The Disease

[Midnightmoon]

Starlight took the last pearly ingredient from the sprite, and rushed off with it to find Ivy. "Come on Shya, Naima, we have one last job to do before catching up." She called over her shoulder as she zipped though a reopened hole in the ceiling. The 6 ice dragons followed, scattering once they reached the open air to return to their family and loved ones.

Starlight was still gone when Fireheart came to see Dinara, outside the Catacombs. She was mentally beating herself up from not noticing earlier that Zarin had died. Dinara looked up at Firehearts voice. "As good as it can be. It'll just be a few days before I'm back to my normal self." Then the last part of what Fireheart said pricked her interest. She sat up a bit straiter as she said, "Sounds fun. Though, how are we going to get there? From what I've heard your mom can go into space, but you? Can you really do that? Where?"

--------------------------------------

Starlight found Ivy's earthen self in the woods, hurridly looking through the leaves without her usual patience. "Finely!" She snapped looking up to Starlight. "Took you long enough. I've had to make a new cave even after maxing out expanding my current cave and even the new one is getting full. Not to mention suitable herbs with some potency in them is becoming hard to find. Well? What are you waiting for. Give that over sized pearl over here." Starlight landed in front of the overly cranky dragon form, giving the last ingredient over. Before it was even in her hands Ivy began to sink down into the ground. Then she was gone, taking the ingredient with her.

[Kauria]

Shya spread her crimson wings and landed, trotting to a halt beside Starlight. She glanced back over her shoulder, where Naïma was coaxing a stubborn Oltyth along the forest trail.
"So how's Zarin doing?" she asked, eyebrows raised. "Surely you've seen him somewhere in this reunion of heroes."

[Midnightmoon]

Starlight looked away, to the forest floor, hiding her face. She was quiet for a long while, then said "No more night flights, no more free falls, no more witty jokes and no more childish pranks." With a huff, she explained. "He's dead. Vision appeared in the Catacombs. Sol'Lux and me faught with Zarin to finally kill Vision. He tricked us all and killed Zarin. Gorn was the one to finish it." With another huff she finished, "This was all before you came in." Then Ivy came back with a big water tight back between her shoulder blades on her back. "Now all you have to do is take this and fling it to the winds, the strongest and most wide ranged ones you can find. And if you can't, make your own. You! Little white air dragon. Come here, you'll do. You heard what I just said?" Icy turned back to Starlight. She could see could see the dragonesses face and softened a bit. "What's the matter? Surely it's all the sickness? It's all going to be fine now."

(OOC:sorry for Ivy's attitude, I doubt she's gotten much sleep since this has all started. ^-^')

[Kauria]

Shya's claws clenched as Starlight spoke, gripping the forest soil beneath her palms. "He's . . . gone," she hissed numbly through gritted teeth, her orange-gold eyes flickering. "I thought he couldn't die." She stared at the ground. "You shouldn't be able to kill a god."
Naïma slunk forward, her eyes darting from Ivy to the other two dragonesses. "Yes, ma'am," she said softly, spreading her hands in preparation for a spell. "I haven't used it much, but I think that this might be the last of the Heart." She smiled. "At least it'll finally be put to good use."

[Midnightmoon]

Ivy looked down too, her eyes slits. Taking off the backpack and pushing it over to the air dragon she began to sink away again. The edges of her form were getting blurry and rough and little pebbles were falling to the ground imitating tears. Then the whole thing crumbled when she was only halfway down. Back in her little underground safe cavern Ivy curled up tight into a ball, mourning her annoying and yet loved green friend.

Starlight had started crying too, small icy tears. "Too many have died though this whole ordeal. Heh, and to think it's only been a few days. Lok, Zarin, you know you'll be missed, missed grievously." She mumbled

[Nohiki]

Fireheart's face was something between a smile and insane emotion. "What kind of question is that? Everything is possible if you try hard enough. To be honest... I already been on one, after I left the fire fortress. Now i want to go to Earth. Trust me, it WILL be fun, unless something catastrophic happened to it. As for the means of transport, we'll use a portal i've created with Sol'Lux's aid as a backup for evacuation if we failed in finding the cure. Just stop by when you want to leave. I understand you might not want to leave so soon."
----------
"What happened?" said Phoenicia, looking at the devastated land without a single sign of life. "Hard to believe we were hiding here through the war, because it sure looked different." Said Sol'Lux as they flown over Jana hot springs. She signaled Phoenicia to follow her. They have broken into the cave. It was full of vegetation and animals. "I thought it would be good idea to hide few of all just in case this happens. It will be much easier to revive the land now." Phoenicia sighed, "Why don't you say it? We both know. We saw no humans NOR dragons." Sol'Lux hissed "We must get to the fortress and hope they made it without much losses." she said, but she had a bad feeling. They got to the fortress. "Hellooo? Anybody!!!" shouted Phoenicia, but noone responded. Phoenicia was starting to panic, but Sol'Lux calmed her down. "No bodies. NONE." she said, "They gotta be somewhere." they went to the main room and found a giant glacier, with dozens of dragons frozen inside along with few ice dragons. Sol'Lux smiled. "You know, for fire dragons, they sure have cool ideas." She and phoenicia melted the glacier slowly. "Are we there yet?" Asked Yil when he was freed. "No, but we got the cure."

[Midnightmoon]

"Eeearth." Dinara said, sounding out the strange word. "Hmm, does sound fun. Give me a day or two and I'll be ready to go. Well I better go find my mom and get ready. The fire castle right?" Dinara stood, unfolding her wings, getting ready to fly off back home.

[Nohiki]

Fireheart nodded: "Yep, right there. Home?" he asked and pointed behind her, portal opening. He opened his own, said goodbye and disappeared. He was back in Fire fortress, but it was like the pipes blown up. "Eh, there was a flooding?" he asked. Phoenicia just pointed to the few remaining frozen dragons to explain. Fireheart nodded and went to storm the vault for some items he might need.

[Midnightmoon]

Seeing as she wouldn't be flying Dinara tucked her wings to her sides, watching Fireheart leave till his portal blinked out. Then she walked through the one he made to send her home. She took four steps into the portal, from the rocky barren land and into the bright pure white snow of Frozen Lake. Dinara took her time getting to the igloo she had lived in so for long. The first thing she did when she got to the entrance was take the two elemental hearts, still at her chest kept in place with ice, and stuck them to the inside of the wall. Then went over to the hollow that was their beds and lay. Slipping into a restoring sleep. Today she would rest and she had already mourned. Tomorrow she would get ready for the next grand adventure that would take place in another world.

[Kauria]

"We'd better make sure we don't lose any more, then," Shya said with a determined edge to her voice, the fire in her eyes rekindling as her head snapped up. "We have the cure now, and every moment counts. Give me that, Naïma." She took the pack from the white dragon and sprang into the air, precious package held close to her chest.
"You two, get up here now," she called, powering above the treetops. "Time to fix what's gone wrong."

[Midnightmoon]

"Yes, yes, coming Shya." Starlight called up, head still bowed. She whipped away the tears and took off after Shya.

(OOC: heheh, we have a whole bunch of different time zones going on at the same time. as far as I can tell, anyway.)

[Nohiki]

The next day, Fireheart waited for Dianra. When she arrived they left for the Ancient tree. A big stone portal was standing there. "There it is. The backup if this world goes to hell." she said with a sarcastic smile. He pulled out few stones from his bag and arranged them on the portal. Then he stepped to a pedestal nearby. He drawn some symbol on the stone. His finger left a light mark. A portal activated and outshined the place. "Tsheh, first holiday in 15 years." he pointed out and stood beside Dinara. "You know this thing hasn't been tested yet, so there is slight possibility we end up high in the atmosphere, so" he surrounded them with a shield. "Last chance to stay." he said.

[Midnightmoon]

"And miss out on all the fun. How long have you known me? You must have gotten hit on the head in that last fight." Dinara said teasingly. She took a step for the portal. "Now come on. We have adventurous work to do. New worlds here we come." With a dim twinkle in her eye Dinara passed through the portal. As she did she thought about what she was leaving behind, and what she might find ahead of her. And yet, it would be all ok. She was indeed no longer the hatchling Fireheart had known years ago. The fact that Fireheart would be with her the whole time didn't hurt the matter either. "And off we go..."

------------------------------------------------------

The cure was flung to the winds, twinkling in the light as it swirled away. All ready the effect it was meant to have on the population was starting to be known. No more dragons or humans were getting sick and the ones that were only just getting the illness were becoming well again. Starlight returned to her home at the edge of Frozen Lake at sunset on the second day of receiving the cure. She would have thought her daughter would have returned earlier and was hoping to see that she was ok. But the small blue dragon was not there. There was stuffed moved in the igloo but nothing was taken. Starlight walked outside to search for signs of her daughter outside. Nothing. Then she finally noticed the diamond encased body of Lok. Beside it was a ice replica of Dinara, sitting proudly to his right, smiling, tail wrapped around in front of her. Another addition was the empty ice elemental heart centered in her chest and the water heart placed in a necklace of ice around Lok's neck. The last thing Starlight noticed was and inscription on a ice plate beneath Dinara's forepaws. Two words were inscribed in frosty letters, "Adventure Awaits"."Heh. I should have known. Indeed, Adventure Awaits for anyone willing to take it's ride. Well, my daughter, my Dinara, you stay safe." Starlight brushed both statues gently for a brief moment, then turned around and went back into her now seemingly empty home.

[Kauria]

Oltyth padded hesitantly towards the massive tree, gazing up in awe at the crisscrossing network of branches high above him. The mottled shadows melted over his dust-coated scales, making him feel more a part of the soil than ever before.
He approached the gnarled, arching roots of the Ancient Tree, leaping up onto one of the wooden curves. Oltyth paused, closing his eyes and breathing deeply. The powerful pulse of the surrounding earth energy was at once beautiful and overwhelming, and he reveled in its steady strength for a moment before continuing.
The oldest tree on the continent was more than just a tree by now. It was an ecosystem. Vines as wide as men twisted around its weathered bark, emerald-scaled flits darting among the gaps and frightening the vibrant birds and insects that covered the vast branches. The canopy could have held thousands of dragons, yet the tree was empty of any at the moment.
Just the way I like it. He picked his way to the center of the tangle of roots, stopping only when he stood in front of the impossibly immense trunk. He fingered the pouch at his throat, and then slammed both his hands into the earth. Snaking roots pulled away, a narrow pit opening below.
Oltyth reached into the pouch and pulled out the Heart of Earth, feeling an excited prickle race up his spine as the life around him reacted to the gem's presence.
He let his tense body relax, his voice dropping in pitch.
"This stone once held the soul of Terrases, the great earth elemental herself. Now to the earth her Heart may finally return." His voice was rich and resonant, free from any hint of his former stress.
With a powerful sigh, he released the power gem. Its light flared briefly as it tumbled through the air, leaving a glowing trail of green hanging above it.
He brought both hands upon the soil again, earth rushing into the hole to bury the golden stone and the roots twisting back into place.
"I know the Heart of Earth will care for you, and in turn, you must promise to give it to the next earth dragon who truly needs it," he murmured and pressed his forehead against the Ancient Tree.
He stepped back and removed the pouch completely from his neck, placing it gently on the site where the Heart was buried.
A faint sound to his left tore his attention away, and Oltyth whirled, searching for the source. Crouched in front of the tree a short distance away was an elderly earth dragon, muttering something and gazing into the tree's lower branches. Oltyth cleared his throat, and the other dragon raised his head, green-gold eyes opening a fraction wider. He trailed off mid-sentence, then made as if to speak again.
His voice cracked. ". . . I'm looking for them, too."
Oltyth stared blankly, his golden eyes glazed for a moment. He blinked, shock disappearing, and charged into the embrace of his grandfather, his head buried in the older dragon's chest.
"M'sorry," he murmured, a strange burning seizing his throat and rimming his eyes. A warm hand was placed on his head, ruffling his frill while the larger dragon spoke, a hint of amusement in his storyteller's voice.
"We'll find my daughter and your father—your parents—together," he said, tilting Oltyth's chin up. "Don't you worry."

------

Naïma inhaled deeply, her slender ears flicking at the distant hiss of wind in the trees below. She opened her hand, claws curling away from the hollow crystal resting in her palm. The Heart of Air was silent, a series of slender fractures running down its ridges.
Her emerald eyes narrowed in thought, and gently, delicately, Naïma created a miniature whirlwind in her other hand and whisked it at the exhausted power gem.
She watched it intently, her green eyes wide. The silvery light flared in response, and the air dragon felt a flicker of energy within the Heart. Naïma smiled, her eyes lighting up in delight.
It's not finished, after all.
Picking it up between two pale claws, she placed it in the space between her hands and let the stone hang in midair, using her own power to keep it aloft.
If there's any place that can restore it, it'd be here, she thought with some pride, gazing out at her surroundings.
Perched atop the tallest spire of the Sky Palace, Naïma could see across the entire continent and out into the blue-green ocean. A flock of white birds wheeled through the air nearby, dipping under the clouds of the palace with a chorus of chiming calls.
The dancing wind rolled over the floating temple, tugging at the white dragon's mane and swirling about her paws.
The priests will be happy to have it back, at least, she thought, setting down the Heart of Air on the tip of the narrow tower.
"Atmosen forever bless this place," she said softly, signing her way rapidly through a basic Air Clan prayer.
The ever-present wind picked up in response to her words, and the white dragon smiled again, turning her slender neck to face the horizon behind her.
The seemingly-endless expanse of water glimmered in the sunlight, as if to draw her away to lands untouched by others. Still smiling gently, Naïma shook her head, turning her gaze down to the younger dragons curving through the air in the evergreen forest below.
After all, one needs to get ready for the Talent Show coming up at the end of the year.
With a hop, Naïma fluttered to the edge of the sloped rooftop, six feathered wings spread wide. She gave the slowly-turning elemental heart one last satisfied glance before she leaned off the edge and dropped into the embrace of the wind below.

------

Shya-tael swooped low over the ring of volcanoes surrounding the fire fortress, spreading her wings wide to slow her descent as she came to the stone entrance.
She had deliberately stayed away from her clan's lands for the past day, fearing the losses that surely awaited her. But no one could avoid reality forever.
"Hello?" she called, pausing at the rim of the circle of daylight seeping in though the cave entrance. A shiver rippled down her spine, the mane of fur on her back rising with the chill. She took another cautious step into the darkness, eyes still adjusting, and recoiled when her front foot came down in a puddle of something wet.
"Eurgh!" she cried, stumbling back a few steps to inspect her hand. A clear liquid dripped from the tips of her claws, and when she clenched her fist, it hissed into steam.
Water . . . ?
The fire dragoness looked up, her wide pupils searching the darkness. All across the stone floor, puddles of water glinted in the light.
What's going on?
Shya closed her eyes suddenly, making an irritated sound in the back of her throat. Enough of this. With a faint sparking, fire darted along her claws in a makeshift source of light.
"Shya? Is that you?" a distant voice echoed from deep within the fortress. Across the darkness, a dim orange glow slowly appeared.
Squinting, Shya recognized the forms of several of the other warriors, each holding a flame of their own.
"Sorry about all the water. Watch out; it gets deep halfway across. You'll have to fly," a different fighter called.
"Someone had better explain why there's so much here when I get over there," Shya yelled back. "And where have you all been?"
"Get over here and we'll tell you," the same dragon called playfully, turning away and signaling for the group to leave.
Shya growled, extinguishing her flame and taking a few steps back. She lowered herself to the ground, her claws scraping against the stone as she found a grip. The fire dragoness pushed forward, galloping to the edge of the water before she sprang into the air.
Her broad wings opened and she glided low over the dark water, her foreclaws skimming the surface.
She landed, running until she could slow to a walk beside the warrior dragons.
"So what's going on? How did you all survive?"
"Dragons of different elements can work together, you know," an older dragon said with a smile.
The group of warriors rounded a corner and the main hall of the fortress came into view. The cavern was flooded with the light of hundreds of torches and filled with the sounds of activity. Below, dozens of dragons stood and lay speaking to one another while hatchlings scuffled under the watchful gaze of parents. A group of young fire dragons clustered around an adult ice dragon, eyes wide as they watched him create sparkling crystals in midair.
"Ice dragons?" Shya asked, surprised.
"They helped us with our plan. In exchange, we're allowing them to use our healers until everyone's recovered fully."
"Speaking of the sick, there's someone who has been waiting to see you," another warrior added, nudging Shya's shoulder.
She turned, following his gaze. Who could possibly—? Her thoughts broke off as she found him.
Crouched beside one of the flickering flames, the male dragon looked up, his clear scarlet eyes meeting his teacher's orange ones. His eyes smiled, although his mouth moved to form a single word.
"Master," he said softly, the syllables lost among the chatter of those around him.
Shya's own eyes widened and she surged forward, shooting over the heads of relaxing dragons and skidding to a stop in front of her apprentice. Still staring into his eyes, she struggled to find the right words.
"I– I thought that you hadn't made it," she choked out, ashamed of her lack of faith.
"I thought I wouldn't, either." He struggled to stand, assisted by the healers around him. When he finally placed his weight on his hind legs, the dragoness noted a cream-colored bandage wrapped around his shaky right foot and ankle.
The younger dragon glanced back at it, his expression falling. "The healers say I should be able to walk normally on it in a few months." He gave an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry. I know you wanted to do some more training, but—"
Shya put a paw between his shoulder blades and pulled him close, clutching him to her chest as a mother would her own son. Molten tears squeezed out from beneath her closed eyelids.
When the stunned apprentice returned the gesture, she whispered into his ear, "You've always worried too much. I'm proud of you for simply hanging in there."
She pushed him away gently to look into his eyes. "You don't need to prove anything more."
"Master—"
"You should also put some effort into getting better," she interrupted. "As soon as I see you without that bandage, I'm going ti train you harder than ever to make up for lost time," she said with a grin, turning away.
"Can't wait," he called after her, his smile even wider than hers.

(OOC: Shush, I like happy endings.)

[Nohiki]

Fireheart laughed as he stepped through. The portal behaved differently. Unlike the short distance jump, he felt being in the magical tunnel connecting the two places. And on his way, he figured out they are going to be way off course. He swung his legs and got closer to Dinara, catching her. "Separate and you'll get lost. Get out of the shield and you'll freez..." he said but the surroundings spoken for themselves. They were surrounded by the infinite nothingness of space, stars twinkling all around. And under them, the Blue planet orbited the Sun merrily. He left them few moments of the view before teleporting them to the surface.
OOC: My chars out.