Chapter 2 – Desertion and Escape
Firestorm flew his quickest across the Pacific Ocean. Although he was a small phoenix, he was able to fly at such a long distance without having to stop for a rest, despite the occasional bad weather on the way. He knew the map has to be delivered as soon as possible to the Anthro League in Japan. Nevertheless, Firestorm was still worried for Jimmy, and he hoped that nothing bad happened to him over at Mexico.
At last, Firestorm arrived at Japan. He wasn't quite sure where to find the Anthro League since he was separated from Jimmy, but he stayed calm and knew that they will reunite sooner or later. Shortly after he landed at the shore, Firestorm made his way into a large forest, unaware that he had arrived at the Ise-Shima National Park. The phoenix felt very thirsty after such a long flight, that he searched through the forest for a refreshing drink of water. Soon, he found a small creek, which was adequate enough to quench his thirst.
Elsewhere, a pink dragoness was exploring the forest. She was of course Lily, but Firestorm has not met her just yet. Lily wanted to have a look around the Ise-Shima, for she heard about a sacred shrine that rests in the area. Pretty soon, she spotted the phoenix having a drink at the creek, and she could not help but found it to be a beautiful sight.
"Hello!" she called out. "You're a rare find around these parts! What kind of bird are you?"
Firestorm looked up and saw the pink dragoness approaching. After the situation with the Obsidian Devourers over at Mexico, he felt very suspicious about dragons, and as the dragon girl came closer, he run off as fast as he could.
"Wait!" called Lily. "Don't run away! I won't hurt you!"
But the phoenix to keep running from the dragoness, who was following him close behind. Soon, Firestorm started to feel tired. He could run any farther and he was too tired to even fly away.
Lily caught up to the phoenix, and when she saw how tired the creature was, she felt very worried.
"Are you alright?" she asked. "You look as if you've been hurt or something. Please don't be afraid of me, I'm a very friendly dragon. I promise I won't hurt you."
Firestorm eyed Lily suspiciously, still feeling uncertain if he could trust her. Lily took something from out of her pocket. It looked very edible. She smiled as she offered the piece to him.
"Here's something to eat," said Lily as she crouched down. "You must be hungry from being tired."
Much to Lily's surprise, Firestorm slowly crept closer yet cautiously to her. He sniffed the piece of food on her claw, and it had a very pleasant smell. Indeed, he was feeling very hungry, especially after a long flight from Mexico to Japan.
"That's right, cutie," nodded Lily happily. "Now grab it with your beak, and enjoy."
Hesitantly, yet assured that he was in no danger, Firestorm grabbed the treat and grinded it up with its beak. Even though it was a just a morsel, it had a taste that he took quite a liking too. Firestorm flapped its wings happily, wanting to be fed some more. Lily smiled, seeing that the phoenix finally trusts her. Still, she could only wonder where it came from, and she hoped that she can get him back to safety as soon as possible.
At the Obsidian Tower, Jimmy was sent to the interrogation chamber. The lion's arms were restrained as he sat on the interrogation chair, which was outfitted with a number of torture devices, which included electric shock prods, searing flesh pincers, fur rippers, and bone mashers.
Presently, Sardius and a few Obsidian Devourer grunts entered the room, ready to find out the map's location from their prisoner. Jimmy gulped, feeling all too aware of what is to come.
"Now then," began Sardius. "Since you refused to tell us where the map is, I'm afraid we're going to have to take some drastic measures in order to make you talk."
"You're nothing but a monster!" said Jimmy angrily. "The Anthro League will not be intimidated by the likes of you!"
"Mammalian slime!" growled Sardius. "You and the hybrid dragons ought to be expunged like the filthy maggots that you all are! My patience is waning, and I will ask you again, where is the map?"
Jimmy hesitated as Sardius drew his face up dangerously close. He sweated nervously, but tried his best not to reveal any information. "I, uh, what?" he asked.
"THE MAP!" bellowed Sardius. "Where is it?!"
Jimmy flinched from the sudden outburst. "The m-map," he stammered. "I don't know where it has gone."
"Obviously, you are lying," said Sardius as he tried to repress his anger. "Well, if you're not going to talk, we're going to force you to!"
With that, the shocking prod activated and poised itself to Jimmy's body. It delivered a painful sting which caused him to shake. "I'm not telling you!" he yelped.
Sardius smirked. "Alright then, suit yourself," he said, devilishly. "It's only a matter of time until you finally crack."
More torture devices joined in. Jimmy continued to resist, but already the pain inflicted was becoming much unbearable for him to handle. Finally, he could take it no more.
"The map is in the possession of my pet phoenix!" he cried.
Sardius was satisfied that Jimmy told the truth, but he eyed the lion doubtfully. "And where is that phoenix of yours?" he asked.
"I-I don't know," he replied.
The torture devices continued to do their work on Jimmy, and he howled in agony. "He's flown away and is somewhere in Japan!"
With that, Sardius stopped the torture devices, leaving an exhausted yet relieved Jimmy gasping for air after going through such excruciating pain for so long. He turned to the other grunts.
"I'm going to report what we've extracted to the Dark Queen," he said. "She'll decide which team will be right for hunting down the phoenix."
"What about the prisoner?" one of the grunts asked.
"Lock him up in a cell," replied Sardius. "We'll extract more information from him later on."
Inside another room, Commander Desdemona was speaking severely to Heronix.
"Why didn't you massacre any of the villagers as instructed?" she asked.
Heronix said nothing. He just looked down to his feet, feeling very remorseful and conflicted.
"Answer me, Heronix!" snapped Desdemona. "Why didn't you cooperate?"
"I don't know," said Heronix hesitantly. "I just wasn't feeling up to the task back then."
"Well, then," said Desdemona with icy disapproval. "It looks like we'll really have to do some shaking you up in order to make you understand your position and where your loyalties lie."
Heronix nodded slowly yet feeling very doubtful as he wonders about what he was putting himself into.
"As soon after you hit the showers, report to the training facility for re-evaluation immediately," continued Desdemona. "I'll be having a talk with Sergeant Drake in order to see what we can do to make you a proper dragon."
"Understood, Commander," said Heronix and he walked slowly to the shower room.
After Heronix took his shower, he still pondered over whether he should continue serving the Obsidian Devourers and go to his appointment with Sergeant Drake as requested, or desert and start a fresh new life for himself. As he opened the door, he heard footsteps approaching. Quickly, he hid near the door and overheard some of the grunts chatting.
"So we have the lion locked up in the detention block," one grunt spoke. "What will happen to him now?"
"I don't know," said another grunt. "But who cares? Once Sardius and the Dark Queen know all that they needed from him, he'll be executed like he rightfully should."
The grunts laughed maliciously as they disappeared into the hallway.
With the coast clear, Heronix made his way out of the shower room. Having eavesdropped on the grunts' conversations, he now knew where to find the captive lion. He ultimately decided that he was not going to submit to the cruelty of the Obsidian Devourers.
Upon arrival at the detention block, Heronix checked his surroundings to make sure no one was watching. As soon as he reached a certain cell, he saw Jimmy Lionheart sitting on his own, sunk in the feeling that he had failed the mission. Heronix knocked on the door, which brought Jimmy's attention.
"Hey there!" he called.
Jimmy was confused. "Uh, what are you doing?" he asked doubtfully.
"I'm busting you out of here," replied Heronix. "Now, hang on while I activate the cell door. You and I are escaping!"
True to his word, Heronix opened the door, and after some coaxing, Jimmy joined him. Together, they escaped the detention block and searched for the hangar bay. After several times hiding from the grunts while making their way through the Obsidian Tower, they have arrived at the hangar bay. Heronix and Jimmy snuck their way around and were just close to one of the stationed aircrafts when they got spotted by a few grunts.
"Hold it!" called the leader. "What are you doing here, and why is the prisoner out of his cell?"
Heronix thought up of an explanation, but instead, he let out of stream of flames at them, and then he and Jimmy ran quickly and boarded into the aircraft.
"We got an escapee and a defector at the hangar!" the leader shouted through his walkie-talkie as he struggled to get up. "Reinforcements are needed to stop them from using the aircraft right away!"
But it was too late. Just when the reinforcements arrived, the aircraft activated, and as it fired at some of the troopers, it took off just in time before the hangar doors sealed shut.
