"Where are they?!" Sky exclaimed with exasperation while rummaging for two of his handmade gadgets in particular in a large chest full of them in his bedroom, in the attic. His long fringe kept getting in the way of his eyes.

Horrifying red flashes of explosions lighted the room since electricity was out in his home. The walls and floor trembled while the phoenixes kept attacking the city that night.

It looked more like a workshop and less like a bedroom, but it did have a bed in a corner of the room. The most notable features were a large wooden desk with his PC and multiple screens on it, piles of books everywhere—some on the shelves, others in boxes, and many more lying around next to his reading nook by the big, round window—, and a blackboard which took almost an entire wall, full of calculations.

"My time-skipping wristwatch!" he whispered-shouted to himself with relief when he found it. "And my sonic gun!"

He grabbed them with a smirk and stood up. I finished the time-skipping wristwatch just yesterday. The preliminary test went well. But now it's time I try it in a winner-takes-all kind of situation. 

He grabbed his flying skateboard on his way out. 

I need to hurry!

The bright green neon light of his skateboard left a trail of light behind him as he flew down the main avenue and past many Elite soldiers shooting at those foul phoenixes. None paid attention to him.

"Come on! Where are you?" he whispered to himself with impatience. The Sonic Echo Ranger mustn't be far.

The metal bodies of those half-eagle and half-robot demons gleamed in the neon lights of the city. Their feathers made of razor-sharp blades glinted in the night as they killed people by drowning them in boiling water, frying them with acid, crushing them with their claws, and burning them with their fire. Each phoenix species had its special way of murdering people. Their wings created gusts of wind strong enough to knock over buildings and send cars flying, as well.

Debris rained on Sky, but he zigzagged his way out of trouble.

As he soared through the air on his skateboard, he weaved in and out of narrow alleyways and darted around towering skyscrapers. His movements were rash but precise, as he narrowly avoided collisions with obstacles, people, and buildings.

Fires blazed in the streets, casting flickering shadows on the shattered windows and twisted metal of the buildings. The acrid smell of smoke and dust filled the air. Holographic ads about Anti-Ageing Inc.'s products glitched here and there, their recorded voices rusty and an octave lower than usual and fading.

Every muscle in Sky's body was taut and ready, poised for action as he cut the air. His neon-green fringe streamed out right beside his forehead in the wind, long and flowing, adding to the impression of his swift, wild, and free movements.

He took a sharp turn and came to a sudden halt.

A Lightspark!

A small phoenix with a silvery, sword-like beak was hovering over a broken car as he turned the corner. A Lightspark's small size didn't make it an insignificant adversary, quite the contrary. With a single stroke of its beak, it could pierce a human being's torso.

It saw him, making Sky gasp.

Phoenixes' heads were the most fearsome aspect of their design. Their eyes glowed with a sinister red light, as it was then the case. Its beak was like a dagger made of steel. Its jaws opened wide to reveal rows of razor-sharp teeth.

Sky didn't want to end his life like a human brochette that night, so he slammed his heel on the brakes and used the remaining kinetic energy to turn and flee. You may be big and threatening, but... no offence, buddy; I'm looking for a bigger target that will earn me the community's attention when I bring it down.

The Lightspark shrieked and sent a blinding blast of light at him as he fled.

Luckily, Sky had already turned around the corner, his arms outstretched and balancing him on the skateboard as he moved with grace, so it didn't leave him blind.

He flew over a row of parked cars, dodging some high-rank Elite soldiers beheading an Ironshaft.

"Hey, kid! Where are you going?!" an Elite soldier exclaimed when he saw Sky.

I can't afford to slow down. That was why he pushed the skateboard to its limits, skimming just inches above the pavement and leaving a trail of sparks in his wake. That soldier who had yelled at him soon looked as small as an ant, far behind him. 

Mom can't see me right now. What I want to do is forbidden. If she knows I'm out looking for trouble, she will do more than just chide me. I need to get to the Control Tower asap!

A magnificent structure that exuded power and sophistication greeted him from the far end of the street: Anti-Ageing Inc.'s headquarters. No lights were on, leaving the building shrouded in an ominous darkness.

There was a beautiful garden full of bamboo trees and elegant ponds filled with brightly coloured carp fish in the front yard of the property. However, the building itself was its most awe-inspiring feature: a giant black and deep green marble skull that seemed to stare up at the sky. The skull was adorned with intricate carvings and details that showcased the craftsmanship of its creators. From one of the eye sockets of the skull emerged a tall glass tower that housed offices on every floor.

The top of the tower was shaped like a hilt and made of stone, adding to the overall grandeur of the building. The founder and CEO's office was located on the top floor, offering a breathtaking view of the city below.

A city that was agonizing at that moment.

It was a modern, futuristic city, filled with neon-lit skyscrapers and sleek flying vehicles buzzing. But every time the phoenixes attacked, the bustle of the city became an ode to agony.

I hope you're enjoying the view, Mrs Evergreen. Sky passed by with a look of defiance in his eyes. You are the reason behind it all—or so everybody says. Both the birth and the destruction of our city. Ironic, isn't it?

The corporation that hires the vast majority of citizens of the Hovering Hive is also the reason that will doom it. Anti-Ageing Inc.'s founder and CEO, Khali Evergreen, also founded the city with the sole purpose of having workers living close to the raw materials that the company needed to produce their worldwide-famous line of cosmetics and youth-enhancing drugs. That's why my parents moved here before I was born.

As he left the headquarters behind, a Deepdiver swooped down to get a large intake of water from an artificial pond and flew straight at Sky to shoot the water it boiled in its torso at full speed at him.

But that crane-looking cybernetic bird missed. It hit the façade of a building. Shattered glass, twisted metal, and debris rained down on Sky with a tremendous noise, crashing onto the pavement and sending him running for cover in the nearest corner

That was a close shave!

The Deepdiver flew away, looking for victims to scald with the boiling water inside it.

He flew onwards towards the Control Tower.

I need to focus. I bet the Sonic Echo Ranger will come for the Control Tower once more. When I spot it, I'll activate my time-skipping wristwatch. That way, I can go back in time as many times as I need once I learn its trajectory to catch it off-guard. Failure is impossible now! I'll hit it and the Elite Academy will be forced to admit me — and I'll earn my mother's trust once more. I'll prove I'm not a failure.

No sooner had that thought crossed his mind that the dreaded cybernetic monster flew over him, shaving the nearest buildings with the sharp wind from its wings. The glass from the windows trembled. His hair and his clothes moved erratically.

The ranger! It's now or never.

He approached the nearest corner and spied on the tower.

The phoenix was taking several turns, hitting it over and over. Its eyes were red but with golden hues. It resembled a huge eagle with owl-like ears. Its orange-red and golden steel feathers gleamed in the night sky. The sonic echo attacks coming from its mouth kept blasting the equipment at the top of the tower. The technicians had reinforced its protective barrier as of late, but it wouldn't hold on much longer.

The Control Tower was a towering glass skyscraper, shaped like a shield to reflect its purpose as the city's primary defence against the phoenixes. Its sleek, modern design was a testament to the cutting-edge technology that had gone into its construction.

Sadly, it was a Sonic Echo Ranger's favourite victim. The Control Tower created a protection dome, a marvel of modern engineering made of glowing golden hexagons that kept the city safe from the attacks of the phoenixes, repelling any intruders — until a ranger appeared on the scene to knock it down. Its powerful sonic attack destroyed the magnetic field embedded in the dome, allowing the swarm to enter the city to destroy it.

As the ranger attacked the tower over and over, the building shook with the impact of the monster's attacks, its glass walls cracking under the strain.

More Elite soldiers rushed to the site with their long-range shotguns.

The ranger, annoyed, glared and roared at them.

He spied on the beast but stopped when he got a glimpse of the Elite soldiers while fighting.

Only Elite soldiers and Academy students are allowed to fight against phoenixes, a cowardly voice said inside his head. I can't let them warn my mother. Not until they see me taking down this mighty beast, at least. Should I call it off before I–

He bit his lower lip.

For Sky Falcon, self-doubt had always been a constant companion. He had grown up in the shadow of his mother. Sometimes she was more the Head of the Elite than his mother. Things only got worse after his father's death at the claws of a Neckbreather, a phoenix which sneaks behind its prey and beheads them with its sword-sharp claws and feathers.

But for the first time in his life thanks to Naomi's spurring words, Sky felt a deep, burning sense of determination.

Failure doesn't kill dreams, he told himself as he grabbed his sonic gun tighter. Self-doubt does.

Sky's heart raced with adrenaline. Taking down the most dangerous phoenix there was—and proving himself worthy of the Elite Academy—was a noble aim, and he was willing to risk everything to achieve it.

A brief smirk appeared on Sky's face. He hid behind the corner and made sure nobody was paying attention to him. Then, he set off his time-skipping wristwatch by pushing the green button, marking the starting point at which he would get his second chance if he needed it.

Done. It's showtime! He unsheathed his customised sonic gun, a small, stylish device that was barely bigger than his hands.

He aimed its neon-green muzzle at the sky and, with his sight concentrated on the front sight, waited for the right moment to pull the trigger. However, the beast moved fast.

Many of those Elite soldiers, both graduates and students, fought as if the world was at an end.

But then he saw her. Hazel Beam.

For a split second, Sky was distracted. He couldn't help but watch as Hazel battled the phoenix with all her might, her athletic physique moving with fluid grace. Her blue eyes blazed with determination, and her red wavy hair streamed behind her when the phoenix would flap its wings in her direction.

A revealing blush crept on his cheeks.

She was one of the people who had shunned him since he failed the Elite Academy admission test. But he still liked her, despite everything. They had been close friends ever since the beginning of elementary school. That kind of friendship can't just disappear in the blink of an eye, can it? Seeing her in action that night—witnessing her courage and skill—only made him admire her more.

I wonder why she dyed her hair that bright shade of ginger, though. Her natural hazelnut colour was so nice!

With a deep breath, Sky renewed his intention to focus and tore his gaze away from Hazel and aimed once more at that devilish, cybernetic bird. He had to prove himself — not just to Hazel, but to everyone who had doubted him.

Those Elite soldiers tried to bring the ranger down with their state-of-the-art shotguns, but all bullets were repelled.

None will work on a Sonic Echo Ranger. It's got the sturdiest plate known to us. That's why I customised this gun to shoot sonic blasts to counterattack a ranger's. I can bring it down if I shoot at the cybernetic component which generates the electromagnetic pulse which it uses to shut down the protective dome. Somewhere in its head, it must be! That way, I'll damage his only weapon, rendering the beast almost useless. Only then will I be able to kill it. 

But I need to be careful. It'll still be dangerous.

The Sonic Echo Ranger then took a fly dive which created a blizzard-like, strong wind that blew the Elite soldiers away from their posts, leaving the Control Tower unprotected but for Sky. Some were lying facedown on the floor, unconscious. Others went rolling on the pavement like a dry leaf and sought hiding.

Sky was the only one left standing thanks to his guarded position near the corner.

Despite its intimidating appearance, lethal attacks, and fierce cries, there is something undeniably majestic about this ranger. As it flew through the night sky, its wings beating with a steady rhythm, it looked like a true force of nature — a creature to be respected and feared in equal measure.

When the cybernetic beast took a turn to head to the tower to attack it once more, Sky gasped. For a split second, it was motionless in the air — and he could fire and not miss. His chance at greatness was finally here. 

I hope these idiots, the ones still conscious, come back here soon enough to see me bringing this mighty beast down! Here goes nothing!

So, he took a step forward, aimed, and shot... but missed.

The ranger turned its hellish eyes towards Sky and roared. Then, it dived down on him at full speed, with its claws wide open at him.

Bugger. He reset the time-skipping wristwatch at the push of a button, the red one, before the ranger's claws grabbed and crushed him. Let's go back in time so that I can hit at this beast before it notices I'm here.

The air around him pixelated and a dim, swooshing sound could be heard. When the air cleared and the buildings and streets around him became as real and visually sharp as usual, he smiled.

It's showtime again!

With his back against the wall, he spied on the ranger once more. When the beast soared motionless in the sky, Sky knew it was the right time to aim and fire once more.

Let's go! This time I can't miss!

He took a step forward, aimed, and shot, hitting its head near its right ear with a loud sonic pulse from his gun.

A hellish cry filled the air and the windows trembled. The beast flew erratically over the Hovering Hive. Sparks flew and circuits were severed. The phoenix let out ear-splitting screeches as it spiralled out of control and writhed in agony. Blood gushed from the wounds—red and thick—mixing with the grease-smelling, brownish liquid that oozed from the damaged machinery. The stench of burnt metal and charred flesh filled the air.

"Yes! I hit it!" Sky yelled at the top of his lungs. He smiled widely.

He felt a sense of triumph that he had never known. For a brief moment, he forgot about the self-doubt and the scorn of his community. He had accomplished something truly remarkable — something that even his mother would have to respect.

Sky glued his sight to it as he took a few steps ahead. Come on! Fall and let me take the credit for bringing you down.

The beast went on flying clumsily and crying. It disappeared far away behind the skyscrapers.

Damn! He must've crash-landed beyond the city limits. He grimaced with frustration.

"I did it! I brought the Sonic Echo Ranger down!" he exclaimed as he turned around to face those Elite soldiers in the area. Now that I've done what nobody else had achieved before, I'll be finally respected around here! My efforts had finally pollinated, and they would fertilise the flowers of success all around me soon enough. Let me get a good look at those flabbergasted faces!

However, they were busy standing up and checking their wounds, not looking at him. The captain of the unit was checking on two unconscious soldiers.

"Stand your ground!" the supervising captain of the team yelled to the others, who were slowly going back to their initial positions. All teams needed a supervising captain if the team had Elite students in it. "It might come back!"

They glared at Sky when they realised he was still there, and then, they ignored his existence.

What the hell? The smile faded from his face.

"Hey!" Sky called their attention. "Didn't you see I hit it? It fell beyond the city limits, into the woods somewhere."

They snorted and exchanged a knowing look among themselves.

"Sure you did," one of them mocked him.

"Get lost, Falcon," another said. "You shouldn't be here."

"But I-"

Hazel glared at him but said nothing.

What's that glare supposed to mean? Did we write our friendship on the sand? In came a wave, and it erased the good memories we had drawn on the beach.

"Ignore him," the captain commanded.

The soldiers regrouped. All but one.

"You don't belong among us," he told him with disdain, "Pathetic git! Go back to the Forge immediately before I report you to the Head of the Elite — your mother."

I've worked so hard for this! Sky breathed fast with unfocused eyes. Now it's all for nothing! My gadgets, Aunt Naomi's words... I needed this. But they haven't seen it.

They don't believe me! Or rather, they don't want to.

I need to go to the woods and bring back some proof asap. Otherwise, I'm fucked.

"SKY FALCON!" Halle's thunder-like voice boomed in the distance.

He turned while his blood faded from his face. Being caught red-handed was the last thing he needed.

I'm so busted.

Hello, my sugar cubes!

A pity nobody saw Sky bring down a Sonic Echo Ranger! Will he be able to find the fallen beast and bring some proof of his heroic deed back to the Hovering Hive?

Stay tuned!

XOXO

Mar

*NOTE: PLEASE, READ THE A/N AT THE END OF CH.1 if you feel the need to know about the differences between this story and HTTYD. Thank you.