Uncharted Territory
The riders were flying their dragons over the Ice Realm. Edelweiss and Apollo were right beside them. Edel's cuts and bruises had finally faded, and she was feeling back to normal. Avalon and the rest of her dragons were staying in the Fire and Crystal Realms, in case the Sky Torcher came back. But they planned to see the Ice Realm for themselves in time. Avalon wasn't that interested in Tom's obsession with the metal cylinder, and she didn't deem Buzzsaw as big a threat as the Rekke Corp. So it was just Edelweiss and Apollo helping the riders track down Buzzsaw.
Tom scanned the icy landscape. He was driven by his determination to find answers to his connection with Thunder.
"So remind me again," said Alex. "Are we looking for Buzzsaw today or a key to your dragon box?"
"We're looking for both," Tom explained. "But we haven't seen any sign of Buzzsaw since he ran off somewhere. So its dragon box key day."
"We can't even find a lunatic with a hatchet," D'Angelo pointed out. "How are we going to find a small key our here?"
"He has a point Tom," said Jun. "This is worse than a needle in a haystack."
"I found the box in the Crystal Realm," said Tom. "Maybe who ever made it found the Ice Realm too. I just want to be sure." Suddenly a gust of cold wind hit them. They looked a head to see dark purple clouds heading towards them.
"That storm's heading right for us," said Alex. "We should get out of here."
"But there's still another spot I want to check," Tom protested. "It's not far." The riders were starting to get nervous. Alex pulled Feathers alongside Plowhorn.
"Do that thing again where you freak out about missing curfew," she said.
"Curfew is important," said D'Angelo to Tom.
"I know, but it's just one more stop," said Tom.
"You said that two stops ago," said Jun.
"I'm serious this time," Tom assured them. He led the way towards the ground.
They landed at the base of a snow covered bluff that had a large tree on top of it, and a tunnel entrance carved between the tree's roots. They storm clouds were closer now. Tom and Thunder went inside the tunnel, everyone else hesitated outside.
"Someone should go in after him," said Alex.
"Way ahead of you," said Jun, walking passed with Wu and Wei. D'Angelo, Plowhorn, Edelweiss, and Apollo went inside as well. Alex, Eugene and their dragons decided to wait outside to watch the storm.
Inside; the riders followed the tunnel to a massive ice cave. The place was full of large chunks of ice, that made the whole place look blue. The riders spread out and looked around.
"If I hid a key, I'd defiantly choose a place as cool as this," said D'Angelo.
"Looks too obvious though," said Apollo. Just then Wei spotted something on the ground and alerted Jun. She turned to see what he'd found.
"Guys, Wei's got something," she said. They all came over and saw a set of large footprints in the dirt. Both Apollo and Thunder growled nervously.
"Those are some really big claw prints," said D'Angelo.
"Probably from a snow dragon," said Edelweiss. "This is probably its cave. And if it is, you'd have to be really good with dragons to get it to guard a key for you. Dragons guard things that are only valuable to them."
"Well, maybe we'll find the key and the new dragon," said Tom, excitedly. He and D'Angelo turned back towards their dragons.
"Or they could be paw prints," Jun said thoughtfully, still looking at the prints. She got to her feet. "I knew it, it's a Yeti. Also known as the abominable snowman. Ancient Himalayan myth, about a big hairy beast that leaves its footprints in the snow." Edelweiss chuckled.
"Abominable snowman," she scoffed. "You know we're pretty far from the Himalayas."
"You live in a world of dragons, but you don't believe in a Yeti?" Jun asked.
"I didn't say that," Edelweiss said. "I've flown all over the Himalayas, including Mt. Everest itself, and I've seen plenty of evidence of Yetis; large footprints, dead carcasses, and tuffs of white fur. I'm just not as impressed with them as you are Jun."
"You've been to Everest?" Tom asked. "What's it like?" Edelweiss let out a long breath, and exchanged an uncomfortable glance.
"Trust be Tom, Everest isn't all it's cracked up to be," Edel said, a shiver running down her spine. "The view's nice and all, but my last flight up there was more haunting than beautiful."
"Why?" Jun asked, slowly.
"Bodies," Edelweiss said, chillingly. "Lots of dead, frozen bodies were scattered all over that mountain. It shows that some humans are too determined for their own good." The riders and their dragons exchanged a look.
Outside; Eugene was throwing snowballs into the air, and Webbmaster blasted them. Alex and Feathers watched, slightly irritated. Feathers curled in on herself to try to keep warm. She still wore the fur shawl Edelweiss had loaned her, but the temperature was dropping and the shawl wasn't really helping this time. Alex patted her head. Suddenly a snowball shattered overhead, and showered them with snow. Feathers screeched in irritation.
"Hey, do you mind?" Alex barked at Eugene.
"Oh come on, lighten up," said Eugene. "We were just having fun."
"Does it look like we're having fun?" Alex said. "Feathers doesn't do well in the Ice Realm, she's more of a warm weather dragon." Feathers huddled against the cold, her teeth chattered. Webbmaster approached her and gave a squawk. Feathers screeched at him, and slapped her tail. Webbs backed up.
"What's her problem?" Eugene asked, offended. "Webbs was only trying say sorry."
"Feathers isn't ready of an apology," said Alex.
"Well that's just rude," said Eugene, crossing his arms.
"Look, Feathers still isn't used to Webbmaster being part of the group," said Alex. Webbs looked at Feathers, and approached her more slowly. He lowered his head to her level.
"Hey," he greeted. But before Feathers could reply; they were hit by a massive cold wind. They all looked up to see the storm clouds right over their heads.
"Storm's here," said Alex.
"We should got get the others and get out of here," said Eugene. Alex turned to their dragons.
"We'll be back soon okay Feathers," she said. And the two of them ran into the tunnel. Feathers and Webbs looked unhappy. Feathers shrieked in desperation.
Inside the ice cave; the other riders and dragons were following the tracks. Plowhorn was sniffing out for danger. Tom suddenly spotted a tuft of white fur snagged on a large chunk of ice.
"This looks like fur," he said. Jun went over and pulled it free.
"Ha! I knew this place felt squatchy," she said triumphantly. They examined the fur clump.
"It's probably just from a large land mammal," said D'Angelo.
"Oh come on," said Jun. "White fur, big feet, lives in the snow. What else could it be?"
"You're literally describing a polar bear," D'Angelo pointed out.
"Or a snow leopard," said Edelweiss. "They live in the Himalayas too." Just then Alex and Eugene came running up to them.
"The storm is here," Alex announced.
"We need to blow this popsicle stand like right now," said Eugene. They all looked at Tom.
"Okay, okay," Tom said. "Just a few more minuets. I want to make sure the key's not here."
"Tom, that's the sort of thinking that got those hikers on Everest killed," said Edelweiss sternly. "It's always best to get out while you can, before things get out of your control."
"All right," Tom gave in, and mounted Thunder. They all made their way out of the ice cave.
Outside; the wind had picked up and snow was starting to fall. Alex and Eugene started looking around for their dragons.
"Webbs! Come on it's time to go," called Eugene.
"Feathers, this is no time to hide," Alex called at the same time. But neither dragon was in sight.
"Fan out, they can't have gone far," said Tom.
"They probably wandered off to look for shelter," said Edelweiss. They all split up and looked around for Webbs and Feathers. While they searched the snowfall got worse. The riders were all shivering badly. Finally they regrouped.
"Plowhorn can't smell anything in this," said D'Angelo. They all huddled in a circle, hugging themselves.
"What are we going to do?" Jun asked. Tom thought a moment, then he sighed.
"If we don't make it out of here now, we might all end up separated and lost," he said. He lead the way to Alex and Eugene who were still calling for their dragons. "Guys the storm's getting worse. We're going to have leave and come back tomorrow." Both Eugene and Alex looked shocked at this.
"What no," Alex protested. "We can't leave Feathers out here."
"Or Webbs," Eugene added.
"They've lived in the dragon realms their whole lives," said Jun. "They'll be okay for a night."
"We're already pressed for time," said D'Angelo. Eugene and Alex glowered.
"But we'll come back at first light, promise," said Tom.
"Classic Kullersen," said Eugene. "All the time in the world looking for a key to your stupid box, but no time for Webbs and Feathers." Edelweiss then rode up on Apollo.
"You guys go back and get warmed up," she said. "I'll stay out here and looked for Feathers and Webbs." She dismounted her dragon. "Alex, you can ride Apollo for now."
"You sure?" Jun asked. "How will you stay warm?" Edelweiss smiled. She backed up and shifted into her dragon form. She'd finally gotten back the strength she needed to make the transformation. She gave the riders a reassuring look.
"If I find them before you make it back it back out, I'll get them back to the sleep cave," she said.
"What if you don't?" Alex asked. She shivered in the cold wind.
"I will," Edelweiss assured them. "I won't stop until I do. I've got no where to be. You guys should hurry." She turned to go, spreading her wings, but then she paused and looked back over her wing. "Oh, and maybe find some warmer clothes. You make me cold just watching you all shiver." She then spread her wings and took off into the blizzard. Eugene quietly got on Wu's saddle, and Apollo knelt down so Alex could climb onto his saddle. They all then hurried towards the exit of the Ice Realm.
Elsewhere in the blizzard; Feathers was wandering around looking to get out of the wind and snow. Her teeth were chattering. She couldn't see any of the riders anywhere, and guessed they must have left the Ice Realm. Feathers was somewhat relieved, at least Alex was safe now. Suddenly she slipped on a patch of ice and slid down a shallow hill. She came to an abrupt stop, slightly stunned. Then Webbs slammed into her.
"You!?" Feathers said.
"Hey, thought I'd go sledding too," Webbs joked. Feathers scowled at him.
"Not now Webbs," she said. "I don't feel well." She got to her feet and yanked her wings from under Webbs' tail. She started walking again but then a strong wind caught her under her wings, and pushed her back right into Webbs again.
"Whoa, you okay?" He asked. Feathers got back up.
"I'm fine," she said sadly. She turned and started walking again. She didn't even notice that the wind had blown off her fur shawl. Webbs spotted it, and picked it up. When he looked back at Feather she'd gotten farther away. He felt bad for her, now she had no protection against the elements. Webbs didn't want her to freeze to death.
"Hey, wait," he called and ran after her. He followed her into a icy ravine where the wind wasn't as strong. Feathers stopped and laid down, hugging her wings around her. Webbs caught up with her. He carefully draped the shawl around Feathers' shoulders. She looked up, a bit shocked. Webbs then set up a small pile of twigs, then ignited it. He looked up at Feathers.
"There, nice and toasty," he said, smiling. Feathers looked surprised, then annoyed, but then grateful. Her face softened and she smiled back.
"Thank you," she said. "I guess you're not as bad as the others think."
"Yeah, Eugene and I are just misunderstood," Webbs said. "We're just being ourselves. We never mean to cause harm." Feathers curled up closer to the fire. "I'm sorry you're suffering out here."
"At least our riders are safe," Feather said hopelessly.
"Yeah," Webbs agreed. "I'm sure they'll come back for us." Feathers nodded, then laid her head down feeling so exhausted. Both dragons curled up on the snow and fell asleep.
Back in her dome; Alex was browsing on her tablet. But for once, it didn't bring her any peace of mind. She couldn't stop thinking about Feathers and Webbs, down in that blizzard and possibly freezing to death. The only hope she had was that Edelweiss was still down there looking for them, so they weren't completely abandoned. Suddenly there came a knock on the window. Alex looked up to see Eugene outside. Shocked, she put her tablet down and ran to open the window.
"Eugene, what are you doing here?" Alex asked.
"Um, I just wanted to check on you I guess," said Eugene uncomfortably. "I figured you might be upset."
"Okay," Alex said cautiously. She thought a moment. "Hang on a sec." She went back inside to make sure no one was awake, then she went back outside to join Eugene. They both sat next to the dome, looking up at the stars.
"Pretty chilly tonight huh," said Eugene.
"Yeah," Alex agreed. "I could only imagine how cold it must be down there."
"If it were Wu and Wei or Thunder out there you think we would have come running back here in such a hurry?" Eugene said angrily.
"No," Alex grumbled.
"It's like we don't even matter," said Eugene. "My sister barely let me on the team."
"And I was the last one they told about dragons," said Alex. "Only because Feathers followed me home."
"I didn't even want to come out here in the first place," said Eugene. "Out in the middle of the wilderness, with my sister."
"Crummy wifi that runs on windmill power," grumbled Alex. Then her face softened. "But then I met Feathers."
"And I met Webbmaster," said Eugene. "He's my best friend. We've a real bond."
"Yeah," said Alex. She took a deep breath. "Well, at least Edelweiss's down still down there with them. If anyone can find them, she can."
"Ugh, but I still can't just sit here feeling useless," said Eugene. He folded his arms and scowled. But Alex felt the light bulb go on in her head.
"Well, maybe we don't have to feel useless anymore," she said mischievously, getting to her feet. Eugene stared at her.
"Are you saying what I think you're saying?" He asked.
"Oh yeah," said Alex.
"But I just got off provisional rider status," Eugene said, also getting to his feet. "I can't risk it."
"But if we don't have our dragons we can't be riders anyway," Alex pointed out. Eugene considered this.
"You've got a point," he agreed.
"Then lets go get or dragons," Alex said. And the two of them headed out of town.
Down in the Ice Realm; Edelweiss flew through the blizzard, looking everywhere for the two lost dragons. She stayed low to the ground, so she could see better. She kept roaring into the wind, calling for them. Then she suddenly spotted a small flickering light ahead. Hopeful, Edel sped towards it. She spotted Webbs and Feathers huddled at the base of a cliff wall, near a small fire. Edelweiss let out a roar to announce her arrival. Webbs sat up and spotted her. He got to his feet and waved his arms. Edelweiss landed next to them.
"Are you guys all right?" She asked, folding her wings.
"I'm okay," Webbs said. "But Feathers isn't doing so well." He looked down at his companion, she was shaking real bad. Edelweiss shifted to her human form and knelt beside Feathers, and gently stroked her head.
"Feathers?" She said quietly. "Are you okay?" Feathers opened her eyes and shivered violently.
"Edel, you found us," she said between her chattering teeth.
"Yeah," Edelweiss said. Webbs nuzzled her and she hugged him.
"Thanks for coming for us," he said. Edelweiss smiled then looked back at Feathers.
"How are you feeling Feather?" She asked. The Featherhide wormed her head into Edel's chest.
"I'm so cold, and I don't feel well," Feather said. Edelweiss hugged her. "Can you get us out of here?"
"Yes, but we'll have to wait until the storm passes," said Edelweiss.
"Where's our riders?" Webbs asked, laying beside Feathers.
"They had to head back to the surface," Edelweiss said. "It was getting too cold for them. But they promised to come back for you, and I volunteered to stay behind and find you." Both dragons gave her a grateful look. "You guys can go back to sleep. I won't leave you." The two dragons scooted closer to the fire. Edelweiss shifted back to her dragon form. She laid down next to Feathers and Webbs and used her big wings to shelter them from the storm. When they were asleep again, Edel curled around them and fell asleep as well.
A dark shape walked passed the three sleeping dragons. It looked out of the shadows at them. Its eyes were set on the two smaller dragons, but they were being guarded by a larger white dragon. The dark shape slowly snuck up on them, being careful to not wake any of them up. It then started exhaling a quiet, icy breath at the white dragon's neck. When its work was finished, the shape scurried back into the shadows. The sound woke up Feather and Webbs. They sat up and looked around.
"Did you hear something?" Feathers asked.
"Yeah," said Webbs. "There's something out there. And I'm going to find out what." He got to his feet and started walking off.
"What no," Feathers protested.
"I'm coming right back," Webbs said. "I'm just going to check to see if there's anything out there."
"Then I'll come with you," said Feathers, getting up as well.
"No, you stay here with Edelweiss and keep warm," Webbs said. They both looked at the big dragon only to find her head, neck, and front legs completely encased in ice. This made both smaller dragons very nervous. They head movement behind them. They spun round only to find no one there, but they got the feeling they were being watched.
Tom sat at his desk not feeling the least bit tired. He looked at the metal cylinder, next to his Viking helmet. Suddenly Jun popped up outside the window, Tom nearly fell off his chair. He jumped up and opened the window.
"Jun?" He asked.
"You okay?" Jun asked. "You look upset."
"I'm fine," Tom sighed. "I just, I'm not sure I made the right decision earlier."
"We'll I've got more bad news," said Jun. "Eugene's not in his room and Alex isn't responding to texts." Tom looked taken aback.
"You don't think they could've done something crazy like go back down there," he said.
"We are talking about Eugene here," Jun pointed out.
"Okay, lets go wake up D'Angelo and go after them," Tom said. He ducked back through the window to get his pack.
Down in the Ice Realm; Feathers and Webbs wandered through the snow again. The storm was over but the sky was still dark. The two dragons were looking for whoever it was that was watching them. So far, they didn't see anything.
"I'm not seeing anything," said Webbs.
"Maybe we should head back," said Feathers. "I bet our riders are on their way back. We should stay in one place so they can find us easier."
"Perhaps your right," said Webbs. "And hopefully they can Edel's head out of the ice." They turned out go back towards their campsite. But then Webbs saw something out of the corner of his eye. He turned back around in time to see something move behind a tree. He went to investigate only to get blasted by a strong icy breath. He roared loudly, then hit the ground shivering. Feathers heard the commotion and looked back to see Webbs down. She rushed to his side and nudged him. Suddenly a tall figure towered over them, Feathers only had time to gasp before she was blasted too.
On the surface; Alex and Eugene had reached the sink hole. They looked over the edge hesitantly.
"We're going to need a rope," said Alex.
A few minuets later they were dangling over the sink hole, using a small rope Alex happened to have on her. However, the rope wasn't long enough.
"I think you're going to need a bigger rope," said Alex. "Try to grab the wall." Eugene tried to swing towards the wall, but he ended up losing his grip. He managed to grab onto Alex's boot, which weighed her down even more.
"I'm loosing my grip," said Alex.
"Hang on Alex," said Eugene, trying to keep his cool. "We can get out of this."
"But if we can't," said Alex. "I just want to say that, you're not as bad I thought you were and I'm glad you joined the dragon riders."
"And even though I call you a super nerd behind your back," said Eugene. "I always meant it in a good way." Suddenly Alex could hang on no more and lost her grip. They were about to fall into the hole, when the were saved in the nick of time by Wu and Wei. They pulled the two riders back up to safety. Tom, Jun, D'Angelo, and all their dragons were there.
"What were you guys thinking!?" Tom said, his heart racing.
"This is a violation of several conduct codes," D'Angelo scolded.
"How could you have been such an idiot?" Jun roared at Eugene. "You put Alex in danger."
"Whoa, hold on," Alex defended. "This whole thing was my idea."
"Guys we made a deal," said Tom.
"No we didn't," said Alex. "You just made our minds up for us."
"Yeah, someone had to rescue Webbmaster and Feathers," said Eugene. "None of you had the guts to do anything. So watch you call idiot."
"All you cared about was getting home on time," said Alex.
"There are rules that needed to be followed," said D'Angelo. Alex just glared at him.
"Look I knew I messed up by leaving us out there too long looking for the dragon box key," Tom confessed. "But when I saw how bad the storm was getting…"
"You wanted to make sure we all got out okay," Alex finished, understanding.
"But I guess I didn't look at the problem from every angle," said Tom. "So, lets go rescue Webbmaster and Feathers."
"But there's still rules," D'Angelo insisted.
"There are rules about getting home late," said Tom. "But, there aren't any rules about heading out too early." So they all got on their dragons; Alex got on Apollo and Eugene got on Wu. They headed into the sink hole towards the Ice Realm.
They flew over the icy landscape. They all kept their eyes and ears open for Webbs, Feathers, or Edelweiss. At first they saw nothing. But then Plowhorn caught a familiar scent, and took the lead. They followed her to a spot at the base of an ice wall. There they found a pile of sticks that were still smoking, next to a large snowy hill.
"That's got to be from Webbs," said Eugene, sounding hopeful. Then Plowhorn sniffed around and her nose led her to the large snowy mound. She started digging the snow off, revealing the mound to be Edelweiss. Her head, neck, and front legs were still frozen.
"Edel?" Tom asked, surprised. All the fire breathing dragons worked together to melt the ice. Soon Edelweiss was able to break free. She shook the rest of the snow off herself and got to her feet.
"Thank you," she said. "I've been trying bust out for a while, but that ice was really solid."
"Where's Feathers?" Alex asked.
"And Webbmaster?" Eugene asked at the same time. Edelweiss scrunched up her face, and gnashed her teeth.
"Something lured them away from the fire side," she said. "Probably the same thing that froze me in place, to prevent me from coming to their rescue." She griped the ground with her talons. Then she spotted footprints in the snow and went to get a closer look, and the others followed her gaze.
"Then we know where to look," said Tom. Edelweiss tore off with a roar in the direction of the tunnel they'd found yesterday. The riders got back on their dragons and followed.
They landed outside the tunnel. Suddenly they heard loud screeching coming form inside.
"That's Feathers," said Alex, scared. Then there came another loud roar.
"And something else," said D'Angelo. They cautiously made their way into the tunnel. Edelweiss brought up the rear, luckily the tunnel was just big enough for her in her dragon form but she had to crouch down. They came out into the ice cave.
"There they are," said Alex. She pointed to the floor of an ice quarry. Webbs and Feathers were both down there. Their paws were trapped in ice, and towering over them was a white and grey dragon covered in fur and had large spiky horns on its round head. Edelweiss curled her lip, showing her teeth.
"It really is a Yeti," said Jun excited.
"Yetis don't have horns," said Apollo. "That looks more like a Wendigo." Jun looked horrified.
"The evil spirit in Indian folklore that are said to be….."
"Cannibals?" Apollo finished for her. "Yup." Edelweiss had her eyes fixed on the frost dragon.
"You guys get to Feather and Webbs," she said. "I've got a bone to pick with this, Wendigo." She didn't wait for answer and charged at the frost dragon. The frost dragon shot ice at Edelweiss, but she dodged it and fired back with her silver fire. With the frost dragon now distracted; the riders went to the bottom of the ice quarry. Alex and Eugene ran to their dragons."
"Wei, melt the ice," Jun ordered. Wei did as he was told and used his heat breath to free Feathers and Webbs. Edelweiss landed on a tall ice chunk as it was too tight in the cave for her to fly. The ice dragon came at her, snarling, but it was knocked off course by Tom and Thunder. Then the ice dragon saw that his prisoners were cut loose. He roared in outrage and dived towards them. Edelweiss got there first. She planted herself in front of Webbs and Feathers, roaring loudly. The ice dragon slammed on the brakes and shot ice at his opponent. Edelweiss ducked and then lunged at the ice dragon. They wrestled in mid air, before Edelweiss managed to pin the ice dragon down. She held her teeth mere inches from his neck.
"Time go," Tom said.
"Let's go home Feathers," said Alex, getting on her dragon. The riders and dragons headed for the exit. When they were clear, Edelweiss let the ice dragon go and followed. They all made it out in one piece.
Back at the sleep cave; Alex and Eugene reunited with their dragons. Feathers went over to Eugene and Webbs, squawking happily.
"Good to have you back Webbs," said Eugene. "And you too Feathers." He patted the Featherhide on the snout. She chirped and went back to Alex. Tom and Jun watched from their spot on a large rock that Edelweiss was resting on, still in her dragon form.
"Great, Eugene's lured Alex into his web of deception," Jun said grumpily, watching Eugene and Alex actually having a friendly conversation.
"Maybe this the beginning of a new, gentler Eugene," said Tom. "People can change." But then Eugene went over towards Plowhorn.
"Anyone up for plow tipping?" He joked. But D'Angelo gave him a hard look. Jun rolled her eyes.
"Or maybe not," said Tom.
Tom went back to his dome later, he was starting to feel exhausted now. He sat at his desk and again looked at the metal cylinder. He picked it up and examined it.
"Guess I looked at this from every angle," he muttered. "I guess you're just not meant to be opened." He leaned back in his chair and put his feet up. But he accidentally knocked off the Viking helmet. It crashed to the floor and one of its horns broke off. Panicking, Tom put the cylinder down and picked up the helmet. "Oh no, I broke it." He was about to try to put the horn back in its hole. But then he noticed that the blunt end of the horn was carved into the dragon symbol. Tom felt his heart race with anticipation. He put the helmet down and picked up the cylinder. He fitted the end of the horn into the key hole at the end of the cylinder, and turned it. The side of the cylinder popped open. Something brown was rolled up and placed neatly inside it. Tom pulled it out and unrolled it. The item was a very old leather bound book, with the dragon symbol stamped into the cover.