This is StoryQuest. Today's story is Dragon versus Cheetah.

Long ago before maps were finished and legends were still being written, there was a land called Bright Reach.

It was a place of golden plains, tall mountains and stories

so old that even the rocks seemed to remember them. At the very centre of Bright Reach stood

a stone no taller than a tree stump. On top of it rested the legendary Ruby of Destiny.

The ruby glowed with a warm red light, like a tiny sun.

It was said that the Ruby could help its protector make the right choice at the most

important moment.

That was why everyone wanted it and why everyone was afraid of it.

From the Sunshine Plains raced the Cheetah Army. They were fast, so fast that dust clouds chased

them instead of the other way around. They wore light armour so they could move freely and their flags were

marked with lightning bolts. Their leader was General Fleetfoot, the fastest cheater ever

born. He believed that speed, teamwork and clever thinking could solve any problem.

We must reach the Ruby first, Fleetfoot said as they ran.

If the dragons get it, they'll rule the skies forever.

From the Ember Peak Mountains flew the Dragon Army.

They were huge and powerful.

Their wings stretched wider than houses. Flames flickered gently from their mouths.

Not angry flames, but controlled ones. Their leader was Queen Ashwing, wise and strong with scales like

polished copper. The cheaters cannot be trusted with such power, Ashwing said as they sawed.

If they move too fast, they may make a terrible mistake.

Both armies arrived at the tower at the same time.

...