*this chapter takes place at the same time as the last chapter*

Eteru: 😨 A...A Worldender hybrid!?
Malachite: Uh, yeah? That's what dad told me. And Sal here told me you're one too right? Hot dog! Speaking of which I'm still hungry. You got anymore food? :p
Fireburn: ...Sailiga also said you had Amber too right?
Malachite: Hm? Oh, um, well yeah, I guess. I don't know how to use them though. Dad didn't get a chance to tell me before his jerk-ish Worldender "friends" found me out.
Eteru: 😨 Th-they did!? Wh-what did they do to you and your parents?
Malachite: My 'rents? Well, I didn't get much of a chance to know my mom so I don't know about her. As for dad, the other Worldenders forced him to watch as the Aipom or whatever he was called threw me into a black hole. Sooo, safe to assume he's either dead or chained up or something.
Sirin: *gags* I-I'm sorry but a BLACK HOLE!?
Malachite: Yeah. Never go near one of those things by the way. It hurts.
Eteru: HOW ARE YOU STILL ALIVE!? Black holes are inescapable!
Malachite: I don't know. I don't remember what being in a black hole was like. All I know is that I was shot out of a white hole somewhere around here.
Fireburn: WHITE HOLES EXISTS!?
Sailiga: Quite greeko. See Malachite, a black hole has a gravitational pull that bot even light can escape, but a white hole has a gravitational "push" that shoots out light all the time.
Malachite: ...Huh?
Sirin: *sigh* I've known Xilas long enough to see where this is going. Basically a black hole sucks everything into it, while a white hole shoots everything out of it.
Malachite: Oooooohhhhh!😮
Sailiga: Now greeko that everyone is settled and introduced, I suggest we get to the heart of the matter here. (Clears throat) Gentlemen- and lady- we are currently facing a potential crisis on our hands. To understand just how disastrous this situation is, we must start with explaining just what lead to this predicament. Eteru?
Eteru: Huh? O-oh, um, right. Well, see...

Eteru first explained how he came to find out he was a Worldender hybrid and about his powers. He remembered all too clearly what happened on the Lion's Pride. Next he explained how he met Sirin and how he came to know of Rosette the Worldender. Then he told them that not long agter coming to the Academy, a mysterious crystal was found by him in his own room. After seeing it was a communication crystal he unintentionally started talking to Rosette via said crystal. After a brief fight she told him a prophecy involving three canine people coming to Skylands and will bring an end to it all. Then via the crystal again, Eteru encountered Reba, the first of the canine trio, and was told that she sensed other individuals like him. An Incarnation of Darkness and a Special Being Questing Beast to be exact. After learning that the only thing keeping Reba away was a shield that Carina, Eteru's Worldender mother, had left to protect Skylands from the other Worldenders, Reba threatened she could and would wait until the shield was weak enough to pass through. Since then, Eteru had been trying to prepare for the moment she would arrive and begin the prophecy.

And unfortunately, that time had come. The crystal was stolen by, surprise surprise, Crocavile and he had inadvertently contacted Reba. Apparently Reba made a deal with Crocavile but of course Reba turned tables with him and took over his body. Reba, in Croc's body, had attempted to steal something from Verraten le Muerte's office. But Sirin and Saitama, Sirin's Quilin, had stopped her and made Reba appearin physical form to fight. The fight went south when Reba slashed Sirin with one of her cursed tessens and teleported away. Fortunately Sailiga was in the area and healed Sirin of the infection the tessen caused and took her to Eteru to report what happened.

Sailiga: ...And now, Reba is out there, waiting for her chance to strike. She's probably watching us as we speak, laughing at our efforts. That's why you, Fireburn and Malachite, are so important to us. We must combine our efforts to defeat Reba before she can fulfill the rest of the prophecy!
Fireburn: Question. Can you explain to me what this prophecy says exactly?
Sirin: It speaks of the canine trio coming here to ravage this place. The first part about Reba has already come to pass, and Reba herself is aware of the exact words Rosette told Eteru. I know because one of the last things she said before teleporting away from me was something about the "sibling minor", the second of the trio to arrive.
Eteru: The third of the trio is some powerful warrior. He's supposed to be the strongest of the three, and judging from the prophecy itself, Reba alone could being Skylands to its knees!
Malachite: I got a question. So, Eteru and I are Worldender/Amberscale hybrids, Fireburn is just an Amberscale/purple dragon hybrid, Sirin's a "Incarnation of Darkness", and you Sal is a "Special Being Questing Beast"?
Sailiga: Yes.
Sirin: Your point?
Malachite: Um... What exactly IS a "Special Being" to begin with?
Fireburn: I have begun wondering that myself Sailiga.
Eteru: Come to think of it... You haven't really explained that part to me either Sailiga.
Sirin: And not even I am familiar with the term nor the creature. What be it a Special Being?
Sailiga: Oh. Well... It's complicated. For more "simple" beings at least. We're almost as rare as the Worldenders, have exceptional power and intelligence, and are usually... "religious" should we put it. We come in many forms, unique to us in the Order.
Eteru: "Order"?
Sailiga: Yes... I feel that that will be all I say for now. And please, don't complain. Us Special Beings are quite secretive due to our... enlightened status. We are rare not for social reasons like the Worldenders, but for just how drastically affected we can be changed by trauma at a young age. Fortunately I lived past the danger of such an incident to me. As for any more information, it's best to hold back from telling you. The less you know, the braver you'll all be greeko.
Sirin: ...I can understand that. I suppose I can hold off from asking any more then what you wish to reveal to us.
Fireburn: You mentioned an "Order" of some sort. Can you explain that?
Sailiga: 😯Well.... *sigh* I suppose I must. Okay, so understand that within mortal societies such as ours, there are myths and legends of almost God-like beings yet not quite Gods.
Malachite: Ooohhh. Like...Um... Hercules?
Sailiga: Not quite. He was the son of a God. That's not quite what I mean. Perhaps it's best to explain those in the Order... The Celestial Order. First there were merely three races within the Order. Us Special Beings, the Nymphs, and the Deities. Then there was discovered a race we now call Cosmic Beings, who could defy natural law and logic. The three races decided the Cosmic Beings were gifted and powerful enough to be considered the Fourth Race. Then a group of celestial dragons formed and forcefully began a pilgrimage of purity. Or as the other races called it, a war of mass genocide. These dragons held no restriction to destroying any and all worlds that they felt were corrupted. The other races fought with these dragons for ages before finally they made an offer. These dragons- The Worldenders as they were called- were given the opportunity to become the Fifth Race, but they would have to restrict their corruption destruction to that of the higher will. The Apex. I believe the book you were given on Worldenders explains this struggle Eteru.
Eteru: Yes, it does...
Sailiga: Eteru. Malachite. Please understand that all five races of the Order are, at their core, neutral in the balance. Nearly everyone else in the balance is Angelic or Demonic. You are either born into your side... or not born at all. Hybrids, such as Raven, are caught in the middle of this struggle. The Celestial Order, however, get to freely choise their side despite their bloodline or even not have a part in the matter since we are as powerful and high up in the balance as we are. Please understand... Worldenders are not evil. They believe it's possible to prevent the corruption of innocent worlds by destroying the forms of corruption in others. Believe me all, Special Beings and Nymphs have been trying for countless ages to reason with them. Especially about how they consider having hybrids of their kind and others are utterly unnatural and, what else, corrupt. That may have something to do with Cthulu and the other Ancient Ones but that's besides the point. It was ultimately their fear of corruption that led to them, the Deities, and even some Cosmic Beings to wipe out Amberscales from existence. But, as you can see, those with Amber have, just barely, been able to survive. *sigh*... I know this is all very sudden and stressful and such, but we must understand all we can of not only the enemy, but ourselves. If we win this battle with Reba... We can win against the Worldenders, and make them change there ways even a little bit! Please...

There was some silence. It was mostly to absorb everything that had happened and everything that they heard.

Fireburn: ...Nobody said they wouldn't help, so stop acting like we ain't helping.
Malachite: Yeah! We're a team! We're all in this together!😁
Sirin: Y-you'll help us? But we just met! And-
Fireburn: So what? I'm a noble dragon. I came to the Academy to help Skylands in any way I could. That includes this. Besides, for years I thought I was alone. So why would I back down from helping one of my own? If we can't save one of us, then who can we save? Let's win this, or die trying!
Malachite: Absolutely! And this is the first chance in ages for me to finally learn how Amber works! No way I'd back down from that!😆
Sailiga: Oh what happy times greeko! With the five of us, we can surely defeat Reba!
Eteru: Th-thank you both! Malachite, I have a book on Amber I can show you!
Fireburn: Yes, let's begin your training in Amber at once.
Malachite: Yaaaaaaaayyyyy!!!!
Sirin: *groan* Just like Xilas... Wait a minute! How do we explain Malachite to everyone!? We can't just say he fell from the sky! And the "meteor" he came in blew up when he woke up! Everyone's bound to be asking very uncomfortable questions about this!
Malachite: Take back the "yay".😟
Sailiga: Everyone relax meke. Sirin, Eteru, both of you go tell Dr.Krankcase and Mags about the meteor suddenly exploding to bits. Malachite, you go to Muerte's office and say you're from Dragon's Peak and ask to enroll in the Academy. Simple greeko!😊
Fireburn: Sounds like a plan to me.
Malachite: Yaaaaaaaaaayyyyyy 2.0!!!😁

Both Sirin and Eteru left at once to tell Mags and Dr.Krankcase about the meteor suddenly blowing up. But as Fireburn and Malachite were beginning to leave, Sailiga stopped them.

Sailiga: Gentlemen, one last thing if I may...
Fireburn: What now Sailiga?
Sailiga: Well, I figured I might as well catch the two of you up on what's happening with the Zodiac. You have been aware of this right Fireburn?
Fireburn: About the Zodiac Warriors? Yeah I know.
Malachite: "Zodiac Warriors"?
Sailiga: Many ages ago in Skylands' time, the Ancients called upon a group of warriors in times of need called the Zodiac Warriors. Every hundred years the Zodiac Warriors would be reincarnated and would have to be awakened to their full potential to fight as a group again. However, in between one of these hundred year intervals, a powerful enemy known as the Arkeans began to take over and the Zodiac Warriors were unavailable, thus the Ancients had to gather a new set of heroes known now as the Giants. Since then, the Zodiac Warriors have been dormant and near forgotten until recently. Now we all must find each and every member of the Zodiac Warriors to stop Scorpius, our current rival, and Develon, a visiting menace.
Malachite: 😮 Woah. That sounded so awesome that I have no clue what all that means!
Fireburn: (face palm) I'll explain it later Mal. Anything else we need to know Sailiga?
Sailiga: Well, I believe so. In fact, I didn't want Eteru to hear this due to his habit of over-worrying and Sirin due to my uncertainty as to what she might do.
Fireburn: What?
Sailiga: Well, I've began to notice a pattern involving the Zodiac. I remember prior to Sirin finding and awakening Taurus, Eteru and Sun Dragon had explained to her what the Zodiac itself was, and in the process we determined that her personal Zodiac Sign was in fact Taurus. On the way back from today's mission in which Crocavile inadvertently awakened Gemini, Croc told me his birthday falled on a day in the time of Gemini. And given that Aries appeared and told us about Scorpius' plan to gather the Zodiac Warriors himself around the same time as the sign of Aries itself, I assume Scorpius is an Aries.
Malachite: (totally spaced out from so much knowledge)... What?
Fireburn: Are you saying that these individuals were destined to awaken the Zodiac Warriors on their sign?
Sailiga: Not so much "destined" if you ask me. To me it seems like "takes one to know one". It takes someone born under the sign of a Zodiac to awaken that Zodiac Warrior. This may make things substantially easier to, at least, awaken them.
Malachite: Wow!😰
Fireburn: Okay. But... Why do you not want Sirin and Eteru knowing about it?
Sailiga: ...Well, remember what we said about Reba. She's going to be watching us before striking. And... I fear she may interpret the individuals that find each Zodiac Warrior to be potential obstacles or even prey for her.
Fireburn: ...And? There's more to this that worries you right?
Sailiga: *sigh* Sirin... She's the Incarnation of Darkness that Reba has already been a target for Reba. The fact she has also awakened a Zodiac Warrior and given that what I said about Reba watching us find the Zodiac Warriors is true... Sirin may be in even more danger then even Eteru and I. Which...*chuckles slightly* Sounds so much like Sirin to do. She has been protective of Eteru since what happened with Furori. Oh... so protective. She hates to admit it, but she's very overly grateful to Eteru for saving her from her dying world. And yet, she's been so so confused.
Malachite: Oh man.😯
Fireburn: That does sound like a problem.
Malachite: My head hurts. :p
Fireburn: Of course it does. Well, is there anything we can do about it?
Sailiga: Not at this time no. Just go on with our little plan and then act as if nothing is the matter. Me, Sirin, and Eteru will inform you of any news or much needed discussions. Go on.

Fireburn gave a face of slight concern before urging Malachite to follow him to where Muerte's office was. Sailiga waited until they were gone before leaving himself. He planned to wait outside the observation room for Mags and Dr.Krankcase to come. Not long after he got out, however, Sailiga was suddenly being questioned by an anthropomorphic otter. This concerned him because, for one, the otter was holding and clearly drinking one of Skylands' most popular energy drinks, Red Horse. And another reason for concern was that the otter was asking about pretty much everything that occurred in the observation room! Sailiga finally found a chance to stop the otter and ask a question or two himself.

Sailiga: Woah woah greeko! Madam, I am unsure of what you speak of! Please, may I at least inquire who you are?
???: Pfft, as if you don't know! I'm Yasei. You know? Mags' top of the notch A ranking student! I have full permission to use this lab, and my little probe thing overheard EVERYTHING that went on in that room! (Drinks more of her drink and then crushes the can with her bare hand) So, better start answering my questions pal, or else-
Sailiga: (starts moving his hand across back and forth) Or else what greeko? You clearly don't understand what you heard, nor do you know what to do about it Ms.Yasei. My suggestion is that you don't even say a word about whatever you heard to anyone. (Snaps his fingers)
Yasei: What!? Oh I'll show ya! I'll... I... I... I think I won't say a word about this to anyone....
Sailiga: That's better. Perhaps another of these energy drinks of yours will make you feel better?
Yasei: Um... Yeah. Yeah I think I'll do that.

Yasei up and left as quickly as she came, unaware that Sailiga used his Special Being powers to make her change her mind about saying anything about what she had heard. Sailiga chuckled to himself and ran off to do some things. That's Sal for ya. Going on with life without a care in the islands.

Well, not a care that just anyone would know of course.

Meanwhile

Scorpius was full on furious. Furious I tell you!

When he was falling through the sky after Gemini's twin attack, he roared out for his clan of trolls to grab him and take him home. Now he had a bone to pick with a certain snake he knew.

Scorpius: OPHI! Ophi where are you!?
Ophi: I'm coming, I'm coming! Ssso, did you retrieve the meteor we sssaw-
Scorpius: NO! Develon wanted it too for whatever reason, and then some of those Skylanders showed up and nabbed the crystal thing, and the worse part is that Gema and Gemi turned out to be Gemini!😠
Ophi: 😲Wh-what!? They were!?
Scorpius: Don't act so surprised, rat breath! YOU'RE the Zodiac expert around here! Why didn't you say anything about Gema and Gemi being Gemini!?
Ophi: Calm down Ssscorpius! I had no idea they were Gemini! The sssscrolls didn't dessscribe what Gemini looked like! All they ssssaid wasss that to awaken Gemini "they mussst be made to realize their error in choosssing the wrong sssside". How was I to know that- 😰Oh... O-oh my...
Scorpius: Yes?
Ophi: Um... Gema and Gemi were on our ssside, not the Ssskylanders'. A-and they were twinsss joined at the ssspinal cord, making them an ideal incarnation for Gemini...
Scorpius: *snarling*😠 ...
Ophi: Oh please Sssscorpius! I only just now realized thisss! If I had known ssssooner they were Gemini I would have sssaid ssssomething! Besidesss, we agreed we'd let the Skylandersss think they have the upper hand by letting them gather the Zodiac Warriorsss for usss! Then we'll take them all right from under them!
Scorpius: Yes well, Kaos thinks we should at least have one of the Warriors in our custody just as a precaution. Plus you know how upset he'll be when he finds out one of the Zodiacs was right here with us! And if I'm quick to blame you for this, imagine how merciless Kaos will be to you...😡
Ophi: Oh that'sss rich! YOU were there when Gemini wasss awakened! YOU ssshould have captured Gemini when you had the chance, and you blew it! Kaosss will be all over YOU for YOUR failure! That ought to teach you to take your tone with me you little-

Ophi was so enraged that he slapped Scorpius across his face with his bare snake hands!

Scorpius stood there for a while, just... breathing...

Then he looked back at Ophi... and Ophi swore up and down that Scorpius' eyes had become neon green and snake like with rage. Scorpius suddenly grabbed Ophi by the throat with his hand and lifted Ophi off the ground, snarling all the while.

Scorpius: You DARE take such an attitude with ME, serpent?!
Ophi: *choking*
Scorpius: Hahaha! Look at you now, oh brilliant snake! Filled with FEAR... Filled with DREAD... I could kill you here and now if I wanted to. But I won't. After all, you know more then anyone about these Zodiac Warriors... I believe we could use the help of that Aquarius fellow you said was so tech-savvy. Besides, Kaos would whine to me about making such a huge mess with your blood, and I'm not in the mood for that right now.
Ophi: *choking* O-ok boss! Pl-please put m-me back on the ground! Us Zawinders d-don't last l-long without air! *gags*

Scorpius finally let go of Ophi's throat, letting the snake fall to the ground. Hard. Ophi gasped for breath as he looked up at Scorpius, noticing that his eyes were back to normal now but still glaring down at him.

Scorpius: Now, let that be a lesson to you to not take that tone with ME. Kapish?
Ophi: *cough* K-ka-kapish b-bossss! *cough*
Scorpius: Good. Now start looking into where Aquarius might be located. We need someone with some actual technical smarts around here to get to work on the Dark Dragonslayer.

Ophi nodded fearfully, and Scorpius walked off. Ophi rubbed his sour throat before slithering off to have a medical expert check his throat out. As for Scorpius, he was headed to where they kept their communication equipment to speak with Kaos when he started... talking to himself.

Scorpius: *whisper* Hey voice! The H*ll was that for?
Demon Voice: Oh come now. Don't tell me you didn't want him to get away with hitting you like that! Sometimes you have to treat your underlings "poorly" to show them their place. On the plus side, this'll make that "Zawinder snake" work harder for when we need Aquarius. Now come on, let's report to Kaos what happened to his stupid dragon and get it over with.

Elsewhere

The air was still. The forest silent. All was calm.

But then, out of nowhere, a portal crackled with energy into existence! Then a figure came through, and the portal disappeared soon after.

The figure stood low to the ground, breathing and calming himself. The young dragon looked up and around at his surroundings. He then took his claws and pressed and held down some kind of button on his headset thing.

???: Computer? Did it work? Are we...?
Computer: Yes young master Taurun. We have arrived at our designated time period. Welcome to the Skylands of the past.
Taurun: Wow... I mean, excellent! Now, where is Sun Dragon?

---

Yasei is an OC of SpyroAndToothless.

Taurun is an OC of Hans4475.

I'll let you all discuss what you will about these... developments. Cheers!🐺