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Chapter Text

Wyldfyre had a sinking feeling ever since Zane directed them towards the ruined city after he came back from asking around at The Crossroads. 

The entire ride there had been silent, not that her or the dragons really had anything to say. 

They could feel the desperation growing. 

It only got worse when he hurried Glacier along once they were in sight of the tallest building. His grim frown morphing to a mix of emotions she couldn’t even start naming.

They came to a slow stop, the dragons and her looking up at this massive thing. Could humans really build towers this big without time? 

She never got the chance to ask, as Zane dismounted from Glacier in the blink of an eye, rushing up the steps in a pair of powerful jumps. The build up of momentum letting him cleanly shoulder check through the doors, metal and glass crumbling around him. 

He didn't wait for her, as he bolted off into its belly wordlessly. 

Jumping off of Rockslide herself, Wyldfyre sighed. “Go…scout the area or somethin’.” 

The Earth Wyvern grunted indifferently, walking down the path to the left of them. 

Glacier opened and closed her mouth, like she wanted to say something. Instead, she bowed her head. A soft but low huff parting from her jaws. 

‘Stay safe.’ 

“I'm always safe.” Managing a weak smile in return, Wyldfyre waved at her in dismissal, watching the Ice Dragon follow after the second youngest dragon in the monastery. 

Waiting for them to clear the distance, she let herself breathe heavily to try and prepare herself once they were not in sight. A weak Wyldfyre was a bad one. 

Snapping at the air like there was a fly at her head to shake off the thought, Wyldfyre walked up the steps. Wanting to turn with each one she took yet stubbornly continued to climb. 

It was cold here. Even with the afternoon sun beating down on them from above. 

Way colder than the other places they passed on the way here to Borg Tower, it felt unnatural. She didn't like the feeling it was giving her. 

Flexing her hands, she swallowed. She wasn't a coward. Following Zane into the abandoned building was easy. 

Well, it should be. 

Coming to a stop at the main entrance, her shadow extended outwards into the vast expanse. Plants of all kinds stood out to her, having overtaken the space. 

Looking around to make sure no predators were hiding in the foliage and then finding none, she followed the trail of temperature she recognized as Zane's up the extra set of stupid cold stairs. 

Compared to The Crossroads and the surrounding Ruins of Ninjago City, this place felt so… barren. Lifeless. Like the fire had extinguished long ago and had left nothing but ashes devoid of warmth.  

Even the Northern Wastes were more alive than this. 

Her trek through the hollowed body was eerie, and she hated the reminder of how far she was getting every time she passed by a green or brown stained window. 

Lighting her fingers a little, she warmed up her hands just enough so that they would stop feeling clammy. Rubbing them together, she breathed on them to help speed it up.

Wyldfyre hissed, tripping over something as she stumbled. Turning to look at the offending thing that definitely hadn't scared her at all, she felt her blood chill. 

A Nindroid, laying on their back staring at the ceiling. Nearly invisible thanks to the covering or plants, the only indication of them being one the fact they were wearing a headpiece. 

She felt sick. 

What was this place? What was Zane even trying to find here? Why was he here at a Nindroid graveyard? They shouldn’t be here. 

Taking in her surroundings, she realized that these were pathways, ones that had dark drop offs like the Boiling Sea. 

Swallowing, she chanted in her head the mantra that she would not look over the edge.

Chapter Text

The Lava Drake circled around her, muscles rippling beneath the scales. Eyes trained on her with the intensity of lava freshly spewed from the earth. 

Each footstep was heavyset, a warning told in the way her claws met the stone below. The promise of a power restrained by the way she lazily stalked around Euphrasia. 

Everyone present was silent. Any conversation or activities now stilled by the commotion in the center. Even her teammates were some distance away, walled off by other 

Lava Drakes.

Daring to peek over her shoulder, she saw what she expected from them when she declared a challenge to Tooth and Claw out loud.

Heatwave's jaw was clenched dangerously tight, frill rattling at any others who got too close. Torchspark had smoke coming from his snout as if he himself was in any danger, back spines alight. 

Kai, somebody she'd come to know as relaxed, was tense. Eyes darting from her to the female Lava Drake. Worry written all the way from his mouth to his hands that were balled into fists. 

The dragon growled at Heatwave, and Euphrasia’s communicator beeped to life. Mixing the primal sounds with common. 

‘This th'one who wanted t’challenge me in th’arena?’ 

Clearing her throat, Euphrasia nodded in confirmation. “That–that would be me.” 

Briefly caught off guard, she regarded Euphrasia for a moment. Coming to a slow pace in front of her. The scarred Lava Drake expressionless. 

‘Where ya from, girl?’ 

“Cloud Kingdom.” 

She snorted, wry and disbelieving. ‘Your misfit finally dead? No way y’got one of those airheads who can't even look down t'replace her.’ 

Insulted, Euphrasia opened her mouth to defend herself–only to be interrupted by Heatwave. 

‘Say that again,’ he challenged, baring his teeth in a snarl. ‘I'd love to see how you talk without a tongue, Zeal.’ 

‘Easy there, Heatwave the Raging Eruption.’ Zeal tutted, giving him a grin that definitely carried more history than she could imagine.

Upon hearing the sentence, Heatwave averted his gaze. Put off by the name and title. 

“We didn't come for an argument.” Euphrasia intervened, needing this to get back on track before Torchspark or Kai said something that could land them in trouble. 

‘I can tell, with yer joyous band of oddballs.’ 

Pushing past that, Euphrasia stood a little taller. Hiding the fact her hand was shaking by gripping the inside of her sleeve. 

“We need your help.” she continued, meeting Zeal's gaze. Willing her voice to not wobble. “We have an idea of where the missing Lava Drakes are.” 

The Lava Drake’s grin widened, a brow ridge raised. ‘An idea on where they are, huh? Th’fact you an’ shit head over there got the gall as outsiders comin’ t’us for help is some great timin’.’ 

Kai made a strangled noise at the jab at his hair, only silenced by Torchspark giving him a low hiss before he said something. 

“We're not with Imperium.” Euphrasia said, fighting the stab of panic. “They took… something important we need and, well, we figured they would have them because they've taken our friends from us, too.” 

Zeal lowered her head, giving the Cloud Monk a chance to see the scars properly. Previously hidden by the shadow the Dragon was in at her normal height. 

None of the scars looked natural. 

They were caused by weapons. 

She could see where swords and axes had met their mark. Zeal’s eyeridges held damage that only a kanabō could do. Chipped and full of indents. 

‘The last time we helped outsiders against an evil that threatened our home, we paid with our bodies an'flames.’ Zeal hissed, eyes narrowed into slits. Her tone was venomous. 

Euphrasia remained silent. 

Chapter Text

“Hope you're ready to come in second!” 

“Yeah, okay. You're on!” 

Arin laughed, gripping on to Vigor's plating. Listening to Sora and Nya razz each other over the rush of wind howling against his ears. 

Vigor shook his head in fond exasperation, the Mountain Dragon beating his wings. Roaring to Jiro and Zanth who responded back with their own. 

Bunching his shoulders, Vigor growled at them both. Beating his wings to pick up some speed, he started accelerating forward to keep some amount of pace with the other four. 

“What did they say?” He asked Riyu, his friend lying flat on his stomach. Raising and lowering his wings to brush the tips against the air drafts flowing down the older dragons back. 

Wiggling closer, the baby dragon used a wing to poke at the goggles hanging around his neck. After that, he raised a chubby claw and made a sort of whooshing motion with it. 

“Got it.” 

Slipping them on, Arin and Riyu only had some seconds to prepare as he watched Jiro and Zanth suddenly ascend further. Nya and Sora cheering with them. 

Vigor roar was the only abrupt warning they got before he dove. 

Riyu screeched when the two felt the sudden updraft carry them once the older dragon spread his wings and beat them. Arin snickered at his friend's expression, leaning forward to prevent any more drag.

It was so much more different getting flown by dragon-back than being on the Bounty. 

Vigor swayed left and right, in tune with the winds that accelerated him forwards as Jiro and Zanth became multi-shaded blue blurs on the edges of Arin’s vision.

Still, they let out twin roars in response just so they remained together. He thinks he heard Sora whoop somewhere there, actually. Because the only glimpse he saw of pink in the blurriness vanished into a cloud. 

Riyu shuffled closer to him, tucking in his wings so that he wouldn’t get snagged by any rogue gusts. Arin bumped him with his shoulder, flashing him a smile of reassurance. 

Looking around, Arin could maybe try and guess why the little guy was unsure of why they were out here aside from the obvious getting ripped off of Vigor’s back and sent spiraling. 

Everything was so vast, more so than the Sea of Sand or being down on the ground. Clouds and sky the only thing acting as any sort of… was there even a word for it? 

Arin wasn't sure. He'd need to ask Euphrasia when they got back-or maybe Wyldfyre would know? Heatwave seemed pretty fast. 

Swerving tightly, Vigor soared around a cloud. Wings tucking slightly to build up some speed, careful about the passengers on his back. 

“You can go faster if you want!” Arin called, patting him firmly so he'd feel it over the chill. Adjusting his own position so that one of the chipped plates would stop poking him in the leg. 

Turning his head a little, Vigor opened his mouth, shrieking for Riyu's input. Giving the youngest one in their group presently a chance to decline. 

Peering over his cousin's sides, Riyu butted his nose against the base of Vigor's neck.  A series of chirps and growls that meant he was stalling for time. 

“He says yes,” Arin voiced, ignoring how Riyu shot him with a look of betrayal. “One more climb and I think we can go for it?” 

Grumbling under his breath for a couple of seconds, Riyu then hissed in agreement. 

Nodding, Vigor shot upwards powerfully. Surprising them both as they made differing exclamations, one of panic and one of excitement. 

This was the exciting part. 

Each wingbeat felt like a drum being played beside him, only furthering his want to look down. Vigor’s claws and legs lashed out, adding some boosts to the effort as he growled. 

Arin figured waiting would be a good idea first, better to focus on being in tune with Vigor's motion as they were approaching the jet streams, at least he was pretty sure. 

Maybe he also should've worn something that was a little heavier, because with how fast the grown dragon was going-it was pretty cold. At least it felt like it, even though they were above the border that separated the Ignacian Mountains and the Sea of Sand. 

The older dragon began to level out, wings spread to the max, now properly into the jet stream. Flapping his wings to maintain balance occasionally, he let himself be carried by the strength of the wind. 

Vigor made a high pitched noise, turning his head to look at his passengers from the corner of his eye. His green eyes shone with amusement. 

Riyu shook his head fervently, practically climbing onto Arin's back then flopping down.  Going as far to dig his claws into the fabric of his hoodie, splayed out. 

Trying to stifle his shoulders from shaking too much, Arin admitted he wasn't doing a very good job since he felt a claw dig into his right shoulder a little more. 

“Vigor’ll catch you! Plus, if worst comes to worst I have the chain rifle with me.” Wiggling his body a bit, Riyu hissed at the action. Retaliating by poking his nose into the space between his shoulders. 

The two would be interrupted by the shaking of Vigor's own laughter, his mouth parted. Loud enough to be heard as each hiss sounded more like a wheeze.  

Riyu leaned over and bit Vigor on the nearest backplate, growling through his teeth. The action just makes him laugh harder, shoulders raising them up and down. 

Dropping his head, Arin snorted. The same baby dragon that’d calmly woke up Sora’s Elemental Powers while midair, then followed him into a bunch of rock people, fought against two Earth Wyverns and whatever else, was afraid of a test drive. 

Guess he’d have to take it into his own hands.

“I’ve always wanted to try out skydiving, even though I’ve technically already done that,” Arin said slowly, sitting up inch by inch so that he wouldn’t give his plan away immediately. Letting go of his hold on Vigor’s plate, Riyu gave him a side eye upon hearing that, eyes narrowing. “I think the kind I want to try is called free fall?” 

His eyes widened, and Riyu tried to scramble off of him without tearing his hoodie. Failing as he was stuck pulling out his claws, screeching lightly as he shook his head so fast it looked like he was trying to mimic a bobblehead. . 

It was too late anyway, Arin had already looped an arm around him. Wrestling him into place as he leaned off to the left. Riyu tried his best to break out, fighting as if his life depended on it. “Ready Vigor!?” 

His accomplice beat his wings at that, veering into a wide turn. The two slowly slid off of his back, Arin shimmying just a bit further forwards so he wouldn't go tumbling down Vigor’s wing. Riyu shrieked, legs kicking. Unable to get out of his grip- rooster chasing did come in handy after all! 

Meeting the baby Mountain Dragon’s look that swore revenge that would never happen, Arin grinned. “This is your pilot Arin speaking, it would appear that we’re about to drop down at max speeds, remember to keep your arms, legs and if you have wings out at all times to slow the fall.” 

If he could understand Dragon, the next scream that came out of Riyu’s mouth definitely would’ve been an “I hate you”. Actually- no, that was pretty much what he said. 

Chapter Text

Stupid dream. 

Stupid parents.

Stupid Imperium. 

Thinking she spent enough time looking at the top of whoever's bunk she was under, Sora sat up, pressing a hand to her temple. 

Traitorously, her hand trembled. Fighting against her demands to go still. As her ears rang painfully, the static made her head feel like a swarm of furious bees were engulfing the cabin.

Struggling to keep her breathing under control, she shook her head-failing to clear the noise. Getting up, Sora used the ladder to act as a balance so she didn’t fall over. 

Casting a glance to where Riyu and Lloyd were sleeping, Sora quietly swiped her brace and headphones alongside her boots and socks. Leaving the room as quickly as she could, remaining quiet. 

Lifting the door to prevent it from creaking too loudly, she closed it behind her. Sucking in a breath the second she got out, leaning against the door. The 

She missed Arin. 

Shoving on her headphones, Sora breathed in and out once more when the noises quieted to the point of barely being noticable. 

Why had she gone to sleep without them on? 

‘Cause she was stupid, she answered internally. 

Walking away from the door, she sat herself down on the nearest bench in the wall. Putting on her brace before her arm decidedly amped up the phantom pains. 

It was harder to do without a second set of hands helping, especially given that her own would not stop shaking. 

“Come on you stupid hunk of metal.” She grumbled, finally getting it to click around her shoulder after the third try.

She sagged against the wall in relief at the familiar pressure coming back to her.

Okay. This was fine. She could do this.

Lastly, her socks and boots came on, familiar as ever and the one thing that she didn't need any luck for. 

Standing up, she tested the out. Making sure she put it right. 

Looks like she did. 

With one last look over her shoulder she made her way upstairs to the main deck, walking in the way Lloyd taught her.

Right before she opened the door, she paused. 

Okay, she could… probably do this without waking up Jiro.

Maybe. 

Turning the knob, she slowly pulled it inwards. The scent of the open ocean and the feel of the breeze doing some to help her relax. 

Gingerly taking a step out, she eyed the sleeping Dragon a bit away from her. The few tech-lanterns they hung up illuminating patches of azure and lightning blue scales. 

One of them was flickering. 

She had triple checked that specific one, too! 

Biting back the urge to make a noise, she sighed through her nose. Leaving the hallway to the cabins as she shut the door behind her. 

Now that she was standing at the top of the steps, Sora raised her hands to look at them. The lantern behind her caused her nail polish and brace to shine warmly. 

Swallowing, she made her way down them. Doing her best to keep silent as she stepped on the main floorboards of the Bounty. Her hands still raised from keeping her balance. 

If she kept the noise down, she wouldn't wake him up and make a fool of herself. Should be… easy as pie, she hopes. 

Retracing Lloyd's movements from today’s training, she began to sway her arms. Trying to imagine herself callIng on energy like his, remembering how his hands left green trails behind them. 

Closing her eyes, she listened to the sounds of the sea around them. Trying to match its slow momentum.  

The slow dribble of the water against the boat, the gentle swaying left and right. She could do this, she just needed to match this then build up to Lloyd energy. 

Circling her hands from an open palm to a cupping motion, she repeated it again. She had to think of it like breathing, in and out.

She felt a flicker of something in her mind, brief but there. It made her think of the low rumble of the SA Mark 01.  

Daring to continue the exercise, she shifted her shoulders in tandem. Like they were the wheels of the mech when it was turned into a motorcycle. 

The energy began to build, she could feel it. Like an idea that needed to be drawn on a blueprint then panned out. 

Risking the chance to open her eyes, she saw the flashing tech-lantern begin to glow the same pink as her Elemental Power.

Okay, she just needed to do a little more. She was nearly through Lloyd's entire stance-movement-thing. 

Pulling her arms back to do it one or two more times, she swore she could feel the whisper of an idea that would let her modify the lantern. 

She watched the lantern begin to tremble now, as she began the exercise once more. Her excitement grew as maybe she could actually pull this off.  

Right as she was about to do the last one, a stronger wind blew hair into her eyes. 

Distracting her. 

Swiping her bangs out of the way, she sped through Lloyd’s motion to try and keep her progress. 

The glow was starting to fade. 

“No, no, no, come on.” Sora whispered, desperate. Trying to keep it from slipping through her fingers. She was right there! 

It turned on and off haphazardly, the bulb struggling to keep its charge. 

“Please.” She begged, waving her arms quickly. 

It was too late, her progress was gone. As the pink held out one last time, the bulb inside gave out with a click. 

She stayed there for a good couple of seconds, arms mid air like some maniac Watching her efforts disappear. The only trace of it being a broken lamp. 

Like how she left everything else in her life. 

Broken because of bad luck. 

Hugging herself, Sora hunched forward. Forlorn. She almost had it! What did she do wrong!? 

She got her answer. 

Her communicator turned on. 

‘Storm? What’re you doing awake?.’ 

Jiro shifted, his wing rising to reveal electric yellow eyes that were blinking sleep away. His tail unfurling, moving to the other side of him.  

She stared at the toes of her boots. “It's nothing, I was just getting some air after a drink of water.” 

The Lightning Dragon's movements caused the Bounty to sway some, his wings beating lightly to create a gust of wind that ruffled her hair. 

Then she heard him sniff the air, along with the sound of scales on metal. 

“Oh yeah, apparently that lantern broke while you were sleeping.” Looking up, she saw him nudging it with his snout. A brow ridge raised at it. 

Turning to look at her, he made a trill at the back of his throat. ‘Sorry, I didn’t think I was a restless sleeper.’   

Pulling it off of the hook it was hanging on, he held it out to her. Eyes creased. 

Chewing the inside of her cheek, she took it from him. Cradling it, she saw the bulb shards all laying at the bottom of it thanks to the moonlight. 

“Don’t worry about it, I can fix it with Riyu later.” Shrugging, she gave Jiro a reassuring smile. Or what Sora hoped was one. 

Staring at her, she saw how his eyes went from her to the lantern. 

She hated how she saw the understanding bleed through in his eyes. 

“I thought I could, you know- I was just trying to… ” trailing off with a sigh, Sora put the lantern down next to one of the boxes. 

Extending his neck and lightly nipping her sleeve, Jiro guided her towards his side. His grip on her featherlight, giving her the chance to break away. 

She didn't. 

Sliding down to the ground, she tucked her knees to her chest. Arms wrapping around them. The Dragon curled his tail back around, though still left space open should she wanted to leave. 

She didn't. Not again. 

Laying his head down, Jiro angled it so that he would be able to look at her. His horns catching the light of the still working lanterns. 

He didn't look at her, instead, he was gazing past her at something she could not see. 

Waiting. 

“I wanted to see if I could call my own Elemental Power again,” She said finally, running her fingers along the segments of her brace. “I was there, I saw it. I could feel it.” 

Shaking her head, she pressed her cheek against a knee. “Then I lost it. Because I got distracted by some stupid wind that blew my hair.” 

Jiro’s eyes slid back to look at her, a low buzz emanating from his chest. Moving his arm to reposition it against the side of her leg. 

“I had a dream.” Leaning into the touch, Sora shook her head. “My parents were in it.” 

The Dragon bared his teeth in with guttural hiss. ‘They are unworthy of being called that, Storm.’ 

“I don’t think I could call them anything else.” Sora admitted, looking at the gold tipped plating of her brace.

Unable to come up with a reply, her friend exhaled a hissing sigh. His claws curled into the beginnings of a fist. Feeling something shake her leg, even though the boat was stable as it could be on the open ocean. 

Uncurling she leaned over, hooking a hand over his arm. 

She never remembered him trembling this much. Even as a kid. 

A wave of sickness washed through her stomach. Her grip tightened. “I’m sorry for what my hometown did to you. You never deserved that.” 

‘There is nothing for you to apologize for,’ Lifting his neck off the floorboards to sit up, he met her gaze.  ‘You came back. That is enough for me.’ 

“After five years.” Unable to look him in the eye, she stared at her hands. “You had to fight what I made, trying to be enough for… the- Imperium.” 

The Lightning Dragon’s jaws opened then closed. Sora was sure he had nothing else to say, and that she was right. She was a black cloud that created problems. 

‘You were enough for Jordana and I.’ 

Sora froze, raising her head. “You-you don’t hate Jordana?”

‘I smelled your faded scent on her the moment she came into the Advanced Systems Lab.’ Jiro clicked, lowering his wing to shield her from the wind after a breeze made her shiver. Forming a sort of cave over her. 

“Even after everything?” 

‘I could see her pain. I knew she missed you, because she often looked at me then muttered that accursed name under her breath.’ 

Wyldfyre was right. 

She should have never kept that information from Arin.

She should have never lied to Jordana’s face. 

Gods, what had she done? 

Bumping her leg again, Jiro crooned. Getting her attention. 

‘Underneath the hurt, there is still care for you. I swear it on Firstbourne's Wings.’ 

“How can she still even care when I ruin everything?” Reaching out when he drew his snout close, Sora lay her hand on the scarred Lightning Dragon's snout. 

The Dragon sighed. Leaning into the touch. ‘A bond is something that does not shatter easily, I have hope for you two.’ 

“We're enemies, now. I don't see how you can have any hope for us to be friends again, Jiro.” Frowning, she trailed the healed scars that stood out in comparison to his natural scale colors. 

‘My older sister and I parted ways as enemies, before The Merge.’ Adjusting to make himself more comfortable, he lined his tail against the edge of the Bounty.

She went silent at that, feeling how his jaws tensed up. Whether from the movement or mention of Family, she wasn't sure. 

‘My sister and I had a fight. A big one. She wanted to leave home and find her own place in the realms. I wanted her to stay.’ He continued, his voice becoming quieter. Smaller than Sora had ever heard it. 

“Did she… leave quickly?” 

He nodded, drawing his wing tighter around her. ‘She left without a goodbye the next sunrise. I never saw her again. Mother and Father were heartbroken. ’ 

Uncurling from her ball, Sora extended her arm brace. Using it to hold the other side of Jiro's head and pull him in for a hug, the Dragon buzzing softly in gratitude. 

‘‘Her hatchling name then was Squallfang. Mine was Thunderstrike.’ He smelled like rain, drenched stones and ozone, contrasting the sea around him.

Resting her head against his, she closed her eyes. “I guess we both have regrets with people we care for, don't we?” 

‘We do.’ Jiro agreed, his breath blowing her hair. Yet if there is one thing I do not regret, and never will, is the hope I have that my family knows I love them. Especially my sister.’ 

Pulling away, she leaned against his body, tired again. “I need to do that for Arin. I messed up by not telling him about my past with Imperium. And… maybe I.. I can fix things with Jordana.” 

‘I have no doubts that she misses you. I do think that she will need to trust you again, if she decides.’ Lowering his head to lay it on the ground, Jiro curled up, spreading his wing to its full length to cover her. 

Sora rubbed her eyes, maybe she could spend the night out under the stars this time. 

‘Have I ever told you what your name means in my homeland?’ Pulling his tail to wrap defensively around them, Jiro rested it against his wing. 

“I didn't think it would exist outside of Imperium. What does it mean?” 

‘Your name means “Sky” where I come from.’ 

She smiled. “I like that. A lot.” 

‘I do as well.’ Yawning, the Lightning Dragon tucked his head closer to her. Settling down. 

“Good night, Jiro.” 

‘Good night, Sora.’