The Price of Revenge: A Bloodstained History {closed temp}

[ganondorf2]

The clone follows out, things on his mind, and thought, "You're not the only one that's thinking this."

[Shadow Dragon]

The barkeep watched Zali walk out of the tavern, and out the corner of his eye, watches as the taverners got up in preparation to leave as well. He sighed, "Somethin' hadn't been right these past long while, felt it in me bones, I did...so ye have no idea how much I appreciate this, Zali."

---

Zali walks back into the hideout, surprising the gang members, Tristan saying, "Hey, what's the rush?"

"We're out of here," he replied, "we got work to do."

"What? Now?? What kind of work did you accept that you had to drag us into, and at this hour?"

"We were asked by Calhoun to locate the prince of these lands and check up on him," answered Zali, "apparently something's been going on around here that needs looked into. Sounded urgent."

"OK, so then why don't the old man locate him instead?"

"You said you wanted work, right, Tristan? Calhoun will pay us for this later, so let's make it count, everyone!"

Tristan sighed and stood up, "All right, fine."

"Seriously, this can't wait," he said, "the sooner we get this done, the sooner we can relax, now get going!"

[ganondorf2]

Nova chuckled at this and said, "Now you're speaking my language. I hope your team is up to the task."

[Shadow Dragon]

"Please," said Brian to Nova, "we've accepted much more dangerous tasks than a simple search."

"Like the task where you almost lost your arm to a huge sea snake?" teased Tristan.

"Shut up, you!"

"Also, so we're re-acquainted: my gang's names are Brian, Kyle, Luke, Tristan, Ed, and Samantha," said Zali, "you can figure out who's who later." Zali changes back into his true dragon form; a brown dragon with red eyes, and one by one, the gang morphed back into their true dragon forms as well, and all prepared to fly off the ground.

Struggling to stand, I prepared to change back into dragon form as well, until I was stopped.

"Don't even think about it!" Sparky called out to me, grabbing me as he jumped onto Samantha's back, with me under his arm, "You know d*mn well you're in no shape to fly, idiot!"

Samantha growls at that as she takes off into the air, with Sparky holding onto one of her horns with one hand, and having me under his other arm with no signs of fear. Obviously, he was use to this.

[ganondorf2]

Nova just shrugs as well and laughs before changing into his dragon form as well and took off with them. He didn't want to stick out too much, being a clone of a human doesn't help matters so this was needed to blend in as much as he can.

[Shadow Dragon]

Relying on their senses to locate the castle, the dragons fly in a close group to help protect one another. Eventually, a castle was within their sights. Zali gives a nod, and the gang dives down onto solid land, changing back into their humanoid forms.

"Wow, pretty well kept for an ancient castle," said Brian.

Zali walks over to the doors and gives a loud knock, only to notice the doors were unlocked.

"And not very safe, either..." he said.

[The Melee Master]

Though she had finally gotten to sleep after fighting the unpleasant hard ground, Melee Master was awoken by the sound of flapping wings in the air. Now what's going on?! Looking into the sky, she sees a group of dragons flying in the night sky, as well as Nova.

OK, now she had a serious choice to make: follow them? Or don't?

Ah, f*ck it! She decided to get back to sleep, deciding to catch up later. After the hectic evening at the tavern, she was too tired to deal with anything at the moment.

[ganondorf2]

Ganondorf lands and changed back to normal himself, before getting out his swords hearing this.

"Isn't he supposed to have guards?" he asked, "Or am I wrong?"

[Shadow Dragon]

"Been a while since we've met him, so I don't know," said Zali.

"Hello?!" Brian called out to the doors.

No answer.

Zali then thrusts the doors open with both hands, causing an echoing creaking sound that vibrated throughout the castle, and looks around the main entryway.

"Sorry to intrude, your highness, but we were sent by-"

"Get out..." a voice hissed, making Brian and Tristan scramble and hide behind everyone.

[ganondorf2]

This did not budge the clone and shouted, weapons at the ready, "Who's there?! Show yourself! We mean no harm, but if you try anything, you will regret it if it comes to blows!"

Right now, he didn't want to risk anything by just guessing or using his abilities, but stood his ground to see if he gets attacked or not.

[Shadow Dragon]

"Great," sighed Zali, "we were sent by Black Fang to warn the prince of trouble, and now we have trouble!"

"Warn him of trouble...?" asked the same voice, then he shouts, "Barging into a castle you have no buisness barging into, and you don't consider yourselves trouble?!"

"And just who are you to determine that?!!" Zali hissed back.

"The prince isn't even here right now anyway! Now LEAVE!"

"Then who are we speaking to?" asked Brian.

"...Wait a minute," the voice spoke, now a little more calm, "that voice... State your names! Now! All of you!"

[ganondorf2]

Calming down and lowering his blades, Nova said, "Ganondorf or Nova. Don't ask on why I have two names."

[Shadow Dragon]

"Ganondorf..." he sighed in relief, "I thought that might be you!"

"Name's Zali!" he replied, "I was sent here on behalf of the barkeep to locate the prince!"

"As I said...he isn't here right now," the person lets out a sigh, and sounds of struggling were heard as he attempts to get out of the chair he sat in, but failed and remained seated.

"I don't think he'll be much of a threat," Zali said.

"How do you figure?" asked Brian.

"Oh please!" the stranger then managed to turn the chair around, revealing a man, looking to be in his late 40's, with messy blueish silver hair and wearing a brown shirt and dark jeans. He had a walking cane with both hands resting on top of it, "Do I LOOK like a threat to you people?"

"Oh, just a crippled old man," teased Tristan.

"Excuse me, 'old'??"

[ganondorf2]

"Have some respect, Tristan," Ganondorf said with a disappointing sigh, before putting his weapons away, "We came to see the prince as he might be in danger. Calhoun asked us to check if not warn him. Honestly, I've been feeling the same, but wasn't certain."

[Shadow Dragon]

"I'm only joking," said Tristan, "you...don't look any older than Zali here."

"Nah, I think Zali could pass as being younger." said Luke.

"Changing the subject," Zali sighed, "who are you?"

"That's my line!" said the injured person, "barging into a castle like that... OF COURSE I took you as a threat before!"

"And what if we were? You don't look like you could defend yourself anyway."

The person sighed, knowing he had been beat. Resting his head onto his hands as they were on the top of the cane, he spoke, now more calmly, "I've never met the lot of you, so my defensiveness is justified," he then looks at Ganondorf, "but I remember you for sure. We helped each other when those three demons terrorized us..." he rose his head, "Remember now?"

[ganondorf2]

"If only you knew my real age," Ganondorf said to Luke laughing, then to the man, "Of course, Torvan. Though, it would help me more without the threatening voice," he said with a smirk, though he was teasing, as he didn't blame him for the shout.

[Shadow Dragon]

"OK, enough with the games," said Zali, "now who the hell are you?"

The sound of struggling was heard as the person got up from the chair, taking the cane to help stabilize himself as he moved out from behind the chair. The man looked to be in his late 40's, with messy blueish silver hair, wearing a brown shirt and jeans.

"Does it look like...I'm playing a game?" he struggled, before losing his balance and fell forward, the cane sent flying in front of him.

"Jesus!" Luke and Samantha rush toward the man to help him up, "Are you OK, sir?"

[ganondorf2]

Ganondorf was about to rush over himself, but he sees it was all well and said, "You haven't changed I see. I had hoped you recovered a bit more from last time."

He did offer help on this subject when it comes to healing back at his castle after all. He wasn't mad, just a little disappointed.

[Shadow Dragon]

"You're timing is...amazing," Torvan sighed as Luke and Samantha helped him back in his seat, "You'd think with the amount of months passed, I'd be healed by now, but...Brandon did a extensive look-over a week ago, and we found out my injuries were worse than previously thought." he breathes out a heavy sigh, "No wonder it's taking so long for me to heal! I won't have much mobility for a while longer, so I need a cane to help get around."

"Wow, what happened to you?" asked Tristan.

"It's a long story," he sighed, "anyway, I apologize for this. Guess I'm a little stir-crazy."

"They say physical therapy is suppose to help you more than just sitting around," said Zali to Torvan, "have you tried anything like that?"

"Of course, it's become a morning routine for me."

"Doesn't seem like it's doing any good," said Kyle.

"Oh it's helping, just not as quickly as I want it to."

"Guess you're going to be a cripple for a while, huh?" asked Tristan.

"Watch your mouth kid...but yes, I'm afraid so," he sighs, "I'll be slower than I was months ago, but it's for the best, at least according to him. Anyway, just who are you people, and what business do you have with His Majesty?"

"We'll discuss that once we meet with the prince," said Zali, "where is his highness anyway?"

"Out retrieving our dinner, though he'll be surprised with the amount of visitors."

[ganondorf2]

"Probably me as well...well the look anyway. I usually don't go heavy on the armor," Ganondorf said.

[Shadow Dragon]

"I noticed," Torvan looked up and down at Nova, "so why change your look?"

[ganondorf2]

"It's not on why, it's how. A little adventure came up after we were gone, and well...it gets crazy after that and hard to explain. I can change back in a snap, but these last few days, I've been getting a feeling something big is going to happen."

He walks around a bit and joked, "That and I didn't want you or the group to get a heart attack when I suddenly disappear only to find me near the gate in seconds."

[Shadow Dragon]

"I guess I can thank you for that," said Torvan, though a little confused.

---

Meanwhile at a dairy farm not far from the castle grounds...

"You want to what?" asked a man in a farmer's outfit, speaking to another young man with long white hair, blue eyes, and wearing a satin gown with white boots.

"Marketplaces are fresh out of meat," said the other, "I'm running low on supplies, so I'd like to purchase one of your cattle."

"Getting your food straight from the source, huh? Now that's how you eat like royalty," he sighed.

"My position has nothing to do with it; I just have two other mouths to feed,"

"Very well, your majesty. The cattle and crops here be dying off faster than may flies hatchin' and dyin' anyway," he said, "I tell ya, these harsh winters didn't do us any favors, let alone we've been getting some of our cattle stolen by other dragons recently."

"Yeah, the sudden abundance of draconic sightings is a little strange, even for this area where dragons are protected," he replied, "or at least they use to be. I'm currently looking into that problem."

"Well I hope it all gets sorted out," the man watches as the customer offers him a sack of gold, which he takes in his hand, "I can't afford to lose anymore cattle without being paid for it to replace them. Anyway, there's some cow out there that will reproduce soon, taletell by their bulging bellies. Please avoid those, if you can, but anything else is free game. I promise you, the cattle here are all healthy, so there's no risk of you getting sick from the meat. Good luck."

"I really appreciate this," he gathers some distance between himself and the farmer before a light shrouds him.

A dairy cow lifts it's head from eating a patch of grass, before getting blindsided by a white dragon, claws and teeth piecing into it's body, it's neck snapped by the dragon's powerful claws.

[ganondorf2]

"It is a long story," he said, "Did you forget how fast I can run already? It wasn't that long ago, unless you want me to give you a show?"

[Shadow Dragon]

"Might be too late for that," said Zali.

"No thank you," said Torvan.

That's when a shadow was briefly seen before the gang screamed in suprise as a dead cow was sent flying through the window, landing on the stone floor. Zali rushed over to a screenless window to see a white dragon land at the entryway.

[ganondorf2]

"Oh, I and forgot to say Brandon's back," Ganondorf said, not surprised.

[Shadow Dragon]

"Yeah, thanks!" panted Brian.

A blue light shrouds the dragon before fading, and the doors to the castle open up. The gang sees a young man with back length white hair, pale skin, piercing blue eyes, and wearing a white satin gown down to his ankles, which were covered with white, old fashion boots. Wiping his mouth, walks over to the the dead cow.

"Now that's fresh meat,"

"Please tell me you didn't steal that cow," said Samantha.

"You'd think I'd steal livestock from my own people?" Brandon answered, "Cost me my week's worth of gold pieces...but it's worth it."

"A week's worth?!" asked Tristan with disappointment, "Aw man, I thought you were loaded!"

"Better clam up before I knock your teeth out," Ed warned his gang mate.

Brandon chuckled, however, as he answered, "Sorry, but I haven't been down that royal route in a few hundred years."

"Told you," smirked Torvan to the draconic gang.

"Ah, the humble type prince," said Samantha, "I like that."

"Then why even bother being a prince if it means living like the common folk?" asked Tristan.

"Trust me, I'm fine with how I live," Brandon replied before looking around at the gang, then at Ganondorf, "Hm, this might be a problem. It's nice to see you again...and not to be rude, but why are you all here?"

"Well, this has been fun," said Sparky, "but now if you'll excuse me, I gotta put this drunkard to bed,"

"I'm not even going to ask," Torvan said, still in his chair as he stares at me, then to Sparky, "up the stairs to your left. There's plenty of empty rooms to choose from."

"Thank you sir," Sparky walks off with me over his shoulder.

[ganondorf2]

"Don't worry if it's about food, I already ate a while ago," the clone said, "We are here to check on you by request.
A barkeeper that goes by Blackfang, if you are familiar."

[Shadow Dragon]

"And besides that, the door was unlocked," said Brian with a smirk, "not a smart thing to do for a prince."

"It's been very quiet recently, so I had no need to," Brandon replied, "but yes, you're right, I should've been more diligent." then after hearing Ganondorf, "oh, really?"

"The old barkeep of Hydra Tavern told me about some dragon attacks in these lands," said Zali, "Know anything about it?"

"Oh... Yes, in the neighboring lands; three villages over in London had been burned to the ground by one two days ago. When I went over there to lend a hand with replenishing resources and moving the survivors out...I found out that...well..."

"No one survived, I take it?" asked Tristan.

Brandon sadly shook his head, "Even now, they're still discovering bodies...and we're still trying to figure out why it happened." then he changed the subject, "I'm sorry, but I really wasn't expecting all this company, and I've spent my last gold pieces on this bull meant to feed only the three of us."

"Nightstalker must still be training in the courtyard," said Torvan.

"No, we're sorry for the sudden invasion, your majesty," said Luke, "but if it helps, I'm not hungry anyway."

"No thanks for me either," said Zali, "I've spent the evening drinking at the tavern."

Brandon blinked at Zali, then at Ganondorf, "He was worried about me?"

"So you DO know that old barkeep of Hydra Tavern?"

"I know everyone who makes their home in the kingdom," he replied, "especially those helping with traditonal upkeep, like Mr BlackFang. I knew his great grandfather, too, who retired from running the place and had since passed away. His venison stew is one of my favorites, and a recipe I just can't seem to replicate. Secret spices, I think."

"I'll have to try that next time," said Zali, "but let's get back on track, please, your highness?"

[ganondorf2]

"My friend has been wondering about you as well. She's not with me right now as something came up," Nova adds, "Enough about us though as Zali noted, we must get to the point of the matter."