The green dragon nodded and stretched her claw in front of her. The pearl stone around her neck glowed a cool shade of white. Birdhead trailed after her as she led the way into the dark passage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The hippogriff tilted his head left and tried to make out what was to come ahead of them. \u201cIt\u2019s incredibly dark. All I can see is a room of lush leaves filled with light. In the middle lies a golden spire. I can sense life in it: It\u2019s a Ellemendragon of thunder. But to get there, we must stay on the path. Melody, we\u2019ll need more light than that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The dragon nodded and tried to create a large source of light.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAaaaah!\u201d Zelda shrieked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEE-aargh!\u201d Peachy cried.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Melody hurriedly lowered the brightness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou just have to believe in yourself, don\u2019t overdo it.\u201d Beakfall moaned, dazzled by the light.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The path was visible now. It was made of dirt and tiny pebbles, like the ones that had appeared in Dragon\u2019s Grove. Birdhead studied the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMythicimals have been here before. I can see the claw, tail, you know, prints.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Myrtlelana brushed her wing against the dirt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHey look, it\u2019s paper.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Beakfall jumped and swiftly took the paper out of the phoenix\u2019s wings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cChill!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSorry – look, here -…\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The hippogriff held out the paper for everyone to see.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s in Ancient dragon script. It says:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Help,<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n I am a Ellemendragon of thunder, I seek freedom from the place in which I am concealed. A strike of lightning for all I care will give me fresh air and the once again will to move.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Note, that so, I also have 2 <\/strong>friends in need, of whether a burst of fire or ice to set them free.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Faroar.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cShe told me of this…\u201d Beakfall gasped. \u201cShe wanted to wait for the next hero.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Zelda shook her head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHow is that possible, Beaky? You weren\u2019t even alive then. I read about her. She lived ten thousand years ago.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Beakfall sighed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBirdhead himself knows I existed and fought alongside the Ellemendragon those years ago.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHow did you survive<\/em> then?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe gift Deku gave me those years ago.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat? What did she give you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cA crown of golden leaves, like the one he wears.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cA gift of immortality?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYes, but also a gift of peace. It meant…if I didn\u2019t help to bring down Ashgle or whatever evil was to come, the spell would break, and my life would be normal again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The occamy snarled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSERIOUSLY? And you never <\/em>told me?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Beakfall snorted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWell, Deku never told you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhere is it? Tell me!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The hippogriff ignored her and turned to look at Melody.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Myrtlelana yawned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOkay, you two, stop now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Mythicals started to follow Melody as she shone the light to show the path.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Soon, they reached the room of light Beakfall had described. Lush leaves drooped over black birch trees, which formed a little circle. The path forward was blocked by a solid, transparent red wall. In the middle stood a golden spire, with anonymous green text printed on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLightning.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Birdhead stared at Beakfall with his cold emerald eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat? That\u2019s all it says!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lionessfire rolled her eyes and reached out her right paw. Zelda looked suspiciously at her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat are you doing?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou forgot? ALREADY?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n An amber-gold orb of energy formed from her paw. Slowly, grey clouds formed above the Dark Forest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n BOOM!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Thunder growled and lightning struck the earth. Lionessfire was brewing a storm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cClever. But are you sure that…that thing or spire or whatever dragon it is, can conduct electricity?\u201d Zelda asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe\u2019ll see. The storm won\u2019t do anything if it doesn\u2019t work, right?\u201d Peachu replied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNo, but Ashgle might suspect someone is changing the weather with magic because it was incredibly sunny before and now, it\u2019s incredibly stormy.\u201d Beakfall added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bzzp.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Birdhead stared intently at the spire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bzzp, bzzp.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n It seemed to start attracting lightning, the tip glowing with gold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bzzp-bzzp-bzzp BOOM!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOw! That was LOUD!\u201d Melody yelped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLook!\u201d Zelda announced excitedly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The spire seemed to melt after the ear-splitting strike. An odd green light beamed from the sinking golden object. Soon, it was completely on the ground, alike to an eyelash viper and shaped like an S. Birdhead leaned over it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt looks like yellow slime.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Suddenly, it twitched, making the phoenix back away in surprise. Slowly, miniscule orange pupils appeared in the fatter part of the shape. The snake-like creature lifted itself up, eyes blinking. Coral horns started to form at both sides of the chubby head, along with dark golden lightning-shaped ruffs. Lastly, two thin hazel horns grew gradually at the back of the head, above two tiny pink ears. There were no scales visible, but a blurry haze around the Ellemendragon\u2019s sleek body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFa-roar.\u201d Beakfall greeted steadily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Ellemendragon tilted its head politely at the Mythicals. A little dark green horn poking out towards became visible, with lemon outlines. Connected to it was the smallest jade chain on the left, connecting to the back of the head. A petite rose was leaning on the horn, along with a miniature dandelion petal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHello,\u201d Faroar said calmly. \u201cThe crown of leaves did its job…Where is it now?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cInvisible.\u201d Beakfall replied. \u201cIt\u2019s still on my head. Your jade chain seems to have kept you unhurt and powerful against Ash.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Myrtlelana groaned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhy do you mythicimals get so GREAT rewards from Deku? All I can do is change my size!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSize is a powerful thing,\u201d Faroar remarked. \u201cMore powerful than immortality. Do you know what immortality is? The pain of losing loved and memory, and the torture of the changing world. I would happily exchange your power with mine.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The phoenix\u2019s face suddenly turned from unhappy to being stunned. The Ellemendragon turned to face every one of the Mythicals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFrom my past experiences, I recommend you all to fight everything in your way. As many as possible will try to aid Ashgle during the final fight. If you have seen my note, please, remember to free Dinroar and Nayroar, my dearest friends on your path.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Beakfall looked with worry at Faroar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou don\u2019t want to come with us?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Ellemendragon shook her head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIn legend, seven will rise together, or seven will fall together. It does not say eight, in which I will be the last, or the eighth. You should know this.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The hippogriff nodded and he smiled, with real joy this time in his serene aquamarine eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Faroar wished them good luck and flew off into the sky, which Lionessfire began to turn back to the beautiful sunshine. Zelda looked oddly at Beakfall, as Melody began to lead the Mythicals out of the room into the once gloom of the Dark Forest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBeakfall, what do you see?\u201d Peachu asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The great hippogriff squinted, and his stone glowed with determination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI see… tall gate of black, with bloodstone snakes sleeping at the top. Each snake has garnet eyes, and they seem to stretch out endlessly. A sodalite square sits in the middle the gate, and it looks as if it is a keyhole. Beyond that, waiting Ashdragons lie ready and strong.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDoesn\u2019t bloodstone have healing properties? Why are the menacing snakes made of them?\u201d Peachu asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cTo strike fear in other\u2019s hearts because it\u2019s \u2018blood\u2019 stone,\u201d Zelda explained calmly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHajime!\u201d Birdhead suddenly exclaimed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhaT?\u201d Zelda screeched. \u201cWhat about…Your non-existent brother?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHajime means beginning…\u201d Birdhead dozed off. \u201cThe beginning of what?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhy does it matter? It\u2019s just his name,\u201d Melody put in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s phoenix <\/em>names we\u2019re talking about here!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Beakfall halted and looked down at the ground. Instinctively, the rest of the Mythicals stopped and turned to stare at him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He lifted his right claw and started to draw on the dirt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Slowly and slowly, a picture of a phoenix-like creature was rising from a scene of a rising Ash phoenix army. One small phoenix stood against the entire disaster, who Beakfall had made clear as the hero by placing a white rock in the outline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIs that Hajime?\u201d Birdhead asked, pointing to the rock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHajime is the beginning of a disaster?<\/em>\u201d Zelda asked, shocked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Beakfall shook his head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNot quite right. That\u2019s about ten percent of the answer. The other nighty percent is power, wisdom and courage.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWHAT?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIn other words…He\u2019s the beginning of an era of conflict and legend where no one seems to be winning: Everyone seems to be causing a disaster, but no one seems to have that power to control it, the wisdom to stop it or the courage to try to.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cConfusing…and it makes it sound like Hajime\u2019s doomed to die. Like his name\u2019s supposed to be Owari.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNo, no.\u201d Peachu interrupted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Birdhead leapt back in terror and suddenly regained his breath.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBirdhead, what\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Myrtlelana tilted her head to the side, concerned. Lionessfire cut in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLet\u2019s go. We can stop to chit-chat later, or we might endanger the lives of many.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Beakfall looked sadly at Birdhead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLet\u2019s just say out of the two phoenixes I have accompanied so far; none had such strong and sudden flashbacks or visions. It seems that you are one of a kind, or perhaps you may be doomed to something of horror but miraculously saved, which will start to lead to the first light of Hajime…Somehow, anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou sound horribly like Rauru. Always predicting things and blah blah blah.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The phoenix glared angrily at the hippogriff and flew off, ahead of Melody.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHey, be careful!<\/em>\u201d she yelled. \u201cAre you throwing a tantrum? At THIS age?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Birdhead ignored her and growled, leaving Melody enraged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Minutes passed as the phoenix\u2019s rage swept over the team. They halted as when the twisted black gate barricaded their path. A golden lock was padlocked in the centre, allowing only the most minute key to enter the hole.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNow what?\u201d Birdhead snapped. \u201cA gate\u2019s in our way.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cPatience is virtue, dear friend. I\u2019m sure Myrtlelana can help.\u201d Beakfall replied calmly, but still a hint of irritation in his tone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAah, that\u2019s right!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The phoenix grinned and the stone around her golden neck glowed with sky blue. In an instant, Myrtlelana was shrinking to the size an ant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWait up!\u201d her tiny voice shouted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCan\u2019t hear you!\u201d Zelda said back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The tiny figure zipped about but seemed to be unable to find the golden lock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHere, Myrtle…\u201d Birdhead heard Lionessfire say gently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Mythicals waited for a few moments, until they heard a soft click. Swiftly, a growing shape zipped out of the teeny hole.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGot it! A lot of peck work though!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Melody\u2019s emotions brightened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLet\u2019s go!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The black gate slowly started to creak. Gradually, from the middle of the lock: It opened, revealing more darkness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCareful everyone, there might be anything past there…\u201d the hippogriff announced cautiously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n