Limping badly, but still smiling beneath all his injuries, Hook weaved his way between corpses, dodging brilliant coloured magical attacks, all the time trying not to choke on the smoke that was starting to encompass the chamber. Briefly he'd caught a glimpse of a dragon tucked up in the shadows, one that he was sure had come through the wormhole, or whatever it had been, with Flash and the others. If that were so, and he was sure it was, then he'd be an ally, something he dearly needed right at this very moment. About halfway to his objective, the mightiest roar in the world from behind him nearly swept him off his feet. Glancing around, terror froze his heart, the smile gone from his face forever. There, stomping towards him, drool dribbling from his razor sharp teeth, an expression of pure hatred etched across his prehistoric features, was the dragon he'd punched firmly in the baby maker, clearly on a mission of revenge. Hook fought against his fear, bravely, fiercely, but whether because of the situation, everything going on around him, or because of his grave injuries, he remained firmly rooted to the spot, unable to move even an inch.
Sensing something, he allowed the little tug at his consciousness to turn his head away from his young charges. Fifty metres or so, directly in his line of sight, a frightened young human stood rooted to the floor as a very disappointed off (see what I did there) dark dragon plodded furiously towards him.
'That must be one of the brave humans that Flash told us about,' he thought. With the dragon bearing down on the defenceless human, Yoyo pondered what to do. His array of offensive mantras was limited to say the least, and he couldn't think of anything that would take down that dragon at this range. Feeling more than a little helpless, and not able to see where any assistance would come from, closing his eyes, he did the only thing he could and hoped it would be enough.
Heart threatening to jump right out of his chest it was pumping so hard, the pain from his broken arm, his bleeding leg and the blows to his head finally threatened to overtake him. Never having previously faced death or anything remotely like it, he closed his eyes and let his thoughts turn to rugby, his sport and those that he'd called his teammates, Tank among them. Not sorry in the least to have come on this rollercoaster of a journey, he wouldn't have changed a thing, and so with one calm breath he relaxed and accepted the fate he was about to be dealt. Towering over him menacingly, a sickly grin appeared as the dastardly dark dragon opened his mouth in an effort to summon the flame with which he intended to barbecue the insignificant creature in front of him, and drew back his head. It was exactly then that a warm, light embrace smothered Hook, hugging him tight, replenishing him fully and curing every ailment that plagued his body. Thinking that he was being cooked, it was only when he opened his eyes that he realised he'd been restored to full health. In fact full health didn't really do it justice. He felt great, better than great. He felt the best he'd ever felt... strong, full of energy, ready for anything.
And so with that in mind, and his body having shaken off all the fear that had previously incapacitated him, Hook cartwheeled off to one side as the superheated column of flame that was meant for him vaporised the marble in the exact spot he'd been standing only a split second before. Satisfied with revenge, the dragon was wide-eyed to spot his ape shaped nemesis off to one side, not only un-barbecued, but fully healed by the look of things. It didn't matter though. This persistent pain was nothing more than an insignificant insect and would be dealt in much the same manner. Surging forward, the dragon stamped the ground with all its might, causing a minor quake in the immediate vicinity. Hook toppled like a domino next in line, falling flat on his chest, the wind temporarily knocked out of him. Pushing himself to get to his feet, it was pretty much all he could do to dive up and over, out of the way of the blur of a tail flashing out of nowhere as the dragon turned full circle. Slamming down once again on the painfully hard floor, the tough rugby player turned to face his opponent. Not sure exactly what he could do against him even in his fully fit state, suddenly he wished for the master mantra maker's backpack. But it was in vain, as he'd been relieved of it before they'd been taken into the big council building. Thoughts of running away were contrary to everything he'd been taught and believed in. And so as the ancient beast trampled towards him, the valiant young man bravely stood his ground.
Wishing the young human good luck, having done all he could, Yoyo turned back towards his band of misfits and began shoring up their defences where he could, on the lookout for any unexpected danger, ready to warn them at a moment's notice.
With the naga guards that had been tasked with Fu-ts'ang after his capture neutralised, the last thirty seconds or so had seen the weapon, under Janice's watchful guidance, take out three more nagas and completely slice the tail from one of the dark dragons, leaving him screaming in pain and effectively out of the fight. Now the weapon's seductive voice rang throughout the young bar worker's head.
"Now is the time to... think. Look around, take everything in. Pick out the most immediate threats. We've bought ourselves some time. Let's use it to assist our allies and consolidate our position."
'Wise words indeed,' she thought.
His instructions still echoing in her head, she drifted off into the ether as she had before, this time with little help or resistance, slowly able to view what was happening all around almost from above. It was odd to see her physical body sitting far below, eyes closed, combat raging all around her. Pleased that she appeared safe from any immediate threat, she tried to take in the greater details of the skirmish. Richie had just set off at a blistering pace towards all the attackers surrounding her at the far end of the chamber they found themselves in. Immediately Janice knew that was where they should be. But once again Fu-ts'ang's words invaded her privacy.
"Not yet... take it all in."
So she did. Closer to the bridge, the much smaller group of dragons that had arrived with Flash were holding their own against some of the dark dragons and dastardly nagas. It was a sight to behold. Just then an explosion of magic caught her attention... Flash was fighting head to head with the despicable Manson.
'Go Flash, go,' she thought.
Just this side of Richie, a circle of more official looking dragons were fighting off all comers, dragons, nagas, you name it... from the air, and from the ground, all being led by a truly majestic looking female dragon who seemed to be their leader.
'Impressive,' thought the young bar worker. 'Whoever she is, I'd very much like to meet her.' It was then that he caught her attention. No, not Peter, like she'd thought it would be. But Hook, looking very much healed, but how? She had no idea. But he was, and about to be stomped on by a very angry and very determined opposing dragon. Without even the slightest hesitation, for that's where she knew they needed to be, she guided her friend, her cohort, her... she didn't know what, to exactly where the danger was.