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CHAPTER 12: Plan Of Action
(Videl's POV)
I was barely aware of my surroundings. My mind scarcely registered the near sounds of cars booming down the highway and the hot draft that manifested itself down the back of my shirt to my neck; the things that would normally annoy me.
My mind swirled around with the thought of being so close to this unimaginably attractive boy, our torsos almost touching. My arms hung loosely from my sides, grazing past the woolen fabric of my blue sweater. I had no idea what else to do with them.
His lips were hot against mine and a tingling sensation spread through my body, starting at my mouth as he returned the kiss. I had no idea what to do, but this felt right. I slowly opened my eyes, desperate to make sure this was real and not a dream. I froze when I saw his perfect teal eyes staring back at me with shock. I blinked a few times and pulled away, startled; our lips made a slight clicking sound as they parted.
I fought the urge of turning my gaze shyly to the ground and stared him in the eyes. I noticed a slight blush on his cheeks and his eyes seemed bigger than they usually were. He folded his left arm over his chest and clutched his right arm, hanging from his side, with it. He shifted all his weight to his right and turned his gaze to the floor for a split second before they lifted up to mine again.
It was clear that he felt uncomfortable and awkward... I can't blame the guy though; I practically forced myself onto him. My eyes widened as a sudden though spread through my mind. He must think I am a total slut.
An unpleasant uncomfortable feeling spread through my bones as well and mimicked his expression and posture precisely. For the first time in my life I yearned to be an ostrich; I just wanted to drill my head through the ground and never see the light of day again.
I cleared my throat and took back a step when I realised that we were still standing at a very close proximity to each other.
He managed a sheepish smile at me and scratched the back of his head with his right arm. A bright red blush was apparent on his heart-shaped face now.
"That was great." He said awkwardly. I returned the smile uncomfortably, regretting my impulsive decision to mash faces with him. I am going to kill you Erasa... "I didn't know you liked me that way."
My heart skipped a beat before it turned into overdrive. Panic seized me. There is no way in hell I am going to admit any sort of feelings to him, first...
I, instinctively, crossed my arms over my chest and a defensive scowl twisted onto my face. "I don't like you." I said clearly, my voice sounding harsh and unfriendly.
He frowned, actually looking slightly angry. "Then why did you kiss me?"
A soft breeze blowing into the building from one of the open windows distracted me for a moment and my eyes were planted on his chest. The slightly loose white fabric was brushed against his chest and emphasized every muscle he had under the plain, slightly stained, shirt.
"I want something from you." I stated truthfully.
He raised an eyebrow; not expecting my answer. "What do you want?" He asked when I didn't elaborate.
I turned my right toe around in circles on the concrete floor and played with my hands behind my back. Damn it. I cursed. Why am I feeling so nervous and flushed?! What is this boy doing to me?!
"The dance at school; I don't have a date..." My voice trailed off with a question mark hanging in the air behind it.
"You want me to accompany you?" He asked slowly, sounding confused. I frowned at his use of an old-timey vocabulary.
I felt a weary expression rest on my face. "Yes, ugh, uh I mean no, I mean maybe." I stuttered.
"Yes, that is the three options..." He encouraged.
I chuckled nervously before a pained expression flashed on my features. Why is this so hard to admit? "Yes, I want you to be my date." I looked at the ground, not having the guts to look into his deep eyes for another second.
He smiled smugly. "You do like me." He stated, sounding sure.
I chased the warm feeling spreading to my cheeks away aggressively. "No." I said in an emotionless tone.
"Why would you ask a guy you don't like to a dance?" He challenged, crossing his arms over his muscular chest.
"I tolerate you." I said curtly.
He rolled his eyes. "Sure you do." He said sarcastically.
"Whatever." I retorted, trying not to spill my true feelings into my words. "So are you going with me or not?"
"Sure." He answered with a smile, making me feel relieved, but right after he said the word, his eyes widened slightly as if he was remembering something. He planted his palm on his face and stared at me from under his lashes. "I can't." He said softly, but the low-volumed words managed to make their way to my ears. "I am really flattered by your request, but I am going to have to decline." He said formally.
My heart sank to my knees. "Why?" I asked, louder than I had planned.
He hesitated, as if deciding what words to use. "Let's just say I can't be at two places at once." He said finally.
"You are out of town that night?" I guessed.
He bit his lower lip. "Uh, I guess you can say that."
I saw the slightest residue of sweat shine on his forehead, he scratched his nose while he talked and fidgeted with his hands. He was lying. I turned around swiftly and stomped towards the door with an angry scowl on my face. "If you don't want to go with me just say so." I said over my shoulder. "Be a man and be honest; you don't have to spare my feelings."
"It's not that I don't want to go with you..." He defended. "I really want to, but..." His voice turned silent, causing me to turn around with curiosity. "Draco?" He asked with confusion in his voice.
I followed his gaze and my eyes fell open as I saw a neatly dressed little dragon float in the air near the raggedy blond-haired boy. My fighting instincts flared at the sight of the strange creature whereas any normal person would have frozen or ran off. I crouched down and arched my back as my hands balled into fists in front of my chest. I unconsciously shifted most of my weight to my right side; ready to pounce if the thing made any sudden movements.
I frowned when I saw a brilliantly blinding smile spread on its lips as his eyes met with the frame of the Golden-haired warrior, who, in return, greeted it with a panicked expression on his face. I saw their eyes lock for a brief moment, almost undetectable, but I had a keen eye, and the little dragon gave a curt nod. I frowned at the strange encounter; it seemed as if they were communicating telepathically but I quickly dismissed the theory as I realized how silly the concept actually sounded.
Telepathic communication... Pfft!
"You are needed in..." The creature's voice trailed off as he looked around him suspiciously. "You know where."
The Gold Fighter rested his palm on his face and slowly moved his head from side to side in irritated disbelief. "Really?" He said in an annoyed tone on the brink of anger.
"What else was I supposed to say?" The dragon asked rhetorically with his arms flying agitatedly around his body. "That Magis..."
"Draco!" The Gold Fighter yelled in a hushed tone; discontinuing the creature's speech.
His moss-green paws flew to his mouth. "Sorry." He mumbled through his palms.
"What are you?" I asked in a voice filled with authority, eyeing the creature as if he were my enemy.
He turned to me with one of his arms placed firmly on his left hip. "Why is that the first thing people ask when they see me?!" He sounded majorly offended. "I am what I am." He said in an agitated tone of voice, his eyes piercing through mine. "Let's just say, to your simple human mindset, that I am a dragon." He claimed dramatically.
I was stunned to silence. Animals weren't suppose to have the ability to speak, at least not our human languages!
My mouth was probably hanging on the ground, but I didn't care; I stared. A dragon, a species which was supposed to be extinct, was standing in front of me, neatly dressed and groomed; and he could talk; using proper grammar, better than most of the kids in my school used.
I don't know what is real anymore.
"His name is Draco." The Gold Fighter calmly introduced.
"I can speak for myself." Draco said in a harsh tone.
"Clearly, but you are making her uncomfortable." He said slowly.
"You know him?" I asked slowly, interjecting their argument.
He sighed softly but managed a small smile to me. "Unfortunately." He breathed.
Draco inhaled sharply. "I am the reason you didn't get fried at..."
"Shut up." The Gold Fighter shushed the overly talkative creature.
The little dragon's gaze fell on me, making my body stiffen. He eyed me up and down and leaned nearer to the Gold Fighter. He cupped his hand over his head, concealing it from my view.
"What's up with her?" He asked in a hushed tone, but it was hard not to hear him. He must have noticed that I was still staring at him like a awestricken child. I quickly averted my attention away from him before I spoke.
"I can hear you." I said instantly in an annoyed voice. I stood up straight, getting out of my defensive stance and folded my arms defiantly over my chest. I didn't see him as a threat and even if he tried to attack I was sure that he wouldn't get far.
A sheepish expression coloured his face and a slight blush appeared on his cheeks. He scratched the back of his scaly head as he let out a nervous giggle. "My apologies fair maiden." He said genuinely. "I was momentarily stunned by your beautatios beauty."
The Gold Fighter noticeably rolled his perfect almond-shaped eyes. "That's not even a word." He said in an irritated tone. He turned his head to me. "I am sorry; he's very obnoxious, just ignore him."
"So you think it is wrong of him to think I am beautiful?" I challenged with raised eyebrows.
"No." He answered, quickly on the defence. "It is unnecessary for him to point the obvious out; everyone is beautiful." He smiled boyishly at me as he talked.
Woah, he had a way with words. I felt how warmness started to crawl up my cheek but I forced it back down; forcing myself not to blush and stared at the bright slightly flickering light on the ceiling to divert my attention.
Draco cleared his throat; it was a wet disgusting sound. "I apologize for interrupting your romantic moment but Go..." The Gold Fighter shot him a look. "Goldie here and I have some serious business to attend to." He said formally.
"I am sorry; I realize this is really rude of me, but we can continue our discussion tonight." He looked at me from under his thick black lashes smoulderingly. I nodded; not trusting my voice enough to speak.
He smiled slightly. "Great; see you later then." He greeted with a little wave before dispersing into thin air. I clutched the area on my chest in front of my heart. Who is this guy?
(Gohan's POV)
My hand flew to Draco's head and made a loud slap sound as it connected with it. "What were you thinking just showing up like that?!" I yelled in an accusatory voice. "You could have blown my cover!"
He shrugged indifferently while cupping his hands over the spot I just hit him. "I think it is time that your kind knows the truth about the universe." He said in a pained voice.
"What?" I asked, a little baffled that he would actually think like that. "Ignorance is bliss; can't you imagine how they would freak out when I reveal all the dangers out there to them?!"
"That's not your choice to make." He argued.
"Neither yours." I retaliated.
He rolled his eyes. "Let's just agree to disagree."
I scoffed. "No, why don't we just both agree that I am right?"
He frowned. "You are not always right!" He yelled, punching me pathetically on my arm. "Everyone is entitled to their opinions." He eyed me. "No matter how stupid certain people's opinions might be..."
"You are looking for a fight." I said slowly.
"Does it look like I am searching for something?" He asked lamely and balled his hands into fists, holding them awkwardly in front of his chest. "You, sir, have just found one."
A graceful chuckle, resembling the sound of a choir of bells, tickled my ears. "Oh how I have missed your bickering." I instinctively turned my head to the familiar voice. A broad smile formed on my features as I recognised my sensei.
"Sir!" I exclaimed and ran up to him, giving him a tight hug. I heard how air escaped from his lungs as he gasped and pulled me away. "I have missed you so much."
He smiled and tousled my hair. "As did I my boy." He looked over my shoulder. "It was awfully quiet without you here."
He placed his right hand on the small of my back as he led me in the direction I remembered his mansion being. "You have grown." He said with a loving smile as we walked on the stone pathway. "You must drive those earthling girls bonkers."
"You don't know the half of it." I breathed.
He smiled sympathetically. "Everything will work out perfectly; it might not feel so at this moment, but it will."
I nodded, although I didn't feel comforted at all. "Why did you summon me sir?" I aired my curiosity. "It must be something huge, since this is the first time we have seen each other since the whole time shift ordeal."
He nodded with a solemn expression on his symmetrical oval-shaped face. "Indeed." He confirmed. "I will not allow pettiness to screw up with the fate of the greater good." He stared right in front of him as he spoke.
I frowned; confused by the sudden angry tone in his voice. He turned to me with a softer expression on his face. "I apologize for the way Gailo treated you earlier." He sounded genuinely sorry. "I made myself clear that I found his behaviour intolerable, especially since he was the head of the guard and he was punished accordingly."
"Wait, was?" I repeated.
He stared straight in front of him. "I instructed Luna to fill his position." He answered to the point.
"Sir, isn't that a bit rash?" I defended. "Don't do that on account of me, I really don't mind."
"I expect a better attitude from my men, Gohan, you know that." He looked down at me; the distance wasn't that long since I have grown. "He knew that as well, therefore it is inexcusable."
"But..." I started; he shushed me with a show of his hand.
"Raphael would have been defeated if you were present, I know that and because of an idiotic feeling of rivalry more innocent people have to suffer and die." He halted when we reached the frontage of his mansion. He led me through his little gate and main door.
I followed him through the neatly decorated den to the staircase. We walked up three flights and travelled down the nearly empty hallway, except for the paintings, until we reached the large mahogany door with excellent detail such as animals, planets and people carved in its majestic wood.
With the flash of a hand he opened the threshold and the smell of old books assaulted my nostrils. I breathed in deeply through my nose; highly enjoying the smell. I compared it to the lovely smell of earth just after a rainstorm. I wouldn't mind if they made cologne out of this smell.
As I stood mesmerized in the threshold by the overwhelming feeling of all the knowledge surrounding me, Magisterial walked in between some racks, only to appear after a few seconds with a thickly covered blue and golden book pressed against his chest.
I frowned puzzling at him, but he ignored me and walked over to the desk. The book made a loud crash sound as he plopped it against it surface. Random dust motes and stray pieces of loose splinters gathered in the air, caught in a ray of light streaming in through a small opening in the thick velvet red curtains. They danced in the speck of light for a few seconds before falling down invisible to the floor again.
I stared intently at the brilliant cover of the overweight book. I saw no title on its front.
"This is the book of elders." Magisterial explained when he noticed my confused expression.
"Elders, as in the Kais?"
He nodded. "Correct." He praised with a smile. "I am in it as well." He paged through the first half of the book and quickly reached a few pages about him. I saw a few photographs of him between the articles.
"Cool." I replied as I quickly scanned through the titles of the paragraphs. My eyes caught: history, special abilities, training and origin, before he turned the page.
I flinched when my eyes fell upon the cruellest eyes I have ever had the displeasure to see. His squared face stared directly in front of him in the picture, showing off every angle of his evil face. His grey, silvery hair was styled in a slick fashion and combed back from his head, exposing his whole face completely.
"Vaughan." I read out loud.
"You know him?" Magisterial asked baffled, after hearing the recognition in my tone of voice.
I nodded slowly. "I believe he is Raphael's uncle." I recollected.
"How do you know that?" He asked quickly. "Only a few people know about his existence; has he ever tried to recruit you?" He bombarded me with more questions.
I shook my head. "I have never met him face to face, but I am pretty sure he knows about me." I answered truthfully.
"You have never met him, but yet you know about him?"
I nodded. "I think Raphael spoke to him about me after one of our encounters on earth." I speculated.
"How sure are you?" He asked concerned.
"Pretty sure." I answered. "He sent one of his warriors, Grace," I flinched at the thought of her, "after me the other day. They tortured me for information."
Magisterial stifled a gasp. "For what information?" He asked worriedly after he regained his composure.
"They wanted to know the whereabouts of Babidi."
An angry expression flashed on his face. "This should have been avoided." He said slowly. "You didn't reveal any information, did you?" He asked to make sure.
"Of course not." I answered quickly. "I have a high threshold for pain, as you know, and they couldn't get me to talk." I explained.
He nodded at my explanation. "But they know now that Babidi is on earth."
"They do." I confirmed. "But I made a deal with him; in order to ensure his life he created a magic barrier around earth. They won't be able to trace the planet."
"My dear boy that won't last long." Magisterial said solemnly. "Vaughan has lots of powerful wizards who will be able to break the magic."
"That will at least buy us some time?" I asked unsure, hoping for a yes.
"No more than a week; two tops." He said dispiritedly.
"That is better than nothing." I tried to sound optimistic, but failed. Never in my life have I resented time this much.
He managed a small smile. "It is." He agreed.
"Do we have a plan of action?"
"I am leaving that up to you and Reynard." He informed me. "Both of you are excellent strategists, so I believe you will find the best way to victory."
"We will." I turned around at the sound of another voice which didn't belong to me or Magisterial.
I smiled when I noticed the silhouette of my best friend leaning casually against one of the bookracks oppose us. He stood up straight but somehow lost his balance and came down crashing into the desk.
His face flew up and he clutched it with both his hands as he spiralled around the room, muttering gasps and moans of pain as he moved.
"How on earth did you ever qualify to be on the guard of protectors?" I asked rhetorically when I saw tears roll off his cheeks.
"Every team has to have their diversions." Magisterial joked.
Reynard swallowed his pain and stared at the two of us with a prideful expression. "I am a huge contributor to this team." He claimed in an offended tone and leaned over the desk to look at the book in front of me.
"Yikes; so we are going to take on the big bad wolf so soon."
"I don't see a better time on the horizon." Magisterial breathed.
"Might as well." Rey said in a diplomatic voice. "The sooner this is over, the sooner everything can turn back to normal."
I nodded. "And then everyone can be safe again."
Reynard took the book in his hands and heaved as he noticed how heavy it was. He planted it on the ground and went to sit cross-legged next to it. I plopped down next to him and extended my legs comfortably out in front of my body.
He paged through the book until he was about in the centre of it. He looked up at Magisterial through his fringe and placed his finger on the page below him.
"Is this the map of the dark realm?"
Magisterial nodded and sat in one of the red royal-looking chairs near our location. "Yes." He answered curtly.
Reynard nodded, as if deep in thought and trailed his finger around the outline of the circular map. "It's large." He said more to himself.
"Isn't that good?" I asked. "Then there will be a better opportunity to create ambushes."
He groaned and slapped me behind my head. "Don't be an idiot." He reprimanded. "They know the realm, we don't have a cooking clue what is going on in there, thus..."
"We will be vulnerable, even if we do have the numbers on our side." I finished his explanation.
He nodded. "Which we don't have by the way."
"So our only option basically is to attack them head on." I tried to contribute.
"Hn." He said and bit his lower lip as he stared intently at the page. I recognised it as his thoughtful expression.
"Or..." His voice trailed off mysteriously.
"Or?" I repeated.
"We put someone on the inside." He finished.
"That's too risky." Magisterial said quickly. "Vaughan doesn't trust easily."
Reynard scoffed. "That is an understatement." He agreed. "But I will make sure they trust me."
"I am not sending you in there." Magisterial said in a final tone.
"You don't have to." Reynard pestered. "I am volunteering." For some odd reason he had a smile on his face.
"Reynard, listen to me..." Magisterial started.
"I will go." I interrupted, not willing to send my best friend off to certain doom and destruction.
"Under no circumstance." Magisterial said with a frown. "Son, I know you are strong and you think you can defeat them all on your own, but they are on a way different level as the villains you have faced in your lifetime."
Reynard chuckled. "And besides, you are alive bro; a throbbing life force isn't exactly inconspicuous." He shifted his eyes to our sensei. "I am really willing and able to enter the dark realm; they will never be the wiser." He reasoned. "I am actually a good liar, unlike a certain half-breed in this room, I can gain their trust."
"I don't care Reynard." Magisterial said in an authoritative voice. "We are a team of protectors, we work in a team. I am not letting any of you go off on your own."
"No buts." He interjected when he noticed our mouths wanting to speak.
Our shoulders fell and we both held dispirited looks on our faces.
"Always be on the alert; they can be the first to strike." Magisterial warned. "Gohan, warn your family as well." He instructed. "We are going to need all the help we can get."
"I already informed them about the situation, sir." I stated. "They are willing to fight."
Magisterial nodded approvingly. "Good boy." He praised. "I will call all of you together soon to talk about the plan of action."
"Just don't do it on Wednesday." Reynard pleaded. "I have a geography test scheduled in the morning, and if I don't study, I can kiss my distinction goodbye."
Magisterial and I both shot him looks of disbelief. He waved his hands in front of his chest defensively.
"Fine, whatever!" He exclaimed. "If my education isn't important to you then fine; just don't expect me to be of any help when we are lost in the wilderness and our survival depends on knowing which rocks to sleep on, if need be." He crossed his arms childishly over his chest.
I shook my head slowly. "No comment..." I breathed.
"Very well then..." Magisterial said slowly. "Off with you." He extended his open palms towards us and sent us back to earth, just outside my house.
We stood in silence for a few seconds, which was strange for the two of us, before I spoke. "Did you hear about Gailo?" I asked softly.
He nodded without looking in my direction. "He brought it on himself." He sounded just like Magisterial.
"Maybe he was just worried about me; you know, with me being alive and all." I suggested, feeling the urge to protect him from everyone's scorning tongues. He was, after all, the person who helped me the most to adjust to the guard in the beginning, always making me feel welcome and scolding the other guard members when they were mean to me.
Reynard chuckled. "Yeah, that is not it." He said with a voice filled with humour. His eyes shifted to mine. "The power went to his head and he was jealous that you were getting all the attention when you weren't technically part of us."
I frowned. "What happened to: once a member of the guard, always a member of the guard?"
"That's the thing; he didn't feel that way." Rey informed me. "He wanted to shut you out because you weren't dead, AKA, you were stronger than him and he couldn't take it; he wanted to be the one who shines again, for once, that's why he excluded you from the mission Magisterial ordered him to include you."
"Doesn't sound like him though." I held to my point.
"Jealously makes you nasty." He sang in a peculiar accent.
"So we have to strategize." I said, trying to change the subject.
He looked around him suspiciously and grabbed my arm, pulling me towards the woods; only stopping when we were deep in the thick vegetation.
"I am going through with my plan." He whispered.
"What plan?" I asked confused; I didn't remember him having a plan ever today, except for the whole inside operation thing, but Magisterial banned us to... My eyes widened when I realised that was what he was talking about.
"No..." I said slowly, my eyes piercing panicky through his.
"Trust me." He begged. "I know what I am letting myself into."
"Rey, I am not letting you go into that doomed demon infested realm." I said in a final tone; I wasn't going to let him go there. Over my dead body.
"I am not asking for your permission." He said in an agitated tone and shifted back to his original form. He towered intimidating over me now. "I am just telling you because if something goes wrong, you know what happened."
It sounded like he was saying his goodbyes.
"No." I said again. "Please Rey; don't put me in this position."
"Too late." He said firmly.
I reached out for him, but he ducked under my arm and gathered me in an inescapable headlock. He pulled tighter and I felt how my oxygen supply started to diminish, but I refused to let unconsciousness take me.
He lifted me up, and I clutched to his arm, scratching and kicking at his limbs, desperate to escape his hold.
"See you, bro..." He said softly before darkness completely overtook my vision.
(Reynard's POV)
My breathing quickened and my heart tried to jump out of my chest as I arrived in the place I knew all too well. To the place I called my home for the first twelve years of my life.
I followed the familiar dark pathway to where I knew he would be. It is strange how this place hasn't changed much in the hundred years I have last walked on its soil.
The air still reeked of oil and garbage and the sky still held its ghastly dark purple hue.
As I reached the large spooky mansion in the open field, I didn't even bother to knock. He must sense my presence already... That made me gulp.
Be strong Reynard, be strong... I encouraged myself.
He was standing in the foyer as soon as I entered through the main door. I forced the frightened expression off my face and stared into his eyes with determination and strength.
"Hello father..."
...
Hope the suspense doesn't kill you! XD
Until next time!
