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

[Shadow Dragon]

"Haku... I thought that name sounded familiar!" said Tristan.

"Yeah, we've just established that he was a river god," said Zali.

"No, not that, I mean, aren't you that same dragon who fought with that Tikal dragon way back when?!"

"So you've heard of the legend," Haku smiled, taking the bottle, "yes, it's true, but everything between him and I have been long resolved."

"That's good," sighed Vormen.

"Although...there's more to that situation than we thought," Haku takes a drink of the potion, feeling his energy restoring and his wounds healing, "as I said, we just discovered this."

"What do you mean?"

"Not here," Haku shook his head, setting the bottle down and standing up, "again, I know someone who can explain it better than I."

[ganondorf2]

"If you're in danger..." I thought.

"We have to move quickly, I take?" the clone asks, things swimming in his head.

[Shadow Dragon]

"No, nothing like that," Haku reassured with a smile, before sensing something, "they've come back!"

"Wait, what?" I question before being interrupted by Zali, "MOVE!"

We dodge to the side just when a fireball was seen shooting from the clouds.

[ganondorf2]

Nova got in front of the attack, before swatting it back in the same direction it was sent, before he takes out his swords.

Calamity flies around the group to try and protect them.

I got out Soul Edge, ready for anything as well.

[Shadow Dragon]

The attack seemed to have been swatted away as a glow was seen flying to the side within the clouds. A dragon flies down from the clouds, having a rider on it's back. They turn out to be the same ones that were seen in the memories of the two dead dragons from before. The dragon lands on all fours, as the rider looks around.

"Curses," he hissed, "where did that traitor go now?" He looks down and spots us, "Hm, I thought that wound from one of our own would've did you in, river dragon,"

"You're not that lucky," Haku glared.

The dragon lets out a growl, baring it's teeth. The rider then spots one out of the group, "So YOU'RE the prince of the United Kingdom!"

That caught Brandon's attention, "Should I be honored you know who I am?"

[ganondorf2]

"Best you tell us who you are first, stranger," Ganondorf said, in a serious tone, Calamity growling as a warning, "I gave him something to help with the wound too. You got a problem?"

I was ready for anything myself, one hand on something at my hip.

[Shadow Dragon]

"We've never met," the rider replies, "but there is something I wish to clarify with you."

"Pardon?" Brandon tilted his head.

That's when the stranger takes his staff, a green aura surrounds it, before pointing it at one of the gang members. The aura blasts at them, hitting Samantha in the chest and forcing her back, falling to the ground.

"Sh*t!" shouted Luke and Tristan as they rush over to her. Samantha had black vien like marks coming from where she was hit, that slowly snaked their way throughout her body.

"Show me your strenght," he told Brandon, lowering his weapon, "by yourself...before the female dragon dies."

"You're...you're insane!" said Sparky as he stood back with the rest of us, although it was taking Zali and I to hold back Brian and Kyle who were ready to tear the stranger to shreds.

[ganondorf2]

Nova rushed over to her and thinks about how to handle this. His usual possession power or something he picked up on his last adventure. Time was running out and he can't stand a timer over a person's life.

"Coward! Just to get a fight with the prince?!" I shout in rage.

[Shadow Dragon]

"Everyone!" Brandon then commanded, stepping forward as he accepted the stranger's request, "don't interfere!!"

"What?!" hissed Luke.

Brandon gives a stone cold look at the stranger, with the rider doing the same. Twirling the staff weapon in his hand, he gets into position and stops the weapon, "Come."

A blue aura surrounds Brandon's hand and he throws it at the stranger, who lifts his staff and manages to absorb the attack, which he then points the weapon and sends the attack back at him. Brandon, being struck by his own attack, was sent flying back and sliding across the ground.

"Pathetic," the stranger growled, lowering his arm, "that's all I wanted to know. Tch, Archion will just be wasting his time with a weakling like you."

Groaning, Brandon struggled to sit up, moving his hair from his face, "Archion?"

With a snap of his claws, the aura that hit Samantha vanished, giving her a sigh of relief as she felt the effects fade.

[ganondorf2]

Turning to face the stranger, Ganondorf asked, "Is this just a test, or is there something else? I suppose you won't tell us."

I was still ready for anything as well as Calamity Ganon.

[Shadow Dragon]

"Just an order," he replied, "that is all, but mark my word; despite of the current state of your retched kingdom, your blood will soon be spilled and vengeance will be ours, so you'd better savor every last minute of your shortening position, 'your highness!' The Ironheart Clan will get their revenge!"

Brandon just glared at the man as he jumps onto the dragon, and flying away into the distance.

"You f*cking talk too d*mn much!!" shouted Ed into the sky as the rider vanished, "Yeah, you'd better fly away!!"

Brandon lowers his head, then turns to everyone, "Everyone all right?"

[ganondorf2]

"I'm fine," I said, "Just ticked off."

"Ironheart Clan?" Ganondorf thought to himself then asked, "What about you? Anything broken?"

[Shadow Dragon]

"I'm fine, surprisingly," Brandon sighed.

"I'm OK, too," said Samantha.

"Dammit, if I was in a fightin' mood, I would've ripped the guy and his pet to shreds!!" hissed Ed.

"Yeah right," sighed Ed.

"What the hell is the Ironheart Clan?" asked Luke, "And who's Archion?"

"So was that guy just a messenger or something?" Brian questioned.

Brandon just stared at the sky in thought, "This is my first time ever hearing about this...and yet it sounds..." he lowers his head, "strangely familiar."

His thoughts were interrupted by the sounds of tree branches snapping on the ground. The group turns around to see a man walk out from behind a tree, arms crossed and leaning against it. The man had a tannish skin complexion and long red hair, and a scar over one eye. He wore what looked to be a black ninja suit similar to the Sheikah, his mask torn away, except he was NOT part of said clan at all.

"I didn't expect any of you to survive the likes of him," he said, "can't say I'm disappointed, though."

"You're-" I was stunned as I recognized the man.

"Wait a minute," Haku said calmly, approaching the man and then turning back to us, "I assure you this man is no threat."

"But Haku-" I turn to him, then back at the stranger.

[ganondorf2]

This surprised me and asked, "Are you a Gerudo, or am I crazy?

This got Ganondorf's attention as well, and wondered if he met him before.

{If they did, I don't remember. I'm getting off anyway. Later}

[Shadow Dragon]

{Me too. Later!}

"What the hell?" Vormen hissed, shoving me aside and glaring at the stranger, "You've already told us the reason why you did what you did, so now what?"

"Hm, odd way to be greeted, but I'll accept it." was all he said.

"Don't get smart with us!"

"This just keeps getting weirder and weirder..." said Tristan, scratching his head.

"Wait, what exactly did he do?" asked Sparky.

"Nothing that I'm proud of, but now I'm glad I did it when I had the chance!" the man hissed.

"What do you mean?"

"He was once my captor," said Haku calmly, then reassured, "but everything has been resolved."

The man sighs, "Come with me for a moment; all of you,"

"Wha?" Luke blinked.

"Just come with me," he turns around and walks away, "everything will come into light after I show you these. Now let's hurry; we can't keep him waiting for much longer."

"Keep who waiting?" asked Samantha.

[ganondorf2]

"Just go," I said, "I'm still riled up over this."

"Come back Calamity. The person might not welcome someone that big," Ganondorf said.

He nods, and disappears back in the clone.

[Shadow Dragon]

I sigh at this and walk off to follow the group. Eventually, we came across what looked to be an ancient abandoned castle.

"I discovered this castle not too long ago," he replied, "but what's inside it will answer any question you have about the current situation, as well as past ones."

"Just discovered it, huh?" thought Brandon, sensing the thief's lie, but decided to let it slide and see where this goes. Hopefully it would explain what had happened earlier.

"Past ones?" Vormen questioned.

We were then interrupted by a voice, "Took you long enough!"

We turn to see another long haired man standing in front of one of the pillars.



"We had an interruption, but we're here," said Haku to the man.

"Good, you had me worried there for a moment," the person turns to the group, "uh...whoa, this is way more people than I thought there was going to be."

"Watch your tone, sir," said Zali.

"What tone? I'm just stating the obvious," the swordsman walks over to the group, "never expected to see you all again, although..." he counted with his fingers, then to the draconic gang, then Brandon, "OK, you all, I've never seen before."

"Long story," I told him, "but we're all friends here."

Brandon stared at the swordsman with curiosity, but before he had the chance to say anything, Haku interrupts, "I'm sorry, I don't believe we have the time to catch up right now."

But he was ignored as the stranger walks over to Samantha and Ganondorf2, "Well, what do we have here? What's a pretty face like yours doing with a bunch of brutes like these?"

"Um," Samantha stepped back, "excuse me?"

"Here we go..." sighed the thief.

"What?" the person turns to him, "Can I not make an observation?"

[ganondorf2]

"Oh my..." I said, blushing a little, and this made Nova chuckle, not even offended by the 'brute' line. That's one thing the look was supposed to be.

He did sense something from the man, however.

[Shadow Dragon]

"Trust me, I'm not your type," Samantha then reveals dragon eyes, "unless, of course, you're really into dragons."

That causes the young man to back away, "Whoa! OK OK, I get it. Uh, no," he chuckles, "dragons are definitely NOT my type!"

"That took an unexpected turn," sighed Tristan.

The man got himself together before looking at us again, then to Ganondorf2, "What about you, my darling? I'll bet you are-" he then blinks, "wait, hold on!" He looks at her, then back at my group, "You guys are..." then back at Ganondorf2, "and you are... Oh boy."

"Something wrong?" Brandon questioned.

"Uh," he backs away a bit as he finally remembers who we are, "well, this is awkward. Never thought I'd see you guys again! Haku, why didn't you stop me?"

"I just wanted to see how long it would take you to remember," Haku smirked.

"That's cold, even for you."

[ganondorf2]

I just roared in laughter with Ganondorf.

"I can understand one thing," he said, "The new look I have doesn't do favors."

"It's been a bit and what we had to go through after we left...it was crazy," I said, "Also, do you always flirt like that?"

"It would be awkward if you did it to my wife," Nova said.

"Now why did you bring that up?"

"Only a warning to what she can do."

[Shadow Dragon]

"Really? Bet your wife is quite a looker, then," he replied.

"Excuse me-" Zali spoke.

"I'm just being nice," the man replied to Ganondorf2.

"Something tells me you've always done this..." Vormen told him, "and yet last time you didn't. Why is that?"

"Considering the circumstances then, there was no time for something as formal as this,"

"THAT'S formal?" Ed whispered to me, "Looks like flirting to me."

I sigh at that as it went over Ed's head.

"And there's still no time," Zali was losing patience, "so cut the crap and let's get a move on! Now, why did you drag us over here?"

"Wow, you don't waste any time," the young man sighed, "all right, fine, I get it. Name's Zelos, by the way." then to Ganondorf2, "And what exactly happened after you left?"

"Not here!" spoke the thief, approaching the castle ruins, "The answer is inside this temple. Now let's move."

[ganondorf2]

"It's a little long of a story anyway. We'll tell you later," Ganondorf said, walking past and whispered to Zelos, "That she is."

"Right behind you," I said.

[Shadow Dragon]

Zelos chuckled at that, "Thought so. My instincts like that are never wrong. I'd like to meet her one day."

"If we're finished with this nonsense," said the scar-eyed man, "perhaps we can continue?"

"Uh, right," said Zelos, "sorry about that."

"Do you have any idea what's been going on lately?" I ask Zelos.

"Hey, I'm being kept in the dark from this entire mess as you all are," Zelos replied, "Haku and the other guy seem to know a thing or two, though."

"You mean they didn't tell you anything?"

"No. The guy said he'd rather wait to gather you all here before explaining," he then glares at the theif, "although I still don't trust him after the last stunt he pulled, I don't care what his reasoning was."

"Fair enough," was all the man had to say before walking into the castle ruins, as did Haku.

[ganondorf2]

I walk ahead while Ganondorf stayed behind me and was a little alert as he sensed something. Nothing major yet, but he kept it mind.

[Shadow Dragon]

Indeed, the inside structure was still standing, albeit vines and moss had taken over most of the building, telling it's age.

"It's true that I captured Haku to run a test on his mind, to figure out why he went mad into fighting Tikal," he replied as he walks through the hall, "and his battle with Tikal, and the demonic revival? I discovered this rather late, but they're all connected to one major entity."

"How do you know this?" asked Vormen.

"Because it's happened once before, back when-" he stopped and shook his head, "I found something here that connects it, and it'll all make sense in a little bit. Just a little further now."

[ganondorf2]

I notice Ganondorf was on stand by about something a moment later and when the stranger stopped himself from continuing, I kept that on mind as well.

[Shadow Dragon]

Brandon lets out a small snort to this, sensing the thief's lie, but was also telling the truth, so because of that, the prince didn't say anything.

"Here," he said, walking toward a room, which appeared to be the master bedroom, all in shambles aside from a few walls. The ceiling had various sized holes, giving the room light. The thief walks to the end of the room where three paintings were, pointing at the first two, "Take a look at these paintings over here," he said.

I turn to see three chipped and somewhat burnt paintings. Two of said paintings were of two familiar dragons.

[ganondorf2]

Ganondorf gets out his phone and takes two pictures of the paintings with it and sent them to his son.

I didn't say anything yet as I was studying them.

[Shadow Dragon]

"As most of you know," said the thief, "over here we have Haku in his true form, a river dragon from the spirit world of another universe. This is Tikal, a dragon that was said to have once battled Haku."

"Wow, so it's not just those islands that they're famous at," I said.

Haku smiles.

"I've never heard of this 'Tikal' dragon," said Tristan, then to his gang, "anyone else?"

"No," Zali shook his head.

"So you've never heard of the legend?" the thief asks.

"Sorry man, we're street dragons," said Ed.

"I'm human, thank you, and those kind of stories don't travel in our neck of the woods," said Sparky.

"And we don't do much traveling," said Samantha.

"Well then, Tikal and I are what humans call 'legendary dragons'," Haku replied, "we once fought one another out of an honor system...or at least that's what we were lead to believe before seeing these paintings."

"OK..." said Zelos, "So what do these paintings have to do with what's been going on?"

"Their battle was actually the result of meddling," the thief replied, walking over to another painting, slightly faded and chipped, and turns to us, "meddling caused by this beast."

[ganondorf2]

"Holy!" I said, "Makes me wonder if there's any relation to what we had to deal with, big guy."

"Sure looks like him, doesn't it?" Ganondorf said, growling.