Later that night, one of the doublewinged door's to the throne room opened.

Cinder entered the throne room with a hushed step, his eyes darting around to ensure no one had followed him. The pouch of scrolls around his neck jingled softly. Closing the door gently, he trotted over to where Jormund and Glory were.

"Hey," Cinder greeted, a mix of nervousness and excitement in his tone.

Jormund nodded in acknowledgment. "Cinder, good to see you. What did you find?"

Glory greeted him with a nod, curious about the information he might have gathered.

Cinder carefully unrolled one of the scrolls, revealing a detailed map of the palace. "I've located Sunny. She's being held in one of the higher prison towers around the palace, close to Queen Scarlet's chambers."

Jormund studied the map, noting the location. "Good job, Cinder. Now, we need to plan our approach. How do we get there and free her without alerting the guards?"

Glory chimed in, "And what about the others, like Frostbite and Kestrel?"

Cinder nodded, looking determined. "I've gathered information on their locations as well. We'll have to act swiftly and carefully. There's no room for mistakes."

Jormund leaned in, "Let's hear the details, Cinder. We need a solid plan."

Cinder unfolded the scrolls from the pouch around his neck, laying them out on the floor. "Alright, here's the plan," he began in a hushed tone. "I've gathered information on the palace layout, guard shifts, and potential escape routes. Our key targets are Tsunami, Clay, Starflight, Sunny, Frostbite, and Kestrel. The first step is freeing them from their respective locations."

He pointed at the scrolls, indicating various areas on the palace map. "Tsunami and Starflight are in the lower prison cells, Frostbite is in the dungeon, Sunny is held in one of the higher prison towers, and Clay is in the arena preparation area. Kestrel is also in a higher prison tower. We need to coordinate our efforts to break them out without alerting the guards."

Cinder paused, looking at each of them. 

Jormund, intrigued by the draconic writing on the huge scrolls, couldn't help but express his interest. "Draconic writing looks fascinating. I wonder if I could learn it."

However, he quickly shook off the thought, realizing the urgency of their situation. "But now is not the time for language lessons. Cinder, please continue with your plan. How are we going to get everyone out?"

Cinder continued, "Once we have everyone, we'll regroup in a safe location, probably the secret chamber. From there, we'll figure out our next move. The scrolls also contain information on guard patrols, so we can avoid them as much as possible."

He took a deep breath. "I know it's risky, but it's our best chance. Any questions or suggestions?"

Jormund raised an eyebrow. "What about Burn? And what's the status on Queen Scarlet?"

Cinder's expression shifted to surprise, mixed with a hint of shame. "I didn't account for that," he admitted. "Burn and the others are already here. They're on their way to the royal dining hall for Queen Scarlet's hatchday feast. It's the perfect chance to act, but we'll have to be quick. Time will depend on how long the dinner takes."

Jormund nodded, considering the new information. "It's a factor we hadn't controll over. But it might work in our favor. We need to act now, while they're occupied with the feast. Waiting might not be our best option."

Glory chimed in, her scales subtly shifting with a mixture of concern in blue and determination via violet. "He's right. We can't afford to waste this opportunity. Let's proceed with the plan."

Cinder thought for a moment before making a suggestion. "We should prioritize rescuing the dragonet of destiny who are closest to us, just outside on the pillars surrounding the arena. Once we're all back inside, we can gather information about the others and plan our next moves accordingly. What do you think?"

Jormund suddenly got up, walking towards the white marble tree.

Cinder looked at Jormund with surprise. "Wait, where are you going?"

Jormund grinned. "Rescuing the closest dragonet, obviously." He gestured toward Glory, who was still perched on the white marble tree.

Cinder and Glory exchanged glances, and it dawned on them that Glory was still chained to the tree.

As Jormund carefully climbed up the white marble tree, he slipped when he was almost at the top. Just in time, Glory reacted swiftly, catching him with her tail and placing him on one of the branches near her chain.

"Thanks," Jormund said, flashing a grateful smile at Glory.  "Could you lower your head a bit? I'll try to help with that restraint."

Complying, Glory lowered her head. Jormund touched the neck restraint with his stand, silently changing its trait from being hard to becoming elastic like rubber. He made sure that the stand's cry wasn't too loud.

"Alright, try pulling it over your horns and head carefully," Jormund suggested.

Glory carefully pulled at the restraint, surprised as it stretched easily over her horns and head. She glanced at Jormund, scales now reflecting relief in cerulean and surprise in pale orange.
She then looked at Jormund with a mix of curiosity and gratitude, her scales shifting in hues of blue and lavender in appreciation. "That's... impressive," she admitted.

Cinder's eyes widened in amazement as he watched Jormund's stand effortlessly manipulate the restraints. "That was incredible!" he exclaimed, his eyes shimmering with admiration. "You're like an Animus or something!"

Jormund chuckled at Cinder's enthusiastic reaction. "Well, let's just say I have a few tricks up my sleeve." He descended from the white marble tree along with Glory, and as they gathered on the floor, he turned to Cinder with a curious expression. "So, Cinder, what exactly is an Animus?"

Cinder took a moment to elaborate further. "Right, right. Animus dragons are born with a kind of magic that allows them to enchant objects using a part of their soul. It's not something that can be learned or acquired; you're either born with it or you're not. And yeah, they're pretty rare."

Jormund, deep in thought, walked back towards the scrolls as Cinder explained the rarity of Animus dragons. He couldn't help but draw parallels between Animus magic and the abilities of stands.

Just as he was about to voice his thoughts, Glory interjected, bringing their attention back to the urgent matter at hand. "As fascinating as this is, we need to stay focused on the rescue and escape plan," she reminded them.

Both Jormund and Cinder nodded in agreement, deciding to shelve their discussion for another time. The scrolls in front of them held the key to their immediate actions.

As Cinder, Jormund, and Glory meticulously went over the guard patrol routes and potential safe points, Jormund suddenly froze. A realization struck him, a detail he had overlooked: the crystalline artifact was still in Queen Scarlet's possession.

His eyes widened as he voiced his concern, "Wait, the crystalline artifact! It's still with Queen Scarlet. We can't proceed without retrieving it first. It's a crucial part for me to find a way back home."

Cinder and Glory exchanged worried glances. The success of their plan hinged on overcoming this obstacle. They needed to find a way to retrieve the artifact before they could execute any rescue or escape maneuvers.

Cinder furrowed his brows, deep in thought. "We can't just waltz into the feast and grab it. Queen Scarlet and Burn would tear us apart. It's too risky."

Jormund nodded in agreement. "We need a plan, something that exploits a weakness or distraction during the feast. Any ideas?"

Glory considered the possibilities. "What if we create a diversion? Something significant enough to draw attention away from Queen Scarlet for a brief moment."

Cinder's eyes lit up. "A diversion could work. We'd need something big enough to distract everyone, including Queen Scarlet and Burn."

Jormund added, "But what kind of diversion can we create without revealing ourselves and endangering our plan?" The trio continued brainstorming, searching for a solution that would allow them to retrieve the crystalline artifact without putting themselves in immediate danger.

Glory's eyes widened in surprise as the melodic notes of a violin and the familiar tune of the Dragonets of Destiny song filled the air. Cinder looked around, trying to locate the source of the music, while Glory's eyes gleamed with recognition.

Cinder muttered, "What's going on? Is this part of the diversion plan?"

Jormund, captivated by the enchanting music, shook his head. "I didn't plan for this. Someone else is making a move."

As the song continued, the trio exchanged puzzled glances, uncertain of who could be orchestrating this unexpected performance. The melody lingered in the air, creating an atmosphere of mystery and anticipation in the throne room.

The music outside grew louder as more voices joined in, creating a harmonious chaos that echoed through the palace. The distant sound of Queen Scarlet's irritated voice reached the trio's ears as she demanded, "Who dares to interrupt my hatch day feast with such terrible noise!"

Jormund grinned at the perfect distraction. "Cinder, go outside and check what's happening. Pretend to investigate on your own and have a look at Queen Scarlets scales while doing so. Try to spot the artifact under one. Glory and I will use the opportunity to check Queen Scarlet's treasure chamber. We need to find that artifact."

Cinder nodded, his eyes gleaming with excitement at the unexpected turn of events. "Got it. I'll find out what's going on and try to spot the artifact on her"

As Cinder left, Jormund turned to Glory. "We need to move quickly. Follow my lead, and let's search for that artifact. With the chaos outside, we might have a chance to slip by unnoticed."

Jormund approached the double-winged door of Queen Scarlet's throne room and tried to push it open, but it remained firmly shut. Frowning, he turned around, only to find that Glory had disappeared.

His eyes scanned the area in confusion, and suddenly, Glory turned visible again in front of him. Startled, Jormund took a step back. "You really need to warn me before you do that. You almost scared the scales off me."

Glory chuckled, her scales shifting with a playful glint. "You don't have scales to be scared off, Jormund."

Jormund grinned, feigning offense. "Oh, no! It is already this bad? You Scared off the last of my scales!" They both shared a laugh before refocusing on their mission to locate Jormunds crystalline artifact.

Glory confidently pushed open the double-winged doors, allowing the outside noises to flood into the throne room. She turned to Jormund with a sly grin. "Well, if you want to be discreet and avoid Scarlet's wrath, you better hop on. Just stay hidden under my wing, and we should be fine."

Jormund considered the idea for a moment, then asked with a smirk, "Are you sure I won't cramp your style, riding into battle on a dragon?"

Glory's scales shifted in amusement. "Don't worry. No one will see us. You won't cramp anything. Now, let's head out to Queen Scarlets treasure chamber."She gracefully lowered herself, making it easier for Jormund to climb under her wing. As he settled in, Glory turned invisible, and they moved through the palace corridors like a silent shadow. She deftly navigated, occasionally pausing to assess the way or avoid passing guards.

Following the twists and turns of the palace, they finally arrived at the entrance of Queen Scarlet's treasure room. They were met with an unexpected sight. There were no dragon guards stationed outside, and the room itself seemed empty. A sense of relief washed over them, realizing that they might have an opportunity to retrieve the crystalline artifact without interference.

Glory turned visible again, her scales gently revealing her form. She exchanged a glance with Jormund, silently conveying the surprise of the situation. With caution, they approached the entrance, ready to step into the treasure room.

The entrance to the treasure room was adorned with intricate carvings and designs, showcasing the wealth and power of the SkyWing royalty. The double doors were made of polished stone.

Glory pushed open the heavy doors with ease, revealing the opulent interior of the treasure chamber. The room sparkled with countless treasures, from glittering jewels to piles of golden coins. Elaborate tapestries hung from the walls, depicting scenes of SkyWing triumphs and victories.

In the center of the room, atop a raised platform, stood a grand display of the most valuable items. Precious gemstones, ancient artifacts, and regal crowns adorned the platform, all on small pedestals, where they shimmered faintly in the ambient light.

Glory and Jormund stepped into the treasure room, their eyes wide with wonder at the sheer opulence surrounding them. Yet, amid the splendor, their focus remained on finding the crystalline artifact, hidden among the treasures. The room held secrets, and they needed to navigate its wealth carefully to achieve their goal.

Jormund hopped off Glory's back and made his way toward the raised platform in the treasure chamber. Climbing the dragon-sized steps, he reached the top and surveyed the grand display of valuables that lay ahead.

Looking around in awe, Glory marveled at the room's opulence, momentarily captivated by the shimmering treasures that surrounded her.

Jormund, driven by the urgency of their mission, addressed Glory, "I'll check out the pedestals, I suggest you to explore the rest of the room."

Glory turned her gaze to Jormund and responded with a nod, acknowledging the division of their tasks.

Jormund, while attempting to climb up one of the pedestals, muttered under his breath, "These things are taller than they look." Beads of sweat formed on his forehead.

Glory, walking around the splendor of the room, chuckled softly. "You might need a boost."

Jormund shot her a playful glare. "I'll manage," he replied, determination in his voice.

Glory, with a smirk, said, "Just let me know if you need a lift."

As Jormund continued his efforts to inspect the pedestal, the room's silence was broken only by the faint echoes of their conversation. The weight of their mission hung in the air, juxtaposed against the backdrop of the magnificent treasure chamber.

Jormund's eyes widened with disbelief as he beheld the silver wristwatch resting on the pedestal. He reached out, his fingers gently tracing the cracked glass and the engraving on the back that read "Alexander Speedwagon." A mix of emotions swirled within him – surprise, relief, and a pang of guilt for doubting his mentor's fate.

The weight of the watch in his hands felt like a tangible connection to his world, a beacon of hope. Jormund took a deep breath, the realization sinking in that Professor Alexander might be alive in this unfamiliar realm.

Glory, noticing Jormund's reaction, couldn't contain her curiosity. "What did you find?" she asked, her eyes reflecting the dragon's equivalent of intrigue.

Jormund turned towards Glory, the silver wristwatch cradled in his hands. "This... this belonged to someone very important to me back in my world," he began, his voice carrying a mix of emotions. "His name is Alexander Speedwagon. He was a mentor, a guide, a friend. I thought... I thought he was gone."

He paused, looking down at the engraved name on the watch, his grip tightening slightly. "Finding this here means he might be alive in this world. Glory, I never should have doubted him."

Glory, her scales shifting in hues of thoughtful blue and understanding purple, nodded. "Sometimes hope surprises us when we least expect it," she said, her eyes reflecting the glimmer of understanding.

Jormund turned towards Glory, the silver wristwatch cradled in his hands. "This... belonged to my friend, Professor Alexander Speedwagon," he began, his voice carrying a mix of emotions. "You were right, Glory. I should never have doubted it. Finding this here means he might be alive in this world."

He paused, looking down at the engraved name on the watch, his grip tightening slightly. "He was a mentor, a guide, a friend. I thought... I thought he was gone."

Glory, her scales shifting in hues of thoughtful blue and understanding purple, nodded. "Sometimes hope surprises us when we least expect it," she said, her eyes reflecting the glimmer of understanding.

Jormund carefully stowed the silver wristwatch in one of his jacket pockets, his eyes scanning the chamber as the temperature continued to rise. A sense of foreboding hung in the air, and he couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss.

"Glory, do you feel that?" he asked, his voice laced with concern. "It's getting hotter, and I don't think it's just from the climbing. There's something off about this room."

Glory, her scales taking on shades of deepening worry in blue and purple, nodded. "You're right. And look, the entrance is over there now." She gestured to where the door had shifted, no longer directly across from them.

Jormund's eyes narrowed, a sense of unease settling in. "We need to get out of here. Something's not right."

Glory swiftly approached the pedestal where Jormund stood, and with a graceful leap, he landed on her back. They hurried toward the throne room entrance, but to their horror, the door refused to open. "It won't open!" she exclaimed, fear and panic flickered in Glory's scales, shades of white and green intensifying.

As the rising heat surrounded them, Jormund's sharp instincts kicked in. "Glory, we're under attack. There's another Stand user here," he declared, his voice tinged with urgency. "We need to find the Stand itself or a way out before we get baked alive."

Together, they scanned the room for any signs of Stand activity. Amidst the oppressive heat, Jormund noticed something peculiar—the air swirling around them slightly distorted the light. Was the entrance just a mirage?

"Glory, I think the entrance is an illusion. We need to find the real way out before it's too late," Jormund urged, his mind racing to devise a plan. They were trapped in a perilous stand battle, and time was running out.

Glory, her scales now a mix of deep white and green, absorbed Jormund's words with a sense of urgency. "If the entrance is an illusion, then we need to find the real way out, fast." Determination sparkled in her eyes, a contrast to the anxiety etched on her scaled expression.

Gliding through the treasure chamber, they carefully examined each detail, searching for any anomalies or hidden exits. The oppressive heat seemed to intensify, urging them to hasten their efforts. The air itself felt charged, and every passing moment heightened the tension in the room.

"Keep your eyes peeled, Jormund. We have to stay focused," Glory urged, her voice steady despite the rising panic. They needed to unravel the mystery of the stand user and escape the treacherous trap that had been set for them.

As Jormund's mind raced to find a solution, a vivid memory surfaced, transporting him back to Professor Alexander's physics class. The professor, with a twinkle in his eye, had explained the concept of dynamic thermal exchange to his eager students.

In the mental flashback, the classroom was filled with the soft hum of fluorescent lights, and the chalkboard bore the intricate equations of thermodynamics. Professor Alexander, charismatic and passionate about his subject, gestured animatedly as he delved into the intricacies of heat transfer.

"Now, class, imagine a scenario where heat is being transferred from a warmer object to a colder one. In this process, the surrounding air gets cooler due to the extraction of thermal energy," he had elucidated, drawing a simplified diagram on the chalkboard.

Jormund, always curious, had listened intently, absorbing the knowledge like a sponge. The memory was a testament to the genuine interest Professor Alexander had instilled in his students.

Back in the present, Jormund's eyes widened as the recollection prompted a revelation. Could they manipulate the heat in the chamber to discern illusions? It was worth a shot.

Jormund, with determination gleaming in his eyes, leaped off Glory's back and landed with a slight crouch. Glory observed him, her scales shifting with curiosity and anticipation in form of blue dots over her white and green scales.

As Jormund summoned his stand, its presence was palpable, and the air seemed to ripple with energy. The stand, with an ethereal glow, extended its incorporeal hand toward the wall. A resounding cry echoed through the chamber, "Nullify Zero!"

Instantaneously, the temperature of the wall plummeted to absolute zero. The sudden change sent shockwaves through the air, causing a ripple effect. The moisture in the atmosphere condensed, creating a visible distortion around the affected wall.

The illusionary nature of the wall, exposed by the drastic drop in temperature, became apparent. What seemed like a solid barrier was, in fact, a mirage created by the manipulation of heat. Jormund's stand, with its power over thermal energy, had nullified the illusion, revealing the true entrance nearby.

Jormund, satisfied with the result, turned to Glory, a triumphant smile on his face. "Looks like Professor Alexander's lessons came in handy. Let's get out of here before our mysterious stand user strikes again," he said.

Glory, using her powerful wings, pushed open the doors leading outside of the chamber. The doors swung wide, and the hot air rushed out in billows of steam, dissipating into the cooler air. Both Jormund and Glory stumbled outside, gasping for breath as they greedily took in the refreshing atmosphere.

Jormund, slightly winded, turned to Glory with a relieved expression. "That was a close call. Any longer, and we might have suffocated in there," he remarked, grateful for the narrow escape.

Glory, her scales shimmering with a mix of relief and concern, replied, "We need to be more cautious. There's more going on than we initially thought. Let's figure out our next move carefully." The urgency of their situation lingered, and they knew they couldn't afford any more surprises.

Jormund, considering the situation, suggested, "We should head back to the throne room before anyone notices our escape. We can then move through the SkyWing Palace inconspicuously."

Glory nodded in agreement, her scales reflecting a mixture of determination and hope. "Let's hope Cinder has had more luck. We need to regroup and plan our next steps carefully." With that, they set off, making their way back through the palace with caution, mindful of the potential dangers that lurked within.