(The next day…)
Nina and her friends got up and went looking for their families. Upon reaching the temple dining room, they were only met by Cynder, Ember, and Edel.
"The others have gone to organize everything for the flying competition" explained Cynder, "We will all go together once they have breakfast"
"Okay mom," Cynder said.
As they ate, Drago steeled himself and asked his mother:
"Mom, what were you talking about last night?"
"Things that happen in very distant places" said Edel trying to hide a bit of the truth, "They… have returned some bandits who long ago believed they had disappeared. But there is nothing to worry about: the others are taking security measures "
"Ah, alright ..." Drago said, although he didn't seem convinced.
After having breakfast, they all headed out of the temple and took flight to the city. The three adult dragons led the way. Meanwhile, the youngsters were commenting on the race and their teams.
"Flint and I will go together," Rayla said.
"We agreed to go together" Ash explained, "Nina agreed, although she sure wanted to team up with ..."
"Ash, seriously" Nina interrupted, "Don't start over with your assumptions"
Ash had to shut up.
"Well I'll go with my brother" said Aurora looking at Drago, who was thoughtful, "brother? Drago? "
Drago was still not paying attention.
"Hellooooo? Earth calling Drago!" Ash said. Drago woke up from his thoughts.
"Hey?" he said, "is something wrong?"
"What are you thinking about Drago?" Nina asked.
"Just that…" she said, "What Mom told me. It doesn't make sense: if they are only about bandits, why the meeting of all of them last night? "
"I was also thinking about that. But, for now, we have no further information about it. We must focus on the race, then we will ask our parents better "
Finally, they reached the city. There, all the young dragons that lived in Warfang were gathered at the main gates of the city. To one side, Nina could see her father talking to Drago's. She approached them both to greet them.
"That's it, everything is ready" said Jhonny, "Thorr and I will make sure everything is in order"
"It sure will be ..." said Spyro.
"Dad" Nina said, surprising Spyro, "We are ready now"
"Ah, Nina," he said, "I swear you gave me a little scare. Well then get to your positions, the race will start shortly. Good luck daughter, good luck Ash"
"Thanks dad" said Nina.
"I hope you have Drago and Aurora" said the guardian looking at his children, "Remember that the objective of the competitions is to have fun and learn to collaborate as a team, understand?"
"Yes dad" said Aurora.
"We will do that," Drago said.
"And don't forget to win," joked his father.
They both laughed at the comment. Then the group of young dragons sat up with the rest who were chatting at the starting line.
"Well, let the best team win," declared Rayla.
"I like it that way," said Drago, seeing the number of young people.
"Get ready to go second" laughed Ash.
Once all the competitors were in position, the guardians gave the directions, the rules and the route they must follow:
"The trip will be through the Avalar valley, along this route" explained Ray pointing to a map of it, "The participants, arriving at the village of the cheetah clan, should receive a ribbon that will be proof of their arrival there. Chief Meadow will welcome you with open arms. Then, they must return to the city "
All participants looked at the map closely enough to memorize it. Then the guard held a flag high to announce the start.
"Ready ... set ..." Ray said, "Get out!"
All the competitors took flight. Then they went into the forest. As they went through it, they had to traverse large weeds, vines, and logs - the dangers of flying. However, the rules stated that they could use their elemental abilities to remove obstacles in their path, but not use them against other competitors.
"Bindweeds!" Aurora yelled, pointing to a cluster of spiky roots blocking the way.
"I got these!" Drago said, releasing a puff of fire.
The vines burned and fell apart to make way for them. Then several barrier-like logs got in his way.
"These are mine, brother!" Aurora said. She used her ice tail to cut the logs. Drago's jaw dropped at that.
"Mom showed it to me a few days ago" said the dragon, "Come on, it's a short time to get to the Avalar valley"
They continued the flight. Once through the forest, they came across a long river, one that reached a large waterfall to the north and, to the south, reached a large valley, quite wide rock formations, wide meadows with some flowers in them and a considerably large village in the distance: the new village of the cheetah clan of Avalar.
The village had changed quite a bit since the last time. Before, it was just a few houses tucked away in a corner of the valley across a river. However, now the village had expanded and occupied more land: several of the lands that were surrounded by the rivers were now made up of small and medium-sized huts, not to mention that they were conceived with wooden bridges. Near the waterfall, there was now a mill and near it, wheat farmland.
Drago and Aurora flew as fast as they could. Not far from them, the other competitors were also approaching the village, especially Nina and Ash, and Rayla and Flint.
Outside the village, in an intermediate area, the members of the cheetah clan were waiting with some kind of ribbon in their hands. Not far from them, there was a cheetah holding a staff: it was the new boss, Meadow.
The chief greeted the dragons with a raised hand. All the teams went down to receive their respective tapes so they could return to the city.
"The ribbons are white" said Drago, looking at them, "It will be much more beautiful as an accessory for you"
"Thank you" said Aurora, feeling very grateful for the detail from her brother.
"Whoa" said Nina looking at the tape of hers, "I wonder if I can keep it after the competition"
"Well, I'd like that" Rayla laughed.
As soon as the teams had their respective ribbon, they flew out into the vast valley towards the city, following the nearby river. Nina and Ash were somewhat behind Rayla and Flint, while Drago and Aurora approached them. With great happiness, she saw her friends flying as fast as they could: they had every intention of winning, although she saw them having fun. She was thinking about various things when, suddenly, Flint yelled:
"Hey! Why are the competitors coming from the other way? "
They all looked ahead: indeed, strange shapes were approaching them. At first glance, they looked like dragons. However, it was only a few seconds before Nina realized the truth.
"Those aren't dragons!" she yelled.