Fire in Icyland

As Amestia and Aylai got closer to Icyland, the air felt colder. Infront of them was a big gap of the sea between them and the penguins.

However, they couldn't swim, and the penguins looked busy, so they waited.

''Welcome, fellow penguins to the 'Fight For Power' ceremony! This is when male penguins who registered for the ceremoney fight each other until there's only one penguin standing! Please do not kill your opponents, just injure them a little and they're out. Now, who's ready?'' A penguin who looked old and wore a crown announced, as he stood on a high snow hill.

The penguins cheered and each took out their sword.

''On a count of three, get ready!'' the penguin continued.

After counting, there were battlecries and the penguins started to attack each other. The penguin on top of the hill spotted Amestia and Aylai and quickly waddled over.

''Aylai, Aylai! Long time no see!'' the penguin waved both hands gleefully.

''Yep, and I brought a friend of mine. Actually, we only met today,'' Aylai introduced.

''Oh, hello there, fox! I'm Emporim, the king of Icyland! May I have your name please?'' he smiled. Amestia answered, ''I'm Amestia, an honour to meet you...''

Emporim giggled, ''Oh, you don't have to say that! I like to keep things informal.''

She nodded.

''By the way, you are the fox king's daughter, aren't you? I'm sorry for the loss of your father's kingdom!'' Emporim said. Amestia thanked him.

There was a tap on Emporim's back and he looked behind. ''Pardon me, sir, I've won,'' a penguin said.

''Alright. All of you, follow me to my ice palace!'' Every one followed Emporim to a majestic ice palace.

There were 2 penguin guards infront of the gate, one sitting on the snow floor and the other stood straight and still, like a robot.

When they went closer, the sitting guard welcomed them cheerfully and the only thing the other guard did was nod, without looking at them.

They entered the throne room and into a room with tables and chairs. It was messy as the chairs were all around the room and the tables weren't arranged neatly.

''Ehehe, didn't use this room for a long time since last year's ceremony. It's a meeting room,'' Emporim explained, smiling shyly.

The penguin who won the ceremony battle quickly arranged and tidied the room with his strength. After that, the king was impressed.

''Alright, take a seat every one! Meeting's about to start,'' Emporim sat on the biggest chair, stretching his 'wings'. Each creature took a seat and waited for Emporim to start.

He cleared his throat, ''Ahem! This is a short interview with this year's ceremony winner.

''Name?'' he asked.

''Miz,'' the penguin replied.

The interview continued for a few minutes. During that, Emporim also let Amestia and Aylai ask some questions.

Just as the interview was about to end, another penguin burst into the room, announcing, ''There's a huge fire at the entrance of the palace!'' Emporim and the rest were shocked. ''Get the guards and tell them to bring pails of water!'' the king quickly commanded. The penguin nodded and exit the room quickly.

If there were issues or accidents, Emporim would immediately get serious. He cared deeply about his penguin citizens and royal guards.

''All of you, we should go check the fire,'' he said and lead them to the entrance.

There was a big raging fire and it was slowly melting the ice that was part of the palace walls and spread even more. Behind the fire, there was a shadowy figure that looked like a dragon and a girl sitting on it.

''Lyla...?'' Amestia thought as she recognised the girl on the dragon just by the shadow.

*****

*2 hours before this happened*

''Ugh... I hope this is worth the trip,'' Lyla sighed as she climbed onto the mountain top.

Rumours said that there were loud, snoring noises heard from a dragon in a cave on top of the highest mountain. She used a torchlight from a bag she always carries and turned it on. Surprisingly, she saw an ancient - looking Chinese dragon sleeping soundly. It had a snake - like body and green scales, curled up to sleep in comfort.

Lyla tried to wake him up, but he did not move a single inch. She used her powers to create a feather and tickled his nose.

''Ah... choo!'' the dragon finally awoke. ''Who dares wake the mighty dragon up from his beauty sleep?!'' he roared.

''Calm down, I need your help,'' Lyla said. ''My fox is with a shadow, and I need to get rid of that shadow to prevent her from hurting my fox.''

The dragon uncurled himself and introduced, ''A shadow, huh? I'm Aidenish. You must be a nature wind. Mind giving me some space to stretch?'' Lyla went out of the cave and the dragon came out, and stretched as his whole body became flexible.

''Alright, show me where the shadow is,'' Aidenish showed a sly yet excited smile.

Lyla sat on the dragon and gave directions. Then, they took off to Icyland.

*****

*Present*

As the penguin knights exit the suffering palace from the alternative gate, Aidenish brought himself and Lyla over the palace to search for Amestia.

''Sir, they are now over the palace roof! Request archers to go to the rooftop!'' A penguin with gold armour commanded. There were sounds of footsteps climbing the stairs.

The palace penguin archers marched to the roof and pulled the strings of their bows with the arrows. They aimed and released the arrow.

The arrows flew towards the dragon but only one arrow hit the dragon.

Aidenish roared and swept the archers with his tail, and destroyed the roof of the palace. He flew inside with Lyla to find Amestia.

''Please stay here, I'll deal with them with my palace knights. Stay safe,'' Emporim said to Amestia and Aylai. Miz followed him but both of them were later stopped by Aidenish.

Lyla alighted and stood on the ground. ''Where is Amestia?'' she asked in her angry tone. Emporim looked at her and mumbled in fear, coming up with a simple lie, ''I don't know...''

''Your highness!'' The penguin knights surrounded Aidenish and Lyla to protect Emporim.

Lyla use her bow and arrows to shoot the knights, making them fall, ''Tell me. Where. Is. Amestia!''

Emporim looked at Amestia and she nodded. ''There... Nature wind...'' Emporim answered softly. Lyla walked to Amestia, her mood changing, ''I need to take you home, Amestia. It's not safe here. Did you realize that there's a shadow right beside you? She might harm you or betray you!''

Amestia disagreed, ''No, Aylai is a kind shadow. Actually, all of the shadows were!''