Fall From Grace: Dart's Pain
Chapter 2: A Misadventure (Part 1)
Dart took off in no particular direction; he didn't know where he was going to go, but knew he was going to have a small adventure all by himself. He eventually decided to explore the deeper parts of the Hidden World. Diving down he flew into a small cave system full of lush vines and other underground plants. He made a mental note of this space to use it as a secrete place for himself to get away to and be alone. As Dart continued flying through the lush cave, he found a cavern that split off from the main tunnel which opened into the pit of a volcano. This was actually the volcano where the Monstrous Nightmares live. Dart was surprised the no of them had found this small cavern, but he was grateful to have his own little place.
Then Dart got an idea; it was a sneaky idea and would be such a fun prank. Thinking about how to execute it, Dart began planning the joke. He decided to wait till most of the Monstrous Nightmares were in the lava before sending a small plasma blast into it which would cause a small explosion. Now that Dart had his plan, all he had to do was wait for the Nightmares to get in the lava below.
As Ruffrunner and Toothless flew to their first stop, they started discussing what other responsibilities being Alpha will entail and some lesser things that are important for an Alpha to know.
"Now, of all the things I've taught you so far there are still a few things you need to know" Toothless said. "While its important to look after your subjects as a whole, you also need to look out for them on a personal level. Even if its a simple as helping them carry a few fish to their family, you need to gain that personal relationship with them."
"So, it's like looking out for your friends?" Ruffrunner asked.
"It's exactly like that Ruffrunner," Toothless replied. "You have to been there for the dragons that need help, even when they make poor choices"
"Oh, so like keeping an eye on Dart, and making sure he doesn't do anything stupid!" Ruffrunner said.
"Ruffrunner! That is not a nice thing to say behind your brother's back. However, you are correct." Toothless answered. "And once you are Alpha it will be your job to look after your siblings too. Especially your brother. While it is true that Dart does make poor choices, we are family and we look out for each other."
"I understand, Father." Ruffrunner replied.
"Good. Now we better keep moving, we have a lot to do today," Toothless said as he picked up speed.
"Right," Ruffrunner said as he sped up to keep pace with his father.
While Toothless and Ruffrunner discussed responsibilities for being Alpha, Luna and Pouncer were also discussing the responsibilities for being the leader of the Defenders.
"Now, Pouncer, even though today you will start combat training, I need to remind you of the most important part of being the leader of the Defenders," Luna said as they flew though the Hidden World.
"And what is that, Mother?" Pouncer asked.
"Remember, as leader of the Defenders the whole Hidden World will be relying on you for help and safety. So it's very important to remember that no matter how small or inconvenient the issue is, it's your job to help. And believe me when I say, some dragons make choices that get very annoying because, most of the time, you will have to help them almost every day" Luna explained.
"If you were going to use Dart as an example, you could have just used his name instead of making it sound like more dragons make choices like him," Pouncer replied.
"Pouncer! That was uncalled for!" Luna scolded. "Just because Dart is overly adventurous and get himself in danger does not mean he's the only dragon in the Hidden World that does that. There have been other dragons worse than Dart before."
"Sorry, Mother" Pouncer apologized.
"Thank you. Since you brought it up, as leader of the Defenders you will need to pay extra attention to your brother. After all, we are family and it will be your job to look out for him, just like it will also be Ruffrunner's job to look out for him too," Luna replied quickening her pace. "We should get a move on, combat practice will be starting anytime now."
"Okay, Mother." Pouncer answered, following after her mother.
Dart had been waiting for about half an hour for all the Monstrous Nightmares to get in the pool of lava below. He was getting bored and about to give up when the last few dragons finally entered the lava. Dart's boredom instantly disappeared and a mischievous smirk played on his face as he got himself into position.
"About dang time," Dart muttered to himself.
Dart crept forward until he had a clear shot at the center of the lava pool. Then, as quietly as he could, started charging a plasma blast. Dart made sure not to put too much into the blast, after all he wanted a small eruption, not a large and dangerous one that could cause a lot of damage. Dart continued to charge his blast for another few seconds and made sure it was ready. Dart was about to fire the blast when a leaf from the lush cave fell onto his nose. Dart sniffed and tried to get the leaf off, but it was too late, Dart sneezed and what was meant to be a small plasma blast became a much lager one. The blast shot throughout the cave and somehow still landed in the center of the lava pool. The volcano erupted almost immediately after the blast exploded in the lava.
"That can't be good!" Dart said with a look of panic.
Then the ground began to shake beneath Dart.
"Definitely not good!" Dart cried as he began to flee.
Dart flew back through the cave system as fast as he could. Once out, he took cover behind the nearest rock hoping he wouldn't be seen. Dart made it behind the rock just in time, as all the Monstrous Nightmares came flying out of the main cave entrance a second later. The Nightmares kept pouring out of the volcano entrance, some of them getting covered in the lava as they fled. The lava soon began to pour out of the entrance as well. However, that only made the situation worse as the lava continued to flow past the cave entrance and into the rest of the Hidden World.
All Dart could do was watch the disaster continued to unfold before him. "I'm so dead," was all he said while looking at the damage being caused.
Toothless had just finished another lesson with Ruffrunner when the ground began to shake. Toothless looked around and quickly noted it was an earthquake, and a large one at that.
"Dad, what's going on?" Ruffrunner ask with uncertainty in his voice.
"It's an earthquake, and a big one too," Toothless said. "We better get to your mother and sister."
"Right!" Ruffrunner agreed.
Just as the two were about to take off, Hookfang flew up to them in a panic.
"Toothless!" he cried out.
"Hookfang? What is it?" Toothless ask quickly, seeing how distressed his friend was.
"The volcano! It's erupting!" Hookfang answered in a frenzy.
"What? But don't the Nightmares keep that volcano under control to prevent eruption?" Toothless questioned.
"We do, but it wasn't a natural eruption. It was caused by a large blast," Hookfang answered again.
"A blast? What kind of a blast?" Toothless asked with concern.
"It looked like a plasma blast- the ones that you fire" Hookfang responded.
"How is that possible? Ruffrunner and I have been together all day and Pouncer has been with Luna," Toothless replied confused. Then dawned on him. "Dart!"
With that sudden realization, Toothless instantly turned to Ruffrunner.
"Ruffrunner, go and get your mother immediately! Once you do, you and Pouncer are to go home instantly. I'm I understood?" he asked his son.
"Yes, sir!" Ruffrunner replied.
"Good, now go. We haven't a moment to lose," Toothless responded.
Ruffrunner nodded and took off to find Luna and Pouncer.
"Right, Hookfang, lead the way. We need to get there as fast as we can!" Toothless said turning back to his friend.
"Okay, follow me!" Hookfang gestured for Toothless to follow as he took off in the direction of the volcano.
Toothless quickly spread his wings and followed right behind him.
Pouncer had just finished her fourth sparring session when the earthquake began.
"Mom, what's happening?" Pouncer asked concerned.
"It's an earthquake" Luna replied quickly as she looked around. "We need to get to your father and brother, fast"
"Then let's go," Pouncer said as she spread her wings. Then something else dawned on her. "Wait! What about Dart?"
A look of panic flashed across Luna's face for a second before she answered. "Let's hope he's still at home. If not, your father and I will find him."
"Okay." Pouncer replied.
Luna then turned to the rest of the Defenders. "Get ready, we may need to help some dragons once the earthquake ends."
The Defenders nodded. The Defenders consisted of Stormfly, Meatlug, Barf and Belch, Skull Crusher, Cloud Jumper, and Hookfang. Hookfang, of course, being absent.
"Right, move out." Luna ordered as she prepared for flight.
The group prepared to leave when Ruffrunner flew in as fast as he could. "Ruffrunner!" The group cried out as the young dragon landed in front of them. Ruffrunner quickly ran to his mother and sister.
"Mom, Pouncer, the earthquake! It's been caused by an eruption!" Ruffrunner cried.
"An eruption? Where?" Luna asked, worry starting to grow for Dart.
"At the volcano the Nightmares live at! Hookfang thinks Dart caused it!"
"What?!" Pouncer cried, now extremely worried for her brother, hoping he wasn't hurt.
"Dad told me to get you and Pouncer to come with me to go home." Ruffrunner explained quickly.
"What about Dart?" Pouncer asked with concern.
"Me and your father will find him," Luna replied. "Now enough talk, you two go home and don't leave for any reason. Me and your father will get you once it's safe."
The siblings nodded and took off to their home. Luna then turned to the Defenders and began to bark orders.
"Right. We make our way to the volcano. I'm sure Toothless and Hookfang are on their way there, if they haven't arrived already." Luna said to the group.
The Defenders nodded and the group took off in the direction of the volcano. Luna hoped that Toothless had already found Dart and that he wasn't hurt. Above all, she hoped he wasn't the one who caused this. Regardless, she buried her thoughts, knowing she needed to keep her head clear and trust that Toothless was already taking care of things. With that final thought she picked up her pace and continued to lead the Defenders toward the volcano.