AN/ Comment below if you want Edelweiss to go into her dragon form during the finale.
Dragons
The Nine Realms 3
Fire Escape
Edelweiss woke up one morning. She sat up in her hammock, and looked around. The Dragon World was quiet as many of the dragons were still asleep, including her dragon friends: Black Widow, Splendor the Bubblehorn, Joro the Spiderwing, and Vortex the Razorwhip. Edelweiss felt more at home with every dragon friend she made. Several days ago; the Dragon Riders had discovered the Fire Realm. They weren't able to enter it however, because the lava flows made it too hot. Edelweiss knew she could enter it unharmed thanks to her scales, but she decided to wait for the Riders to come up with a way to enter it as well.
Edelweiss got up, dressed, and started to make breakfast. Her dragon friends were all hunting for their breakfast. She'd spend everyday making the caves around her campsite into more of a home. She carved tables and chairs out of the crystals with Black Widow's help, along with a fire pit. She also created a medical bay for any sick or injured dragons. She also created shelves on the walls for all her treasures and non lethal weapons. Hanging from the ceiling was a large rope net in the shape of a spider web, where Black Widow slept. There were several holes in the wall near it that Black Widow was planning to house her prized collection of snakes and spiders.
Edelweiss was just finishing her breakfast when the Dragon Riders landed on the large landing patch outside. She got up and went out to greet them as they dismounted.
"Morning Edel," said Jun.
"Morning," said Edelweiss. Then she noticed the leather suit Tom was wearing, lined with a few spikes, coated in dragon scales. "Nice outfit."
"Alex made it," Tom explained. "It's supposed to be fire proof. But we're heading to the Fire Realm now to test it." The other riders looked very nervous. Thunder gave Edel a friendly nudge, and she stroked his neck.
"Have you gone into the Fire Realm yet?" Jun asked.
"I've thought about it," said Edelweiss. "But decided to focus more on fixing up this place." She gestured to her cave. "But I have explored the rest of my new neighborhood." Tom though for a moment. Then he pulled the old arrowhead he'd found out of his pocket.
"You've lived in the Dragon World a long time," he said. "Have you seen this symbol before?" He handed the arrowhead over. Edelweiss took it and glanced at the symbol on it.
"This is the same one on your helmet," she said. Tom just nodded. "I have seen this before, many times many places. But I don't know how you're tied to it I'm afraid." She handed the arrowhead back and went back into her cave. She picked up a small framed picture off her desk, and another item from one of her shelves. She came back out and handed it to Tom. He and the other riders looked at it.
It was a painting of a man, woman, and small baby. The man had black hair and was wearing a light navy blue tunic with silver trim, black pants, boots, and a belt that held two swords. The woman next to him had golden brown hair that hung down to her shoulders, and emerald green eyes. She wore a jade green summer dress with a gold sash and gold shawl around her shoulders. The baby in her arms also had black hair and green eyes. It wore a grey dress with white star shaped flowers embroidered all over it. Then they saw that the man's sword belt was secured by a silver buckle that had the same symbol etched in black. Tom was surprised.
"Is that your dad?" D'Angelo asked.
"Yes, and my mother," said Edelweiss. "And I still have that belt buckle." She held it up.
"Do you know what it means?" Jun asked.
"I know some," Edelweiss said. "But I honestly have no idea why it's on Tom's helmet or on that arrowhead. I'll tell you everything I do know on the way to the Fire Realm." She spotted her dragon flying towards them.
Black Widow soon landed. Edelweiss saddled her up. She put the belt buckle and the picture into her saddlebags and mounted up. The other riders got on their dragons and they headed for the Fire Realm. Thankfully no wild dragons bothered them. Edelweiss took a deep breath.
"Well, back in the Viking Age, before the dragons had to go into hiding," she began. "One Viking village sorted the different dragon breeds into seven classes based on their abilities. There was: Stoker Class, Sharp Class, Tracker Class, Boulder Class, Tidal Class, Mystery Class, and Strike Class. Each bore it's own insignia. That one on the helmet and arrowhead is the Strike Class symbol." Then she rolled her eyes. "Personally I found the whole thing really silly, as dragon abilities change and evolve over time."
They flew through the Crystal Realm, and the Stormy Realm and soon reached the entrance to the Fire Realm. The dragons landed and the riders dismounted. They could all feel the heat from the Fire Realm. Alex went over to Tom and checked the fireproof suit.
"All right it's ready for testing," she said, though she didn't sound too confident. Tom grinned.
"How do I look?" He asked the group
"The fireproof suit looks awesome," said D'Angelo. "The fact that you're flying into the Fire Realm not so much."
"Oh come on this suit feels great," said Tom. "I'm sure it'll work right Alex."
"I believe that you believe," said Alex. Tom reached into his backpack and pulled out the arrowhead.
"I should take this with me," he said. "In case I run into the person that dropped it."
"If they're still alive," said Edelweiss. "Something tells me that thing was from a long time ago." Tom put the arrowhead in his pocket and mounted Thunder. The dragon seem just as anxious as the rest of the group. But he took off and headed into the Fire Realm.
"He made it farther then last time," said D'Angelo. But then the suit caught fire and the two of them came flying out in a ball of fire. They crashed to the ground smoking. Everyone ran over to them. Tom and Thunder got to their feet, they seemed unharmed.
"I feel like a chard brisket," Tom muttered. Then he saw that his boot was on fire. He danced on the spot, then Wu put it out. Tom sighed with relief. "Thanks Wu."
"Are you okay?" D'Angelo asked. Alex started poking and prodding the flight suit.
"How'd the suit hold up?" She asked.
"Ouch, that hurts," Tom kept saying.
"What doesn't hurt?" Alex asked, annoyed. Tom flexed his arms and legs.
"My right big toe," he said. No one was amused. Edelweiss looked over at Thunder.
"You okay?" She asked him.
"Yes," Thunder answered. Edelweiss pulled out her water canteen, and poured some into the dragon's mouth. "Thanks."
"I know you're anxious," Edelweiss said. "Any good friend would be." She stroked his neck again. They looked back at the Riders.
"Looks like I won't be able to make a fireproof suit," said Alex.
"Or we find out what protected my big toe," said Tom, optimistically. "Glass half full." They decided to call it a day and got back on their dragons, Tom kept squirming uncomfortably.
"At lest this suit doesn't look like a costume like the last dragon scale suits Hiccup and his friends made," Edelweiss said in Dragontongue. Black Widow laughed.
"If these guys pull this off, you'll look underdressed again," she said.
"Oh well," said Edelweiss.
Black Widow landed outside their cave, and Edelweiss dismounted. The others carried on towards the fissure. Edelweiss pulled her saddle off Black Widow and they went inside. Waiting next to the fire pit was a blood red dragon with golden horns and eyes. He wore a dark red leather saddle, trimmed in gold. A golden sun with a dragon breath opal sat in the middle of his chest straps. He smiled when his friends walked in.
"Apollo!" Black Widow exclaimed. "You're here." Apollo got to his feet, and Black Widow nuzzled his neck.
"Yeah, I was missing you too much," he said. "And I knew you were missing your snakes and spiders." He looked over to the stack of clear tanks the held Black Widow's collection.
"I'm glad you're here," said Black Widow, nuzzling him again. Then Apollo looked over at Edelweiss.
"Good to see you too Edel," he said warmly. Edelweiss hugged him. "I've brought some of your treasures from home as well." He looked at two large trunks near the tanks.
"Is Avalon and Eider here too?" Edel asked.
"No, they do plan to visit soon," said Apollo. "But I'm here to stay for as long as necessary." He lit up the heating crystals in the fire pit and they all sat around it. Edelweiss and Black Widow brought Apollo up on everything that had happened, including that day's events.
"Have you guys been in the Fire Realm?" Apollo asked. "You're all fireproof."
"No," said Black Widow.
"We should check it out," said Apollo. Edelweiss and Black Widow exchanged a mischievous glance.
"Fine with me," said Edelweiss. "Not for too long though. I want to get to work unpacking everything you brought." She got to her feet. She got onto Black Widow's saddle and they headed for the Fire Realm. They continued talked as they flew.
"So ICARIS doesn't know about all this?" Apollo asked.
"No, thankfully," said Black Widow. "They keep getting close, but the riders manage to divert them."
"They will find us eventually," said Edelweiss. "My worry is what they will do with us."
"Hopefully nothing bad," said Apollo.
"One of the adults up there is or was military," said Edelweiss. "And we know what they'd want to with us."
"Yes," said Apollo nervously. "Either kill us or turn us into weapons." They all exchanged a nervous glance.
"Let's not worry about it at the moment," Black Widow suggested. "They haven't found us yet, we have plenty of time to be ready for them. And the three of us are protected by the Lunar Eclipse Amulet." They all soon relaxed and continued towards the Fire Realm.
The next day the Riders and their dragons landed outside Edelweiss's cave arguing. Tom wanted to train a fire breathing dragon from the Fire Realm to test the fire suite, his friends were trying to talk him out of it. They entered the cave, which was very quiet. Everyone was still sleeping. The Riders were quick to notice the new additions to the cave; Sitting alone on a small shelf was a glowing amber orb the size of a small melon, two swords hung crossed on the wall over Edel's hammock, but the biggest addition was the big red and gold dragon sleeping next to the fire pit. He was as large as bull moose, his wings as large that of a small aircraft, his tail was very long and thin. Thunder calmly walked around the big red dragon, and over to Edelweiss. He gently nudged her. She roused and sat up.
"Oh, you guys are here already," she said sleepily.
"Who's your new friend?" Jun asked, looking at the red dragon.
"That's Apollo," said Edelweiss, sitting on the side of her hammock. "My queen's twin brother."
"Apollo?" Tom asked interested. "Like Apollo space missions?"
"No like the Greek god of music and sunlight," said Edelweiss. She pulled on her boots. "You guys heading to the Fire Realm?"
"You I'm going to train a dragon from the Fire Realm to test out the fire suits," Tom explained excitedly.
"That's very ambitious," said Edelweiss. "We'll be ready in a bit." The Riders all turned to exit, but D'Angelo accidentally stepped on Apollo's tail. The red dragon jumped with a snort. He opened his gold eyes. When he saw the Riders he sat up.
"Sorry Apollo," said D'Angelo said nervously.
"No harm done," Apollo said, then he yawned.
"You can talk?" Jun asked excited. Apollo nodded.
"Many dragons used to be able to communicate with humans back in the day," said Apollo getting to his feet. "But since dragons and humans have parted ways, fewer and fewer dragons are able to. But me and my sister still can." He glanced around and the Riders, and the dragons waiting outside on the landing strip.
They all got better acquainted as Edelweiss saddled up both her dragons. Apollo looked over at Tom and Thunder.
"I've heard a lot about you two," he said. "I understand you're both looking for answers."
"Yeah, we found this a few days ago near the Fire Realm," Tom said, holding out the arrowhead. Apollo sat on his haunches and took it carefully in his gold talons. He examined it carefully.
"The Strike Class symbol," he said. "You think there's more in the Fire Realm." He handed the arrowhead back. Edelweiss was done saddling up Black Widow. They all headed outside. The Riders mounted their dragons, Edelweiss got on Apollo's back, and they took off. They headed for the Fire Realm.
When they landed at the entrance. They all dismounted. Tom set up a cardboard cut out of himself wearing the suite. He then reached into it and pulled out fish. He began leaving a trail leading from the hole.
"These dragons have never seen humans before," Tom said. "So they have no reason to fear us. We just have to be nice to them."
"So you think feeding them, they'll be your friend," said Jun skeptically.
"It's actually good approach," said Edelweiss. "Food makes anyone happy, including dragons. And you always want to stay on a dragon's good side."
"See?" Tom said. "It worked with Thunder." The Nightlight said nothing. He was feeling a bit grumpy that he couldn't eat the fish. Everyone watched the entrance to the Fire Realm. A few moments later a dragon that appeared peaked out from the top of the hole. He spotted the trail of fish, he flew out and landed in front of Tom. The dragon was very large and it seemed to me made of fire. He growled menacingly, then he sniffed at the fish and his fire went out. He had purple scales with gold highlights. His whole body seemed to be in the shape of flames.
"Monstrous Nightmare," said Edelweiss. "I remember these."
"You've seen this type of dragon before?" D'Angelo asked, interested.
"Yeah," said Edelweiss. "They're flashy, but pretty basic. He'll be perfect for Tom's experiments." The Monstrous Nightmare ate the trail of fish. He then looked back at Tom expectantly. Tom upturned the backpack to show it was empty, then held it out to the dragon. The dragon looked into it, then growled again. He slowly crawled towards Tom. Tom held his ground. But Thunder got restless. He started growling and charged towards the Monstrous Nightmare.
"Thunder don't," Edelweiss warned too late. The two dragons tensed and snarled at each other. Tom ran between them.
"Okay, lets everyone just calm down," he said. At first no one moved. But then the Monstrous Nightmare opened his mouth wide. Knowing was was coming, everyone ran for cover. Apollo and Black Widow shielded Edelweiss with their wings. The Monstrous Nightmare breathe a huge stream of fire. Then he turned and flew back into the Fire Realm. Everyone turned to Tom.
"We're going to need more fish," he said.
Later everyone was gathered back in the sleep cave. Black Widow had gone hunting, so Edelweiss only had Apollo with her. Tom had the cardboard cutout and fire suit already set up. He left more fish and the Monstrous Nightmare had followed them all the way from the Fire Realm. He ate every fish Tom laid for him. The other dragons were starting smack their lips at the sight of the fish.
"You know it's not very fair to our dragons, making them watch you feed another dragon that's not even apart of our group," said Jun.
"I'll feed them later," said Tom. "I need to get this guy a bit more agreeable." He turned back to the Monstrous Nightmare and tossed him another fish. Then he directed the dragon's attention to the fire suit. "Come on blast it." He said waving his arms in front of the suit. But the dragon did nothing. Tom looked over at Edelweiss. "You think you could talk him into blasting the suit."
"Nope, it's you Tom it's all you," said Edelweiss encouragingly. "You got this." Tom looked back at the Monstrous Nightmare. He cautiously approached the dragon and held his hand out, maintaining eye contact. The dragon held still and Tom touched him on the snout. The dragon grunted with interest. Tom beamed and turned to give a thumbs up and broke eye contact. The dragon snarled and Tom pulled his arm back just before the dragon could snap it off. Thunder ran towards them, gnashing his teeth. The Monstrous Nightmare reared up and flared his wings, Tom stumbled and fell down. The dragon suddenly shook a green gel from all over his body, it got everywhere including all over Tom. The dragon fired up again igniting the gel, but Thunder grabbed Tom and pulled him out of the way before he got burned. The dragon turned and flew off, circling the cave. Tom took a moment to catch his breath. He then looked at the green gel all over his clothes.
"What is this stuff?" He asked. Suddenly Alex and Feathers materialized in front of him.
"That dragons sprayed you with some kind of flammable gel," Alex scolded. "You're lucky to be alive." Then they both disappeared again.
"Monstrous Nightmare gel," said Edelweiss. "It comes out of the pores on their body and that's how they can light on fire." Tom got up and went over to the fire suit.
"Looks like the suit survived," he said. He touched the suit and it fell to bits. Tom picked up a small piece. He thought a moment. The Monstrous Nightmare was till circling and still on fire.
"Tom maybe you should focus on your new friend," said Jun. The other Riders were on their dragons already. Tom got on Thunder and they all flew at the wild dragon, but no one could touch him without burning themselves. The Monstrous Nightmare unknowingly flew under Edelweiss and Apollo. Edel then dumped a bucket of water onto the dragon. He stumbled and his fire went out. He suddenly smacked into a rock and crashed.
"Sorry," Edelweiss called him guiltily. Tom landed Thunder next to the wild dragon. The others landed nearby. The Monstrous Nightmare looked around at all of them, looking overwhelmed and scared.
"We're scaring him," Tom said.
"He's scaring us," said D'Angelo.
"This poor dragon is way out of his element," said Edelweiss. "I don't think he really wants to be a lab dragon for your experiments Tom. And you're trying to force him do something he really doesn't want to do." Tom sighed and looked over at the Monstrous Nightmare. The dragon was now cowering in the corner.
"You're right," Tom said. He then addressed the Monstrous Nightmare. "I'm so sorry." He sat down and Thunder laid beside him. "I guess I was so focused on exploring the Fire Realm that I forgot the first rule of Dragon Club; dragons are our friends." The Monstrous Nightmare relaxed, as though he were listening. Tom stroked Thunder's head. Then he pulled the last fish out his backpack, and held it out to the Monstrous Nightmare. The dragon hesitated. "Go ahead it's yours, no strings attached." The dragon inched forward cautiously. Tom held still, keeping eye contact and not breaking it this time. The dragon carefully took the fish and ate it. Tom relaxed and stroked Thunder's head again. The Monstrous Nightmare watched this curiously. The gesture looked pleasant and friendly. He walked a bit closer to them. Tom reached his other hand out and patted the dragon's snout.
"I promise I'll never forget that again," he said softly. The dragon fully relaxed, as did the other dragons and Riders.
"Wow, you really are the Dragon Whisperer," said D'Angelo in a hushed voice. The Monstrous Nightmare seemed to smile and gave a happy roar.
While Tom examined the fire suite the Monstrous Nightmare explored his surroundings. Edelweiss smiled at him when he went near her.
"I'm sorry I splashed you," she said. "I hope I didn't hurt you." The dragon looked surprised as every new dragon did.
"You speak dragon?" He asked. He sounded very young, like a teenager.
"I do," said Edelweiss. The Monstrous Nightmare got a bit closer.
"What's your name?" He asked.
"Edelweiss, and this is Apollo," said Edelweiss. "What's yours?"
"Heatwave," said the Monstrous Nightmare.
"Oh, that's a great name," said Edelweiss. Heatwave blushed.
"Thanks," he said. Edelweiss gave him a gentle pat on the snout. Heatwave then moved on and started running around the cave playfully, the other dragons soon joined him which included Apollo. Tom finished diagnosing the fire suit.
"You getting anywhere?" D'Angelo asked.
"No," Tom said. "The scales worked, but the glue gave out. We're going to have to find something else."
"Something fireproof," said Alex.
"Right," Tom agreed. "Any ideas?" Before anyone could answer; Heatwave ran through their circle and headed in the direction of the exit. Everyone jumped to their feet.
"Whoa there buddy," Tom called to him.
"His name's Heatwave," Edelweiss clarified.
"Heatwave no, let's not go that way," Tom said. "That leads to the fissure." But Heatwave gave him a mischievous smirk and took off out of the cave. The Riders quickly got on their dragons and took off after him.
They chased the Monstrous Nightmare through the fissure. Then he head up and out, flying over the woods. Thankfully it was night time, and harder for people to see them flying. The Riders tried to get close to Heatwave, but he was fast and erratic. He kept looking over his wing at his chasers, grinning, then picking up speed. He weaved through the trees and rocks. He then landed near a stream. Tom and Thunder sped towards him, but before they could get close enough Heatwave took off again in another direction. Tom was thinking hard for a solution. The Riders followed Heatwave. They could see the wind turbines in the distance.
"He's heading for ICARIS," said Jun.
"Do something dragon whisperer," said D'Angelo.
"I'm not magic you know," Tom said, annoyed. He went back to thinking for a moment.
"So what are we going to do?" Jun asked.
"If I can get close enough," said Tom. "I'll jump from Thunder onto his back. Hopefully I gat him turned around." Heatwave was getting closer to ICARIS. Suddenly Feathers and Alex came out of no where and blocked him. Feathers blasted him with sound which made Heatwave pause long enough for Tom to get Thunder in just the right spot. Tom jumped from Thunder's saddle and fell towards Heatwave. Luckily the dragon didn't move and Tom managed to grab on to his neck. Heatwave felt something on his back and panicked. He roared and thrashed around. The others hovered nearby in case Tom fell off. But he held on tight. Tom tried to calm the dragon down, but Heatwave kept thrashing around. Suddenly he bust into flames with Tom still on his back. Everyone gasped, but when Heatwave's fire finally went out Tom was unharmed. Even he was surprised. He looked himself up and down, there was not a single scorch mark on him. Heatwave kept thrashing around, roaring with anxiety. Tom calmly stroked his neck and whispered to him. At long last Heatwave settled down and got accustomed to having Tom on his back. Tom turned the dragon around to face his friends.
"I say we've had enough adventure for one day," Tom said. "Let's get you home." Heatwave just nodded in agreement. They all turned around and headed back towards the sleep cave, staying well clear of ICARIS. Thunder flew alongside Heatwave.
They landed back inside the sleep cave. Tom got off Heatwave and Thunder tackled him. Tom laughed and scratched his chin.
"Hey pal, thanks for always being there," he said. The others landed and dismounted. Edelweiss landed Apollo near Heatwave and dismounted.
"How are you not burnt to a crisp?" D'Angelo asked, amazed. Tom looked down at himself. The Monstrous Nightmare gel on his clothes had dried up. Alex pulled off a piece of it and examined it.
"It appears this dragon gel is flammable when wet," she said. "But now that it's dry, it's fireproof. And it's sticky, we can use this as glue for the fire suits." Tom beamed. He looked up at Heatwave.
"What do you say friend, you got some more of this stuff to spare?" He asked. Heatwave laughed and shook off more gel that got everywhere. He lit it up, causing everyone to scatter. Edelweiss got back on Apollo and they headed back to their home in the Crystal Realm.