Well, here we are again, Nedders. I won't pretend to know WHY Chronos decided it was MY turn to accompany you instead of Arya...
Um, I mean, Arya has a sort of... "personability" that you kinda... lack? B-But you can understand dragons REALLY well! So I'm sure that's why Chronos--
FAH! I've got PLENTY of "personability"! Watch -- I won't even make fun of that Cowpoke Dragon's ridiculous mustache!
(Welcome to the New Dragolandian Settlement, travelers! We don't often get new humans, so this is a cause for celebration!)
Let me guess -- to celebrate, you guys...?
(That's right. We have a rootin'-tootin' battle! YEEHAW!)
What's wrong? You look more worried than usual. Are you thirsty? It IS pretty dry around here...
It's just, the last time Chronos sent us to the past, everything was covered in this big, lush forest... But now that's all gone.
I hope nothing bad happened. When Arya and I left the forest, there were still tensions between the Ancient Dragons and people...
And now, the trees are gone, and Dragolandia is a prairie. Certainly a dramatic change.
(Nothin' dramatic about good, fertile earth, little humans. And with the farmin' knowledge your kind passed on to us, life's never been better.)
(In fact, the only thing that'd make this day better is a rousing battle! What d'you two think? I could use a break from fieldwork anyhow!)
Th-This is amazing... Dragons, tending the land? Using technology?! Dad would be totally blown away...
You'd mentioned things were still messy between humans and dragons in the past. Could this mean that the conflict has been... patched up?
(Oh, good day to you, humans. If you're talking about our troubled history, it's not much of a concern anymore.)
(I mean, we've got the great Fundiju to watch over your kind and make sure they don't start making trouble...)
The "great Fundiju"? Sounds just interesting enough to spell trouble. Say, could you point us to this... Fundiju?
(Hmm... well, I AM pretty busy with these flowers, but I'd give you a pointer in exchange for a battle!)
(Say, you're the humans they say are looking for Fundiju, right? No surprise there -- Fundiju knows how to handle you scaleless ones.)
(You're in luck! I was just going to deliver some ore to Fundiju. It'll smelt that ore into metal so the humans can make new tools.)
This Fundiju sounds powerful indeed... Are they a dragon by any chance?
(Oh yes, and powerful indeed. Fundiju is an Ancient Earth Dragon!)
An Ancient Dragon is helping make tech for humans? I almost can't believe it!
(Careful! Fundiju gets touchy over language like that. In fact, I should probably make sure you're worthy before you meet!)
(SO! You've sought out Fundiju, Ancient Earth Dragon of Metal, have you? Well, where are your offerings for the great melter of metals?)
O-Oh, um, we don't have any -- we were just sort of wondering what you, er... do around here?
(What I DO? I am not some TOOL! I am a force of creation! You dare speak to me in such a casual tone?!)
EASY, Great Fundiju! These little humans aren't wise to your ways just yet -- they mean you no disrespect.
(Hmph. While I trust your words, Ouro, I just won't feel better until I show these scaleless children why dragons will always reign supreme!)
No way -- is that Heinrich? And why is this bossy dragon calling him "Ouro"? I suppose I won't be getting any answers without a battle!
Eliza, wait up! You're walking REALLY fast, and my boots are about to give out!
You'll just have to keep up, Ned. I want to put as much distance between myself and that Heinrich lookalike as possible!
Oi! Hold it, both of you! I don't know who this "Heinrich" person is, but he's got nothin' to do with me.
I'm a descendant of people who used to be known as Tyrants... Together, my brother Prato and I are tryin' to atone for our ancestors' mistakes.
Working with the dragons of this land, we want to create a new world where technology helps all life. The fertile land is a happy bonus.
It makes for newcomers of all kinds -- like this Golem Dragon, who fancies a battle with you!
You know, my dad once told me that the Tyrants didn't always used to be evil. For a while, their inventions really did help Dragolandia...
I wonder if we're seeing all that history begin, firsthand. What if we could stop the bad stuff from happening afterwards?
(Hah! All that talk of innovation and change -- it's useless! Nothing good can come of it!)
The dragon has a point, all things considered...
(Agree with me or not, I still don't trust your kind. Get offa my turf, or face my claws and fangs!)
It's a strange and complicated moment in time we've been tossed into, it seems...
For sure. But I wish I knew what happened to the Plant Ancients. It'd make me feel better about all this... tree-less expanse.
(Forest Lord Foroskke and the Ancient Plant tribe were my ancestors -- I know a little bit about their history!)
(Well, rumors, at least. The legends say they decided to leave these lands to avoid fighting with humans -- the tension was just too much.)
(No dragon knows where they went, but without their nurturing, the forests disappeared.)
(But I don't really mind -- this kind of climate is perfect for me! It makes me peppy enough to wish for a rousing battle!)
I see you writing away in that journal of yours. Trying to piece together where the Ancient Plant tribe may have gone off to?
Yeah... I think it'd be really valuable to get history straight from the source. Plus, a lot of the dragons here are willing to talk to us. Like these guys!
(The Ancient Plant tribe! We worship them as our ancestors -- they played a very important role.)
(Even though they're gone, their forests left the land able to support life, and paved the way for the Ancient Earth tribe.)
(We honor their legacy with exciting battles! Won't you join us, humans?)
Put down your pen, Ned -- it's time to get scrappy.
We haven't seen another Ancient Earth dragon in a while. I know you want to research the Ancient Plant tribe some more...
But we should figure out what's going on here and now! After all, Chronos sent us to this specific time in history for a reason... I should HOPE.
(You wanna know what's going on? I'll tell ya -- they say Polveles is gonna wipe this settlement off the map.)
Hm! Jot that down, Ned!
I-I would, but my hand's started shaking s-suddenly!
(Yep, most of us are preparing for the worst. Beware Polveles, and get your battles in while ya can!)
Steady your feet, Ned -- a Quake Dragon is approaching us. Many a house of cards have been rattled to pieces by their antics.
(I come only to give you a warning: Take all the humans you can find and go somewhere else far away, before Master Polveles takes action.)
(Perhaps the mines will make a fitting home for your kind, since you humans seem so interested in them.)
(You'll find Tezacueva of the Shadows skulking around in there. I know at least Tezacueva is sympathetic to your plight!)
... Somehow I'm feeling brave enough to take this dragon's down a notch.
Weird. I just feel like running!
I don't enjoy following orders issued by mouthy dragons, but I think we should at least investigate the mines, and this "Tezacueva" character.
I'll agree with you there... Besides, we might ACTUALLY have to hide in there if Polveles -- whatever it is -- decides to attack!
(Going to the mines, are you? They're a popular destination! I'll escort you two, if you'd like.)
O-Oh, thanks! That's nice of you! Actually, we--
(But I WON'T take you through Ruby's territory! No way, no how, am I dealing with that stuck-up dragon!)
(Grrr! Just THINKING of Ruby really grinds my gems! Hey, you two better battle me so I can blow off some steam, you hear?!)
That Emerald Dragon sure took us far after we battled it, but it left us in the middle of nowhere...
What a strange creature. I wonder if we're in the territory of the Ruby Dragon it was complaining about incessantly?
(Oh, hello -- did Emerald bring you here? I assume you humans needed an escort to the Riquezas Mines.)
Indeed we do. It's odd -- for how ornery the Emerald Dragon was, you sure seem like a calmer specimen.
(Ahh, Emerald's silly rivalry -- getting jealous of me for no reason. The mines sometimes have that effect on dragons... and humans, too.)
(I admit I AM jealous that Emerald got to battle you two. Could I get a taste of that as well?)
I hate the dark. I hate tunnels. I hate this!!!
Oh, be quiet! Your whining echoes in these mine shafts, you know!
(Shh... Both of you, please growl and holler just a bit less... These tunnels are made for quiet appreciation.)
(But if you're here for an audience with Tezacueva... I guess I could take you there...)
(I know I may seem shy... But I'll have to test you before you can meet the shadowy keeper of these caverns...!)
Oh, c'mon! What's with that face, Eliza? I KNOW you're just trying to s-scare me...!
Ned... Behind you...!
(There is no need to fear, little humans. So long as I, Tezacueva, the Ancient Earth Dragon of Shadow, control the darkness here, you are safe.)
(While my siblings have left the cool confines of the earth to walk above, I much prefer the comfort of caves... and so do many others.)
(I sense that things have become volatile aboveground... I advise you to seek my parent, Enroja, who filled these tunnels with riches.)
(Yes... it would be wise to gain Enroja's trust before you confront my raging sibling Polveles. But first... you must gain my trust.)
Tezacueva told us to get Enroja's help against whatever Polveles is planning... *sigh* All this is wreaking havoc on my nerves, but we don't have much choice.
(HEY!!!)
Ahh! My nerves!
(I see you two sneaky humans, sneaking out of the mines! You've stolen our gems, haven't you?!)
No, we haven't -- and even if we did, don't you CLEARLY have enough gems of your own? Sheesh. I thought dragons only got greedy around fruit!
(Don't play dumb -- the Riquezas Mines make us all a little more... possessive!)
Hoy there! You must be the kids my brother Ouro was telling me about! I'm Prato. Maybe you two can help me wrangle the rest of the humans in the settlement.
We've been trying to work together with the Ancient Earth tribe for the benefit of all, but it's mighty hard...
Seems like it's always one step forward, two steps back. In times like these, it's wise to know when to duck and run.
Yeah, we'll help, by finding Polveles and Enroja. Someone's gotta talk to them, and we have... some experience.
Hmm... Looking at the two of you, I get the feeling you might be telling the truth.
But if you're gonna talk big like that, I'll have to test you -- with one of our state-of-the-art dragons!
Whenever Chronos sends us to the past, there's always trouble going on. It makes me wonder if dragons and humans would be better off separate...
I've wondered the same thing, but... who would I be without dragons? Certainly a LOT less cool and powerful...
Yeah, sorry, it was a silly thought. Everyone I know -- heck, every dragon I know -- really wants to coexist. In the present, anyhow...
Let's hope we don't mess that up with our time-traveling. Presumably, Chronos knows best, but--
(Lots of complicated things on your minds, huh, humans? I find that most of life's big questions can be answered with a battle!)
At least ONE thing never changes.
Hey, it's a Dust Dragon! These guys are pretty common back home. What are you doing here, fella--?
(SILENCE, MORTAL!)
Uhh--
(I know not of what you speak, for I am the first Dragon of Dust -- or Dust Dragon, as you say! I am risen from the divine dust of Polveles itself!)
(I sense a strange energy from you two, so I will take you to my life-giver... But only after a ROUSING BATTLE!!!)
N-No! Take us to Enroja instead! Argh, these dragons don't listen!
(You little humans must be brave to approach me. A dust storm is coming to level the New Dragolandian Settlement, and I have no intention of stopping it...!)
We don't care if you're a Divine Ancient, we--
(Divine? No -- I am the Ancient Earth Dragon of Wind! But the fact that you called me Divine tells me everything I need to know.)
(I am more powerful even than my master! Oh, you humans do tickle me! Here... I'll give your kind one more chance to prove your resolve.)
Fine! If it's a battle you want, it's a battle you'll get!
(The dust storm is raging... Polveles refused to listen to me, or anyone else. I suppose only I, Enroja, the Divine Ancient Earth Dragon, can stop it.)
(I made the earth rich in nutrients and metals for the benefit of all life, but I can't help but wonder...)
(Is it only natural for dragons to be masters of the earth? I've always done what I thought was right, but it ends in strife...)
There's still hope, Enroja! My friend and I have seen the future, and we promise it'll turn out okay, as long as humans and dragons live together!
If there's one thing I can't stand, it's that defeatist attitude -- coming from an Ancient Divine, no less! Come on, Enroja, show us YOUR strength!
(Very well. Show me your strength, and prove to me that you truly believe what you say -- that we can find peace together!)