Part II
I woke in the night feeling a presence closing in, I learned later, much later, that the mind-link could be used as a sort of radar; picking up the brain waves of beings around and, at will, giving you the location of that being. That night I, unknowingly, activated it, I heard the howl of a wolf pack, which I knew well, I rushed to wake Timber and Scorch, "Timber, Scorch wake up," I shook them, "the wolves are coming!"
"What?" Timber demanded?
"Don't ask me how I know I just do,"'
"Can we take a whole pack?" Scorch cried.
"It's not the whole pack, just 3-5 of them" I said trying to calm him as much as myself.
No sooner did I say it did 4 wolves jump out of the trees 2 pinning Scorch one on me; and another, the leader, challenging Timber.
"We didn't expect to find and capture you three so easily." He said looking at me around. "Take the drake back to our territory and that thing," He looked at me.
"Scorch does this guy honestly think they can take us that easily" I dug for power and threw the wolf into one on Scorch; the other one pinning Scorch dropped dead when a fireball punched through his belly.
"And how exactly do you plan to do that?" Asked Timber, "It doesn't look like you have the strength to take 3 of us on." The wolf held a jewel, which made timber gasp, he crushed it and breathed in a vapor that was inside. He ran and got next to Timber and bit down hard on his rear leg with a loud crack. The wolf must've gained strength from that vapor.
{Scorch well need to fuse} we began; Scorch was the host this time. I then relaxed and let the energy drain and the pain attack me, it wasn't bad this time around. Timber collapsed, the leader was going in for the kill; but stopped after he noticed we were merging. {Well this is different.}
{Yes it is, the power is almost overwhelming I feel like, how would you say it, a million ducks?}
{Bucks, a million bucks,} I laughed. {Now kick his butt.} But it was over before we even started an attack, the effect of the crystals vapor was affecting him and he ran to attack but collapsed.
"No not yet, it has never worn off this soon!" He cried then passed out. We tied him and his companions to a tree and moved the other one down wind from the camp. Timber woke about an hour later, obviously in pain; but he tried not to show it. I dug in my pack and grabbed a bottle of aspirin I had brought, and forced two down his throat, he would thank me later.
"So what do we do with them?" Scorch looked at Timber and waited for a reply
"I'd leave them for the ants;" the wolves whimpered, "but we have to bring them back with us, for security reasons we need to find out what they know, if anything."
"Ok, well leave in the morning then?" I stated and lied down and watched our captives as I fell asleep.
In the morning we packed up camp, Scorch and I spared, and were ready to headed off, "Ready to go you old wolf?" asked Scorch,
"Watch who your calling old," Timber replied smiling but it quickly vanished. He then went to make sure the ropes were "tight enough". I had checked his leg it wasn't broke as far as I could tell. When we got on our way timber informed us there was a village not far, and we could get food and drop off the wolves. We weren't going fast with his leg, but got faster as the aspirin came into effect, I decided to give him some more when we had a little lunch, despite only eating berries I hadn't lost weight, I think I had even gained. When we reached the village, there were brick houses, most of which had tile roofs, and the rest had metallic roofs. And just when I thought I'd seen it all: there were large cats, several breeds of dogs, wolves, dragons and drakes walking around the village. A few stopped and stared at me, I figured this is what it felt like for the animals at a traveling circus.
We went into a market and Timber bought some food and a robe for me, which I happily put on. The children of the village were all looking at me strange when I offered some candy, or what I hoped was candy. They ran behind there parents, who gave me very dark looks, I went and stood outside for a while. When I turned around I saw Scorch giving the children the same pieces of candy I tried to give them. I broadcasted a few choice words and before I knew it everyone turned to see where it came from. I ducked behind a barrel. Scorch walked slowly over with an I-told-you-so look on his face "Don't say a thing" I warned. He didn't until we left the village. The kids followed us out of the village until we reached some corn-looking fields they turned back.
We continued till timber could no longer walk. He was none to happy about his leg being busted up. "Ugh, were only a few hours from the fort and I can't make it." he turned and took his frustration out on a tree, we decided it would be best just to let him vent, better on a tree or a harmless bush then on us we figured. "It's only a four hours walk". Timber continued beat on the tree until he collapsed.
"To bad, it can't be helped." I walked over and held him down. "Now rest or you'll just exert yourself and it will take longer to get to the fort because you'll have to rest even longer." I don't know what shocked him more the fact that I held him down or that I was telling him what to do. "Here have some more aspirin." He took it thankfully.
"Aspirin you say, what is it?" he asked
"Its bark from a tree, it makes a good pain reliever, as you now know; and it's called an aspirin tree." he grinned; I handed out the small amount of bread and salted meat we picked up at the village and settled in for the night. When we arrived the following morning the first thing you would notice when you got past the massiveness of the wall, was the huge doors. Big enough to fit … I can't think of anything big enough, Godzilla? The massive doors swung out ward right into a market place; the stands were packed with fruits and meats. Civilians coming and going, like the ones we saw at the village but large snakes and elephants were also about, guards checking everyone who came in, seeing Timber they allowed us to pass without a word. {Wow, Scorch. The only thing missing is a few lions.}
{They don't usually come into the city, or anywhere near populated areas.} Scorch explained as if to child. {They usually keep to themselves}. We passed through the market place rather quickly, the houses were brick or stone and had either a huge stone for a roof or tiles, there was a castle near the middle of the fort with huge banners with a fire emblem in the middle hanging out windows or over the sides, when we reached it we went our separate ways. Timber went to report the wolf attack to the Council and Scorch decide to take me to his home. The way to Scorch's house was surprisingly similar to the way I went home from my Mom's work at the capital building. His house even was surprisingly similar to my own. "Mom?" Scorch called.
"Back from the cave already little brother?" A taller drake walked out of where the kitchen would be in my house. He had small wings sprouting out of his back. "Oh and you brought a pet home." I glared wanting to stare straight through his brain, but Scorch walked in front of me as if to block it. The older one circled Scorch and said something I didn't understand, Scorch looked down humiliated. No one talked for several minutes.
"Where's Mom?" Scorch asked breaking the silence.
"Out. He replied"
"Thanks." Scorch rolled his eyes and motioned for me to follow him. We went into the kitchen, also not different from mine, Scorch made something up real fast and we took it upstairs and into his room, in the same place as mine was, this was starting to get freaky. He slammed the door agitated. The food he made was actually quite good; when he cooked on our trip here he either burnt or screwed something up.
"Why didn't you cook like this on our way here?" he looked at me irritated and cleaned his plate "Ok…" I waited till he calmed down before asking again. He laughed but didn't answer and carried the plates back to the kitchen; I followed. {When are you going to get your wings?} I asked looking at his brother. He stopped cleaning the dish.
{I might not}
{What? Why not?}
{Because, the cave, Proven Cave, has a special herb in the rocks; and when absorbed into the body wings start to grow, the process takes a few days, and I never made it to the cave.} He confessed.
{So let's go to the cave, your mom doesn't know you're back yet and if your brother came…}
{No, if he learned I had to go back I would never hear the end of it.}
{So we go without him}, we were going I could tell by the way he smiled. I was glad his brother wasn't coming.
{Ok, we'll go soon as I'm done cleaning.} When he was done we walked down the road, I had been here only once but I knew this wasn't the way to the gate
{Where are we going?}
{A friend of mine, you'll need food for 3 days and he can get it for us. Though he might have to come with us I owe him big.} We walked up to a house, again where my best friend's house should be, weird. A Dalmatian looking dog answered the door "hey Pat..." A slammed door cut off Scorch. "Awe come one, your not still mad are you?"
"You humiliated me in front of the entire school."
"Hey I didn't think... Ok I did but come on if it were reversed you would have laughed and I would be over it by now." The Dalmatian opened the door again, smirking. There was a black patch on his right ear and a black spot around his eye
"Who's this?" he looked at me.
"Bill." I answered.
"Hello, Patch." He introduced. "So what do you want?" Scorch told him, Patch disappeared into the house and reappeared with a crate. "My Dads shipment came today, and he won't know its missing. What do you need it for?"
"Were headed to Proven Cave," I blurted without thinking.
"Really, and what if someone is there and you cut in on there time?"
"Has anyone gone?" Patch looked down and shook his head, which was strange to see a dog do. "Then well be fine."
"Fine, go but don't blame me if you get in trouble."He growled and was about to slam the door.
"You want to come with us?" Patch stopped, "Alright hurry up." Patch turned around asked us to wait a minute and ran off,
{Won't he get...?} I stopped my self, doi they dogs don't have wings, but Scorch answered any way
{There born with it a small amount in their blood, it helps there brain growth and elemental abilities.}
{He sure can jump moods.} I smiled
{That's another thing, they always keep their face straight, some sort of rule, or tradition. Seeing him smile is rare and almost always private, and brief.} When Patch returned Scorch asked, "Shall we be off?" and turned around. There was a large Rottweiler looking beast was standing in our way. "Oh, hello Butch." {He's I guess you could say the bully around, and Patch lives next door to him.}
"Ready for your beat down of the day runt?" He looked past us to Patch, "or are these two here to protect the little baby." He laughed.
"One side." I said pushing him out of the way; he then had the bright idea to give me a reason to defend myself. He went to bite me around the waist I turned and punched him, a bit hard, right in the square of his nose. "One… side." I repeated slowly, he then turned and ran. Patch stared as butch ran down the road, and then back to me respectful but suspicious.
"Well, good job, but I think you over did it when you hit him, but anyway well be heading out the hole." I let Scorch go ahead and lead, like I knew where that was. We walked about a half mile then stopped to make sure no one was around. Scorch moved a wall of bricks that had been "left" by the builders, all put together. And behind it was a 6-foot hole in the fortress wall. Scorch complained about being too tall to get through but Patch and I went though easily enough. We walked down a well-worn trail, {this is where they ambushed me} Scorch informed about a half-hour later.
{Why so close to the fort?}
{There are rumors that the king's descendent is in this fortress.} He also thought to openly about a food shortage in unsecured lands. The thought of Scorch being made dinner made me queasy. I hoped that it had been the first one. We arrived at the cave a few hours later. I got a fire going and Scorch wasted no time going into the cave and getting started.
It got awkwardly quiet I decided to break the silence, "You want to cook or get fire wood?"
"Get the wood." He left.
{Wow, is he always this grouchy?}
{No only recently, I played a trick on him to pay him back for one he played on me. But everyone at school happened to be near by when he tripped the trap.} Scorch explained. I could see flash backs of what happened it wasn't pretty. He had put some green, sticky, slime substance over a door way, and when Patch walked through it fell along with a bunch of, what must've been feathers all over. I would have been mad for a while too.
{I see.} I took my robe off and slipped into some jeans {I won't call unless it's an emergency} Patch was Scorch's friend so I figured I could trust him. (Note, I hadn't shown myself in public, Timber thought it might cause a panic) Patch came back with some wood and sat down dropping it by the fire, he didn't notice me. I was so well camouflaged out in the open. "Food is almost ready." He jumped; I guess he spaced.
"Bill?" he asked looking at me strangely.
"No, the Easter Bunny."
"Who?"
"Yes, I'm Bill." He snorted and rolled his eyes.
"Scorch defiantly knows how to pick his friends." He laughed "What are you a hair less" he said something Scorch translated to ape." I laughed, that's original. "Though, I guess I'm not one to talk"
"Why?" I was confused he didn't seem different.
"Well having spots is a birth defect, and some other things I'm not willing to say in public." He explained.
"So he has weird friends huh?" I smiled
"Yeah." he sat back down and laughed, "Like that 'pelican' that's afraid of heights" Patch and I got to know each other much better, and he wasn't much different than my best friend, Tom.
"So, have there been any strange disappearances lately?" I don't know why I brought that up.
"Why?" he asked sharply
"Well, where I'm from there have been lots of disappearances and appearances of strange animals, like you."
"My dad hears a lot about it working in the store, and rumors of portals that appear in front of people as they walk." I had a flashback to the portal in my room and the being that opened it and attacked me. A howl from what I guessed was north, "Just the allied wolf pack." Patch reassured himself.
"Let's hope so." Patch said. A second howl, closer this time, made us jump.
"I think there looking for something." I agreed it was the same howl the other wolf pack used when they had found it.
"They found it" I reassured
"How would you know?" I explained how I had learned the howls of another wolf pack.
"Besides I doubt they could hunt here." He nodded thoughtfully; I put some food on a very large leaf. Patch must eat when he's nervous because I barely had time to sit down and start eating before he was done. When we were finished our bellies growled satisfied, "Let's get to sleep, we have three more days before he's done here." Patch laid his head on his paw and looked around one last time and fell asleep. Why is it that dogs can fall asleep almost instantly, I thought. He snored once then was quiet, I got up and leaned against a tree and fell asleep.
I woke with a start, a claw just missed my face, I turned slowly and there was a bear, he was missing an eye and had a deep scar on his nose. He was watching Patch sleep, if he took another step closer I would attack, but he removed the paw and walked away. When I was sure he was gone I breathed, I woke Patch and told him about the bear.
"Did he have a scar on its nose?" I nodded, "He's the protector of the cave, don't worry about him." and with that he fell back to sleep. I sighed, that's so Tom. Tom would always say to not worry. Especially when it was something everyone else thought was dangerous. Like his pet cobra, he lets him out every now and then; and says not to worry because poison sacks were removed; but it still hurts like crazy when he bites.
I sat back by the tree and slowly fell back to sleep. The following day went by ever so slowly, Patch told me about the bear, he's an old hermit that lives out here and protects this area. I went out for firewood and saw the bear eating red berries. I kept his blind eye facing me and turned back. When I came to the camp Patch was taking a nap. I picked up with my foot and flipped him over; he jumped up. When he realized it was me he started to moan about his nice feather bed. The hours seemed to pass like days once it was finally night we ate our last meal and went straight to sleep. Patch and I were ready for Scorch to come out. When the third day finally came I woke slowly Scorch was sitting strangely on a log with his back to me, I felt like I had been stepped on by a horse; I sat up, "My aching head!" I mumbled
"Sorry, I didn't see you." Scorch apologized
"Yeah it was pretty funny Bill," Patch laughed "Scorch almost fell in the fire pit when he finally realized he was on your head." Scorch looked away.
"Thanks for letting me stay the night Grum." Scorch was talking to the old bear.
{Hey Scorch there are two lumps on your back.} I said then realized {Oh, dui your wings are growing}. Scorch threw me my robe not even replying, I put it on. Scorch was in a hurry to get home, we made it back within two hours, and Scorch had us running half the way. We didn't even eat breakfast, but it was about lunchtime when we made it inside the forts walls. Patch went home, while Scorch and I went to his house. "Mom?" Scorch called
"Scorch is that you? Your late, three days late!"
"The process took longer than normal." he lied as we walked in, "Mom this is Bill. I met him on the way home."
"And you bring random caped figures home? No offence."
"None taken," I replied, "but I think I'll go into the other room." I left them and they went into the kitchen to talk.
Scorch came out about five minutes later. "My mom said that you can stay here and can get you a job and a house of your own."
"Will I be attending a school to?" I joked
"Actually," he started, "you will. I heard the fire lion was coming to town" he was trying to change the subject. "He's coming to choose an apprentice."
"Great, what kind of stuff will I be learning? Like Dragon-lore?" I was interested in seeing what is was all about.
{No only dragons can take the course on that, how'd you find out about that.}
{You showed me, and why can't I just get a book?}
{Look in mine.} He grabbed a book off the table and handed it to me. I opened it; but all the pages were blank. {You don't see any writing?} I handed it back, {you can get one at the library; but they wouldn't let you borrow one.} I gave up after that but I had a feeling I had to get one; and so far my feelings have not let me down.
The next day Scorch and I went to School, I was more than ready to train, when registration was complete a teacher, who was a cougar, took me into a padded room. "My name is Fury." he introduced, drill sergeant style. "My job will be to assess you're skills and see where you fit." I'm good for three attacks, I hoped "Defend yourself" he came at me slow I dodged his first set of attacks easily, I had read yesterday on pressure points, I nailed one, "hmm, that hurt lets jump a few notches, level five!" He roared, jumping and covering his pressure points, he came faster than before, I kicked, missed took a side step and brought my leg down on top of him, "seven!" he roared. He snapped at my leg barely missing; I focused energy into my hand and legs into a point and punched moving to fast for him to recover sending him sprawling across the room, "nine!" he jumped.
"Yield" I called. He settled down and walked over shaking, before lying down in front of me.
"Right then," He said, "you have: level 1 element, you didn't use anything pyro. Level 3-5 fighting, you held you own, but you have very little tactical skills. And your personal lore, 2 you don't have enough control." He smiled, "Remind me next time not to fight you; I'm getting a bit to old for this." A large rabbit in a medic suit came in and was shocked to see Fury kneeling and not me. The medic told me to leave, I walked out, and heard the rabbit chastising him for going so hard on his body, then something else about rabbit stew. The Elemental class was my first one to start, and it was right down the hall. Scorch saw me walk in. {Over here,} he called. Patch was on one side and an empty chair was next to him. I sat down hard and let the energy drain and pain come but it was almost nothing. No pain and a very little energy drain, I was shocked.
"So Bill were you a 1 all across." Patch smiled.
"No, just in element." I replied
"Ha, you owe me $5" Scorch interrupted.
"I was 3-5 in fighting and 2 in personal lore" I finished
"Wow." Scorch smiled {same as when I first came… except element.}
"Alright class, my name as most of you now is Mrs. Rayn." She was a dragon. She lectured us on the element of fire, most of which I understood. We'll do a basic exercise since we have new classmates." Everyone looked at me and laughed. "Well since all eyes are on you stand and say your name." I did. "Welcome Bill, elemental level?"
"One." she smiled, "But I guess that would be zero."
"Oh a clown huh"
"No, I'm serious." I snapped my fingers. "See nothin." Her smile dropped she hadn't been in this predicament. {She looks like the rabbit did when she saw I was standing and not fury.} Scorch smiled
{Be careful, it's damaged, but they will have a broadcaster up and running soon.}
"Well then Bill see me after school, you need extra work." While everyone was working on there elemental abilities she came over and taught me how to manipulate the heat from one point of my body to another, then how to create a spark. I was about to give up when, to my surprise, I was sending sparks flying from my hand. I moved rapidly from a spark to a small fire in the palm of my hand and made it bigger and bigger slowly and staying in control. When I went to fast the flame got out of control and went out. After almost completely losing control I thought about what Scorch did in the forest, unable to control the heat and it got out of control. He could and would have turned the entire forest into a firestorm if Timber hadn't taught him how to control it. Mrs. Rayn dismissed me from having to stay after school.
At fighting Scorch and I, to the disappointment of an attractive female drake, teamed up against Patch and his brother Irvine, we wore bracelets to keep from using lore to increase our abilities. I was once able to get Irvine into a choker, the coach awarded us that match but I think he would have broken out. Scorch and Patch was a close one but Scorch was the winner, one last match He and Patch were a close match put Patch won it this time, I took it easy on the half choked Irvine, big mistake, it didn't take him long to pin me, but I flipped him off of me and tackled him, wow encouraged to fight at school. But that brief second gave Irvine the match he brought his jaw down on my neck and the coach called it to Patch and Irvine.
The 'Personal lore' aka Magic class was basically reading books; Scorch read something on basic-intermediate skills. I on the other hand hid a Dragon Lore books under mine, for something kept in secret they sure had a lot of them around the library. I searched through the books of blank pages, and on the very last book I saw writing on the last page. "If you can read this take me home" {Scorch,} I checked for a broadcaster, {what does the very last page of your lore book say?}
{Something like if you read this take me home or something. Where is this going?} I showed him what I was seeing in this lore book and he was shocked. After a long lecture from the teacher/librarian about the use of magic and it risks, {Bill we must go see the Council}
{And why would that be?} I followed his eyes to a plaque, which read. When a lore book is discovered it must be restrained or it will leach off of the reader. "O come on doesn't…" I was interrupted
"SHHHHHHH"
"Sorry." I called back {Lets go,} I stood up, Scorch looked at me irritated.
{Forgetting something?} I sat back down. Doi have to wait till class is over, I felt so stupid. I decided to actually read the book that I had been using to hid the lore book. It was very difficult to read, the words were jumbled up in my head and they made my eyes hurt reading them. Scorch told me later that they were mind training put the words in the right order and you have a spell. A bell rung and I stuck the lore Dragon lore book into a pocket, I had sewn on the inside of the robe. I handed the teacher the book I was using and left. Scorch and I went straight from the school to the castle to see the Council. A guard stopped us Scorch said a Dragon lore book had been read and we were delivering it for a restrainer. I showed him the book as proof, and he let us by. He also gave us some I.D. cards so we wouldn't be stopped till we reached the Council chamber. Scorch gave me some pointers on how to act when we reached the Council, and added {you will be tested and be asked to do something from the lore book.}
{What did you do?}
{A super jump, it will take a lot of energy the first time.} We were stopped by guards guarding the Councils chamber, we explained and showed him the book, and he led us in. I heard mumbling about an immature drake and how rude it was for him to address the Council, and other mumblings to that effect. "Honorable Council," Scorch bowed, he threw his tail tripping me to my knees, "a Dragon Lore book has been read and needs a restrainer." I held the book up so they could see it.
"At least he has more courtesy than the last time he came." Scorch blushed as the Council laughed.
"Who read the book" a booming voice, from where I couldn't tell.
I stood "I did" the Council laughed.
"Drake, leave us." Scorch rose wished me luck, bowed again, and left, when he had the guard shut the door. One of the Council, in a long black cloak, came down to the ground level. I wasn't able to tell what he was, "Take off your hood" I did, the Council laughed. He raised a claw and they were silenced. "Ok, have the book show you something, anything." I thought about it, ah, how to shoot an energy bolt, the book started to shake. A light shone from a page near the middle, the light faded when I found the page, a word was written and a brief description of what the ability it had shown me was capable of. I did what the instructions said to do and pointed my hand at the wall.
"Asoroth!" I called a beam of light appeared in my palm and a white beam shot and put a hole in the wall. I heard gasps of awe and amazement. Then the pain and energy drain came, the Councilman was laughing, the pain left and the energy came back.
"You didn't have to use such a high level technique." He laughed
"Yean I'll remember that." I replied he laughed and put a metal thing on the book
"For the first time in our lifetimes another species has read a lore book. Go and tell no one of this" {That is except your partner out there.} I bowed and left Scorch was waiting for me.
"What did you do?"
"Shot an energy blast."
…
"Senior, that book he had was level 20." One of the Council members spoke
"If he joins the enemy he will be our worst nightmare," Another one called
"Yes, that is true; but his friend is the next in line." The Council member informed. The rest of the Council began to mummer and argued amongst themselves about what the senior had said.
…
When we got home Scorch's mother had made us fish for dinner. I was starving, the lunch, if you could call it lunch, we had at school was long gone, but Scorch poked at it.
{What up?}
{I can't wait till these wings grow; then I won't be looked down upon anymore.}
{Don't wish away youth, the years pass faster and faster each year.} Where did that came from. Scorch just smiled
{Yes o' wise one} he started eating.
{Hey, I just realized this, but I haven't seen your father} he glared deeply. I wished I hadn't asked. There wasn't even a photo, but I'd just ask Scorch's brother, he couldn't keep a secret if his life depended on it. He told me how their dad had lead a rebellion bringing a lot of dishonor to the family, and how much he could care less about honor; which is also when I learned his name, Van. I felt bad them; but I wouldn't let Scorch know I knew, I'd let him tell me in his own time.
The city loaned me a house, and got me a job helping Scorch sort produce. The pay was just more than enough to pay for the house and other things. When I had a break I would read the lore book, it would usually glow when something appeared in the book. Scorch would help me if I couldn't pronounce a word, or I needed energy so I didn't look suspicious.
I was studying at Scorches house when I all of a sudden had a huge headache. I fell forward but Scorch caught me and laid me down on his bed. Suddenly I was in a room sitting in an office chair watching a ton of TV's. I looked from one to the other I saw, me, standing in front of two doors. I watched myself touch the door and a light made me look away. I heard a voice, you have chosen, good. I spun around and saw a figure dressed in pure white, the purity of the air was so strong I was forced to the ground, "Who are you?" I asked
"I am…" everything disappeared, I was home in bed. I sat straight up, a doctor had been taking my temperature, and Scorch was standing next to him.
"He's fine, there's nothing wrong with him; but here's some pain pills just incase." Scorch thanked him. When he left Scorch was quick to start asking questions, asking over and over if I was ok. I walked over to him grabbed his shoulder, "Scorch" I spun and put him in a head lock. "I'm fine," I let him go, "really I am" Scorch frowned. The man appeared in my head, his last words were ringing in my head, I am, Scorch started pacing listing reasons I shouldn't be ok. "Scorch what do you know about a man who wears a white robe?" He told me about how a god of theirs was like how I described; but he didn't know much about it the being had nothing to do with them; and only dealt with the ones of light. I went into the kitchen found some bread, mashed some peanuts, or what tasted like peanuts and mashed some fruit into jelly and made a P,B, and J for Scorch and I. When we finished eating I asked Scorch what they did for fun around here. He listed off a few things including: swimming, something resembling basketball and baseball, and a duel arena. "What's that?" I asked.
"It's an arena outside the town where we can battle each other. Patch and I would fight in the 2-on-2 matches, they have a power drainer they put on your leg to keep the attacks from killing the opponent, but it still will leave a mark."
"Sounds like fun, lets see if Patch wants to come do a 3-on-3 match or two." Scorch agreed, and Patch was more than happy to come. When we reached the arena there was a small entry fee, we paid and walked in, the arena was split up into several smaller arenas. Our first match was in arena one, when we arrived there were three wolves taking on a snake, a large hawk, and a rabbit. The wolves quickly took out the snake, the hawk and rabbit fell soon after. A voice cried out "is there no one to take on our champions, how about… the defenders?" a spot light shone over to us and we were shone into the arena. The crowds booed and mocked us.
"The defenders?" I asked Scorch.
"I couldn't think of anything else." I rolled my eyes and looked at our opponent; the wolves were drooling in excitement. They were laughing at me; they must think that I'm the weak-link of the team. How wrong they were. The buzzer rang and the fight was on, I felt energy in the air, it was leaching energy from us, the wolves circled us we stood back to back, they started shooting small tornados at us. I let one hit to what would happen; I couldn't see it but the tornado had blades in it cutting at my skin, I decided to dodge them instead. {Scorch, can mind link with patch?} I asked
{Yeah but I'm kind of busy} he called back {defense isn't getting us anywhere.}
{Then let's go offence!} I ducked beneath a tornado and charged the wolf in front of me the wolves had been waiting for this to happen, the one in front stood still while one came up blind-siding me. Scorch saw him and threw a fire ball in the way slowing the wolf down enough so I could reach my target. I remembered something I saw on T.V once and decided to try it. I punched the wolf in front in the chin sending him into the air; I jumped behind him and kicked him higher and higher. Finally I let him drop below me and dropped kicked him into the ground. That wolf was declared "dead", one of the wolves had grabbed Patch around the throat, and Patch was "dead". The two remaining wolves grouped together, as did Scorch and I, and then they started bonding, I had never witnessed the bonding only the detachment.
"O crap," Scorch groaned; the wolves, wolf now, got larger and larger, and grew a second head. A two headed Cerberus, Scorch and I also bonded, I focused on Scorch and I morphed into half-dragon, half-human. Four claws, shorter legs, longer arms, and a tail, and rock hard scales. I ran over to the Cerberus and upper-cut him trying that move again, but he just reeled back staying on two feet. I raised my arm and shouted, "Asoroth." The beam shot straight for them, the wolf smiled and took a deep breath, he exhaled sending the beam up into the roof. {Scorch got any ideas?}
{Just beat on him till he yields.} The wolf ran for us and jumped in the air they spun creating a huge whirlwind. They barreled down toward us, I jumped out of the way and sent a foot into there face. The wolves whimpered and defused, "dead". Scorch was just as shocked as I was, we defused, the air thinned out, the wolves got up and walked away not saying a word. That was the last match of the night, and we went home to celebrate, but not until after we collected our prize money. "So, have either of you ever heard of pizza?" I asked, they looked at me with blank faces. I smiled and took them over to my house. I had picked up the stuff to make it while I was at work, and decided to show Scorch and Patch how to make it. I started the oven and threw wood in till it was about four-hundred degrees. Had Scorch ground the meat and patch squish tomato like fruit into a paste. I made the dough out of water and flour; and poured the tomato paste on to it, added some cheese, and threw some ground meat here and there, and stuck it in the oven. When it was finally done, Scorch and patch starred at it in wonder, and hunger. I sliced it and served, they didn't have to say anything, the look on there faces told me I did it right. I had never made a pizza before, so I was glad it worked. I took a few slices and it was heavenly, we ate till it was gone, Scorch was licking his claws to get the last but of tomato sauce off and Patch was leaning back relaxing.
"That was one of the best things I have ever eaten" Scorch complemented, Patch agreed, they asked if they could try and make another one. It was very comical to watch them, Scorch would throw the pizza and when he caught it his claws would slice it into ribbons, and Patch hadn't put enough thickener in the dough, he threw it, he missed, and spent half the night trying to get it out. I could have made several by the time they were done making one. While Patch pulled the dough out of his hair I made two pizza bases and sent Scorch and Patch home with them.
The next duel wasn't for a few days, and school went by fast. When Scorch and I got off work Scorch and I would go and train outside the wall till dark. When duels began again we were more than ready. We won one after another when we came to our semi-finals it was against two wolves and a hare (they were bigger than the rabbits). Scorch had brought Patch into the mind link and we could three way plans and strategies. The opposing team was no match for us, we took out the wolves first, and the hare went down way to easily. By the time I realized what had happened it was too late; Scorch slammed the hare into the wall knocking him out cold. I felt the restrainers turn off just before Scorch hit the hare. "Victory to… the defenders." The crowd cheered. When the other team didn't get up paramedics ran in checking them to see if they were alright. Then they realized there restrainers had been tampered with and were malfunctioning. They told to the judges to call the battle to there team, the hare was hospitalized and sent home with a second place trophy and some cash for the bill. We were booed out of the arena when the judges disqualified us from further matches until further notice.
"This bites," Patched roared on the way back.
"Yeah we didn't mess with there restrainers." Scorch slammed his tail into a bush when he walked by.
"I bet the ones who did it were scared of us." Scorch and Patch looked at me and thought for a second
"Na" they said in unison.
"Think about, whoever broke the restrainers was scared to lose to us and was a sure win, if they framed us, we would be disqualified and they would win the tournament." They thought about it again.
"Bill your pretty smart" Patch called back, he walked up the steps toward his house. "See ya'll tomorrow." He called back. When we started walking again I thought of something.
"You know Scorch. I've never felt lonely while I was here." He looked at me funny
"How could you?" Scorch began but I interrupted.
"That's not what I mean; I don't miss my parents, my friends, or anyone from my world." Scorch looked around to see if anyone was listening.
"What do you mean your world? Are you from another planet?"
"No not another planet, I think, more like another dimension." He looked confused. I guess science fiction wasn't really a big thing since there were no TVs. "Come over to my house." When we arrived I brought down some paper and several markers, I drew several lines on the page with different markers, and took a piece of coal and drew a black line down the middle. "Ok, say this red line here is where I'm from, and say this blue one is this world." I pointed to the lines. "Now say this black line is a bridge between worlds. See all these little black specks left by the coal. Those are portals that were left behind or opened or something and were stepped through or something to that effect." Scorch nodded
"I think I get it, so you're an alien basically."
"Yeah, I guess I am." I laughed. Scorch got ready to leave it was about his curfew anyway.
"Oh yeah I forgot to tell you. The fire lion is coming tomorrow to pick his new students. Everyone who is under 20 must go." He informed.
"Thanks for telling me. It must be a big honor to be his students." I rolled my eyes
"It is, but then there's also a rumor that if you fail he eats you." He smiled back.
"Yeah I defiantly want to be picked now." I walked Scorch home. On the way back I heard something rumble in the bushes, expecting Butch I turned around and got ready to fight; but instead of seeing a large rottweiler I saw a mini one and a mini drake. "Oh are you lost" I looked around to see If anyone was watching, they nodded, "well come with me" I called the security office o see if anyone had reported missing children. There were two families who happened to be reporting the loss of there children. I told the officer where I lived and heard a cry of relief from the parent in the background. I gave the kids a slice of pizza which they had barely finished when there parents arrived. There were many thank-yous and how can we repay yous said. I decline there offers and sent them on there way and went to straight and bed collapsed, I was exhausted from I don't know what.
When I woke the next morning I went into the kitchen and saw medium sized bag of coins sitting on the table. With a note that read, "Here is your reward for returning the kids, from the Sherriff". I should find lost kids more often, I though. Then I remembered oh yeah, the fire lion thing was today. I ran and grabbed my robe, and ran to Scorch's house. He was already waiting outside; he must've been very excited he never got up that early. I ran and caught up with him, when we reached the market place all the stalls had been cleared out and there were bleacher-like seats built into the neighboring houses. There were drakes and dogs and cats of various ages and species there, a trumpet sounded and everyone lined up in the bleachers according to age. I was a little shocked to be a year older than Scorch. {Who does the lion usually pick?} I asked
{Usually a drake and his partner, sometimes he'll pick a dog; but he never picks cats for some reason.} Scorch answered. A few minutes later the gates opened and a drake clad in silver armor walked in, followed by another drake clad in steel. They walked a few yards and turned to the side did an about face and knelt. In came the fire lion covered in golden armor. The crowed bowed as he passed, on and overhang the Council bid him and his apprentices welcome. He turned to the crowd and roared
"Every few years I pick an apprentice, and every year I ask a question, who dares challenge me." The drakes all stood up and got in a line. "Come." the drakes came one at a time, and every time he dismissed them, when Scorch came he dismissed him, but before he called the next he looked at him. "Wait." Scorch stopped and turned the lion looked at him. "You." The lion pointed.
"Me, sir?" Scorch looked blankly
"Yes you, who is your partner." He pointed at me, the crowed said stirred. "You there come down." I jogged down the stairs. "You two will be my apprentices." The crowd cheered, Scorch smiled like an idiot, and I kept thinking, what have I gotten myself into now. The two ex-apprentices wished us luck and laughed.
{If we have to run, Scorch, I'm ridding on your back.} He looked back at me.
{Let's hope not}
"Drake," The lion called, "why is he your partner?"
"He saved my life, sir" he replied.
"Are you sure it's for no other reason?" The fire lion whispered something in his ear.
"Maybe" Scorch said after thinking for a while. We walked well into the night, when we got to where we were heading we saw two buildings, a shack and a mansion.
"You two will be sleeping there." he pointed to the shed "I'll check on you in the morning, sleep well." We walked into the shed, there were two beds, if you could call them beds, and hay spread around the floor. "This will be fun', Isn't that what said?" I ignored his comments and stuffed some hay into my new "bed", laid down, and tried to get some sleep.