Ha! Landed right on my feet. I'm used to this now, Arya-- Wait... Arya? ... Eliza? Anybody?
Hold on a second, I'm not used to being ALONE in the ancient past! Wh-Where is everybody? Hello...?
I'm right here, boy. Seems it's just the two of us. We haven't been on a trek like this since we met the Ancient Fire Tribe.
Otto! What a relief! I-- WHOA!
Careful! There's lightning striking down all around us, and far more than twice, at that.
(Invaders should think twice before setting foot on Mount Hope! Allow me to test your intent with an old-fashioned battle!)
Do you know where Chronos has sent us this time? We'll need to get our bearings if we're to survive. ... No pressure, lad.
I-I think we're somewhere called "Mount Hope." But... we're up so high, I can't even tell if that's Dragolandia below us!
(It's Dragolandia all right, but we can't go down yet. It's still too dangerous.)
(If you humans came from down there... you've got my respect. How about a battle, in celebration?)
(I'll join in! I want to see how tough humans and dragons from the surface REALLY are!)
(So long as we don't mention it to the Energy Tribe...!)
S-So here's what I know, Otto. We ARE in Dragolandia... but it's a good thing we're way up high on Mount Hope, because apparently it's too dangerous to go down.
Interesting... The history of the archipelago is even more volatile than I'd realized...
(Excuse me. Greetings. I must ask you to halt. And stop. The dragon in your company must return to my care. Immediately.)
Wh-What dragon? Oh... the one following us around? I mean, I'VE got no objections!
Not so fast... Is it just me, or does our strange companion wish to stay with US instead?
... ... ...
Looks like we lost that Dynamo Dragon... and picked up some other strange beast as a companion. It hasn't made a peep.
It has... but I can't get a read on its thoughts at all! It's just kind of... humming.
(Amazing... I have never seen Ancient-01 leave Zolto's side, even for an instant!)
(I wonder -- could this be an omen of strange things to come?)
I, uh, didn't understand a word of what you just said.
(No matter! Your appearance is indeed an omen... of a fantastic battle ahead! How refreshing!)
Fascinating dragons live on this mountain. Ol' Hoggie would have a field day up here.
Like this Runic Dragon here. You know your dad seems to think it comes from another dimension. Maybe he's right.
Hey! I can ask it right now!
Runic Dragon, where are you from? Did you come from some sort of space-time rift? Another time? Another place?
(Where are YOU from? A dimension where humans are very rude and ask pointed questions?)
S-Sorry!
(Humans! You look confused! We don't often get visitors, but I wonder if I can help you.)
Oh, well, I guess... we want to know more about your home... And why we're in constant danger of being struck by lightning.
(Danger? Heavenly Energy is a blessing! And we're abundant with it here on Mt. Hope!)
(Now, maybe not everyone's as appreciative of a good ZAP as I am, but that's why the Energy Tribe helpfully channels it!)
(Still, being zapped by the sky keeps dragons like me thriving! Here, I'll show you what I mean...!)
This is nuts... The dragons up here LIKE being struck by lightning?
(Life is harsh up here, human -- we've gotta be tough to survive it!)
C-Can't you go anywhere else?
(The Energy Tribe tells us the surface is still too dangerous. If the Wind Tribe worked so hard to keep us up here, there must be a reason.)
(And for daredevils like you, who must come from the surface... Well, I've GOT to test my strength against you!)
(... ...)
(... ...)
What's going on...? Is this Sentinel Dragon having a conversation with our tag-along friend?
I... think so? I can't tell what they're saying. It sort of just sounds like static...
(You are in the presence of 01. I don't know why, but 01 has decided to trust you.)
(Of course, I must make sure you can handle the responsibility!)
(Stand aside! 01 approaches!)
(01 is here? I want to see!)
I'm, uh, beginning to think our mechanical friend is pretty important. From what I can tell, its name is... "oh-won"?
(!!!)
Oh-won. Battle!
H-Holy Chronos! Did that dragon just speak?!
I-I can't believe it. Our dragon companion spoke -- clear as day! This... this is completely unprecedented.
I heard it! It spoke a human word! It said "battle"!
Bat-tle...!
Frothin' dragon spit... I think I need to sit down.
Not so fast, Otto -- there's a Dark-Tech Dragon and its friends flying right at us!
Bat-tle... Battle!
You're writing this down, aren't you, boy? We might be seeing history in the making...!
Of course I am -- this is a HUGE development in the history of Dragolandia! It could change the way we see the past... AND dragons!
Hiss-tory. Dra-gon.
(I can't believe my ears! 01 is speaking human tongue! Come, we must tell Zeilk!)
Zeilk? ... Zeilk! Zzzt!
H-Hold on, I don't think we want to meet this "Zeilk" just yet!
I can't get a good read on this place. The dragons aren't too hostile, but they're not friendly, either. It feels different...
(We've known, for a long time, that when humans and dragons are together, it only brings strife...!)
('Course, I don't think that way. I miss the way it was when the Earth Tribe ruled Dragolandia... diggin' in the dirt alongside humans was fun!)
(But it's not that we hate humans up here. Some of 'em even live here on Mt. Hope. The Energy Tribe just wants to protect them.)
Hmm... I don't exactly feel protected.
(Well, maybe a battle will put you at ease!)
Look -- a Craggy Dragon. They're mountain-dwellers, Ned. Maybe it can tell us more about Mt. Hope. I don't think we'll get much out of 01...
(Well! I've lived on these cliffs since before the Energy Tribe arrived, even before the Wind Tribe steered their floatin' city to the mountaintop.)
(Now THAT was a surprise! Seein' humans and dragons work together to try and make a life up here. It was hard...)
(The Wind Tribe was tired. Heard they disappeared with the breeze one day. The Energy Tribe started appearin' from the sky, the caverns, even the surface!)
(Just like that Wind Tribe, they spend a lot of... energy... makin' sure Mt. Hope is livable for humans and dragons. They're like our parents!)
(Now, how about a battle in return for all my great advice? Just don't let Zolto know we've been roughhousin'!)
If I'm getting all this correctly... it seems like the Ancients here are working really hard to protect humans and dragons, and keep the peace...
But, even though they're Energy Ancients, they're exhausted!
In a situation like this, I think even an Ancient Dragon could use a helping hand, don't you, Ned?
I... I guess I agree. If only we could find them! All I've heard are their names, and even then, I'm not sure... Zeilk, Zolto...
(And don't forget Lamulyn, who serves as our link to the surface! I could point you in the right direction... If you'll offer me a battle.)
I'd rather NOT meet more terrifying, mysterious Ancient Dragons, but if they need help, well... I can't just ignore that.
Hey, Horn-Fin Dragon! Can you tell us how to get to the, uh, Energy Tribe...? Wherever they are?
(That's easy. They'll come quick to break up any fighting. All we have to do is cause a ruckus!)
But we've been fighting ever since we got here!
(How strange. I wonder if they're letting little 01 spread its wings a bit! It's always had an affinity for your kind.)
(Well, no harm in testing my theory, eh? Let's battle!)
(I've come with a message. You've attracted the attention of the Energy Tribe, and even 01's favor.)
(The reason for their caution will soon become apparent to you. But I will give you a hint to ruminate upon...)
(You must have seen many sorts of powerful dragons in your travels. But have you ever met the Void Tribe?)
Th-The Void Tribe...? No... but I've heard some "interesting" opinions on Void Dragons lately...
(Hmm! I wonder why that is, human. Keep an eye and an ear out -- and an open mind.)
Ugh... weird rumors and the most reclusive Ancient Dragons I've ever NOT seen. What's going on?!
It seems these Ancient Energy Dragons are particularly hard-working. They're protecting the mountain, keeping things up here, where it's safe...
Or maybe, keeping something down below from coming up...
Could it be? Something to do with Void...?
(You'll get the chance to ask them soon! They've been looking for 01, y'know! It's a very special dragon!)
Special... zzzt! Bat--tle!
(O'won! There you are! Do you realize you've had us worried sick?)
Zzzt...?
(Oh, good, you look unharmed. Apologies, humans, but I must collect my young friend here. We try to keep your kind and ours at a healthy distance.)
B-But why? We're learning from each other. We might even be able to help you--
(No. Your kind may have aided Zolto, and O'won, in the past, but nothing you can do will make a difference. WE will handle things...)
No! O'won! Battle!
(O'won... you really insist on keeping these humans around? I know it is our duty to protect them, but...)
If things keep up like this, we can't guarantee dragons and humans getting along in the future... Time for my secret weapon, I suppose.
Huh? Otto? Where've you been hiding something like that--
Hey, dragon -- don't want this spread all over town, but I'm descended from the folks who helped you. The ones who built O'won's body. The Tyrants.
Wh-WHAT?!
(... Really? I thought their lineage had fallen. This could be good news... Well -- allow me to test you!)
(This is the one, Zeilk -- the human who claims to be of relation to those who helped create forms for O'won and Zolto.)
(Truly?! And you say you want to help us? We are indebted to your kind, you know... It's why we planned to spend our lives protecting you.)
We ain't the only ones who need protection. We can help you. I see it all the time, in the future where I'm from.
Otto! Where's this coming from? Y-You're a Tyrant?!
Easy, Ned. I'll explain it all in due time. Just you remember, lad, I'm on your side.
(Maybe I'd better take you to Zolto... But first, there's no better way to test someone's skill than a good battle!)
Xrzsxzzt... Zxxtttcx...
Zzt! Zol-to. Hu-man. Friend!
(These two are parent and child -- beings made of pure energy. They don't communicate quite like other dragons, but... clearly, they have been touched by humanity.)
(It will take time, but perhaps you CAN help us. Against what's coming, humans may be more helpful than we'd ever thought...)
(Then, finally, we can rest...! But first, it looks like O'won has something to say--)
Zol-to! O-won! Bat-tle!