Battling the Dragons of Nightmare

The Emerald Dream was entrusted to Ysera for safekeeping, and the mightiest of her green dragon brood were assigned to stand watch over four portals that connected directly to Azeroth. But even before the Cataclysm, these dragons began to show signs of corruption. Now, without Ysera's guidance and further corrupted by Xavius the path to the Nightmare's core runs through the dragons' lair and none shall pass.

The armies of the Kung Foo Monkey Badgers amassed at the entrance to the Emerald Dreamway and stepped through the portal.

Upon reaching their destination they could see that all splendour had gone from this place. Corruption had leeched from it all the beauty Ysera had given her life to protect. However, Before emotions could be beckoned, battle ensued. A small cluster of Gatewardens and Keepers could see Xeranis was unaware of their approach, as she was removing her damage gear to take up a role of healing, and hastily launched an attack. Phteven, quick to react, charged to intercept them, his training in the arts of the 'ninja pull' had never failed him before, nor had they now as he caught the attackers by surprise.

This small skirmish was enough to get the Kung Foo Monkey Badgers' adrenaline flowing and they surged forward to face Rothos, the guardian of the pathway to Ysondre, our boss for this evening. The Archdriuid Alex, gave instruction to "avoid the green stuff", throwing his whole ethos of "get in the green circle" into question, however there was little time to discuss that now as the fearless tanking duo, Andrea and Jase, were calling on all armed troops to strike Rothos down.

Guild Intelligence Officers had alerted us to expect 4 of Ysera's best dragons, however only 2 were present. Either they were expecting an attack and had organised some sort of ambush or, too sure of their Wardens, had not anticipated an army to succeed in reaching their domain.

Ysondre was taking counsel of Taerer, blissfully unaware of the imminent threat drawing ever closer. Time was of the essence if the Kung Foo Monkey Badgers hoped to get the upper hand early and so after a short tactics talk, our army charged...

With a Heroic advance we unleashed a surprise attack on both dragons, however they were quick to defend themselves, inflicting their attackers with their own corruption. Those attacking Ysondre would soon begin to find themselves unusually fatigued, longing for slumber, yet had to be alert for this magnificent, yet deadly, foe would also summon vines to constrict our army. The excellent reactions of our healers, Alex, Bushski, Decee and Vindi would ensure that the vines would rarely trouble us and when the heavy fatigue became too much to bear, Andrea and Jase were quick to swap targets to ensure our warriors could recover.

Taerer, drew upon the shadows to bring forth shaded replicas of himself, whilst seeking protection from a sleeping fog that would subdue anyone who touched it. Avoiding the fog required a quick step and heightened awareness, whilst dealing with the Shades was nothing more than a simple inconvenience.

Sadly, Ysondre spotted Elfmantim out of position and capitalised on his mistake, dispatching him early, with a Nightmare Bloom. Despite an onslaught of attacks, Alex fought his way through thick fog and 'Battling Badgers' to return Timmy to the fight with Rebirth. Rejoining the fray, we pressed the attack.

Fear began to seep into Ysondre and Taerer, they were losing, yet they were not ready to allow defeat. Taerer fled, only to be replaced by Emeriss, a vile terror consumed by shadow who would deal constant damage to those near her and summon Corrupted Essences to assist her in battle. These assistants would not help for long though, deftly dealt with by Elfmantim, Phteven, Ronnar and Xeranis, their every attempt to corrupt us any further was interrupted until their swift death was met.

With an ear-piercing screech, Taerer returned, killing Celegorm and Phteven swiftly. With a weakened army, the attack slowed, allowing a vine to entangle Khafiz enough for him to be killed by a Defiled Eruption. The tides were beginning to turn in the Dragons favour, but our heroes weren't prepared to allow that to be how our story ends.

We were closing in on a result, them or us. It fell to Alex to make the deciding move as he prepared to use Rebirth again. Would he resurrect, Celegorm, for much needed ranged damage? Would he bring Khafiz back, who so excellently dealt with the Shades? Or would he bring back Phteven, who provided little of anything, but is the only one of the three with /gkick privileges? He chose Khafiz...

Prick.

The fight was nearing it's conclusion when Ronnar fell to his injuries, followed shortly by Alex. Was it possible that Ysondre would be the victor after such a hard fought battle? After we displayed such determination, Such confusion and stupidity? Of course not.

Timmy decided to bail out a split second before Ysondre fell with a scream and what remained was the cheers of the victorious Kung Foo Monkey Badgers!