//------------------------------// // New Plans // Story: Descendants Of The Isle 3: Rise of the Royal Villain // by Melody Song //------------------------------// After crossing the ocean once more by using Tempest’s spell-though Spitfire and her team flew over instead, they made their way to Equus Prep. Where they found creatures scattered everywhere, students, sleeping. “They’re all asleep…” Luna whispered, phone held up to her ear. Gallus and Thorax also had their phones out. “I-I can’t get Sandy.” Gallus said. “Or Gabby, or Snowdrop.” Luna reported “Or Ember…” Thorax looked at his phone nervously. “The signal’s out.” “Is that Equus prep?” Discord asked, pointing at the giant castle. “Yep. You’re gonna love it once everyone wakes up.” Pharynx told him “Everything is so green!” Rainbow exclaimed. “There are leaves on the trees.” “And what are thethe colored thingieth on the busheth?” Fleetfoot asked. Thorax blinked at her. “Flowers?” “They’re pretty.” Fleetfoot picked one and tucked it behind her ear, smiling. “Cool! Tiny cantaloupe!” Soarin grabbed a bowl of grapes sitting by a sleeping student and began eating, giving some to Rainbow. “There’s no fresh fruit on the Isle, remember?” Spitfire said as Pharynx opened his mouth to say something. Pharynx sighed, glancing over at Soarin and Rainbow. “They’re called grapes, by the way.” “Grapes… I love grapes.” Soarin decided, as Rainbow began pickpocketing the sleeping students. “I believe I deserve some… compensation for my speed… my cunning, and my role in this endeavour.” Rainbow said, and Pharynx stormed over, grabbing the money and wallet and stuffing them back into the student’s shirt pocket. “You do. Me not bucking you into a wall.” Pharynx snarled at her, and she chuckled. “Think I’m scared of you, Pharynx?” “Guys.” Spitfire and Tempest spoke as one, getting their attention. “Monarch!” Gallus cried, and they saw him lean down, scooping up the kitten, who began purring contentedly, happy to be back with his owner. “Guys!” Luna called, and they walked over, seeing her standing by a stone unicorn mare in a band uniform, looking terrified. “She’s stone…” “Yona was definitely here. Everycreature stay on your hooves.” Tempest said “Since we’re here, let’s check out the school.” Spitfire said “No.” Gallus stopped her. “Yona wants revenge, she’ll have gone for Sandy… h-he’s in the castle…” “Then that’s where we’ll go.” Tempest told him. “Says who?” Spitfire asked “Says me.” “Says you. And that’s supposed to mean something to me?” “Girls.” Luna spoke, and they glanced at her. “...To the castle.” Tempest said, and they nodded, rushing off. ----------------------------------- Meanwhile, in an old cottage in the forest, Yona was staring into the gem in the Staff of Sacanas, watching Tempest and the others leave the school grounds. “How did Tempest break my spell?!” Yona asked, and Blueblood trembled nearby. “I-I don’t know.” Yona grabbed a bowl of fruit on the table and dumped out the fruit, holding up the bowl. “And what is Spitfire doing here?!” “N-No no no!” Blueblood shrieked and ducked as Yona tossed the glass bowl at the wall. “Where did they go, Blue?! Where did they go?!” “I-I don’t know! I-I can go check for you, if you want-” “Stay!” Yona commanded, and he crouched on the floor. Yona walked over and began stroking his mane like he was a dog. “It’s about to get a little ugly.” -------------------------------------- “Sandy!” Gallus called frantically as they entered the castle hallway leading to Sandbar’s room. “Gallus, Sandbar could be asleep anywhere.” Tempest reminded him. “Or turned to stone.” Discord put in, and Luna covered his mouth with a hoof, nodding to an already nervous Gallus. “Sandyyy!” Gallus continued calling. Monarch meowed loudly and leapt down from Gallus’ claw, meowing and padding down a corridor. “Wait, I think Monarch’s got his scent!” “Really?” Soarin asked “Yeah. He gives great cuddles, too.” Gallus chuckled as they followed the cat. “Cool. I never had a pet growing up.” Rainbow remarked. “Except for the stuffed bird mom and dad made but that’s not exactly-” “Hold up.” Spitfire said, stopping them and touching a hoof to a completely torn painting. “What’s this?” “Um… any chance this was already like that?” Thorax asked Gallus, who shook his head. Monarch meowed again and Gallus ran after him. “Sandy!” The group found themselves in a large room filled with sets of armor. “What is this place?” Thorax asked. “Armor room, some of the guards store their weapons and uniforms in here.” Pharynx supplied, as Rainbow examined a sword. “I can feel you looking~” she told Pharynx as he approached her. “Good.” he muttered. Soarin was leaning down and petting Monarch, who was standing obediently by Discord, who had waited by the doorway. “So he can track and cuddle… do you think his kittens would be just as fluffy?” Soarin asked “Hey, he’s taken. You want a pet, adopt one from a rescue shelter.” Gallus told Soarin, who nodded. Discord got Monarch to come over to him and picked him up. The rest of the group continued moving around the room, searching. “I bet you lost some sleep thinking about me on the loose, huh?” Spitfire asked Tempest, who looked away. “Good soldiers don’t sleep.” Tempest put a hoof to her chin in thought. “I wonder if cooked Phoenix tastes like chicken.” “Okay, why don’t we not do this?” Luna suggested. “We’re celebrating our differences.” Spitfire retorted. Elsewhere, back in her cottage, Yona stared into the Staff’s gem, cackling evilly. All at once, the armor surrounding the group began to move. Thorax shrieked and hid behind Pharynx. Tempest and Spitfire didn’t notice, too busy arguing with each other. “I believe we’re being challenged.” Rainbow told Spitfire, who held up a wing for silence. “Let’s split up and look for Yona.” Spitfire said. “That makes no sense, unless you give me the Bell she’s going to spell you.” The armor continued moving, and Rainbow slapped Spitfire with her wing. The mare turned to her, clearly angered by the slap. Rainbow ignored the look she was being given and pointed at the suit of armor. “Guys! We kind of have a situation here!” “You like Princes so badly?” Yona’s voice came from a suit of armor directly in front of them. “How about a knight in shining armor? Or knights.”