Hi everyone! Sorry for the long wait! I've been uh...what's the word...oh yeah, GROUNDED. So I'm back and have the next episode up! Again, I apologize for the spacing in the story. Like I said, it looks perfect when I upload it and stuff. But, again, check out my website and see the BETTER and a little enhanced version. I haven't been able to update the website lately cuz of my "situation". But, it'll be updated very soon. Anyways, on with the story.
The Legend of Dragoon
The Series
It was a beautiful Saturday morning in Tokyo. A few puffy, white clouds floated by as the sun illuminated the city with its rays of sunshine. As always, the regular bumbling Tokyo traffic continued. Citizens of all different careers hurried across the sidewalks and crosswalks to get to their job and earn themselves a living. In the playgrounds near Japanese neighborhoods, mothers and their children played in the sandboxes, swings, slides, and all of the other things created for children to enjoy themselves.
Over at the Cherry Blossom Estate, it was pretty much the same. The cherry blossoms continued to give their happy and cheerful aura all around the grounds. All of the students took their weekend to have a good time. They were running all across the estate grounds. Most of them took the day to play some sports. Students were on the fields playing soccer, baseball, and football. Others were playing lacrosse, tennis, and volleyball. Also, students rose bicycles and skated around with their friends. It was a generally happy day for everyone in the city of Tokyo.
But, over in room 457, someone was having a panic attack, or should I say a Mr. Clean attack. Bryant, wearing a pink apron, rushed and zoomed across the dorm, a duster in hand. He dusted in the bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen, dining room, living room, you name it. He then took the vacuum, pushing back and forth along the carpet. After that, he ran over to the kitchen and scrubbed the dishes that were piled in the sink. Plate after plate after plate, he stacked the clean ones up beside him. Next, was the bathroom. He took a gas mask and placed it over his face. He grabbed a blue and white toilet cleaner. He apprehensively, and steadily walked into the guys' bathroom. He closed the door behind him. His three friends, Sakura, David, and Julie, could only watch him in amazement and confusion. Sweat drops fell on each of their heads. "Whoa, what's his ordeal?" Julie asked. "I've never seen him so nervous, so insecure," Sakura joked. "Do you know what it is David?" Julie asked. "Yeah. You and Bryant are close friends," Sakura added. "It's because his parents are coming to visit him this afternoon," David answered. "You mean...! His LOADED parents?!" Julie gasped. "Julie!" Sakura scolded her. "What? They are loaded," Julie replied, her excuse not that well prepared. "You're making it sound like it's a bad thing David. Is there something we don't know?" Sakura asked. "There is something," David replied, "But, I'll tell you later." "Oh, okay," Sakura sighed disappointingly. Once that was said, the door to the bathroom opened. Bryant came out and ripped the gas mask off his face. He was gasping for air. Sweat drops fell on his friends' heads once again as they giggled.
Another Family Visit!
Sakura's Aching Back
Down below the city streets full of walking Japanese citizens, Rose and the other 'Dragoons' lined up in front of their leader, Professor Bach. It seems it was time for a debriefing. Bach paced back and forth in front of them. He held his hands behind his back. "As we all now, we failed our last hunt," he began, "The 'Dragoons' took us down and returned the spirits to their rightful owners. Which means, that a good Weapon was wasted and so was my time." Rouge held her head down low. She knew it was her fault they lost that battle. Rose smirked at her. She knew that she probably would have done a better job than that hussy. "But, today is a new day, with new challenges. We should continue our hunts as planned," Bach told them, "We desperately NEED spirit energy. We cannot afford to waste any more time. If we don't hurry and break the seal to the 'Non-Elemental Dragoon Spirit', we may lose our opportunity to start The Abyss. And we don't want that." "Yes, of course," the three warriors agreed. "Now, who will volunteer for the next hunt?" Bach asked. James, the over confident Aussie, stepped forward. "I will," he said. "Very well James," Bach agreed, "You will have the next hunt. But, I don't want anymore failure. Learn from your colleagues mistakes. Understood?" "Yes, Professor Bach," James replied, "I shall take my leave." James disappeared into the darkness. "Now, for the rest of you, stay on guard and continue to do your work around the laboratory. And don't forget, you may be 'Dragoons' here, but up above in the public facilities you are lab scientists. Agreed?" Bach reminded them. They both nodded in agreement. "Now go," he finished. Rouge was quick to leave to the city above. As for Rose, she had something up her sleeve. "Oh, professor?" she asked. "Yes?" he replied. "I have a side plan to discuss with you," she said. "A side plan?" he asked, "What do you have in store?" "You see, the main reason why we continue to lose battles is because we are outnumbered four to three," she began, "But I have a solution in getting one of them to our side." "Uh huh, I am listening," Bach said intriguingly, "Who do you plan to take with you?" "The leader of course. The 'Red-Eye Dragoon'." she told him. "Oh really? And how do you expect to do that?" Bach asked her, not sure if this was going to work. "You know the complete history of the first 'Dragoons', correct?" Rose asked him. "Like the back of my hand," he replied nonchalantly. "Then, you know the relationship between the 'Dark Dragoon' and the 'Red-Eye Dragoon' before the war actually began," Rose added. "What do you mean?" Bach asked, but then remembering what she meant, "Oh! I see what you mean. Ha ha ha!! That is an excellent idea!" "Why, thank you," Rose replied confidently. "Not only will that help us, it will cause turmoil amongst their group!" Bach laughed evilly, "It's perfect!!"
Later that afternoon, Julie, Sakura and David were dressed up semi-formally waiting for Bryant to come back with his parents. Julie was dressed in a short, black spaghetti-strap dress with matching heels. David was dressed in a pair of khakis, a white dress shirt, and tie. He actually had his hair combed back. Sakura wore a teal and purple kimono. It was a traditional style one at that. She wanted to welcome them formally to Japan. She wore matching purple slippers which the kimono covered. She still had her hairstyle in the same way as always. All of three of them waited at the door. "I sure am nervous," Julie said. "Why?" David asked her. "Well, they are rich aren't they?" Julie replied, "I want to be as proper as possible." "Just be yourself," Sakura told her. "Ha ha, that's a joke, right?" Julie answered. David opened the door and looked over to the hallway. He saw the elegant elevator opening. He gasped, "That must be them!" He closed the door. They all could hear the talking of British accented people. They knew it was them at that point. The last sentence that they heard was from Bryant, "Well, this is it." The three roommates stood up straight and waited for them to open the door. Bryant was the first to open the door. "Here we are," he told them. His face was glowing with excitement. Even though he hadn't had the best past with his parents, every moment he actually got to spend with them he cherished. His mother was blond and looked very kind, but very snobbish. She wore a navy blue dress which had white ruffles around the collar and sleeves. His father looked like a very stern man, light brown hair with a few grays. He was clean shaved and wore a gray suit. "Hi there," Julie said politely, "It's very nice to meet you." "I hope you had a good flight," David added. "Konnichiwa," Sakura greeted in Japanese, "Welcome to Tokyo." "Mother, father. I'd like you to meet my friends," Bryant said, "Julie, David, and Sakura." They all smiled at each other. "It's very nice to meet you all," his father spoke. Mrs. Evans walked in and then simply handed her bag to Sakura as if she were the maid. "I had no idea you had hired help around here Bryant. No wonder it's so clean," she said snootily. It seems she mistook Sakura's kimono as saying she's the hired help. "Could you please hold that for me?" she asked Sakura. Sakura looked over to Bryant. Bryant mouthed out, "Please." She agreed and took his parents' coats and other small belongings that they had with them. "Why, thank you," his mother said. She walked over to their dining room and saw the Japanese style table. "Why, Bryant. What is this...thing?" she asked. "It's our table mother. Where we eat," Bryant explained. Mr. Evans joined, "You mean, that small little piece of...whatever that is? Where are the chairs?" "We don't use chairs, sir. We use those white pillows on the floor," Julie explained to them both. "How...quaint," Mrs. Evans said as pleasantly as she could. Sakura came back out and offered Bryant's parents some tea. "Oh, no. That's fine," his father said, "We should be getting to our hotel anyway." "Oh, all right," Sakura replied. Mrs. Evans gave Bryant and kiss, "I'll see you tomorrow Bryant." "Yes, son. Tomorrow," his father added. "Shanura, our things," Mrs. Evans ordered. "Huh? You mean me?" Sakura asked. "Why of course you," she told her, "Now, go get them Shanura." "It's Sakura," Sakura reminded her. "Or whatever," Mrs. Evans said as she approached the door. Bryant giggled at Sakura who was a bit angry. But, she was polite and got his parents their things. "We will be going sightseeing tomorrow, won't we Bryant?" his father asked. "Of course," Bryant replied. "And I hope you'll come with us Shanura," Mrs. Evans said. "Sakura," Sakura said through her teeth. "I'm going to have quite a bit of things with me tomorrow and I'll need someone to carry the for me," his mother finished. " W-What?!" Sakura gasped. Julie and David laughed. "Ta ta," she said as she walked out the door. Bryant scratched the back of his head in embarrassment, "Sorry Sakura." "Ugh," she sighed, "Tomorrow's going to be a long day." "Heh heh," Bryant giggled apologetically.
The next day, they did as they had planned. They wandered the streets and trains of Tokyo. They first visited the Ibekukuro Shopping District, where our heroes' adventure first began as Sakura struggled to carry Bryant's mother's belongings. They then took the train over to Tokyo Tower and actually got to spend time watching from the observation deck. They all watched in awe that city sights, well, except for Sakura that is. Next, they visited the Imperial Palace. They stopped in the plaza to take pictures. And guess who had to take the picture while carrying belongings? Yeah, you guessed it. Sakura. After that, they headed towards the Koishikawa Botanical Garden, surrounded by flowers. Mrs. Evans had to buy some from the gift shop and so she ordered Sakura to carry her bouquets of flowers also. Sakura's back was killing her. Soon after that, they visited the Meiji Shrine in the Meiji Inner Garden, where they were surrounded by trees of all kinds and lakes glistening from the sun. Something very important had happened at the shrine though. A disguised Rose bumped into Bryant. She gave him a mysterious look, as did Bryant. It was a strange connection. Bryant didn't understand it either. But, they all continued their sight-seeing trip. Finally, on their way back home, they stopped by the Shinjuku Shopping District. There Mrs. Evans bought as many authentic fabrics and jewelry as she could. And no other than Sakura had to carry them. They then took the next train back near the Rikkyo International University and returned home.
Mr. and Mrs. Evans decided to stay in their son's dorm room for a while. Sakura, who else, served them some tea as they both sat on the floor at the dining table. David was in the bedroom doing homework as Julie read her history book on her bunk. After Sakura was done acting like the hired help, she met up with Bryant outside on the balcony. Sakura's hair was all messed up from all the manual labor she had to do. "Ugh!" she sighed as she leaned on the balcony's edge, "What a LONG day!" "Sakura," Bryant began. "Yeah?" she asked. "Thanks again," Bryant told her apologetically, "This really means a lot to me." "It was no problem, really," Sakura smiled. "No, yes it was. My mother is so used to having maids and butlers serving her," Bryant explained, "You were really polite, even when she got annoying." "Like I said, it was nothing," Sakura told him. "I appreciate your help," Bryant said. "Bryant? Is there something that I should know about?" Sakura asked. "What do you mean?" Bryant asked. "I mean, you're different when you're around your parents," Sakura began, "As if you always had to please them." "Yeah, I know," Bryant agreed, "You see, that's how I was raised by them." "Oh, I see," Sakura replied, "Gosh, look at my hair. It's so messed up." Bryant brushed his fingers through her hair, combing it back a little. "No, not at all. You look...beautiful," Bryant told her. Sakura blushed. The sliding door then opened. Bryant's mother popped her head in, "Oh, Shanura! More tea please!" "Coming," Sakura replied as Mrs. Evans closed the door, "And it's Sakura." "Wait, you don't have to," Bryant stopped her as she was about to leave. "No, it's okay. I want to," Sakura smiled. "Shanura!" Mrs. Evans shouted from inside. "Coming!!" Sakura yelled back, "And it's Sakura!!" Sakura walked over to the door and opened it. She walked on in, closing it behind her. Bryant smiled. The feeling he felt at that moment was indescribable. And only Sakura could make him feel that way.
The next morning, Bryant met up with his parents in front of the Cherry Blossom Estate. It was time for them to leave. Their black, stretch limousine waited for them. "Well, Bryant. We had a marvelous time," Mrs. Evans told him. "Yes, it was nice seeing Tokyo," his father added. "I'm glad," Bryant smiled. "Oh, and you must thank that Shanura for all of her help," Mrs. Evans stated. "That's Sakura, mother," Bryant reminded her. "Oh, you know what I mean," she said. "Have a safe trip back home," Bryant told them. "Wait, Bryant. Before we go," his father began, "Why not stay in the hotel we did? They have great service, and wonderful cuisine." "No thanks father. I'm happy where I am," Bryant declined the offer. "But, what do you see in this landfill darling?" Mrs. Evans asked. "What?" Bryant gasped in amazement. "You? Staying here with all of these commoners. You should be in a well suited room, not in this dump," Mr. Evans added. "I actually happen to like this DUMP, as you may call it!" Bryant yelled. "Oh, please, darling. There's no need to yell," Mrs. Evans replied nonchalantly. "How dare you come back here and tell me how to run MY life!" Bryant yelled back angrily. "What are you talking about?" Mr. Evans asked. "When I was in London, you barely even cared what I did at all! Only, unless I was doing something that YOU didn't approve!" Bryant continued, "And now, you come here to start acting like you care?! Unbelievable!" "Now, stop that yelling darling. You're embarrassing us," Mrs. Evans told him nervously, looking around to see if anyone was watching. "Oh, well that's wonderful! Now I'm an embarrassment!" Bryant shouted. "Bryant, we didn't..." his father began. "I think it's best that you leave," Bryant interrupted him, shutting them both down, "And please, say hello to Nana for me." "Fine, if that's how you want it," Mrs. Evans said as she got in the limousine. His father followed. The limousine started up as it drove off into the city of Tokyo. Bryant clenched both of his fists and had his arms at his sides. Tears fell from his eyes. He turned around and ran back upstairs.
As he was running down the hallway and over towards the room, his friends were on their way out and looking quite worried. "Bryant! There you are!" Julie shouted. "We have a situation!" David added, "James is out on the hunt over at the train station!" Bryant didn't show his face to them. "Well? Aren't you going to say anything?" Julie asked. Sakura could feel his pain in his heart and knew something had just happened. "I-I don't care anymore," Bryant told them as he ran past them and went inside their room. "Huh? What's wrong?" David asked. "Wait here. Let me go check on him," Sakura told them. She ran back into the room. Bryant had his face stuffed into his pillow. "Bryant, I don't know what just happened out there, but I know it isn't worth the loss of an innocent's life," Sakura comforted him, "You're our leader. We need you." Bryant didn't reply. Sakura didn't know what else to say and so she decided to leave. She met back up with her friends. "There's no one around," David said. "We should hurry," Julie added. "Okay," Sakura nodded in agreement.
Sea Wave Dragoon Power!
Jade Dragoon Power!
White Silver Dragoon Power!
And like David had said before, James, in his 'Golden-Eye Dragoon Armor', was collecting spirit orbs for his leader. All around the train station were lifeless and spiritless bodies of innocent bystanders. "Man, you people make this too easy for me," James said in his Aussie accent. James also had a brown bag with him to carry around the spirit orbs he's captured. "Now that I've done my job here, I think it's time that I be headin' back," James continued. He spread out his wings and was just about to leave when... "Stop right there!" three voice yelled. James stopped and turned his head. "You evil members of 'Kenkaku' just don't seem to get it!" David yelled. "As long as you endanger the innocent..." Julie added. "We will be here!" Sakura finished. "I am the 'Dragoon' born from wind!" David shouted. "I am the 'Dragoon' born from the sea!" Julie also shouted. "And I am the 'Dragoon' born from light!" Sakura added. "We are the Legendary Dragoons!" they all finished, "And you're plan's history!" "Ah, good day mates," James greeted them, "I was expecting you to show up." "Give us that bag and we won't have any trouble!" Julie ordered. "Oh, please. As if that was striking fear into me heart," James mocked her, "I won't give it to you." "Then we have a problem," David stated. "Yeah, you're right," James agreed, "But, three against one just ain't fair. Iczer, come forth!" The dark portal that reveals Weapons appeared in front of him as a new Weapon came through. He was an ice man. He was light blue and white. He was the typical icicle man. "Iczer, we can handle them, right?" James asked. He tied the brown bag to his armor and put up his fists. "Oh yeah," Iczer agreed. "I'll battle with James. He and I have a score to settle," David said. "Okay. We fems can handle this ice cube," Julie replied, "Right, Sakura?" "You've got it," Sakura agreed. The two female warriors leaped flew into the air as David faced his opponent, James. James, his weapon being his fists, put up his arms and was ready for battle. David put his right arm into the air. A gust of wind which carried green leaves came about and swirled above his hand. The leaves created his special wooden staff, its silver blade at the top. He twirled it and pointed it at James. They both tried to intimidate each for a moment by giving each other an angry eye. Soon after, they both rushed into battle. First, James swung one of his mighty fists at David. David ducked the blow and the struck upwards with his staff, hitting James in the chin. James was pushed back. He put his hand on his chin to see the blood. "Nice shot there mate," he said to David. James then came at David once again. He brought with him a full onslaught of throws and punches. David blocked most of them with his staff, but the blows continued to slowly push him back. Little by little, David was pushed back into a wall. "Now I've got you!" James yelled. He threw one might blow, adding some of his magic with it, and aimed at David. David was quick to move and spread out his wings to fly away, dodging the attack. James' fist went right through the wall and tore the whole thing down. David looked downward at James who looked very angry. That wasn't a good sign. David had been put on the defensive, and that was a position he didn't want to be in.
Meanwhile, the girls tried to handle the new Weapon. Sakura and Julie were airborne and dodging multiple ice attacks from Iczer. One after another after another, thick pulse of ice magic fired up into the ceiling, freezing it. "Attack him, now!" Sakura shouted. Julie agreed. She lifted her arm into the air as a blue stream of sparkling water swirled around her body and over towards her arm. The stream of water thickened and formed a large ring of water around her arm. "Aqua Ring!" Julie yelled as she threw the water ring at Iczer. It wrapped around and restrained him. "Got him!" Julie said. Or so she thought. Iczer broke free from the water ring. "Oh no!" Julie gasped. "Water attacks don't work against him!" Sakura cried, "We need to try something else!" "What we need is Bryant!" Julie added. Sakura knew she was right. Bryant had the element of fire, and that would've been of great help to them at that point. "Well, we can't depend on him all of the time," Sakura told Julie, "We must trust in our own abilities!" Iczer threw another pulse of ice. The two girls dodged it. "We'd better do something then!" Julie shouted. "Okay," Sakura agreed, "Moon...!!" Just as Sakura was about to use her beam attack, Iczer opened his mouth and blew an intense cold wind, accompanied by snow and icicles. "Aaahhh!!!!" the girls screamed as they were blown away.
As the struggles went on, Bryant was alone inside room 457 at the Cherry Blossom Estates. He laid down on his bunk, looking at a picture of him in front of his house. Nowhere there with him, just him by his lonesome. Tears fell gently off of his face. His entire life his parents had never really done anything for him, except the basics. Food, shelter, education. But, there was one thing missing and that was love. He never received love from them, and that was the saddest part. His parents were always so busy with work that they never had any time for him. Maybe it was unintentional, perhaps. But, the only thing Bryant knew was he missed out on a part of his childhood that most children get to experience. The only one who truly cared for him was Nana, his maid and companion. She had been there since the beginning, ever since Bryant was born. He missed his talks with her and really needed one at that moment. He needed guidance. Bryant had no inkling of what to do. It all seemed hopeless.
"Oh dear Master Bryant," Nana said in her rich, old English accent, "Don't be so sad. This is your grand opportunity... You can now be successful. Just like you've always wanted. You'll meet new people and make your parents proud."
Nana's face and words from when Bryant first left his home in London appeared in his mind. Nana's encouraging words whom which he cherished forever. He then remembered the night before when he spoke with Sakura outside on the balcony.
"Gosh, look at my hair. It's so messed up." Sakura complained. Bryant brushed his fingers through her hair, combing it back a little. "No, not at all. You look...beautiful," Bryant told her. Sakura blushed. The sliding door then opened. Bryant's mother popped her head in, "Oh, Shanura! More tea please!" "Coming," Sakura replied as Mrs. Evans closed the door, "And it's Sakura." "Wait, you don't have to," Bryant stopped her as she was about to leave. "No, it's okay. I want to," Sakura smiled.
Bryant immediately blushed. He got up from his bed and held his head up high. How could he have let their kind words and sacrifices die in vain. Nana had encouraged him to come to this city to become successful, and Sakura put herself through all of that trouble to make him happy. He wouldn't let it happen. He had to make up for what was lost just now. He was now ready to help his friends. "Nana's right. This IS my grand opportunity," Bryant said to himself, "And I'm going to take it. Not only for myself, but for my friends. For friends like Sakura who sacrificed their time to make me happy." Bryant reach into his pocket. "I'm coming guys," he thought.
Red-Eye Dragoon Power!
"Ahh!!" Julie cried as she fell to the floor. Sakura then followed, "Ugh!" Iczer stood over them, smirking evilly and mischievously at them. "Aww, what's wrong? Cold?" he joked to himself. He then used his ice magic and froze them to the floor. "Agh! I can't move!" Julie shouted. "Neither can I!" Sakura added. "That's the point of course," Iczer stated. As that went on, David and James were about to finish their battle. "Grand Stream!" James yelled. He rammed his golden fist into the ground as the pulsating golden energy hit David in the chest. David also fell to the floor in pain, "Agh!" James put his foot over David's chest and squeezed it down. "Well, it seems I can get more spirits than I bargained for," James stated. He began to kneel down to reach for David's 'Jade Dragoon Spirit'. David could only watch. He was too weak to fight anymore. But just then... Two waves of fire blaze down upon them. One knocked James off of David's chest and the other freed the girls from their icy detainment. "W-What?!" James gasped, "What now?!" "How dare you mess with the friends who love and care for me as much as I do for them! I won't let you harm them anymore!" Bryant shouted, now in his magic armor, "You'll pay for your transgressions!" "Oh, Bryant!" Sakura cried happily. "I am the 'Dragoon' born from the flames of the heart!" Bryant introduced, "Red-Eye Dragoon!" "Time to heat things up in here a bit," Bryant joked. He turned to face the icy Weapon. Iczer could already feel the intense flames. Bryant clasped his hands and then spread the apart. The massive ball of flame appeared. "Explosion!" he yelled as he threw it at Iczer. The flames did what most fire would do to ice. The attack melted Iczer into a puddle of water. "Now's our chance!" David yelled as he got up. Julie and David flew over to James. They both held his arms, detaining him. Julie took the bag of spirits and threw them into the air. "Sakura!" David yelled. Sakura brought her white silver bow and aimed an arrow of light, "You've got it." She released the arrow as the arrow penetrated the side of the mid-air bag. All of the spirits of the innocent bystanders floated out. Each of them were full of memories. Every single one of the spirits floated back towards their rightful owners. Julie and David then released James and returned to their friends. The good 'Dragoons' smirked confidently at James. "All right then," James said, "You've won this one. But it ain't over. G'day then." He spread out his wings and flew off into the city. The Japanese citizens were waking. "Oh, they're waking up," Julie said quietly. "They're fine now," David whispered. "I think this is our cue to leave," Sakura said. Bryant nodded in agreement. The four heroes turned around and spread out their wings. They flew off outside of the station.
"I'm so sorry everyone," Bryant apologized. Everyone was back on top of The Dragony that same afternoon. Professor Drake was nowhere to be seen. "Sorry? Sorry for what, Bryant?" Julie asked. "It's not your fault," David reassured him, "Stuff like this...happens. Personal dilemmas happen and they affect our duties as protectors." "Bryant, it's al happened to us," Sakura added, "We've all gone through it. It's inevitable Bryant. We're just glad you realized what was important to you when it counted the most." "Yeah, I did," Bryant smiled, "Thanks Sakura." "What?" Sakura blushed. "Just...thank you," Bryant told her. "Y-Your welcome," Sakura said shyly. "So, what happens now? With your parents, I mean," David asked hesitantly. "Nothing," Bryant said, "I can't keep stressing about them. Maybe it just wasn't met to be..." "Bryant..." Julie began. "But, that's not what's important. I came here to get away from that life. I intend to take this opportunity and run with it," Bryant explained, "That's what I should be focused on. And protecting the earth of course." "We're glad to hear it," Julie stated. Everyone smiled. "Hey, where's Professor Drake anyway?" Bryant asked. "Oh, I don't know. Let me go look for him," Sakura said. She walked off into the ship.
Professor Drake was in the meeting room. He was speaking with a man, a young man. He was surrounded by a white light and he had wings like an angel. The man hid behind the shadows, which for some reason he did not illuminate. "The time is coming," the man said, his voice sounding so regal, "The Judgment." "So soon?" Drake asked, "But, she isn't ready..." "She had better be James," the man said, "She will be judged. And 'we' won't be as forgiving as we have been before. We feel the darkness that is approaching your planet. The time will come when we will need her power." "Yes, I understand," Drake replied, "I will continue to prepare her for the task at hand." "Does she know?" the man asked. "No," Drake answered regretfully. "Good," the man agreed, "She mustn't know about..." "P.D.!" Sakura called for him, "Where are you?!" "Oh, Sakura!" Drake replied. The white man disappeared as Sakura walked into the meeting room. "There you are," Sakura said, "We were looking for you." "Oh...sorry," Drake apologized as he stuttered. "Come on over with us," Sakura told him, "We need you to do that whole 'I'm-the-leader, I-know-everything' routine." Sakura smiled. "Oh, yes," Drake giggled, "Let's go." Sakura took him by the hand and dragged him back with her. The mysterious holy man appeared again and watched them leave. He was an important character in this chapter of the story. It seems it is going to take a lot more for these young heroes to find their way to happiness...