The Legend Never Dies: Part One

by Flamemane_2000

I suggest you read my first series of this story, called "A Tale of Two Shoyru" in the past editions of the Neopian Times. If you don't, you won't understand what is going on in this one. If you have already read it, I hope you've enjoyed it, because this will be the sequel, and you'll understand what's going on here!

Introduction

Ivory's castle... it was home for Drange for a while. 10 years to be exact. Drange is 25 years old now. It was great, living in the castle with one that you loved. Drange's brother Larmos has become good friends with Ivory, and now Drange has a family. 3 baby Shoyrus! Two females, and one male. The male is a bit mischievous, the copy of his father. Even the Fire Moehog guard has had a family. He has fallen in love with the princess of the Moehog kingdom in a far off land called Blade, on one of his expeditions to discover the land. Blade is made up mostly of Moehogs, and it is a quiet, peaceful town under the supervision of Pharaoh. He has settled with a family of 2 baby Moehogs. One girl, and one boy. It's been a long time since Drange's last journey, and a lot has changed. Drange and Pharoah_IV are princes now. Drange being prince of Ivory's castle, in the town of Shaize, Pharoah being prince of the Moehog castle, though he decided to stay at Ivory's. Shaize is a town of all different types of Neopets. They all live in harmony under Drange's supervision. Shoyrus and Bruces alike. Every type lives in Shaize, except for the evil Nimmos. Drange is relaxing now, and the nightmare of Taricha is over.... or perhaps it is just beginning...

The Truth

"Mace_IX! Cassandra_Shoy! Star_Gale! Come here! Dinner time!" Ivory called out from the castle kitchen. Those 3 were our children, Mace being a little troublemaker. Everyone that saw him said that he looked and acted just like me. Heh, I hope he grows up like me too.

I was waiting in the kitchen already, for the kids. When only Mace came out, I knew they were getting themselves in trouble already. I kneeled down, and picked Mace up. "Where are Cassandra and Star, Macey Boy?" Mace frowned. "I was supposed to be twoublemaker! Dose two are fighting with each other! Some kind of cat fight... about makeup or something... that girly stuff!" I smirked. "I see."

I put Mace in a chair beside the dinner table. He was only 4, so he could hardly see above the table since the chair was so large. Cassandra was the oldest. She was 8, and Star was 6, so Cassandra felt like the leader of the kids, and took advantage of it by bossing them all around. Of course, Star and Cassandra both found Mace to be a real nuisance of a little brother though!

I walked into Cassandra's Bedroom to see her and Star screaming at each other.

"MY MAKEUP!!! WHAT DID YOU DO WITH IT!!!"

"NOTHING!! YOU PROBABLY LET YOUR STUPID BOYFRIEND BORROW IT!!!"

"HE'S NOT MY BOYFRIEND!! HE'S A BOY, AND A FRIEND, BUT NOT A BOYFRIEND! AND WHY WOULD HE WANT IT ANYWAY!!!"

When Star was about to reply again, and I went between them both. "All right, stop it you two." Star whimpered. "But Daddy!!!" I looked at her sternly. "No, Star. Go to the kitchen for dinner now. Your mother is calling you."

Star opened her mouth, as if she was about to say something, but then closed it, grumbled and walked out of the room pouting. I then looked down at Cassandra. "You too. And stop accusing your sister of things she doesn't even do."

Cassandra's eyes widened. "But, but, dad!!!" I shook my head. "No buts. Go to the kitchen table now, and have dinner with your brother and sister. Now." Cassandra groaned unappreciatively, and walked to the table.

I walked over to the kitchen just in time to see the two girls pull up chairs, and sit down at the table, glaring at each other. I sat between the two, trying to prevent anymore fights from happening, but they just kept glaring at each other angrily.

Ivory took some plates from the counter, and put them on the Classic Dining Table that we all sat by. Today meal was Turkey Dinner with a desert of Jelly Beans. The kids just loved Jelly Beans. Ivory sat down last, and being polite, I waited for her to sit down before beginning to eat, but the kids already were pigging out.

Larmos came in from another door with a letter in his hand. There seemed to be worry dancing in his eyes, and he seemed a bit nervous. He turned to me, and walked over. "Drange... there's something you should know.." He handed me the letter. It was written in blood. Kind of eerie. It read:

To Drange:

Thought I was gone, did you, fool? Ha, never underestimate the power of darkness. The power of evil. Leviathan did not destroy me, he wasted his life trying! Your pitiful dragon friend is destroyed, but am I? No! I, Taricha, am alive and hunting for you... come to Jynan you fool... come now, or I will get your brother again, and you won't get him back this time...

From Taricha

***

The Hunt is On

I slammed my fist on the table. "What?! It can't be!!" Ivory had a questioning look on her face. "What is it, Drange?" I looked at her with a look of seriousness on my face. "He's still alive after that much punishment... Taricha is still alive..." Ivory gasped. "What!!! No!"

I nodded. "Yes. I have to go... again." Ivory shook her head and formed tears in her eyes. "No! No, you can't! You-you'll be destroyed!" I stood up angrily. "Ivory! I'm going! I won't die! That's a promise, and I never break a promise! Especially to you!"

Just as I finished that sentence, Pharoah_IV marched in with his wife, Shania_Hog. "What's all the racket here? Whisper_Hog and Pharoah_Jr have to sleep you know!" I looked down at Pharoah. "Don't worry... I'll be leaving soon.." Ivory looked sympathetic, but waved her hand at Pharoah. "Y-yes. Have a nice journey.. Drange..."

I nodded at Ivory. "Thank you." I then went upstairs for my battle equipment. The gold and silver sword that Ivory had given me so long ago, the silver belt and white cape, gloves, uniform, and boots that Dad had given me even longer ago. I was only missing the power of Leviathan... but I couldn't help that. Taricha had destroyed Leviathan when the HQ had collapsed...

It made me wonder how exactly Taricha survived himself. It was an unsolved mystery, but that wasn't what was on my mind at that time. The only thing I could think about was the new adventure that laid in front of me, and what I'd be in for. Would I survive? I didn't know. But my promise to Ivory was going to be kept, no matter what happened. I would come back alive.

I dressed in the clothing, grabbed my sword, and walked out of the room, down the stairway, and to the door. Before I went out, I looked back at Ivory, Pharoah, Shania, Mace, Cassandra, and Star. "Good-bye... but not forever."

With that, I walked out the door, confident in myself, and ready for battle, or anything that challenged me. But I was bare without Leviathan... I'd have to live without him. It was saddening... but what could I do?

After a minute of pondering, I looked up at the endless plains ahead of me, and walked on...

To be continued...