Follow the Leader

''Continuing from Episode 004 of the Wings of Red arc, Follow the Leader continues the search for Royce Blixtrande after he was captured by The Dreadnaughts. Deciding they couldn't leave their leader, Wings of Archadia remained in Stonehaven with Jakko and Zander searching the woods. Where have The Dreadnaughts taken Royce? And what do they plan to do with him?''

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Back at the Blue Bear, Wings of Archadia were starting to get worried when word that the airship was set to leave soon and there was no sign of Royce. Each member split up and looked throughout all of Stonehaven, asking anyone they found if they had seen the band leader. It was difficult to see anything with the night casting its black blanket over their heads and they weren't getting much luck with the citizens of the town. Their search eventually led them back to the Blue Bear where they had determined would be the meeting place if they hadn't found anything.

"Anything?" Jakko asked as he watched the others conform near the town center fountain.

"I got nothing." Clyde replied.

"No luck." Roffe said.

"Nope." Zander said in a short quick statement.

Allastr shook his head.

"Great. Now what do we do?" Jakko said to no one in particular, defeated, bringing his hands up and slapping them against the sides of his legs. "We can't leave without him." He placed his hands at his hips and let out a sigh, thinking as he stared out into the distance. Coming to a decision, he turned towards Roffe and Allastr, "Get our stuff off the ship. We're staying in town. Zander and I will look outside of town. Clyde, you stay here. If Royce comes back, I want to make sure that someone's here." They all nodded in agreement and went off separately to attend to their orders. After splitting from Roffe and Allastr, Jakko and Zander headed towards the woods that sprung out near the town.

As they approached the edge of the forest, they realized how dark it truly was without the aid of town lanterns or stars overhead. Before they stepped through, Zander lifted his hand and concentrated his magical power into his palm. With no effort, it ignited in a bright blue flame that cast an icy glow all around them. It sizzled like a flare. Jakko shielded his eyes with his hand to let them adjust to the sudden illumination. They searched for any signs of a path and Zander pointed out an area between the trees that appeared flat enough for a person to walk through. They would use this as the starting point of their search.

They trudged through the woods, Zander leading the way and their feet snapping small branches under their heels. Snow wasn't as heavy in this area and allowed them an easier time to navigate through the trees. It was an eerie atmosphere. The sounds of small animals scattering off in the distance. A few times, Jakko thought he saw the glint of eyes in the darkness.

"Where the hell is this guy?" Jakko asked himself knowing that Zander wouldn't reply.