Author's Notes:
A little information before the start of Part 8: "Heroes of Old"... As I was working on this part of the story, I figured the previous part (Part 7) led nicely into a flashback. This is the backstory of how the Lords and Lady... and Justin... became what they are.
Setting: 10 years before "Mistresses of the Elements". There are five Islands: the Main Island, the Island of Air and Earth, the Island of Water and Lightning, the Island of Plant and Metal, and the Island of Fire and Cold. There is no one true ruler; the Islands work independently as far as governing. They do trade between each other. There is a "King" (referred to as "The King") who seeks to rule the whole kingdom; taking away the freedoms of the Islands. The Dragon Master (not ruler, just a Mystic... kind of like Argyos) has searched the Clans for those who are destined to stop "The King's" plans. Bane and Justin are the youngest at 15. Dt is the oldest at 24. Liber and Nate at 19 and 17 respectively. The future "Mistresses" and Generals would be alive, probably between the ages of eight and ten... but the war would have been kept from them. The children of the clans were kept in the dark about this so that it would not affect their lives.
Heroes of Old
"I've gathered the five of you because you have been choosen for a bigger purpose." The Dragon Master looked at the young men and woman standing before him.
"Bigger purpose?" A young Bane asked. The Fire clan youth looked around the room. Besides the boy from the Lightning clan, he was the youngest there.
"I fear a war is about to break out." The Dragon Master sighed. He did not like involving these young people but had no choice. "You have been choosen to lead the army into battle. Your powers and skills will ensure victory and, ultimately, peace for a unified Kingdom."
"Powers? Skills?" Liber asked. His green eyes darting around the room.
"Some of you will develop powers. Dt, you will develop the ability to control the Earth element. Justin will be able to shoot blasts of energy at will. Nate will develop the skills needed for training the dragons and establishing a strategy that will ensure victory."
"That's it?" Nate asked, a little disappointed.
"You will wield a sword but you will probably be able to avoid direct fighting." Nate nodded and let the man continue. "Bane, you will become a great Archer and tracker. I feel that you will also come to have an affinity with the seasons..." The Dragon Master paused, thinking of a way to explain. "I mean, you will be able to sense the changes in the weather and the seasons. It will be an asset on the battle field."
"What about me?" Liber asked.
"Young Liber..." The Dragon Master looked at the young man from the Plant clan. "Your power will be both a blessing and a curse." This was one power he didn't wish for anyone. "You will be able to call an apocalypse. It will destroy everything and allow you to start over... however, the loss of innocent life will be costly."
"So it will be used only when there is no other hope." Liber said. He knew he could not, willingly, destroy so many lives.
"It will be your choice." The Dragon Master said. "The key to victory is to work together. Trust each other, and peace will come to the people."
Weeks turned into months since the news of their powers and the five developed the skills and powers through training and practice.
"It's time." The Dragon Master said over dinner one night.
"What do you mean?" Bane asked.
"The time as come to prepare for battle."
"Isn't that what we've been doing?" Justin asked.
"In a way, yes, but it's time to really focus on the battle that is inevitable." The Dragon Master had received a message from "The King" that if he did not cease his activies there would be consequences. "These actions of mine have gone on without approval from 'The King' because of the threat you pose to his rule. He seeks to rule the entire Kingdom but still the Islands hold out. The people don't trust him. It is through you that peace will come. You five are 'The King's' biggest threat to fulling his goal of complete control over the Kingdom."
"Do the Islands know about the eminate war?" Dt asked.
"No. I wish it to stay that way. At least, it should be kept from the children. They do not need to worry or fear; they should live a normal life." The Dragon Master replied. The others nodded in agreement.
"What do we need to do?" Nate asked.
"Nate, you will need to work with the..." The Dragon Master stopped when he noticed his Double Rainbow dragon land in the yard. "Follow me." They headed outside to meet the dragon.
"Woah..." Justin said looking at the two-headed dragon.
"What do you have for me, Helix?" The Dragon Master noticed the dragon was carrying something. "Eggs?" He noticed five eggs in a basket.
"What?" Nate asked.
"There are five eggs... I believe these are your dragons." The Dragon Master took an egg out of the basket. "One of the Treasure dragons... a Gold dragon. Justin, this belongs to you." He handed the Gold dragon egg to Justin.
"This egg is unique." Dt picked up a gray and purple egg.
"That is an Amethyst dragon egg." The Dragon Master explained. "One of the Gemstone dragons and your dragon." He picked up a black egg that looked to have a glowing, red center. "Fitting for the warrior who can call an apocalypse. This is an Apocalypse dragon egg." He handed the egg to Liber.
"When will they hatch?" Dt asked.
"In a day or two." Bane answered.
"There are two eggs left: a Platinum dragon and a Seasonal dragon." The Dragon Master handed Nate the Platinum dragon egg which left the Seasonal dragon egg for Bane. "Usually, the dragon must hatch before knowing it's owner but these are special times."
The eggs hatched the next day and the warriors soon found themselves with their hands full. Concerns grew about whether or not the dragons would be ready for battle. It seemed that the battle could be any day, as the pressures from "The King" grew.
"Feed these to your dragons." Bane handed out some of beanstalks.
"Why?" Justin asked.
"The beanstalks will speed up the growing process and will allow the dragons to be ready in time." Bane replied. The dragons ate beanstalks for two days and were then fully grown.
"Watch out!" Dt shouted. They were standing in a field, running through a few strategies when they were attacked.
"Is everyone okay?" Liber asked. They had avoided a direct hit but the shock wave was enough to knock them off their feet.
"What was that?" Justin asked.
"A warning." Nate answered. "I expect them to be more frequent until they make their big move."
"We should retaliate!" Justin stated. He was ready to get this stuff over with.
"We're still not ready." Liber said.
"We've been training for months..." Justin retorted. "At this rate, you'll never think we're ready."
"Justin..." Dt gave him a stern look, but that only fueled the boy's anger.
"Liber is holding us back. We'll never be ready with him leading." Justin complained.
"We work together as a team, Justin. It's that attitude that shows me we're not ready." Liber replied.
"There will be a day when we'll fight. Just not today." Bane said. He did not like the tension that was mounting.
"We definitely don't need the tension between us in battle." Nate added. "We need a strong bond between us if we're going to defeat 'The King'."
"Let's just get back to work." Dt said. She had a bad feeling about Justin's unwillingness to work together.
"The weather is shifting." Bane said a few days later. "It should be shifting in our favor."
"So, does this mean we can attack now?" Justin said.
"Soon, Justin." Dt said. Justin had been anxious the past couple of days. He fought back almost every step of the way.
"What is your rush to go into battle?" Nate looked at Justin who was now standing by the window.
"I'm getting bored with this training. I want some action." Came Justin's response which only caused Liber and Nate to shake their heads.
"Okay, what's the rush to risk going into battle unprepared?" Bane asked.
"We're ready." Justin said.
"We're as ready as we'll ever be if the weather is turning in our favor." Liber said after a minute. The snow had been heavy this winter and would have been a disadvantage for them.
"The weather will warm up and the snow will start to melt." Bane said. They could fight on a muddy field a lot better than they could in snow.
"When can we fight?" Justin asked.
"In a few days. Three to be exact." Bane was getting a lot better about noticing the changes in the weather. It helped that Arbor, his Seasonal dragon, was slowly starting to change into his Spring form.
"Then we still have a few more days to prepare." Nate said.
"You've wasted your time, Dragon Master." "The King" said as they stood on the battle field. "You cannot defeat me."
"Watch us!" Justin shouted.
"Hush." Dt said. "Why does this outfit have to be white?"
"There is no time for vanity, Dt." Liber said. Dt's powers had grown over the course of just the past few days. She was now able to control all eight elements. Something that would aide them tremendously.
"I know." Dt replied and she forgot about the outfit.
"Attack!" "The King" shouted.
The battle raged on. It looked like all hope was lost. Liber stood towards the back of the line and watched Justin, Bane, Dt, the Dragon Master, and the dragons fight as hard as they could. He felt as though he had no choice; it looked like they were going to lose the battle.
"I have no choice." Liber said as he steadied himself. "I call upon the ancient powers..." The air around him began to shift as the ancient powers obeyed.
"Liber, don't." Nate was standing at the back lines commanding the dragons. "Give them time."
"Ancient powers, rise and grant me..."
"Liber, have you thought about the consequences? Think about the innocent lives that will be lost. Give them time and get in there and help!" Nate shouted.
"Do you trust us?" Bane asked as he came to stand in front of Liber.
"Yes." Liber spoke without hesitation.
"Then fight with us. Trust that we will win." Bane extended his arm to Liber. After clasping forearms, Liber and Bane headed back into the battle. Victory was theirs in the end. "The King" and his men surrendered.
"I say, kill them." Justin remarked.
"Banish them for all time." Liber suggested. "No more lives need to be lost; no matter how evil."
"Spoken like a wise leader." The Dragon Master looked at Liber and smiled. Before he could make his verdict, "The King" attacked.
"No!" Bane reacted on instinct and an arrow pierced "The King's" heart.
"Thank you, Bane." The Dragon Master nodded at the Archer. "I sentence you all to permanent exile. You are, hereby, banished from the Kingdom. If you return, the consequence is death." He declared.
"I won't come back here... there's nothing left." A young fighter stepped forward. His blue eyes looked at those around him.
"What's your name?" The Dragon Master asked.
"Kululu. No need to remember it though." He turned and left the battle field.
"Liber... you hair is..." Nate said when he noticed that Liber's hair had turned black.
"It happened when he called on the ancient powers." The Dragon Master turned to face them. "Just as when you all harnessed your powers and skills on the field of battle, your eyes turned silver."
"What?" Liber looked around at the others; sure enough their eyes were silver.
"Come, there is much to discuss, but first we all need to rest." The Dragon Master said.
"What will happen now?" Nate asked at breakfast the next morning.
"You will each be given responsibilities. You have proven yourselves worthy of the people's trust and respect." The Dragon Master replied. He thought for a minute. "The Kingdom will grow under your leadership and teamwork."
"Alright, who's doing what?" Justin asked impatiently.
"Dt, you will be in charge of the Gemstone dragons. Under your direction and care, they will prosper. They will become a major source of income for the Kingdom." Dt nodded, accepting her position. "Bane, you know the seasons. You will be in charge of the main supply of food for the Kingdom's dragons. Each island will have a small farm in which to grow their own dragon food, however it will be your job to insure that the Kingdom's dragons will never run out of food."
"What about me?" Justin was still impatient.
"Nate, you will be in charge of the Colosseum. Under your direction and planning, I think it will become a great source of entertainment for people and dragons alike. This way, the dragons will always stay sharp." The Dragon Master ignored Justin. "Liber, you will be in charge of the breeding cave. Under you guidance and dillegence, the Kingdom's dragons will grow in number and diversity. Justin, you will be second to Liber." The Dragon Master paused. "There will be no "supreme" ruler; you must all work together to insure that peace remains which brings me to something else..."
"What is it?" Liber asked. He was not about to give Justin time to protest.
"Before I get to that... I forgot to mention that you will have an apprentice. Liber, Blue Bruin will be your apprentice. Nate, Essiw will be your apprentice. Bane, Halo will be your apprentice. They will all oversee what needs to be done in your absences. Dt, you will have the right to choose whether or not to have an apprentice. There is a reason the others do not." The Dragon Master paused. Now that peace had come and the Kingdom unified, it was time to mention the prophecy that would change things for a lot of people. "I'd like you to meet my son, Argyos." A young man entered the room. He looked like a younger version of the Dragon Master.
"I don't understand..." Nate said.
"I'm retiring. My son knows all that I know, and more." The Dragon Master replied. "However, there are some things that must be given to Dt." Argyos handed Dt 12 velvet bags. "Guard these. These necklaces will awaken very important people should the time arise." The Dragon Master didn't go into too many details about the prophecy; just enough so that they would understand should the time come. Justin got fed up with being second to anyone and decided that it was better that he left. He vowed to return one day and claim what he believed belonged to him. The Lords and Lady settled into their new lives... the stories of their heroism slowly diminished over time... it would be another ten years before their way of life would be threatened.
-end flashback-
"So the pendants awakened our powers?" Echo asked. Everyone had been listening to the story. Celtic was sitting up resting against the wall. Bane was still trying to get her to drink the tonic.
"Yes." Dt answered. "When Justin's threat came, we knew what had to be done. We knew that it meant that twelve people would have to give up their normal lives. There was no other choice."
"I can't believe Justin was good..." Andy said. "I mean..."
"Yeah, Justin did not want to be second in command... an error Kululu is making now." Liber nodded. "What we didn't expect was what actually happened. We didn't except for a General to walk away, for a General to switch elements, for a new General to be awakened, and for one of the Mistresses to become the 'Enchantress'." Liber looked at Celtic.
"Why don't we need the pendants anymore?" Ellie asked.
"When your powers were newly awakened, they needed the help of the pendant... now that you are stronger in your control and in your powers, they are no longer needed. The power of the four crystals still remain inside of the Mistresses. I'm not sure when those will manifest into crystals again..." Argyos replied.
"Let us all get some rest, especially you, Celtic." Liber said. Celtic nodded weakly.