Chapter 2 – Holo Casters
It was already noon at a remote neighbourhood of southwest Sydney. Beyond the neighbourhood was a small castle that situated on the hillsides. Inside the castle were the two dragons Draco and Darky. Draco is a young adult Charizard who is rather timid and shy, while Darky is a tiny baby dragon who shares a brotherly relationship with both Draco and Cynder.
"Careful there," warned Draco. "We can't lose any more lives if we are to beat that stage!"
"I trying," said Darky. "But memorising the patterns of these walls is hard, especially when they go by so fast!"
"We're almost there," said Draco. "Just need to time these jumps right."
"How long have we been doing this level?" Darky asked.
"I don't know," replied Draco. "We used up so many lives and continues that I lost count."
"This is so challenging," commented Darky.
"Come on, toads, don't let me down," said Draco. "If we can get pass the last portion of this level, we're done with it."
"But isn't the snake pit level even tougher?"
"Yeah," replied Draco. "But maybe not as tough as this tunnel."
"Come on, dodge quickly! We can do this!"
But just when they thought they almost beat the level, they unfortunately crashed into an obstacle. All they could do is watch the toads get flung out of their bikes and die.
"Oh no, game over," groaned Draco. "We were so close."
"I exhausted," remarked Darky. "That game sure made me so hungry, and it should be lunch already."
"Yeah, very much so," said Draco. "Come on, little bro, let's go get some food."
Draco and Darky head downstairs where they see Bowser drinking half a glass of milk while watching television. As they picked up some cookies, they sat down next to the Koopa King.
"So, how was your game, boys?" he asked as he stretched his arms out.
"We still couldn't get past the third level…" replied Draco.
"Don't sweat it so much," smiled Bowser, stroking Draco's forehead. "Someday with time, patience, and practice, you guys will get it beat."
Draco smiled back. He had never imagined that someone who had a reputation for continuously attempting to take over the Mushroom Kingdom would be so affectionate, but then again, he always knew that somewhere deep inside that big gruff exterior is a gentle and kind demeanour, and it only took his love for Bowser to change him for the better.
No soon enough the doorbell rang. Draco got up to answer the door, and he saw Cynder standing outside.
"Cynder!" exclaimed Draco and he hugged and kissed her. "It's great to see you here!"
"Hello, Draco," smiled Cynder as she kissed him back.
"Big sis, is that you?" called out Darky.
"Yes, it's me," replied Cynder.
Darky hurries outside to huddle close to Cynder's stomach. "Me missed you so much!" he said happily.
"I know, I miss you too," said Cynder as she courtly rub the little dragon's forehead.
"So, what brings you here, Cynder?" asked Draco.
"I have something very important to talk to you about," said Cynder. "You see, Blaze has given me a very special mission, and I was hoping if you can cooperate with me on this."
"That does sound like a pretty big task you got here, so I guess I can help you out," said Draco. "What kind of mission is it?"
"Well, I know you're a bit shy with strangers, but maybe this can really help you a lot, as it would with me," said Cynder. "We have to go travel around the world and look for some dragons to make friends with and make a group with them."
Draco thought for a moment. Indeed, he is a very shy Charizard and feels uncertain around new faces, but knowing that he'll be with Cynder all the way, he assures himself that everything will be fine.
"I'll go with you, Cynder," he said.
"Thank you so much, Draco," said Cynder.
"Hey, can me come too?" asked Darky.
"Darky, this can be a quite journey for someone so small and young," said Cynder, but Darky gazed at her with innocent eyes. "Oh, alright, you can tag along with me and Draco."
"Yippee!" cheered Darky.
"Cynder, I am wondering," asked Draco. "If we're going travel around the world for some dragon friends, where shall we start?"
"You know," said Cynder. "I have been thinking that it's time for you to visit my home land."
"You mean we're going to Norway?"
"That's right, the land of my kingdom, and I'm pretty sure maybe we can find some dragons there to join us."
"Well, maybe it would be nice for me to have a change of scenery," said Draco. "After all, I was a Charmeleon when I wound up in Bowser's kingdom all those years ago."
"Then it is settled," said Cynder. "Alright Draco and Darky, come on and let's go."
But before the three dragons could take off, there was a faint buzzing as it got louder. Draco and Cynder looked up to see a jet plane coming towards them from the distance, and they quickly knew that was it was Tails flying the Tornado. As it landed at the castle, the two-tailed fox dismounted the plane and hurried over to Draco and Cynder. He wore a pair of glasses and a lab coat.
"Tails, old friend!" exclaimed Draco. "It's been a long time!"
"Yeah, it sure was, Draco," said Tails as he shook his Charizard friend's paw. "I just dropped by because Blaze has something for me to give to you and Cynder."
"What is it?" asked Cynder.
Tails reached for his pockets and he took out two strange-looking devices, both of different colours. One was red while the other was green. "These are Holo Casters," he said. "Highly advanced communication devices invented in France, you can get hologram messages and calls from the people you are connected with."
"Ah, that's pretty neat," said Draco.
"I've modified them so that they can be set in English, so allow me to demonstrate," smiled Tails as activated the green Holo Caster. After pressing a few buttons, a hologram of Blaze appeared from the device. "Blaze, this is Tails, I am about to give Draco and Cynder the Holo Casters."
"Good work, Tails," said Blaze. "Afterwards, make sure you return to the apartment safe and sound."
"I will after I finish a few important things in the lab," promised Tails.
"Okay, take good care, my love."
"You too, sweetie," said Tails and he switched off the Holo Caster. He then turned to Draco and Cynder. "Right, take your pick."
"I'll take the green one," said Draco.
"And I'll take the red one," said Cynder.
"Good choices, Blaze's contact and mine are on both," said Tails. "Well, I must be on my way now."
"Thank you for the Holo Casters, bud," smiled Draco.
"Always a pleasure," said Tails. "If you need any help, please contact either me or Blaze."
"Will do," nodded Cynder.
"Good luck on your journey, guys!" called Tails as he boarded the Tornado and started the engine. Soon, the plane lifted out of the ground and whirled away.
"So, you and Cynder are going off on an adventure?" asked Bowser.
"Yes, we are," said Draco. "It would be nice if you were to come and…"
"Not necessary, honey," said Bowser quickly. "I can't fly and someone needs to look out for the castle."
"I understand," nodded Draco.
"Just please take good care of yourself."
Bowser gave Draco a big long hug, and kissed him on the cheek. Draco smiled and blushed heavily.
"I'll see you when I get back," whispered Draco.
"Have a nice trip, Draco," said Bowser. He waved his arm as Draco and Cynder spread their wings. Darky was safely mounted on Draco's back.
Together, the three dragons took off to the northwest where they will begin their search for some dragon friends over at Norway.