On These Wings: The Remake

[talyhawk]

((Yes curse Writer's Block. I'll get a NDK post up later, I'm off to play some D&D.))

 

Katarina had a scowl on her face upon finishing the letter, it had been from her father Boram Du Couteau informing her of his arrival. With a sigh Katarina placed the letter on the table, which caused caused Malphite to look up at her timidly. "Katarina what did it say?" He hadn't decided if the question was brave or stupid of him to ask. Katarina's gaze went down to where she heard the hatchling speak from, she had honestly forgotten all about him being there.

 

My father is coming and is expecting us to greet him.

Well isn't that good news!

Hold your tongue! You know nothing about that man, he wouldn't hesitate to kill his own flesh and blood if ordered to do so.

 

Garen's words hit home with Malphite causing him to go completely silent and he had somehow avoided earning himself a swift kick to the ribs. Katarina stood with the young dragon getting out of the way as he didn't exactly care to be stepped on. She made her way over to the window staring off in the direction of where she knew her family was half expecting the foul tempered gray that he rode to appear at any moment.

Edited November 9, 2010 by talyhawk

[En'K'Haral]

Rio looked Matthew over before deciding to take his hand and allow him to help her down the stairs. She smiled at him as they went down and spoke when they reached the bottom, although there was still an air of sarcasm.

"Well, it's an improvement, perhaps your not totally hopeless."

Ayos watched from the top of the stairs with Questra and was a bit surprised.

"Well that was different."

He said watching a bit dumbfounded.

 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Gelltor arrived at his location. It was the same person he went too to get a new Saddle for Sleet. He spoke with the man and drew up some specs for a saddle for Malice to be sent to the Saddle maker that Katelyn used. The straps had to be made extra strong for Malice since the dragon was likely to try and decimate the saddle on the first day. Once finished the order went out, again in relative comparison Gelltor got a discount on the saddle. All he needed to do now was wait a few weeks. In the mean time he would train with Malice in the art of creating a tornado. He made his way back to the castle.

[talyhawk]

((Kja the only thing I need to know about the Dwarves is the average height on them.))

 

Goblins were the one race Ryoka didn't care too much about working with. In her mind they were foul little creatures who always seemed to be plotting something. "I'm assuming that we will only be going to the dwarven capital once your hatchlings have fully matured and of course once proceedings are done here." The elven woman had to admit she was a bit surprised with how well composed Drac was for his age.

 

+++++++++

 

Katarina shook her head worrying wasn't going to change the fact that her father, a man she feared as much as Hyro, was coming and potentially would want to take the ember hatchling with him. Katarina glanced at the table where the letter sat making her way to the door with Malphite bounding out as soon as she opened it almost tripping her. Katarina sighed shutting the door behind her and followed the young ember dragon back down to the stables where he immediately found himself a nice warm spot to sleep.

 

Garen keep an eye on Malphite I'm going to be walking around it'll help me think.

 

The red simply nodded his head watching his rider walk past then outside of the stables. Katarina had quite a bit on her mind and a walk would do her good.

[Red Dragonette]

((Hey guys, I'm back. What's going on now?))

 

After Ghidorah the split dragon had eaten his meal, the two heads both burped and one of them spat out a bone. Mordred was satisfied that his dragon was now full and he left the stables to go inside the castle and said, "I'm going to go see if Hyro has any work for me to do. I'd sure love to get my hands on these New Dragon Knights or whatever these kids call themselves now." Then the black-haired sadistic human went inside the castle and walked up the stairs to the room where Hyro was. "Hey Lord Hyro, got any jobs for me now? I'm itching to have my sword dyed red in the blood of those New Dragon Knights," Mordred said to him. He was dying to seek revenge on the NDK for screwing up his last mission.

Edited November 9, 2010 by Red Dragonette

[Kjakings]

Hyro blinked. One of his subordinates, one of Katelyn's subordinates, had just trounced into his room while he was in the middle of an experiment and interrupted him in the most familiar, insulting tone imaginable. Hyro was satisfied to notice Carlyle hovering in the wings stacking spells that would cause instant death if anything happened.

"Who the hell do you think you are? Nobody can just walk into my room, unannounced, without an appointment and interrupt me in the middle of an experiment. Or, in fact, EVER. Regardless of your ludicrous levels of insubordination, the subject is dead now. Worthless. Do you have any idea how much a live manticore costs? CARLYLE. Take him to a secure cell and have Katelyn summoned up here. Inform the quartermaster that this insolent retch is to have no pay for the next fifty nine years, to repay the cost of the manticore. And fetch me my skinning knife."

 

 

"I'm hoping the two things will synchronize completely, or close enough that an attempt can be made. The dragons appear to be going through their explosive growth phase simultaneously, which couldn't work out better for us. Especially with all the fish everywhere. According to a breeder at the castle white meat is best for most species at this phase, but it's impossible to catch any any more around the city. We certainly won't be able to reach it on foot, and I'm a bit dubious as to air travel still. Short of going inside the mountain and then upwards, it will be a bit of a puzzle. I'm hoping our possible friends may have some dealings or even rumours of a better way in."

 

((Dwarves would be about seven, eight feet high. Very white and blue features, spindly limbs but surprisingly strong.))

 

((Also, poor Katelyn.))

[mklhn]

(ok I have a two things to ask #1:Is someone Hyro? #2 If not can I be him?)

[mklhn]

(Oops I sorry I forgot to read the last post!)

 

 

 

[BlackScorpion7]

((Aww... Katelyn is still not fully aware of what is happening, but I am shivering. If she gets out of it alive, I don't think she'll be a happy puppy... Mordred be warned.

 

Mklhn: please read this whole thread before asking questions. You can not know everything, but if you have to ask if someone is playing Hyro, it only shows you are not paying attention to anything and just want to raise your post-count. Please read as much as possible in this thread (the whole thread).))

 

+++++++

 

Getting the summons to come to Hyro, Katelyn blinked and looked behind her at Sleet. The dragon pulled an odd face and gave what could be called a shrug. Most probably their Lord had a new mission or order. Locking her front door and ordering Sleet not to let anybody near their quarters, she followed the servant. On their way to the castle, she noted Katarina pacing the grounds in obvious stress. Dismissing her for the moment, after all a summons of Lord Hyro could not be ignored, she kept following the servant and decided to check upon the woman afterwards.

 

Walking through the corridors, Katelyn still felt nothing but a slight apprehension as to what could be Lord Hyro's wishes, until she saw the personal servant of Hyro, Carlyle, pass them dragging along Mordred. Stopping for a moment, she watched them move out of sight and quickly turned to follow the servant again. By the time they reached the doors to the room Hyro was in, the slight apprehension had changed into a trickle of fear. Something had happened involving Mordred and looking at the face of Carlyle, it had not been something good. As the second-in-command, Katelyn was responsible for the actions of the Dragon Knights and as the possible implications were stacking one upon the other inside her head, it was with cold fear that she entered the room when the servant opened the doors. In the meanwhile Sleet had felt her growing apprehension and fear.

 

Kat? What's going on?

Mordred. He's being dragged away from Hyro in the direction of the cells.

Mordred? But- oh.

Yes oh... find Ghido- oh crap. That idiot dragon only has enough intelligence to eat, fly and sleep.

Sleet, I'm going to lock you off again. Not that it will matter much if Hyro decides to go puppet on me.

But still, stay there and stay calm. Ok?

 

A growling huff resounded in her head as reply the moment she set foot inside the room. After taking a couple of steps, she bowed before Hyro. In her defence, she didn't sound afraid, having learned in the meanwhile to keep her voice steady of any emotions raging inside her.

 

"My Lord, you have summoned me? What can I do for you today?"

 

+++++++

 

Matthew grinned and inclined his head slightly as he replied.

 

"I will take not-hopeless above getting smacked on the head any time." Letting go of her hand, he motioned for her to walk further before him. Looking over his shoulder, he winked at the two hatchlings and followed the others. Questra rolled her eyes and shook her head, a bit of a funny sight on a horse dragon with her manes flopping left and right. She turned her head right and looked at Ayos, speaking maybe one of the first times to someone besides her rider.

 

It's not that he is hopeless. He is just... unaccustomed.

 

And with that she bounded off the stairs and after the group.

Edited November 10, 2010 by BlackScorpion7

[En'K'Haral]

Ayos also rolled his eyes at Matthew, he figured the boy was going overboard, but rio seemed to be enjoying the attention none the less. caught up with Questra and walked alongside her while watching their riders. Rio curtsied slightly to Matthew before taking the lead.

"Don't you think he is going a bit overboard Rio?"

"Yeah a bit, but I guess it's ok for now."

Ayos snorted and continued to follow behind the others.

 

-------------------------------------------

 

(())

 

Gelltor arrived at the Castle in time to see Katelyn leave following a slave. Figuring it was some Second-in-command duties she had to take care of he thought nothing of it, until he stopped a slave and asked for information on the most recent castle activities. It wasn't a very colorful list, guard changes, servant shifts ticking over ext. Three things did stand out though, Hyro's summons of Katelyn, Mordred being dragged off to the cells, and a letter being delivered to Katrina.

"Interesting, anything on Kiara yet?"

"She hasn't made any new moves that we know of."

Gelltor dismissed the servant and proceeded to the cells, he was interested to find out what Mordred had done.

Edited November 10, 2010 by En'K'Haral

[talyhawk]

((Thanks kja for the description on what the Dwarves look like.))

 

Ryoka grinned upon hearing the last part of what Drac said, which was immediately followed by a mental shout of protest from her dragon. "I just happen to know a dwarf he's a little eccentric, but he should be willing to help. The trick is going to be contacting him as I haven't seen him for years." She then glanced at the hatchlings who were indeed going through their growth spurts. I do have to admit the hatchlings going through their explosive growth phase is very helpful for us. I was starting to feel a bit under powered with us only having two adults with riders and Bramble."

 

I hate you so much.

Get over it the race will be useful.

[Red Dragonette]

"Hey, hey, sorry Lord Hyro. It's just that I was bored and--" Mordred tried to say before he got cut off when the servant Carlyle took him by the back of his armor and dragged him out of the room. Then after going through a few corridors and downstairs, Mordred was thrown into the cell and locked in there. "Well this sucks! I make a wrong move and this happens. I didn't think Hyro was going to be this harsh about me not getting paid for fifty-nine years. I guess better quit this job and start working as a mercenary, since I'm not going to get paid for a long time," he said to himself. Then he starting wondering about how long he was going to be in his cell. Maybe, weeks, months, or years? Who knows?

[mklhn]

(Ok I admit I ovreated about not being a NDK but.........could there be an ODK?)(old dragon knight)

[Kjakings]

((No. They're all dead. Not ever coming back. Dead even by necromancer standards.))

[En'K'Haral]

Rio walked quietly with the others for a bit before she spoke up out of the blue.

"So, is it ok if i call you Matt instead?"

She asked Matthew trying to spark up ano0ther conversation. Ayos decided that he wanted to meet some of the others so he flew ahead of Rio and Matthew to catch up with Ryoka.

"Ryoka right?"

He asked making sure he got the right person.

 

Gelltor arrived at the cells to see a thoughtful Mordred.

"Penny for your thoughts Mordred?"

He asked looking a little smug. The man seemed to have pissed off Hyro it was a wonder he was still alive.

"You know Katelyn is going to take responsibility for your actions right? To be quite frank I am none too pleased about that and would happily watch you rot in this cell. Still with the NDK away and probably training for a full frontal assault on Rythos we need every man we can get and a man of your caliber would be useful. If you like I can see if I can persuade Katelyn not to kill you for the trouble you just caused her. What do you think Mordred, do you like the idea?"

Gelltor leaned against the bars of an empty cell across from Mordred awaiting his answer. Naturally everything from Gelltor would come at a price and Gelltor had something special in mind.

[Red Dragonette]

Mordred looked up to see Gelltor standing in front of his cell and asked, "Gelltor, what are you doing here?" Then Gelltor told him that Katelyn was going to have to take responsibility for Mordred's insolent action and that he would be happy to see him rot in jail. Mordred frowned and thought, 'Hmph, if we were in each other's positions right now, then I would be the one to laugh harder than you ever would now.' Then Gelltor said that he could try to persuade Katelyn not to have him killed, because Hyro would need lots of men to fight off the NDK. "Well as long as it keeps me alive and earns me the blood of those New Dragon Knights, then yes I'm in," Mordred replied to him.

[talyhawk]

((I feel sorry for Katelyn, but at the same time can't wait to see what exactly Hyro does to her.))

 

Katarina paused in her pacing upon seeing Katelyn being lead by a servant towards the castle figuring that she was probably just taking care of some duties. With a shrug she went back to pacing the grounds her mind starting to become much more clear when the realization hit her that she had seen Mordred going in that direction. Surely he isn't that stupid, she thought to herself and without a second thought she made her way to the cells praying she was wrong about Mordred.

 

I wouldn't start worrying until Ghidorah starts causing trouble.

Keep an eye on him.

That shouldn't be too difficult considering Malphite is sleeping.

[BlackScorpion7]

((Join the club, I am curious -anxious- as to what Hyro is going to Katelyn as well. I can almost feel the fear of her coursing through my own body. And if anything bad happens to her, I've got another character working in my NaNoWriMo novel who is going to be very pissed with me... Come on Kja, don't keep us in tension like this! ))

 

+++++++

 

Matthew lifted a brow at Rio's question. Nobody had ever abreviated his name and it was the name given to him, so he didn't like people giving him just any other name. But then again, he was trying to be... what? What exactly was he trying? Proving he could be polite and charming? That he could regard women as women instead of as just people like him? Or was he actually trying to charm Rio? Giving himself a serious inward kick, he berated himself for even hesitating. It was not as if he knew all that many people yet and if someone wanted to call him Matt, then so be it. Especially if it was Rio. He had no idea how long he had in fact thought about her question, he could only hope he had thought faster than it had seemed in his head.

 

"Sure thing, Rio. But only 'cus it's you." Giving a sly grin, he winked and quickly diverted the attention from him by calling Questra to him. She trotted up to him, giving a soft whiny and shake of her head.

 

You're pathetic.

Thanks.

So, I'm to be just a diversion, am I?

Something like that. Felt a bit awkward.

As I said before, pathetic.

 

Matthew rolled his eyes and shook his head, looking back at Rio. It had been a mental communication, so she had heard nothing of it.

 

"Is your dragon also as kind as Questra can sometimes be? I seriously think she took lessons from Mister Sarcasm himself." Letting out a sigh, he looked before himself again, wondering where exactly they were going.

[Kjakings]

"One of your subordinates barged into my room while I was experimenting with a live manticore, speaking in the most insolent tone I have ever heard. The punishments of your subordinates are your punishments, Katelyn. Take a seat." He magically took control of her muscles and forced her down on the table, obsidian manacles surrounding her joints to stop her moving. "Now, hold still. Nobody likes a jagged stump." He raised a large cleaver and brought it down on her shoulder with extreme force, splintering the table slightly where it impacted.

 

Drac nodded, pleased at the news of a possible second contacts with the dwarves if this meeting with the ruling leaders of the elves didn't go well. Drac noticed that they were within sight of a large building made of stone, which to Drac seemed like a curious decision to make on a floating city. Their elven escorts opened two massive stone doors, letting the NDK into a chamber filled with bizarre ethereal light that seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere, but always illuminated a crescent shaped large table, with around three dozen people sitting in high-backed chairs behind.

"Drac Stormwind. You were asked to come alone. Many of your compatriots are to be tried for war crimes against the elven people, and be executed when they are found guilty." The elf in the middle announced, making Drac scowl.

"They were tricked or threatened into servitude with my father. They are serving their sentence in the form of fighting to depose him. His death will be their pardon." He announced, a little more loudly than necessary.

"On what authority do you make these claims?" A number of them were speaking this time, and Drac felt a heavyness in the air that usually pre-dated a powerful war spell, but he could sense no build up of magic besides a kind of background hum. He thought about their question, and made his decision.

"The authority of the leader of Free Chicias." Aoi was gone. Drac was the leader of the NDK, for better or worse. He would have to step into that role fully or not at all. A long pause followed and when the elves next spoke, it was all of them in a simultaneous, strong voice.

"Very well. We will discuss the matter of elven participation in the civil war you have risen. To save time we will converse in The Nexus, an old elven practise used only in times of extreme urgency. A disaster draws close, and we must be prepared. When contact is made, you will view a facet of our people no outsiders have ever witnessed. Your minds must be strong, and you must trust them all utterly."

"I trust these people with my life, and the lives of everyone in Chicias. Their minds are strong and the best kind of brilliant."

"Very well. Be not afraid. Prepare yourselves for The Nexus."

 

Hyro finished working on Katelyn and awakened her with a sharp bolt of magic. Her new limb lay at her side as an almost formless uniformly grey tentacle, having no animation in it whatsoever. Overall, he was quite proud of his work though some parts had given him trouble.

"The limb is multi-functional and can be transformed into any shape you desire. It will also provide you a source of magic, seeing as the power is important and you're one of the highest ranking commanders in my army. You'll figure out all of the functions on your own eventually. Decide what to do with Mordred yourself. I suggest execution by superheated water." This was an obvious dismissal, although Hyro knew Katelyn could probably barely stand without help.

That was quite an interesting plan. It rather falls though if she finds out what you did to her before the point of no return. I would have just killed her.

 

'Come to us. Be not afraid. We are the elves. We wish to play.' Drac felt the massive ethereal pressence as a single entity and dozens simultaneously. The elves were inviting him to the very core of their being. The part of them that was child-like and innocent, the fey core of their being that has remained with them. When he joined them, it would be hard not to get swept up in the sheer joy of being part of that Nexus. But he had a job to do. Drac took a deep breath and plunged over the precipice into that ocean of pure thought and idea.

 

It took Hyro a while to figure out who or what the voice was. At first he thought it was the Dracolich, though he knew it was impossible. But then, he had been told nobody could break a dracolich, and Hyro was working on his third. When he finally realised who it was, a grin of sheer joy spread across his face and he laughed. Months of work had paid off in that one small, bloodthirsty thought from the ether. Hyro wondered whether to push forward with a process that may become unnecessary, or ignore it and cancel his greatest work of all. Jump the chasm or go home. Attack or retreat. Fight or flee.

Hyro jumped the chasm and began conversing with the voice.

 

Taja had finally found the elves, having had a near-disaster when she had found Bramble hunting in the middle of the ocean and nearly dived on him. But there it was. A city of wood and explosive powder. Taja grinned an evil grin and dived, hurling fireballs whilst flying at what the skywings termed 'terminal velocity,' whilst a part of her screamed in horror at the destruction.

 

The Nexus was amazing. Stray thoughts threatened to tear Drac away for a lifetime to follow them to their conclusion, and he wondered how anything got done in The Nexus. The fey side of the elves was the most prevalent force he had ever felt in a location, but eventually it ended. The elven council sat in the exact same places and posture as before, giving away nothing.

"It is decided. We will join the war." They announced as a series of explosions and screams could be heard outside.

"What is it?" A random member of the NDK asked, and Drac's face fell as he realised the answer.

"Taja." He responded, punching through the huge stone doors and dashing out into the chaos.

[BlackScorpion7]

((Oh my god... poor Katelyn! Okay... seriously, a lot will have to happen if she is not to kill Mordred... ))

 

+++++++

 

Hearing Hyro's first sentence, she already paled. Mordred. That ***! He would- but then Hyro took control of her body and no matter how much she struggled, the magic held her in place. The blood left her face and she went deadly pale. For a split second, she was unable to keep the barrier between her and Sleet in place and she felt his anger and worry before she could pull the barrier up again. But then his final words sunk in. Jagged stump? Seeing the cleaver, her mental barriers fell at the same time the cleaver fell. As it made contact she cried out, her whole body contorting, her back arching and blood dripping from her mouth from having bit her tongue so hard. But the pain did not last long as she was unconscious the moment the cleaver reached the table. Pure blackness surrounded her and she sunk deeper.

 

As the barrier had fell, Sleet felt the same pain as Katelyn, roaring it out in wild agony. He trashed, breaking the doors to his stable, rolling on the ground. His own shoulder burned, stung and stabbed, almost as if his front leg was being ripped off. His claws made deep gouges in the earth, his tail trashing wildly. Though the continuous pain ended the moment Katelyn fell unconscious, the memory kept burning through his shoulder and he could not stand on his leg for a long while. A red haze hung before his eyes, seeing nothing but blood lust. This was all Mordred's fault and as the pathetic excuse of a human was in jail, he had to satisfy with the next best thing. Ghidorah. Sleet made a bee-line to the dragon stables in a movement somewhere between flying and running. Coming at the stables, he finally found the two-headed dragon and without thinking he just threw himself at the dragon. Not fully registering everything around him, Sleet just fought in a red haze kind state of mind, his claws trying to get a hold and tear at anything in his reach and his muzzle doing the same.

 

When Katelyn woke from a sharp sting, she did not know where she was at first. Hearing Hyro's voice, memories returned and her head swiveled to the side in panic, eyes going big and her face paling once more. Hearing his words, she did not know what to think. He had taken her own arm from her, a piece of her own body, an amazing loss for a fighter like herself. The shock was still too big for her to realize the implication that if she was able to gain control of the... thing replacing her arm, she would be able to shape it to look like an arm as well. Being dismissed, she pushed herself up, almost fainting once more. She would rather stay down for a while, just sleep. But she had been dismissed, which meant she had to scurry out of that room as fast as possible. Pushing herself of the table, she landed on her feet, but her legs did not hold her and she just fell in a heap on the floor. Her sight blurred for a moment, but she focussed and started crawling until she found herself back in the corridor. Here she called over two of the slaves nearby and ordered them to help her back to her rooms. The slaves looked in fright at her 'arm', but she barked the order again, her limb raising and forming into a shaking fist. Blinking, she looked at her own 'arm'. Interesting. The slaves each took an arm and helped her out of the castle and to her rooms. The limb was once again a formless tentacle hanging limply.

 

Sleet in the meanwhile, kept fighting, the red haze in his head not clearing up so he did not feel the link to Katelyn re-established.

 

+++++++

 

Matthew was still looking at the stone structure in amazement when the elves pressed upon their minds. As if out of instinct, he sunk down on his knees with an arm around Questra's neck. Reaching out, he grabbed hold of Rio's hand as if seeking reassurance. It was a wonderful, but frightening experience and then suddenly, it was over. Blinking, he looked up again just as the explosions sounded. Cursing, he sprang to his feet, letting go of Rio and Questra and ran out of the building just in time to see Taja and her dragon speed towards them in an incromprehensible speed. Turning, he yelled loudly.

 

"All to arms! Get those elves to load the cannons! Ryoka! Solara!" Questra was still not large enough to carry him and he didn't think any of the other hatchlings had grown enough to carry their riders either. So he called out to those who had grown dragons.

 

+++++++

 

((Ack... writer's block for Matthew. Sorry!! Will try more next time :s ))

[Kjakings]

((Poor everyone when you find out whose voice that is. ))

[talyhawk]

((Kja that’s just mean teasing like that.))

 

Ryoka looked at the magi a bit surprised that the hatchling had decided to speak with her. "Yes my name is Ryoka," replied the elf as they were lead inside the large building. It wasn't until she saw the elves behind the table that she realized where they were. Her first instinct was to go back the way they had come, but she ignored it deciding to place her trust in Drac.

 

Upon hearing the threat of being tried and put to death Ryoka’s face went deathly pale causing her to instinctively clench her fists with her nails digging into her palms to dull the fear. Her gaze then shifted to Drac hearing him defend his comrades, some of which she was sure he barely knew. The elven woman smiled convinced that Drac was the kind of leader that unlike Hyro or the Elves, she would be willing to risk her life in protecting.

 

The thing that caught her off guard the most was the fact that they were going to use the Nexus. The Nexus was something she had never gotten to experience for herself up until now, but she knew how important it was to her race. To say the least the experience in The Nexus was amazing and to her it felt rather natural to communicate in this fashion, but that was probably because of her own connection to the fey. Ryoka felt a bit of sadness once it was over, but only her dragon would know that.

 

It wasn’t until she heard the screams that she realized that Revy had been trying to communicate with her but had been blocked off. Hearing Matthew she nodded heading for the doors stopping briefly hearing the council member closest to her speak. “Ryoka NightBlade prove yourself and regain our trust or you will be judged.” She turned her head looking at him. ”I don’t need your trust.” She didn’t care that her words held a bitter tone to them; she needed to get into the air quick.

 

Revy!

 

The alt black landed in front of the stone doors crouching so that Ryoka could mount. Once on the dragon’s back she looked at Matthew and the others as she spoke. ”Be careful.” With the warning in place she urged Revy to take to the sky to which the dragon leaped into the air with Ryoka assisting with her wind magic. It didn’t take long for the pair to spot Taja.

 

They're all yours.

 

Revy didn’t need to be told twice and flew directly at her intended target planning on a melee fight with the Skywing.

 

++++

 

Katarina had just entered the main area of the cells first seeing Gelltor leaning against an empty cell and then Mordred in one when she got a frantic message from Garen about Sleet attacking Ghidorah. ”How fast can Malice get to the stables? Sleet just barged in and started attacking Ghidorah.” Katarina wasn’t in a good mood, which the scowl on her face clearly reflected.

 

Don’t burn down the place, but try to subdue Sleet. As much as I’d like to see Ghidorah dead we can’t afford it.

I can’t promise anything.

 

Katarina glared Mordred very tempted to put a dagger through his skull. ”I don’t know what you did, but you better hope that both you and your dragon make it out of this in one piece.” She was going to make good that threat, especially if one of their dragons died because of this.

 

After receiving orders from his rider Garen pushed the somehow still sleeping Malphite into the furthest corner of the stable away from the two fighting dragons. He didn’t waist any time as soon as he stepped out from his own stable the red immediately charged into Sleet trying to knock him away from Ghidorah with flames escaping his mouth aimed at the split hoping to detour him away from Sleet.

Edited November 12, 2010 by talyhawk

[En'K'Haral]

Malice was circling above having just returned from yet another hunting session.

"Sleet's lost it. What do you want me to do?"

A devious smile crept across Gelltor's face then Katrina entered and smile vanished.

"Nothing yet."

Malice flew away from the scene.

"Did you know that Sleet isn't very good with pain? Hyro must have just finished punishing Katelyn; I bet that once she is ready you will likely die. Now I will talk to Katelyn and see if I can get you back your life. Assuming Katrina doesn’t kill you here and now. Good day."

He said to the pair of them and then left. He made his way to Katelyn's home. He was debating whether to let her into the fold now or hold off longer. He decided that now was too soon. Not until he could be sure that she could hide her thoughts from Hyro. He walked right past the scene and then instructed Malice to knock out Sleet before they damaged his part of the stables. The gray dove down to land on Sleets back, assuming that was successful he would begin to repeatedly head but the ice dragon until he was out. Gelltor knocked on the door of Katelyn's home gently but loud enough to be heard.

 

Rio hadn't notice him grab her hand at least not at first as she looked around in awe. She was tempted to follow the many pleasant paths of music that were strung before her however something held her back. A grip on her hand that she had not known was there before, attached to the hand that was holding hers was Matthew. She watched him shyly until it was over and the explosions started. She looked around in shock as he let go and charged out. Ayos flew past her and into the air.

"Come on!"

"Ayos make sure to support Ryoka. I am using a flash gem so tell them to cover their eyes."

Ayos flew up alongside Ryoka and Revy.

"Ryoka! Bank and shield your eyes Rio is using one of her marbles."

Rio waited a second giving Ryoka time to react before drawing on Ayos's power to launch nine marbles into the air. Four white flash gems, and five red fire gems.

"Cover your eyes!"

She turned and shielded her eyes as the white gems emitted a blindingly white light right in front of Taja. The five fire gems were next each one exploding as they got near Taja.

Edited November 13, 2010 by En'K'Haral

[Red Dragonette]

Ghidorah suddenly started getting attacked by Sleet. The angry two-headed dragon snarled back and started clawing and biting at Sleet to punish him for the sudden assault on him. One of Ghidorah's heads bit the ice dragon on his neck while the other head tore at his wing with his sharp dagger-like teeth. Ghidorah's claws raked at Sleet's chest repeatedly before Ghidorah pinned Sleet onto his back and started attacking the stomach with his hind claws.

 

When Mordred heard Katarina saying that Ghidorah was getting attacked by Sleet. Mordred wasn't concerned about that as he spoke casually, "So? Ghidorah can just fight back and tear Sleet's hide off." His dragon may not be smart, but he was a big brute who always fought his hardest. Then after some talking from the two, Mordred watched Gelltor leave and thought confidentally, 'What do I care if Katelyn comes over and tries to kill me. I have a hidden secret weapon that'll get her killed first before she does anything to me.'

 

After Garen pushed Sleet away from Ghidorah, the split went to try and attack his opponent again, but Garen's flames in his mouth threatened to burn them if they came any closer. Ghidorah growled at Garen for trying to keep him away from Sleet, while Malice came and headbutted the ice dragon.

[BlackScorpion7]

Sleet hardly noticed the gauges Ghidorah made to his belly, despite the blood trickling from them and after a while flowing freely. The bite to his neck, that was something else entirely as it was a spot connected with vulnerability and showing who was the leader. The fact Ghidorah tried to get the upperhand just angered the ice dragon even more, snapping at his wings in a try to break bones. As Garen knocked him of the two-headed dragon, he started snapping at him, his tail flailing and trying to spike anything in his reach with the strong bone-spikes on its tip. When Malice joined in, Sleet still had strength to fight them all three, his anger and fear fueling his bezerk state. But by the time the grey dragon had headbutted him for the umptieth time, Sleet's strength started to fail. In combination with the blood flowing from his belly, he eventually lost consciousness, laying limply and vulnerable on the ground. There were a couple of tears in his wings, but nothing that would not heal over time. One piece was flapping in the wind, the edges which were no longer connected to the rest of the wing having bright red edges.

 

Katelyn was stretched out on the bed, her face still as white as a sheet because of the blood loss and shock. She had been unable to connect to Sleet and she just knew he was wreaking havoc. Despite trying to break through his furious haze, she had been unable to calm him down. The worry for her dragon churned in her stomach. If he got set upon by too many of the others and he would die... it would mean the end of her as well. Though a rider could survive when its dragon died, it was an incredible loss emotionally and would mean the end of her usefullness towards Hyro, which would mean death in itself.

 

The greyish tentacle lay limply besides her, an abomination. Turning her head, she glared at the thing. It felt odd. Her arm was no longer there, but still she had feeling in it as if it was still there. She had heard about ghost feelings in a severed limb, but this felt different. Back in the corridors the thing had formed itself in a fist, just what she had been wanting her former arm to do. Thinking about lifting her arm, the tentacle lifted. So that was how it worked, a bit like a real arm. Thinking about a hand, the end changed into the form of one. But the moment she stopped thinking about it, it returned to being a formless tentacle. Curses... but maybe if she just practised, she would not longer have to think about it. It was probably now just the shock of having her whole arm severed which prevented her from having the thing in the form of an arm the whole time. Calming down and just assuming she still had an arm, that would probably be the best thing to do. It would be best nobody knew exactly what it was, a form of surprise when she needed it.

 

Glaring at the tentacle, she willed it to change into a sword and yes... there it was. A dull grey of color, but the edge cut could through air. A wild grin formed on her face and she willed it back into the form of an arm. It would take her some time before she would be able to steer the tentacle with unconscious thoughts, but she saw the great potential. But what form would it be best to keep it in to be seen by others for now? An arm or a tentacle? The latter would scare more people, make them think and wonder. But Katelyn was sure that the longer she would have it, the less conscious control she would have over it. It would not take long before she would unconsciously form it into whatever she needed. Well, that were worries for later. Better to let them have a fright first. Tentacle it would be for the time being.

 

At the sudden knock on her door, her head swivelled around, making her dizzy. Despite seeing the possibilities of the new 'limb', she was still angry and upset about the loss of her real arm. So it was safely to put she was not a happy puppy. Her reply was something between a growled and a barked "GO AWAY!" in the direction of the door.

 

+++++++

 

Matthew nodded as Ryoka's safe wishes and he turned, looking around. They had three grown dragons against one. Odds should be in their advantage, but something told him it would not be that easy. Running to one of the places the elves had a cannon hidden, he called out to Questra.

 

"Go and help the other dragons and hatchlings, distract Taja and her dragon. But Questra, stay safe, okay?" The horse dragon whinnied in reply and rose up in the air. It was a luck they had practised her flying muscles so often, so she had no problem following the others. Despite the situation, Matthew could not but let out a soft chuckle upon seeing his dragon fly. She was just so used to running around, that even when flying her legs were slowly moving in the air as if running. Grabbing hold of the first elf he saw, Matthew talked to him in urgent tones.

 

"The cannons, they have to be pulled up. Do you have any other far distance weapons which we can use?"

[En'K'Haral]

Gelltor didn't leave at first and instead called through the door.

"I will return at a later time with my daily report. Oh, and Sleet is currently under Malice's protection be severely wounded I will get some care for him."

Malice stood over the unconscious Sleet growling at the other two dragons while storm clouds formed overhead and lightening flashed through the clouds in the sky.

"I dare either of you to take even one step. I will fry you into a toasty dragon crisp, got it!?"

Rain began to fall to the ground gently at first but steadily increasing in intensity. Malice had returned to the scene of the fight and looked over the four dragons.

"So, who will be responsible for cleaning this mess up I wonder?"

A very very nervous servant approached Gelltor.

"Impeccable timing, you are to go and get a someone who can care for Sleet's and Ghidorah's wounds."

The servant nodded and ran off.