Chapter Ten: The Truth Comes Out

A/N: Jonathan's POV again. I decided to make the story mainly about them, with the occasional chapter from someone else. Thanks for all the wonderful reviews I got for my last chapter! Again, review with what you think of this chapter and ideas for what happens next.

From the last chapter...

"Alina, Jonathan," my father began, his voice grave, "I think you're old enough to handle what we're about to tell you."

Mom nodded, her voice also serious. "We'll tell the others when we think they're ready, or before, if necessary."

Mom and dad looked at each other, and dad took a deep breath. "Jonathan, Alina, we-well, what's the best way to put this, dear?" He asked, looking at mom.

Mom finished for him. "Guys, you and your dragons were brought together for a reason. We're really royalty from the planet Neptune, which is engulfed in a planet-wide war caused by aliens from Jupiter, which invaded about nineteen or twenty years ago. You were brought here to be kept safe until you and your dragons were old enough to return and save the planet."

Jonathan: I stared at mom. "Yeah, right. Okay, what did you really want to tell us?"

Alina nodded. "That's really not all that believable, mom."

Mom sighed. "Look. If you don't believe us, that's fine. But since you're all over ten, except for Amara, we're going back. You have to learn how to fight so you can lead the armies to victory. We need you to trust us."

I shook my head. "I'm sorry mom, but I can't. Your story is just to...out there. Now, really, why did you want to talk to us about?"

Dad broke in. "If you don't believe us, talk to Quillan. He'll set you straight." I looked at him in confusion. "Quillan is my dragon," Dad added.

Alina fell over. "You have dragons and you didn't even tell us? Where are they? On Neptune?" Alina's voice was slightly sarcastic as she asked the last question, but Dad nodded.

"Actually, he is," Dad admitted. "I guess you'll have some trouble talking to him, then. But really. You have to learn how to fly in the heat of battle with arrows coming up at you and possibly other flying animals from Jupiter attacking. If it helps, Kenneth, Kendra and Haley are all learning this as well."

Alina still didn't look convinced. "Dad, don't bring our neighbors into this. Please. I'll learn those "fighting techniques" that you want us to learn, but I'm not entirely sure I believe the whole Neptune thing."

Suddenly, thunder crashed. I looked outside. It was perfectly clear! "Umm, dad?" Dad looked out the window as well. "What's going on?" I inquired of my father.

Dad grinned. Yes, he grinned. I was shocked. I'd never seen my dad grin in my entire life. I wasn't entirely sure it was a good thing. "They're coming, dear," Dad said to mom.

Mom looked pleased. "Finally. We've been expecting them for quite some time."

Alina still looked confused. "What's happening? What's all that noise?" She asked mom. Mom didn't answer right away, and Alina clutched at her shirt. "Mom! Please, enlighten me since you seem to know what's happening!" There was a hysterical edge to Alina's voice.

"Don't worry, Alina," Dad said from the window. "There's nothing to be afraid of. Come and look at our newest family members."

Alina, trembling slightly, walked towards us. I had already seen what it was: two dragons. One dark blue the color of the night sky, the other a light gray the color of clouds with a hint of rain in them.

"That one's Quillan," Dad said, pointing to the dark blue one, "And that one's Kerina. They finally decided to join us on Earth, I guess."

Alina was trembling. "Okay, Dad, I believe you now. Please, though, are we really Neptune-what's the term for people from Neptune?" She asked Mom.

"Neptunians." Mom stated with a smile. Probably she was glad that Alina believed her. I did, too.

"So we're Neptunians?" I asked. Dad nodded. "Okay. So we're actually aliens. How can you prove it?"

Dad looked at me. "Why do you think we never wanted you to wash your face very hard?" He reached over and started scratching at the skin near my hairline. Finally, he made a triumphant noise and pulled my skin off. I freaked out.

"My skin! You're pulling it off!" I clapped my hands to my face to keep it from peeling off further.

Mom did the same thing to Alina. Little patches of skin, about the length of a CD case and about as wide as the neck of the guitar, peeled off and revealed skin underneath. "Fake skin," Mom announced as she did Alina's other side. "Just little patches to cover up your temples on down to your necks."

I looked at my reflection in the picture next to our window. A patch of dark gray spread from the corners of my eyes, down the side of my face and ended at my chin. The entire thing was only about as wide as two pencils put side to side. As I turned my face from side to side, little streaks of amber-gold showed up around the edges.

Alina was doing the same thing, only using a mirror. "Jonathan, look at this!" she hollered. She turned to face me. Instead of blocks of color, blue the color of Javis' hide swirled down from her eyes, following the same path mine did. As she turned her head, I saw that burnt orange edged the blue, following the contours of the tattoo-like thing exactly.

"Royalty have always had dragons. As soon as it hatches, that forms, according to the colors of your dragons." Mom explained.

Alina was still getting used to her new appearance. "It's pretty. But what, exactly, is it?"

"Colored pigmentation under your skin forms when your bond with your dragon does. Luckily, we had the good sense to put that one when you were born." Dad said, looking at mom and smiling.

I went outside, followed closely by Alina and our parents. I got very nervous as we approached the senior dragons. "Dad? What's proper dragon etiquette?" I asked.

Dad laughed. "Just be polite. They'll want to talk to you about some things, and then your training will begin. The other children will be joining you, including the nieghbors."

I hesitantly approached Quillan. His color seemed to get a little lighter as I grew closer, the almost white gray spikes on his neck just beginning turn a darker gray. I assumed that meant he was getting older. I bowed respectfully. "Sir," I whispered after swallowing a couple times.

Ah. You must be Jonathan, Jr. My, how big you've gotten. You were just two months old last time I saw you. I made a face at the familiar statement. I know, I know, you probably hear that a lot from people who haven't seen you in a while. Quillan did the dragon equivalent of a smile. Now. Let me look at you. He backed up a little, looking me up and down. Yes, yes, very good. You kept them in excellent shape, Jonathan, Quillan said to my dad after inspecting Alina.

Kerina was busy getting reacquainted with mom to notice us for the moment. Alina went over to mom and said something to her in a low voice once she was seen. Mom nodded and looked at Kerina, who laughed, said something and looked at me.

Hello, Jonathan. She came over, rubbing the side of her head against my face. You've gotten so big while you were gone. Are you ready to start your training now?

I nervously nodded. "Yes, I hope so at least."

Excellent. Now, can I meet your dragons? I need to tell them a couple things. Kerina smiled. After all, I haven't seen them since I sent them to earth as eggs.

I bowed to her and called Trahern over. And bring Javis, too, I added.

Coming, coming, Trahern grumbled. Come on, Javis, hurry up! He yelled back to his sister, who was at the bottom of the hill talking to Amaris.

Javis said something back and they eventually got to the elder dragons. They spoke for a while, and then Quillan looked at me again.

Get your saddle. Training begins at once, there's not much time to lose.

A/N: Now Jonathan and Alyssa's dragons are in on the scheme! Next chapter coming soon, after I get reviews. No reviews, no chapter eleven.