It Flies in the Family
The riders and their dragons were hanging out in their sleep cave. Tom and Jun were flying around play fighting with Jun's dragon forged shield and Tom's shard of crystal that he wielded like a sword. Edelweiss sat with her two dragons. She was trimming Apollo's golden claws and Black Widow was watching Tom and Jun.
"You think Tom actually knows how to sword fight?" Black Widow asked.
"I don't know," said Edelweiss. "But sword fighting isn't a requirement for dragon riding." Just then Jun managed to unseat Tom and he fell too the ground. Jun landed her dragon beaming with pride. Edelweiss finished Apollo's claws and they got to their feet. Suddenly Jun screamed and went stiff.
"I've been webbed!" She whimpered. "Get it off me." Black Widow went over to her and used her front talons to very gently removed the small brown spider from Jun's shoulder. She cooed fondly at it, then set it on the ground and let it go on its way.
"Is it off of me?" Jun asked.
"Yup you're good," said Tom.
"Jun the unconquerable," Alex laughed. Jun glared at her.
"To be fair that spider was about two centimeters big," Tom said.
"It doesn't matter how big it was," Jun snapped. "If it has eight legs I don't like it." Black Widow snarled at her and flashed her wings angrily.
"It's okay Black Widow," Edelweiss said. "Your spiders are safe." She patted her dragon's neck. But then the other dragons started growling, but not at Jun. They were growling a warning.
"Guys, I think there's something else in here," said Alex. "Or someone." Everyone tensed up. The dragons began sniffing around. Edelweiss spotted something moving in the shadows, Feathers spotted it too. They both homed in on it.
"Guys Feathers and Edel got something," said Alex. They all looked over at Edelweiss and Feathers as they stalked closer.
"I'll flesh it out," Edel said. "You make sure it doesn't get away Feathers." The Featherhide nodded, not taking her eyes of the rock. Edelweiss readied her staff. Then when she saw the thing move again, she pounced. She was soon standing over Jun's brother Eugene, with her foot on his chest and her staff was inches from his face. Everyone was shocked.
"Eugene!?" Jun said, horrified. Edelweiss's eyes narrowed.
"Nice hangout," Eugene said, looking around. Then he focused on the end of the staff right between his eyes. "Can I get up?" Edelweiss snorted, but backed off. Eugene got to his feet and got a better look at who'd tackled him. "Hey isn't she the one who punched me?" Edelweiss grinned wickedly and cracked her knuckles menacingly.
"What are you doing here?" Jun demanded. Eugene looked got a better look at the dragons.
"When you said there was a dragon club, I didn't imagine you each had your own," he said.
"The dragons don't belong to us," Tom explained. "They're our friends."
"Totally gotcha Tommy," said Eugene. "By the way, yours is super cool." He reached out to Thunder but the Night Light growled and flashed lighting. Then Eugene spotted the two dragons beside Edelweiss. "Hey she has two dragons, maybe I can have on of those."
"No, you're not riding a dragon," said Jun firmly.
"Oh don't worry Jun," said Edelweiss. "I doubt he'd even be able to get on their backs." Eugene walked up to Apollo. The big red dragon pranced away playfully. He then jumped onto the large pile of rocks that lead outside. Eugene then tried Black Widow, but she charged at him with her teeth bared. Eugene yelled in surprised and ran the other way. Black Widow gave chase all around the space, snapping at his heals before joining her mate on the rocks. Everyone couldn't help laughing. Eugene turned on Edelweiss.
"You told them to do that didn't you?" He barked.
"They were just playing," said Edelweiss. "But seriously. My dragons don't allow just anyone to ride them."
"But how can I be in Dragon Club if I don't have a dragon?" Eugene asked.
"Simple, you're not going to be in Dragon Club," said Jun.
"Oh come on, there's nothing to do around here," Eugene complained. "And I always let you in on my cool stuff."
"What? You never let me play with you," Jun shot back.
"Fine but I still want a dragon," said Eugene.
"No, you're not getting a dragon," said Jun, she then turned on her friends. "Back me up here guys, he can't have one right?" No one said anything.
"I'll get a dragon or else," Eugene threatened.
"Or else what?" Jun asked.
"I'll tell everyone about your little secret," Eugene threatened. Jun's face was turning redder then Wei's. Tom went over to them.
"Ok, why don't we talk it over," he said. He pulled Jun over to the rest of the group.
"Ok yeah, talk amongst yourselves," said Eugene. He went to sit down to wait, but almost sat on Feathers. So he just stood there. Then he noticed Edelweiss also outside the group huddle, sitting with the dragons. She was calmly stroking Thunder's neck, and leaning on her staff.
"Don't tell me Jun won't let you join either," Eugene said.
"Oh no, I don't consider myself apart of the group," Edelweiss said. "I don't live in their world, and I've been a rider much longer then they have." Then Eugene got a better look at her face. He went ridged with shock, then quickly walked away. Edelweiss just shrugged it off, she'd been expecting that. She patted Thunder on the head. "Well, I'll meet you guys down there. I need to eat something." She went over to her dragons, got on Black Widow, and took off.
When they got back to the Crystal Realm; they landed outside their cave. They heard talking coming from inside. They went inside, and found Queen Avalon and King Eider were sitting next to the fire pit. Avalon was wearing a strand of fiery orange pearls the size of strawberries around her neck, a polished iridium crown decorated with peacock feathers and sapphires on her forehead that was hooked around her horns, and a peacock blue saddle on her back that was lined with more polished iridium, it's chest straps were secured in the middle with a peacock opal stone. King Eider had a black and white saddle, and wore a collar around his neck that was decorated with black feathers. Hooked around his horns was a crown of silver grey feathers, lined with moonstones.
They both looked up when Edelweiss and the other two entered.
"Hey guys!" Avalon exclaimed, getting to her feet.
"Hey sis," Apollo answered, excitedly. "When did you get here?"
"About an hour ago," said Eider. He got to his feet as well. Apollo bounded up to Avalon and nuzzled her. She returned the gesture. Black Widow looked around expectedly.
"Did Eclipse come with you?" She asked. Both Avalon and Eider looked confused.
"No she didn't," said Avalon. "She said she was going to meet us here." Black Widow looked worried.
"We haven't seen her," she said.
"Oh dear," said Avalon. She looked straight ahead and her expression went blank. "I can see that she's in no danger. But I can't really tell where she is. She'll join us when she can." Black Widow relaxed a bit, but still looked worried. Avalon then looked over at Edelweiss.
"Hi Edel, we brought you some more food," she said. She gestured to a stack of crates full of different kinds of meat, and barrels of golden apples and red dragon fruits.
"Thanks Avalon," Edelweiss said.
"Now where are those riders we've heard so much about?" Eider asked.
"They'll be along," said Apollo. "They're kind of dealing with a possible new member." And he told them about Eugene.
"Hmmm, Jun does realize that she has no say on who becomes a dragon rider," said Avalon.
"I think she'll realize it eventually," said Apollo. "I saw in the heads of the other riders, that they'll let him join if he can bond with a dragon."
"Sounds fair," said Eider. Avalon looked around the cave.
"Wow, I'm kind of liking the color of this crystal," she said. "Reminds me of a sunset." She tapped the crystal with her talons. She looked over at her mate. Eider was picking at the feathers on his crown, and shaking his head in discomfort. Avalon thought a moment, then she clicked her talons. The feathers turned into the shape of silver flames. Eider smiled with relief.
"Thanks," he said. "Those feathers were starting to itch."
"I appreciate your honesty," said Avalon. "Even if it's only in your head." Eider nuzzled her. "Now lets go meet these riders." Edelweiss got on her back and they all headed out of the cave. They landed on a pile of crystals near the exit to the fissure. Avalon picked up pieces of golden yellow crystal and put them in a large pouch attached to her saddle. Soon the riders rode in on their dragons. They noticed Eider and Avalon.
"Hi guys," Edelweiss said.
"Who are they?" D'Angelo asked.
"This is Avalon and Eider," Edelweiss said, pointing them out. "They just got here."
"So these are the riders and dragons we've heard so much about," said Avalon. "And I understand you're adding one more." She looked at Eugene on Wei's head.
"We brought him down here to see if he can bond with a dragon," said D'Angelo.
"But I'm telling you it's a waste of time," Jun growled.
"You've got four dragons now?" Eugene said, frowning. Avalon snickered.
"I don't own these dragons Eugene," Edelweiss said. "I'm just part of their team. Avalon's the head of it." Avalon smiled humbly. Edelweiss mounted Eider and they all took off again.
"If they don't have riders why do they wear saddles?" Alex asked.
"We sort of share this one," Apollo said, gesturing to Edelweiss. "We'll only allow another rider in emergency situations." The riders turned their attention to the dragons lounging around the Crystal Realm. Avalon looked at Tom.
"You must be Tom," she said. "And Thunder."
"Yup," said Tom, patting Thunder's head.
"I've been looking forward to meeting you two," said Avalon. "Edelweiss told me about the symbol on your helmet Tom. Have you been able to find anymore clues besides the helmet and the arrowhead?"
"No, I haven't found it anywhere," Tom said. "But I'm keeping my eyes open." Avalon nodded her approval.
"And Thunder," she said in Dragontongue. "You've not found your family yet?"
"No ma'am," said Thunder. "Edelweiss said you have magic, can you see where they are?" Avalon looked straight ahead and her face went blank.
"I can see that they're alive," she said. "But I can't see exactly where they are, the place is unfamiliar to me. But I can foresee that you will find them, though I can't tell when this will happen. Put it from your mind for now."
"Thank you," Thunder said. "And you'll help?"
"We'll help yes," said Avalon. "But I can't reveal my powers to these riders, yet. Magic can easily corrupt people. So I have to be careful."
"I see," said Thunder. "I know our riders worry about their elders finding out about us and doing bad things to us."
"Yes, that's my concern too," said Avalon. "That's why I sent Edelweiss down here. To make sure these dragons don't end up in cages." Thunder shuddered at the thought.
"I hope we never end up in cages," he said.
"Me too," said Avalon. "I also don't want to see anything bad happen to your riders either. I can imagine their elders won't be too happy about them being dragon riders behind their backs." She sighed then refocused on where they were going.
They landed in the Stormy Realm. They looked over the rocks at Edelweiss's Razorwhip friend Vortex, sleeping. Avalon picked up a few more crystals and put them into her pouch.
"Yeah, now that's a dragon," said Eugene. He approached Vortex.
"You've got to be careful around those," said Jun. Eugene just scoffed.
"Oh, you just don't want me having a cooler dragon then you," he said. So they all sat back to watch. Eugene climbed clumsily onto Vortex. The Razorwhip nonchalantly shrugged him off, then whipped him away with his tail. Eugene hit the wall hard. "Okay, maybe I'll keep on shopping."
"Sorry about that Vortex," Edelweiss called, tossing the silver dragon a Fire Realm slug.
"No big deal," Vortex said, eating the slug. He then curled back up and went back to sleep. The riders got back on their dragons and took off again.
They went to the Crystal Lake next, where the Floodfangs lived. Eugene stood at the water's edge and waited, looking anxious. A large Floodfang lifted his head out of the water and looked down at Eugene.
"Hold your hand out," Tom instructed. "Calmly." Eugene lifted his hand towards the dragon. But then the Floodfang roared, and open his mouth to blast him. Eugene passed out. The big dragon sneered down at him. Edelweiss tossed a few fireflies into the Floodfang's mouth and the water dragon went back underwater. The riders gathered Eugene and headed onward.
"This is so fun to watch," Avalon said. They landed near Edelweiss's cave again. There they found a dragon the size of a footstool, and looked more like a fat frog. Eugene looked down at it, underwhelmed.
"Hobbglobbler," said Edelweiss. "Not to be underestimated." Eugene waved his fingers in front of the Hobbgobler, but the little dragon just blinked his eyes.
"I don't get it, do I ride it or does it ride me?" Eugene asked. Jun laughed. Then Eugene looked down to see the Hobbgobler gnawing on his leg. He quickly pulled it off and held it at arm's length. The dragon slobbered onto Eugene's boot, which caught fire. Eugene tossed the dragon aside and stomped out the fire. Jun caught the Hobbgobler before he hit the ground.
"Did the mean old Eugene scare you?" Jun cooed, stroking the dragon's back.
"What about me?" Eugene asked.
"Face it, you're just not cut out for this," said Jun, setting the dragon down.
"I can do anything you can," Eugene barked at her.
"Can't argue with determination like that," said Eider. But then the dragons sat up in alert and growled. There came the sound of a commotion from somewhere near by. All the riders mounted up and flew to investigate.
They found three Flamethrowers circling two helpless Tiny Terrors.
"What are those things?" Eugene asked.
"Flamethrowers," said Tom. Said dragons were homing in on their prey. They didn't even notice the Riders.
"Edelweiss did say these guys were causing problems," said Avalon. "But you haven't seen them in here yet right?"
"No, we have to help those little dragons," said D'Angelo. With that they all charged at the Flamethrowers. Eugene was just holding on for his life. With the Draconians' help they managed to drive the Flamethrowers away. Then Jun and Eugene started arguing and not really focused on the Flamethrowers.
"Guys we're supposed to be fighting the Flamethrowers," said Tom. "Not each other."
"I smell another Ruffnutt and Tuffnut," said Apollo to his friends. They all laughed. Suddenly Alex's tablet beeped an alert. She looked at it.
"Another disturbance," she said. "Might be more Flamethrowers."
"Let's go check it out," said D'Angelo. They all flew to the next commotion. The Flamethrowers were now circling the Hobbgobler. They wasted no time in charging the wild dragons. Eider rammed into two of them and they scattered. While the rest of the group took on the rest of the Flamethrowers; Jun and Eugene went to fly the Hobbgobler to safety. But when Jun picked the little dragon up, Eugene lost his balance and fell off the Wei. He crawled away, then got to his feet and ran.
"Eugene!" Jun called after him, annoyed. A Flamethrower cased after him. Jun groaned and got down from her dragon. She put the Hobbgobler down. "Watch him." She told Wu and Wei, then she ran after Eugene. The other riders managed to drive back the other Flamethrowers. But then one of them spotted the Hobbgobler and blasted it. The Hobbgobler flew through the air and crashed hard on the ground. All the riders and dragons gathered around it. D'Angelo looked it over for injuries.
"Minor singed wing," he said. Jun turned on Eugene.
"Look what you did!" She yelled.
"Me!?" Eugene shouted back. "I was running for my life." The two of them glared at each other. Tom got between them.
"Come on guys, we're a team," he said. "We're supposed to look out for each other." Just then Alex's tablet beeped again.
"More Flamethrowers?" D'Angelo asked.
"I guess," said Alex. "Though this coming from way farther into the Crystal Realm then ever." They all got back on their dragons and took off again.
They arrived at a tower made of spikes and surrounded by a moat of lava. More lave was flowing from a hole on the side of the tower. Flamethrowers were coming out of it.
"The Flamethrowers are circling those spires," said D'Angelo.
"It might give as a clue as to what they're doing here," said Tom.
"Have you guys seen their alpha yet?" Avalon asked.
"No, but I think we might have heard it in the Fire Realm," Tom answered. He looked back up the the Flamethrowers. "They'll see us if we fly, so lets go on foot." They all agreed and head in the direction of the lava moat. Eugene was hesitant.
"So I get a dragon, and I'm on the team right?" He asked Jun. She turned on him.
"What, you've been begging to go home ever since we started," she snapped. "Why do you even want to join us anyway?" Eugene thought a moment.
"I don't know, I guess want to be apart of something," he said.
"Everything you're apart of crashes and burns," said Jun. "This is too important." She turned to follow the others. "Bond with a dragon or go home and keep your mouth shut, that's the deal." Eugene scowled at her.
"Maybe I would have bonded with one earlier if you weren't working against me," he said angrily. Jun looked furious.
"I'm not working against you, you're working against me!" She said, her voice rising.
"Maybe I'll just tell Mom anyway," said Eugene.
"Why are you like this?" Jun said between her clenched teeth.
"Guys!?" Tom called to them, glaring. "Are you trying to blow our cover?" Jun and Eugene glared daggers at each other. Then Eugene spotted another dragon flying towards them, begin chased by Flamethrowers. It was turquoise and had three legs and two arms.
"What's that?" Eugene asked, pointing a trembling finger.
"I'm not falling for that," snapped Jun. But then everyone else saw the dragon coming at that and quickly got out of the way. They all mounted their dragons and scattered. Wu, Wei and their riders flew towards the tower with the turquoise dragon on their tail. Thinking fast, Wu and Wei dropped out of the air and landed on the tower, hidden by the spires. Jun and Eugene stayed out of sight as the turquoise dragon went on its way.
"What was that thing?" Eugene asked.
"A spider dragon," Jun whimpered.
"It didn't look like a spider," said Eugene.
"It has eight legs, that's a spider to me," said Jun. She hugged her knees tightly, shaking. Eugene looked around anxiously. Suddenly they heard dragon wings coming at them, followed by a loud roar. Jun screamed and Eugene froze, his eyes wide. But it was just Black Widow and Edelweiss.
"You guys okay?" Edel asked. Both Eugene and Jun relaxed slightly.
"Did you see that spider dragon?" Jun panicked. "Where'd it go?"
"Spider dragon?" Edelweiss asked. "It didn't seem like a spider dragon. It looked more like a small Hackatoo."
"It has eight legs," said Jun, still shaking. "If it has eight legs it's a spider and I hate it." Black Widow growled, offended.
"Well we can worry about that guy later," said Edelweiss. "Right now you've got Flamethrowers inbound." She pointed to three Flamethrowers coming right at them. "Try to climb to the top of the tower where you can mount up."
"But that spider dragon is still out there," Jun whimpered.
"Don't worry, Black Widow can handle any spider," Edelweiss said, patting her dragon's neck. "No matter how big." Suddenly a Flamethrower came crawling out of the crystals spires and headed right for them. Black Widow shot it with a plasma blast, stunning it. Jun and Eugene started climbing the tower with some help from Wu and Wei, while Edelweiss and Black Widow kept the Flamethrowers off of them. Jun and Eugene got as far as they could before they found their way blocked.
"Oh great a dead end," said Eugene. Wu and Wei landed and Jun took shelter under their wings. Eugene scanned the area. Then the turquoise dragon flew up to them and he quickly got out of the way. Edelweiss and Black Widow were about to drive the other dragon away, but Black Widow paused.
"Hold on," she said. "I don't think he's looking for a fight." They both watched as the wild dragon approached the Wongs. Jun cowered into Wu and Wei's side. Eugene got between her and the dragon. But then suddenly the Flamethowers came at them, ready to attack. Jun threw Eugene her dragon forged shield and he used it to block the blast of fire from the Flamethowers. The fire bounced off the shield and hit the two Flamethrowers, stunning them for a moment. Eugene lowered the shield and looked at the turquoise dragon, who seemed very grateful. He picked Eugene up in his front talons as though he were a doll. Eugene panicked and flinched away. Edelweiss steered Black Widow to a large crystal spike and landed on the end of it.
"Eugene, I think it likes you," said Jun, dumbstruck. Eugene looked doubtful at first but relaxed when the dragon didn't hurt him. Suddenly the two Flamethrowers regained their strength and turned on the two Riders and dragons. Without hesitation the turquoise dragon lifted off the grown, still holding Eugene, and blasted the Flamethrowers with flaming webs trapping them. Eugene cheered. Black Widow glided down to them as the turquoise dragon set himself back down.
"Well you've bonded with dragon it seems," Edelweiss said.
"Yeah," Eugene agreed.
"Let's go help the others," said Jun. Eugene got on his dragon's back, and Jun got on hers. They took off and Black Widow followed.
They found the rest of the dragons and Riders huddled tightly together, being circled by the rest of the Flamethrowers. Edelweiss and the Wongs rode at the Flamethowers, making them scatter. This gave the Riders and dragons a chance to get in the air. They worked together with the Draconians to drive the Flamethrowers back through the secret passage to the Fire Realm. When the last one went through Eugene's new dragon fired several flaming webs into the passage, blocking the flow of lava. All the Riders cheered.
"Wongs win the day!" Eugene exclaimed. He and Jun high fived each other. Edelweiss rejoined her group.
"I'm worried about who these Flamethrowers are working for," said Avalon.
"You think whatever it is has mind control powers like the old Bewilderbeasts?" Edelweiss asked.
"Maybe," said Avalon. "I've seen in their minds. I couldn't make out who exactly it was. All I could see was a large white shadow." Edelweiss gripped the front of her saddle.
"It's not me I swear," she said.
"Oh I know," said Avalon. "I haven't seen you in your dragon form since our coronation. I'm guessing these ICARIS Riders don't know about that."
"No," said Edelweiss. "I only morph into my dragon form when I'm backed into a corner."
"That's a shame," said Apollo. "You look really cool in your dragon form." Edelweiss smiled.
"Thanks," she said. "But my dragon form can take a bit of energy to maintain and I don't want to be addicted to it."
"Let's head back," said Eider. He lead the way back towards the fissure. But then Edelweiss heard a wounded cry for help. She pulled Black Widow to a stop and looked around. Down below she spotted a lone Flamethrower laying under a crumbled crystal. The other Draconians paused and looked back.
"You guys go ahead," said Edelweiss. "I'll go see what the matter is." Avalon led Apollo and Eider after the Riders of ICARIS. Black Widow glided down to the Flamethrower and landed. The dragon looked up at them and roared defensively.
"Calm down," Edelweiss said, dismounting. "We're not going to hurt you." The Flamethrower looked taken aback.
"You speak dragon?" He asked.
"Yeah, I'm Edelweiss Dragonborn and this is Black Widow."
"I'm Scorch," said the Flamethrower. Black Widow and Edelweiss combined their strength and removed the chunk of crystal pinning the dragon down. Once it was removed Scorch got shakily to his feet and tried to take off, but his left wing crumbled and he cashed. Edelweiss knelt beside him and examined his wing.
"Just a sprain," she said. "You'll be okay. You can stay in my cave until you feel better." Scorch took a deep breath and got back to his feet.
"How far is your cave?" He asked.
"You don't have to worry about that," said Black Widow. Edelweiss took out a special stretcher she'd woven out of Spiderwing webs. She laid it out and Scorch laid down on it.
"Thank you," he said.
"You're welcome," Edelweiss said. "I'm not as good a healer as my mother was, but I'll do all she taught me." She mounted her dragon. Black Widow grasped the corners of the stretcher and carefully lifted it into the air. They headed back towards their cave.