Restless. Chapter 3
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I missed my chance, didn't I? Lance had asked himself, whilst perched upon the edge of the tower. The crumbling tower where he had last met up with Ace. Golden eyes stared off into a distant and now emptied blue sky.
"Um..Master Lance?", Devi called out with a shaken and saddened tone.
"It's alright, Devi," Lance assured, turning away from the sky, where the younger dragon caller once had been. The white haired teen turned on his heel, whatever softness in his eyes vanished, as he looked below himself, and glanced down at Klein. His features had considerably darkened, as his lips adorned themselves in a permanent scowl. The white haired villainous man was all tied up in ropes, and ready to see the Guild. This rope being from his own teammate, courtesy of Tamazo, and his "'tied-up' switcharoo'' plan.
Tamazo and Ace, they were quite something else.
"Come with me," Lance ordered coldly, not a sense of the warmth or light in his eyes, from earlier had remained, as he returned to the official dragon caller business, to deal with someone so warped and dark.
Perhaps this is what Jest had warned about? A reason for me to be stronger, to encourage Ace to arise to the challenge as well.
Lance thought over the idea, before reaching beneath his cape, and into his pocket. Pale hands pulled out the pocketed, blue D-gear, as he held it up against the breeze. He glared back at Klein, assuring the corrupt member of Dominion remained in place.
"Release," Lance called out calmly, watching as one of the five blue marbled egg-drops began to glow and his own beloved Aurora dragon sprung to life. Lance pressed a button on the side of the D-Gear and heard a familiar voices from the Guild. "I'm bringing back Klein to you, our mission is over," Lance relayed the message.
"Alright, excellent work, Lance," the voice on the other line took the message, before Lance silenced the call with another click and a beep. With one swipe of the mighty blue Dragon's tail, the traitor of the guild found himself launched upon the back of said dragon. Lance glared again, and Devi followed suit, taking his place besides Lance who had already mounted the dragon. The expansive blue carrier dragon took flight into the endless blue skies.
Lance gave one last look towards the sky blue skies, and couldn't help but to recall the other. Ace you're really something else. To think you've grown so much and in such a short time.
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"D-did you want him to stay?" Devi asked tentatively, with a hushed tone of hesitance, accentuating his words slower. The small black and purple dragon fumbled around with his hands, twirling them mindlessly, as he explained further. "That..Ace..kid. I mean," Devi finished, with nearly every word coming out being followed by a pause.
Lance's eyes scrolled up to the ceiling, and the usual ice inside them had melted, and his lips seemed to curve slightly. The two were leaning against a wall on the outside of the Guild's office, they had brought in Klein, and where things went from here was anyone's guess. Likely a drill for more information, but as to why Lance was being told to wait out, was anyone's guess.
To the young dragon's surprise, Lance's lips had parted, and his yellow eyes were glistened and overcome by a ray of light. There was no quick retort or scoff. Lance seemed to be biting at the inside of his cheek before exhaling slowly and carefully wording himself, "What makes you say that, Devi?" Lance asked, the black pupils of his eyes widened just a bit, in a more bewildering voice, whether he failed to understand the question or his own actions.
"Well uh…Devi," the smaller dragon's voice stumbled out, before explaining more fully, "You just seemed kind of…", the Devidra paused, eyes glistening as he hovered over his master, "-Sad? watching him go." Whenever he goes. Devi continued, "You also wanted to thank him, uh right? Devi."
Lance blinked, several times, as he brushed his hand through the white hair flowing over his eyes. "It's true, I did," Lance answered partially, as level and plainly as possible. He visibly swallowed, images of a smiling face, determined blue eyes and lips breathing out in relief came to mind, during his encounter. But feeling Sad? Was that was this was after all? How was Lance supposed to react around him, in general? Those short meetings always sparking the need for so much more. To understand, somebody who wasn't seeing him just for his natural gifts or fame. Someone who finally reached and could very well surpass his level of strength.
"Lance," Ace had called out his name, not in harsh lifeless tone of the guild sending him on countless missions, and not in the star-struck dreamy tone of a fan. It was so raw, genuine, Ace's eyes were on him as he looked as though...the way he reached for him and rushed in so fast, he looked so sincere. "Are you alright?" Ace asked with needy desperation, it wasn't in a voice of their usual encounters, with an intimidated shake or a determined tone, of a rival catching up to him.
It was just Ace, showing concern, not for Lance the dragon master, the ice prince, or Lance the fan favorite pretty boy. It was Ace showing concern for Lance. That sigh Ace gave out as he heard Lance's assurance, left something imprinted against Lance's skin, and the older male couldn't place the feeling of warmth. Lance clenched his right hand shut at the brief encounter again.
Ace's featured visibly loosened from their scrunched up positions and softened. Lance recalled the way the younger boy's lips looked as they pressed and curved. That warmth and confusion seemed to only spike more. What was Ace thinking? It wasn't as though Lance declared Ace his hero, and thanked him with an intensity that rivaled that of his most crazed fans. All in the same, Ace looked as happy as if Lance had gone beyond and done just that. How was someone able to do that? How could it be possible to leave someone thoroughly confused and contended at the same time?
Could a person really show so much concern and care without receiving it back in return. That was why, I also needed to thank him. To thank Ace for saving him, and maybe for Ace helping to dissolve whatever was burning up inside of his usual, often calm and cooled, idiosyncrasies.
"I'll see him again, Devi. I'll surely thank him, at the least." Lance stated, completely assured as he gave a small and rare smile towards his relieved dragon 's bright eyes swirled and glistened as he rushed in against Lance's chest. "Master Lance! You're so incredible! And considerate, there's no one else like you!" Devi cried out theatrically, as he beamed up at his partner. The dragons small and stubby arms did their best to wrap around the most possible space of Lance's chest, that they could reach.
"It's alright," Lance's tone was incredibly soft and in a near chuckle as he finished, "So please don't cry, Devi" Lance assured, as he wrapped his arms snugly around the tiny dragon's back. Devi had nuzzled against his dear friend and returned the soft hug.
He couldn't help but let the question spring to his mind. "Master Lance, what do you think of Ace?"
For a moment, it was as though time froze, Lance's hold tightened around Devi, as he glanced up. The teenager pursed his lips together. "Ace is...interesting,"
There was a softened smile on his face, and Devi couldn't help but form more tears at the scene. "He's like no one else…" Lance whispered, followed up ,softly as though he was deliberating with himself. He seemed so at peace with it. The soft smile remained in tact as he hugged Devi for a few moments longer. It was one Devi hadn't seen since he first met young Lance, before everything changed. All because Lance was strong and had that potential, he had to grow up so fast, learn such harsh realities. Maybe more harshness would come forth, but if someone could bring out that smile again, well then...perhaps Devi could accept him.
There was something so raw there, a tone that tugged at the Devidra's heartstrings. It hadn't been too long ago when Lance proclaimed he didn't need friends, aside from Devi. He was so used to being used and only seen at a surface level. Yet, if this kid...even if it was Tamazo's partner, of all people. If Ace can make you smile like that then.
The door in front of Lance and Devi, noticed the bearded ancient of water, Vahaton, smiling up at them. "You've done an excellent job once again, Lance," he responded all smiles at the young dragon caller he by now considered like a grandson.
"It wasn't just me," Lance replied quickly, something churning in him at the thought.
"Ah, yes I'm aware. You and Ace have made quite the team, two of our strongest Dragon Callers working together. Perhaps we should have you two on more outings, in the near future?" Vahaton noted with a great deal of glee, as he waved Lance into the room.
Devi looked nervously at Lance, his eyes scanning the other whose calm expression hadn't wavered. He had opened his mouth, sure of Lance's rejection to the offer. But the other remained still, "I wouldn't be opposed to that," he answered softly. Both the elder and the Devidra had comically wide-eyed expressions. Lance seemed to pale at his words and followed up with, "If it will help the guild," Lance finished clearing his throat as he turned a fraction of an inch to the side. His tone was warm.
Devi fluttered around Lance, and saw an impossibly rare expression. His yellow eyes were so open, and he could see Lance swallowing as though the words had been too hard to speak.
The ancient of water simply grinned, "Glad to hear it."
Devi looked towards Lance with furrowed brows, before his own lips formed an accepting smile. "Master Lance," Devi whispered softly, hovering over his partner. If Ace can make you smile like that, then…
"Maybe it won't be so terrible to share you," Devi spoke in a hushed tone, and a click of his tone with the mere word "share", but it was a tone one Lance was barely able to make out.
The dragon caller blinked several times, "Devi...are you alright?" Oh so he had heard it.
Devidra shook his head rapidly, "No, no, no. I'm perfectly fine! Just thinking to myself aloud! Devi!" The Devidra's tone was rushed and he could feel the sweat drops rolling to the side of his face.
Lance's lips curved into a frown, as his eyes looked further into his dragon partner's eyes. He left it at that. Lance turned to walk into the room.
Lance had only needed Devi before...and truly...hearing that made me happy. Devi pondered, floating behind his partner. I'll always be by your side Master Lance, no matter what you choose.
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Upon exploring Dragoza island, Ace, Haru and Garnet were met with a harsh reception. More so his childhood friend Haru, who was human, and not gifted with the ability to see the world's drops.
A sacred statue crumbled, before the dragon callers, and blame fell, revealing the true colors between the Dragonoids and Humans. As to who released the drop impact, from beneath the statue, was still unknown. But a certain group of cloaked and misguided dragon callers came to mind, those who worked for Dominion. It was difficult to prove just now, that this hypothesis was correct.
Ace grit his teeth, having walked away, and into town. Did the dragonoids really believe they had caused a drop impact, hurting the planet and monsters? And all for being human. Ace bit his lip, eyes lost on the ground below, as though answers could spring from there, to stop the war between humans and dragonoids.
"Humans are much like outsiders here.", Lance's cool voice broke out into the air, and sky blue eyes immediately shifted north. Lance had spoken so cooly and assured, but they was something in his eyes that softened as he looked down at both the blonde girl and auburn dragon caller. His gaze fell onto Ace almost as though on instinct and in that moment their eyes moved to meet.
Ace's sky blue eyes had immediately turned north, and met with older dragon caller. They were almost stuck on the familiar figure before him. Surrounded by a cloak of blue, and with a stilled and serious shadow in his eyes, Lance stood. There he was, appearing and disappearing like a burst of the wind. Whenever he pleased. His precious Devidra remained faithfully by his side, as he remained lingering on the rooftop, like some hero swooping in to defend an endangered city. His one eye remained cloaked by tresses of white, while the other yellow one remained downcast and capturing Ace's gaze.
The auburn teen's mouth remained slightly ajar, as his eyebrows slanted in a questioning gesture. Ace couldn't place the hammering inside of his chest, but he knew it happened more frequently with the other's presence.
The smaller black dragon looked curiously between the two dragon callers, lost in their own almost duel of whose gaze could linger longer. Devi breathed out a puff of cool air, and shook his head. It's been like this since the tournament, maybe even longer.
Devi couldn't believe this dragon caller's lack of knowledge, but then again he was Tamazo's partner. Ace couldn't compare remotely to Master Lance. Devi exasperated, "Dragoza Island used to just be inhabited by Dragonoids. For some time there were no humans. It's not uncommon here for dragonoids to mistrust humans, and blame them for the drop impacts and imbalances.Don't you even know the basics?" he paused to glare down at Ace, who had finally shifted his gaze. "...Learn some dragonoid history, Devi", he added with a loud humph.
"But…Isn't-", Ace started, feeling an unnatural pull and tug at his chest again. He could feel his heart pounding but his mind remained broken as with the current situation between humans and dragonoids. "Isn't that unfair? A lot has changed since then and-" Ace paused taking a lingering glance over Lance's glistened eyes. "Humans have been living among Dragonoids for some time now. Not all humans are the same," Ace proclaimed his heart racing from something new and he couldn't deny the odd pang against his chest, after hearing this. His lips trembled at he looked up and forced himself to shift away, from lingering in one place for too long.
"That may be true, but there's still plenty of Dragonoids who think poorly of humans, Devi. Especially around here", Devidra emphasized, waving his arms to his side and wildly flapping them around, much like the black wings on his back.
"There are still many who think like Klein and Kroelle," Lance added on further, glancing up from Devidra before returning the glance southwards. He closed his one exposed eye slowly before exhaling slowly. What exactly was Ace trying to prove? People's hearts can't be changed that easily, not when they've been so far broken.
"But that can't be…"Ace started and that pang in his chest began to only ache further. His lips trembled before they kept pursed and curving into a frown. That can't be true everyone. Certainly not, there had to be a way to fix this, to heal the hearts of the dragonoids and humans opposing each other. To cure the sickness of the citizens hearts. What else would they do simply give up on hope? There was just no way. A blazing white fire was burning profusely against the sky blue eyes of the dragon caller.
Lance couldn't say he was surprised this was certainly, nothing short of...Ace.
"Yeah that's just not fair Tama! Humans aren't even the ones to blame for that earlier statue collapsing, they need to listen to us, Tama", the smaller dragon had spoken up with equal yet higher pitched enthusiasm, and determination.
"Some people aren't so easy to persuade," Devi added plainly, shaking his head as he blinked his eyes closed for a moment, mimicking his dragon caller partner.
Garnet who had been standing besides ace for some time finally began. She even bothered to wave in front of Ace, who couldn't seem to focus on the outside world for the past few minutes.
Certainly an amateur, dragon caller. To think you're so distracted over something like this. She noted of her friend, before piping up, "But, I mean come on! We know this was Dominion's doing, the group Morgan had aligned herself with! Shouldn't we focus on the real culprits first" she spoke up, but made no comment to the gaze shared between the other two dragon callers. Were they even able to see around themselves, looking like that? Or just each other.
"We need to stop them from creating more drop impacts", she finalized, before cocking her head to the side and back up at Lance. He mumbled something under her breath before placing her hands on her hips.
Lance frowned, tilting his head to the side and shifting his eyes noticing the idol dragon caller. If only it was that easy to prove. Still he could leave the team with this much, and perhaps they could find a way to calm the hearts of the few.
"I had lost sight of Dominion's true leaders, taking care of Klein and Kroelle" Lance paused, looking north, and with a disgruntled growl under his breath. He continued, "...but there could be more members around the statues here.. You'd have to check around town, there should be more sacred landmarks, you could check with the guild for. And maybe then you'd be sure to further prove Dominion is involved." Lance advised, with eyes stiff and glancing sternly at the two below.
Ace looked up at the older dragon caller one more time before deciding upon his next approach. He looked up to Lance in a silent form of thanks, his lips curved to the point of aching, and he couldn't seem to look away. He remembered Garnet telling them of the nearest location, and going back to the guild… And suddenly they were turning away, and Ace forced down the tight chested feeling of knowing, Lance would vanish after this, like the wind again. He'd sway away until he needed to be near again. Something
"Thank you, Lance…" Ace called out softly, with his blue eyes glowing and lips in a half smile. He turned back, quickly taking out the d-gear device and holding it before his form.
Ace moved out, to summon his blue leviathan and headed towards the nearest destination. "Take care of Haru, alright?" Ace had asked of Garnet. The blond groaned and rolled her eyes but accepted the request.
Lance looked to the sky in silence, watching as Ace disappeared once more. He was certainly something. The wind blew around the prodigy's, hair and coat, but he seemed unfazed. Yellow eyes followed the young dragon caller mounted upon the blue dragon until he fell out of sight.
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Lance had solely heard through the grapevine about Ace and Tamazo's exploration to the statues. And by the grapevine came a quick and curt call from Garnet, telling him "'Not to worry.' Ace came back just fine." Whatever that was supposed to mean…?
Things were certainly getting stranger and tensions continued further within and outside of the guild. But there were still some certainties, and those whose colors wouldn't change, right? Those who could be trusted, and certainly at least one member from inside of the guild.
"About Jest…" Devidra had started, his voice timid, as he twirled his hands around each other like pedals on a bike. He was floating above his master dragon caller with lowered eyes and a lowered lip curve. Devidra recalled his earlier encounters with the guild, and hearing wary warnings and comments about the current subject.
The ancient of Darkness, in particular, shared her concerns about Jest's own alignments, and true motivations for his decisions, at the last tournament. She had shared her concerns with the little dragon, but Devi found it often hard to bring out the topic. "Hasn't he been acting a bit...different during the Battle Cup? I mean he seemed rather insistent on things, Devi..", he brought out the words hesitantly, continuing to twiddle his hands around each other. Devi's small eyes scrunched up on his face, waiting for Lance to finish breathing out, and answer.
"Yes, that is true," Lance lifted and carded a hand through the flowing white bangs dangling before his eyes. "He was different at the battle cup, that's true. But Jest had warned us earlier about the guild, and their own intentions. I'm sure there's reasonings behind his persistence on pushing the callers further with soul brave this year. He's watching over things, and far different than any other member of the guild," Lance finalized his words, and brought his hand back down to his side, with darkened and unwavering eyes. Ones that clinged to the idea of faith.
Devi saw that stubborn look in the male's eyes and sighed. There seemed to be no way of getting through, Lance held some affinity for the ancient of Light. For Lance's sake he would hold on to the speck of faith in all of the ancients as well.
"I'll protect you, Master Lance," Devi vowed, Maybe we can count on you too. Devi pondered with the image of a bubbly egg-white dragon and a sky-eyed boy came to mind. Even if it meant having to ask for help….If it would help Lance, it was always worth it.
"Wha-where did that come from?" Lance asked with his eyes widening as he watched the small black dragon smile and spin in a full circle before flying off into who knows where. The sunset blazed throughout the sky and within a moment Devi was gone. Lance's eyes blinked several times, trying to piece together Devi's banter and intentions. Perhaps everything was changing.
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Ace had returned with a vivid smile on his face. There was a warmth of hope inside of him, and he felt an odd urge to express his accomplishments.
Much to the annoyance of his current guild partner. She rolled her eyes before mentioning a quick, "I gotta do something real quick,"
"Yeah, like what?" Ace paused in his ramblings, to place two of his hands out flat on the table between them. His eyes widened with childlike curiosity.
"It's nothing a kid like you'd need to concern yourself with," Garnet answered haughtily, waving her hand forward at Ace as though to silence him.
Ace pouted his lips like that, with his dragon caller mimicking the gesture haughtily, and with his small arms draped across his chest. "What's that supposed to mean? I'm older than you, ya know!"
"And yet it's near impossible to tell," Garnet bantered, before swiftly tuning through the doorway of the old tavern house. "Now i'm off!" she proclaimed with a curved wave of her hand. Her eyes held a glimmer of mischief as she walked well out of earshot and brought out her own D-Gear communicator, dialing a rather legendary dragon caller.
"You'll thank me for this some day, Ace" Garnet hummed to herself upon hearing the device ringing. Maybe this would help him focus on a mission for once.
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It was happening again and far too soon. Shaking fingers clutched tightly to the communication device. "A drop disturbance again!?" Ace shrieked out again, with his eyes boggling as he looked over the mountain to see several drops of all energy levels rising rapidly into the air. It was like an endless stream of colors, red, blue, purple, yellow and green all melding into one, and surrounded by a storm of air.
Ace had been standing outside of a small town building, when he received another call from the guild. Checking into the town's local Guild site, it was confirmed this particular outskirt of a town was current invaded by drop disturbances. "Alright, I'll start heading over towards the next one," Ace confirmed speaking into his own red communication device, before hearing a 'thank you' from the other line and a click.
"Ahh, we're going to head out again, Tama?" the small dragon spoke in an exasperated tone, hanging his own head ,and sinking it forward ,between his small arms. Tamazo pouted, as he exhaled another long-winded breath, and turned his head towards Ace. "We've been out on them all day already? I think someone's just setting us up…" he whined, fluttering down and nudging his forehead against the dragon caller's shoulder.
"Tamazo," Ace scolded the dragon, but his lips betrayed a smile. "You need to be taking these tasks more seriously. Yeah, the last few had been flukes, but there could still be monsters in danger from this. Our entire world even, could be hurting from this." Ace proclaimed holding out his index finger right in front of the smaller dragon's face, and wagging it before the now pouting dragon.
Tamazo's face scrunched up as he crossed his arms around himself, and swiftly turned his head away. "I am taking this serious, Tama! I'm tired is all, can't we just rest after this?...You don't even appreciate how hard I'm working sometimes, Tama," the small dragon huffed, sticking his tongue out towards the now frowning teen.
"Tamazo," he began, sighing in exasperation and extending his hands out widely on each side of him. "I know! We've both been working a lot, and together on this, but," Ace retracted his hands back to his side, "We need to keep going, who knows where this one will lead us towards more answers about Dominion."
Tamazo huffed, pouting his lips tightly together, "If you say so. You sure are optimistic, Ace."
"I'd like to think that's a good quality of mine," Ace chuckled at that, and lifted his hands to lightly cover over his mouth.
With a soft sigh of laughter, from Tamazo, Ace smiled. He reached into his side pocket, and lifted out the familiar and glowing red D-gear. "Leviathan, Release!" Ace beckoned for his dear monster, as the communication device continued to glow, and a soft hue of sky blue began to emerge and glow over the device.
The sky flooded with the bright blue light as the outline of a grand and vast Leviathan emerged within the sky. Ace smiled upon seeing his dear friend again, and reached out his hand to brush against the side of the great Dragon's head. "Thank you," he called out to the dragon, who nuzzled against Ace's hand.
The drop impact speed seemed to only grow more and more rapid. Ace mounted himself onto his mighty Leviathan dragon with Tamazo in tow.
Before giving the signal, Ace took out his small flip phone and searched through a long list of names. He found Garnet's and texted her.
"Another drop impact over the mountains on the east side. Be back at the guild soon." -The text read and Ace had sent it off with a click, as the little envelope icon appeared on screen.
"Now that that's done, Leviathan, lets go!" Ace requested, patting the side of the blue dragon's head, and gesturing with his arms towards the rapidly increasing drop impact. The larger leviathan dragon eyed the overflow of energy drops and proceeded to nod, raising it's wings slowly at first before going airborne.
Tamazo floated his way towards the back of the larger dragon, as he looked around curiously, heading spinning as the pace accelerated.
"Woah you sure are in a rush," Tamazo pointed out, floating his way back towards Ace. Ace's blue eyes narrowed as he came closer to the scene.
"Skraaaw!", screeched the loud cry of a large dragon in the distance. The sounds seeming more and more of agony as it flew further down to the spout of energy drops. The hole in the mountainous range was wide open as though further dug up, and the sacred dragon statue in it's place had been moved quite a distance away.
"Oh no," Ace cried out, biting on the bottom of his lip.
The planet was dying. The monsters were hurting, and these people or dragonoids...it didn't matter...they were continuing and adding to the suffering. That was unacceptable! "Can we move faster?" Ace beckoned of the mighty leviathan, who peered one eye north before proceeded with the request. The blue eyed teen shook his head as he heard Tamazo grunting about moving 'fast enough already.'
The dragon was a mighty hellfire dragon, Inferno. The wings reflecting a captivating hue of fire with light orange and a darker red glowing throughout the wingspan. It's eyes seemed to be alit in a blaze of fiery rage.
The angered Hellfire dragon was shrieking again, crying out towards something, or someone. Ace was hoping to make more of as he got that bit closer. Inferno's entire body was covered in brilliant and fiery red scales, with copper and pink tinted horns on the top of its head. It's talons were clenching together. A pained gasp escaped the dragon, who seemed to be floating around the particular drop impact. Of course, the sound from the impacts could be horrendous, and it seemed to be especially painful for the smaller monsters.
Ace rushed forward, feeling the wind brushing his hair in front of his face, the agonizing cries continued. Ace winced his eyes shut, the cries seeping into his own chest. He frowned seeing Tamazo wincing and holding his ears down and shut. Ace reached into his bag, and pulled out two red ear buds. "Here," Ace told the dragon, "You'll need these," Tamazo took them eagerly in his small hands, and immediately placed them in.
A flash of blue descended from the sky, as the group edged closer to their destination. Ace found a small patch of Land near the suffering monster. Aces eyes shook with a glossy and emotional swirl. He bit further down on his lip. "Alright, let's land down there," Ace extended his arm as far as it would possibly go.
As the Leviathan started slowing down, Ace reached for his red backpack again, he pulled out a few more sets of earplugs, knowing they may be in need later on. Ace pocketed the ear plugs, and pet at the Leviathan's ears. "Thank you," Ace said, before dismounting from the dragon and landing on the nearby ground.
Ace was already reaching for his D-gear again, with a determined gaze in his eyes.
Tamazo's eyes widened, as he cautiously moved forward and placed his hand over the dragon caller's forehead. "Ace are you okay!? It could be way dangerous down there Tama, we should wait until-"
But it was too late Ace was already off of the mighty leviathan dragon, and raising his arms above his head. The teen had his arms extended to his side as he held his red d-gear out once more. "Cross on!" He exclaimed, taking in the power of all of his dear allies as the overwhelming warmth and strength overcame his form.
Ace's entire body became encased by a brightened light, as the incredible strength of the mighty Phoenix overlapped his body. Arms became covered with golden gauntlets and talons, as elegant wings began to sprout from his back. His feet were adorned with a similar state of gold. Lastly the young teen's forehead became embraced with a gold decor and a large blue gem in the center of the headdress.
Ace's entire form glowed brightly once more as he tilted his head back and closed his eyes. Horus' form became one with him and his eyes were dual toned, both red and blue.
With an overwhelming power the teen rushed towards the mighty Hellfire dragon only to see its cries and the source. It was firing off blast after fiery blasts from it's mouth. It's gaze trailed all over the area as though looking for someone, or something.
Ace rushed forward, silencing thanking and glancing back at the Leviathan dragon who had faded to pixels and returned to its egg form. Ace could feel Leviathan's strength being lent to him as well.
"Ace, look!" Tamazo cried out breaking the teen from his power high.
Ace bolted forward as he took notice, "It's a Tyrra!" Ace exclaimed.
"Several of them!" Tamazo added swiftly pointing at the poor small red and maroon stripped dragons caught within a hurricane of egg drops, this was getting out of control.
"So that's why it's so upset!" Ace stated, rushing towards the source and seeing the partially caved in crevice the impact was flooding through. "It's friends are all hurting, and all because of someone's selfish actions," Ace's blue eyes narrowed as he grit his teeth, no doubt this would only cause more of a rift between the humans and dragonoids!
They would be here, dominion, it had to be someone setting them off. But how to get to the source. Ace rushed forward, "Please stop," Ace cried out, but his pleas fell to rage deafened ears as the hellfire dragon continued reaching havoc upon the area. Searching for something or someone out of place.
The auburn haired teen ran forth again, the rush intoxicating and terrifying as he came closer to the near hurricane of energy.
"Ace-" Tamazo was crying out, but he couldn't make out the rest. For a moment time seemed to still. Reddened and darkened eyes locked onto his form, blinded with rage.
Tamazo's lips were moving rapidly as there were shrieks and tears forming at his eyes. He was rushing in closer; but time seemed to stand still.
Ace's eyes winced shut as the overwhelming force or something shot straight into him. His mind was blank and eyes foggy as he felt his consciousness nearly slipping.
This couldn't be it, right? He would fight this, and heal the hearts of the wounded monsters, he had to.
"Ace," a softer and lower voice called to him, and Ace felt himself pushed as his back slammed onto the harsh ground beneath him. It was still a far better fate than whatever the monsters blast would deal to him.
Ace forced his eyes open and blue turned wildly into a bright yellow. His heart was rushing and pounding against his chest. His cheeks lit aflame and it became near impossible to speak. He was burning up from the inside.
Lance was...here.
An overwhelming warmth fled through the auburn teen's features, as his crystal blue eyes glanced up at his current savior. Slender yet strong pale arms were caging the younger boy's body against the ground below. Lance's form completely hovered over Ace's body, and shielded him entirely from such a blast.
"You should be more careful," Lance advised, as his licked at his dried out lips and scrunched up lines into his forehead. His lips were moving more, but Ace couldn't seem to understand. His entire body was on fire, and Lance's legs were now straddling around his own. Ace felt himself lit aflame, as he noticed a brief pause in Lance's movements, his lips had quivered before turning into a frown.
Lance's lips seemed to glisten as he wet them once more, looking back at his dragon partner, and Tamazo who was filled with rather large and overwhelming tears. Ace flushed, as bright and red as the fire orbs behind them, and there was no god or goddess of luck, that could prevent Lance from seeing it fully.
"Ace, I'm asking if you're alright? I didn't think that blast hit you that hard…", Lance's eyes were furrowed in concern, and one of the arms holding him still slithered back to the older male's side. Ace only turned redder, lips parting but unforming words, paralyzed by the other's body heat.
Ace had thought he'd be able to focus, and hear more than passing words here and there. He clenched his hand below him, and fought the urge to squeeze the fabric over his chest. Blue eyes shimmered, as they noticed Lance's lips still moving, and his face inching closer. He turned back to Devi and mentioned something, but Ace found it hard to hear over his own heartbeat, and their proximity.
The hand that had retracted by Lance's side moved from it's spot before and slowing over Ace's form. Why couldn't he just move, or answer? What was this?
"Mn…" Ace whimpered, and immediately pursed his lips closed. His entire face was burning with a heated fire, and Lance's hand was brushing against his skin. It was held protectively over Ace's forehead, as two white eyebrows crinkled together.
"Are you alright, Ace?" Lance asked again, his eyes mixed and glossed, his tone was barely above a whisper, and the auburn teen managed a nod in response.
Lance's lips softened into a half smile, before returning to their neutral state. "Good." Lance finalized, breathing out a low and cool exhale. The air blew against Ace's neck, feeling ice cold compared the earlier burning sensation.
Lance's face softened as his lips curved just enough to form a partial smile. The white haired teen shifted himself forward, and propped himself up from his elbows up to his palms laying flat.
The auburn teen's lips parted as he leaned forward. He saw Lance leaning up and felt a shiver, a considerable amount of heat leaving and all too rapidly. "T-thank you," Ace heard himself say, voice cracked and throat exceedingly dry.
The younger male moved in pace with Lance, and leaned up, as though on instinct. He felt their bodies brush up against each other.
Both Devi and Tamazo were glancing at each other and back toward their dragon callers. Devi shook his head, "You're Ace is being ridiculous, Devi"
"Oh yeah, well so is your Lance, Tama" Tamazo countered with his tongue stuck out as Devi grumbled.
"You take that one back, Devi!"
"You'll have to go and make me, Tama!"
The two continued to bicker, missing the contact and near smiles their partners held towards each other. Well, Ace's smile was certainly transparent, his lips quivered as he looked back into Lance's eyes, something about the softness in them, giving things hope. His worries gone, if just for that moment.
The white haired teen had rocked himself back, with hips sitting on his heels. He bent his knees, before standing up fully. Ace was still underneath the cool and mysterious gaze hiding behind golden yellow eyes.
Lance's body, cloaked around by his blue cape cast a shadow. It looked over Ace and made him look quite small in comparison. The younger teen's cheeks were completely painted a deep shade of pink, as his lips parted, opening to form words, but it was to no avail.
Lance's long and slender arms reached out towards Ace. He eyed Ace, whose face scrunched up a bit.
"Oh, right..." Ace laughed nervously, brushing the back of his neck, and only further reddening his expression.
Ace's slighter tanner hand reached for Lance's and he couldn't be in a bit of awe, noticing the contrast and the perfect fit as their hands connected.
Lance held tightly at the same instant Ace further grasped tightly to Lance. He was dazed but able to make his way to his feet. Still, it felt so much lighter as he rose. Their eyes locked, and a spark ignited, holding them in place.
Their hands remained clasped together, and a split second seemed endless. Lance's pale features gave way to a small tinge of pink dusted across his cheeks. It was faint but the light tone of his features, gave it away, and Ace lost his breath. Their hands had just now relinquished their shared hold.
"Thank you too, for earlier," Lance added so calmly and relaxed, and Ace wanted to scold himself for being so polar opposite.
His everything was on fire, 'What for?' his face seemed to be splaying enough, as his eyes sparkled.
Lance smirked at him, in a way that was doing nothing to help Ace's voice return nor to calm down the fluttering heat against his chest.
"You helped me back then, you, your Tamadra, and Leviathan," Lance explained vaguely, his tone unfairly calm as he combed his hand through the front of his hair. Yet there was that one opening, and Lance . The older male lifted his hand up, and scratched at the side of his cheek.
Ace swallowed, biting at the inside of his cheek, and nodded, in his only understandable form of communication available. He reached his right hand forward mindlessly, he stopped it as quickly as he could process.
Lance continued, closing his eyes in an entrancing way. He huffed, "I would have been alright, regardless, but still...", Lance paused, "I wanted to thank you."
Ace felt the smile on his face aching, and burning wildly. "Oh...oh! Yes, right-ah..." Ace fumbled nervously kicking and brushing up the dust below his feet. "Same to you. You really saved me. Many times," Ace chuckled, mirroring Lance's earlier gesture and scratching along the side of his own face, "I guess we're even now."
"Right," Lance agreed, his tone and outward motions, back to their usual neutral form. Golden eyes darted from blue to see the dragon seemingly calmed for a moment before it glanced at the two of them. "I'll handle this," Lance proclaimed, and Ace nodded.
The older teen turned on his heel, and walked toward the dragon before them, still searching around the premise, firing wildly. Lance was murmuring something calmly with Devi floating up right beside him. "Wait for me, Master Lance!", the smaller black dragon exclaimed flailing around with his wings and arms. Ace smiled fondly looking up at the small dragon and noticing it's own blue-tinted ear-plugs. The younger teen imagined Lance's monsters were cared for in a similar fashion. The drop impact was still harmful to the monster's senses after all, having that protection was necessary.
The older male carded his hands into his side pockets to pull out his own blue-d gear. "Release" he called. It lit up, with mostly blue and purple marble sized orbs. Each of the monsters were released with sparkles turning to precious monsters. From the white/blue toned Aurora Dragon, ocean blue Plesios, bipedal ice-powered Mizuarashi and lastly the dark elemental Pierdrawn. All of Lance's precious companions were beside him, likely for backup.
Lance walked forward, enough to view the raging dragon, and seeing the smaller, near infantile dragons screeching and attempting to rush away from the impact. One of the Tyrah was trapped, with it's legs stuck, within the crevice where the drop impact was rushing out from. Tears were bursting at the seams, along the edges of the fire dragon's eye.
The Hellfire dragon was firing out wildly, with a rekindling blaze in its eyes once more, it's cries now comprehended. Lance had approached, holding his hand, palm out towards the dragon. "We'll save your friend," Lance vowed, eyes stern and unwavering, the enraged dragon looked down at him skeptically. Yet, it seemed to connect. Ace watched, in awe at the dragon's understanding with Lance. He still had a long way to go and grow before reaching that goal.
Lance remained still, several feet in front of the enraged dragon, despite Devi's pleas to stop. Lance's eyes stayed stern, as he pointed back towards the hurting Tyrah's "We'll save them, but you need to cease your attacks first. I understand your rage...but trust me," Lance explained, eyes locked upon the dragon, in hopes for any chance of reaching it just enough, to move the statue back. The dragon glanced from the caller to his friend's in their state of peril. It paused, looking at the legendary Dragon Caller, and watching him intently.
Lance's eyes scrunched and glared as he spotted one of the cowardly hooded Dominion lackeys, looking out from his hiding spot, behind the rocky terrain. The individual shrieked, hastily moving to run away.
"Now," Lance called to his beloved monsters. The white haired dragon caller stretched his hand out towards the heavens. Glowing blue water and purple darkness energy drops took form around him, and lined themselves up into rows of three. His aurora dragon was the first to fire an attack towards the unnamed assailant.
The glowing energy drops aligned together before floating above Lance's teammates and they easily struck at and overpowered the Dominion lackey member. One who cowardly fled in an instant, not caring much for any of the poor monster's state.
"He won't be coming back after that," Lance assured the dragon, stepping closer and gesturing towards the cloaked figure, who had certainly met with a powerful blast impact.
Lance hissed out in disgust at the members act. Finding the rather menacing source of the problem, turning and attempting to run at a world record pace. Lance declared one final strike and the drop impact lessened before dissipating. The perpetrator was hit within the blast, slowing their pace enough to catch a glimpse of their face and attire further confirming their association with "Dominion."
Lance called for his dragon's again, and the Aurora dragon moved back, after firing off one more attack to ensure the Dominion lackey, was long gone. The water and darkness based monsters returned to Lance's side. "We need to move that," he gestured towards the large dragon statue, "Back, but we need to help out the Tyrah first of course"
His monsters nodded in unison, in addition to their cries. The aurora dragon and Mizuarashi moved towards the statue, lifting it as the, Plesios and Pierdawn,focused on the trapped monster. With their ears sheltered from the harsh damage of the drop impact, they moved closer, with one monster firing an attack near the crevice, opening it up just enough to pry out the stuck Dragon. With a relieved cry the dragon rushed back to it's group.
The aurora dragon carried the statue over, and sealed the statue over the sacred site, already lessening the pace and intense atmosphere from the drop impact.
The smaller red Pyrah dragons were freed from the harsh terrain and they began huddling and nuzzling together. They seemed relieved, as the harsh sound from the impact was finally dissipating. Lance's dragon's returned back to their caller, and received their own thanks and pets for their job well done, before returning for a rest in their drop form.
Lance walked up towards the hellfire dragon, and extended his hand for the dragon to inspect. It looked curiously at the dragonoid and the now joyous friends. Lance must have been deemed worthy, as it moved closer to Lance, allowing his hand to brush against it.
Lance glowed, a near smile right back on his face. "See, I told you it would be alright," Lance breathed out soft and tenderly. The enraged dragon seemed like an entirely different creature, nuzzling the side of it's face down to Lance's hand, brushing against it. Lance's face softened, and lips parted to a half-smile.
"Ace are you okay?" Tamazo started, pouting his cheeks full of air like a balloon as he fluttered around the entranced dragon caller.
"Yeah," he answered in a daze. There was something so incredibly gentle about this moment. Ace wanted to keep this, for as long as possible.
Owari
Ending notes: _
A/N: Thank you all for reading! Sorry for delays! Lots of family stuff and life-ing! People moving, things changing and so much I just want to live on Dragoza Island. Anyways let me know what you think or what you'd like to see later on. Or feel free to talk about the series and all that. I'm also on twitter as sirenatwilight. Comments, kudos, bookmarks and all of that stuff gives me life! You people are thee best! PAD family! Woo!
Here's scrapped dialogue scene/omake+bonus that didn't work out for the story or characters, as I was writing. I do too many of these T.T
"Devi?"
"Yeah, Master Lance? What is it?"
"Hasn't Ace been acting strange lately?"
"Strange?"
"It just feels warmer around him somehow…"
"Ah, umm…Lance?"
"Nevermind."
"So are you gonna tell him?
"?"
"You wanted to thank him before…"
"Yes among other things."
