Act 3, Chapter 2
It was almost noon.
After a long journey, Hontus, Voden and Jules had finally almost arrived at the city of Glenhaven.
The red dragon yawned. The wind blew against his face, its cold sting keeping him awake. The sun's light beat down upon his back.
"We've been traveling nonstop." Hontus said. "It'll feel good to sit down again once we reach the city."
"Aye." Voden agreed, suppressing a yawn. "I could use a break from all this flying."
"Well, instead of talking about how good it will be to finally be back home," Jules stated, "Let's focus on actually getting there."
"You're right." The Red dragon agreed. "Let's go. We can rest when we arrive in Glenhaven."
"Hold on a second." Voden said. The Orange dragon had turned around to face the West. "Do either of you two see those?"
"See what?" Jules asked. He and Hontus turned to look at what Voden had spotted.
"What in the world?"
Off in the distance, clouds of smoke were stretched across the Horizon, hovering over the Aechos Valley.
"When did those get there?" Hontus asked, startled.
"Could there be a wildfire?" Voden asked. "Maybe we should go back to investigate."
"Are you mad?" Jules shouted. "It'll take all night and day to return to the Valley. And besides, we're already close to Glenhaven. We should head there instead."
"If you say so…"
The dragons turned back towards Glenhaven continued on their way, tiredly beating their way back home. All the while, Hontus worried about the clouds of smoke.
I hope this doesn't bode ill…
…
Mimet sat on her cushion in her office, attending to her responsibilities as ruler of the city of Glenhaven. The office was a large room. The floors were covered in off-white hard-tiles. The walls were mostly bare, with the occasional large window letting light into the room. Mimet's desk was made of Mahogany, and was piled high with various documents of paperwork. To the desk's side was a wooden crib, with Ruby sitting inside of it, playing with some blocks.
"Look what I'm doing, Momma." Ruby said happily.
Mimet sighed and glanced over.
"What is it, Ruby?" She asked.
"I'm building a tower." The hatchling answered.
"That's nice, dear," The Earth dragoness said, "But I really need to focus on my work, okay?"
"Okay.." Ruby said sadly.
Mimet turned back to her work and sighed.
Being the ruler of Glenhaven was so stressful. There was always some matter to attend to at every moment of the day. A new building had to be built on top of the ruins of the old Palace, several repairs needed to be made to the walls of the city, and several citizens had to be dealt with before they went crazy over the "end of the world" that was supposedly approaching, just to name a few. Mimet hadn't gotten a decent wink of sleep in months.
And to make matters worse, Mimet had to worry about her daughter Emerald. Sure, she had finally allowed the young girl to go on patrols with the others, but Mimet still wanted her daughter to stay safe in her home. But, she couldn't go back on her word now: That would only make her frustrated.
Mimet placed her head down on the desk.
"Ohh, I can't take this." She said. "If only Jules were here to give me a hand.."
"There's nothing to worry about." Said a voice from nowhere.
A moment later, Cynder appeared on a cloud of black smoke. The Earth dragoness got up to face her.
"Cynder!" She shouted. "Welcome back."
"Thank you." The Black dragoness replied. "I come bearing news."
"What news would that be?" Mimet asked. "And what did you mean that there's nothing to worry about."
"Ah, yes.." Cynder replied. "Well, your husband shall be arriving in Glenhaven sometime today, along with Hontus and Voden."
"They are?" Mimet's eyes gleamed in joy.
"Yes. Furthermore, Urobos, Spyro, and the citizens of Warfang are now making their away across the Arcus Desert. They shall arrive before the day is out as well."
"Excellent." The Earth dragoness remarked. "Maybe we can have some of them set to work aiding our city."
"I doubt they would refuse. There are many people among them, and they will all need jobs."
"Right. So… What should we do until they arrive, Cynder?"
"This is your city." The Black Dragoness replied. "Do as you normally would. As for me, I shall-"
Suddenly, Cynder gasped in surprise.
"What is it, Cynder?" Mimet asked, alarmed.
"There is a great evil in the city!" The Black dragoness declared.
"A Victiumirtus?"
"NO! Someone else!"
"I'll round up a squadron of soldiers immediately!" Mimet declared.
"No! I'll see to this being myself."
"Are you sure about that, Cynder?"
"Yes."
In an instant, Cynder vanished in a cloud of smoke. Mimet sighed.
"Good luck."
…
After another long morning of patrolling the city, Flame, Arthur, Blank, Ember, Emerald and Roxanne came to a landing at the usual spot on the city walls.
Today was surprisingly productive. Several dozen Crepsculi had been spotted on three sides of the city walls, and the city guards were alerted immediately. Flame and Blank had joined in on two of the battles against the creatures.
"I'm getting worried." Flame said, sighing.
"Why is that, Emmy?" Ember asked, concerned.
"Well, ever since that attack that happened the other day, the Crepsculi have suddenly been appearing a lot more often. That can't be a good sign."
"Hey, it's not all bad!" Blank shouted. "We're finally able to put our abilities to good use instead of just flying around all morning! Combat really gets the blood pumping!"
"I guess you're right.." Emerald replied. "It's nice to feel useful for a change."
Roxanne scoffed.
"That's right!" The Yellow dragoness chided. "You rarely do anything useful."
"Oh, shut up." The green dragoness snapped.
As another classic argument started, Flame sighed.
"Well, I'm heading off again." He said, spreading his wings for flight. "You coming, Arthur?"
"Sure." The dragonfly answered.
As the Red dragon and his dragonfly companion flew away, Emerald turned to spread her wings as well.
"The last thing I need right now is to get worked up over another of your stupid insults." She said. "I'm leaving."
"Oh, go ahead and run, rich girl!" Roxanne snapped. "That's all you're good at."
"By the Ancestors, you're insufferable!" Blank shouted. He turned to follow after the green dragoness, but not before he spoke to Ember. "You coming with us, Embers?"
"Sure!" The Pink dragoness replied happily. "See ya later, Roxanne!"
The Yellow dragoness harrumphed.
"Get lost, Pinky." She sneered, making the younger girl frown.
Soon, Roxanne was all alone, again. She sighed sadly.
"Man, I really wish Vaun and Aaron were still around." She said. "We could have insulted those trust fund babies together, like we always used to. And then there's Rune…." The dragoness shed a tear.
"What I'd give to see him again. He's the only rich kid who never acted like a stuck-up snob."
The Yellow dragoness spread her wings and flew down to the city level, making her way towards her parents' restaurant, The Skyward Wyvern. Along the way, she fantasized about spending time with Rune, the she always wanted to: As his girlfriend.
"Why did you have to choose that Blue-hided doormat instead of me?" She asked. "I could have been far better to you than she ever was…"
And then, out of nowhere, she heard a familiar voice speak to her.
"Hey Roxanne…"
"Huh?" The dragoness asked. She looked around for the source of the voice. "Was that…?"
The voice sounded kind of like Rune, although somehow different, though Roxanne couldn't put her talon on what it was. In any case, the fact that it sounded anything like Rune at all was surprising.
"Over here, Rox!" The voice shouted.
"Who are you?" Roxanne asked, still looking around. "Where are you?"
"Over here, Rox!" The voice shouted out. "Check the nearby alleyway!"
Roxanne flew down onto the street and approached the alley that the voice originated from. Deep within it, standing with his back to her, was a teenaged, Black dragon with Dark Grey Hair and Darker Grey horns.
It was Rune.
"RUNE!" Roxanne exclaimed, excited. She immediately ran into the alley to talk to him up close.
She could hardly believe it. Rune! Right in the middle of the city! He was back! But then, Roxanne realized something…
"Wait a minute." She said, coming to a stop a few feet away from the Black dragon. "Something's not right…"
"What's wrong?" The Black dragon asked. He turned around to face Roxanne, his eyes closed. When he opened them, the dragoness jumped back in shock.
The Black dragon looked identical to Rune, except for his demonic, yellow eyes. He chuckled.
"Cat got your tongue, Rox?" The dragon asked.
"…Rune?" Roxanne replied, nervously. "Is that really you?"
The Black dragon stepped closer, smiling.
"Of course it's me!" He said happily. "What made you think otherwise?"
"Your eyes." The dragoness answered. "They look kinda weird."
"Yeah, well, it's a new look I'm going for."
"A new look? I didn't know you could do that."
"It's a trait that Black dragons have. We're able to use magic to change the appearance of our eyes. I think they look better this way. How about you?"
"Uh, I guess so…"
Rune and Roxanne walked up to each other. The dragoness was nervous.
This dragon looked like Rune and sounded like Rune, but there was something… wrong.
"Where have you been all this time, Rune?" Roxanne asked.
"Oh, you know: around."
"What do you mean by that?"
"I've been doing some sight-seeing. But that's not important. Ya want to know what is important?"
"Uh… what?" The Black dragon smiled.
"You."
"Me?" Roxanne asked, surprised. "How?"
"I've got the hots for ya."
Roxanne blushed.
"You do? But what about-?"
"Nellie?" Rune grimaced. "Oh god, don't get me started on that hag-beast."
"Uh…"
"Nellie's the worst girlfriend of all time! All she ever does is nag, nag, nag! 'I want this'! 'Don't do that'!" Rune grunted and shook his head. "I can't stand it! I wish I never went out with her in the first place!"
The Black dragon calmed down and smiled at Roxanne.
"I'd much rather be in a relationship with you."
Roxanne was awestruck.
"You want me to be your girlfriend?" She exclaimed. Rune frowned.
"Do you not like me the same way?" He asked.
"No!" Roxanne shouted. "Er, I mean, that's not it!"
Rune looked at Roxanne, confused. The Lightning dragoness stepped forwards, smiling.
"Rune, I like you the same way." She said. "I have for years." The Black dragon looked surprised.
"You did?" He asked. "Why didn't you say anything sooner?"
Roxanne blushed, looking away.
"Well, I thought you liked Nellie, so I didn't tell you."
Rune stepped forwards and placed one of his paws on top of hers.
"Well, you don't have to worry about Nellie anymore." He said, smiling. "Me and her are history."
Roxanne turned back and looked into Rune's eyes. They were creepy, but they had a pleasant, inviting look about them. She smiled.
"So, what now?" She asked. Rune brought his face up to hers.
"Would you like to see my new hangout?" The Black dragon asked.
"You have a hangout?" The dragoness asked. "Where is it?"
"I'll take you to it, if you want to go."
"Sure, I'll go with you." Roxanne said. "But it'll have to wait a while."
"Why?" Rune asked, frowning.
"I have to work at The Skyward Wyvern for a few hours. My parents need all the help they can get. In fact, I'm running a little late as it is."
"I see.." Rune said, clearly upset. "Well, Roxanne, I'm afraid you're going to have to change your plans."
"What?" She asked, shocked. "No! I can't just abandon my job! My parents would KILL me!"
Rune glared at the Yellow dragoness.
"I beg to differ.." He reached out and grabbed Roxanne's neck, much to her surprise.
"Rune, what are you doing?" She shouted, struggling under Rune's grip. "Let me go!"
"You're coming with me, whether you like it or not!"
Suddenly, a Purple aura appeared around Rune's body. His hide turned from Black to Snow White. Three Dark Grey horns sprouted out of his head: one on top and two on the sides. Roxanne was horrified. She tried scratching and clawing at the dragon's body, but he didn't even flinch.
"YOU'RE NOT RUNE!" She screamed.
"Actually, yes I am!" The dragon replied, chuckling.
"LET GO OF ME!" The dragoness screamed.
"Nope. We've got places to go, you and I."
Suddenly, a voice shouted out to the two dragons.
"RELEASE HER!"
Before either dragon could react, a large Black dragoness appeared in a cloud of smoke, directly behind the Rune imposter. She struck the imposter across the back, sending him flying into the side of the Alley. Roxanne managed to break free of his grip during this time, and she turned to run away.
However, Pain suddenly coursed through every fiber of Roxanne's being. She fell to the ground, writhed in pain and screamed in agony. The Rune imposter had gotten back onto his feet almost instantly.
"Where do you think YOU'RE going?" He shouted at her. The imposter than turned to face the Black dragoness, who was standing on guard.
It was Lady Cynder.
"Cynder…" The imposter said with contempt. "I should've figured I'd be seeing YOU again!"
"Rune…" The Black dragoness replied, solemnly. "What have you become?"
"I've become something better." The imposter stated. "I've become the White dragon that Great Granddad predicted would come."
"This is not the path you were meant to walk, Rune." Cynder said coldly. "Stop this madness: let this dragoness go free, and relinquish Nellie."
"I don't take orders from washed-up old people!" The White dragon snapped. With a snap of his talons, he teleported over to Roxanne.
Cynder rushed forwards in an attempt to grapple the imposter. He snapped his talons and created a portal of Purple smoke around himself and Roxanne.
Just before they vanished from view, Cynder managed to grab hold of the White dragon, and she was dragged along with them.
All three dragons were whisked away to Runefor's hideout.