Dragons are seen to be cruel and terrifying creatures to the eyes of all, yet to some, they are seen as cool, mighty beasts that are creatures without fear.

Krios the European Dragon is known as a skilled Wispon user who’s faced many battles, going through numerous hardships, and losing so, so much.

Three hundred years ago, he lost everyone he cared about, then was brainwashed to be a puppet to a twisted witch. Forced to commit crimes against his will, hurting innocent mobians, now looked upon as a feared monster in their eyes, every day felt like torture to him. 

But one day, he somehow broke free from the spell that had bewitched his mind, liberated at long last from her nefarious sadism. 

The witch had tried to reclaim control of him, though the spell no longer took effect. Instead, the witch placed a curse upon him, decreeing that he would remain the same age forever.

Krios chose not to dwell much on the curse. Rather, he saw it as a way to make up for all the destruction that he had caused. He made a vow that day; to use his skills as a Wispon user to protect those in need.

He may be a monster mobian, but it didn’t change how he can still protect innocents in need. To show that he can be trusted beyond his appearance. 

For so long, Monster mobians have been feared due to incidents similar to his, and many now only see them as threats.

Forced to hide….

Treated like they do not matter.

Well, that changes now!

……………………………………………………

Duty is sacred to the knights of old. It is something tied deeply to their honor, a part of their moral code.

Khalida the Red Panda became the first female knight known to Mobian history. The queen of her kingdom had allowed the child to become one, allowing her to gain the moniker Crimson Knight.

She was trained by the greatest mentor, someone who was a father figure in her eyes, a person written down as a legend in Mobian history. 

All seemed well in those days, that is till a visitor came three hundred years ago, leading to the fall of the kingdom.

Vampires are blood sucking immortals, night walkers who satisfy their thirst for misery and destruction; the one creature that Khalida despises more than anything.

The visitor had used such creatures to invade the kingdom. Screams of terror had filled her home as many were lost or turned into those creatures. Khalida had managed to save many people thanks to her training, but… 

But then the visitor took the life of her mentor, right before her eyes. That was when rage entered her heart. 

She did not hesitate to slay the black hearted monster.

Of course, as luck shall have it, the visitor was the vampire queen, and in her last moment, she chose to bit Khalida's neck, injecting her essence into her killer to turn her into that she hated the most.

A victory that only granted her a bitter result, to become what she hates the most. Treated as a monster who uses a facade of a legend.

It opened her eyes to some things.

Hatred…

Pain…

Is it only because of a harsh turn of fate, that she is now living as an undead vampire knight?

Monsters should be judged by actions, not by stereotypes. Perhaps if mobians became more open minded, there would be no reason for death and pain.

Perhaps, there would be no reason for acts of violence from either side.

…………………………………………………….

Monsters are much more than a scary appearance. Results, appearances and actions, all these can turn one into a fearsome beast.

Tomas the Xerus is a normal mobian, He became a soldier to help fight against Eggman’s forces, and longed to rid the world of monsters.

Tomas was a part of an Elite Ops group, Echo. His teammates were Speckles the Poison Dart Frog and Maverick the Brazilian  Scorpion, seeking to protect the innocent from monsters.

To think that the true monster was one of their own.

The mission was simple. There had been strange sightings, and Echo had been assigned to investigate. The investigation resulted in them finding a young Byakko Cub. The young cub had been in the village to hide, and hunters had been chasing him nonstop. All he had wanted was a safe place to live.

He was just a kid. A monster, yes, but an innocent Mobian too. How could anyone treat a child this way?

Tomas and Speckles had agreed to take the cub to base, but Maverick had other plans. He had a client who wanted the cub for a military project. 

Ever since that fateful days, his ideals have changed.

To defend the innocent from true monsters, those who hide their true selves behind a mask of innocence; that is his goal now.

…………………………………………………….

To think that these three would form a team that seeks to fight for equality between monsters and mobians, in order to find a way to bring peace for both sides.

Tonight, there was intel about a group who have captured a monster child. The reasons were heavily classified, but their mission remained the same; to rescue the child before the transfer.

The base that held the kid was a standard abandoned warehouse with round the clock guards, each holding heavy artillery weapons. It was part of the business; these things were vicious and dangerous.

Each guard happened to be some type of reptile mobian. Two large crocodiles wearing dark tinted shades were standing near a container, the one that supposedly held the child.

From the intel given, a secondary group would come retrieve the child for their boss. That would be in the next fifteen minutes, so time was of the essence.

Krios flew above the cloud line, gaining a clear visual of the base as his night vision cut through the murky darkness from above.

“It looks like this is a heavily guarded operation. We’ve got twenty guards with some serious firepower,” Krios spoke through his intercom comm link.

“Great, here I thought this would be easy.” A sarcastic voice came from the other line. “No movie night, huh?” They sounded a bit disappointed.

“Thou must jest! We have awaited this tidings all the week hence!” Another voice spoke through the comm link, though there was slight static, mainly due to their lack of experience.

“Let’s focus on the mission guys. We can still salvage movie night!” Krios promised, hoping to save a child, and then watch a movie after their success.

“Let's wrap this up in ten minutes!” Tomas insisted, seeing that the crocodiles had begun moving the container. 

There would not be much time if they stalled for even a single moment.

“Verily! We shall deliver the noble youngling, ere any foul misfortune befall them!” Khalida got into her position, awaiting the order to strike.

“Alright! Team Teras, move out!” Krios gave the all clear before flying into the base, wispon weapon ready in hand. 

He managed to take out the first few guards, which, to be fair, they were not too much of a challenge without their weapons.

Bet that they were not expecting a dragon to melt them into liquid metal; something he loved about his abilities.

Two guards snuck behind him, ready to take him out before he could sense them. Unfortunately for them, someone else got the drop on them.

“Ya know, for one of the fearsome beasts in history, you tend to leave your backside wide open.” Tomas blasted the guards with his blasters, leaving them paralyzed for a short time.

“That is because I know you got my back, Tomas,” Krios joked, one to which Tomas did not find amusing.

“How far is the targ- hostage?” The Xerus barely corrected himself. This was not a retrieval mission, it was a rescue mission.

“Not too far, just six more guards.” Krios had read the blueprints thoroughly before the mission, so he knew where they were keeping the child.

Tomas got his blasters ready. “Whoever takes out the most, gets movie night picks for the next two weeks.”

“Oh it is on!” His dragon nature never could turn down a good challenge, not that he was to ever turn one down!

The guards did not allow them to easily sneak by, of course. If a sound was heard, an onslaught of gunfire was unleashed.

“Those weapons are nothing compared to my Shard Blasters!” Tomas dodged some of the enemy’s fire, then unleashed a few blue blasts from his dual blaster guns.

The three guards hit were instantly encased in ice, dropping the total number of guards to eight now.

“I still say Wispon weapons are the best, with various designs and trustworthy companions!” A red blur entered his Wispon Sword, and Krios raised his sword to unleash a red shockwave.

The shockwave knocked down four of the guards, causing the weapons to break upon impact.

“Looks like I am in the lead.” Krios smirks before rushing towards the next area.

“For now,” The Xerus reminded, reloading a new shard into each of his blasters.

“Hope the kid is okay…” If those reptiles placed one claw on them, Krios would show who the most terrifying reptile is.

“The file said that they were some sort of spiritual energy, so who knows what they may do…” The intel had been slim, not much to go on with what they had alone.

Mainly due to the fact that no one seems to know much about Monster Mobians.

But that would soon change.

“Possibly a yokai spirit.” Krios blocked an upcoming strike on Tomas, using his tail to grab the guard’s leg before throwing them into another guard.

That raised another two points for the great draconian leader! Time to prepare to watch the next two Flight or Destroy movies, suckers! They’re action comedy gold, and he would die on that hill! 

“Would that make them part ghost, or would they just possess spiritual powers?” Tomas asked, counter firing a guard who was firing from above.

Krios raised his Wispon Sword, unleashing another shockwave to knock out the guard. “That does not matter. Our main goal is to rescue them, because there is no way that kid is being used by anyone!” His low growl conveyed his frustration, pairing it with the fire in his eyes made him just plain on pissed off. 

“Agreed!” Tomas raised his blaster, sending off some shoots to shock the last two guards.

Beep!

Crap, five minutes left! The two rushed to the closest stairway as they heard the sounds of steps descending. That meant the container was on the move… Thewere transporting the child early! Much too early!

The guards must have heard the commotion…. Dang it, a downside of having a friendly competition was that it always seemed to draw some attention.

Krios grabbed Tomas, flying the fastest that his wings have ever flown. 

There was no way that they would let an innocent be thrown down the dark path against their will. Not like they had.

……………………………………………………

The two crocodile guards traveled down the steps, carrying a gray container with some type of high level lock between them. No jokes filled the air, nothing about this was funny. They were as serious as they could be. 

“Tch, this kid better be worth the pay!” One of the guards grumbled, remembering the hassle it took to get them.

“Quit complaining. The client is coming soon, and you know how they feel about late drop offs.” The other one had a scar for that earlier mistake, one they would never make again. 

Their client had a very strict rule. Any late deliveries would result in consequences, harsh consequences. They did not want to face those consequences. 

The two reached the bottom floor, and did one final check of the container lock, the only thing that prevented the child from escaping.

The guard gave the other guard a thumbs up, a signal that they were in the clear. The other nodded, but then a faint sound made him pause.

The scarred guard got out a high power blaster that prompted his friend to get out his own blaster. It seemed like the intruders got to them.

They would teach those pathetic reptiles how to deal with intruders AFTER this.

The two hid around the corner, waiting for the intruders to come for the container. It was easy bait to lure them out as the two entered the room. 

“The guards must have ditched it.” Tomas found it rather suspicious. Something just let out a bad vibe about it.

Krios got his sword ready, knowing that this could not be THAT easy.

This had to be a trap.

And that was proven when cold metal pressed themselves onto their backs, forcing the two to put their hands up in surrender.

It seems as if they got the drop on them, not likely they did not plan for that.

“Look what we got here. Two wannabes trying to be heroes.” One of the guards confiscated their weapons, a sneer on his face. These two managed to beat their whole team on their own, so he was careful not to underestimate them.

They really needed better members, this was beyond embarrassing.

“A dragon and a rat huh?” The scarred guard wondered if they could add Krios to the order to make up for the now late delivery. Gosh, their client was NOT going to be pleased…

“I am a Xerus, a ground squirrel, not some kind of rat!” Tomas really hated being mistaken for a common rat. He looked nothing like them!

“Whatever! You punks are toast! How dare ya think that two small fries could stop us?” Like they honestly cared what species the intruder was. He could easily crush them if he wanted, but he preferred to fill them with holes.

“Well I know that my friend here has a small stature-” He gave an apologetic glance at Tomas, who looked even more annoyed. “- but I do believe that I am taller than you two.” 

Krios’s size did surpass most, even a few of his bosses. No surprise, though, since dragons were known for their tremendous growth size.

“All you are is an overgrown lizard with wings! We might as well add you to the package, though. You could go as a nice two for one.” Dragon mobians did fetch a nice amount of rings on the black market.

That was how the underworld saw Monster Mobians; a means to make money. The cruel hunters would force them to be given to some cruel hearted mobians who did not see them as equals, making them slaves, bodyguards, something lesser than normal Mobians.

That has to be stopped! No Monster Mobian should be treated as an object or someone's property!

“What exactly is the kid going to be used for?” Tomas asked, not like they could do much with weapons in their faces, so might as well make conversation.

Krios could barely hold back a growl. The fact that a child had been taken, made his rage boil over to lava temperatures. 

Come on, Khalida. Anytime now… This would be a great time for a rescue!

Meanwhile, Tomas did not know what outcome would be worse; the guards filling him with holes, or Krios ripping the two guards in half.

Judging how Krios was losing his cool with every passing seconds, the second option seemed more likely.

It was then that the shadow of one of the guards moved a bit, altering its shape to resemble a familiar face.

“Three,” Tomas suddenly spoke up. His sudden shift in attitude surprised the guards, even catching Krios off guard.

Krios looked just as confused as the guards, till he noticed the shadow. “Yeah, do you two not know the simple rule of teams.” 

“Oh yeah? What would that be?” One guard raised their blaster in Krios’s face, even a dead Dragon mobian was worth a lot anyway, so this would do nicely.

Tomas smirked. 

“Don't both of you know that real teams come in three?” 

With that, Khalida emerged from the shadows, knocking out both guards cold.

“Pardon mine tardiness, for the venture to the lower realms proved far more arduous than I had erstwhile imagined,” Khalida apologized. The modern day world still baffled her, but at least she made it in time.

“No worries. You did a fine job as always Khalida,” Krios praised, he had wished that she had gotten to them sooner, but better now before it was too late.

“Awesome job Draculina!” Tomas gave her a thumbs up. Their vampire knight never ceased to surprise him.

Khalida blushed. Funny how the serious knight can become as red as a tomato, all from a bit of praise. It reminded them that she is still a maiden at heart.

“T-There be naught need for such commendation. Thou art my noble allies, and I shalt ever stand in thy support.” She quickly regained her composure, though a slight blush still remained, making the two boys smirk.

“Too bad, though.” Krios picked up his Wispon Sword, brushing off the dust. “We both are tied, it seems that no one won the movie bet.”

Looks like they would have to resort to the decision wheel again.

“Verily, I could not refrain from lending mine ear to the discourse. I do proclaim that the victor of this wager shall be none other than I.” Khalida chuckled. opening a door behind her to reveal more guards had been waiting outside.

That was unexpected. Even taking out those two, the guards out there would have surely overwhelmed them. Khalida had rescued them from a possible end.

“Yeah, Khalida wins for sure!” Krios grin ed, this is one loss he did not mind taking.

He can not be careless, he can not afford to make any mistakes such as this. Not while the lives of those he treasures are at risk.

Tomas did not complain either. It looks like it would be another medieval themed movie. He could only hope it had a better plot than the last one.

“We should hurry and get out of here. We got the child.” The draconian leader grabbed the container, rushing out before any more surprises came.

“I suppose it is time to leave.” Tomas put away his blasters. He has had his fill of action for that night. 

“Can I get a ride?” He turned to Khalida. 

“Verily! Ready thyself to ascend unto the heavens, mine noble companion.” Her eyes glowed brightly before her form began to change shape.

Soon, in her place, a bright red bat mobian stood, wings much longer compared to average mobians. It was a great advantage of her shape-shifting abilities.

“No matter what form you take, it seems that you still hold that kind heart of yours,” Tomas commented while Khalida carried him into the air.

“Fair speech, Sir Tomas. Yet, though mine visage may alter, it cannot transform the essence of my true nature…” A sad reminder that at the end of the day, she was still a vampire.

Her way of speech and her original form were all she had left from everything she had lost that day.

“Even so, you are still my friend.” Tomas' words touched her heart, easing the everlasting pain that still dwelled deep inside.

Team Teras’s mission today was a success; they had rescued the child trapped within the container.

After arriving at a safe location, the three worked together to open the container, but the lock made things a tad difficult.

Tomas tried to blast it off first. The lock took some damage, though it stubbornly held on. This technology was far more advanced than what they have seen in the past. 

Second to try was Khalida, who conjured up her blood rapier in an attempt to pick the lock. Sadly, it was also a failed effort.

“Pray tell, what manner of lock doth grace this portal? Did these knaves venture forth to a time yet to come and procure the most wondrous lock known to man?! We must liberate this youngling forthwith!” Khalida looked ready to attack the lock with every fiber of her body.

“We may need to bring it back to base. Our bosses are going to want to hear about this anyway…” Tomas placed his blasters on maximum charge. “They can analyze the pieces instead.” Tomas was usually the calmest out of them. However, this lock was really testing his patience. 

Not that Krios could blame either of them. He had been upset about this mission since he first heard about it. It took all his will to keep his anger in check.

“Move aside, both of you.” He ordered. His Wispon Sword glowed as a bluish white blur entered inside, before the sword was imbued with a layer of frost. The icy chill could be felt even at a distance and the lock froze at the touch.

Tomas did wish he had thought of that first, though he held his tongue. He knew the big guy was not happy. 

Krios proceeded in smashing the lock; a small means to release his rage that had been building up.

No. He can not lose himself to rage. He has to comfort the child.

He took a few deep breaths as Khalida placed her hand on his shoulder. It helped remind him that he was not alone, and he smiled back at her. No words were needed to describe his gratitude.

Tomas walked over to the container, carefully opening the door, and there the three of them came face to face with the child at long last.

A bluish brown komainu child was stoking bright orange flames, looking to be ten years old, possibly younger. They looked at them with golden eyes filled with the will to fight.

“GRRR!” That growl was filled with hatred for those who did this to them, weakening, if not completely breaking their trust in mobians.

It would take time to try to quell that hatred… But that was okay.

“Hey there, kid.” Tomas put his blasters away, his hands raised; a means to show he would do no harm. “The bad guys are gone.”

That did not seem to convince the child. Their pupils narrowed dangerously as orange energy could be seen coming off them.

The words of a mobian could not be trusted! That mistake was what led them to be captured, losing everything in the process… Never again would they make that mistake!

“Pray, compose thyself, for there be no cause for concern. We have vanquished yon perilous knaves. Thou art safe now, good child,” Khalida insisted, aiding Tomas in calming the child.

That only seemed to confuse the kid if anything. Old English in medieval times could be viewed as strange, especially in the eyes of one this young. He looked ready to attack the strange people he had just met.

“Hey now.” The child could feel a head pat, looking up to see a dragon, giving the warmest smile they had ever seen. “I think you can ease up on the tough guy front!” He chuckled at the kid's will not to back down.

Even after all they must have gone through, this child refused to give up. What a brave kid.

“You… saved me? Does that mean… I have to work for you now?” They asked, a bit of fear remaining in their voice.

“No. We just want to get you back to your home,” Tomas insisted, squatting to get to the kid's eye level.

“Wanna go home?” He asked with a small smile.

Tears glistened in the komainu's eyes, trying to keep up a brave front. He refused to cry like a wimpy baby.

“My home is gone….,” He barely could keep himself from choking out a sob, though. “Those lizards burned the temple that I lived in…” His fur flared up from the rage.

The three went silent. To think that they were called monsters, even though normal Mobians could be far more devious and pure evil.

Krios pulled the poor kid into a tight hug to comfort the young one, who had gone through so much. The draconian leader was the only one to withstand the intense flames, too, so he was the perfect one to do this.

“What should we do now?” Tomas asked, worrying about what would happen to the young komainu now.

“Nay, we may not abandon yon child, for he hath lost all. We cannot forsake him in such wretched plight. Might we not take him hence with us?” Khalida had a point. Their base could be the only place that the kid would be safe.

At least till they could find a place that the komainu kid could call home.

“What do you say? Wanna come with us?” Krios broke the hug and looked the child in the eye, offering his hand out.

The child was quite hesitant. That was natural considering what he went through. Trusting a new face did take time.

“Hey, I promise that we will keep you safe. My name is Krios. Can I have yours?” He tried to  ease the child in a bit more, in an attempt to build trust.

“A-Aiden…” The little komainu cub spoke up, his fur flared up slightly more.

“These are my friends, Tomas and Khalida. I promise that we will keep you safe.” He gestured to his friends, and both nodded in agreement.

Aiden still seemed hesitant, not too sure about the other two, especially the Xerus mobian.

However, Krios was… different.

The dragon was genuine in trying to help the young komainu, a complete stranger who did not have to save him, but their flames had connected their fates together.

Aiden did not have anywhere to go back to. This was… his only choice.

Nay, maybe this was the right choice. 

Aiden… Aiden took Krios’ hand.

With that, the mission was completed and they had gained a new friend.