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"Did any of the other reds escape airspace?" Agera asked over the radio urgently.

"Two, which is better than last time.  Janus's powers did wonders to slow them down.  They can't really fly above the speed of sound in that weather." Venus replied.

"Tch." Aurora, who was sitting in the corner with chains around her ankles, collared to the wall, and had her wing strapped to her side, snorted in disgust.  Her other wing was bound in bandage and tourniquet, and an IV was pumping her full of fluids.

"Aurora was doing Mach 2 when I caught her." Agera said, looking at her opponent, "How's Ronan?"

"Told you, Guin.  You owe me a night of latrine duty."

"Damn."

"Venus!" Agera barked at her friend.  She could feel her cheeks sting with a blush.

"He's fine.  He had to go to ground, so he was next to useless, but he's OK."

"He needs rough weather training." Agera said slightly relieved, "GM wants us back at the convoy.  You'll have to make a station-keep landing, we won't stop and we're going to fast for you to catch up on foot.  Meet us in the command truck.  Just you and Ronan.  Everyone else, head to the barracks, but stay awake."

Five clicks answered her.  Fifteen minutes later, Venus entered with Ronan, both of them dripping.  He walked over to her and looked her over, making sure she wasn't injured, and then nuzzled her neck affectionately.

"I'm fine, Ronan." She said, smiling at him.

"Just making sure." He said quietly, smiling back, "You sure?"

"We beat them, that's what matters." She said, glancing at Aurora.

"When it pleases your highness and the divinity." Lowe called from the planning table.  He had a roughly drawn map from scout force memory in front of him.  They were currently in a vast desert, according to the map, although it wasn't barren of water, it was barren of just about everything else.  According to Ronan, there was an ocean several hundred miles to their left flank that produced the strong storms over the region.  The badlands was a series of weathered rutted hills made of stone on the far side of a mountain range they were headed to, which lay almost a thousand miles away.

They would never get there if they kept going.  Everyone knew that.  Nobody said it though...

"We need a plan.  Avila knows where we are, and she knows how many we are.  She probably knows where we're going as well." Ronan said, "If we could make it to the mountains, we might stand a chance."

"None of my vehicles can do more than 50 on this terrain." The GM replied, "Even if we didn't have to stop, we're still looking at a twenty hour trip.  We have maybe five hours.  After that, every void within fifteen hundred miles will surround us and end us.  So what can we do Ronan?"

Ronan rubbed the back of his neck, "Go faster?"

The GM frowned at him.

"Well I don't know!  There are ways to get to the badlands without using the surface."

"How?" Agera asked looking at him.

"There's an area to the east of here, next to the Atcana Ocean, called the Hells Tooth.  It's a series of burning underground caves from an accident.  A dragon who went by the name of Coda accidentally set off a pit of sulfur, and the place has been burning ever since." Venus stared at him.  So did the GM and Agera.

"Lord Coda?  Guardian of America?" Venus asked, "Did he ever call himself a guardian of earth?"

"He never called himself a lord or guardian.  Do you know him?" Ronan said looking at her.

"Lord Coda was possibly the greatest thunder drake to ever live.  He was the replacement guardian for Venus's father, and he is her grand-sire.  He is one of the few drakes to retire from guardianship, and the only one to ever return to his guardianship.  He formed the greatest last stand of Avila's initial assault, holding out for seven days against one hundred thousand, with just a hundred drakes, thunder dragons from his elite eastern border patrol.  He never returned from that fight, so we presumed him dead." Agera said.

"I heard of that fight.  It's told that the very heavens fell upon our numbers." Ronan replied, "We had no idea."

"Guys it could be a different Coda." Venus said quietly.  Agera gave her a look, "What?  I don't want to get my hopes up."

"How far is this 'Hells Tooth' Ronan?" The GM asked.

"Two hundred miles away, about a four hour march." Ronan said, marking it on their map.

"Avila is going to be right on our tails." Agera said quietly.

"There's another issue as well.  No way we can get the vehicles in there.  The tunnels are too small, and wait till you see what condition they're in.  These aren't carved, they're natural.  We're talking underground rivers, lakes.  Crystals spider-web through them, sometimes dissecting the tunnels entirely.  We have vertical drops, spears from the ceiling and floor.  The place is a mess to navigate on foot, much less in a vehicle." Ronan said, "And then there's navigation.  Maps are useless down there, because the tunnels are so convoluted and twisted."

"We cannot leave some supplies behind, such as our provisions.  We need food.  That requires some trucks.  We're low on provisions to begin with.  We'll find a way." Ronan looked doubtful, "Until then, we need some patrols.  Agera -"

"Sir, with all due respect, we're tired.  We've only slept once in the past three days.  My squadron needs some down time." She said before he went any further.

"And you'll get it if we reach the tunnels in time.  It's four more hours.  You can do that much to save our tail ends." Agera saluted.

"Yes, sir."

"Report, Lieutenant!  Where is commander Aurora?" Avila asked the shadow dragon before her harshly.  The drake quivered in his flight suit, which had stopped working completely.

"Gone, my queen!  We believe she went down.  I saw her spiral to the ground with a wing gone!" He replied, staring at the ground in his bow.

"Is this true?" Avila asked of his flight mate, who was far less terrified.

"It is your highness." He said quietly.  She nodded at him.

"Return your armor and then report to your former squadron.  Archangel is hereby disbanded.  As for you." She turned to the quivering heap in front of her, "You are the former in this squadron now, aren't you?"

"I am, my lady."

"You had one job, to protect Aurora, and you failed.  The only reason I am sparring your life is because you managed to return the data I need." She said, "You will be sent to a squadron I send my rejects.  The 181st, I think.  You can even tell them you are their new commander, for all I care.  Just get out of my sight." his breathing slowed as he bowed to her.

"Yes ma'am." He said quietly.  He nearly ran for the exit.

As soon as he left, Avila leaned over to her consort, "Make sure his squadron leads the assault on the badlands."

He smiled and nodded to her, "The closest garrison to the earth remnants is the mountain fort.  Two hundred thousand strong."

"How far are they from our opponents?"

"Four hours."

"Send them in."

It was only once they reached the Hells Tooth that Agera realized it was called that for a reason.  The ground was scalding hot, even for a dragon with pads and scales.  To say it was hot was an understatement.  The tires on the vehicles stuck to the roads like glue.  Humans were strapping plates of metal to their feet, or flew on the backs of dragons.  The trucks stopped moving eventually, either with their tires melted off or their engines overheated.

And then the void came.

The first warning they got of an enemy presence was the screaming over the radio.  Agera turned to find a horde of tiny scouts tearing into their rear flank.

"Omega, you are weapons free.  Give 'em hell." Command called over the radio.  Agera nodded at her squadron and together, they pinned their wigs to their sides and bolted out of the clouds through the rain, as if they were javelins thrown from on high.  Agera actually landed at high speed on top of one of the foes, and she felt vertebra snapping beneath her claws.  Scales shining, she set upon the rest of the enemy host with a fury.

So strong was Omega's attack that they completely overwhelmed the first two ranks of enemies.  Despite everything though, despite superior equipment and discipline and training, the noose tightened around them.  Agera spotted the danger and tried to flee, tried to pull her squadron back, but the numbers of their foe pressed in on them like a blanket.

Just as the members of Omega squad had said their last goodbyes, the ground erupted in front of them, liquid rock incinerating a group of enemies before them.  At first Agera thought it was Hells Tooth finally working in their favor, but then a giant demon roared from the ground.  Pyrrus growled and snarled between for and friend, scales raised, teeth bared, eyes burning.  Hot magma rolled from his hide as he reared up, spraying embers in all directions.  A pillar of flame erupted from his maw and grew to enormous size, stretching out at least a hundred feet in front of him, engulfing anything stupid enough to be in the way.  So hot was his flame that the light it gave off hurt Agera's eyes, even when she hid her head behind her wing.

He turned to them quickly as the void shrank before his onslaught, and Agera caught the emotions in his eyes.  Defiance, rage, determination.  Fear.

"RUN!" Agera turned to do exactly that, but Venus took a step towards him.

"Dad!" He looked at her with sad eyes, but turned back to face the coming menace.  Venus took another step towards him.

The air grew colder and thinner.  Kiesah suddenly leaped over their heads and came skidding to a halt next to her mate, grinning at him.

"I knew you'd still be here.  One final dance, dear?"

"One more before the curtains." He replied.  Venus took another step towards them.

"Mom.  Dad."

"Venus.  Go." She shook her head at them.

"No." Came the flat reply.  She tried to run to them, but a wall of ice sprung up in front of her.  Agera could still see them through the barricade.

"What are you doing?!" She shouted at them, "Don't!"

"We love you, Venus." The young dragonelle had placed a paw on the ice and was trying to bore through it with small arcs of energy. Kiesah put her own paw up on the other side of the wall.

"I'm proud of you daughter." She said quietly.  Tears were streaming down Venus's face, leaving dirty marks.

"Go now!" Pyrrus shouted as the Voidwing army closed in again.

"No!" She shouted at them.  Agera grabbed her by the tail, dragging her.  Venus went to claw at her, but couldn't reach.  She tried using her element, but Agera just clung ever tighter.

The last view Agera had of Pyrrus and Kiesah Jandro was of a great mass of enemies swarming over them.  There was an explosion, and then darkness and shadows as they dived into the depths of Hells Tooth.

The cave they dived into had flames burning everywhere.  Shadows danced across their skin, but even still, Vienzo instantly brought the entrance of the tunnel down with a slap of his paw, blocking them in.  Agera let go of Venus and she darted over to the fallen rocks, clawing and scratching, trying to move them.  The sharp stones spread long furrows into her paws and she smeared blood on the stones. Her mate grabbed her around the waste, but she punched him, flooring him in a single blow, and then started moving stones out of the gap.  Before long, she was blocked by a boulder the size of her slim body, and despite throwing her entire weight into it, she couldn't budge the obstacle.

Venus screamed, scrabbling at the rock in vain desperation, "NO!  DAD!  MOM!"

She turned back to Agera, "You did this!  You fucking bitch!"

And to Agera's stunned surprise, Venus jumped her, clawing and biting anything she could reach.  So stunned was Agera that she didn't even try to defend herself at first.  Her reaction was instincts, and she fought back.  And before she knew it, she was being pulled off the top of Venus, who was trying to get her teeth around Agera's throat.

And then the air crackled, and Agera realized at the last second what Venus was about to do.  Lightning arc between the enraged female and the walls.  Sulfur ignited, and a bolt struck Agera straight in the chest, aiming for her heart.  The golden dragonelle was thrown back off her feet, pulling Ronan with her, who had been trying to break the two up.  Suddenly, Vienzo was wrapping his wings around his life-mate, despite the energy running through his body.  Stones wrapped around their legs, anchoring them in place.

Suddenly, everything went quiet as Ronan stood there with a paw raised, deadening the females powers.  Venus struggled against her mates embrace, but it was useless.

Agera, limbs jerking spasmodically, carefully stood.  She was stunned that she was even still alive.  A charred black mark was on her chest, just beneath her collarbone where the ark of what must have been at least five hundred thousand volts had aimed for her hearts, which still beat, albeit out of rhythm and sync.

"I'll kill you!" Venus shouted at her.  She had a wild look in her eye and shook with rage.

"Go!  Just...  Go!" Vienzo shouted at them.

"Ve..." Agera pleaded with her childhood friend.  Ronan grabbed her and pulled her down the tunnel.

"No...

No...

NO...

no..."

The two quickly found themselves in total darkness.  No matter how close she put it in front of her nose, Agera could not even see her own paw.  It was as if she had closed her eyes and couldn't open them again.  She kept on bumping into the rock wall or Ronan.

It sounded heartless, but she didn't feel anything.  Later, Agera would claim her mind was scared to feel, because if she felt the anguish she should have, it would surely break her.  So she chose to feel nothing.

Only after an indeterminate amount of time, when Ronan spoke and scared the shit out of her did she break down.

"Agera?" She jumped and out of reaction punched towards the noise, connecting with his jaw.  She felt bones crack and realized with sudden pain, her knuckles had just let go.  As Ronan swore, she laid down, her own legs unable to support her.

And she cried...

Hours later, when the tears had finally run themselves dry despite her anguished aching sobs, she curled herself around her broken twisted paw, and slept.

When she woke, she thought she had died.  No sight greeted her, and she felt nothing but dry stone beneath her.  Not even Ronan was beside her.  When she remembered what had happened, she wished she was dead though.  She even briefly contemplated impaling herself on a sharp rock she might be able to find.

She could not rise to do anything.  Her limbs would not cooperate properly.  They jerked uncontrollably whenever she tried to move. Venus' everlasting lightning, she knew, was behind it.  Her best friend, her foster sister, had well and truly tried to kill her.

Just as she was wondering if her own instincts would prevent her from putting one of her claws through her temple, a soft glow appeared in her vision.

"Hello?" She was scared of what might come around the corner.

"It's just me, Agera." Ronan peeked his head carefully around the far side of the tunnel.  He held a cluster of bio-luminescent moss in his hand, and as the light scattered over them, Agera's world was transformed.

Gone was the darkness.  That alone made the moss worth it's weight in gold to her.  She lay upon the edge of a cliff, beneath which was a chasm that held a vast lake.  Gems and stones dotted the walls, sparkling light everywhere, refracting and reflecting the light a thousand times over.  Fish in the lake glowed as well, and on the lakes shore slept around three dozen humans and dragons with her, along with four void.  And Ronan...

Ronan gleamed in the night.  His muscles were accented, his silver skin shown as if it were the moon.  He glowed white, his wings a silver lining.  Agera was rendered breathless by the sight of him.

"Ronan!" She said relieved.  She stood weakly, and literally fell into him, and he cradled her in his strong arms.

The next week passed in a blur of time.  Agera's internal clock was completely broken.  The group barely said a handful of words in the eternal night they found themselves in.  Agera herself was in a feverish state.  Her injured paw became permanently curled into a shriveled claw, protecting itself from further harm.  The energy Venus had shot through her dissipated, but the damage remained.  To prevent further injury, she had to swim in the lake, which was full of nutrients and had strong healing properties according to their void guides.

Ronan though was her guardian angel.  Every day, he carried her down the cliff and swam in the lake with her on his back.  He'd take long slow flights so she could feel the wind over her skin.  He was the perfect gentle-drake, allowing her more and more autonomy as she wanted it, but always chivalrous, and never leading her side.  Every time he gave her food, she thanked him, and he would always reply, "For you, Agera, anything." He would speak it softly and strongly into her horns, and she would get goosebumps with comfort and satisfaction as he curled himself around her as she slept.

After a week of travel over difficult impassible terrain, they stumbled out of the small side tunnels into a main chamber.  Ronan had carried Agera all the way, and after an unknown but extremely long amount of time, they finally got to a cave the size of a cathedral, with small huts carved into the stalagmites jutting up from the cave floor.  Small pricks of light shown over a vast lake the size of a city.  The streets were clean and cool, and despite the homes were made out of rock, underground, on the edge of a lake, they were dry and clean. Void of all forms watched them from shadows and windows, peering at them with glowing green eyes.  Ronan went to the largest house, leading their haggard looking group of refugees, and knocked on the door frame.

"Who be it?!?!" Someone inside shouted in Drashish.

"It be Ronan, Grand-sire!" There was a sudden rush, some swearing, and a tiny gray figure burst from inside the home and collided with Ronan, throwing him back.

"Cousin!"

"Victoria?  Damn you got big!" The little void laughed and nestled into his chest, purring.  An ancient void emerged from the interior and leaned against the doorway.

"It's about time you got back, Ronan." He said sighing.

"Grand-sire.." They shared a hug, "How's grand-dame?"

"Grand-dame died three years ago Ronan." Victoria said quietly.  Ronan frowned and seemed to sag.

"I'm sorry.  I should have been here when..." Agera limped over and placed a wing over him.  His grand-sire frowned at her.

"Who be you, draken?" He asked her in Drashish.

"This be Agera, grand-sire  Warrior of the former Earth forces." The old void eyed her suspiciously.

"Are you good?" He asked quietly.  Agera stared him down.

"I'm the best.  Sorry about it." And to her great surprise, he smiled.

"No apologies.  You did your job.  Just as I have.  Welcome to my hearth and home." And he ushered them in.  The young female, Victoria, watched her with wide eyes.

"Have you killed a lot of enemies?" She asked suddenly as they turned to move inside.

"Viki..." Ronan said quietly, but Agera licked him under the jaw.

"It's alright, Ronan.  Yes I have killed many.  Far too many."

"It's been a while since I've seen the likes of a time dragon.  Why are the two of you here, Ronan?" The old drake asked.

"We need a place to rest and recover, grand-sire  Especially Agera." Ronan responded.  He steered his bond-mate over to a cushion, and she plopped down into it's warm depths with a loud sigh.  Victoria came over and laid down in front of her.  She couldn't have been more than eight.  Her wings were coming in nicely, and she saw small amounts of definition in her muscles.  She was growing to be a fine example of a female void.  Agera winked at her, and she gave a massive grin and winked back.

"Have you started flying, Victoria?" Agera asked, not lifting her head.

"Yup.  Grandpa says I'm one of the best in the village for my age."

"And what about swimming?" Victoria's wings drooped.

"I'm not a very good swimmer." She said quietly.

"Agera, she nearly drowned when she was six." Ronan said from the kitchen.

"Ronaaaan!  You said you wouldn't tell anyone." Victoria complained.

"She's my bond-mate  Might as well know now rather than later." His cousin frowned at him.

"Victoria, if you're a good flier then you're a good swimmer.  Swimming is just slower, but can be just as much fun." Agera said quietly.

"But what if I actually drown this time?  I could forget where the surface is or get lost, or some sea creature could eat me or-"

"OR you could be brilliant." Victoria snapped her mouth shut, "Victoria, no great warrior ever became great by shying away from their own fire because it was too hot."

"But I'm scared." She whispered suddenly.

"You would be stupid if you weren't.  But fear leads to courage, and courage leads to greatness.  Be wary of your fear, but embrace it." Agera replied, "If it would help, I'll go swimming with you."

Victoria perked up at that, "Really?!"

"Sure.  I could use stretching my muscles.  But it will have to wait till tomorrow." Agera said, shifting in her cushion.

"Awe, come on Agera." Victoria said getting to her feet and putting her fore paws on Agera's shoulders.

"Later.  First, I need healing, and sleep."

The next day, after a meager dinner of cave fish and a burrowing creature called a stonehog, passerby found Agera in the company of Ronan and Victoria, who was extremely excited.

"Come on guys!" She kept darting back and forth.

"You didn't feed her any sugar did you?" Ronan grinned sheepishly.

"I might have introduced her to M&M's last night.  One of your human soldiers sold them too me for a clutch of cave fish." He said quietly, "She's never had chocolate before."

"What's she think of them?" Agera asked as the tiny female took off.

"Well she ate a five pound bag all by herself..."

Victoria zipped over their heads, staggering them as they made their way to the underground lake.  The ceiling was low, giving Agera a sense of claustrophobia, and the far shore was obscured by darkness.

"How are we gonna see once we're underwater?" Agera asked, but Ronan plucked a stone and flicked it with a claw, and it sparked with light, which then slowly died off.

"Moonstone, in your form of Drashish.  Vibrations cause them to glow.  The bottom is covered with them.  There's crystal down there to, so be careful."

"There's more than that down there." Victoria said coming in to land.

"Relax, we'll be fine!" Ronan said, and he dove in, leaving Agera to slide in gently on the shore.

"Come on Viki!" Agera goaded as she slid through the cool water like a snake.

"I dunno.  Maybe it's best if I wait for you to tell me it's OK in there." Ronan silently climbed onto the shore behind her and with a mighty heave of his neck and head, hurled his cousin into the lake.  She gave a brief squeal of surprise before she broke the surface and sank. When she came back up, she was furious.

"Ronaaaaan!" The larger male couldn't stop grinning.

"Well someone had to do it..." Agera said, "You certainly weren't going to jump in yourself."

"Come on, Viki!  Live a little!" And he jumped in after her, grabbing her paw and pulling her under.  They were down for a surprisingly long time, at least ten minutes, and certainly long enough for Agera to get worried, but just before she decided to dive down after them, they both broke the surface.

"Wow!  That was incredible!" Victoria said, half jumping up and down in the short waves.

"I knew you'd like it.  Want to go again?" Victoria smiled but shook her head.

"I need to catch my breath.  I'll keep Agera company for a bit." Ronan nodded and arced backwards back down into the dark depths.  This time though, he stayed close enough that Agera could see him racing along the bottom, the light from the pebbles reflecting off his scales and accenting his muscles with sharp shadows.

"You're falling for him, aren't you?" Victoria suddenly said behind her, making her jump.

"Hardly.  He's just been good to me, that's all." Agera said, although she could feel herself blushing.  She wished she had her tattoo back, so she could hide her red cheeks.  She had been caught good and proper.

"Uh huh, sure.  Agera, how much do you know of the bond?" Victoria asked with a knowing smile.

"Only what your cousin has told me." Agera admitted.

"Then there are some things you should know.  The only time a bonding doesn't result in a life-mating is if the dragon or dragonelle is already mated or being courted.  You're fighting a loosing battle.  In the end, no matter what you think now, you WILL end up mated with my cousin.  And you'll love every bit of it.  Because he is going to be your perfect match.  He's going to be the fire that tempers your edge, and hones you razor sharp.  I've seen it happen before."

Agera gave Victoria a sharp look.  This hatchling, more than half her years, was more clairvoyant than any of her squadron members.

"What makes you think I like him?"

Victoria swam slowly around her, watching Agera's face closely, "Everything.  Your eyes dilate, your breathing quickens, and you get this smile on your face like you know a dirty secret that no one else does.  You had better make your move Agera, because if you don't..." And she got real close here, speaking quietly into Agera's horn, "He will."

Agera blinked several times rapidly as Victoria dove down to the bottom of the lake again, leaving her alone with her thoughts.

"Who the hell taught that dragonelle these things?" She asked quietly to the empty cavern.

Description
"Did any of the other reds escape airspace?" Agera asked over the radio urgently.

"Two, which is better than last time.  Janus's powers did wonders to slow them down.  They can't really fly above the speed of sound in that weather." Venus replied.

"Tch." Aurora, who was sitting in the corner with chains around her ankles, collared to the wall, and had her wing strapped to her side, snorted in disgust.  Her other wing was bound in bandage and tourniquet, and an IV was pumping her full of fluids.

"Aurora was doing Mach 2 when I caught her." Agera said, looking at her opponent, "How's Ronan?"

"Told you, Guin.  You owe me a night of latrine duty."

"Damn."

"Venus!" Agera barked at her friend.  She could feel her cheeks sting with a blush.

"He's fine.  He had to go to ground, so he was next to useless, but he's OK."

"He needs rough weather training." Agera said slightly relieved, "GM wants us back at the convoy.  You'll have to make a station-keep landing, we won't stop and we're going to fast for you to catch up on foot.  Meet us in the command truck.  Just you and Ronan.  Everyone else, head to the barracks, but stay awake."

Five clicks answered her.  Fifteen minutes later, Venus entered with Ronan, both of them dripping.  He walked over to her and looked her over, making sure she wasn't injured, and then nuzzled her neck affectionately.

"I'm fine, Ronan." She said, smiling at him.

"Just making sure." He said quietly, smiling back, "You sure?"

"We beat them, that's what matters." She said, glancing at Aurora.

"When it pleases your highness and the divinity." Lowe called from the planning table.  He had a roughly drawn map from scout force memory in front of him.  They were currently in a vast desert, according to the map, although it wasn't barren of water, it was barren of just about everything else.  According to Ronan, there was an ocean several hundred miles to their left flank that produced the strong storms over the region.  The badlands was a series of weathered rutted hills made of stone on the far side of a mountain range they were headed to, which lay almost a thousand miles away.

They would never get there if they kept going.  Everyone knew that.  Nobody said it though...

"We need a plan.  Avila knows where we are, and she knows how many we are.  She probably knows where we're going as well." Ronan said, "If we could make it to the mountains, we might stand a chance."

"None of my vehicles can do more than 50 on this terrain." The GM replied, "Even if we didn't have to stop, we're still looking at a twenty hour trip.  We have maybe five hours.  After that, every void within fifteen hundred miles will surround us and end us.  So what can we do Ronan?"

Ronan rubbed the back of his neck, "Go faster?"

The GM frowned at him.

"Well I don't know!  There are ways to get to the badlands without using the surface."

"How?" Agera asked looking at him.

"There's an area to the east of here, next to the Atcana Ocean, called the Hells Tooth.  It's a series of burning underground caves from an accident.  A dragon who went by the name of Coda accidentally set off a pit of sulfur, and the place has been burning ever since." Venus stared at him.  So did the GM and Agera.

"Lord Coda?  Guardian of America?" Venus asked, "Did he ever call himself a guardian of earth?"

"He never called himself a lord or guardian.  Do you know him?" Ronan said looking at her.

"Lord Coda was possibly the greatest thunder drake to ever live.  He was the replacement guardian for Venus's father, and he is her grand-sire.  He is one of the few drakes to retire from guardianship, and the only one to ever return to his guardianship.  He formed the greatest last stand of Avila's initial assault, holding out for seven days against one hundred thousand, with just a hundred drakes, thunder dragons from his elite eastern border patrol.  He never returned from that fight, so we presumed him dead." Agera said.

"I heard of that fight.  It's told that the very heavens fell upon our numbers." Ronan replied, "We had no idea."

"Guys it could be a different Coda." Venus said quietly.  Agera gave her a look, "What?  I don't want to get my hopes up."

"How far is this 'Hells Tooth' Ronan?" The GM asked.

"Two hundred miles away, about a four hour march." Ronan said, marking it on their map.

"Avila is going to be right on our tails." Agera said quietly.

"There's another issue as well.  No way we can get the vehicles in there.  The tunnels are too small, and wait till you see what condition they're in.  These aren't carved, they're natural.  We're talking underground rivers, lakes.  Crystals spider-web through them, sometimes dissecting the tunnels entirely.  We have vertical drops, spears from the ceiling and floor.  The place is a mess to navigate on foot, much less in a vehicle." Ronan said, "And then there's navigation.  Maps are useless down there, because the tunnels are so convoluted and twisted."

"We cannot leave some supplies behind, such as our provisions.  We need food.  That requires some trucks.  We're low on provisions to begin with.  We'll find a way." Ronan looked doubtful, "Until then, we need some patrols.  Agera -"

"Sir, with all due respect, we're tired.  We've only slept once in the past three days.  My squadron needs some down time." She said before he went any further.

"And you'll get it if we reach the tunnels in time.  It's four more hours.  You can do that much to save our tail ends." Agera saluted.

"Yes, sir."

"Report, Lieutenant!  Where is commander Aurora?" Avila asked the shadow dragon before her harshly.  The drake quivered in his flight suit, which had stopped working completely.

"Gone, my queen!  We believe she went down.  I saw her spiral to the ground with a wing gone!" He replied, staring at the ground in his bow.

"Is this true?" Avila asked of his flight mate, who was far less terrified.

"It is your highness." He said quietly.  She nodded at him.

"Return your armor and then report to your former squadron.  Archangel is hereby disbanded.  As for you." She turned to the quivering heap in front of her, "You are the former in this squadron now, aren't you?"

"I am, my lady."

"You had one job, to protect Aurora, and you failed.  The only reason I am sparring your life is because you managed to return the data I need." She said, "You will be sent to a squadron I send my rejects.  The 181st, I think.  You can even tell them you are their new commander, for all I care.  Just get out of my sight." his breathing slowed as he bowed to her.

"Yes ma'am." He said quietly.  He nearly ran for the exit.

As soon as he left, Avila leaned over to her consort, "Make sure his squadron leads the assault on the badlands."

He smiled and nodded to her, "The closest garrison to the earth remnants is the mountain fort.  Two hundred thousand strong."

"How far are they from our opponents?"

"Four hours."

"Send them in."

It was only once they reached the Hells Tooth that Agera realized it was called that for a reason.  The ground was scalding hot, even for a dragon with pads and scales.  To say it was hot was an understatement.  The tires on the vehicles stuck to the roads like glue.  Humans were strapping plates of metal to their feet, or flew on the backs of dragons.  The trucks stopped moving eventually, either with their tires melted off or their engines overheated.

And then the void came.

The first warning they got of an enemy presence was the screaming over the radio.  Agera turned to find a horde of tiny scouts tearing into their rear flank.

"Omega, you are weapons free.  Give 'em hell." Command called over the radio.  Agera nodded at her squadron and together, they pinned their wigs to their sides and bolted out of the clouds through the rain, as if they were javelins thrown from on high.  Agera actually landed at high speed on top of one of the foes, and she felt vertebra snapping beneath her claws.  Scales shining, she set upon the rest of the enemy host with a fury.

So strong was Omega's attack that they completely overwhelmed the first two ranks of enemies.  Despite everything though, despite superior equipment and discipline and training, the noose tightened around them.  Agera spotted the danger and tried to flee, tried to pull her squadron back, but the numbers of their foe pressed in on them like a blanket.

Just as the members of Omega squad had said their last goodbyes, the ground erupted in front of them, liquid rock incinerating a group of enemies before them.  At first Agera thought it was Hells Tooth finally working in their favor, but then a giant demon roared from the ground.  Pyrrus growled and snarled between for and friend, scales raised, teeth bared, eyes burning.  Hot magma rolled from his hide as he reared up, spraying embers in all directions.  A pillar of flame erupted from his maw and grew to enormous size, stretching out at least a hundred feet in front of him, engulfing anything stupid enough to be in the way.  So hot was his flame that the light it gave off hurt Agera's eyes, even when she hid her head behind her wing.

He turned to them quickly as the void shrank before his onslaught, and Agera caught the emotions in his eyes.  Defiance, rage, determination.  Fear.

"RUN!" Agera turned to do exactly that, but Venus took a step towards him.

"Dad!" He looked at her with sad eyes, but turned back to face the coming menace.  Venus took another step towards him.

The air grew colder and thinner.  Kiesah suddenly leaped over their heads and came skidding to a halt next to her mate, grinning at him.

"I knew you'd still be here.  One final dance, dear?"

"One more before the curtains." He replied.  Venus took another step towards them.

"Mom.  Dad."

"Venus.  Go." She shook her head at them.

"No." Came the flat reply.  She tried to run to them, but a wall of ice sprung up in front of her.  Agera could still see them through the barricade.

"What are you doing?!" She shouted at them, "Don't!"

"We love you, Venus." The young dragonelle had placed a paw on the ice and was trying to bore through it with small arcs of energy. Kiesah put her own paw up on the other side of the wall.

"I'm proud of you daughter." She said quietly.  Tears were streaming down Venus's face, leaving dirty marks.

"Go now!" Pyrrus shouted as the Voidwing army closed in again.

"No!" She shouted at them.  Agera grabbed her by the tail, dragging her.  Venus went to claw at her, but couldn't reach.  She tried using her element, but Agera just clung ever tighter.

The last view Agera had of Pyrrus and Kiesah Jandro was of a great mass of enemies swarming over them.  There was an explosion, and then darkness and shadows as they dived into the depths of Hells Tooth.

The cave they dived into had flames burning everywhere.  Shadows danced across their skin, but even still, Vienzo instantly brought the entrance of the tunnel down with a slap of his paw, blocking them in.  Agera let go of Venus and she darted over to the fallen rocks, clawing and scratching, trying to move them.  The sharp stones spread long furrows into her paws and she smeared blood on the stones. Her mate grabbed her around the waste, but she punched him, flooring him in a single blow, and then started moving stones out of the gap.  Before long, she was blocked by a boulder the size of her slim body, and despite throwing her entire weight into it, she couldn't budge the obstacle.

Venus screamed, scrabbling at the rock in vain desperation, "NO!  DAD!  MOM!"

She turned back to Agera, "You did this!  You fucking bitch!"

And to Agera's stunned surprise, Venus jumped her, clawing and biting anything she could reach.  So stunned was Agera that she didn't even try to defend herself at first.  Her reaction was instincts, and she fought back.  And before she knew it, she was being pulled off the top of Venus, who was trying to get her teeth around Agera's throat.

And then the air crackled, and Agera realized at the last second what Venus was about to do.  Lightning arc between the enraged female and the walls.  Sulfur ignited, and a bolt struck Agera straight in the chest, aiming for her heart.  The golden dragonelle was thrown back off her feet, pulling Ronan with her, who had been trying to break the two up.  Suddenly, Vienzo was wrapping his wings around his life-mate, despite the energy running through his body.  Stones wrapped around their legs, anchoring them in place.

Suddenly, everything went quiet as Ronan stood there with a paw raised, deadening the females powers.  Venus struggled against her mates embrace, but it was useless.

Agera, limbs jerking spasmodically, carefully stood.  She was stunned that she was even still alive.  A charred black mark was on her chest, just beneath her collarbone where the ark of what must have been at least five hundred thousand volts had aimed for her hearts, which still beat, albeit out of rhythm and sync.

"I'll kill you!" Venus shouted at her.  She had a wild look in her eye and shook with rage.

"Go!  Just...  Go!" Vienzo shouted at them.

"Ve..." Agera pleaded with her childhood friend.  Ronan grabbed her and pulled her down the tunnel.

"No...

No...

NO...

no..."

The two quickly found themselves in total darkness.  No matter how close she put it in front of her nose, Agera could not even see her own paw.  It was as if she had closed her eyes and couldn't open them again.  She kept on bumping into the rock wall or Ronan.

It sounded heartless, but she didn't feel anything.  Later, Agera would claim her mind was scared to feel, because if she felt the anguish she should have, it would surely break her.  So she chose to feel nothing.

Only after an indeterminate amount of time, when Ronan spoke and scared the shit out of her did she break down.

"Agera?" She jumped and out of reaction punched towards the noise, connecting with his jaw.  She felt bones crack and realized with sudden pain, her knuckles had just let go.  As Ronan swore, she laid down, her own legs unable to support her.

And she cried...

Hours later, when the tears had finally run themselves dry despite her anguished aching sobs, she curled herself around her broken twisted paw, and slept.

When she woke, she thought she had died.  No sight greeted her, and she felt nothing but dry stone beneath her.  Not even Ronan was beside her.  When she remembered what had happened, she wished she was dead though.  She even briefly contemplated impaling herself on a sharp rock she might be able to find.

She could not rise to do anything.  Her limbs would not cooperate properly.  They jerked uncontrollably whenever she tried to move. Venus' everlasting lightning, she knew, was behind it.  Her best friend, her foster sister, had well and truly tried to kill her.

Just as she was wondering if her own instincts would prevent her from putting one of her claws through her temple, a soft glow appeared in her vision.

"Hello?" She was scared of what might come around the corner.

"It's just me, Agera." Ronan peeked his head carefully around the far side of the tunnel.  He held a cluster of bio-luminescent moss in his hand, and as the light scattered over them, Agera's world was transformed.

Gone was the darkness.  That alone made the moss worth it's weight in gold to her.  She lay upon the edge of a cliff, beneath which was a chasm that held a vast lake.  Gems and stones dotted the walls, sparkling light everywhere, refracting and reflecting the light a thousand times over.  Fish in the lake glowed as well, and on the lakes shore slept around three dozen humans and dragons with her, along with four void.  And Ronan...

Ronan gleamed in the night.  His muscles were accented, his silver skin shown as if it were the moon.  He glowed white, his wings a silver lining.  Agera was rendered breathless by the sight of him.

"Ronan!" She said relieved.  She stood weakly, and literally fell into him, and he cradled her in his strong arms.

The next week passed in a blur of time.  Agera's internal clock was completely broken.  The group barely said a handful of words in the eternal night they found themselves in.  Agera herself was in a feverish state.  Her injured paw became permanently curled into a shriveled claw, protecting itself from further harm.  The energy Venus had shot through her dissipated, but the damage remained.  To prevent further injury, she had to swim in the lake, which was full of nutrients and had strong healing properties according to their void guides.

Ronan though was her guardian angel.  Every day, he carried her down the cliff and swam in the lake with her on his back.  He'd take long slow flights so she could feel the wind over her skin.  He was the perfect gentle-drake, allowing her more and more autonomy as she wanted it, but always chivalrous, and never leading her side.  Every time he gave her food, she thanked him, and he would always reply, "For you, Agera, anything." He would speak it softly and strongly into her horns, and she would get goosebumps with comfort and satisfaction as he curled himself around her as she slept.

After a week of travel over difficult impassible terrain, they stumbled out of the small side tunnels into a main chamber.  Ronan had carried Agera all the way, and after an unknown but extremely long amount of time, they finally got to a cave the size of a cathedral, with small huts carved into the stalagmites jutting up from the cave floor.  Small pricks of light shown over a vast lake the size of a city.  The streets were clean and cool, and despite the homes were made out of rock, underground, on the edge of a lake, they were dry and clean. Void of all forms watched them from shadows and windows, peering at them with glowing green eyes.  Ronan went to the largest house, leading their haggard looking group of refugees, and knocked on the door frame.

"Who be it?!?!" Someone inside shouted in Drashish.

"It be Ronan, Grand-sire!" There was a sudden rush, some swearing, and a tiny gray figure burst from inside the home and collided with Ronan, throwing him back.

"Cousin!"

"Victoria?  Damn you got big!" The little void laughed and nestled into his chest, purring.  An ancient void emerged from the interior and leaned against the doorway.

"It's about time you got back, Ronan." He said sighing.

"Grand-sire.." They shared a hug, "How's grand-dame?"

"Grand-dame died three years ago Ronan." Victoria said quietly.  Ronan frowned and seemed to sag.

"I'm sorry.  I should have been here when..." Agera limped over and placed a wing over him.  His grand-sire frowned at her.

"Who be you, draken?" He asked her in Drashish.

"This be Agera, grand-sire  Warrior of the former Earth forces." The old void eyed her suspiciously.

"Are you good?" He asked quietly.  Agera stared him down.

"I'm the best.  Sorry about it." And to her great surprise, he smiled.

"No apologies.  You did your job.  Just as I have.  Welcome to my hearth and home." And he ushered them in.  The young female, Victoria, watched her with wide eyes.

"Have you killed a lot of enemies?" She asked suddenly as they turned to move inside.

"Viki..." Ronan said quietly, but Agera licked him under the jaw.

"It's alright, Ronan.  Yes I have killed many.  Far too many."

"It's been a while since I've seen the likes of a time dragon.  Why are the two of you here, Ronan?" The old drake asked.

"We need a place to rest and recover, grand-sire  Especially Agera." Ronan responded.  He steered his bond-mate over to a cushion, and she plopped down into it's warm depths with a loud sigh.  Victoria came over and laid down in front of her.  She couldn't have been more than eight.  Her wings were coming in nicely, and she saw small amounts of definition in her muscles.  She was growing to be a fine example of a female void.  Agera winked at her, and she gave a massive grin and winked back.

"Have you started flying, Victoria?" Agera asked, not lifting her head.

"Yup.  Grandpa says I'm one of the best in the village for my age."

"And what about swimming?" Victoria's wings drooped.

"I'm not a very good swimmer." She said quietly.

"Agera, she nearly drowned when she was six." Ronan said from the kitchen.

"Ronaaaan!  You said you wouldn't tell anyone." Victoria complained.

"She's my bond-mate  Might as well know now rather than later." His cousin frowned at him.

"Victoria, if you're a good flier then you're a good swimmer.  Swimming is just slower, but can be just as much fun." Agera said quietly.

"But what if I actually drown this time?  I could forget where the surface is or get lost, or some sea creature could eat me or-"

"OR you could be brilliant." Victoria snapped her mouth shut, "Victoria, no great warrior ever became great by shying away from their own fire because it was too hot."

"But I'm scared." She whispered suddenly.

"You would be stupid if you weren't.  But fear leads to courage, and courage leads to greatness.  Be wary of your fear, but embrace it." Agera replied, "If it would help, I'll go swimming with you."

Victoria perked up at that, "Really?!"

"Sure.  I could use stretching my muscles.  But it will have to wait till tomorrow." Agera said, shifting in her cushion.

"Awe, come on Agera." Victoria said getting to her feet and putting her fore paws on Agera's shoulders.

"Later.  First, I need healing, and sleep."

The next day, after a meager dinner of cave fish and a burrowing creature called a stonehog, passerby found Agera in the company of Ronan and Victoria, who was extremely excited.

"Come on guys!" She kept darting back and forth.

"You didn't feed her any sugar did you?" Ronan grinned sheepishly.

"I might have introduced her to M&M's last night.  One of your human soldiers sold them too me for a clutch of cave fish." He said quietly, "She's never had chocolate before."

"What's she think of them?" Agera asked as the tiny female took off.

"Well she ate a five pound bag all by herself..."

Victoria zipped over their heads, staggering them as they made their way to the underground lake.  The ceiling was low, giving Agera a sense of claustrophobia, and the far shore was obscured by darkness.

"How are we gonna see once we're underwater?" Agera asked, but Ronan plucked a stone and flicked it with a claw, and it sparked with light, which then slowly died off.

"Moonstone, in your form of Drashish.  Vibrations cause them to glow.  The bottom is covered with them.  There's crystal down there to, so be careful."

"There's more than that down there." Victoria said coming in to land.

"Relax, we'll be fine!" Ronan said, and he dove in, leaving Agera to slide in gently on the shore.

"Come on Viki!" Agera goaded as she slid through the cool water like a snake.

"I dunno.  Maybe it's best if I wait for you to tell me it's OK in there." Ronan silently climbed onto the shore behind her and with a mighty heave of his neck and head, hurled his cousin into the lake.  She gave a brief squeal of surprise before she broke the surface and sank. When she came back up, she was furious.

"Ronaaaaan!" The larger male couldn't stop grinning.

"Well someone had to do it..." Agera said, "You certainly weren't going to jump in yourself."

"Come on, Viki!  Live a little!" And he jumped in after her, grabbing her paw and pulling her under.  They were down for a surprisingly long time, at least ten minutes, and certainly long enough for Agera to get worried, but just before she decided to dive down after them, they both broke the surface.

"Wow!  That was incredible!" Victoria said, half jumping up and down in the short waves.

"I knew you'd like it.  Want to go again?" Victoria smiled but shook her head.

"I need to catch my breath.  I'll keep Agera company for a bit." Ronan nodded and arced backwards back down into the dark depths.  This time though, he stayed close enough that Agera could see him racing along the bottom, the light from the pebbles reflecting off his scales and accenting his muscles with sharp shadows.

"You're falling for him, aren't you?" Victoria suddenly said behind her, making her jump.

"Hardly.  He's just been good to me, that's all." Agera said, although she could feel herself blushing.  She wished she had her tattoo back, so she could hide her red cheeks.  She had been caught good and proper.

"Uh huh, sure.  Agera, how much do you know of the bond?" Victoria asked with a knowing smile.

"Only what your cousin has told me." Agera admitted.

"Then there are some things you should know.  The only time a bonding doesn't result in a life-mating is if the dragon or dragonelle is already mated or being courted.  You're fighting a loosing battle.  In the end, no matter what you think now, you WILL end up mated with my cousin.  And you'll love every bit of it.  Because he is going to be your perfect match.  He's going to be the fire that tempers your edge, and hones you razor sharp.  I've seen it happen before."

Agera gave Victoria a sharp look.  This hatchling, more than half her years, was more clairvoyant than any of her squadron members.

"What makes you think I like him?"

Victoria swam slowly around her, watching Agera's face closely, "Everything.  Your eyes dilate, your breathing quickens, and you get this smile on your face like you know a dirty secret that no one else does.  You had better make your move Agera, because if you don't..." And she got real close here, speaking quietly into Agera's horn, "He will."

Agera blinked several times rapidly as Victoria dove down to the bottom of the lake again, leaving her alone with her thoughts.

"Who the hell taught that dragonelle these things?" She asked quietly to the empty cavern.