Chapter 6 – The Anthro League
It took quite a while for Cynder and friends to reach Kyoto, especially when they had to help Hero to the hospital. By the time it passed sunset, they have finally arrived at a hospital, and they were very weary.
Inside, after Hero was taken to a ward to get treated, Cynder and her friends waited anxiously to hear how was going. They also knew they have to find the Anthro League's base afterwards in order to deliver the map Firestorm was still carrying.
At last, the doctor arrived to tell the dragons how Hero was doing.
"He has some pretty deep bruises thanks to a nasty fall," he said. "But fortunately, his injuries are not dangerously severe. He should be fine by tomorrow morning."
"That is good to hear," sighed Lily. "Can we see him?"
"Sure you can," replied the doctor. "He's at the second-last ward."
So the dragons entered the room and found Hero resting in his ward. He was still feeling sore from his injuries, but he was happy to see his new friends.
"Guys," he croaked. "It's good to see you here."
"We're so happy to know that you're recovering from the beating you've taken from the Pyre Squad," said Draco. "Thank you very much for trying to help us out."
"Your bravery was somethin' very commendable, Hero," said Jakkin.
"Thank you all for the compliments," replied Hero. "Still, I never imagined how much of a force those three could be."
"We've dealt with them several times," said Cynder. "So we are well aware that they are not to be underestimated."
"By the way, have you guys gone to the Anthro League?" asked Hero. "That map needs to be delivered, you know."
"We haven't just yet," replied Cynder. "Besides, we aren't quite sure where to find the Anthro League."
"You are actually quite in luck!" called a voice.
Confused, the dragons turned to see a rabbit nurse stop by to check on Hero. She smiled after seeing his recovery was going well.
"What do you mean that we're luck in luck?" asked Percival.
"You'll find it very easily," replied the rabbit nurse. "The Anthro League happens to be just around the corner!"
"Well, that changes everything," smiled Draco.
Cynder agreed with her Charizard friend. "Even so, I think it will be best that we wait until tomorrow when Hero can finally come out of the hospital."
The next day when Hero was recovered, the dragons were finally able to visit the Anthro League. It was a large building with a multitude of flags belonging to different nations aside from Japan, including the United States, Canada, Australia, Italy, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
Inside the building, all kinds of anthropomorphic animals were present, from reptiles to lions, from horses to elephants, from tigers to wolves, from bears to rhinoceroses, and so much more. There were even some dragons among the different species within.
Cynder and her friends were very awed by the spectacle. They never imagined that the Anthro League would be so huge and diverse.
"First things first," she said. "We need to bring the map to the curator."
"Speaking of which, where's Firestorm?" asked Lily.
The dragons looked around the lobby, and then, Hero spotted the little phoenix running to a certain direction.
"Hey, Firestorm!" the silver dragon exclaimed. "Come back! We need the map to give to the curator of the Anthro League."
But Firestorm continued onwards until he reached a certain lion in the crowd. When Hero saw who the phoenix was running to, he was extremely shocked.
"J-Jimmy Lionheart?" he asked doubtfully.
It was Jimmy, and he looked better than ever. As soon as Firestorm came closer to his master, the lion took notice.
"Firestorm, my buddy!" he said happily as he checked Firestorm. "I'm happy to see you again, and you're all in one piece!"
The little phoenix flapped his wings and squawked with joy.
"What's that you say?" asked Jimmy. "Hero saved you and brought you here? Where is he?"
As Firestorm turned around, Jimmy did the same, and he saw Hero coming to them.
"Jimmy, you're alive!" shouted Hero as he ran to give his lion friend a big, long hug.
"Hero, my friend!" exclaimed Jimmy as he gave the dragon a hug too. "You're alive as well!"
"How did you survive?" asked Hero. "I thought you drowned in the crash!"
"I got thrown just before the aircraft landed in the ocean," replied Jimmy. "After being knocked out for a while, I recovered and looked everywhere for you, but found nothing, so all I could do was head to the Anthro League, hoping to find you or Firestorm again. He told me that you saved him from the Obsidian Devourers!"
"I wasn't alone in this, my friend," said Hero.
"You have completed my mission, Hero," continued Jimmy. He then noticed Hero wearing his jacket. "I see you managed to save my jacket."
"Yes, I have," smiled Hero as he was about to take off the jacket. "Here, take it back."
"No, please no!" exclaimed Jimmy. "Keep it! The jacket suits you better than it does me!"
"Well, if you say so," said Hero.
Jimmy gave Hero a pawshake. "I knew I could count on you!" he said happily. "You truly are a good dragon!"
"Hero, what's going on?" called Cynder.
Jimmy and Hero turned to see the group of dragons approaching them.
"Oh, Jimmy!" said Hero suddenly. "I almost forgot! I'd like you to meet my new friends who helped me save Firestorm!"
Jimmy greeted Cynder and her friends. "How do you do?" he asked.
"We're doing fine," replied Cynder, awkwardly. They've only met Jimmy.
"Anyway," said Jimmy. "We better get the map to Empress Celeste! She is going to be amazed when I tell her about you, Hero! Oh, and you know a lot about the Obsidian Tower, right? We could definitely do with some help from you!"
"Yes, I do," said Hero. "And I'll be glad to help you take down those barbaric dragons!"
"Excellent to hear!" smiled Jimmy. "Come on, Hero, follow me! And as for you dragons, please come to the conference! It's going to start very soon!"
The conference took place inside of a grand arena. There were just as many of a variety of anthropomorphic animals as there were in the lobby. Cynder and her friends were waiting anxiously for Empress Celeste to make her speech, when she noticed someone familiar not too far from her seat. It was a female purple cat wearing a black cape and boots, and also had a familiar golden badge attached to her black top. Instantly, Cynder guessed who it was.
"Blaze, is that you?" she asked.
Blaze turned to see her student. "Cynder!" she exclaimed happily. "I have a feeling I will see you show up at the Anthro League conference!"
"I didn't expect you would be here, Blaze," said Cynder.
"I happen to be a member of the Anthro League," replied Blaze. "Although I have moved to Australia, I am still recognised as the leading Dragon Master and anthro representative of the United Kingdom, thanks to my connections with Queen Mysticorn, and of course, the human equivalent, Queen Elizabeth II."
"Oh, I see," said Cynder.
"Alright, we need to be quiet now," said Blaze. "Empress Celeste is about to make her speech, and it looks like we've got a new recruit that is about to be initiated!"
In a moment, a beautiful mare in imperial clothing made her way to the podium. Standing next to her was a stallion in military attire, and of course there was Jimmy Lionheart and Hero on the platform with them.
"Today is a great day for freedom and justice!" declared Empress Celeste. "In an amazing development, a young dragon has taken a brave stand and renounced from the Obsidian Devourers! He saved the life of one of our finest pilots and accomplished his mission to deliver the map revealing the location and inner workings of the hideout of the regime he formerly served! This will be one great step for us in putting an end to terrorism and strife! The union of anthrokind shall remain strong!"
The audience applauded, followed by a brief speech Hero made, in which he agreed to help the Anthro League learn more about what went behind the scenes of the Obsidian Devourers. He also agreed to be a volunteer in one of the strike teams when the time was right to begin the assault on the Obsidian Tower. Empress Celeste then returned to make her final words wishing everyone involved the best of luck in taking down the Obsidian Devourers and their Dark Queen.
Later afterwards, the conference was over, and everyone was preparing for the assault. Before Cynder and her friends could return to the village, Blaze called for them to wait, for she had something important to tell them.
"Cynder, I would like you, Percival, Jakkin, Torden, and Lily to come back to the Anthro League Base tomorrow morning," she said. "I need you to show you more on the functions of your Elemental Brooches, and I plan on making arrangements with Empress Celeste so that you can become part of the Anthro League."
"Understood, Blaze," replied Cynder.
"What about Darky and I?" asked Draco.
"You'll get your chance once you've discovered the final brooch, Draco," said Blaze. "I can only hint out that there's a cavern not far from your village. You might find something of interest there, plus it would be worth the experience for a Charizard like you."
As Draco nodded understandingly, Cynder was well aware that the real battle was just about to start, and once Draco has found his Elemental Brooch, they will be ready to conquer the Obsidian Devourers and Queen Vildouleur, thereby ensuring peace to the world. She could tell that Blaze the Cat believes her and her group are the best hope for the future.
To Be Continued...
I took my time completing this chapter, but I did it! So, here we finally see the Anthro League, an organisation of freedom fighters that are struggling to put a stop the Obsidian Devourers' evil agenda. Will they succeed? Let's hope so! Until then, see you in the next story!
Dedicated to Herodragonwarrior.
