(A few weeks later)
It's been about three weeks since I awoke, I've been keeping track by scratching each day on the wall of the cave, as I was scratching a new mark on the wall I began to reminisce of the training I did for the last two weeks.
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(Flashback)(AuthorPOV)
Cinderwing dodged a fiery blast from a monstrous nightmare, the heat barely singing his scales. He retaliated with a rapid-fire volley of plasma blasts, forcing the Nightmare to retreat. Good, but predictable, he thought, analyzing his attack pattern. He needed to creative, move unpredictable.
. . .With the Nightmare dispatched, Cinderwing sought a more secluded area to refine his plasma blasts. He found a clearing surrounded by tall pines, the ground littered with boulders of various sizes. This would be his training ground.
He focused on a cluster of rocks, visualizing their destruction. He started with controlled burst, aiming for specific points on the boulders. Crack! Shatter! He increased the intensity, feeling the power surge through his body, his mouth once more glowed a deep purple. Boom! A larger rock exploded into fragments, sending dust and debris flying.
Finally, he unleashed a full-powered blast. The deafening BOOM! reverberated through the air as the plasma blast pulverized the rocks, leaving smoking creators in their wake. Cinderwing surveyed the scene with satisfaction. The smell of ozone and burnt stone lingered in the air, reminding him of the intense heat generated by his blasts. Perhaps a cool dive in the ocean was an order. . .
He swooped down towards the ocean, his shadow gliding over the water. With a practiced maneuver, he snatched a leaping salmon out of the air, barely rippling the surface. He remembered a technique from his past life - a twisting dive that disoriented his prey. He attempted now, the world spinning around him as he plunged toward the water. He emerged with a triumphant roar, a second fish clutched in his claws.
He sought out other dragons, testing his skills against their unique abilities. He learned to anticipate the Deadly Nadders spines, the fiery blasts of a lone Monstrous Nightmare, and the camouflaging tactics of the Changewings.
One encounter with a group of Changewings proved particularly challenging. They blended in seamlessly with the forest, their scales mimicking the bark and leaves. Cinderwing relied on his keen eyesight, hearing, and echolocation ability to detect their presence. He dodged their acid blasts, the corrosive liquid sizzling as it missed him. He countered with his speed and agility to weave through the trees and outmaneuver them. He learned to predict their movements, anticipating their camouflage shifts and surprise attacks.
This was more than just a physical challenge, it was a mental game. He had to stay alert, constantly analyzing his surroundings and adapting his strategy. The Changewings were cunning and elusive, but Cinderwing was determined to overcome their camouflage advantage. As the last Changewing retreated, blending into the dense foliage, Cinderwing felt a surge of adrenaline, a burning desire to push his limits further. 'Predictably is death' he thought, the words echoing a lesson from his past life. He needed raw strength, endurance, and the ability to adapt to any terrain.
He scanned the landscape, his gaze settling on a steep, rocky hill with medium sized boulders. 'Perfect.' He selected a boulder about half his own size, and positioned himself behind it. With a grunt, he rose onto his hind legs and put his forearms against the cold, rough stone. He pushed, the muscles in his chest and shoulders straining, the boulder inching upwards. The hill was relentless, the incline testing his balance and power. Sweat or whatever the draconic equivalent was, beaded on his scales.
He repeated the exercise, each ascent a grueling battle against gravity. After several rounds his forearms burned, but his resolve remained unbroken. 'Time for a different approach' he lowered himself onto his forearms, the ground digging into his claws. Now, his hind legs became the driving force, pushing the boulder upward with powerful thrusts. The shift in balance was disorienting, but he adapted, his reptilian brain quickly calculating the necessary adjustments. The boulder moved with surprising speed, a testament to the raw power in his legs.
With the boulder training complete, Cinderwing sought a new challenge. The jagged cliffs along the coastline beckoned, their sheer faces offering a formidable test for his climbing abilities. He started with the easier cliffs, his claws finding purchase in the cracks and crevices. He ascended with increased confidence, his movements fluid and precise. Sea pillars, eroded by time and tide, became his next target. He scaled their slippery surfaces, his grip unwavering.
He ventured inland, finding towering trees with rough bark and thick branches. He climbed, his claws digging into the wood, his body moving with the agility of a seasoned climber. He even practiced climbing upside down, hanging from the roof of a shallow cave, his claws clinging to uneven rock. The most challenging was a series of cliffs with a hollow space beneath them. He had to climb on the underside of the cliff, upside down, with only a few claws holding him from falling. This tested his strength, grip and fear of falling without time to readjust.
He later flew into a coming storm, a tempest brewing on the horizon, its dark clouds swirling with relentless energy. 'Time to test another aspect of my abilities' he thought, a thrill coursing through him.
The storm raged around him, the wind buffeting his wings, the rain stinging his scales. Lighting crackled across the sky, illuminating the churning clouds with blinding flashes. Cinderwing soared into the heart of the storm, his senses heightened, his body thrumming with anticipation.
He focused on the lightning, visualizing its raw energy flowing into him. He remembered the subtle shift in his scales, the way they shimmered and became reflective when charged. He allowed the lightning to strike, not resisting, but channeling its power. The electricity surged through him, his scales, his scales glowing with an ethereal light, the surrounding storm reflecting off them, almost making him disappear within the storm. He felt a brief moment of near invisibility, the storm itself becoming his camouflage.
He practiced absorbing the lightning, storing its energy within his body. He felt it building, a potent force waiting to be unleashed. He imagined the stored energy as a pulse, a concentrated burst of lightning that could stun or incapacitate his foes. He visualized releasing it, the lightning erupting from his body in a blinding wave.
He flew through the storm, repeatedly absorbing and releasing the lightning, refining his control. The wind howled, the thunder roared, but Cinderwing remained focused, his movements precise, his determination unwavering. He leaned to control the intensity of the lightning, to modulate its flow, to direct its path. He could now make it pulse, and when combined with his plasma, turning it into a beam of electrified plasma.
As the storm began to subside, its fury spent, Cinderwing emerged, his scales still shimmering with residual energy. He felt a sense of accomplishment, a confidence in his newfound abilities. He had harnessed the power of the storm, turning its raw energy into a weapon, a shield, and a tool for camouflage.
(Flashback end)
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(Present Day)
The memory of the storms fury faded, replaced by the quiet stillness of the cave. Cinderwing finished scratching the new mark on the wall, a silent testament to another day of survival, another day of growth. He turned, his eyes scanning the darkness, a flicker of unease stirring within him. The echo of his past life, the memories of battles and betrayals, still lingered, a constant reminder that his journey was far from over. He knew that the abilities he had gained in the storm, would be needed in the future.
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(Cinderwing POV)
(Six days later)
I found out that the island that I mainly stayed was Dragons Edge, how you may ask, well while exploring some of the nearby islands, one of the caves I entered during night had skull drawings on the walls, both kinds of drip stones on the ceiling of floor of the cave, as went further into the cave, I noticed a small statue, my eyes widened slightly as it wasn't just any stone statue, it was the Lycanwing statue from the show, and where its eyes would be, two Dragon Eye lenses in their place. Which meant that I was on Lycanwing island, at least that's what they called it in the show.
"The Lycanwing. . ." I muttered, the name echoing in my mind, carrying with it the weight of ancient tales. I remembered the legends spun by the Dragon riders, their stories woven with threads of respect and compassion for dragons. I recalled their bravery, their unwavering commitment to protecting dragon-kind. The Red Death loomed in his memory, a monstrous shadow against which the Riders had fought with desperate courage.
A flicker of hope ignited within me. Perhaps. . . perhaps they could be trusted. But caution, honed by instincts and the echoes of my past draconic life, held me back. The Dragon Eye lenses. . . they were more than just artifacts, they were a source of immense knowledge, a beacon that would draw in those who sought to exploit dragons. I knew the Dragon hunters would stop at nothing to obtain them. I had to be prepared.
I carefully removed the lenses from the statue, my claws moving with a delicate precision that belied my strength.
Storing the lenses was crucial. I slid them carefully under my tongue, the smooth surfaces resting against the sensitive flesh. The heat resistance was a comforting thought, a small reassurance in a world filled with uncertainties. I remembered the combined firepower needed to destroy the Dragon Eye - these lenses were well protected in their temporary haven.
I would need to be cunning and resourceful. I will use my camouflage, speed, and plasma blasts to defend myself and the lenses. I will also need allies. The Dragon riders were an obvious choice, but I couldn't rely on them entirely. 'Sometimes the simplest solution is the best solution' I thought, deciding to on that latter. I needed to observe the Riders, to gauge their intentions, to ensure their trustworthiness. 'Though they will have to earn my personal respect before give them these lenses'. I couldn't afford to make a mistake, not with the Dragon Eye lenses in my keeping. They were my responsibility, and I would protect them at any cost.
That meant preparing for any eventuality. This cave, though secluded, wouldn't remain hidden forever. The Dragon riders patrolled these islands, and curiosity was as boundless as their dragons' flight. It was only a matter of time before they stumbled upon my current dwelling. And while the cave held no obvious signs of my presence beyond the markings on the wall, it was a risk I couldn't afford to take.
My gaze fell upon the wall, the tally of days etched into the stone. It was a record of my survival, my progress, but it was also a liability. I couldn't leave it behind, a breadcrumb for anyone who might find this place. But neither could I carry the entire wall with me.
"Ingenious simplicity" I murmured to myself, a plan forming in my mind. I scanned the cave, searching for the materials I needed. Two large stone slabs, roughly the same size, caught my attention. They were heavy, yes, but manageable for a dragon my size and strength. I dragged them closer to the marked wall.
The first slab would become my calendar. I carefully transferred the day tally markings, scratching each line with precision onto the surface of the new stone. Flipping the stone on its opposite side, I would carve a secure hiding place for the Dragon eye lenses. I began by etching out slots, deep and snug, perfectly shaped to hold the lenses. Then, on the second slab, I carved corresponding tabs, designed to fit into the slots and create a flush seamless seal.
The work was meticulous, demanding patience and precision. My claws, usually weapons of destruction, now became tools of creation. I worked through the day, the setting sun casting long shadows across the cave wall as I focused on my task.
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(The Next day)
After waking up from a long night of carving the stone slabs, I decided that today I would start moving to one of the caves closer to the snowy mountain, which was actually a dormant volcano.
First, I had to secure the lenses. I carefully separated the two stone slabs, the tabs sliding smoothly out of their slots. The lenses, nestled within their carved recesses, gleamed fairly in the dim light. I checked their placement one last time, ensuring they were snug and secure. Then I rejoined the slabs, the fit so seamless it was nearly impossible to tell that they were two separate pieces.
With the lenses safely hidden, it was time to erase all traces of my presence. I dragged the stone slabs, now my calendar and secret compartment, to a safe distance. Then I turned back to the cave, my gaze sweeping over the place that had been my home for the past few weeks. The tally marks on the original wall, dust motes dancing in the faint light, all of it would be soon gone.
I took a deep breath, focusing my energy. My mouth began to glow a deep purple hue. This was a task that required both precision and power. I aimed my plasma beam at the weakest points of the caves structure, the cracks in the ceiling, the fractured sections of the supporting walls.
It's been a while since I used this much power' I thought.
The first blast was a concentrated burst, a high-powered beam that sliced through the rock like a hot knife through butter. A section of the ceiling collapsed, sending a shower of dust and debris raining down. Then came a series of rapid-fire plasma blasts, each one targeting a specific point, weakening the caves integrity. The air crackled with energy, the smell of ozone filling my nostrils. The cave groaned in protest, the rock beginning to shift and crumble.
I unleashed a final devastating blast, a wide beam of electrified plasma that swept across the remaining supports. The cave shuddered violently, the ground trembling beneath my claws. With a deafening roar, the entire structure collapsed in on itself, a chaotic jumble of rock and dust. When the dust settled, there was nothing left of my old dwelling, only a pile of rubble.
Satisfied that my tracks were effectively covered, I retrieved my stone slabs and took to the sky, my wings carrying me towards the snowy mountain and my new home.
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The journey to the mountain was swift, my powerful wings making short work of the distance. The air grew colder as I ascended, the landscape changing from a lush greenery to a rugged, rocky terrain. Finally I spotted it, a cave entrance nestled near the base of the mountain, partially hidden by a cluster of windswept pines.
The entrance led into a narrow tunnel, the air growing warmer as I ventured deeper. The turtle opened into a vast cavern, far larger than my previous den. The space was breathtaking. The high ceiling was lost in shadows, with stalactites hanging like teeth from the upper reaches. One of the walls had a series of cracks that acted like makeshift ledges, the opposite wall was mostly flat with a few cracks, and the floor was mostly flat with a few rocks scattered around.
"It's perfect" I mummer to myself.
I flew around the cavern, my claws scraping against the walls as I explored my new domain. There are ample places to climb, to hang upside down and hang like a bat, and plenty of flat surfaces to rest upon. A narrow passage at the far end of the cavern beckoned, hinting at greater depths within the mountain. This would be more than a temporary shelter, this would be a true home.
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(A month later)
A month had passed since I claimed this cavern as my own. The vast space allowed me to stretch my wings, run and even take flight within its confines. During the day, when the urge to rest came over me, I would often find myself hanging from the ceiling like a bat, the cool stone a surprisingly comfortable embrace.
Tonight, under the watchful gaze of the full moon, I prepared for my nightly flight. As I emerged from the caves mouth, a particular sight caught my attention: a swarm of Night terrors coalescing into the form of a colossal Night fury. "They're here" I murmured, my eyes narrowing, a flicker of anticipation mixed with caution. The Dragon riders had arrived on Dragons edge.
While I didn't necessarily dread an encounter with them, I preferred to observe from the shadows, to gauge their intentions before revealing myself. The Dragon eye lenses were too valuable, their power too easily misused. I needed to be certain of their trustworthiness.
"Time will reveal all" I mused, turning back towards the depths of my cavern. The full moon bathed the landscape in silver light, casting long, dancing shadows that seemed to whisper secrets of their arrival.
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That's chapter 2. Around the same amount of words as the Ninjago chapter I posted before this.
I will be going on a cruise next week so I don't know if I will be able too upload new chapters, I will if I'm able, but if I'm unable to than I'll try to stockpile some chapters so I can upload them when I get back