Dragon Riders
By: The White Dragon Rider
Disclaimer: The only thing I own are my OCs Zero and Brass everything else belongs to their respective owners
Chapter 11: The Babysitter
A Dark Alleyway
"RUN!" screamed a man in darkness
He was running down a dark, city, alleyway on a stormy night in the bad part of town
He and his partner had been robbing a woman who had been caught in the storm after leavening work late
They pulled guns on the 22 year old brown haired woman who was wearing a blue raincoat and had an umbrella and purse with her as she was walking down the sidewalk
No one was out this late at night so no one was around to save her…or so they thought
As they demanded money from the terrified young woman the sound of a gunshot was heard nearby
The gunshot did not come from their own weapons which became apparent as his partner's gun was shot from his hand by a bullet that came out of nowhere
Without warning a shadowy figure holding what looked like two red colored MP5s, one in each hand which he didn't think was possible, seemed to almost warp right next to his partner so fast he couldn't see the figure approach
It tapped his partner with one of his guns almost in a casual manner
His partner turned in surprise to met by a pistol whip from the shadowy figure that knocked him out cold
He fired three shots in response at whatever it was that attacked them but it just dodged it like they were nothing
After that he ran away at top speed into the alleyway to escape
He didn't want to mess with anything that could dodge shots from a 9 at point blank range
He ran through some puddles on the ground splashing himself with dirty, muddy water as ominous thunder and lighting roared and cracked above in the black night sky
He looked back to see if he was being followed
The figure was following him with almost inhuman speed
'What is this thing!' he thought in a panic as he tried to speed up
He turned back to see it getting closer
He still couldn't see what it was clearly due to the fact it was moving so fast and the night was as black as the inside of a coffin which shrouded the shadowy figure even more
While he was looking he didn't notice he had run right to a dead-end
While he was still looking back he slammed into a brick wall that blocked the alley
He then fell back onto the wet, dirty ground painfully
He quickly flipped around onto his hands and knees only to be met by the figure standing over him
Lightning flashed behind the figure ominously illuminating him only for a second
The only thing the man saw was the eyes
Whoever…or whatever it was had red eye color
"What…What are you?" the man asked fearfully
The only thing that could be heard for a second was the drumming of rain on the alleyway floor and the occasional CRACK! of thunder
The fearful second seemed like a year to the man cowering in front of this mysterious figure with red eyes
The figure bent down close to the man
"You can call me…Phoenix" it said in a deep voice
All the man knew next was darkness
Max and Emmy's Kitchen
Max and Emmy were sitting down and eating breakfast one bright, warm, sunny morning
Their mother was cooking breakfast for their father who was still getting dressed and ready for work
"Max don't do that!" said their mother as she caught Max eating his pancakes with his hands
He was getting syrup and butter all over his hands and face
"Yeah you're suppose to use a fork and knife" said Emmy holding hers up
"It's more fun this way" said Max
"Max..." said their mother in a stern tone
Max quickly wiped his hands with his napkin and began eating them the right way
Then their father entered the kitchen in a very happy mood
He walked over and kissed their mother happily
Max made a gagging noise at the sight like he usually did
"Well aren't you happy today" said their mother as their father sat down
"I should be, I got a promotion yesterday! No more dead-end paper pushing for low pay for me. Now it get it for high pay" said their father happily
"That's wonderful! Do you get shorter hours?" asked their mother
"Nope longer, but the money to hours ratio is well worth it" said their father happily
"What about the children?" asked their mother worriedly
"This means more fun stuff for them" said their father
"I meant what about you looking after them? I got a job volunteering for several community groups. I start today and I'll be gone most of the night" she said
"Oh no! I forgot! I can't be home to watch them!" said their father with dread
"What can we do?" asked their mother
"Maybe Enrique's parents can watch them?" suggested their father
"No, that's why they send him here. They have to work late too" said their mother
"We'll be fine on our own" said Max
"No, you're way too young, you're only five years old" said their father
"Daycare?" suggested their mother
"No way!" said Max not liking the sound of that
"Besides the only close one is closed for massive repairs since that four year old accidentally set the carpet on fire with a candle during the Christmas play" said their father
He thought hard about what to do
Their mother had an idea
"What about a babysitter?" she asked
"A babysitter?" asked their father
"I'm not a baby!' said Max angrily
"Yeah I got this card from a friend of mine; she hired this guy to watch her hyper children for a day. She said he does really good work and is never late no matter when she calls him, even late at night" said their mother holding up a card with a phone number on it
Their father took the card and looked at it
"We'll give him a try today and see how he does, I'll call him later" said their father pocketing the card
"How does that sound?" asked their mother to Max and Emmy
"It might be fun" said Emmy happily
"I'm not a baby!" said Max again angrily
"Close enough" teased Emmy
"Hey!" said Max angrily
"Enough you two" said their mother
She then looked outside to see all the damage that brutal storm did last night
"What a mess" said their mother looking out the kitchen window at the damage the storm had cause
Leaves where everywhere, the trash and mails box had been blown over, trash was scattered all down the street, roof tiles where on the lawn after being blown off the roof, the car was sprayed with mud, and over at Enrique's house a small tree had fallen over in the yard
"Si, it was a heck of a storm" agreed their father reading the paper
"Were you two scared?" their mother asked
"No way!" said Max
"Is that why you ran into my room and slept in my bed with me?" teased Emmy
Max had come running into her room late at night terrified of the thunder and lightning so Emmy let him sleep with her
"Maybe I was a little scared" admitted Max
"Well it did thunder and lighting a lot" said their father
"Yeah, several times the power nearly went out" said their mother
This made Max feel a little better
"Oh great" said their father as he read the paper
"What is it?" asked their mother
"Listen to this" said their father
He then read the article out loud
Last night around 12:00 midnight a stick up occurred in the crime ridden west side of the city. Two suspects armed with 9 millimeter handguns were involved in the crime. They held up 22 year old Sharon Walker as she was heading to her eastside apartment from the late shift at the local clinic. She was ambushed by the two suspects in an alley that was on 45 Palm Street near the commercial district. They demanded her purse, credit cards, and jewelry at gun point. As she began to comply a shot rang out in the darkness. One of the suspect's guns was blown from his hands by a bullet from an unknown individual wielding two red MP5s the witness described as being smaller than standard size versions of the gun. The individual then hit the first suspect with a pistol whip at "Unholy" speed according to the witness. After that the second suspect opened fire in defense but missed the unknown assailant with three shots from his handgun. The second suspect then fled but was followed by the unknown assailant leaving the victim all alone. She then ran to a nearby late night movie theater and called the police. By the time the police arrived on the scene the unknown assailant was gone and the second suspect was found in a dead-end alleyway unconscious. Both suspects are alright and only suffered minor injuries to the head. This is the third in a series of vigilante attacks by an individual who goes by the name "Phoenix". All that is know about him is that he is of medium height, light weight, muscular build, possibly in his late teens or early 20s, he has red eyes, and carries two red colored MP5s. Other details are sketchy due to the speed at which he is known to attack. It is unclear as to his relationship, if any, to the other group of "Super heroes" the Dragon Riders that have been sighted at an increasing rate in the urban and sub-urban areas nearby. The chief of police said this when asked about the two mysterious figures "We shall not tolerate vigilantes in this town! It is a crime and is dangerous to both victims and suspects involved. If you see any of these vigilantes you are urged to call the police and avoid contact with them". This statement was met by outrage from a public that seems to love having these crime stoppers around.
Continue article on pg. 3
"The Phoenix?" asked Emmy at the news
"Yeah he's been showing up late at night to beat down on petty criminals" said their father
"So there's another superhero in town?" asked Max
"No this guy just looks like a vigilante with a gun and a nickname" said their father
"What's a vigilante?" asked Emmy
"A person who pretends to be a cop and beats up bad guys" explained their father
"So he's not a superhero? He just a regular person who fights criminals?" asked Max
"By the way the people who have seen him talk about him you'd think he wasn't a normal human" said their mother
"First the Dragon Riders and now this" said their father
"I like the Dragon Riders" said Emmy for obvious reasons
"Yes, because of that wonderful pink one and her small, cute dragon we still have you" her mother hugging her lightly
"Yes, one day I hope I can repay her for what she has done for us" said their father
Emmy giggled lightly
"I'm sure that's not necessary" said Emmy with a slight giggle
"I'm glad to have them around, but this other guy seems odd. All people ever see of him is his red eyes. Normal humans don't have red eyes" said their father still looking at the paper
"So? The dragon riders aren't exactly normal as well. Have you heard how small they are? They say they are about the size of children" said their mother in response
"Maybe they are kids" suggested Emmy holding back a light giggle
"Now what kind of horrible parents would let their children do such dangerous things?" asked their mother
"Si, they would have to be muy loco to let their own children do that. The Dragon Riders are probably just short" said their father
Max and Emmy gave each other brief concerned looks before turning back to their breakfast
A little while later their dad looked at his watch and got up
"Well I have to go now, I don't want to be late" said their father picking up his stuff for work
"Have a nice day" said their mother happily
"Bye" said Max and Emmy happily
"Bye, I'll call that babysitter and tell him to be here around the time you two get home from school" said their father as he went out the door
"Max, Emmy I'll drive you to school" said their mother as Max and Emmy got their backpacks and lunches
"Great a babysitter" said Max sarcastically not liking the idea of a stranger watching him much
"Come on Max it might not be so bad" said Emmy
"I guess" said Max depressed
"Max, Emmy! Come on!" called their mom from the hallway
They quickly followed and headed off to school
Later That Day at Max and Emmy's House
Later that day after Max and Emmy had come home from school their mother told them that the babysitter would be arriving just before she had to leave for work
Max let out a depressed sigh at this news
"Come on Max it'll be fine" said Emmy cheerily
"Yeah, Emmy and Enrique will be with you" said their mother trying to cheer him up
"Enrique's here?" asked Emmy
"Si, his parents sent him here because they have to work so he will be staying until late. He's waiting in the playroom" said their mother
"Come on Max let's go!" said Emmy dragging Max toward the playroom
"The babysitter will be here in a little while, make sure to look nice for when he gets here" called their mother as the children left
"We will!" called Emmy as she dragged Max by the hand to the playroom
The Playroom
Emmy and Max opened the door to the playroom to a surprise
Enrique was inside but Ord, Cassie, and Zak and Wheezie were there too
Emmy and Max walked in on the dragons playing with different thing in the playroom and Enrique talking to Zak and Wheezie
Cassie was checking out Emmy's doll house while Ord was messing with Max's racecar
"What are you doing here?" asked Emmy in shock
"Max, Emmy!" said Ord happily seeing them
He ran forward and gave his signature hug before putting them down
"My parents dropped me off here since they have to work" explained Enrique
"Not you, them!" said Emmy pointing to the dragons
"We wanted to play with you" said Cassie holding up one of Emmy's dolls
"Yeah, so we came here" said Wheezie
"Is that bad?" asked Ord seeing Emmy and Max concerned
"We have a babysitter coming over tonight!" said Emmy
"So?" asked Ord
"What if he sees you?" asked Max
"Don't worry guys" said Enrique calmly "They just learned a new spell that should help. Go on show'em"
All the dragons then whispered a spell
"Hidden Dragon" they whispered
Suddenly all of them turned invisible before the children's eyes
"Why are you all scared? And since when did all of you turn invisible when scared?" asked Max
"I think that's the spell Max! They can become invisible now" said Emmy understanding what was going on
"Cool!" said Max
"Yeah" came Ord's voice from thin air "But Sage said it would really drain us of energy so we shouldn't use it often"
"I'm feeling tired already" came Zak's voice breathless
"We better turn back" said Cassie wherever she was
All the dragons appeared in the same spots they were standing in before
"Oh boy I'm tired from just a few seconds of that" said Ord feeling like he had run a mile
"Yeah" said Cassie sitting down on the floor
Emmy saw a problem with the idea of using the spell to hide from the babysitter
"You guys can't use that spell to hide from the babysitter all night, you'll pass out if you push your magic too much" warned Emmy remembering Sage's wise words
"Max, Emmy!" called their mom from the hallway
They could hear her approach
"Quick! Hide!" said Emmy
The dragons were too tried from the last spell to use it again so they hid in the closet
"Not this again!" complained Zak
The kids could hear shuffling and grunting from the closet
"Ord you need to lay off the snacks" complained Zak
"Sorry" apologized Ord
"Quiet" whispered Cassie as Max and Emmy's mom entered the room
"Max, Emmy, Enrique the babysitter will be here soon hurry up and get ready" said their mother
"We will mom" said Emmy trying her best to avoid looking at the closet so she wouldn't draw attention to it
"Good, he should be here very shortly" said their mother
"What's his name?" asked Emmy
"He didn't say over the phone" said their mother
"How long will you be gone?" asked Max worriedly
"For a few hours sadly, me and your father will be home late a lot nights from now on" said their mother
Max let out a groan
"Try to have fun, and please don't cause too much trouble for him" said their mother trying to cheer Max up
She then left the room
As soon as she shut the door the dragons came tumbling out of the closet onto the wooden floor
"I'm really starting to hate closets" said Zak angrily getting up and dusting himself off
"I hope one day I can meet your mommy Emmy" said Cassie
"I'm sure they would like to meet you but you heard what Quetzal said. No adults can find out about Dragon Land" said Emmy sadly
"Max what's wrong?" asked Ord concerned to see Max looking depressed
"He doesn't want to have a babysitter" explained Emmy
"So that's what's wrong with him" said Enrique
"That's silly!" said Wheezie
"Yeah, Kiki and Fihn like it when I baby sit" said Cassie having babysat her little brother and sister many times before
"Yeah but you're their sister, I have no idea who this guy is. I want my mommy and daddy to stay, not some stranger who I don't know" said Max with a depressed sigh
"Why don't you get to know him?" suggested Cassie
"What?" asked Max confused
"If you take some time to know him he won't be a stranger anymore" said Wheezie
"Yeah, you might even end up liking him" said Emmy optimistically
"At least see him before you make up your mind about him" said Enrique
"Ok" said Max
"We better go and greet him with mom" said Emmy
"Um, guys? Can you stay here with us while he's here? At least I'll have you guys to play with while he's here" asked Max to the dragons
"Sure little buddy" said Ord happily
"Of course" said Cassie
"No problem" said Zak
"LOVVVVVVVVVEEEEEEEEEEE ITTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!" sang Wheezie
"Ok you guys stay in here and hide so he doesn't see you" instructed Emmy
"Come on let's go" urged Enrique
They all left to greet the babysitter
Living Room
The children went out into the living room where Max and Emmy's mother was waiting near a window for him to arrive
She looked anxiously out the window then at her watch and then she did the same thing over again
"Where is he?" she asked concerned "He's suppose to be here by 6:00 and it's 5:59 already. He's going to be late"
Emmy looked at the clock on the wall and saw she was right
The clock read 5:59 and the second hand was halfway through the circle
Emmy watched as the clock approached 6:00
As soon as the clock said 10 seconds to 6:00 they all heard an odd sound
SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEECH!
Everyone looked out the window to see a red, high performance, motorcycle come tearing down the road at insane speeds
It suddenly stopped so hard its back wheels came off the ground and it skidded to a halt in front of their house
As soon as it was in front of the house its back tires landed with a thud on the pavement
Emmy's mom looked at her watch and saw it said one second to 6'o clock
"No wonder he's never late" said their mother impressed
Upstairs the dragons watched the same thing from the playroom window
"Whoa! That was fast!" said Zak in shock
"That must be him!" said Cassie pointing to whoever was on the bike
The babysitter walked up to the house and rang the doorbell
Emmy's and Max's mother opened the door for him and all of them got their first good look at him
He looked around 18 years old, was pretty tall with a body like a runner's
He had white skin that had a weak tan; he had long blond hair that was spiky on top, he had a spiky pony tail (Think anime style hair like Kenjin's for those who know what I'm talking about) that went all the way down to his waist
He was wearing a red t-shirt with a brown jacket on over that and green camo pattern pants
His shoes where red and white and he had on black sunglasses that covered his eyes
Slung on his back was a red guitar with an arm strap
Emmy and Max's mother was taken back and started by his appearance
He looked like he was a rocker or something
She was praying he didn't have any piercings
She finally managed to say hello after she had gotten over the shock
"Hel…Hello. Are you the babysitter?" she asked worriedly and concerned
"Yup, my name is Zero Fallwell. Nice to meet you. Encantada" he replied politely
"He looks like a freak" whispered Max to Emmy and Enrique
"Max don't be rude!" whispered Emmy back angrily
"Are these the kids?" asked Zero coming over to Emmy, Max, and Enrique
"Yes these are Emmy and Max my children" said their mother introducing them to Zero
"Hola!" said Emmy politely doing a curtsy with her dress
"Hi" said Max half heartedly not even looking at him
"And this is Enrique, he's a friend who will be staying over till his parents get home" said Max and Emmy's mother pointing to Enrique
"Hola! Como estas?" greeted Enrique
"Bein gracias! Y tu?" replied Zero
"Bein! You speak Spanish?" asked Enrique
"Si, mi habla espanol. I know many languages" replied Zero
"Ok no I just have a few things to tell you before I leave" said their mother leading Zero away so she could tell him the usual; emergency numbers, where she can be contacted, when Enrique's parents would be home, and other relevant information
"He's not too bad" said Enrique optimistically
"Yeah he seems nice" said Emmy noticing despite his odd look he actually seemed nice and friendly
"He's still not mommy or daddy" complained Max bitterly
"Come on Max cheer up" said Emmy trying to comfort Max
Their mother came over to them to say good bye
"Ok, now you kids be good while I'm gone" she said
"He looks like a freak" complained Max
"Give him a try Max, you can't judge someone before you get to know them" said his mother
"I'll try" said Max half heartedly
"Good now I'll be home as soon as I can. Adios!" she said as she walked out the door
"Adios!" all the children called out after her
They looked out the window and saw her car leave
As soon as it was out of sight the children turned to Zero
"Um Mr. Fallwell…" Emmy said to Zero
"Please it's Zero" said Zero politely
"What kind of a name is Zero?" whispered Max to Enrique
"Oh, ok, Zero. Is that your guitar?" asked Emmy curiously pointing to the red guitar Zero had slung on his back
"This? Of course it's mine" said Zero taking it off and showing it to them
"Neat! Can you play it?" asked Enrique
"Yup" answered Zero
"Cool can show me how? Some friends of mine want to learn how to play" asked Enrique thinking of Zak and Wheezie…well Wheezie anyway
"Maybe later. Now do any of you have any homework?" asked Zero
"Yes" said Emmy
"I want you to do your homework first, and then I can maybe show you a few things on this" said Zero holding his guitar
"He's making us do our homework first" complained Max silently to Emmy and Enrique
"So? Mom does the same thing Max" pointed out Emmy
"I still don't like him" said Max bitterly
Emmy just gave an annoyed sigh
"We better go get our stuff" said Enrique
The children went to their playroom where they put their backpacks
Playroom
The dragons were waiting for them when they arrived
"How is he?" asked Cassie as they walked through the playroom door
"He looks like a freak. Have you seen his ponytail?" answered Max bitterly
"I think he looks cool!" said Wheezie after seeing him out the playroom window
"He looks weird to me" said Zak
"What's that thing on his back?" asked Ord
"That's an electric guitar" answered Enrique
"You mean he has one?" asked Wheezie excitedly
"Yup, a red one" answered Emmy
"GREAT! I have to see it!" said Wheezie very excitedly
"He's going to play it after we finish our homework" said Enrique
"LOOOOOOVVVVVVVVVVEEEEE IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIITTTTTTTTTTT!" sang Wheezie doing a back flip
"Please don't do that" asked Zak looking green
"I still want my mommy and daddy" said Max
"They aren't going to be home for a while Max, we're going to be here a while with Zero so we better get used to him" said Emmy
"What kind of name is Zero?" asked Max bitterly
"I don't know, how about you ask Ord or Wheezie?" asked Emmy pointing to them
Max let out a sigh getting the message
"Max you're not going to get used to him if you don't even give him a try" said Enrique
"Remember when I wouldn't try anything?" asked Zak "I instantly thought all the new stuff was bad, but when I did try it I found I liked some of the new stuff"
"You didn't like everything" pointed out Max
"You got your work?" called Zero from the hallway
"Yeah we got it" responded Emmy
"Come on guys let's go" said Enrique
Enrique and Emmy left the room and Max followed reluctantly
Living Room
The children went into the living room where Zero was on the couch playing a few cords on his guitar and quietly singing something
"But this time it's my turn and this time around you'll feel the burn" he sang quietly like he was practicing it
He stopped when he saw the children and put his guitar down
"Got it?" he asked coolly
"Yes" answered Emmy
The children then got to work on their homework while Zero began practicing on his guitar again
"You tried to break me, but in the end you couldn't…take me? No that's not it. You could barely shake me? No, darn! That's not it" said Zero frustrated
After a while he stopped and looked over to see Emmy deep in thought about her homework
She was hard at work on her math homework which she just couldn't figure out
2x3? (She is only in 2nd or 1st grade)
She whished she could ask Cassie about it but she didn't want Zero to become suspicious
"Need some help?" asked Zero looking over her shoulder
"I can't figure this out, we had a substitute today and he didn't explain it right. All he said was that we multiplied it, but we have learned anything about multiplication" said Emmy frustrated
"Multiplication? That's not too hard if you know how it works" said Zero
"How does it work?" asked Emmy
"Ok now, see that x?" asked Zero
"Yes" answered Emmy
"Well that just means you add the amount of the first number by the amount of the second number" explained Zero
"What?" asked Emmy confused
"Here I'll show you" said Zero
Here then wrote it out
2x3 2+2+2
"Oh I get it!" said Emmy "2x3 is the same as adding three twos or two threes which is six!"
"Right" said Zero
"Thanks" said Emmy happily turning back to her homework
"Do either of you need any help?" asked Zero
"No I got it" said Enrique calmly
"I don't need your help" said Max with detest
Zero looked over at Max's spelling homework
"Um, I think you do need some help there" said Zero looking at it
"No I don't!" said Max angrily
"You spelled because with a k and z" pointed out Zero
Bekauze
"Back off!" said Max angrily moving away from Zero
"Max don't be rude!" said Emmy
"I don't care! I'm getting away from this freak!" exploded Max pointing at Zero before storming off
"Max!" yelled Emmy after him but he had already left the room
Emmy and Enrique turned to Zero
"We're really sorry about that! I don't know what came over him!" apologized Emmy
Zero just relaxed on the couch with his guitar
"It's no problem" said Zero calmly like he didn't care about what Max had done
"What?" asked Emmy confused that he could be this calm
"Don't you care?" asked Enrique
"Not really, I have a feeling I know what's got him worked up. I'll let him cool down for a while. Besides that was hardly the first time I've been called a freak with this thing" said Zero almost jokingly while holding his ponytail out to the side
"So you don't mind?" asked Emmy still confused
"Not really, but I think you should go and talk to him" said Zero calmly playing a few cords on his guitar
"Ok" said Emmy
She and Enrique then went off to the playroom which was where Max was most likely to go
Playroom
When they got to the playroom they saw the dragons looking at the dragon scale on the ground in shock
"What happened?" asked Emmy as she and Enrique walked in on the dragons
"Max just came through here" said Zak
"He looked really mad" said Wheezie
"He used the dragon scale and went to Dragon Land before we could talk to him" said Ord in distress
"What's wrong?" asked Cassie concerned
"Max got mad and yelled at Zero for some reason" explained Enrique
"We better go after him and talk to him" said Emmy
Emmy and Enrique picked up the dragon scale and prepared to say the rhyme while the dragons used the spell to warp into Dragon Land
Outside the School in the Sky
Max had just blown past the dragons without saying a word and had fled to Dragon Land
He appeared in front of the school in the sky
It was sunset and the sky was a deep shade of orange
Quetzal who was just coming out of the School in the Sky saw Max appear in the usual green flash
"Maxcito!" he greeted Max in a happy tone
Max who had his back turned away from the school when he warped quickly turned around to see the huge, ancient, wise dragon
"Hola Quetzal" said Max depressed
"Nino, what is wrong?" asked Quetzal concerned
"Nothing" said Max in an unconvincing tone
"Really? It doesn't sound like nothing" said Quetzal gently
"Well…" said Max unsure about what to do
"How about you come on in and we talk?" suggested Quetzal
"Ok" said Max slightly happily
Both then went into the School in the Sky
Inside the School in the Sky
Quetzal got Max a drink and then both sat down at the table while Quetzal made some tea
"So what is wrong?" asked Quetzal
"Well…My mommy and daddy have to stay at work longer on some days and have got a babysitter to look after us" explained Max
"Oh, really? What is he like?" asked Quetzal pouring some tea for himself
"He's really weird, he dressed funny, he talks weird, and his name is Zero" said Max
"Do you like him?" asked Quetzal
"No I don't" answered Max
"Why? Is he mean?" asked Quetzal
"No" admitted Max
"What's wrong with him?" asked Quetzal
"He's just odd and strange" said Max with a slight tone of anger
"Would you prefer it if someone else babysat you?" asked Quetzal
Max thought about the question hard for a second
"No…I just want my mommy and daddy to come home" said Max in a sad tone
"I see what the problem is" said Quetzal
"Huh?" asked Max
"It's not the babysitter, it's the fact that your life has changed and you are afraid of the change" said Quetzal
"What?" asked Max
"The babysitter is a new change in your life; you don't like the change because it is strange and new. You are used to your parents looking after you; them being around makes you feel comfortable and safe. This new person Zero, he is unfamiliar and odd so you don't like him and don't feel safe having him watching you" explained Quetzal
"I guess…" admitted Max
The truth was he thought Zero looked really cool but he just didn't like him because he wasn't his mommy or daddy
"What should I do?" asked Max seeking guidance fro the wise old dragon
"You need to realize that life changes no matter how much we don't want it to, there is no way to stop the change so the most we can do is to get used to the changes and deal with what life has dealt us. Don't look at it as the end of something look at it as a beginning, just like how you and your friends turned into Dragon Riders. You must go on with your life and not stay concentrated on the past" said Quetzal
"You're right. I just need to give this new guy a chance like everyone has been telling me to" said Max happily
"Si, and besides your parents will still only be gone for so long nino. They will still be around most of the time but now when they can't someone else will be their to take care of you" said Quetzal
"Thanks Quetzal" said Max happily
"No problema nino, now you should head back to your home" said Quetzal
Max got up to leave
"Gracias Quetzal! Bye" said Max as he left the school
Outside the School in the Sky
Max left just in time to see Emmy, Enrique, and the dragons appear in front of the school
"Max!" said Ord in an alarmed voice spotting Max leaving the school
"Hi guys" said Max to them
"Max you shouldn't just run off like that" said Emmy firmly to her brother
"I know guys, sorry. I just had to calm down for a while" said Max in a regretful tone
"Max what happened to make you so mad?" asked Cassie
"I was mad because I didn't want the new babysitter around because he was different and new. But now I see I need to get used to him and give him a chance like everyone has been saying since he got there" said Max
Emmy gave a happy smile at the news her brother had finally come to his senses
"That's great Max" said Enrique happily
"Yeah, I only hope he doesn't hate me for before" said Max in a depressed tone
"Don't worry he's not mad" said Emmy
"Really!" asked Max relived
"Uh huh, but you better apologize to him" said Emmy
"Let's go!" said Max eagerly
The children held out their hands and chanted the rhyme while the dragons opened a portal to the human world
The Living Room
Emmy, Max, and Enrique walked into the living room and spotted Zero lying on the couch with a content smile on his face calmly playing a few cords on his guitar and singing a few words softly
"I won't give up I won't pushed around. Cause you will never put me…down? Perfect!" said Zero happily
He then spotted the children enter the room with a regretful looking Max leading them
"Hello Mr. Fallwell…" began Max in a worried tone
"It's Zero" corrected Zero
"Sorry, Zero. I just wanted to say…that I'm sorry for before. I shouldn't have said you were a freak so many times" apologized Max
"Wait…you said it more that once?" asked Zero who only heard it once
"Yeah, and I'm really sorry about it" said Max regretfully
"Well I got just one thing to say to that" said Zero angrily
Max began cowering getting read to be punished
"It's no problem" said Zero switching tones to happy suddenly
"What?" asked Max in shock opening his eyes
"Yeah it's no problem; I could tell by the way you acted you just weren't used to your life changing" said Zero calmly
"How could you tell?" asked Max
"Easy, when I was about your age something happened to cause my parents to not be around anymore so I went through the same thing. Our lives can change suddenly and parents might not be around as much but we have to get used to it" said Zero
Max gave Zero a happy smile and nodded
"Um…Can you help me with my homework now?" asked Max holding the paper up
"Sure" said Zero happily
Zero began to teach Max how to memorize his spelling words while Emmy and Enrique finished off their homework
Later
A while later after they had finished their homework Zero decided to show them his guitar
It was getting late and their parents would be home soon
It was already dark outside and they couldn't even see Zero's red motorcycle anymore
The children gathered around on the couch as Zero got his guitar ready
"Whoa, cool!" said Max getting a closer look at it
"What songs can you sing on it?" asked Emmy
"A lot, I even write some" said Zero
"Really? Is that what you were doing earlier?" asked Emmy
"Yup, I call that song Burn but the title and lyrics are still in the works" said Zero
"Do you know any in Spanish?" asked Enrique
"Yeah, if fact I just learned one not too long ago" said Zero
"Will you sing it?" asked Emmy eagerly
"Of course, just hold on" said Zero
He finally took off his sun glasses to reveal skyblue eyes that were very beautiful
He put his sunglasses down on the table and got his guitar ready
He the began to sing gently in Spanish
His voice was amazingly soft and gentle
La roca adiós, el bebé En el treetop Cuando el viento hace volar la cuna se mecerán Cuando la rama se rompe la cuna se caerá y abajo vendrá la Cuna de bebé y todos.
Emmy and the others could feel their eyes get heavy as they listened to Zero's beautiful voice sing
El bebé dormita la Madre Acogedora y justa se sienta cerca En su mecedora Avanzada y trasera la cuna que ella balancea y aunque el bebé duerma Él oye lo que ella canta.
Emmy and the other children began to lie down on the couch as Zero continued to sing
The dragons who had come down from the playroom to listen from just outside the door were getting tired as the song went on
"What (Yawn) is that?" asked Ord sleepily
"That's rock a bye baby in Spanish" said Cassie sleepily
"lovvvvvve iitttttttttttttt" sang Wheeze barely awake
Zak was already out like a light
"We better leave before we fall asleep here and are found" said Cassie
"(Yawn) Ok" said Ord
The dragons headed back upstairs to head home while Zero continued
De las azoteas altas Abajo al mar de Nadie tan querido Como bebé a mí Ojos de meñiques Pequeñitos amplios y brillantes Ahora profundamente dormido Hasta luz de mañana
As soon as Zero stopped he was met by the sound of snoring
He looked to see that children asleep from the lullaby on the couch
"Wow, I didn't know they worked that well" said Zero looking at the children
He got a blanket from Emmy and Max's rooms and placed them on the kids
As he did he heard the sound of a car approaching
He looked to see Emmy and Max's parents approaching the house
He put on his sunglasses and slung his guitar on his back just as they walked in the door
Their father entered the room first
He almost fell back in shock at the sight of Zero
"Who are you?" he asked Zero in a frantic voice
Their mother then entered the room
"Hun, he is the babysitter" explained their mother
"Oh" said their father in a tense tone
"How are the children?" asked their mother
Zero just pointed to them asleep on the couch
"Oh just wonderful" said Max and Emmy's mother happily
"Yeah, all I had to do was give them tranquilizers and they went right out" joked Zero
Both parents gave a scared gasp
"Don't worry, I'm joking!" said Zero
"Oh" said Max and Emmy's mother in relief
"How much do we owe you?" asked their father
"First time's free" said Zero
"Really?" asked Max and Emmy's father
"Yeah, I offer the first time for free for people who are going to hire me more than once" said Zero calmly
"Gracias" said their mother
"No problma, Adios!" said Zero walking out the door
Max was awoken by the sound of the door closing behind Zero
He looked around and saw his mommy and daddy in the room
His mother came over to him
"Hola, did you have a good time with him Max?" asked his mommy
Max heard Zero's bike fire up
"Yeah, he was great" said Max happily as he heard the sound of the bike heading off into the distance
End Chapter
Next Chapter:
Chapter 12: Schools Out
Max, Emmy, and Enrique go to a barbeque party in Dragon Land to celebrate the end of the school year. At the party they talk about what has happened since they became Dragon Riders but little do they know this is only the beginning of their adventures and it only gets more intense from her on out.
P.S. I might include previews for adventures I will be writing over the summer if I get some reviews for my story