12 Poof!

CHAPTER 12 POOF! Rori pulled hard on Vulcan's reins, pulling him straight up. Drake's stomach lurched. The red beam zipped past them. Vulcan dove back down like a hawk diving for prey. He flew so fast that Maldred couldn't have hit him if he tried. "Now!" Rori yelled as they sped past Maldred. Drake reached out and smacked the red Dragon Stone out of Maldred's hand. It flew through the air.

"No!" the evil wizard cried. The Dragon Stone hit one of the towers and shattered into pieces. "Yes!" Drake cheered. Pop! The red bubble around Worm vanished. The red in his eyes slowly changed from red back to green. Drake glanced at the hydra. All eight of her eyes looked normal, too.

Worm turned to face Maldred. The dragon's eyes glowed green. Then his whole body began to glow. Maldred floated up off the hydra's back. Worm used the power of his mind to keep Maldred floating in the air! "Stop! I command you!" the wizard screamed as he dangled in midair. The hydra's four heads looked around, confused. Then she flew away. "The spell is ready now!" Griffith yelled. "Everyone get away from Maldred!"

The Dragon Masters quickly flew out of the way. The blue ball of energy between Griffith and Diego was the size of a small boulder. The wizards' hair stood on end. They moved their arms, pushing the energy toward Maldred. The evil wizard looked angry as the ball of blue energy raced closer to him. "This is not over! Nothing can hold me!" Maldred yelled. And then...

Poof! He disappeared. Everyone moved to the tower. The dragons hovered above the two wizards. "Did Maldred escape? Where did he go?" Drake asked. "He did not escape. We sent Maldred to the Wizard's Council prison. It is quite magic-proof," Diego explained. "I am very proud of all of you," Griffith said. "Drake and Rori especially. You defended the castle. King Roland will be told of your bravery." "Oh, no! King Roland!" Ana cried. "He's going to be angry that we left Queen Rose's festival in such a hurry."

"That is true," Griffith agreed. "Worm can get us there quickly!" Drake said. Then he paused. "That is, if Worm and Vulcan are invited now." Griffith smiled. "Everyone touch Worm!" he said. The Dragon Masters reached for Worm. Diego and Griffith touched him, too. "Worm, take us to Queen Rose's castle!" Drake said. Worm's body glowed green again. Whoosh! They all disappeared.