Blazing sun beating down, scorching the rocks with an intense heat. Sand burned like fire beneath the feet of four travelers, apparently looking for something in the scalding heat of the Tyrannian Plateau. What it could be was not very obvious, not a thing was around but the sun on their backs and the sand they walked on. There wasn't even any plants, but that was probably a good thing since they would be dried out and anything would have a likely chance of setting the whole plateau ablaze in a raging inferno.

The first one, appearing to be the leader of the group, was a bird of sorts. But not your average canary. Long arched spikes jetted from his spine all the way from the base of his tail to the top of his crown. They were pure black etched in a remarkable way against his feathers mustard yellow hue. Long yellow tail feathers, black on the underside, dragged through the dirt, now mattered with burs and caked with mud. He'd obviously been in better shape but none the less, smug smile was plastered on his crooked beak.

"Talon," a large reptilian creature cried, "I think I found it!"

The yellow bird of the type known as pteri looked at the reptile with blazing red eyes. Eyes deep as the sea and crimson as blood. These eyes had seen a lot but the mouth wasn't about to talk that was for sure. Even if someone did want to know they would never ask of his past as the trio following him had asked once but it had pained him to much to speak of it. They knew it could make Talon mad and if looks could kill this little bird would be a murderer.

Long black talons dug into the thin layer of sand above the rocks. Eyes ablaze he puffed up until he was nearly twice his original size. He strutted over to where one of his companions sat and glared at him fiercely so even though the dragon like creature was larger than him he flinched. "Right over there I saw something like what you described."

Sure enough a long thin crack ran through the earth. Most passers wouldn't even notice it and if they did they would think it was just a crack in the earth from a minor earthquake. However to a trained eye they would know this was a man, or in this case saurian made crack. The fact that he hadn't found it and someone else had seemed to make him madder.

"How could a cold blooded, no good reptilian beat my eagle eyes when it came to finding cracks in the sand and rock. Your practically by God blind!" He exclaimed hopping around in his fit of rage.

The young creature he was talking to was a dragon of sorts. Long black mane fell down to his shoulders and fluffed up right above his eyes. His eyes like Talon's were red but not as deep looking and much less threatening. Long strait snout covered his teeth unlike some other draiks giving him a further yet unthreatening appearance. Long ebony horns pierced through the skin on his skull curling backwards ending in a lethal tip. Large purple wings with black insides perched on his back blending in with deep purple scales. His eyes were widened in fear.

"I thought you'd be happy I found it for you." He sniffed, cowering at his feet. Then he worked up his courage to say, "And I'm not blind like I can't see I color blind which means I can easily separate the dark line in the earth from the lightly colored sand around it."

The correction enflamed Talon more even though that seemed a good deal probable. He leaped forward nearly landing on top of the dragon cowering beneath him. His eyes showed the craze of a dozen killers. He looked at that moment that he was about to slice the juvenile draiks throat. He raised one of his crooked black claws in a angry method of jerking it up recklessly, nearly smashing it into the young dragon's chin. "Don't you ever talk back to me so freely!" he snarled.

At this moment another creature not so unlike the first said. "Talon that's enough! Quit threatening the poor kid already, how'd you like it if I waggled my fingers in front of your face every time you say your right and I'm wrong, which seems to be pretty often don't you think?" His eyes glimmered like steel and his lips pulled back into a smirk.

"Whatever Blaze but you'd better teach your brother a good deal of manners when he speaks to," he paused a moment searching for the right word, "Others of higher ranks," he finished.

The older dragon let out a loud snort. "Who made you king?" he retorted. "Just because you walk at the head of the line doesn't make you better than us!" He told the bird angrily. "I give up, this heats to much it makes me cranky." He snarled to Talon. "Open the bloody gate already!"

Long reptilian tail lashed around behind him. Strange frill decorated his neck giving him a triceratops like appearance. Single horn was on his nose. Steely gray eyes gleamed with anger and tension as he stared down at Talon who was much smaller than him.

"You got lucky Dare," he snarled evilly as he walked up to the crack and dug his claws into it. Getting a firm hold and jerked himself upward….nothing happened. He let out a long stream of curses and squawks before attempting it again. He clenched his beak and tried to lift the latch a second time, using his wings for more power, trying with all his might to lift the slab of stone but all in vain.

At this the third and final of the draik brothers made himself present. Most dragons aren't pretty but his two brothers looked quite handsome in comparison. Mutations were obviously present and they made him quite gruesome indeed.

Long fangs erupted from purplish gums, the fangs sharp and lethal, extremely yellow in color almost to the point of them appearing orange. Each a different size and shape made them remotely similar to snowflakes. Only snowflakes are beautiful and the beasts fangs were far from that. They're strange angles and shapes and irregular sizes made it difficult to close his mouth giving him an almost constant sneer, another thing added to his frightful appearance.

Long green body held many a scar and the wings were all but torn to shreds. Large purple colored tongue lashed in and out in a serpentine rhythm as if he were mimicking snakes themselves. Long webbed tail was curled around his legs as he stood stationary in the sun, it's long golden rays silhouetting him. His yellow eyes were bloodshot and the pupils resembled a cat's with their thin slits.

He began to approach the trio, long obsidian claws digging into the sand.

"Taaaaaaaaaalon," he said in a sing song voice, droning on the 'a' because he
knew he hated it when he did that. "Talon," he said again, golden orbs gleaming impishly. "You're going to hurt yourself with that won't you?" He smirked as Talon's eyes burned with rage.

"Stay out of this Scorch, I can handle it!" He hissed out angrily as he made another desperate attempt to lift the smooth rock but to no avail.

The motherly way he's been treating him seemed to evaporate. "No, you're way too weak to lift that and we both know it." His eyes glimmered and he continued, "Come on weakling let me try that I bet I'd get it on the first try."

"Fine hot stuff, lets just see how you do with this god forsaken stone. Why the heck did Chomp build this thing out here anyways, it's pretty retarded don't you agree? How'd he expect to get any business anyways?" He seethed, giving the ground a good kick but only succeeded in hurting his own foot.

"How should we know he's your friend," said Blaze dully, "Besides it's actually a pretty good idea that he made it all the way out here, his trade is illegal if I remember correctly." He smiled tauntingly, showing a thin line of sharp teeth.

Talon adverted his eyes uncomfortably and said, "Well he'll get us what we need, that's all that matters right?"
"Whatever, lets just get going already," said Scorch as he bent over the slab of rock. He managed to get a good hold with his mangled claws and began to lift the stone upward.

Being larger and therefore stronger than Talon he managed to lift the giant rock but it was obviously difficult. His teeth were gritted and it was surprising they didn't grind each other to bits. His muscles bunched together in tight knots and he let out a muffled grunt before using the little of his remaining strength to hurl the slab of stone off to the side.
Panting from the effort but still looking pleased with himself he glanced over to Talon and said, "See, I'm much stronger than you, weakling!" he exclaimed triumphantly. Gesturing toward the revealed hole in the earth he glanced over at Talon. "Ladies first!" he cracked, amusing all but Talon himself.

Eyes seething with a venomous look toward the green dragon he hopped down the hole to find himself looking down a fleet of stairs carved right from the stone. Dare went next, followed by Blaze and Scorch took up the rear, carefully sliding the stone back into place before following the others.

Pitch darkness effulged the group as the last bits of light faded away. They could feel a dirt flooring beneath they're feet as they stepped off the last stair.

"So, uh where do we go?" Said Dare uncertainly, glancing around at the ongoing darkness which surrounded them. Since everything was seen by him in blacks, grays and whites he was used to seeing a lot of black but he didn't like the never ending darkness when he couldn't see his own paw in front of his face, and he could sense the walls were close and the ceiling was low even though he couldn't see of feel it. The sensation scared him and made him feel claustrophobic.

Talon, seeming more annoyed than ever from his spat with Scorch answered with a sneer that was invisible in the darkness. "Ahead moron!" he snickered.

So onward they marched. Their feet and limbs ached, and after awhile they believed the tunnel would never end. All sense of time was lost and minutes seemed to drag on until they felt like hours. Unseen beings scuttled over their feet, most likely spiders and beetles of sorts, who lost their eyesight long ago from living in the dark tunnels for so long. Their tiny footfalls could be made out easily in the deathly quiet. Rocks and dirt they loosened fell to the ground with an impact that sounded nearly like a thunder clap in the silence.

It seemed they'd been walking for hours but they knew it couldn't be since if they had they'd have been quite exhausted. Trudging forward, tails dragging in the dirt and who knows what else, heads drooped, staring at the floor they couldn't see.

Finally Dare lifted his weary head and nearly cried out in joy. Dim line of light could be seen only a few meters away. He jabbed Blaze in the ribs. He nearly got a cuff in the head for it but then Blaze looked up and forget the dull pain in his side. Whispering to the others he began to run toward the line of light. The full light wasn't in view though, as if stone or wood or another solid form was blocking the path of the light.

Sure enough they reached the light and found a solid plank of wood as a door which most likely led into the hideaway of Chomp, the Garrl.

Raising his scaly knuckles Blaze politely knocked on the door. Shadow passed over the doorway, eliminating the little light that had managed to previously seep through. The light returned though, this time vertically and with a single reptilian eye peering out at them.

"Name?" The large, saurian creature demanded, voice a low grumble and eyes narrowing with suspicion.

At this Talon stepped forward to greet his old friend. "Talon it is. Don't you remember Chomp?" He exclaimed, "Oh and this is Blaze and --" The words were pushed back down his throat as the reptile fully opened the door and grasped Talon's wing with immense strength.

"Talon buddy, is that really you?" He questioned, "I haven't seen you in at least five years! What have you been up to this whole time?" He asked. "And who's this?" He said finally noticed the three draiks standing nearby, blinking in the sudden stream of light flooding from Chomp's 'home' if you would call it that.

Having not gotten many visitors in the last while it was obvious he hadn't worried about how his house looked. Litter of an assortment of kinds was piled up around massive piles of clothes, toys, trading cards and whatever else might interest an aging Garrl. The only somewhat uncluttered area appeared to be the kitchen which consisted of a sink, cupboards, a icebox of sorts, an overflowing garbage can and a stove which boasted a pot full of some sort of meat, most likely spoiled meat at that considering the stench it gave off.

"Yes, not much and as I was saying this is Blaze, Dare and Scorch, the draik brothers." He replied answering his questions in order, pausing for a moment in between to glance at each of them in turn so the large garrl would know who he was indicating. He threw a particularly nasty glace towards Scorch, revealing his immense displeasure at having him around.

"I see," he said dryly, wondering if his friendship with Talon had began to fade. "So what brings you all the way out here? Business?" He asked casually, wondering if his buddy had come out here for other reasons other than to see him.

Eyes once again adverted uncomfortably as he looked up to his long lost friend and replied, "Well yeah, you see us four were thinking about entering the war, you know the big one down in Meridel?" He sent a questioning glance towards Chomp.

"Of course I do! They really are making a big deal out of that. You know that when a Garrl living underground hears about it!" He chuckled softly but the sound came out as a loud cough sort of noise.

"True," he said chuckling himself. "It is quite the big deal though, how often does a giant castle appear in the sky?"

"Not very often I'm sure." he grunted, "Still I don't like the looks of it, gives me some mighty bad omens. Which side are you going on anyways?"

Snort escaped him and he help back an insult to throw at him. "I think it's obvious don't you?" He indicated towards his plumage. "Don't look the same as I used to do I? Managed to get a paintbrush and did my own colors. Not going to make so huge journey just to jump in a fancy fountain when I can do a perfectly good job myself. Not too shabby hmm?" He questioned.

"Whatever, what do you need?" He asked. Glancing over to the others he added, "Come into the back room I have to get everything fitted."

"We need the finest armor you have. Sharpest and deadliest weapons around," Said Talon sharply, "Nothing but the best."

"Trust me you aren't the only ones planning to take place in the war. Almost everyone I know or they know about me has came and asked for battle gear, I can give you discounts but it'll still be expensive."

"We aren't asking for charity here, we know you don't give these things out for free!" He snapped. "What kind of moochers do you take us for?"

Startled at the sudden outburst Chomp replied, "Well if you want the best I'm afraid that it may add up to 500,000 nps for everything." He looked down at the ground in an embarrassed way.

"FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND!" Talon exclaimed, eyes slightly bulged he said in a quieter tone, "Not much of a discount if you ask me."

"Actually yeah, it is I've charged almost a 5 million on some of them but usually I ask for around 1,000,000 you know. Uh and also," He looked up beads of sweat clung to his skin, "That price refers to each of you, making the overall price 2,000,000 nps. "

"2,000,000! That's over half our savings! But I guess I have to enter this war wearing nothing but tin and carrying a butter knife to fend off attackers."

"If you insist follow me."

He led them through the immense clutter until they reached a door, a hard, wooden plank about the same as the front door. He took a key out of the small work belt he was carrying and inserted it into a lock on the door. He took off the lock and pushed open the door.

Inside were many strange devices used for measuring and making equipment. The most basic were measuring tapes, hammers, anvils and such but there were other things too. An assortment of scales and oddly shaped metal objects littered small tables. A fire pit in the center burned with the live coals, small flames leaping up as if trying to escape the stone prison which prevented the from escaping and setting fire to the instruments left lying hazardously around.

"Sorry it's so messy, I haven't really gotten around to cleaning it you see," he said, scratching his head, "Just be careful you don't step on anything."

'And that's not a lot to ask?' He thought with amusement, especially careful of where he was going near a large bowl of water used to cool off the weapons after they cooled, not wanting to fall into it.
The weapons themselves lined the walls, nothing but iron welded to the walls keeping them in place. Beautifully made cuirasses lined the walls, the fanciest on right above where Chomp made his weapons. It was pure gold with a silver trimming along the edges. Rare jewels encrusted everywhere on its golden surface, the light bouncing off it in randomized directions.

Talon stared at it in awe. Chomp caught his glance. "My most prized possession," he said, voice echoing with pride. "The most expensive armor I've ever made."

Talon simply nodded, transfixed by it's beauty then moved on to other things on the wall. Gleaming swords of all kinds were lined up vertically, although some were displayed horizontally as well. Some of the fancier ones had jewels in the hilt but most were made for power rather than show, judging by the way they gleamed and the edges shone like glass.

"Sit," their large reptilian friend instructed, pointing to a stout stool that looked like it belonged in The Golden Doubloon, or something of the likes. "You first Talon."

He took out the measuring tape and wrapped it around his head. He continued onward to the wings, the legs and his stomach. Doing the same for the three draiks.

"Hmm I see. This should take around two weeks for me to finish, maybe three, I'll see what I can do. Come back around then to pick up everything."
Giving a curt nod, Talon turned around and was on his way.