The Light and Dark brothers

Chapter 18 A Hint At Real Power

"How much longer," Isabel was antsy, "We are almost there just up that mountain," Stella gave directions while holding onto Vex's wavy mane. Vex with one grand leap landed beside a huge metal fortress, the three got down from the shrinking Vex downsizing to make it easier to land safely, "Okay Vex, you can go back to sleep now, I will call you if I need you." Vex bows his head and descends to the ground, "Stella if you may," Ash does a hand gesture towards the door. "C-could you turn around, it is embarrassing when people watch me change," Ash awkwardly agreed, "Oh um okay," Ash and Isabel turn around looking at the grand forest below. Stella glows bright, sending a bright white light all around her covering her, the light grows big then fades leaving a shiny bright red-scaled dragon. "You can look now," Stella shyly gave permission to turn around. The two spins around, Isabel was in awe at the beauty of Stella's dragon form, "I see you used the magic I showed you to clean your scales." Stella, proud, showed off her reflective scales, "Yup, I use it every day," Ash is glad but rushes her, "I know you want to talk more Stella but I want to see the situation in the town then we can talk okay." Stella realized it was not the time to talk about all of the fun times she had, "Sorry Ash, I forgot," she stretched out her wings pointing them outwards, with one great swoosh Stella ascended up and over the fortress. The giant rusted metal doors creaked open, the town was damaged from ice blasts, ice shards covered the houses. Most houses collapsed in on themselves, "When did they attack the town," the sad sight got a little brighter, "They attacked two days ago but everyone is safe and sound." The voice came roaring in from behind huge debris, a big red dragon burned away the mess, "Ash I am glad you came back," Stella's father shouted uncontrollably forgetting he is still in dragon form. "We are so glad you arrived with our little princess here, we told her to stay put but she decided to trust her gut," Stella's mother gave her an unforgettable stare. Stella's father boasted about Stella's talent, "My little princess just saved our kingdom with her gut, NOW that is a true leader, taking risks for the wellbeing of her people!" Stella's mother ended her father's praise, "Ash, how rude of you, you haven't introduced us to your little friend here." Isabel blurts out before Ash can say anything, "Hi I am Isabel, Ash's student, it is so awesome to meet you, I never saw a dragonkin before and I love your scales." Stella's mother switched moods quickly from polite to questioning her, "Was Ash ever hard on you, did he bully you." Isabel had a huge smile, "Well our first encounter was rather hostile, but I was the one who started it." After the cheerful meet, the bleak state of their home brought down the mood for Stella, making her turn away from the destruction, "If only I found you faster, we would still have a home." The crystals formed in Stella's dragon eyes, Isabel cheered her up, "If you didn't try you will never have found us." Stella stopped the crystal tears, "Thanks, Isabel." Ash began trying to figure out who came up with the idea to attack the clan, "So the water and earth clan teamed up, what caused them to unite, after the war they just had. Is it an outer force doing this or are they desperate for resources?" Ash pondered on who was the real enemy, "Have you heard of the titan Longwei, or the dragon lord, my second heard rumors from other clans that he has awoken from his slumber. It was only a matter of time until he woke back up but his daughter would be there to keep him under control, now that she was sadly killed by our clan in the war he probably wants revenge." He sighs greatly, "Ash, can you do this for us, I understand if you don't want to take on this job. It makes sense if you don't, he is a god to us dragonkin, he even fought back the gods from killing us all." Ash processed the info while the others talked, "Alright I will take this task but I will need to rest here for a few days after the battle." Everyone agreed happily, Ash and the dragons talked about their life and caught up with each other till dusk.

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"Ash be careful, Longwei is not the most understanding person," Stella's father warned him of Longwei's hostility. Vex waited for Ash on the edge of the mountain top, "Okay Ash let's beat this grouchy dragon and bring peace to the dragon clan," Isabel hyper as always is turned down, "Sorry Isabel but this mission is too dangerous for you, I may even have trouble in this battle." Isabel pleaded, "Ash please, I want to show you all my training. I even trained in secret so I can impress you." Her plea was in vain, "Look Sophia I know you trained in secret, I had a spy on you at all times. I did that because if you were to be killed again, I would lose it, I, I can't lose you again. If anyone was to die no one could be brought back to life if there is no king of the underworld." Isabel, downhearted by the denial, waved goodbye with the others, "I will be back with good news or die trying." Ash rode off, on his mission to subdue the dragon lord.