Cryo smiled as he saw his younger sister. Then, Neptune's eyes returned to their deep cerulean color, and she started panting.

"I... We need to kill her," Neptune said between pants, "These kids, their home, and all of the Overworld is at risk if we do not do so."

"Then that is what we will do," Meadow said, "Let us take these kids back to their campsite and wait until morning."

The others agreed as the teens hopped on the camels' back and returned to the small campsite they had set up. In the distance, the teens saw their campfire burning faintly with the large tarp they made for them and the dragons. When the camels stopped, the teens hopped off before Krystal started rummaging through her bag and pulled out some raw meat. She laid some out around the campfire before handing the rest to the dragons. Krystal returned to her bag and laid out some carrots and berries before Meadow.

"Eat up, guys." she said with a smile.

The dragons thanked the girl before eating. When the meat was cooked, Krystal passed it around to her brother and friends. While the group ate, the teens asked the dragons how they expected to kill the Ender Dragon.

"For hundreds of years, that witch's power has been growing exponentially," Meadow said, "And since our absence, who knows how powerful she has gotten."

"Well, is there any way to weaken her before you combine your powers to defeat her?" Julia asked.

The dragons looked at each other, then back at the teens.

"The End Crystals," Tundra answered, "The End Crystals are powerful relics that can regenerate any damage Mother has taken."

"However, they are extremely dangerous and fragile," Neptune said, "If you so much as flick one, it will explode."

"Its explosion is far greater than any explosives you kids have here in the Overworld," Cryo said, "If we can destroy the End Crystals, we eliminate any chance of that witch regenerating."

"And, if we are lucky to destroy one while it is healing Mother, she will take a heavy blow." Meadow said.

"Then, that's our gameplan," Blake said, "Destroy the crystals, weaken the Ender Dragon, and free the End from her reign."

The others nodded with small smiles. Krystal looked away as she hummed in thought.

"What's up, Krys?" Shane asked.

"I just had this thought," Krystal began, "Once we kill the Ender Dragon..."

She then turned to Apollo.

"You'll be the End's new king," Krystal said, "Given that you're the oldest and heir to the throne. I mean, that's how it works in the Overworld."

"Was there ever a crowning, making you the Crowned Prince of the End?" Julia asked.

The other dragons shook their heads before they looked at their older brother with intent and patience.

"Brother, are you willing to take up that responsibility?" Meadow asked.

The Dry Dragon breathed a deep sigh, warming the area around them.

"I will... have to sleep on it," Apollo said, "I never thought that I would be killing Mother, but..."

He looked to his younger brothers and sisters, and his expression turned serious.

"Anyone who harms my brothers and sisters deserves to be punished..." Apollo growled.

The other dragons smiled at their brother's words. After Apollo exhaled a sigh to warm the area, the teens and the dragons went to sleep. After some hours, Krystal woke up to see the moon setting and the sun starting to rise. On the outskirts of the small camp, Krystal saw Neptune watching the sunrise. The teen yawned before standing up and walking over to her. The Ocean Dragon's ears perked up as she turned around to see Krystal.

"Krystal? What are you doing up so early?" Neptune asked.

"I could be asking you the same thing." Krystal said as she sat next to the dragon.

The two watched as the sun peaked over the horizon in peaceful silence.

"I finally understand," Neptune said, breaking the silence.

"Understand what?" Krystal asked.

"My role. A while back, Tundra had told me it may come down to me making the final decision in all of this, and I was."

She took a breath before turning to the teen.

"He then said that you and the others were the judge and jury, but it would come down to me if I take up the role as executioner or not," Neptune continued, "And I did. I do not know what came over me, but all I felt was rage, anger, sorrow, and resentment towards Mother..."

Neptune sniffled before wiping away the forming tears.

"Why would she do this to us?" Neptune asked sadly, "We did nothing to her; we never even raised a claw to her, and she repays us... with banishment..."

Krystal looked off at the rising sun and placed a comforting hand on the dragon's leg.

"Don't worry, Neptune," Krystal said, "We'll sort this out, and when Apollo becomes king, there will be a new age to the End, one free of your mother's tyranny."

Neptune smiled down at the teen and lightly wrapped her thick, slender tail around her.

"Thank you, Krystal, for everything you, your brother, and your friends have done for my siblings and me," Neptune said, "Hadn't you found my egg, who knows what could've happened to me and the others? Please know that the others and I are eternally grateful."

"Don't mention it, Neptune," Krystal said, "We're just happy to help."

The two smiled as they watched the sunrise. After a few minutes, Neptune and Krystal woke up the others. The teens took down the tarp and stuffed the pieces in their bags. After climbing on the camels' backs, the large animals stood up before walking back to Ollopa Town with the dragons flying behind. When the town was in view, the teens hopped off the camels and led them into the town. When they entered the town, they saw Javier sitting on the fountain.

"Javier! We're back!" Julia called out.

The man turned around and smiled when he saw them. He jogged over to them as he took the camels by the reins.

"Welcome back, kids," he said, "How'd it go?"

"Great," Shane said, "We found what we were looking for."

"Well, I'm glad. Let me go grab your horses."

The man put the camels in their pen before jogging off to the other side of town. After some time, Javier came back with Toronado and Ash. Shane and Krystal smiled as they took the reins of their horses, stroking their muzzles.

"Good to see you guys again," Krystal said as she glanced at Javier, "Thanks so much for watching over them."

"My pleasure," Javier said, "No problem at all."

Blake approached the man as he pulled some emeralds from his pouch.

"A little something to say thank you," Blake said.

"Really?" Javier questioned, "I couldn't-"

"We insist."

Javier glanced at the others, and they nodded. The man smiled and happily took the emeralds. When Javier glanced between the teens, his eyes rested on Blake and Krystal.

"Hey, you two remind me of some people I used to know." Javier began.

The two of them looked at each other with knowing looks before looking back at the townsman.

"Really?" Blake questioned.

"Yes!" Javier said, "What were their names again? Hmm... oh, yes! Heather and Liam!"

The teens' eyes widened at the sound of their parents' names.

"You knew our parents?" Krystal asked.

"Well, everyone here in Ollopa Town knew them!" Javier said, "They'd travel the outskirts of the Grand Desert, finding buried temples and bringing back their spoils to share with the people here. It was a tragedy losing them and even worse hearing what happened to them..."

"What happened to them?!" Blake asked, tears welling in his eyes.

Javier looked away from the teens and sighed. A tense silence fell between them before Javier looked at them.

"Your parents... were killed," Javier said, "Killed by the Ender Dragon..."