Disclaimer: I do not own Code Lyoko. Also I would like to give credit to Crouching-Torah; I borrowed her dragon designs for the Lyoko gangs' appearances. I will also shamefully admit that I borrowed some stuff from Advanced Dungeons and Dragons when I got really desperate.

Summary: AU! The evil dragon lord X.A.N.A has terrorized the Lyoko world for years, threatening the existence of humans and dragons alike. Five brave dragon warriors have united to find the magic crystals that will vanquish him forever. The journey is long and dangerous. Can they overcome their own inner battles and emotions to rid of X.A.N.A forever? Dark secrets run afoul, making things even harder…YxU and JxA

Warnings: Some violence, and language, defiantly language. I may up the rating to M later on, depends on how many f-bombs I throw in there and how much violence I want too….It's also AU so expect anything

AN: Right, so I'm on another one of my kicks where I become obsessed with a cartoon (or in this case, anime) over the summer and dropped all interest in my favorite shows for it, in this case Code Lyoko has replaced Supernatural (OMG, I can't believe I just admitted that). This story was actually inspired by crouching-torah's pictures of the Lyoko gang as dragons as deviant art. After seeing them this story just hit me and I couldn't let it go. The characters appearances are borrowed from crouching-torah. Some minor changes have been made but I mostly based them off of her artwork, therefore she deserves the credit. Also, I spent about three hours on the net looking into dragon lore and what not-NOT FUN. While it was interesting it was sucked having to plow through all of the information. I had a horrible time deciding what was real and what was total B.S. Therefore, please to not kill me because I missed something or something is improbable and I made it probable. Most of the dragon stuff I use in here (mainly the characters appearances, types, etc.) is a combination of facts and me making stuff up to fit my needs (how convenient right?). So any dragon lovers out there, I'm terribly sorry but this is how it goes. Also, I'm not very sastisfied with my title. If anyone has something better and would like to throw it by me I wouldn't mind at all. Anyways, on with the story!

Dragon Heart

Prologue: Devil's Deal

It was quiet. A suffocating silence had veiled the prison for a while now. It unnerved the boy greatly. Ever since his arrival three days ago agonized screams had rang through the fortress daily. As horrible it had been to listen to the tortured souls beg, and scream, and cry for a mercy that would never come the boy thought the silence was even worse. Silence meant you were alone. Silence would bring about the whispers of madness as one sat and waited for the horrors to come to his doorstep. Silence allowed the imagination to run free, imaginings possibly greater than what the captor could bring haunting every dream. What made the silence so agonizing was not if he was the next victim, he already had three days experience; it was what he had yet to be put through.

Closer inspection would reveal a collect of bruises and cuts marring the boys' skinny frame. His left eye was swollen shut and his lip was spilt. Dry blood crusted his arms and matted his hair. His exposed torso revealed a shallow gash near the hip, various burns, and a collage of black and purple bruises covering the right side of his rib cage. Four of his fingers were broken (Three on the left hand, one of the right). His left shoulder was dislocated and his right leg was bent at an odd and painful position, clearly broken. It would amaze (and horrify) anyone observing how much had been done to the child after only three days of captivity. Of course, if said observer knew that the captives were demons and their master was a dragon they would understand a little better.

The weak-willed would have been broken by now. The boy figured he should at least be proud about that. If that bastard demon thought a few punches and kicks would make him go back on his promise then he had another thing coming. No way would he back out on his family now, his village, his special people…

Suddenly, the door to his prison opened. A Creeper slithered into his cell. Creepers were ugly creatures that came from the deepest layers of hell. People believed they were snakes merged with undead humans who had sold their souls to escape damnation; well those were the old beliefs anyway. The boy had never seen a Creeper before his capture and had never paid much attention to the old wives tales. The Creeper was snake-like, a long muddy brown scaled tail made up the lower half of its body. The upper part of its body was humanoid. It supported itself on two long legs attached where arms would be. Its head was squashed into its body, appearing to have no neck. The Creeper had one single eye on the top flap of its huge, toothless mouth. They had the unique ability of being able to climb walls and ceilings.

The boy slowly closed his eyes and opened them again. The game face was on, he was ready for whatever was about to be dished out at him. Creepers weren't all that intelligent (or dangerous) but they were very cruel. This one in particular was large in size and enjoyed tormenting him. Chocolate-brown eyes stared unflinching at the creature, narrowed and steady. The Creeper attached a collar and chain leash around his neck before moving back towards the entrance. If there was one thing the boy hated more than the torture was how he was led around like some damn dog. The Creeper hissed at the boy and jerked its head impatiently towards to door. The boy remained in his slouched position against the wall. Didn't it realize he could not stand? Probably, he figured, it just wanted to torment him a bit. With an air of annoyance, the Creeper yanked hard on the chains that bound his wrists. With a pained cry the boy was wrenched to his feet before he collapsed back down onto the floor. Pain shot up and down his leg like wild fire and his shoulder throbbed painfully.

"I can't stand up dumbass!" the boy snapped. His face paled a few shades of white and resisted the urge to curl into a tiny ball. He knew better then to provoke the creature, as if it needed a reason to hurt him even more, but he too was at the end of his rope. The Creeper, which he had dubbed Jim out of pure amusement, seemed to huff exasperatedly and slithered out of his cell. The boy blinked, that was new. Never had Jim taken an insult so lightly. He frowned, what was going on?

Jim slinked back in moments later, a small purple bottle grasped in his claws. Alarm flared through the boy, sending a rush of panic into his system. It was going to drug him? The boy swallowed hard. Stay calm, he thought, don't let 'em see you sweat. But truthfully, his confidence was wavering. Perhaps Jim hadn't taken that insult as lightly as he originally thought. Jim's face was suddenly way too close to his and boy found himself held roughly against the wall by one clawed hand while the other popped off the bottle's cork.. The boy gave a weak struggle, thrashing his limbs wildly around. The Creepers tail whapped his head roughly. He stilled, stunned from the unexpected blow.

With his movements stilled, the Creeper proceeded to tilt the bottle over his broken leg. One, two drops fell onto the limb. The Creeper released the human from its hold. The boy slumped down, wretched up his pants' leg, and watched in amazement as the swelling reduced and the bone was (painfully) mended back into place. The boy stared at Jim with wide eyes. It possessed Dragon Tears? Dragon Tears were actual tears from a healing dragon. They could heal almost any wound and were extremely rare. Healing dragons were near and far these days and was even rarer to get one to cry.

Jim hissed and brought the boy onto his feet once more. This time he stayed upright and stiffly followed the creature. Jim led him down the twisting corridors. Torches lined the walls, flickering flames dancing with their shadows. The boy swallowed his dry throat. "Would it be too much trouble to heal my shoulder while you're at it?" he asked lightly. Jim ignored his request. The boy sighed, well; it was worth a shot he thought dryly.

Their journey continued. Left, right, right again. They made so many turns that he easy became confused. As he had figured when he first came here, this place was a labyrinth and escaping was close to impossible. The boy struggled to keep up with the Creeper's fast pace. Just because his leg was healed didn't mean his other injuries would quicken his progress. His aching ribs throbbed with every step and his shoulder felt as if was on fire, still aching from the harsh yank.

Finally, they arrived at their destination, where ever the hell it was. They stood in front of a huge oak door. The Creeper tugged on his chains and pushed him closer to the door. It gave an irritated nudge and gestured towards it. The boy raised an eyebrow and looked from Jim to the door. "You want me to go in there?" he asked. Of course it does stupid! Why else to you think it brought you here? Surely not so you could admire the décor or anything. He glanced at it again. Though by now he had an idea of why he had been brought here it was a matter of what did the occupent inside wanted. He was, however, still wary.

Jim gave him another impatient push. "Alright, alright already! I'm going!" The Creeper removed his collar and moved a few steps back, watching him carefully to see if he tried to run for it; he didn't. Instead he focused again on the ominous door. Taking a deep breath he pushed it open and strolled in, hoping he look more confident and assured then he really felt.

The throne room was enormous. Various torches were attached to the far walls providing some light. Most of it however was provided by the large and impressive chandelier that hung from the ceiling. Once the room had been bright and glorious, but time and its current occupant had tarnished its splendor and gave it a more gothic look. The huge windows were hidden behind black, velvet curtains. The marble floors had dulled and no longer white. The long red rug that stretched from the door to the first step of the throne was frayed and worn. Any and all decoration had been removed, destroyed, or forgotten. The balcony-like hallways high above the floor were forgotten and home to a many spider. Dust had made a permanent home in the room. But the throne room wasn't as impressive as the creature in it.

Draped over a large chair specifically made for him was one of the biggest dragons the boy had ever seen. Black scales harder then diamonds glittered in the iridescent light. He looked rather skeletal at first glance, the rib bones stretched over the skin, but his strength was never to be underestimated. To sturdy legs supported it, each of his five toes displaying wicked claws that were just as black and hard as its skin. His arms were one with his massive wings, wicked claws tipping them. The wings were bat-like; the topside black like the rest of its body and the underside of them splashed a crimson red. The tail was long and thicker than the rest of his body, a poisonous red and black spade at the tip. Two large black horns sprouted from the top of his head and curved slightly, the tips the same red as its tail and wings. A smaller black horn curved upwards from its position on his snout. He had no visible ears, just two small frills in their place. A ruby gem set between two blazing, pupiless red eyes. His snout was long and housed rows and rows of razor sharp teeth. Two long, poisonous fangs grew past the bottom lip. This terrifying beast was one of the most dangerous and fearful dragons to ever walk the planet. He was cruel, unforgiving, malicious, and cunning. He was called X.A.N.A and now owned the boys soul.

For a moment their eyes locked, engaging a silent battle. The boy was the first to look away. Those blazing eyes seemed to scorch his very soul. He was the first one to speak, "You called?" The dragon snorted and stood, stretching his wings before striding over to the boy.

"Still have that sense of humor I see. You never disappoint." X.A.N.A's voice was deep and booming; it sounded as if three voices had spoken at the same time instead of one. He was greeted with silence. "I trust that your stay has been...enjoyalbe," he mocked. The boy didn't miss a beat.

"It has been pleasant indeed. I love what you've done to the place. Room service, however, as been rather rude. You should really consider rehiring," he shot back. The dragon smirked a little. His demeanor quickly sifted from joking to serious with a flick of his tail.

"You are probably wondering why I have brought you here." It was more of a statement then a question. A stony face was his only answer. "I am giving you a chance to back out boy," X.A.N.A told him.

"I don't break my promises. We had a deal, I intend to keep it."

"I have given you three days to think about your choice. You still insist on protecting that pathetic village of yours? Are those people truly worth it? Are they worth giving up everything you've ever cherished?"

"They are the most important things to me," he replied.

"I see. You do realize that there is no going back from this. You will belong to me; whatever I say is law and you are to obey me no matter what." Bonds, what a useless thing. How humans can cherish something like that is evidence to how pathatic their race truly is.

"I understand the terms. You spare my village and all those in it and I become you personal slave. It's pretty cut and dry."

The dragon smirked. Usually he wouldn't waste his time dealing with humans like him, but this was a rather special case. Something as…unique as him could not slip through his claws. This was too easy.

"Indeed. Then we have an accord then?" The boy frowned then, remembering something he had wanted to ask. Something he should have asked before coming here.

"How can I trust you to uphold your end of the bargain?" he questioned.

"My dear boy, Despite that I torture, I rape, I destroy and I murder-I do not lie." The boy poundered only for a minute, knowing he couldn't back out now, not ever.

"Yes…" he said in a defeated tone. X.A.N.A's smirked bloomed into an all out sinister grin.

"Very well. You belong to me now." And he laughed; a deep laugh that echoed off the walls and through the whole castle. It shook everyone inside to the very soul. The boys head hung in defeat, his fate accepted. "Now there is one matter that needs to be attended to," X.A.N.A informed him.

"Oh? And what would that be?" the boy asked, already dreading the answer. The dragon grinned again revealing his rows of gleaming white teeth.

"This." He placed his arm-like wings on the boy's shoulders. He closed his eyes briefly, opening them unexpectedly-glowing with a sinister and dark magic. Suddenly the boy fell to his knees. Pain raced through his veins, spreading through his entire body. He screamed, raw and anguished. It echoed just as the dragons laughs had. And then, it was over. Something was different, yet familiar as the same time. Exhausted physically and mentally, he collapsed. Darkness closed in on him. The booming laughter in his head quieted.

All was silent.

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AN: It's a bit short but I promise longer chapters in the future. I hope my grammer isn't horrible. Despite the fact that English is my native language and I've had about 9 years worth of grammer education it still isn't the best. I read through this a few times and tried to eliminate as many as possible, however I tend to be a bit comma crazy so...anyway I will be on vacation starting tommorow and will not be back till the 14th. Expect an update then. Reviews and constructive criticism (especially with grammer) are appreciated. Pointless, not helpful flames will be used to make smores...or burn my sister's Ver Bradley-it depends on my mood ;)