Chapter 48: Yellowstone Caldera

Alyssa

Everyone was panicking. Elijah is causing the eruption of Yellowstone, all to wipe out humans and make magic the dominating force. The first prize for lousy dad goes to him, alright. “EVERYBODY SHUT UP! Now is not the time to panic, but first up, you,” I pointed at Sozin’s soldier.

“My name is Darius,” Darius said.

“Okay, Darius, why would you tell us about his plan?” I asked him.

“Listen, all of us were all for ruling over mortals. But killing them all, leaving only dragons?” Darius laughed.

“Charming,” I scoffed.

“Wait, if the Yellowstone Caldera erupted, sure a lot of people will die, but not all,” Renna said.

“Except he plans on using fire dragons to heat it as much as possible before it blows up,” Darius explained. “And he plans to blow up the surrounding mountains after Yellowstone.

“That will magnify the eruption and its effects,” Merlin nodded.

“You need to stop him, if that Volcano erupts, Earth will die!” Darius said.

“Get him out of here,” Alexandria yelled, and Scott guided him.

“If it erupts, what would happen?” Skyler asked.

“Everyone in the American kingdom learns about it. The soot and ash would go into the atmosphere to the point that the sun’s rays wouldn’t be able to penetrate it, bringing on a massive climate change that can last for decades, if not centuries. It would be as disastrous as the meteor that wiped out the dinosaurs,” Renna explained. “The earthquake and energy released would decimate the surrounding states, and almost half of the US will be buried in ash. As the atmosphere cools down, the Earth will become a harsher and harsher place, and the toxins released into the air will be toxic for humans in many areas,”

“And dragons can survive that atmosphere, but we’d have to stay in dragon form all the time. The humans that wouldn’t be killed in the first few months must stay underground to survive,” Vincent said.

“What about the rest of the magical beings? The witches, wizards, and the fairies?” I said.

“Although witches, wizards, and fairies are not like humans, our bodies have similar functions. I doubt we could stay on the surface for long periods,” Merlin said.

“We’d have to go underground as well,” Annabeth said. “Or every fairy on Earth will have to flee to Avalon,”

“Can we stop him Merlin?” I asked him.

“There is a possibility, especially if we can stop him before the volcano erupts,” Merlin said.

“But how much time do we have?” Vincent said.

“By the looks of things, it’s still building up,” Jacob said as he read the monitor.

“That earthquake was the plates gliding as the ground heated up,” Renna said. “But the chambers need to be filled with magma and gas before it can erupt. We might have at least six hour, goddess willing, maybe less,”

Hearing the tight time limit made us uncomfortable, but there was no time for doubt. “You heard Renna! Call your kingdoms or anyone who could help. We need all dragons at Yellowstone as fast as we can get there! Go now!”

Everyone ran out of the room to get ready. “Merlin, how are you portal?” Vincent asked.

“Very far,” Merlin nodded.

“Can you help portal in dragons from the kingdoms furthest away?” Vincent said.

“I’ll make it work,” Merlin nodded. “I also know a few witches and wizards around the world. We can work together to get everyone to America,”

“Do it,” Vincent said.

“Alright, Audrey, let’s get your kingdom ready,” Alex said, taking Audrey’s hand.

Jeffery approached us. “I want to come with you all,”

“You think the trust is that much?” Vincent growled.

“I know the American kingdom like the back of my hand and we learned about some way to slow the eruption in case it happened, it’s the reason the kingdom was placed there,” Jeffery said.

“Very well, but don’t think we won’t keep our eyes on you,” Vincent grinned. “Get ready. And Annabeth, I need you to stay behind and keep and keep and eye on the prisoners and if we fail, and Yellowstone blows, it’s best if you are far away,”

“Very well, good luck to you all,” Annabeth smiled. “Goddess be with you,”

Vincent and I returned to our room to change our clothes for the road ahead. “Vinnie, what if we fail?” I said.

“We won’t,” Vincent then kissed me. This kiss was different, like the calm before the storm. There is no telling how the world will be by the end of the day.

“I love you, Vincent,” I broke our kiss and hugged him.

“I love you, too,” Vincent kissed my forehead.

Everyone gathered outside the castle, and the sky was filled with dragons. Over two hundred dragons flew in unison to America, and because of the earthquake, most airplanes were grounded, so there was nothing in our way. Down below, we could see the burning cities; another earthquake hit, and we watched as the building collapsed.

“I know it’s hard to fly by and not help, but if we don’t stop your father, it won’t matter if we help them,” Dahlia said.

I understood Dahlia’s words but kept hearing the screams of the humans below. If we didn’t stop my father, this would happen to the rest of the world. We flew as fast as we could to Wyoming, and in less than three hours, we arrived in Yellowstone National Park.

“Here it is, Yellowstone, the world’s first national park by an act of Congress signed into law on March 1, 1872, by President Ulysses S. Grant. He’s one of the ten US presidents that were dragons,” Renna said.

“Thanks for the history lesson, Renna, but now’s not the time,” Vincent said. “We have less than two hours before this supervolcano erupts,”

We landed in a clearing in the park. “If it blows, it all over, there’s nothing we can do,” Renna said.

“We need to get in the castle,” Vincent breathed. “Are there any secret pathways?”

“Yeah, but I don’t know where they are,” Renna said. “But Jeffery knows,”

“I’ll show you all the path, I said want to make amends, and I hope this will earn some trust back,” Jeffery said. “I will get everyone inside without being seen,”

“Good, thank you. Is there any word on Merlin?” Vincent said.

“Dragons and our allies are appearing from portals not far from here. It seems that Merlin’s idea is working,” Jacob smiled.

“Does anyone have any idea how many we are up against?” Vincent said.

“Many people working there were already on Elijah’s side. It’s how they got control of the kingdom so fast,” Jeffery said.

Vincent groaned. “So we could be talking in the hundreds,”

“I’m afraid so,” Jeffery said. “And I doubt we’ll have the element of surprise on our side this time,”

“Alright, listen up, kingdom leaders! Find the dragons from your kingdom and lead them into an attack. We need to get through their defenses as quickly as possible. This time go straight for the kill, we are done playing nice,” Vincent said.

“What about you?” Jacob asked.

“Alyssa and I are going in to find Elijah. If he falls, we might have a chance that the rest of the group surrenders,” Vincent crossed his arms.

“You can’t trust Jeffery,” Jacob said.

“That’s why I’m coming with Vincent and Alyssa to keep an eye on him. Besides, my people are already in there,” Renna said.

“Very well. We can’t risk taking more poeple since we are trying to sneak in, us four will be enough,” Vincent said.

“I don’t like this, Vincent, there could be dozens of people standing in your way,” Alexandria said.

“Vincent and I will take care of them,” I said.

“Also, I think it’s best that you stay with Audrey,” Vincent said.

“I can take care of myself,” Audrey protested.

“I know you can, but this is war, and it’s always better to have someone watching your back. I’m also counting on you to watch thier backs as well,” Vincent said.

“I understand, Vincent. You can count on me,” Audrey smiled. “We;re going for the attack. You best get going,”

“I’ll see you when it’s over,” Vincent hugged his sister. Everyone left to meet with their armies. Now, it was just Renna, Jeffery, Vincent, and I.

“So where is that secret entrance?” Vincent said.

“Follow me,” Jeffery said. Jeffery led us into the woods, where we found an old hatch leading underground. The narrow and damp path hadn’t caved in during the earthquake. I saw the signs of cracks in the cement; the next quake will do the trick. We reached a small opening and entered a small, dark room. “Here we are; this is an old storage room kept secret. It was designed to be used as an emergency exit if Yellowstone Caldera blew,” Jeffery explained. “It also explains why the tunnels are still intact after the earthquake. It’s also protected with magic so that it won’t collapse,”

“Where do you think Elijah is?” Vincent asked.

Before Jeffery could speak, another earthquake struck, and we fell to the ground.

Vincent stood up, holding his arm. “Everyone alright?” He asks.

“I’m fine,” I said as I helped Jeffery and Renna stand.

“We’re fine,” Renna said. “We don’t have much time,”

“Darius said that Elijah might be using dragons to heat up the ground underneath, where would he go to do that?” I asked.

“A few restricted lower chambers could be used for that. Renna and I try to slow them down,” Jeffery said.

“Can I trust you two to do that?” Vincent said.

“If you can’t trust Jeffery, Vincent, trust me. But more imporently, will you two be able to find Elijah? Jeffery and I have no idea where he could be,” Renna said.

“We’ll find him, but you guys slowing them down will buy us time,” Vincent nodded.

“The jail cells are also below us. I’m sure there are some people in the kingdom refused to side with Elijah, there might be some people that can help you,” Renna said.

“Thank you, Renna, we’re counting on you,” Vincent smiled as Jeffery and Renna left the storage room.

“How are we suppose to find him?” I asked him. “Everything here is underground,”

“Don’t worry, we’ll find him. Let’s get going,” Vincent smiled as he opened the door. We had been walking for over half an hour, and there was no sign of Elijah.

“We’re running out of time, Vincent,” I said.

“I know; I hope Renna and Jeffery have better luck than we have,” Vincent said.

“Admit it, Vinnie, we’re lost.” I said.

“We just need to keep going,” Vincent scoffed.

“For all we know, we could be heading further away from Elijah,” But then Vincent and I heard voices. “Quick, we need to hide,” I whispered. But then Vincent grabbed me and held me close to him. I felt something weird surround me. I then remembered that Vincent can manipulate light, thus controlling what people see, and every day, Vincent is surrounded by light.

We heard two guards approaching us, but with Vincent using his power, we remained unseen. “Any word on the fighting outside, Issac?” said the guard.

“It’s a tough battle, Jamie, but they’ll be too late to stop us,” Issac laughed.

“Well, I can sure try! You know who I am, do you? Take me to Elijah!” I said.

“Sure, we’ll do as you ask,” Issac said. “Lord Sozin will love to handle you himself,”

“Vincent, I have a plan; stay behind us and follow,” Alyssa said through the mind link.

“Your fucking insane!” Astarot growled. “But this plan of yours is the best we’ve got to find Elijah; be careful,”

Vincent stayed hidden by using his magic while the guards led me to Elijah, and in my head, I laughed that these idiots were giving me what I wanted. “Boss? We’ve caught an intruder,” Isaac said.

“I told you people to kill anyone you find!” Elijah yelled.

“Yeah, we know. But this is not just anyone,” Isaac pulled out from the corner.

“Well, well, well, leave us,” Elijah ordered. “And make sure you kill anyone you find wandering around here!” Issac and Jamie left the room, and I felt Vincent’s presence; he was there, but I couldn’t see him.

“Always a charmer, father,” I rolled my eyes.

“Cut the crap! I know full well that you could have killed them in a blink of an eye. But you used them to bring you to me. How clever,” Elijah giggled. “You truly are my daughter,”

“That plan was hardly a secret,” I said. “Your goons were too stupid for that, and being you’re daughter helped,”

“I hope you are here to tell me you finally see the truth. That dragons are the true masters of this world,” Elijah said.

“Keep dreaming. The Moon Goddess will take action against you if we fail,” I growled.

Elijah laughed hard. “The Goddess can’t do jack shit, and your mother’s influence has ruined your mind, as is your stupid mate,”

“I told you before! You have no right to talk about my mother!” You think I’d side with the man who kept me captive and tortured me for almost two years!”

“I see; you are a lost cause after all. But you’re fucking stupid if you’d think I’d let my guard down again! Hello Vincent Callahan, or should I say, son-in-law!” As Vincent was sneaking behind Elijah, he turned around and grabbed Vincent by the throat.

“Just because you can change what people see doesn’t mean it is reality. It’s a shame that only you can impregnate my daughter, as her body will only accept your seed,” Elijah scoffed, then he threw Vincent across the room. “The mate bond is fickle like that!”

“Vincent! Are you alright,” I helped him up.

“I’m fine,” Vincent dusted himself off.

“You two are proving to be more of a pain in my ass than I care to admit,” Elijah grunted.

“Just stop this, Elijah! What you’re doing is inhuman!” I yelled.

“That would bother me if I WAS human! We are dragons! And it’s time I taught you a lesson about that myself!” Elijah roared

Elijah’s face began to blacken, and his body started to shake. He fell on all fours, and his back started to cripple. Two large wings grew from his back, and his limbs grew. A sizeable scaly tail raised, and we could see sharp spikes at the bottom of it. Where my father once stood now towered a giant black dragon.

“TAKE COVER!” Vincent yelled as we ducked behind a wall as Elijah spewed fire in our direction. We stayed behind as Elijah breathed more fire. “Damn it, I was not aiming for a fight with a fully turned dragon,”

“Can we shift?” I asked.

“There’s hardly any room for Elijah! I can’t see us shifting in here,” Vincent grunted. “He’s in full dragon mode, you could beat him in your half shifted form, but one mistake and your toast,”

“This is my fight, Vincent.” I said.

“I don’t like this, but I trust you. Kick his ass,” Vincent said.

“You said the same thing when I was fighting Subject Zero,” I said.

“And if I remember correctly, I almost lost you,” Vincent growled.

“You said it yourself, Vince, we can’t shift into our dragon forms here. I’ll be fine,” I said. “Besides, the guards are coming,” I pointed at the guards running in.

While Vincent stepped aside to take out the guards, I stepped away from the cover of the wall and faced my father. “It’s we finish this once and for all father!”

I could hear Elijah chuckle, and light started to form in his throat. With an enormous roar, he spits a large energy ball in my direction. The sheer power would have been enough to incinerate any average person. I reached my hand forward, and as it hit my hand, I focused on the energy within it. I never felt so much power before, and it took all my focus, but I watched as it shrunk, and I absorbed it into my arm. I could see Elijah look at me with surprise in his eyes, but that surprise turned into rage.

Elijah was studying me with his cold yellow eyes. “You want a fight? Well, you got it!” I felt my magic grow as my wings sprouted from my back. “Let’s finished this!” I moved my wings and took flight for the first time in this form. My wings flapped as I hovered before him, staring him down. Elijah opened his mouth, and I ducked under him just before his jaw clenched together. With the energy I absorbed, I had plenty to give him. I shit him multiple times, all while avoiding his blasts and stricks. My father was fast, I’ll tell him that. But I’m faster, and my smaller size gave me an advantage.

“Our magic isn’t getting through his scales fast enough,” Dahlia groaned in annoyance. “At this rate, all of America will be buried in ash before we get through,”

“I know, I just can’t risk more powerful blasts as it could bring this whole place down,”

“Go for his eyes, Alyssa, that way, we have a better advantage,” Dahlia said.

It’s a dirty move, but Dahlia and I are out of options. I ducked another strike and flew at him. I landed on Elijah’s nose and blasted his eyes with my magic. He shrieked, tossed me off his nose, and landed on the ground.

Vincent helped me up. “Are you okay?”

“I’ll live,” I breathed.

Elijah continued shrieking and twisting in rage and pain. “What’s the best way to kill a black dragon?” I asked.

“The neck area is always vulnerable, but every dragon knows to protect that area, and with him being blind, he will protect it even more. I suggest we bring the place down on him. If we are deep enough for it to kill him, that is,” Vincent said.

“I’m going for it,” I said.

“Try not to bring the whole place down,” Vincent said.

“Just get clear,” I pushed him out of the way. I then flew up into the air again, keeping an eye on Elijah. I examined the ceiling and knew I had to make a large blast, and Dahlia and I needed to give everything we had. I faced Elijah again; now, he was using his nose to detect me and his hearing.

“Shift back now and surrender, father, and we’ll give you a fair trail!” I said.

Elijah roared as I could see the rage in his unseeing eyes. He shot his arm at me, and I avoided it. “You’ve chosen this fate! May the Moon Goddess have mercy on you’re soul!” I focused the remaining energy I had left as I raised my hands to the ceiling. I looked at Elijah, my father.

“End him, Alyssa, and I will take care of the rest,” said a strange voice. “Save my creation, save my first child, save Mother Earth,”

I aimed at the middle of the ceiling and fired with everything I had. A loud rumble echoed throughout the room, and cracks started to appear. Elijah looked up, but with his eyes blinded, he couldn’t see the rubble beginning to fall. I could hear Elijah roaring as the heavy stones fell over him. He tried to get away, but it was too late. Within seconds, his entire body was buried beneath tons of stone and concrete.

“It’s over,” I said.

“I’m sorry you had kill him, Alyssa. Even still, he was still your dad,” Vincent said.

“He chose his fate, but a voice told me to end him. It wasn’t Dahlia or Astarot. Who was it?” I said. “But, he was nothing like a father to me. I’m just glad it’s over,”

Just after I finished my sentence, the ground started to shake violently.

“Oh no,” Vincent said. Something about this quake was different from the other ones. “We need to get out of here. Everything is more unstable since you brought the ceiling down,”

The place was shaking, and Vincent and I could hear people screaming. “There you guys are!” Renna said with relief to see us. “We tried everything we could, but Jeffery, myself, and a few freedom fighters we freed couldn’t stop them in time. Yellowstone Caldera is about to erupt! We need to get out of here before this place gets filled with lava!”

“Where’s Jeffery!” Vincent shouted.

“He started on the western chambers, and I haven’t seen him since. We have to get out of here, I know a quick way out of here,” Renna said as she led to a tunnel. “There’s an opening at the end of this tunnel. But I’m staying behind to find Jeff, I can’t leave him, he’s the only family I have left!”

“Renna, you said this place will fill with lava any second now! We have to leave NOW!” I shouted.

“Why the fuck are you three standing there? RUN!” We hear Jeffery yelling as he runs towards us with a few people. “RUN GODDAMNIT!”

As Jeffery got closer, I saw the hall filling with lava. We feel the intense heat and sounds of people screaming not far away. But then we see Jeffery’s trip.

“JEFFERY! GET UP!” Renna said.

I held my hand out and pushed the lava back without a second thought. I’m wondering how the hell am I pushing back Earth’s blood. “Vincent, get Renna out of here!” Vincent nodded and picked up Renna as she screamed her brother’s name and banged on Vincent’s back.

“My ankle, I think I broke it,” Jeffery cried.

“Grab on to me, Jeffery!” I said. My face was getting hot from the unbearable heat. “And hold the fuck on!” I flew as fast as I could, with Jeffery hanging on until I could light.

Lava burst out of the tunnel as soon as I exited it. Jeffery held on to me for dear life as I flew over the surroundings, looking for Vincent. I could then see him, Renna, and other survivors in dragon form. I joined him and the other survivors and flew to where we had initially landed.

“Jeffery! Are you alright?” Renna said as Jeffery was breathing heavily and coughing.

“Thanks to Alyssa. Why? Why did you save me?” Jeffery asked me.

“You may be a dumbass, Jeff, but you have a good heart that was used and taken advantage of, and I couldn’t leave you there to die if I had something to say about it,”

“What the hell happened?” Vincent asked.

“We took down the fire dragons, but it was too late before we could do anything else,” Renna explained.

Just then, another powerful earthquake hit. “No, it’s erupting!” Jeffery gasped.

We looked at the volcano, and we were looking at what we had tried so hard to avoid. The ground opened up, and tons of lava, ash, and fire blew into the atmosphere.

Vincent held me close to him. “We failed, Vincent,”