AN: Okay, I think ff net is held my password reset hostage for a few days. Non-beta'd as the rest, anyway, here goes:

On the Ways of Your Desire

Chapter 10:

Black of the Night

Tai Kokin san grinned as he watched the villagers burn. 'What's the point in being an evil bastard' he thought 'if you can't go back to your roots through a massive killing spree every now and then?' He snapped his spindly fingers and the purple flames disappeared leaving his victims shocked to be alive. He sent one of his new minions down to make the whole Worship-or-Die speech. 'This is honestly beginning to get boring, or at least tedious. Maybe I should find a dragon to play with', he grinned evilly as he thought about taking a short trip to New York to check on his young dragon friend.

It was late afternoon as Jake filled Trixie in on the plan. All they had to do was use magic to draw the Orb away from him. It was only mildly insane, at least by Jake's standards. Trixie, on the other hand, wanted to ensure that there was some sort of backup plan. Spud was usually a great problem solver, at least he had been before everything got weird. She had tried calling Spud numerous times but it appeared he was ignoring his phone.

Haley decided to take matters into her own hands sending Spud a text message. What she didn't realize at the time is that they were playing right into the enemy's hands.

Trixie and Jake looked at Haley with incredulity, "So we're going to use this – what is it again?"

"- Arbitt's Dust," Haley repeated the name for the third time, trying to ignore her growing frustration.

"- to attack him, drawing the improperly bonded Orb of Chablisha out of his body, taking away his powers, and returning everything back to normal?"

"Hopefully, but we're not entirely sure if things will revert once he loses his powers. If that doesn't happen then one of us will have to use the Orb to change the reality. Being that you're the only one with the knowledge Jake, that has to be you." Haley said the last part with greater emphasis this time, hoping her brother would understand her warning and not do anything too risky. Especially with him being public enemy number one right now.

"Okay, so we have a plan, but how do we find this guy?" Trixie still held out hope that they could avoid a huge battle. Everyone had small pouches filled with the glittery white powder that was Arbitt's Dust, they only needed to get close enough to use it.

Tai Kokin looked out the window of the high rise, mostly hidden from view by the glare of the setting sun. He took aim at a bus going down the busy street, lifting it equal to his height. He looked at the faces of his victims, grinning for ear to ear. 'Where is that dragon', he wondered shaking his head. 'Maybe its time to go for the direct approach.' He released his magical hold on the bus, letting it fall, pausing to enjoy the terrified screams of his victims.

Before the bus can crash into the pavement, two dragons suddenly appear, straining against the weight of the bus.

"Two, how can there be two?" Tai Kokin didn't realize he spoke aloud as both dragons turned to face him after setting the bus roughly, but safely onto the pavement below. Superior hearing and its advantages when in dragon form.

Tai Kokin lept from the window to float in mid air above the dragons. They flew to meet him. Haley flew above him, releasing the bag of powder over his head. Suddenly the evil being disappeared and struck her from above! "Now that wasn't Arbitt's Dust, was it?" Tai Kokin laughed evilly watching the young dragon unable to keep flying as she lost consciousness.

Trixie looked up from the pavement, 'Not good, not good guys, I can't help you if you're up there!'

Spud ran up, out of breath. "Trixie, what's going on? I just got your messages – Jake's allowed to do the dragon thing again?"

Trixie turned to Spud, "No time to explain! Here, take this," she handed him her extra bag of powder. "If you get a chance, throw it on that guy!" She pointed towards the sky, knowing their intended target would be obvious.

As they looked up they saw Haley falling from the sky, wing at an odd angle. Jake cried out her name as he dove to save her.

Tai Kokin took advantage of the distraction and used his powers to draw Spud into the sky.

Spud struggled unable to move and floating an arms length away from the villain. "What do you want?" He managed to croak out before being silenced.

"Hello, dear boy. I'm sure you don't remember me, but I remember you. In fact, lets make this a little more interesting."

Spud shivered with fear and disgust as he felt the evil the emanated from the hand that touched his forehead. 'I'm going to die,' was the last thought that crossed his mind before his old memories floated back to him.

As Jake set Haley down near Trixie, Tai Kokin whispered, "And now, you can watch the one you love – the one that secretly loves you – die."

Spud, still unable to move or protest other than to groan "Noooo", was released from Tai Kokin's magic hold. Lao Shi watched in horror as Spud's lifeless body plummeted towards the ground below.

Jake jumped into the air his thoughts solely on saving Spud from certain death.

Trixie thought, 'I've got to do something!' Haley wasn't responding to her or Fu. She felt helpless in this battle, she was used to being able to do something – anything – to help her friends. Then, she saw a convenience store and got an idea. "Fu stay with her!" She ran into the store and grabbed ice and cold water. 'At this point, it wouldn't hurt to try.' Fu and Trixie poured the water, and then the ice onto Haley, hoping it would wake her. Fu breathed a sigh of relief as Haley moaned, eyes fluttering open.

Looking above Haley sees her brother catching a falling Spud. "He really does love him..." she muttered before truly waking.

Still slightly foggy, Haley realized what she had to do. "Trixie! Give me your Arbitt's Dust, I've used mine!" Trixie handed it over without question. Knowing she couldn't fly well with an injured wing she used the cover of a high rise to half-fly, half-climb up the building, remaining hidden from the battle. Once in place – she leapt from the building.

Tai Kokin watched as Jake held Spud in his arms. 'Oh this is just too perfect,' he thought gliding down from the sky as he watched Spud brush his fingers across Jake's now human cheek seemingly in shock. As Tai Kokin made his move to attack them, Haley fell towards him from behind tackling him midair. Taking him down to the ground she used one free claw to tear the pouch open and release the Arbitt's Dust.

Knocked away from her opponent as they hit the ground, Haley watched as he grew brighter and brighter, until the night appeared like day and she was forced to cover her eyes. She could only hope that in this other reality her brother could find happiness – hopefully with Spud.