A/N : Hey guys, here a new chapter for you to enjoy ! However, before you start reading, there are some things to say.
-First of all, I would like to thank those who have favored and/or followed my story so far. I would also like to thank those who commented on this story. It warms my heart to see that you like my work.
-Secondly, if you do not like my story then you are free to leave !
-Thirdly, here are the result (so far) from the poll I made recently about what name should I give to Ancalagon's future mate and Queen :
-Adalinda 0
-Rhea =5
-Veydara = 0
-Thyndra = 0
-Morrigan = 4
-Freya = 1
-Freydis = 0
-Sigrid = 0
You still have time to vote!
Now that everything was said, I wish you all a good reading ! ENJOY THE CHAPTER EVERYONE !
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(Previously: )
"Now everyone, in order for Fawkes to take us to the Hidden World, we need to catch his tail!" However, seeing that there are too many of us, we have to hold hands while some of us grab his tail! Do you all understand ?!" Salem explained to them in a loud and clear tone.
Despite their confusion, they all nodded their heads in understanding. Summer, Salem, Yang, Taiyang and Cinder all reached up to grab the Phoenix's tail while Ruby, Weiss and Blake hold hands with the closest people to them : Summer for Ruby, Yang for Blake and Salem for Weiss.
"We are ready, Fawkes !" Summer cried out to the Phoenix once she made sure everything was good.
At that moment, the noble Fire Bird released a melodious song from his beak while bursting into flame. Next, there was a flash of fire and then, nothing. Bird and people had completely disappeared in a whirlwind of flames.
A few seconds later, the group reappeared in a whirlwind of flames. When their feet touched the ground, they took their time to regain their bearings.
"Well, it was… interesting..." Cinder said while shaking her head to get rid of the dizzy feeling she felt.
Weiss, Blake and Taiyang all grumbled in displeasure while Ruby… released a deep gasp of shock and awe.
"LOOK !" the leader of Team RWBY said while looking forward with shining eyes. At her side stood Salem and Summer who both had warm smiles on their faces, also looking at the same direction that Ruby.
Blinking, Taiyang, Cinder, Yang, Blake and Weiss followed their gazes before gasping in shock as well. They were standing on a cliff and what they were seeing from their point of view was breathtaking : a rocky ceiling was far away above the entire area, supported by high rocky pillars (pillars that were perhaps taller than the tallest buildings on Remnant). Underneath the ceiling, there was a beautiful landscape with waterfalls, rivers, forests and they could see a massive dark mountain to the east of their position !
In addition, somewhere in the distance, they could see what looked like a sun shining in the 'sky' of this new land ! Summer and Salem also could see some forms flying in the air and they could also hear animal sounds coming from the forest nearest to them.
Salem and Summer, seeing the looks of shock and awe from their companions, shared an amused glance before looking at them.
"Husband, my dear daughters, Miss Schnee, Miss Belladonna, Welcome… to the Hidden World !"
-00/(Present Time)/00-
For a long moment, Team RWBY, Cinder Fall, and Taiyang took in their surroundings, their eyes wide with shock and wonder. Blake and Weiss, who were previously the most skeptical about the existence of another world, could no longer deny it now.
After all, it was hard not to believe it when they saw it with their own eyes !
Meanwhile, Summer and Salem looked at their companions with amused eyes and smirks. There was also a touch of nostalgia in their eyes because their expressions reminded them both of the first time they arrived in the Hidden World.
"Wow..." Ruby's awe voice suddenly echoed, her silver eyes gazing around with awe on her face.
"Amazing..." Blake whispered in wonder as she looked at the place with shining yellow eyes.
"I-I can't believe it… We've been living above an entire world… and we didn't even know it !" Weiss commented with shock and awe as she looked at this new place with wide eyes.
"So it seems..." Yang mumbled back to her white haired teammate while looking around in shock.
The blond brawler of Team RWBY had been a bit… apprehensive about Salem and Summer's claims of the existence of a new world… but now, she had nothing to say to refute them. Like Blake and Weiss, it was hard to dismiss it when you are literally facing it !
Taiyang and Cinder, for their parts, were simply staring around in wonder, taking everything in sight. While Tai had been told of the Hidden World, he had never imagined that it would be like this !
"Well… I would be damned..." the blond man said with a chuckle as he rubbed the top of his head with a hand.
Summer and Salem exchanged another amused glance before looking away from their companions, scanning the area : they were near the edge of a cliff… and behind them were caverns of some sort. They couldn't help but stiffening at this, remembering the cavern they were in after the earthquake that took them into this new world many years ago.
Since then, and thanks to their many trips to the Hidden World, they learned that caves could sometimes be dangerous… because they were something inhabited by vicious predators. Their faces now serious die to possible threat to their family, the two women nodded at one another before clearing their throats, catching everyone's attention in the process.
Once every eyes fell on them, Summer spoke in a calm tone
"Alright people, hear me out : even though the view is great, we can't stay here too long... We don't know what creatures are lurking around and I don't want to be served as lunch...The first time we came here, we were attacked by some dangerous Amphitheres… We managed to escape but it was just… I do NOT want to repeat that ever again..."
Summer shivered at the last part as if remembering a particular memory. Salem grimaced also thinking about those dawn winged serpents that attacked them during their first day in the Hidden World.
"Amphitheres ? What are those ?" Yang asked her mother with a frown of confusion.
Ruby, Cinder, Taiyang, Blake and Weiss all stared at the two women with curious expressions on their faces.
"Imagine a Winged Snake…with a venomous bite and ugly face… and who live in 'packs'… You got an Amphitere..." Salem answered them with a grimace while Summer shivered in disgust and slight dread.
"A winged serpent ? Like a dragon ?!" Ruby asked her mother and aunt with shining eyes.
"Nope… Dragons are far less uglier… and much more intelligent… At least with a dragon, you can hold a conversation… but an Amphitere ? No chance..." Summer answered her daughter with a sigh.
"You speak as if you know dragons..." Cinder commented to them with narrowed eyes.
Summer and Salem opened their mouths to answer… but Weiss was faster.
"Dragons ? Winged Serpents ? Seriously ? You're not going to believe that ?!"
Cinder, Taiyang, Blake, Ruby, Yang, Summer and Salem all stared at her blankly.
"Miss Schnee, you have just met a Firebird with the power to heal wounds with only his tears, to teleport wherever he wishes while transporting a large group of people ! In addition, you are in a world that previously you thought 'non-existent' !" Salem calmly said to the Schnee Heiress in a scolding-like tone and Weiss flushed in embarrassment as she had nothing to refute those words.
"And to answer you, Cinder dear, you DO know some Dragons… We are friends with some of them… In fact, we are going to visit one right now !" Summer said to Salem's daughter with a bright smile.
"Wait, really ?! Amazing !" Ruby cried out with enthusiasm, jumping up with down with stars in her silver eyes.
"I knew you would say that ! Now Fawkes, can you be a dear and take us to Au-" Summer began to say to the Phoenix (who had been silent the whole time, perched on a rock near them).
However, she never got to finish her sentence as Fawkes suddenly took off in the air, his feathers turning into fire as he released a song… not a melodious one… but a warning song as if threatening something.
"What's going on ?!" Yang asked her mother and aunt while looking at the Phoenix with wide eyes.
She, like Ruby, Taiyang and Cinder, had never seen the Phoenix acting this way before and it was alarming her.
"Why is he acting like this ?!" Weiss asked them all with worry as she stared at the Phoenix with surprise, clearly taken aback by its sudden change of behavior.
"He is threatening something…" Blake said with narrowed eyes as she looked at the majestic fire bird.
"Threatening what ?" Ruby asked with curiosity while looking at the Cat Faunus.
"That !" Taiyang said while pointing at something behind them.
Turning around, the group gasped in shock and slight fear when they saw what Taiyang was pointing at : from the caverns, emerged many creatures, their teeth bared at them in a threatening manner. They were large serpent-like creatures with blood red scales, black stripes and equipped with two red bat-like wings running down the top half of their bodies and supported by long spines extending from their grayish rib-cages. Their chests were slender and long, like a normal snake's, and their heads were massive and snake's like. They had green eyes with pupils similar to a cat's, along with bony ridge above the eyes.
When the beast roared at them again (it was like a mix between a screech and a scream), the younger ones saw the sharp long fangs in their jaws and shivered in both fright and disgust because of how large they were.
Summer and Salem grimaced at they recognized the predators but the same couldn't be said for their family members who all gripped their weapons, ready to fight.
"What the hell are those things ?!" Yang cried out as she readied Ember Celica, narrowing her eyes at the newcomers.
"Amphiteres !" Summer and Salem said at the same time while glaring at the winged snakes surrounding them.
"THAT are Amphiteres ?!" Ruby, Yang, Taiyang, Cinder, Weiss and Blake cried out at the same time with disbelief just as of the predators roared at them.
Above them, Fawkes released a loud trill, while spreading his fire-covered wings in a challenging manner and the Amphiteres roared at him back while slightly backing away from the Fire Bird.
"They are scared of Fawkes !" Ruby commented with slight happiness as she saw some of the winged snakes backing away from them, their slitted eyes locked on the Phoenix's fiery form.
However, not all Amphiteres were scared of Fawkes as some of them advanced toward them, hissing loudly, the sound sending shivers through their bodies. Soon enough, they were in a bad predicament : behind them was the edge of the cliff and before them, surrounding them, were the Amphiteres.
One of the winged snakes lunged forward with a loud hiss but was punched away by Yang.
"Stay back, ugly !" the blond brawler of Team RWBY snarled as her red eyes glared dagger at the snake… before widening in shock.
"What the hell ?!"
The snake she punched was back on its feet (metaphorically of course)… and seemed unfazed by her blow !
"You've got to be kidding me !" Yang cried out in frustration and shock.
"Your punch did nothing to it !" Ruby commented with shock and slight awe.
"What about my sword ?!" Cinder roared out as she glared at another Amphitere who was lunging at her with barred fangs.
The ashen haired young woman pulled out her twin swords before slashing at the snake… much to her shock, her blades shattered when they made contact with its scales.
However, her blow did sent the winged snake on the ground, hissing in anger and slight pain, despite not being injured.
"What ?" Cinder asked in disbelief as she looked at her destroyed weapon, momentarily forgetting about the Amphitere, who was recovering from her blows.
"CINDER !" Summer cried out before lunging at the Amphitere who was trying to attack Salem's daughter again.
The silver-eyed Huntress charged the Amphitheater with a war cry before swinging her sword towards her enemy. To everyone's shock, the blow landed and the Amphitere was cut in two. The other snakes, seeing their dead comrade, hissed in anger, scaring the young ones in the process.
"Salem ! Use your Magic ! NOW !" Summer cried out to her friend in a hurried tone as the winged snakes were coming closer and closer.
"ON IT !" Salem cried back before spreading her arms forward.
A burst of flames erupted from his palms, forming a protective barrier separating the group from their attackers. The Amphiteres hissed in anger and fear at this unexpected wall of flames preventing them from attacking their prey.
"I can't keep this barrier up for long ! Think of something and quick !" Salem hissed at her companions while focusing on the flames and the snakes.
"Our weapons seems useless against those things !" Blake said while looked at the destroyed swords on the ground.
"But what can we do ?!" Ruby asked them all while looking back and forth between her friends and the winged snakes.
"I think I have an idea… Fawkes !" Summer cried out to the Phoenix who turned its head to look at her questioningly.
"Go look for Aurora ! Tell her we need her help !" the silver eyed Huntress said to the Phoenix who nodded its head before flying away leaving them behind.
"Mom, what are you doing ?! Why did you sent Fawkes away ?" Yang asked her mother with anger, shock, surprise and confusion mixed.
"I sent him to the only being around who can scare those damn Amphiteres away !" Summer responded while glaring in disgust at the winged snakes.
"This 'Aurora' girl ?" Cinder asked her adoptive aunt with a curious raised eyebrow.
"Who is she ? And how will she be able to scare those things ?!" Ruby asked her mother while pointing at the Amphiteres who were still trying, and failing, to get past the barrier of flames.
"Aurora is a very dear friend of mine and of Salem... She lives not far from here so she should join us soon..." Summer answered her daughter before a happy smile grew on her face.
Curious and stunned by the sudden expression on her face, Team RWBY, Cinder and Taiyang opened their mouths to ask her why she was smiling when a cavernous roar echoed in the air not far from there, accompanied by... flapping of wings ?
Blinking, they all turned their heads toward where the sound came from, before gasping in shock and awe(minus Salem and Summer of course). Fawkes was flying toward them but he was not alone as a massive scaly figure was accompanying him.
"Is that a Dragon ?!" Weiss blurted out in shock, being the only one who was still able to speak.
And indeed it was.
The Dragon had a muscular but lean body covered in thick, armored green scales. Its under-scales had a lighter color. It had four well-developed legs and four digits on each foot, with an opposable thumb on the front ones making them look like hands. The claws were hooked and sharp looking. The tail was long, about the same size as the rest of the body combined, and appeared muscular and lithe. Clinging to a sturdy neck, the Dragon's head was broad, pointed, and wedge-shaped, with razor-sharp teeth and thick, curved horns. Its eyes were purple in color with what looked like yellow rings around the pupils.
And right now, it looked furious !
Landing on the ground with a heavy 'THUMP', it roared at the winged snakes who hissed in fright at the colossal being before them. The Dragon was standing protectively in front of the group, its teeth barred threateningly.
One of the Amphiteres lunged forward to bite the newcomer, but the Dragon, with a quick and fluid movement, sent it flying through the air with a powerful swipe of its tail. One of the Amphitères lunged forward to bite the newcomer, but the Dragon, with a quick and fluid movement, sent it flying into the air with a powerful swipe of its tail.
Another snake tried to attack it but ended up between the powerful jaws of the Dragon who, with a powerful movement of its head, sent it over the cliff. The lifeless body of the Amphitere fell into the void to crash further below.
The other winged serpents, seeing their comrades so easily defeated, decided to retreat, their backs bent. With a fluid movement, they crawled towards the caverns where soon, they became one with the darkness, out of sight of our friends.
"They are gone !" Ruby cried out in victory while jumped up and down with joy.
"Man, that was intense !" Yang commented with a deep sigh.
"Children, stay focused ! It is not over yet !" Taiyang said to the two as his eyes were now locked on the mighty dragon standing before them.
Remembering the green beast, Team RWBY and Cinder were on edge again... especially since the Dragon was now looking at them with its purple eyes. Now that the Amphiteres were no longer around to bother them, they could now look freely at the mighty Dragon before them : much to their shock and fear, this beast looked to be around 32 feet in height, 65 feet in length and 72 feet of wingspan !
For a brief moment, there was tension in the air... and then…
"AURORA !" Summer's voice echoed in the air as she approached the Dragon.
At the sight of the woman approaching the clearly dangerous creature, Team RWBY, Cinder and Taiyang all gasped in shock and fright.
"SUMMER ! WHAT ARE YOU DOING ?"
"MOM ! GET BACK !"
"MS ROSE ! COME BACK ! ITS TOO DANGEROUS !"
Before any of them tried to move forward to 'save' Summer for what they believed would be a gruesome fate, Fawkes stepped in by flying right in front of them, stopping them from moving just as Salem's voice echoed in the air.
"Stop ! Wait and watch !"
Team RWBY, Taiyang and Cinder stared at the woman as if she had lost her mind before hearing giggles coming from nearby. Turning their heads, they found themselves speechless at the sight of Summer hugging the Dragon's snout as the two of them laughed in delight and joy.
"I'm so happy to see you again, Aurora... How are the children ? And Targon ?" Summer asked the Dragon curiously as she removed her grip on the scaly muzzle.
Much to the shock of the people watching (again minus Fawkes and Salem), the mighty green Dragon opened its jaws to speak in a feminine tone .
"I'm happy to see you too, my friend… the hatchlings and my mate are fine, thank you for asking… The little ones are growing but it will take a while before they leave the nest…"
"Enjoy them while they are small... because once they are big, many regrets will come...Believe me, I speak from experience..." Summer retorted with a deep sigh.
"I will keep that in mind..." the Dragoness said with a chuckle before turning HER head toward Salem and smiling
"Salem, long time no see ! How are you ?"
"I'm as fine as I can be, Aurora… How about you ? You look as dashing as ever !" Salem replied back with a soft smile, ignoring the looks of shock from Taiyang, Team RWBY and Cinder.
"My, thank you ! I'm sure my mate will agree with you on that..." Aurora said with a chuckle before her purple eyes landed on Fawkes.
"Fawkes..." the Dragoness greeted him with a slight bow of her head with deference.
The Phoenix trilled at her while nodding his head, greeting her back. Aurora's purple eyes then landed on the group of people behind the Phoenix and curiosity could be seen shining in them.
"Who are they ?" Aurora asked her friends with sharp eyes, momentarily scaring the group.
"Oh right ! Aurora, meets my daughter Cinder Fall !" Salem said while pointing at the ashen haired young woman with amber eyes.
"Cinder, let me introduce you to Aurora, a friend of mine and Summer's !"
"Its a pleasure to meet you, Cinder… I heard so much things about you…" Aurora began to say in a friendly tone.
Cinder Fall blinked at those words before relaxing slightly. With a tiny smile on her face, the young woman bowed at the Dragon, saying gently
"The pleasure is mine, Ms Aurora..."
"Please, dear, call me Aurora..." the Green Dragoness said with a shrug and a smile.
"Very well… Aurora..." Cinder replied with a nod and a smile before looking over at her adoptive mother who nodded at her with a smile of approval and satisfaction.
With a smile, the mighty Green Dragoness turned her head to look at Taiyang and Team RWBY who she had yet to know who they are.
"And who are you ?" Aurora asked them with narrowed eyes as she looked at the other people.
There was no hostility in her purple eyes, only intrigue.
"Allow me to present you my husband Taiyang Xiao-Long (the man waved at the Dragoness while trying to give her a friendly smile), my adorable daughters Yang Xiao-Long and Ruby Rose (Yang waved in greetings while Ruby looked at the Dragoness with shining eyes of awe and wonder)..." Summer said while standing near her family.
Aurora's eyes shined when they landed on Yang and Ruby before saying "Your daughters are beautiful, my friend… You must be proud of them..."
"I am~" Summer said back with a warm smile aimed at her daughters who were both blushing in embarrassment at what was being said about them.
"And what about you ?" Aurora asked while eying the last two people of the group.
"I-I'm Weiss Schnee…. Yang and Ruby are my teammates..." the Schnee Heiress said with courtesy while trying her best to not show how scared she was.
Who could blame her ?
She was facing a MOTHER FUCKING DRAGON ! A creature who is supposed to be a MYTH !
"Awww, don't be afraid, dear… I will not hurt you~" Aurora said motherly while looking down at the young ones with warmth and friendliness.
These words seemed to calm Weiss down a bit and the heiress let a small smile appear on her usually cold face. Blake, who was watching the scene in wonder (her mind was still focused on the fact that before her stood a creature of legend) briefly stiffened when two enormous purple eyes looked at her but quickly pulled herself together.
This creature, which had the strength and power to crush them all effortlessly, had shown no signs of aggression towards them despite them being nothing more than strangers to her (except for Salem and Summer).
"What about you, dear ?" the Dragoness asked the Cat Faunus with a kind and gentle tone.
"Greetings, great dragon, my name is Blake… Blake Belladonna and I am part of the same team as Weiss, Yang and Ruby..." the Cat Faunus said with respect, bowing slightly.
Aurora, who seemed pleased by the respect given to her by this young one, suddenly frowned as she caught a particular scent on this one.
"Forgive my curiosity, darling, but can I ask what you are ? You are clearly not human… I smell a feline scent on you… and those two cat ears on your head look far too realistic to be fake…" the green Dragoness asked Blake with curiosity and intrigue in both her voice and eyes.
Blake stiffened at those words, her eyes widening slightly with fright. As she was thinking of a good answer to give, Salem stepped forward.
"You are right, my friend… Miss Belladonna here is indeed not human… she is a Faunus and I think we told you about them, didn't we ?" the woman explained to the Dragoness with a calm and composed look on her face.
At the word 'Faunus', Aurora's face brightened as she looked at Blake with admiration
"A Faunus ?! Really ? Amazing !"
Blake blinked in surprise and shock at the admiration and wonder in the female Dragon's voice but couldn't help but smiling with relief. Usually, Faunus were treated with disdain and disgust, as if they were scourge... To many humans, Faunus were nothing more than animals who THOUGHT they were intelligent. It was refreshing to be treated with admiration for a change.
"You speak as if you don't have any Faunus here..." Taiyang remarked with a curious raised eyebrow.
"We do not… We have many magical creatures but humans and Faunus are… inexistent in the Hidden World..." Aurora replied to the man and her answer shocked many people present.
"Really ?! How come ?" Yang asked her with confusion and wonder.
Aurora opened her mouth to answer but Cinder was faster "How about we chat AFTER we find a place to settle ? I don't know about you but I do NOT want to stay here… Especially with those things watching us right now..."
At the last part, the ashen haired young woman was pointing at the caverns where we could see many heads watching them. Aurora roared at them and they disappeared into the shadows once more.
"I think it is for the best, indeed… Climb on… I should take you to my den..." Aurora said as she laid down on the ground.
"Thank you, my friend…" Salem said with bow of her head while Summer smiled at the dragoness also thanking her for the offer.
A moment later, everyone was settled on Aurora's back. Ruby, and Yang were excited because they were going to climb on the back of a Dragon! It took a moment to convince the others that it was safe but in the end, everyone agreed that they had to leave... at the risk of ending up devoured by the Amphiteres.
Once Aurora was sure everyone was secure, the Green Dragoness slowly went back on her feet, while trying to not disturb the group of people on her back before spreading her wings. With a loud roar, Aurora rushed forward while flapping her wings. After a few meters and three beats, the Dragoness took off from the ground and began her ascent towards the sky.
Ruby, Yang and Summer all cried out in excitement much to the amusement of their companion while Weiss and Blake were holding one another for dear life, screaming in fear. Taiyang, Cinder and Salem, for their parts, were laughing in amusement while Aurora couldn't help but smirking at the people on her back.
One thing was for sure, it was and will be quite an adventure ! And a memorable first experience in the Hidden World for Taiyang, Cinder and Team RWBY ! But, unknown, to them, it was just the beginning… as they was more to come !
(To be continue…)