Caught

Disclaimer: I own nothing of Dragon Flyz, which is owned by Gaumont Pictures. Only the plot is mine and I make no money from this.

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Meanwhile, on Airlandis, trouble was brewing.

Like usual, the center of it was in the Council Room, where the remaining Dragon Flyz were yet again butting heads with the council leaders.

Z'neth barely restrained himself from slamming his hands down on the table before him, “What do you mean the search is over?! We still haven't found Peak!”

Councilman Joshua frowned at him, “Z'neth, see reason. Your brother has been missing for a little over two weeks now and you yourself have admitted that Dread Wing denies knowing his location. Continuing a search now would just be a waste of valuable time and resources, as well as a goose chase.”

Summit looked fit to literally explode. How he restrained himself enough to speak coherently was a mystery to all as he snarled at Joshua, “So you're calling no less than three different dragonators, not including my own self, who saw Peak being dragged off of Wing Storm by dark dramen, liars? For what purpose would we lie about that?! As you yourself said Joshua, it'd be a waste of time and resources on a 'goose chase'.”

That last part was spat out with near tangible venom but the other man didn't back down, instead turning to Apex, “Apex, please, reason with your brothers! You said that Wing Storm could no longer speak with Peak, which mea-”

She cut him off sharply, “Don't you dare put words in my mouth Councilman Joshua! I said, specifically in my report, that Wing Storm told me that when he tries to reach Peak through their bond, something blocks them. I've felt it myself, following the bond from Wing Storm's side and it is an active resistance, like someone literally put a wall up between them. If...”

She paused to take a breath and composed herself enough to continue on, “If Peak was really dead, there wouldn't be anything there. There wouldn't be a wall at all, just an.....emptiness, if you want to put a label to it. But the fact that there is a block means that Peak is a live somewhere and is being kept from speaking with Wing Storm! The only one with the resources and motive to do that would be Dread Wing!”

Another councilman spoke up, “But has he bragged about it yet? We all know Dread's ego and yet none of you have mentioned anything about him gloating over this.....victory, if you'll excuse the phrasing.”

Z'neth turned to look at the new speaker, tiredly admitting, “Unfortunately, that is true. I don't know why Dread hasn't done so yet but it's only a matter of time now.”

A councilwoman demanded, “But why is he waiting? For what purpose could he be doing that?”

Z'neth gritted his teeth and forced himself to say it, “Don't you already realize it? Dread did something similar to me only a few months ago.”

Joshua caught on first, asking, “Z'neth, are you saying that Dread Wing is having Peak mutated?”

The leader of the Dragon Flyz nodded, “It's the only thing that makes sense right now. I was told afterwards that one of the reasons my own mutation was undone was because I hadn't been exposed to the mutein long enough or had gone too long without a booster dosage by the time I reverted back to human. By hiding Peak away and keeping him fully concealed, even from his own dragon, Dread Wing could be testing new mutation techniques on him, as well as psychological ones. This time however, he now has all the time he needs to perfect the process.”

The council leaders looked at each other uneasily, clearly thinking of the dangers a perfected mutation process would pose to the city. Joshua picked up on their unease and told the Dragon Flyz, “Let us have a twenty minute recess for now. We'll convene again afterwards to discuss this new development.”

Z'neth forced himself to nod stiffly at the council spokesman, turning on his heel to quickly leave the Council Room as soon as the official dismissal was given. Apex and Summit flanked him, both looking as tired and irritated as he felt.

Summit spoke first, sounding exhausted, “What if they're right Z'neth? What if someone else has Peak?”

The eldest brother frowned but replied, “Then we'll hear about it soon enough. Dread's made it clear to a lot of Old Earth that there's a bounty on our heads, especially if we're brought in alive.”

None of them wanted to think on the other option, that Peak really was...

Apex broke their dark thoughts, saying, “I'm going back to the dragon sanctuary for now. Wing Storm's very depressed right now and I'm not certain how much longer I can talk with him.”

Her brothers looked at her, Summit asking, “You don't think he'd....dive into the winds, do you?”

It was the way Airlandian dragons committed suicide, diving into the warp winds that covered Old Earth in a free fall. If the winds and their enclosed storms didn't tear the dragon apart, then the resultant crash on Old Earth at the end got them. They typically did this after the death of their rider, though thankfully it was a rare occurrence on both accounts.

Apex hesitated but shook her head, “Storm's always been very closed off, remember? Without Peak here to speak with him....I don't want to say he's falling into insanity but Storm's certainly been getting....unstable lately.”

Z'neth frowned, “Keep us updated Apex and do your best. If we lose Wing Storm, then we lose Peak as well. There's still a chance that block might fall any day now.”

She gave him a weak smile, “Let me know if I'm needed back at the meeting.”

He nodded to her and turned to Summit as she left, “Even though I hate admitting it, Joshua does have a point Summit. We need to find more information about where Peak is.”

His younger brother gave him a sharp smile, “If you're suggesting what I think you are, then I'm in.”

Z'neth clasped his shoulder in thanks before continuing on, “Unfortunately, we'll have to tell the council as well, since they're already watching us closely. I....I'm sorry but I might have to end the search in exchange for a raid on Warnado.”

Summit grimaced but replied, “That's only officially. We do runs over Old Earth all the time, big bro. It won't be that much more work to keep an eye out for any signs of Peak while we're down there.”

Z'neth let out a short laugh, feeling a little of his stress leave his shoulders, “You're right. Now come on, we need to let Father know about the meeting.”

Not long after Peak's disappearance, Aaron had buried himself in work and it was only through the concerted efforts of the remaining siblings that he even saw the sunlight at all lately. Currently Dram was the one watching over their father and hopefully had been able to talk some sense into him.

Though perhaps they could all use a little sense talked into them right now....