HOME | DD

Description
Alright, so let me tell you the story.

It's been....well, a really long time.  I still can't believe I'm as old as I am now.  But anyway....

It all began when I met this one guy.  He looked like a dragon.....he was....dark and menacing.  But he claimed he was only here to help.  I had my doubts at first, and I was really reluctant to believe him, especially since....well, since I was ten.  It was really strange the first time I saw him....

I had gone into town, hearing there was a free theater performance by a new traveling troupe called "The Enigmatic".  I asked my old friends Star and Indigo if they wanted to come along with, but they were busy.  Good thing, too.  I wouldn't have wanted them to join me on the thrill ride I was about to be on....
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The hedge-dragon walked straight towards a nearby town from his place of residence.  There was great excitement in his eyes as he stood on a hillside and saw the city below.  The brightly lit lights were like little specks in the darkness of the dusk as the sun was slowly setting over the horizon, and he could faintly hear the sound of violins and drums and many other instruments, as the sweet sounds of rehearsal filled the night air.

Oh wow, this looks like it's gonna be amazing! Rocket thought in his head as he saw the town below.  "I thought I was never going to make it to the city in time, but I did.  It looks like they're just starting, too."  He then felt a pang of guilt.

"I just wish my friends were able to come with me.  I wish they hadn't been so busy....."  Rocket looked back, then looked at the town again.  "I know....I'll bring them a souvenir.  Maybe I can bring them some cookies, too."  Rocket recollected himself and walked down to the little town.  As Rocket entered the town, he saw people dancing on the stage.  He saw a large caravan in the middle of the main plaza, where the stage was pretty barren for the most part, except for a couple of dancers.  They were performers from the caravan, obviously keeping the audience's attention for a while until the show was ready to start.

"Hm, it looks like it's gonna be a big show...." Rocket said.  "I still can't believe it's a free performance....it's too bad that I'd have to pay money for later viewings."  He looked at one of the citizens and asked, "Do you know what the troupe is called?"

The citizen he was asking was a hedgehog, same as Rocket.  "Oh, it's called 'The Enigmatic', from what I heard."

'The Enigmatic'..... Rocket thought as he turned his attention to the performers.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Meanwhile, the other actors for the performance were still getting ready for the big debut.  In one of the cars, a black dragon Mobian was just putting on the finishing touches to his theatrical makeup.  His horns were large and crystalline, and he had dark teal fur on his wrists and ankles.  He had a little white goatee on his chin, and his eyes were red as blood itself.

"Hm, yes....." said the dragon to himself, "it's almost time for the big debut.  I'd best make sure I'm fully prepared.  I can't afford to mess this up..."

A Mobian ermine walked in to the car he was in.  "Sir, it's time for the show to start.  We're just about ready."

He looked back at the actor who had just interrupted his preparations.  "Thank you," he said, slightly irritated.  The ermine just left, as she was quite intimidated by the dragon's sudden reaction.

"Now, the fun will soon begin.....and perhaps I can gain something out of this night."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rocket continued to watch the stage, the dancers also keeping his attention.  Then, they took a bow, and on cue, the ermine from earlier appeared on stage.

The performance is about to start! Rocket thought, his face lit up with anticipation.  He couldn't wait for it to begin.

"And now, ladies and gentlemen...." began the ermine, "the performance you've been waiting for this entire night is about to start.  This is the big debut for our new troupe, 'The Enigmatic'."  The ermine rubbed her head.  "To be honest, this is so unnerving.....I mean, being up here on stage in front of an audience.  It's always been my dream..."

She blushed, realizing she was just gushing.  "My apologies, that was a bit unprofessional of me.  Please, give a big welcome to the founder of our troupe, the one and only, Delan "Enigma" the Dragon!"  On cue, the dark dragon walked on stage, and the audience went silent.

"Is that their founder?"  "He looks so intimidating..."  "Wow, he looks so cool!"  Rocket heard the various whisperings of the people around him as he turned his attention to the dragon on stage.  He was definitely an intriguing fellow.  However, Rocket started to have a headache.

What the heck..... he thought.  This guy's definitely no ordinary guy.  Headaches aren't spontaneous.....especially not like this...

The dragon looked out at the audience in silence, then said, "Hello, ladies and gentlemen!  I welcome you to our very first theatrical performance, and we're so pleased you could make it here to see this wondrous display of drama and acting!"

Delan heard the sound of heavy breathing behind him, and looked at the ermine behind him, who was obviously blushing just by looking at him.  He turned to the audience and said, "My my, the play hasn't started yet and already our main heroine is falling madly in love...."

"Uh, h-hey!!" she exclaimed, whilst the audience got a slight chuckle.  Rocket himself giggled a bit at that.

Wow, he's certainly not foolin' around.... Rocket thought.

The ermine turned around to go backstage, but didn't escape the slight touch of the dragon's fur-tipped tail brushing against her rear.  She immediately blushed more, and quickly left the stage.

"My apologies, everyone," the dragon said.  "She's a nervous one, but she's a very talented actress.  Now, let us begin with the opening of our play, 'The Darkness Cometh'!"  He walked backstage as the crowd roared with applause.  Then, the lights in the city turned off, and the main car, already being incredibly large, suddenly started to turn into a gigantic stage itself.  It was almost as if they were watching this in an auditorium.

"This is gonna be good....." Rocket said to himself.

A voice echoed suddenly.  It was definitely the voice of the dragon.  He said, "Our tale begins in a far away land, where darkness rules the entirety of the kingdom of El'Dar.  Our hero had no name; he was only an enigma......he had a troubled past, his family consumed by the darkness that controlled this ancient land.  He too suffered the effects of the corruption, as he himself was infused by the ancient darkness itself, fighting for his life in this lawless chaos...."

This immediately struck a chord in Rocket.  Wait....a hero infused with darkness.....that sounds like me....

"The hero was traveling through the forests, and happened to see his destination in the distance....."  Then, the audience saw Delan dressed up in prop armor, looking at the backdrop that counted as the horizon.

"At last, I see my destination...." he said.  "This is it.  My day has come.....the time for me to end the curse that plagues this land..."

He's a natural... Rocket said.  I have to admit, I was pretty skeptical at first.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was already an hour into the play, and they came to the final act, after the hero had bested the trials of the castle and moved on to what appeared to be throne room of the evil knight--an echidna actor--who lorded over the evil castle.  Off to the side was the heroine, the ermine from before, in a tattered dress.  The amount of effort put into the makeup was almost professional grade.

"Old friend, I shall not allow you to destroy this kingdom!" said Delan, holding his sword and training it on the evil knight.

"You will have to best me if you want to free this land from my dark iron grip," said the knight.

"I do not want to kill you," Delan said.  "I..."

"This is what makes you weak, foolish one," said the evil knight, getting up from his throne and unsheathing his prop blade.  "And that weakness will be your end!"  Then the two actors began to clash with their blades for several minutes until Delan "disarmed" the other.

"Finish this," the evil knight said.  "I have lost my honor.  I deserve no other fate than the cold embrace of the inevitable."

Delan shook his head.  "We may be wielders of the dark, but we do not have to be the monsters that lurk within its depths."  He sheathed his sword and helped the actor up.

"Why.....why are you...."

"I told you.....you're my friend.  You were such a loyal companion so many years ago....."

The actor hugged back, then pushed away.  "I'm truly sorry.....for everything I've done to you and the kingdom.  The crimes I have committed are far too atrocious for me to repent from, however....."  He picked his sword up as Delan gave off an expression of shock.  The echidna actor pretended to slit his own throat, then acted out his death scene.  Delan ran to his "dead" friend's side and knelt before him.

"FRIEND!" Delan screeched.  "No!!  My friend......my...."  He began to cry--or at least, act it out--for several minutes, then looked over at the princess.  He went to free her, and she hugged him.

"You've saved the kingdom from the tyranny of that creature...." she said.  "How can I...."  Then she stopped.

"There is nothing to repay for.  I saved the kingdom.....but at the cost of my friend...if anything, I deserve to join him.  For I am now a monster for letting him vanquish himself.  I am no worse than what lurks within the night...."  The two actors hugged, then the stage went dark, and the curtains drew to a close.  The audience roared with applause and cheers, and minutes later, the curtains opened again.  The actors were all in a line, and they took their bows.

That had to be the best play I've ever seen!! Rocket thought excitedly as he was clapping along with the audience.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The night was still rather young, as the play took only an hour and forty-five minutes, having started at eight o'clock.  Rocket had gone over to one of the nearby refreshment bars to get himself some soda, after he'd bought a prop sword as a souvenir from one of the nearby caravan dealers.  He walked in and saw the entire place was almost jam-packed, except for two seats.  He took one right near the bar, and noticed a few people looking at him strangely, noticing the wings on his back.

Oh man, they're all looking at me....it's because of my wings.... he thought.  "Guess people aren't exactly used to seeing people like me.  That or they probably think I'm some hybrid..."

"Can I get ya anything?" asked the bartender, who walked over to him.  "Perhaps some carrot juice?"

Rocket shook his head.  "No thank you, sir.  I'm not exactly partial to carrots.  I'd like a soda, please."  The bartender went to grab a mug and fill it with soda.  Then, Delan himself walked into the bar, wearing casual attire, and the shrill sound of applause and women's fan-gasming echoed.  Rocket had to cover his ears to avoid going deaf.  Delan walked up to an empty seat near Rocket.

"What would you like, sir?" the bartender asked, a little nervous.

"A soda, good sir," Delan said.  The bartender went to grab another mug.

Rocket looked over at Delan.  Oh man, it's the star himself......  Delan looked over at Rocket, a bit surprised at his appearance.

"Well, now.....aren't you an interesting fellow," Delan said, looking at Rocket's wings.  "I've not seen anyone like you before."

"Uhm....." Rocket began to say, "I'm Rocket.  It's an honor to meet you, uhm....."

"Delan.  Don't worry, I won't bite."  The bartender returned to hand the two their mugs of soda.  "Much obliged, sir," said the dark Mobian dragon, who turned his attention back to Rocket.  "I must admit, it's not often I see a hybrid."  He took a drink from the mug, and a rather large drink at that.

"Oh, uhm.....uh....I'm not...."

Delan smiled at him.  "If you're uncomfortable, then just outright say it.  Don't stutter, okay?"

"O-okay...."  Rocket looked at him in the eyes.  "Your performance was really good, I gotta say...."  Oh man, I sound really dumb...

"I'm flattered.  Thank you very much."  He took another swig.  "You know, if you're interested, there's a few openings left for our troupe."

"Oh...uh, I'm sorry, but I'm afraid I'll have to pass....." Rocket said.

Delan had a disappointed look on his face.  "It's understandable.  You're nervous...."  He finished his glass and saw the bartender heading their way.  Delan then pulled money from one of his pockets and gave it to him.  "Perhaps we can talk later?" he asked.

"Sure!" Rocket almost blurted out, then noticed a few people look at him, and then blushed.  He took another drink from his glass.

"Alright-y, then, it's a deal."  He got up from his seat and walked away.  Rocket finished his drink and handed the bartender some money as well.  Wow, I got to talk to a professional actor.  This is really exciting....but.....  Rocket then put his right hand on his head.  I've got a massive headache....and I can feel my own power stirring.....who is that guy....?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Meanwhile, Delan returned to his car, and went over to his bed.

"That one......he wields the darkness, I'm sure of it.  Just like I do...."  He looked at himself in the mirror.  "I must know more of him.  Perhaps I can gain his assistance in the days to come.  I'll need all the help I can get.  Otherwise, not even I, the Enigma of Darkness, will not be able to stop what's coming...."