Drageria
Ch. 36: How to Train BefriendYour Dragon part. 2
Fire Island
A week had passed, and now was the time for the five teens to move into the next island for guard duty. The next one on their radar was simply known as the Fire Island, which would be their shortest stay due to its namesake. When they saw the island on the horizon, it really lived up to the worry and hype whispered about it. Two islands mirrored one another, one made of stone and the other perpetually on fire.
The flat stone was dotted with houses and a few storage houses, with crafting machines in between, looking like an industrial plant. No plants grew anywhere, but the stone under their feet was smooth as ice. Once they had made it onto the island, they were greeted by one of the soldiers there, who had a fine layer of ash on his uniform with some small snig marks. Even his exposed body parts had some burn scars, so he either loved them or made frequent trips to them.
The man happily greeted them, "You must be some of the newbies; welcome to Fire Island."
"I'll never guess how it got that name.", Shinso dryly jokes.
The older soldier told him, "All the islands have simple names. It's just easier to remember them."
"So what's the point of having an island that's perpetually on fire?", Momo inquired.
"Quite simple. Crafting. Food, charcoal, smithing, forging, you name something that requires heat, and we do that here. Every nail, metal roof, or pre-cooked food items come straight from us.", the man explained while waking.
Eventually, they made their way to a metal building like the one on Stone Island, but they were actually made into homes. Some even had plants growing around them, but all had a cold feeling coming off of them.
"It feels cold around here.", Uraraka observed.
"Every home here is outfitted with the best AC units. You won't be complaining about that for long after your first day.", the soldier said with a reminiscing tone.
Izuku asks, "I'm guessing our job here is the same as all the other islands? Go around, be seen, and keep the peace?" The man nods.
"I do have to show you how to traverse the island properly; otherwise, you'll die," the older soldier said, clapping his hands.
After the teens dropped their stuff off in the freezing cabin, they followed the man to a new building that held what looked like hazmat suits but was far heavier. They were gray in color with black markings, all in one piece that zippered up in the back.
Kirishima grabbed one of the suits and picked it off the suit; he struggled to heave it off while saying, "What are these? They weigh a ton."
"These are the special suits used for traversing the flaming fields. Completely fireproof but at the expense of being hot and heavy.", the soldier told him.
"We're going to be hot in a suit made for being fireproof?", Shinso dryly pointed out the irony.
"They have AC units in them. And it's either that or being cooked alive. But don't worry—you won't have to be in the flaming fields for very long—just a few hours before guarding the industrial section," the soldier assured him.
Momo inquired, "I'm guessing we'll be receiving a mount to walk across the fire fields so that we won't have to track through fire and molten rock."
The man nods, waves them out, and says, "I'll show you right to our iron dragons."
From there, the man brought them to a metal pen that was awfully close to the flaming side of the island. Inside, motions to a large group of what look like giant snails. They were the size of small horses, red with black in color, and jagger shells.
The teens looked around for the iron dragons but found nothing, so Izuku asked, "So, where are they?"
"There.", the man points to the snails.
"Behind the snails.", Kirishima questions.
"They are the snails.", the man clarified.
"You call your snails…iron dragons? Why?", Uraraka asked while narrowing her eyes at the animals.
The man explained, petting one of the shells, "Their shells are completely made of iron, 100% fireproof, and eat impurities in the air."
"Cool.", said Izuku, only for the sentiment not to be shared by the others.
After petting the snail, the man told the group, "You're lucky to have come at this time. It's been a lot cooler recently."
"This is cooler!?", Shinso exclaimed while wiping sweat off his forehead.
The man chuckles at his reaction and informs him, "Just wait till Prince Fafnir reignites the core."
"So this is his island.", Momo says in thought, taking mental note of it.
The man warns them, "I actually heard he's been flying around here lately, so be careful. He's a bit fiery, so keep your distance."
"Good to know.", Uraraka replies while looking at the sky.
A few days had passed since then, and the teens got into the swing of their new situation. Putting on the suits and lugging them around was extremely hard, let alone trying to walk in them, so they shed most of their uniforms in order to walk. They just hoped they wouldn't have to break up a fight or something in the flaming fields. But luckily for them, things were far more amiable in the fields than in the habitable zone. People work fast but efficiently and always give a wide berth to one another. Probably knowing that making a fuss in a land of fire was not a good idea.
Even though the suits got hot, the aid of an AC until inside with a pouch for a water bottle they would slip an arm out to drink made it more bearable. They also came to notice how the island was much larger than it needed to be. Workers never traveled very far as their main tool, fire, was at the ready just about anywhere they stood. The teens would see them dunk in casts to make molds, melt ore, make charcoal, or roast the most amazing-smelling foods around! One good thing they could say about this island is that it has the best food you can eat!
Though things are as quiet and mundane as they could be for an island of flames, something did happen one faithful day that redefined how the teens looked at Izuku. Not just as a leader and friend but as a force of nature! One day, when they were on patrol through the flaming fields and checking on workers to make sure no one was fighting or got hurt, the five teens rode on the slow but easy transport of the iron dragons, much to their combined annoyance. Even though they had to be out there for the next few hours, it took the snails several minutes just to slither a few hundred feet.
The teen stewed in annoyance at this until Kirishim, bored and irritated, said, "Man, these things are so slow!"
"There snail's.", Shinso dryly pointed out.
"I know that. I just thought at this size they would be a bit faster.", Kirishima argued while kicking the side of the snail's shell, hoping to control it like a horse, but having no effect.
"I can't believe anyone would live and work here.", Momo complained while taking a sip from her water.
"They probably get paid big time for these jobs.", Urarak guesses.
"At least the food here is awesome," Izuku said, hoping to brighten the mood.
"Agreed.", Uraraka and Kirishima joyfully agreed.
Before they could continue seeing the positive side of things, they heard someone yelling, "Help!"
The teen quickly turns their snails in the direction of the sound and comes to the center of the island, where they see a lone iron dragon near a large slab of rock. Luckily, the rock was on a cooler section, which allowed the teen to move without the snails. Once they got close enough, they saw a man with one of his feet stuck under the rock. He wasn't in pain, but he was in a panic as he tried to free his leg.
Izuku was the first to approach the man and ask him, "Are you okay?"
The man breathed but quickly told him in a fearful panic, "I'm fine. But get me out of here quickly!"
"Uraraka.", Izuku asked the girl, who nodded.
Unzipping one of her gloves, she touched the rock, which floated into the air. Izuku and Kirishima pulled him out. After dropping the stone, Shino and Momo checked the man's leg for injury and found nothing but a strain.
After putting his boot back on and getting on his snail, he told them, "Thank you now; let's go before he comes back!"
"Who?", Izuku questions.
Only then did that question be answered, as a fast wing swept them from all sides, and a roar echoed in the air. Looking up, they saw a shadow fly through the air before deciding to land on a raised patch of molten rock that always seemed to be glowing. There, he let out another bellowing roar.
"Him.", the man said in fear.
"Fafnir.", Izuku said in a small voice.
Fafnir looked down upon the group, and his eyes locked onto the previously trapped man. His eyes narrowed, he flicked his tongue, and he let out a low hiss as he brought his head down in his direction.
Izuku instantly realized what was sharpening and asked, "He's angry at you. Why is he angry at you!?"
The man stammered a bit but finally told them while pointing to the mound the dragon was sitting on, "It's the core. The thing he's sitting on. It's what he used to keep the island hot when it got too cool; it was his nest. I was trying to make high-quality diamonds with it. But he came back and threw that molten rock on me."
Fafnir began to climb off his nest and slither his way to the group, which began to back away until they reached the edge of the cooler section. There was no way they could easily escape now! Even if they ran on foot and left the iron dragons, their suits made them waddle like ducks! But Fafnir wasn't focused on the teen, just the man whose snail was trying to leg it! Izuku knew that they would have to come to his defense, and he knew Fafnir wouldn't care if they got hurt, just so long as he got what he wanted.
Izuku tried to de-escalate the situation by getting in his way and telling the dragon, "Easy, Fafnir, easy. No need for things to get heated."
As Izuku tried to talk down the dragon, Momo exclaimed, "Guys, do something."
"I am doing something. I'm panicking!" Shinso said while hiding behind Kirishi, who had already hardened.
But no matter what Izuku said or how he said it, Fafnir wouldn't listen and continued to push on. Izuku was under pressure; he had to stop him and fast; otherwise, more people would get hurt for nothing. But then he remembered how Uraraka handled Nidhogg and the last time he interacted with the dragon during the invasion. So he stood firm and yelled in an assertive voice, "FAFNIR! SIT!"
With almost no hesitation, Fafnir's angered expression shifted to submission. He stepped back while sitting on his hind legs, his head and eyes down, looking at Izuku. The others were in shock at this sight, while the man and his iron dragon left as fast as the snail could move!
After recovering from the sight of this scene, Momo asked in shock, "Izuku…how did you do that?"
Izuku considered his response and then dumbly explained, "I, uh, kinda know him already. I didn't think it would work."
"Of course, Izuku is familiar with the hyper-destructive lizard. Why am I surprised? " Shinso said while slapping the side of his head. He already felt like his friend had even more surprises waiting in the wings.
Poison Island
After their week on the Fire Island was over, and thankful to leave 110-degree weather alongside ice-cold houses and freezing showers, the five teens were sent over to the poisoned island. This island was known for two things: producing poisons used for warfare and creating new types of creatures. This island was very similar to the fire island, albeit with a few differences. This one was far smaller, with the habitable zone being much larger than the part that held the gathered resource.
This part was known as the Well of Creation and was a bog full of poisonous waters, trees, other plant life, and even geysers of pure poison. The bog and its flora were colored purple but had several other colors ranging from red to blue; each one meant a different thing, whether it be the strength of the poison or the effects it held. Each one was always categorized, and all from the safety of an enclosed wall as the air of the bog was hard to breathe, leading to the construction of a wall and eventually done to keep the air clean.
From pools of strong poison, many creatures of varying shapes and sizes emerged from the muck. When one emerged, it was captured, cleaned, and studied. If it was crippled or in perpetual pain, it was killed. If it had us, it would have been sent off the island for further studies.
When the teens made it to the island, a soldier showed them around, its many laboratories making weapons of war and household chemicals for cleaning to pest control and pesticides for crops, their living quarters, the proper equipment to wear in the Well of Creation, and even their mounts for easier traversal. Apparently, they were called Poisonous Pelters, a creature that looked as if an antelope and tube worm had a baby, getting its name from being able to store and spit poison with pinpoint accuracy while also being colored purple. Also, according to the locals, they are quite tasty.
After getting settled, they donned expedition gear to travel to the bog. It was like the Fire Island suites but far more skin-tight. They wore goggles with breathing apparatus connected to a breathing tank. Just like on the other islands, they had to make their rounds around the island to ensure peace. They got on their Poisonous Pellets and rode off into the bog.
Even with all this protection, this place still felt gross, and even with goggles, their eyes stung a bit. The natural flora and fauna were just as gross as the rest of the place. They even watched a sad bunch of scientists grab a huge animal emerging from a Life Pool and drag it off for cleaning and studying. Just watching it come out was tough to watch without gagging.
As usual, the complaints began, and this time, Momo complained, saying, "This place is ultra gross!"
"You don't have to tell me twice," Urarak agrees, pushing away a branch that sticks to her hand.
However, the topic was quickly turned as Shinso saw a bird creature emerge screaming from a smaller life pool and say, "You know, there's one thing I don't get about this place. How can poisonous things create living creatures?"
Izuku explained his theory, "I don't think Ladon produces just poison but microbes. Then, through some kind of process, they evolve into what creature we have today." They all agreed with this.
"That explains all the weird creatures on Drageria. I always assumed Tachibana created them.", said Kirishima.
Just then, Momo looked out over the bog and found something where she asked, "Hey, is that Eri over there?"
"Fix your breathing apparatus; I think it may be loose.", Shinso told her as he witnessed something unholy emerge from a life pool.
Izuku looked out to where she was looking and said, "No, wait, she's right. I think that is Eri."
The teen quickly moved their mounts to what they thought was Eri, and when they got close enough to see the person, it actually was Eri!
"Eri?", Izuku asked in confusion.
Eri, who was distanced from something under a big rock, turned around and happily said, "Hi Izuku.", while wearing the same protective gear that all of them were wearing.
Izuku blinked at her in astonishment before divulging, "Hi? What are you doing out here? How are you here?"
"Ladon-san said he wanted something to eat, something that lived here. So I'm going to get it," she said in a happy voice as if it were the most normal thing.
"He told you?", Shinso questioned her.
"Ladon-san and I are friends. We talk a lot.", Eri quickly explained, as if the answer was obvious.
"Eri, it's very sweet that you want to help care for Ladon, but this place is dangerous. We should get you back before Tachibana has a cow.", Momo told her as Izuku lifted the girl into his arms.
Only for all of their collective attention to be drawn from the mainland of Drageria. Most importantly, there is the mountain castle where Tachibana lived. At the very top, the mountain erupted into a column of fire and light, and a roar echoed all the way to where they were.
"Too late.", Izuku stressed.
"But I already found it. Please help me, Izuku, please!", Eri begged the boy while pouting towards the stone she had been struggling to unearth.
Izuku wanted to say no, but her face quickly swayed his decision. He finally relented and told her, "Okay, but stand back and let us take care of it."
She nods, and the five teens circle around the rock, lifting it from all sides before rolling it away. Underneath the stone was what Era had been searching for so seriously: a pale indigo beetle the size of a small dog.
"That is one big beetle.", Kirishima said with a whistle.
Suddenly, something long pink sprung out from thin air and snatched up the beetle before their eyes!
"Woah! What the-?!", Yelled Kirishima in surprise as the bug and long pink thing vanished as fast as they came.
Suddenly, the air around them began to shift, and the outline of something shifted in and out of visual range. Then, the object fully showed itself, and a thick fog covering the ground vanished. Ladon, in full form, stood before the teens, licking his lips. The teens, except Izuku and Eri, were shocked at the sight of these creatures and took defensive stances.
Only for Uraraka to connect the dots and exclaim, "That's Ladon!?"
Ladon looked at all the teens with his chameleon eyes before setting one of his eyes on Eri. He brought his head down and made a strange sound, and Eri happily replied, "You're welcome, Ladon-san."
"LADON!", the voice of Tachibana screamed into the open air as the dragon stood on edge while looking toward the sky. The teens did the same and saw what looked like a comet coming down at full power! It curved in the air before crash-landing near the group. The dust quickly settled, and six wings emerged, followed by the rest of Tachibana, who angrily exclaimed, "LADON! I know you're here!" Only for him to stop his fury as he saw the teens standing there and looking quite terrified of him. Changing himself in a more presentable light, he cordially greeted, "Oh, hello, children. Have you seen Ladon and Eri?"
"Yes, he's right… he was right here," Shinso began to tell him while pointing to the spot where Ladon had been before. He found nothing but his footprints.
Tachibana quickly caught sight of Eri near Izuku and scooped her up fast while exclaiming, "Eri! I was worried sick about you. How many times have I told you not to go running off with Ladon on what he says?"
Eri thought about it for a moment, then answered, "Eleventeen?"
Tachibana sighed at her casual answer, only for his previously angry tone and expression to return as he exclaimed to no one with his eyes closed, "And where do you think you're going, young man?! You can't hide from me." The teens looked around the big, trying to find the invisible dragon but found nothing. That is until Ladon began to loosen up in his invisibility, and his outline was seen with the dragon trying to stand perfectly still, even as he was being exposed. When Tachibaan turned to his problem child, Ladon ran for his life! Tachibana gasped at such a blatant showing of disrespect before switching to fury as he yelled while chasing after him, "Get back here! Don't you dare run away from your father!"
Once Tachibana had left, changing his son with Eri in tow, the teens quickly recovered from the odd situation as Uraraka stated, "You know, the more I see Tachibana outside of his leadership role, the more I see him as just a goober."
"I learned that on day one," Izuku told her with a nostalgic sigh, recalling the first time he showed off his massive powers and almost buried his own guardsmen under an avalanche of sand by sheer accident.
Hey everyone, I just wanted to get Izuku and Eri out of the way since they already have a relationship with the dragons, and I knew I could do it quickly. I almost made it to the last chapter, but I decided to do this one first since it would be faster for me to write it out. As I said, once the dragons meet, the teens, who are only four, will get into the main story. It might be two or more chapters before then, so just wait. Thanks for waiting. Thanks for reading and being patient. Please leave a review and have a Plus Ultra day.