And so, overwhelmed by the sheer amount of supernatural power deluging his prehistoric body, Yoyo went about his work, thinking that without the ravaging battle they were caught in the middle of, and the crisis that could involve the end of the earth as they knew it, he could hardly remember being happier.
That could all change at a moment's notice.
Most of his dark force settled for attacking the remaining group of King's Guards that were trying with every step to edge closer to the main group that had somehow managed to hide themselves behind a huge, formidable defensive shield. Just as they should, he thought, not exactly pleased with how things had gone, but slightly happier now that events seemed to be getting back under control, with the balance tilted much more in his favour. His mood, however, could change in the blink of an eye, something those who fought under his banner could attest to. That was how the madness worked... never predictable, which was, of course, its very nature. Lucid right at this very moment, he brushed himself down and turned just in time to be greeted by his queen. Resembling a giddy schoolgirl, she threw herself into his arms. For his part, he caught her, holding on to the embrace for quite some time. When their bodies parted, they lowered their foreheads towards each other, making telepathic communication that much easier.
"I'm sorry for my part in all of this. I should have reacted quicker. He caught me off guard," whispered Earth deep inside her love's head.
"The arrival of the newcomers through that blasted portal certainly threw a spanner into the works. Never mind. Things seem to be much more under control. Don't concern yourself about getting caught out. Let's just end all this, so that we can start ruling over our new subjects once and for all."
Smiling wickedly, she whispered a long, snake-like, "YEEEEEESSSSSSS!!!" and bounded off into the distance.
Through the relentless onslaught of magical attacks and from her position above her circling troops, she could just make out the one being she'd been tasked with protecting, off in the distance, kneeling beside a ragged looking human shape, draped in glistening chains, having appeared through the magical wormhole with all the others. Briefly she wondered what he was doing there, but almost instantly cast that thought aside. Whatever the king's reasons, she knew better than to question them. If it was important to him, then it was important to her. And with them both attracting additional attention from the enemy's force, telepathically she sent out a shout for the meagre force she commanded to engage more and more of their vile opponents, in the disillusioned hope that it might keep the dragon monarch safe for just a tiny bit longer. Spitting roaring flame at a dive bombing dragon off to her left, Amelia Battlehard couldn't help but wonder how much longer they could hold out. Unless reinforcements showed up straight out of nowhere, just as they had done previously, then they were all fighting a losing battle. And with nowhere to retreat to, it could only end one way.
Barely able to contain his temper, Tank took a long, deep breath and composed the words he wanted to say. For him, time had run out, having already given the ring's sentience enough time to respond, he'd heard absolutely nothing back. So it was time to leave, and not knowing how, it was time to ask.
"I wish to leave this place," he declared. "Please can you show me how?"
As his words floated off into the distance, silence returned. Controlling his breathing whilst suppressing what little magic he had, that was just itching to escape, inside a worry that he'd offended his captor or host, depending on how you looked at it, nagged away at him. About to repeat the exact same words, he was slightly startled to hear a reply.
"You're a very interesting character."
Not sure of what to make of it, all he could think of saying was,
"Thank you."
"You talk with such passion and belief, which I find quite remarkable and intoxicating in someone so young."
This time Tank remained quiet.
"Are we taking it in turns to stay silent?"
"I'm not at all sure what you want me to say. I'd like to be able to get back to my friends and help them in their fight."
"What if I told you it would make no difference? What if I told you you're doomed to fail?"
"I'd still want to return to them and try."
"But why chase a lost cause? You could stay here indefinitely, safe and sound."
"I won't desert my friends, and would gladly lay down my life for theirs."
"Even if they're going to die anyway?"
"In a heartbeat."
"I believe what you're saying to be one hundred percent true... extraordinary!"
"Please can you help me return now?"
The ring went on...
"The king was once like you, you know."
A puzzled expression that shouldn't have showed up at all given just how dark it was, wormed its way across the young rugby player's face.
"You're surprised at that?"
"Which king? Do you mean George?"
"Ah... yes, I'd forgotten that you are one of the few to know his true history. George... he was once like you... possessed of a fierce and undying loyalty to those around him. Never afraid to stand up for what was right. Constantly putting himself in harm's way to save those that couldn't save themselves. All mightily admirable qualities in any being, don't you think?"
"Sure."
"But slowly, over time... things changed. Maybe because of the position he found himself in, or just because of the political circumstances surrounding him... who knows? Those qualities were buried, hidden away deep within his very being. It made it hard for me to like him, to share my thoughts and experiences with him. I purposely became withdrawn, occasionally withholding my power, purely out of spite, just when he needed it most. I knew it was wrong, but I just couldn't help myself."
If anyone had been able to see through the all encompassing blackness, they'd have seen Tank, mouth hanging open, listening intently to every word that was being spoken. Of course, they couldn't.
"Over time we drifted apart... stupid really, given our bond and joint pledges to protect not only the dragon domain, but the human world as well. He threw up robust mental barriers that effectively closed me off from any of his thoughts. I returned the favour to the same extent. Tit for tat, some might say."
"Surely the two of you could have worked things out?" blurted Tank unexpectedly.
"We could have... should have, even. But we didn't. Our differences became irreconcilable, and for my part in that I'm hugely sorry. And if that wasn't bad enough, suddenly humanity and dragonkind find themselves facing an extinction level event. How could I have possibly known all this would happen? I just assumed George would at some point discard me, and lock me away for the next dragon monarch. I never thought it would come to this."
"It's not too late to do the right thing."
"Says you."
"It isn't. Join the fight, right now. You could be the difference between winning and losing."
"I think all you're describing is losing. And if that's the case, then almost certainly I'll end up in the hands of that psychopath Manson, forced to do his bidding, being partly to blame for an inconceivable number of deaths. What kind of fate is that?"