Ok, I'm SO sorry for not updating for so long. I've been really busy with school and I haven't had a chance to actually write anything. Thanks for reviewing, YFWE, and yes, I really don't need to worry so much about reviews; so much that I've been worrying about schoowork (!). Still, you aren't really here to listen to me babble, right? Thought not. ;)

SO, here's CHAPTER 4!

Chap 4

Back at the shop

Lao Shi surveyed the young students. Jake was constantly fidgeting; he still didn't seem to be able to find a good, solid memory to focus on. However, both Stacy and Kaleb were now poised and quiet; a sure sign that they had finally found a peaceful center in their minds. Now, to check how well they've centered their focus.

Settling himself into his Zen position, Grandpa focused his mind and expanded his thoughts to survey his protégés' progress. He could see clearly how poorly his grandson had been taught by him, for the young dragon's mind was cluttered with thoughts that seemed to down the boy further than anything else. Yes; he had been taught many powerful and useful dragon teachings, but he had not learned anything useful for life. It was Gramps' one mistake and he needed to rectify it very soon.

Continuing on to his more recent students, Lao Shi found a more contrast development. Stacy's mind was more complex than Jake's; she had numerous thoughts swirling around her peaceful center. It seemed to the old Chinese Dragon that she could find a way to use her "runaway thoughts" as a barrier to outside forces; if she tried hard enough. When he looked in Kaleb's mind, however, there were no intricate or disordered thoughts, but a white mass of calm and cool. Immediately, Lao Shi knew it was time to end this phase of the training; at least for the changelings.

"All right," Lao Shi whispered, "It's time to stop." Jake jumped up again; this time changing back to human form. Stacy and Kaleb, however, merely opened their eyes and calmly stood up; stretching to get the kinks out of their slightly-inactive arms and legs.

"BLAST!" cried Wraith. Immediately, crashes from telepathically crushed glass could be heard all around the two villains.

"Heh, heh, heh," Dark Dragon chuckled. "Now, then, I believe it's my turn to go after those three?"

Wraith then did something very rare. He turned and glared at the large purple-and-black dragon.

"The only reason I haven't captured those kids yet is because I can't move from this spot! You're lucky…" Wraith grumbled.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Dark Dragon replied gloomily. "But you ARE stuck there and I'M the only one who can finish the job! So THERE!" With that, Dark Dragon flew off, leaving the wizened Wraith behind.

"That punk, he doesn't know who he's messing with. But soon, I'll show that flying phony, and every other magical creature in this world that NO ONE messes with Wraith!" Wraith declared.

"Now then," Grandpa declared, "Let us see how well you can endure your shaped forms."

Lao Shi had taken his protégés up on top of his shop for physical training. Fu Dog had already taken Jake aside for continuing dragon moves, while Kaleb and Stacy would get new lessons from Lao Shi.

"Let us start with your transformation speed," Lao Shi began, "First start with…a cat." Kaleb was faster in becoming a common pet cat than Stacy; he with brown and orange stripes and she just white. "Now," Lao Shi continued, "A dog." Stacy tied with Kaleb in becoming a lazy brown dog; no one could tell the difference between the two of them (besides gender). "Now…sphinx," Lao Shi whispered. Immediately, trouble ensued. Kaleb was the only one of the two who knew what a sphinx was. However, his sister had more experience and endurance in being a shapeshifter because of the antics in the last few years. So, both of them ended up turning human again.

"Ah," Lao Shi observed. "Perhaps I should show you the forms of each animal and magical creature before we do this again." Kaleb and Stacy nodded in agreement. "However, I believe you both can use your dragon forms, correct?" Again, they nodded. "So, for now, have your parents think that you are training with me for your dragon powers. This way, no suspicion, ok?" Again, general consensus from both of them.

"Now then…what?" Lao Shi continued, but was interrupted by a strange shape coming towards them…

Great. Ticked off Wraith. Meditating Changlings. Who is the strange shape that's coming down after them? (Reward to first five people who guess correctly: Ecomnomy-sized bag o'M&M's)

Will update soon. R&R!