CHAPTER 7 - Garnet vs Charo? Tamazo Is Kidnapped!

Rena was sitting at the counter, taking a break after cleaning up most of the mess from last night's incident. She held a framed picture in her hand, eyes shadowed with melancholy and bittersweetness.

The picture was dated back almost sixteen years ago. The day when Ace came into the world. It held the images of a younger version of herself holding a baby Ace. Her husband, King, sat beside them, one arm wrapped behind around Rena and his free hand holding Ace too. Both of them gazed down at their newborn son with love and happiness.

Who knew such feelings wouldn't last long?

Rena wiped away the stray tear fallen from her eye. You did what you had to do, but you can be such a selfless idiot. Wherever you are, I hope you're safe.

With that thought, Rena grabbed the phone next to her, dialing a number she memorized for only one purpose. She held the device up to her ear, waiting for the signal to connect.

"Hello," greeted by an older woman on the line. "Who is this?"

"It's been a long time, Angine."

"Rena! Oh, how nice to hear your voice again. I miss having you and my darling grandson around. Also, you can still call me mother; you're still my daughter-in-law."

The rosey hair woman chuckled. "We miss being around you too, Mother. Ace said he misses hearing your bedtime stories and eating your apple cakes." She heard a hearty laugh from Angine.

"Well, he's a sweetheart, that adorable grandson of mine. Always helping me whether if it was cooking or cleaning." A wistful sigh. "Anyways dearie, I know for a fact this isn't some house call. Did something happened over there?"

Something happened alright.

Rena sighed, "Yesterday, there was a Drop Impact on the island and Ace was affected by the amount of energy. He became highly sensitive to the Monsters influenced by the Drop Impact too. He muttered about them being in pain and angry. Not only that, I think Ace's powers developed further after last night."

Angine hummed, then asked, "I always knew Ace has the power within him. He's his father's son after all. But how can you be sure? You would never let Ace go near anything that dangerous even if he has the power to deal with Drop Impacts."

"Because Ace used his powers to create a huge amount of Drops for the Dragon Caller who stopped the Drop Impact. A Dragonoid who might be Ace's bondmate." Rena heard a shattered noise over the phone. "Mother, are you alright?!"

"I'm alright, dearie! No need to fret. You just shocked me into dropping my teacup, that's all. But did I hear you correctly that my grandson found his bondmate?"

"Yes. Now you know why I call you?"

"I certainly do! Both of them cannot be separated after finding each other or dire consequences befalls on them. The Dragonoid Bond isn't something to take lightly."

"I know that, but there's something else you need to know. There's a high chance they already met and bonded a long time before this."

"...Explain."

And so, Rena told Angine everything about Ace's dreams and the finer details of last night events. She explained about both boys' behaviors and their interactions with one another. A hush of silence fell over as soon as Rena finished.

"My, my… Almost a decade of separation, yet both boys didn't exhibit any symptoms of repercussions. I wonder if it's because they were only children back then to even notice the bond or is it due to Ace being mostly human?"

"I honestly don't know, but I am grateful that Ace wasn't any more hurt than he already had."

"Rena, I believe Ace should be here on Dragoza Island. If he had awaken more of his dormanted powers because of this bond, then he might be in more danger if someone were to find out. Not only that, the Tamadora Ace found will let people connect him to King if given the chance. Ace will also have to learn to control his powers."

"I know…" Rena gripped the phone harder, biting her lower lip. "But I don't want to let Ace go." Angine shared her sentiments.

"Mothers never want their babies to leave the nest, but they have to do what's best for them. Ace needs to do this for himself, dearie."

Rena rubbed away the tears she didn't know collected in her eyes. She laughed bitterly, "Who knew letting go would be so hard?"

"...I know."


Ace and Lance sat close next to each other, leaning against the red dragon. Tamazo and Devi were eating the packed lunches made by Ace's mom. They all were actually resting in a park near the Dragon Museum.

Lance observed Ace from the corner of his eye, watching the younger stroking and nuzzling the red dragon's head with a serene, fond look. Almost as though the boy was having the time of his life (which he probably was). Normally, the transport Monster would've been more cautious of letting strangers near it, but seems to take an instant liking to the light auburnette.

It was honestly an adorable sight.

Lance hummed, catching the other's attention. He then asked, "Is there a reason why you're here and not at home resting?

Ace felt his cheeks burning. He twiddled his fingers around before answering softly, "T-Tamazo wanted to come to this event for some reason and I decided to take him." When Ace saw those yellow eyes narrowing, he quickly added, "H-he would've snuck out to go anyways, so this was the better option."

"And he would've been right, tama," Tamazo piped up his two cents, only to get his head slapped by a chiding Devi.

"Quit causing unnecessary trouble for others, devi."

The light auburnette fidgeted under Lance's piercing stare. "Please don't be mad." Ace lowered his gaze to the ground. He heard the other sigh and startled when a hand brushes his bangs away from his forehead.

"I'm not mad at you. Just worry that you will exhaust yourself further." He laced their hands together, rubbing his thumb along the back of Ace's hand. "I don't want anything happen to you."

Warmth gathered inside Ace's chest after hearing Lance's concerns. His blush soften slightly to a light pink hue adorning his cheeks. "I'm fine really." Summoning whatever courage he have, Ace lay his head on the Dragonoid's shoulder. Lance, for his part, draped an arm around the younger's body, pulling Ace closer to him.

The scent of that is purely Lance's calmed Ace down. He giggled which caused the other to make a questioning noise.

"What so funny?"

"Nothing," Ace sighed, nuzzling his head on Lance's shoulder. "It's just we only met once in our childhood. Then yesterday, we met again for the second time." He squeezed their interlocking hands. "I hardly know a thing about you. I never been comfortable near someone before, not this fast at least, which it's scary to think about, but I…" He peered up to Lance.

"I don't want to change this for anything. Is it weird?"

It was terrifying to think about.

By logics, the two should be strangers no matter how they met. Even the fact they vaguely remembered or know about the other supported that. Yet here they are, not wanting to let go one another, content being near each other, and feeling as though the other's presence is as irreplaceable as air itself.

Lance, for all the times being antisocial or preferring to be alone (his Monsters are the exceptions), wants whatever he and Ace have continue to grow. He leaned down and nuzzled his cheek against those soft light auburn hair.

"No. I wouldn't change this either."

Definitely not.

Devi watched this exchange with a pensive look. It wasn't that the Devidra disapprove or feel threatened about his partner's sudden attachment towards the other; the Monster felt sad knowing the pair will be separated soon. Devi likes seeing Lance expressing more emotions other than the usual blank, aloof, or indifference.

Will the Dragonoid go back to that if Ace wasn't around?

If only the kid could come to Dragoza Island, then Master Lance would feel comfortable showing his true self more. Devi sighed at the thought. It would take a miracle given how negative the other reacted to hearing about Dragon Callers.

Now the Devidra thought about it, why would the light auburnette be afraid of Dragon Callers?

"They look so adorable, tama.~"

Breaking away from his thoughts, Devi turned to see Tamazo cooing at the pair. He raised an eyebrow, "Quit doing that. There's seriously wrong with your brain, devi."

"Nothing is wrong with Tamazo's brain, tama."

"Then why are you here even when someone from the SDF would bound to notice you, devi?"

"I was bored, tama." The Devidra face-palmed at his light counterpart's sole reasoning to come at the possible risk of being capture. Devi has half a mind to strangle Tamazo.

"Besides, nothing will happen- Gah!" Tamazo fell face first on the ground when something hit his head from behind. A soda can bounced next to his twitching body.

"That's karma, devi," Devi deadpanned, not moving to help the fallen Tamadora.

"Tamazo!" Ace dislodged himself from Lance and quickly ran to the Monster's side. He gently picked Tamazo up. "You alright? What happened?"

"Tama…" Tamazo muttered with comically swirled eyes. "Why are there three Aces, tama?"

Lance grabbed the soda can from the ground. He hummed and looked behind him to where the metal can was launched from. The Dragonoid raised an eyebrow at who seems to be the perpetrator.

Just a couple meters from them, there was a blonde girl wearing a gothic style black-grey dress, completed with black-grey gloves, black-white striped stockings, black high heel boots, and a black-white umbrella.

And she seems quite furious judging how she kicked a nearby trash can.

Devi blanched at the sight of the very girl he heard from this morning. "Of all people…" he groaned, rubbing his forehead at the oncoming headache. "What is she angry about this time, devi?"

Ace, now cradling an awoke Tamazo, looked over curiously. "You know her?" The light auburnette strangely felt his chest tighten when Lance nodded. He didn't know why he's worry about Lance knowing other people.

I need to ask mom about this.

"Her name is Garnet. A Dragon Caller with an affinity for Light Monsters, devi," Devi answered. "She's also a performer - singing and dancing. If she spent as much time training with her Monsters as she does performing, then maybe she can be as good as Master Lance, devi."

They all watched her kicked another trash can into the air.

"And she also has a temper, devi."

"Why is she mad?" Ace asked, slightly afraid of the fuming blonde. Both Lance and Devi shrugged, used to Garnet's periodic mood swings.

Tamazo jumped out of Ace's arms, crossing his arms, pouting. "Well, she didn't have to kick that can at me, tama."

"I'm sure she didn't mean to. It was probably an accident." Ace hold his hands up in front of Tamazo, trying to placate the fuming Tamadora. But sadly, his efforts were in vain.

"No! I want an apology, tama!" With that, Tamazo flew straight towards the blonde girl. A new mission on his mind.

"Tamazo!" Ace yelled. His mom is going to ground them both for this. He turned back to Lance and sheepishly smiled. "Sorry about this."

Lance shook his head. "Don't worry so much. Just get him out of here before someone else sees him."

"Yeah, but…" Ace trailed off, blue eyes shifted nervously towards some nearby trees. He couldn't see them, but Ace sense someone is there. Lance thought the same thing as he brushed his hand through Ace's hair, effectively soothing the younger's nerves.

"I'll take care of things here. Go on," the Dragonoid urged, letting his hand fall back to his side. Ace smiled, taking off with a sprint after the determined Tamadora.

"Those two are going to be the death of us. I just know, devi," Devi said, crossing his arms. If anyone heard the slight fondness in his tone, the Devidra will deny it till his grave.

Lance turned his head towards the direction Ace glanced at. "Come out from there," he demanded. He never like people watching him from the shadows.

A Dragonoid woman stepped out - long light purple hair with fins and horns attached, heterochromatic eyes (yellow and light purple), light purple poncho, two thigh-high dragon-like feet, and a long spear scepter.

"Miss Sonia?!" Devi gasped, surprised at the Dragonoid's sudden appearance. It was rare for Sonia to show herself to anyone. "What brings you here, devi?"

"Something caught my attention," Sonia replied. She raised an eyebrow at her fellow Dragonoid. "Or rather, someone did. Never thought I see the day you of all people being interested in someone."

Lance narrowed his eyes, cold and unforgiving. "What I do is none of your concerns." He started to leave with Devi following. He paused a moment to say a little warning. "I suggest you stay away from him if you know what's good for you."

Sonia watched them go, highly amused. A small smirk made its way on her lips. "How cute…"

Things are finally getting interesting around here.


Garnet was annoyed.

Frustrated. Angry. Completely and utterly infuriated.

She gripped her umbrella tightly, almost wanting to swing it at something or at someone. "Son of a mother! Everyone's just here to see Lance, huh?!" She kicked another trash can which ricocheted off a lamp post.

Garnet, to her shock, spotted a young boy peeking out behind the same lamp post. "You saw me…" She clenched her hand into a fist, walking towards the now nervous blond. "If you saw me, I have to…"

Charo frantically waved his arms out. "I didn't see! Not a thing!" He yelped when a hand grabbed his face.

"Swear to me you'll never tell a soul!"

"I swear!" The hand was released making Charo slumped down to his knees in relief.

"Good."

The younger blond calmed down himself down. Green eyes looked up determinedly. "Miss Garnet, I have a request. Please make me your discipline!"

"Huh?" Garnet gave the boy a blank look.

"Um, I want to become a Dragon Caller! Ever since I was little, I dreamt of becoming one."

The older blonde crossed her arms. "Really? Can you create Drops?"

Charo glanced aside, dispirited. "No. I can't, but-" She cut him off there.

"Alright, then it's hopeless." She waved her finger around, creating three Light Drops in front of Charo. "If you can't see them, then it's better to give up now before you set yourself for disappointment."

"But I-" He was cut off again.

"Look kid, I've been doing this since I was born. It's more like a gift, so if you don't have it, then you can't be a Dragon Caller." Garnet leaned down, hands on knees. "Simple fact."

"But my dream-"

"Don't make it any harder on yourself." Garnet turned her back on Charo, closing her eyes. "Better give up sooner than later, kid." The next thing she heard wasn't from the younger blond.

"That's a mean thing to say, tama."

Garnet yelped as she opened her brown eyes to see a floating Monster close to her face. She swing her umbrella at it, but it dodged and flew to Charo's side. Charo gasped, recognition washed over his green eyes.

"Tamazo!"

"In the flesh, tama!" Tamazo's laughter ended quickly by someone gently bonking his head. "Hey!" He looked up to see Ace with his hands on his hips, looking a bit miffed.

"You weren't supposed to run off like that, Tamazo." The auburnette walked towards Charo, face softening. "You alright there?" He hold his hand out for the other.

"Ace!" Charo nodded, reaching for the outstretched hand. "Y-yeah! I'm fine."

Ace pulled the younger up. He then smiled shyly, "That's good."

Garnet grew frustrated at being ignored. "And who are you supposed to be? And why is there another on like Devi?"

"Someone whose going to teach you a lesson in manners, tama!" Tamazo answered instead, puffing his chest out proudly. Ace sweat-dropped at the Tamadora's antics, fully knowing this won't turn out pretty.

The older blonde smirked, "A lesson, huh? The only lesson here that needs to taught is the fact that kid doesn't have what it takes to be a Dragon Caller. He doesn't even have the very basic of being one either." She demonstrated by waving the three Light Drops she created prior. "If he can't create these, then it's better to find a new dream he can actually accomplish."

Tamazo gasped, jaw-dropping, "That's cold, tama."

Charo was close to tears at that point. He never want to give up his dream of being a Dragon Caller, no matter how unlikely the chance was. But Garnet is an experience Dragon Caller and a skillful one too, so she might be telling the truth.

Ace, however, had a different idea. "You're wrong…" He said quietly, so quietly that Garnet forced to strain her ear to hear him.

"What did you say?"

Ace, for all his shy and pacifism nature, never lets anyone get away with putting down and belittling others. Especially about their dreams and their worth. So when Garnet did just that, it reminded him of the time how Haru and the other kids treated him when he was little.

He can take the pain because he was used to the feeling, but no one else should feel that way.

"I said you're wrong." Ace's darken blue eyes glared into Garnet's. The blonde took a step back as a chill ran down her spine. Charo stood behind the light auburnette, watching in awe at the scene so similar to the one he saw in the museum. Tamazo grinned, feeling pump and ready.

"You don't get a say whose dream are hopeless or unreachable. You don't have the right to say if someone doesn't have what it takes to be something. You don't tell a person they don't have a gift in them." His glare intensified. "Charo can be a Dragon Caller. He has what it takes to be one. He can achieve his dream."

Ace glanced back to the boy behind, glare softening. "Because his heart love Monsters more than anything. He believes in himself to walk towards his dream no matter how difficult it is. That very love and belief is his gift."

"Ace…" Charo felt tears building up behind his eyes. No one but his parents ever believe in his dream. Those people always told him he couldn't because he can't see the Drops and that he should give up. Yet Ace was defending him and his dream of being a Dragon Caller.

Tamazo cried waterfalls, "That's beautiful, tama!"

The only one not tearing up was Garnet. If anything, she felt annoyed and slightly humiliated by some stranger butting into her business and scolding her. She was going to show him what a true Dragon Caller really is.

She clicked her tongue. "If that's what it takes to be a Dragon Caller, then anyone would be a Dragon Caller by now. News flash: It didn't work." A smirk graced her lips. "But I will give you a chance to prove yourself."

Charo gasped, "You don't mean?!"

With a flick of her wrist, Garnet pulled out a yellow Egg Drop. She inserted into her umbrella which turned out to be her D-Gear. "Release!"

A yellow light burst from the umbrella, revealing a Light Monster: Angelion.

"That's right. We will have a Dragon Caller's battle." She pointed her umbrella at them like a sword, her faithful Monster floating at her side. "Bring it on!"

Charo gripped onto Ace's shirt, eyes pleading. "This is a horrible idea! Please, don't do this!" Ace gently smiled down at him.

"Everything will be alright, Charo. You can do this." Green eyes bugged out in shock.

"M-me?!" Ace nodded, placing a comforting hand on the blond's shoulder.

"I mean it when I said you can be a Dragon Caller because of your heart and faith in yourself."

"B-but I don't know how to create Drops or even see them to begin with." The smile on Ace's face never lessen which kind of calms Charo down.

"I'll help you with that." Tamazo flew in front of them, holding his arms out, acting like a shield between them and Garnet.

"I'll lend a hand too, tama."

Garnet looked bored, leaning on her umbrella yawning. "You done yet or are we going to battle?"

Ace ignored her and hold his hand out, palm face up. "I want you to hold your hand out like this." Charo did so and waited for more instructions. "Good. Now, do you know what a Light Drop looks like?"

"Y-yeah." The young blond studied everything that relates to being a Dragon Caller.

"I want you to close your eyes and picture the Drop in your hand inside your mind. Hold that image and don't let go."

Charo closed his eyes and imagine the Light Drop like Ace said. He can clearly see in his head what the symbol looks like on the yellow orb. He hears Ace talking to him again.

"When you have the image, I want you to imagine everything that is light. Picture the sun and feel the warmth around you. Picture the rays of light rain down on you. Feel the energy it gives you."

Charo imagines the sun above the Light Drop and the sun rays around. He felt the actual warmth of the sun on his skin. He smiled when he began to picture more Light Drops around him. Light Drops coming down from the sunlight. He giggled when images of Light Monster prances around his mind.

The one Light Drop he imagined in his hand felt solid and real and glowing brightly. The blond had a strange sensation running through him.

"You can open your eyes."

What Charo saw when he first opened his eyes was unimaginable.

Green eyes widen when he sees a Light Drop in his hand. He gripped the yellow orb slightly to feel if it was real. Tears gathered and sniffles were heard. Charo raised watery eyes at Ace who gave him a soft, proud smile.

"I...I…" He couldn't get the words out.

"You did it, Charo."

"This is awesome, tama!" Tamazo yelled. All around them were Light Drops floating aimlessly.

Garnet jaw-dropped, eyes bugging out at the sight. How is this happening? A person who couldn't even see Drops shouldn't be able to do all this! She shut her mouth and narrowed her eyes at Ace. I don't know how, but you did this. She broke her thoughts when she heard Ace and Tamazo's cheering.

"Now, line them up, tama!"

"Go for it!"

Charo stood up and gulped. He took a breath and let it out. Determinedly, he gathered two more Light Drops and lined them up with the one in his hand. "Go!" He threw the Drop Power towards Tamazo, engulfing the Monster in a yellow aura.

"I can feel the power, tama!" Tamazo punches the air a couple of times to showcase his power-up. Charo squealed, jumping up and down from joy before tackling Ace into a hug.

"I did it! I really did it! Thank you, Ace!"

The light auburnette laughed, hugging Charo back. "All the credits goes to you. You always have the power inside of you. You just need guidance." Ace smiled down at the younger.

Charo grinned, letting go of Ace. "Still! Thank you for helping me." He turned back to the Tamadora. "Let's win this, Tamazo!"

"Tama!"

Facing the front for the battle, they noticed something missing. Garnet and Angelion are nowhere to be found. All three exclaimed in surprised, "Eh?!"

"Where did she go?" Tamazo scanned around, but the blonde Dragon Caller seems to disappeared. "I wanted to fight her, tama!"

Ace collapsed onto the ground, all of his bravado and fearlessness drained away. He slumped his shoulders in relief. "Thank goodness we didn't have to battle her."

"Huh?" Charo was confused. "But didn't you want to battle against her?" The other let out a sheepish chuckle, rubbing the back of his head.

"I… I actually don't like fighting. Or any type of fighting to be honest."

"But you were so cool and brave to stand up against her."

"W-well… I can't stand anyone being belittle about their dream or their worth. I wanted to prove her wrong. If there was no choice, then we would have to fight her, but I'm grateful we didn't have to."

Charo sort of understand, but there was probably more than what Ace told him. Looking back, maybe it was good they didn't battle Garnet. Tamazo was the only Monster and Garnet probably has more than Angelion.

Ace noticed the sun was setting a little. He and Tamazo needed to go back home before dinner. He stood up, dusting off any dirt off his clothes. "We should head back home nw. It's getting late. Come on, Tamazo." He looked around and there was no Tamadora in sight.

"Tamazo?"

"Ace! Look!" Charo pointed at a moving dark vehicle. It was one of the SDF transportation vehicles. There was a barred window beside the car and behind the bars was a Monster.

Tamazo.

Who was also waving at them cheerfully before disappearing out of their sights.

Both Ace and Charo watched dazedly, taking a moment to soak in the situation. Their cries could be heard far.

"Tamazo!"


Lance and Devi were relaxing against the red dragon, waiting for Ace and Tamazo to come back since they left their stuff behind. The Devidra was finishing off their leftover lunches when he noticed a dark moving vehicle.

Probably one of those military cars or something.

"Hey Devi!"

Devi choked on his mouthful of rice after hearing that familiar and annoying greeting. The Monster quickly found the source and he saw the Tamadora inside that dark vehicle. Stunned, he didn't noticed he dropped his chopsticks onto the ground.

"M-master Lance!"

The Dragonoid opened his eyes and saw his partner pointing at something. Yellow eyes followed the direction to see Tamazo waving at them inside a SDF transportation vehicle. Silence hushed down on them.

"This is bad."


Author's Note: I extremely apologize for this super late update! This was supposed to be out last week, but somehow, my computer caught a virus and deleted some of my files. It took awhile to get them back and rewrite this chapter again. I promise the next one will be up in a few days if nothing happens, of course.

So, Garnet and Charo's battle! That's right, Charo would've beaten Garnet with Tamazo if she didn't suddenly disappeared. Ace helped Charo with his abilities to create Drops. How did Ace do this will be reveal in the near future.

I tried not to make Garnet into a bully. She is just speaking her mind and being realistic towards Charo, but she will learn to be more thoughtful later on. She loves the attention and have recognition from people. I hope to develop her character more later on.

And Tamazo got into trouble somehow. This is Tamazo everyone, he's bound to get into trouble one way or another without any help. (shakes head)

Leave a review or a comment! See you guys next time on Chapter 8 - Tamazo's Wild Rescue!