Drakonian Wraiths

[JessieWolf]

Xaque eyed Billy "Alright then hotshot, if they can poof food out of thin air and do all sorts of crazy hockus pockus, then why the hell are we walking? Why don't they just poof us to where we need to be, and we can just get the rocks in a few seconds, huh? And if they could do that, why the hell did we have to run for our lives away from some big cyborg creature when we first got here?" Xaque lightly popped Billy in the arm "Explain THAT Mr Know-it-all." He was relatively certain that Billy wouldn't have an answer to that, and stuck his tongue out at the Californian.

He smirked widely "You west coasters don't use your heads much do you?" It was a tease, playing on the whole West vs East fude that really didn't exist as much as some may think. "Maybe they'll give you a flying surf board. Just like in Back to the Future.....well...that was a skate board actually...so maybe I'll get it instead." Xaque continued to ramble in his easily sidetracked way as his gaze strayed upward toward the circling dragons.

Zonyte was easy to spot amongst the others, he was swooping and diving and performing aerobatics that you would think would be impossible for a beast of that size. Where as the others were more or less just flying along, circling in a calm relaxed manner. "He sure has a lot of en...Ow!" Xaque's attention was jarred back to the ground as he walked head first into a low branch. he rubbed at his forehead and grumbled as Jenna seemed to find the event amusing. "It isn't funny, that hurt." he mock pouted, in hopes of getting just a little sympathy as they continued to walk.

***

Rommie nodded to Stacey "Yeah, I'm from Australia...is it that obvious?" She had never really thought of herself as having an accent before, as she had never left Australia. "Well...it is normally pretty dry, right now we are in the middle of winter so there hasn't been much to do on the farm. Mostly just keeping track of the herds. I was just going to the hardware store to pick up some chicken wire when I was taken...What about you? What is New York like? I mean I've seen it in movies, but is it really as bad as they make it out to be?"

She glanced up and saw several of the dragons circling above them, the large red one, known as Coronus was hovering and surveying the area. It was a little frightening to think that that huge creature...was supposed to be her -partner-. Though it wasn't nearly as frighting as it had originally been. It was clear they weren't going to hurt anyone. And she did feel a sense of comfort and safety when she was near the hulking behemoth of a lizard.

***

Ron walked along side Etherius, keeping a hand on her massive shoulder. He didn't know why, but he felt compelled to stay as close to the sickly dragon as he could. He felt sorry for her, like he needed to protect her, even though he was pretty sure he would be about as good as a wet rag if something tried to attack. "Seems a little strange we are helping the youngest most energetic one first...I'm pretty sure it is obvious that you need help more then he does..."

Etherius spoke in her calm, almost motherly voice "I will be fine. Even in this weakened state, I am powerful and very able to defend myself. My best guess is that they intend to get the stone for the youngest and most inexperienced first, so that he has a better chance of survival. He isn't nearly as old as the rest of us, he needs all the help he can get if he is to survive. I believe, that, is the reason why we are going to get the lightning stone first. But I suppose I could be wrong.....And thank you...your presence eases my pain considerably."

It was hard to believe that this Etherius, even in her weakened state could be that powerful, but Ron wasn't going to argue. he simply smiled "You're welcome. To tell you the truth. It makes me feel better as well." The dragon nuzzled Ron briefly before they continued to walk forward along with the others.

***

Josh continued to move forward, his eyes flicking upward to the group of flying dragons as he did so. Kornth was flying low, skimming the tree tops, more then likely so that he could be there in case an enemy attacked from the ground, while the red dragon soared high, keeping a vigilant eye on the entire group.

He had found a large branch as they walked, it happened to be the perfect dimensions and weight to be a makeshift weapon, and so Josh had picked it up and was using it has a walking stick as he led the way to...wherever it was they were going. He assumed that if he was going in the wrong direction one of the dragons would inform him, but no one had said anything yet, so he continued.

[Cobra Strife]

"Weren't you paying attention when we first met everyone, even before? If they did everything for us then we wouldn't really know how to fight. I think this is a whole proving ourself thing... as well don't you think with those parasitic borg creatures sapping the very life out of this whole planet might of drained their powers or at least something? We can't have an easy ride... if we have one then we can't survive properly" Billy replied and then snorted as he hit his head. "Well we don't use our heads like that" he added slyly, baring his teeth in a wide toothed grin, swiping his messy hair out from his eyes. "Just because I look like a beach bum doesn't mean I am".

"Gotta love stereotypes" Jenna snorted and then lightly squeezed Xaque's arm. "Are you going to be ok? Did the big bad branch break something vital?" She lightly ruffles his hair but there is a slight concern for his well being.

Stacie meanwhile sighed fondly as she listened to Rommie and then replied with her own.

"Well there are parts of New York that could be deemed bad yes, but its a really busy city. Especially around our national holidays... everywhere you see is more and more infrastructure. I don't mind really in some ways... it has a sort of ambience to it. But I do like going out camping and such, curling up to a good book by the fire. Heh heh... everything with me is about books, that's why I became a librarian at the National Library" she says. "It almost feels like we're in a story now you know... just... real".

The further they walked, the density of the trees seemed to lessen and open field could be seen as they reached the edge of the forest. The skies were still murky and thunder rang out again, little flashes of lightning seeming to hit the land far off in the distance. This seemed to appease Zonyte, continuing with his acrobatics and sometimes swooping up to take a little jolt, it doing nothing to harm him naturally, more so energize.

The field itself was thick, what seemed to be resembling wheat shooting up higher than that of the humans height, towering nearly twice their size. They swayed gently in the wind, the ground they were growing from getting a bit muddier.

"... something feels off..." Asha murmured to herself, loud enough for only Moraith to hear. He nods slightly.

"It has been ever since the Tranog. Do watch yourselves... there things that lurk in both light and dark".

[JessieWolf]

Xaque waved Jenna off "I'm fine...if I wasn't so busy worrying about being eaten by a dragon I might be able to keep my focus on where the hell I'm walking." He rubbed his head again and continued talking "That is all well and good Bill, but we aren't going to be any good to them if we are dead, now are we? What good is making things a challenge if the challenge kills you in the end? I mean seriously. They say we need to get these rocks so we can defend ourselves, doesn't that mean it was be easier to just give us the rocks so we can have a chance to prove ourselves AFTER that detail is out of the way?"

As they reached the vast field Xaque paused to look up at his dragon as it swooped and played with the lightning in the sky. "That....over grown lizard...is purposefully being hit by lightning, you have to be wrong in the head somehow to want to do that...Sure as hell hope he doesn't expect me to hop on his back while he does something like that..." He shuddered at the thought.

***

Rommie frowned at the lightning up in the sky "It is going to be dangerous to cross and open field with so much lightning going off." Her curiousity about New York now being overshadowed by the strange feeling that something wasn't right about the field...or something in the field. She didn't want to have to go out into it, that was the only thing she was really certain about at this point.

"Can't we just go around it? Or fly over it? It looks like it would be easy to get lost if we just walked..." She realized just how whinny she sounded, even to her own ears. She sighed slightly as she glanced at the others, at least one of them agreed with her, that something wasn't quite right here.

***

Ron made his way to the edge of the field and pulled one of the long thin plants down to examine it "Sorta like wheat but way taller. Is this a farmer's field? Do you guys eat grains just like humans?" It sounded more logical in his own head when he had thought of it. Big dragons would need big food, and this looked like big wheat..."And I thought Texas did things big..."

He chuckled at his own lame joke. "Well, I guess we better get wa...." he paused when some of the others claimed that something didn't feel right. He couldn't really sense anything amiss, but he figured it was better to be safe then to be sorry. "I'm sure our scaled friends up in the sky would tell us if something foul was heading our way, right?"

***

Josh felt it too, a sense of unease in this place that he couldn't quite pinpoint. Rather then tensing up and becoming anxious, he took a slow series of breaths to calm himself and relax his body. He was almost inclined to agree with the girl, maybe they -should- go around the field, but it looked vast, who knew how far is stretched in any given direction? He shifted his gaze to Moraith "What exactly is out there? I have a feeling you know."

[Cobra Strife]

Moraith glanced at the fellow humans and closed his eyes for a moment, seeming to shut out all the natural noses he has grown accustomed to on his home, though by far that was growing less with the pending epidemic. He continued to walk with his eyes still closed, holding his staff out before him.

"Many things are within these lands. Creatures that are hostile yet not. The taint from the Tranog are everywhere and at times they are better at masking themselves. Tread carefully".

Not much of an answer, but well enough of a hint that there was something out in those fields. He moves past the others, getting to the front of the group before Josh and Cyron and gently pushes through the wheat fields.

"Either way, we must go through here".

Stacie stared at where Moraith stood moments before, a chill going down her spine. Was it really safe to go in there? Really nothing on this planet was safe. But on the flipside look at the massive amount of protection they had. A druid and nine dragons. Not to mention the wits from each of their teammates. This as no walk in the park, but at least there was a safety belt around them.

"Well if he says we need to go through here, even if there are a swarm of baddies, let's do it" Billy said with a firm nod.

"Are you out of your freaking mind? There could be a trap in there!" Jenna exclaimed, waving her arms about. Billy sighed, raking a hand through his hair.

"Maybe so Jenna, but we can't keep on avoiding danger. Yeah ok, walking stupidly into it is well... just plain fucking stupid. But we're going to have to face it one way or another" he states as he begins to walk forward, his shoulders squared even though it was still quite obvious he was nervous.

"You watch way too many movies man" Jenna said with a scowl.

"I guess so. And I know this isn't like the movies. But honestly, I'd rather face this stuff sooner than later".

Cyron sighs at the light bickering from the younger ones and idly rakes a hand through his silver locks. This was pure stupidity, walking headfirst into god knows what's in there. But he couldn't deny the ample protection. And despite the rather large fact that he wants to go home and get off this crazy dragon world, his curiosity was spiked. He glanced upwards for a moment, his eyes trailing upon Haikoth who was flying overhead. The white feathered dragon glances down at him and there seems to be a reassuring gaze... even if they were literally far apart from each other. He could just feel it. Pinching the bridge of his nose he moves forward.

"Come on people. No point standing around here" he mutters as he moves forward, pushing the glades of massive wheat out of his way, the muddy ground below his feet becoming softer with each step.

Asha, who had still remained in the back of the group, watched as everyone, bit by bit, went through the glade. She could bet her life there was something bad in there, but this whole area seemed to scream bad to her senses. She looks skywards to the seven dragons of the other humans seeming to hover gently over the glade and then the sickly one by Ron. She turned around to see her dragon, still rather far off. She shakes her head, feeling cold inside. Her hand clenches on her pill bottle, seeming to be the only thing she can count on it, before following the others.

The further they walked into the field, rumbles could be heard all around them. It felt almost like a slight earthquake, but with sound instead of the actual earth shaking.

"Careful" Coronus could be heard overhead. "Keep your attacks concentrated lest we set this whole field ablaze".

"Roasted humans... lovely" Jenna said with a sigh.

[JessieWolf]

Josh quietly fell back behind Moraith as they started to move into the large field. "I have a question for you, if you don't mind. I would like to ask you something about the Tranog...I want to know, are they all as beastial as the ones we saw yesterday? Or are there different types? Are they capable of decpetion and communication? Or are they simply mindless monsters hell bent on consuming everything in their path?"

If they were going to be fighting some sort of war, he had decided it would just about time that they at least got to know a little bit more about the enemy they faced. He wasn't entirely sure if it was his own desire to know, or if it were some sort of urge that was artificially placed there that made him desire to formulate some sort of plan. The calm irishman turned his gaze up toward the large bronze dragon that was flying lower then most of the others. Was this his doing? Josh had never really been much of a tactical mind. Not on a war like scale at least. But his skill to decide a course of action in a one on one fight had proven to be very well honed. His sparring partners would agree.

All that aside, these questions he was asking Moraith now, to him, were important for the -now-. Something told him they would be encountering more of those creatures very soon, and he wanted to at least be prepared with the very basic knowledge of them. As he walked with the wizard he could hear one of the other young men, behind him, griping about moving through the field.

***

Xaque stopped at the edge of where the tall stocks of grain started and shook his head "Oh no, no way are we going in there....have you NEVER seen horror movies? Cornfields are ALWAYS the perfect place to get split up, and hunted down one by one. I am NOT going to fall for that." he folded his arms and shut his eyes stubbornly. It was at that point that he heard the australian chick speak up "Isn't it normally the one that lags behind that gets killed first in those movies?" Xaque opened his eyes to see most of the others had already started to enter the field.

"You people are insane....why are you going in there? Not only is it practically a cornfield, but it is a muddy one too, do you know how hard it is to run in the mud?? Trust me, I've done it, and I'm not talking about running a track meet in the rain either." Xaque felt a hard clap on the back as the older man walked past "Take it easy kid, we've got dragons no our side, remember?"

The sickly green dragon followed the texan without a word, though it did cast a glance at Xaque. It was strange, Xaque felt a bit comforted by the look in the big lizard's eyes, it was almost...."motherly" was the only word he could find to describe it. Completely unlike Xaque's own dragon companion who was anything but. From high above the lightning dragon Zonyte called down "You better get a move on Lunch Meat, or I'll help you get moving!" Xaque glared up at Zonyte "Oh put a sock in it!"

***

Ron couldn't help but chuckle to himself when he saw the teenage young adult try to make a stand at the edge of the field. "That kid sure is stubborn..." He muttered, half to himself, and half to the green dragon at his side. "It certainly seems that way, doesn't it?" The sagely tone in the female voice was soothing. Ron smiled "Yeah...but one way or another, I don't think the kid wants to be left behind, so I'm not too worried about it. He'll follow along."

Ron moved to follow the others, passing the teen and clapping him on the back lightheartedly informing him of the fact they didn't have much to worry about considering they had dragons on their side, though it didn't seem to help much, considering the fact that moments later the boy was yelling at his own dragon. he shook his head amusedly "Kids these days..."

***

Rommie listened to the ruckus being kicked up by the young looking american, ranting about how in horror movies cornfields were always bad news. She also pointed out to the young man that the one lagging behind was often the first one picked off and then continued to follow the others, keeping close to the old wizzard like being as they started their trek across the field.

[Cobra Strife]

Moraith kept his eyes forward, his wrinkles dimming into a light frown as he softly replies to Josh's question, the massive cornfields swaying back and forth rhythmically with the beat of air from the massive dragon wings not too far above them.

"Those that you have seen are bestial for they are possessed by the Tranog. They are a parasite and the majority of what we have encountered were of the creatures they have captured and forced to do their bidding. But they are very cunning and manipulative. Only few have seen what they really looked like, and have far from survived it. We will mostly likely run into their drones that in a way look humanoid, same size as you and I. But do not be fooled, they can easily cause destruction within a few mere moments within a new surrounding".

"So it is possible that they could possess us?" Jenna piped up, her eyes widening under her purple bangs.

"Hypothetically yes... but because of what you hold inside, similar to each of your partners, it will be very hard for the Tranog to do so, and most impossible once we get the protection you need".

"Well that's a bit reassuring" Stacie mumured, smiling hesitantly. Cyron making a tsking noise, shaking his head from side to side.

All of this still seemed like utter nonsense but the more he would make himself believe such things, the more he could put himself in a terrible predicament. Lost in his own thoughts, he continued to move forward till the strangle rumblings, that was more heard than felt, suddenly exploded with a bone murderous shriek.

"What the-" he exclaims as the earth shakes violently around them and an explosion of mud spouts upward not too far ahead of them like a geyser, showering the humans and dragons within close vicinity.

As the shower subsided, three long shimmering tubes rose up quickly and once most of the muck was wiped from one's eyes, the tubes turned out to be tainted gold coloured serpentine heads with massive horns protruding from the back of their skulls. Their eyes were of the same bright coloured eyes as the previous creature they encountered...

"A lightning hydra..." Moraith whispers softly.

"An infested lightning hydra" came Coronus' growl not too far above them.

"Maybe we should get back and let our buddies duke with him???" Jenna interjected, scrambling back slightly, her hands clamped tightly onto Xaque's arm.

"That monster looks so close to King Ghidorah..." Billy whispered in awe, as well as utter fear as saliva dripped from the fanged mouth, long slimy tongues lolling out as upon closer inspection one could see the black and blue tubes running in and out of the scales of the beast, making it appear like gruesome tumours were growing out of its body. Electricity shot back and forth between each of its horns and it lets out another high pitched scream before letting out a blast of energy towards the humans, it barely being deflected by the quick barrier Moraith put up, rebounding it back into the sky, resulting in a chain reaction as lightning blasted down upon the land, fire now picking up from the far eat of the wheat fields.

"That is not good!" Billy exclaims as like real wildfire it rapidly approaches them. It is soon doused by a waterfall of crystalline water, courtesy of Bastila.

"You'll not be burnt to crisp on my watch" she lets out, her eyes glittering brightly.

Asha's heart was pounding a bit too fast in her chest, as she could guess everyone else was doing, but it was more painful. But could she down another set of pills when her throat felt so dry? Probably not.

"Keep your attacks concentrated!" Coronus booms out again as a barrage of molten fireballs launch out from his jaws and hit the mutant hydra head on, who screams in pain before raising further into the sky, launching its fangs at whatever dragon they could reach first.

[JessieWolf]

Xaque brought his forearm up to shield his face from the mud that was flung in all directions. When he lowered his arm and looked up he saw the...grotesque creature in all its fury. He only vaguely heard Billy's statement "I have no idea what you are talking about...but it looks like that monster Godzilla fought in that one movie....." Everything seemed to happen way too quickly, and before he knew it, a fire had started in the field, been put out, and the big red dragon had started to attack the strange beast.

High above Zonyte was climbing higher and higher into the sky, well aware of what was going on below. Xaque found himself simply gawking at what was going on. he felt Jenna squeezing his arm, but didn't budge. It felt like his skin was crawling just by being near the monster. He heard a few shouts at the same time and couldn't make out any one particular one, but he turned his eyes upward, gawking as the lightning cracked and buzzed around Zonyte as he folded his wings and started to plummet toward the hydra like creature. He felt strong hand on his shoulder and was yanked backward by someone.

It was strange, Xaque couldn't peel his scene as Zonyte dove straight down and impacted like Thor's hammer into the hydra, sending another wave of muck and mud flying in all directions, a crack of lighting jumping up into the clouds and branching out to flicker across the grey, low-hanging clouds for what seems like miles. By this time it seemed as though most of the grain in the field was flattened by either the weight of the mud or simply by being tramped and rolled over as the huge spiky electrical dragon brawled in close quarters with the hydra, unharmed by the crackling electricity coursing from the monster's body. Xaque completely didn't notice the fact that he was being dragged backward by a large strong arm around his waist

***

The second that the mud started to fly up into the air, Josh was already moving. He spun around and grabbed hold of the two closest people, who just happened to be Rommie and Cyron, and started dragging them back away from the monstrous bast that had revealed itself. He would have grabbed more, had he more arms to do so. Instead he settled for shouting to the younger trio of Americans "Get back!" Unfortunately, it seemed that the three were a little too busy gawking at the spectacle to pay him much mind. This was exactly the sort of behavior that people yell at characters in a movie for doing.

In a strange way, despite not having any particular like or dislike for any of these people, he did however feel compelled to keep them safe. It seemed he was the only one present out of the humans of the group that had any sort of training, or even reflexes by the look of things. Seemed a great deal of the other humans were content to stand and gawk at the big electric lizard rather then getting clear of the danger. Josh was rather pleased when he saw the large older man start to drag some of the younger Americans away from the danger, almost carrying one of them who seemed to be completely out of it, as if entranced. He didn't know where they should go, but he figured anywhere out of range of the fight would be well enough.

The large green dragon had also moved, and her large wings were spread in a defensive manner as she turned her attention to the humans "Get behind me, I will protect you. The others will deal with the hydra, do not fear."

[Cobra Strife]

"That is from a Godzilla movie ya nimrod!" Billy said back to Xaque but was too engrossed in the battle to really make anymore comment of it. Those dragons were amazing... way better then any videogames he played or any of those CG movies. THIS was the real thing...

He faintly heard Josh's yell, but only really snapped out of it as Ron was trying to drag some of them back. Shaking his head roughly he began to run on his own, trying so hard not to look back but it was mesmerizing even... even when Bastila went to extinguish the flames, just the way the water flowed out of her... beautiful.

"I know very well how to run from danger thank you" Cyron hissed, yanking his arm free and moving well on his own. He wasn't that stupid. He could understand on some level of concern what Josh was doing but was not fond of people touching him unless they were allowed. Perhaps it was a mentality thing.

Obviously sticking around would prove no use and with the others he made their way behind the sickly Earth dragon who voiced that she would protect them. He was beginning to lightly doubt that by her current outward appearance she would be able to defend much. But is that where magic comes into play?

He looked skywards towards where his partner was, white symbols that looked like clouds almost wisping around him before a barrage was sent down towards the corrupted hydra, it letting out a shrill cry from the blast. All the dragons, with the exception of Etherius, were fighting so choreographically, making their attacks precise and hits that count. Well wait... not ALL dragons...

Looking around he noticed the dark dragon was still a bit ways off. Why wasn't he catching up? Cyron seemed to scowl at this. Perhaps he was a coward... his eyes narrowed towards where Asha was, being the farthest away from harm and he almost glared at her. Logic was telling him that the further she stayed away the safer he was... but something nasty was creeping in him, wondering just how useful she or that dragon will be...

Moraith meanwhile erected a simple shield around all the humans once they were in close enough proximity, muttering a chant under his breath as his eyes were kept closed.

The hydra screamed angrily as the ground shook violently and at least ten tails thrashed upwards, smacking clearly into all dragons that were in close enough vicinity, with the exception of Etherius, nearly smashing them into the ground.

It reared its heads back, its mouths charging with a deadly blast... but something seemed odd about it. There was dark mist flowing into it as well... its head swivelled towards Zonyte, seeming to lock in on him... and something seemed to strike through Xaque that if his partner is not careful this attack could seriously harm him...

[JessieWolf]

Xaque blinked as he realized that an arm was around his waist and he was being dragged backwards, even as he was dragged he stared at the battle going on. Zonyte was proving to be quite the acrobat as far as flying went. Watching the fight was a bit like watching one of those plasma ball things. It was downright mesmerizing. It was only after Moraith had erected his protective shield that Xaque was able to snap out of it enough to glance around and realized he had been dragged a fair distance back by the big bear of a man called Ron.

As he looked on he saw the hydra creature was charging up some sort of attack, and he felt a knot form in his gut, something bad was about to happen as it was going to be directed toward Zonyte. Or at least that is what his gut told him. "Pinhead!!! GET OUT OF THE WAY!!" He shouted. He wasn't even sure why. It wasn't like the dragon would hear him anyway, and Xaque was pretty sure the big lizard could handle himself. But before Xaque could see what happened, a huge green wing folded over the shield the wizard had produced, blocking the battle from view.

Zonyte didn't hear the warning so much as he felt it. It was a strange sensation. He had been about to charge right through the monster's electrical blast, but at the last second, he veered off, narrowly dodging the electrical attack which crackled and hissed before it blew up a tree at the edge of the muddy field. Zonyte would have pondered on why he had avoided rather then countered the attack but there wasn't time for such idle thought while in battle. He had to trust his instincts. Quickly Zonyte flew up into the air, the dark clouds were flashing with lightning and that lightning started to arch to the spine covered dragon, charging its power.

***

Ron had set the young man down once they where back near where moraith had been standing. The old wizard put up some sort of magical force field and then everything was blocked from view with a veil of green. It was soothing. He felt as though there wasn't any possible way that they would be harmed with Etharius there to protect them. The tall broad shouldered man reached up, his fingers causing the shield to ripple as they passed through the protective energy to brush against the green wing that shielded them. "We'll be alright" He said, though he himself wasn't entirely sure as to who he was talking to.

***

Rommie was finally released by the dark haired man with the Irish accent and she stood where she was left and just tried to keep her calm. Muttering to herself with her eyes closed. "It's alright, nine dragons against one infected dragon thing, should be a piece of cake..one against nine in our favor." She raked a hand back through her muddy hair and let out a long slow breath. She had only just started to relax a little before this attack had happened, now she felt tense and fearful again. She hated it.

***

Josh mostly ignored the snippy words that came from Cyron. He didn't care if the man was upset with him for his hasty reaction. he stood there quietly listening to the sounds that shook the ground, the roars and shrieks. he still had the meter long stick he had been carrying with him. Not that such an object would help against whatever that monster was, but he stayed on his guard anyway, relaxing his body and steadying his breathing. He glanced over at Moraith again "So these things, can look and act human?" If that was the case, they would have to be suspicious of anyone and anything...

[Cobra Strife]

The odds may be in our favour" Billy mentioned idly as he looked towards Etherius blocking their vision of the battle. On one point he was glad, but on the other side he didn't like being left in the dark... even if things may get really ugly. As well seeing his own partner gave a sample of calm towards him... maybe that might be the same for everyone. He then glances at Rommie. "But when someone is cornered, they will fight tooth and nail... the battle hasn't been won yet".

"Way to be a downtrodder!" Jenna snapped at the surfer and he just shrugged his shoulders.

"Trying to be realistic..."

Cyron snorted at this, finding it amusing that someone else was trying to be realistic. How laughable. There was nothing realistic about the world they were in. Nothing at all. He was starting to analyze how long it may take for things to take their course. If they have to get nine elemental stones, free nine sectors and then save their King... this would be a long trip. These dragons were formidable... may be in their best interest to split up. Besides they were each powerful by their own means... perhaps after they retrieve the hyper kid's shiny rock he'll mention it to Haikoth. Seems the holy dragon has some reason at least...

"They can" Moraith said to Josh's question, concentrating on the barrier to shield them, it being energized subconsciously by Etherius. "And they will..."

"Wonderful" Asha muttered as she watched Zonyte seemed to charge up. But it wasn't only him that could be seen powering up from the massive thunder clouds. The lightning hydra was as well, shrieking shrilly. The other elemental dragons were flying close by, considering their options.

"I have an idea" Haikoth could be heard. "If Zonyte launches the main burst of power, we all launch our own energies to merge with his... electricity alone wouldn't harm a lightning hydra... and especially not an infected one. But if we get him to take in too much energy from clashing elements it would overload him".

"It is a good thing you're my second in command" Coronus said in a deep bemused voice. "Right, let's do it!"

The other dragons began taking in their own energy, Phleiysha creating transparent barriers around the others in case the infected hydra may try to attack them to set it off. Even Etherius was powering up over where she was on the ground shielding the humans from sight, green mist seeping from her jaws and the smell of sweet moss coming between the pores from within her scales.

Asha looked around to see if she could find Darcia and blinked. He was a lot closer than before... but still a fair bit of distance away. Didn't he know the others may need his help? Or... would his aid result in the same banter as before? Perhaps herself and her partner were more in common then she'd like to admit...