This was not the battle that Billy had agreed to. Were they strong enough to face an entire army of evil dragons on their own? Could they win? Or had he joined the losing side in this war?
But he knew, no matter what, he would never fight alongside the Dragon of Death. He’d seen Spark’s vision on the ice wall. He would do everything he could to stop that from happening.
‘How could you do this to us, Dimitrius? We were friends,’ said Buttons. ‘We discovered all of the realm together. I helped you collect your first hoard of limestones. We took our first flight together.’
‘Don’t be foolish, Buttons,’ said Dimitrius with a sneer. He flicked his tongue out and narrowed his eyes. ‘Although you always were the foolish one. Too soft. You would never have accomplished anything if it wasn’t for me and those around you, helping you along.’
‘That is enough, Dimitrius,’ spat Spark, electricity still buzzing all around her. ‘We will never join the Dragon of Death and the Noxious. She is like a black hole, feasting on the power of others and the life force of all until there is nothing left. I am surprised you are so foolish to believe whatever she has promised. Your heart has been poisoned.’
Dimitrius shifted his gaze to Spark. ‘It appears that you are the foolish one,’ he said. ‘You may have sent her back in time, but nothing can hold the Great One for long. She will return. And she will reward those loyal to her. Even from her distant time, she has already granted the nox-wings more power than you can comprehend. You think you are so strong with your human bonds, but you are no match for me.’ In one fluid motion Dimitrius tossed the star into the air, snatched it in his mouth with his powerful jaws and swallowed. The glowing star sat in the centre of his chest and his body convulsed. Boils appeared all over his limbs, and his body distorted so that he barely looked like a dragon at all. Then Dimitrius began to grow. Everyone in the group retreated several steps as he grew taller and taller, his outstretched wings large enough to encompass the entire group. When he finally stopped growing, his body resumed its dragon shape and his eyes glowed a dark purple. ‘You are all fools,’ he said. With a roar, he stomped on the ground, shaking everything in sight and sending peaches tumbling off the trees. In the distance seven new dragons approached. Billy realized with growing horror that they must be other nox-wings.
Dimitrius opened his mouth and shot an avalanche of purple fire at the group.
The children screamed. Billy clutched Spark, hoping that their bond would bring him strength, but he only felt his own fear amplified.
Buttons shot out a protective dome above them, just in time to shield the group from the blast, though it wasn’t enough to block all the flames. Great ropes of fire burst through the shield, hitting Xing. She gave an ear-piercing roar and reared sideways, almost sending Ling-Fei tumbling off.
‘Xing!’ Ling-Fei cried out.
‘I am all right,’ panted Xing. ‘Hold on!’
‘This is terrible!’ yelled Dylan, burying his face behind Buttons.
More fire burst through the protective dome with every passing second.
‘Dylan!’ Buttons shouted. ‘I need your help to keep the shield up! Focus on the bond.’
Dylan nodded and looked towards the shield, his face contorting with effort. Billy saw that the shield was strengthening, and holes began to close. He had never seen so much chaos. It was evident that their dragons really did need them – Dylan’s efforts were helping Buttons maintain the shield. Billy hoped he’d be able to help Spark when she needed him.
‘You’re doing it, Dylan! Keep it up!’ Billy shouted. He looked back towards the horizon and saw that the nox-wings were almost upon them.
‘What are we going to do?’ cried Billy. ‘We’re outnumbered!’
‘Spark!’ yelled Tank. ‘We are counting on you!’
Spark nodded and closed her eyes.
Billy, we do not have much time, said Spark inside his head. I need you to help me stun the nox-wings so we can make our escape. Focus on our bond.
This was it. This was his chance. Billy closed his eyes and concentrated. He felt the inner heat that Spark was channelling, and he tried with all his might to help her.
‘Everyone, close your eyes!’ shouted Spark. Her wings crackled, and she released a flash so bright and powerful that even behind closed eyes Billy’s vision went white. ‘Now!’ shouted Spark. ‘Retreat!’ He felt Spark lift into the air.
‘Ling-Fei! Dylan! Charlotte! Are you all right?’ Billy shouted, eyes still shut.
‘I’m fine!’ said Ling-Fei. ‘But I can’t see.’
‘I can’t see anything either!’ said Dylan.
‘Give it a second,’ said Charlotte. ‘My vision is just coming back.’
‘Well, what’s happening?’ yelled Dylan.
‘We’re getting away, but those nox-wings are close behind,’ said Charlotte.
‘Not if we can help it!’ shouted Xing and, with a burst of speed, the four kids and their dragons shot through the night sky.
The Battle
Wind chafed at Billy’s knuckles and stung his eyes as they raced through the night. Far below, he could make out a sparkling lake filled with giant limestone pillars that poked through the water’s surface like fingers. Balls of fire and ice shot past them, but Billy could sense the attacks before they reached him, and he helped Spark dodge any harm.
Looking over his shoulder, Billy saw Xing was falling behind.
‘Faster, Xing!’ cried Buttons. ‘The nox-wings are catching up!’ Buttons flew with surprising speed and dexterity.
‘I am flying as fast as I can!’ yelled Xing. A loud crack filled the air, followed by
