Last time Bloom and her friends, distraught over the loss of Tecna, even though nobody knew if she was even dead or not, decided that enough was enough. A plan was drawn to take back Cloud Tower. At the same time, several inmates of Omega who had gotten off of Andros, arrived at Cloud Tower to, supposedly, join with the new R'lyeh empire. Among the fugitives was Trabon, former Shadow Rider and beau of Stormy. Trabon wasn't looking too good, time was catching up with him. Diaspro arrived, saying that she could restore Trabon's youth.
It was then that Mirta launched a distraction, drawing the baddies away while Bloom and her friends walked right into the school, where they met with Morgan, still alive and joking. They found the enslaved students hooked into the insidious energy draining device. At the same time, Mirta confronted Lucy, who had already given them away to Vicky and her group. One thing led to another, resulting in Bloom using her Enchantix to fight Vicky and The Trix. Diaspro blindsided Bloom, but she recovered, only to have her magic fail again. It looked like the end of Bloom, when fate intervened.
(Note; this chapter involves characters and elements from the hit cartoon 'Avatar: The Last Airbender,' which I'm using without permission, so please don't sue me)
'Nuff said, on with the show!
Chapter 21: The Dragon Sage part 1
Once again, Icy and her sisters were in the throne room in the palace on Xaldo. But this time they, along with Toro, Kevin, Naz, Rolf, Sara, James and Johnny (and Plank), were the center of attention. They were all on one knee in front of the throne, on which Zahidia sat, looking very angry at those in front of her.
From the gathered imperial minions watching from the raised parts of the throne room, Diaspro looked on, not sure if she should feel sorry for The Trix and their allies, or to cheer on whatever punishment lay in store for them. Also in the crowd was Trabon, not yet a member of the new empire, as he stood anxiously as his companions faced the judgment of the uncrowned empress.
"I am very disappointed in all of you," said Zahidia in a cold yet calm tone, yet everyone on their knees in front of her knew that the slightest provocation could unleash Zahidia's wrath.
"The loss of the energy collecting device is bad enough," said Zahidia, "but to lose Cloud Tower and all of its magical resources, that is a loss I will be hard pressed to forgive.
"And then there is the loss of imperial resources used to recover you from Magix before you could be apprehended, not to mention the additional resources used to ensure that you couldn't be traced back here to Xaldo. Again, I will be hard pressed to forgive such wastefulness. Well…what have to say for yourselves?"
"Lady Zahidia," said Vicky, who was looking like she was half exhausted from her exertions that day, "there is no excuse for our failure at Cloud Tower."
After Bloom passed out, the fight continued outside, where Griffin, Carmen, Elise and Morgan had taken Vicky and The Trix. Morgan and Elise easily overpowered Darcy and Stormy, while Carmen knocked Icy aside to join with Griffin for a double Dragon Slave blast at Vicky. (Carmen would later confess to her friends that it was Griffin who originally taught her said spell, but that's a story for later)
Vicky avoided the worst of the double curse, but the effects of having to fight a fully-powered Bloom had already taken its toll on her augmented body. Vicky was nearing the point where she would have to make a run for it in order to avoid damaging herself, when she, along with her sisters, Toro, Trabon, Kevin, Naz and the others, including Diaspro, were teleported back to the palace on Xaldo. Diaspro managed to slink away before the imperial guardsmen 'insisted' that the others were to be taken to the throne room. Trabon was held back, the guards with him said that Zahidia would deal with him later.
As they waited in front of the throne for Zahidia to come in, Vicky explicitly instructed her sisters and the others to hold their silence, to let her do all the talking, unless Zahidia directly asked one of them. Kevin and his gang already knew the drill, even Johnny had enough sanity to realize that this was a time to keep his, and Plank's mouth shut.
"I know there is no excuse," said Zahidia, "I saw the whole thing from my own crystal ball."
"Then you know how strong Bloom was," said Icy. She knew that Vicky told her to keep quiet, but this was something she had to say, "but we had the perfect opportunity to finish her for good."
"She has her Enchantix," said Darcy, "but she couldn't control it."
"We had her right where we wanted her," said Stormy, "when that lunatic Diaspro ruined everything."
"How dare you!!" snapped Diaspro as she shoved her way through the crowd to in front of the throne, "I would have destroyed Bloom, had it not been for you incompetent witches. The glory of victory was within my reach, and you denied me that glory! You imbeciles deserve what's coming to you!"
"Well whatever we get," said Icy as she glared at Diaspro, "you'll get ten times as worse, you f#ck$ng psychopath!!"
"Enough!!" shouted Zahidia, "Victoria, you will control your sisters."
"Yes, Lady Zahidia," said Vicky in an conceding tone. The Trix looked at Vicky as if she had lost her mind, but there was nothing they could do at that time, except glare at Diaspro as she smirked at them.
"As for you, Diaspro," said Zahidia, "while the terms of our agreement make you an independent agent, thereby free of any imperial obligations and duties, it does not give you the freedom to draw on my personal ire. You are as much to blame for the travesty at Cloud Tower as are the others."
"No I'm not!" said Diaspro as her madness rose to the occasion again. She pointed at Vicky and The Trix, "it's all their fault! I wanted to destroy Bloom, but they ruined everything! They should be punished, not me! Them!!"
Everyone in the throne room expected Zahidia to order Diaspro's head be cut off for her insolence, yet Zahidia merely smiled, "I can see that words won't change your disposition, Diaspro. I've tried to be patient with your 'eccentricities,' and I have been patient. But in this matter, you obviously wish to make it personal. So be it."
She raised her left hand, black lighting crackling between her fingers, "the palace has its own battle arena, complete with enough stadium seating for everyone here and more. If you truly wish to make this personal, Diaspro, then we can settle it there, just you and me, to the finish."
"And miss out on finishing my work?" Diaspro asked in a shaky tone that did little to hide her fear of Zahidia, "no thanks."
"Then you'll let this go?" Zahidia asked in a voice as smooth as velvet, while black lighting still crackled in her raised hand.
"I'll let it go," said Diaspro.
"Excellent," said Zahidia as she smiled, the black lighting fading from her lowering hand, "now, I suggest you run back to your playroom and complete your work."
"I will," said Diaspro. She turned to leave, but then she paused, "oh, the new guy that broke out of Omega, the one Stormy is so hot about, I'll need him. I did promise to help restore his looks."
"But of course," said Zahidia. She snapped her fingers (insert finger-snapping sound) and a spotlight shone on Trabon, "your tenure among The Shadow Riders has been noted and taken into consideration, and after careful deliberation, we extend the invitation of membership in the new R'lyeh Empire. Trabon, do you accept?"
"I accept," said Trabon, "provided that the ones I share comradeship with are still alive, so I won't be alone in this new empire."
"I'll take that into thought," said Zahidia, "now go and be restored."
"I live only to serve you, Lady Zahidia," said Trabon as he bowed. He was presented with a Cthulhu disk, which morphed into a belt buckle that was similar to Toro's.
"Don't you worry your silly little head," said Diaspro as she grabbed Trabon's arm and led him towards the exit, "I'll have those good looks back in no time." But she stopped at the door, "Stormy! Remember, you still owe me a favor for this."
"We never signed the contract," said Stormy.
"I have it," said Vicky as she pulled said paper from her pocket. It was wrinkled and torn a bit along the edges, bit the writing was still there, as well as the enchantment Vicky placed.
"To hell with the contract," said Diaspro in a dismissive tone, "I'll take your word." With that she dragged Trabon out of the throne room.
"Well that was a waste of time," said Vicky as she disintegrated the contract, "I used a perfectly good enslavement hex, and didn't even get to see it work."
"Next time," assured Icy.
"We may not have a next time, Sisters," said Darcy.
"Oh but you will," said Zahidia, "I'll spare your lives; your record of success has given you credit. However, I expect nothing but maximum results the next time."
"Of course, Lady Zahidia," said Naz, "we wouldn't give forth nothing less."
"Of course you will," said Zahidia, then she turned her attention back to Vicky, "Once you've recovered from your exertions, Victoria, I expect that you and your sisters will try again to destroy Bloom."
"You'd better believe we'll try again!" said Stormy, "and this time we'll bring back her head, her heart and her spleen."
"Her spleen?" Darcy asked.
"It was the first organ I could think of," said Stormy.
"I'd be happy with just her heart and head," said Zahidia, "although I'd also want her soul to torment, but alas, the empire is suffering a shortage of soul-capturing resources. Her head and heart will do."
"It will be done, Lady Zahidia," said Toro, "I'll rip her head off and heart out myself."
"And I'll present both on a silver platter to you," said Darcy.
"I don't care how you prove that she is dead!" snapped Zahidia, her face angry again, "just as long as she is dead. The waif managed to control her full powers long enough to pull you witches halfway through a meat grinder. Had she remained in control a few minutes longer, we wouldn't be having this conversation."
"I realize that," said Vicky, "but you have nothing to fear from Bloom. I've done my homework on the subject; it will be impossible for her to have full control of her Enchantix."
"I to have done my homework," said Zahidia, "and there are ways for Bloom to gain control, or at least near control of her powers. And of course, there's always the possibility of her discovering the means of breaking the curse on her homeworld. You know what I speak of, don't' you, Victoria?"
"I do know, Lady Zahidia," said Vicky in a dry, neutral tone. Icy, Darcy and Stormy looked confused, but decided to let it go for now.
"Then there is nothing more to say," remarked Zahidia, "now go, prepare for the coming battle. And remember; if you fail me again, I shall not be as merciful." She snapped her fingers again (insert another finger snapping sound) signaling that the audience was over.
"We live only to serve you, Lady Zahidia!!" chanted the assembled imperial minions.
"That was close," said Vicky as she and her sisters headed for the exit, "if she were any more annoyed with us, then we'd wouldn't be here anymore."
"I don't want to think about that," said Icy, "I just want to plan on how to get rid of Bloom once and for all."
"Same here," said Toro, while Stormy and Darcy nodded in agreement.
"I'll leave the planning to you, sisters," said Vicky, "right now I need to rest, at least five days this time. And before you leave, Kevin and Naz, yes, I see you and your crew there, you're in this as well. It's going to take all of us to destroy Bloom and whatever or whoever she'll have protecting her next time."
"Why are you dragging us into this?" Naz asked.
"Because you've fought those others that Bloom had with her," said Vicky, "those Children of Domino. You know how they fight, as well as any weaknesses you've discovered. As soon as I've recovered, I want a full report on the enemy."
"Just great," said Kevin, "we just got away from the boss lady's wrath unscathed, only to do homework."
"I'm sure it'll be good for you," teased Icy. She then noticed Stormy heading for the door, "and where are you going?"
"To find Diaspro's lab," said Stormy, "I just got Trabon back; no way am I leaving him alone with that lunatic." With that she hurried after Diaspro and Trabon.
********
After experiencing seemingly never-ending vivid dream filled with some of the most outlandish images and experiences she had seen, some of them too bizarre for words, Bloom woke up. Once again she was in the Alfea infirmary, and once again she was surrounded by her friends.
"About time, sleepyhead," said Stella as she smiled, "you really had us worried there for a while."
"How long was I out this time?" Bloom asked
"Over four days," said Flora.
"One-hundred seven hours, eight minutes and thirty-nine seconds to be exact," said Elise. It was then that Bloom noticed that Elise's left arm was in a sling.
"Elise, your arm," said Bloom.
"It's just dislocated," said Elise, "I got hit by one of those curses that we've been encountering. I was prepared to block it when Vicky threw it at me, but it blasted through my shields. I landed hard on the ground and hurt my arm. The worst of it has been removed, thanks to Stella and Musa here."
"A little fairy dust goes a long way," remarked Stella as she and Musa smiled brightly.
"It does," said Elise, "but as with what happened to Sky, any attempt at magical healing would only make things worse. Morgan, Carmen and I have to heal on our own."
"Carmen and Morgan got hurt as well?" Bloom asked, shocked that her friends were injured while she was unable to do anything.
"Morgan has a few cracked ribs," said Layla, "and Carmen has a black eye and a sprained wrist, but other than that they're fine. We all are."
It was then that Carmen rushed into the infirmary. Indeed, the area around her left eye was bruised an angry purple, while her right wrist was in a brace.
"So you're awake again," said Carmen, "good, that's good. And before you say anything, Bloom, yes, I look terrible."
"I wouldn't say terrible," said Bloom, "just not too good, that's all."
At that Carmen chuckled, "I appreciate that. Oh, Morgan says hi; she's healing up back at Cloud Tower. The healers there say that she's not to move for another day or so. It's a good thing she's a natural healer herself."
"Well that's good," said Musa.
"What happened after I passed out?" Bloom insisted, "tell me, please."
"Stella and the others got you back to Alfea," said Carmen, "and then came back to watch the fight. Me, Elise, Morgan and Griffin, we took Vicky and The Trix outside where we could move about freely. I won't go into all the details, but we beat them, the baddies; we've taken back Cloud Tower."
"They're gone?" Bloom asked anxiously, not daring to believe what was sure to be too good to be true.
"Well," Carmen said, "we didn't kill Vicky and her sisters, but we sent them packing. It cost us, me especially," she pointed to her black eye, and then her sprained wrist, "but Vicky and her sisters won't be coming back to Cloud Tower, or anywhere on Magix, for a long time."
"What about the witches?" Bloom asked, "the good ones, the ones Vicky turned into zombies."
"They're alright," said Flora, "Griffin figured out how to unhook them from that horrible machine. We were too late to stop the device from draining their energy up to that point; a few more minutes and it would have been too late, but we saved them. They're all very tired, but all are expected to make full recoveries."
"The machine itself has been destroyed," said Layla, "Elise tried to figure out who built it and where it was sending the energy to, but it blew up on its own. Something we did must have made it self-destruct."
"Or maybe whoever built it in the first place told it to blow up," said Musa, "anything's possible at this point."
"Weren't there others with The Trix in Cloud Tower?" Bloom asked.
"Those freak-a-zoids?" Carmen asked, "Jake said that he and the others fought them, but Griffin also sent them packing. We didn't find any trace of any of the baddies afterwards, they're all gone, gone back to wherever hellhole they crawled out of. And before you ask, there wasn't any sign of Diaspro either."
"The others that The Trix were with," said Flora, "they were working on some sort of poison. It wasn't finished when we found it, so we have no idea what it does, but we destroyed it anyway."
"Better safe than sorry," said Bloom.
"But enough about Carmen's day," said Stella, "what about you? How do you feel, Bloom?"
"I'm alright, I guess," said Bloom. She hesitantly called forth a fireball, which came effortlessly, "my powers are working again, that's a relief," she extinguished the fireball."
"I'm glad that you're confidence is as strong as ever," said Faragonda as she came into the room."
"She just woke up, Ms. F," said Stella.
"I can see that," said Faragonda, "now, if you young ladies would excuse us, I'd like a few moments alone with Bloom."
"We'll be right back," said Flora as she and the others left the room.
"Just shout if you need us for anything," said Musa.
"Daphne said that my friends were my greatest strength," said Bloom to Faragonda, "and she was right."
"You spoke with your ascended sister?" Faragonda asked.
"It was after I first passed out, back on Domino," said Bloom, "she told me that I was about to face my greatest challenge, and she was right about that as well." Bloom looked at Faragonda again in a apologizing manner, "I'm so sorry I couldn't keep my promise, but I had to use my Enchantix. Vicky and The Trix, they were going to hurt Stella and the others."
"I believe you," said Faragonda, "I would have acted the same way if I were in your shoes, Bloom. Still, you were a little reckless. I fear that another episode like this, and it will happen again, of that I'm sure of, it could be fatal for you, or worse, you could lose the use of your magic forever."
"Then what should I do?" Bloom asked, "I know that the problem with my powers is linked with the curse afflicting Domino, but we still don't know how to remove it." she then looked at Faragonda hopefully. "Unless…"
"I'm afraid I haven't gotten closer to answering that problem, Bloom," said Faragonda, "and for that I am sorry."
"Oh," said a disappointed Bloom.
"But there may yet be an answer," said Faragonda, "I've recently discovered that my predecessor, the headmistress of Alfea before me, is still alive, and she may be willing to help you."
"Your predecessor?" Bloom asked.
"Yes," said Faragonda, "Maya, the oldest and wisest fairy in The Magical Dimension. She's currently residing in a dragon preservation on Wallach VII; the Pyros Preserve, also known as 'The Island of Dragons.' Well, it's more a continent, but 'island' sounds better when advertised to tourists."
"You really think Maya can help?" Bloom asked.
"If anyone can, it is her," said Faragonda, "for she is also known as 'The Dragon Sage.'"
"Then what are we waiting for?" Bloom asked as she got out of bed and used a spell to change from the hospital gown to her normal attire, "let's go!"
"There are a few more things you need to know about the dragon preserve," said Faragonda, "first, and most obvious, it's full of wild and violent dragons."
"I've guessed that already," said Bloom as she and Faragonda headed for the door, "but what else?"
"The preserve has an anti-teleportation field," said Faragonda, "once you go in, you will have to walk or fly in order to get to the protected area where Maya is. She has settled in a house that has several dragon-repelling charms installed, but it is also in the center of the preserve, so it won't be easy getting there."
"Since when as anything been easy for me?" Bloom asked, "okay, we'll take the long way. I'm sure even Stella would appreciate stretching her wings."
"There's a problem with that," said Faragonda, "the owners of the preserve only allow a few people inside at a time. The dragons are prone to attack large groups more fiercely than smaller groups. The fewer people who go with you, Bloom, the better. I would recommend no more than six."
"Only six," said Bloom, "including myself?"
"Seven would be better," said Faragonda, "But like I said, the less attention you draw from the dragons, the better, so stick with six, including yourself. I'd go with you if I could, but I'm needed here. Cloud Tower may be back in its rightful hands, but there is still a lot of work needed to put things back in order."
"I understand," said Bloom. Already she was considering who she wanted to go with her. She knew that everyone would want to go, but she had a feeling that her choices would be limited.
"There's more to this," said Bloom.
"Indeed," said Faragonda, "the Pyros Preserve was founded by one of your ancestors and several others from Domino. As a result, all people from Domino were considered welcome to the preserve any time You and your fellow Domino survivors will have a better chance navigating the preserve than the rest of your friends."
"So I can't take Stella or the others with me," said Bloom, "I know they won't like that, especially Stella."
"I know they won't," said Faragonda, "but I have a feeling that your friends will be needed elsewhere in the days to come."
A short time later Bloom explained the situation to her friends and allies as they sat in a shaded part of the Alfea courtyard, Stella making sure she was in the sun. At first Stella and The Winx argued about being excluded from this mission, but then Bloom said that those from Domino had the best chance of reaching Maya.
"And I think Faragonda wants you guys here at Alfea for some reason," said Bloom, "she didn't say what."
"You're certain about this, Bloom?" Flora asked.
"It's the only chance I have right now to gain control over my Enchantix," said Bloom, "Vicky and the other baddies could attack again at any time; I need my full powers to defeat them."
"I wouldn't try to argue with Bloom on this," Helia said to Flora, "if there's one thing I know about Bloom, once she's got her mind set on something, nothing in the universe can change it."
"That's one thing we like about her," said Stella, "alright, Bloom, we'll stay."
"But that doesn't mean we won't be with you in spirit," said Musa.
"We'll be thinking and praying for you," said Flora.
"And you'd better come back with your powers in control," said Layla, "I'd hate to think you'd wasted so much time for nothing."
"It won't be a waste," said Bloom in a reassuring tone.
"But who are you taking with you?" Riven asked.
"Well I know Jake wants to go," said Bloom, "and I've already talked with the others; Karen, Rei and Travis have nearly healed from their fight with those other villains, healed enough to travel."
"But that makes only five," said Flora, "who's the sixth?"
"That'll be me," said Carmen as she walked up to the group, "I'll be thrice-damned if I let Bloom go into a dragon preserve without me."
"You sure you're up for it?" Musa asked.
"A black eye never stopped me from anything," said Carmen, "and my wrist feels fine," she took off the brace and carefully moved her hand and wrist about, "see? I'm alright."
"Well as long as you're careful," said Bloom.
One hour later Bloom and her group were packed and ready to go to Wallach VII. Everyone was at the Alfea gates, wishing their goodbyes and good luck to Bloom, Carmen, Jake, Karen, Travis and Rei. Morgan insisted that she was well enough to come over to Alfea and wish Bloom good luck, which she did.
Unknown to anyone at the time, a certain blue-furred rabbit whom Bloom hadn't been paying much attention over the past weeks, had decided that enough was enough. While Bloom was packing in her room, Kiko took advantage when Bloom was distracted, and hopped into her travel bag. Bloom had no idea that her furry friend would be joining her on this peril-filled quest.
Anyway, Faragonda opened a portal to Wallach VII, just after Bloom and her group had finished their goodbyes.
"We'll be thinking of you!" Flora said again.
"Bring us back a dragon's tooth!" Riven said.
"We'll bring back a whole dragon's skeleton," said Travis.
"Just don't get hurt," said Morgan as she leaned against the gates.
"Never happen," said Carmen.
After a few more well wishes, Bloom and her team, plus the concealed Kiko, entered the portal, which closed up after them.
"They'll be alright," said Layla to Stella in a reassuring tone.
"I hope so," said Stella as they all went back inside the gates.
A few minutes later, as everyone was just hanging out, two figures walked passed the gates, and said figures were Sky and Brandon.
"Well, look who's here," said Helia happily as he and the others saw Sky and Brandon, "the walking man."
"How does it feel to be back on two legs again?" Musa asked.
"Feels good," said Sky, "like I'm a complete person again, well, almost."
Just then a blond blur shot out from the main building of the school, heading straight for Brandon. "Snookums!" exclaimed Stella as she tackled Brandon and began peppering him with kisses, "I missed you so much!"
"I missed you to, beautiful," said Brandon as he and Stella got back up. He then embraced and kissed Stella passionately, while she kissed back
"So, you're really alright?" Riven asked Sky, "no lingering pain in the back?"
"Not so much as an itch where Diaspro blasted me," said Sky, "that Thad Monroe really knows his stuff. The healing itself hurt, a lot, but it was all worth it. I'm just glad we finished as quickly as we did."
"Where is Dr. Monroe anyway?" Morgan asked, "I'd like to talk with him about what he did to you."
"He had one or two things still to take care of back on Eraklyon," said Brandon, "something about updating his correspondents on his work."
"Well I'll be sure to read his work when it's published," said Morgan.
It was then that Sky asked the question he was burning to ask, "Where's Bloom?"
"Oh, dude," said Helia in a slightly depressed tone, "you just missed her by like five minutes."
"She left to talk to someone about her powers," said Musa.
"And she took Carmen, Jake and a few others with her," said Riven.
"When will they be back?" Sky asked.
"They didn't say," remarked Flora.
"They wouldn't have left like that if it weren't important," said Stella, "Bloom really felt that she needed to get full control of her powers, and so did Faragonda."
"Bloom wasn't so upset about her powers before," said Sky as he realized just how out of the loop he had been during his recovery, "what's changed? Tell me everything that's happened."
"Well," said Flora, "you already know that we fought this really strong witch on Andros."
"Bloom told me," said Sky, "Vicky, the elder sister of The Trix."
"As if we had enough trouble dealing with those three," said Brandon, "now there's four of them."
"It gets worse," said Riven, "about a week after the fiasco at the Millennium Ball…"
The others took turns filling Sky and Brandon in on all that had happened; how Vicky and her sisters took over Cloud tower and enslaved the students, how Musa earned her Enchantix, Faragonda being petrified, how our heroes split into two groups to find the stones on Guardia and The Endless Illusion, the battle at The Black Willow and Flora earning her Enchantix, saving Faragonda, the near explosion of The Omega Gate on Andros, how Tecna sacrificed herself to seal The Gate, thereby earning her Enchantix, and finally the retaking of cloud Tower.
"So everything's alright back at Cloud Tower," said Helia, "and the students have been freed. They won't be doing much mischief for a while, but they're all expected to make full recoveries."
"That's a relief," said Brandon, "I guess."
"So it was Mirta's friend who betrayed Cloud Tower," said Sky, "how is she?"
"Mirta's alright, more or less," said Flora, "she's still has betrayal issues to work out. But she's accepted that Lucy isn't her friend anymore, or probably never was to begin with."
"That would be hard for anyone to deal with," said Brandon.
"And Tecna," said Sky, "is she really gone?"
"We still don't know," said Elise, "we know she survived long enough to seal The gate from the other side, but after that, we don't even know if she's still alive, or if she died."
"She's alive alright!" shouted Timmy as he came running up to the group, "Tecna's alive!!"
"Now what?" Stella asked.
Timmy skidded to halt in front of the gang, "I fixed the multi-dimensional transceiver! It works again, and I got Tecna's signal, she's alive!"
"That's great, Timmy!" said Sky.
"Oh, Sky," said Timmy, "I didn't see you there, good to have you back, no pun intended. Anyway, when do we leave?"
"Leave?" Brandon asked, "I just got here."
"To go rescue Tecna of course," said Timmy, "when are we going?"
"Whoa there, cowboy," said Morgan, "one thing at a time."
"Are you sure you fixed the transceiver?" Elise asked.
"I double and triple checked everything," said Timmy, "the machine and the software works. And the signal I received, it's from Tecna, we agreed on the code beforehand. It's her alright."
"How can you be sure it is her transmitting the signal?" Riven asked, "for all we know, the other transceiver is in the hands of an inmate. Remember, it's still chaotic inside the prison."
True, the latest news said that the authorities had quarantined Omega from space with over a hundred warships, thirty of which were from the Galaxy Police; no one was to get in or out of the prison or risk being blasted into atoms. As for the inmates who had broken free of their suspended animation capsules, the authorities had decreed to 'let them duke it out until things had calmed down in there.' Then there was the internal security system of the prison itself; that was on the frits and unreliable, attacking inmates and guards alike.
"I'm sure we'll find a way to get inside the prison," said Timmy, "this is Tecna we're taking about."
"But still," said Flora.
"But nothing," said Helia, "Timmy is right, this is Tecna we're talking about. Leave getting inside Omega to me. I'll talk to my grandfather, Saladin, and he'll talk to the administration of The Galaxy Police, and they'll let us inside the prison in order to mount a rescue mission. Is that satisfactory, Timmy?"
"Very," said Timmy.
"Well," said Stella, "I guess I'll have to buy my winter wardrobe early. It is cold in Omega."
"Very cold," said Brandon, "but I'm sure it won't be a problem if we all work together."
"Not all of us," said Sky, "you guys go save Tecna, I'm staying here until Bloom comes back."
"They may be a while," said Layla, "you sure you want to wait?"
"I've waited for this long," said Sky, "I'll wait here for as long as it takes. I made Bloom a promise; once I was back to my old self, we'd be together and nothing in the universe would keep us apart again."
"If that's what you want to do," said Brandon, "that's fine with me."
"And me," said Stella.
"And me," said Morgan, while the others nodded in agreement.
********
"Is it me," said Karen as she wiped sweat from her brow, "or is it hot here?"
"Well of course it's hot here," said Rei in an annoyed tone, "we're on the fricking equator for gods sake!!"
"With all due respect, Princess Bloom," said Travis, "but why did your ancestors have to build this dragon preserve where it's so hot?"
"Your guess is as good as mine," said Bloom, "but I really don't think it's so hot."
True enough, while Rei, Travis and Karen were sweating bullets under the near-blistering sun that Wallach VII orbited, to Bloom it felt rather pleasant. Even though they had been on the planet for less than fifteen minutes, Bloom's companions were already wishing they hadn't volunteered. Even Jake and Carmen were feeling the effect of the heat, although they were more able to tolerate the 104° temperature. Fortunately it was a dry heat, but that didn't make it much better since there wasn't a cloud in sight over the savanna-like landscape that led to the Pyros Preserve.
"Where exactly is the dragon preserve?" Carmen asked.
"Up ahead, Ms. Carmen," said Jake as he pointed forward, "I've researched this world before we left; there's a road less than five minutes walk from where we are. Said road leads to the main entrance to the preserve. From there it is nearly a straight line to the mountain where Sage Maya resides."
"Your calculations were wrong, Jake," said Travis as they came across an old stretch of pavement that was heavily cracked and strewed with weeds and grass, "by five minutes almost."
They followed the road to a pair of tall totems; twin alabaster pillars 15ft tall carved with dragon images spaced 20ft apart. In either direction there were similar totems evenly spaced at 50ft intervals. The lines of totems went off into the horizon.
"That's the boundary of the preserve," said Bloom, "Faragonda told me that the totems maintain an enchanted barrier that no living thing can cross. Those two at the road are the only way in and out."
"Looks like nobody has been here for years," said Karen as they approached the totems marking the entrance, "are you sure the enchantments are still working?"
Carmen fired off a low-level dark sphere at the space between two totems on the right. The sphere hit an invisible wall and dissipated. Carmen then shot a similar dark sphere between the entrance totems, the sphere passed through effortlessly and dissipated on it's own about 100ft in.
"Guess that answers that," said Carmen.
"Faragonda told me that the whole preserve is self-contained," said Bloom, "everything the dragons need to live is there; herds of living game, rivers and lakes of fresh water, and more than enough room to fly around in. The enchanted wall extends twenty miles up, and the whole preserve has over 50 million acres of grasslands, forests and mountains."
"I'm going to ask a stupid question here," said Karen, "what happens if the enchanted barrier fails?"
"Well it hasn't failed yet," said Jake, "but in the even the magic does fail, there is no human-habited area within a thousand miles of the preserve, one of the conditions of its founding. And the barrier has several redundancies woven into it to ensure that if a failure is imminent, a secondary barrier is formed and held until the primary one is restored by the proper authorities."
He looked at Karen, "Worry not, Ms. Karen, it would take dark magic of indescribable power to break the barrier from the outside, and I highly doubt our enemies are capable of generating such force."
It was then that Bloom felt movement in her travel bag. She unzipped it to reveal her blue furred friend. "Kiko! How…? what…?"
"Looks like we have a stowaway," teased Travis.
Bloom naturally felt angry that Kiko had snuck along. But then she saw the way he was miming that he missed her and that she was the one being neglectful. Immediately her heart warmed again, "Alright, Kiko, I'm sorry we haven't been spending time together, you can stay. Just be careful."
Kiko gave Bloom an affirmative salute and jumped onto her shoulder.
"Faragonda did say that seven would be a preferred number," said Carmen.
"And seven is much more luckier than six," said Jake.
Just then Bloom noticed someone sitting in front of one of the entrance totems; a boy about 14 or so, wearing what appeared to be yellow and light orange clothes in the style of a Buddhist monk. He sat in a meditative posture with his eyes closed. Leaning against one arm was a staff of some sort.
"Who's that?" Rei asked as she and everyone else noticed the boy.
"I don't know," said Travis, "but if he's a threat to Princess Bloom, he'd better watch out," his hand went to the handle of his sword, while Rei held a knife behind her back.
"I wouldn't be so quick to judge a newcomer," said Karen, "but maybe caution in any situation would be best."
"Let's just take it easy," said Bloom, "no threatening gestures. I've got a feeling that this person is more than he seems, much more." Indeed, Bloom sensed that the boy held incredible power inside him, a power rivaling The Dragonfire.
"Well he's right next to the gateway," said Carmen, "we've got to go past him to get in."
"Then let us not tarry," said Jake, "prepare for the worst, and hope for the best."
They cautiously approached the entrance to the preserve. As they got closer, Bloom noticed that they boy's head was shaved bald, and that his head and arms were tattooed with blue arrows. Another step closer revealed a strange creature sitting in the boy's lap. It looked like a white and brown-furred lemur with green eyes and very large ears.
The boy suddenly opened his eyes, gray and friendly, and looked at Bloom, "oh, you're here. I knew you wouldn't be long, Bloom." He spoke in a kind and cheerful tone.
"You know me?" a slightly confused Bloom asked.
"Not personally," said the boy as he stood up and held his staff in his left hand, the lemur jumped onto his right shoulder, "but I knew you'd be here at the dragon preserve. And I knew that you'd be coming, in general, as a person."
"Really," said Carmen in an unbelieving tone.
"Just who are you, kid?" Travis asked.
"Name's Aang," said the boy, "and I'm no kid."
"You sure look like one," said Rei.
"Appearances can be deceiving," said Jake, "as Princess Bloom implied, there's more here to our young friend than meets the eye."
"There's a lot more to you," said Aang, "I recognize your chi; You're the current incarnation of The Phantom renegade."
"How'd you know Jake's the Phantom Renegade?" Carmen asked. She then looked at Jake, "I thought you gave the mask up."
"And what's chi?" Travis asked.
"Chi is energy," said Karen, "just like magic, it comes from within."
"Indeed," said Jake, "and yes, I did give up the mask, yet I retain the power and specific memories of my predecessors, all of which I inherited when I first put on the mask. Young Aang here knew one of my predecessors, and he knew him from a previous life as well."
"Reincarnation," said Bloom.
"Exactly," said Aang, "I've had hundreds, thousands even, of past lives, although I've gotten to know a handfull, so I've still a long way to go. And before you say anything else, I'm no kid; in my current life, I'm 114."
"No way!" said Karen.
"How'd you manage that?" Rei asked.
"I got stuck in an iceberg when I was 12 for a hundred years," said Aang.
"That must have sucked," said Bloom, "my whole world has been frozen alive for nearly 18 years, but I wasn't there when it happened. My sister, she sacrificed her life to send me to a safe place."
"Your sister," said Aang, "she wouldn't be wearing orange and wearing a mask? Her name's Daphne?"
"That's her!" said a surprised Bloom, "how did you…."
"I met her in a dream a few days ago," said Aang, "she's the one who said I was to meet you here, and that we'd both find answers with The Dragon Sage."
"Well then," said Bloom, "let's not keep The Dragon Sage waiting any longer."
She then introduced Aang to Carmen and the others. Bloom then noticed that Kiko had left her shoulder. A quick look around revealed that Kiko was 'talking' to the white lemur.
"Looks like someone made a friend," remarked Aang. He then introduced the lemur as Momo, and with that they all entered the preserve.
"So, Aang," said Bloom, "where are you from? What world, I mean."
"If you're asking what world in The Magical Dimension," said Aang, "then the answer is none. I'm from a world that lives in a completely different reality than this one."
"How'd you get here then?" Karen asked.
"Probably with a dimensional teleportation spell," said Carmen, "or maybe a plane-shifting scroll."
"An artificial wormhole works just as well," said Travis.
"Actually," said Aang, "my friends and I got here through The Spirit realm."
"You passed through The Spirit Realm?" Carmen asked, "in your mortal bodies? Are you insane!?!"
"No," said Aang, "my friends thought I was when I suggested it, but I showed them it could be done."
"And where are your friends?" Jake asked.
"They went on a head," said Aang, "we got here about an hour ago. I told my friends that there was someone I needed to wait for, and I was right."
"Well I'm glad you're right, Aang," said Bloom. Even though she had no idea who this strange friend was or why he was here, Bloom was glad to have met him.
After twenty or so minutes of walking and talking, our heroes came to a large hill, and atop that hill was the makings of a campsite, and in that campsite were three people, two girls and a boy.
"Those are my friends," said Aang happily.
They got to the camp and Aang introduced his friends to Bloom and her group.
The first girl, Katara, was about 16 years old, tall with a dark complexion, blue eyes and long brown hair tied back into a ponytail and two thick strands of hair arranged so they looped from her forehead back towards the ponytail. She wore a blue and white tunic dress over black pants and black boots. She wore a black cloth necklace that had a carved blue stone set into it.
The second girl, Toph, was 14 and about Aang's height. She had medium toned skin, short black hair set with a yellow and green hairpiece so that she had bangs that nearly concealed her eyes. She wore a green and yellow shirt and pants with a black leather belt, with brown wristbands and anklebands and walked barefoot.
The boy, Zuko, he had the most distinguishing features of the group. He was tall, had short black hair, very pale skin and yellow eyes. He wore a red and black shirt with black pants and boots. But what really made him stand out was the large burn scar around his left eye. It was as if someone shoved a burning torch at his face.
Bloom sensed two different things from Aang's friends. First was that each of his friends, Zuko, Katara and Toph, they all had an incredible power in them, not as strong as Aang, but still very strong. Bloom then noticed that the power the four of them had were very different that matched their visible personalities;
Aang reflected an inner peace and harmony that matched a good humor and eagerness for fun. Katara flowed with benevolence and serenity that matched an inner passion, not to mention a deep temper that often had an outlet.
Toph was as sturdy and stable as a rock, and also had a well defined sense of humor. Zuko on the other hand was, at first glance, all business that was offset with an intense repressed rage. But underneath that rage was a deep sense of kindness and a passion for life.
"These the guys you were waiting for, Twinkle-toes?" Toph asked Aang without looking at him or at Bloom and the others, clearly using a nickname for the young monk.
"Yep," said Aang.
"Well I hope they were worth the wait," said Katara, "I missed you, Aang."
"I was only gone for an hour or so," said Aang, "but yeah, I missed you two, Katara."
It didn't take Stella's matchmaking skills for Bloom to sense that Aang and Katara had chemistry between them.
At the same time, Travis and Rei were admiring Zuko's scar. "That must have hurt," remarked Travis.
"It did," said Zuko in a tone that said that he'd rather not talk about it, "it's something I'll never forget."
"Who gave you such a horrific wound?" Rei asked.
"A man whom I once called father," said Zuko, "but now is nothing more than a stranger to me."
"Your own father hurt you?" a shocked Karen asked.
"It's a long and complicated story," said Zuko.
"I'm sure we'd all love to hear it," said Carmen, "but we've got a sage to visit."
"True," said Jake, "Princess Bloom has urgent matters to discuss with Sage Maya."
"Oh, a princess are you?" Toph asked. She walked right up to Bloom, "you don't sound like a princess to me."
"I've had a weird life," said Bloom. It was then that she noticed something odd about Toph's eyes, something very odd.
"Oh, I'm sorry," said Bloom, "I didn't realize that…"
"That I'm blind?" Toph asked in a nonchalant tone. Indeed, she was without sight.
"I meant no disrespect," said Bloom, "it's just that…"
"You think that I'm a helpless little girl," said Toph, "well just because I've never seen anything in my life, that I've been blind since birth, it doesn't mean I'm completely helpless."
"I never said such a thing," said Bloom, "it's just that, and don't interrupt me, it's rude."
"She can be rude sometimes," said Aang, "but you'll get used to her."
"The good spirits know we've gotten used to her," said Zuko.
"As I was saying," said Bloom, "I didn't mean to insult you, Toph, it's just that, one of my friends had her sight taken away from her for a while. She got it back, but she was frightened half out of her mind at the time. I can only imagine how terrifying it's been for you, living your entire life in such darkness."
"Fear itself is the only true darkness," said Toph.
"You're right," said Bloom, "I shouldn't have judged you like that."
"Apology accepted," said Toph, "this time."
"That's great and all," said Travis, "can we go now?"
"We can't leave yet," said Katara, "Sokka and Suki aren't back yet."
"And Appa isn't here," said Aang as he pulled something from his pocket, something that turned out to be a white whistle of some sort, which he blew, producing no audible sound, but Bloom assumed it was like a dog whistle.
"Who's Sokka and Suki?" Rei asked.
"And who's Appa?" Karen asked.
"Appa is my best friend in all of existence," said Aang, "you'll meet him in a minute."
"As for Sokka," said an irate sounding Katara, "he's my idiot brother."
"And Suki is his girlfriend," said Toph in a teasing tone.
"At least she's not an idiot," said Zuko.
"Sokka isn't that big an idiot," said Aang, "he's gotten us out of some pretty sticky situations."
"And gotten us into plenty of the same," said Katara.
Bloom was about to ask what kind of sticky situations, when Travis shouted, "Great googly moogly!! What is that!?" he pointed at something in the air approaching the campsite, something that turned out to be an enormous white furred animal with six legs. It's horns gave it made resembled a large buffalo. On it's head and down it's back was a long patch of gray fur that resembled an arrow, similar to the tattoos on Aang. Strapped to it's back was a large leather harness or saddle. Whatever it was, it looked like it had room for several people.
"That," said Aang as the white buffalo landed, "is my best friend in the world, or on any world." He walked up to the creature and patted it on the head, it groaned presently, "this is Appa, a flying bison."
"Is it safe?" Karen asked nervously.
"He," said Toph, "is more than safe," she calmly walked up to Appa and began stroking his fur, causing another pleasant groan from the creature, "aren't you safe? Yes you are, yes you are."
"Kiko seems to like him," said Carmen. True enough, the blue rabbit was unconcerned by the large white bison. In fact, Kiko and Momo were having a 'conversation' with Appa in their own manner.
I knew I should have learned that animal translation spell, thought Bloom.
"Well I think he's adorable," said Rei as she walked up to Appa and began petting him.
"You can do whatever you like," said Travis as he took one step, then two away from the white bison, "but I'm not getting anywhere near that thing."
"Oh lighten up, Travis," said Carmen as she patted Appa on the head. He responded by licking her, leaving Carmen covered in bison saliva.
"He really likes you," said Aang.
"Hell of a way to show affection," muttered Carmen, "and a hell of a time to forget a cleaning spell."
"I got it," said Bloom as she cast a spell that left Carmen looking and feeling refreshed.
"Thanks, Bloom," said Carmen.
"What are friends for?" said Bloom. It was then that she noticed that Aang, Katara and Zuko were looking at her like something really weird just happened.
"Why are you looking at her like that?" Carmen asked in an accusing tone, for she to had noticed, "What, you've never seen magic before?"
"I don't think they have," said Bloom, "not our kind of magic."
"Sir Aang and his companions are indeed unfamiliar with what we call magic," said Jake, "instead, they come from a world where a different power is used, the power of the four elements."
"So that's what I've been sensing from them," said Bloom.
"I thought I was picking up some strange vibes from them," said Karen.
"I don't get it," said Travis.
"Me neither," said Rei.
"Allow me to explain," said Jake, "I remember that one of my predecessors had indeed visited this other world. He discovered four large groups of humans, each one having special people that can manipulate, or bend, the elements."
He indicated Katara, "Lady Katara is from one of the Water Tribes, and is a Water Bender," he pointed at Toph, "Lady Toph is from one of the Earth Kingdoms, and is an Earth Bender," he indicated Zuko, "Sir Zuko is from The Fire Nation, and is a Fire Bender," he pointed at Aang, "and Sir Aang is from The Air Nomads, and is an Air Bender."
Bloom was about to enquire as to what Air Bending and such was, when she had that all too familiar feeling that something bad was about to happen.
"I hate to interrupt the conversation," said Bloom, "but we've got trouble coming!"
"Big trouble!" agreed Carmen, for she also sensed what Bloom was sensing, "trouble with a capital 'D!'"
A quick look around revealed several dozen, then hundreds of wild dragons approaching the camp from the land and air; red dragons, blue dragons, green dragons, black dragons, frost dragons, thunder dragons…just to name a few. It seemed that every species of dragon decided to pay a visit, a lethal visit that is.
But then Bloom and her friends had something to say about it, as did Aang and his friends. Everyone took up their individual fighting stances.
"Don't kill the dragons," said Bloom, "some of them may be endangered species."
"They certainly aren't worried if we're endangered," said Toph.
As the dragons attacked and Bloom's companions fought around her to keep her safe, but she did manage to throw a fireball here and there, she saw that indeed Aang and his friends had power over the four elements. She also saw that the four 'Benders' used fighting styles similar to those found on planet earth.
Katara fought with movements that resembled Tai Chi that allowed her to control water as if it were a bullwhip, forcing several dragons away. She then formed a small sphere of water and sent it at another dragon, the sphere flattening into a disk that had an edge sharp enough to cut the armor-like scales of said dragon, not deep, but deep enough to make it go away.
Then a Frost Wyrm attacked her with it's subzero breath. Katara retaliated by forcing the blast of ice to turn back at the dragon, driving it away.
Toph used Southern Praying Mantis that utilized quick footwork and movement that her blindness had no sway over. She caused several boulders to jump up from the ground and smash into several dragons, then made several slabs of rock levitate into the air and smash into some more. It was as if she could sense the vibrations of the approaching beasts and counter before they could get close.
Zuko used Northern Shaolin Kung Fu that focused on strong arm and leg movements. Every time he threw a punch or kick he shot a fireball or a stream of flame at a dragon, forcing the creatures to turn around. One dragon managed to fire back at him, but he swatted the offending ember away like it was a fly.
Just then a thunder dragon came charging at him. Zuko rolled out of the way as the beast roared past him, then turned around to shoot a bolt of lighting at him from its horns. Zuko stood his ground, allowing the lighting to make contact with his outstretched arm. It went up his fingertips to his shoulder, then across his shoulders, then out his other arm, shooting out his right fingertips and back at the offending thunder dragon. It took the full force of it's attack, barely stunning it, but giving it the message. It turned tail and ran.
Aang used a style Bloom would later identify as Ba Gua, a fighting technique that used dynamic circular quick directional changes. He used his arms and especially his staff to generate whirlwinds and gusts of air that blew several dragons to their knees and several more out of the air.
Of course, Bloom and the others helped in their own manner; Bloom blasting with Dragonfire, Carmen throwing dark spheres and gravity crushes, Jake with attacks that knocked the dragons down with minimal force, Rei distracting them with her speed and agility, Travis forcing them back with his extendable sword, and Karen with blasts of her own magic.
But the one who really impressed Bloom was Appa; the giant white bison grappled with several dragons, grabbing the scaly creatures with his front legs and using his hind legs as leverage, while jabbing at the beasts with his horns and swatting at them with his large tail.
After what seemed like forever, although the fight lasted less than ten minutes, all the dragons had been forced away.
"Everybody alright?" Bloom asked. She wasn't hurt at all and still had plenty of energy.
"I'm fine," said Carmen, "those creeps could have at least stayed a bit longer, I was just getting started."
"I am undamaged," said Jake.
"We're fine over here," said Katara, while Aang, Zuko and Toph nodded in agreement.
"I'm not," said Rei as she held her left arm; a dragon tooth was stuck in her forearm, the offending tooth keeping her from bleeding out.
"Oh that's bad," said Karen, "we've got to get it taken care of now; dragon's teeth are full of bacteria and other nasty stuff that's not good for the human body."
"Well pull it out already!" said an irate Rei as she fought against the pain in her arm.
"If we pull it out too fast," said Katara, "you could risk bleeding to death."
"Oh, you're familiar in the healing arts?" an intrigued Karen asked.
"I've dabbled," said Katara, "you?"
"I grew up among healers," said Karen, "while reading the works of the grandfather of one of Princess Bloom's friends."
"I'm mostly self-taught," said Katara, "but I've picked up some techniques here and there."
"Uh, hello!?" said Rei, "me? The one with the dragon tooth, about to get blood poisoning?!"
"Just cool it already," said Katara, "we'll take care of it."
"Sit down and think happy thoughts," said Karen, "You'll feel better in no time."
Rei sat on a rock while Karen and Katara carefully removed the dragon tooth. Karen then used a spell that prevented any infectious diseases from taking hold, while Katara used some water that she charged with healing energy on the wound, preventing further blood loss. The two healers then closed up the wound without leaving a scar.
"It'll do," said Rei as she got back up and moved her arm about, "not to bad."
"That's her way of saying thanks," said Karen.
"No need to apologize," said Katara, "I'm used to being unappreciated from my brother, wherever he is."
"Here, Travis," said Rei as she tossed the dragon tooth to him, "a souvenir for Riven."
"I'll be sure to give it to him when we get home," said Travis as he pocketed the tooth.
"That's an impressive sword you have," said Zuko.
"Like it?" Travis asked as he handed the sword to Zuko for inspection, "there's only a handful of it in all of the universe, and this one was made for me; seriously, I'm the only one who can use it."
"I can see that," said Zuko as the flexible metal of the sword went limp in his hands, "it's still a good blade," he handed the sword back to Travis, the blade went rigid again, "I'm a bit of a swordsman myself, but I prefer Fire Bending."
"It suits you well," said Travis, "and that move you used against that thunder dragon; awesome."
"It was," said an equally impressed Rei.
"Just something my uncle taught me," said Zuko modestly.
"Well your uncle is a great teacher," said Travis.
"He is," said Zuko as he smiled, "a bit weird, but most old people are."
"I know someone who's weirder," said Aang, "and he's the king of an entire city."
"Makes you wonder what his other friends are like," said Carmen to Jake.
"You know," said Karen to Zuko, "while I've got my shingle out, I can probably get rid of that scar on your face, if you want that is."
"Don't bother," said Zuko, "I've tried to have it removed, it didn't work."
"I tried my best," said Katara, "but maybe Karen can do something I couldn't."
"It's worth a shot," said Karen.
"My BFFL Morgan could probably get rid of that scar," said Carmen.
"No thanks," said Zuko, "I appreciate the offer, really, I do, but I'm kind of used to it."
"Whatever combs your hair," said Karen.
Bloom then looked around for Kiko. She found her rabbit had taken cover under a rock, while Momo had taken shelter in a nearby tree. As Bloom held the still nervous Kiko in her arms, she was surprised to see Momo jump out of the tree and glide over to Aang's shoulders. Momo had bat-like wings growing out of his front appendages that allowed the white lemur to glide on the wind. The wings retracted back into his arms when he reached Aang.
"There aren't any lemurs who can do that where we come from," said Carmen, for she too had seen what Bloom had seen.
"There's a lot of animals who are only found on my world," said Aang.
"I'm sure of that," said Carmen.
"This has been fun and all," said Toph, "but maybe it would be a good idea to get moving again."
"She's right," said Bloom, "this preserve has much more dragons than what we just fought now. They could be back at any time, and in greater numbers."
"We can't leave yet," said Katara, "Sokka and Suki are still out there."
"Why did they leave camp?" Aang asked, "and please don't tell me that so they could be alone."
"I'm afraid that's it, Twinkle Toes," said Toph. She then paused, as if sensing something, "oh, they're on they way back right now, and they're being chased."
"Where are they?" a concerned Katara asked.
"That way," said Toph as she pointed to the west.
"How can you tell if someone is coming if you're blind?" Travis asked.
"Don't be rude," said an annoyed Karen as she slapped him on the side of his head.
"It's alright," said Toph, "I'm used to people underestimating me," she raised one leg and wiggled her toes, "I listen to the voice of the earth."
"Oh," said Rei, "you can sense the vibrations in the ground."
"And you're probably familiar with the vibrations of your friends," said Carmen.
"Right on all," said Toph.
It was then that Bloom could see two small figures in the distance being chased by a large figure, a much larger figure. A vision enhancing spell revealed a boy and a girl, both in their late teens. The boy, obviously Sokka, had black hair tied back in a top knot and the sides shaved off. wore a blue sleeveless tunic shirt and black pants with black boots. His forearms were wound with fighting tape and he wore black glove that covered only his thumbs and first two fingers. The girl, Suki, had dark red hair that was tied back and light blue yes. She wore a green tunic shirt and green pants and black boots. Both were being chased by a three-headed orange dragon.
The wind was blowing in the right direction to hear Sokka's frantic shouting for help;
"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaang!!!"
"If it's not one thing with him," said an annoyed Zuko, "it's something else."
"Once again I wish I was an only child," sighed Katara.
"Alas," said Toph, "we're stuck with him."
"I got this," said Aang. He pressed a hidden button on his staff, which released several pieces that unfolded into a blue glider.
"Awesome," said an impressed Rei.
"It even has a snack compartment," said Aang. He twisted one of the control handles on the glider, causing several lychee nuts to drop out of the compartment onto his hands.
"Sweet," said Karen.
With a gust of wind that he called forth, Aang took flight with his glider, heading towards his two friends in danger.
"Wait!" said Bloom as she had the sudden urge to help. She quickly transformed and took flight, leaving Aang's companions very confused.
"What was that?" Zuko asked.
"How'd she do that?" Katara asked.
"Do what?" Toph asked, "and where'd Bloom go?"
"It's a long story," said Carmen.
"A very long one indeed," said Jake.
Within seconds Bloom had caught up with Aang.
"How are you doing that?" Aang asked, "and how'd you grow wings?"
"I'll explain later," said Bloom, "right now we need to focus on helping your friends."
"They sure need our help," said Aang. By now the 3-headed dragon had chased Sokka and Suki into a formation of rocks that formed a cul-de-sac, trapping them.
Using the vision enhancing spell again, Bloom saw that Sokka had drawn a long sword from his back, the sword made of some black metal she didn't recognize. He held the blade in one hand and had a white boomerang in the other. Suki had a pair of metal fans in both hands. The two of them prepared to make a last desperate stand against the dragon as the 3-headed monstrosity crept towards them in anticipation of the kill to come.
But then Aang dropped out of the air in front of the dragon and forced it back with a blast of wind.
"Nice timing, Aang," said Sokka, "as usual."
"Who's your friend?" Suki asked as they watched Bloom fly above the dragon, trading blasts of fire.
"That's the girl I was supposed to talk to outside the preserve," said Aang, "but that's not important right now. Just what were you two doing away from the others?"
"We went for a walk," said Suki innocently.
"We wanted some alone time," said Sokka.
"Well I hope it was worth it," said Aang, "'cause after this, Katara is going to make sure that you two aren't left alone for a long time."
By now Bloom had the dragon evenly matched, she dodging its fireblasts, it absorbing her fireballs with it's armor-like scales.
"I got this!" said Sokka eagerly. Now that the dragon was distracted, it was his chance to strike back. He charged at the dragon, "SNEAK ATTACK!!!" and sliced off one of its heads.
"It's not a sneak attack if you shout it," said Aang, "we've been over this before."
"Well at least I got rid of one of that thing's heads," said Sokka.
"I hate to say it," said Suki reluctantly, "but I think you only made things worse." From the stump of the dragon's head emerged two more, fully grown within five seconds, and looking nastier than ever.
"Oh for crying out loud!" complained Sokka. He charged again and cut off another head, then another. Within ten seconds the dragon had six heads.
"I'd stop doing that now," said Bloom as she flew lower, while Aang, Sokka and Suki backed out of the cul-de-sac, the now 6-headed dragon giving chase, "that dragon isn't a dragon, it's hydra. Every time you cut one head off, two more grow in its place."
"Now you're telling me this!?" Sokka asked in an exasperated tone as he used his sword to block an incoming fireball, while Suki used her metal fans to block two fireballs, and Aang blocked another with his staff.
"What can we do?" Suki asked.
"Fire is that thing's strongest weakness," said Bloom, "but we've got to work fast. I recognize this species of hydra; it won't be long before it can start growing head on it's own."
"Terrific," said Sokka in a sarcastic tone.
"But if you burn the wounds after the head is cut off," said Aang, "it can't grow any more from there. I remember defeating a hydra in a past life."
"Alright," said Sokka, "let's do this!" He and Suki rushed at the hydra again and began slicing off heads, then got out of the way in time for Bloom to cauterize the wounds so the hydra couldn't grow any more heads from those areas. Yet the creature had begun growing heads on its own, and they were growing faster than they were being cut off.
Fortunately Aang was there to distract the monster by running around so fast he had half of the heads too dizzy to fight back.
But then Suki tripped. Sokka rushed to help her up, but a hydra head reared up to shoot a fireball at them, and Bloom was in no position to help. Sensing that the end was near, Sokka shielded Suki with his body.
But then Aang ran in front of them, just as the hydra head shot its fireball at Sokka and Suki. Aang stomped his foot on the ground, causing a large chunk of rock to shoot up and block the fireball. He then formed a sphere of water from the moisture in the air, flattened it into a disk with a razor's edge and sent it hurtling at the offending hydra head, cutting it off. Aang then finished it by shooting a fireball at the wound from his fists.
Bloom was too busy figuring out how to finish off the hydra to be surprised at Aang's other abilites, that would come later.
Just then an extra large shuriken shot at the hydra, slicing off most of its heads, leaving only one. Bloom took advantage of this turn of events by cauterizing the wounds. Jake then came running towards the monster and jumped onto its back, grabbing hold of the remaining head and began choking it. The creature was finally dead two minutes later.
"Good job, Jake," said Bloom as she landed.
"It was a trifle, Princess Bloom," said Jake, he then looked at Aang, "and that was an incredible display of skill, Sir Aang."
"It was," said Rei as she walked around the carcass of the hydra and retrieved her large shuriken, for it was her who threw it.
It was then that Carmen, Travis, Katara, Zuko and the others caught up with them, "We saw the whole thing," said Carmen, "are you alright, Bloom?"
"I'm fine," said Bloom, "but someone isn't, or he won't be soon enough."
"I can't believe you!!" snapped an irate Katara at Sokka, "we're in the middle of a freaking dragon preserve, and you go off to make out with your girlfriend?! Are you completely brain-dead!?!"
"I just wanted to be alone with my girlfriend!" said Sokka in an annoyed tone, "what Suki and I do on our own time is none of your business!"
"But it is my business when you put people's lives at risk," said Katara.
"Oh for crying out loud," said Carmen, "look, everyone, nobody got hurt, except for one hydra, so let's just leave it at that and get on with the mission."
"She's right," said Sokka, "whoever she is."
"I'll introduce you later," said Katara, "and we'll also finish this discussion later."
"Deal," said Sokka.
"Now can we go?" Toph asked.
"Not just yet," said Jake, "there is more here than meets the eye."
"I think you have a bit of explaining to do, Aang," said Bloom as she powered down to her human attire.
"What's she talking about?" Katara asked.
"They saw me Earthbend," said Aang, "and Water and Firebend."
"What's the big deal?" Travis asked.
"It's a very big deal," said Jake, "considering that Sir Aang is an Air Nomad. I thought someone from one group of Benders couldn't learn another style of Bending, unless…of course! I should have realized! Sir Aang, he is The Avatar!"
"You mean he's related to you?" Rei asked.
"No," said Jake, "my last name happens to be Avatar, but that has nothing to do with Sir Aang. He's The Avatar, the genuine article you might say."
"What is The Avatar?" Karen asked.
"Me," said Aang, "I'm the latest in a long line of Benders who have mastered all four elements; Water, Earth, Fire and Air. Each Avatar is born into a different society of our world, rotating in that order."
"The Avatar is also the living bridge between the realms of life," said Jake, "and the spirit realm."
"Guess that explains how you were able to get your friends from your world to here," said Carmen, "though I still think messing around in that other realm is dangerous. But it does clear up a lot of stuff."
"There's still one thing I'd like to know," said Bloom, "Aang, you said you need to ask The Dragon Sage a question."
"It's kind of personal," said Aang, "but I'll tell you, after you tell me what you hope to learn from The Dragon Sage."
"Okay," said Bloom, "I'll tell you, along the way."
"Finally!" said Toph, "we can get moving!"
As they headed towards the mountain retreat of Maya, Bloom gave Aang and his companions a summarized version of everything that had happen.
"Your whole world is stuck in an ice age?" Katara asked, "and only a hundred of your people survived?"
"And there's no water on your world?" Sokka asked, "only ice and ice monsters?"
"That's right," said Bloom.
"Well that's not right," said Aang, "any place that has ice should have at least penguins. A world without penguins isn't fun at all."
"Domino is anything but fun right now," said Bloom, "anyway, I really need to get control over my full powers. I'm really going to need them in order to defeat my enemies."
"These witches sound really awful," said Zuko, "and crazy."
"They are crazy," said Carmen, "crazy and evil, through and through."
"Remind you of anyone?" Sokka asked Zuko in a teasing manner.
"I thought we agreed we wouldn't talk about that one anymore," said an annoyed Zuko, "as far as I'm concerned, she doesn't exist."
"Before you ask," Toph whispered to Bloom, "Zuko has some major issues with his sister."
"What kind of issues?" Bloom asked.
"Like your enemies, The Trix," said Aang, "Zuko's sister Azula is evil and crazy, and then some."
"Okay," said Bloom, "well, you know my story, what about yours, Aang?"
"You think you've got a story?" Aang asked, "I've got one that'll blow your mind."
"I'll believe it when I hear it," said Travis.
"Well then believe this," said Zuko, "my people, The Fire Nation, a hundred years ago they started a war that plunged our world into disorder and bedlam. I'm ashamed to admit it, but the truth is that my people caused the near extinction of Aang's."
"I'm the only Air Nomad left," said Aang, "Appa and I were trapped in an iceberg when the Fire Nation attacked. All my friends and relatives, my teachers and companions in the Air Nomads, they all died."
"His story is better," said Karen to Bloom.
"It's not over yet," said Aang, "the war continued for a hundred years before Katara and Sokka found me in the ice. We then set out on a journey to help me learn the other elements, and along the way me met a lot of friends, you've met some of them here."
"What's up?" Toph asked as she, Zuko, Suki and Momo raised their hands and paw in acknowledgement.
"Katara helped me learn Waterbending," said Aang, "Toph taught me Earthbending, and Zuko taught me Firebending. To make a long story short, we ended the war and began the long but steady task of restoring balance to the world."
"Now that is a story," said Bloom, "but that still doesn't answer what you want to talk about with Maya."
"That's what I want to know," said Aang, "I was told that mastering all the elements and ending the war was only the first step in my journey as Avatar. In order to truly restore balance to my world, I am to restore Airbending. Somehow I'm to bring back the Air Nomads. And before you ask, that's what my friends and I are here for. I learned that the one to ask was Maya the Dragon Sage."
"In that case," said Bloom as she held out her hand, "we'll find our answers together."
"Together," said Aang as he shook Bloom's hand.
********
Back at Alfea, everyone was getting ready to go to Omega and rescue Tecna, everyone that is, except Sky.
"You sure you want to stay behind?" Riven asked as everyone else was loading their stuff aboard The Night Rider and The Sapphire Blaze.
"I have to," said Sky, "I made a promise to Bloom, and I'm going to keep it."
"Don't try to change his mind," said Brandon, "he's dead set on waiting for Bloom. I'd wait with him, but I'm sure my ray of sunshine wouldn't want to be separated from me again."
"Darn right!" said Stella eagerly.
"It's his life," said Elise, "Sky should live it as he sees fit."
"I have to ask," said Riven, "you're absolutely sure about this?"
"You'll miss all the fun," said Kurt.
"You guys can have all the fun without me," said Sky, "I'm staying."
"Birthday-suit yourself," said Morgan, "More fun for us."
"Yeah, fun," said Musa, "we're about to break into the most notorious prison in The Magical Dimension, while sneaking past a blockade of warships who are ordered to destroy anyone or anything trying to get in or out, make our way though the prison, which is enchanted to be so could that hardly anything can survive for long."
"Which is why we're bringing the best cold weather gear we can get our hands on," said Timmy.
"And we've prepared several anti-freezing spells," said Flora.
"Well there's that," said Musa, "but then we also have to deal with all the inmates who are running amuck."
"Which is why you've got us to help," said Payton as she, Kurt, Mace and Kegan loaded their gear onto the ships. The other Domino survivors were all on separate assignments.
"Everything's going to be alright, Musa," said Layla, "we'll get in, find Tecna, get out and be back at Alfea in time for class on Monday."
"Can we make it Tuesday?" Stella asked, "make it a four day weekend."
"We'll do our best," said Brandon.
"You can take as long as you want," said Sky, "I'm still waiting for Bloom."
"You have fun with that," said Morgan, "and we'll have fun saving Tecna."
"Her idea of fun is rather unusual," said Kurt.
"That's what I've always been saying," said Elise, "not out loud anyway, but I've been thinking it."
A few minutes later both ships were loaded and everyone was onboard. The Night Rider and Sapphire Blaze took off and headed into space.
Destination: Omega Prison Dimension
Mission: Save Tecna
The end of chapter 21.
The Dragon Princess and her companions continue their journey with The Avatar and his companions, eventually reaching the sage they seek. Elsewhere, The Princes of the Sun and Moon and her companions begin their search for the one who was lost. Elsewhere still, the dark ones set out to destroy The Dragon Princess once and for all. Who will survive?
Next chapter: The Dragon Sage part2
'for those with wings, fly to your dreams'