NCHS

By Secret Dancer

Chapter 14: Aftershock

"Radnor, you are so irresponsible! How can you ever hope to make good choices when we can't even trust you with a vehicle? You could've been killed! Or you could've killed all your friends or the other drivers! What were you thinking?" Rocky's mother shouted on the ride home. He was staring out the window thinking about how Flame had unlocked his dragon abilities and Kai had repelled the fire.

"It wasn't my fault. All the lights were green. I swear." He said in his defense.

"That's impossible! All the lights can't be green. You just thought it was your turn to go. I know I'm right. Admit that you made a mistake. Radnor, we raised you not to lie to us. If you're lying then you'll be grounded. Now what do you say?"

"It wasn't my fault. It was rigged. Someone planned for this to happen. I know they did."

"That's it, you're grounded for a month. Maybe that will teach you not to lie and to be more cautious." Rocky's father said before they pulled into the driveway. Rocky felt anger build inside him. His parents were ignoring everything he said! When they got inside Rocky let it out.

"Can you listen for once? You guys never trust me! Everything I say just goes in one ear and out the other! You don't know me! I was cautious! I knew with carrying passengers to be more careful and I was. I was being careful. I don't lie to you guys. I know somebody planned the accident! Now pleas hear me through, I didn't mess up!" Rocky shouted.

"Go to your room." His father boomed.

"No."

"If you live in my house you're under my rules. Now go to your room."

"No. I'm almost eighteen. I don't need you guys anymore and you don't need me. I'm leaving!" Rocky finished before slamming the door on his way out.

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Zane was silent on his way home. Dr. Julien seemed very calm and that's what Zane liked about his father. He would hear things through and talk to Zane before punishment. Dr. Julien was a very understanding person and Zane hoped to be just like him someday.

"Zane, what happened back there?" Dr. Julien finally asked when they reached their house. Zane explained everything before adding,

"Rocky told us after the crash that he saw all the lights were green. Whenever I peered out the window I noticed that none of them had flickered to yellow or red. His information was accurate. Therefore we believe that someone planned the crash."

"Why would somebody do something like that?"

"I don't know. And that's what troubles me. I'm starting to think that what happened to Shard was no accident. Remember how we visited the dam three days prior to it busting? It was in perfect condition and there were no cracks. I think if there were any they'd have the area on alert or repairs in progress. Then it so happens that it busts?

"Another thing, when I went to find Shard he was locked in his trailer. If he noticed it was flooding wouldn't he leave? Instead he was trapped inside. When I tried to open the door it was locked. Shard never leaves the door locked until he goes to bed."

"Maybe he locked it because he was about to go to bed?" Dr. Julien suggested.

"Excellent point, father. There's still more to the story though. Whenever the group and I did investigating we found some clues which I have in my room. May I go get them?" Zane asked.

"Of course son." And a few minutes later Zane returned with the red snake scale, some wood that he had collected after his fall, a broken green snake-like lock, and a black snake scale.

"The red snake scale came from the others investigation. The rest from my personal exploration after I was released."

"These are too big to be snake scales but if I look at them through my microscope I might could tell you what they are." Dr. Julien offered.

"No need. I already did that. There is more I need to tell you. You know how I said I joined a martial arts class two years ago?"

"Yes,"

"It was because I was chosen for something. I don't know what it is but it's a long story. And because of today's events I know that it wasn't a fictional tale." Zane said before beginning his story.

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"Jay, are you hurt? What about you Wilburt? Are any of you injured or feel woozy?" Edna asked as Ed drove towards the junkyard.

"No mom. We feel fine." Jay assured her for the thirteenth time since they got in the car.

"When we get to the junkyard do you want to call your parents Wilburt?" Ed asked.

"Hehe, Wilburt." Jay snickered before being elbowed.

"Yes please. I think it'd be better if I told them now then they find out when they get back from their trip."

When they got to the junkyard Wisp stepped into the other room of the trailer to dial his parents number. As Jay would say he was so hooped. He was sweating as he waited for his parents to pick up. A part of him was hoping that they wouldn't answer and he could just forget about it.

"Hello?"

"Hi dad." Wisp said uneasily.

"Wilburt? I got a call from the police station today. You're in big trouble man."

"I didn't even do anything." Wisp answered coolly. He could hear Jay and his parents laughing in the other room.

"Did you distract the driver?"

"I don't know, I'm not him. We were playing Rock, Paper, Clamp and the next thing I know is I'm under a table."

"Well, you're grounded now so no more distracting drivers. When we get back we'll talk about when to cease your punishment."

"Dad that's so unfair."

"Life's unfair son. You could've not only killed yourself but everyone there. You're lucky to be alive."

"Dad, really this is unfair. It was an accident. Accidents happen." Wisp said in his defense but his father hung up at the first sentence.

"Great."

"Hey Wisp, we're about to play charades!" Jay called.

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Flame wasn't speaking to his parents. He knew we was grounded and that they wouldn't listen. He'd just get the responsibility speech and he'd heard that enough in his life. He was almost eighteen but until he could work out bills and savings then he could move out with Kai and they'd share an apartment, which meant he was stuck with his parents rules. He went up to his room.

I know I'm grounded but they'd never explain why. My parents never understand me. I'm red for crying out loud. I've had to adjust to being different. Nobody realizes how hard it is for me to be like this. I'm not normal and I act like everything is okay but I'm not. I can't even tell my best friend this! What will others think if they find out I'm a dragon? As if being a freak was bad enough.

Linebreak

Kai went back to his house from the bus. Nya was waiting after already closing their shop. She was not happy with him. He scratched the back of his head nervously. He'd been dealing with the police and missed shop hours. When he reached the house Nya ran up and hugged him.

"I saw the accident on the TV. I thought I lost you. The explosion had broken the camera's and I thought I had lost my big brother. Please promise me that you won't leave me. Not like mom and dad. Promise me Kai." Nya begged. Kai found his shoulder wet.

"I promise."

"Don't scare me like that."

"What happened to my tough sister?"

"I am tough. Just not when it comes to you." She whispered.

"Did you ever have a thing for Flame?" Kai asked after she let go.

"No, of course not. It's Jay I like." She assured him hoping he'd take it as a joke. Instead of getting that flare he actually looked happy.

"Good cause, he likes you too."

"And Nya, I've been needing to tell you something for two years." Kai began before they sat down on the couch so he could tell her the story.

"So you have fire powers?" She asked once he was done.

"Yeah."

"And Flames a dragon?"

"Uh huh."

"And they really think I'd be better at the Samurai Games this year?"

"Yeah." He mumbled in response.

"I guess I will sign up. Who knows, it could be fun."

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Cole's father was singing his feelings with his quartet. Cole rolled his eyes. When they got home Cole was forced into the most ridiculous outfit ever. A pink leotard, tutu, pink tights, and black ballet flats.

"Dad this is embarrassing!" Cole complained.

"But it fits perfectly."

"I don't want to wear mom's ballet clothes."

"That's not your mothers."

"Then whose is it?"

Linebreak

"Nice work you did, you're gonna go far kid." One of the Hypnobrai said when Lloyd got back to the Serpentine network. When midnight hits they'd begin their fighting in the Slither Pit.

"I've got a question Skales. In two years, how come you and the others aged and I'm still a kid?" Lloyd asked. He knew he'd been thinking too much lately but he couldn't help it.

"I don't know scamp." Skales hissed as if he didn't care.

"And if my father is Garmadon how come he never brought me home? I still live with a foster family."

"Go annoy someone else for a change. I'm trying to run a tribe here."

So Lloyd went to go talk to Pythor. He seemed to be the only friend Lloyd had around here. Maybe he'd know why I felt conflicted back there. It could be because I was sent to kill them. Yet, I feel like I knew those guys before we were enemies. What's happening to me? I'm evil. Son of the evil Lord Garmadon. Then why do I not want to be?

"After this I need to get candy." Lloyd muttered as he made his way to the Anacondrai tribe of only one member.

"Yeah, lots of candy. I steal it too cause I'm evil. Mua ha ha ha!"