Chinatown Dragon

Chapter Four:

"Okay Nana…" Sid followed his sister and friend into the kitchen, where Mei Hua was standing. "We're all packed. So, we're leaving in the morning?"

"Actually…" their Nana replied. "We are leaving tonight. It seems as though the recipe is spreading through New York very quickly. All the flights to New York have been cancelled."

"Then how are we going to get there, Nana?" Sue asked.

Mei Hua sighed as she reached over to the table. Turning around, she held out three gas masks and handed one to each of them. "I have rented a small plane. Unfortunately Tobey, I don't think you are going to like it. Here, put these masks into your bags. You are going to need them. Now, come children, we need to get going."

&*%

"That's the plane?" Tobey gasped, looking at a small two-seated Cesna aircraft. "How are all of us going to fit? I mean, oh man! This trip is going to be a hell on Earth!"

"Relax Tobey, you can sit in the other seat." Nana replied. "Sue, Sid…I am sorry, but this is the best I could find. Do you mind sitting together in the back?"

"Nah, Nana!" came Sid's reply.

"Absolutely not!" Sue added.

"Then we best get going, children." Nana walked over to the airplane. "By now, there is no telling how many people have lost their lives due to Kong Li's evil ways…"

&*%

Meanwhile, back in New York, a now human Jake burst through the door to his grandfather's shop gasping for breath; looking up, Jake could see that his grandfather and Fu Dog were waiting for him. "Are you alright, young dragon?" his grandfather asked.

"Yo, G…" Jake made out. "What is that junk? I had to hold my breath the entire flight here!"

"That's the thing, kid." Fu got up and walked over to a laptop that was lying on the counter. "We don't know what that red gas is."

"I have had Fu Dog look search for whatever it is on the internet…" Lao-Shi replied.

"Yeah, and so far my search has turned up ZILCH!" Fu exclaimed.

"In my knowledge, there is nothing quite like this in the Magical World." Lao-Shi continued. I do not believe that this is the work of terrorists, like the media has claimed."

"Do you think it could be the Dark Dragon?" Jake asked. "I mean, he seems to possess terrible and unknown powers, right?"

"No, young dragon…" Lao-Shi answered. "I think that this is closer to home. Whatever it was started at Spud's house…"

"Yo, you don't know what this stuff is, but you know that it is coming from my friend's house?" Jake was surprised. "Why would Spud do something like this?"

"I do not know, but that is what we must find out." Lao-Shi said.

"Yo, let's do it!" Jake transformed into a red dragon and prepared to fly out the door, but his grandfather stopped him. "No, Jake!" Lao-Shi replied. "We will wait until tomorrow morning."

"Kid, according to the news, this thing kills!" Fu spoke up. "If it started in Spudinski's house, then it appears obvious that your friend is gone. We think its best that you don't just rush in to find your friend dead!"

"Besides, it may give the gas time to start to die out." Lao-Shi added. "Besides, you cannot go out there without protection. Fu Dog will mix a potion that will prevent you from being affected by the gas. But now, you should get some sleep."

&*%

The next morning, the small Cesna landed on the runway of an airport. The plane rolled down the runway, before it stopped at a safe place. Turning off the engine, Nana reached into her bag and pulled on a gas mask. "Okay children, put your masks on. The whole city could be contaminated with the recipe. Be prepared for anything!"

"Okay, Nana." All three voices rang out as they pulled out their masks and put them on.

The doors to the plane opened and Nana and Tobey stepped out, Sid scrambling out right after him; Sue following him as well. Tobey grinned under his mask as he watched both of them stretching. "Well, that was quite an enjoyable ride, right guys?" Tobey asked. "It was much more comfortable than I thought it would be. How about you?"

"Alright, Tobey!" Sue wasn't in a very good mood at the moment. "We're sorry we made fun of your claustrophobia! Happy?"

"But if you tell anyone that I didn't like being in a tight space…or that I told you I was sorry, I'll deny it." Sid added.

"That's enough, children." Nana called out to them. "We must go…now!"

&*%

Meanwhile, Kong Li watched from the window of the house he had taken over as the red gas spread through the city. Kong Li growled with rage as he whirled around and delivered a kick to the house's owner's dead body. But then suddenly, Kong Li let out a small grin. Perhaps he could make this work to his advantage…

Walking over to the cupboard, Kong Li pulled out a pot and put some water in it. Going over to the fireplace, he chanted a spell, making a flame erupt in his palm. Grinning, Kong Li cast the fire into the fireplace, starting a fire in the blink of an eye. Kong Li reached into his cloak and pulled some powder. Sprinkling the powder into the fire, the fire turned green. Kong Li then pulled out a small vial. Raising one of his hands, some of the fire floated up and went into the vial.

"Yes…" Kong Li laughed as he put a cork over the vial before shaking it, making the flame change into a liquid form. "With this, Mei Hua will hand over the cookbook!"

END CHAPTER FOUR