Yes! Finally! Another chappie! I can't believe I got this done. But here it is! I know I haven't updated lately... but with school...sigh Anyway... enjoy!
Chapter Fifteen: Just a Dream…Or is it?
Rei woke with a jolt, wincing in the bright light. He had just had the strangest dream of a dragon taking away a girl and a boy. The boy had seemed strangely familiar, like someone he knew. Someone with blue hair…
He looked around at his surroundings. Tyson and Max were still sleeping away. One bed was empty. It took him a second to realize that this was Kai's bed. But where was he?
Then, he remembered. The blue haired boy in his dream was Kai and he had disappeared for a week after the incident at the beach where he had used some freaky firepowers. Rei scrambled up to his feet, tiptoeing past Max and Tyson then rushing out the dojo doors. Hearing a noise, he ran toward it.
In the garden, practicing his beyblade moves, was Kai. He looked up when he heard footsteps. He raised an eyebrow as he took in Rei's rumpled state.
"Dranzer, return," he called, not taking his eyes off Rei. His beyblade zipped up to his outstretched hand.
"Kai?" Rei asked incredulously. "Is that you? Where have you been this past week?"
Kai crossed his arms, frowning. "What do you mean? Me, gone for a week? Where did you get that idea? I was here the whole time. We even went to the beach yesterday but it was closed after that shark attack."
"B-but…" he started. "There was this monster and this dragon and you got these freaky powers and…" His voiced trailed off as Kai chuckled.
"Freaky powers?" Kai shook his head and sighed. Walking over to him, he patted his shoulder. "You sure have a vivid imagination. It was probably just a dream you had last night." He peered into Rei's eyes. "You should go get some rest. You're in no shape to do any training today." And with those last words, he walked away, leaving a very confused Rei standing in the corridor.
"Breakfast!" Tyson cheered. "My favourite meal of the day!"
Max chuckled. "Every meal is your favourite."
"Really Tyson." Hilary shook her head. "You're so immature."
Suddenly, a sound emitted from Kai's pocket. Everyone turned to look at him. With a glare, he reached in and took out a cell phone. After reading the message, he got up, a frown on his face.
"Excuse me," he said. "It seems I have plans elsewhere. You're going to have to practice without me." And with that, he walked away without another word.
Rei waited until Kai was out of earshot before he began speaking. "Guys, did you have a weird dream last night?"
"Sure did!" Tyson exclaimed happily.
"Really?" Rei looked eagerly at his friend.
"Yeah!" Tyson nodded. "I dreamed I was swimming in chocolate and cream puffs were flying over my head while cookies and cakes fell from trees and…"
Everyone groaned. Rei slumped back onto his seat, frowning. Hilary glanced at his expression and spoke up.
"What's wrong Rei?" she asked. "Something bothering you?"
"Well, you see…" Rei's voice trailed off. "I had this dream…"
Kai wandered up to Sakura Crescent, pausing when he got there. He turned around, frowning. He was getting the prickling sensation of being followed. So, instead of going up the road to meet up with Angel at her house, he turned into a side alleyway.
This morning, he had gotten a message from Angel telling him that there was an urgent meeting pronto at her house. So he had gotten here as quickly as possible. But now, suspecting that he was being followed, he'll have to take a slight detour. Angel would understand. As she had said before, a secret quest had to stay secret for it to be…secret.
Meanwhile, behind a corner, Rei and the rest of the gang followed closely behind, not wanting to miss anything. Seeing Kai turn into the alleyway, they rushed over, not wanting to lose sight of Kai. They got there just in time to see him turn into another corner in the alleyway.
"C'mon you guys," Rei whispered. "Something suspicious is going on around here and I'm gonna find out what it is."
Tyson yawned. "Do you actually believe in something that was seen in a dream? Really Rei, you're just paranoid."
"Do you actually think that the dream you had actually happened?" Kenny asked uncertainly. "I don't remember anything like that ever happening. Besides, Kai getting superpowers…"
Tyson chuckled softly. "Yeah. It's enough to make anyone laugh."
After Kai had left, Rei had told them about his strange dream and his suspicions about it. Of course, everyone thought that it was ridiculous at first. Then Max told everyone that he had a dream like that as well and Rei's suspicions were confirmed. Something had happened at the beach that day. But what was it?
"Hurry up guys!" Rei whispered urgently. "We can't lose him!"
"Don't worry about that Rei," Kenny replied. "That alley that Kai just turned into is a dead end."
The Bladebreakers turned the corner, only to stand there in shock. It was, indeed, a dead end alley. Only thing was…
Kai was gone. There was no trace that Kai had ever been there.
"Kai," Rei muttered. "Where are you?"
Kai peered down into the alleyway. Guess he had been right about somebody following him. Unfurling his wings, he flew away, heading towards the house on Sakura Crescent.
"Where have you been Kai?" Angel asked crossly, hands on hips.
"Sorry Your Majesty," he retorted sarcastically as he landed on the mansion steps in front of her, wings disappearing. "But on my way here, I picked up a few hitchhikers." He pointed back the way he came.
Angel frowned. "Who?"
Kai sighed. "Rei and the rest of the gang. I think Rei suspects something."
Angel sighed as well, shaking her head. "I was hoping that wouldn't happen. But we really don't have time to worry about that right now. Draken has struck again." She gestured for Kai to follow her in.
Frowning, Kai went with her. "But what about the barriers around the Realms? How could Draken get by those?"
Angel led him down a corridor, answering his as she went. "The barriers are weakening slowly while Draken gets stronger. He has developed a new tactic to keep his enemies invisible."
"Invisible?" Kai echoed incredulously. "Then how are we going to fight him if he's invisible?"
"Even as we speak, the Realm's are working to create a device for us to detect monsters that are invisible. Before the day is out, you will have one of them." Angel shook her head. "This morning, Draken launched a surprise attack in the Realm of Water with one of his invisible minions. Fortunately, Naomi and her warriors were able to defeat the monster but we won't be so lucky next time. That's why we have to hurry up and find the next four Elemental Warriors and defeat Draken." She stopped in front of a pair of ornate oak doors marked with two crowns. Kai looked at them curiously.
"Where are we?" Kai waved towards the doors.
"You'll see," Angel smiled, knocking three times.
"Com in!" a female voice called from within.
The doors opened by their own accord. Nodding for him to go first, Kai stepped through the doors.
He found himself in a huge room lit with chandeliers. The windows were all made of stained glass and glittered brightly. A velvet red carpet covered with armchairs, sofas and pillows adorned the floor. A huge fireplace stood to one side, unlit due to the warm day. At the end of the room, facing the doorway, were two large gilded chairs with a third smaller one that was a step lower than the other two. They were inlaid with gold and silver and decorated with swirling designs. In the middle of each chair was a coiled dragon, the symbol of the Realm of Fantasy. Three steps went up to the platform where the two main chairs stood. The rest of the room was decorated with rich tapestries and shelves stuffed with books.
Kai looked at this all in awe. Angel giggled at this dumbstruck face.
"Guess you're not used to all of this." Angel gestured at the room. "You'll be seeing more of this in the Realms. This is known as the throne room. Its made to put awe in people yet make them comfortable in their surroundings. The throne chairs are put there to create a sense of awe. But, the room is more like a sitting room. Don't worry about the thrones just yet…I won't be using them for awhile."
Kai looked around again, composing himself and putting on his calm mask again. His eyes caught on some movement near the fireplace. Five girls sat there on chairs and pillows. They stood up at their arrival.
The first girl had purple eyes and pale green hair. She was wearing a plain leather dress with embroidery on it. She curtsied to Kai when she saw him, smiling serenely.
The girl next to her was jumping up and down waving her hands in excitement. She had warm hazel eyes and shocking shoulder-length pink hair. She was wearing a white puffy short-sleeved shirt that didn't quite reach the shoulders and a skirt.
Beside her, trying to calm her down was a girl wearing a golden dress. Her eyes where a dusty grey colour while her hair, long and silver, was streaked with colours. She smiled apologetically at Kai for her friend's exuberance and Kai nodded back.
Another girl was sitting on an armchair, one hand on a jelly donut, another on a book. When she looked up, Kai saw that her baby blue eyes were troubled. She turned back to her book, twin turquoise blue ponytails swishing.
The last girl was hidden in the shadows behind the fireplace. Only her eyes, like a cat's, glowed from within.
Angel walked over the girls, smiling at them in welcome. Turning to Kai, she spread out her arms.
"Kai," she announced. "Meet the Elemental Rulers." She then gestured to the girl with purple eyes. "And my friend and advisor, Jade Himoya. She's a First Class Healer in the Realm of Fantasy."
"It's nice to meet you all," Kai replied, bowing.
The girl with pink hair squealed and ran over to hug Kai. "Cute, polite and one of the Elemental Warriors! I must have him!"
"Don't forget mysterious as well." Angel grinned mischievously.
Kai glared at her and tried to extricate himself from the girl. Coldly, he said, "May I know who you are before you start jumping me?"
The girl backed off, grinning sheepishly. "My name's Crystal Hiromi of the Realm of Magic."
"My name is Learah Kayasaki of the Realm of Light," the girl in gold said, curtsying.
The girl sitting at the table didn't answer. Neither did the one hiding in the shadows. Kai looked askance at Angel who introduced them to him.
"The girl who's sitting is Naomi Kinohara of the Realm of Water." Angel shook her head sadly. "The surprise attack I talked of earlier was on her realm. There was a lot of destruction on her kingdom and many casualties. In fact, her guardian animal, Scalefin, was severely injured."
Naomi pounded the table with a fist. "Draken will pay for what he has down to my kingdom!" She flicked rapidly through the book. Crystal went over to give her a hug and Learah spoke to her in soft tones. Jade also went over to soothe Naomi's tattered emotions.
Angel snapped her fingers and a plate of pastries appeared in front of Naomi. Naomi's eyes brightened for a moment before she took a cream puff and bit into it.
Angel's eyes softened as she turned back to Kai. "Even a few pastries can't cure all hurts. Only time can. Right now, she's researching on all the past battles of the Elemental Galaxy and trying to find some new tactics to use against Draken." She motioned to the girl in the shadows who finally stepped out and revealed herself.
She had long black hair braided down her back. Her eyes, as seen from before, were a cat's eye orange. She wore laced up black boots with a blood read tanktop, black capris and a black leather jacket with flames going up. The girl frowned as she stepped out.
"This is Celeste Takanora of the Realm of Spirit. She's not a very talkative person…" Here Celeste humphed at her. "Bur she's really nice once you get to know her."
"Humph," Celeste said again, returning to her place in the corner. Angel sweatdropped.
The doors opened from behind. Everyone turned to look in surprise. Seeing who it was, everyone bowed in respect.
Rowena, the Elemental Goddess, glided in, smiling gracefully at everyone. She made her way to the group gathered by the fireplace.
"I see that you have met the rest of the Warriors," she addressed to Kai who nodded. Turning, she inclined her head at Naomi. "I am sincerely sorry for what has happened to you Realm. I should have known that Draken was becoming stronger."
Naomi shook her head firmly. "It's not your fault Goddess." She growled. "It's all Draken's fault. When I get my hands around Draken's scrawny neck…" She made strangling motions.
Rowena held up a hand. "The time will come when you shall get your revenge Naomi. Right now however, you must pull back you forces and regroup. Do not waste your energy now; save it for the battlefield."
Naomi nodded, frowning. Rowena motioned to Angel who walked over. She took out a bag and put it into her hands. Angel peered into it curiously and smiled when she saw what was in it.
"Than you mother!" she exclaimed excitedly. "I never thought that they would be finished so soon!"
Rowena nodded. "It is the least I could do after what happened in the Realm of Water."
"What is it?" Crystal asked, also peering in.
Angel dumped the contents of the bag on the table. Ten objects spilled out it, glittering in the light. Everyone leaned in to get a better look.
On the table were ten different shaped pins, one for each element. Angel looked up at Rowena.
"Are these the signalling devices?" she asked. "And which one is for who?"
Rowena indicated to each one as she spoke. "The heart with wings is yours Angel. The star is Crystal's. Learah's pendant is the flower. The flame is Kai's. The shell one is Naomi's. The spinning vortex is Celeste's." She paused and pointed to the last four. "The thundercloud is for the Warrior of Thunder, the moon for Dark, the leaf for Earth and swirling spiral is Wind."
"They are very unique, Goddess," Learah said softly.
"Yeah…" Celeste said grudgingly, snatching hers off the table. "Whatever."
"Thank you." Naomi smiled. "These will help us a lot."
Jade clapped her hands to get everyone's attention. The all turned as she cleared her throat.
"I suggest we go back to our Realms now," she announced. "We have to be ready for another surprise attack."
Everyone nodded. Angel created a few portals to transport her friends back to the Elemental Realms. Jade was the last to leave.
"Be careful Angel," Jade said worriedly.
"Don't worry about me." Angel smiled at her then frowned. "But, the Realm of Fantasy is vulnerable without me…"
"Don't worry about that my dear." Rowena put a reassuring hand on Angel's shoulder. "I will be there to protect it for you."
"Thank you." Angel curtsied to her. With that, the two of them left.
Angel turned back to the silent Kai. "You haven't said much today. Something the matter?"
Kai shook his head. "It's nothing really. But how am I going to explain this?" he pointed to the pendant now pinned on his scarf.
Angel smiled. "Don't worry Kai. Everything will work out somehow."
Kai sighed. "I hope you're right Angel. I hope you're right."
So there you have it! Chapter fifteen. When I typed this out, it was like six pages. But it probably looks shorter on the internet... well...hope you like it...I'll update more during the summer...mebbe after summer school...> ...yeah...anyway...sayonara! And don't forget to review!