Chapter 13: Jackknife ally

Ironchain was in his mini form and sat at the roof of the school. He looked at the two draws he made. He made a perfect replica of the face of Baku and Kuguru and watched them. He put his finger on his chin and thought about it, "Hum...Which one should make my best partner? I didn't really take time to know them. Baku seemed a little lazy and doesn't seem like the fighter type, but he knows how to make a good combination of spell cards when Axia showed them. As for Kuguru, she isn't the fighter type like Baku and a little annoying, but she had good analyst capacity to see when someone lie or analyse the spell cards to find a counter spell faster than Axia."

He crossed his arms and grumbled a little loudly as he thought, "I don't know which one should be my partner. I've been spending week thinking about it and I found nothing at all. I just can't decide which one would be best. Halberd isn't interested in a partner."

He sighted and heard the loud sound of the bell. He looked down and watched the students walked outside the school.

"Strange world, but the food is the best. It tastes like heaven," Ironchain commented.

He saw Gao and his two friends walked outside the school.

"What are you doing here?" the voice of Drum asked.

Ironchain looked to his left and saw the dragon sitting by his side. He replied, "Thinking of my future partner. I have limited choice and I don't know which one is the best. Baku and Kuguru are both nice. I just want to find out with who I'll connect the most?"

"I cannot answer you that. It was mostly luck for me. Gao helped me and we knew a little better that way," Drum replied looked at his partner walking away.

"Anyway, I should return on patrol," Ironchain said. He stood up and was about to fly away when he was stopped.

"Something happen today," Drum said.

Ironchain stopped and looked at the orange dragon and asked, "What happened?"

Drum explained what happened during lunch time. Ironchain gasped when he heard it, "This is bad. We should warn Halberd so he can contact The Punisher once we are back at the base."

"We should," Drum nodded.

Jackknife was watching television and lightly smiled as he watched a funny show.

"Hahahaha! That dragon is hilarious!" he laughed loudly. He heard the door opened and turned around, "Welcome home Tasuku."

"Hello Jack," the boy replied as he walked closer to his dragon friend and pat the snout.

"How was your day?" the dragon asked curiously. He saw the jacket lightly damage and a smell he didn't recognise came out of it. The dragon frowned and asked, "What happen?"

Tasuku hesitated before answering, "I was attacked by Rouga. He asked me where you were, but not because he knows I live with you! It was because I have blue hair. I think the dragon we encounter said something."

"Fang Slade survived then," Jackknife said, "Did he hurt you?"

"He didn't...Only because Gao saved me. He fought against him. His friends took me elsewhere and he came later to check if we were fine. He had a few bruises. He was lucky Rouga didn't have his partner of another world with him," Tasuku lowered his head and sighted, "I cannot defend myself like him."

"I think you need to learn how to defend yourself. I could try and teach you, but my body isn't the same as you, so it will not really work," he sighted before putting his claw on the shoulder of the boy, "Maybe you should find a class where you can learn to defend yourself."

"Him...Maybe I can ask Gao. I don't know from how he learned to fight, but I think it will be useful," Tasuku suggested.

Jackknife nodded with a smile, "Good idea. Anyway, we should-"

Toc! Toc!

They heard something hitting the window. They turned around. Jackknife turned into his miniform and hid behind the couch, "It could be the dragons. Tasuku, open the curtain and watch outside please."

Tasuku nodded. He took out a spell card and walked near the curtain covering the window. He moved his hand closer and lightly opened it. Once he opened it, he saw a piece of paper, but couldn't understand it, "Jack...I think it's a message written in draconic message."

Jackknife walked closer and read it, "Jackknife. I came in peace. Meet me on the roof so we can talk," he turned toward Tasuku and said, "He found us. I'll go there now and-"

"I'll come too Jack," Tasuku replied.

Jack nodded and said, "On my back...When I'm outside."

The one who found Jackknife waited on the roof of Jackknife and Tasuku house and waited for the boy to come. The wind blew on his large wings and waited. He heard the sound of the wings flapping and he turned around. He saw Jackknife landing in front of him with a boy with blue hair on his back.

Jackknife gasped as his eyes were wide open, "You..."

"You know him?" Tasuku asked.

"It's...Thunder Knight Halberd Dragon," the green dragon replied.

Halberd turned into his mini form and raised his hands, "I didn't come here to fight you. I just want to talk to you Jackknife," he said, bowing his head toward Jackknife.

"Off my back please Tasuku," Jackknife asked.

Tasuku did as he asked and the green dragon turned into his chibi form, "What do you want to say. Speak up now or forever remain quiet Halberd,"

"You shouldn't have suspicion on me Jackknife. Remember what I did for you when they were about to encaged you for the trial? Do you think I'm here to capture you?" Halberd asked.

"What is he talking about?" Tasuku asked.

"That's when I was accused of treason," Jackknife replied. He closed his eyes as he thought back, "I was just brought to the dragon world. I would have been caged before brought to the dragon council, and be declared guilty of treason and executed. During the last night before I faced my fate, Halberd came, freed my wings and my hands. He unlocked the chains and told me to escape while he created a diversion."

"You did as I suggest you Jackknife," Halberd replied as he sighted.

"I escaped because no matter what I was dead. It was a miracle I came in your world Tasuku," Jackknife explained with a small smile.

Halberd sighted and said, "I only helped you because you were going to die for doing the right thing. The dragons would have killed defenceless children without mercy and guilt. I couldn't let you suffer the consequence of the right action. I am lucky I wasn't found out or I would have been also dead," Halberd scratched the back of his head and added, "I came with the team to hunt you because I knew I had to find you."

"I was about to ask you why you came here Halberd," Jackknife said with a hint of suspicion in his voice.

"It's not for the bounty on your head. I am here to tell you that I'm on your side Jackknife. What is happening to you is completely unfair? You protect the weak and you are rewarded with your own demise. That's not something anyone deserves when they do the right thing!" Halberd yelled.

"So you were with Fang Slade right?" Jackknife asked.

"Yes. He told us about you and the boy with blue hair. I supposed it is Tasuku," Halberd asked.

"Yes. It's me," Tasuku replied.

"Listen. Things are getting worst for you and for this world," Halberd said.

"What are you talking about?" Tasuku asked.

"Children of this world are getting mixed up into this dragon business. Fang Slade XIV has a partner with him now," Halberd said.

"Who is it?" Tasuku asked walking forward.

Halberd scratched the back of his head and hesitated to say it before his lips moved, "He's a good kid...I can't tell you who it is. I will not put his life in danger by saying his name. I just can't."

"Then how can we-"

"I understand Halberd," Jackknife cut the boy.

"Jackknife. You also have to know that the other worlds will eventually come here. It is a new world with many things for anyone to discover. They will come here for your head, but no one can possibly know what will happen after."

"Are you asking me to leave this world?" Jackknife asked.

Tasuku took a few steps forward and yelled, "I won't let you leave me Jack! As for those who tried to hurt my friend, I will stop them!"

Jackknife looked at the boy and said, "Tasuku is my family Halberd. I cannot leave him alone."

"I'm not trying to convince you to leave. Things are now out of control Jackknife. This world remains the safest one. It's just that I can't help, but grew worried for the future of this world," Halberd replied, "Children entering in battles that doesn't concern them, a world which had nothing to do with you is getting in this mess and only because you did the right thing."

"Halberd. You should try and focus on the positive things. Yes, children of this world are entering in the battle, but each for their reason. Tasuku and I are family, and family stick together. I didn't have that before it. I also saved his life. As for the one you know, you must like and respect him if you don't say his name. For this world, it was bound to happen eventually like any other worlds. I do not regret my choice," Jackknife said as he looked at Tasuku and smiled.

"I don't either. I should leave now before the other dragons wonder where I am. Jackknife, you can count on my support and keeps the patrol away from you," Halberd said as he flew away.

Jackknife and Tasuku watched the other dragon leaving.

"Halberd didn't change. Always worried for the others," Jackknife commented.

"Can we trust him?" Tasuku asked.

"Without any doubt. He's that kind of dragon Tasuku. I think everything is starting to affect his mind. Things are getting too big for someone of his nature to handle. He needs to be a little selfish; it's good for his mental health."

"I'll never expect anyone to say that being selfish can be good for my health," the boy replied with a small smirk.

"He's right thought. This world will know some change very soon. By this world, I mean the entire world. I don't know what will happen, but I hope it would break this world apart," Jackknife said before sighting.

"I'm sure everything will be fine," Tasuku replied with a small smile.

"The humans are fragile Tasuku, but your kind knows a lot of trick to survive and coming out victorious. I saw it in your history books. I hope it will be fine," Jackknife replied.

"Jack. You know I won't let them take you to your doom. I will protect you, just like you did when we first met."

Jackknife smiled and replied, "Let's return inside. We have to eat soon,"

AC: This is the end of this chapter.

I'm not entirely satisfied with the chapter, but I still hope you like it.

Chapter 14: The demon Asmodai.