Hello! Some of you may have noticed I changed this chapter, I didn't like the other one. It was a rush job…so I've re-done it with more detail! ) Hope this one is better!
Chapter 10: Memories
Jake was scratching furiously at the small sunroof, placed right above the Dark Dragon's coal black head.
"Come-on-you-stupid-thing!" The ruby dragon grunted, finally beginning to break through the thick glass. Jake was thankful the Dark Dragon was to busy to hear the scaping of frantic claws against glass from above him, and he was thankful Bananas was helping him break the glass with a sledge hammer. They had checked the doors before attempting the sunroof, but in vain. They were heavily guarded by Shadow Demons, at least ten or so at each entrance. Jake knew if even if the did make it past the whispy shadow-like dragons posted outside the doors, more would appear and overcome them easily.
There was a loud crack! from the glass as a huge spilt spread through the glass. Bananas held his sledge hammer triumphantly, watching the glass splitting with a smile. At least I'm of some use. He thought, helping Jake slowly and carefully pull out the shards of glass, making sure none fell on the Dark One's head and gave them away.
"What if I refuse?" came a loud, Australian accented voice from the ground. Jake looked past the Dark Dragon's head and focused his eyes on the tall teenage girl, with her fist raised and determined expression.
"If you refuse," said the Dark Dragon in a venomous whisper. "I will make you…the time dawns, when a new era will begin. With you by my side, we will be unstoppable! No dragon or human will stand in our way! We will take the earth, as it once belonged to us! Our ancestors were the rules of the dragons, and we will honour those traditions!"
"Look, I hate to disappoint you…" Alex said sarcastically, noticing a glint of ruby red from behind her grandfather's head.
Jake!? Stupid idiot- but I must admit, a brave idiot. If Jake was there, she wasn't going to give him away, and the best way to do that was keep her grandfather busy.
"I don't give a pixie's behind about ruling the world; or destroying humans. It's the Huntsclan that turned against us, not all humans! And guess what! Thanks to the American Dragon (whom you seem so keen to destroy), the Huntsclan was destroyed ages ago! So…" she took a step towards the door, only ten meters or so away. "If you don't mind, I'd like to leave with out getting me head blown off-" The Dark Dragon thumped his massive tail in Alex's path, blocking her only escape route and nearly sending her flying.
"I'm afraid I cant have that Little One." The coal black dragon whispered in his icy tone. "True, the Huntsclan began the mutiny…but the rest of the humans followed in their footsteps!" his tone softened, sounding almost human. Jake watched, unable to help as Alex's face relaxed at his words, and her face changed…to sympathy and understanding… "Don't you want to bring peace back to the earth Little One? When the world is peaceful again, and the magic is restored, I will have the abilities to bring back your mother…" Jake's heart lurched: if the Dark Dragon kept offering Alex her family back, and used the right words, the temptation would be too much…the same had happened to Rose. When the Huntsman told Rose if she didn't betray Jake, he'd kill them; and if she did, she could be reunited with them…
"You…you could?" Alex asked, breathless. "Would you…?" The Dark Dragon nodded, triumph glowing in his eyes. The Dark One knew he had her exactly where he wanted her…and so did Jake.
"Of course I would…I have regretted your mother's death for ten years Little One; I assure you Little One…we will be a proper family…"
Jake couldn't take much more; if another of his friends crossed over, he was going to explode! Lies! His hissed to himself. Promises he has no intention to keep!!! Using Alex's only weak spot to get what he wants! LIAR! He was about to lunge in, bring down the towing Dark Dragon where he stood. But Alex said something that made him spot in mid jump-
"I want to see."
"See what?" the Dark Dragon demanded, just as confused as Jake was. Alex wasn't troubled by her grandfather's confusion, but merely looked him straight in the eye.
"I want to see you."
Realisation hit Jake like a rock: She wants to see his human form! He recoiled his body back into a sitting position, thinking hard. Does she know I'm here, and want to give me a chance to pin him? Or is she truly curious? Is it just coincidence? I don't think so…through caution into the wings, Jake swung his whole head into the sunroof, looking past the Dark Dragon's head. Alex's eyes darted from her grandfather to Jake faster than Jake would have given her for, her facial expression not even changing- but Jake knew she had seen him.
"I want to see you." She repeated. The Dark Dragon seemed to be thinking hard, weighing up his chances. On one hand: if he did show her, her trust would be fully fledged. On the other: if he did show her, and she was tricking him…
"Very well. And then, you will accept your birthright and stand by me." Alex nodded, trying not to look to suspicious by being to quick to answer.
"Yes."
As the Dark Dragon turned around, spreading his wings wide Jake slipped down to Alex's side silently and hid himself deep in the shadows.
"You plan this…?" he asked, quietly as possible.
"Sort of…As soon as you see his face, grab him. The sphinx hair is still wearing off…wait- I've got some in my pocket! No wonder…"
"Ok, I'll pin him down, and you use it."
"Shh!!!"
"Little One," the Dark Dragon began, still not facing the teenagers. "Tonight: a new era begins, and an old one ends…tonight: you accept your destiny…tonight-" A glow seemed to be shining from the Dark Dragon's clenched claws, illuminating violent purple. He swung around, both palms faced open and the violent purple now burning furious black. "YOU WILL BE THE NEXT DARK DRAGON!" before any of the teenagers could draw breath, the light surged forward and hit them both.
ADJL ADJL ADJL
They could feel themselves falling…falling through darkness and nothingness…
"JAKE!" called Alex desperately, feeling her dragon powers returning. "DRAGON UP!" with a rush of green Dragon Light, the dark-haired teenager was replaced by a emerald green dragon. "JAKE!" she called again, flying through the infinite blackness.
"OVER HERE!" somewhere to her right, Alex could hear Jake's voice, and see a dim red dot appear in the pitch-black darkness.
"Oh my God, you're ok!"
"Same with you! Where are we…?" Jake added, staring around. Below them was nothing but black, above them as nothing but darkness, around them was nothing but shadow…
"I…" words seemed to fail Alex for a moment. "I'm not sure…I think- no, it's a crazy idea." Jake raised an eyebrow.
"And what? This isn't a crazy place? Anything to get us outta here." Looking a little uncomfortable, Alex raised a claw…and slashed at the darkness enveloping them. A torn piece of darkness floated in midair, leaving a bright hole where it had previously hung.
"I think…we're in some form of a memory…" she pointed through the bright hole, where Jake could make out a land unlike he had ever seen. He could see the bright blue sky, shining above a wonderful field full of flagrant flowers. Around the field prance a heard of unicorns, their wonderful white seen glowing in the sun.
"Let's open it more!!" Jake urged, slashing the hole open further and further.
"I don't know…" Alex said uncertainly. "If the Dark Dragon sent us here, I don't think it's wise to go poking around…" seeing Jake wasn't understanding the point, she just said it straight. "He wants me to be the next Dark Dragon, he wants me to see these memories to turn against the humans. He wants it. If we go through-"
"Nothing will happen." Jake said reassuringly. "I promise." Struggling to choice between her trust of Jake and her natural instinct, Alex bit her lip.
"I'm still not sure…"
"You can trust me," Jake said softly, placing a reassuring claw on his best friend's tense shoulder. "I wont let anything happen. And even if something does- you'll never be the Dark Dragon to me. I promise." Alex lunged forward and hugged Jake (he was extremely surprised, but returned it all the same), smiling gratefully.
"Ok." She said as they broke apart. She said it with complete trust, complete faith in her best and first friend. "Let's get in there!" both giving one powerful slash, the gaping hole became big enough to slip into.
"Ladies first." Alex said teasingly, offering the ruby dragon to go first. Grinning, Jake slid through the hole and into a completely different world. The bright sky and beautiful fields were nothing compared to the whole World together. Dragons flew through the sky, free as birds; mermaids were splashing around the shallows of the nearby ocean, singing beautifully; the unicorns frolicked with pixie or fairy riders, untroubled by the two dragon's presents.
"Where are we?" Jake asked incredulously: never had he seen so many magical creatures together, so free and content.
"This is the time before humans." Alex said without even thinking, somehow she already knew… "When all the magical creatures lived in harmony, living without fear." Jake was so mesmerised by the sight he did not notice Alex's eyes flash poison yellow, before returning to their normal state.
"This is great!" Jake exclaimed, watching more dragons than he had ever seen in his whole life fly over his head, laughing at a joke one of them had told.
"Yeah, it is…" Alex mumbled, but Jake didn't hear her tone of voice. They watched the whole group of dragons land and separate, with the smallest group approaching them. The group was consisted of six dragons: one of the two girls in the group was a beautiful shining opal dragon, with golden spun spine plates and a good-natured face; the tallest male was a sparkling sapphire blue, with eyes as bright as his scales and larger wings than the others; another female, with strong emerald scales and a small fire burning at the end of her tail stood on the far left of the group; another male, only slightly smaller than the sapphire one, was a glowing amethyst with broad shoulders; the second last dragon looked so much like Jake he thought it was a older-looking doppelganger, with shining ruby scales and bright green spine plates, and wearing a cocky smile; the last, and in the middle of the group was a tall dragon, that looked almost the same as Alex… he was not green, but a radiant gold that shone like the setting sun. His arm was wrapped around the emerald female, nuzzling her head affectionately.
"Alotex!" burst the amethyst dragon, with a look of repulsion on his face as the two dragons began kissing. Alex and Jake stared at each other…Alotex! The first Dark Dragon, and Alex's ancestor. "Get a room already!" The ruby dragon gave a hacking and deliberate cough as the dragons continued snogging. The group had to be at least in their twenties, maybe twenty four or so. As the two dragons separated (and the rest of the group stopped making fake puking motions), Alotex turned to the amethyst dragon.
"What Euro? So I can't go kissing my fiancé without your permission now?" Euro made a face, but did not continue the argument, but retreated into a calm silence.
"Fiancé?" Jake asked curiously. "Hey Alex! I think I've found your great-great-great-great times some big number grandma!"
"Funny." She replied sarcastically. "I think I've found your long-lost sister." Glancing at the almost identical ruby dragon, Jake looked away sheepishly.
"So what about you guys?" Alotex asked the red and opal dragons. "I can see it now- Mrs Australa and Mr Americis Ruby!" the others roared in laughter, while Australa and Americis stuck out their snake-like tongues.
"So Asia, you're really gonna get married to his hunk-o-junk hu?" asked the sapphire dragon, named Africe to Asia, who nodded with a gleeful smile.
"And that's not all-" five pairs of eyes travelled to Asia, who blushed.
"What do you mean?" Alotex asked curiously, along with his friends. Asia beamed widely, and lunged into her fiancé's arms.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you before…but I'm pregnant!"
Slowly, the world around them dissolved, leaving the two confused dragons in a new location. They were inside a large castle-like home, with the skies and stars twinkling above them in the caved-in roof. A feeling of evil lingered in the air, pressing on the teenagers.
"This isn't right…" Alex mumbled, glancing over her shoulder cautiously. Jake scanned the room, with only a large mound in the middle of the room disrupting his vision. There was a almighty BANG! where Alotex, now looking a year or two older crashed in through he wall.
"DAD!" he shouted, rushing over to the mound. "DAD!" Jake and Alex followed him, and as they approached the mound their hearts stopped cold. What they had mistaken for a mound was actually a mighty golden dragon, laying cold and slain on the hard ground.
"This must be after the Huntsclan attacked…" Alex whispered, watching Alotex grasp his father's hand and try to wake him. Jake looked up into her face, and was frightened to see the expression on her face: it was an exact replica of the Dark Dragon. Her eyes were flashing poison yellow, full of hatred; her face was twisted into a dark snarl, her features shadowed…
"Alex!" Jake said sharply, snapping her back to normal. She shook her head slightly, as if ridding herself of the dark feelings. "Are you ok?"
"I think so…come on, let's get outta here- this place gives me the creeps."
Jake wasn't worried about their location many more, but of the look in Alex's eyes as she watched Alotex's memories…Just the light. Just the light. He chanted, although keeping a close eye on his friend.
Once again the scene changed, but Jake could tell they were on longer back in the Ancient Times. They were in a small room, with a comfy looking bed, a bookshelf full of little ornaments, some picture books, many toy dragons and unicorns and a richly covered bed, containing a sleeping child. The child couldn't have been much older than four, maybe close to five. She eyes were closed, with her long, dark brown hair splayed across her peaceful face, and a squishy toy dragon within her tight hugging arms. She rolled over in her sleep, looking a little troubled.
"Alex…" Jake said quietly, hardly believing his words. "I- I think it's you…" the child tossed in her bed, thrashing wildly. The present Alex watched, her face unreadable.
"It's the night…" she whispered, and Jake did not need to ask what night that was.
"NO!" little Alex screamed, clutching her toy harder. "GO AWAY!"
BANG!!!! The child's yellow-tinted eyes flew open, full of fear. It was no mistaking it- the child was a younger Alex, still living with her parents. There was a mighty roar, the unmistakable roar of the Dark Dragon, and someone give a loud gasp of anguish.
"STEVE!" they heard a female voice call from behind the door. "STEVE! NO! YOU VILE, EVIL, LOW-LIFE OF A DRAGON!"
"Dad…" Alex whispered, her eyes widening. Listening to the sound of battle was killing her inside, tearing her soul into pieces and spreading a poison through her body…Jake moved closer to her, enclosing a arm around her shaking body.
"It's ok…"
"IT'S NOT OK!" Alex shouted, pulling away from Jake's arm. "I'M JUST STAND HERE AND THERE FIGHTING! I'VE GOT TO HELP!"
"You can't do anything!" Jake said desperately, trying to grab her wrist. But she whipped it away, the same dark expression etched across her face. "We can't do anything! This is just a memory!"
"MUMMY! DADDY!" called the child desperately, jumping out of her bed and beating on the door with clenched fits. "WHAT'S GOING ON?" they heard another scream of pain, but this time from Alex's mum. It was too much for her to take, frantically pulling away from Jake, Alex raced forward and stepped right through the door as if it weren't there.
"I'M COMING! I'M COMING!" she shouted, hearing her mother scream again. Spreading her wings, Alex took off down the hallway she barely remembered and flew fast as possible, passing through walls and ceilings without feeling. Flying into the large, dim living room, Alex saw her father laying on the floor, bleeding and crumpled.
"NO! DAD!" she stopped at his side, seeing his eyes open…but so dull and lifeless…
"AGHR!!!!" He mother's cries of pain crashed Alex back to earth, remembering her dying mother…She took off again, passing through the wire front door like a ghost.
On the front law, battling furiously was the tall, menacing Dark Dragon, and a turquoise dragon with blood splattered across her face.
"MUM!" Alex cried, desperate for her mother to hear her. She surged forward to attack the Dark Dragon, only to pass straight through him and crash to the ground painfully. Jake landed next to her, helping her to stand.
"I tried to help…I tried to help…" she whispered, watched her mother thrown into a tall bottle-brush tree by the Dark One's mighty tail. Alex's mother did not move from her position as the Dark Dragon advanced, triumphant smile across is evil features.
"So Alia." He began. "It has come to this? Must I really destroy you, as I did your husband?"
"Go ahead." Alia, Alex's mother spat, her breathing ragged and shallow. "You'll never hear it then…only I know it's true content." The Dark Dragon shook in fury, knowing very well his daughter spoke truthfully.
"True." Th Dark One hissed, making Alex shake with absolute hatred. "But you will tell me. And do you know why?"
"If you if I'll tell you for being such a loving an caring father," Alia said sarcastically. "You're very mistaken." But the Dark Dragon didn't respond to Alia's comment, only clicked his fingers. Instantly, a younger looking Chang appeared at his side, holding a unconscious four year old in her cold grasp. Jake, Alia and the real Alex tensed, watching Chang threateningly hold a sharp claw against the younger Alex's throat.
"I don't remember that…" Alex whispered, as she watched her mother try to stand.
"Leave Alex alone!" Alia gasped, falling back to the ground. "She doesn't know anything!" The Dark Dragon laughed, and signalled for Chang to raise her claw to kill the child.
"NO!" Alia burst, causing the real Alex to slump to the ground, feeling as if everything were her doing. "OK! I'LL TELL YOU! LEAVE HER!"
"Good girl." The Dark Dragon smiled evilly. "Chang, drop the child." Looking a little cheated from her kill, Chang dropped the four year old like a sack of potatoes. Little Alex gave a small groan, but stayed unconscious.
"Now…" the Dark Dragon whispered venomously. "what is the prophecy…?" Jake's heart stopped, and his breath held fast. Prophecy…? Alia took a deep breath, and whispered:
"Two Young Ones, will be the fall,
Of the Darkness, fear and all.
So different, yet so alike,
Their destiny revealed at the final strike.
Both descendants of those who tried,
To vanquish the Dark One's death and lies.
So close they came, but to no avail,
For it is the Young Ones who shall not fail.
With eyes that shine like sun and fire,
They shall conquer the ultimate liar.
For the smallest streak of Light shall,
Pass through Darkness, to the walls of hell.
A tear of truth, love and pain,
Will let the sun shine again.
The connection between the two will stay,
Forever more, 'till their dying day.
A new era dawns, when the Dark One ends…
Where Light and Dark shall make amends."
With one shuddering breath Alia fell silent, her breathing shallow. There was a ringing silence, even from the two teenage dragons.
"What does this mean?!" Chang roared, scooping up the unconscious child. "Tell us or precious little Alex dies!"
"It means..." whispered Alia, her life ebbing away. "Two young dragons will be your downfall father. They alone will destroy you, and there is nothing you can do…" Chang dropped the child again, but this time in shock.
The Dark Dragon stood above his dying daughter, nothing but hatred embedded in his eyes. With a almighty roar, the Dark One thrust his claw into Alia's heart, with blood staining the ground on which they stood. Alex gasped and leant into Jake's shoulder, unable to watch her mother's eyes dim and her breath fail. Jake had no shoulder to hide his head, and was forced to watch as the Dark Dragon withdrew his blood soak hand from the lifeless Alia, and turn to Chang.
"We must act fast. I know very well whom the prophecy refers to…" he added, seeing a seeing the confused expression on Chang's twisted face.
"But…master," she said, a little shakily; as if wondering if her question would infuriate the Dark Dragon. "How? And…who?"
"There are only two souls on this planet that have come close to destroying me…" the Dark One whispered, his voice full of menace. "One, who lies dead at my very feet- and another, twenty years ago in Hong Kong…as you remember Chang. Lao Shi…"
"So the Young Ones are the girl," Chang indicated to the small child laying on the ground, breathing deeply in sleep. "And Lao Shi's girl, Susan?"
"Susan?!" the Dark One laughed in black humour, deepening the lines of confusion on Chang's face. "The one who's blood runs with Dragon Powers, but yet she does not show it? The one married to that human?" Jake felt his blood boil over: even in distant memories, no one insulted his dad. "No. It is the next in line…her son Jake Long," From boiling blood to frozen cold, Jake stood shock still; hardly believing or breathing. "Who if I am not mistaken…is no older than little Alex here-WHERE IS SHE?!"
The scene melted away rapidly, leaving the two shocked dragons in a new situation at the bottom of a tall building, somewhere near the Empire State Building in New York. Both of the dragons stared at each other unbelievingly, lost for words.
END CHAPTER 10
Yeah, got nuffin much to say here. If you read this chapter carefully, you would have picked something up…about the Ancients. It might become more clear as the story progresses…just watch their names and colour. Wanna know what I'm talking about if you're completely lost? Mail me! I can tell ya (since I wrote this), but anyway!