Chapter Nine: The Debt

The early morning sun slowly began to rise above the mountains neighboring the Valley of Avalar, bringing morning dew along with it, sending a swift chilling breeze through Prowlus' body. The early morning meant a busy day ahead of the Avalarian who knew the village needed to begin military training for the youngest warriors who were battle-able.

"Chief Prowlus, how are the plans proceeding?" Hunter asked, accompanied by Bianca who followed behind him.

"I have concerned about what we are going to be getting into Hunter, this is kind of out of our realms when it comes to Dragon City politics," Prowlus stated, nodding to Bianca as the two joined Prowlus. "But never the less, I sent out the word among the tribe to be prepared for training around midday."

"I only allow myself and our tribe to be moved by their expenses when they are a threat to us, the Lizard clan has never been one to see eye-to-eye with us Cheetahs in the past," Hunter stated as he looked over to the river to see his son meditating next to the gentle current. "I do not know why Terrador reached out to such a violent tribe to conduct business with, but never the less, I offer my support to him."

"Something seems off my love," Bianca stated, knowing that lizards could not be trusted. "The Sorceress and Rynocs all share the same traits, strength in numbers and killers at heart. Why would they want to talk of peaceful negotiations with us? More importantly, why have we not raided their home island and exterminate them?"

"With everything that has happened here among the mainland of this world, I think the best action is to set a good example by not alienating an entire civilization and killing them," Prowlus stated, looking on into the sky and noticed a group of dragons flying in the direction towards Warfang. "Besides, we have a now growing fleet of dragons among our armies… It is safe to say they will be very careful when approaching us."

"Let us hope that assumption is correct, for our clan's sake," Hunter said as he looked at his stubbed arm in dismay. "Not all of us can fight as we once could anymore."

"Alright, what should we focus on today?" Skyro asked, stretching his arms and legs while watching Smoke prepare himself for their sparing match. The gentle waterfall rumbled to a peaceful tune as Friendship Falls was covered in a very feint early morning dew and mist.

"Last time we sparred we mainly focused on close quarters grappling, today I think we should try to evolve on that," Smoke said as he charged towards Skyro with blinding speed. "Now receive and learn." With a quick but precise swing of his left arm, Smoke clung onto Skyro's throat while tripping his legs with his powerful tail, sweeping Skyro clean off of his back feet and onto his back with explosive force. Skyro could not believe the force of Smoke's attack, unable to catch his breath as he coughed and sputtered among the ground, feeling his diaphragm struggle to reclaim its natural motion.

"How… haw did you manage to do that so fast?" Skyro coughed, finally catching his breath while shaking on all fours, keeping his distance away from Smoke who stood ready for Skyro's retaliation.

"Throwing your opponent is a strategical technique to use on your opponents when they have a few pounds on you, or very effective when you have a few pounds on them," Smoke said, wiping the dirt off of his arms before squaring up with Skyro who finally regained his composure. "Knowing what we might have to deal with in the future with the Lizard tribe, it would be of good use if we can learn to grapple effectively."

"Do you think we will have trouble with them?" Skyro asked, following suit to what Smoke had done to him, effectively throwing his brother into the ground with force.

"Possibly, I don't like the idea personally, but Terrador told me that we will be able to handle it peacefully." Smoke stammered as he picked himself up off of the hardened earth.

"What do you mean 'we', what are you implying?" Skyro asked, wondering what Smoke was trying to get across to him.

"I am part of a faction in our military that conducts peace talks and business deals when it comes to our economy for Warfang, that being said, I will be going to the island inhabited by the Lizards along with a Cheetah from Avalar and Mole to try and sort this mess out." Smoke stated flatly as he looked at Skyro with a stern look.

"That does not sound like a good plan Smoke." Skyro stammered, worried of what the Lizards might do to him if the meeting went bad.

"Everything will work itself out, in time we will all be able to live peacefully with one another," Smoke said as he shook his head to the facts. "Anyway enough of that topic, focus on sparring." The two were soon interrupted by Volteer who landed among the dry soil behind them.

"Good morning young ones, how is the sparring going?" The old Electric Guardian asked as the two draons smiled and nodded to his arrival.

"We are doing good so far, we only just started actually, how did you find us anyway?" Skyro chimed in, smiling to his electrical element teacher.

"I ironically ran into Flare and Scarlet in Warfang before I came out here, they informed me that you two would most likely be here so you could train in peace."

"This place is a long ways away from Warfang to come and chat with us about small things, is everything okay?" Smoke asked who was unsure what Volteer had to say.

"Yes and no, as I had feared we may have to send you out sooner than expected to settle this issue with G'huar, we received a message from his directly stating that if we do not come to terms soon, they will invade the city with a massive force of Lizards and Rynocs." Volteer informed, seeing Skyro shake his head in dismay

"Rhinoceros scum, Smoke informed me of this meeting, I wish to go with him." Skyro asked, wanting to be there for support.

"No Skyro, that island is too dangerous for you to be there with me, especially with what color you are." Smoke said, knowing he was right.

"Besides, your father would never approve of it either; he needs you here during that assignment," Volteer stated, turning his back on the two before either could say anything. "Smoke, I need you to stop by the study later today to go over the plans for the mission."

"Yes master, I will be there as soon as we finish up here in a few hours." Smoke said, bowing before Volteer took flight back to Warfang.

"What do you mean because of my color?" Skyro asked as Smoke approached him to take up the distance.

"Look, between you and me, if word got out to the outside world that there are two purple dragons living among this land, that would not be good if Nemphis found out," Smoke stated, knowing no be careful around Skyro when it came to that dragon in particular. "He would try to kill you before your father. I don't want that to happen. It is best that you stay here on the mainland until we find him."

"I thought there wasn't a search for him?" Skyro said in awe, filling his heart with hope as Smoke let a half smile spread across his face.

"I'm going to try and ask the Lizards about his whereabouts and see about finally hunting down that vermin for what he did to you and your father," Smoke said as he placed his hand on Skyro's shoulder. "I promise I will find out where he has been hiding. He and that demon inside of him will pay dearly for what they done to you two."

"All I want is to have a chance at him… I want to make him bleed and suffer like my mother did," Skyro said flatly, becoming angered to the thought of Nemphis. "But more importantly, I know my father would love to have the opportunity to kill him."

"Terrador, has everything been worked out for the voyage?" Cyril asked, sorting out paperwork regarding the expenses of the new city.

"I believe so Cyril, as soon as Volteer makes it back, we will head off to Spyro's cave and see about offering him a part of this new beginning," Terrador exclaimed, knowing that it would most likely be a wasted trip. "I highly doubt he will be happy to share in this though, I know he wants to keep away from the Lizards. I wish we could have him along for this trip and try to convince him that there is hope for all of us."

"We shall ask the day before they set out, I'm sure he will come around to the idea," Cyril stated, knowing that Spyro was on rough terms with the Guardians lately. "You know, us as the Guardians and him have not seen eye-to-eye for a long time."

"I know, it pains me to see it come down to it but I believe ever since Ignitus' death and Cynder's, it was only a matter of time until he isolated us," Terrador said, sighing to the fact as he closed the book he was thumbing though and placed it neatly among the bookshelf behind Cyril. "Teaching Skyro how to handle his elemental powers probably made it look as though we were training him to fight for us as well, much like his father. I know he has been trying hard to keep him away from war since the day he was born, but let's face it, he trains with Smoke almost every single day and his color settles everything in stone. It is only a matter of time until fate brings forward what his purpose is."

"Who knows what his purpose is, I bet he is just as confused as anyone, Skyro that is, I mean a purple dragon born before the tenth generation gap is unheard of," Cyril stated, knowing he was one of a kind. "I mean I know Malefor was a different case all together, manipulating the Ancestors to give him a second chance and all, but a purple dragon spawning another purple dragon within the father's generation… never in all of my years."

"In any case, only time will tell, how are the troops in Avalar doing?" Terrador questioned, examining all of the military forms and documents Cyril had yet to finish organizing.

"Prowlus informed me this morning that they will be ready to fight in a week," Cyril said proudly, knowing that an entire frontline of Cheetah warriors was a superb offensive. "He said that the warriors would be ready to ship out on command the day after that week."

"Excellent… we may have to take drastic measures to ensure things go smoothly… even if it means us having to besiege an entire island." Terrador said softly, knowing that it was not like Ignitus to do so and going against his word would be blasphemy.

"That is not like us Terrador, we have to be sure we know what we are getting into, we don't know exactly how many troops G'huar has with Rynocs being involved in his army as well," Cyril warned, knowing that G'huar was a well-armed force to be reckoned with, even more so than Gaul once was. "They are more efficient in battle than Apes are and as far as the Rynocs go, we have no idea what they have to throw at us."

"Any battle is a risk… we will just have to take it when that time comes." Terrador stated flatly, knowing that if war broke out so soon after the undead siege from years ago would be devastating to the economy of their citizens.