That night, Colt and Arrow had a plan: Operation Shadow Stealer.
"Okay, I'll get the cops to quietly circle the building once Shadow and Arrow exit the building" Colt inquired.
"I don't know about this…" Pomona said reluctantly.
"Yeah, These guys are dangerous," Ali warned.
"Not necessarily" Everyone turned to Arrow. "I killed two of their men and knocked out one of them single-handedly...so if you play your cards right, they aren't too bad to handle."
"I'm pretty sure that you're not going to say that once the boss comes in to kill you" Buzz adds
"That's why we have our mage Ian in case anything goes wrong" Barley spoke pointing to Ian who sheepishly waved.
"I don't know...Magic against guns…" Buzz said
"Well...at this point I'm willing to try anything...We are going to need him" Arrow replied
Then Laurel stepped in. "Wait a minute, what about the dragon thing?"
Arrow sighed through her nose. "I don't know...But hopefully...That doesn't happen...I'm not counting on it either"
"Well okay...everyone okay with the plan of Operation Shadow Stealer," Colt asked everyone. They all nodded their heads and they started to get prepared for the plan.
"I hope Shadow's okay over there...Cause if they hurt him-" Arrow spoke with her left fist clenched and shaking
"Hey, Hey...They're not going to do anything to him" Barley comforted her
"I hope not…"
Colt then clopped towards the young teen.
"Hey...Are you sure you want to go with this plan?" Colt asked
"I'm willing to do whatever it takes to get my dragon back...I can fight those guys" Arrow told him
"You were born a fighter...You fight better than any of us, but right now, I want you to be safe...Those guys are after you...They're not after me...Do you understand me?"
Arrow looked away from the centaur. "Hey...I need you to understand"
Arrow looked at him and then nodded her head.
"Hey, we should get some rest" Ian called to them. Colt nodded
The centaur was about to leave until Arrow gave him a hug, which He reciprocates.
They held it for a while and they let go giving each other a smile
"Well that's a first" Laurel commented making the teen and centaur chuckle
Then the next morning, The Lightfoot family and Buzz were waiting downstairs for Arrow. Ali and Pomona were getting Arrow ready for the meeting.
"Are you guys almost done?" Buzz asked impatiently
Ali and Pomona came downstairs. "Okay Arrow, come on out"
Arrow stepped out in a dark orange sweater with skinny jeans and what looks like to be a pair of black high-heeled pumps. Her hair is held in a short low ponytail with a few pieces in the front of her hair sticking out. Everyone was in awe at her appearance.
"Ho-how do I look?
"You look, epic…" Barley spoke. Ian and Buzz mouth out wow.
"Erm I don't want to waste any time...Shadow's life could be at stake," Arrow said. She grabbed the ruby from her backpack and began to run for the door with the others following after her.
On the way to the building, the kids were in Guinevere the 2nd with Ian, Barley, and Laurel while a few of the cops were disguised on the advice of Ali.
"Barley, slow down a bit," Laurel nagged, making Barley slow down.
Arrow was in the back thinking about something and Laurel caught her upset gaze.
"Hey...What's wrong...Shadow will be fine because he knows that you're coming back for him"
"That's not it" Arrow spoke, making Laurel confused. "You guys...I'm sorry I dragged you all into this"
"What do you mean?" Ian asked her, turning his chair.
"I mean...If I didn't touch that stupid ruby...None of this would've ever happened…"
"Well...then we wouldn't have met you" Pomona spoke
"And you still would've lived alone, and be lonely for the rest of your life" Laurel added
"I guess that's true...One more thing, when we get there, I should go alone…"
"What?!" everyone in the van said in disbelief.
"I caused you guys enough trouble…"
"Arrow, they'll kill you…" Buzz spoke
"Not as long as I have their ruby"
"No you're not going alone" Laurel protested. "I hate to see a child like you get hurt"
"Ms. Laurel...You guys shouldn't have to pay for my mistakes….I stole that ruby, not you guys, and if Colt's on the line right now, tell him and the other officers that I'm sorry for dragging them into this too...If I get killed, I get killed…" Tears began to form in her eyes. "So much for living alone for 5 years and being abused and used for the previous eight...I just want you guys to know that….You guys have really changed me…and I mean it..."
Tears also formed in Pomona, Ali, and Laurel's faces
"That was touching, sweetheart" Laurel started to cry, embracing Arrow along with her new three friends and Ian while Barley looked in the rearview mirror smiling warmly.
"Now can you call Colt so I can tell him the same thing"
Laurel did just that and Arrow told him and the other officers the same thing
"Well Arrow, We just want you to be careful when you go in there...Those guys are pretty tough and scary" Specter said through the phone
"I want them to try something, I'll smash their precious gem to pieces"
"Arrow...we've arrived," Barley said, parking into the parking lot across a large building.
It was large and intimidating from the young teen's perspective. Arrow slowly stepped out of the van with the ruby in her hand. She took a breath and she looked back at the others. They told her good luck and she slowly entered the building, When she got inside it was dark and quiet and it looked like it was abandoned and it reminded her of a familiar place
"Hello...My name is Arrow...I'm the one who took your gem...I'm here to give it back-" then she went an armful of mobsters and Maverick and Elaina were with them
"We were expecting you dear child" Maverick spoke icily.
Arrow grabbed a glass shard near her and picked it up "You don't know me…" She growled
Elaina instructed the men to put their weapons down nonverbally. "But we do...You were raised by thieves when you watched helplessly when your birth mother was murdered by your adoptive father...Thievery was forced upon you when you had no other choice, not having to experience childhood, not doing things other kids were doing, and having a normal family, and that day when Reese and Matthew were arrested, You had yourself and Shadow and you grew into a young, street-smart teen, but stealing was still apart of you…"
Arrow then had tears streaming down her face but she tried to remain strong
"And when the police caught you, they saw that tough thief on the street on the outside, but on the inside, a broken child in need of love and help...and you gave into your second chance, knowing that you want to change what Mr. and Ms. made of you...And you were in the care of a loving family, and they gave you something that Mr. and Ms. failed to provide for you...It's very rare for police to give people a second chance and you didn't take it for granted and you managed to keep your secret…"
"Stop," Arrow whispered
"Your secret as a were-dragon...I'm a researcher and our men saw you...You are one of the very few lucky people to have this, and it's extremely rare, but you chose to hide it from the rest of the world because you were scared...and Mr. and Ms. didn't know what to do and they kept you locked away from the world, from your gift"
"GET OUT OF MY HEAD" Arrow screamed before dropping on her knees sobbing. Everything that Elaina had said was true, and she was the spot and vulnerable and Elaina crouched down to her
"I know that this is hard, but be honest with us...Was all that stealing worth it, the many things you took from innocent people just because something was taken from you...Was it really worth it?" Elaina asked her
"No mam, it wasn't worth it...Just please leave me Shadow...He means everything to me...Without him...I have nothing and please leave the innocent family and the other kids out of this...They had nothing to do with it...They don't deserve to be hurt because of me…" Arrow spoke with a choked cry following after.
"Of course…" The men then released Shadow, who was unharmed and he yipped and raced towards his owner who sobbed as soon as he was in her arms.
"Did they hurt you...Thank Alora you're alright" Arrow cried.
Maverick then slowly approached the child and Arrow gave him back the ruby which he greedily took
"Ah, yes, still in its perfect glory" Maverick whispered to himself
Then Arrow stood up. "Now, can Shadow and I walk away from this building peacefully, I will bear you no more ill will-"
Before she could finish, a few of the men tied her hands behind her back causing her to stumble on the ground.
"We have some unfinished business…" Maverick spoke with a shark-like grin on his face.
"Son of a...You tricked me...I oughta break that ruby to pieces" Arrow yelled
"Maverick, The child kept her end of the bargain and you keep yours" Elaina strictly warned
"I just want to see her transform…" Maverick spoke
"So you're just gonna use me for being a dragon...am I a weapon to you?"
"No for something much greater than a weapon…" Arrow had a look of fear when he said that. Shadow began to furiously bark and bite at his leg
"Augh, get that dragon!" Maverick yelled. His henchmen started to come for Shadow
"Run Shadow...Get out of here...Don't let them catch you" Arrow chanted
Shadow quickly dodged the men's attacks and escaped the building. Arrow tried to move from her restraints but they were tied very tight and she tripped on the ground trying to run.
"Get the girl" The men do as they are told and grabbed Arrow and took her away
Meanwhile, the others were waiting in Guinevere the 2nd waiting for Arrow and Shadow to come back along with a few police cars. They were starting to get worried
"She's been gone for a long time...Some of us have to check up on her," Pomona said.
"Relax...I'm sure she'll be back" Barley assured the teen.
"You guys are not at all worried about her"
"We're not saying that we're not worried about her...She's a fighter...I'm sure she'll-" Then barking came, alerting the others. They then saw Shadow running around and then running towards them
"It's Shadow," Ian pointed out. Shadow began to yip like crazy, trying to tell them something
"It's Arrow...We need to go back," Ali said.
"Are you crazy, those guys are killers" Buzz protested
"Well I'm not leaving Arrow behind" Laurel spoke taking the side of Ali
"Well let's go," Barley replied. They all got into their cars and drove off back to the place.
It didn't take them long to find Arrow tied up outside, guarded by the henchmen and the sun was starting to slowly set
"We gotta get her out of there," Colt told the others
Arrow began to pull at the restraints trying to pull herself out but to no avail. When she saw the sunset she looked at the two fauns close by. Elaina had a look of worry and Maverick then placed dark sunglasses on his face.
Arrow then realized something. Something that she remembered what Corey had said.
"To tell a were-dragon, it's by certain behavior"
Arrow then realized that Maverick might be a were-dragon. She looked around frantically for something and she started to squirm from her restraints
The couple and a few of the men stare out of the window
"Maverick, Stop this NOW" Elaina demanded.
"I just want to see her transform…"
"What for...She gave her end, why can't you keep yours"
"Maybe she can cure me…"
"What are you…..Maverick...Are you"
Maverick then shielded his horns with his hat and his back with his coat as he watched the sunset once more. Then suddenly, Elaina started to pull of his sunglasses
"Augh, what's wrong with you woman?!" Maverick yelled, trying to cover his eyes. He tried to catch his wife but his hat fell off along with his jacket. He chased her outside to where Arrow was and the sun was had almost set
"What Are you doing Ms…" Arrow asked confused.
"Watch and see…"
"Augh...I can't be out here at night Elaina"
Arrow's eyes widen in horror, knowing that her hunches were right
Then the moons began to rise and Arrow transformed into a dragon again. To her surprise, Maverick transformed as well. Maverick roared and Elaina and tried to charge at her until Arrow blocked his way saving his wife's life
Thankfully the others came just in time to see the fight
"No way...The mob leader is a dragon too…" Buzz said speechless
From the size of the dragons, Maverick is much larger than Arrow. They both blew fire at each other and Maverick threw the first attack which arrow missed by swiftly flying away from him while Maverick gave chase
"We have to go after them…." Ian said
"BARLEY STEP ON IT" Laurel yelled
"We're coming Arrow" Colt called
The 2 vehicles stepped on it and raced towards the battling dragons
Arrow tried her best to avoid Maverick but he blew fire at her in every direction blocking her
"There's no escape Arrow" Maverick spoke in a monstrous voice
"It doesn't have to be this way…" Arrow begged. "You don't have to kill me"
"I've been cursed like this for 24 years and I need someone to heal me from this form and I believe your the one that can"
"I know how you feel...I've had this all my life...There's a difference between us...You've been cursed with this and I was born like this...But I can heal you…"
Then Maverick blew fire in her face, nearly blinding her. He tried to scratch her but She dodged every move. She fought back by tripping over him with her tail, causing him to crash on the street.
The others got out of the car seeing the dragons fight and they saw Maverick overpowering Arrow
"Come on, Arrow, You can fight him...Come on" Pomona and Ali cheered
"Ian you have to do a spell" Barley urged his younger brother
"I can't….What if I hit Arrow?!" Ian argued
Arrow and Maverick then battled into a familiar place...the prison. Maverick scratched Arrow, knocking her down on the building. Two familiar people then watched the two dragons
"Avery…" Ms. and Mr. Called out. Arrow turned to them
"You took something I love, Now it's time for me to do the same" Maverick said. He tried to blow fire at the two adults but Arrow blocked it with her wing severely injuring herself in the process, making her roar
Arrow then combatted back by throwing large debris at him, knocking him farther away from her
Mr. and Ms then glanced up at Arrow in her dragon form and she looked down at them
"Be lucky I didn't kill you…" Arrow said sourly in a monstrous voice before flying away, with Maverick flying after her. With that Mr. and Ms. began to think about what they said to her yesterday.
The dragon's battle continued to the city with Ian, Barley Laurel, Arrow's friends, and the police in pursuit. Arrow was on top of a tower-like building, scaring everyone inside causing them to evacuate. She lent them a paw and helped them to safety. She blew fire in Maverick's face, while he tried to bite her.
Then Arrow noticed that it was getting darker and saw that clouds were rolling in
Then the two dragons began to shrink down back to normal. Maverick fell but Arrow tried her best to cling to him
"Let go, kid...You can't save us both"
"Yes, I can..."
Everyone was in confusion about what was happening. Ian and the others luckily arrived at the scene.
"What spell can I do to save them…" Ian spoke to himself contemplating.
Arrow then felt her grip slipping as well as Maverick's
"We're gonna die kid, just admit it"
"NO, we're not"
"Yes, we are…"
With that, Arrow lost her grip, and down they fell. They were about to hit the ground until
"ALOFT ELEVAR" Ian screamed and the spell saved both of them. They landed in a soft spot on the ground and all of the citizens cheered for them
Arrow then rose up and was met with lots of hugs from Ian, Barley, and Laurel
"ARROW" Pomona, Ali, and Buzz cheered racing towards her and they had a group hug before Buzz realized something and closed his eyes
"What?" Arrow said
"Your um-"
Arrow looked down at herself "Oh right...and sorry about your heels Ali"
"Nah it's cool, They couldn't fit me anymore" Ali brushed her off
Barley then quickly handed Arrow his vest, covering her up
"Thanks…" they then heard coughing and Maverick rosed
Colt was about to arrest him until Arrow blocked his way and walked towards the faun
"Kid...I thought you didn't survive the fall" Maverick spoke.
"Thank my friend Ian for that" Arrow said pointing to Ian who sheepishly waved
"So How are you going to fix me...or fix this town that we destroyed...Huh...How are you going to fix it"
"For your healing leave it to me...and"
For the city leave it to me and these" Elaina approached the duo with a bunch of gems and the largest of them all the ruby
"But honey…"
"But nothing...We could put these to good use"
The next day. Arrow, Ian, Barley, Laurel, and Maverick were in the Manticore's tavern and The Manticore made an antidote for both of the were dragons.
"This may hurt Arrow" Corey warned
"It's fine"
Corey took a needle of the antidote and inserted it into the teen's arm
"She's a were-dragon by bloodline"
Then Corey took a bit of Arrow's blood and gave it to Maverick and He was healed.
"How could I repay you, kid," Maverick asked her
"Bear me or my friends no more ill will and a truce" Arrow declared extending her hand out
Elaina and Maverick glanced at each other and they both took her hand
"Consider it done," Maverick said proudly.
Then something started to happen to Arrow. A large glow of light came on her and it made her nervous.
"What's going on...What's happening to me?" Arrow asked
"I think it's a transformation," Barley told her
"Oh boy…." Arrow said thinking that She was going to transform into a dragon again
But that didn't happen and She asked for a mirror and she took a good look at herself
Her hair was now completely blond with two blue streaks in the front of her hair. Her eyes were now dark green on the right and red on the left. The red-eye had a dragon slit. She saw that she had small horns on her head as well as wings on her back. She had a few scales on her arms and legs. She was still dressed in her gray shirt and denim shorts. Despite her transformation, she still maintained her elf form
"I-I don't understand…" Arrow spoke
"I think that this is your true form Arrow" Corey spoke. "Your true for a half-elf half-dragon"
Arrow then sank down. "Do I still transform into a dragon?"
"Well you can but it's however and whenever you want"
Arrow then smiled and turned toward the mirror
"I think I can get used to this look"
"Sweetie, you look beautiful...No matter what form you take…" Laurel said through the mirror.
"Thank you Ms. Laurel" Arrow smiled
"Ms. Arrow...wait," Elaina said.
The female faun approached the teen and gave her a handful of something and Arrow saw that it was a bunch of tiny gems
"No Ms. Elaina, I can't take this from you"
"No Arrow, I insist...You need it more than We do...You earned these"
Arrow smiled and gave the couple a hug. Maverick's heart swelled and returned the hug along with his wife. As the Lightfoot family and Arrow watched them leave, Laurel pondered something
" Arrow, do you want to be a part of the family?" Laurel asked her.
Then Arrow gave Laurel and her family a smile.