Chapter 55: Dragon Flyz
Flora was in the kitchen unit to make some food before they reach their destination, thinking to spend most of the time to make some food than to sit around or lay in her quarters even if they are comfortable it was by her luck this ship was installed with food to store for long trips and thought to make some for herself and for Taren who was in his quarters to build his energy.
While she thought it be exciting to go on their first off-world adventure together for awhile and wanting to help out, but so far her friends were a little occupied and Bloom was focus on her own studies. While Taren is supportive to her to get better, she would obviously tell he was obviously hiding how he feels of her spending time learning from the new professor but would maybe discuss it with him.
But another thing that made her worry if she made the right choice to come along, either to spend time with her boyfriend, or to make up for what happened at the stadium. She thought to have had the monster where she wanted it, but underestimated it and almost paid the price. A little disappointed how she almost screwed it up for her friends, but thought maybe coming along for this mission would help out to show she isn't weak.
Flora told the others she be on a trip to help them out, and had to be sure Chatta stays with the other pixies for her own safety if the Trix find out.
But one other thing that had her concerned the most was this villain named Kefka.
The Trix may have new powers to unlock no doubt with their alliance with Darkar, but this Kefka was an entirely different story from what she heard about him. Having to have fought the keybladers and easily won with stronger magic and using tricks and deceptions to outsmart them, summoning other Digimon and creatures to fight battles was unexpected to hear. She was worried this new foe may be like Tezzeret, the Winx could be close to their skills no doubt when just getting better and with Titans, but the Specialists only have that and just new weapons, none of them have magic and could be at a disadvantage.
She just hopes her friends back at Alfea be okay, not like they be needing her for just a day. Meanwhile, she was testing out the ingredients for the meals to serve up, takes up a spoonful to taste it. "Hmm, seems good so far."
"Something cooking in here?" She glances to find Taren coming into the kitchen. Smiles and replies to the redhead. "Oh hey, just almost done with the food so the others be ready if they need anything."
"Didn't need to do all that, we got plenty and the trip wouldn't take long." Not that Taren was against it and smelled something good from the pot.
"Figured to pass the time anyway." Flora thought to do something while they wait. "By the way, how far now to this world we're heading?"
"According to Brandon, we should be close now." Taren told her, taking a peak of the cooking but was stopped by Flora.
"Hold it, it's not ready yet."
Decided to step back and smiled. "Okay then, but better be sure to keep an eye out for Agumon when he gets hungry."
She would agree with him knowing the digimon's love of food. "Well shouldn't be long for it." But then had a thought of something to ask him of something she wanted to talk about.
Taren noticed something was on her mind. "Something the matter?"
"No, it's nothing really." Flora waved it off and smiled at her boyfriend.
However it didn't seem to fool him. "Come on, you've been a little quiet about something."
Hesitant for a moment, she nervously bit her bottom lip and figured he would notice. Sighs and glances at him. "I'm just a little worried."
"About us? Listen, its nothing to worry, we know there's new enemies to face and not sure what this world be like but-"
"No, not that. Of course I know you would." Flora cut him off. "It's just that… what if I mess this up again, like back at Red Fountain? I thought I could handle it."
"None of us knew what could have happened. It was a common mistake." Taren assured her, but remembered how he was close to losing her. "Besides, I almost thought to have lost you when I was too slow."
Flora gave a surprise look to hear about this and remembered when she witnessed his emotional state from that battle. Reached for his hand in hers. "Maybe we both need to watch each other's back." She assured him and reached for his face to give a soft kiss on the cheek with her fingers softly tracing his cheek.
"Guess so." Keeping his arms around her and feelings her fingers on his face, there was another thing he was more concerned for her and needed to say it to her. His eyes locked into with the emerald green with concern and worry. "Also, just one thing to bring up and need to say it for you be remember. If we ever confront Kefka, don't face him or just keep at a distance from him as possible."
Hearing the tone of his voice and how he was holding her a little tight and pressed against his but wasn't hurting her, she knew what the keybearer meant when she heard about how strong this new villain was. Flora rested her hands on his face with a serene smile. "Which is why I wanted to come to be certain you be save and also our friends. But one day when I get stronger, you won't need to feel concern for me."
Taren could simply nod his head to agree with her and had no doubt she be stronger with enough training to improve her magic. "I know, just that after seeing how powerful he was I hate to see you and the Winx have enough problems. Especially this Darkar I heard about."
They would have improve their skills, after the previous demonstration by Faragonda, the Winx have to improvise when they face the danger that is new to them. She was usually the healer of the group after all and have greater connection to Nature than anyone in the group. But at the moment, she wan't to take her mind from the worry and enjoy the moment with the teen that captivated her heart. Her left hand slid up to his red hair, brushing through the spiked locks and his ear, and gently pulled his head towards her for a passionate kiss on the lips with her eyes shut.
Taren merely froze by Flora's sudden approach, yet it was no doubt her gesture of affections to him and accepted it, running one of his yes through her brunette hair. Kissing her softly and feel her soft hair with his fingers, still found this new and yet enjoyable that he was slowly getting use to the experience. Inhaling the sweet scented smell from her hair and grew to enjoy it, even feel her leaning towards him more, pressing against his chest with her hand on it.
She could not help but let out a soft moan and felt the electrical surge through her with excitement of how it feels, always feels this surge of excitement whenever she has a moment to kiss him and feel so safe and comfort in his embrace. Breathing softly through her nose and lost in the moment of passion with him.
Letting out a soft mewl of his hands around her, and did the same to his while exchanging kisses until they pulled away with flushed cheeks. Flora couldn't help but giggle and gave a soft peck to his lips.
Taren swallowed in some air as he did not expect the moment but enjoyed it none the less. "Still gonna get use to that."
"Me too." Flora giggled and also agreed with him when she thought it would take his mind from the mission. "How do you feel now?"
"Uhh, much better thanks." He said to her. "Maybe after this we could go someplace to enjoy the time to ourselves."
That certainly brought a smile on her face and eagerly wanting to do that. "That would be nice. What about Bloom?"
"I'll think of some ideas, she's gonna have a break some time from the new studies." Taren was starting to miss spending time with her since the new professor arrived, not certain why but something about the paladin made him feel uneasy. Before he would lean in for another kiss for her, both stopped within inches to hear a phone ringing, ruining their moment together as he gave a heavy sigh. "Please tell me that's just me hearing things."
"No, it's mine." Even Flora was hoping it was, but she can't ignore it as it could be something important. Slips her arm out and pulled the phone from her pocket to answer. "Uh, Tecna?" Wondering what the Tecno fairy wanted and decided to answer it. "Hello?"
"Flora, it's Tecna, I hope I have not interrupted anything but thought to get in touch with you when we had no idea where you were."
Oblivious to the fact she did spoiled the moment when Flora made a flat look but didn't want to give too some details to her friends that she was making out with her boyfriend. "No, you didn't." Trying to resist the urge from sounded annoyed on her end. "I'm sorry if I didn't tell you where I am, just on with the others."
"Your on the Ebon Hawk? Is any chance Taren is with you?" This was somewhat of a surprise to hear a question from Tecna, Flora raised an eyebrow to inquire what she wanted with him.
"Uh, yeah I'm here." Although he didn't say what they were doing before she interrupted them. "What exactly that you needed me for?"
"Something has been going on with Professor Avalon and appeared out of normal for us, and did some investigations on him." This caught their attention and wondering what she found out. "Can't explain in full details, but Taren did you ever see him with his golden wings?"
He did recalled the one time seeing the paladin with his wings when they fought against the Trix and Kefka and recalled never seeing him in action. Taren let go of Flora to let her check on the food from boiling while thinking of what Tecna said and seemed suspicious for him.
"Now you mention it, it was just one time back in Downland near the castle when he came to save us in time." And also never saw him in combat when Red Fountain was under attack by the monster.
"I thought so, it could be that his wings are hidden as well as any a secrets he has. We believe he could be in fact a Creature of Destruction which has to be possible."
This did not sounded good to them if what Tecna says is true. "Are you sure, Tecna? I mean, we know you are the smartest of the team." Flora didn't want to sound somewhat of a skeptic but wanted to be certain.
"At first I thought so, but then we found many copies of him in the school and could reveal his monstrous form when the three plans aligned, and that could spell big trouble for us." Tecna sounded serious about it, just when they were now too far to return and could be too late. "If I'm right, he could go after Bloom for her power."
"And just when we're close to a new world." Taren muttered and as much as he wanted to help but still know nothing about this when they just heard the news from Tecna. Unable to abandon the mission with only one ship and if it was a trick to separate them, he needed to be certain for Bloom's safety. "Listen, if it gets serious keep Bloom out of his reach, but maybe to be sure. I mean, better to keep an eye on him. The moment we finish ours, we'll come back straight away."
"Don't worry, we'll keep an eye on him and to be honest with you, I find the professor very suspicious. I better go and tell the others, good luck guys." With that, Tecna hung up.
Taren started to have his own suspicions about the professor if what Tecna told them was true, but could be some trap or maybe he didn't have the needed strength from earlier.
They spotted Riven come into the kitchen when he took notice of them. "Hey, wanna get yourselves ready, Brandon and Sky said we're close to the planet now."
"Okay, thanks Riven." Taren nods his head to Riven before he left and might as well put that thought later, but could mention it to the others later. "I just hope Tecna doesn't do anything rash."
"Don't worry, I'm sure Tecna would be fine and not do anything rash." Flora assured him.
"It's not that." Taren said. " For all we know if the professor we know isn't who he is but there's no telling if he could be an agent of Darkar or something."
That theory was one thing Flora didn't think about and realised he had a valid point when they never met Darkar, but could be some agent or creature he made to sent after the Pixies and possibly Bloom. But another terrifying thought is what if Darkar and the Trix figure out that Taren also has a potion of the Dragon Flame? The witches didn't seem to realise it, but only a matter of time before they discover the truth.
If it ever come to that, Flora would have to get stronger to protect the ones she love and not be seen as week.
"So any idea about this world?" Ben asked to know anything about it when a holographic projection of the world they were going to was hovering above the table. They finally reached the planet and took orbit to know anything about it before making a land to find the first artefact.
Mal shook her head while resting her chin on her gloved hand. "Nothing, but check out the surface from the scanners. It shows the planet is not something to consider a vacation spot."
Brandon agreed with her after reading the scanners. "No kidding not sure what lives down there but must have been a terrifying force to cause such damage. I'm not sure if any civilization still lives."
"Taren, was there any record of this from the keyblade masters or those journals you brought?" Sky asked him for any information.
Much as Taren would have some ideas, but he barely got through some and a lot from his family. "Wish I knew, but if the artefact is here than we have to know its location and find it before anyone finds it and learn of its use."
Mutual agreements among the group and had to search for it. The gossiping pixie was so excited and pumped her fist in the air. "What are we waiting for? Let's go to an adventure!"
"Hold it!" Mal called out with her hand held in front of the pixie. "There's some basic rules we gotta follow and not sure many know this, but there are some worlds that aren't even aware of magic, or worlds beyond their own."
"She's right, there is a rule all keyblade bearers and travellers have to follow called the World Order, a rule to not let anyone know of where we come from." Ben explained to them.
"Only to keep others from getting the idea of trying to use the knowledge for the wrong reasons. But some be an exception" Taren stated.
"Which means we gotta be careful." Brandon surmised, not sure if it be easy but that's what they were trained for.
"But before we go further, now be a time to test out Cid's latest creation." Ben smiles and knew they were waiting to try them out.
"Yeah, we may not had the chance but never too late." Sky agreed with him.
"Hey guys, check it out." Chatta called for their attention, standing on the table pointing her figure to a flashing dot. "Somethings blinking, could it be one of those artefacts you talked about?"
What she said was true and had the computer to track down the source of the kaiju energy. "That must be the artefact. This has to be the place." Flora said, this confirmed they were near and on the right direction.
"Then let's go down there." Sky alongside Brandon head to the bridge to take the ship down to the planet, adjusting the ship's course to descend upon the atmosphere, steering the Ebon Hawk through the clouds as it looked peaceful above the clouds. So far it seemed peaceful and no sign of any hostiles or villains they might run into. "So far the skies look clear."
Brandon kept his focus with his hands on the controls, remembering his training to be alert. "Yeah, but for now and-Hold on." The squire noticed the radar picking up something. "Got bogus in range, a lot of them. Moving fast."
The prince didn't like the sound of that and believe to be an ambush. "Heading towards us?"
"No, they seem to be heading towards someplace else. Gonna take a closer look." Brandon suggested to the prince.
Sky didn't seem so sure of the idea with no knowledge of this world."Careful. No tell what we're heading into."
"Hey what's going on?" Ben came into the bridge to find out what's going on.
"Thinking this world is not completely dead after all but a lot of volcanic activities on the surface.
Sky expanded the long range scans and seem to found something. "Hey, picking something artificial and big."
"If it's artificial that means there's people who could provide some help." Ben surmised as a theory and perhaps someone they can talk to and ask around. The specialists thought it over and while they have a trail of the artefact but no idea of the geography of this unknown world and maybe seek out any inhabitants for knowledge, Timmy was back on Magix and could use his expertise.
Sky decided to go with the plan. "Okay, maybe we should go there and find. Brandon, let's set a course."
"Sure thing, Sky." Brandon decided to go along with it and altered the ship's trajectory to their new destination. Following the trail their scanners were able to get a sight of the swarm and appear to be attacking something.
"Gonna need a closer look." The squire adjusted the visual cameras and saw large dragons and people riding or flying alongside them attacking some insect-like creatures. "Looks like trouble."
"They could be in trouble, obviously we can't just sit by and do nothing." Ben suggested when he knew it was a sign of trouble and those people needed help.
Sky agreed with him on the subject help them. "Yeah your right, Mal and Flora are the only known flyers we have and Taren could give them a hand and we'll back them up." Immediately jumps into action to alert the others of the situation. "Everyone better be ready for battle stations, we're about to run into some trouble."
The rest of the team immediately sprinted into action with Riven climbing up the turret access to use the blasters. Taren pulls out the rod to take and making his way to the exit ramp with Flora behind him and Mal joining them.
"Looks like we get to see some action." Mal said with Palmon beside her.
"Better not use too much of our magic to expose ourselves unless they do have any here. But doesn't mean we can't use it to defend ourselves." Taren stated.
"In that case you need backup." Flora proclaimed. "I'm not staying behind while you two go off into some danger."
"Alright! Let's get into some action!" Chattt was ready for action, but was pulled away by Mal before getting the chance.
"Hold up! You can't go into a battle, we can't lose you out of our sight."
Flora realised she had a point and agreed with her. "She's right, I'm sorry Chatta but this ship is safest as it is for now. " Much as Chatta pouted she had to agree with them and would still watch the action from the bridge.
Taren pressed the button to contact the bridge. "Opening up now." The ramp lowers down, letting in the gust of wind in, blowing against them with Flora's hair flown by the current but not affected. "Flora, get ready." She immediately transforms into her Winx form and wrapped her arms around him tight as he did the same to fly out of the ship, pulls the rod apart and taking form of the Light Jet. Flora sat behind him with her arms around his waist to let him fly the light jet towards the swarm.
Riven adjusted the blasters as they came closer to the swarm. "Ready to start blasting."
"Riven, don't fire until we say so, no telling what they're capable of." Sky advised him before taking action. "But be sure to keep close to the triggers."
"Got it." Riven took his advice and ready to start shooting.
The dragon riders were fighting off the swarm of creatures that resemble bipedal, insect-like creatures with red skin, a pair of wings and yellow underbelly with arms and legs, they were also armed with sharp teeth within their disproportionately large mouths to try and bite their prey.
"Dragonators, stay in formation! Do not let the Gremlins go any closer to Airlandis!" The leader of the team wore a cerulean coloured armor, along with a helmet with a white horizontal stripe and mane and gauntlets. Riding on the back of a large blue/grey scaled wyvern and shooting the Gremlins.
"They're sure are persistent little critters, bro." A second male with orange and purple armor commented while keeping an altitude with a set of purple wings propelling him in the air. "Come on Storm, let's show them whose boss!"
A grey dragon roars and fought alongside its rider.
"Peak, don't get too cocky. You got some on your tail!" A female rider called out to him while on a silver dragon, wearing the same colour of her armor and showing a patch of orange hair under her helmet. Aiming her gauntlet to fire at them before were winged gargoyle-like creatures, slashing at them with their extended blades. One of them came upon her from above to strike down at the rider, surprising the rider as she would make it in time.
"Nora!" Peak cried out to her and afraid to not make it.
"Pollen Mist!"
"Strike Raid!"
The mutant failed to make the blow when a mist of pollen blew into its face, confusing it long enough for a spinning blade to struck into the chest, sending the creature falling over the rider's dragon. The Gremwings also received a shower of light bolts from a fast moving jet ridden by a red haired teen who was piloting the craft and a girl with brown hair and tanned skin behind him, the spinning blade returned to it's wielder who caught it and appeared to be a key-shaped sword. "Sorry for cutting in, looks as though you guys need help."
"My name is Flora and this is Taren." Flora introduced herself and her boyfriend to them, hopefully they were the friendly team.
A man in brown and green armor fly in with a set of wings to notice the newcomers and no idea where they came from, but he was grateful for their help saving his teammate. "My name is Summit and we're the Dragon Flyz. If you can help us deal with the Gremwings and help the others, it'd be a big help."
"You mean those things with mean looking teeth?" Taren pointed to the creatures coming at them.
"Yeah, Gremwings, they're more nasty with their bite." The blonde rider answered. "By the way, thanks for saving our sis, Apex. Names Peak and that's Summit."
"We'll do what we can to drive these things away, our friends should do the rest." Flora informed them.
"Understood and watch out for the lieutenant in charge." Summit nodded and rejoined the others in battle.
"We need to keep them away from the city or it'll be danger." Apex explained the situation to their new allies.
Taren understood and sharing the information to Ebon Hawk of what is going on. "So take out the leader and the swarm. Sounds like a simple task." Using his keyblade to change the tides in their favour by unleashing wind and fire spells to take out their foes with ease, combining Flora's spores with wind to knock the Gremwings out along with the brutes.
"Just to let you two know, we seem to have company here!" Mal's voice yelled out to them before the sound of a heavy roar followed. Neither of them knew what happened but hope they were okay back in the ship.
It didn't take long for the natives to take notice of their ship and already a swarm of Gremwings as they were called started to attack, along with the non-human riders controlling them and the dragons. Mal grunted and had no time to close the hatch when a large bulky creature caught the hatch and forced it to open to make his way in.
Chatta cried in fright and tried to fight them off with her. "Go away, you big ugly!"
The mutant snarls and tries to swat her away like a bug, but Mal came to her rescue using her magic. "Go alert the others, Chatta!" The pixie didn't need to be told and did so while the witch was forced to back up, dodging the sweeping claws while walked backwards into the hallway in an attempt to get better blocking a coming blade with her keyblade and blasted him with a doze of Confuse, giving her the moment to launch a high kick in the face.
Another that climbed in used a cannon strapped to his right arm fired at her, but she blocked the attack with a Reflect.
"Poison Ivy!" Palmon extended her vines and used as whips to lash at the mutant intruder.
Taking the blow of the attack, the intruder tried to aim his weapon at them to fire before he was taken by surprise by Ben swatted him with his keyblade and Sky slashed his lightsaber the blaster in half before he could fire it. A small swarm of Gremwings came in and tried to attack them but Palmon used her Stinking Breath attack to knock them out.
"You okay?" Ben asked Mal and her partner if they were not hurt.
Mal took it as a perfect timing. "We're fine, but better close the hatch fast before more come in."
"Not needing to be told trice." Sky ran to the exit hatch and just in time before any more could try and break in the ship. "The hatch is secured, but got to get rid of the hitchhikers before they wake up."
"Riven's doing all he can to shoot down those bugs but too many!" Brandon responded and the sound of the screeching and blasters fired confirmed it.
Riven grunts while blasting so many of the annoying flying creatures that were all over the ship, but also had to deal with the larger dragons while the ship was trying to keep itself stable. "Damn, there's too many of the little biters!"
He felt something heavy landed, turning his seat to find one of the attackers closing in on him. "Eat this!" Riven blasted it but did not anticipate having wings to fly around, too fast to follow until he got a direct hit onto the chest of the attacker.
"Riven? You okay up there?"
Not to worry, Brandon, took care of the last one." Riven responds to his teammate and sees the Dragon riders and their dragons soar through the skies to help them, awed of the sight of them and relieved to have some help as the battle appears to be nearly over.
The one who was leading the assault was a large bulky creature with a pair of large sabre teeth, a black mark on the left side of his face and a cannon arm almost had the Dragon Flyz off guard when out of no where newcomers came to intervene with their flying ship and strange powers, he sent out his warriors to attack them but appear to have failed. "They must be the warriors we've been informed." Decided to make a retreat. "All warriors fall back! We must return to the Warnado."
"At once, Fryte!" One of his warriors obeyed and spread the word to the others, while Fryte commands his dragon to alter its course to make a retreat.
"Taren look!" Flora noticed something was going on and saw the creatures and dragons retreating.
Taren noticed it as well and relieved while not having to deal with the flying biters. "Looks like they're running."
"Then that should be our chance to a break for it." Peak told them and turned to her teammates. "Z'neth, they're retreating!"
The leader of the team named Z'neth heard her and relieved to hear it. "Then let's get going, and you better bring your friends along to Airlandis."
"Alright then, lead the way then." Taren adjusted the handles to follow them, amazed to see these dragons and look so awesome. Moving close to the group while the Ebon Hawk follows them to wherever they were going. "Mind if I ask where we're going? Somewhat new to this area."
"I'm assuming you never heard of Airlandis, our home." Summit told him. "Where did you and your friends come from?"
Uncertain how to answer that question when it would be bizarre to explain. "That… might be a little hard to answer, but let's just say we came here looking for something."
Z'neth did not know if they were hiding something or just protective when only just met, it would seem understandable and hopes to know about them as well as the boy's strange weapon and his friend's powers to gain their trust. "Since you helped us, maybe we can return the favour after you can have words with the council and our father."
"There it is." Peak called out, pointing towards a large air-borne city in gold with a large dome in the centre. "Welcome to Airlandis."
"Amazing!" Flora became amazed by the sight of the city. "This is your home?"
Apex answers her question. "And a sanctuary for our people until we can find a new home."
This peaked Flora and Taren's curiosity of what happened to their world and and what was the history behind it, maybe if they know anything of a certain artefact they're looking for could be connected to this
Below the clouds, the world's surface was an wasteland with few pockets of trees that somehow able to survive in these harsh conditions, rivers of lava, acidic clouds, lightning storms. Whatever life or possible civilization that had once thrived had long since passed as it is nothing but a hostile wasteland.
"So you returned with nothing, Fryte?" A deep menacing voice of a leader spoke to the lieutenant who bowed his head before his leader inside a volcanic chamber, sitting on the throne was a red skinned humanoid who had the appearance of a demon with glowing yellow eyes glaring at his subordinate. Behind him was a large terrifying crimson dragon with a black underbelly, staring down with its menacing glare. "This is most disappointing."
"Forgive me, lord Dreadwing, but I had to return with reports of newcomers with powers unlike any I've seen, not only have they a ship in their possession, but one of them wielded a strange weapon with such power."
Intrigued by this information and decided to let him continue. "Tell me more, who are they and what does this weapon look like?"
Fryte proceeded to draw the shape of the sword when he had a good look at it, using his claw into the ground to reveal it in a shape of the key. Dreadwing took a closer look at it, not saying a word before giving his response. "And you are certain it this weapon that used unique powers?"
"Yes, my lord." His lieutenant confirmed it.
Stroking his chin to digest the knowledge of a possible new enemy that pose a threat to his plans to bring Airlandis to its knees and his fortress to rise above it's rightful place. "It appears you were telling the truth of these… keybearers. But remember our agreement."
"But of course, mighty Dreadwing. You have the city, I get what I came here for." Stepping out of the shadows was the grinning Kefka himself. "And where they will go, the prize I seek will be in my hands."
Dreadwing would have mislead him to being a human, but learned he was far beyond that and unable to trust, yet the offer he could not refuse."And I shall finally rule the skies as the people of Airlandis will finally fall to their demise! And then, the whole planet shall bow before Dreadwing!" As Dreadwing proclaimed with is right fist held high, his dragon mount roars and unleashed a pillar of fire.
I hope you all enjoyed it, I was a little busy with some stuff so that's why it was a little late. And I thought of introducing a classic series I remembered as a kid "Dragon Flyz" which had a promising concept in a post apocalyptic earth in the distant future. With the heroes meeting the Dragon Flyz, Kefka is already plotting something and after the first Kaijudo artefact. Whatever it is, it can't be good and no doubt spell trouble.