Dragon Sparks and Heroic Hiccups

Okay, picture this: I'm Zephyr, the coolest dragon in Eryndor, zooming through a volcano's tunnels like a spark with attitude. My scales are popping-sunset-orange, thank you very much-and I'm dodging lava spurts that smell like burnt dreams. Behind me, Kael, my pet human (he thinks he's in charge, adorable), is screaming like a fae who lost their glitter stash. Brynna's yelling orders, Talon's flapping his dumb polka-dot wings, and Tug's... well, Tug's being Tug, tripping over his own feet and waving that ridiculous lollipop club. We're in the Drakefang Mountains, chasing this Aether Core thingy for the Doom Widget, which is either a world-ender or the galaxy's fanciest party popper. Spoiler: I'm betting on popper. Let's back up, because this mess? Totally Kael's fault.