Chapter 5: Meetings and Attack

Blah blah blah, lets fast forward! .

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            It had been several years since the birth of the new princess and everyone, just as Miyabi had said, had forgotten all about the curse Shyrendora had cursed upon the princess. Instead they only remembered the gifts she had received and a false ending that Miyabi had created. Tintlet had grown to be the most beautiful princess to have ever been born and as the years flew by, several suitors had come, though each had been rejected. There had been no word from Rune or the other faeries during this time. It was as if they had forgotten all about the event and did not care…

            A young green haired boy who looked to be between seventeen and eighteen and with two scars on his face lifted his glass. "Hey, barkeep, can I have another?"

            The bartender walked over to him, cleaning a glass with a white rag. "Another one? Haven't you had enough?"

            The boy just looked at him. "Nah, I can take more."

            The bartender sighed as he refilled the glass. "This is really piling up on your tab, Thatz."

            The green haired boy just smiled. "Hey, come on! I'll pay you! You can at least let off a little." He took the glass and downed the drink in one gulp. "Ah! Nothing beats a coconut milkshake with a bit of rum in it!"

            The barkeep just shook his head as he went to his other customers. "We'll see!"

            Thatz placed his glass down with a clink! and scanned the pub. It was the same old people that usually came in. He was about to ask the bartender for another drink when a sudden movement caught his attention from the corner of his eye. He turned slightly and saw a person he had never seen before walk in. He had a black cape and his face was hidden from within the hood, a sword hanging from his side. The pub became silent as everyone turned to stare at the newcomer. The stranger looked at them all then walked to the counter, his boots thudding against the wooden floor.

            "Er…can I help you, sir?" the barkeep said as the stranger took a seat next to Thatz.

            "Just a glass of water would be fine," the stranger asked, his voice firm but young.

            Thatz looked over and caught a glimpse of some red hair protruding from the hood. He quickly turned away when the hood turned slightly and picked up his glass, only to realize it was still empty. Wonder if this dude has any cash on him…

            "So, you're a thief."

            Thatz started when he heard the stranger suddenly talked to him. "What?!"

            The stranger didn't turn. "I can sense the tension around you. It's the type that all thieves have when they find a prospect to steal from." At this the stranger turned his head to face Thatz.

            The young thief leaned back a bit as the piercing red eyes stared into his. "Er, I, uh…" He coughed. "Aren't you hot in with that thing on your head? It's like ninety degrees outside!"

            The stranger blinked then, to Thatz's great surprise, started to laugh. Thatz stared quizzically at him as the stranger removed his hood to reveal his face. His hair was a deep crimson red, Probably dyed, Thatz added silently, and had an odd white lock of hair sticking out from the right of his bangs. The stranger placed his elbow against the counter and leaned his head against his head. "It was getting a tad hot in here, especially with all these smokers and drunkards in here."

            Thatz grinned. "Name's Thatz. Yours?"

            "Rath."

            "Rath, eh? Well nice to meet you! What brings you to Draqueen, anywho?"

            The young newcomer looked at him for a moment, deciding whether or not he could trust him. "I was sent."

            A sweat bead appeared by Thatz's head. "Sent? By who? And what's with the sword? Looks cool by the way."

            Rath took a drink of his water and placed it back onto the counter, the ice clinking against the glass. "One of the neighboring kingdoms," he lied. "Pay their respects, you know." He didn't want to tell Thatz the truth in front of all these people. Neither was he sure if he could trust him.

            "Oooohhh…" Thatz looked at him for a moment. "Well, I can tell yer hidin' somethin' from me, but I'll let it slide."

            Rath blinked. He could tell? He turned away and smiled a little. "Something like that…"

            The bartender walked back to them. The pub had returned to the noisy atmosphere and there were plenty of singing going on in some of the tables. "Is there anything else I can get you boys?"

            Thatz shook his head. "Nah, I finished. Thanks, though."

            The bartender looked at Rath. "And you?"

            Rath just stared at him. "Can you tell me how I can speak to Lykouleon?"

            A hush fell over the pub as its occupants stared at the red haired stranger. No one had ever talked about the Dragon Lord without using his title. The only ones who did were either his close friends, like Ruwalk, or ruffians who looked to the Dragon Lord with spite. The bartender stammered and cleared his throat. "I-I'm sure if you went to the castle you'd be able to gain access…"

            Rath stood up. "Thank you. That is all." He turned around, his black cape swirling around him, and walked out of the pub.

            When he disappeared out the door, everyone in the pub murmured at what the stranger could have wanted. Thatz swirled his finger in his glass while staring after where Rath had gone. What was with that guy…? He stood up. "Hey, barkeep, I'm leavin'. Thanks for the free drink!" He waved and walked out the door, a straw in his mouth.

            "See ya." The bartender blinked. "Free…? Hey wait a minute!! THATZ!!" He sighed. "Oh well…"

            Thatz scanned the crowd and stood in front of the pub puzzled. "Hm…wonder where that feller went to—mmmmffh!!" he tried to yell as a hand covered his mouth and was pulled into an alley. He turned around when he was released. "HEY! WHAT'S THE BIG ID—!!"

            Rath covered his mouth again, cringing. "Will you hush?!" he hissed. When Thatz blinked and realized who he was, Rath sighed and removed his hand again. "Finally!" He looked at the young thief. "Why did you follow me?"

            Thatz looked around nervously. "Following? I wasn't foll—" He gulped when he felt the sword suddenly at his neck. "Er…I was just curious that's all!!" he laughed nervously as he pushed the sword away.

            "…" Rath sheathed the sword. "Relax, I won't kill you." He looked at Thatz squarely in the eyes. "Can I trust you?"

            Thatz grinned. "You bet you can! Nothing could make me spill anything you want kept secret."

            Rath looked him for a moment. "…Even if they try to torture you by means of painful death?"

            "Er…" That's kinda hard…oh well! "Yessiree!"

            Rath smiled. "All right. You already know I lied back there. The truth is, I'm part yokai and I just came from Nadil's army."

            "YOU'RE WHAT?!?!" Thatz yelled.

            Rath clamped his hand over the thief's mouth. "Will you keep your voice down?!?!"

            Thatz removed the hand and stared at him in disbelief. "But, but, but, but if you're yokai then why do you want to see the Dragon Lord?!??"

            "I said I was part yokai."

            "Then what's the other part?!"

            "…Dragon."

            Thatz stared at him in disbelief. "You expect me to believe that?!"

            "I figured you wouldn't. But I am."

            "How can I be so sure?!"

            "Come with me to see Lykouleon."

            "But there's a barrier that prohibits yokai from entering!"

            Rath just looked at him. "I know. But I can enter easily. I used to live there…"

            "YOU WHAT??!?!" He sweatdropped as a vein popped on Rath's head. "Sorry, sorry! But…why did you join Nadil's army?!"

            "I was more or less a spy," Rath said disgustedly.

            Thatz blinked. "A spy…?" He stared at him. "Well…you do look the type."

            "Don't encourage the idea," Rath snapped. "Anyway, I have to report to Lykouleon."

            "But don't you know the way since you used to live there…?"

            "Yes."

            "Then why did you ask?"

            "To see how much respect he still has."

            "You're strange," Thatz said sweatdropping.

            "So?"

            "People aren't going to look at you kindly after not addressing the Dragon Lord properly."

            "Tch." Rath turned and started walking. "He irritates me."

            "That could be classified as a sign of insubordination!" Thatz said as he ran after him.

            Rath glanced at him. "So you're coming?"

            "Well, you might be lying and are out to kill the Dragon Lord!" Erk…why'd I say that?!

            They walked in silence toward the palace gates. The guards straightened when they saw Rath and let him pass without asking about Thatz.

            Thatz blinked and looked at Rath. "Okay, so you are welcome here," he said sweatdropping.

            Rath just continued walking in silence and they soon reached the Dragon Lord's officer. He knocked on the door.

            "Come in," Lykouleon said from inside.

            The two entered, Thatz still looking at Rath curiously.

            Lykouleon blinked and looked up at him. "Rath! It's been a while…"

            "It seems that they are gathering forces," Rath continued. "They have become unusually restless these past few months…" He stared at the Dragon Lord. "And it seems that Princess Tintlet is involved."

            Thatz blinked. "The princess?!" he repeated

            Lykouleon blinked and looked at Thatz, finally noticing him. "Thatz, you're back sooner than expected."

The thief scratched the back his head and grinned. "Hehe, I met up with Rath here…"

Rath blinked and looked at the two. "You…know each other…?"

Lykouleon smiled. "Why yes. Thatz here is the Dragon Knight of Earth."

Thatz grinned. "Yep. And you must be the Dragon Knight of Fire."

"But…when…how did…?!??!" Rath stood there shocked.

            Lykouleon laughed. "Yes, it was quite strange really. He tried to steal the rock that kept Earth sealed."

            "I was almost successful!" Thatz grinned.

Rath shook his head. "Anyway…" He paused. "…How old is Tintlet again?"

            At that moment the princess herself appeared. "Daddy, Mother wants…" She blinked when she saw Rath and Thatz standing there looking at her. "Oh…it seems you have company…"

            Lykouleon smiled. "No, it's quite all right…"

            Tintlet stood at the doorway, looking unsure of what to do. Her light blonde, slightly wavy hair trailed almost to the ground, two long ringlets of hair trailing from each side of her face. She wore a beautifully designed silver tiara on her forehead and her gentle, light blue eyes watched them curiously. She was dressed in a long, flowing, white gown, the sleeves sagging elegantly as she placed her hands on the doorway. Tintlet blinked. "Er…I'll tell Mother that you're busy…" She quickly curtsied and ran down the hall.

            Lykouleon suppressed a chuckle and turned back to Rath. "You were asking…?"
            Rath blinked and turned back around. "How old is the princess?"

            "Seventeen, turning eighteen in six months."

            "Eighteen…" Rath murmured to himself. "There's something that's supposed to happen…but what?" He snapped his eyes open and grabbed the hilt of his sword. "Lykouleon."

            Lykouleon stood up. "I sense it, too."

            Thatz blinked and looked at them confused. "Nani?" He jumped when a scream came from down the hall. "What the hell was that?!" he yelled as the two ran past him.

            "Yokai!" Rath yelled.

            "Tintlet!!" Lykouleon cried as he shot past Rath, his sword drawn.

            "Oh cripes!" Thatz said as he ran after them, unsheathing his sword.

            The trio skidded around a corner and stopped quickly, Thatz sliding past them losing his balance. He quickly jabbed the sword into the ground, catching himself. He looked up and the color from his face drained as he saw five pair of eyes looking down at him. "Eh-heh…niiiiiiiice doggy…" He quickly jumped to the side as the five-headed dog beast lunged three of its head down at him. "YEOW!" He yelled as he saw them spit five feet of dirt out of their mouths.

            Lykouleon scanned the destroyed area. "Where's Tintlet?!"

            "Right here…"

            Rath looked up to see a redheaded yokai holding the limp princess in his arms. "FEDELTA!"

            The yokai grinned down at them. "Well, well, if it isn't my good old friend, Rath. Pleasant surprise to see you here…also to kidnap the princess?"

            "Release her now!!" Lykouleon yelled as Rath growled.

            Fedelta just gave him a blank look. "Release her? Why if I did that…" He left his sentence hang as the five dog heads turned up to him, eying Tintlet hungrily.

            "TINTLET!" Raseleane screamed as she ran up behind the Dragon Lord, the Dragon Officers following close behind her.

            Ruwalk restrained her before she ran farther. "Don't, Raseleane, it's not safe!"

            "But that's my daughter!!" she cried.

            "Let us handle this," Tetheus said with an unnerving calm in his voice.

            "Oh, what fun! The rest of the Dragon Force finally showed up," Fedelta sneered. "Lets see how well you can handle my little pet." He looked down at the beast dog. "Fang! It's feast time…"

            Everyone jumped back to the walls as the humongous creature lunged forward, five pairs of teeth snapping at them. Fedelta laughed as the Dragon group scrambled away from the next attack. "Having fun?"

            Rath glared up at him as he slashed one of the head's eyes, flames erupting from the head. "Let…her go…Fedelta…" Flames started to swirl around him.

            Thatz blinked. "Whoa! Wait Rath!" he yelled as he narrowly dodged snapping jaws.

            Fedelta just looked at Rath with an eyebrow raised. "So you're showing your true colors? I don't think it would be wise if you attacked…" He nodded to the still unconscious Tintlet in his arms. "She might get hurt…"

            "Dammit," he swore under his breath and he blasted a dog head in fury.

            "Who sent you?!" Lykouleon yelled, slashing at a head.

            "It would be best if I did not say…not like you would remember…"

            Remember?! "What are you hiding?!"

            "I'm not hiding anything. You'd figure it out soon enough…"

            Thatz ran up to Rath, an idea forming into his head. "Rath! Get ready to release Fire!!"

            Rath blinked. "What are you going to—"

            But he was cut off as Thatz gave a yell and jabbed the sword deep into the ground, giant stalagmites erupting from it and stabbing the heart of the demon dog. Rath took the cue and yelled out his dragon's name, making Fire come out of the sword and attack Fedelta. The yokai gave a cry as a dark winds swirled around him and disappeared, along with the now dead demon dog.

Tintlet floated in the air a little and blinked. "I think…I'm going…to FAAAALLLL!!!" she yelled as she started to fall to the ground, Raseleane screaming.

"EARTH!" Thatz yelled as a dragon that looked like it was made of earth flew up from the ground and caught Tintlet on its back. The dragon looked back at her as he landed.

Tintlet blinked and hugged the Earth. "KAWAII!!! Arigato gozaimas!!!" She turned to Fire, who had reduced himself to his small form and was looking at her with big eyes. "You too!" she laughed as she picked him up and huggled the cute dragon.

Raseleane ran forward and hugged her daughter tightly crying. "Oh Tintlet!!"

Tintlet blinked and gasped for air. "Mother!! You're squeezing both me and Fire!!"

The Dragon Queen blinked and stepped back a bit. Fire, now almost flat as a pancake, slid down to the ground, where Rath picked him up and shook him out to his normal state.

"All right, enough of the attention," Rath said. "Back into the sword."

The Fire dragon held up a sign saying, "NO!!!!"

"Yes," Rath said twitching.

"I don't wanna," was what the next sign said as the dragon crossed his forelegs defiantly.

"GET BACK IN!!" Rath yelled as he tried to force the dragon into the sword, who was holding up several signs saying, "HELP! CRUELTY TO DRAGONS! NO RESPECT TO ONE'S WISHES!!"

Thatz rubbed Earth's head. "Good job, Earth." He turned to Tintlet. "If you don't mind, I need to return Earth back into the sword…"

Tintlet blinked. "Oh." She elegantly slid off the dragon's back and watched as Earth first turned to his chibi form and then entered the sword without commotion.

Rath grabbed Fire. "Why can't you go in like Earth?!??!"

"He's stupid!" was what the sign said.

Thatz blinked as Earth suddenly came out and head butted Fire growling. "Earth!!"

The two dragons growled as they stood there in their small forms, glaring at each other.

"At least I'm smart enough to make signs!" Fire's sign said as he stuck out his tongue, making a vein pop on the Earth's head.

Tintlet grabbed the two dragons before they started fighting each other. "Calm down, two. You shouldn't fight each other."

Earth crossed his forelegs and looked away. Fire just stuck his tongue out while holding the sign, "Stupid! Stupid!"

Tintlet glared at Fire. "You, too, Fire! That's not a nice to write to…er…say to a fellow dragon!"

Her comment made the little red dragon lower his head in shame, holding up a sign saying, "Sorry…"

The princess smiled. "Now make up."

Everyone blinked as the two dragons looked at each other and shook each other's claw. Fire looked at Rath and went into the sword as Earth went into his.

Rath blinked. "Well…that worked."

Alfeegi looked at the damage around them and started to pull his hair. "AARRGGHH!! THIS IS GOING TO KILL THE FUNDS!!"

Lykouleon placed a hand on the white dragon officer's shoulder. "As long as Tintlet is safe, I think it wouldn't matter."

"…True…" He turned to the two Dragon Knights. "So Rath has returned. But what of Water?"

"There's another Dragon Knight?" Tintlet asked curiously, recovered from her near kidnap.

"Yes," a voice said behind her, making everyone turn to see a young woman standing in the hallway, her black hair and purple bangs flowing around her as the wind swirled around her. Her golden yellow eyes looked over at the group and then trailed over to Rath and blinked. "You're here as well?"

"Yeah. Did Dealte send you?" Rath asked.

Thatz blinked. "Dealte? Wasn't she one of the faerie people that gave Tintlet her gifts?"

"Yes," the young woman said as she walked over to them and curtsied. "My name is Cesia," she said as she rose and looked at them. "I have come to take Tintlet to the Water Realm."

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Okay so this was a bit too long o.O *coughs* Anyway…it may seem that I'm straying from the story here but I'm not. It's all part of the total retelling of Sleeping Beauty . Bwahahahahahahahahahaha!!!