Fireheart

Chapter 15: Battle Scars

The Dark Dragon stood overlooking the scene of battle below, watching with fiendish pleasure as his loyal follows cut their way through the white dragon's meager forces... This day had been long in coming, and her defeat was inevitable... There! There she was! Fighting in the midst of the chaos. With a sneer of certain victory on his reptilian face, he made his way through the carnage towards her...

An eerie silence fell over the battleground as he confronted her. All around them the fighting ceased as the other creatures turned to witness that final battle...

The battle between the two that followed was unlike any that come before, with each bringing all of their power and skill to bare on the other. Despite the armor that both of them wore, the ferocity with with they fought was no less terrifying, nor their battle any less dangerous.

She fought valiantly, but even her might was not enough to defeat him. Now he had her, wounded at his feet with no hope of escape. The braver of her fighters came forward to protect her, but she ordered them back. The fool. Even as she faced death, she would not risk her fighters' lives to save herself. He stared down at her, wanting to savor this moment, to see the despair and hopelessness in her eyes before he killed her.

But her gaze was strong and fierce. Her eyes blazing with a fire that pierced into his very soul. And for the first time in his life, he felt truly afraid...

He forced himself to ignore that fear, and summoned all his dark power, focusing it into a final blast of energy! But even as that blast left his claws, he saw the dragoness counter it with a blast of her own power. The two huge bolts collided! The black dragon raised his arms in front of his face to shield his eyes, but even then the explosion of light and heat seared them, nearly blinding him. The shock-wave that followed knocked him clear off his feet and continued to spread outward, knocking solders to the ground and bowling over tents at the nearby encampments.

When he opened his eyes, it was to find himself lying on the ground at least 5 feet from where he'd been standing. As the smoke cleared, he could see other creatures picking themselves off the ground. But there was only one creature his eyes sought...

He saw her lying a few yards away, and went over to her. She stared up at him, a dazed expression on her face as he towered over her.

"...Erebus?"

"That name is know longer mine, Iris." he growled menacingly, "I have made myself a new name."

"Yes, I know what they call you, brother." There was contempt in her voice as she spoke, but something else as well... Sorrow? Regret?

The Dark Dragon felt his gut wrench at those words, anger boiling inside him. After all of this, she still dared to call him by that title. But even more infuriating was the undercurrent of pity in her voice. Here she was, about to meet her death, and yet she pitied him!

"I am not your brother." The words were cold and final, "He died at your hand long ago."

Iris slowly began to push herself up, but her eyes never left those of the black dragon in front of her.

"No Erebus." Her voice was firm, as if she could make her words true by sheer force of will, "Nothing will ever change that. You are still my brother."

"YOU ARE NO SISTER OF MINE!"

The roar tore from his throat as he backhanded her in fury. She cried out as the blow struck her face, falling to the ground once more. He attacked again, aiming a vicious kick at her side. A sneer crossed his face as a sickening crack told that he'd struck her ribs.

She roared in pain, rolling away from him and struggling to her knees. She looked up at him again, staring into his hate-filled eyes as tears streamed from her own. Her expression seemed to soften then, her voice quiet, almost pleading, as she gasped, "It's not too late... Erebus... brother... there is still time to stop this.. to save yourself-" She broke off, her body racked by a coughing fit. The Dark Dragon's sneer widened. They both knew what that meant. One of the broken ribs had punctured her lung.

When it was over, she turned her bloodied muzzle towards him, opening her mouth to speak again, only to be taken by another spasm of coughing. He waited until it had passed before answering, "I'm not the one who needs saving, dear Iris. You had your chance. You could have joined me, so that we might rule this world together! But you were weak! You chose to fight against me! Now you will pay the price." He came over to her, seized her shoulder in a vice-like grip, and lifted her clear off the ground. He pulled back his claw, as lightening gathering around it for the final blow, and stared deep into her dark blue eyes. "And now," he said smugly, "now my dear sister, I will end this."

A terrible sadness filled her eyes, and he heard her whisper, so faint he could barely make it out... "Forgive me..."

The pain that struck him was worse then anything he had ever felt before, as if she had plunged a white-hot spear through his heart! Eyes wide in shock and agony, he looked into her eyes, blazing white with power, then down at his chest, and her claw, also blazing, pressed flat against it.

"What-what are you doing?!" He could barely get the words out. The pain- he was sure he would die from it, but he didn't... A blinding light flashed in the corner of his eye, and he looked behind him. At first he thought that a second sun had appeared in the sky, only much closer, but then he realized that he could see through it! Not a star, or sun, but a tear! A rip in the very sky itself, a portal! For a moment, the pain intensified, and he roared in anguish, then he saw something... a deep blackness that took a winged shape, almost like a dragon... This wraith, shadow, whatever it was, fled into the portal and both vanished as suddenly as they had appeared.

The next moment he was on his knees, his sister lying motionless before him. He was still alive. But why? Why hadn't she killed him? He knew with her power that she was more then capable of doing so, just as he was. He looked down, then tore off his smoking and ruined breastplate. She'd burned a hole clean through it. Then slowly, painfully, he moved on all fours until he was beside her head. How she was still alive after all this, he didn't know, but she would die soon. They both knew her wounds were fatal...

"What have you done?!" he hissed in pain.

"I've taken your powers... brother..." Her voice was faint, each breath sounded like a death rattle. "Sealed them away... You won't find them..."

A look of shock and anger crossed his face for a moment, but then was replaced by sly cunning. He leaned closer, so that only she could hear. "You should have slain me, Iris." He hissed in her ear. "You should have slain me, but you've only proven once more how very weak you are. But rest assured, sister..." He paused, and looked straight into her eyes. "Your family will pay dearly for your mistake."

Her eyes grew wide with fear and horror, making him chuckle darkly, his own eyes shining in triumph.

"No... Erebus- you can't-"

"Yes!" he crowed, raising his voice, "Your human mate, your child. They will suffer, and you will die with their blood on your hands!"

"NO!"

Her scream was music to his ears. He reared back, roaring in victory and giving his most evil of laughs!

An arrow suddenly buried itself in his shoulder! He clutched at the barbed shaft, snarling in pain and stumbled back. Looking up, he saw an elven warrior with a plumed helmet and drawn bow glowering back at him. It was his sister's second-in-command, once their childhood friend. The arrow which the black dragon now clutched was no doubt this warrior's. The elf pointed his bow skyward and loosed, and the Dark Dragon looked higher up, suddenly finding himself unable to move as more arrows fell toward him like a black rain of death-

The black dragon sat bolt upright, gasping heavily for breath. He rubbed at the shoulder where the arrow had been, carefully feeling the long-healed scar, now invisible against his death black scales. Reassured that it was gone, and that he was now awake, he quickly glanced around, breathing deeply to slow the rapid pounding of his heart. All was still and quite in the warehouse. The shades were nowhere to be seen. Not that it mattered, they would come at his summons, as they always did.

The Dark Dragon's gaze suddenly fell upon Chang, who stood in the corner nearby. She stared at him with a look he couldn't read. How long had she been standing there? Had she seen his moment of weakness while the dream had taken his mind? He had no way of knowing.

He gave her his fiercest glare, slowly gathering his scattered thoughts. Yes- he had been deep in meditation, awaiting news from the American Dragon if their trap had gone as planned. The bond between the boy and his precious huntress was still strong, despite the evil now poisoning the young dragon's heart. It had been a simple matter for him to contact her mind through a meditative state, and then for the Dark Dragon to cut off the link at the right moment. It was a back-up plan, though one he resented using. Still, he'd had a feeling those goblin thugs would fail to capture Rose, so he had given the crime lord information to bait the girl, and then had Jake call her and set the trap. She had escaped him too often already. He was through taking chances.

I must have dozed off after that. He thought, Strange... that hasn't happened in years. That nightmare- that memory, he hadn't had it for centuries. Yet here it was, plaguing his mind once again, as it had done nearly every night since his return to the mortal realm. The scene still burned in his mind as clear as the day it had happened. He had escaped that barrage of arrows, pulled to safety by his own second-in-commands, even as they sounded the retreat. He had dealt with them afterward.

His sister had died of her wounds mere moments after he had been dragged away. Once the healers had seen to his injuries, the black dragon had taken his best followers and made his way to his sister's dwelling in the dead of night. They had trapped the human male and the child inside, cutting off every escape, and then he had personally burned it to the ground. The mere thought of it made him spit fire in disgust. Not only had she consented to take one of those loathsome creatures as her mate, but she had chosen to live in one of their puny wooden dens. Although, he thought with a smirk, that particular choice had only made his revenge all the easier... Nothing could have survived the inferno. He had made certain of that.

A sharp stab of pain suddenly broke through his thoughts! It took him a few moments to realize that it wasn't his. Quickly searching his mind, he felt the American Dragon's consciousness. The young dragon was in pain, bewildered, and- from what the Dark Dragon could sense- severely ticked off.

What happened?! Snarled the evil creature, directing his thoughts at Jake.

He felt the other's clear frustration as the answer was shot back, Gah! She got away from me! It was all that dumb mutt's fault! He knew! Somehow he knew and he came yelling it to her right when I almost had her! Then she shot this light out of her hands and blinded me. When I could see again, she and the dog were gone. These last two sentences came as a pouting grumble. Apparently, Jake's ego had been hurt as well as his eyes.

An slow chuckle escaped the Dark Dragon. He wasn't sure whether to be amused by the young one's whining, or outraged that he had failed the mission. Then the young dragon's words sank in.

What?! He snarled, What do you mean 'light shot out of her hands'?!

Jake didn't answer, instead allowing the elder dragon access to the memory.

As the Dark Dragon watched, memories of his own began to surface. Memories of his sister... the ancient battle from his nightmares... the Huntsgirl in her dragon form... his first battle with her...

No, he thought, it couldn't be... and yet...

But he was quick to hide these memories and uncertain thoughts before Jake could sense them. An unfortunate side effect of the mind-sight was that it worked both ways. He could see into Jake's mind, but Jake could also see into his, if he let his guard down and the boy decided to snoop, as was the case now. He could tell that the younger dragon was bored, and quickly growing impatient.

He let out a warning growl, and Jake instantly stopped his prying. After a few more moment's thought, the black dragon growled, You have failed me. But here is a chance to redeem yourself. Bring to me the Huntsgirl's twin sister. I want her alive and unharmed. Capture the others if they get in your way, I will dispose of them myself. Chang will go with you. I want no mistakes this time. Is that clear?

Yes, Master, came the grudging reply. Then the Dark Dragon broke the connection with Jake, and turned his attention to Chang.

"The boy failed to capture his huntress." he growled, "I am sending him to bring me her twin sister, as bait. You are to accompany him to see that all goes as planned. No mistakes, Chang. Do you understand?"He glared into her eyes as he spoke, as if daring her to challenge him. She met his gaze, and for an instant, he thought he saw the tiniest hint of defiance in her eyes. But then it was gone, her face was blank, and she ducked her head in submission.

"Of course, my Master." she said, bowing slightly. She turned to leave, then stopped and asked, "Master? What of the others? If they should interfere?"

"Capture them." he said simply, "I will deal with them myself." With that, Chang left the warehouse, all the while feeling the Dark Dragon's gaze on her back.

Only when she was well out of his sight did she allow the worry and frustration to escape with a sigh. Yes, she had seen her master's weakness when the dream had come. And she had seen it often lately. It troubled her greatly to see him in that state, but she didn't dare reveal that she knew. She knew all too well how deadly his wrath could be.

He never spoke of his past, to her or anyone else. But from his distress while the nightmare claimed him, she was slowly beginning to piece things together. This "Iris", this sister of his, was someone her master feared terribly. But why should he fear her? Surely she must be long dead by now? Dragons lived nearly as long as humans, at least now a days. Yet, by all accounts, the Dark Dragon had lived for centuries, without any signs of aging. Could his sister have somehow survived by similar methods? Was she nearby? Somehow a threat to the Dark Dragon's power?

Chang shook herself out of these thoughts. She had no time to dwell on them now, Jake would be waiting for her to catch up. Jake... she thought with a snarl.

It had been bad enough when that impudent hatchling was training under Lao Shi's care, and the other Council members would not heed her warnings about the boy. It had been bad enough that he had earned favor with the Council after saving them from the Huntsclan, granted, she was glad not to have been slain, but that was beside the point. It had been bad enough when the boy had refused the Dark Dragon's offer to join them in conquest of the human race, and with the help of those very creatures and magical allies, defeated the pair of them. But now, with the young dragon taken by the dark magic, as her master was, now with the Soul-Bind in place and he earning favor with their dark master, it was worse. Much worse.

How could the Dark Dragon do this to me?! Raged Chang, grinding her teeth, and clenching her fists in fury. She was his most loyal! She had been with him as long as she could remember! She had risked everything acting as his spy from within the Dragon Council! How dare he toss her aside as if all those years of faithful servitude meant nothing! Calming down slightly, she took flight to rendezvous with the red whelp.

As she flew, Chang thought back over all that had happened. It had been so simple at first. Her dark master had sent his shades to spy on the American Dragon, find a weakness that they could exploit, and take revenge on the boy and his grandfather. The shade had returned with a photograph of Jake and his huntress, Rose. The Dark Dragon had then broken Chang out of prison and had sent his shades to capture the girl as bait. When that had failed, they had been ordered to capture all of Jake's family, to break the young dragon's spirit as he failed to save them. Finally, they had succeeded in capturing Jake himself, after the boy had offered his life in exchange for Rose's. Chang smirked at that, remembering how Jake had pleaded for her to spare the girl's life. She had done so, merely humoring the boy. She had planned to come back and finish Rose later. Looking back now, Chang was wishing she had just killed the girl right then and there. Perhaps it would have saved her the misery she was currently in.

It had been going so well after that. Her master was the process of "persuading" the American Dragon to join their cause or suffer death along with his companions and family, when that girl had shown up again. The Huntsgirl no less! And then the battle had followed, the girl's dragon powers had revealed themselves, and then the portal incedent... Yes, thought Chang, that was when the trouble started.

Chang had never seen power like that before, but her master seemed to recognize it, if the terror in his face had been anything to go by. That was strange. She had never seen the Dark Dragon afraid of anything, ever. He had been acting strangely ever since. First placing the Soul-Bind on the American Dragon, even though she would have volunteered, had she been asked. Although, in hindsight she could see why the American Dragon had been chosen. He was younger and strong, and would give her master more power because of it. She, though still powerful in her old age, wasn't as fit. Also, there was the fact that her master had taken an interest in the boy.

What confused her most was the Dark Dragon's recent interest in Jake's girlfriend. Ever since the event with the portal he had been using Jake to either try to kill or capture the girl.

Chang shook herself again. She was becoming lost in these thoughts when she needed to focus. Jake was hovering just ahead, waiting for her. He smirked when he saw her.

"Took you long enough." he sneered. "You ready to go, old timer? I'll fly slow so you can keep up."

The elder dragoness bristled, giving him a death glare. At that moment she would've liked nothing more then to throttle the brat. Instead she settled for zooming past him, spinning him in mid-air and giving him a hard smack behind the head with her tail as she did so. When Jake finally regained his balance, he shook himself and took off after her. It was all he could do just to keep up.

Chang didn't even bother slowing down for him. Only stopping when she grew tired, she finally let him catch up. He shot her a nasty glower, too out of breath to speak. She ignored the look, and let him take the lead as they continued. Let him think he's in charge for now. She would wait, and deal with him soon enough.

Lao Shi's death by his grandson's claw had been the final insult.