Chapter Four: The Recruit

An instant later, Ben awoke. It was morning, and he was back in his room. Ben looked down at the Dragoon Spirit still on its chain around his neck, which he'd forgotten to take off. Had it been real?

How many times must I tell you that it was not a dream?

Ben spun his head around. He recognized the voice as the dragon's, but where was he?

Don't say anything, it will seem abnormal. I can speak to your mind now, from my spirit. Our encounter was real, my friend, and we will be speaking more. Go on, now. Get on with your life, but remember what we spoke of. You have a purpose in all this, which we shall see soon enough, I am sure.

Ben sat in his bed, not knowing what to do now. Well, he said to get on with his life, so he did. He got up, showered, changed, and everything he usually did. But before he'd even got to breakfast, which he hated missing, there came a knock at the door. Ben opened the door and Robert stood on the porch.

"Hey." Robert said.

"Hey." Ben replied. "What are you doing here so early?"

"I had a dream." Robert said. "Well…he said it wasn't a dream, but I don't know."

"Who did?"

Robert pointed to his Dragoon Spirit. "The dragon."

"You spoke to him?"

"Yeah, I know it sounds crazy, but-"

"No, it doesn't. I spoke to mine too."

"Really?"

"Yeah! He spoke to me for a while and…convinced me to join Sean."

"Mine too. I think we should talk to him about it."

"Ditto. But first, I want to eat. Come on in."

After eating, the boys walked the short distance to Sean's house and knocked. He answered as if he'd been expecting them.

"Talk to your dragons?"

"Y-yeah, how did you know?" Ben asked.

"Come with me" Sean told his dad he was leaving and headed out with his companions.

"I hate coming to this place." Robert said, looking at the slashes on his legs from where he'd hit a thorn bush.

"You'll get used to it." Sean responded. They were in the clearing again. Ben and Robert had hidden their weapons in the woods when they left the day before, so they picked them up again when they came back. "So, what did your dragons tell you?"

Ben and Robert basically went through the same story. The dragons pulled their minds into the Dragoon Spirits to speak with them and told them how much they were needed, and how they'd been convinced to join the fight.

However, they both left out the same detail: they did not tell Sean about what their dragons had said about him. After all, it was personal, so they should really butt out.

"So," Sean concluded. "You're both in?"

The two friends looked at one another one more time, each trying to save this last moment of normality. It had actually been torn from them the instant the virage attacked, but now, they were going to sign their selves into what could turn out to be a terrible war with unseen forces of unthinkable powers. However, it could also be a phenomenon, the grandest adventure of their lifetimes. Besides, they would be in it together. Robert and Ben had their disagreements, of course, but when it came down to it, they would protect one another. Maybe that could be used as an advantage.

The boys looked back at Sean and took deep breaths.

"I'm in." Ben said.

"So am I."

Sean smiled for the first time they'd seen. "Good."

"So…now what?" Ben wondered.

"Let me tell you a story." Sean offered. He went into the whole ordeal behind the Dragoon Spirits.

The need for them began approximately 11,800 years ago, give or take some years. Humans were enslaved by the winglies, humanoid creatures with silver hair and wings of silver light that could be activated or deactivated at will. Their best feature was the magical powers that they possessed. That is why the humans were so easily enslaved. There were humans who revolted, however. They formed their own armies and fought with the winglies. It was a sort of one-sided standoff, meaning nothing was happening, but if winglies struck hard enough in the right places, they would win.

Exactly how the first Dragoon came about is uncertain, being lost in time, but somehow, a human had convinced a dragon to fight with the rebels. More humans were able to do the same, ending in a total of seven Dragoons, one of each element (fire, water, wind, earth, light, darkness, and thunder). Not only this, but weaker dragons followed the larger ones, fighting while still in life. The Dragoons and dragons shifted the war in favor of the humans. However, the winglies wouldn't let it go so easily.

The wingly leader, Melbu Frahma, manipulated a horrid species into fighting with them: the virages. The dragons were stronger, but the virages came in greater numbers. Not only this, but Melbu Frahma also created two weapons for killing dragons: the Dragon Buster and the Dragon Block Staff. The staff greatly weakened Dragoons and dragons, making them more vulnerable to attack. The Dragon Buster was a sword of fire, specifically made for killing dragons. It could cut through a dragon's scales like butter, and, since their armor was made of dragon scales, the Dragoons were no safer. Many dragons died, but the Dragoons prevailed, barely. Only one dragon was left alive.

Things looked grim, but the humans got some unexpected help from the winglies. Apparently, there were winglies who favored humans. They were led by Melbu Frahma's sister, Charle Frahma. She stole Melbu's Dragon Block staff, giving the Dragoons a better chance.

The Dragoons knew that they only needed to do one thing to end the war: kill the dictator. While human armies pulled the winglies away, the Dragoons attacked Melbu in his floating palace. However, he was waiting for them. Virages surrounded his palace. The lone dragon fought them off so the Dragoons could get inside, but a more horrendous creature lurked within. Melbu had somehow created a more powerful sub-species of the virages: the Super-Virage. It alone killed three of the dragoons before falling. Other elements killed two more, leaving the fire and dark Dragoons to fight. They got Melbu into a corner and killed him, but the fire dragoon, Zieg, was turned into stone by Melbu's last-resort spell. Rose, the Dark Dragoon, was left alone.

But Melbu wasn't dead. He just transcended his soul into Zieg's Dragoon Spirit. 11,000 years later, the spell wore off and Zieg awoke, forced to live a new life. One night, a monster attacked his home and he tried using the spirit to fight, but instead, Melbu was released and took over Zieg's body. He disposed of the spirit and went to pursue a new goal.

Legend told of a Divine Tree that gave birth to all species through its 108 fruits. 107 were born, but the last was yet to come. The last species was the Virage Embryo: The God of Destruction. Its purpose was to "cleanse" the world by destroying everything that lived in it. The winglies had stopped its birth by separating spirit and body. The body was now a giant moon held up in the sky, unmoving: The Moon That Never Sets. The spirit was transfigured into a Crystal Sphere, which Melbu used to extract great power, which got him the role of dictator. When he was defeated, the humans destroyed the sphere so no one else could use it, but they accidentally released the spirit of the Virage Embryo! It wandered around now, taking human hosts every 108 years. If it got back to its body, the world would end.

The Dark Dragoon, Rose, found out about it. Charle Frahma gave Rose a necklace to make her live forever, so she could stop the spirit, which was later to be called the Moon Child. Somehow, rumor got around that the Moon Child was a blessing there to save them. Rose was given another name: The Black Monster, because she killed the Moon Child.

Now, for the Moon Child to reunite spirit with body, it would have to break the signets the winglies created to hold the moon in the sky. Once broken, the moon would set on earth, giving the spirit access to it. Now, the odds of the spirit's vessel, a human, to find out about this were very unlikely because the Moon Child had no idea it was even possessed. Even so, there was a slight risk that Rose could not take. She killed the Moon Child and everyone around who saw her. They called her a demon.

Then, 11,000 years after Melbu's defeat, Rose missed. Apparently, the human Rose killed wasn't the Moon Child, but her twin sister! The Moon Child grew up to be-of all things-a Dragoon, for a time. The Spirit abandoned her later and Melbu, in Zieg's body, kidnapped her, destroyed the seals and attempted to give birth to the Virage Embryo. However, once the cycle started, Melbu freed himself from Zieg's body and put himself in the Moon Child's place and accomplishing his goal: becoming the Virage Embryo.

Of course, some resisted him. The Dragoon had risen again with new humans and fought once more. This time, there were eight. Another spirit was found: the spirit of the Divine Dragon. It too was used, in place of Zieg, the Fire Dragoon, who could not fight due to injuries. Melbu was once again defeated, but wouldn't die easily. It cost the lives of Zieg and Rose to finally destroy him. The other Dragoons mourned for their friends and went down into history.

But after 800 years, history was no more than a legend. Nobody remembered the valiant deeds of the Dragoons.

"Because of this," Sean continued, "And that their powers were no longer needed, but dragons began to drift into deep slumber, only awakening to inspect those who hold their spirits, to see if they are compatible. Even so, they continued to sleep even after they found you guys."

"What about you?" Ben finally asked. "How come you're so different?"

"What do you mean?"

"Your dragon didn't keep on resting. You became a fully-fledged Dragoon. Why?"

They both sensed a brief hesitation before saying, "I used my powers, so my dragon kept awake."

"Oh." That was all they could think to say.

"So what do we do?" Robert "Is there some specific evil we have to face?"

"Not yet." Sean said. "Not that we know of. All we have is a virage."

"You said winglies manipulated virages?" Ben asked.

"Yeah."

"Maybe it's a wingly."

"That's one of my theories. However, it may just be that the virage sniffed out its natural enemy and tried to overcome it-to no avail, might I add. Who knows? We may yet discover the reason. Anyhow, there is one thing we have to do."

"What?" The boys asked.

"We have to find the other five Dragoons. We already know of two: Melissa and…who again?"

"Christie." Ben said.

"Right. Do either of you happen to see them on a daily basis?" They both shook their heads. "Do you know them?"

"Well," Ben said. "We know Melissa, but we're not friends with her or anything, probably because of Robert here. But Christie I'm kinda close to, I guess. I talk to her a good bit."

"Do you know where either of them lives?" Another no. "Do you know where they might be?"

-

"The mall." Sean sighed.

"It's where girls go!" Ben said in his defense. They'd gone there in hopes of finding the Dragoons, but Sean was doubtful.

"I can't believe this." Sean grumbled.

"Hey, lots of people gather here all the time, so it's our best shot until school starts, right? And I don't think you want to wait two more months. How about we split up?"

"Good idea." Robert said. "Ben, you look in and around JCPenny's, Sean, you try Famous Barr. I'll scope out Victoria's Secret."

"Okay-what!" Ben suddenly realized what Robert had said, but he was gone before Ben could protest.

"Meet in the food court in an hour or so!" Sean called to him. Robert gave him a thumbs-up, and they all started looking.

-

Ben had no idea what to do. If either girl were in the mall, they'd probably be in places Ben would never hope to go to. He just kind of treaded along the borderlines of the mens and women's sections, glancing about nervously. If he ran into one of them, what would he say?

He began going over possible dialogues, trying to fit in some way to tell about her Dragoon Spirit. He shook his head. Who was he kidding? He couldn't possibly explain it in a short time, especially somewhere like this, with everyone around.

Another thought began roaming through his head. What if it did work? What if, somehow, he was able to explain and she joined their cause, becoming a Dragoon (or was it Dragooness)? Ben remembered his own troubles, seeing as they were only yesterday, of finding out that he was not like the other humans, allowed…no, privileged to live a normal life. He, on the other hand, was forced to abandon such a life and take on the most dangerous occupation ever imagined.

But then, he had to remind himself that he wasn't forced. He had the choice and he chose to fight, so it was his own fault. But now, could he force someone else to make such a choice? He didn't want to. It just felt wrong. He could be pulling someone into a place where they would just be killed. And…what if it were Christie? What if she…?

Ben shook his head, not wanting to think about it. He didn't like the thought of Christie dying. He couldn't bear it. She was…Christie was…an angel. She was the most beautiful person Ben had ever met in his short life. But Ben, of course, wasn't shallow enough to only judge by looks. He'd admired her from afar for a while and was just now becoming friends with her, and he loved it. She was a great person to be with. Ben couldn't quite tell, but something set her apart from the other girls, a sort of…purity, a kind of innocence that radiated around her.

Ben had gone off into his own world, dreaming about her, and didn't exactly pay attention to where he was going until he ran smack-dab into a column.

"OW!" He said, rubbing his forehead. He stumbled around for a second, again not sure where he was going until he hit the wall with his shoulder.

"You hit your head?" A voice asked.

Ben looked up and saw a girl near him, leaning against the wall. She was a bit shorter than Ben was, and her frame was rather petite, but Ben knew better than to judge her by that. She was Brittany Frost, a classmate of his, though he hardly knew her. She may not have had any real, physical strength, but she didn't let anyone else know it. She was very outspoken, quick to say anything and everything on her mind. She was a little bit much to handle at times, but she had a good heart.

"Ah, yeah." Ben answered.

She brushed the brown hair out of her eyes. Most of it was held back in a rather large ponytail, but a few strands hung down over her blue eyes.

"I sure hope so." Brittany said with a smile. Ben looked around.

"Wow. I am REALLY in the wrong section."

Brittany nodded. "Indeed, you are, Ben, unless you're looking for a sexy bikini look for the beach."

Ben scratched his head in embarrassment. Brittany laughed and shifted her weight, then moved again.

"Ack! This stupid thing!"

"What stupid thing?"

She reached into her pocket. "It's something I found in the water about five years ago. I just kinda stuck with me." She pulled it out and Ben's eyes widened. It was a blue Dragoon Spirit!

Ben's spirit instantly reacted, shining its red light, while Brittany's glowed a bright blue. They both covered their eyes, then quickly coved up the light. Once the spirits died down, they looked at each other.

"It's never shone like that before!" Brittany said.

"I can't believe this!" Ben said.

"Uh…well, it's kind of a long story. Hey, speaking of which, you're friends with Christie, right?"

"Yeah."

"You seen her around?"

Brittany pointed to the dressing room door she was standing next too. "She's in there."

"Oh." Ben said. "Alright. When she gets out, I gotta talk to you both."

"About what?"

"Oh…you'll see."

"Hey, Brit!" A familiar voice called from within the dressing room. Ben knew it to be Christie's.

"Yeah?" Brittany answered.

"You were right. It fits like a glove…I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing, though."

"Huh?" Ben wondered aloud.

"Bikini." Brittany explained.

"Oh?" Ben said, his eyes widening.

"She said there was no way she'd fit into something that small, but I insisted her trying it." Suddenly, a coy smile slid across her face. "Hey!" She called to Christie. "C'mon out here and let me see!"

"What!" Christie exclaimed. "No way!"

"Why not?"

"There's no way I'm going to be seen in this!"

"Aw, c'mon!"

"I feel so…I don't even know what word to put with this feeling!"

"C'mon!" Brittany encouraged. "I'm sure you look great!"

"It's just not me."

"Then let me have a look, because I'm not ever going to see it again, right?"

There was a silence. "Alright," Christie finally succumbed. "But promise you won't laugh."

"Promise."

"…or hoot, whistle, or say anything obscene!"

"…fine, whatever." Brittany sighed, defeated. "Now, come on out!"

Ben had a sudden dilemma. Should he be a gentleman and not look, or tell her he was there, or should he be human and watch?

"Just give me a second to gather up some confidence, okay?" Christie pleaded. "I feel like I'm not wearing anything at all!"

The gentleman attitude was tossed out the window as Ben's testosterone level skyrocketed. He took a few steps back, to make it look like he was just walking in on the scene and Brittany nodded, understanding.

Finally, the doorknob twisted and the door eased open a crack. Finally, she just flung the door open. Ben's eyes shot wide open. She was right. The bikini was VERY skimpy and left little to the imagination. Obviously, this was Brittany's idea.

I don't want to give the wrong impression of Brittany. She wasn't a total slut or anything, but when it came to who showed the most skin, it was Brittany, hands down. Christie always tried to keep some decency. Ben couldn't believe he was actually seeing her like this. And Christie was equally surprised to see him.

"BEN!" She exclaimed. She tried covering herself, but it was futile. Ben's eyes were locked for a moment. Then, his gentlemanly instincts kicked in again and he looked away.

"S-sorry. I…I was, uh…I just…"

"Ah, c'mon, Ben." Brittany said. "Take a gander." She tried moving Christie's arm.

"NO!" Christie exclaimed, hitting Brittany. She finally dove back into the dressing room and slammed the door. Ben turned back around, face red. "What are you doing here!" Christie called to him.

"Well…I was looking for you, and…I found you." Then, he whispered. "A lot of you."

"Looking for me?" Christie asked. "What for?"

"It's a long story. Are you two doing anything important?"

"Not really."

"Then why don't you guys come with me. There's someone you should meet. It's…kind of important."

"Uh…sure, just let me finish changing."

Brittany walked over to Ben with a grin. "So, you like what you saw?"

Ben bit his tongue. Oh, the things he could say.

Within seconds, Christie opened the door again, her face as red as ever with an embarrassed little smile.

While Brittany could be described as hot, Christie was better described as beautiful. She had an average frame and she was about as tall as Brittany. She was fantastic in Ben's mind. Her fairly short light brown hair hung over a little in the front, just over her dazzling cerulean eyes. Something about the way she smiled portrayed the innocence in her. Her perfectly rounded body was covered up fully now, which Ben didn't mind at all. He liked it this way, actually. It seemed right. The decency suited her. That was one of the things Ben liked about her the most. She didn't try to show her body off to impress guys. She just did her own thing.

"Well…That was interesting." She said.

"Yeah…" that was all Ben could say.

"Just say it, Ben." Brittany said. "You thought she looked freakin' hot and had it been anyone else, they'd have been all over her, but you didn't cuz you're a gentleman, okay? Can we go now!"

Ben and Christie were equally embarrassed by this. As said before, Brittany was very outspoken.

"Yeah." Christie said. "I think I'll just stick with this one." She held up a much less revealing swimsuit. She put the other one back as Brittany rolled her eyes.

"I was trying to find a hot new look for her," Brittany said to Ben, "but she denies all my suggestions and sticks to her own thing."

"That can be a good thing. She's not swayed by peer pressure."

"Don't act like you didn't like it."

Ben bit his lower lip as Christie purchased the swimsuit.

So, the Red-Eye Dragon said, this is the girl you spoke of?

Ben just made a discrete nod.

Wow. He said. I'm not one for humans, but as far as your race goes, she looks fantastic!

Ben couldn't believe what he was hearing. His dragon companion was saying that his human crush was hot.

"So," Christie said, "You said something about our necklaces?"

"Yeah, do you have yours?"

"Right here." She pulled it out of her pocket. All three Dragoon Spirits shimmered brightly. They shielded their eyes until the light went out.

"Yeesh." Christie said.

"I know." Brittany concurred.

"It gets old." Ben said. "Come with me."

-

Sean looked at his watch. Only twenty minutes had passed. He'd been just kind of wandering around Famous Barr, trying to blend in, but who was he kidding? He never went to malls, so how was he supposed to know how to act? And who knew if Melissa was even in here? Where else did girls go?

He rubbed his forehead and got out of the store, sick of it already. He looked around, keeping a sharp eye on every store and every floor, but he could see no one. He sighed and looked down at the bottom floor, then shot a double-take. A girl with long, black hair. Was it her?

Yes! The Divine Dragon said. Yes, that is her! I can sense her Dragoon Spirit! Go! Catch her!

Sean couldn't believe the luck as he searched frantically for stairs. He saw her heading for the exit. He looked over. The escalator was broken! Just his luck! He ran for the stairs not too far away and took them several at a time. He jumped the entire last flight and took off again.

No! Where was she! Maybe she'd already gone out. Sean trotted out and looked right. Nothing. Then, he looked left. Yes! She was a good distance away, just turning the corner. He started running again and rounded the corner. Then, he saw trouble. There were about six unpleasant looking guys, just sitting or standing by the building.

Melissa walked right by them and a few turned their heads. Those who didn't were informed by their buddies of the "junk in her trunk". They all got a good look. Sean heard whistles and a few obscene phrases. Those who were sitting got up and the gang walked after her.

Could be trouble. The Divine Dragon said.

"Yeah." Sean whispered. "Let's follow." He walked at the same pace the gangsters did, staying just a few feet behind them. They drew in closer to Melissa. Sean wondered if she knew she was being stalked.

They kept inching closer, following whatever route she took, and she did take many turns. The guys were snickering at their thoughts. Sean began to get disgusted by them.

Suddenly, when they were probably a foot from her, Melissa suddenly whipped around, almost smacking the lead gangster with her hair.

"Can I help you creeps?" She asked, trying to keep composure.

"Woo. Feisty!" One guy said and the others laughed. Melissa just glared. She hadn't yet noticed Sean, who was watching and waiting, ready to strike and any moment.

"If you guys have no business with me," Melissa continued, her face still solid, "then I suggest you leave."

Sean stared at her. That attitude. He recognized it. And that face, it was so solid, so bold. Where had he seen such a glare before, and where had he seen those eyes? He racked his mind, trying to search.

"Oh, we have business, alright." The lead thug said. "So why don't you just bring your pretty self over here and we'll get this over with, seeing as you want to leave so badly."

"Not interested." Melissa responded.

He laughed. "I don't think you understand. That wasn't a request." He reached for her and Sean started, but he was stopped by what happened next.

Melissa grabbed the man's right wrist with her left hand and spun inward, closer to him, and jammed her elbow into his gut. He lurched forward and she brought her fist straight up, striking his jaw. With this momentum, she leaned back and raised her foot, then gave a flat-footed kick to the thug's gut, knocking him onto his back.

Sean's eyebrows perked. He hadn't expected that. Nor had the gangsters. They stood, looking at their fallen member, then back at her.

"Anyone else?" Melissa asked with a small smile. The gangsters looked at each other, and then the closest one stepped forward, making the same mistake that his buddy did: he tried to grab her.

Once more, she grabbed the gangster's arm and spun in, elbowing his stomach. But, then, another gangster came around the side. Melissa swung her foot up high and bashed his face, then punched the first gangster again and kicked him into the one behind him. The one she'd kicked, who now had a broken nose, lunged at her, full charge. Melissa simply sidestepped and stuck her foot out to trip him. The other two gangsters came at once and each grabbed an arm. Melissa used that to push herself up and flip backward, slipping from their grasp. One swung at her and she ducked, then got his jaw with an uppercut, then a quick kick, knocking him back.

Two were down for good, but four were still kicking. Sean rubbed his jaw.

"She's good."

Quite good. The Divine Dragon agreed.

This time, Melissa took on the offensive, swinging a lightning-quick kick to the guy's ribs and when he lurched forward, she kicked his face. Then, she kicked off the wall and kicked him in the head. Another gangster charged too hastily and got bashed in the face with Melissa's elbow, then kicked down.

Two were left; each more determined to win their prize. Sean looked down at one of the gangsters on the ground, who was dumb enough to try and get back up. Sean quickly punched him and the guy was down.

The remaining gangsters charged at Melissa from either end. Melissa ducked under one guy's grasp and knocked away the other's hands. She leaned back on her hands and kicked one guy in the face. While he stumbled back, Melissa stood, and the other gangster grabbed her from behind. Melissa's foot flew up and bashed the guy's nose, stunning him long enough to let her go. Melissa turned around and jumped up, kicking off the guy's chest to knock him to the ground.

The momentum of the kick was enough to let Melissa flip back in the air and land on her feet. She turned around and her face met the butt of a knife handle. The impact of the blow knocked her to the ground. The gangster knelt down quickly and grabbed her by the throat.

"You little-"

But then, a strong grip grabbed his wrist. He turned and found himself eye-to-eye with Sean.

"Now," Sean said. "If you were smart, you wouldn't finish that sentence."

With that, Melissa swung her foot up, kicking the man in the groin. Sean finished the job by ramming his elbow into his back, knocking him to the ground.

"You alright?" Sean asked Melissa.

"Yeah, I'm fine." She rubbed her sore jaw.

"Here." Sean offered his hand to help her up, but she refused.

"I said I'm alright." She stood herself up perfectly. Once she was on her feet, her Dragoon Spirit recognized Sean's and both of them glowed brightly. When it stopped, Sean was sick of the routine.

"Man, I wish I knew why it did that." Melissa grumbled.

"I believe I can answer why."

"Oh, yeah? Then how?"

"It's a long story. Why don't you come with me and I'll tell you."

Melissa looked him over. "You're the new guy in town, aren't you?"

"I am. Sean McMann."

"Melissa O'Riley. Nice to formally meet you."

"Likewise." They turned and started walking back towards the entrance to the mall. "Where did you learn to fight like that?"

"I learned it from my brother. He lives a pretty rough life and kind of taught himself how to survive. He started teaching me a few years ago."

"I'd like to meet him."

Melissa snorted. "Good luck. I hardly get to see him anymore."

"What do you mean?"

Melissa became suddenly silent, a sign she didn't want to talk about it.

"Well," Sean said, "I can tell you that those skills are going to become critical quite soon."

-

Ben, Christie, and Brittany walked together in the food court. Christie and Brittany were curious as to what Ben had up his sleeve, but it didn't show much, seeing as they were too distracted. Brittany wouldn't let the incident go and Christie was hopelessly embarrassed. Ben had nothing to say to make the situation better, so he just kept quiet.

The smell of Cinnabons became more intense as they rounded the corner to the large food court. Ben saw Robert sitting with his legs up on a table and walked over to him.

"Hey!" Robert said. "You found her!"

"Yeah." Ben said. "And another." Robert spirit started to glow at the newcomers and he quickly covered the light. "And how was your trip through the women's lingerie?"

"Entertaining, yet unsuccessful. I'm gonna grab a Cinnabon." He got up and left.

On his way up, he spotted Sean talking with someone-Melissa!

"Oh, God." Melissa muttered as they neared him.

"Don't worry about him." Sean told her.

"So, you, too were successful?" Robert said to Sean.

"Yeah. You found Christie?"

"Nah, Ben did, and some other hot chick. I think she's in our school."

"Another Dragoon?"

"Yeah."

"Another what?" Melissa had to ask.

"I'll explain soon enough." Sean promised.

"I'm getting some food, see you guys in a minute." Robert continued his journey to one of the finest eateries in the mall. He was first in line, and started considering what to order. Just then, another teen walked over and looked at the display case next to Robert, contemplating buying anything, for his money was scarce. Quite suddenly, to both of the boys' surprise, two lights shimmered out of nowhere, one green and one violet.

Robert covered his Dragoon Spirit quickly, but the other boy was too late and had to ride out the effects of the glowing.

"What in the world was that!" The cashier exclaimed.

"Ah, just some stupid glowing thing." Robert said. He gave him the money. "Just give me two Cinnabons, okay?"

The man took the money and shook his head, confused.

"Heya." Robert said to the other teen, who was still rubbing his eyes from the glowing. He was a bit shorter than Robert, which wasn't surprising, seeing as about everyone was. He had a medium build, though not muscular at all. He had a smooth complexion and thin, blonde hair that went a little over his eyes in the front and to the bottom of his neck in the back.

"Hi." He responded.

"You look familiar."

"I think we're in the same school."

"Yeah! That's it! What's your name?"

"Brad Sparks. Yours?"

"Robert Williams." He gripped his Dragoon Spirit. "These things are pretty crazy, eh?"

Brad laughed. "Yeah, you said it. I'd give a million dollars to the guy who can tell me why they glow."

"Well, then," Robert said, "Pay up."

Everyone at the tables they'd pulled together was getting to know each other, when Robert came back over.

"Okay," He said. "Before I introduce yet another person to the group, everybody please cover your Dragoon Spirits."

"Our what!" More than one person asked.

"Your necklaces. Just do it, okay?" They all did. Sean knew why, and he had to smile. This was turning out to be a fabulous day.

Robert turned around and motioned for someone to come forward. Brad was also covering his Dragoon Spirit. Once he got within range, the Dragoon Spirits all glowed, but were covered by their bearers' hands.

"Everyone," Robert said, "this is Brad Sparks. Brad, here we got Ben Freeman, Melissa O'Riley, Christie Seedly, uh…"

"Brittany Frost." She offered.

"Yeah, sure, and, the only one who fully knows what's going on around here, Sean McMann."

Sean nodded to him.

"Hey." Brad said to everyone as he took a seat. They all looked at each other.

"Seven Dragoons." Sean said, admiringly. "We found four today."

"Hey," Brittany said. "You guys keep using this term, 'Dragoon'. What is a Dragoon!"

Sean leaned back in his chair. "That, my friends, is the word that will change your lives."

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Okay, Archangel here. I got stupid and erased the whole story. Spike saved my tail cuz he had a copy. Sorry bout that….anywho, We've found nearly all the Dragoons, but what of the last one, and what will these new recruits think? Find out soon! Please review! More reviews there are, the faster we get the chapters up! Motivation!