(A/N: Looking back at Mikekolt's appearance, it's giving me the impression that this and the next chapter will be the final time that you see him wear this to me iconic clothing as it'll be much more dangerous from there on out. This is where one of the villains of the Dragonroot Company make their first appearance as I've decided to go with one of my favorite ones, as it should be clear that you know what they all look like thanks to the descriptions I've given all of them early in the story. There's not much for me to say here and it looks like I can't stop focusing for this story even if I wanted to take a break from it like I've done, and failed in the past few days. Enjoy)

Fathers would always want their missing child found at once as they could be taken to places they did not wish to go with their abductors, such as when Fishlegs and Meatlug took it upon themsleves to investigate what was happening at the Dark Deep as they've discovered that a sinister assault had taken place upon the island; it was not by the hands of the Marauders nor the soldiers who joined Maeve, but it was by the likes of Dragon Root poisoned beasts whom they believe they were responsible. As each and every one of them had an Alpha they lived with and followed under, there was more evil behind the curtains than what they believed before as Savage may have declared his independence; but he was going to fall alongside his leader that he sucked up to. To poison the respective Titans in each of the regions among the Archipelago in order send their army to crush Draconia, the plan of the Dragonroot Company was fail and they'll be the ones who'll end up being destroyed; that can be assured since they have always emerged victorious. This time that Bullrougher will need their help if he's going to find his child, without a word they left to head to the Whispering Caribbean; according to Axethor that's where his best friend was at

At the Lair of the Whispering Caribbean where Mikekolt was at the large and sturdy war table while his three Dragons were lazing about in the warm heat coming from outside thanks to the winds of the southeast, he was looking back on his memories as an young warrior of his Tribe and it was two years into being a teenager; he acquired interest about what Drayko had found when he was first becoming a legend. It may sound stupid and dangerous but it was one that really made him want to find them, what Drayko found happened to be a map that revealed the location of what it refers to as the: "Stones of Dragonkind" as it's mentioned that he found them all but the story behind them was false as the stones themselves could possess no such power to let him use them. Nevertheless in the end weather or not it turned out that they were actually powerless decorations, he feels like getting his hands on them as out there because in whatever AU timeline there was out there in the word as he sees right in front of him; they would actually work and grant it's user unlimited power. He stood up and headed outside of the room into the indoor hangar for his Dragons that he tamed, all designed in the style of his home at the village and Draconia since it all appeared to be rocky but at the same time comfortable. They all had their nests that featured stations for feeding along with drinking and as for disposal in times of not feeling to well, what other use could there be for them outside in the seas of the Archipelago since they know well that it's not advisable to dump ass out on property nor on the settlements of where they live, as they don't want to poison someone should they be unable to get out of the way in time. His three Dragons all looked up to him as they knew that he was going somewhere, they all awaited his response to which one of them he was going to take with them

"Deathstalker, I believe Headmaster Heryal may have an task for the two of us; I'll come back for you soon Rainserviper since there's a little task I've got in mind" Mikekolt told him as left outside with his Triple Stryke following closely from behind, mounting and taking off into the sky out of their home

The midday sky was an turkish to teal and yale blue color with some clouds filling up the sky, some of which were blocking the sunlight as they both soared to the eastern regions. They were gliding through the sky but just as they were leaving the Whispering Caribbean, the two of them were found by both Axethor and Fishlegs as they led their flight path over to where they were heading over; where to exactly should be clear to him as Fishlegs told him about his and Axethor's task they have for them:

"You and Axethor have to come with me to the Dark Deep, there's an father in greater risk thanks to the Dragonroot Company after what happened last time with them; he wants his child found and he might as well be falling into a trap they've got planned. Raijah's given your friend an new weapon to defend yourselves if any of their soldiers attack, even if they're not soldiers just drive the infected Dragons away; the angry Bullrougher won't stop it's rampage until then and for now, it's not looking too good here" Fishlegs told him as Axethor replied

"No kiddin' if I were a father, then I would've wanted my daughter found right now if I had a girlfriend of my own; unlike Mikekolt because he's got that Katetiburon chick with him" Axethor commented

"That's because you're always happy all the damn time but I guess that's just how you see things in the light no matter how much darkness there is, I haven't seen Katetiburon for a while so there's nothing I can be sure of about her. Now you had more to say, F.L?" Mikekolt shifted his octagonal lens shaped glasses upwards thanks to it slipping down his nose

"The Dragonroot Company caught us in an ambush but we've managed to escape and recover before we sent Iggy to your friend, all you need to do for this mission here is investigate the cause of how they were able to enrage the hatchling's father; because they've might have used more than an special concoction by throwing Dragonvine and Grimora in the mix. Me and Meatlug will calm everyone down here, do you understand?" Fishlegs briefed them before asking

"Consider it done 'til the next day comes cryin' about Teach, hatchling of it's father's good as their's again" Axethor responded with enthusiasm, referring to the hatchling's father at the end just to be clear

"I won't let any of their soldiers get away with child abducting, that is if their leader lost one of her own" Mikekolt crossed his arms and suspected (A/N: Now look that, not so subtle foreshadowing!)

"Glad you understand and we've arrived at our destination, now let's see you give them some hell to pay for abduction" Fishlegs finished as all three of them landed before Mikekolt and Axethor headed off in the south, ready to do this task together

This island known as the Dark Deep was as to be expected a dark, craggy island with some similar geology to that of Outcast Island with many caves that had an extensive network of underground tunnels; even having pools of lava and dark tan sandy beaches of the like. Although there was some trees of various sizes found with some grass, featuring three locations of this island of the Catastrophic Quakens and Bullroughers: The Valley of Stone which was exactly what it says appearing as an ravine like valley, the Sandy Beaches which had just that with some lava pools and the Rocky Plains which all locations truly followed up onto their names

Following the trail upon landing on the dark earthly foundation of the Dark Deep, the duo of students and their buds traversed through the craggy landscape as they followed the pieces of stone laid out for them; believing that it was a pathway to the rampaging father's lair as it was the only lead they had. During this time Axethor was getting his new weapon ready as he was really proud of what he was given, as this is what it looked liked:

It was an slightly medium but buckler sized aspis to parma shield with an dull gold edge all around, having it's boss be both flat and smooth as it looked thin but was really thick thanks to being made of Volcanripper Metal. The frontal face of the rim was an black color with an slight fiery orange shine as the center was depicted with an bright and burning heraldry sun, with an Monstrous Nightmare flying in front of it as it's wings were spanned out and it was a darker gold due to appearing as a shadow that was blocking the sunlight; as the details such as it's horizontally lined underbelly could be seen along with it's talons that were diagonally going downwards to the sides, being an dark bronze color. Along the rim were three pyramid shaped studded spikes on the top and bottom, as the outer rim appeared to give off an golden fiery flame that did not hurt when one would touch it. However it also expanded into an larger shield from it's surrounding radius, with transparent metal in between the shimmering golden liquid like the calm seas in the Archipelago; as it's thick golden flame on the outer rim continued to burn. There is one ability with this shield as whenever an projectile is thrown and parried back, whatever it absorbed is turned into an golden fireball that is thrown right back at the one who attempted to strike the user of this weapon. Finally, the thrown projectile made a sound that sounded like the cry of an skeletal pterosaur (A/N: It's Slogra from Symphony of the Night BTW) with the name of this weapon known as none other than the: "Shield of Hookfang" as a little tribute in his likeness for Raijah

During their run through a ravine, some of the territorial ones who lived here at the Dark Deep were not used to seeing people on their homeland and got into an defensive position when they were approaching; Mikekolt and Axethor however just ran past them but the latter immediately had his shield prepared for an attack like this, especially when an hostile Grapple Grounder for instance fired an fiery pulse blast towards the two of them. He swung his shield to absorb the pulse blast and redirected it back to the wall behind them while Mikekolt had his Phoenixripper drawn immediately, giving off the cry of an pterosaur as the golden fireball blasted against the stone with the others turning to face them both. Mikekolt threw one of his projectile axes in an overhead arc to silence them as it struck the cliff they stood on, near a reasonable distance from their talons as he began to speak:

"I have no interest in your trust issues, now are you going to get the hell out of our way or is my friend going to show you again? This time Axethor will not miss on purpose!" Mikekolt asked as the others parted away to let them pass before he ran up ahead in order to reach where they were heading

"I'd never hurt any of you guys but we've got a problem that needs solving, you should know what it's about!" Axethor informed them before going after his friend who ran far up ahead of him

Not a great choice at all because Axethor came to confront no one else but the rampaging Bullrougher father that Fishlegs mentioned from time to time, there was not much to explain it's appearance as it's scales featured a dark chocolate brown and urbane bronze color with it's underbelly being an sand dollar tan color; with a barcelona beige undertone while it's claws were an dark taupe to umber brown color. Finally, it's horn and some parts of the bumps on it's body had some dried splotches of blood from the attackers who broke into his Lair and abducted it's hatchling. It's species on the other hand though looked like this:

Bullroughers were half the size of Catastrophic Quakens, being that they were larger than Gronckles but not quite as as much as the former. They had three spikes on the beginning of their large wings with two extra on their back on the sides, having two larger ones on the tips with one thick and one smaller. Along with it's smaller cousin, it possesses some round and rocky bumps on it's scales but also sported some round ended but still sharp as hell claws and talons with it's powerful arms and half-stocky legs. It's underbelly had thick horizontal lines going across, having an round beaked tail that acted like an bludgeoning mace of sorts; having two long and short protuberances that went outwards diagonally on each side, also having two larger fangs on the front of it's mouth with the following smaller ones on the sides. It's tongue was scratchy and harsh like sandpaper, just like any felines' tongues; dry like the desert that they also make a habit of living in like their mountain lairs. It's horns curved upwards diagonally to the sides before slightly going back and going outwards again as it ended with them curving upwards. It's wings had an illustrative pattern of smoky swirls and waves that went upwards and it's large and thick horn on the front of it's head curved slightly inwards as it was ribbed, but deadly to the point as there was an hollowed hole on the side; being sharpened to the point of being double edged like a sword and having both of it's cousins' abilities: Bump Blasting, Rolling into an Boulder of sorts and even having it's immunity to Dragon Root due to the mostly rocks and other such food it consumes. Finally, it's firepower was an massive and long flaring flame that it built up within and released onto the offenders for it's own lethal justice as this Dragon would not let the Dragon Hunters and Marauders roam the very foundation of the earth without their execution

Axethor shifted his Shield of Hookfang that was given to him by Raijah and waited as the one in front of him began to scrape the ground, breaking into a run before sprinting as the beast was ready to throw him off to the side with his horn when he jumped over to the side; firing a thick flaring stream which he blocked in retaliation as he knew that this was not going to be easy at all. So without another thought in his mind, he brought out his double bladed axe and spun it in his hand before taunting it to come to him; in which the Bullrougher father did just that

HTTYD

Back with Mikekolt he climbed up the cliffs and some of the rocky structures in order to reach the Bullrougher father's mountainous lair that all of his kind usually made their homes in, as they prefer the calm and soft breeze of the wind in the darkness of their caves. He entered inside of the lair and found evidence that there was definitely an struggle that happened here. There were some blood dripping at the end of the wall which came from a protruding spike which was convenient enough, but there were also some signs of an fight breaking out; nothing to report about the hatchling though as it was most likely taken by force, the blood of the attacker was enough to give him the answer. He dipped his two fingers together in the blood and used his tracking skills to determine the location of where it was being held, by that time he got up and was ready to leave; Axethor needed to know about the location right away as there was a question going through his head, although he did not really ask it out to anyone through his words: "What has made you into such evil, Maeve?" He was previously given a hint about her through Savage's words saying that she lost a child because of them, but she may not have liked that when he revealed a portion of her backstory since she wanted to tell them herself

At that moment one of the members of the Dragonroot Company known as: "Askari of Ashes" who looked like an Dragon Flyer jumped down in front of him, bringing out his Volcanripper Metal sword before swiping the blade against his chest which had him sliding backwards to avoid being cut. Mikekolt knew that this was one of Maeve's soldiers judging by the way he looked and being one of the members who had no place in the fallen Bludvist's Army, but Krogan did not want him to go to waste at all and instead had one of his best flyers in this group to help their allies; big mistake as well. He brought out his Tiburonkolt's Tomahawk before allowing Askari to thrust his sword forward, sliding the teardrop shaped hole right through the blade before swiftly disarming him; slamming his forehead against his helm before directly kicking him in the chest, sending him staggering backwards before he regained his balance. "Hah! You're a fool who fell for the trap" He taunted

Mikekolt swung his arm back and attempted to strike him with his elbow, with him bending back to avoid the strike; although he knew that he would do this as Askari grappled onto his shoulders near his neck as he didn't grab his shoulder guards due to the deadly razor blades that he adorned for some edge. He kneed him lower stomach and swung his fist against his left side of his helmet, before he threw him off and came rushing in to send a kick towards his face which he was able to block and counter; throwing him off before giving a fake out punch before he swept against his knee, sending him down to the ground. Swinging his leg towards him as he ducked to avoid the attack and jumped to the other side, he continued on with his taunt: "There is no army here at all, only downfall and doom will rain down on you!"

Askari came running from behind him when Mikekolt turned to face him and swung his right leg directly against his chest, earning a wet and harsh cough that sounded like he was being choked; as he then grabbed both of his hands and slammed his back to send his face right to the ground. Not finished there he took his right arm and flipped him over with his prosthetic gauntlet as he liked to call it since he didn't feel like it was cut off, just healing with his new strength thanks to the darkblood now running in his veins; with his attacker being flung over to the other side of the cave, especially as he crashed through an rocky wall that collapsed on impact. The attacker fell to his knees and onto his chest on the floor as that was enough to have his ass out of the skirmish of theirs, but after a few moments he got back up and placed his sword back to where it rested on his back as he now had some newfound motivation for his opponent

"Looks like Maeve has a second one to hold in high regard, second to Drayko but that's not what matters at all; I will not forget about how Maeve will be successful in our plans to crush Draconia and the man himself who caused this state of ruin for Krogan, but I will not forget about this moment. Let us fight again when we have the chance in the Flaming Deathlands!" Askari declared as he began to have some respect for his enemy

"Yeah? But I'll be there to soothe the Titan and the beasts it commands that you've poisoned with your Dragon Root weaponry from the Marauders, it seems that they too hold your lady in high regard; understand that Askari!" Mikekolt pointed his Phoenixripper towards him, letting him leave for now but not without one final word from him

"Understand this, Castle: we may not stop at nothing to see Draconia destroyed, but I will not stop until I have you defeated by my hands at last!" Askari taunted one last time before leaving, jumping off from the cliffs and structures before disappearing completely

Mikekolt's midnight black hair blew in the light blowing wind before running off back to find his friend, now with the evidence that they can use to find the father's hatchling before their enemy could get away with this. Axethor had a few bruises with some blood stained on that face of his, but he was as stubborn as his friend when it comes to endurance as he wouldn't stop fighting until he's down for the count; when the Bullrougher father came charging at him once again and he was ready to use his double bladed axe against it, Mikekolt intervened by standing his ground and blocking it's ram attack with his Tusked Shield as he was pushed back up against an wall. Struggling to keep up his guard but having enough willpower to throw the fatherly beast off to the edge, before it could attack them again and bleeding a little bit from the tusks adorned on his shield; Mikekolt and Axethor revealed that they both were one of Drayko's students sent to help it out in finding it's hatchling, how did the former do this as one would ask? Showing the crest of Draconia depicted on a banner that Mikekolt decided to keep as a little souvenir, Axethor believed that this banner and the obvious crest depicted better not fall on blind eyes

The father of the hatchling whom Mikekolt decided to name: "Dustscorcher" relented and calmed now knowing that they are allies, approaching him as he placed his palm right on his horn as the Bullrougher grumbled softly to his touch as he could feel his right hand even as his Raynaud's Disease became unbearable if he ever removed his gloves. Now tamed to him and having the scent of his hatchling now determined, Dustscorcher followed the two to the location where his child was being held against it's own will; using Mikekolt's tracking skills at their advantage

Eventually finding Dustscorcher's hatchling which was revealed to be his son locked up within a oxidized copper cage meant for children of his size, the hatchling's father tried to destroy it with no success as Mikekolt stepped in with his Phoenixripper ignited as he got into position to where the hinges where; raising his sword above the hinges before swinging downwards hard, the gate fell to the ground and the hatchling was afraid to exit before being comforted by his father. The two of them shared their moment alone before Dustscorcher showed him his new rider and his best friend, and thanks to learning Dragonese they decided to tell Dust's son their names

"I... am Mikekolt" He introduced himself with an accent as he got off from Deathstalker

"-and I am Axethor" His best friend introduced himself quickly but ended up getting his boot caught in Vulcanus' horn

"Thus they call us Castlekroftservkhall and Bovarsson!" Mikekolt concluded with their last names

Dustscorcher's son slowly walked up to them both before nuzzling the two of them as he rubbed against Mikekolt's nose and face while grabbing onto Axethor's leg, before going back to his father afterwards as the two shared their moment once again as they nuzzled each the both of each other; with the former making this remark: "Good god, I've lost my appetite by now..." He scratched his stomach and felt a little uneasy in his guts (A/N: Reference to the teen oriented DreamWorks film "Antz" in the scene where Z and Bala meet Chip and Muffy)

Once that was all done and over with, Fishlegs and Meatlug arrived at the scene as he wanted to congratulate them both on rescuing the hatchling; as well as taming the father who got all he asked for in the end, although he turned to Mikekolt and began to tell him this:

"You're going to get angry with me when I tell you this but the Dragonroot Company planned all of this from the beginning just so you'll be out of stamina by the time you return, but you knew that; however we're getting real issues at the School of Dragons right about now so you better hear what I have to say: A Stormcutter by the name of Mist just got infected by Deathgripper Venom by who else? Grimmel, you remember him don't you when he sent those Marauders to torture you again? Now you can have your retribution if he decides to show his face this time around and not just plan a hidden trap, coward..."

"Oh yeah our medic' been teachin' us about the antidote, tellin' us about the ingredients and shit; first thing when one of us got hurt but apparently I'm not good at remembering the list, could only remember two chopped pieces of O. olearius mushrooms with the bioluminescence of an mycena singeri or some shit. There's also some ice crystals that'll melt right away to act like a coolant of sorts, am I getting this right teach? Are those the only ones we need?" Axethor asked while recounting the list of ingredients

"Don't worry about the antidote for now because if Grimmel starts attacking we'll be prepared and contact you for help, just return to the School right away and do some minor tasks for now. Oh and feel free to keep Dustcorcher you called him? as one of your own, I've got a better reward for your friend to compensate for his part in helping out" Mikekolt nodded as he and Axethor took off back to the School while he stayed behind on the Dark Deep

Although the battle had been won and Askari of Ashes was defeated by him, there was more to do around here and a task that requires no one else but Rainserviper by his side as he pat Deathstalker on the back; telling him that it was time to return before nodding and leaving him behind on the island. He tried out his Dragon Call which at first sounded like an beast threatening someone by viciously growling while baring it's fangs before falling silent for a moment, ending it by hissing like an snake; this of course did not fall on deaf ears as he had awaited for a few moments before Rainserviper was found flying towards his direction, he gave a sinister smile to himself as he tilted his head downwards as this was a task of his own that he must do. Speaking one last time under his breath:

"Our treasure hunt begins..." He stroked Dustscorcher as he decided to let him join them in their search for what Drayko called the Stones of Dragonkind

If they're not back to the School of Dragons in time when they find the stones then there's going to be some hell to pay because Fishlegs did mention that Grimmel was bound to attack soon after all. For now he's sure that Drayko will beat him to a very bloody pulp in the ass after what he did to many of the Night Furies, he had better show his face that is because he will not be left unpunished; and someone like him will leave no ass unkicked

However, this did not mean that Mikekolt was not one of the many of them all who would take such pity on the Deathgrippers who were forced under his command; giving him another reason to send his ass far deeper in hell than what he thinks he is going to be sent down into...

I've got myself a clear idea on what Mikekolt would damn as hell now look like after this and the next chapter, here are the details of his new outfit:

Armored perforated hole patterned cowl to cover his mouth, nose and ears

Very dark revenna and messina brown colored strong leather vest like armor

A very dark long sleeved eminent bronze and sauaro olive green tunic with spider black and pyramid spiked wrappings up to his elbow

Breyerkolt's shoulder guards

Two thick belt straps across the front of his chest and dual downward belt straps on his upper chest

Back covered and heavily plated more than well

Bicep guards that looked like they were slanted outwards and both going around the sides of his arms

Heavily plated v-neck collar that was very closed around his neck and slightly bent outwards all around to the sides as they were covering half of his cheeks and sides of his mouth

Gambeson over his armor with layered shedded scales with two pyramid studded spike straps and revealing some of his chest

Upwards pointed heavily scuffed boots and having two of some pyramid spike studded straps for the lashings all around his ankles

Armor on top of an seamless diamond pattern and the heavily plated along with his studs that had a unique brushed golden bronze color

Twin segmented belts on his waist spaced out in between