Chapter 30: Warfang and Escape
"Come young dragons, let's get into the city and the Temple. I'll need to tell the other Guardians about the situation." Ashevwrd said as they walked along the path towards the city. Cinder looked around at the surroundings they passed, seeing them up more closely as they walked. Then he realized something.
"Uh, Ashevwrd? Should I worry about the other dragons noticing me? As I'm a Purple Dragon they'll be crowding around me because of my status."
"Hmm... they probably would. But stick close to me and I'll make sure they won't corner you." Ashevwrd concluded
"If you said so." Cinder said as they trek closer to the city wall. Now being much closer the dragonet can see it towered high above him, the bricks showing wear and weathered heavily with browns and yellows from rain and other elements. There were guards standing on the top of the wall spaced 20 feet apart with armor on their chest, forelegs, and back. At the entrance stood two more, both were dragons with one in an olive green and the other a yellow who were both males as they watched the group coming toward them.
"Helt! State your business." The olive green dragon states
"Oh course, Guard Gladstone. I need to go talk with the other Guardians on a matter that I can't disclose. But it involves with my companions next to me." Ashevwrd replied and motioned Cinder forwards. The two guards were astonished upon the dragonet.
"By the Ancestors..."
"A Purple Dragon..."
Ashevwrd nods and explains he needed to get him to the Temple now. The guards nodded their heads and moved aside as the gate opened on its own. The group then moved past them, Cinder thanking them with a smile causing the guards to chatter quietly on what they saw. Cinder just ignored it and turned to look at what he saw in front of him and was curious by the homes and shops. Dragons of different colors and other beings walked around to either chat or trade. Just living their daily lives like there's no war going on through the Realms. Ashevwrd looked down at the dragonet.
"What do you think?"
Cinder gave a grin to the fire dragon.
"Amazing! Never seen anything like this before. I have never seen so many dragons in my life."
Ashevwrd chuckled merrily at the purple dragonet's expression. Nya and Lloyd looked around with awe and amazement at the hustle and bustle of the civilians doing what's needed. With shops filled with trinkets and jewels and food shops with their produce on display. Also along a few buildings there were a few booths that had antiques and souvenirs. Far away from them was a tall cathedral standing over the smaller buildings they walked past. Which was where Ashevwrd was taking them to, as the group headed through the cobblestone streets of Warfang. However the appearance of the Fire Guardian and the 3 dragonets was noticed by the civilians. Cinder kept looking around as the city folk chattered and whispered in astonishment and shock of Cinder's appearance. Lloyd and Nya weren't as much a spectacle compared to their teammate being ogled by everyone but they remembered how the fame they got after destroying the Preeminent and getting squawked over by fans in Ninjago City. After getting through the crowds and shops they soon came upon a fountain that stood in the center of the city. Around it were small sitting areas with some flora and greenery around them. Cinder looked at it and saw something beautiful as on the fountain stood two dragons. Recognizing both of them immediately after seeing them during the Time mess: his parents. They both stood together side by side, staring at the cathedral with neutral expressions. Cinder turned to Ashevwrd.
"Wow, that has to be the most beautiful thing I have seen of my parents. A statue honoring them for their sacrifice."
"Agreed, young dragon. They both earned the honor of saving the Realms from destruction."
"Wow..." Nya uttered with disbelief
"I agreed, my dad got the same treatment as he sacrificed himself to save everyone?" Lloyd whispered as they stood there.
"Come, young dragons. The Temple is only a few steps away and then I'll let you rest from the trek." Ashevwrd advised as they walked towards it. It was next to the cathedral, the building was sorta similar to the Temple in the swamps but bigger as its size was the scale of a city block. There were steps leading up to the entrance with statues of dragons lining along the exterior of the Temple. Cinder thought the Temple in the city was sorta similar in size to the Temple of Fortitude but within the city district, not in the park. The group then headed up the steps and into the Temple, which walking in showed a decent sized reception area with a desk on the opposite side of the entrance with a hallway going past it. Two hallways branch off from the either side of the room as a few dragons made their way to their classes, with an Ice dragoness at the desk watching over either the students or visitors.
"Hello Ashevwrd, how was your little "trip" into the swamps been?"
Ashevwrd chuckled
"Not too much that bothered me in those swamps Chione. But I did find something, well... these three came to me hehe." The fire dragon said with a tired grin.
"I see." Chione said and her eyes caught sight of Cinder and widened.
"Ashevwrd... is that...?"
The fire dragon looked at her with a cheeky grin,
"Yes, a Purple Dragon has returned."
"I see, by the Ancestors this is so shocking to hear." Chione said intrigued and looked at the three dragonets. "Hello young dragons. I'm Chione, the desk clerk here at the Temple. I hope you're doing alright."
Cinder looked at her with confusion by the reaction but shook it off.
"Hello ma'am, my name's Cinder and my two friends next to me are Lloyd and Nya."
Chione gave a gentle smile to the three dragonets
"It's nice to meet you Cinder, as well as your two friends. I hope that you have a great time." She said and turned to Ashevwrd. "You found them in the swamps?"
"Yes, they were at the Temple entrance when I was about to leave to here. We're fortunate that these three escaped the Storm Gryphons, sadly 4 other dragons in their group were taken."
"Oh no, that's not good. Those gryphons just keep taking innocent dragons for whatever plans they have." Chione said
"Indeed, now, I need to take him and these two to the other Guardians. Do you know where they're at? I can see that lessons are on-going." Ashevwrd inquired
"They're in the scrying room discussing what the strategy should be on the Gryphons." A voice spoke out and Cinder turned his head to the newcomer. Coming from the hallway next to the clerk's desk was another dragoness. She has black scales and an off-white underbelly and mane, with silver claws, horns and spear blade tail tip. Her wings have several rips or tears holes with markings of light green covering her body and light green eyes. Within them the purple dragonet could see that there was a haunted look in them, like she saw things that nobody should learn about . He then looked at Ashevwrd with a questioning look.
"Hehe hello to you Ash. How you been?"
The dragoness looked at the fire dragon with a blank look. Causing him to fidget uncomfortably
"Hmph, fine. Until you interrupt my departure. Terrador told me to go on an "errand". I won't be back for a while."
"I see." Ashevwrd replied and saw Cinder staring at him confused and turned to the shadow dragoness. "Almost forgot, went to the swamps and found these 3 at the Temple there. They were escaping from the Gryphons."
"Hmm... fine, I'll look a them, Ashevwrd. But after that I need to get going on my "errand" immediately, I don't need my time be wasted and twiddle my claws." The dragoness said with a growl
"Uh... I don't want to be rude Ashevwrd, but who is this?" Cinder questioned to which the dragoness finally noticed the purple dragonet. The red dragon sighed
"I apologize, young dragon. This is Ash, a shadow dragoness that works here but occasionally goes on "errands" for us when necessary."
"I see. Well greetings to you Ma'am Ash, my name's Cinder. Supposedly the current Purple Dragon and the other two dragons are my friends Lloyd and Nya." Cinder introduced
"Greetings ma'am."
"It's a pleasure to meet you ma'am."
"Hmm..." Ash hummed with consideration by the three dragonet's politeness to her. They were very respectful, not cocky and arrogant. Compared to the students here not paying attention in their lessons and goofing around, the three in front of her were confident and aware of their surroundings and manners. She huffed amusedly
"It is indeed a pleasure to meet you 3. It has been a long while since we had a Purple Dragon borne into the Realms. I hope you don't fall down the same path as the one before Spyro."
Cinder sighed
"I have heard that from my uncle. He told me my dad nearly fell into it during the war. I also did as well several times, but rein it in with my foster brother and friends."
Ash nodded her head but paused hearing the dragonet saying his father. She looked at Ashevwrd who pointed his head at the dragonet, specifically at the jewelry. Immediately recognizing who they belonged to telling her who the dragonet's parents were. She then said her farewells to them and exited the Temple in a brisk walk. The fire dragon then looked down at Cinder, Lloyd, and Nya.
"Come on you three. Let's get to the other Guardians. I just pray they figured out any new info on the Gryphons."
The 4 dragons and dragonfly (who was sleeping on his nephew's head) headed down the hallway Ash came from and walked past a few doors. Each was a room for the teachers working here at the temple. Some closed and some opened as the group walked along, their claws clucking against the stone floor as they walked farther into the temple. Each click on the stones made Cinder nervous as they neared their destination. He knew who these 3 Guardians are from Ignitus: Cyril proud of his heritage of being a Ice Dragon, Volteer rambling off on facts and his observations, and finally Terrador, who is a serious fighter and leader but fair and listens with reason.
"Ok you 3, we're here." Ashevwrd announced breaking Cinder from his thoughts and looked to see they were at another door. But it was different as the ancient carvings surrounded the door frame with gems embedded between the carvings. The red dragon turned and knocked on the door, giving an affirmation to come in and did so with Cinder, Lloyd, and Nya following behind. Looking around Cinder could see a pool of strange water in the middle of the room, with sears on one side with a symbol of the Guardian's element which Ashevwrd walked over and sat in his spot. Cinder watched as an olive green dragon with tan belly scales and ram-like horns scanned them as they stood and stared at Cinder with surprise and shock.
"By the Ancestors... a Purple Dragon. It's been ages since I seen one."
"Uhh... thanks?" Cinder said nervously and fidgeted, making his uncle wake up.
"Uh? Wha... kiddo, what-t... yawns... time is it?"
"I'll say it's late afternoon for you, Sparx." The olive dragon chuckled, a deep rumble coming from his chest. Cinder chuckled which Sparx scowled
"Oh ha ha ha, very funny. I feel like I'm being outnumbered by all of you. Especially my nephew."
That sentence stopped when the 3 Guardians stared at Sparx with surprise. Then Cyril spoked up.
"Nephew? What do you mean?"
Sparx pointed his finger down at Cinder and the 3 stared at him silently.
"It can't be...? We thought they were gone after the war" The yellow dragon whispered but Cinder shook his head and brought his forelegs up and they saw the jewelry.
"Oh my... it seems Spyro and Cynder have left something to them: a child." The olive green dragon spoke and a small smile grew on his face. "Seems the legacy of the Purple Dragon has lived on."
—
"Ugh, I'm so bored." Jay groaned as he tried to entertain himself
"You just said that 20 minutes ago Jay." Kai growled as he whacked his tail on the ground, irritated. Cole sighed and looked over at Zane, the titanium silver dragon mediated while the other two bickered. It had been a few days since they were in this world and captured by the "Storm Gryphons". Sitting inside cells doing nothing would get you into boredom as to how Jay is doing. But what was odd was the guards coming in with small amounts of food and water, keepng them alive but enough to weakened them.
But all Cole wanted to do is just get out and away from this place and be with his brother. But during their "stay" King Quillsilver has been coming in once a day to get any answers about the Purple Dragon, but thanks to Ignitus who told Zane through his dreams they pretended to not remember and say as little as possible of who they are. Which frustrated the king each time but overall it was boring and nerve wracking. Once again the King of the Storm Gryphons comes in, and seeing him each time is getting the 4 more reasons for his mindset to dragons.
"Hello, you lizards. Anything coming back now?" He demanded as he entered their area. Jay and Kai stopped bickering.
"Uh... no, not much. Just those 2 bickering and the other sleeping I guess?" Cole replied, scratching his head.
ARGH!
"Aah!" The four dragons exclaimed as the gryphon's power suddenly came up and shoved them to the ground.
"You 4 are so useless! I should've killed you all for your memory loss! Are you lying to stalk me till help arrives. Are you?" He squawks angrily as his power crackles around the room. The 4 dragon ninja struggled to get up with Zane being the first to do so. "Are YOU?"
"No, your Majesty. We aren't lying about our memories, it's taking a while for them to come back." The dark silver dragon replied and the king glared at him.
"I hope what you said is true and that those memories come back. Or you all be taken to be slaughtered," King Quillsilver sneered, turning around and leaving the room. Once the door was completely shut the 4 dragons sighed in relief.
"Okkkkkkk, That was close." Kai said shakily
"Close!? That guy is getting crazier every day. Trying to give up any info on Cinder just so to use his power to destroy dragons!?" Jay exclaims hysterically
"I agreed, this new foe we're going up is way stronger than the others we fought." Zane noted
"Yeah, I know." Cole groaned, putting his head in his paws. "I don't know what we can do until someone gets us out."
Zane ponders on the situation
"What about using our powers to get out?"
"How would that work? That king puts us in cells that are keeping us isolated in this freezing temperature." Jay questioned
"Can you feel your powers within you Jay?" Zane questioned catching Jay off guard by the sudden question from the dark silver dragon. The blue dragon then closed his eyes and concentrated as he slowed his breathing. After a few seconds of silence from everyone there was a reaction as arcs of electricity shot out of Jay as he opened his eyes, which were glowing a blue as his powers activated. He grinned as he shot out an arc of electricity at the bars which sparked and crackled from the bolt. He turned to Zane.
"You were right Zane, he didn't weaken our powers down. This gives us a chance to escape."
"Agreed." Zane turned to Cole. "Cole, use your powers to break out, and break us out."
Cole nodded and focused as he concentrated on his powers, breathing slowly as he searched for the core of his powers. Then his forelegs began to omit orange cracks of energy as his paws were surrounded in an orange glow. Then the black dragon reared up and clutched his claws onto the bars and pulled. Grunting as the strain was put onto him but as a master of earth and a dragon, his super strength and draconian strength combined made it doable to yank the bars apart. Cole panted as he caught his breath as he slowly made his way out of the cell and walked over to his teammates' cells. Looking at which one to get out he went for Zane, grabbing the bars on the dark silver dragon's cell. After doing that and the other two cells all 4 dragons were freed from their prison. Kai spoked.
"Ok, what now?"
"Well, there's only one way out." Jay pointed out
"Yes, but there would be guards placed outside here. We need a different way out." Cole argued as they looked around the room. Then Zane heard something and his eyes traced the walls and noticed a breeze coming from a section of the wall across from the door. He motions the others over as he then head charges at it and hits it, causing a crack appearing in the wall. The others saw this and copy Zane, each taking a turn as they hit the wall. After a few minutes of hitting it the wall crumbles, revealing an opening into a cavern system. The three dragons looked at Zane.
"How did you know that there was an opening here?" Jay questioned but Zane shook his head and went through the hole, the others followed suit. Now in the cavern the 4 could tell nobody had been in here for a long time as none of the stalactites weren't broken off, like the Gryphons didn't know about this system. Cole turned to the others.
"Ok, since this is within my element. Maybe I can sense where the exit's at."
The others nodded as the black dragon then focused on the ground around him. But within his mind he saw a vision of a burning tornado. Then he heard Ignitus' voice
"I can't tell you much as the Chronicler can't reveal too much of the future. But the Gryphons plan to end dragon kind would also end them and everyone else. As his weapon is unstable with its design. If it fails it would destroyed all wildlife throughout the Realms. Quillsilver needs to be stopped or else he'll end everything with his weapon. Your brother is the only one that can stop him with the skills he's learned from you and the others. Hurry, I'll show you the way out to escape. But be warned, the Gryphons are searching your whereabouts."
Cole shook his head from the sudden dizziness by the vision, wondering what Ignitus was saying about the Gryphons. His teammates asked if he's ok but nods saying he's ok and motioned them to follow him, which they did. They all wondered what the Realms looked like as the world their purple dragon teammate was borne from. Hoping that they can get to safety and find their friends and be away from this maniac of a King, not realizing his plans were going smoothly.
—-
"Your majesty!"
"What is it, Barak?" King Quillsilver snapped as he stood up from his throne. It was covered in thick furs as the throne room was covered in a gray and blue scheme with banners showing a gryphon on its hind legs with a thundercloud in the background, a lightning bolt coming out of the cloud. A long blue carpet floats from the throne to the entrance of the room, windows on either side showing in sunlight with a sky dome over the throne. The King of the Storm Gryphons looked at his Head Guard Barak, they were a young and strong gryphon, with his passion for the kingdom and rage against the dragons. Speaking of which he looked at the guard.
"Is Brontë being a nuisance once again in the training arena?"
"No, our 4 "guests", your Majesty."
"What about them?" He growled and the guard looked him in the eye.
"They're gone."
King Quillsilver looked at him with anger in his eyes.
"What!? How can that be? They were locked up and all 4 weren't Earth Dragons. I could tell them easi..." The King trailed off as he remembered the black dragon. He thought he was a shadow dragon by his body but his underbelly was orange, not a silver-white. He squawked with annoyance.
"Darn it!"
What's wrong, your Majesty? Is it because of the 4 dragons?"
"Yes, particularly that black dragon. I thought he's a shadow dragon by his body color. No, he's an Earth Dragon. Those 4 played me like a fool! Barak, I need you and your men to go find them and bring them to me. They must indeed have info on the Purple Dragon
—-
The other three Guardians looked at Cinder, the purple dragonet looking back at them. It was quiet for a few seconds till Sparx spoke up. The golden dragonfly flew off his nephew's head and hovered over him.
"So... how's it been? Been a while since I saw 3 geezers."
The icy light blue dragon rolled their eyes and sighs warily.
"Oh, it has been doing fine for us, but with the war with those Gryphons..." Olive Green said
"It's impressive! Amazing! So quick that those Gryphons can do with the storms and other parts that we—-" The yellow dragon said rapidly but was cut off as the light blue dragon put a paw over his mouth.
"Alright, we get it, Volteer. Keep that yapper shut or else we'll be here all day."
Cinder laughed at the yellow dragon. His personality is energetic, quick witted, and knowledgeable. The olive green dragon turned to them.
"I apologize for Volteer rambling off like that. He's very knowledgeable and that sometimes gets him to go on with lore and legends of our Ancestors."
"It's fine." Cinder responded, grinning at him. "He sorta reminds me of my friend, funnily enough he's an electricity dragon as well. But he's more of an anxious rambler. Panicking about situations that are life or death scenarios."
Lloyd looks at the three.
"Excuse me, but may we know who you three are? We already know Ashevwrd but we don't know who your names are?"
"Oh, I apologize for that, young dragon." The olive green dragon said with an abashed look. "My name's Terrador, the yellow dragon that was yappin' over there is Volteer and the light blue dragon is Cyril. You already know Ashevwrd, our new Fire Guardian after our friend... passed away."
"You mean Ignitus?" Cinder questioned which Ashevwrd looked stunned at him
"How do you know that name? I never mentioned that name before."
Cinder looked at everyone and sighed
"Ashevwrd, remember what I said earlier about Lloyd and Nya?"
The red dragon nodded and Cinder looked at Lloyd and Nya, both of them nodded to continue. Then the purple dragonet began his story. Starting on how he was borne and raised to being a protector of a world his friend Lloyd's grandfather berated, then explaining how he was hit by a spell from a former sorcerer in that world bringing him here. He also explained that Lloyd and Nya weren't dragons but "humans", sorta like apes but more intelligent and common wise, his foster brother and the three others are the same too. Then the dragonet explained how Ignitus was the new Chronicler after the war with the Dark Master, which made the 3 elder dragons, except Ashevwrd, to smile sadly.
"Well, that's good to hear he's alive. But becoming the Chronicler eh? I'll say he will do a great job with that responsibility." Terrador noted and looked at Lloyd and Nya. "As to you 2, this is a bad time for you to not be in your original bodies. But we're in a major war against the Storm Gryphons."
"The Storm Gryphons? Ashevwrd and you 3 keep talking about them, who are they? I know they are those bird/cat hybrids but don't know what their history is about." Cinder inquired and Terrador sighed
"Of course, young dragon. We'll explain what and who the Storm Gryphons are, and why they're attacking us. Now let us relax as I tell this story.
Story Beginning
The Storm Gryphons... are a race of beings that symbolizes themselves with strength, courage, leadership, and prestige. Their bodies are a mix of bird and cat, a combination of grace, agility, wisdom, and longevity. Being the ones to control the storms, they have the power to give or release the chaotic weather and sub elements to the Realms. We all trade with them for instance of wonderful weather to us as well as keeping the worst of the storms at bay. Everything was going well until Malefor's reign on the Realms came, as well as King Quillsilver.
During the war with the Dark Master the Gryphons tried to keep themselves out of the war, trying to live as best as they could as they did their duties. But Malefor wanted them for their control over the storms to weaken us and so sent his army to their kingdom. But the Gryphons fought hard and took his army head on, with the current King, King Rainstorm, leading the charge. They fought well to protect the home they lived and prosper, that was until Cynder came.
After her invasion on the kingdom the Gryphons were forced to heed the Dark Master)# orders. They couldn't do much as their King, Rainstorm, bled to death after fighting Cynder claw to claw. However Malefor didn't get the chance to do so once Spyro came in. After he stopped and released Cynder from his control, the Dark Master's hold on the Gryphon Kingdom had vanished, the Gryphons were able to pick up what they could as they tried to go back to their lives. Sadly not all couldn't let go of their anger and despair as the son of King Rainstorm, Quillsilver became the new King of the land. He was a calculating and smart Gryphon, a pure mastermind if you will. But during the invasion he pleads for help from us to aid in fighting the Dark Army off, but when we hear of Cynder's involvement we refuse stating that she'll end our lives if we came. After that he was enraged of what happened to his father and the kingdom and vowed to seek vengeance against us for this mess.
Soon after the war the Gryphons went silent as they vanished into thin air. The weather wasn't acting up as we thought there were a few that kept check of it, having a few years of peaceful weather with some storms. Letting us flourish and bringing more dragons to the Realms, making our race grow towards what we used to be. But it wasn't to last as with a sudden BOOM, a massive storm raged through the valley and Warfang for months, drowning the land with mud and serious damage to vegetation. It caused crops to be ripped from the dirt or rooting trees up from the ground. After that long and brutal storm we were met with a single Gryphon, they announced that they declared war against us for the enslavement and killing of their king.
After that we were at war once more, but sadly the Gryphons have the higher ground with controlling the storms. We tried our best to keep them away from the city, but with each passing battle we fought we lost more of our kind. Either wounded or knocked out they were taken to their kingdom never to be seen again. We were beginning to lose hope as our numbers dropped to nearly a quarter of our race. We pray to the Ancestors for wisdom on our situation and guide us to victory as the Gryphons continue to take over the Realms...
Story Ending
Cinder looked at Terrador wide eyed as the olive-green dragon ended his story. The other Guardians looked on with grim looks while Nya, Lloyd, and Sparx absorbed the words the Earth Guardian said. Cinder then spoked up.
"Oh my..."
"Indeed, we were losing so badly that we tried to find other tribes or groups to get here to be safe. But it seems our prayers have been heard. A Purple Dragon has come." Cyril stated
"Huh?" Cinder was puzzled by this but Volteer spoke
"You're the most powerful dragon out of all dragons in the Realms! Young dragon. You can go claw to claw against him if possible. Your mother was able to defeat his father when under the Dark Master's control. For you at your age like your father was during the war, it would be easy to go against that Gryphon and win."
"I see, but the other dragons that are captive in the Gryphon Kingdom need to be saved as well. Quillsilver might do something to them if I fight him." Cinder noted and the 4 elder dragons nodded with consideration. "Besides that, I need to know the land here if I want to be able to win this. Knowing the battlefield can give you an edge to win the war."
"Of course, we know that you weren't raised here. But if we need to win this way, we'll need you to start training." Ashevwrd advised and Cinder nodded as Terrador got up from his spot. The earth dragon motioned the purple dragonet to follow and Cinder did so. Lloyd and Nya followed but Cyril stopped them.
"I believe we should let you 2 rest, ok?"
"But.." Nya argued but Lloyd stopped her and shooked his head
"It's fine, he'll tell us what to do once taught." He whispers and the water dragoness grumbles but nods and the two watched as Cinder and Terrador leave the room. As the other two dragonets left the room with Ashevwrd Nya wondered how her brother is doing and thinking they were having a much harder time with them.
—
"Ugh." Kai grunted as he tripped on another rock with his paw. The red dragon grumbled annoyed as he and the others trekked through the caves. But they all have tripped or stumbled a few times as they learned to use more of the bodies they're in. The caves echoed with their breathing, footsteps, and the dripping of water which the cool liquid followed along a tiny stream. The 4 dragonets have been walking through the cold and wet caves for an hour after escaping their cells. Now they wondered if their disappearance was alerted. Kai growled as he tripped once.
"Ugh! Are we out of this place now?"
"No." Cole said as he used his powers and sensed the area. "Even if we find an opening, we need to be far away from those Gryphons or else we're cooked."
"Ugh, alright." Kai nodded begrudgingly
It went silent once as the group of 4 continued trekking. Kai still grumbling after tripping on more rocks, Cole focusing on leading, Jay making quick glances nervously, and Zane being eerily silent; the 4 headed deeper into the unknown. The cave became darker and darker, like they were going deeper underground. Kai thought they weren't going to get out of here but he knew Cole could get them through this. After an hour within the darkness Cole stopped, the others did as well.
"What's wrong?" Jay said, worried
"I sense an opening up ahead but..."
"But what?" Kai snapped
"I sense 2 sets of footsteps not far from it." The black dragon replied
"So, what's the plan then?" Jay inquired
"I say one of us go alone and check. Let the 2 be aware of them thinking the have the upper hand, but roar out for the remaining 3 to surprise attack them."
The 3 dragons nodded and Cole nodded back and looked at Kai.
"Kai, you're the most obvious of us 4. They'd be aware to fight a fire dragon and focus on you, but not us. Now, go on and distract them."
Kai gulped at being chosen but calmed down and slowly walked towards the 2 unknown figures. He was feeling nervous as his friend's breathing faded away as he moved further. After walking for a few minutes Kai could hear two voices talking. He then slowly walked as he strained to what they were saying.
"—need to figure out how to get to the Gryphon's cells. These caves are connected to them, but I don't know where they are below ground."
"Hmm... with your skills we'll need to be quiet and not alert the guards on our rescue mission."
"Huh?" Kai thought as he took a couple more steps but tripped on a rock once more, omitting a squeak. That immediately made the two voices stop and then continued, on edge.
"What the...? Grrr, come out of the darkness you fool!" Said the first voice
"If you want to live, come out and show yourself!" Said the second voice.
Kai just gulped with fear, he didn't want to get captured but he didn't want to die either in this place. Making up his mind he spoke.
"Alright, I'll come out. Please don't hurt me."
The two voices were silent but Kai didn't notice as he moved forward until he entered a brightly lit area. It was filled with torch's spread around the cavern, their flames slowly flickered through the air. He also saw some equipment scattered around the area with some parchment on a wooden table with an ink quill sitting in an ink bottle. There were also two nests made of straw and twigs in a corner with a small watering hole that the tiny stream went into. He then heard a gasp and turned to see who the two voices were.
In front of him were two dragons, both stared at the fire dragonet in shock. Kai looked at them closely. The one that gasped was a white dragoness, telling by her body structure compared to the other who was male. She had a light green belly, almost like grass with light brown eyes that are like dried earth. Around her body in several places were clumps of feathers, which were a light gray at the base then faded to a white tip. They were placed around her head, front elbows, back, tail, and wings while the membranes on her wings feathery and the same color as her underbelly. Her expression was astonishment but relief.
The other dragon next to her was an olive green with a brownish-beige underbelly. He had spikes spread around his head, with a big tuft of hair over the top of his head covering part of his horns and spikes. The spikes and hair trailed down his back and tail till it reached the tail tip, with a boulder-like tail tip. His wings have several rips in the membranes in the same color as his underbelly as well with eyes a dark brown, almost like chocolate. His expression was also astonishment but concern.
"My goodness! It's just a young dragon. How in the Ancestors did they down in here?" Said the female
"Yes, we were going to go in and save them. But wasn't expecting to them to come to us. Are you the only one that escaped, young dragon?" Said the male
Kai was speechless, it seemed there was a rescue mission being attempted. But seeing that it's just 2 dragons here and not more was concerning. But he was relieved that he's seeing some friendly faces and not a maniac overlord. He then shook his head to the two.
"No, there are 3 others that are with me. They're a few feet behind, as we heard you and thought those bird heads got into here."
"I understand. Why, those birds are ruthless and won't show mercy." The male dragon sighed in resignation and motioned the fire dragonet to get his friends. Kai did so as he went back to them and saw them standing silently as they waited. He explained the situation, saying that they aren't enemies but are two dragons rescuing the trapped dragons. After that the others followed Kai out to the two dragons' spot. Once they came out into the light they were relieved but puzzled by their looks. But Kai ignored it and stood next to his teammates. He then spoke up.
"Here are my friends. I hope you can help us get away from those bird heads."
"Hi"
"Hello"
"Greetings"
"Hello, young dragons, my name's Zephyr and this here is my companion Copper. What are your name's?"
"Jay"
Zane"
"Cole"
"Kai"
"Well then, it's great to see you 4 are ok. Were there others with you near your cells?"
"No." Zane shook his head. "Us 4 were in a separate cells that were way colder than usual and their king came in every day to check on us."
Zephyr and Copper stood there flabbergasted as they stared. Jay was getting nervous by the reaction.
"Uh... why the long face?"
"Sorry, it's because those cells are the king's personal cells. To hold prisoners that have vital information that they used to against enemies, especially us right now. But the question is, how did you and your friends get out? Those cells keep the prisoners weakened or unable to use their elemental magic." Zephyr questioned
"Well... I think the king was fooled by our colors. As well as we're physically strong." Cole noted and Copper raised an eye ridge.
"Oh? What elements do you 3 have? I can tell Kai is a fire dragon but you 3 I can't tell."
"Ice." Zane answered calmly
"Electricity." Jay answered with a nervous smile
"Earth." Cole answered last, which Copper looked at Cole with surprise.
"A Earth Dragon? How can that be, your scales are black and orange?"
"Hehe yeah, but the king thought I was a shadow dragon. Which worked to our advantage of breaking out. We then found a weak spot in the cells and landed in the cave system we're standing in right now. Been walking for 2 hours hoping to get out to fresh air. We weren't expecting to stumble into you 2 but we're grateful to be in safe hands now."
"Hmm... I see." Copper grumbled as then multiple bells were heard as thunder rumbled above. The 4 dragonets looked up with surprise.
"Uh... what was that?" Kai asked and Copper grumbled nervously.
"Those bells are used to alert the guards to either enemy attacks or breakouts."
"Uh... so the king knows we have escaped." Jay said gulping
"Agreed, we will need to leave now. Do you know how to fly?" Zephyr inquired and the 4 dragonets shook their heads. Copper groaned
"Oh great, there's no time to teach you to use your wings especially in this space. We'll have to carry you."
"We apologize for that, but if they see us we need to split up. Just so they can't get us together." Zane advised and the 2 adults nodded.
"Great idea. Zephyr, you take Jay and Zane and head to Tall Plains. I'll take Cole and Kai and head to the Swamps. Hide and let the heat die down and once they leave we'll meet up and head to Warfang together. Got it?"
"Got it."
"Ok then, let's get away from these bird heads shall we?"
—-
A/N:
Well, here's chapter 30 folks. Took awhile to do as some parts I was having trouble with. But was able to get through, as this version was finalized as well edited. Which I noticed when looking at it on Wattpad. This version there's a ton of changes in it but I'm pretty happy with it. Plz comment if it's good, plz?
Ash is owned by DarkstarIceNightwing
Zephyr is my character