Chapter 4: A Musical Dream

"Come on, you lazy bums, keep up!"

Kel and Rose were training Carl and Alex in combat. Kel was training Alex while Rose was training Carl.

"Why you gotta move so fast, huh?" Carl asked, panting.

Rose swing-kicked Carl. "Because it's important that you fight your opponent with quick moves." Rose answered.

"I can be quick!" Alex said confidently. He did a few Kung-Fu moves and punched Kel in the stomach. Unfortunately, he forgot he was in metal form. "Oww…" He whimpered and clutched his hand. This caused everyone to laugh hysterically.

"It's also important to know your opponent's true form." Kel added.

"All right, that's all for the day." Said Rose.

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Later that night, Kel sat in Central Park a few feet away from a unicorn. His job was to kill the unicorn and bring it back to the Huntsman. Quietly, Kel aimed his gun at the unicorn and shot it three times. The poor creature was no more. Kel controlled a chain around the unicorn and controlled him and the unicorn back to the Huntslair.

"Well done, IronHand." Said the Huntsman approvingly. He pulled out two bills. "Here. For your trouble."

Kel took the bills excitedly. One hundred bucks! He thought. That's enough to buy Cat a nice gift!

"Thanks, Master." Kel said gratefully.

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Jake sat on his bed, looking at the dream charm Rose gave him. She told him to use it whenever he wished. Jake wanted to surprise her. Lying down, Jake focused on Rose. He could already feel himself falling into a deep sleep.

The young dragon found himself on an island. He looked down and saw he was wearing a red sleeveless t-shirt and shorts. Jake saw Rose in the distance. She was standing on the shore wearing a white tank dress over a pink halter bikini. She saw Jake walking towards her, smiling.

"Hey." She greeted.

"Hey." Jake replied. "Come here often?"

Rose chuckled. "I wish."

They were silent for a minute. Rose suddenly felt vulnerable.

"Jake, I'm scared." Rose admitted. Jake hugged her comfortingly. "Please, don't make me go through this ordeal by fire." Rose continued. "He'll kill you. I know." They broke apart. "We'll never see each other again. He won't let me go. What I used to dream…I now dread." She sighed and walked to a big, flat rock and sat on it.

Suddenly inspired by a song from The Phantom of the Opera (Thanks to the field trip to see the musical earlier that day), Jake sang to Rose in comfort.

You said yourself,

He was nothing but a man

Yet, while he lives

He will haunt us

Till we're dead.

Jake sat next to Rose and turned her towards him. She, too, began to express herself in song.

Twisted every way

What answer can I give?

Am I to risk my life

To win the chance to live?

Jake took Rose's hand comfortingly. She continued.

Can I betray the man

Who once taught me to hunt?

Will you become his prey?

Do I have any choice?

He kills without a thought

He murders all that's good

I know I can't refuse

And yet, I wish I could

Oh God, if I agree

What horrors wait for me

In this, the Huntsman's evil plot?

Jake stroked Rose's face gently.

Baby, baby

Don't think that I don't care

That every hope, and every prayer

Rests on you now.

They hugged. After they pulled apart, Jake took Rose's hands and led her up. Rose's heart once again filled with emotion as he sang.

No more talk of darkness,
Forget these wide-eyed fears.
I'm here,
nothing can harm you -
my words will warm and calm you.

Let me be your freedom,
let daylight dry your tears.
I'm here,
with you, beside you,
to guard you and to guide you

Rose smiled and started to sing.

Say you love me
every waking moment,
turn my head with talk of summertime

Say you need me with you,
now and always
promise me that all you say is true -
that's all I ask of you

Jake stroked Rose's hair and sang back to her.

Let me be your shelter,
let me be your light.
You're safe:
No-one will find you
your fears are far behind you

Rose turned and walked a few paces as she sang.

All I want is freedom,
a world with no more lies
and you

always beside me
to hold me and to hide me

Jake led Rose a dew paces and held her.

Then say you'll share with me

One love,

One lifetime
Iet me lead you
from your solitude

Say you need me with you
here, beside you
anywhere you go,
let me go too -
that's all I ask of you

Rose closed her eyes and leaned against Jake.

Say you'll share with me

One love, one lifetime
say the word
and I will follow you

Rose turned to face Jake, and they both sang in perfect harmony.

Share each day with
me, each
night, each morning"Say you love me" Rose sang softly.

"You know I do"

They both sang quietly.

Love me
that's all I ask of you

They pulled each other into a passionate kiss. Jake managed to pick Rose up and swing her around. The two lovers sang the last stanza.

Anywhere you go
let me go too
Love me
that's all I ask of you

They kissed once more. It didn't last long. Both woke up to their alarm clocks.

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At school, Jake and Rose passed each other and smiled.

"Good dream." Jake said.

Rose nodded in agreement. "It was beautiful."

They walked to class together, hand in hand. Nothing can break them apart. Or so they think.

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