Future Dragon: Rose Long (Season Nine)

Chapter/Episode 4: Prisoner Whirro

Moaning, Rose slowly started to open her eyes, coming back to the world of reality. "Rose?" She could hear Jake's worried voice right before she fully opened her eyes, seeing both Jake and Savannah, both in their human forms, sitting on their knees in front of her. "Rose, are you okay?" Jake asked.

"Where am I?" Rose asked weakly.

"You're still in Whirro's house." Jake answered.

Hearing this, Rose gasped and her eyes widened. "Kerberos!" She exclaimed. "Where is he?"

"He isn't here, Rose." Jake told her. "He's gone."

"But...how?" Rose asked. "How can this be?" Bringing a clawed hand to her head, she continued: "Why didn't he just kill me? He had the chance. I don't understand."

"I don't know." Savannah spoke up. "But I think you should be grateful that you are alive."

A few moments later, Jake, now in his dragon form, walked out of Whirro's home, followed by Rose, who was also in her dragon form. Finally, Savannah exited, also in her dragon form. Then, all three of them met in a line, Rose right in the middle.

"One more question." Rose said.

"And that would be?" Jake asked, turning his head to the side to look at his wife.

"Where's Whirro?"

"He's on the Island of Draco." Jake answered as he turned his head back to normal. "While you were facing Kerberos, I took him there."

"In a not-so-smart move..." Savannah added as she turned her head to the side, prompting Rose to turn her head to the side to look at her as Savannah continued to speak: "...He waited for you to come back for about an hour."

"That long?" Rose asked.

"Yep." Savannah answered.

"Hey, hey, hey." Jake said as he turned to the side, smiling sheepishly as he held up both of his clawed hands. "Don't make the Jake-Man look bad, Savannah."

"I don't have to." Savannah said with a small smile before she stuck her tongue out, directing it at Jake.

"Hey, in my defense..." Jake lowered his hands before Rose turned to the side to face him. "...I thought you could handle Kerberos."

"I can." Rose narrowed her eyes, putting her clawed hands on her hips.

"After an hour, I knew something was wrong." Jake said. "So that was when I recruited Savannah and we hurried our scaly tails down here. Does that make me a bad husband?" As he asked Rose this, he gave her a pathetic frown, trying to give her his best puppy-dog look.

"Absolutely not." Rose gave Jake a small smile.

LINE BREAK

On the Island of Draco, Callum and Rin were walking along the grass after leaving the Main Hall. "Councilors!" Whirro called as he, in his human form, ran up to them, making them stop in their tracks.

"Yes, Whirro?" Rin asked.

"I don't like this." Whirro told them angrily. "I don't want to be kept on this island."

"Please understand." Callum said. "We think this is the best way to keep you safe."

"Keep me safe from what?" Whirro demanded. "I can keep myself safe!"

"Apep Kerberos is very dangerous." Callum said. "He has even bested our head Agent, a very talented fighter."

"He broke into your house." Rin added. "He's a wanted dragon. It could be very possible that his intent was to kill you."

"I doubt it." Whirro said, putting his hands on his hips. "From what it looked like to me, before one of your fellow Councilors tackled me to the ground, he was quietly hiding in one of the rooms of my house."

"Don't underestimate a desperate dragon." Rin told him.

"This is for the best." Callum concluded.

"That's our verdict." Rin said. "It's final. You will stay here until further notice."

"And how long is that?"

"Until further notice." Rin repeated, sounding quite annoyed herself.

"But can you give me an estimated time?" Whirro asked.

"Not really." Callum said.

"I want one." Whirro crossed his arms.

"How about this, then?" Rin told him, her annoyance at Whirro now obvious. "Once Apep Kerberos is captured, just like we told you earlier, then you can go back home?"

Callum and Rin then split up and each walked around Whirro before they met back up behind him, leaving Whirro alone. Now all by himself, Whirro scowled.

"I don't think so." He said to himself.

BLACKOUT; COMMERCIAL BREAK

BACK TO THE STORY/SHOW

A short time later, Jake and Rose both touched down on the grass, Savannah landing at Rose's side about three seconds later. "How's your head?" Jake asked as he turned his head to look at his wife.

"Better." Rose smiled.

"Did the flight clear your head?" Savannah asked with a smile as she turned her head to the side as well.

"Guess so." Rose said as Jake and Savannah turned their heads back to normal. Then, Rose's smile widened as she changed the subject: "Either of you hungry?"

"Sure." Jake replied.

"Not really, but whatever." Savannah shrugged.

LINE BREAK

Rose, now in her human form, walked into the cafeteria, followed by her human-formed husband, and then finally, Savannah, also in her human form.

Seconds later, they all sat down at a table, all together, Rose in-between Jake and Savannah. "Hey, would you look at that..." Savannah quickly commented, seeing Whirro's back as he sat at the table ahead of them.

"Maybe we should just let him be alone." Rose said softly, however, to her surprise, Whirro turned his head to the side, one of his eyes staring at them.

"Well, he knows we're here now." Rose said.

"I don't think he's going to bite, Rose." Savannah pointed out as Whirro got up and stepped over to them, sitting down across from the three.

"What's up, dude?" Jake smiled. "Liking the island?"

"No." Whirro growled.

"Why not?" Jake asked.

"I'm like a prisoner here." Whirro growled.

"Actually, if you were a prisoner here..." Savannah pointed out. "...You'd be sitting in a dark cell in chains."

"That's beside the point." Whirro growled.

"I'm just saying." Savannah replied.

"So, I just wanted to ask..." Whirro said. "...If you've captured that Kerberos dragon yet?"

"No." Rose answered.

"What happened?" Whirro narrowed his eyes.

"He...He defeated me." Rose replied.

"How'd he do that?" Whirro asked, not knowing whether to be angry with the woman's failure or relieved with her failure.

"I let my guard down for one second." Rose said. "Just one second. I had him down on the ground and at my mercy. I reached for my shackles so I could arrest him, but that was when he struck. I lost consciousness."

"He didn't kill you?" Whirro asked, his eyes widening with shock. Kerberos should have killed her, that much Whirro was sure of.

"No, and I don't know why." Rose told him. "When I woke up, Jake and Savannah were at my side, but Kerberos was gone."

LINE BREAK

The doors to the Main Hall were open and Whirro slowly stepped inside and saw Callum and Rin sitting at the table, addressing one another, deep in some kind of conversation.

"Hey." Whirro said as he stopped a foot or two away from the table, making Rin and Callum turn their heads to the side.

Rin frowned immediately. "What now?"

"You're not going to be rude again, are you?" Callum asked.

"Depends." Whirro said as he put his hands on his hips.

"On what?" Callum asked.

"Since you're keeping me from my house..." Whirro said. "...I expect something in return. I need a room to stay in."

"Oh." Callum said. "Um, yes. We can...We can do that."

"When?" Whirro narrowed his eyes.

"Just give us a few minutes." Rin told him.

LINE BREAK

"Here." Callum said as he opened the door to a room and walked inside, Whirro following him. "Will this be good enough for you?" Callum asked as Whirro looked over the room, which more or less only had a bed in the corner of the room.

"I suppose so." Whirro said as he crossed his arms.

"Glad to hear it." Callum said before he turned around and walked out of the room.

Turning around, Whirro watched as the door closed after Callum. "Good riddance." Whirro said as he reached into the pocket of his pants and pulled out a communications device. Then, Whirro turned back around and walked over to the bed, sitting down as soon as he reached the bed.

Quickly, Whirro pressed a button on the device, and a few seconds later, a holographic image of Apep Kerberos, in his dragon form, appeared.

"I see you got away." Whirro growled, narrowing his eyes.

"She almost got me." Apep said.

"But then you left her unconscious!" Whirro hissed. "Very poor choice you made! You should have killed her while you had the chance!"

"I know." Apep replied. "But I didn't. I can't go back in time and change my choice."

"Unfortunately not."

"Look, where are you?" Apep asked.

"I'm on the Island of Draco."

"Did you tell them anything?" Apep demanded.

"I have told them nothing." Whirro said. "Do you really think I'd be that stupid? Besides, what would I tell them? They already know about you."

"You didn't confess?"

"Why would I do that?" Whirro hissed. "Don't be stupid, Apep. The Council knows nothing! I intend to keep it that way."

"How?"

"I want you to come and get me."

"You really want me to come to you and risk capture?"

"Rose Long will be here." Whirro smiled evilly. "You can fix your mistake."

"That is very true." Apep smiled.

"Besides, it should go over smoothly." Whirro told him. "I have a plan. It involves you kidnapping me."

"And killing Rose Long?"

"And killing Rose Long." Whirro agreed.

BLACKOUT; COMMERCIAL BREAK

BACK TO THE STORY/SHOW

Rose found herself walking along the grass, in-between both Jake and Savannah. However, they stopped when they reached the edge of the island, seeing Cherri, Lista, Lexy and Maverick all sitting together in their human forms.

"Wonder what they're doing." Savannah said.

"Let's find out." Rose offered.

The three then started to walk over to the others.

LINE BREAK

Meanwhile, Whirro exited the building where his room was, stepping out onto the grass, the doors to the building wide open. Whirro continued to walk, heading for the edge of the island, which was where Jake had come onto the island.

However, Whirro froze in his tracks when he saw Councilor Callum walking towards him.

"What now?" Whirro moaned.

"Hello, Whirro." Callum said as he stopped in front of Whirro. "Are you in any more of a sociable mood then you were before?"

"No, I'm not." Whirro said as he crossed his arms. "I don't like being cooped up on this island."

"Councilor Rin and I both want to apologize." Callum said. "We're going to catch Apep Kerberos."

"Are you now?" Whirro asked sarcastically as he put his hands on his hips.

"We're going to do everything in our power." Callum told him. "You're just going to have to be patient."

"No, I won't." Whirro told him before he continued on, walking around Callum's side, leaving the Dragon Councilor looking confused.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

LINE BREAK

Now, Jake, Rose and Savannah all sat among Cherri, Lista, Lexy and Maverick.

"So, what were you guys talking about?" Rose asked.

"Nothing in particular." Lista said as she turned her head to the side.

"So you're just sitting here?" Jake asked.

"Aren't we allowed to do that?" Lexy asked, turning her head to the side as well.

LINE BREAK

Meanwhile, Whirro turned around the corner of the building, only to gasp and stop in his tracks as he saw Councilor Rin standing in front of him.

"What do you want?" Whirro demanded angrily as he put a hand to his chest. "First that other Councilor, now you."

"Aw, so you did run into Councilor Callum..."

"Unfortunately so..." Whirro said as he lowered his hand from his chest.

Now, Rin was frowning. "Look, we're doing you a favor." She told him with an annoyed tone. "I don't appreciate your rude demeanor."

"And I don't appreciate what you're doing."

"Well, then." Rin said angrily as she crossed her arms. "I really regret sending Councilor Callum to see how you're doing. You were disrespectful to him, weren't you?"

"Look, all I want is for you to let me off of this island!"

"And all I want is for you to understand that you're not getting off of this island." Rin countered. "Apep Kerberos is after one of our Agents and he killed her parents. He's dangerous."

"You know..." Whirro smiled rudely. "...You saying that just gave me an idea. You've just proven to me how I'm not safe on this island."

"Oh, and how is that?"

"It means he'll come here if he's really that desperate."

"We'll be able to protect you."

"If I'm not on this island when he comes, I won't NEED protection, you dumb dragon!" Whirro shouted at her. "I'm leaving now and there isn't a thing you can do that can stop me!"

"You listen to me here, Whirro." Rin said in an angry voice as she pointed a finger at him. "You will treat me with respect."

"Oh, yeah?"

"Yeah, because if you don't, I will have you placed under arrest." Rin threatened. "Trust me. The feeling of cold shackles around your wrists and a set of bars will be enough to protect you from Apep Kerberos."

By now, Whirro looked absolutely terrified. Councilor Rin had put him in his place. "Okay, I'm sorry." Whirro said, taking a step back as he tried to make the apology both as quickly and sincerely as possible.

"Good." Rin told him as she lowered her arm.

"I won't leave the island."

"Good." Rin repeated.

Then, Whirro slowly walked around Rin, picking up his pace and scowling as he passed her. "Oh, and Whirro." Rin called from where she was standing, making Whirro stop in his tracks and turn his head to the side as Rin turned around.

"What?" Whirro tried to be respectful, despite his growing anger.

"I'm actually hoping that Kerberos comes here." Rin said as she put her hands on her hips. "It's perhaps the only way that we'll get the chance to finally capture him."

"Then why do you want me to stay here?" Whirro growled.

"Like I said." Rin said. "We know you'll be safe here, even if he does come here. It's just a precaution. Mark my words, once Kerberos is captured, you'll be free to go."

"I know." Whirro growled before he turned his head back to normal. Then, he continued on, scowling again. "You're about to get what you want, you witch." He growled silently. "And I'm going to get what I want..."

LINE BREAK

Meanwhile, Lista, Cherri, Lexy and Maverick all walked away from Rose, Savannah and Jake. "Do you want to go with them?" Rose asked, turning her head to the side to look at Savannah.

"Huh?" Savannah asked as she turned her head to the side to look at Rose.

"Do you want to go with them?" Rose asked. "Spend some time with them? You haven't really talked to them all that much lately."

"Well, I think they understand, Rose."

"They're just as much your friends as I am." Rose told her, smiling. "Go on. Go talk to them."

"I just did..." Savannah said slowly. "...But okay, if you insist..." Then, Savannah turned her head back to normal and started to run off. "...Hey guys, wait up!"

Jake and Rose then started to slowly walk after Savannah, but they both froze when they heard the sound of flapping wings, followed by an evil chuckle. With wide eyes, both Rose and Jake slowly turned around to see Apep Kerberos, in his dragon form, standing before them.

"Well, well, well..." Apep said. "...We meet again."

"Aw man." Jake moaned as he and Rose slowly started to back away.

"Aw, what's the matter?" Apep mocked them, his smile widening. "Too cowardly to fight me?"

"You wish!" Rose quickly narrowed her eyes, reaching down to her belt and pulling her staff from her belt.

"Oh." Apep rolled his eyes. "We're going to go through this again. Look, I won last time. Why even bother?"

"You only one because I was a fool and let my guard down." Rose said after she had finished pulling out her staff. "Before that, I had you at my mercy. Let's see how you do when you're facing both me and my husband."

"Well, I have orders to kill you..." Apep's smile widened. "...So naturally, I'm going to give it all."

"I know." Rose said as she started to twirl her staff while Jake transformed into his dragon form. As she finished twirling her staff, Rose took a fighting stand. "And once I've captured you, I'm going to force you to tell me who you work for."

"You'll find out when you're DEAD!" Apep shouted angrily before he swung at Rose with his tail.

Right before Apep's tail was going to hit Rose, Rose grunted as she leapt into the air, being engulfed by a bright light once high enough in the air.

Back on the ground, Jake grunted and jumped back in order to avoid Apep's tail. Growling, Apep rushed towards Jake and stopped just a couple inches in front of him, grunting again as he swung his clawed hand down in an attempt to slash Jake, but once again, Jake just jumped backwards.

From behind Kerberos, Rose landed on the grass in her full dragon form. Quickly, Rose took aim with her staff and shouted, just as Jake wrapped his tail around Kerberos' neck: "Jake, hold him! I've got a good shot!"

However, at that moment, Apep swung his tail into Jake's ankles. With a grunt, Jake fell backwards, his tail unwrapping from around Apep's neck. Just as Rose fired plasma from her staff, Apep flapped his wings and flew into the air, the plasma flying harmlessly passed.

"Crap!" Rose shouted.

"You got that right!" Apep shouted down at her as he wrapped his tail around her neck. With a shout of shock, Rose dropped her staff on the grass as she was quickly pulled up into the air, up to Apep and then tossed away.

Rose flew passed the grounded Jake and hit the ground belly-first, a couple inches away from her husband, grunting as she skidded across the grass briefly before coming to a halt.

As Rose slowly picked herself up with her arms, Apep landed right behind her. "Let's see how you do without your staff and your precious husband." Apep said as he coldly slammed his tail down onto Rose's back, making her cry out as she was slammed back down onto the grass.

Slowly losing consciousness, Rose could see Whirro jogging up into view only to stop as he saw Apep attacking Rose.

"No." Rose moaned, while Apep just smiled.

"Aw." He said.

Then, Apep flared his wings and flew over Rose and up to Whirro, grabbing him by the collar of his clothes before he flew up into the air, taking Whirro with him.

"No!" Rose shouted, forcing herself to remain conscious.

Slowly, Rose started to pick herself up, eventually getting up on her feet. However, after only one step forward, Rose moaned and fell back onto the ground.

"No." She sighed, her eyes slowly closing as she lost consciousness.

BLACKOUT; END EPISODE

A/N: Please review.