Von's body began to glow shortly after he learned how to use water in the form of his serene mind and he let out a sigh of relief. With a smile on his face, Ignus approached Von and chuckled.

"So he was right...you CAN do it." He said.

"What? Do what?! What's happening to me?!" Von yelled in a panic.

"Calm down. Nothing bad is happening to you." Ignus informed him. "You are merely.....changing, if you will."

"Changing how?"

"Eldrich informed me years ago of a mysterious power that exists not just in you, but within all other dragons. Its power is immeasurable, though obtained through extensive training or by changing your interior make-up." Ignus told him. "In your case, it was through training. Changing your inner power is a far more complicated and difficult method, but also considered the laziest method. That is why we trained you so hard."

"So I could unlock a new potential?" Von asked. Ignus nodded Von's body stopped glowing and he looked up at his father.

"Yes...in a sense. You are somewhat able to tap into the power of you ancestor and use his strength to your advantage. Never did I think I would see such a thing with my own eyes..." The stallion smiled and a tear fell from his cheek and hit the ground as his body slowly began to fade.

"Dad? What's happening to you? I can see right through you." Von pointed out. Ignus chuckled and smiled at him.

"My time here is up. I've done what I was tasked with. I can move on now." He said. Von's eyes widened when he realized what his father meant. The reason ghosts are unable to move on is because of something they were unable to finish in their mortal life. And once that task is finished, they can pass on. Ignus never had the chance to show Von how to stand on his own and to be independent as a colt. But now that he has....

"Dad, wait! You can't go! There's so many things I want to know. To talk to you about! How I got my first kiss...and...and...when I learned how to fly for the first time. My 13th birthday wish. Everything!" Von sobbed. "Dad, please! You can't go....not now. I haven't seen you in years....I don't want you to leave me again."

If Ignus' heart was still intact, he would feel it shattering right now. He knew how much Von wanted to see him. he knew how much he was missed. He knew that there were so many things he missed in his son's childhood. But something like this cannot be stopped....or undone. He knew he'd have to leave Von again as soon as he did what he needed to.

"I know....I don't want to leave either. But I must. You don't need me anymore. You're a grown stallion now. So keep your head high. I didn't raise you to mope and cry all the time." Ignus said, smiling.

He wasn't sure how he did it, but somehow Ignus managed to make Von smile through his tears.

"A-alright....I'll try." Von replied, wiping his tears.

"Good. My time is short, so I'll tell you how to use this new power of yours...or Dragon Rage, as Eldrich calls it."

"Oooh. Dragon Rage? Sounds awesome. How do I do it?" Von asked.

"You need to focus your energy to your core. Channel the power with your mind, connecting yourself with the spirits of your ancestors and allow their essence to become one with you. Let it flow around you, but keep it to a minimum. Too much will overload your body and too little will not produce a result." Ignus instructed.

"Ok....is there anything else?"

"Yes. This power has one drawback, so listen carefully." He said. "You can only use it once at a time. It is a great power, but it also can be your biggest weakness. Once it wears off, you will be rendered unable to fight until all your energy returns. You will be put into a weakened state to the point where you cannot even lift your head. With more training, you can stay in that form longer or even endure the drawback. But either way...use it wisely." Ignus' voice started to fade as more of his body began to fade as well. "We believe in you. Stay strong and never give up."

Von nodded as his body started to be enveloped in light, signalling his awakening. "I won't. I promise. I won't let you down!" With those final words and a nod from his father, Von vanished. But not before hearing his father speak one last time.

The light died down, the smoke clearing as Von and Cynder stood on opposite sides, both of them injured and exhausted. Cynder's breath grew ragged as did Von's after the impact of his Meteor Dash. Had Von not been protected by his Earth power, he would've been severely injured from the attack. Cynder's hide returned back to its original color as she took a knee, but she started growling to herself.

"N-no....it's not enough.....more power...I have to have more power! This isn't right. I'M the one who's supposed to be winning!!! I have to win....." She exclaims, stopping short to catch her breath.

BGM 1

"Just stop it already!!" Von yelled, his white body reverting back to its original color. "None of this makes any sense. It's pointless!"

"Do you really think it's pointless?!?! I've been doing all of this the whole time for him!!!" Cynder retorted. Von and his companions raised an eyebrow.

"Him?"

"Nova..." Cynder said. "I've always admired him. I fought to be like him. To be stronger. I looked up to him...." Von widened his eyes as he realized something. Cynder always acted odd whenever Nova was around. From bringing him food to eat to insulting Von when he did as well. She wasn't just doing all of that so he'd notice her....

"You're in love with him." Von muttered. Axel's eyes widened hearing that his sister was in love with Nova, of all dragons but he made no effort to protest...despite how gross it seemed to him

"Yes. I love Nova with all my heart. I've done everything in my power to make him notice me! I helped him hunt. I convinced him to train me. We flew together. I tried talking to him. I've done everything I can....but none of it works..." Axel got up from where he lay and limped towards his sister.

"Cynder....you don't have to do all that. I know how it feels to go unnoticed....but you shouldn't force yourself to do such things, like trying to take Von's life, all so you can be noticed by the drake you long to have. To hold." He said with a stern tone.

"But what else can I do?! No matter what i try, he'll never look at me!!" Cynder screamed. Tears ran down her cheeks as she began bawling into her hands. Daring stepped forward and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"You don't need to rely on false powers to be noticed. I don't know Nova, but i know that relying on something that isn't your own or clinging to it to catch his attention won't work. Just focus on using your own natural talents. Be yourself and show him what you can do and what you have to offer!" She told her. Cynder lifted her head and stared into the mare's eyes. Her words seemed to have gotten through for Cynder stopped crying and wiped her tears.

"Yeah....you're right. I have plenty to offer him. And dammit, I'm going to show him!" She proclaimed. She turned her head to Von and straightened her face. "Konan's planning to overthrow Eldrich. But something tells me you know that already."

"Yeah. I do." Von replied.

"Then that saves time for me. Konan's strength is growing significantly. And so has Nova's. He's been gaining more and more followers by the day. it's only a matter of time until all of the mountain agrees with him."

"My mother won't follow him. I know her better than that." Von retorted.

"That's another thing. ....I think he's got something planned for your mom." Cynder warned. "This strange power of his....it's warping him further. It's like he got his power from some sort of--"

"Some sort of demon?"

BGM 2

A demonic voice rang out as Von and the group started looking around in hopes of finding the source. Upon their eyes making contact with Cynder again, they saw that she was lying on her back, writhing in pain.

"Agh!!! W-what's happening to me?!" She screamed.

"Your usefulness has come to an end, Cynder. But don't worry. I'll make sure that you go out with a bang.", the voice said. As Cynder's cries of increased in pitch, her stomach began to swell, much like a balloon.

"Hey! Whoever you are, you better leave my sister alone!!" Axel yelled.

"Who I am is of no concern to you, but to your halfling companion here."

"....You're the one helping Konan and Professor B....." Von said.

"Correct. Your friend here holds a fragment of my power. I am merely taking it back. It's only right.", the voice said.

"A fragment of your power? Is that how she got that abnormal strength and odd appearance?" Arcius asked.

"Indeed. And I am taking it back. Whether she likes it.....OR NOT." The voice faded as Cynder writhed and screamed in pain as her stomach continued to bulge, fit to burst.

"A-Axel...help me....." She cried, reaching her hand for her brother. Axel was eager to take her hand as he rushed to be by his sister's side.

But it was too late...........

As Axel got close to the pleading Cynder, she burst. Her stomach blew open, sending drop after drop of her blood onto them as it came back down from the sky. They stood there, frozen in shock and fear. Axel stared at the remains as it continued to rain blood. Tears began to form until he fell to his knees and punched the ground, crying and cursing the entity that took his sister away. Daring hid her face in Arcius' chest and started to sob, the white drake rubbing her head to cheer her up. And as for Von........he didn't know what to feel. Here lay the corpse of Cynder, blown apart by the force aiding Konan and this Professor B. But it was said force that gave Cynder the power she had. So how should he feel? Happy that she was gone and could not bring harm to him and his companions? Or sad that one of his best friends just lost his only sibling?

"I'm messing with forces that go beyond me...." He muttered. "But....I have to persevere. I must keep going forward." Von lifted his head and took a step forward. However fatigue finally caught up to him and he collapsed on the ground. His vision faded and so did his consciousness. He passed out, unable to hear the pained anguish of his friend nor the cries for him to awaken.

It was dark. There was no sound. He couldn't speak or move. He was just standing there, alone in an endless abyss.

Yellow eyes peered out from the darkness. They seemed to stare into his soul. Von felt great fear. A shiver went up his spine as the eyes began to glow. They got closer.....

Closer...........

Closer....................

Author's Notes:

She's met with a terrible fate......wouldn't you agree?

Sorry. Couldn't help myself but to use that reference. And for those of you too squeamish to even think of the reference: DON'T. Don't try to think of it or even search for it. But anyway.....

Von has been confronted by Orcus, the mastermind behind Cynder's powers and Konan's corruption. How will this end? Will he be killed? Or will he spared? Only one way to find out. Stick around for Chapter 12