Chapter 4 – Rescue Lily
As Hero raced across the forest, he checked on Firestorm, who held tightly to the jacket. He was glad that he had protected the little phoenix from the Obsidian Devourers, but he was still worried for his friend Lily. He will have to find someone who can help him rescue her, and fast.
Soon when he reached a spot that was safe and far away from the Pyre Squad, Hero decided to take a short rest. He checked again on Firestorm, and after remembering how the Pyre Squad revealed how he once was an Obsidian Devourer, he realised now it was the time to reveal the truth to the phoenix, who still eyed him distrustfully.
"Listen, little phoenix," began Hero. "I have something to confess. I am not from the Anthro League. I was an Obsidian Devourer who turned against the regime after witnessing their cruelty towards non-dragons. I only lied about being in the Anthro League so that you and Lily could trust me, and for that, I'm sorry. I really want to complete Jimmy's mission as I felt that I owe him after the rescue, but I can't do this without your help."
With as much thought taken in, yet still reluctant, Firestorm chirped happily, assuring Hero that he will be happy to assist him on completing the mission.
"Thank you very much," smiled Hero as Firestorm nuzzled on his paw. "So, the Anthro League is located in Kyoto, if I recall correctly."
Firestorm nodded.
"Then that's where we have to go," said Hero with determination. "But first, we need to save Lily from the Pyre Squad. The only question is – where can we find such help?"
Hero wandered around aimlessly, when Firestorm picked up something close by. It flapped its wings excitedly, and pointed to a certain direction.
"Did you find something, little phoenix?" asked Hero. "Like maybe what we're looking for?"
The phoenix squawked as if to tell the dragon that it had, and continued pointing the way.
"So it's over that direction," said Hero as he picked up Firestorm. "In that case, let's get going!"
Nearby in Reptiville, Cynder and her friends were waiting for Lily to return from her stroll through the national park. They noticed that although she promised that she would come back after an hour, it was over the time she was supposed to come back.
"Where could she be?" asked Torden. "It's not like her to take so long."
"I'm sure she will come back," assured Cynder. "Have some patience, Torden."
"It's almost time for lunch, so she should have been back already," said Jakkin.
Draco noticed someone coming from the distance.
"Guys, look!" he exclaimed. "I think it must be her!"
As the dragons gathered to anticipate Lily's return, they were surprised that it was not her, but a different dragon, and he carrying a small phoenix.
"That isn't Lily," said Percival.
"Who is this guy?" asked Jakkin.
"I have no idea, but let's try not to be rude with this visitor," said Cynder.
When Hero arrived, he looked around at the village. It was surprisingly small, and it was home to a mere six dragons, with one being just a little kid. Althought they did not look much, he figured that Firestorm believed that they were just the right sort to be able to save Lily and stop the Pyre Squad.
"Hello," he greeted, meekly.
"Hi," said Cynder. "What brings you here to Reptiville?"
"This little phoenix here led me here," said Hero. "Is this your home?"
"Of course it is!" exclaimed Jakkin.
"What's your name, stranger?" asked Torden.
"It's Heronix, but I prefer being called Hero."
"Why is that?" asked the dragons.
"You see, I rescued a lion from the Obsidian Devourers and helped him escape from their hideout," said Hero. "We were on a mission to find the Anthro League, but I lost the lion thanks to an unfortunate accident."
"I'm very sorry to hear that, Hero," sympathised Draco.
"I wound up on the shores not far from here," continued Hero. "It was then when I ran into a pink dragon girl who was tending to the little phoenix."
"Lily!" exclaimed Torden. "Do you know where she is?"
"So you're familiar with this girl?" asked Hero.
"She's our friend and was supposed to be back here not too long ago," replied Torden. "Now please tell me, how is she, and where is she?"
"That's exactly why I came here!" said Hero all of a sudden. "You've got to help me! Lily's in trouble! She's been held captive by the Pyre Squad!"
"What?!" exclaimed Torden. "This is terrible! We've got to do something!"
"Come on, this way!" called Hero as he hurried back into the forest. The other dragons followed him.
Soon, Hero and the dragons arrived at where he and Lily encountered the Pyre Squad. To his surprise, however, they were not in sight. Darky and Firestorm also followed them into the forest.
"Where – where did they go?" he wondered.
"Are you sure that's where you and Lily have been?" asked Torden.
"Yes, absolutely," replied Hero. "But I don't get how they disappeared without leaving a trace."
All the dragons looked around for Lily and the Pyre Squad. Suddenly, a giant robot burst out from its hiding spot and attempted to grab them. Fortunately, Cynder sensed it just when it was about to ambush them, and got everyone to dodge. The Twilight Storm knew all too well that the robot was yet another of the Pyre Squad's contraptions, and she could not be any more right. The Pyre Squad emerged from the top of the robot and they looked down smugly on the dragons. Lily was still in their clutches as she struggled to break herself free from the robot.
"So nice of you all to drop in, fools!" laughed Ciara. "Now, we shall nab that phoenix and then all of you!"
"You will not do such a thing, Pyre Squad!" hissed Cynder.
"Just how low will you guys go?" asked Percival, angrily.
"That's a very simple question," said Scorcher with a devilish grin. He pressed a button which made the robot reach down to grab Firestorm. The phoenix squawked in panic as the robot brought it upwards. The Pyre Squad smirked as they noticed the tiny case attached to Firestorm's collar. They could tell that inside is the map that they were looking for.
