Songbird, Book 1: Sun's Arrival

Chapter 20

Everyone was everywhere. The dwindling number of Stormwings were no match for the Solarclaws, but alongside the Phoenixes, they held their ground. However, Thunder Strike knew that the longer Solarclaws were in a fight, the stronger their power became. The flashes of dark energy zipped through the mob of dragons, sending a few to the ground. Tia zipped over to where the unconscious Dragons and Phoenixes were lying, helped them up, and hurried them over to a cave where they could recover.

Eclipse emerged from the chaos. "I can help with this, don't worry." She said in a shaky voice, trembling as if the Ring of Volcanoes might explode at any moment. "Alright. I'll go up to help the others." Thunder Strike had to roar in order to be heard. She winged up to where the army was. Zea came to her side, a little scratched, but no serious harm. "Are you alright?" Tia asked. "The real question is, are YOU GOING to be alright?" Zea retorted. "Yes. I'm fine. I was thinking a storm, but cast a spell on the Phoenixes so they can see through it." Thunder Strike said. Zea hesitated. "Can you do it?" He prompted. "With a couple others' help. Then I can. Get Ara and Ri. Zea bustled off, barely avoiding a screeching Solarclaw, before he flew out of view.

Aratiri and Kyria came as quickly as they could and surrounded Thunder Strike. Zea was right behind them. "Ah. You switched from abandoning us to throwing us into danger yourself." Ara spat. Zea snarled. "Shut up or else I'll make you." He growled, deep and low. Aratiri quickly shut his mouth. What a pathetic guard. Bowing to anyone who gives him orders. Tia thought smugly. "Well, let's all cast a spell and summon a storm, shall we?" Thunder Strike tried to say in a cheerful voice. Ri fidgeted with a tuft of fur on her tail. "Okay..." She agreed slowly.

The four stormwings lifted their talons to the sky as the clouds began to rumble. A howl of wind pierced through everyone in the battle. Rain pitter pattered down onto all the dragons and Phoenixes. Lightning flashed. But at the same time, Tia closed her eyes and performed a spell. A spell so that all the Phoenixes could see through the storm.

Everyone, astonished, began battling again. But this time, it seemed that the Stormwings and Phoenixes had the upper talon. Surging back and forth, leaping sideways and knocking into unsuspecting Solarclaws. Thunder Strike felt a claw connect with her backside. She spun around, and discovered that a Solarclaw had sunk her talons into Tia's spine, trying to dig in even further. Thunder Strike twisted, grappling with the other dragon, trying to get her claws off her back. The Solarclaw let go and began forming an energy ball. It blazed against the gray backdrop of the sky. Tia dodged the energy ball just in time as it zoomed past her. Solarclaws may be very powerful, but Stormwings have excellent maneuvers, especially in the air. Thunder Strike thought. The energy ball instead slammed into a passing Phoenix that was aiming fire at another Solarclaw. That Phoenix screeched and fell out of the sky, a burn mark sizzling into view on his wing. Tia saw Eclipse drag him into the cave. Good. Thunder Strike thought. Even if there were a lot of dead kaiju on her side, they were still winning, by far thanks to the storm. Zea was tumbling on the cliff with a Solarclaw, and Aratiri was using a trident to spear another Solarclaw in the chest. Tia turned to face her own attacker. Her scales were a mix of dark purple, green, and black, much like an aurora. Aurora. That must be her name. I think I saw her in a vision. Aurora hissed, spinning in midair and attempted a stab at Thunder Strike's throat. They fought a little while longer until Tia managed to lose her in the storm. Then a sound came from the rain. Nightmare was shouting, a bellowing tone that echoed through the valleys. "BEGONE, STORM!" Oh no! Thunder Strike had somehow managed to forget about Nightmare. By far the most powerful here, a controller of everything! The rain slowly scattered out, and the wind died down. Stormwings had a very large advantage when fighting in the storm, I guess Nightmare doesn't want that. By now everyone could see the blue sky slowly emerging from the dark gray clouds as they parted.

Horizon zoomed past Tia when the sky was already clear. She catapulted into Nightmare and they both sank to the ground, up on the cliff. They clawed at each other, breathing spurts of flame and plasma setting some of the trees on fire. Then Aurora flew into Thunder Strike's chest, hard enough to knock her backward. Oh, right! The storm is cleared and now she can see me better! The Solarclaws had taken the crown, now putting on a burst of speed and strength. We're not going to lose! Especially if it means certain death. Tia roared, looping around Aurora and she charged another energy ball. Thunder Strike slammed her tail into Aurora's back, sending her into a nearby mountain. Tia could hear the thump and crack of Aurora's bones as she made contact with the hard stone. I hope she's alright... Thunder Strike thought, feeling guilty.

She landed on the cliff, a couple meters away from where Horizon and Nightmare were fighting. Someone leaped out of the shadows and tackled her as Tia sat down, trying to recover from the Aurora attacks. That kaiju then slammed Thunder Strike down onto the wet grass. Most of Tia's face was pressed into the ground, but when she looked up, she thought she saw a lizard-like body, standing on two hind legs... A zilla! Why is a zilla here? Then Thunder Strike saw the lightning-like patterns on this familiar Zilla's underscales. Volt? The snappy Zilla from the market? How!? Is he secretly working for Nightmare? Tia hissed, flinging Volt off her, and reared up. Volt regained balance and just stood there.

"Hello." He said.

"Volt... What do you have to do with Nightmare?" Thunder Strike asked.

"Well... Lazurite asked for my help, all those years ago."

"What do you mean?"

"When you were just an egg. Lazurite asked for me to save you."

Tia did remember. Laz had told her about that so many times, about how she'd been in her egg for a year or so, but how he'd finally found someone that could save her.

"That was... You? Really?"

"You sound fairly disappointed." Volt said. "Well... You are probably going to be more disappointed after I say this... I cast a spell on you."

What?