Counter Offensive Part 1
The Two Dragons carried their passengers upon them as they went off the coast of Munitions Forge and across the sea the landmass slowly vanishing behind them. The Air thick with black smoke and ash soon vanished around them allowing them all to take in the fresh sea air.
Breathing in the cleanliness Tracy was the first to smile. "So glad we are out of there. I will understand how those moles could live in such a place?"
"You will find that there many tribes of various races across the lands, dear Lady that have such capabilities to live in the most hostile of environments." Called Cyril his wings beating hard as he and Spyro flew high about the sea level along with Sparx who kept close to his dragon brother.
"Would it be too much to ask that we call this little attack off?" asked the Dragonfly nervously. "Perhaps we could just find another map that's with a much kinder type of people. Why not the Atlawa I'm a big deal among them!"
Everyone just ignored him. They were set on attacking the Skavengers. It was their best chance to find the map that was with the Captain of the fleet. For some of them it was score that needed settling. Spyro and Adir were denied the map and partially beaten by Skabb and the parrots that acted as the brain of the mindless brute. For Sid Rai and Molly, they had to take the fight to the Pirates for forcing them to fight in their gladiatorial arena and for imprisoning their friends. And for the others this was the best and only option they had to make sure their friends at Munitions Forge had the time needed to evacuate and destroy their home leaving nothing to be scavenged.
All the humans upon the Dragons readied themselves. For some of them this was going to be the first time they were on an offense. Too long have they stayed on the defensive against the Apes and the Skavengers. Now they were countering their enemy. Too long have they stayed on the lines desperately trying to safeguard their lives and fellows. Now they had the chance to prove to all that who so ever dared attack them or had the audacity to imprison and enslave them or any other innocent they will be met with heavy force.
Adir kept a firm hold on Spyro's neck as he looked to Cyril carrying the rest of his family. He took a breath of encouragement. Now his mother and uncle were going to be fighting alongside him and, Spyro. He felt rather proud in the moment. All but his grandparents were there and about to face the massive force of a dismantled pirate fleet. He was nervous but Spyro could feel the agitation come from Adir that shook a little on his back. Turning his head around he looked at him.
"We will be okay, Adir. We're stronger together. And they will be just fine." Assured the Purple Dragon earning a smile and a stroke of his scales from the human on his back. Adir was glad to have Spyro more than anything. He had a big sister, but Spyro was the big brother he never had. His family has grown since they were taken from their home, and he was grateful to have dragons and even a dragonfly for a family now. Sparx has his moments or rather far too many, but he had been with him since the day he thought he had lost everything. Where would he be without a rather annoying bug.
Tracy among the rest of her family was the most nervous of them all. Time and again it seemed her family kept finding themselves in danger. Years ago, when she had lost her husband no amount of money she received from the government or how set her family was nothing could fill her heart that longed for the man who loved her and protected both her, their family and their entire country. She understood his duty required him to be away and be in danger but every time he came home it made him feel as if he was invincible having survived countless incursions only for what supposed to be his final tour instead of him it was two officers who came to her door to deliver their condolences over the loss of a man they called a hero.
What was a hero who didn't get to come home to his loving family who he cherished and loved more than anything else. She moved far from the military bases and tried to raise her family as far from that life as she could since then believing that taking them from it would have them avoid the sad memory of their loss but now they were in the fight of their lives in a war that they never would have thought existed or become a part of against their will. Exiled from their own home and realm and trapped in another. Most lived a year of slavery and to be saved only to be thrusted deep into the conflict that affected everything around them.
Her children, brother and her parents were in the greatest of danger. And now she was part of a small attack force about to assault a fleet filled with pirates. How could it have all come to this? A Time ago she was about to wave her daughter off to College now she is right by the side of her kids about to attack and kill those that are threat to them and everyone around. This life was something she never would have wanted for any of her own. Now there was no other choice. Powers or not they were going to face death. They carried her husbands will and determination within him. So much like their father. She silently prayed for all their safety as ahead the fleet was starting to come into view.
"There they are!" Spyro called out as they all could see a small fleet of Skavenger ships around a series of wooden platforms. Most were in the water near the platforms that were built upon the sea. Skavengers were all around the ones conducting repairs upon the ships that took massive hits from all the bombings the battle with the attacking Apes had done to them.
One Ship that was the least damaged of them all and the smallest one was floating high above the rest circling the platforms while one Ship was in the water furthest out from the rest floating alone in the sea.
Jim took notice of the one that was flying and the one that was furthest. "Cyril that ship above must be acting Sentry. Target that one after you drop us all off." Said Jim taking a grip of his hammer holding it tighter. There was no turning back at this point. They would be noticed by now as they all were heading straight for the ships. Some of the Skavengers that were in the crows nest of their ships had spotted the two dragons carrying the humans upon their backs. Heading at a high speed an attack was oncoming and all the other Skavengers immediately dropped their tools and immediately went for their weapons.
"Alright, my friends. Watch yourselves and use your abilities wisely. Here we go!" called the Ice Guardian as he snarled along with Spyro. They were just upon the first ship and the Skavenger crew upon it was the least prepared for them.
"Drop me off on that one, Cyril!" called Jim. The Ice Guardian nodded opening his mouth as flew lower close to the sea and let out a large stream of Ice covering the sea around the ship with giant sickles. The Skavengers upon the Ship tried to get their craft to rise up but the ice around it effectively trapped it in place. It was not going anywhere, and neither were they.
Cyril rose up just above the deck and Jim hopped off the dragon and landed upon it gripping his hammer tightly in both his hands and took a quick look at what was a new sight to him. He already had a great distaste for apes after a year of slavery but looking upon these dog-like creatures with black and white furry faces wielding cutlasses and scabbards.
The Skavengers growled and snarled at him. Some even chuckled as no one else had hopped off the dragons that flew towards the rest of the fleet that already started to fire their cannons at the attackers.
"You're foolish to have come here. Let alone attack by yourself. It's the last mistake you will have made." One of the Pirates snarled earning a laugh from Jim.
"You boys remind me on some punks back home. They could talk tough, but they could not match their skills with words. Come on then!" welcomed Jim lifting his hammer and gave the pirates that began to surround him. They thought their numbers would matter here but Jim was confident. Some Skavengers towered over him in size. But this did not deter Jim. He had faced some men before that were bigger in size but not in brain. Any man could take down another no matter what if they could to outsmart them.
The Skavengers that surrounded him did not seem to be the brightest bunch this could be an advantage for Jim, and he would find out when one of the Pirates came at him fast. Charging at him with a cutlass raised up the veteran soldier waited till the Pirate was close enough and rolled his Warhammer back then carried it up and slammed it down hard upon the Skavenger hitting him so hard his cutlass launched out of his hand and went down into the deck and the weight and force of the hammer caused the Pirate to partially collapse through the wooden deck.
"Next?" Jim called out swinging out his hammer knocking another Skavenger aside hitting him into another one. One Skavenger took a pistol pulling the hammer on it back right behind Jim and when the man heard the click he elbowed the Skavenger that came too close behind him right in his side turning around punched the Pirate hard in the face shattering its nose before falling back dropping the pistol.
Jim caught the dropped firearm right before it hit the ground aiming the gun at the owner pulling the trigger blasting it right in the head killing it instantly.
The Veteran soldier snorted at the use of an old-style gun. He used more state-of-the-art weaponry back in the other realm. The Guns here are primitive but still useful despite the pistol of such a design it only had one shot before needing to be reloaded.
The Skavengers growled loudly with the loss of their deckhands and rushed the man. Jim threw the unloaded gun at one Skavenger before taking a couple more swings with his hammer at two others. The Hits connected with them shattering the bones in their bodies with the sharpened tips on the face of it piercing into their sides making their light clothing and armor pieces useless.
However, one Skavenger managed to get behind Jim grabbing his long pony tail and tugged him sharply. Jim winced at the pulling of his hair growling before throwing himself back hitting the chest of the Skavenger with his body before stomping on its foot with his metallic boots. The Pirate cried out from his foot being crushed but was quickly met with an elbow to the gut then a strike to the face.
Jim reared his fist back before delivering a mighty blow empowered with the earth element right into the chest of the Skavenger that stood a foot taller than him sending him flying back through the rails off the port side right into a pointed sickle of ice that was left when Cyril had frozen the ship in place.
More Skavengers came around Jim as he continued his fight on the deck. He was only getting started but he made a quick look at the others who managed to get past the volley of cannon fire that came from the docked ships with Spyro and Adir landing on the ship to the farthest right. Sid and Rai were dropped on the ship that was docked in the middle and lastly Cyril landed on the ship to farthest on the right letting, Tracy and her daughter to hop off. Cyril bit on one Skavenger and tossed it off the side of the ship before taking to the air again.
Having dropped off the others and with, Spyro and Adir the first in the fight upon the little fleet that was docked close to each other with, Sparx staying close with them and the other humans beginning their fight against the Pirate that called to repel the boarders.
The Ice Guardian took back into the sky and circled the fleet. Many of the surrounding Skurvywings all chased after the Dragon. They matched his speed while the riders upon them took aim with their pistols firing upon him.
"How rude!" Growled Cyril feeling one of the metallic bullets graze his side barely slowing him, but it made his fury build. Turning around in midair rolling over he looked at four of the chasers that were just as repulsive as the Dreadwings ridden by the Apes. He shot out a large flurry that blinded them all before they ended up crashing into each other losing control before falling into the sea below.
Snorting the Dragon rolled back over flying for the ship where Jim was fighting alone. The Eldest man among the humans was holding his own most impressively. His Experience in warfare having been told from him about his past during their time back in the temple long before the attack upon it was assisting him well.
However, even with his experience it appeared Jim was starting to be backed into the ships portside. The Numbers were against him. Jim kept firm and fought on but each Pirate he knocked back more took their place. He used his Earth element wisely. Powering up his fists to make massive blows and his Earth Flail to keep his attackers at a distance but they moved upon him. With less of a deck giving him space he was being pushed to the railing. Soon he would be trapped with no where to go but overboard.
"This isn't looking good." Grunted Jim having been hit in his side by another Skavenger that managed to get through his defense hitting him right into his hip. The Armor protected him, but the impact was felt almost knocking Jim off balance, but he caught himself kicking the Pirate back. He took a couple steps backwards swinging his Warhammer, but the Pirates were gaining ground. Having regrouped they pressed on.
"Nothings going to save you now!" Cackled a Skavenger one the largest left among them. The Last bit of the crew on the ship rallied to the deck. Their Entire Fleet was under attack by two dragons and a bunch of furless two-legged creatures. Some of them were already once their prisoners used for their entertainment in what was once their most valued ship that was destroyed in the attack by the Apes.
Jim knew this was bad. His back was against the railing now and the Pirates in front had their cutlasses and their pistols aiming at him. No where to go now and if he would jump overboard his armor could pull him under surface of the sea. He was a sitting duck either way.
But a loud roar came from behind the Pirates all of them quickly turning around to Jim's relief giving a sly grin.
"I beg to differ." Laughed the Man with Cyril coming down from the sky with his teeth bared and his claws out. He came down onto the deck flying just above it with his claws swiping many of the pirates knocking them into the air many flying right off the deck. Cyril then shot a few ice shards from his mouth across the deck hitting the Pirates that avoided his claws only to be ended by shards of ice that pierced through their light clothing and weak armor.
Jim had to duck down when the Ice Guardian flew over him but when he could stand up he looked around the deck of the ship. Most of the Pirates that were left were dead from all the ice shards and some were slipping from the ice that was left upon the floor. The Numbers were greatly dwindled allowing Jim the chance to take the initiative again.
"Thanks Cyril." He called up to the Dragon that flew high above the Ship looking down to make sure that Jim was okay. The Dragon smiled but then a loud blast was heard and, Cyril managed to twirl just out of the way before he looked back to see that the one Skavenger vessel that was flying sentry above the rest of the fleet was taking aim at him.
The Skavengers on the smallest ship were at the cannons. At first they were going to start to fire upon the ones that were attacking the rest of the fleet but the Captain on their vessel had them redirect their aim. If they shot at the rest of the fleet they would succeed in causing more damage and risk hitting their own. Their Focus should be on the lone dragon that had already took care of the Skurvywings making them lose their air support. Take out the large dragon and the rest of the attackers would soon follow.
Calling for another volley the vessel's crew fired every cannon at the dragon. Cyril flew in circles and twirled in the air barely avoiding the cannonballs but what he didn't take in mind was the cannons were pointing down at the lone ship that Jim was still fighting on.
Jim had put one of the last Skavengers partially through the deck with his hammer. Only three Pirates remained and with most of the crew dead their courage was spent and all they could do was back away from the man wielding the terrifying Warhammer. Jim stomped towards them intent on finishing them off but then a loud series of blasts were heard gaining his attention to the vessel in the sky.
He gasped along with the other Pirates when they saw the Ice Dragon dodged the volley of cannonballs but to their horror the cannonballs were coming their way. Jim leapt to one of the masts of the ship taking cover while the last three Skavengers were bombarded by the volley from their own.
The Deck was being desecrated by the Cannonballs. Fires were ignited within an instant and the mast that Jim hid behind was struck a cannonball whizzing past his head nearly touching his ear. He cried from the sudden noise that made his ears ring covering them and kneeling down.
Cyril gasped when he heard Jim's sharp cry. Growling menacingly, he flew towards the vessel that fired upon him. He came from below at a high-speed opening his mouth shooting a tremendous flurry of ice that struck the bottom of it before it quickly engulfed around the middle. Within seconds the middle of the vessel was covered in ice the crew that stood in the middle of the deck were frozen in place. But that was not the end of, Cyril's attack.
Beating his wings heavily came up from below striking his entire body hitting the vessel with full force. Due to the Ice that consumed the middle it weakened the hull enough for the Dragon to break through it easily. Coming up from the bottom and pushing his way upwards Cyril successfully smashed the vessel completely in two. The Two halves both fell from the sky and all the Skavengers upon it all wailed in horror falling into the ocean the height from where they were falling would kill them when they impacted and if any where fortunate to still be alive they were too far away from the land to swim to and their fellow Pirates were too busy at battle with the rest of the attackers to assist them.
Cyril roared in triumph nodding his head at the scene. "Let that be a lesson to you all. Pillaging and plundering leads only to the woe of your defeat." Snorting the Dragon then turned his gaze to flaming ship where Jim was still upon it. The Ringing in his ears finally left but the fire caused from the cannon fire was spreading fast.
Jim ran for the ships side again and tried to shield himself as the flames became immense. Any moment the fire would find the magazine of the ship and ignite into a blaze of fury that would decimate the vessel.
The Man was tempted to jump off to save himself but if the fire ignited the magazine of the vessel he would still be too close. But then Cyril came flying down at him.
"Come, my friend!" Called the Ice Guardian his claw extended, and he snatched Jim in between his claw right before the flames could reach him. The Dragon flew away as fast as he could with Jim safe in his hold and within seconds the Vessel exploded in a fury of flames that sent out a shockwave that shook everything around including the ships where the rest of the Skavengers were in battle against the others. The Loss of two of their vessels and the crew upon them were devastating but they were undeterred and kept fighting.
Cyril flew up into the sky looking down at Jim in his firm yet gentle grip. "Are you alright?" asked the Dragon.
Jim nodded. "Yeah. Thanks for the pickup."
"Anytime. Come, this battle is far from over. Let us join our fellows." Said Cyril turning around in the air and headed straight for the rest of the ships. Jim gripped his Warhammer tightly and both he and, Cyril's faces made stern looks. The Battle was going well but if they loose focus then their enemies could turn the tide. They had to maintain their wits as they came to the closest ship where, Spyro and Adir fought against the deck hands and, Sparx stayed out of harms way at one area on deck that was clear of their enemies keeping a worried look at those he called his brothers as they continued their fight against the Skavengers.
Ever since they dropped on deck the Pirates came at them in waves but even after defeating a couple dozen of them they have yet to find Skabb and the Parrots Scratch and Sniff. They had to be hiding in one of the ships. Like before they didn't see them when the battle started when the Apes attacked but if they had to guess if they keep this fight up the Captain of the Skavengers would have to show his face eventually.
Jim was dropped onto the deck by Cyril with him running to his Nephew who slashed his sword against a Skavenger who foolishly tried to come at him unarmed.
"Adir!" Jim called getting Adir's attention and, Spyro who shot a streak of flames at a group of Skavengers setting them ablaze.
"Uncle! You okay?" Adir asked seeing how his armor was rather smoked and grazed from fire, but Jim gave him a reassuring look.
"Yeah, cooked but okay. You both doing good?" asked Jim with both his nephew and, Spyro nodding.
"Yes. But their relentless." The Purple Dragon replied as they heard more howls come from more pirates that stormed at them with weapons held high.
"Then let's show them we're just as stubborn." Gripping his hammer with both, Adir holding tight his sword along with, Spyro snarling and Cyril flying overhead dealing with more Skurvywings that came from the holds of some of the ships the group together engaged the Skavengers intent on finding the Captain to retrieve the map that would lead them to the Chronicler.
