World of Dragon Riders: Book Two - REMADE

Prologue - Return to Kelekonia

It has been many years since the Dark Riders were defeated at the grand Mountain Base, home of the Dragon Rider Rebellion. Many years since the realm of floating islands, home of the Avian Race, had formed an alliance with the Rebels. Many years since familiar faces began to settle down.

Noble Sky Dragons, kind-hearted Earth Dragons, slippery Water Dragons, snappy Fire Dragons, and all the other elemental dragons who call the land of Kelekonia home haven't changed... much.

The Rebellion oversaw and enabled many advances in recent years, such as long-range communication devices, ships  that could withstand a few dragon attacks, but still sunk regardless, glider suits (limited to experienced Riders), and more advanced weaponry (such as ballistae and some fire arms, though usage of such is VERY LIMITED). 

This time also saw the beginning of renewable energy, such as hydroelectricity from dams, solar, thermal and, which was quite common, wind energy. They'd never try and make renewable energy if the Rebels didn't have a reason to need it in the first place. Inventors were highly respected and a highly treasured part of Kelekonian society for this reason, though many only came upon their amazing discoveries by accident... and many are still a work in progress.

But we mustn't forget that with the beginnings of change, there'll be some who disagree with it. Old faces of enemies that were once forgotten have risen from the ashes before, why wouldn't they do the same now?

But let's not think about that for now.

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Things change fast in Kelekonia, that's true, and so does life.

10 years after their last conflict with the Dark Riders, Soren, our old friend, had gotten married and travelled the world with Bridgette, his loyal friend since the day he started training at the Academy. They were followed the year after by Ryan and Summer, friends since they could talk, though both couples stuck together like glue. But the Team is near complete without Bridgette's brother, who stubbornly remained a bachelor, Lance.

Not even the dragons were spared from the clutches of romance, though dragons didn't do 'marriage' the way the humanoids of Kelekonia did. 

It was 5 years later, when the Team were in their 30's, did the next generation start to factor into their lives. 

It was Bridgette and Soren who welcomed new-borns into the world first, fraternal twins, Nathan (after the friend Soren owed his life to) and Adrien. Both possessed distinctly different personalities, and even appearances.

While Nathan (resembling their mother) was calmer and well-behaved, as much as an infant could be, Adrien (resembling their father) was a trouble-maker, disappearing and reappearing all over the house with a variety of objects in tow from pillows, toys and to even shoes. 

Then there was the factor of the dragons and the infants. Originally the twins were kept away from the dragons of the Team for their own safety, as dragons could easily hurt the infants by accident. But Adrien became fond of them, getting too close fiery tails or getting underfoot became the concern with him. Nathan steered clear from them, since they were all much bigger and louder than any of the humanoids he'd gotten use to... though it was a wonder how Yin, Bridgette's dragon soul-mate, got him to sit down in her presence.

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NOW let's talk about the faces of the past coming back to haunt the Rebels. Remember how I said life changes fast here? Well it did... and it happened nearly 12 months after these twins were born.

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They never saw it coming. For just over 15 years, there was nothing from them... until they rose from the base of the mountain and swarmed the city. There was no time to prepare, no time to evacuate everyone safely. Even if you did get away from the burning houses and trees below, there was no guarantee the attackers wouldn't catch you as you fled in fear. Rebels tried to fight back, but struggled to even protect the small stream of evacuees they had managed to round up and escort underground in time. 

Many of the once frequent frontline fighters had started families or retired, including Team Soren. Sky and Sparktail, dragon soul-mates to Soren or Summer, were occupied by the eggs they had to protect, and Summer herself was incapacitated by pregnancy, and fled with the remainder of the evacuees. That left Soren, Bridgette, Lance, Ryan, Fireworks, (Ryan's dragon soul-mate) and Yin to fight and, unfortunately, relocate the twins who had been taken outside by Duststorm (Lance's dragon soul-mate) for a walk, which was a delight to the younger. 

The Earth Dragon was trapped, near what used to be the Academy's main building, and was attempting to fend off six attackers, Dragon and Rider duos, all of which were hostile, as the twins were screaming. The situation was made easier by the arrival of Yin, plummeting from the sky to help as much of her fur was charred by flames. Yin single-handedly knocked two of them away, leaving four for Fireworks to set a light. 

The next few moments faded to a blur. A black dragon, Fireworks sent flying, Yin roaring in pain, and a small bundle being ripped away from Duststorm's grip as the Earth Dragon fled into the smoke-filled sky. Hazy and dazed, the last of the twins wailing, Duststorm became light-headed as he was battered around the sky, feeling a piece of himself disappear into the distance. 

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(It's been nearly two years since I finished Book One. Thank you for your support on Book One, and I continue to look forward to hearing more feedback for Book Two REMADE. I decided to start from scratch with Book Two, so somethings may not add up with Book One... the ending of Book One especially may not add up with Book Two, and I may edit it.) 

(PLEASE provide your honest feedback, as writing beginnings is not exactly my strong suit. Thank you again for your support!)

~ Aliferous-Creator (formerly Fantaria-Writer)