Chapter 5 – The Enemy Revealed

The dragons were starting to feel tired from their endless walking in the forest. They had no idea where Cynder was taking them, and they still wondered why she was being so secretive. Charonus was very suspicious about the Twilight Storm princess' strange behaviour that he was determined to find out what had happened to her.

"Ugh, this is getting tired," grunted Draco. "Cynder, how much longer do we have to be walking?"

Cynder did not answer. She continued walking silently with her back facing them.

"Seriously, Cynder, this is getting tiresome," said Torden indignantly. "Just where the heck are you leading us?"

Those dingbat dragons are asking so many questions, it's really annoying, thought Ash. No matter, we're almost at my trap, and when they least expect it, I'm going to shut them up for good!

At last, the group arrived at a clearing deep in the forest. Ash took a look around and decided that it was the right spot for her to spring the trap.

"Here we are," she announced. "We shall be able to get started with our secret mission in just a few minutes."

"Well, it's about time!" exclaimed the dragons, panting after walking endlessly for what felt like hours.

"So what happens next, Cynder?" asked Percival.

"Like I said," said Ash. "We're going to wait here before we get started with our mission."

"Uh, okay then?" replied Draco in confusion. "I don't see why we should be just sitting here doing nothing for goodness how long."

"Trust me on this," said Ash as she rubbed her arms in anticipation with a devilish grin on her face. "You dragons will soon get what's coming to you."

Bowser was starting to feel a bit worried. "This doesn't sound very reassuring," he said slowly.

"Cynder, I hate to ask, but are you alright?" asked Charonus. "You seem to be acting rather weird lately."

Ash snorted. "What do you mean by that, you silly Charizard?" she asked indignantly.

"Well, first off, you brushed off Tails and Blaze like they were nothing," replied Charonus. "The Cynder I know would never do such a thing like that. She wouldn't even be so pushy towards us, being so snappy with such a foul tongue, especially towards Draco and Darky, and she also wouldn't be secretive about a mission if she is bringing us altogether. You know something? I'm having a gut feeling that you're not Cynder at all! You're most likely an impostor!"

"Don't talk such rubbish, you stupid half-breed!" snapped Ash angrily. "I am Cynder, and if you dare question who I am again, then so help me I'll slash you to ribbons!"

"And that's another thing!" argued Charonus. "The real Cynder wouldn't even threaten us like that!"

"I've also noticed that you've been behaving very strangely since you came to our village your outing at the beach, especially when you didn't offer a hug and kiss to Draco," said Bowser. "At first, I thought you might have been going through the phase females have to endure every once in a while, but now, I'm starting to suspect that you're a fake, and that you're probably Princess Ash, especially with that filthy mouth of yours!"

"That's crazy talk!" cried Ash furiously.

"That really makes sense!" exclaimed Lily. "That explains everything! You cold demeanour, your despicable attitude, the fact that you even called Charonus, and I quote, a 'stupid half-breed,' and that you seem so intent on leading us to nowhere for some reason! I'm feeling a repeat of when I got brainwashed by Ash, and I'm starting to sense that you're Ash and you've done a similar thing to Cynder!"

Ash could no longer contain her anger, and she jumped right in front of the dragons with a murderous look on her face that betrayed her hatred for her soon to be victims. "So now you know the truth, you pathetic, insignificant fools," she hissed. "I am the mighty Princess Ash, and much as I hate to be the bearer of bad news, you have walked right into my trap, which means that it's about time that you all will perish at the hands of yours truly."

"We shall see about that," said Torden boldly. "I doubt you could be able to take us all on by your own, and when we find the real Cynder, we'll make sure you put her mind back in the body you've stolen!"

Ash stood silent, and then she laughed nastily. "Do you honestly believe I will surrender that easily?" she asked. "I am enjoying her body so much, and since her powers are that strong, I believe I'll waste all of you with ease! Besides, I took care of Cynder and she's wounded, possibly dead, so there's no way you can get her back!"

"That's what you think!" called a voice.

Everyone froze, even Ash, and in less than a second, three figures came rushing to the area, which turned out to be Tails, Blaze, and Cynder, still in Ash's body, but fully healed from her wound.

"So, Cynder, Blaze, and Tails have finally decided to join the party," said Ash. "But how did she manage to survive and recover from her own attack I used?"

"Be careful, guys!" warned Tails. "That isn't Cynder at all! Ash had casted a spell on her, and now their minds are in the other's bodies!"

"We already figured that out, Tails," said Draco. "Thank goodness you're here! Maybe we can all try to work together so we can put the two back to normal!"

"This isn't going to be easy," said Blaze. "Ash is very devious, so trying to get her and Cynder back in their respected bodies will take all our skills, patience, and wits."

Ash grinned. "You could not be any more correct, Blaze," she said. "Since I'm in Cynder's body, I'm the most powerful dragon on this planet, and there's no one strong enough to stop me now!"

"There's more to the body than just sheer power alone," said Cynder. "Your mind has to be in tune with it, and you must know how to control them both. Only then you would truly realise your full potential."

"Nice bluff, but you're still foolish to understand," retorted Ash. "Well, it's about time for all of you to die, but to make things more interesting, I'll give you the choice of which one of you will be the first to battle with me, the new and improved Princess Ash!"

"Actually, we're going to battle you, seven to one!" declared Cynder. "Together, we'll bring you down, and I'll get my body back!"

"So it's the full monty, isn't it?" chuckled Ash. "Have it your way, but I am still powerful enough to beat you all at once!"

Author's Note: Another fight is about to commence! Let's hope Cynder will get her body back from Ash in the final chapter of the story!