darkSpyro

Guardian coughed and tried to speak but Shi said "no dad. you need to rest. now." Guardian could have objected but decided to listen and tried to get some sleep.

Sybil was desperate to rescue AJ... but she knew that he was going to be under very heavy guard, and it would do much more harm than good if she also got captured along the way.
"I need something to defend myself in case I get spotted. But what?" she asked, open to suggestions. What could possibly work as a defense from a bunch of Komodo dragons for a tiny little civet like her? Once again, Sybil hated to be what she was and not being more helpful.

Quote: Spyroconvexity

"I don't know. Tell him Shadow did come but tell him not to worry we have help from our allies from Zera. If he insists on coming tell him he will only cause more harm then good. He will understand." Rose said.

Ami wasn't so sure on what to think. She figured Cairo did understand to have abandoned the Haven that he loved so much, but he really hated Shadow, perhaps much more than Sybil.
"... Alright. I will tell him. But I'm not sure if I should tell him about the margay." she said doubtfully, knowing she won't be able to lie about that. She wanted to stay for a while, but not for long since it would be hard to catch the very few fish that were left at the ocean... which brought Ami the need to know the next thing.
"How have Mr. Jet and the others have managed? Have they tried to... attack you yet?" she asked, knowing the drought crisis was desperately big. And if the sharks taking residence now decided to feed later, it will limit the three orca's sources even further, since the next supply of fish was further beyond the "impossible" current.

Crocux smiled "well use your size to your advantage Sybil. the kamodos are big and bulky while your small and agile. Dad has told us that a wise one once said that the mind is greater then any other weapon ever concived."

Sybil wanted to believe she could do it, so after landing on the island, the first thing she did was cover herself with mud and leaves to mask her scent and camouflage herself.
"Man, I should have made a spear or something like Sholeh to defend myself." she said, saying it more to her sub-conscience rather than her companions. She then had another idea.
"Sozen, do you think you could do the distraction all by yourself? I want Crocux to remain near me in case I get spotted." Sybil explained, wanting Crocux to be her bodyguard while she did the rescuing. Crocux was exceptionally good at camouflaging, doing it without even trying every time she came to visit him.

Quote: Spyroconvexity

"They are thin but they are surviving. They haven't attacked us. We put up signs to warn others to data away from the warter." Rose said.

"Yes. And it's better if you keep staying away from the water. Mr. Jet especially may be very resistant due to having been an outcast, but even he is bound to flinch, so please just... remain on land." Ami warned, knowing that the orcas were their friend, but hunger was something dangerous.
"Well, I better leave now. I will tell Cairo about this... and let's pray he doesn't become stubborn and return here." she said, leaving. Three orcas was dangerous enough, but a whole pod was going to be utter chaos.

Crocux looked uneasy about it and said "I don't think it's a good idea but if you think you can do it on your own Sozen then I'll go along with it."

Deep within the forest, where the trees are the densest, I am currently bound, firmly and securely with vines. I lay down and look at Shadow. My vines are long, to allow me to move around, but thick as well as strong to prevent escape. Not like I am going to try to anyway, we're in the middle of nowhere and I would have no idea how to get back home. Also part of me is hoping I can change Shadow for the better, the other komodos besides him love me. Patrols of at least two komodos defend the perimeter, the majority are guarding Shadow and I.

OOC: Yes Wyrstel. I accept the human base, but let's just get that far. And a collar with name is a bit overboard.

Ami took her lead, wishing she would have arrived long before Shadow arrived so that she wouldn't have to give those dreadful news to the big orca. Cairo was a great leader and everything, but he had the tendency to take impulsive decisions, which has caused trouble to the pod in the past. But all that could be done was hope that he would see reason.

Quote: Spyroconvexity

"I will Ami. Be safe and good luck!" Rose said.

"Now remember Crocux, don't follow me so closely. You would want to avoid detection too, and if I'm spotted, or you, remember, don't attack them. Don't get bitten. We run away." Sybil explained, not wanting to take any chances. She then ventured into the forest, knowing that was going to be a very tough search. Luckily, the island was not that big, and she was going to listen intently if there was a Komodo nearby. She hoped that at least one of them would spill the beans about AJ's whereabouts eventually.

"They are fine, Mr. Shadow. Why don't you lay down? You are probably quite sore and could use some rest. So why are you attacking my home? Are you trying to escape humans and want a safe place to call home," I ask my tail flicking back and forth as I wait for his answer.

Crocux nodded and did as instructed with professional skill, as if he's done stuff like this before which technically he has.

OOC: Hey Spyroconvexity, don't forget to answer Wyrstel.

Sybil had her ears raised, ready to listen to any conversation between the dragons. With any luck, they were as gossiping as the warblers back home. Her patience and surveillance paid off, for she heard something about the center of the island. Perhaps that's where AJ was being kept? It must be. It would make sense that they would have him at the center, far away from sea and where the foliage was the thickest. So without delays, she guided herself to where she believed was the center of the island, having only her instincts as compass. She didn't pay attention whether Crocux was still following her or not, since she didn't want any distractions. So far, covering herself with mud and leaves was the best strategy, since she has avoided detection for now...

Crocux fallowed making sure he didn't lose track of her while staying hidden himself.

Sybil was still too far away to hear Shadow, but she could hear the mumbling of the talking Komodo dragons. She must be getting close, since the number of them was increasing the more she ventured into those woods. She wondered how Sozen was handling the distraction, or if he was waiting for the right moment...

"Really? Why? Do you want me to get hurt? If this continues that could very well happen. Please Mr. Shadow this needs to stop. I'll stay here as long as you want, if you will please forget your past greivances and end this war, making peace with Sybil. Please Mr. Shadow, let me help you. Whatever caused you to have a heart of stone, let me heal. Please," I say as a few tears splash onto his hide as I shyly nuzzle him with my head.

Sybil was venturing more and more inside the island, having underestimated how big it was, especially for someone as small as her. She had to be more careful, since the number of dragons was increasing and she had to go more slowly to avoid the sounds of the woods giving away her position.

Crocux had to do the same but he had to grow more careful first due to his size.

Jack helped Sunflame along trying to find a safe place for him to rest.

With the help of some sharks, Whirlpool returned to Hunted island, much to the delit and welcome of the cockatoos, even the usually stern Barloc. However, he simply returned quietly to his burrow, ignoring his feathered friends, and settled into his alone corner. He still believed everything was his fault, and that it would have just been better if Shadow simply would have finished him off to avoid Sybil from going through that horrible experience.

with Jack being at Haven he didn't know were Whirlpool was as he continued to search for a place for Sunflame to rest.

Whirlpool didn't even noticed he was alone until much later. He knew about Sozen taking Jack and his patients away, or something like that, but he find that better. He needed to be alone, hide away from the world to hide the shame he felt for letting the enemy take the easy path to conquering. He knew about AJ as well, having heard it from the warblers, which made him submerge even deeper in his own depression.

Sybil was now near the base, having reached the highest concentration of Komodo dragons and a man-made structure. That must have been where they were keeping AJ. She stayed hidden in a brush for a while to study the guard's movement and the terrain, planning well her strategy in order to get out of there unnoticed.

"Please Mr. Shadow, you have me, can't we negociate about this? She is or will suffer from this, if that is what you, desire. Keep me and leave the islands, I am more than enough of a loss for them. You choose who you are, Mr. Shadow, you don't have to be the villian. I believe you can change, you just need to believe in yourself. No one is hopeless, or not worth it. I am here as long as you choose. Let me help you, direct you away from all this; away from the dark road of revenge and domination, to the one I see inside," I say, with sincerity and compassion. I do not see him as the villian but rather a lost soul searching for oneself.

Sybil heard the thunder and knew what that was, Just in time too. What perfect timing Sozen had. Sybil could even see Shadow leaving the quarters. With him and all the Komodo dragons leaving, Sybil infiltrated AJ's prison.
"I'm here AJ. Don't worry. I will get you out of here in no time." Sybil said, trying to untie the knots of his vines, but at the same time nibbling on them in case she couldn't undue them.

Crocux went in "allow me." he bit down on the vines to sever the creating in adiuable snap.

I am so scared, I barely speak. As soon as I am free, I rush over to Sybil and wrap my paws around her. Tears stream down my cheeks as I shake like leaf in her paws. I manage to say a few words as she tries her best to comfort and calm me.
"Thank you," I say before collapsing without another word, trembling in her paws.

"Ahh, such a touching moment, says a voice in the dark. To bad I have to cut it short. You should never have come here," says the voice to reveal himself as Shadow's advisor.
Meanwhile Sozen is about to have a big surprise as thousands of bats emerge from the trees surrounding him in a massive, dense black cloud.

Crocux hissed "stay back or I'll crush your skull"

"Try me, boy, I have many more surprizes than what you experienced before. I am far more experienced than you in a fight. Though now that I see you clearly boy, I... Just go you two, Saris will... There is no time, Shadow moves against the islands as we speak. I have... the komodo clutches his chest and blood drips from it, sabatoged the new weapon, he will have to fight you fairly. I have little time left, tell Saris I..." The komodo never finishes as he collapses and his eyes close, as his heart stops. A pool of blood lays beneath him and his pouch which has his name, Syris and Saris upon it.

Crocux was suprized that the kamodo knows his brother. before he could ask the kamodo died. Crocux sees the pouch and collects it. he turns to Sybil and says "okay stealth isn't nessissary anymore. hop on my back and hold on as right as you can and don't let go. hold on like your life depended on it."

Saris shuttered a bit. he was busy trying to help Jack. Jack looked at him and said "you okay?" Saris gave him a worried look "I don't know I just got a chill. like something bad happened."

OOC: Hmm, I have a feeling you two agreed on something. It's alright though. I like surprises, as long as it's not anything too random

Sybil didn't think of it much, so as she rather coldly watched the Komodo dragon die, all that was on her mind was to get out of there. So with considerable strength, she lifted AJ to Crocux's back, imagining that he was too much in shock to do anything by himself yet.
"Alright Crocux. It is time. Let's leave this infernal island." she ordered, holding AJ in case he fell. However, as they prepared to leave, she was starting to grow too curious on what the heck happened back there. How did Shadow's second in command knew Saris? Was he trying to help them? And above all, why did he had that mortal wound in the first place?

Crocux bolted out of their at a full gallop. he was going as fast as he could going for the fastest rout out of their while avoiding the location of the distraction.

Sybil held on biting one of the spikes of his back while grabbing AJ with both her front paws. It still baffled her how Crocux could run so fast with such short legs, but who's complaining?

it wasn't too long until they reached the water. with the beach in view he yelled "hold on!" and dived in torpedoing out to sea.

Sybil still held tight, but Crocux was overdoing his speed. She tried to say something, but since she was holding on with her mouth, she couldn't speak. Crocux' speed was splashing water to her face, and fearing she could drown, she let go, falling into the water but leaving AJ on his back.
"H... hey!" Sybil called, trying not to be so loud since she didn't't ant to alert the sharks, if they were nearby.

Crocux felt the load get lighter and turned around to get her "sorry" he said quietly. "climb on" once he was next to her.

Sybil climbed, glad that he noticed, but after she climbed back, she started to watch the water. She didn't want Crocux to decrease his speed, but then she had an idea.
"Hey Crocux, I don't want to slow you down. The sooner we get off this island then better, but you can't do it with us in your back. So..." Sybil started to say, but after much thought, she didn't like the idea, and doubted AJ was going to like it either.
"Um... never mind. I'll try to hold on better and hold my breath." she then said, desisting the idea.

Crocux nodded "okay. I'll stay at the serface." and he started swimming away from Shadow's base and back to Haven.

"Wait. How will Sozen know that we're done?" Sybil expressed, not wanting the eagle to overwork himself with the distraction not knowing whether the rescue was successful or not. Now Sybil realized that she should have brought a either a kea or a warbler with her.

But as luck would have it, Ami was flying nearby, wanting to report to Cairo as soon as possible and get off that painful step. She hasn't flown through that part of the ocean before, but had to get sidetracked to avoid a large flock of albatross that were migrating. She then heard the familiar thunder, and looked into the horizon.
"Wait... could it be...?" she asked herself, unable to believe that was Sozen. What were the chances of that?

Sybil decided that it was better for them to return and let Sozen realize by himself that they were returning.
"Come on Crocux. It's time to get back home. We are too exposed here." Sybil said, hating to leave Sozen alone, but they couldn't take any more chances. The sooner the three of them returned to the Haven, the sooner Sybil could send one of the birds to retrieve Sozen, if he hasn't been back by that time.

From her spot, Ami could see that Sozen was having a bad time, and could see from the distance that gloomy island. She couldn't see the Komodo dragons or the bats from that distance, yet she was having a bad feeling. Nonetheless, she flew towards the now small shilouette of Sozen, wanting to be of assistance...

Crocux nodded "you got it." and swam away as fast as he could without losing Sybil or AJ.

Sybil once again held on, and closed her eyes to prevent water from getting in, but of course, it was getting hard to breathe with all that salty water splashing to one's face. She held both herself and AJ really well for a while. but they were still miles far away from the Haven, and she fell a second time, this time with AJ. After waiting for Crocux to notice, she realized that she had to go along with her original plan if they wanted to arrive on time.
"It's no use Crocux. We are slowing you down traveling on your back..." she then looked at AJ, almost as if apologizing for what she was about to suggest...
"We need to travel... there..." she said, looking at the crocodile's snout. She trusted Crocux completely, but it was still going to be a scary experience.

Crocux collected her and said "no way. I'm not leaving anyone behind. I wont go through that again."

OOC: Spyroconvexity, you kinda repeated that last post.

Sybil now knew that he didn't understood what she meant.
"No Crocux! Not leave us behind! Just..." she started to say, when she saw Sozen flying.
"Oh thank goodness! Over here!" she called to the eagle, hoping to get a ride along with AJ, and not noticing that Ami was far behind trying to get to him...

"Yes. We are fine. But you?" she asked after taking a look at him. Ami was still on her way, and could see now the Komodo dragons below. They didn't seemed to make an effort to recapture AJ, but that lack of action made her very worried. She headed to Sozen, but slowly since she tried to understand what the Komodo dragons were doing down there...