//------------------------------// // Chapter 85 - Sun Ford Town // Story: Quest For Harmony // by destinedjagold //------------------------------// Two soldiers accompanied me towards the center of town where the chinooks are located. Well, they were pretty much dragging me there through the rain though. We ran pass my parents' house, and I couldn't stop myself from looking at it. I tried my best to stop. “Wait, wait! My parents—!” I shouted as I started to struggle off of their grip on me. “I can't leave them behind!” “Sir,” one of the soldiers spoke, “I'm pretty sure that everyone has evacuated to the center of town already!” I managed to slip off of their grip. I turned and was about to run towards my home when yellow-glowy-eyed timberwolves appeared out of alleyways. I gulped and turned back to the soldiers. “Okay, I'm convinced. Let's go!” My panic shouts made the wolves growl fiercely as they started running towards us. Several soldiers near the area open-fired at the fast-approaching wolves. --- The town square is a huge playground, where it is now turned into the military's base camp. On the center of the playground, the last of the chinook helicopter took off just as the soldiers and myself arrived in the area. They shouted something, but I doubted that any of the persons on that chopper would hear us. Even with this darkness, I was able to see my two brothers were on it. Xilfer, my younger brother, was beside the chopper's window, and he took a quick glance down, and our eyes locked. I saw him gasp and started to call the attention of the others. But, from the looks of things, I doubt the chopper would land back. Things were getting louder and louder around me, but I disregarded those things as I smiled and waved my hand at Xilfer, Kronz and Claire. Suddenly, I saw Kronz gave something to Xilfer. Xilfer then stood and ran towards the open door. Several soldiers tried to pull him back, and they did after he threw something towards me. Strangely, it felt rather familiar, seeing my younger brother throwing that ball of clothing at me. It...reminded me of our younger years when we used to play catch all the time. Everything became black as my eyes only concentrated on the ball of clothing soaring through the air. I saw it's descending, so I started running towards it, extending my hand to grab it, which I did as I skidded to a stop. I didn't bother to look at it. A smile crept on my lips as I returned my gaze back to smile at my brother, but the chinook was already too far away. I sighed as that warm familiar feeling within me faded as everything around me began to take over my senses... I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I opened my eyes, and looked at what was happening all around me. The playground consisted of three or four large tents with lights. Soldiers were running as they are carrying and delivering ammo to those who are firing at the timberwolves that were trying to come near us. From the distance, I saw the small tip of Mount Comet, almost completely blocked by the growling hydra. I saw one of the tents, and inside were a few more civilians, crying out of fear. I recognize most of them, yet I don't know any of them. Things are looking really grim, but, I smiled. So, there was still a chance for me to connect and to reach out for my younger brother. I have thought that it was hopeless, from all the things he's been doing to get himself far away from us. I blinked to hold back that traitorous tear from running down my face. No time for that though. I took a breath and exhaled. Hm... Now how the heck am I to survive this? I suddenly remembered the ball of cloth that my bro tossed to me. They won't throw something this meaningless, and with the current situation. I ran towards the tent with the other civilians, and after I went inside, a female soldier tossed me a towel. I caught it, but simply hung it on my shoulder as I unwrapped the ball of cloth. Inside was my phone. I blinked as my other hand went to my pocket. Yep, my phone's not inside my pocket. Two messages receiv—eh, scratch that, now I have three messages. I opened them and the latest one was from my younger brother. Oh? He still has my number? It's been years since he last texted me or replied to any of my messages. I couldn't help but smile at that. I opened the text message, and my smile turned into a frown. “Kronz said that you need to know what's going on. He said that the portals came from those dudes that took you away from us. Things aren't looking good bro. Get the hell outta there. I don't know why these dudes in uniform aren't flying back to get you.” Another new message... This time, it's from Claire... “Jay, thank goodness you're okay! But, we told the soldiers to fly back, but they wouldn't listen! Oh Jay, please be careful there!” And another new message. This time, it's from Xilfer through his Gmail account. “Big bro, those portals came from the machines at the base of Mount Comet. Claire and I told her father to stop, but he wouldn't listen! Tell the army to shut down those machines! Shut. Down! Don't destroy them!” Yeah...uh... I don't think that giant timberwolf likes that idea... These two other messages are from...Spike? I think I'll read the first message that he sent me. “Hey Gold! Or, Jay! Whatever. Listen, the unicorns and pegasi agreed to help each other to fight the Windigos from freezing the land! Ain't that awesome! It's because of you that things back here are getting okay! Thanks Gold! Uh, Jay. Man, I need to get use to your real name...” I was about to open the other message when two soldiers came inside, almost bumping into me. “Everyone to the chopper, now!” One of them shouted. I blinked before turning my attention outside, and there, I saw another chinook was about to land on the landing field. I was then pushed out by a soldier, and he grabbed my hand and dragged me towards the chopper. I took a quick look back, and saw the other civilians were following close. But as I returned my gaze ahead, the air was quickly filled by shocked gasps and shouts, and a huge and fierce wave of flames covered the entire helicopter. We stopped as soon as it happened, and the soldiers quickly pushed us away from it. I think I know what's going to happen, so I quickly turned around an—I flew in the air after a powerful explosion erupted from the helicopter, and I landed on the ground with a grunt. Ugh... What the hel—I gasped after a powerful roar echoed from behind, and followed by a thud after something landed behind me. I quickly crawled forward as I tried to get back to my feet. After I did, I turned and...saw a mighty dragon towering over the burning chopper behind it. It growled as it scanned its new environment. As it did so, I slowly took a few steps back, but I stopped after I noticed that it's one eye was close. Something about this dragon was familiar, and studying it's color from the light of the fire behind it, its scales were dark-green. “Xelene—!” I shouted, and it quickly stared back at me. I was about to say something else but then bullets started flying towards her...