Warriors: The New Era.
Chapter Thirty Two: Dragon Sickness.
This chapter will explain some things you'll been wanting to know. And a surprise guest appearance of a merry band of assassins.
"So...where is he?" Sparkpelt barely whispered, phone across her ear.
The clerk for Pinewood Sanitorium sighed "Camera's shown that he just got up and left the sanitorium. Some guards tried to stop him, but he incapacitated them using skills we didn't acquire for. I'm sorry, but you're brother could be anywhere."
"Okay, thanks for the warning," Sparkpelt said, and hung the phone up "Poppyfrost, Alderheart is gone."
Poppyfrost looked at the Foxcave's monitors, looking at map of the city "He's out there, Sparkpelt. He's hunting us."
Sparkpelt nodded "How do we find him?"
"I'm thinking we won't have to," Poppyfrost rubbed her chin "I'm thinking maybe we can lure him to us by Cinderheart. She's only ever spoken to him once or twice."
"Jayfeather won't agree with it," Sparkpelt sighed.
"Jayfeather has changed. He isn't in charge anymore," Poppyfrost shook her head "Regardless, he has to be made aware. And he is one of our best fighters, sadly."
Sparkpelt clicked her tongue "Well...didn't you say Breezepelt said that maybe Rock was controlling Jayfeather like a puppet?"
"It's a possibility," Poppyfrost shrugged.
Sparkpelt grinned "Can Fernson-"
"No," Popyfrost sighed "I know where you're going with this. Fernsong's Moonstone can't purify the effects of another Moonstone. I don't know how it works exactly, but that plan wouldn't work."
Sparkpelt pouted "Shit."
"What about my Moonstone?" Fernsong scowled, crossing the door into the Foxcave.
Poppyfrost sighed. She wasn't looking forward to this conversation.
"Sparkpelt go upstairs and inform Jayfeather of the plan."
"Shouldn't you be doing th-"
"DO AS I SAY!" Poppyfrost snapped, and Sparkpelt practically ran out of the foxcave.
Fernsong made room so Sparkpelt could slip right by her.
The two of them stared at each other's eyes.
"Listen, uh..." Poppyfrost scratched her nose "I...I am sorry I declared you the spy and all."
Fernsong raised a brow, as Poppyfrost continued "I've...never been wrong before so..."
"If this an apology, it's a very shitty one," Fernsong folded his arms.
"I didn't expect my sister to be that smart, and the evidence-"
"Fake evidence..."
"EVIDENCE nonetheless pointed at you. I blindly believed it, and I am sorry."
Fernsong took several steps forward, as Poppyfrost continued "I...I understand if you do not trust me anymore...and totally get it if you...do not wish to be friends any-"
"Shut up."
Fernsong's strong and sturdy voice made Poppyfrost bite her lip "You think you're so smart...don't you?"
"I...have my moments?" Poppyfrost raised a brow, slowly backing up before she hit the desktop.
Fernsong grinned "You survived Brokenstar, Destroyed Scourge's reproductive organs, but can't apologize? Bold claim, but I see through you."
"I certainly hope not," Poppyfrost chuckled.
"You're a strange woman, Poppyfrost," Fernsong tilted his head.
Poppyfrost slowly pushed Fernsong away and made way to the door.
Fernsong smirked "Don't worry. All is forgiven."
Poppyfrost faltered in her step, but didn't look back.
Rock's fists cackled with red electricity, as the lightning coursed through Jay's Wing's body.
"Hehe, long have I waited for this moment, Jay's Wing," Rock grinned, stopping his electric attack "You're losing your strength."
Jay's Wing huffed and puffed, his gray hair going down to his upper back. He had been trapped for a while, but he remained strong "I guess it's not to late to say I'm sorry I didn't invite you to the birthday party? I know my 2,436th meant so much to you..."
"Even at death's door you irritate me," Rock's snarled.
Jay's Wing smirked "How did we get here, Old Friend? For 300 years I have dreamed of this moment, but the roles were reversed. What happened to you?"
Rock grinned "The same thing that happened to you. I have become enlightened by what the Moonstone has said. Too long have I allowed my students to endure the horrors of war. Too long have I been merciful. WHAT HAVE I GAINED FOR MY MERCY?! MORE INTRIGUE?! MORE SENSLESS VIOLENCE?! No longer will I simply defend Earth, I will govern and rule over all, in its best interests. Human's squabble over this planet, when men like us can instill order from the chaos."
"You mean, totalitarian order?" Jay's Wing chuckled "It's a nice thought, but you'll fall like the rest. If humans could stop Hitler, Stalin, The Khans, and Pol Pot, I'm sure they can stop you. Jayfeather can destroy you, he is the most powerful Jay's Wing to have EVER existed."
Rock gave off a terrible laugh, an evil one mixed with auras of psychotic natures and malevolent intents "He is no longer a threat. What do you know of Dragon Sickness?"
Jay's Wing huffed "Gold Fever, Or also known as Gold Sickness. It causes apparent mental change. It is caused by large amounts of treasure, particularly treasure hoarded by dragons. It results in greedy, illogical, and even violent behavior. It can also be stated that the large amount of treasure doesn't necesarrily have to be gold. Just something the victim loves and adores above all else."
"What if I were to tell you that I have spread a version of the disease?"
Jay's Wing growled "Then I would say you are perhaps the dumbest man alive. A sickness like that is...NO!"
He understood instantly.
"Jayfeather has become corrupted. With a sickness that once drove you mad, so long ago. He is cracking and splintering and soon his mind will break in two, allowing me to take full control. He cares for his friends so much that the sickness was able to attach to him within seconds. Back when The Triumvirate were at the University's ball, Crowflight infected Jayfeather with a handshake. Crowflight was never in danger, but he transferred the disease to Jayfeather almost instantly."
Jay's Wing hissed "Jayfeather is stronger then you'd think. He can conquer the sickness."
"Can he?" Rock grinned.
Bone entered the torture chamber, turning to Rock "Uh...sir? There's some soldier types that sneaked in and are looking for our leader."
"Sneaked in?" Rock asked, furious "You mean to tell me we have a security breach?!"
"It seems that way. They haven't done anything to us, and my men have guns trained on them as we speak, but they say they have a business proposition for you."
Rock turned to Jay's Wing who looked just as confused as Rock. Rock growled, following Bone as he led them further to the entrance of the mountain's hangar. After many twists and turns, they had reached a large airspace hangar, where by the entrance, were a group of black masked soldiers with their leader standing in front of them. Bone's men had guns trained on them, but they seemed unfazed.
Rock removed his cloak, revealing his new armor set, his chestplate lined with gold and silver patterns, and his arm and leg plates glowing black with gold lines across them.
"WHO would be so bold as to come armed into MY DOMAIN?!" Rock glowed bright red, lightning coating his body as he floated up and closer to them.
The leader gasped in surprise under her mask "So...Gods DO live among us. Fascinating. I take it you are the man who is called Rock?"
"SPEAK YOUR LAST, KNAVE!" Rock's fist glowed red with power as he stared them down, about to strike.
The Leader removed her black mask, allowing her long black hair to fall out from under the mask, as she stared Rock down. One eye had a huge X scar across it, and said eye was devoid of color, a hideous gray. The other eye was a cold and emotionless blue.
"I'd like to offer an alliance."
Rock's power wavered, as he floated closer to the ground, his body reverting back to normal.
"What?"
"My name is Sky, General of the Assassins Of The Rising Sun," Sky snapped her fingers. Two of her men went to the black SUV, and removed a wooden crate. They lifted the crate and dropped it at Rock's feet, opening it to reveal weapons that Rock immediately wanted to posses.
Rock used his powers to lift one of the RPG's out of the crate, inspecting it.
Sky grinned madly "Those are military grade rocket launchers. The crate holds seven of them at the moment, with 30 crates waiting on standby. We have more then enough ammunition and weapons to spare. If this little deal of ours is a success, we will supply you with all the weapons you will need to retake the island, including AR-15's, AK-103's, ARX 160 Beretta's, Colt M1911's, M93 Raffica's, UZI 9mm's, Kel-Tec KSG's, and Grenade Launchers all for you."
"What is it you want in return?" Rock raised an eyebrow.
"Simple. Your protection and permission to do as we see fit with our enemies on your soil. We are not based in Forrestlake, but times change. Our targets have fled here, and we followed. Naturally, seeing as how you run things here, we can't exactly do ANYTHING without risking war with you. So, me and my employers have decided to start things off rather friendly. You allow us to run rampant, and we will supply you with the weapons and men to use them as you desire."
Rock growled "What makes you think I need men?"
Sky chuckled "Because, The ARS has been allies of Sol for decades. When he stopped returning our attempts of communication, I knew there was a new top dog in town. And when Scourge was set loose coincidentally on the same day, it wasn't hard to put two and two together. And when Scourge, the face of Bloodclan, One of the MOST enthusiastic and tempting terrorist leaders out there was killed, his followers disbanded. You wanted a distraction, but Scourge was the face of your army. Bloodclan is NO more. Seeing as how they was one of the most LARGEST terrorist organizations in the world, their disbandment must have been a crippling blow to your army."
"It is true, many of my men have fled ever since Scourge's death was made known to the public," Rock nodded.
"Then it would be wise to accept my offer," Sky held her hand out.
Rock eyed the hand like the devil would eye the bible, with all the disgust he could muster. Reluctantly, he grabbed the hand and shook it "You have my permission to do as you see fit on this island. But please, try not to use my blessing as a means of doing anything drastic."
"How drastic is drastic?" Sky asked, putting her helmet back on.
"As long as you don't do anything Scourge would do, we will get along just fine."
Jayfeather rubbed his chin "It's...a good plan. But...I don't like risking our own to capture Alderheart."
"Yesterday you were screaming as us to kill Cinderheart, and now you want to protect her?" Sparkpelt scowled.
Jayfeather bit his lip "I...I just don't. I'd feel a lot better if we used someone else to capture him."
"He wouldn't come for any of us," Poppyfrost pointed out.
Jayfeather snapped his fingers "Tell you what...you can use Cinderheart as bait, but have the Triumvirate be the ones to move in. We are still in contact with them right?"
Foxleap nodded "Yeah...why?"
"We will watch and guide them from here, but THEY will be the ones to protect her and capture Alderheart. That way, we don't risk our own."
Sparkpelt turned to Poppyfrost "We can't do that! They could die, and the blood will be on our hands!"
Poppyfrost rubbed her chin, and turned to Foxleap "Contact them."
"WHAT?!" Sparkpelt roared.
"We have already lost Breezepelt," Poppyfrost muttered "We can't lose anyone else. Jayfeather's plan is sound."
"Thank you," Jayfeather nodded.
Poppyfrost turned to a furious Sparkpelt "I wouldn't do this if I had any better plans."
Sparkpelt sighed "I hope so..."
Dragon Sickness was inspired to me by J.R.R Tolkien's works in his acclaimed book The Hobbit. I figured as long as I give credit where credit is due, I should avoid the lawsuit.
Next chapter we will deal with The Trap for the Assassin. Will it succeed?
I'm not telling. See for yourself.
Adios.