Chapter 6 – Reconciliation
As the Pyre Squad was about to set the robot to attack once more, Cynder charges straight for Scorcher which causes him to drop his controller as he got knocked back. Then she spits out a plasma burst towards the controller, disintegrating it into nothingness.
"Oh no!" exclaimed the Pyre Squad, now frozen with fear.
Cynder smirked as she sets her sights on the petrified Pyre Squad. "You're finished!" she declared, and with that she opened her mouth to let out a fully charged plasma burst. The five dragons, including Darky who hurried to them watched in anticipation while her attack intensified. The Pyre Squad could do nothing but look on as her plasma burst grew into a large ball of energy. Finally, she released the ball which was followed by a powerful stream. It hurtled straight towards the Pyre Squad and exploded upon impact. The explosion blew the robot to smithereens and the Pyre Squad were sent sailing into the sky across the horizon. With the Pyre Squad, Cynder could feel her boosted power diminishing. At last she stopped glowing, and the aura that surrounded her dissipated.
"It's over," she said. "Our battle has been won."
"Alright, big sis!" cheered Darky as he hugged her. "You got rid of those bad guys, I so happy!"
Cynder smiled and gently stroked Darky's chin. The other dragons came to congratulate her too.
"I must say, Cynder, that was a very impressive performance," said Percival. "In just one attack, you've stopped the Pyre Squad from causing any more damage."
"I wouldn't have been able to pull it off without the power of the Shadow Brooch," said Cynder. "Queen Ibenholt has been right about it after all."
"Cynder!" said Jakkin all of a sudden. "Turns out I was wrong about that brooch of yours, and I thank you for saving my life."
"Jakkin, despite everything that has happened up to now, I believe it is best that we all put this behind us," replied Cynder. "And don't sweat it."
"I feel as if owe y'all one," continued Jakkin.
"The one thing that I'm really curious about this brooch," said Cynder. "Is how I was able to reach my Alpha form with it?"
"What makes you say that?" asked Percival.
"Well, cause normally I can reach that form when I harness the power of the Dusk Gems," explained Cynder. "Somehow, this brooch gave me the same effects."
"That's what I'm wondering myself too," said Draco. "There must be a reason why this brooch gave you the ability to turn Alpha."
"I believe I have the answer to that question," said a voice from above.
The dragons looked up and to their surprise, there was Blaze the Cat standing on the top of the rock formation. In the blink of an eye, she jumped off and landed unfazed.
"Blaze?" exclaimed Cynder. "What do you know about this Shadow Brooch?"
"The Shadow Brooch not only harnesses the power of shadows, but it also contains Dusk Gem energy," said Blaze. "So by using it, you can change to your Alpha state, but the effects only works for battles, so once you've won or lost, you'll revert back to normal."
"And with this, I must only use it for when it is really necessary, am I right?" asked Cynder.
"Absolutely," smiled Blaze. "I'm very proud of you using your brooch wisely, and I'm also proud of you accepting Jakkin regardless of him not being a true Charizard."
"Oh, that has been settled," said Cynder. "Now he's fully on board with being part of the team."
"I know," said Blaze. "I was watching everything that happened from when he decided to leave the group to that intense fight with the Pyre Squad."
"Tell me about, that was really quite an event," laughed Percival, and everyone else laughed as well.
Just then, they noticed something sailing down from the sky. The dragons wondered what it could, while Blaze smiled, being aware what it really is. Finally as it landed on the ground, the dragons went to its location, and they were amazed when they saw that it was a brooch that looks just like the one Cynder was wearing.
"This must be…" said Torden slowly.
"Another Elemental Brooch!" exclaimed Lily. "It's so pretty!"
As Lily picked it up, she saw that the brooch had an amber gemstone on it.
"Now the big question that remains is, who does it belong to?" asked Draco. "It certainly doesn't look like mine."
Jakkin thought for a moment, then stepped in. "Allow me to try it on," he said. As he attached the brooch to his shirt, the gemstone began to glow, and a deep orange aura emanated around him briefly.
"Whoa!" he exclaimed. "That felt weird but amazing!"
"It seems that you're meant to be the bearer of the Earth Brooch," said Blaze. "Now remember to use it only when it is needed."
"So this mission is for real after all," said Jakkin. "Still, that doesn't explain how it came floating down from the sky."
"That robot of the Pyre Squad we destroyed might have been holding it all this time," said Draco. "It's the only explanation I could think of."
Jakkin chuckled "Well, I gotta thank Cynder again for getting this beauty from those grimy little claws of theirs," he said.
"Now where do we have to go next?" wondered Percival.
"That reminds me," said Blaze. "Once you're all rested up and refreshed, there's a place in Eastern Europe I'd like you all to visit."
"Eastern Europe?" asked the dragons.
"Yes, guys," nodded Blaze. "A hidden treasure is located somewhere in a place called Bran Castle, and I would like you all to go there and retrieve it."
"Isn't that in Romania?" asked Percival.
"Correct," said Blaze. "Who knows, you might even find something special there."
"I guess we'll have to check it out once we're up for it," said Cynder.
"Excellent!" smiled Blaze. "Well, I must head back to my place now as I don't want to keep Tails waiting any longer."
"Alright, no worries," said Cynder. "Thanks for everything, Blaze!"
"Keep it up, all of you!" Blaze called as she dashed off. "Remember that teamwork will reward your efforts!"
Later as the evening was settling in, the dragons were travelling to the next town. While they were flying, Jakkin explained to Lily about his true form.
"…and so you see," he said. "The duration it took for my Charizard lasted for only three days, and it was today that I had to revert back to my normal self."
"That sounds so amazing," said Lily. "I had no idea that you were really a shapeshifter dragon."
"I'm part dragon and part skunk," said Jakkin. "So if I end up making any foul stenches, please excuse me."
"It's all cool," smiled Lily. "All the same, I'm really sorry for my outburst and chasing you like that this morning."
"Like Cynder said, we have to put all that behind us," laughed Jakkin. "Besides, I have come to realise how much you guys mean a lot to me as you were pretty the only true friends I ever had."
"Really, you never had any friends?" gasped Lily. "That is so sad…"
"I'm used to it," said Jakkin. "I've been more of a lone wolf than anything, and I guess that's another reason why I acted so distant towards you guys."
"Well, Jakkin," said Draco. "We're just so happy that you've decided to stay with us, especially now that you got yourself your brooch, which means that we now have four more to go."
"This has been one adventure, that's for sure," said Percival. "Who knows where we'll be going next."
"As long as there's dim sums to eat and a nice, refreshing bubble tea, I'm all for it!" exclaimed Draco.
"You're always thinking with your stomach, Draco," teased Cynder.
"Same could be said about me!" laughed Darky.
"Guys, I think I could see the next town," said Torden as he saw further up ahead.
"Right then," said Cynder. "Let's find a hotel there, and rest up, for we got another big day tomorrow."
As Cynder and her friends picked up, she could only wonder what challenges await them when they go to Transylvania. It was almost dark, and she felt a bit of a chill as she thought about searching for hidden treasure in Bran Castle. She and Draco looked at each other and they both smiled, knowing that they got their friends, Darky, and especially themselves.
To Be Continued…
So our heroes' next stop is Bran Castle, Transylvania. What could this possibly mean? Probably a spooky story, perhaps! (evil laughter) Hope you enjoyed this story!
