CHRONOS!!! I'd really appreciate it if you didn't send us to the ancient past in the middle of new year's breakfast!
I don't think Chronos can hear you anymore, Ned... And anyway, we don't know exactly where we are, do we?
Wherever we are, it MUST be important. And HOT! Ugh, suddenly I feel overdressed. Is this that infamous humidity I keep hearing about?
(Oh, my! What unusual-looking humans I see. The ones that scamper around our woodlands look much different.)
(Perhaps they are new to the Foros Jungle?)
(Impossible -- Foros Jungle is the whole world! Come, let's chase them away!)
So, we're in the Foros Jungle... but apparently, the whole WORLD is the Foros Jungle? Does that make you uneasy, or is it just me...?
At least we're not in that stuffy light land, like last time. Speaking of, I wonder what happened to that dragon city in the clouds?
(If the human is referring to the world of light, it has been 100 summers since it fell, returning the Solar Rock to Terra.)
(Many of my kind blame you creatures for the fall. I, for one, think it was well-warranted, but, well -- a job is a job!)
A-A job? What do you mean?
(The lords of the jungle have hired us to hunt you down... in exchange for their juiciest fruits, of course!)
That was close! I don't get the feeling those last dragons were playing around, Ned. They REALLY wanted to fight!
I didn't think dragons could be any unfriendlier than the ones from the world of light, but... Well, I don't want to jinx myself.
Hey, those dragons look a bit out of place, too -- don't they? I wonder if they can help us get our bearings...
(The lords of the jungle have been very gracious to us, letting us wander around their territory!)
(Unfortunately, to thank them, we can't extend the same courtesy to these human creatures!)
(Lords of the jungle! We've found them! And now we attack!)
Whoa! What happened? My head's spinning...
Did we just time travel, again? Or get transported elsewhere? These dragons don't look anything like the ones from Foros Jungle.
What are they saying, Ned? They seem rowdy! Like they wanna party!
(Welcome! Could you two be here for the New Year's celebration?)
(Do come join us. All are welcome to ring in the New Year.)
(And we celebrate by battling!)
Ned! Look up! Isn't it beautiful? A Jiang Dragon is dancing in the sky!
You're missing out -- there's a Fut San Dragon dancing right in front of us!
A battle is kinda like a dance, isn't it? I wonder if these dragons will treat us to more of one or the other!
S-Sure, but I'd rather dance with you than battle--
Oh, awesome -- they heard us! Here they come!
*SIIIGH*
If I remember Dad's Codex entry correctly... that Azure Dragon heralds tidings of spring. It's super important to a New Year's celebration.
And springtime must be super important to dragons from the Foros Jungle, but...
Where are they? I thought for sure the "lords of the jungle," whoever they are, would be here to celebrate.
If this is like our other time travelings, those "lords" SHOULD be the Ancient Plant dragons.
But, so far, this isn't quite like any of our other time travelings!
(Alas! Too much talking -- not enough partying! Let us rectify that!)
Correct me if I'm wrong, but there sure seem to be a lot of VIDs here, you know? "Very Important Dragons."
Nice wordplay, Ned! But you're totally right. I get the feeling this celebration is a big deal.
(The human would be correct. This is our first New Year celebration, for the first EVER new year!)
WHOA... Arya, we are DEFINITELY still in the ancient past.
(Travelers, I see. You've come a long way. Would you like a customary New Year's battle?)
Hey, it's a Green Lion Dragon! You can always trust one of these, Ned. Maybe it'll answer a question for us...
I mean, if this is the first New Year's celebration EVER, that's a pretty big deal. So...
Where are the Ancient Plant dragons, right?
(Ancient Plant dragons? We know of no such creatures.)
(If they existed, surely they'd come to our celebration!)
Now THIS is a problem...!
Could it be possible that the Ancient Plant dragons don't EXIST where we are?!
I wonder if any of these dragons would know what happened...? Speaking of, I think the star of the party is over that way -- maybe it has an answer!
(Humans! What a wonderful surprise! Welcome to my party -- can I help you? Or... perhaps you can't understand me?)
W-We were actually wondering what happened to the Ancient Plant dragons, from Foros Jungle...!
(I see. The legends say they disappeared after failing to make peace with humankind. Beyond that, we don't know what happened to them...)
(But let's save such sorrowful discussion for another day. For now, we'll celebrate the new year with a battle!)
(Oh! Humans! Out of thin air! Are you two witches, perhaps?)
(Now, now, I'm sure they can't hear you.)
N-No, I can! I can hear you! Um, are we by any chance back in Foros Jungle?
(Indeed, we are all in Foros Jungle -- the most wonderful place in the world for dragons like us!)
Arya... we're back, I think. But if that's the case, where WERE we?
We were about to treat these dragons to a battle, I think!
We know Chronos enjoys shuffling us around in space and time, right?
I wonder if Chronos was showing us an alternate timeline to let us know the Ancient Plant dragons are in danger...
So, we'll have to make sure the Ancient Plant Dragons learn to coexist with humans, or else they'll disappear. Right?
Right. *sigh* No pressure or anything...
No worries, Ned -- I noticed a dragon flying around nearby. Let's ask if it'll get us a meeting with the Ancients!
Somehow I think it'll just get us into a battle...
(A-Arya! Hide! I think one of the Ancients just found US!)
(Oh. Humans. I felt as though Foros' pure waters were being sullied, and now I have spotted the source of the impurity.)
Ned, what's it saying? It doesn't seem too fond of us, but it's making the river all sparkly and clean!
(Whatever you do, DON'T mention the purplemon juice I accidentally spilled in the water when we first got here!)
(I am Íolhan, and my purified waters keep Foros lush and endlessly thriving. I cannot allow your kind to risk sullying our world again.)
I think we better take responsibility for that juice, Ned!
The Ancients don't like us because they're afraid humans will ruin their jungle... I guess I can't blame them, considering what the Tyrants did.
A few hundred years before this, they almost poisoned the entire world! I saw it with my own eyes thanks to Chronos, Arya... Arya?
Sorry, Ned! This Skullhelm Dragon is sooo friendly. It really wants to play, and I am not about to refuse!
(I'm a friend to the humans of Foros! Many of us wish for the unity of humans and dragons, you know...)
D-Do you think you could tell your friends to spread the word?
(I will. But first, may I battle you and your companion?)
I've noticed something interesting. The fruits on the trees here are HUGE! Any explanation for something like that, science boy? Magic?
Actually, uh, I think the plants and fruits got so big because of the water's purity. Or something like that. I've been taking notes for my books.
That's great, Ned! Are you gonna show Doctor Hogwin?
Y-Yeah, I think I will. I'd like to write about everything we've been through in the ancient past...
Well, I've got my own theory about the big fruits. I'm thinking maybe they evolved into dragons at some point. I mean, check THAT out!
(Huh?)
Look at that! I wonder if one of the dragons from that alternate dimension managed to sneak through as well.
U-Um... Hey, dragon, are you, uh, from around here?
(One moment I was at a party, and the next, I find myself in a lush jungle...!)
(If THIS is what the Ancients can do with their powers, then... I wish they hadn't gone away back where I'm from.)
Don't worry. We'll do our best to make them stick around this time.
But before that, how about we bring the party to us with a battle?
It's already humid in this jungle, but... did it just get even hotter? ... Ned, duck!!!
Huh? OOF! W-What... Oh, th-the big scary flaming dragon. I see it now...
(Fear not, little hatchlings. Though my power is ferocious, I mean you no harm.)
(I am Íosghar. My fires terrify, but using them wisely, I clear the rotted old growth and make room for new life in Foros.)
(Much in the same way, my companions have been stuck in their ways for too long. Their prejudice must be burned, and new thoughts must arise from the ashes.)
(I feel that you two can help me achieve this goal, but first, I must test your abilities...! Can you face the flame, little ones?)
(Pardon me, are you humans?)
(I think they are...!)
(We have learned much from your kind -- how to make various things, and find all kinds of delicious treats!)
(I help out -- it's nice being bipedal!)
O-Oh, well, it's sure nice to be appreciated, too! Maybe you guys can help us make sure the Ancients and humans get along?
(We'd be happy to, but first -- might we have one of those delightful battles we've heard so much about?)
(There they are... the humans...)
Um -- hi there. Y-You don't have to be afraid of us.
We're on a diplomatic mission, you see!
(We've alerted the lords of the jungle to your location... We're sorry, but we can't risk allying with you.)
*sigh* Hold off on the diplomacy, Arya -- I don't think it's gonna fly here.
They just haven't experienced my unique and slightly brutal style of friendship yet. We'll win 'em over!
(You are unlucky to run into one such as I: Puenwyn, who sacrificed my body to soak up the poisons your ilk carelessly left behind!)
(For hundreds of years I have been absorbing human-made poison, clearing the way for the great Foroskke's lush jungles and forests...)
(I will protect Foroskke, the Ancient Divine of the Plants, with my whole being. Prepare to be eliminated, along with all of your kind!)
N-No! Wait! G-Great Puenwyn, please... w-we humans may be shortsighted sometimes, but we learn from our mistakes...
And my books will help us make sure that humans will never hurt you so badly again! I'll do everything I can!!!
Ned... you're really growing up. But sometimes actions speak louder than words. Let's show this Ancient how we feel with a battle!
(Amazing. You humans survived an encounter with Puenwyn. You must be either incredibly strong, or incredibly persuasive.)
W-We, um... we just want to help. We hope all of you in Foros, and the humans, can be friends again.
(A lofty goal! I will take you both to Foroskke if you can prove your worth in battle.)
(Just make sure you don't screw anything up! Foroskke makes such delicious trees to gnaw on!)
Somehow, I get the feeling we can help make this dragon's hopes into reality.
(Humans. I see you approach me with a book. A compendium of the crushed remains of my trees. No matter. I will grow more.)
(I am Foroskke, and you walk in a world of my creation. I have heard of your plight, and I wish to hear it again, from your own mouths.)
I can't understand you like my friend can, but I hope you'll hear us out: In the future we come from, dragons and humans love each other very much!
I may not be able to speak with you, but I want to show you what's in my heart! I want to show you how much I love dragons!
F-Foroskke... I understand why you don't trust us. I promise, I'll keep writing and I'll keep listening -- and I'll help make sure we stay friends!
(Fascinating creatures you are... I will leave it to a final battle to cement the fates of the so-called "love" between our species. Let us commence!!!)