Dinner was like any other night. We were having spaghetti and meatballs, though with the developments that happened earlier today my mind was else where. I idlely twirled my fork in my spaghetti, mind still trying to process everything that had taken place. 'Leila doesn't trust me anymore. I need to try convince her that I'm not a threat, that regardless of my new abilities I am still on the same side as her and the others.' "Perhaps I could have a word with her?" 'I'm not sure if that'd be a good idea Varjo. From her point of view it'd be more unsettling that other than being the Shadow Dragon, I'm also possessed by one of the previous ones.' "Hmm, I see how that'd look bad to anyone who didn't know." "Everything okay Dusk?" I pushed the conversation with Varjo aside and looked up at Uncle Sam. "You seem troubled." "I'm fine, just got a few things on my mind." "If you need someone to speak to, go ahead and grab us or Sera if you need to." "I know, thanks." 'Not that you'd probably believe me about our new magic powers and the doomsday cult living in town.' "You never know. They may believe you." After dinner I headed up to my room but as I walked in I noticed Ichi, Ni, and Kevin were there waiting for me. "Something the matter?" I asked. "Dusk we wished to speak about something we had on our minds that we also discussed among ourselves before dinner." Ichi replied. "What's that?" I asked as I shut the door behind me. "How you freed yourself from captivity in the Luku outpost." "What do you mean?" "How you got out seems too easy for one who awakened to their power. Especially your teleportation feat. We of course are grateful for you managing to get us all out of that predicament but it still seems odd." Ni explained. "Ichi and Ni are quite sharp, though your other friends may have considered this as well." "I gotta agree Dusk. But all things considered, your magic was still awsome just like I thought it would be." "Thanks Kev. As for what happened, I agree that it does seem pretty strange that someone would be capable of the feats I pulled if they had awakened to their power moments earlier. There is an explanation though." "You're certain you wish to tell them?" 'I do. I trust them to know. Plus I think that trying to give them any other answer wouldn't be as satisfying for them.' "Okay. If need be, let me know if you'd like me to speak with them. I'd have to use you as a conduit to do so though." 'Okay.' "What is it then?" Ichi inquired. "The first Shadow Dragon by the name of Varjo was bound to me not long after the accident. He helped me unlock my power and lended his strength to help me escape and teleport us all to safety." "The first Shadow Dragon?" "Yes. He didn't start off as a bad guy. It...it was after the death of his brother that drive him down a dark path in an effort to bring him back." "Dusk, how we be sure that-." I felt something surge through me, almost as if someone was nudging me. "Let me speak with them. I need your permission to temporarily take control." "Okay." I muttered out loud. As a powerful surge of energy slammed into me, I briefly wondered if I had made a mistake. "Dusk what's wrong?!" I heard Ichi ask, concern evident in his voice. I opened my mouth to reply but instead it was Varjo who spoke. "He'll be okay." "Who the hell are you?" Ni asked. "Varjo, the first to end up as the Shadow Dragon. What Dusk said about me is true." "But... Why did you-?" Kevin started to ask. "It was only with Dusk's permission that I took control. I simply wish to talk with you three." "So you truly have no other motive to inhabit Dusk other than to help?" Ni cautiously asked. "Correct. If I believe my knowledge will be of help to all of you then I will share it with Dusk, who'll in turn share it the rest of you." Several tense moments passed before Kevin replied. "Okay." Ichi turned to look at him while Ni spoke up. "Brother, you cannot be serious. You actually trust what he is saying?" "I do Ni." Kevin retorted. "If he really is as bad as we've be told regarding past Shadow Dragons then he'd have taken Dusk over by force and we'd most likely be dead by now." "I thank you for your trust Kevin." Varjo remarked. "But-." "But nothing Ni." Ichi interrupted. "Kevin is right. I am wary of him, but Kevin is correct in his remarks." I could see Kevin beam with joy at Ichi's reply. "In any case I feel I should say that you should keep my exsistance a secret for now. There is no telling how the others will react. Especially your otter friend Leila." "Agreed. To Leila this would simply serve as yet another reason why Dusk should be put down." Ichi replied. "That's right. In any case I'll be returning control back to Dusk and I asure you that this will not happen unless Dusk allows me to take control." I felt the energy from earlier when Varjo took control wash out of me and found it to be oddly strange to be back in control of myself. "Dusk?" "I'll be fine guys." "Are you sure?" "Yeah. Besides Varjo wants to help and he won't possess me against my will. It'll just be a matter of convincing the others that he only wants to help." "True. In any case, keep us updated on any developments regarding Varjo." "I will and thanks for trusting me guys." "You are a good person with a good heart dispite everything you have been through Dusk. You are also family." Ichi replied. "Thanks guys."
Sunday afternoon and both Leila and Mothra had chosen to come over to see me and Ghidorah but I felt it was more so Leila could make sure that I was behaving. I rummaged around in the kitchen, looking for the bag of sour cream and onion chips that I could have sworn we had. I could overhear Leila talking to Ichi, Ni, and Kevin. Asking about how last night was, if dinner was any good and a couple other things. I glanced out into the living room and noticed that Kevin was zoning out. "Something the matter Kevin?" Leila asked. Snapped from his thoughts he turned to look at her, his face slowly turning red. "N-no! I was just thinking about how pretty that flower of yours was and how a yellow one would match your eyes really well." Ichi, Ni, and Mothra looked at him with curiosity. "R-really?" Leila stammered, her own cheeks turning slightly red. "Yeah! Your eyes are pretty. Like the sunset!" He gave a big smile, his light red eyes shinning bright. "Oh, uh. T-thank you Kevin. Your eyes are a very nice shade of red." I briefly wondered if they were aware how obvious they were being, but ignoring that for the time being, I went back to searching for chips. "Find anything good?" I looked over to see Mothra coming into the kitchen. "Actually looking for something specific that I coulda sworn that we had." "Ah. What'd you think of that display between Leila and Kevin out there?" I just shrugged, not really interested in giving my opinion. "So. Are you crushing on anyone?" "Why?" "Curious. Kevin and Leila is pretty obvious though I'm pretty positive that Ichi and Ni feel they same, even if it's not as obvious. So, is there anyone?" "Not really." I walked over to the fridge and opened it up. "I don't believe that." "What?" I shut the door and turned to face the moth. "Come on. You're crushing on someone. You know, he might just feel the same." I glanced away, arms crossed. "You know who I'm talking about, right?" I honestly didn't want to confirm it to her, worrying that if I did I'd get too invested. Though it of course could be too late. "Dusk?" "Can you not tell anyone about it? I already have Ichi, Ni, Kevin, Aunt Sera, and Uncle Ren worrying over how I'm recovering from the accident, and I don't really want them worrying about my love life at the moment." "I will, but first can you tell if I'm right in my prediction?" "...You are." "You know, Godzilla thinks you're a pretty great guy." "Only as a friend I bet." "Wish I had some way of reassuring you, but while I'm the closest to him out of everyone in the group, I still have some trouble guessing what he's thinking." I sighed before heading back to the cupboard and pulling out a bag of cheese puffs. "So. Leila still convinced that I need to be put down like a rabid dog?" I asked, changing the subject to something I'd be wondering since earlier. "Well..." "She does doesn't she?" "Yeah, but Dusk you need to try and see it from her point of view. She personally saw the horrors that the Luku and previous Shadow Dragon inflicted and has heard the crimes that the others committed. Me and her discussed this last night." "So she'd rather not trust me in using the darkness for good or that you guys can keep me from straying from the path of good." "I did mention to her that we could keep you from straying but I'm not sure if she's convinced." "*Sigh* All it took was one day to destroy any trust in me and to truly think that I'm capable of becoming an evil mass murdering bastard like previous Shadow Dragons." I opened the bag of cheese puffs and headed into the living room, sitting in a chair on the opposite side of the room from Leila. After all, I wouldn't want her to feel uncomfortable having the dreaded Shadow Dragon so close to her. "Leila. I believe that perhaps we should all meet up and train after what happened yesterday." Ichi stated. "You think so? I wasn't sure if you guys were up for it and..." "It would be best that we do. It is only a matter of time until we must do battle with the Luku. It was only through sheer luck that we escaped from them yesterday. We cannot always expect Dusk to help us get out of danger. We need to be prepared to match them in battle." Ni added. 'Especially since you don't trust me anymore Leila. Need to make sure that the others are prepared to save you from the big scary Shadow Dragon that I've become.' "True, but..." "But what?" Mothra asked. "Perhaps we could do so tomorrow after you've all finished your school studies?" "That would be acceptable. Shall we meet up at Hemolele?" Ni replied. "Where?" Leila questioned. "The ruins that we found you at. Dusk came up with the name last night." "Oh." I pulled out my phone and took a moment to text Godzilla and Rodan about our plans for tomorrow. "Very well then. Perhaps you could let Godzilla and Rodan know the plan Mothra?" "I already text them about it." I stated. The bestial roar of my phone promptly informed me of a reply. Godzilla was the first to reply. "Sounds good. Thanks for the heads up Dusk. See ya tomorrow." Rodan's text soon followed after. "Okay. Can't for tomorrow so I can throw fireballs around. See you then."