldn't breathe back there." Sky smiles as Toothless cheers happily.
Walking out of the simulator, Ragnar looks to the see the other Speicialists applauding him at his victory.
"Very impressive work young specialist." Codatorta smiles.
"Thank you sir." Ragnar smiles in acknowledgement.
"And now you may draw for your spot in the exhibition." Codatorta said holding out the box.
Slowly Ragnar reached in and moved his hand around before pulling out an orb with the number 1 on it.
"Well, Ragnar it appears you will be the opening act of the exhibition." Codatorta said surprising him.
"Me? I kick off the exhibition?" Ragnar asks.
"It is a great honor. I hope you will rise to the challenge." Codatorta nods as Ragnar walks back to his team.
"Way to Ragnar!" Sky smiles nudging him.
"I knew you had it in ya." Brandon smiles when Toothless knocks Ragnar to the ground and gives him a big lick.
"Ugh Toothless! I know you're happy for me but please get off me." Ragnar begs as Toothless licks him one more time. "Ugh you know this takes forever to wash out."
Hearing this Toothless laughs.
"Come on guys let's go celebrate." Timmy suggests.
"Sounds good to me." Sky said as they all walked out.
When the exams ended, Codatorta was filling out some papers when the door opens revealing 4 Specialists.
"Sir we need to talk!" One said.
"Something wrong?" Codatorta asks looking up.
"How could you not let us in the exhibition?! We're some of the best in our class!"
"I'm sorry and while you 4 did pass the written portion you failed the simulator which counts for more than half your grade. As such you fail and cannot participate in the exhibition." Codatorta explains.
"That is total garbage!" Another snaps.
"We work our asses off doing you training, fighting hard and studying in all our other classes but you won't even let us show how much we've learned?!" The third said.
"You are the worst!" The fourth snaps causing Codatorta to glare and stand up.
"Listen up. I hold all my students to the same standards as you and if you. Victory is a part of the battle but from failure, you learn. Use this to better yourself so you can better yourself." He orders.
"Oh we will because we're leaving!" They snapped before storming out.
"Great there goes another group." Codatorta sighs.
As the 4 specialists walk out they mumble something when a figure is leaning against the wall.
"So you guys don't feel appreciated here either huh?" A male voice said.
"What's it to you?" They ask seeing the figure was wearing a helmet to hide his face.
"Let's just say I know a guy who would really appreciate your talents." He said.
"What does he do?" One asks.
"He's looking to change the world but he needs some fierce and merciless warriors to help him do that." He said.
"Where can we find him?"
"I'll send word that you're interested, and from now on you take orders from Drago Bludvist. Your new leader." He declares causing the 4 rejects to grin interested in this new boss.
That night, the four Specialists were at Vito's enjoying a delicious meal.
"A toast for the Specialists!" Malinda said as they raised their glasses.
"Cheers." They all said before digging in.
"Ma'am you really didn't have to go through all this trouble for us. It's practically a feast." Brandon smiles as Malinda puts a plate of pasta down.
"Nonsense. Any friend of our Ragnar is always welcome here. Besides warriors like you boys need to eat up to keep your strength." Malinda smiles as Timmy took a bite.
"Wow this is amazing." Timmy smiles.
"Right?" Ragnar smiles.
"Does your family make meals like this all the time?" Sky asks eating bread.
"Only to celebrate special occasions." Ragnar said.
"And you boys making it into the exhibition is definitely special." Felix said.
"Not to mention it's not everyday a Prince walks into the restaurant." Vito said nudging Sky.
"Well today we're just good friends celebrating." Sky said.
"Here, here." Sky said.
"So Sky any idea what your big closer will be?" Ragnar asks.
"Oh yeah, me, Sky and Timmy are gonna wow everyone with Skullcrusher, Stormfly and Meatlug." Brandon said.
"Whoa nice." Ragnar whistles impressed.
"And since you're opening up the exhibition I bet you and Toothless have gotta open up with a bang." Timmy said.
"What do you say bud? Think we can pull it off?" Ragnar asks looking to Toothless who was eating some fish.
Swallowing it whole Toothless smiles saying they did.
"I think we can do it." Ragnar nods.
"You know I was a little worried when the spider had you trapped in its webs." Sky said.
"Good thing Bloom managed to give you a few magic tips." Brandon said.
"Yeah that was awesome of her." Ragnar nods.
"You should give this girl a call. If she helped you then you should thank her." Anna said walking in.
"Yeah you're probably right grandma." Ragnar said taking out his phone.
"Hello?" Bloom said answering the phone.
"Hey Bloom." Ragnar said.
"Ragnar it's good to hear from you what's going on?" Bloom asks.
"Exams and me and the guys are celebrating." Ragnar said.
"Wait is everyone with you right now?" Bloom asks.
"Yeah here I'll put you on speaker." Ragnar said.
"Hey Bloom." Sky, Brandon and Timmy said.
"Hey guys listen I have a bit of problem and I need your help, the Winx too." Bloom said in serious tone.
"What's wrong?" Brandon asks.
"Yesterday I went back home to see my parents and because of my new powers I discovered something." Bloom said.
"What's wrong? Did something happen?" Ragnar asks.
"My parents, aren't even my parents. I'm adopted." Bloom declares surprising them.
"You are?" Ragnar said surprised.
"Yes and that's why I need your help. You guys are some of my best friends and I need to know who my real parents are and what happened to me." Bloom said.
"It's not gonna be easy." Timmy said.
"I know but this is something I need to discover." Bloom said.
"Uh excuse me, Bloom was it?" Malinda asks walking over so she could hear her.
"Yes, who are you?" Bloom asks.
"My name is Malinda and I'm Ragnar's mother…or rather his adopted mother." Malinda said.
"You're adopted too Ragnar?" Bloom asks.
"Yeah small world." Ragnar said.
"Listen Bloom I understand you want to find your real family but remember the family you already have. They took you in and raised you as their own. And if that's not love then I don't know what is." Malinda said causing Bloom to smile.
"Thank you. That does make me feel a little better." Bloom said.
"We'll help you anyway we can Bloom." Ragnar said.
"Thanks guys. I'm lucky to have friends like you. I'll leave you to your celebration." Bloom said before hanging up.
"Poor Bloom. That must've been quite a shock." Brandon said.
"Totally." Timmy nods.
"So…you too huh?" Sky asks looking to Ragnar.
"Yeah but lucky for me I got a good family right here." Ragnar smiles.
"The best." Vito said as he and Malinda hugged their boy.
"Hey let me go." Ragnar chuckles trying to break free when Toothless joins in the hug and knocks all three of them to the ground causing everyone to laugh.
"And it appears Toothless considers himself part of our family too." Nelly giggles along with Ramon.
After dinner, the Specialists went over to their dragons.
"Thank you so much for having us." Brandon smiles.
"You boys come back anytime." Anna smiles.
"If you keep making good food like that I'll have too." Sky chuckles.
"Thanks for helping Bloom out Mom." Ragnar smiles.
"She sounded like she needed it, but I think she's gonna need your help along the line." Malinda said.
"You're probably right." Ragnar nods.
"Ragnar, I know you're happy with us but do ever wonder about your birth parents?" Vito asks.
"Yeah I do but I wouldn't even know where to look." Ragnar said.
"I can think of a decent start." Vito said poking Ragnar's chest touching his necklace that was under his shirt.
"Yeah I guess you're right." Ragnar said.
"But before that we need to ask you something." Nelly said as she and Felix walk over.
"What's wrong?" Ragnar asks.
"Your Aunt Nelly and I are going on a little trip for the weekend and unfortunately your parents and grandmother have plans." Felix said.
"Can you watch Ramon for a little bit? You finished your exams so you do have some time." Nelly asks.
"Let me talk to Headmaster Saladin first and I'll call you right back." Ragnar said.
"Well he object?" Nelly asks.
"Probably not but it never hurts to ask. He's tough but not even he can so no to a baby." Ragnar chuckles.
"That's my boy." Vito smiles patting him on the back.
Meanwhile at Drago's Dragon Camp, the dropout Specialists arrive to see a group of Speed Stingers trying to run away but Drago's men placed multiple metal plates down preventing them from escaping as chains flew out and tied up each one of them.
"Whoa these guys are hardcore." The leader said.
"Well it appears my agent brought me more members." Looking ahead they saw Drago walking up to them.
"Are you Drago?" One asks.
"I am and I assume you boys are here because you don't like the way Red Fountain treats you." Drago said.
"We work hard and they fail us." They growl.
"I know it's not fair. That's what this world is like, but I'm here to offer you a chance to prove them wrong." Drago said.
"We're listening."
"They think you can't handle the dangers of this world, well nothing is more dangerous than a dragon and I control the dragons. Join my army and you will show them they never should have disrespected you." Drago offers.
Pausing they looked around at the men.
All of them were making the dragons around them break to their rule and they cowered in fear.
"We're in." They declared causing Drago to grin.