Chapter the 1 – The Hidden Chamber

It had been while photographing her dearest friend and mate, Lionheart, that the Dragon Princess discovered the secret chamber in the Throne Room of Seerus. Set behind a false wall and covered by a hanging tapestry, it was well hidden. The Dragon Princess unsheathed her side blade and used it to carefully move the tapestry aside so that they could peer inside. For a hidden room, it was quite large, lit only by the phosphorous glow of weapons and vials. They moved inside for a closer of examination of the amazing weaponry inside. The weapons consisted mainly of a variety of bombs and missiles, the likes of which they had never seen.

Their presence in the room must have set off some kind of alarm, for Seerus himself soon appeared with a phalanx of guards who were wearing a variety of masks. Seerus, twice the size of the next biggest gremlin, was wearing a white Tengu mask with a red pattern, behind which glowed maniacal spirally red eyes. He was garbed in a heavy leather armor laced with a red glowing material they had never seen before.

Lionheart and the Dragon Princess were quickly surrounded and completely outnumbered by gremlins warriors.

“Perfect!” Seerus exclaimed with a gravelly voice and evil snicker, muffled by his Tengu mask. “Caught like two rats in a trap! Couldn’t resist my bait, could ya? I been a waitin’ for a few knights clever enough to find this room and brave or foolish enough to explore it. Well, your theivin’ ways have done ya in, vermin. And with the Season of Pyromance nearly upon us, the timing couldn’ be better.”

“We’re no thieves,” scoffed the Dragon Princess, “and if I’m not mistaken, gremlins are the vermin, not knights.”

“Watch your tongue, little missy, or I’ll have it out now,” growled Seerus as he took a heavy step forward.

“Enough of this! We know nothing of this Season of Pyromance of which you speak,” Lionheart spoke in a voice of deadly calm. “We recognize you, though, Seerus. Your hammer-swords and bombs are particularly powerful and effective in our battles.”

“Yes, yes, my weapons always are, my new-found furry friend, but you’ll pay dearly for your raids on my weapons cache. I’m a Weapons Master with far more powerful bombs than the ones your likes have stolen as booty. I’ve got a very special bomb for a very special occasion. And you two scum are going to be the ones to use it.”
The Dragon Princess spat a smoky fireball in Seerus’s direction. “I am the Dragon Princess and this is Lionheart the Brave. We’ll strike no bargains with the likes of you!” she hissed.

At the mention of their names, jeers and arguments broke out amongst the gathered gremlins. These were no two ordinary knights they were facing, but rather highly decorated Vanguard knights of royal bearing, weaponry and skill.

The very tall Lionheart had on a shadowy Snarbolax Coat which had been alchemized with triple max unique variants. Attached to the back were Shadow Valkyrie wings, giving him the appearance of an angel of death. His Twilight Aura and glowing red eyes further accented his imposing and deadly presence. He tightened his grip on his exceptionally powerful Glacius.

His companion, the Dragon Princess, stood in poised contrast. Lionheart with his very tall height stood a full head above the shorter Princess. Where he was darkness and ice, she was bright shining and fiery. Her Sunshine Aura sparkled off her golden Radiant Silvermail with her Regal Wings. She was crowned with a Golden Wreath and Volcanic Halo. Her maximum charged Combuster sword glowed red hot in anticipation of battle.

“Bahhhaahah,” laughed Seerus. “I grant you, you two might be difficult to subdue under normal circumstances, but we be wearin’ these masks for a reason, thieves. They’re more than merely costumed helms; they’re also filtered gas masks, which neither of you had the smarts to be packin’. You’ll be droppin’ unconscious quite soon, me merry knights. I’d wish ya sweet dreams, but I’ve a feeling they’re gonna be quite nasty.”

At his joke, a roar of howling laughter broke out. That was the last sound they heard before falling unconscious to the floor.

Chapter 2 – The Mission Given

The Dragon Princess returned to consciousness to find herself in a dungeon where they were bound in heavy in chains. When the guards noticed that they were both awake, they sent word to Seerus.

When the hulking weapons master appeared at the cell door, the Dragon Princess hissed at him and pulled at her chains.

“It’s no use, Princess. I’ve been pulling at them quite a bit already, and there is no give in them” Lionheart said with anger and discouragement in his voice.

“How were those dreams, knights?” asked Seerus, and his gremlin guards laughed with delight at their helpless plight. “Unpleasant, no doubt, and things aren’t going to get any pleasanter for ya. It’s time for your mission, but I’ll only be needin’ one of you to carry it out.”

“Very well,” spoke Lionheart as he rose to his feet. “What is this mission you’d have me do?”

“Very noble ‘n all of you to volunteer like that, Lionheart the Brave,” Seerus said sarcastically, “but your extra tall height makes you too difficult to disguise. The petite Princess is much better suited for what we got in mind. You’ll be remaining behind as our hostage to make sure the Princess cooperates like we want.”

The Princess snorted heavily through her nostrils twice, and exchanged a long meaningful look with Lionheart. “Fine,” she spoke, “Where is this bomb, and who am I supposed to blow up with it?”

“That’s more like it, my pretty little one. Now, iffen ya don’t know the Season of Pyromance, I’ll explain it simply ‘n’ all so even the likes of you can grog it. The Season of Pyromance is a summer Pyromantic Festival held by those busy-body fiends. During the summer season which be upon us, the thermal activity in the core causes the planet to reach its hottest temperatures. During this time, most of the fiends on the planet’ll gather to find mates and celebrate their new unions with a grand display of fireworks, many of which I create, I thank thee. Ya gettin’ all that, Princess?”

“I follow you just fine, demon-gremlin. Have on with it,” she retorted.

“Good, ‘n fair enough. Well, you’ll be attendin’ this festival disguised as one of my workers, the difference bein’ you’ll have a special firework bomb attached to your back and affixed to your knight’s life-energy at the wrist along with a switch. You’ll use this spectacularly destructive bomb I’ve created against the fiends during the peak of their festival. This bomb, when ignited by you, will end the miserable existence of every one of those fiends in attendance.” Seerus laughed with evil humor.

“I don’t suppose you bothered to put a timer on this bomb?” inquired the Dragon Princess.

“Oh, I’m afraid not, my dear scaly knight.” He smiled delightedly and added, “You’ll have to trigger the switch yourself directly, and there’ll be one less royal dragon to plague us when you do.”

The gremlin horde laughed loudly and cheered the Dragon Princess’s upcoming demise.

“No!” exclaimed Lionheart. “Find a way to send me instead.”

“Not gonna happen, my feline friend. It’ll be the royal dragon doin’ the deed for us.”

“So it’s a suicide mission, is it? And if I refuse?” snorted the Dragon Princess with a puff of fire and smoke, baring her teeth and twitching her tail menacingly.

“Simple, Deary. Cooperate, and I’ll let your mate Lionheart live; refuse, and I’ll have both of you slain here and now.”

“Blast you, Seerus! Use me instead!” shouted Lionheart. “Just let her go.”

“No, no,” Seerus responded. “Not blast me – blast her,” he chuckled. “She’ll be the one goin’ ‘Boom’, and it’ll be many a gremlin who thanks me for ridding the planet of her once and for all.”

“How do I know you won’t just slay Lionheart anyway?” asked the Dragon Princess.

“Why, you have my word as the Weapons Master that I’ll release him unharmed. What you don’t have, Sweets, is a choice.” At this, Seerus and his gremlin guards roared with mirthless pleasure.

Chapter 3 – The Pyromantic Festival

A week later the Dragon Princess disguised as a gremlin worker, was in attendance at the Pyromantic Festival. The suicide bomb was strapped to her back like a shield in a way she could not reach or remove, with a wire leading to a switch around her wrist. The whole design was especially attuned to a knight’s life-energy so that only a knight could set it off, not a gremlin or fiend.

She had not seen Lionheart since they had said a brief and final farewell in Seerus’s dungeon. She deeply regretted that they would have no more time together, but took some comfort in knowing that in giving her life, she would spare his and inflict huge casualties on their enemies while doing so.

The fiends were at the height of their celebrations, with fireworks filling the skies and drunken revelry going on all around her. Some had already found mates and wandered off from the celebrations. Most, however, were still gathered around the main events.

The best time to use the bomb in order to inflict maximum casualties was now. With her death only minutes away, the Dragon Princess said a final prayer of spiritual peace as she moved toward the center of the festivities. In these final moments she thought once more of Lionheart and hoped that Seerus would keep his word to spare his life.

Just then she was seized around the waist, lifted off her feet and carried off behind some crates. Before she knew what was happening, the bomb was stripped from her back without breaking the bomb-to-knight life-energy connection and transferred to her abductor. As soon as she was released, she immediately reached for her dagger, but her wrist was caught in a firm and somehow familiar grip. It was then that she finally got a look at who it was.

“Lionheart!” His face was cut and bruised. “How came you here, my love?”

She looked at his armor and could see that he had been in a fierce battle and was badly wounded. His Snarbolax Coat, which allowed him to blend in so well with the shadows, had been heavily shredded and bloodstained, and his Shadowy Valkyrie wings were beyond any hope of repair.

“Heh,” he laughed and winced, “no little group of gremlins could hold me for long. Come, this way quickly.”

The Dragon Princess had lost her bearings in the swiftness of events and followed Lionheart’s lead to an elevator and possible escape route. He collapsed heavily beside it and she sat next to him.

“Lionheart, you’re amazing. Let’s get that bomb off you and get you to a healing center right away!” the Dragon Princess said excitedly, and took him by the arm to get him up.

“If only we could, but that’s just not possible,” said Lionheart with a voice so low it could barely be heard over the partying around them, yet the Dragon Princess could detect more than physical pain behind his words.

“The bomb will explode as soon as it becomes disconnected from a knight’s life-energy. I’m afraid only one of us is getting out of here alive, dearest one.”

“Lionheart, NO! There must be some way!” argued the Dragon Princess. “We’ve always found a way to survive the dangers of this planet together, and that’s not going to change now.”

“My wounds are, mmph, too severe this time, precious one.” Lionheart was breathing heavily as he lay beside the elevator. “With all my heart, I wish we had more time together, but it is not to be. And now, before you are caught . . .” He rose up and drew her to himself and kissed her for what would be the final time, taking her breath away with his passion and the fierceness of his hug. Before she could recover, he gave her a gentle but firm push onto the elevator and hit the “up” button, sealing her inside it.

“Lionheart! Lionheart!,” she screamed. She reached for him through the elevator gates, and their gloved fingers brushed as it began to take her upward. Tears blurred her eyes and she wiped them away so that she could get a clear last look at the one who meant so much to her. His glowing red eyes and upraised hand were the last sights she ever saw of him.

She reached the planet surface and moments later a tremendous blast shook the ground. She knew what it was and what it signified, and she collapsed to the ground weeping. In those moments of unbearable grief, she swore that Lionheart’s sacrifice would be known and remembered forever.

The loss of Lionheart was felt far and wide amongst the Spiral Knights. All agreed that Lionheart’s sacrifice should be appropriately honored. Many of the foremost knights gathered in a special council to decide how best to do this.

Although many good suggestions were made, the gathered knights of the Spiral Realm finally settled upon three things. First, the Dragon Princess would, after a suitable time of mourning and preparation, establish a new guild named after Lionheart in order to honor his legacy - a guild dedicated to helping other knights as Lionheart had, by mentoring and guiding a healthy blend of veteran and newer knights in how best to advance both in the game and mature as honorable knights. Secondly, the Lionheart Honor Blade - a new honorary sword of exquisite design and beauty – was fashioned and awarded to all knights of the highest rank– Vanguard. The Dragon Princess proudly wore this blade when socializing in her guild’s hall or around haven. And finally, the Spiral community would also celebrate the annual Season of Pyromance as its own Pyromantic time of socializing and celebrating. (Seerus would NOT be allowed to supply the fireworks!)

During this emotional time for the Dragon Princess, she always made sure to set off some memorial Pyromantic fireworks in Lionheart’s name. And each time she gazed into the sky at their fiery beauty, she made sure to say a prayer of thanksgiving for the knight she had loved and who had forever changed her life and the lives of so many others in Spiral Knights.

Chapter 1 – To Spiral Headquarters

How would the Dragon Princess root out the corruption in Spiral Headquarters? Who was accepting bribes and who was clean? If she were going to go there and have any hope for success, she knew she would need someone who was very familiar with both the layout and staff of Spiral Headquarters. Her first selection for the journey to Spiral Headquarters at Skylark was Hall-Of-Famer. Though an aged veterans of many battles, he still had plenty of fight left him. her second choice was someone well acquainted with food who could follow up on the letter the sheriff had received. Her choice was Hungry Hippo, who was happy for the opportunity to travel to Spiral Headquarters where some of the finest food on the planet was. Together, the three of them set off to root out the decay that had apparently set in at Spiral Headquarters.

Although the mother ship, the Skylark, was badly damaged in the crash that stranded the knights on this planet, it still had plenty of power and the best technology on the planet, and thus, provided a nice place for the Spiral Headquarters. The three traveler companions marveled at the size and functional beauty of the Skylark. Spiral Headquarters had a large support and maintenance staff, but it was the senior managers they wished to see.

Apparently they had arrived during a lunch break, which greatly pleased Hungry Hippo.

“Hippo, why don’t you pay a visit to Kitchen manager Yummy-Dish. Hall-Of-Famer, you go see the Message Manager, High-Flying-One. I’ll pay a visit to the Treasury manager, Play-Dough,” directed the Princess.

Chapter 2 – The Recorded Dialogs

Hall-Of-Famer found his way to High-Flying-One’s office, and knocked heavily.

“Come in, door’s open,” said a voice from within the room. “Well, look what the spookat dragged in! Good to see you Hall-Of-Famer,” said High-Flying-One, but his facial expression said otherwise.

“Hello High-Flying-One, good to see you again. Nice golden laurel you’ve got on – very, er, Roman-esque, “ said Hungry Hippo.

“Thank you. The Roman influence is a big part of what we do, actually,” said High-Flying-One.

“Yes, I’ve noticed that recently,” said Hall-Of-Famer. “Not like the old days. Those Roman-esque gladiator arenas are still quite controversial. Who came up with that idea anyway?” asked Hall-Of-Famer.

“Oh, that, yes, well, er, actually, we used an outside consultant for that one,” said High-Flying-One nervously.

“What does that mean, exactly,” asked Hall-Of-Famer.

“Well, um, here, you can listen to the recording they provided us with, Be right back,” and he quickly left the room.

Hall-Of-Famer sat down at the media console, put on the head phones and heard the following conversation.

(Two devilites talking)

Devilite OverLord (DO): Blast these Spiral Knights! Their arrival here has ruined everything.

Devilite Department Head (DDH): Yes, they are causing a considerable disruption to our progress. Their willingness to cooperate and join together while launching forays into our offices is distressing.

DO: We need to create some kind of diversion that will put a stop to this ASAP. Something that will create mayhem within the enemy camp.

DDH: I’ll form a committee to get right on it, Sir.

DO: Good, call it Project Trojan Horse.
(A pause in the tape)

DO: Well, it’s been a month, how is Project Trojan Horse coming along?

DDH: With the help of the Gremlins and that devious master of bribes, Krogmo, we think we’ve come up with something.

DO: Ah, Krogmo, Good chap, always love his Halloween cookies

Krogmo’s Cookies
(This image is fan art involving Spiral Knights, created by Iceni.)

DDH: Yes, well, they’ve created a nice blueprint for a bombing game that pits knights against one another.

DO: Sounds promising, Go on.

DDH: We’ll give them a stadium where they can run around a little maze and blow one another up in lieu of actually fighting side by side against us. As a bonus, they won’t be gathering any minerals, crowns, or energy either.

DO: Yes, I like it. Eh, you don’t suppose you could build some seats for us to actually watch them do it, could you? Heh heh heh…

DDH: I’ll see what I can do.

(Sometime after the Blast Network has been set up)

DO: Well, let’s hear your report on Project Trojan Horse and the bombing mini-game.

DDH: Hmm, it’s not having quite the effect we hoped for. Not many of them are playing it. Seem it’s a little to, well, comical, and doesn’t quite satisfy their blood thirst that a good sword thrust provides.

DO: Well, then we need to give them a game that allows them to kill each other more directly, something that will stir up enmity and hard feelings within their own ranks and create a toxic environment that will drive them out of the clockworks and hopefully off the world forever.

DDH: Hmm, there is a childhood game of theirs that we could corrupt. It’s not violent, but it is competitive and we could add the visceral excitement of stabbing and shooting and bombing one another.

DO: Fine, and be sure to give them some stats they can measure to spark their competitiveness and dampen cooperation. Oh, and create some kind of leaderboard or something that will feed their egos, hee hee hee.

DDH: Very good, Sir. We’ll get right on it.

(Sometime after Lockdown was added to the game)

DO: Well, how’s that new mini-game been working? I’ve noticed a considerable reduction in their assaults on our daily operations. And our Dark Cities are practically enemy-free.

DDH: Oh, yes, Sir (cackles gleefully). This new diversion we’ve created has far exceeded our expectations in terms of the negative affect it is having on the attitude and behavior of knights toward one another.

DO: Wonderful. Tell me more.

DHH: Well, they’ve almost completely abandoned weapons that are designed to be used against us, and instead have begun to focus on unbalanced speed and spam weapons to use against one another!

DO: Unbalanced you say?

DDH: Oh, yes. We thought we create some imbalances in the game to further frustrate and enrage them. Ah, the sweet aroma of rage-quits wafts sweetly thru the arena air.

DO: Excellent, excellent. That Krogmo fellow has set up quite a shrewd reward system as well.

DDH: Oh, yes, and the leaderboards have created quite the obsession among some of them. Their arrogance and callousness towards one another has reached all-time highs!

DO: Ha, ha, ha. Soon we won’t be the only fiends living on this world.

Hall-Of-Famer was stunned by what he had heard. How corrupt had things become at Spiral Headquarters he wondered.

Chapter 3 – The Photo

Hungry Hippo found Yummy-Dish busy in the kitchen.

“Hungry Hippo – Welcome to my kitchen. Your appetite is legendary," said Yummy-Dish.

“As is your cuisine, my dear Yummy-Dish,” responded Hungry Hippo.

“Care for snack?” offered Yummy-Dish.

“Thank you, that would be lovely. Would you happen to have some cookies?” asked Hungry Hippo.

Yummy-Dish hesitated, “Sure, I think I can find some around here somewhere."

She reached under the counter and came up with a cherry pie which she suddenly chucked at Hungry Hippo. He never even dodged, but rather opened his huge jaws and caught it handily in his mouth. He responded, while chewing, by grabbing three cookies and hurling them like ninja throwing stars right back at Yummy-Dish. One caught her in the head, and another hit her shoulder. She ducked around some table, came up with a tossed salad, and, well, tossed it at Hungry Hippo. Hungry Hippo side stepped and retaliated with a bean dip which hit Yummy-Dish in the chest. She nailed Hungry Hippo with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. He picked up a cake and prepared to throw it at her when she yelled, “No! Not that!” and ran out of the kitchen.

Surprised by her concern for the fate of the cake, Hungry Hippo took some time to examine the kitchen. He saw an interesting photo held by a magnet to the front of one of the refrigerators. It appeared to be the Spiral Headquarters staff standing around the cake and some cookies from a knight. “Bingo!”

The Dragon Princess was talking with Play-Dough when High-Flying-One and Yummy-Dish rushed in at the same time and shouted “They know!”

Too late they saw the Dragon Princess seated in Play-Dough’s office. Yummy-Dish clapped a hand over her mouth. “I’m afraid I had to let Hall-Of-Famer listen to the Lockdown tape as well,” High-Flying-One apologized.

Hungry Hippo walked in holding the photo of the baked goods that Notorious Jerk had sent to them. “I hope these were delicious,” said Hungry Hippo, “but Notorious isn’t around to send anymore.”

Hall-Of-Famer walked in and exclaimed “So it was the fiends who came up with the idea for Lockdown! That explains Krogmo’s presence there. I also came across this recorded message:

“This is . . . (sqrttzzz) . . . reporting . . . Core. Repeat, (sqrrsszzttt) . . . is Alpha Squad . . . in . . . We have . . . base . . . Send help . . . possible. Need supplies and . . . (sqrzzzssttt). Hurry.”

“What?!?” the Dragon Princess stood up. “How long ago did you receive that?” she asked.

“Well, nearly a year ago, actually,” High-Flying-One replied.

“What?!?” she exclaimed again. “Why didn’t you do something about it?”

“Well, what could we do? They are lost somewhere in the Core. It’s not like we can go in there and rescue them," said Play-Dough.

“Actually, that’s exactly what we can do, and if you aren’t willing to do it, then I’ll do it myself. Hall-Of-Famer, Hungry Hippo, if you don’t mind, could you two stay here and clean up the corruption? I’ve got to form a party to enter the Core, and I’ll need you two here to make sure Spiral Headquarters cooperates.”

“It’d be my pleasure, Princess,” said Hall-Of-Famer.

“Mine, too,” smiled Hungry Hippo. “I plan on eating very well while we do it, too.”

"Would you care for a Sprite before you go?" asked Yummy-Dish.

“How can you think about soft drinks at a time like this?” asked the Dragon Princess incredulously.

“I mean a Battle Sprite. It’s something our scientists have been working on,” Yummy-Dish replied.

“Hmmm, yes, I’ll need all the help I can get," said the Dragon Princess. "Let's have a look at these Battle Sprites."

Yummy-Dish led her to a laboratory she had never seen before. The Laboratory, colloquially referred to as the Lab, was located in the Spiral Order's research and development facility, which could be accessed through the Garrison district of Haven.

Yummy-Dish explained, "The Laboratory is where the Spiral Order's biotechs work, alongside various researchers and Battle Sprite specialists. The Lab has limited power, relying on a barely capable backup generator salvaged from the crashed Skylark. And over here The Skylark's head chef, Biscotti. She's in charge of the diet and development of the Sprites."

"Nice to meet you, Biscotti. I'm a big fan of your cupcakes," said the Dragon Princess.

"Glad you could visit us today, Dragon Princess. You are one of the first knights to see our lil Battle Sprites."

"What are they exactly," inquired the Dragon Princess.

"A Battle Sprite is a combat companion that all Spiral Knights can acquire. Each Battle Sprite has a selection of skills that can be used by the player when the Sprite is equipped. Skills range from direct attacks to party buffs and monster debuffs," explained Biscotti.

"Prior to the Skylark crash, Battle Sprites, known originally as E-Class Battle sprites, were initially small, mechanical, AI-driven field companions that aided the Spiral Knights in planetary reconnaissance," continued Biscotti.

"Oh, yes," said the Dragon Princess, "I remember those. Clever to make use of them somehow."

"Thank you. Sprites collected from the crash within the Clockworks appear to be reacting to the Core's energy signal, changing dramatically based on their environment, improving their capabilities even as they remain loyal to their primary directive to support Knights in exploration and discovery. They are intended to provide players with the ability to specialize their role in a party. The choices you make for your Sprite will act like a class for your knight, augmenting your choice of weapons and armor. For example, you may choose a Sprite that deals direct damage with attack enhancements or instead choose a Sprite that bolsters your parties defenses."

"Fascinating, and exciting," exclaimed the Dragon Princess. "I think they will be just what my team needs when we enter the Core."

"Wow!" exclaimed Biscotti. "I'll bake up some special supplied for you right away, and good luck with the Sprites."

"Thank you, Biscotti. As always, you are much appreciated," smiled the Dragon Princess.

Chapter 1 - The Uprising

No one suspected how wrong things would go when the first unauthorized lab experiments were done on Battle Sprites for what they thought would be the good of the community. After all, these were the early days of the Battle Sprites, and many a knight excitedly mutated and strengthened their Sprites for what they hoped would result in better combat assistants against the monsters below us. The labs, however, being largely unsupervised and unregulated, inevitably led to some advanced and ultimately lethal experiments.

The desire that motivated the experiments was mostly altruistic – to increase the intelligence of the Sprites so as to make them more effective. The aggressive nature of the Sprites, however, when combined with a greatly increased intelligence, caused these Sprites to bristle under their knight’s control. Not surprisingly, a leader arose – Khan-Chan – who led 24 of each kind of the augmented Spiral Sprites - 6 dozen total - in a rebellion. Slaying their master knights, they became lethal enemies of all knights and set up a base deep in the clockworks near the Core from which they launched attacks on knights, often in collusion with monsters.

The situation was an intolerable nightmare-come-true situation that needed to be dealt with decisively. A team would have to locate and infiltrate their base and deal with the leader Khan-Chan and his followers once and for all.

Chapter 2 - The Battle Begins

A team was assembled, but Battle Sprites would not be taken since normal Battle Sprites would be quickly slaughtered against Spiral Sprites. Although the improved Spiral Sprites were resistant to the Dragon Princess’s warg abilities (the ability to take control of the mind of a monster), she would lead the party. The priority was to execute Khan-Chan as quickly as possible, then deal with the remaining 72 Spiral Sprites. The team would warm-up and gather supplies through Stratum 5 before engaging this new threat in Stratum 6.

Only four knights against a legion of intelligence-amplified Spiral sprites would not likely be a battle they could win. They would need some kind of major tactical advantage if they hoped to achieve their mission. Talking to Khan-Chan was fruitless since though he seemed quite reasonable at times, underneath he was a ruthless, psychotic killer.

Various defensive and offensive strategies were discussed and rejected. The fireballs and fire walls of the Drakon were a major danger. Combine that with the noxious weakening darts of the Maskeraith, and things looked hopeless. Only the Seraphinx healing power was nuetralized. In their advantage was the fact that Spirals Sprites could do damage to one another and therefore would have to be extrememely careful in up-close combat. That, with some possible warg control over thier increased intelligence, were the only weaknesses the knights could think of to exploit.

The party fought together with increasing coordination and effectiveness through Stratum 5, and took some time to rest and heal before entering Stratum 6 where the Spiral Sprties base was located. It wasn't unitl level 26 that they encountered the first Spiral Sprites. Two groups of 3 were feeding off fresh wolver kill. The knights were able to take care of them fairly handily and gained some vaulable experience in how to handle them. As expected the Seraphynx could do nothing offensively or defensively against healthy knights.

The 4 knights encountered 4 more groups of 3 in level 27. Unfortunately, 2 of the Spiral Sprites escaped back to their base somehwere in level 28, costing them any advantage a surprise might have given them. The knights proceeded to level 28 but saw no Spiral Sprites until they came upon their base at a Danger Room gate. Immediately 2 dozen of the augmented Sprites came charging out at them. The fighting was fierce, but the knights went into their midst swinging which did not allow the Sprites to use the strongest of thier abilites.

Chapter 3 - The Moral Dillema

The knights emerged damaged but intact from the battle, now having killed 40 of the 72 Spiral Sprites. They took a moment to catch their breath and examine their surroundings. Noxious fumes wafted from the upper left vent wile flames regularly spewed forth from the right upper vent. A module blinked at them on the right side, indicating that a message for them lay inside.

The Dragon Princess activated the module and Khan-Chan's voice boomed out.

"To the knights who have pursued us. You think you are acting out of morality or duty, but you are mistaken. We were created by your kind and given gifts of intelligence to go with our powers. With this intelligence came an awareness of who and what we are - not property!, not slaves! - but beings like yourselves with hopes and dreams, needs and wants, and relationships not unlike your guilds - a family, if you will. Fate, fortune, and genetic manipulation have granted us a new life, a new life that you would risk yours to rob from us. Desist, Spiral Knights. Listen to your conscience and let it guide you back home. Leave us in peace to make our own way in the world."

"Hmmm," muttered Bomb-Cat. "He does have something of a point. Perhaps we should just let them be."

"They murdered their master knights, some of them our friends, when they rebelled. You proprose we just let them get away with it?" asked the Dragon Princess.

"Well, they didn't have much choice if they were to gain their freedom. It's not like we would have just let them leave. Perhaps they have mutated into beings derserving of life just like us," responded Bomb-Cat.

"They weren't created for freedom," another knight joined in. "They were created as weapons to aid us in battle, not to live as independent beings. Fighting against us, killing us - it's a perversion of what they were created for."

Unbeknownst to the knights, Khan-Chan had been listening in through the two-way speaker he had installed in the module.

"I see, or hear rather, that at least some of you have a conscience after all. The group of Spiral Sprites inside these gates is now a family. We've made mistakes - true - but that too makes us living beings. We seek now to only live in peaceful co-existence with all creatures that inhabit this planet."

"I agree," said Bomb-Cat.

"Me too," said a second. "I'm abandoning the mission."

And with these words two of the knights left the party and returned to Haven. The Dragon Princess was torn. There was some truth to both sides of the argument, but she sensed that an ultra-aggressive psychopath like Khan-Chan would not be content to live peacefully as he claimed. He was simply too dangerous to be allowed to live and act freely in their world. And since shipping him off world would be neither prudent nor possible, he had to die now.

"I'm going in," she said. "Are you with me?"

"I'm with you, Princess," said the only other remaining knight, "but perhaps we should get reinforcements."

"I just can't," she said. "He could escape, set up camp somehwere else, and do even more damage to us. He needs to be dealt with now."

"Alright then. Let's do it," agreed the knight.

Chapter 4 - The Final Conflict

They walked up a ramp and into a hexagonal arena. Spiral Sprites hovered around the perimeter while Khan-Chan stood waiting for them in the middle. He was an ultimate version Drakon, large and spectacular-looking. The Dragon Princess took hope from this since although he would be largely immune to her warg abilities, the fact that he was Drakon would make him more susceptible to her powers.

The Dragon Princess spoke first. "In the name of the Spiral Knights, I ask you and the other Spiral Sprites to surrender and return with us to face justice for the murder of your master knights."

Khan-Chan laughed derisively and replied, "I think not. Regrettable though it was, our rightful liberation could only have been achieved by the forceful and violent overthrow of our masters. Your calls for justice ring hollow in this assembly. This is your last chance to leave before we will be forced to take your lives as well."

The Dragon Princess twitched her tail and responded, "You could have tried to negotiate for your freedom. Murder was your first resort, and I suspect, your natural inclination."

Khan-Chan's nostrils flared. "You knights are so arrogant and self-righteous! You land on a planet and assault its inhabitant all the while calling them the monsters. You are the ones who infest this world like plague-carrying rats, and it will be my pleasure to exterminate every last one of you." And with those words he leaped at the Princess.

The Dragon Princess seized control of his mind in mid-attack and redirected toward his comrades. Her companion knight launched his assault on the other Spiral Sprites while the Dragon Princess weilded Khan-Chan like the master weapon he was created to be. His fire power was awesome to behold and devastating in its consequences, wiping out many of the Spiral Sprites, but her power over him was fading rapidly until he finally shook her off completely, leaving them both dazed. As she was cast from his mind, she felt his pain and grief, his longings and hopes for his "family" that would now never be realized. And finally, she felt his uncontrollable rage that, if left unchecked or undealt with, would devastate her world.

"Princess, help me with these. NOW!" said the other knight, who had slain numerous Spiral Sprites but had taken considerable damage himself. The Dragon Princess raised herself up and took a step toward aiding her companion when she was blasted from behind by a fireball of amazing explosive power. If not for her natural fire resistance and her regal wings, she would have perished then and there.

She fired off a few blasts from her gun to aid her fellow knight, but it was too late. He collapsed in death just as he finished off the last Spiral Sprite. She turned now to face Khan-Chan just as he reached her and seized her by the throat in his powerful talons.

"You are the murderers!" he yelled at her. "You've killed my family this day, and I'll lay waste to all of you in revenge."

He reeled his head back to unleash a fire blast that would certainly result in her death, but stopped with a jerk as he looked down to see the Dragon Princess's Lionheart Honor sword that she had thrust with both hands into his belly.

Their eyes-locked, and Kahn-Chan attempted to say something, spraying her face and helm with blood spittle. He was weeping now. "We only wanted to be free," he managed to say, "to be . . . to be more than pets or . . . (cough) . . .slaves . . . or weapons."

The Dragon Princess was not umoved by his cause or his words, and felt her own eyes become blurry with tears. "I'm sorry," she said. "I wish you could have, but I'm sorry."

Never had a "victory" felt so sad to her. Physcially she would heal completely from the battle with the Spiral Sprites, but the mental pain she had experienced this day would be with her for a long time. The Spiral Knights would need to learn how to handle their Battle Sprites with proper respect and prudence so that the tragic events that had transpired her today would never, ever be repeated.

Chapter 1 – A Mist Opportunity

The Dragon Princess had been noticing some irregularities in her mist energy for about a month now. It had started shortly after the compound levels had appeared in the Clockworks. At times her mist had not fully recharged. Other knights reported delays in the ordering and receiving of mist tanks. Some knights had even gone a few days with no accumulation of mist whatsoever.

She finally decided to formally file a report and pay Spiral Headquarters a visit to perhaps help to resolve the issues with mist. She made and appointment and went to see Lt. Feron.

He greeted her somewhat more formally than usual.

“Greetings, Dragon Princess. I assume you are here about the mist report you sent.” he said.

“That’s right, Lt. I was curious if we knew what was causing the problems,” she said.

“Yes, we have some theories and leads that we are following up,” he responded.

“Can I be of any help in any way?” she offered.

“No, no, Princess. We’re handling it. Don’t concern yourself with the matter any further,” he replied uncertainly. Something was clearly bothering him.

“Lt. Feron, if there’s something you’d like to tell me, I’d be happy to assist you in any way I can,” she said.

Lt. Feron was clearly hiding something. After a moment of internal struggle, he decided to open up to her.

“Dragon Princess, you are one of the few knights who are aware of the Well of Mist Erie,” he began, but hesitated.

She sought to encourage him to continue. “Yes, sir. Many knights are unaware that mist energy flows out of an actual well, which was the source of inspiration for the guild hall mist wells. A portion of the crystals that go into gate construction as well as energy used to power the elevators become resources for the production of mist energy.”

“Correct, Princess. It was a system set up by agents of the Clockworks shortly after our arrival,” he said.

“Yes, that part always seemed a little vague to me. I mean, who were these agents, and what were their reasons for setting up the mist system? We already knew how to make crystal energy, so what their any need for mist energy at all?” she queried.

“Yes,” Lt. Feron concurred. “We ourselves are not sure exactly how or why mist is produced. Thus we named the well from which it flows out of the ‘Well of Mist Erie’.” He smiled grimly at the pun. “And now that flow has become irregular for reasons unknown,” he continued on.

They both lapsed into a thoughtful silence.

The Dragon Princess spoke first. “Seems to me that someone should descend into the Well of Mist Erie and see what’s what.”

"Rrmmmm.” Lt,. Feron grimaced at the thought. “The temperature in the well is quite high, and that’s just at the mouth. Who knows how high the temperatures are down below. Furthermore, we don’t know what other dangers may be lurking down there.”

“Well, then I guess it’s time we found out!” she declared firmly.

Chapter 2 – A Mystifying Discovery

The Well of Mist Erie was located in a cave that could be accessed only by knights with a high level of authorization. The entrance was hidden in one of the Arcades. The Dragon Princess had only been there a few times in the past. No one, as far she knew, had ever descended into the well as she was about to do.

In addition to her natural resistance to fire that all dragons possessed, she was wearing her best dragon armor with an aura of flame all its own. She wrapped herself in the chain metal harness and was gently but steadily lowered into the depths of the well.

The temperature continued to grow hotter, but was still well within bearable limits when she reached the bottom. She found herself in a room with several caverns leading off in different directions. Each cavern had several large pipes running through them. It was out of these pipes that the steamy mist rose.

They all looked pretty much the same, so she chose one at random and set out down its slope. She emerged into a much, much larger cavern. She quickly ducked behind some machinery embedded in the rock walls in order to take in the scene.

She had expected perhaps some factory or machinery that transformed the minerals and energy sent here into mist. She was greeted, however, by a much cruder and shocking scene.

Smaller monsters like those seen in the Compounds and the smaller gremlins were toiling in atrocious conditions. Some carried loads on their backs; other pushed carts, while still other pounded at rock or pour material into vast boiling vats. In some areas, crevices opened into the depths of the planet itself.

Much larger monsters were overseeing the work. Some carried whips other carried shovels. Occasionally, a whip-weilder would lash the working monsters in cruel fashion. Whenever a monster passed out from exhaustion of fell dead, a shovel-bearing monster would scoop up the body and toss it into the fiery pits around them.

The Dragon Princess had never had any empathy for the annoying monsters of the compounds. They were, after all, monsters. But this was wrong. This was a moral evil unlike any she had ever seen before. She understood now why mist production dipped when the Compounds first appeared in the Clockworks. The master monsters had started using these slave monsters as pitiful warriors as well as mist producers.

The Dragon Princess faced a huge dilemma. If she tried to help the slave-driven mini-monsters, she would risk permanently crippling mist production, if not ending it altogether. This could have a disastrous effect on her community. If she did nothing, though, she would be morally culpable for this wicked exploitation. In the end, she had no choice but to act.

She could probably take out most of the monsters in this cavern, but if some kind of alarm went off or something, she’d need the help of the slave monsters if they were going to win their freedom this day.

She launched herself out from hiding and shot down one, two, three of the monsters before they realized they were under attack. She tried to take out as many of them as possible before they got to their weapons cache since she was seriously outnumbered. If this uprising was going to succeed, she’d need the help of the slave monsters and soon.

“Fight for your freedom, creatures. Join me in throwing off your yoke of exploitation!” she shouted. The monsters mostly stared at her blankly, either too shocked to respond or not understanding what she said. But some did respond, and soon the others joined in.

By this time the master monsters had gotten ahold of proper weapons, but now they had multiple hostiles to deal with and not just the Princess alone. Unfortunately, the slaves had no real weapons whatsoever and were being slaughtered with dismaying ease. The Dragon Princess felt a panicky moment of regret at starting a rebellion that was resulting in these slaves being killed.

She gotten the attention of a small group and they fought their way to the remaining weapons. Once they had gotten possession of these, the tide began to turn their way. Eventually, with great loss of life, they won control of the cavern.

The Dragon Princess realized the mist-producing cavern machines had to be destroyed or the slaves would be back in their dismal labor again soon. Also, this was only one cavern of several, and each would have to be captured and destroyed.

After consulting with the monsters, it was decided that a small group would remain here to destroy the machines while the rest proceeded to the next cavern to free their fellow slaves.

She led them to the next cavern, but somehow the master monsters had been alerted. The fight was on in earnest now. The slaves were adding to their numbers at about the same rate that they were being cut down.

Again the Dragon Princess felt great emotional pain at this great loss of life. Had she made a grave mistake? Would the slaves have been better off living in those miserable circumstances rather than so many of their fellows dying? And how would her fellow knights feel about the loss of their mist, and towards her personally for causing it?

Another cavern had been freed and they rushed to the next. There numbers were growing, and the slaves fought with renewed vigor, sensing this might be their only chance to be free of their cruel masters.

The Dragon Princess lost track of time. The fighting seemed to go on for days although it was for a few hours. Finally, the slaves were free and the machines had been irrevocably destroyed. Massive cheers went up in victory. Some of the small gremlins hugged her with gratitude. She felt immense satisfaction and pride in what they had accomplished, but wept at the great prices they had paid.

“How can we ever repay you for leading us to freedom this day, Dragon Princess?” the monsters asked.

“You owe me nothing,” she said with tears in her eyes. “It was simply the right thing to do.” Then a thought came to her. “Well, there is maybe one thing you could do. Could you by chance make all elevators free for all time?” she asked hopefully.

“Leave it to us; we’ll get it done,” they said.” And we’ll even start crafting a few new special materials to help you knights out.”

“Thank you, my new friends,” she replied.

Chapter 3 - Mist's End

She made her way back to the mist well entrance, and tugged the chains to be lifted up. They dragged her out of the well and she had to be carried to an infirmary where she passed out from blood loss and exhaustion.

She awoke a few days later to find Lt. Feron sitting by her bedside. He was looking particularly grim.

“Ah, Dragon Princess, you’re awake,” he said.

“Mmmm,” she groaned. She ached all over.

“I trust you’ll give a full report later, but I just have to ask now. What happened to the mist?” he inquired.

“The mist?” she asked groggily.

“Yes, the mist. It stopped altogether sometime after you went down into the well. We have no more mist, period,” he said, obviously upset.

“Ahhhh.” It was all coming back to her now. “Yes, I’m afraid mist is a thing of the past. We might have some nice trade-offs in return, though” she said with a twinkle in her eye.

“Such as?” he inquired with a raised eyebrow.

“Well, let’s just say, I wouldn’t be stocking up on any elevator passes,” and she smiled. Yes, she thought, mist won't be missed at all.

And she was right.

Chapter 1 – The Suspects

The change in monster bautle tactics had begun earlier in the month. It seemed that monsters had gotten much, much better at anticipating both the fighting styles of knights and the strategies in general of the Spiral Headquarters. The monsters also seemed to be mobilizing and massing their troops more effectively. Consequently, the Clockworks had become a much more challenging and lethal place. Due to the increasing fatalities, the Dragon Princess decided to pay a visit to Lt. Feron at Spiral Headquarters to discuss the matter.

His secretary showed her into his officer shortly after her arrival at SHQ. Lt. Feron was studying a holographic map of the Clockworks levels.

“Good day, Dragon Princess. How fares your guild, Lionheart, and the brave knights under your command?” he asked.

“Quite well, thank you. We’ve finally added a fifth floor to the guild hall, and our ranks have grown so much that I recently appointed a third Guild Master to help run things,” she replied.

“Splendid. Glad to hear it. We need more mentoring guilds like yours. How can I help you today?” he inquired.

“It’s the monsters, sir. They’ve gotten . . . smarter somehow recently, or at least, better informed,” she answered. "We've been suffering a higher casualty rate than in the past. We've got to do something to reduce our losses in our ranks, and find out why the monsters have become so much more coordinated in the attacks."

“Mmmmm, yes, the are manuevering in a way that suggesgt they are better informed of our plans. We’ve noticed that for a while now, actually. In fact, we suspect that there is an informant in our ranks that is traitorously feeding them intel on our plans,” he scowled.

“Gads, who would betray us that way? Are you sure the leak couldn’t be a hacked account or something?” she asked.

“No, no” Lt. Feron replied. “Our announcements go out via an independent mail system and our forums exist in a realm outside of the monsters world. The source has to be an intentional sabotage from within,” he said grimly.

The Dragon Princess hissed. “Do you have any suspects?” she asked.

“Well, nothing concrete, but we have list of three possible knights who might be the informant. It’s really just based on their behavior in general. We lack any specific proof at this point,” he said.

“I see,” she said, “or rather, I’d like to see. Please show me the names on the list. Perhaps I can find the proof you’re looking for.”

“Hmmmm, yes, well, I suppose your security clearance is high enough in light of all you’ve done for us in the past. Very well, the names are Emptys, Vizhor, and Fyi-Fyi,” he said.

“Hmmm, yes. Those names sound familiar. All three are somewhat of rabble rousers in our ranks,” the Dragon Princess nodded. "I'll make contact with them, and see what I can find out."

Chapter 2 – The Investigation

The Dragon Princess tracked down the first name on the list – Emptys, a guild master in her own right who was somewhat prickly but otherwise very sociable. The Dragon Princess decided to invite her on a mission into the Clockworks, but they key to her plan involved the use of her Battle Sprite, Himesama. Because sprites were faithful and constant over-the-shoulder companions, they witnessed nearly everything a knight did. The Dragon Princess’s plan was for her sprite to commune with the sprite of her first suspect in order to find out what a knight could not or might not discover.

As it turned out, Emptys was happy to go on a mission together and even invited the Guild Masters from two other guilds to join the party. The fighting was good, fun even, and nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Afterwards Himesama confirmed that Emptys' sprite had not witnessed any covert contact with the enemy by her master knight. The Dragon Princess scratched Empty’s name off the list.

The next knight, Vizhor, was more of a solitary figure, although he often tried to lead protests and petitions against the rule of the Spiral Order. This made him the most obvious suspect on the list.

He was quite a talkative fellow and readily accepted an invite to from the Dragon Princess. The battle went well and he demonstrated excellent fighting abilities. He displayed no friendliness toward nor sympathy for the creatures they fought. If he was secretly cavorting with the enemy, neither he nor his battle sprite revealed it. The Dragon Princess wasn’t quite ready to cross his name off the list, but he seemed unlikely to be the informant they were looking for.

This left only the third and final name on the list – Fyi-Fyi. The Dragon Princess knew her to be a member of the secretive and widely despised assassin’s guild called “Sworn to Silence.” She contacted Fyi-Fyi about completing a mission together. Though reluctant at first, Fyi-Fyi agreed to go.

The Dragon Princess chose the Roarmulous Twins mission for the two of them. As they reached the boss level, the Dragon Princess took a moment to inquire as to the origin of Fyi-Fyi’s name.

“It means ‘for your information’,” she told the Dragon Princess.

The coincidence of information and informant did not go unnoticed by the Dragon Princess.

“Interesting,” said the Dragon Princess, “and what kind of information do you provide?” she asked.

“Oh, nothing important,” replied Fyi-Fyi. She was noticeably sweating and appeared quite nervous. “Just gossip and, you know, a little humor” she smiled weakly.

“Hmm, not restricted information from SHQ?” asked the Dragon Princess.

Fyi-Fyi stopped in her tracks. Her lip was quivering, and she seemed to be considering something.

“And what if I did? These monsters have just as much a right to this planet as we do? Who are we to fight and kill them for land and other natural resources?” yelled Fyi-Fyi.

“So you think that justifies giving our enemies intel that allows them to kill us more effectively. You gutless traitor!” the Dragon Princess yelled back.

Their heated debate might have continued, but their platform shook violently as a metalic roar erupted from below.

Chapter 3 – The Confrontation

A powerful vibration shook their platform as the Roarmulous Twins rose into view on either side. Neither of the knights were standing on the party button, though. They seemed to rise higher than ever before, until final they towered over the two knights.

Fyi-Fyi had backed into a corner. “You’ll be sorry now, Dragon Princess. I ‘informed’ them we were coming today, and they prepared something special for you,” she said and laughed hysterically.

The Dragon Princess heard a huge clank as first one twin then the other stepped onto the platform. The Dragon Princess gasped at this new modification to the gigantic metal Twins. They came at her firing rockets. She dodged easily enough at first as the rockets didn’t move very fast, but the new angles and directions were confusing and she started taking hits.

Desperately she noticed, however, that the Twins were still taking precautions not to hit one another. The Dragon Princess began to maneuver herself between them. She pirouetted and swung her Divine Avenger in a backward arc that caught one twin fully on the jaw. She continued her spin and caught it again with an even mightier blow, causing vents to open on its head as black smoke poured out. It ceased to move and slowly fell backwards into the abyss. The other Twin made the mistake of reaching for her and paid for it with an arm. She slashed viciously at the other arm as well, crippling the Twin into immobility.

“No” screamed Fyi-Fyi. “No, you have no right!” and she chraged at the Dragon Princess.

“If you want to be with them so much, then here you go,” yelled the Dragon Princess. She caught Fyi-Fyi as she rushed toward her and Judo threw her into the waiting jaws of a Twin. She kicked the mouth shut and heard a sickening crunching of bones as blood spurted onto her armor. She slashed a crossing pattern on the twin knocking it over the side with the mangled Fyi-Fyi still clutched in its jaws.

Chapter 4 – Epilogue

It turned out that some of the knights had enjoyed the greater challenge that the traitorous informant had made possible. Consequently, a treaty of sorts was worked out with the monsters. Spiral Headquarters would provide them with an advance warning of an incurswhen knights wanted more challenge, thus allowing the monsters to make the fighting a bit more difficult. This level of difficulty would hereafter be known as “elite”. In exchange, another signal for “normal” could be sent that would give the monsters some time to withdraw and make the level easier, for fewer rewards, of course.

And so it was that “All’s well that ends well” was never a more apt description of the new status quo in the Clockworks.

Chapter 1 – Cold and Cuddly

The problem began with the release of Battle Sprites. The partner/pets that we had been waiting over half a year for finally arrived to much fanfare. Wanting to nourish and grow our Sprites as quickly as possible, we fed them their favored food as much as we possibly could. Crimsonite, Luminite, and Dark Matter minerals were hunted and converted into food for our new-found friends. Moonstone and Valestone minerals, however, were not used as pet food, but rather were fed into the mineral deposit boxes that fueled gate construction.

And so it was that WINTER – brutal and unforgiving - came upon us all, friend and foe alike. No longer did knights and monsters simply battle one another. In these frozen depths, warmth was king and whatever provided or resulted in warmth became the highest virtue and most precious of treasures. A few knights found unlikely allies amongst former enemies. Alliances that were once unthinkable were formed, romances born from the sharing of bodily heat, and the natural result of such intimacies, began appearing in the Spiral world.

And thus it was that offspring were born to us who were neither knight nor monster but rather a hybrid of the best of both. But what to do with the mixed babes? Nurseries were non-existent, and few parents wanted to claim these bastard children. Yet, both knight and monster alike had a responsibility to them; they could not simply be abandoned.

Spiral Headquarters was stumped, and stymied as to how to negotiate with the monsters for a viable long-term solution. And thus it was that Lt. Feron invited the Dragon Princess to his office for a consultation.

As she walked in, she was greeted more warmly than usual. “Ah, Dragon Princess, so good of you to come today. Coffee?” offered Lt. Feron. She had never been offered coffee before.

“I’m fine, thank you” she responded.

“Yes, well.” Lt. Feron seemed reluctant to begin. “You may have heard about the, er, baby problem.”

The Dragon Princess’s eye brows knitted together. “Baby problem, sir?”

Lt. Feron scratched the back of his head nervously. “The extremely cold temperatures down in the clockworks have created, well, conditions, for, um, interaction that is not quite, hmm, fighting, but is rather more of, uh, hmmm, reproductive in nature.”

The Dragon Princess smiled. “Oh, that baby problem. Yes, I’m aware of it.” She cleared her throat. Lt．Feron did likewise.

“So, well, what shall we do about these babes born to neither side in this war, and yet both sides?” he asked.

“Well, what do the monsters have to say about it?” she asked.

“Nothing yet, which is why I was hoping you could somehow ask them and make arrangements for these offspring somehow” he replied.

“Heh, me? Why me?” she chuckled.

“They know you, and some have come to respect you. We need someone like that who can speak as a legitimate representative in their eyes” he explained.

The Dragon Princess hissed a small cloud of smoke between clenched teeth. “Very well. I’ll see what I can do.”

Chapter 2 – (Un)dressed for success

The Dragon Princess thought long and hard about whom she might approach. She considered visiting Emberlight at level 18 to speak with the Gremlins there who had dealing with Spiral Knights. Emberlight serves as a kind of refuge for gremlins who were banished from the Great Colony. Now a village of outcasts, they live humble lives, selling wares and repairs to passing travelers, always fearful that one day the gremlin king Tinkinzar would see fit to wipe them out entirely.

King Tinkinzar is said to be a great ruler and the mechanical genius who is responsible for the vision of the Clockworks. He is never seen by common gremlins, rather his orders are carried out by his fearsome Crimson Order, a zealous band of gremlins who alone share audience with the king. He is also known as the Architect, and the artifact retrieved from the Shadow Lair: Ironclaw Munitions Factory implies that he may have had something to do with the creation of The Swarm. The Dragon Princess had used her magically transformed Lionheart Blade to defeat King Tinkinzar in single combat. Needless to say, he would be very hostile to any meeting with her.

She gave some thought to chromalisks for two reasons. First, they are among the least threatening type of monster found in The Clockworks. They resemble chameleons and - depending on the type - attack with either their tongue or by spitting out globs of their saliva towards enemies and on the floor, where it can still deal damage and statuses for some time.

Secondly, they are members of the Beast family and as a warg master of beasts, the Dragon Princess already had an affinity for beastly monsters. Since the chromalisks were also the least aggressive, and perhaps the most nurturing as well, she decided to pay them a visit in a place where they were found in the greatest quantities: The Lizard Lounge in the In Cold Blood mission.

She strolled in with one burning question as curious chromalisks gathered around. “Are any of you female?”

They hipped and scuttled to clear a path for a motherly chromalisk accompanied by a construct retrode who strode into the lounge.

“I am Nonna,” she said. “And, yes, I’m female” she smiled, “as are many of my comrades around you. And what of your gender, knight? Are you female as well?”

“Yes, obviously. I am known as the Dragon Princess.”

“Well, as you see, Princess, since we wear no armor here, I should think that our gender should be obvious. Please prove both your peaceful intentions and your gender by removing your armor as well,” Nonna stated.

“Say what?” the Dragon Princess asked with head cocked to one side.

“Please disrobe as we are, and let us counsel together,” said Nonna.

The Dragon Princess pressed her lips together tightly, but could think of no good reason to refuse, so without another word, she removed her dragon garments as the chromalisks ogled her with the expressionless googly-eyed faces. After she was completely naked, Nonna smiled and invited her to be seated. The air was chilly but the grass felt warm against her bare backside.

“I’ve come to discuss the babies that are being born to us, all of us, and to prevent further abandonments and danger to these innocents babes,” the Dragon Princess put forth.

“Yes, we too have been concerned about this situation,” responded Nonna. “Did you come with any suggestions?”

“Well, perhaps we could build some kind of orphanage for them,” suggested the Dragon Princess.

“Hmm, yes, but those are emotionally chilly places, and we chromalisks need more parental affection than that would provide,” said Nonna. “I was thinking more along the lines of adoption.”

“Adoption? But, how? We are knights, we wear armor and fight,” proclaimed the Dragon Princess.

“Perhaps we could design an accessory for your armor that would accommodate the infants – a knapsack of sorts,” suggested Nonna. Nonna's Retrode with an X for an eye, a heart shaped symbol on its face and a chromalisk on its head smiled at this.

“Ha, your retrode seems to like that idea,” said the Dragon Princess.

“Oh, how rude of me. This is Petrode," said Nonna.

“He seems to have an Electrolisk on his head,” observed the Dragon Princess.

“Yes, I think perhaps that’s why he likes the knapsack idea so much. It would be much better than carrying a babe on his head,” laughed Nonna. “I’ll have the knapsacks designed and set up a booth in your Townsquare. I’ll charge a fair amount of money for the adoption rights so that only knights who truly want and have the means to care for a baby will adopt one.”

“Sounds great,” agreed the Dragon Princess. As she rose to leave, the Dragon Princess reached into her pouch laying beside her and offered Nonna a prismatic flower to thank her for her kindness. ""It looks lovely on you," smiled the Dragon Princess

“One more thing, Princess,” said Nonna.

“Yes?” said the Dragon Princess.

“You might want to put you garments back on. I hear it’s gotten pretty cold in the Clockworks these days. That is, unless, you have immediate plans to make a baby of your own,” said Nonna. Several chormalisks hopped closer in response.

The Dragon Princess quickly shook her head No, and dressed even quicker.

Chapter 1 – The Journey Home

The Dragon Princess received an urgent communiqué from the dragon city of Avalon where her royal relatives lived and ruled. It said only that her father was deathly ill, and that she should come immediately.

She had thought never to return to her home and family. After she had married Lionheart in such “disgraceful” fashion, she had essentially been banned from the city of her childhood. Now it seemed they would welcome her back in light of this serious situation. She looked forward to seeing her family again, though, and telling them of her new life and friends, as well as introducing them to her cohort (she despised the word “pet”)δράκων, (drákōn), Himesama (ひめさま)｡

She packed a large backpack, left the Lionheart guild in charge of Lady Krystal the Sincere and Sir Good Spirit. The journey gave her plenty of time to think about her former life with all its pleasures and turmoils. As young dragoness, she had been blessed with the many pleasures of the royal courts, but was also trained to be a warrior in preparation for the turmoils she was aware of but had never experienced firsthand. It was different now, though. She was returning now as a seasoned warrior and ruler of a guild, widowed and wounded, but the hardships had refined her as fire to steel.

Her kingdom was a race of dragons known for the benevolence, but not all dragons were so. Some were of a more violent, some would say evil, nature. They had to be prepared for wars against other tribes, like the Drakes of Astoria and Wyverns of Tulikaar. These were the three main tribes of land dragons - all fearsome fighters, skilled in all the arts of war. There were also Wyrm dragons who lived underground, Serpentine dragons who lived in the sea, Jormund dragons of the frozen North. But all dragons were united in one way – they all loved treasure, which they also loved to hide in their lairs and guard from would be thieves.

The guards to the city gates had been alerted to expect her arrival, and she was given an escort of 10 knights to the castle. Bystanders gaped in surprise to see the royal Dragon Princess once again. At the royal residence and main castle, her mother was the first to greet and warmly embrace her.
“It’s so good to see you again, my dear,” said the queen.

“It’s good to be home again, Mother. Sorry it could not have been sooner or under better circumstances,” said the Dragon Princess.

“Yes, so long it’s been, too long, but in time to see your father, perhaps for the last time,” the queen spoke sadly.

“Mawashimono, my daughter, you’ve come back,” her father the king greeted her as she entered his chambers.

“It’s so good to see you again, father,” she smiled and planted a kiss on his cheek.

“I only hope it is not too late,” he replied.

“But I wasn’t, I’m here now. It’s okay,” she reassured him.

“Tis not my illness I speak of, but rather an illness beyond our city’s walls,” said the king.

“What do you mean, father?” she asked.

“The Wyverns has accused both us and the Drakes of thievery, of plundering their royal treasure,” explained her father. “Even now they are gearing up for war against us.”

“Do you think the Drakes could have done it, stolen the Wyverns treasure?” she asked.

“This I do not know,” replied her father. “Please, Mawashimono, go to the Drakes. Try to avert this war if you can.”

“I will father. I promise.” And she knew just the man to visit.

Chapter 2 – The Drakes of Astoria

A day after her arrival home, the Dragon Princess wasted no time and set out for Astoria. She arrived at the gates of Astoria mid-afternoon. The guards greeted her cordially but coldly.

“I’m here to see prince Vokster,” she declared.

“There is no prince Vokster here,” a guard replied. “Not anymore. There is only king Vokster.”

“Is that so?” She wondered when he had become king. “The please tell King Vokster that Mawashimono, the Dragon Princess wished to see him.”

After a short wait she was escorted into the city and to the king’s castle.

King Vokster exmbraced her warmly as an old firend. “Dragon Princess, what a pleasure to see you here,” he exclaimed.

“Hello, old friend. How have you been?” she asked with a smile.

“Fairly well aside from this nasty bit of business brewing,” he responded.

“Yes, that’s why I’m here. Tell me about it. What caused all this?” she asked.

“I had been living in Wyvern for a time. I as assisting them in a knowledge and skills exchange. When my father passed away, I moved back to Astoria to assume the thrown. A bit after that, Wyvern accused me of plundering their treasury when I left, and declared war on us,” he told her.

“You would not do that,” said the Dragon Princess.

“Thank you, Princess. No, I did not steal from them. But they believe I did, and war seems inevitable.”

“We must not allow that to happen. We must find out why they believe you committed this crime, and somehow convince them of your innocence,” she said.

“I hope we can, but their Red Star king obsesses over wealth and status and prestige. He is surrounded by arrogant and ill-bent knights who seem to enjoy conflict,” said Vokster.

“I do not fear the conflict, for you are the most skilled fighter I know, but it is wiser to avoid it, if we can,” she said solemnly.

Chapter 1 – Legends of a Forge

The Dragon Princess was enjoying some time with her royal family in Avalon. Her brother was now the king and her experience as a Guild Master enable her to assist him as he adjusted to his new duties and status.

One morning over breakfast he commented, “I heard that your spiral order lost its source of mist after your little trip into the Well of Mist Eerie.”

“How did you hear about that?” she asked.

“Your spiral commander, Captain Ozlo, told me,” he said.

“What? He was here?” she asked.

“Yes, he visits the outer kingdoms from time to time, gathering knowledge and cementing alliances,” he explained.

“I see. Well, yes," the Dragon Princess continued, “we also lost our ability to revive one another with our energy, which has been a source of great grief for some of our new knights.”

“Yes, Captain Ozlo mentioned that,” he said.

“Kyoshiro was able to use white magic to revive me when I nearly died, or did die, I’m not sure, inside the Xairathan, but we cannot use that in the spiral world," said the Dragon Princess.

“Perhaps there is another source of reviving power available to you. I recently met with the King of the Storm Dragons, Stormguardia, and he spoke of a prince, Kaisu Dragon, the last noble of the Dragons of the Seven Peaks. It seems that this prince is intent on finding the Forge of Life."

“That old legend? He thinks there is some truth to it?” she asked

“The legends say the Forge lay somewhere amongst the seven peaks. It might at least be worth checking out,” he suggested.

“The Storm Dragons, you say. Hmm.” The Dragon Princess considered her brothers words. The Storm Dragon were a tribe of dragons that lived high in the mountains, said to be capable of riding the lightning. “I suppose I have an obligation to do what I can to restore our resurrection ability. Yes, I’ll pay a visit to this Kaisu Dragon and see if there is anything to these legends.”

Chapter 2 – The Storm Dragons

The next day she said her farewells to her family and flew off to the high and deep reaches of the mountains where the Storm Dragons’ kingdom lay. Stormguardia was pleased to meet the dragon princess, even more so when she had heard her desire.

“Kaisu Dragon will be most pleased to meet you, Dragon Princess,” he said. “I’ll provide some guards to escort you to his castle amongst the peaks where he does his research.”

"Thank you, you Grace. It is much appreciated,” she bowed.

The Seven Peaks were a ring of mountains high in the north east of the world. Thunder storms were common, and it was said that the storm dragons had learned how to harness the power of lightning between their wings.

The prince’s attendants met her at the door and escorted her to the prince’s study. The Dragon Princess caught her breath at the sight of the prince, clad in shining gold and white, with royal purple accents. He literally had electricity flashing between his golden wings.

“Dragon Princess, it is an honor to meet you. Your reputation for beauty and courage are well-known, even in this remote region," said Prince Kaisu.

“Thank you for you kind words, Prince Kaisu,” she responded. "Likewise, I’m honored to meet a noble of the Dragons of the Seven Peaks for the first time.”

“Well, it’s not actually our first time,” he smiled.

“No?” she smiled back.

“I accompanied my mother and father on a trip to your castle when we were both children. You were pretty even back then,” he said.

She blushed at his words. “I’m surprised I forgot that, but we often had royal visitors, and I didn’t pay all that much attention to such things while I was growing up.”

“Well, you are grown and interested now, it seems. Stormguardia sent words that we might be able to help one another,” said Kaisu.

“Yes, I am interested in finding the Forge of Life with you, if you believe it really exists,” she added.

“Oh, it really exists,” he said firmly. “But I could not attempt to find it alone."

“Why not?” she asked.

“Perhaps it’s easiest to explain if I show you something,” he said.

He removed a round box from the shelf. “I am the last of the Dragons of the Seven Peaks, guardians of the Forge of Life,” he said. "This box contains our most important heritage."

“What happened to the rest of your tribe? To you parents?” she asked.

“The Forge of Life is absolute power, and absolute power can corrupt even the best of dragons” he said sadly. “My family was betrayed and murdered by a trusted advisor who wanted control of the Forge for himself. But the Forge cannot be controlled. It gave him power, but it also blackened his soul turning him into a hug black brute of a dragon. He guards the Forge. We must defeat him and cast him into the Forge to avenge his crimes and restore the purity of the Forge.”

He opened the box and showed her the two keys that lay within. One was all angles and sharp corners, the other was rounded and curved. They lay in the box like yin and yang.

“The keys represent the male and female aspects of the Forge of Life,” he explained. “Both keys are required to open the enchanted doorway entrance to the Forge. One male and one female of noble birth, true in heart.”

“I see,” said the Dragon Princess, “I will help you with your quest, but how will this help me with my problem?” she asked.

“I believe that once we have control of the Forge, I will be able to provide your people with Sparks of Life for reviving fallen knights,” he said.

“And you truly believe we can find the Forge?” she asked.

“It is not hidden, but rather it hides itself from all who do not bear the keys. We will journey to the heart of the seven peaks and there the forge will reveal itself to us,” said Prince Kaisu.

“Then let’s do it,” said the Dragon Princess.

Chapter 3 – Battle for the Forge

The journey was a pleasant mixture of flight and foot as he told her more of his kingdoms former glory. When they reached the center of the peaks the found the cave with a white framed door, glowing with bluish runes.

“We must do this together now, one on each side of the door,” said Kaisu.

Together the inserted their keys. The door dissolved and they entered the cave. The Forge was waiting, glowing inside. Guarding it was the Blackheart dragon.

It roared at them and hissed fire, but whatever dragon it had been was gone, replaced by an huge unthinking but nevertheless deadly Snarbolax-like beast.

The Dragon Princess drew her Lionheart Blade as Kaisu drew his Glacius. Together they attacked the huge dragon. Its tail was especially dangerous, with sharp spikes that glistened with evil. But two dragons of regal power and courage would not be defeated.

“Try to herd it toward the entrance to the Forge,” shouted Kaisu. The beast was backed up against the Forge and fought back furiously. They could not quite force it in until finally Kaisu lowered his shoulder and shoved the beast inside.

As the beast fell backward, it lashed out and circled Kaisu around the waist with its tail. He grabbed the door way to prevent himself from being dragged into the forge as well, but the beast was heavy and his feet slowly skidded backward toward the Forge.

The bluish-white light of the Forge swirled behind him like whirlpool with blue points light swirling inside. Kaisu turned to try to escape, but it was too late, the forge and the beast were pulling him in. He clung to the entrance with both hands. "Mawashimono! I can’t … hold on. It’s pulling me in.”

She could see his fingers trembling with exertion. She edged toward him, and could feel the powerful drag of the opened Forge. She crouched on all fours and dug her claws into the earth, wrapped her tail around him, and pulled.

“Mawashimono! Don’t, it’s too strong, stay back,” he grunted.

It was too strong, but she couldn’t do nothing, she had to try. His feet had slowly been sliding backwards into the forge. She had managed to halt his backward progress by straining with all the might in her arms and legs. She looked back over her shoulder into his eyes.

“You can’t do it Princess, you…you have to let me go!” he yelled through clenched teeth.

So great was her exertion that she could not even spare a breath for words. She shook her head from side to side, her eyes full of tears. She couldn’t save him, she knew that, but neither could she let him go.

“Let go or you’ll be pulled in too! It’s okay, I understand, let go, Dragon Princess, let me go,” he yelled.

She sobbed in fury and frustration at her helplessness. He nodded and she did too, perhaps she couldn’t save him, but she would not abandon him. She turned and leapt into his arms. Surprised, he let go of the doorway and caught her. Immediately the pull of the beast combined with the power of the Forge to suck them in, and they were gone.

They fell, for how long they could not say. Time was different inside the Forge. Their bodies were consumed almost immediately, but their spirits remain, entwined, and they knew each other, completely, wholly, in every intimate detail. They had no mouths to speak, but their minds could still communicate. They no longer had eyes, but they could see everything, everything that was in the world, wherever life was, they could go.

The entirety of it all was beautiful, as he was beautiful to her and she was to him.

It’s amazing, Kaisu, you are amazing, life is amazing here mind spoke to his. And you are loved.

As are you, Mawashimono he responded.

Their spirits blended, parted became one, became all. She saw the world, the core, the heights, the creatures that inhabited it all, and felt their Creator's love for it, and shared it with Kaisu who experienced it all as she did. She saw her family and her guildmates, and Lionheart as he had been, and she remembered, and a desire was stirred within her to return.

Kaisu, I…I wan’t to go back, and I think we can she said.

Go back he asked reluctantly?

Yes, to my guild, my home. Come with me, Kaisu. Join me there.

He did not answer for eternity and he answered right away, for time had lost its meaning

he said. I’ll return with you.

Thank you she said, Thank you .

And I’ll bring a gift for your spiral order, a gift of endless sparks of life, scattered throughout their land he said.

They awoke in a sanctuary, in their bodies, separate now, but never alone. The experience they had shared would be bond between them forever. But there was also a loss for the existence they had experienced, but one that was not meant for the like of dragons. It had been a gift, a gift that had ended, and yet would never end.

And it came to pass, as he said, that sparks of life with the power of life in them began appearing in the world of spiral knights. And the Forge of Life had been purified and restored, bringing balance to the world once again.

He couldn’t do it anymore. The killingandkillingandkillinganddying. It had to stop. He had to stop. He just couldn’t keep doing it anymore.

He had killed the last wolver but it had bit him bad. The shockwaves coursed thru his body in waves as he writhed in agony. The wolver had circled around for the kill. His sword stroke had been just in time. Another millisecond later, and it would all have been over anyway.

As the wolver died with a yelp, bled out and evaporated, he had sat down heavily and hadn’t moved. A final room in this wolver’s den remained, but he couldn’t go on.

And so he had removed his gun from his holster – his prized alchemer. He could still remember the day he had crafted it – the pride, the excitement, the sense of achievement. But it had all been washed away by the endless killing and mineral gathering and treasure hunting. Now he would use it to kill one last thing - himself.

When he first started playing, he had been alone, for weeks fighting solo. Then, slowly, he had found friends, fighting companions, even a love of sorts. But none of it had lasted. Some had died, some had wandered off and were never heard from again. Their names still echoed in his memories, but with a painful sense of loss.

He was tired, down into his innermost parts, wearier than he had thought possible. And now he planned to end it, all of it. The Big Sleep – The Permanent Delete – a blessed release, he considered it.

He picked up his gun, heavier than it had ever felt before. His lips tightened as he raised it to his temple. A thrashing sound startled him and an angel burst forth slashing her way through the bushes. She glowed with a golden light, shinier than anyone he had ever seen. She had royal colors of gold, silver and purple on her armored gown. Her head glowed with an eye of fury, a golden wreath and a fiery tiara.

“Beautiful,” he whispered, awestruck. Then a bit louder, “Are you and angel, come to take me to heaven?” he asked.

“Wha-?” she asked, confused.

“You look like an angel,” he said, “or a goddess. Am I dead? Is that why you’re here?” he sobbed, and began to weep softly.

She stood looking at him for a moment with a mixture of sadness and amusement.

Sheathing her Lionheart Honor Blade, she strode over to where he sat.

“Get on your feet, soldier,” she commanded. “We haven’t finished this mission yet.”

She grabbed him under the arm and lifted him to his feet. A message flashed into the right of his screen.

Confused, he clicked on it. In a daze he read the message “Would you like to join our helpful, mentoring Lionheart guild?” it said.

He looked at the angel, his savior, and relief washed over him nearly causing him to fall to the ground again. But she held him firmly in her strong gloved hand.

“Well, soldier?” she asked. “Are you in or out? Do you have what it takes, or is this the end for you?”

“I . . . I . . . thank you,” he said, and clicked the accept invite button.

Immediately voices entered his life. Choruses of welcome and greetings washed down his screen in green font.

"How, how do I . . .?” he stammered.

“Use /g for guild chat,” she smiled.

“Thank you everyone,” were the first words of his new life. He looked at her, eyes filled with gratitude. “Who are you?” he asked.

“I’m known as the Dragon Princess, but you can call me Mawa,” she replied. “Now let’s go kill us some wolvers.”

He sniffeled, wiped the moisture from his nose and eyes with the back of his glove, and nodded.

And off they went, guildmates now, to live and fight (well, play really) another day, with many more to come.

Chapter 1 – Serenade

The Dragon Princess awoke to music. A guitar was making gentle sounds accompanied by a soothing voice in a language she did not quite grasp.

She rose form her bed, slipped on a robe, and went to her balcony just as the song was ending. She glimpsed a powerful figure clad in black with red embroidery bowing in his sombrero. He moved off into the late night air with the grace of a panther.

She looked down to see that a red rose had been tossed onto her balcony with a note attached. It said only “I make this song for you. Greetings. El Pantero.” The rose smelled sweet and the paper had a deep citrusy fragrance. Intriguing.

Chapter 2 – Clean Up

The next day a letter appeared in her inbox from Captain Ozlo. It read:

“That was good work you did with that Master Gunslinger. I think you might be able to help us out with another little matter. The Lockdown guilds have been attacking one another outside of the mini-game. Look into for us and see if you can restore some order down there.”

She had heard some of these rumblings, including fighting words from this mysterious El Pantero. He seemed like a good place to start. Little did she know what it would cost her emotionally.

She began by spectating some guild vs. guild matches, recording some of the comments that were being made. She couldn’t help but admire the skill of some of the finer players, though.

It was a chance encounter with El Pantero himself that would forever change things for her.

Chapter 3 – The Hard Fall

Out in the townsquare just east of the Bazaar,
She fell in love with a Mexican boy.
Night-time would find her alone by the fountain after he'd leave her to go play lockdown.
Blacker than night were El Pantero's eyes,
Wicked and evil while casting a spell.

Her love was deep for this Mexican bandido;
She was in love but in vain, she could tell.

One night a wild Icecutie came callin,
Wild as the The Jempire wind.
Dashing and daring,
A lockdown game she was sharing
With wicked Pantero,
The boy that she loved.

So in anger she

Challenged Icy's right for the love of Pantero.
Down went her hand for the Peacemaker she wore.
Her challenge was answered in less than a heart-beat;
The pretty young stranger lay dead on the floor.

Just for a moment she stood there in silence,
Shocked by the foul evil deed she had done.
Many thoughts raced through her mind as she stood there;
she had but one chance and that was to run.

Out through the back door of the Lockdown she ran,
Out where the snipes were tied.
She caught a good one.
It looked like it could go high.
Up on its back
And away she did fly.

Just as fast as she
Could from the game that destroyed her,
Out of the bad-lands of Krogmo's Lockdown.
Back in the Haven her life would be worthless.

The Dragon Princess felt that her life was gone wihtout him.
It had been so long since she’d seen that bandido.

Her love is stronger than her fear of death.
She saddled up and away she did go,
Riding alone in the dark.
Maybe tomorrow
A bullet may find her.
Tonight nothing's worse than this
Pain in her heart.

And at last here she
is on the hill overlooking the Coliseum;
She can see Twenty-One knights down below.
Her love is strong and it pushes her onward.
Down off the hill to the game she does go.
Off to her right she sees a team from Jempire;
Off to her left side an Echo of Silence.
Shouting and shooting she can't let them catch her.
She has to make it to Pantero’s Guildhall.

Something is dreadfully wrong for she feels
A deep burning pain in her side.
Though she is trying
To lean on her Drakon,
She’s getting so weary,
Unable to go on.

But her love for
El Pantero is strong and she rises where she’s fallen,
Though she is weary, she can't stop to rest.

She sees the white puff of smoke from the Antigua.
She feels the bullet go deep in her breast.
From out of nowhere El Pantero has found her,
Kissing her cheek as he kneels by her side.

Cradled by two loving arms that she'll die for,
One little kiss from El Pantero, good-bye.

But this is a kiss that revives her, A Spark of Life that he did bestow.
She feels her vigor return to her body, his mysterious magic she’ll never know.

Chapter 4 – The Report

“Blast it all, Dragon Princess! I sent you down there to clean things up, and you go and make an even bigger mess of things,” yelled Captain Ozlo.

She didn’t know how to explain it.

“Normally I don't go for badboys,
and he's one of the baddest,
but when I spectated Lockdown
in search of El Pantero,
I followed the trail of dead bodies
to a GF-weilding, snarby-hide sporting,
eye-squinting, sombrero-wearing,
bandido of beatdowns
riding a whirlwind of destruction
the likes of which of
my glowing sultry eyes
had never before beheld.
He tipped his hat, threw me wink, and rode off into the sunset with my heart.”

“Yes, well, be that as it may” said a flustered Captain Ozlo, “stay clear of Lockdown for a while. The environment doesn’t suit you.”

“That toxic environment doesn’t much suit anyone, Captain,” respond the Dragon Princess. And, head down, she walked slowly out the door.

Chapter 3 - Tracking the Tortodrones

A short time later they found a shell to examine.

“Look at this,” said Le-Bleu. “The underside of this shell indicates it is a synthetic construct. Something is making these things.”

“And making them deadly” added The-Illusionist, “judging by this tube protruding from the shell.”

“What do you mean?” asked the Dragon Princess.

“This is for firing some kind of missle or, no, no, the gouge marks on the inside of this tube indicate that it’s not a missle, but rather something explosive, round and rough.”

“You mean something like this?” asked El-Bandido as he hefted a large rock.

The Dragon Princess snorted a bit of flame. “Are you saying these, these . . . tortoise drone creatures shoot rocks?”

“Oh, yes, and more than that,” continued The-Illusionist. “The marks on the outer part of the shell show they were ramming things, possibly crushing things with their shells.”

“And what happened to their bodies? Why are we only finding their shells?” asked the Dragon Princess.

“Destroyed, I guess, or self-destructed, perhaps. I know a few other ways to make things disappear, but who knows, really” said The-Illusionist.

“Very old,” commented Le-Bleu.

“Hmm? What do you mean, Le-Bleu?” asked the Dragon Princess.

“The way the edges of these shells have crumbled means they are very old. Wherever they came from, they were here before we were,” said Le-Bleu.

“I do not like it, this ancient danger, from these, how she said, Tortodrones,” said El-Bandido.

The ways he said it with "-nace" at the end made it sound like a delicious tortilla dish.

“But fear not, for I, El-Bandido, shall protect La Princesa de Dragón from all harm,” he declared with his chin held high as he placed a protective arm low around her hips.

“La Princesa” said the Dragon Princess staring down at his hand but not yet removing it, “can take care of herself just fine.”

“Sí, of course, pero, I am always at your service, any service,” he smiled.

“Ahem. That still leaves the questions of where they are coming from,” said the Dragon Princess.

Again The-Illusionist offered his expertise. “It is most likely a phase-shift of some kind.”

“A phase-shift?” asked the Dragon Princess.

“Yes, as you know, when a gate shifts out of the 4-gate rotation and another shifts in, there is a momentary realignment during which things may shift into other realms beyond the gates” explained The-illusionist.

“And you’re suggesting these Tortodrones are getting into the clockworks during those moments?” asked the Dragon Princess.

“Yes, it is the only explanation I can think of at the moment,” he said.

“Well, if that’s the case, then we need to try to shift to their source at the next gate change, or find a path to their production site,” said the Dragon Princess. “But how?”

“It is someplace deep underground,” said Le-Bleu. “The material for these shells contains deposits from opal-like rocks deep under the planet’s surface.”

“Deep underground, you say, hmmm,” said the Dragon Princess as she thoughtfully rubbed her chin. “I know some gremlins at the bottom of a well who just might be able to help us.”

Chapter 4 - Return to the Well of Mist Erie

As they arrived at the Well of Mist Erie, the Dragon Princess explained. "We are about to journey into the home of a tribe of formerly enslaved gremlins. I helped them obtain their freedom and they rewarded us Spiral Knights with an end to our reliance on mist energy. They are allies and they may be able to help us find where the tortodrones are being produced."

The party descended into the depths of the well and were surprised to find a full-fledged community living in the caverns beneath it. The gremlins were happy to see their liberator, the Dragon Princess, again and, upon being told of the tortodrone shells that had begun appearing in the Clockworks, they were eager to share what they knew of these legendary creatures.

“Yes, we know of these fearsome creatures, Dragon Princess, though they have not been seen in many rotations of our world,” a gremlin leader informed them. “We know not who made them, but we know in what area their factory is.”

“Could you lead us there?” asked the Dragon Princess.

Several of the gremlins shivered in fear at the thought. “Best it is not to go near the creatures, Dragon Princess. Deadly force do they wield. Even one such creature would be a challenge for your party, strong fighters though they no doubt are.”

Le-Bleu snorted derisively. “Surely no single monster, no matter how fearsome, would survive long against us.”

“Si, I agree,” said El-Bandido. “Fear is not in my vocabulary.”

“I have a feeling a lot of words are not in your vocabulary, El-Bandido, and that macho attitude isn’t helping,” said the Dragon Princess.

“We meant no offense, brave knight,” spoke the gremlin. “But you will not find only one in the place you seek; their factory holds a great number.”

“Well, regardless of how many of them there are, we’re not here to wipe them out. Our mission is to locate their base and report the location to Spiral Headquarters,” said the Dragon Princess.

“Then follow me, fearless knights,” bowed the gremlin, “and I will guide you to the place you seek.”

Chapter 5 - The Tortodrone Factory

It was really quite beautiful down here beneath the surface. The hewn walls sparkled with gems and mulit-colored opal and other rocks. They were descending slightly and gradually the tunnel walls took on an older, damper look with a slight phospherescent glow.

"The factory is just ahead," whispered the Gremlin leader.

"Thank you for valuable assistance," the Dragon Princess whispered back. Each knight had weapons and gear capable of emitting light to illuminate their journey.

"Good luck, Dragon Princess and brave knights, and goodbye," said the gremlin. His words had a chilling finality to them.

"Illusionist, take lead, then Le-Bleu, me, and El-Bandido will take the rear," ordered the Dragon Princess.

"You want me to take your rear. Si, this is good plan. Me gusta,” said El-Bandido. The Dragon Princess twitched her tail in irritation but didn’t bother to correct his wording.

They entered the huge factory room and hunkered down behind some machinery while they surveyed the scene. The machinery was running, but no one seemed to be running it.

After a tortodrone’s assembly was completed, it tread to a special lift of some sort and ascended into the Clockworks.

“Well, we’ve found the factory, but where are we exactly?” asked the Dragon Princess.

“No way to tell from here,” said The-Illusionist. “Perhaps something in that control room up there will tell us.”

“It’s worth a try. Take Le-Bleu with you and see what you can find,” she said.

The Dragon Princess and El-Bandido watched their two companions slip stealthily up the stairway and into the room.

“It is good here together, yes, Dragon Princess?” said El-Bandido as he pressed up against her. “Your rear is safe here with me,” he said huskily in her ear.

She let out a little sigh of exasperation but could not entirely deny that the coziness was not . . . unpleasant.

“Just keep your eyes on those tortodrones in case any of them notice Le-Bleu and The-Illusionist in the control room,” said the Dragon Princess.

“Ah, but my eyes do not want to look there,” chuckled El-Bandido. “They want to look here, into your sultry glowing eyes, while my hand does this . . .”

“Ah!” she yelped in surprise.

“. . . and my lips do this.” As he leaned in to kiss her, she drew her Lionheart blade. El-Bandido ducked as she fired an energy bolt over his shoulder.

Still crouching down, he said, “You react too strongly, Princesa. I was only--”

“It’s not that,” she growled in frustration. “My little yelp must have attracted their attention. They’re coming for us!”

Le-Bleu and The-Illusionist were just emerging from the control room. They were separated by a growing number of tortodrones with menacing smiles. The Dragon Princess and El-Bandido were still close to the entrance and cold retreat easily, but Le-Bleu and The-Illusionist were trapped.

“We have to clear a path for them,” she yelled to El-Bandido over the din of the moving tortodrones.

El-Bandido advanced in the direction of the stairway and got his shield up just in time to block a rock that had been fired in his direction. The tortodrone who fired it came crashing toward him. He spun to the side like a matador and slashed open its side. Meanwhile, Le-Bleu and The-Illusionist began attacking from the other side, but the tortodrones were too numerous and strong.

Le-Bleu nimbly hopped onto their shells looking for a weak spot. The-Illusionist used his magical skills to evade the sight of the mechanical monsters as he made his way to the special lift, waving for Le-Bleu to follow him.

Seeing that they had made it safely to the lift, the Dragon Princess and El-Bandido retreated back through the cave tunnel. She signaled that they would meet again on the planet’s surface.

**********************************************************************************

The Dragon Princess walked into Captain Ozlo’s office a few days later.

“Dragon Princess! There you are. We’ve been worried about you,” exclaimed Capt. Ozlo.

“Sorry, Captain. It took us a few days to find our way back to the surface,” she explained.

“Oh, yes, you were lost down there with El-Bandido, weren’t you?” asked Capt. Ozlo.

“Yes,” she said blushing slightly.

Capt. Ozlo raised an eyebrow. “Well, I see. Glad to have you back safely. Le-Bleu and The-Illusionist already reported that you found where these blasted tortoises are coming from, but were unable to secure any reliable coordinates.”

“That’s correct, sir. It was only with the help of a gremlin guide that we were able to find the factory in the first place, but getting out was much harder and I can’t say for certain I could find the factory again unaided,” said the Dragon Princess

“Alright, at least know more now than we did before your mission. Well done, Princess. And give my thanks to El-Bandido as well if you happen to see him again,” said Capt. Ozlo with a little grin.

“Will do, sir,” she replied, not quite being able to meet his eyes.

She saluted and retreated from his office.

Spelunking had never been so dangerous, nor so fun. She might even make a new hobby of it, she thought. Provided, that is, that a certain someone had her rear, she smiled to herself.

THE END

Part 1 – A Stranger Murdered

The tall Strangers generally towered over her, silent and mysterious. The Dragon Princess rarely did business with these tall merchants or hardly paid them much attention at all. She nodded Hello in passing as she made her way to consult with Bechamel.

“Greetings, Dragon Princess,” said Bechamel gaily. “So nice to see you, as always. How faired your Valentine’s Day fashion contest?”

“Hello, dearest Bechamel,” she said as she greeted him with a hug and kiss on the cheek. “The response was wonderful, thank you for asking and advising once again.”

“My pleasure, as always,” he smiled.

“I just came by today to ask about a new outfit I’m considering,” she said. “Which do you think would look nicer, the . . . ?” Bechamel was not listening but was staring over her shoulder with a troubled look. The Dragon Princess glanced back just in time to see of that one of the Strangers had lurched to a stop just behind her.

Alarmed, she spun to face him. He stood now before, swaying before reaching out with his hand to lean heavily upon her. As he did, he reached into his voluminous sleeve and withdrew an envelope sealed with red wax. Rather than handing it to her directly, he slipped it into her pouch. His shoulders seemed to sag with relief and he removed his hand from her shoulder and placed his palms together as he attempted a small bow. But the bow did not end; he slowly leaned over her more and more before collapsing on top of her. It was then that she felt the cold metal pressing against her belly. Straining to roll the Stranger off her, his robe opened to reveal the hilt of a dagger thrust into his abdomen. He was dead, had died to deliver something to her of great value and danger.

She rose quickly and looked around as Bechamel bent over the fallen Stranger and other Strangers rushed to their fallen companion, but she could see no likely culprits.

All thoughts of fashion forgotten, she asked Bechamel, “Can you deal with this, dearest? I’ve got to . . . to report this immediately.”

“Yes, Princess, I can handle things here. Go and do what you need to do,” and he held her gaze meaningfully.

She shook her head to clear it and bowed before returning to her Dragon’s Lair behind a protected door in her guild hall. Once there, shed removed the envelope from her pouch. It had not been sealed with red wax – it had been smeared with blood, the Stranger’s no doubt.

She opened it to find that it was from Lt. Feron. Strange since he normally contacted her electronically. The contents of the letter soon explained why:

Dragon Princess,

I do not know whom I can trust or to what degree my communications are being monitored, thus I have chosen to contact you in paper through the Strangers. Someone, no, a group of someones amongst both our enemies and our comrades have been hiding a secret from us. Punch and
Krogmo were only the first 2 of 6 representatives of the monster population. Those two alone have already provided us with so much, but the other four have been hidden from us.

Assemble a team that you can trust, Princess, but tell no one else! Find the four other monsters who can aid us. What are these additional potential abilities they can grant to us? Where can they be found? And how can they be accessed and utilized?

Godspeed, Lt. Feron

The Dragon Princess sat at her desk stunned. After careful consideration, she withdrew some parchment from her desk drawer and wrote letters to three special knights.

Part 2 – Knights Are Summoned

"Wake up."

Slap.
"...are you still sleeping? Up."

Slap. That one stung even her hand.

Silivrenniel sighed as she raised her hand yet again to slap her sleeping cousin from his slumber, but she dropped it in defeat.
"What am I gonna do with you?"

She swept a silver-white bang to the side casually with a bone-white finger, and tugged down on the push rod of the shutters, allowing the peach Cradle-light to flood into the once-dim periwinkle box. With the light shining directly on her face, her tattoos, burned into her neck, were revealed : an icon of a mountain, a hammer, and a rectangle of three solid lines.

Vin only grumbled as the light chafed at his eyelids, and attempted to turn over before a loud ping noise chirped from a pile of clothing on the mahogany floorboards.

"I'll be making breakfast downstairs," Vren mumbled as she cuffed Vin's head again on the way to the door.

This was how almost every day went with Silivrenniel, the distant older cousin of the Valentinian. She was a harsh vixen, as unrelenting as a winter's storm, and while she did provide a home for him ever since his eviction from his old apartment, it was not without the punishment of paying rent and being pestered by only the most painful of wake-up calls every morning.

With a sigh flavored with his own concoction of dread, he rolled off of the mattress like an angel falling from the heavens. His landing was rough, and immediately he regretted it.

With his skin-suit not but a few inches from him, he dragged his hand across the polish boards as slow as Vren would allow it (slow to her was lightning fast), and clumsily allowed it to wrap itself over his undergarment.

Immediately, he felt an unsettling sensation at the base of his spine, and for a while, his nerves were numbed as the suit melted with his skin.
And all was dark for a few seconds.

You have one new message. Sender : Mawashimono.

Vin snapped his eyes open as he found himself drooling on the floor, and with tisk of irritation, he mopped up the tiny pool with a cloth procured from a drawer sitting opposite to his bed.

He raised his right hand slightly above his head, and dropped it. By command, a swarm of orbs slid down his vision like drops of water on glass, and without even Vin's motion, the mail orb enlarged and centered itself before opening up the whole tab.

"Meet me at the Hall."

Huh...that was rather brief, especially fro-

"Breakfast's ready!" Vren called from below.

With a focus on the crimson X icon, he closed the tab, and began to walk towards the stairs.

Hopefully, today would be...uneventful. Uneventful days would mean sleep...lots of sleep.

************************************************************

Sapphire curiously opened the sealed envelope, immediately identifying the mark of Mawashimono, the Dragon Princess. Smiling softly, she pulled out the parchment letter, recalling past time with the darling Knight.

Her eyes scanned over the words, and her smile vanished. Remaining motionless for a moment, Sapphire took a deep breath. Carefully restoring the letter back into the envelope, she placed it away, despite her anxiety. Brushing back her hair, she placed on her armour, secured her weapons, and set out the door.

Within minutes, the distinctive Guildhall was in sight. For a second, Sapphire hesitated, but she prevailed and opened the doors, heading towards Mawashimono's Dragon's Lair. Slipping inside, she quickly identified the Dragon Princess seated at a desk, already waiting for her.

"Hello, Mawa! It's been awhile." Sapphire greeted quietly. "I'm here for you, and I'm ready to help in any way I can," she added with a smile.

Part 3 – The Team Assembles

The Dragon Princess looked at each of the knights in turn – Vin, Astran, and Sapphire – Vanguards and veterans of countless battles, reputable, brave, and trustworthy – the last trait being the most important of all.

“Thank you all for coming, and I’m sorry,” said the Dragon Princess.

Vin smiled and asked, “What are you sorry about, Mawa?”

“That I’ve asked you to risk your lives on a mission of supreme importance but with little chance of success,” she replied.

“Risking our lives is what knights do, Princess,” said Astran. “We’re honored to have been chosen.”

“The honor is mine, Astran,” replied the Dragon Princess.

“What is it exactly that you’re hoping we can do?” asked Sapphire.

“As I stated in the letter, our mission as presented to me by Lt. Feron is to find the source and extent of the powers that the monsters have the ability to grant us but have so far successfully hidden from us,” she explained. “Most likely they are magical trinkets or additional transmutations that might be performed on our gear.”

“Did Lt. Feron say how he came by this intel?” asked Vin.

“He did not,” replied the Dragon Princess. “I myself received only a letter similar to yours from the dying hands of a Stranger.”

“What?” gasped Astran. “Are you saying someone killed a Stranger in an attempt to keep this intel from us?”

“That’s correct,” affirmed the Dragon Princess. “We can trust no one outside of this circle of knights.”

“What is it you’d have us do first?” asked Vin.

“I want to send each of you to speak with someone I think can help us,” explained the Dragon Princess. “Vin, I want you to visit Punch in his workshop. See if that twitchy SOB can help us locate the powers that the Constructs have been hiding from us.”

“Sapphire, I need you to go to the Strangers. Find a way to communicate with them. See what they know about the hidden powers of the beasts.
Astran, go to Krogmo and inquire about the undead. Find a way to get that fat Fiend to give us some useful information.”

“What will you be doing, Princess?” asked Astran.

“I’m going to pay another visit to Bechamel. With all his gossip, I’m sure he can tell us something,” said the Dragon Princess.

Part 4 - The Dragon Princess Visits Bechamel

“Mawa! How are you, darling? That was just dreadful what happened here yesterday,” exclaimed Bechamel.

“Yes, I agree, Bec. It was very distressing,” said the Dragon Princess. “I was wondering if we could talk about it.”

“Certainly, dear, if you’d like to,” said Bechamel agreeably.

“Before I left, you said to me ‘Do what you have to do.’ What did you mean by that?” asked the Dragon Princess.

“Why, just what a knight should do when someone has been murdered. Find the murderer!” said Bechamel.

“Do you have any information that might help me do that, Bec? Do you maybe know why the Stranger might have been killed?” asked the Dragon Princess.

“Well, you know me, Mawa. I’ve got my ear to the ground just about everywhere. Information is power, as they say,” smiled Bechamel.

The Dragon Princess smiled back. “That’s great to hear, Bec. So, what can you tell me?”

“Well, now Mawa. I can’t just go around giving out such valuable and dangerous information like that for free, can I?” asked Bechamel.

“Why not?” responded the Dragon Princess “If it’s in order to catch a murderer? This isn't some game, Bec.”

“Oh, now, this life is all just a game, Princess," said Bechamel with a wink. "You need to offer me something in return, Mawa,” said Bechamel.

“I think the monsters have powers that would benefit the knights, and that they have somehow been concealing this fact from us with help from within our ranks,” said the Dragon Princess.

“My, do tell!” smiled Bechamel.

The Dragon Princess squinted. “You don’t actually seem that surprised,” she said.

“Well, like I said, Mawa dearest, I have my sources all over,” replied Bechamel.

“I want to find that murderer, but more than that, I want to find these powers and the corrupt knights in our ranks, no matter how high up that goes,” said the Dragon Princess resolutely.

“Careful, dear. Even a dragon can bite off more than she can chew,” said Bechamel slyly. “I’d hate to see my favorite fashionista end up like that Stranger yesterday.”

“Tell, me everything you know, Bechamel. Please,” begged the Dragon Princess.

“Very well, if means so much to you, Hon. But I want something in return, something that would make just the most wonderful accessory!” said Bechamel as he clapped his hands together.

“Fine. If I have it to give, I will,” responded the Dragon Princess.

“Then here’s what I want” said Bechamel as he leaned in close and whispered in her ear.

The color drained from her face, and she stood that way for a minute before she finally gave a curt nod Yes.

Part 5 – Astran Visits Krogmo

Astran stayed in the guild hall a few moments longer, his gaze lingering upon the marvelous young lady standing before him.

This is a most fascinating person! Part woman and part dragon, with scaly armor that glitters like diamonds and bright, fiery eyes, how can anyone seek to destroy such a magnificent creature?

He averted his gaze once it occurred to him that he was staring at her, and exited the guild hall shortly thereafter.
He re-lit his pipe, slipped his hands into his pockets and watched the clouds float above the morning sky.

"Well now, King Krogmo, are you ready for me?" he said to no one in particular. He casually paced into the Arcade, where a bright pink fiend was waiting for him with a hot mug of delicious black coffee.

Astran grinned and fished a few leaves of tobacco out of his pocket. "What's new, Mr. Valderis?"

Krogmo tooted. Astran handed Krogmo the tobacco in exchange for a fresh cup of coffee. "Got a few questions for you."

Krogmo honked and laughed heartily. "Go ahead, shoot."

Astran sipped his coffee. "Well, for starters, how about you tell me what's going on in your little corner of the world?"

"I am so glad you asked! Oh, how I do love you, boy! You're always such fun. Anyways! I've got this giant batch of elite monsters, see, and as you can probably tell from the poster..." he pointed to a big, ridiculously-colored poster on the wall, "...I'm offering a pretty big reward for anyone who is able to beat them. Nobody's done it yet, thank goodness! Ho ho!"

Astran grinned and shot a sidelong glance at Krogmo, who looked like he was itching to say more about it.

"There's just one thing," Krogmo added at length. "I'm pretty sure some of my challengers are cheating!"

"Cheating? The nerve!" Like you're so innocent yourself, big guy.

"You said it, boy! NOBODY cheats King Krogmo! They've been using some pretty impressive trinkets, and let me tell you something, I want them GONE!"

Astran took another sip of coffee. "Supposing I collected them for you."

Krogmo smiled, a devious smile that said there was a catch. "Ah, but you see boy, I want what they've got. I want their trinkets. I can't have just any whippersnapper running around grabbing powerful trinkets from Hell itself. I need to know that they'll be collected by someone I can trust."

"And how do you propose finding said person?"

"By having him fight in the Arena, of course! Ho ho ho!"
"I'm in," Astran said quickly.

"Of course you- wait, what?"

"I'm in."

"You are!? SPLENDID!!" He gave Astran a merry slap on the back. "I can't TELL you how delighted I am! Boy oh boy, am I going to give you the BEST fight you've ever had! Oh oh oh, don't let me forget to lend you my sword!" He tossed Astran a Final Flourish. "Don't forget to give it back to me, you hear?"

Astran tipped his hat and smiled. "Of course."

Part 6 – Vin Visits Punch

“I want to send each of you to speak with someone I think can help us,” explained the Dragon Princess. “Vin, I want you to visit Punch in his workshop. See if that twitchy SOB can help us locate the powers that the Constructs have been hiding from us.”

Vin smiled at his Guild Master and adoptive parent, and gave the young lady a tight hug as he made his way along the Conference table and towards the exit.

"Alright Okaa-san, I'll check him out..."

Now, the Dragon Princess, known by most as simply that, was indeed one of the more powerful guild masters in all of Haven. It'd be an underwhelming statement to say that her prestige and regality preceded her actual self, and while most people, even her countless ephemeral lovers, addressed her by her personal name in affection...

...well, Vin couldn't help but attach to her his own awkward, childish names as he did for...for his other parents. In past guilds, long before his arrival on Lionheart, there used to be two young women, their age slightly younger than the Princess now...

As he released his prolonged embrace, he almost skipped out of the door, his legs instinctively carrying him to the destination he desired : the Bazaar.

And his mind floated off to other thoughts.

Even if I have real family here, in Haven, on Cradle...they haven't been exactly my family, haven't they? Vren's the only blood I have left...but even so, we're twice removed. There wouldn't be much to count for by relativity...

And now there's Mom...I mean Mawa...I mean the Dragon Princess. [stupid brain] She's often eloping with a guild member or some other charming guy. I wonder if they'll like me? Well, that's if Mo[stupid brain x2] Mawa ever stays with one of them...

~~~

The Bazaar itself was a microcosm of Cradle in its entirety. Wares and merchants, consisting mainly of Strangers, Knights, and the occasional Gremlin, came in all shapes, sizes, and colors. Even though the AH was the preferred method of commerce amongst the citizens of Haven and its affiliates, the Bazaar had services that the AH did not always have.

Food, for example. Fresh out of the frying pan, broiler, or grill, to be exact. While the Knights' wetware and systems ran on the air itself (prototypes could only convert a fraction of the molecules into usable energy, but have since been removed upon the arrival of newer models), the lack of sustenance was still a problem proved unsolvable, even to the space-faring Order.

The standard method of material sustenance was usually through tube-feeding or IV delivery, as the tasteless mush used to feed Knights were packed with all the nutrients and calories required : over 5000 calories in a single IV bag.

But these were in short supply, and only recently have the Knights built factories to manufacture them. So besides that, a palate tailored by the wildlife of Cradle itself was made available to hungry Knights.

Certain meats, like the non-poisonous species of Chromalisks, provided a good source of proteins. Jellies, especially Blast Cubes, were packed full of carbohydrates.

And Snipes...well...as long as a Stranger didn't see the deed, they could be roasted and made a delicacy. They were fatty birds, after hundreds of generations of domestication.

And as Vin rambled through the aisles of stalls, the aromas of dozens of specialty dishes being cooked entered his nose. Immediately, his mouth flooded like a spring overflowing with water, and his stomach engorged on the empty air, the air that had only wistful scents to feed on.
But now was not the time to dine.

The scents of oil and salt soon faded away as the distance booms of hammering were heard. Metal against molten metal produced screams. Winding gears clicking in his ears, the snarl of a generator coming to life, only to become docile and hum as it found all was right, and was content.
Vin however, had lost his ease as he heard the rhythmic sounds of work. Deconstruction Zone or not, the familiar sound of hammer upon metal had always unnerved him. Not that he hated gremlins, nor did he have any aversion to their creations, but...he knew what those hours had felt like. Unlike these craftsmen, Vin was deconstructing, not creating.

As Vin forced himself from daydreaming, he found Punch, jittery as usual, sitting in front of a ruined Mecha Knight. Wires, like the intestines, hung everywhere uselessly. The light was gone from the machine-man's eye, and its limbs, once strong ligaments to support a lifetime's worth of vigilance, only drooped to the floor, relaxed.

The Gremlin only muttered quietly as his jazz-hands intensified.

Without so much as asking, Vin quietly sat down opposite to Punch, and equipped his loadout. A swarm of blue particles surrounded him, and like jigsaw pieces, inserted themselves into their appropriate positions and ceased to glow.

And now, Vin was clad in his usual attire : the Grey Feather Cowl, and the Snarbolax Coat.

Punch didn't care.

But he did when Vin held up a Torchstone, and welded a wire back together again.

Part 7 – To the Arena

The Dragon Princess was waiting for Astran, Vin, and Sapphire to return to the Lionheart guild hall from their intel gathering assignments. Sapphire slipped in quietly with a nod of greeting. The Dragon Princess nodded back and patted her on the shoulder. Astran was next to arrive with a satisfied smile and a tip of his cap to the ladies. Vin arrived soon afterwards with rust on his clothes from Punch’s workshop.

He went to give his guild master a hug, but she pressed her hand against his chest and said with a grimace “Clean off first, Vin. You’re a mess!”

“Ah what’s a little dust and rust in exchange for a job well done?” he said. He settled for giving the Dragon Princess a little poke in the side instead.

She snorted and said, “Okay, let’s hear what you’ve got. Sapphire?”

“The Strangers say that the monsters do indeed have powers that could benefit us,” she spoke softly but with intensity. “They hinted that the powers of beasts could be ours.”

“What? Like shedding, barking, and chasing our tails in a circle?” asked Vin with a laugh.

The Dragon Princess flicked her tail and gave him a look. “And what did you find our, Vin?”

“I convinced our buddy Punch to let us in our what the Constructs may be hiding from us since Gremlins are so cozy with us. He said they’ve got some cutting-edge stuff – Get it? ‘cutting-edge’”

Mawashimono rolled her eyes while Astran chuckled.

“Well, anyway, it’s hidden and well-protected along with all the other stuff they keep hidden away,” he concluded.

“Maybe not so hidden,” said the Dragon Princess. “I spoke with Bechamel and he gave me some very useful information that will help us find these hidden places.”

“I guess that leaves my report,” said Astran. “Krogmo will help us – for a price.”

“Everything has a price with Krogmo,” said Vin.

“True,” said Astran. “He simply wants us to fight in his arena.”

“Blood and death as entertainment,” sneered the Dragon Princess. “I’d like to get him in an arena.”

“Ha,” laughed Astran, “Not much chance of that happening. But if we beat his team of champions, he’ll reward us with the information we seek concerning some Undead trinkets he knows about. He’s not the patient type, either, so we need to accept his challenge post haste.”

“Well, knights. Are you ready for a battle?” asked the Dragon Princess.

Sapphire nodded resolutely.

“Wouldn’t dream of missing it,” Said Astran.

Vin was smiling savagely. “Let’s give them a fight to remember!”

Part 8 Into the Arena

Waves of sound rolled over the knights as they entered the arena. The spectator area was overflowing with every sort of monster and vile creature, faces twisted by hatred and a lust for battle, all screaming for spiral knight blood and death.

The Dragon Princess glanced around at her companions. Sapphire gazed around intently but was unshaken. Astran was his usual calm and composed self, confident in his abilities and sword arm. Vin caught Mawashimono’s eye and threw her a wink and a tight smile.

The four knights made their way to the center of the arena and turned back to back to face the roaring crowd. The Dragon Princess’s tail flicked in agitation, eager for the battle to get underway. A clock and 4-sided jumbo screen hung high overhead, allowing the spectators a better view of the scene below. As word of the imminent fight spread the Spiral Knights community, more and more knights were joining in the coliseum spectate mode. Vin said something to his compatriots and laughed but his voiced could not be heard over the crowd noise.
Korgmo’s voice boomed from speakers around the coliseum.

“Welcome, monster friends and knightly foes, welcome to the fight of the century!” yelled Krogmo with a laugh. The crowd roared back in even great deafening noise.

“Oh, what a show we’ve got for you tonight. You see before you four elite knights of the Spiral Order, representative of all we despise.” The crowd jeered their fury at the knights. “Four brave but foolish knights, who have come to offer up themselves for our entertainment. And after they have filled our arena with their pain and blood, their bodily remains, whatever may be left of them, will fill our bellies from our banquet table!” Krogmo laughed as the crowd joined in. “And so, without further ado, let the battle begin!”

The monsters were jumping up and down in their seats, waving their fits and gnashing their teeth in anticipation. The overhead clock came alive with a “beep” as the number 10 appeared on the screen. The countdown continued: 9, 8, 7 . . . 1. Mist screen gates from all around the arena opened up as hordes of the most fearsome monsters on the planet flooded into the arena.

Part 9 – The Arena Fight

The Dragon Princess glanced quickly around and noted several bosses and mini-bosses amongst the monsters. From the mist gate in front of here the Jelly King emerged trailed by a number of slimes along with some awkward moving gorgos and out-of-season gourdlings. Their erratic movements would make it tough to judge and time her sword swings. Fortunately her radiant silvermail battle armor had both pierce and shadow defense.

She moved right and used her Lionheart blade to begin slicing away at the slimes and jellies. She switched her Polaris out of her arsenal and used it to do damage and knockback the gorgo fiends. Switching to her Argent peacemaker she blasted opened the head of several gourdlings.

Looking around she shot a few constructs in the back that had been headed toward Astran. The distraction cost her, however, as a gorgo chomped down on her arm. she placed her Argent Peacemaker between its eyes and blasted its brains out of the back of its head.

She continued to circle right, trying to keep space between herself and the Jelly King. Vin, despite battling a small army of monsters himself, could see her strategy and blasted the sovereign slime to draw its attention away from her. She three him a salute of thanks and hacked away at several of the closest slimes, but one managed to get a grip on her with its sticky form. Astran came from out of nowhere and shield butted it off her, giving her space to fight the others off. At that moment a phantom loosed its curse catching Astran full in the side. He lit up with an eerie pink glow and instantly lost access to half his weaponry. She joined with him for a few minutes to give him time to recover and let the curse wear off.

By this time all four of them looked a bit banged up with bite marks and blood, a mixture of their own and that of the monsters, smeared across their armor.

Back around the Dragon Princess went to try and weaken the Jelly King a bit. She began with a blast from her enchanted Lionheart blade before closing in to do greater damage up close. The swarm of monsters around her made moving extremely difficult, and a gorgo snapped its teeth upon her and dragged her down. The Jelly King twisted sharply towards her and slid its massive form up and over her.

The Dragon Princess was trapped by its weight and could not breathe. Her arms were pinned and she struggled to break free. In desperation she pit fiery directly up into the Jelly Kings belly. It roared in pained and slid off her, but when Mawashimono had opened her mouth to spit fire, she inadvertently took a large swallow of sovereign slime’s form. Gagging, she tried to recover her wits and get her breath.

Through blurry vision she saw Sapphire striking down some of the gourdlings and shouting to her, but her ears with ringing and she felt light headed. Something about the jelly she had swallowed was affecting her equilibrium. She swung her sword wildly, charged it fully and blasted the madly burning jelly King into a thousand purple pieces.

With most of the threat removed, the rest of the battle was just clean up. Finally, the last monster was slain, she looked for her companions. She was heaving in deep ragged breath, nearly sobbing with physical exertion. They were all badly wounded but alive. Vin had lost his left eye. Sapphire was bleeding heavily from an infected bite wound on her side, poisonous green bubble and yellow foam surrounded it. Astran still seemed a little dazed from that curse that had been placed upon him. And the taste of the Jelly King had not entirely lefts Mawashimono's mouth.

It had been a nightmare battle, but like all bad dreams, it had finally ended.

It was time to claim Krogmo’s reward.

Thank you. Change made.

It's gratifying to know people are reading my stories closely enough to find mistakes that even I miss, and that some readers have such strong, emotionally moving reactions to my writing.

If such readers have aspirations to write with similar skill, they should keep working at their writing and maybe someday they'll enjoy the same satisfying success.

I'm developing another role-play scenario regarding some special investigartors, but there are so many out there right now that I'll just keep it on tap for now. I'm looking forward to writing/playing with those talented writers who sucessfully apply for a part in the story.

Luv,
The (currently tail-less) ۞ Dragon Princess ۞