Shadows of Ronco

Chapter 1: Darkness Rising.

“Light thinks it travels faster than anything but it is wrong. No matter how fast light travels, it finds the darkness has always got there first, and is waiting for it.”
― Terry Pratchett, Reaper Man


    “Catch me if you can!” I exclaimed as I bounded through the forest. Running as fast I could from someone I knew that was close behind me. I ran as far as I could before coming to a sliding stop to catch my breath and chuckled a little, “I think I lost them.” I said as I sat down relaxing but was caught surprise as a black streak rushed out of the bushes and pounced on top of me pinning me on my back as I stared at my attacker.

    “Nice try Ronco. You’ll have to be faster than that to escape me” I heard as I stared at the female dragoness that had me pinned. The dragon had mainly black scales a slender body, red underbelly, white horns, she had a strange marking on her forehead but I could barely make it out because it was grey against her already black scales.

    “Darn it Cynder! Why can’t you just let me win for once?” I say as she lets me up

    “Sorry Ronco you want to win you’ll have to earn it.” She says as she starts running away from me.

    “Oh I’ll get you for that!” I screamed as I chased after her in our game of tag. I rushed through the woods but lost sight of her after jumping through a bush into a clearing. “Huh? Where did she go?” I asked as I walked further into the clearing before seeing something race through the bushes away from me. I grinned as it looked like Cynder so I chased after it. I ran and I ran as far as I could and pounced onto what I saw proud of the fact I had gotten her.

    “Ha! I got you Cynder!” I smiled in a confident tone before I heard something clear their throat. In response I looked down to see it was Scaver one of apes that was assigned to watch after me and Cynder while we were out in the forest. Scaver was a medium sized ape about half the size of his Commander Gaul. Scaver was more noticeable due to the fact he had a claw mark scare going across his face from when I was still a hatchling.  He was also the only ape I had seen that wore red armor everywhere and used a broadsword over daggers or hammer.

    “Wrong again young one. This is what the ninth time you’ve mistaken my movements as hers?” he asked as I let him up.

    “Sorry Scaver. I just want to win so badly…” I explained as I lowered my head.

    "Ronco. Listen your special. Use your instincts and you will come out on top.” He said lifting my head. “Now come on. It’s getting late we better get you and Cynder back before the others get angry at the fact we let you two out so far.” He said as he led the way and we walked back to our home. Along the way I saw a shadow following us and couldn’t help but chase after it. As I raced off I could hear Scaver shouting for me to come back.

     I followed the shadow until they came to a stop and I pounced at the shadow and was happy as I pinned Cynder to a tree. Smiling as she struggled to get out of the pin.

    “I win Cynder!” I exclaimed as I got off the tree and watched her pout a little as Scaver caught up to us and chuckled I walked in front of him while Cynder pouted about her lose on the way back home.

    Scaver lead us to the place we called home which was a hidden fortress which could only be accessed through a fake rock wall in the cliff face. Inside was a maze of a base which was made entirely of metal the walls, doors everything was made of metal almost like a lab. I sighed in disappointment as I already missed the Forest. The base was pretty bustling like something major was happening but Scaver quickly lead us to Cynder’s Room first which was on the east side of the base while mine was on the West.

    After stopping at Cynder’s room Scaver lead me to mine where I went into willingly and I watched the auto door shut with a quick Swoosh. I lowered my head as the room had very little light outside the light over my hay mound which barely could be considered a bed.  Before I could fall asleep I was surprised as I saw my door open to show Cynder and Scaver sneaking into my room with some food. Gaul the only real commander I knew so I figured all the rules were because of him those rules were pretty much your standard curfew, no going outside, no complaining, and no giving sass to him or those watching us not only that but Cynder’s and my birthdays aren’t even celebrated no one but Scaver and I remember Cynder’s and same for Cynder and Scaver abut mine.

    Gaul kept us fed but it was only three meals a day and they weren’t even that big or good. The only rule I never understood was how Cynder and I could never be closer for as long as I can remember Cynder always is taken to Gaul or somewhere else for reasons I don’t know. So to see Scaver breaking so many rules is a sight even I’m shocked to see especially since he is one of the top lieutenants, meaning he was in charge if Gaul or one of the other superiors were out on errands or tasks.

    “Hey Ronco. Do you know what today is?” Cynder asked as she walked on the other side of Scaver.

    “Umm… Apeday?” I smiled as I joked around before getting smacked by her for the stupid joke.

    “No you idiot. It’s your Birthday!” she explained as I jumped to my feet in shock.

    “What? Birthday? So that means…” I started as Scaver pulled out a cake from behind his back.

    “Happy Birthday Ronco.” They both said in unison as I couldn’t help but hug them.

    “Now go ahead and eat up. I’ll have to make up some excuse to why so many supplies are missing but I doubt it will matter. “Scaver said as I looked at the cake and I used my tail tip which looked like an Axe to cut it into pieces for us all.

    “Thank you both so much.” I said grateful to them as I give them their pieces and I eat mine. We all ate and talked for a bit before Scaver had to take Cynder back to her room after they left I laid down and finally fell asleep for a little bit before I woke up to the sounds of shouting coming from down the hall.

    “You said that Purple menace would be worth the trouble!” a voice shouted as I walked closer as I saw a new door I never noticed down the hall was cracked open.

    “Yes and he still is! You will just have to be patient you little Midget!” I heard which sounded like Gaul.

    “Yes I am with the Red shrimp on this. You said he’d be worth all the trouble we have put into raising and hiding them from the other Dragons..” a third voice started.

    “YET! He has yet to show any hint at an elemental breath! At this point I say we get rid of the menace before he becomes a thorn instead of a splinter.” The first voice finished as I walked up to the Door to see Gaul with Scaver and a third Lieutenant talking with a big red dragon that was walking on his hind legs and holding a staff with a black gem on it. And another red person who looked like a midget with a black trench coat, a center ruby on his chest on his white shirt wielding a scepter as he rode a giant green four legged dinosaur while a blue dinosaur holding a wooden club stood beside the green one.

    “Yes but…” Gaul started before getting interrupted by the red midget.

    “But nothing! Working with one dragon is already pushing this alliance. And to top it off your Dark Master has yet to show himself to us!” The red guy shouted.

    “Now calm down Mr. Hot pants or I’ll cool you off!” the dragon threatened as he walked toward the midget to have Gaul slam his staff down

    “ENOUGH! Both of you. Red you will continue your work as will you Ripto.” Gaul commanded not even flinching at the two.

    “And what of the purple menace you call Ronco?” the midget I took as Ripto asked as he looked at Gaul not expecting the comment he wants.

   “Scaver. You are to Eliminate Ronco. Understood?” Gaul said as I held myself from gasping backing away slowly.




To Be Continued… </i>