Heroes and Masterminds Part One

Raylan rushed to Ethari to make sure he was all right. He was alive. Just drugged. Felix was all right too. "Moon mounts!" he called. He rushed over to where they had been tied to a tree but they weren't there either. Nyx must have untied them. He rushed to the barrier of energy and saw they were outside. He whistled. The one that resembled a lion with horns came over. He stroked it. He whistled for the other one that looked like a slim down with a long leave-like tail but it wouldn't. It was agitated. Suddenly giant serpents sprung up from the sand. Soulfangs. They were scaring it.

He went through the protective barrier. A snake detected him. He sliced its head off. He tried to run to the other mount but another desert snake suddenly dug its fangs right into his skin. "No!" he cried out.

The moon mount turned to stone; its spirit was sucked away forever. It ran off into the distance. Quickly he rushed back the way he came and leapt through the barrier, the snake pursuing him turning to dust as it tried to reach him. He stood and breathed out slowly.

It was too dangerous. He would have to wait until sunrise to try and save Carol and Zym from Nyx. He prayed she was all right. The Adoraburrs bounced over to him, looking out with wet eyes.

The sun rose slowly the next morning. Willow was asleep against Pyrrah. The clang of chains woke up and she saw a guard unchaining her but not her dragon friend. She glared as she saw Prince Kasef approaching, smirking as ever. "Why the long face princess," he mocked. "I'm taking you home,"

"I'm not leaving without Pyrrah,"

"Once Katolis has helped the other kingdoms win this war, she will be set free,"

"It's not over yet Kasef," she sneered. She hauled up. Pyrrah tried to reach her but was threatened by spears. "Let me say 'goodbye' to her!" she stomped on the guard's foot. He yelled in pain and she fell to her knees stroking the dragon's face with bore wet eyes. "It's gonna be alright Pyrrah. I'm not leaving you. Not forever," she was beginning to cry. "Okay?"

It's not your fault. She cooed. She hugged her face.

Kasef just rolled her eyes and clicked his fingers. The guards pulled her away. "It's gonna be all right!" she cried out, trying to reach her again but she pulled away, forced to take back to her kingdom.

Ethari's eyes flickered. He saw Raylan's face above. "Raylan!" he sat up.

"Nyx took Carol and Zym!" he blabbered out.

"I knew there was something off about her!" Ethari cursed.

"You were right. We should have…"

"No Raylan. You can't blame yourself,"

We have to save them. Whined Felix who had already woken up. Raylan picked him up. "We will Felix,"

"What happened to our second mount?" said Ethari in worry, seeing only one.

"Nyx released them beyond the barrier. I managed to get one but the other one was bitten by a soul fang. We have to follow the Ambler's tracks. It's our only chance," he sighed. "This is all my fault. I promised Carol's siblings I'd protect her. And I failed again,"

"No, my boy. You could never fail anyone," Ethari shook his head. "Now stop moping, get on that mount and let's catch up to them,"

With determination, Raylan mounted the lion moon mount and pulled his foster father up behind him. Felix with the Adoraburrs on his back sat in the front. Together they charged through the barrier and spotting a trail of giant footprints galloped off into the dark sandy distance to save Carol and Zym.

Young Kasef and young Carol were escorted into the gardens by Opeli. The young prince found it weird how the princesses smelled the roses a lot and looked in the dirt for all kinds of critters and she loved touching butterflies. He then found it weird how she drew in the dirt with a stick. He found her weird and unsuitable to be a princess.

"I'm going to go and get you guys some drinks," said Opeli. She pulled out a fox toy. "I thought you might like this Carol,"

"Thank you nursie," young Carol hugged her waist and her motherly nurse hugged her back.

"I'll be right back," she promised. She walked inside. Carol giggled for joy with her toy. She was about to go and have fun when Kasef suddenly marched on her, making her back away with fear.

"Why do you live here?" he demanded.

"Be…be…"

"Spit it out!"

"Because I'm a princess?"

"No! You're not a princess! You're a commoner!" he grabbed her toy. "Why do you get to have all the privilege when you've got no royal blood in you?

"Give me back my toy!" young Carol tried to grab her toy left but Kasef suddenly pushed her into a mud puddle behind her, staining her clothes before pinning her into the mud with his foot. "I want you to remember this moment, the second you'll think you'll be anything more than just a dumb step-princess,". She was suddenly hauled up and thrown into the fountain, drenched and muddied. He laughed and began walking away when he stopped. He saw his red-faced dad and King Harrow right in front of him.

"You shame me Kasef," cursed his dad. "The king allows you to play with his daughter and you bully her like this?" he snatched the toy from him and gave it back. "You're grounded,"

King Harrow came forward and helped the depressed Carol out of the fountain. Opeli arrived back and gasped. She regretted leaving Carol behind with this prince who was actually a big, bad bully. "King Harrow, I am so, so sorry,". She felt she had failed.

"Go and get her some new clothes and a towel please," he requested. She bowed and rushed off.

"I apologise for my son's behaviour, Prince Caroline," said Ahling humbly. "Unreservedly," he clicked his fingers and a Neolandia guard appeared. "Escort my disrespectful son to the carriage. You will remain there for the rest of the day Prince Kasef," the bully of a boy huffed in anger before he was escorted away. "I am so sorry King Harrow," he felt he owed the king an apology too.

"Don't apologise," Harrow said to him. "Please help yourself to some hospitality in the great hall,". King Ahling bowed knowing he wanted some time alone to comfort his daughter. The king saw his adoptive daughter crying. "It's alright darling. I'm here," he stroked her hair. "I'll always be right here," he embraced her tightly and she was healed of her dejection with love and warmth.

Carol's eyes flickered open. She felt her body bouncing all over the place. Her feet were bound. Her hands behind her back were bound as well in rope. She realised she was in the Ambler's saddle and she saw Zym, his paws and wings bounded in rope as well. Zym, are you okay?

I'm fine. But where are we?

We're in the Ambler's saddle by the looks of it. We have to get out somehow.

They heard the flap of wings and saw Nyx landing and then genuflecting before them. "Was wondering when you'd wake up?"

"Where are you taking us?" she demanded.

"To the storm spire of course," remarked Nyx. "Isn't it obvious?"

"And you left Raylan and Ethari back there?"

"No use to me,"

"Why are you doing this?"

"I'm just doing what's important. Taking the baby dragon back to its mother. He would get home faster. And I'd get some treasure or a little something as a reward?"

And where does that leave me?" she demanded.

"I'm going to use you to buy my way back onto the Sky Patrol team. Once they see I've delivered a mage who stole sky magic for herself, they'll have to let me back on,"

"You were part of the Sky Patrol?"

"I was. And then all of a sudden, they decided they didn't need a winged Sky Elf when they could have dragons looked over the skies from above. So, they dropped me off,"

"I didn't steal sky magic!" shouted Carol.

Nyx's rumbled; she was exasperated. "Now you are just giving me a headache,". She grabbed a gag and gagged Carol and muzzled Zym before going back onto the saddle of the Ambler. Carol and Zym's eyes linked.

I just hope the others find a way for us. Zym prayed.

Me too. All Carol could think about right now was Raylan.

Ezran was on his balcony looking out. He felt he had betrayed Carol, Raylan and Zym by agreeing to this. Although it was for a good cause to save his people and Willow, nothing could heal the gash in his heart that was now forming. He just hoped that his plan would work. He heard knocking. "Come in!"

Opeli entered. "Kasef is here. And Willow is back with him,"

Ezran turned with an uncertain face. He walked back down the stairs, not wearing his crown or royal cape, though he approached his throne and sat down. Kasef entered. He glared at him and the prince swerved aside to show Willow being escorted back inside, unharmed at all. When she saw Ezran, he was relieved.

"The princess has been returned unharmed," said Kasef pretending that this was a rescue. "We march on Xadia tomorrow. Go back on your word and the dragon and your kingdom die," he said. He left the hall. In an instant, Ezran rushed down the throne steps and Willow rushed into his arms. He embraced her tightly. And she hugged him back. They were like that for several seconds. He pulled back. "Did they hurt you?"

"No. I'm fine,"

"Is Pyrrah okay?"

"She's fine. But I don't understand Ezran, how could you give in like that?"

"I couldn't just let Kasef kill you both. I'd never forgive myself. And I couldn't let him wage war on Katolis like that. There would be too many losses,"

Willow understood why. Still, she was scared. "But what about Raylan, Carol and Zym?"

"I have a plan," said Ezran much to her delight. "We're gonna send a message to the Sunfire elves to bargain for Aunt Amaya's freedom in exchange for a warning. Once they know, they'll be at the border and hopefully force Katolis backwards. And I made a deal with Kasef that anyone who doesn't wish to fight can return to their families,"

"Still, we have to find a way to warn Raylan and Caroline without them," she said.

"We still have our moon mage,"

Willow was surprised. "You're right,"

"And that's not all. We can seek help from Aanya too. She'll believe us. And she'll do anything to help Caroline,"

As they talked, Saleer stood by, glowering. He needed to put his plan into motion, now or never. He turned to a guard and nodded. Unknowst to them, Opeli noticed the strange gesture and something inside her tingled.

Raylan and Ethari were galloping on their mount as fast as they could. It was amazing how fast it was travelling with two elves, a fox and three little Adoraburrs. Ethari noticed something was off about Raylan. "What are you thinking about?"

"It's nothing,"

"I've raised you your whole life you can't hide secrets from me," said the former blacksmith. "Come on. What's wrong?"

Raylan sighed. "Carol kissed me,"

Ethari's heart stopped.

What? Felix barked. He felt his heart exploding.

"I was feeling down. I was blaming myself for everything and she talked to me and I felt so happy again and then she just…kissed me. And I…accidentally rejected her feelings"

Raylan. Felix growled.

"I know. I know. I felt ashamed and then…I thought about everything we've been through together. Since the day we met. And now I realise…" Raylan was lost for words. The Adoraburrs' eyes enlarged. Felix's did too. Ethari's mouth was opening wide. "I really do like her. She's the most amazing, most wonderful person I've ever met. She's kind and caring. Smart and daring. And…so beautiful," he sounded like he was dreaming.

Ethari felt so happy for him. Felix felt like turning a romantic red. "Ray-Ray…" he cupped his shoulder. "If you truly like this girl, tell her how you feel when we save her,"

Look! Felix barked. The riders looked ahead and they could see the Ambler walking at a slow pace.

"Hi-yah!" yipped Raylan on the reins, compelling the mount to go faster and faster.

Saleer walked down to the dungeons with a hooded figure. Viren detected him and stood up. "Time to put our plan into motion," said the traitor.

"Are the soldiers ready?" Viren asked.

"Yes. And so is he," Saleer revealed a hooded figure, Kasef.

Viren smirked. "Good,"

"You swear you are doing what is right for humanity?" Saleer questioned seriously.

"Everything I do is for the future of humanity," spoke Viren. He sounded like he was right.

"What is going on?" asked Soren, who had woken up.

"The child king is not fit to lead this kingdom into battle," said Viren. "So...we are taking matters into our hands," he sent a dark glare at Soren. "This is your last chance to prove yourself. Don't fail me again,"

Soren gulped. But as the prison door opened and they were freed from their chains…he asked himself. Can I go through with this?

Raylan and Ethari were charging on the mount alongside the Ambler. Unfortunately, Nyx saw them on her saddle. "Seems standing you at the Oasis wasn't enough!" she called down.

Struggling in her bonds, Carol's heart lifted. They're here. She said gleefully to Zym.

When they rescue us, don't give up on Raylan, I feel what you feel for him. The baby dragon wanted to see his surrogate mother and father come together.

"Realise them!" demanded Raylan.

"Let me think! No!" Nyx whistled and the Ambler's feet rose high, attempting to squash them. The moon mount dodged.

"Take the reins!" Raylan leapt off the saddle onto the Ambler's leg. Ethari took the reins and kept him distracted. His foster son climbed higher and higher until he flipped right back onto the saddle.

"Ray!" cried Carol in her gag. Quickly he rushed over and ungagged her. "I knew you'd come!"

"I'm so sorry!" he said. He cut her loose. When they turned to cut Zym loose, Nyx was already there, holding him captive.

"Let him go you traitor!" demanded Carol, preparing a spell.

Nyx suddenly fell off the ledge of the saddle and flew into the sky with the Dragon Prince. "No!" they cried but she was already flying away with the dragon prince. Still on the mount, Ethari gasped seeing Nyx getting away with Zym. Felix barked in worry.

That's the first half of this episode done. I have an announcement to make. As to the reference I made about Eragon, HTTYD and Raya and the last Dragon, after this story, story 2 with Seasons 4, 5 and 6 and Story 3 with Season 7, I will do another story with the descendants of the heroes meeting the heroes from these universes. But Willow will keep seeing visions of their encounters and leaving behind her dreams in a sacred journal. I hope that's alright with all of you and the idea of a Star Archdragon OC muttering that cryptic line to her and her telling everyone about them is brilliant as well, thank you Sedhagralus09Y and Ikayo41X. Thank you very much for your support everyone and please keep sending more ideas for the next story. See you all soon