Drago
Blue Jacket
Camelot's Factory. The Diligent Knight.
___________________________
Spinal knocks on a large metal door and turns around to speak with his partner, Xenx'i.
"A little unusual that they're letting us do a mission without a Fang, huh?" he asks.
"Not really. They sent Drago on his own about 2 weeks ago." she points out.
"And sent Jcoss later as a precaution."
"A necessary precaution. He was protecting his sister. You can't trust someone with that kind of emotional responsibility."
"Debatable. I'd say we're more likely to do a good job with that kind of temporary stress."
"Regardless, we're simply here to speak with the Royal in charge. Not too tasking, subjectively speaking."
"He's a Lord as well. Supposedly, the most level headed one out of them."
The doors, which are far larger than they first appear, begin to open. The dragons walk in and notice that every machine has at least two engineers working in near perfect sync. None of these workers seem to have noticed that they've walked in either.
"Jeez, they're acting like machines. I wonder if they even take breaks." Spinal wonders out loud.
"They're efficient workers. No need to judge them for that." Xenx'i argue.
"I haven't even seen one breathe yet. That's not normal."
"By your definition. Really, there's no such thing as normal."
"For someone's personality, I agree. Biologically, no. There's definitely a standard."
{Attention workers. You may begin your hour long break now. Thanks for your hard work.} says a group of speakers around the room.
The workers all sit down and go to sleep in their spots, back to back.
"They even sleep efficiently..." the Black Scale groans.
"I still don't see the problem. Even if they are weird, it's how they are."
"What's that smell...?"
Spinal looks around and notices a pink tint to the air. He slams his palm into the wall and warps the material into three masks. He hands one to his teammate and puts the other one on himself.
"There seems to be a toxin in the air. Put that mask on. I don't care how heavy you think it is."
She puts it on and glares at him.
"With my abilities, the weight isn't a problem. I'm not Drago." she angrily points out.
"Whatever you say. I don't really care about how you feel about your powers. I already know how they work."
"You don't know everything about them. Stop acting like a living encyclopedia. It drives my patience."
"Everything irritates you. What's one more thing?"
Spinal runs along the hallways, checking sign after sign as he goes. Eventually, he finds one that says "Administrator's office" on it. Opening the door, he finds Xenx'i already inside.
"When'd you get in here?" he asks.
"Right after you left. I can track other people through their shadows. Or did you not know that?" she points out.
"I already knew about that ability! I'm asking why you didn't immediately contact me to let me know where our target was!"
He rushes over to the scientist laying on the ground and puts a mask on him. He starts to check to his vitals after that.
"Damn it! I'm not a doctor and we need to know his condition! Why didn't you radio me as soon as you found him?!" he demands.
"I didn't think about it. We don't even know if he's even in critical condition or not. He seems to be fine to me." she says.
"I didn't realize you were a doctor! ...just go see if you can find anyone else. Take a mask."
He slaps the ground and wakes up the scientist.
"...what happened? Where's the Net Keeper?" he asks, rubbing his head.
"Who's that?" Spinal asks.
"So you don't know everything..." his partner interrupts.
"Oh, bite me!"
"Ahem?" the scientist reminds them.
"Right, sorry about that. You were saying?"
"The Net Keeper is exactly what it sounds like. It's someone who maintains our computer network and keeps the factory running smoothly. I noticed an error in our filtration system and messaged him to ask what happened."
"What is that pink gas?" Xenx'i inquires.
"Concentrated Iodine. Speaking of, these masks aren't really necessary. Iodine can burn your skin, but the amount in the air is nowhere near enough to cause harm. I assume the workers outside are fine?"
The two dragons pull off their masks and nod.
"The workers out there have been "modified" to be as efficient as possible. It's about time for their break, so they won't be much help to you."
"If the gas won't hurt us, why would we need the help?" the shadow dragon asks.
"To capture the Net Keeper, of course."
"You believe he caused the leak?" the male dragon asks, confused. "You think he betrayed the factory?"
"Well, I sent him a message concerning the leak and never got a response. He's usually very good about that." he explains.
"I'll find him, then come right back." Xenx'i says before sinking into her shadow.
"Where is the Net Keeper's office?" Spinal asks.
"You'll leave this office and take a left. Enter the building directly ahead of you. Follow the path right, then skip the door on the left and go into the first door you see in the next room. It'll be directly left of another door at the end of the hall." he explains, getting up and dusting himself off.
"Sounds like a boss room...alright! We'll be back with the Net Keeper. Then, we'll need you to answer a few questions."
"Of course."
Spinal nods and slaps the wall before running to meet up with his teammate.
___________________________
At an unknown location...
"Go ahead and try it~" a familiar voice says.
A figure across the table cuts a piece off and tries a bite. They chew slowly and swallow. Someone else stands by a closed window, tightening their fist in front of their stomach.
"It's delectable. What do you call it?" the other person at the table asks.
"Oh, it has an unofficial name that I'm not allowed to say. If you help me out, I can get you a lot more though~"
"You disgust me..." the one at the window growls, annoyed.
The first one to speak laughs to themselves before licking their lips.
___________________________
Back at the factory, Spinal had just passed an area with a sign that said:
{Due to the inefficiency of the previous guards, this area will be undergoing maintenance. We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your cooperation.
~Sir Tien, head of the factory}
As Spinal turns the corner, his partner for the mission pops out of his shadow.
"Did you find him?" he asks.
"No, the power's out to that section of the building. No light means no shadow for me to trace. I'd be guessing." she replies, frustrated.
"No worries. I know where we're going."
"Of course you do."
"Shut up and follow me."
"As opposed to?"
They arrive at the door they were given directions to. As Spinal is about to open it, Xenx'i grabs his wrist.
"Don't open that. Put your mask back on."
Spinal does so, then looks up at his now flying partner putting her mask on.
"More gas." he finally notices.
"Colorless."
"It's coming from this room, so I'll seal the door."
"What about the Net Keeper?"
"I'll create a pathway for the gas to escape after I make some canisters from the room next door. We'll go in once it's safe.
"Or I could go in-"
"Xenx'i, I need you to go turn the power back on. We haven't seen any broken wires or heard any sparks, so someone just shut off power to this part of the factory. I can't see in the dark, but you can."
"...sure."
She leaves as he goes in the other door.
___________________________
The Shadow Wing flies through the corridors looking for a sign that says "electrical." After going back into the previous room, she finds the door her partner was told to skip and goes in. Inside is the plant's generator.
___________________________
The power turns on as Spinal is making a chemical canister for the gas. He sees a knight on the ground covered in emerald armor with blue gauntlets, boots and helmet with a vertical eye in the center. Spinal walks over and slaps him in the face, waking him up.
"Yo! Are you the Net Keeper?" he asks.
The knight sits up holding his head.
"Ugh...Net Keeper? No, I'm in charge of this facility. My name is Tien." he answers, opening his eyes.
"You're Lord Tien? My partner and I were sent here to meet with you regarding a meeting with our R&D department."
"Of course. You're Kisuke's protege, right? I'd love to help, but I'm busy wi-where's the Net Keeper?!"
"We were sent here to find him by someone in your office."
"Was he a Caucasian male with a goatee?"
"...he IS the Net Keeper, isn't he?"
The esteemed knight simply nods as Xenx'i comes back in.
"His name is Attou. I messaged him about a leak in the factory and he said he'd take care of it."
"The Iodine?"
"That's always there. We produce salt for the countries of Bern and Camelot, so we use a lot of it. The leak is in the next room over. I came down here to check his progress when I passed out. I believe some escaped from under the door."
"I sealed it off and will contain it as soon as I can."
The Black Scale taps a wall and a cylinder pops out of it. He puts his ear up against it.
"I put one of these up in your office before we left and have been leaving a line as I ran to connect it. That guy didn't really look trustworthy."
"Don't let this incident cloud your judgement of him. He's an excellent worker. One I will deal with myself."
He stands and grabs at nothing before leaving the room.
"It appears he took my blade."
The dragons follow him out of the room and to his office. On the way, a man wearing red and silver armor with a claw strapped around his fist and energy surrounding his entire other arm blocks their path.
"I do apologize, Hiro. I simply do not have the time for this right now." the knight stops and points out.
"Make time. We're fighting right now, regardless of your problems." Hiro replies in an unusually high pitched, robotic voice. He goes into a kickboxing stance and taunts the knight.
"You two are capable fighters. I assume?"
"Of course!" Spinals answers. Xenx'i simply nods.
"Then, I will be back momentarily."
He walks towards the knight in front of him and is met with a punch from the energy arm. He swiftly avoids the punch, kicks out his leg and throws Hiro across the room before continuing on his way.
'Damn. And I thought knights couldn't fight without a weapon...' Spinal thinks to himself.
He and Xenx'i block off the path towards Tien.
"You can't defeat me. Neither one of you has the warrior's spirit!"
'At least stand up and say that...' the young dragons think, looking at him up against the wall on his head.
He jumps up and charges his right arm. He points it at them and unleashes a ball of red and orange energy at his opponents. They duck to each side and Spinal puts up a wall to keep it from going down Tien's path. The ball strikes the wall and explodes.
"My weapon is the Psycho Blaster. It covers my entire right arm. It builds up kinetic energy in a sphere that I can launch as a weapon. I build up the energy by simply moving my body."
"...why would you explain all that to us?" Spinal questions.
"Because I am a true warrior and fight my enemies straight up!"
He charges at Spinal and swings his claw for his head. The Scale claps his hands together and touches his arm. He puts it up to block the blow before swinging at his opponent. Hiro grabs his fist with his other arm and shocks Spinal before jumping back to gain momentum for a stab. The hardened dragon punches it down, but it shocked to find that it didn't break. They spread out and look each other down.
"Your claw didn't break. why's that?"
"My claws are made of hardened rubber covered in steel. It absorbs the impact and-"
He's interrupted by dark tendrils shooting up from a magic circle beneath him and wrapping him up.
"You people talk too much." Xenx'i proclaims from behind Hiro.
"What is this?!" he yells, trying to break free.
"Entangler."
"What's that?!"
A tendril wraps around his mouth.
"Something to shut irritating people up."
"HA!"
A battle cry from the administrator's office is heard as a large, yellow pillar of light is seen. It had a blinding effect and was gone before anyone could open their eyes.
"That sounded like Lord Tien!" Hiro yells.
"That guy was the one we were sent here to meet? I thought he was head of security or something." Xenx'i says.
"That would be me." Hiro corrects with a smile.
'...of course it is...' they both think to themselves.
They see Tien come back with Attou over his shoulder, his sword strapped to his back. He gently places him on the ground and kneels over to Hiro.
"I have to go to Bern for a meeting now. You're in charge until I get back. These young dragons will help me remove the toxic gas before we leave so you won't have to worry about it. Is that alright with you?" he instructs.
"Only if you accept my challenge when you return, Lord Tien." Hiro replies.
"Of course. Now, let's get you cleaned up. If you wouldn't mind letting him up, I would appreciate it."
"Oh, are you sure?" Xenx'i hesitantly asks.
He simply nods and she removes the tendrils. He jumps up and cheers. He hugs the dragons, causing a look of disgust to appear on both their faces.
___________________________
Tien, Hiro and the dragons remove and contain the toxic gas. They bring it with them to Bern. Attou is cuffed and brought as well. He seems to have been affected by the gas and will be treated by the doctors at Bern.
___________________________
Somewhere that can't be revealed yet!
*loud snoring*
The magician known as The Sorcerer of the Dark, Negative, is sleeping in a chair with a newspaper over his face when suddenly, another mage appears! She takes the paper off his face, puts a blanket over him and walks out the room chuckling.
___________________________
A/N: This chapter will be receiving a minor update later, so feel free to check back in a few weeks. The 3 characters from the "meeting" will be revealed later obviously. Feel free to guess. Their role is special. XD
___________________________
Spinal knocks on a large metal door and turns around to speak with his partner, Xenx'i.
"A little unusual that they're letting us do a mission without a Fang, huh?" he asks.
"Not really. They sent Drago on his own about 2 weeks ago." she points out.
"And sent Jcoss later as a precaution."
"A necessary precaution. He was protecting his sister. You can't trust someone with that kind of emotional responsibility."
"Debatable. I'd say we're more likely to do a good job with that kind of temporary stress."
"Regardless, we're simply here to speak with the Royal in charge. Not too tasking, subjectively speaking."
"He's a Lord as well. Supposedly, the most level headed one out of them."
The doors, which are far larger than they first appear, begin to open. The dragons walk in and notice that every machine has at least two engineers working in near perfect sync. None of these workers seem to have noticed that they've walked in either.
"Jeez, they're acting like machines. I wonder if they even take breaks." Spinal wonders out loud.
"They're efficient workers. No need to judge them for that." Xenx'i argue.
"I haven't even seen one breathe yet. That's not normal."
"By your definition. Really, there's no such thing as normal."
"For someone's personality, I agree. Biologically, no. There's definitely a standard."
{Attention workers. You may begin your hour long break now. Thanks for your hard work.} says a group of speakers around the room.
The workers all sit down and go to sleep in their spots, back to back.
"They even sleep efficiently..." the Black Scale groans.
"I still don't see the problem. Even if they are weird, it's how they are."
"What's that smell...?"
Spinal looks around and notices a pink tint to the air. He slams his palm into the wall and warps the material into three masks. He hands one to his teammate and puts the other one on himself.
"There seems to be a toxin in the air. Put that mask on. I don't care how heavy you think it is."
She puts it on and glares at him.
"With my abilities, the weight isn't a problem. I'm not Drago." she angrily points out.
"Whatever you say. I don't really care about how you feel about your powers. I already know how they work."
"You don't know everything about them. Stop acting like a living encyclopedia. It drives my patience."
"Everything irritates you. What's one more thing?"
Spinal runs along the hallways, checking sign after sign as he goes. Eventually, he finds one that says "Administrator's office" on it. Opening the door, he finds Xenx'i already inside.
"When'd you get in here?" he asks.
"Right after you left. I can track other people through their shadows. Or did you not know that?" she points out.
"I already knew about that ability! I'm asking why you didn't immediately contact me to let me know where our target was!"
He rushes over to the scientist laying on the ground and puts a mask on him. He starts to check to his vitals after that.
"Damn it! I'm not a doctor and we need to know his condition! Why didn't you radio me as soon as you found him?!" he demands.
"I didn't think about it. We don't even know if he's even in critical condition or not. He seems to be fine to me." she says.
"I didn't realize you were a doctor! ...just go see if you can find anyone else. Take a mask."
He slaps the ground and wakes up the scientist.
"...what happened? Where's the Net Keeper?" he asks, rubbing his head.
"Who's that?" Spinal asks.
"So you don't know everything..." his partner interrupts.
"Oh, bite me!"
"Ahem?" the scientist reminds them.
"Right, sorry about that. You were saying?"
"The Net Keeper is exactly what it sounds like. It's someone who maintains our computer network and keeps the factory running smoothly. I noticed an error in our filtration system and messaged him to ask what happened."
"What is that pink gas?" Xenx'i inquires.
"Concentrated Iodine. Speaking of, these masks aren't really necessary. Iodine can burn your skin, but the amount in the air is nowhere near enough to cause harm. I assume the workers outside are fine?"
The two dragons pull off their masks and nod.
"The workers out there have been "modified" to be as efficient as possible. It's about time for their break, so they won't be much help to you."
"If the gas won't hurt us, why would we need the help?" the shadow dragon asks.
"To capture the Net Keeper, of course."
"You believe he caused the leak?" the male dragon asks, confused. "You think he betrayed the factory?"
"Well, I sent him a message concerning the leak and never got a response. He's usually very good about that." he explains.
"I'll find him, then come right back." Xenx'i says before sinking into her shadow.
"Where is the Net Keeper's office?" Spinal asks.
"You'll leave this office and take a left. Enter the building directly ahead of you. Follow the path right, then skip the door on the left and go into the first door you see in the next room. It'll be directly left of another door at the end of the hall." he explains, getting up and dusting himself off.
"Sounds like a boss room...alright! We'll be back with the Net Keeper. Then, we'll need you to answer a few questions."
"Of course."
Spinal nods and slaps the wall before running to meet up with his teammate.
___________________________
At an unknown location...
"Go ahead and try it~" a familiar voice says.
A figure across the table cuts a piece off and tries a bite. They chew slowly and swallow. Someone else stands by a closed window, tightening their fist in front of their stomach.
"It's delectable. What do you call it?" the other person at the table asks.
"Oh, it has an unofficial name that I'm not allowed to say. If you help me out, I can get you a lot more though~"
"You disgust me..." the one at the window growls, annoyed.
The first one to speak laughs to themselves before licking their lips.
___________________________
Back at the factory, Spinal had just passed an area with a sign that said:
{Due to the inefficiency of the previous guards, this area will be undergoing maintenance. We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your cooperation.
~Sir Tien, head of the factory}
As Spinal turns the corner, his partner for the mission pops out of his shadow.
"Did you find him?" he asks.
"No, the power's out to that section of the building. No light means no shadow for me to trace. I'd be guessing." she replies, frustrated.
"No worries. I know where we're going."
"Of course you do."
"Shut up and follow me."
"As opposed to?"
They arrive at the door they were given directions to. As Spinal is about to open it, Xenx'i grabs his wrist.
"Don't open that. Put your mask back on."
Spinal does so, then looks up at his now flying partner putting her mask on.
"More gas." he finally notices.
"Colorless."
"It's coming from this room, so I'll seal the door."
"What about the Net Keeper?"
"I'll create a pathway for the gas to escape after I make some canisters from the room next door. We'll go in once it's safe.
"Or I could go in-"
"Xenx'i, I need you to go turn the power back on. We haven't seen any broken wires or heard any sparks, so someone just shut off power to this part of the factory. I can't see in the dark, but you can."
"...sure."
She leaves as he goes in the other door.
___________________________
The Shadow Wing flies through the corridors looking for a sign that says "electrical." After going back into the previous room, she finds the door her partner was told to skip and goes in. Inside is the plant's generator.
___________________________
The power turns on as Spinal is making a chemical canister for the gas. He sees a knight on the ground covered in emerald armor with blue gauntlets, boots and helmet with a vertical eye in the center. Spinal walks over and slaps him in the face, waking him up.
"Yo! Are you the Net Keeper?" he asks.
The knight sits up holding his head.
"Ugh...Net Keeper? No, I'm in charge of this facility. My name is Tien." he answers, opening his eyes.
"You're Lord Tien? My partner and I were sent here to meet with you regarding a meeting with our R&D department."
"Of course. You're Kisuke's protege, right? I'd love to help, but I'm busy wi-where's the Net Keeper?!"
"We were sent here to find him by someone in your office."
"Was he a Caucasian male with a goatee?"
"...he IS the Net Keeper, isn't he?"
The esteemed knight simply nods as Xenx'i comes back in.
"His name is Attou. I messaged him about a leak in the factory and he said he'd take care of it."
"The Iodine?"
"That's always there. We produce salt for the countries of Bern and Camelot, so we use a lot of it. The leak is in the next room over. I came down here to check his progress when I passed out. I believe some escaped from under the door."
"I sealed it off and will contain it as soon as I can."
The Black Scale taps a wall and a cylinder pops out of it. He puts his ear up against it.
"I put one of these up in your office before we left and have been leaving a line as I ran to connect it. That guy didn't really look trustworthy."
"Don't let this incident cloud your judgement of him. He's an excellent worker. One I will deal with myself."
He stands and grabs at nothing before leaving the room.
"It appears he took my blade."
The dragons follow him out of the room and to his office. On the way, a man wearing red and silver armor with a claw strapped around his fist and energy surrounding his entire other arm blocks their path.
"I do apologize, Hiro. I simply do not have the time for this right now." the knight stops and points out.
"Make time. We're fighting right now, regardless of your problems." Hiro replies in an unusually high pitched, robotic voice. He goes into a kickboxing stance and taunts the knight.
"You two are capable fighters. I assume?"
"Of course!" Spinals answers. Xenx'i simply nods.
"Then, I will be back momentarily."
He walks towards the knight in front of him and is met with a punch from the energy arm. He swiftly avoids the punch, kicks out his leg and throws Hiro across the room before continuing on his way.
'Damn. And I thought knights couldn't fight without a weapon...' Spinal thinks to himself.
He and Xenx'i block off the path towards Tien.
"You can't defeat me. Neither one of you has the warrior's spirit!"
'At least stand up and say that...' the young dragons think, looking at him up against the wall on his head.
He jumps up and charges his right arm. He points it at them and unleashes a ball of red and orange energy at his opponents. They duck to each side and Spinal puts up a wall to keep it from going down Tien's path. The ball strikes the wall and explodes.
"My weapon is the Psycho Blaster. It covers my entire right arm. It builds up kinetic energy in a sphere that I can launch as a weapon. I build up the energy by simply moving my body."
"...why would you explain all that to us?" Spinal questions.
"Because I am a true warrior and fight my enemies straight up!"
He charges at Spinal and swings his claw for his head. The Scale claps his hands together and touches his arm. He puts it up to block the blow before swinging at his opponent. Hiro grabs his fist with his other arm and shocks Spinal before jumping back to gain momentum for a stab. The hardened dragon punches it down, but it shocked to find that it didn't break. They spread out and look each other down.
"Your claw didn't break. why's that?"
"My claws are made of hardened rubber covered in steel. It absorbs the impact and-"
He's interrupted by dark tendrils shooting up from a magic circle beneath him and wrapping him up.
"You people talk too much." Xenx'i proclaims from behind Hiro.
"What is this?!" he yells, trying to break free.
"Entangler."
"What's that?!"
A tendril wraps around his mouth.
"Something to shut irritating people up."
"HA!"
A battle cry from the administrator's office is heard as a large, yellow pillar of light is seen. It had a blinding effect and was gone before anyone could open their eyes.
"That sounded like Lord Tien!" Hiro yells.
"That guy was the one we were sent here to meet? I thought he was head of security or something." Xenx'i says.
"That would be me." Hiro corrects with a smile.
'...of course it is...' they both think to themselves.
They see Tien come back with Attou over his shoulder, his sword strapped to his back. He gently places him on the ground and kneels over to Hiro.
"I have to go to Bern for a meeting now. You're in charge until I get back. These young dragons will help me remove the toxic gas before we leave so you won't have to worry about it. Is that alright with you?" he instructs.
"Only if you accept my challenge when you return, Lord Tien." Hiro replies.
"Of course. Now, let's get you cleaned up. If you wouldn't mind letting him up, I would appreciate it."
"Oh, are you sure?" Xenx'i hesitantly asks.
He simply nods and she removes the tendrils. He jumps up and cheers. He hugs the dragons, causing a look of disgust to appear on both their faces.
___________________________
Tien, Hiro and the dragons remove and contain the toxic gas. They bring it with them to Bern. Attou is cuffed and brought as well. He seems to have been affected by the gas and will be treated by the doctors at Bern.
___________________________
Somewhere that can't be revealed yet!
*loud snoring*
The magician known as The Sorcerer of the Dark, Negative, is sleeping in a chair with a newspaper over his face when suddenly, another mage appears! She takes the paper off his face, puts a blanket over him and walks out the room chuckling.
___________________________
A/N: This chapter will be receiving a minor update later, so feel free to check back in a few weeks. The 3 characters from the "meeting" will be revealed later obviously. Feel free to guess. Their role is special. XD